VenezuelanCristhian Jose Cedero
BrazilianEdwardo De Souza Braz
BrazilianRondiney Barbosa Periera
Norton calls for 25% salary increases for public servants
...SAYS 50% POSSIBLE FOR CHRISTMAS WITH BOOMING OIL SECTOR
Leader of the
People’sNational Congress Reform (PNC/R),AubreyNortonhas called on the government of Guyana (GoG) to increase public servants’ salary by 25%forChristmas.
D u r i n g a p r e s s conference on Friday, Norton pointed to the increased production of oil andgasoffshoreGuyanaand further growth projections for the sector which he believes justifies the payout to Guyanese in the public sector
In fact, the Leader believes that even 50% increases are possible as he underlined the need for the purchasing power of Guyanesetobeimproved.
He told this newspaper that he does not support an across-the-board salary increaseasitwouldnotreap thebenefits,heenvisionsfor those in real need. “We do not like across the board increases because they widen the gap between rich andpoor.”
“The President earns a p p r o x i m a t e l y
G$34,800,000 per year which translates to $2 9 million monthly The Ministers and Leader of the O p p o s i t i o n e a r n
a p p r o x i m a t e l y
G$21,600,000 a year which works out to approximately $1 8 million monthly, including benefits,” Norton said as he highlighted the sharpcontrastintheearnings of a minimum wage public servantwhoispaid$100,000 per month and only $1 2 millionannually
He pointed out that this meansaMinisterearnsmore in one month than what the average worker earns in a year
According to Norton, “This comparison shows a wide gap between the earning of the government elite and the statutory minimum earnings Public servants, formal sector workers,andinformalsector earners alike have felt the
effects of stifling low wages andsalariesandrisingcosts. Public servants carry the burden that while national wealth is rising, their purchasing power is collapsing.”
Assuch,hecalledonthe administration to ensure more money is directed to publicservantstonarrowthe gapbetweenthegovernment eliteandpublicservants.
The Leader was keen to note that the Guyana’s oil production and the wider sector have expanded very quickly, with official reporting and government projectionspointingtorapid increasesindailyoutputand projectramp-upsthroughthe remainderofthisdecade.
“Government sources and industry reports show production and revenue growththatpositionGuyana tobenefitmateriallyfromthe S t a b r o e k B l o c k development and related projects The government expects total revenues to reach $1,024 5 billion in
Speed cameras and radar signs live on Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge
2025, an increase of 30.5% over the $784 6 billion reported in 2024 Yet workers are being offered a ridiculouslylow8%increase in2025,”Nortonargued.
On the other hand, he pointed out that private oil companies have reported verylargerevenuesandcash flows tied to Guyana operations.
Assuch,hemadeitclear that citizens legitimately expectthestatetotransferan equitable share of the revenues into durable investment in public sector wages.
He said that a minimum of 25% increase in publicservantwageswouldhelpto restore purchasing power for state employees and help boost the non-oil economy
In fact, the leader shared five compelling reasons for the25%increasehebelieves should be paid this Christmas season According to him, “Many public servants have seen
The National Data Management
Authority(NDMA),togetherwith the Guyana Police Force (GPF), onFridayconfirmedthatnewspeedcameras andradarspeedsignswillbeactivatedonthe Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge beginning this weekend (December 13, 2025).
The GPF in a statement said that the initiativebuildsonthebroaderrolloutofthe automated speed-ticketing initiative launchedearlierthisyearundertheSafeRoad IntelligentSystem(SRIS).
“The radar-enabled cameras will detect and record speeding violations in real time, withthespeedsignsbeingusedasacalming measuretobringspeedawarenesstodrivers. Once a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit, the SRIS system will automatically generate a ticket Drivers whose contact
cameras and radar
information is registered with the Guyana RevenueAuthority (GRA) will receive their noticeviaSMSoremail;otherwise,physical tickets will be delivered to the owner’s address,”thestatementsaid.
Tocheckforanyissuedtickets,motorists are encouraged to use the GPF’s official
“FindMyTicket”athttps://speed.gpf.gov.gy
This digital option is part of the Government’s push for transparency and efficiency,makingcomplianceeasier
TheGPFsaidthattheadditionofthenew HarbourBridgetoSRIScoveragereflectsthe government’s commitment to leveraging data-driventechnologyforpublicsafety
“Drivers are urged to abide by posted speedlimits,payattentiontoradarsigns,and support the collective effort to make Guyana’s roads and infrastructure safer and moreefficient.”
real earnings decline in the face of inflation and higher living cost; if oil revenues are expanding, a portion must be used to fund equitable compensation for those who deliver core public services; increased public wages would help supportlocalbusinessesand consumption in the short term; competitive publicsectorpayiscriticaltoretain skilled staff required to manage expanded public investment and regulatory dutiestiedtotheoileconomy and government’s own reporting estimated total wages and salaries in the p u b l i c s e c t o r a t approximately $227 billion byend-2025.Auniform25% increase on that base would raisetheannualwagebillby about GYD 56.75 billion to
$283 75 billion That is affordable.”
Even though the oil market is volatile, Norton saidthepayincreaseswould besustainable.
He explained that the PNC/Rhasalwayscalledfor government to develop the non-oil sector through revenues earned from the petroleumindustry Additionally, the leader said his opinion is that a portionofearningsfromoil and gas activities should return to the public sector “I am of the view that some amount of resources from oil should go to funding public servants and once that is done with expansion in the non-oil sector and ensuring more businesses come on stream then it is sustainable ”
PNC/R Leader, Aubrey Norton
Speed
signs on the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge
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
School parties
Once again, the nation has been forced to confront an uncomfortabletruth:themoralcompassintoomanyofour schoolsisspinningwildlyoutofcontrol.
The latest incident students brazenly transforming a classroom into a dance hall during a Christmas party was not just shocking; it was disgraceful. The vulgarity on display did not emerge in a vacuum. It is the product of a slow and steady breakdown in discipline, a worrying absence of parental guidance, and a troubling failure of schoolsupervision.
Minister of Education Sonia Parag was quick to condemn the episode, labelling the behaviour “inappropriateandvulgar.”Sherightlyremindedthepublic that the Ministry of Education does not condone such conduct under any circumstance, Christmas Social or otherwise.Herstatementthatclearinstructionshadalready been issued to head teachers and senior administrators underscores the most glaring failure in this matter: those tasked with supervising the event simply did not do their jobs.
And that is where accountability must begin. It is difficult to imagine how a classroom an institution meant for learning and order, could be converted into a mininightclub without any adult noticing. Music had to be played.Furniturehadtoberearranged.Studentshadtobe left unchecked long enough to lower themselves into gyrations that have no place in any school, much less at a Christmas celebration. Where were the teachers? Where weretheadministrators?Whereweretheadults?
Wehavereachedapointwherethelackofsupervision inschoolsisnotmerelyincidentalithasbecomesystemic. TheMinister'sreminderthat“thoseresponsible…mustbe heldaccountable”iswelcome,butcondemnationalonewill notsolvethisgrowingcrisis.
Parents, too, must face the mirror Schools cannot be expected to shoulder the burden of raising children who arrive already devoid of self-control, respect, or basic decency Thetruthremains:behaviourdisplayedinpublic spaces often mirrors behaviour tolerated at home. The minister's call for all stakeholders to “work together to discourage negative behaviour” is a polite way of saying what many are afraid to admit—too many parents have abdicatedtheirresponsibilities.
Whatwewitnessedthisweekisnotnew KaieteurNews has reported on similar scenes over the years. The differencetodayisthealarmingfrequencyandintensifying brazenness. It is no coincidence that the issue of school parties has long been contentious. Under the previous administration,whenpartieswerebannedatthesecondary level,thecurrentgovernmenttheninoppositionwasquick to decry the decision. Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand was emphatic at the time. She argued that banning parties demonstrated the Ministry's inability to manageschoolsinawaythatallowedchildrentosocialize responsibly She insisted that the policy lacked consultation,unfairlytaintedtheentireschoolpopulation, and insulted teachers by implying they were incapable of maintainingorder
Her concerns then were not without merit. But this week's display raises a critical question: were the proponents of school socials overly optimistic about the system'sabilitytoenforcediscipline?
Becausetheevidencenowsuggeststhatevenwithclear directives,evenwithadultsupervisionrequired,evenwith warnings issued, some schools cannot manage a simple Christmas gathering without descending into chaos and indecency This is not about being prudish. It is about safeguarding the culture, values, and moral foundation of ournation'syouth.
School events whether parties, socials, or celebrations can and should occur They provide opportunities for camaraderie, relaxation, and social learning. But they require structure, rules, and present,
Immediately restore Farnum Ground to the community open recreational green space
DearEditor,
We, citizens residing in Subryanville, Georgetown repeat our calls for the Central Housing and Planning Authority and the Mayor and City Council to immediately restore Farnum Ground to the community open recreational green space.
We are surprised that sincethemediareporton19 November, 2025 "CH&PA ordershalttoconstructionof Mae's School after works were finished – owner –Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana" there has been no further action from the different Government agenciesthatareresponsible forurbanplanninganduseof
land.
We expect that since the Cease Order is in effect that the CH&PA and M&CC would intervene to not only enforce its laws but to ensurethatpeoplewhoare responsible for the construction obey the laws
The Ministry of
Education has indicated that no permission was granted for the construction of a private school on Farnum Playground, and yet, the Ministry has taken no further action to ensure that the students have access to education in suitable accommodation on land which is zoned for businessuse
TheCentralHousing and Planning Authority, the MayorandCityCouncil,the Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities andstatutorybodiesmustdo their public duty to ensure that Farnum Playground is restoredsoontoacommunal space.
We also urge citizens aroundGuyanatobevigilant as you protect the spaces needed for our health and well-being.
Sincerely
KhalidBacchus
IngridClarke
AmritaSingh
ShadFernandes
PaulVallidum
JonathanFernandes
EvaScott
StuartGonsalves
LeahAlphonso
JohnetteGonsalves
RyaadBacchus
ClairPestano
GrahamScott
KerriDeGroot
AishaFraites
RobertFernandes
RaphaelDeGroot
RonaldLuckhoo
PeterDeGreet
SabineMcIntosh
RuthLuckhoo
DiannaStüger
DeborahNunes
SaskiaWijngaarde
RenéEdwards
PaulNunes
Elizabeth De
Hughes
DominicFernandes
VidyarathaKissoon
Understanding Guyana's Coloured Economies
DearEditor,
Dr RandyPersaud(Nov 26)introducedtheconceptof 'Orange Economy' and followed up with comments from other distinguished writers Hemdutt Kumar, Dr Walter Persaud, and Dr Tarron Khemraj. Randy is right that most people, includingme,neverheardof the Orange Economy (as definedbyRandyascreative work,intellect,thearts,etc.). I do not know if President Irfaanusedtheterm'Orange Economy' in his outreach committing to development toRegion6.Idon'tthinkthe peoplearethatsophisticated about these economic conceptsastheyarefocused
on basic bread and butter issues.(Asanaside,thearea needs more than Orange Economytoraisestandardof l i v i n g ; i t n e e d s infrastructural development and real industries as wisely proposed by the President). Learning something new is a l w a y s g o o d a n d transforming parts of the Corentyne into tourist hubs (OE) is welcomed. How do we get people to monetize theirintellectorcreativity?
During my doctoral studies of economics in the 1980s, Orange Economy was not in any books or literature and not part of the vocabulary of economists. I am sure it would have been
engagedadults.Ifthosebasicelementsaremissing,schools havenobusinesshostingeventsatall.
Going forward, several measures should be nonnegotiable:
1. Mandatory adult-to-student supervision ratios, with teachersassignedclearresponsibilitiesduringevents.
2. Strict guidelines outlining permissible activities, dresscodes,andconductatschoolsocials.
3. Pre-event briefings for both students and staff, reinforcingexpectedbehaviourandconsequences.
4.Parentalinvolvement,whetherthroughvolunteersor mandatoryconsentacknowledgingthestandardsrequired.
5. Clear disciplinary follow-through, ensuring that this type of vulgarityis metwith real consequences, not public outragefollowedbyquietforgetfulness.
The nation cannot afford complacency Each time we excuse or ignore such behaviour, we erode the core principlesthatschoolsaremeanttouphold.
This latest incident is a reminder, loud, embarrassing, and unavoidable, that discipline is collapsing before our eyes. It is time for all involved, teachers, parents, administrators, policymakers to stop pointing fingers and startenforcingstandards.
If our children cannot behave responsibly at a simple schoolChristmasparty,thenthecrisiswefaceisfardeeper than one vulgar video circulating online. And the next incident will not shock anyone—because we will have grownaccustomedtothedecay
the same for Prof. Tarron Khemraj who studied economics at the New School(NY)inthe1990s.It was also not in text books whenItaughteconomicsfor over two decades, the last time over a decade ago. It is stillnotinvoguetodaywhen I checked economics books. There were other “colored economies” (mentioned below) but not 'Orange' and these other 'colored economies' were mandated concepts to be taught, to be learned, and to be examined by Professors or educators. Since I stopped teaching economics, a number of other colored economies havecroppeduplike'purple economy', 'blue economy', etc.Itisnotthatthecontents of the colored economies were not taught in economics They were
basics of economics taught inclassrooms,buttheywere not so termed until the last decade or so long after I exitedtheclassroom. Although they did not write on colored economies, I take the opportunity to salute Sukrishnalall Pasha, Martin Pertab, Tarron Khemraj, Ramesh Gampat, and Thomas Singh, leaving out some of the retired ones like Clive Thomas and Maurice Odle, etc. for their contributions to Guyana's development.Theyaresome of Guyana's finest, most brilliant economists Mr Pasha (an outstanding statisticianandmathwizard) and Dr Pertab (outstanding analyst)arestillcontributing significantly in public service.
WhatisColored
(Continuedonpage5)
Wrapping of step rails a safety hazard
DearEditor,
I have observed buildings and homes this Season wrapping the bannister (hand) rails of stairs with Christmas decorations.
I went recently to a prominentcityhotelandhad to use the stairs and was surprised, because both rails were wrapped there was no way to hold on to it in order to get a good grip as I wended my way and down thestairs.
The rails/Bannister are goodsafetyaidsparticularly for children, the elderly and
differently abled. With the rainy season on, stairs can becomeslippery
Therailswillaidsupport inthisregard.
The practice of making these rails unusable by wrapping them is a poor decisionandasafetyhazard. Ifwrappinghastobedoneto therailsofstairwaysoneside shouldbeleftunwrapped.
Safety should be paramount in all things we do.
AhappyandsafeSeason toall!
Regards ShamshunMohamed
If Pres. Ali's govt. continues along their partisan development path, they will implicate Int'l companies by committing constitutional violations
DearEditor,
I read articles which were published in the press recently, one was in the Stabroek News on December 10, 2025 and titled'GAICO,UScompany in sugar refinery dealaimingat100,000tonnesper annum' and the other was in the Kaieteur News on December 11, 2025 and titled 'Deal sealed for US$20M white sugar refineryatWales'.Oneofthe articles stated, 'Guyana's first-ever white sugar refinery, a US$20 million
joint venture between GAICO Construction and General Services Inc. and US-based Sucro Limited is settopositionthecountryas a major supplier of refined sugar to the CARICOM market'.
I applaud the current government for continuing and concluding this negotiation that was started b y t h e G u y S u C o management under the APNU+AFC government
This is what governments should do; continue the viable policies, strategies,
Understanding Guyana's...
Frompage4 Economies? Economists have recently started using different colors to describe aspects of a country's economy It is simply a framework that categorizes economic activities in a distinctdomain,assigningit acolor
For example, blue (havingtodowithmarineor the ocean or water or fishing), orange (creativity, music, tourism, etc.), green (environment), pink (nonhetero-sexual), purple (women empowerment), brown (fossil fuel), grey (legitimate businesses avoiding taxes), among
others. So colored economies, and there are about a dozen, are recently
used to categorizes economic activities. They areusedtohelpthepublicas well as students better understand economics and how each category contribute to national output.
Priortotheemergenceof the 'colored economies', some economic colors were (and still are) used in the course of study of economics. There was the red economy (communism or centralized planning), black (underground), green revolution (agricultural revolutionusingscienceand modern technology) but green today refers to the environment(ourLCDS).
As best as I know, students of economics are not tested on these colored concepts, and they are not sub-fields of economics
Thedisciplineofeconomics is still taught the traditional way of sub-divisions in macro, micro, labor, econometrics or statistics, dev
plans,programmes,projects, and ideas from previous governments. It is great to seethatsomesectionsofthe private sector are now keen to be involved in the production of white sugar
environment, management, international business, etc.
Comprehensive exams for the MAand PhD are still in theintheabovesub-fields. DrRandyiscommended for introducing the concept of Orange Economy The introduction of new (color) concepts to categorize economic activities is welcomed. Support for and implementation of ideas to monetize talent and tourism (new to the Corentyne) in uplifting lives is what mattersmost.
Yourstruly, VishnuBisram
DearEditor,
As a public analyst
landscape, it is evident that thenation'soilandgassector
accelerated pace. This rapid growth has positioned Guyana as a major point of global interest, drawing established multinational oil companies as well as new
opportunitiesinouroffshore basin.
Accordingtoinformation released by the Department of Public Information, the 2022 Licensing Round offered 14 offshore blocks and attracted an impressive mix of major international
y companies.TheGovernment later awarded several of
because one of the pushbacks against the production of white sugar locally was that sections of the private sector are importing white sugar and weremoreinterestedintheir bottomline over supporting theviabilityofGuySuCo.
However, if President Irfaan Ali's government continues along their partisan development path, they w
imp
icate international companies by committing constitutional violations along with the government. Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution statesthat'Theprincipal (Continuedonpage6)
With firm oversight, responsible management, and an unwavering commitment to transparency, the nation can benefit significantly from new partnerships
these blocks to both wellk
and emerging firms, signaling a deliberate strategy to diversify participation beyond the long-standing StabroekBlockpartners.
Since that time, some awards have advanced into confirmed agreements TotalEnergies,inpartnership with QatarEnergy and PETRONAS, signed a Production Sharing Agreement for Block S4 on November 11, 2025 Likewise, Ghana-based Cybele Energy finalized a PSA for Block S7 in December 2025 These developments highlight the widening range of operators entering Guyana's sector, bringing fresh investment, new technologies, and additional employment opportunities.
While many of the major exploration and production companies op
ting offshore originate from the United States, China, and nowAfrica,localinstitutions continue to play an essential role in national energy stability The Guyana Oil CompanyLimited(GuyOil), as the state-owned entity, remains responsible for the importa
distribution, and marketing
country—ensuring domestic supply and maintaining national oversight amid an expandingforeignpresence.
However,asinternational participation grows, so too does the need for stronger governance. Clear timelines for exploration activities,
consultation,andtransparent reporting of signature bonuses, local procurement, and environmental impact assessments are vital. These measureswillsupportpublic confidence and ensure that thedevelopmentofGuyana's
accountableandalignedwith the country's long-term interests. Guyana stands at a pivotal point in its modern history.With firm oversight, responsible management,
o transparency, the nation can benefit significantly from new partnerships while safeguarding its economic, environmental, and social future.
Sincerely,
Mr.BlaneRBunbury
Connectivity without sovereignty: Why Guyana must fix its digital weaknesses before it's
DearEditor, Guyana is in the middle of an extraordinary digital awakening. In just a few short years we have gone from isolated hinterland communities with no connectivity at all to a country where children in deep-river villages are attending virtual classes and wheretelemedicineissaving lives that, only recently, were beyond the reach of timely care.This is progress that deserves credit. The g o v e r n m e n t h a s demonstrated a clear political will to modernize, and the work being carried out through the ICT hubs, solar-powered connectivity sites, and digital training
programmes shows a seriousness of purpose that should be acknowledged ratherthanminimized.
Yet even as we celebrate these achievements, there are two deep structural weaknesses that threaten to undermine all of this progress if we do not confront them honestly: the quiet entrenchment of Starlink as our de facto national backbone, and the longstanding paralysis within our banking and payments system a paralysis that is rooted, in large part, in failure of leadership at the regulatory level, particularly at the centralbank.
No country can claim digitalreadinessifitdoesnot control its own financial rails.AndGuyana,forallits economic success, still does not.
Every Guyanese knows the symptoms. Long lines outside banks that resemble the 1980s Businesses unable to accept credit or debit cards because the acquiring infrastructure is
practically non-existent. No national real-time transfer system. No digital wallet withnationwideacceptance. No interoperable QR system No governmentdriven standards for fintech. No proper e-KYC rules. No low-cost mobile money for the unbanked. The private banks are not modernizing because there is no regulatory push, and the regulator is not pushing becauseitisstillfunctioning withthemindsetandtoolsof anotherera.
Theproblem,however,is deeper than inconvenience. It is systemic. The Bank of Guyanaremainstrappedina supervisory approach that is completely misaligned with theneedsofamodern,highgrowth economy For years, the central bank has insisted on a policy philosophy that amounts to absolute conservatism: avoiding innovationoutoffearofrisk, instead of managing risk in order to allow innovation. The result is a financial sectorthatisrigid,timid,and chronically unprepared for technological change. Even as our economy grows at historic rates, our financial systembehavesasifGuyana is a fragile colony incapable of taking bold steps toward modernity
The consequences are not theoretical. Nearly half of our population remains outside formal finance
Small businesses are operating in cash. Citizens areforcedtotravelmilesjust to access their own money Cheques—a relic of the last century—still move through the system as if digital payments never existed Banks have been allowed to operate with almost no incentive to innovate. The central bank's silence, its
lack of a national payments roadmap, and its refusal to demand modernization have collectively created a situation where even basic improvements such as instant transfers between banks—remainoutofreach. This financial stagnation makes our dependence on S
government rolled out connectivity to more than
communities, it filled a gap that local ISPs had failed to address for decades. That decisionwasunderstandable and in many respects, necessary But because the national payments system is soweak,thedigitaleconomy built on top of this satellite infrastructureisprecarious. If Starlink ever became
disrupted—whether due to foreign policy decisions,
technical failure entire regionsofGuyanawouldnot onlylosecommunicationbut also lose access to every payment method tied to that connectivity In a country where digital payments barely exist, there is no domestic redundancy in place.
Other nations have confronted these realities directly India forced regulatory compliance before allowing Starlink to operate. Sri Lanka paused approva
data sovereignty was addressed. European nations require satelliteoperatorstostoreor mirrorsensitivetrafficinside theirjurisdiction.
Guyana has not yet
framework. The fault does notliewiththegovernment's digital transformation agenda it lies with the absence of an empowered r
anticipatingriskandguiding thecountrythroughcomplex technologicaltransitions.
If Guyana is serious about its digital future, the nextmovemustbedecisive. The government should immediately establish a high-levelstudyteamtasked with developing a national digital sovereignty and payments modernization plan This must include a
g domesticcapacity,designing securenationaldatapolicies, modernizing the payments
too late
system, and requiring local banks to comply with international standards of efficiencyanddigitalservice delivery
The Ministry of Finance is already vocal about the need for modernization, and the administration has made progressive moves in areas such as e-governance and digital literacy What is missingisacentralbankthat acts with the urgency and intelligence that this digital agedemands.
Westandatacrossroads. Guyana can continue allowing its digital and financial foundations to evolve in an uncoordinated, unregulated way, leaving citizens vulnerable to disruptions and outside control.Orwecanseizethis
(Continuedonpage8)
If Pres. Ali's govt. continues along their partisan...
Frompage5 objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, andtheirorganisationsinthe management and decisionmaking processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their wellbeing'.
The PPP/C government could have continued most of the plans and projects whichweredevelopedbythe previous GuySuCo management under the APNU-AFC government becausetheywereextremely viable The management developed a draft 'New SustainableBusinessModel' and a draft 'New Strategic Plan'. A component of the 'New Sustainable Business Model'wastoproducewhite sugar and these discussions were commenced with a Belizesugarcompany
The then management had also developed the 'Sustainable and Resilient Communities Programme' (S&RCP), as shockcounteraction and shockabsorption measures for the reorganizing process as a part of the new business model.Thesewereexcellent approaches, proposals to ensure the viability of GuySuCo as a business. A business department of a university in the USA had even begun to show an
interest in the 'Sustainable and Resilient Communities Programme (S&RCP)', which could have been a model for companies
experiencing market challenges and are required toreorganizeorreengineer
Couldyouimaginewhat a viable company and business, GuySuCo, would have been in 2025, if the government had continued many of the policies, s t r a t e g i e s , p l a n s , programmes and projects fromthemanagementunder APNU+AFC government?
The question now is where will the raw sugar to supply to the Demerara Sugar Refinery (DSR) come from to produce the white sugar? When these negotiations were ongoing under the APNU+AFC government about the production of white sugar, GuySuCo produced 104,641 tonnes in 2018,90,246tonnesin2019 and 89,000 tonnes in 2020 andhadatargetof143,000–150,000 tonnes of sugar for 2021/2022 In 2021, GuySuCo produced 58,995 tonnes, 58,025 tonnes in 2022,60,204tonnesin2023, 47,130 in 2024 and now 15,000 tonnes for the first cropof2025.So,wherewill therawsugarcomefromfor the refinery? How will this refinery be funded?
GuySuCo's management under the APNU+AFC government earned over US$200M more and produced two to three times more sugar with only three
estates and less financial inputfrom2016to2020than w h a t t h e c u r r e n t management has produced from2021to2025evenwith more financial input and resources.
The government must stopdoingthistoitscitizens. From 2020, the government hasfiredexcellentmanagers and employees because of their political affiliation or perceived political affiliation, they were AfroGuyanese or because they just did not like them and many of these people are suffering, I mean really suffering. Many of them are qualified and experienced and cannot get decent work whetherinthepublicsector, p r i v a t e s e c t o r o f international public sector, inmanycases,becauseofthe government, while those whosupportthegovernment whether they are competent or not are benefiting enormously, economically This is a violation ofArticle 21 of the Guyana Constitution which states 'Thesourceofthegrowthof socialwealthandofthewellbeing of the people, and of eachindividual,isthelabour ofthepeople'.Article22(1) statesthat'Everycitizenhas the right to be rewarded according to the nature, qualityandquantityofhisor her work, to equal pay for equalworkorworkofequal value, and to just conditions of work' and Article 22 (2) statesthat'Everycitizenwho is able to work has a duty to work'.
Atsomepointcitizensof Guyana will ask themselves how many homes and possessions must they lose because their government is not allowing them to get meaningful work/jobs in theirowncountry?
How many family members must they lose because they do not have enough money for proper medical care? How much longer must they stay silent while they are called incompetent, not good enough, obstructionist and hinderances to growth and development, among other things, by their own government, when the evidenceisdifferent?
Now that Guyana is becoming a major internationalplayerasanoil and gas producing country, thegovernmentmustadhere totheconstitution,localand international labour and employment laws and govern based on the 'rule of law' and not 'rule by law'. I appeal to international organisations and the diplomatic community in Guyana to ensure that companies from their countriesdevelop,applyand demandinclusivelabourand employment policies, practices and approaches whichareinaccordancewith Article 13, Article 21 and Article 22 (1) and 22 (2) of theGuyanaConstitution.
Sincerely, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas
Double Day hotel owner moves to court to challenge travel ban
Lawyers for Bhojnarine Bhola, the owner of Double Day Hotel where 11-yearold Adriana Younge went m i s s i n g a n d w a s subsequently found dead in thepool–havemovedtothe Demerara High Court seeking to overturn the “unlawful” and arbitrary decision by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to imposeatravelrestrictionon him.
T h e f i x e d d a t e
application, filed on December 5 by attorneys SanjeevJ.Datadin,KhalifA.
Gobin and Mohanie
A n g a n o o , l i s t s Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and the Attorney General Anil
N a n d l a l l , S C a s respondents.
Bhola's lawyers are askingthecourtforanOrder of Certiorari to quash the Commissioner's “decision and or continuing act of restricting or preventing the Applicant from leaving the jurisdiction on the grounds that this continuing restriction or prevention is unconstitutional, unfair, contrary to the principles of natural justice, made arbitrarily and without reason.”
The application further asksthecourttodeclarethat the Commissioner acted without lawful authority, that the restriction is ultra vires, and that it unjustifiably infringes Bhola's constitutional right to freedom of movement underArticle148.
According to the groundslaidoutinthefiling, Bhola the owner of the DoubleDayHotelwastaken into police custody onApril 24, 2025 after Younge was reported missing and later found dead in the hotel's
The lawyers are also seeking an Order of Mandamus compelling the Commissioner to lift and remove any and all travel restriction, stop order, watchlist entry, blacklisting orsimilarrestraintrelatingto their client and to notify all relevant ports of exit and entryaccordingly
pool. Younge, a resident of Hyde Park, Parika, was discoveredinthepoolofthe Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, Essequibo Coast, on the morning ofApril 24, 2025, nearly 20 hours after she was reported missing. She was last seen by her grandmother around 13:01hrs on April 23 while swimming in the hotel's pool.
Thedocumentdetailshis detentionattheLeonoraand Parfaite Harmonie Police Stations, including that he wasbookedonanallegation of murder, stripped of his clothing in the lockups, and kept in custody until April 29,whenhewasreleasedon the condition that he not leavethejurisdiction.
The application outlines that upon Bhola's release he discovered his hotel, home and several vehicles had been burnt, leaving him homeless He says he complied fully with investigators and submitted DNAsamples.
The application
Bhojnarine Bhola, the owner of Double Day Hotel
references an article that Bhola had to report to the police on daily and not able toleavecountry Italsocites a May 27 GPF press release titled “Pathologists who conducted autopsy find 'No signs of foul play' in drowning of 11-year-old AdrianaYounge,”andaMay 31 article stating that a Canadian review found no foulplayandpointedtopoor poolchecks.
Moreover, it was also disclosed that on November 13, his attorneys wrote to both respondents seeking confirmationonwhetherthe restriction had been lifted, but no response has been received.
The application argues, “There are no statutory time limitswhichoperateasabar totheseproceedings.”
“The Guyana Police Force have concluded their investigationsandfoundthat therewasnoevidenceoffoul play in the death ofAdriana Younge.Uponcompletionof the investigation, the Applicant was not charged butwasinformedthathestill cannotleavethejurisdiction. This restriction on the Applicant is unlawful, contrary to his freedom of movement, unnecessary and untenable,” Bhola's lawyers noted. It further states that his father, who resides in Canada, has been diagnosed with terminal multiple myeloma, and Bhola, “is desirousoftravellingtomeet with his father in these last moments of his life but is unable to do so due to the decision and or continuing actions of the First-named Respondent.”
Connectivity without sovereignty...
Frompage6
moment to build a resilient, modern, sovereign digital s t a t e o n e w h e r e connectivity is supported by strong local infrastructure, and where our financial system finally reflects the economic power we now possess. We have already proven that the impossible is achievable. What remains is tostrengthentheinstitutions that must carry this vision forward. I am confident that if the government takes the lead, the country will rally behindit.
Yoursfaithfully, Dr.WalterH.Persaud
Adriana Younge
The dream of feeding others while hungry at home
In recent times, the countrys leaders have been speaking with new conviction about Guyanas destinyasthebreadbasketof the Caribbean. This is not a newboast.Itisanolddream, revived periodically like an heirloom taken from the cupboard, polished briefly, andthenforgottenagain.
But the new oil wealth has given the old fantasy fresh vigour And so we are told that Guyana will soon supply food to the Region. We are sold the dream that thefarmsofourinteriorand therichsoilsofourcoastland willfeedCaribbeanmouths.
Yet one cannot help askingquietly, almost apologeticallyhow is Guyana to feed others when we can hardly feed ourselves?
The irony, like much irony in Guyana, is both obvious and studiously ignored We speak of exporting food even as the cost of vegetables in the marketcontinuesitsupward drift, as if pulled by some invisible string beyond the reachofanypolicyorplan.
F o r d e c a d e s , internationaleconomistsand agronomists have explained one of the causes: the absence of concentrated production. We do not have scale. We do not have the large, contiguous farms that
allow for efficiency, consistency,andvolume.We have instead scattered plots, small efforts dispersed across wide areas, each too small to feed more than its immediatemarketandmany not producing enough even forthat.
This is the great unspokentruth.Thecountry is not producing enough foodnot in the numbers that matter, not in the quantities thatmakeadifference.
A major food retailer in theUnitedStates,ifaskedto carry Guyanese produce, would ask for volumeforty containersaweekofasingle product. It is a number that reveals everything For exceptforriceandsugar,we cannot fill even one container a week of any crop. The scale simply does notexist.Yetwecontinueto behaveasthoughitdoes. How then are we to supplylargemarkets?Andif wecannotsupplythem,how a r e w e t o s u p p l y CARICOM? These are not hostile questions. They are questions born of the simplest logic. A country that must import bananas, tomatoes,andcornandeven chicken from BrazilBrazil, with its own immense internal demandscannot credibly claim to be on the vergeoffeedingtheregion. In fact, our food imports
are rising, not falling. This alone makes a mockery of the campaign to reduce CARICOMs food import bill by 25 percent by 2030. The slogan continues, the speeches are made, the targets are repeated, but the direction of the numbers betraysus.
The markets tell the story. If Guyana were producing substantial quantities of fruits and vegetables, prices would fall.Theywouldfallbecause abundance does what speeches cannotit imposes itsownlogiconthestallsand onthepocketsofbuyers.But prices in Guyana are not falling.Theyarerising.They rise because the quantities are small, the supply uncertain, the risks high. And so the consumer is reminded, week after week, thatthegreatdeclarationsof agricultural self-sufficiency exist only on paper and podiums.
Thisisthedelusionatthe heart of our national conversation: that because the soil is fertile, the food will appear But fertile soil does not plant, irrigate, harvest, package, or transport itself. Productivity requires organisation, investment,scale.Andthese are precisely the things we have avoided confronting for half a century We have
DEM BOYS SEH
“Boss Man, Come Good!”
ThisChristmas,demboysnoticing something funnyfunnier than a man who only sweep he yard whenhehearthemasqueradebandcoming downthestreet.Isbarebigbusinesspeople praying fuh government pay out one big Christmascashgrant.Notbecausedemlove see poor people happy, oh no! But because dem hoping de government bonus does cover up fuh the one THEY supposed to give.
Dem boys seh some of these business peoplemekmillionsuponmillionsreal,real money!off the sweat of dem workers who hustling whole year like reindeer pulling a overloaded sleigh. But when Christmas come, dem same bosses acting like a man who suddenly gone deaf, dumb and blind when he hear the word “bonus.” Is like bonus does give dem allergy: eyes start water, throat start scratch, and wallet slam shuttight-tight.
Butlehwetalkplain.Ifgovernmentgive bonus, is taxpayers moneyyour money Meanwhile,thebosseswhogettingrichoff yourbackwantclapandgrin,saying,“Look how nice government is!” But dem boys seh, tell dem business people dont mix up
preferred instead the sentimental image of the small farmer, heroic but foreverimpoverished,tilling hislittlepieceofland.What wehavenotdoneisbuildthe mega farms necessary to feed a nation and supply an exportmarket.
Another unspoken truth is that such farms will not emerge organically They requirecapitalandexpertise of a kind we do not yet possess. And so we look outward, tentatively, almost guiltily TheBrazilianshave thescale,themachinery,the knowledge.Buttheirgazeis fixedoncornandsoya,crops they grow not for us but for themselves, and which they will export from our land only to feed their own industries.Theywillhelpus,
yes, but only within the contours of their larger interests.
And so we must look farther,towardChinatheone country that has built large farms across continents, often in the face of scepticism,sometimesinthe faceofhostility Butherewe encounter yet another layer of our Caribbean drama: the Americansdonotwishtosee the Chinese deepen their presence in what they considertheirbackyard.And so even our hope for assistance is entangled in geopolitics.
What then remains?
Onlytherecognition,painful but necessary, that Guyana must choose between illusion and effort. If we truly intend to feed the
Region, we must first feed ourselves. To do that, we must produce more foodvastly moreand with a seriousness that has so far eludedus.Wemustabandon the romance of smallness and embrace the hard, industrial realities of largescaleagriculture.
Until then, the talk of feeding the Caribbean will remain what it has always been: talk, floating above a countrythatstillimportsthe very things it claims it will soonexport.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
generosity with responsibility Is not government wuk you doing whole year; is de boss man shop, office, hotel, factory, store,orbigfancybuildingwithACcolder thanGreenland.
So dem boys want tell workers this: go and demand your pound of flesh this Christmas!Tell de boss man straight: “Yall got to come good! Not come maybe, not comekinda-sortaCOMEGOOD!”Because all year yuh watching dem deposit big profits, drive new vehicle, build extension pondehouse,andsuddenlyDecemberreach and dem acting like Scrooge with a calculator
It remind dem boys of de story of a worker who went to he boss, “Boss, I been good all year I come early, I work hard, I dont thief not even a pen. So wah bout me Christmasbonus?”
Boss look him dead in the eye and seh, “Son, the real bonus is that you still got a job.”
Workeranswerback,“Boss,ifthatisthe bonus, then starting January, the REAL bonusisyougonneedanewworker!”
Demboysseh:Bossman,paydepeople! Talkhalf.Leffhalf
BYGHKLALL
H@RD TRUTHS
PPP versus Mohamed - a slippery strategy
He is alleged to be a gangster Guyanese didn't care. Sanctions came, then charges in a flashflood that hasn'tsubsided. Thepeople didn't care. The more that thePPPGovt.railandrushat him, the more the people reach for him. He is Mr Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the victorious We Invest in Nationhood (WIN). He
should be down in the dumpsites of Guyana. But thereheisatthepinnaclesof Guyaneseinterest. Frankly, mister, leader, winner and Azruddin Mohamed should not go together, but Guyanese think otherwise, see a rescuer Such are the developments that mystify, whichleavemanytomarvel at the phenomenon called
Mohamed II My recommendation offered free of charge to the PPP of Ali and Anil (Bharrat is under the weather, so he is spared today), and no frills attached,isthattheyrethink and recalibrate. Instead of their strategy sending him north, they are heading south It is called the boomerangeffect,thelawof
intangibles,moreaccurately -theinconceivable.
When the poor and helplessinthiscountryhave aproblemthathurts,willnot goaway,theydon'tappealto Mohamed IrfaanAli. They call Azruddin Mohamed Go!Figurethatoneout. The PPP can hide every statistic (census),hideeveryreport(a multi fatality one), hide information that may make the PNC look bad (oil contract). Buttowhatavail? For there is that other statistic, the one that doesn't lie, the one that cannot be concealed. When the weak and vulnerable in this town, or that hood, or that remote community, have a crisis on their hands, they don't call themanofthelaw Theyput their trust in the man Mohamed, against whose name every lawlessness had beenattached. Well,almost everyone that comes to mind. ThePPPofMohamed Irfaan and Mohabir Anil should return to their drawing board. This is not working;itisbackfiring.
The PPP Govt., through the cooperative auspices of the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly, has workedcleverlytodelayMr Mohamed what he has earned, what the people put in his hands, that first rung up the ladder -Leader of the Opposition. The ultimate objectiveistodenyhim,and the will of the people. The people included the PNC people; encircled some PPP
people from the remote regions;andthensomemore PPP people -those who stayedhome,didn'tcomeout for fear of retaliation. If fromSeptembertoLeaderof the Opposition, then what does th
e five Septembersholdfromnow? Ithasbeentermedaseismic shift. TothatIwouldaddan
sandstorm I humbly suggest to Excellency Ali thatheconsultswithhisGulf State and Sahara friends to acquainthimwiththepower of a sandstorm, and how u
uncontrollable one can be. Think and rethink, Dr PPP andMr PPP Mohamed has already experiencedamarvel. Don't make him into a prolonged miracle. With six seats as parliamentary advantage, the ruling party shouldn't fear anyone. With theWIN man insisting about what he hasinmindfortheExxonoil contract, the Americans decided it was time to get into the Guyana political games. Whytaketheriskof Opposition Leader in 2025, and Exxon targeted, and leave 2030 to chance? Mr Mohamed is not even the Opposition Leader, and Guyanese decided then that hewillbetheirombudsman. Anallegedbadmanseenasa genuine ombudsman. Ye Gods! Extradition standing in the way of Leader of the Opposition, and Guyanese
still hold Mohamed as a winner, a salvager, their ombudsman A greater understanding arrives as to why, aside from that Exxon slip,thatthePPPandExxon wanthimoutofhere. Heis bad for business. He is bad for politics. Which means that he is likely good, if not very good, for local economics, civics The PPP's hysteria is obvious. Democracy talked through one nostril; devastating blows breathed through the other. Mr. Nandlall's law looks rather lackluster, probablypermanentlylame.
Azruddin Mohamed worked at it, then with PPP help, transformed into a miracle worker Now the PPP seeks to go one further andmakehimintoamodern Guyanese marvel A political one. Extradited or not,heorhispartycouldstill end up as that sentimental vote for a favorite and favoredsoncome2030. The PPP needs to rethink, then reengineer,itsstrategiesand its techniques. Make a monster out of a homemade marvel, and self-inflicted madness triumphs The courts are watched by Guyanese to check if the madnesshasextendedthere, too.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
‘Loss of confidence not responsible for
frequent resignations’ - PNC/R Leader
longstanding members of the People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) is not due to the loss of confidence in the party's leader,AubreyNorton.
Norton told reporters on Friday that he has heard no ill reports of his leadership fromthePNCR'stopbrass.
This is so, at least accordingtotheleader,who onFridaytoldreportersthat hehasheardnoillreportsof his leadership from the PNC'stopbrass.
Prior to the September
members of the PNC/R, including Members of Parliament (MPs) Jermaine
Leader of the PNC/R, Aubrey Norton
Figueira, Amanza-Walton Desir, Shurwayne Holder, Mervyn Williams, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Natasha Singh-Lewis and Dawn Hastings-Williams tendered theirresignations. Subsequently, other members of the party also
resignation with the most recent coming from former PNC/R Region Two Chairman,PrinceHolder Holder in his December 8, 2025 resignation stated that he will be vacating the position with immediate effect,citing“irreconcilable differences between the current leadership” and himself.
Weeks prior, former Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine tendered his resignation and delivered a blistering critique of the party's direction under LeaderAubreyNorton.
Bethatasitmay,Norton dismissed the view that the partywaslosingsupport
(Continuedonpage15)
Norton warns Guyana to act carefully amid U.S.–Venezuela tension
Leader of the PNC/R, Aubrey Norton
Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R)AubreyNortonhas cautioned that Guyana must be measured in its response to the United States’ (U.S.) recent actions against Venezuela, noting that the
country’s territorial controversy with its neighbour demands careful judgment.
His comments come amidreportsthattheU.S.has formally designated Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization—anactionthat adds terrorism-related sanctions to a group Washington claims includes President Nicolás Maduro andseniorofficials.
At his party’s press conference on Friday, Norton was asked whether he agreed with U.S. actions against what it labelled an “ a r c h - t e r r o r i s t organization ” He responded, “I support nothingthatIdon’thavethe evidence to determine whether it is true or not. I have seen no evidence to help me arrive at a conclusion.”
He added that Guyana should avoid taking positions without confirmed information. “Until we are privy to information that confirms these claims, we will take the position of looking after our interests… We do not want to become embroiled in something which we don’t have the information to either substantiate or disagree with.”
Pressed further on what he made of the U.S. actions against President Maduro, Norton emphasized that every nation acts based on self-interest. “All countries pursue their national interests. The United States probably perceives this as their interest; Venezuela perceivesthatit’snotintheir interest. As Guyanese, we have a Venezuela territorial controversy,andIbelievewe need to be very careful with who and what we support.”
HesaidanypositionGuyana takes must only come “after
we have a factual basis to declare one way or the other.”
Norton stressed that Guyana’sprioritymustbeits ownsecurityanddiplomacy
“Our task is to pursue our national interests, and our national interest is best served at this time by doing the diplomatic work to keep Venezuela at bay and mobilize the support of all we can get, including the United States, to support us againstVenezuela.”
On Wednesday, the U.S. seized an oil tanker just off the coast of Venezuela Reutersreportedthatthatthe seizure was confirmed by PresidentDonaldTrumpand noted that the vessel was sanctionedbytheU.S.
“We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela,largetanker,very large, largest one ever, actually,andotherthingsare happening,” said Trump, who has been pressuring
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down.
Asked what would happen with the oil, Trump said:“Wekeepit,Iguess.”
In response, the Venezuelangovernmentina statement accused the U.S. of “blatant theft” and described the seizure as “an actofinternationalpiracy”.
The Venezuelan government said it would “defend its sovereignty, natural resources, and national dignity with absolute determination” and denounce the seizure of the tanker before international bodies.
Trump has repeatedly raisedthepossibilityofU.S. military intervention in Venezuela.Thisincidentwas the first known action againstanoiltankersincehe ordered a massive military build-up in the region. The U.S. has already carried out several strikes against suspected drug vessels, which has raised concerns among lawmakers and legal experts.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X that the FBI, Homeland Security
andCoastGuard,alongwith support from the U S military,carriedoutaseizure
warrantforacrudeoiltanker used to transport sanctioned oilfromVenezuelaandIran.
A 45-second video postedbyBondishowedtwo helicopters approaching a vesselandarmedindividuals incamouflagerappelling Continued on page 18
VeteranbroadcasterRonRobinson,A.Adiesat79 …hailed a national icon
Veteran broadcaster Ron Robinson, A A fondly called ‘Uncle Ron’ died on Friday morningathishome.Robinson,79, recently celebrated 60 years in broadcast and many decades in theatre.
The Guyana Press Association (GPA)inastatementsaidRobinson was one of the longest-serving broadcastersinGuyana.
“He served the media with professionalism,effectiveness,and distinction. Ron brought elegant energy and remarkable repartee to his morning drive-time radio shows.Hedeliveredthenewswith authority and conducted countless interviews that upheld the highest tenetsofjournalism.”
TheGPAsaidwhetheronradio, television, or online, Robinson consistently set and maintained a high standard. “He approached his work with thorough preparation and generously mentored many withinthemediafraternity.”
“Broadcasting in Guyana benefitedimmenselyfromhislong, dedicated involvement The numerous accolades he received over the years reflect the deep respectandadmirationinwhichhe washeld.,”theGPAsaidnotingthat it joins all of Guyana in extending sincerecondolencestohischildren, Paul and Allison, and to his immediate family, the theatre and cultural community, and all the
organizationshefaithfullyserved.
The Ministry of Culture,Youth and Sport in a statement described Robinson as “a true cultural icon whose voice, vision, and talent strengthened and elevated Guyana’s creative and cultural identity.”
“Robinson was not just a broadcaster;hewasastoryteller,an actor, a writer, a producer, and a guardian of Guyana’s creative spirit. His work crossed mediums, generations, and communities, leavinganimprintthatcontinuesto influence the nation’s artistic identity,”theministrysaid.
“For decades, Ron Robinson broughtstoriestolife,onradio,on stage, and on screen. His voice became one of the familiar sounds of Guyana, delivering news, entertainment, and a sense of connection that reached homes acrossthecountry Asanactorand director, he elevated local theatre, helping to build platforms where
Guyanese stories could be seen, heard, and celebrated His dedication to nurturing local talent created opportunities for young performers, writers, and creators whostillcarryhisinfluenceintheir worktoday.”
TheministrysaidRobinsonwas extraordinary not only because of his skill but because of his unwavering commitment to culture “He understood the importance of telling our own stories,preservingourheritage,and using the arts as a bridge between people and generations His contributions stand as an example of what passion and purpose can achieve within the creative industry.”
“Ron Robinson’s legacy continuestoinspireallwhocreate, perform,write,anddream.Hislife reminds us that creativity is a powerfulforce;onethatcanshapea nation, strengthen a community, and leave behind a legacy that outlives the creator,” the ministry said in honour of his work, impact and the cultural foundation he helpedbuildinGuyana.
Similarly,thePeople’sNational CongressReform(PNCR)saiditis deeply saddened by Robinson’s death.
“We join the rest of Guyana in mourning the loss of an iconic figure in our nation’s media landscape Ron Robinson’s contributions to journalism have left an indelible mark on Guyana’s media industry His dedication, professionalism, and distinctive presence will be fondly remembered by colleagues and audiences alike. Many will also remember him for his memorable bloopers at the end of the year broadcastsonNCN,whichbrought moments of levity and joy to viewers,” the party said while extending its condolences to Robinson’s family, friends and all touchedbyhiswork.
The Roman Catholic Church alsojoinedinmourningRobinson’s deathdescribinghimasa“national icon”.
“He was instrumental in the lives of many Catholic youths, generously sharing his talent and passionthroughthedirectionofthe productions Jesus Christ Superstar and Hope Alight. Through his work,heinspiredfaith,creativity, Continued on page 18
Veteran Broadcaster Ron Robinson, A.A
Veteran Broadcaster Ron Robinson, A.A receives a lifetime achievement award from President Irfaan Ali
APA elects new president, executive committee
TheAmerindian Peoples Association (APA) on Thursday held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) where new Executive Committee members were elected.
Thegeneralmeetingwas heldattheRamadaHoteland oversaw by Ms. Winneth Collymore,theRegionalCooperatives Development Officer in the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning.Alsoinattendance were Officers from the Cooperatives and Friendly Societies Department who would ensure compliance and regulatory adherence as mandated by the Friendly Societies Act, Chapter 36:04 According to a statementfromAPA,thenew executive committee will overseeitsworkforthenext year Mr LemmelThomasof Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni District, was elected president while Mr Mario Hastings, will serve as vicepresident.
The other members are Secretary - Toshao David Wilson of Akawini; Treasurer - Toshao of Hobodia, Mabaruma Sub-
Region, Mr Reynold Hudson;Assistant Secretary
– Mr John Campbell of Santa Cruz, Moruca SubRegion; Assistant Treasurer
– Mr Allan Torres of Santa
R o s a ; W o m e n ’ s Representative-Toshao
AlmaMarshallofKamarang; Youth RepresentativeCrystal Atkinson also of Santa Rosa Village; and Trustees - Dmitri Nicholson andKimFredericks. Further, those persons
Genevieve Vansluytman of Moruca; Roxanne Skeete of Mabaruma; Claude Benjamin of Matarkai; Karolin Thomas of Pomeroon;JosephRussellof Essequibo Coast; Ronald Joseph of Middle Mazaruni;
Clyde Henry of Upper Mazaruni;RamadhinRuddy of Upper Cuyuni; Charles Peter of North Pakaraimas; Carlos Marco of Potaro; James Davis of South Pakaraimas; Fredrick
Stephen of Central Rupununi; Ronald Ignatius of South Central Rupununi; and Patrick Gomes of Deep SouthRupununi. In addition to electing office bearers, the APA statedthatkeyachievements of the AGM included the approvaloftheminutesfrom
the2024meeting,thereview and adoption of the 2024 annual report and financial statements,andtheapproval of theAPA’s proposed work planfortheupcomingyear
The association noted that its general meeting remains a cornerstone of its e ff o r t s t o e n s u r e transparency,accountability, andstrategicplanning.
Additionally, the body saidthataheadofthegeneral meeting, it held its Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) between December 9 - 10,
2025, bringing together its members from across Guyana.
“Discussions focused on key issues, including land rights, environmental sustainability, and strengthening Indigenous cu
Participants reviewed
d challenges, and explored strategies to enhance advocacy at both national and international levels,” APAnoted.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the OGM laid the groundwork for the AGM,reinforcingtheAPA’s missiontoprotecttherights, lands, and traditions of IndigenousPeoples.
“As a rights-based organisation, the APA remains committed to fostering solidarity among Indigenouscommunitiesand ensuring their voices are
, ” the statementrelated.
The new Executive Committee members of the Amerindian Peoples Association who were elected on Thursday
US military chief leading US troops in operation against Venezuela resigns
The admiral in charge of U.S. military forces in Latin America retired two years early on Friday, amid rising tensionswithVenezuelathat includeWednesday’sseizure of an oil tanker and more than 20 deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats.
Three U.S. officials and two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Admiral Alvin Holsey was pushed out by Defense SecretaryPeteHegseth.Two officials said Hegseth had grown frustrated with Southern Command as he sought to flex U.S. military operations and planning in theregion.
One official confirmed
that discussion of whether Hegseth would dismiss Holseysurfacedroughlytwo weeks before the surprise
H
y announcedonOctober16his intention to step down in December He has not publicly explained his early retirement. In remarks at his retirement ceremony on Friday morning, he was upbeatashereflectedonhis 37
Speaking between rows of palm trees at Southern Command headquarters in Miami, he called on the United States to keep s
w democracies that share U.S. values.
“We must always be there for like-minded partners, like-minded nations who share our values: democracy, rule of law and human rights,” Holsey said. Some officials have privately speculated that he opposed the recent U.S. strikes on suspected
Caribbean. However, in a closed-door meeting with senior lawm
s on Tuesday,Holseyinsistedthat his decision had nothing to dowiththeoperationsinhis command, according to comments by Republican RepresentativeMikeRogers publishedinPolitico.
Holsey formally handed overcommandtohisdeputy,
Air Force Lieutenant General Evan Pettus, during a ceremony that extolled his accomplishments in uniform “You’re an extraordinary human who has always led with your heart,yourheadandgoneall in (for) every single day of your service,” said General Dan Caine, who became the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in April after his predecessorwasfired.
United States Admiral Alvin Holsey, Commander of U.S. Southern Command arrived in Guyana on November 2, 2025
Pettus will serve as actingheadofU.S.Southern Command. One source familiar with the matter said President Donald Trump is expected to nominate Lieutenant General Frank Donovan, vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, as Holsey’s successor, subject to Senate confirmation The source cautioned that the nomination has not yet been formalized and could change. Holsey’s premature retirement is rare but not unprecedented In 2008, C e n t r a l C
the U.S. military buildup aimstotopplehimandseize Venezuela’soilresources.
A
mman
miral WilliamFallonalsoretireda yearintohistermoverseeing U.S. forces in the Middle Eastaftermakingcomments about Iran and other issues
that irked the Bush administration.Holseyisthe latest in a series of senior officers to leave their positionssinceHegsethtook over the Pentagon. Some departureshavebeenabrupt, including those of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs ofStaff,C.Q.Brown,andthe top naval officer, Lisa Franchetti,whowasthefirst womantoholdthatpost.
MONROEDOCTRINE REVIVAL?
T h e T r u m p administration has signalled a major shift in foreign policy over the last few months.Astrategydocument releasedthisweekcalledfor reviving the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which declared the Western Hemisphere to be Washington’s zone of influence.
A major U.S. military buildup of warships in the Caribbean - including the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group - has underscoredthatpolicyshift, alongwithnewU.S.training deployments to a revived jungleschoolinPanama.
Trump has also intensified pressure on Venezuelan President NicolasMaduro,acloseally of Russia and China whom Washington accuses of drug trafficking. Maduro denies the allegations and has said
The U.S. Coast Guard’s seizure of an oil tanker on Wednesday was the first interdiction of Venezuelan crude amid U.S. sanctions thathavebeeninforcesince 2019. Reuters reported on Thursday that the United States is preparing to intercept more ships carryingVenezuelanoil.
Trump’s military operations against alleged drug smugglers have been under intense scrutiny following a September 2 decision to launch a second strike on a suspected drug boatintheCaribbean.
T h e D e f e n s e Department’s Law of War Manual forbids attacks on combatants who are incapacitated, unconscious or shipwrecked, as long as they abstain from hostilities anddonotattempttoescape. Themanualcitesfiringupon shipwreck survivors as an exampleofa“clearlyillegal” orderthatshouldberefused. The Trump administration has framed the attacks as a warwithdrugcartels,calling them armed groups and saying the drugs being carried to the United States killAmericans.
VisitedGuyana
Only last month Holsey visitedGuyanaduringwhich he met with Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips as well as Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier OmarKhan.Thediscussions focused on accelerating security cooperation, ensuring regional stability, and reaffirming the United States’ steadfast support for Guyana’s territorial integrity TheUSEmbassyin a press release said the defensepartnershipbetween theUnitedStatesand Continued on page 18
IEAlowers2026oilglutforecastforfirsttimesinceMay
LONDON, Dec 11
(Reuters)-TheInternational Energy Agency trimmed its forecastofnextyear'sglobal oil supply glut for the first timesinceMayonThursday, flagging higher demand prospects due to a stronger world economy and lower supply from nations under sanctions.
Oil prices have been under pressure for months due to predictions from the IEA, which advises industrialised countries, and other analysts of a looming
glut.
Global oil supply will exceed demand by 3 84 million barrels per day, accordingtofiguresfromthe Paris-based IEA's latest monthly oil market report, down from a 4.09 million bpd surplus estimated in November A surplus of almost 4 million bpd is still equaltoalmost4%ofworld demand and is at the higher end of analysts' predictions.
Oil was trading lower on Thursday,withBrentcrudedown over 15% in 2025 -
tradingbelow$62abarrel. Supply rose sharply this yearboostedbyoutputhikes fromtheOrganizationofthe Petroleum Exporting Countriesanditspartners-a groupknownasOPEC+-as wellasgrowthintheUnited Statesandotherproducers.
OPEC+ has now paused output increases for the first quarterof2026.
OPEC kept its global demand growth forecast for next year unchanged in its own monthly report, also released on Thursday Data
‘Lossofconfidencenotresponsible...
From page 10 becauseofhisleadership
Hesaid,“Iamoperating in a party that has 20,000 members. I have not heard fromtheparty'smembership and many of the leaders in the party that they have lost any confidence in my leadership.”
The Leader went on to note that a number of persons whohaveresigned have done so because they weredisappointedovernot being allocated a seat in ParliamentoronaCouncil
To this end, he said,
“One of the realities you have to live with as politicalleadersisthatyou will have to make decisions and when you make decisions some of themtherewillbefallouts I sense if some of the people who 'resign' -and I put that in quotation- were in Parliament, they wouldn't resign so to me it is not so much an issue of the party and leadership It's a question ofpreviously a lot of people that came to a political partycametoserve ”
“What we have now is more a focus on people coming for immediate benefits and there will always be some of those problems
At the same time, I must say that when I was speaking with many of the personsonthelist,manyof them understood that all of them couldn't go to Parliament but there are somewhofeltthattheyhada God-given right in fact one of them wrote me saying if therewasoneseatheshould getit,”theLeaderadded
in OPEC's report indicated that world oil supply will match demand closely in 2026,incontrasttotheIEA's view
HIGHERDEMANDAS
SUBSIDE
The IEA revised up its global oil demand growth forecasts for this year and next due to an improving macroeconomicoutlookand with "anxiety about tariffs havinglargelysubsided".
World oil demand is expected to rise in 2026 by 860,000bpd,up90,000 bpd from last month's outlook, the IEA said. It raised its 2025forecastby40,000bpd to830,000bpd.
"Falling oil prices and the lower U.S. dollar, both currently near four-year
lows, act as a further tailwindforoildemandnext year," the IEA said, adding thatdemandgrowthin2025 has come almost entirely from non-OECD countries, which are more reliant on macroeconomicconditions.
00:06Sectors Up Close: By2030,'AIwillaccountfor 10% of power demand in Europe'
The video player is currentlyplayinganad.
Aspateofbreakthroughs with U.S. trade deals had helped put economic sentimentbackontrackafter tariff-related tensions hit consumption earlier this year,theIEAsaid.
SUPPLY LOWER AS
The agency expects supply growth to be slightly lower than previously anticipatedin2025-2026,as sanctions on Russia and Venezuelahitexports.
The IEA expects global oil supply to rise by 2.4 million bpd next year, having last month predicted supplygrowthof2.5million bpd.
TheIEAreviseddownits 2025 and 2026 output forecasts for OPEC+ producers, largely because ofsanctionsdisruptions.
Global oil supply fell by 610,000bpdonthemonthin November, the IEAsaid, on declining output from sanctions-hit Russia and Venezuela.
Russianexportrevenues
(Continuedonpage17)
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LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Petition No. 292
BETWEEN: OLALEYE (FIONA YLENA) nee SMALL
Petitioner/Applicant -andOLALEYE (MUSHAU AYOEBAMI)
Respondent TO: MUSHAUAYOEBAMI
OLALEYE
Last Known Address Lot 1369/42 Section ‘D’ ‘F’ Building,Turkeyen, Guyana.
TAKE NOTICE that on the 25W day of March, 2025 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by FIONA YLENA OLALEYE nee SMALL, the Petitioner/Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE
NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 9W day of May, 2025 the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive issues of the Guyana Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and the Worldwide web. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents. AND FURTHERTAKE
NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intentention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), an Answer and/or Cross Petition via the online portal, https:// ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice. Your access code xp4rnZ. TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Thursday the 12W day of February, 2026 before the Honourable Madam
Justice Heassaun Yasin via Zoom Meeting ID: 525 150 0023 and Password: q8W7vp. IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 am to 2:30 pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 25th day of November, 2025.
2025/295-FD-PET-DEM IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE
FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIALJURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION Petition No. 295 BETWEEN: LATCHMAN (SABRINA ELIZABETH) nee LIM Petitioner/Applicant -andLATCHMAN (PAUL) Respondent NOTICE OF PROCEEDINGS
TO: PAUL LATCHMAN Herdmonston, West Bank Demerara Guyana.
TAKE NOTICE that on the 25th day of March, 2025 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by SABRINA ELIZABETH LATCHMAN nee LIM the Petitioner/Applicant in the Family Division of
the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.
AND FURTHER TAKE
NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 30th day of October, 2025, the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive issues of the Saturday Kaieteur News, News, a daily newspaper of wide circulation in Guyana and the worldwide web or service hereon the Respondent by way of Publication.
AND FURTHER TAKE
NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.
AND FURTHER TAKE
NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition via the online portal, https:// ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice. Your access code is k9Wfpq.
TAKE NOTICE that the Application is scheduled for Directions Hearing on that Thursday the 12th day of February, 2025 at 9:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Heassaun Yasin via zoom Meeting ID: 525 150 0023 and Passcode: q8W7yp IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at
the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 25th day of November, 2025
Foreign nationals arrested for illegal gold mining in Iwokrama Protected Area
A joint operation to clamp down on illegal gold mining inside the Iwokrama Protected Area has led to more foreign nationals who invaded Guyana's most treasured rainforest reserve beingarrested.
In a press release, Iwokrama said a joint enforcement operation involving the Guyana
Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Iwokrama rangers continue to yield results in curbing illegal gold mining as two Brazilian nationals andoneVenezuelannational were arrested on December 10,2025.Thosearrestedare:
Rondiney Barbosa Periera, EdwardoDeSouzaBrazand Ve
The area in the Iwokrama Forest where the illegal mining and damage occurred
CristhianJoseCedero. Accordingtotherelease, the foreign nationals were caught “red handed” operating dredges illegally withintheIwokramaForest.
Equipment was also found near the Basha Bay area of
the Protected Area and one of the foreign nationals reportedlystatedthathewas brought there by Brazilians. Further,itwasstatedthatDe Souza Braz was seen attempting to go in to Siparuniwithagroupofone
Businesses urged to pool resources and form consortia to compete globally
DPI - Minister of Public
Service, Government
E f f i c i e n c y a n d Implementation, Zulfikar Ally on Thursday urged the business community to c o n s i d e r f o r m i n g partnerships to effectively compete with international firms and capitalise on Guyana's major upcoming developmentprojects.
Speaking at the 136th AnnualAwardsPresentation & Gala Dinner of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Minister Ally said, “When you pool your resources, yourknowledge and your talents, you can bethebest,andyoucanbe verycompetitive.“
He added, “The president has said it many times,ourexpectationsare that you in the private sector should think about not doing these things on your own, but forming consortia so that you can competewithinternational players. You cannot do thesethingsonyourown.”
HepraisedKathySmith, the President of GCCI, and her team for forming consortia and noted that the government supports such partnerships.
Highlighting the results of government–private sectorcollaborationoverthe pastfiveyears,MinisterAlly pointed to reduced taxes, increased disposable income, heavy investments in human capital, and nationwide infrastructure upgrades that have created
Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, addressing GCCI's 136th Annual Awards Presentation & Gala Dinner on Thursday evening
theecosystemforbusinesses togrow
Looking ahead, Minister Ally outlined several o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r coordinated investments, including the Guyana Development Bank's interest-free loans, new economic zones in Berbice, expanded tourism and ICT sectors, cross-border connectivitylinks,AI-driven telemedicine, and a second gas-to-energyplant.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, called on the private sector to c a p i t a l i s e o n t h e opportunities being created by the President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali-led administration.
“The groundwork has beenlaid,andtheenabling environment is in place. Yourgovernmenthasdone the heavy lifting. What is required now is the determination to take advantage of the
possibilities,”shestressed.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond also delivered remarks at the event She highlightedthegovernment's investments in the security sector, noting that one of the most notable investments –the 'Safe Country' programme–isgrowinginto a nationwide network poweredbyreal-timeCCTV monitoring and command centresineveryregion.
“Fortheprivatesector, this translates into faster investigations, greater … better protection of assets andanoverallreductionin security-related losses,” shenoted.
Matthew Gaul, Hand-inHandInsurance,GreenAgro Services and Supplies, DragonFlyDroneSolutions, ExxonMobil Guyana, and Total Property Management Services Inc., were among the individuals and businesses honoured on Thursdayevening.
Guyanese and six Brazilian nationals when they were turned back by GGMC and policebackinNovember
The joint operation has been underway in the Siparuni area since November 22, 2025. Back in November Iwokrama Rangers intercepted Brazilian national Flaviano Teixiera-Costa, who was detained after being found mining illegally in the internationally recognised conservation zone. Several minersfledintothejungleas enforcement teams arrived, but officers recovered passports identifying other Braziliannationalslinkedto theillegaloperation:Jailson Ferreira; Lima Iago Silva
Alves; Jose Antonio Rodrigues Dos Santos and JoseDoSantosSilvino.
Iwokrama noted that whileillegalminingactivity withintheprotectedareahas declined compared to 2024, theproblempersists,withan increasing trend of foreign nationals entering Guyana both legally and illegally to engage in unlawful gold mining.
“It is understood that 'some' Brazilians are entering the country under the pretext of vacation or looking for supposed legal business opportunities BUT withtheintentionofillegally harvesting Guyana's gold. Very often these illegal activities of foreigners are aidedandabettedbyourown GUYANESE citizens,” Iwokramasaid.
Iwokrama called on border control services and community partners to remain vigilant, particularly
with respect to persons travelling through parts of the country with boats, dredges and mining equipment loaded on pickup trucks or other vehicles without the required mining permits.
Further, it also reiterated that gold mining activities are absolutely prohibited in the Iwokrama Forest, as clearly outlined under the Iwokrama Act of 1996, whichprovidesforpenalties in cases of violations. It warned that such illegal activities pose an imminent threattoGuyana'secological integrity, disrupt local livelihoods and traditional practices, and undermine national forestry and protectedareasmanagement systems.
Iwokramacautionedthat continued illegal mining couldjeopardiseIwokrama's international certification and, by extension, negatively impact the country's wider Protected Areas System and Guyana's Greenagenda.Itemphasised that collaboration remains critical in addressing illegal mining and expressed
Frompage15 hittheirlowestinNovember since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IEA said.
The IEA kept its forecasts for non-OPEC+
continued support from the M
y of Na
a
Resources, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Police Force, the Protected Areas Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency
Notably, the Iwokrama International Centre was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the 371,000-hectare Iwokrama Forest in a manner intended todeliverlastingecological, economicandsocialbenefits to Guyana and the global community The Centre, guided by an international Board ofTrustees, is unique providing a dedicated well managed and researched forest environment The forest is zoned into a Sustainable UtilizationArea (SUA) and a Wilderness Preserve (WP) in which to test the concept of a truly sustainable forest where conservation,environmental balance and economic use canbemutuallyreinforcing.
output stable for this year andnextonrisingproduction in theAmericas, namely the U S , Canada, Brazil, GuyanaandArgentina. A trend of "parallel markets",whereamplecrude supply is juxtaposed with tightfuelmarkets,islikelyto persistforsometime,itsaid, amid limited spare refining capacity outside China and EU sanctions on Russian crude-derivedfuelexports.
UN General Assembly adopts resolution demanding Israel allow aid into Gaza
Aljazeera - The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly backed a resolution demanding that Israel open unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, stop attacking UN facilities, and comply withinternationallawinline with its obligations as an occupyingpower
The vote on Friday
followed October’s advisory opinion from the International Court of
Justice (ICJ), which o u t l i n e d I s r a e l ’s responsibilities under both
the UN Charter and humanitarianlaw.
Israel has only allowed into Gaza a fraction of the humanitarianaiddeliveries agreed to as part of the United States-brokered
ceasefire that came into effectinOctober
The UN resolution, tabled by Norway alongside more than a dozen other states, secured support from 139 countries
Only 12 voted against, including Israel and the US,while19abstained Introducing the draft, Norway’s Permanent Representative Merete Fjeld Brattested warned that “2024 was among the most violent years in three decades, 2025 has followed suit,” adding that the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory remained “a particularpointinmind”.
“Civilians are paying the highest price
Respect for humanitarian principles is eroding The most fundamental tenets of humanitarian law are under pressure,” she said, emphasising that the ICJ’s advisory proceedings were crucial f
obligations
Brattested noted that member states had sought l
pertaining to the provision o
f e - s a v i n g humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Palestine”.
She pointed to recent attacks that underscored the urgency of the Court’s findings,includingUNchief
condemnation of Israel’s
US military chief leading US troops...
Frompage14
Guyanaislong-standingand encompasses joint efforts to counter transnational threats, build capacity, and engage in bilateral training p r o g r a m m e s a n d professional development engagements.
U S S o u t h e r n Command works closely with U S Government agencies and multinational partners to advance security and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean partnerships that are essential to hemispheric security, prosperity and the collective ability to address c o m p l e x s e c u r i t y challenges..
HolseyisanativeofFort Valley, Georgia and was
commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) programme at Morehouse College in 1988, where he received a degree in ComputerScience.
He earned a Master of Science in Management from Troy State University in 1995 and attended the JointForcesStaffCollegein 2010. At sea, he deployed with USS Jesse L. Brown (FF 1089), USS Nicholson (DD 982), USS Vreeland (FF 1068), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), USS Gettysburg (CG 64), and USS Simpson (FFG56)flyingboththeSH2F Seasprite and SH-60B Seahawkhelicopters. H e c o m m a n d e d Helicopter Anti-Submarine
SquadronLightThreeSeven (HSL-37) and the Navy’s
propulsion warship, USS MakinIsland(LHD8).
As a flag officer, he served as commander Carrier Strike Group One embarked aboard USS Carl Vinson, (CVN 70), and as the inaugural commander of the International Maritime
Security Construct / Coalition Task Force Sentinelrapidlysettingup a n e x p e d i t i o n a r y headquarters to ensure freedom of navigation, international law, free flow of commerce and stability of maritime commons throughout the MiddleEast.(REUTERS)
UN member states endorsed the ICJ’s findings and pressed Israel to meet its legal obligations as an occupying power.
“unauthorised entry” into UNRWA’s Sheikh Jarrah compound.“Asstatedbythe secretary-general, this is in clear violation of Israel’s obligations to respect the inviolability of United Nationspremises,”shesaid. USrejectsvote
Speaking before the vote,USenvoyJeffBartos rejected the resolution, claiming it “exemplifies how even following
President [Donald]
Trump’s landmark peace agreement and the historic passage of Security Council resolution 2803, the General Assembly continues its decades-long
pattern of unfairly targetingIsrael ” Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN Agency for Palestinian refu
welcomed the outcome, saying it offered “a strong endorsement” of the ICJ’s finding that allegations of Hamas infiltration inside
substantiated”, nor are claims that UNRWA lacks neutrality
T
an importantsignofsupportfor U N RWA
overwhelming majority of
community,”hesaid.
Palestinian National Council Speaker Rouhi Fattouh also praised the adoption, saying the wide margin reflected “a firm international position supporting UNRWA and renewing recognition of its legal mandate and its key roleinprotectingPalestinian refugees”.
d of “a dangerous escalation and increase in the level of occupation crimes and ethnic cleansing, and a w o r s e n i n g o f t h e humanitarian situation inside the occupied Palestinianterritory.”
Norton warns Guyana to act carefully...
Frompage11
onto it. Trump administration officials did notnamethevessel.
Britishmaritimeriskmanagementgroup Vanguard said the tanker Skipper was believed to have been seized off Venezuela early on Wednesday The U.S. has imposed sanctionsonthetankerforwhatWashington said was involvement in Iranian oil trading whenitwascalledtheAdisa.
The Skipper left Venezuela’s main oil portofJosebetweenDecember4and5after loading about 1 1 million barrels of Venezuela’sMereyheavycrude,accordingto s a t e l l i t e i n f o a n a l y z e d b y TankerTrackers.com and internal shipping data from Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.
Oil futures rose following news of the seizure. After trading in negative territory, Brentcrudefuturesrose27cents,or0.4%,to settle at $62.21 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 21 cents,also0.4%,tocloseat$58.46perbarrel.
MaduroonWednesdayspokeatamarch commemorating a military battle, without addressingreportsofthetanker’sseizure.
IMPACTONOIL
Venezuela exported more than 900,000
barrels per day (bpd) of oil last month, the third-highest monthly average so far this year, as PDVSA imported more naphtha to dilute its extra-heavy oil output. Even as Washington increased pressure on Maduro, the U.S. had not previously moved to interferewithoilflows.
Venezuela has had to deeply discount its crudetoitsmainbuyerChina,duetogrowing competitionwithsanctionedoilfromRussia and Iran “This is just yet another geopolitical/sanctions headwind hammering spot supply availability,” Rory Johnston, an analystwithCommodityContext,said.
“Seizing this tanker further inflames those prompt supply concerns but also doesn’t immediately change the situation fundamentally because these barrels were already going to be floating around for a while,”Johnstonsaid.
Chevron(CVX.N),opensnewtab,which partners with PDVSA, said its operations in the country were normal and continuing withoutdisruption.
The U.S. oil major, responsible for all Venezuelan crude exports to the United States,lastmonthincreasedcrudeexportsto theU.S.to150,000bpdfrom128,000bpdin October
Veteran broadcaster Ron Robinson, A.A dies at 79...
Frompage12 discipline,andconfidencein countless young people. His legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those he mentored,”thechurchsaid.
Veteran broadcaster Enrico Woolford in a Facebook post said, “the Broadcasting, theatre community has lost Ron Robinson. He passed away at his home in Guyana early thismorning.”
“Ron Robinson was one of the longest serving broadcasters in the country Heisanationalawardeeand therecipientofseveralother awards for Drama and Broadcasting.
He served in several NGOs including the Scout movementinGuyana.
He will be remembered forhisimmensecontribution to the creative, cultural sector in Guyana, the Caribbean and the Diaspora,”Woolfordsaid. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall described Robinson as “a giant in Guyanesebroadcasting”. Ron Robinson began his broadcasting career on August1,1965attheBritish Guiana Broadcasting Service and remained in radio up to almost his last days.
Nandlall said over the last six decades, his voice becameetchedintheearsof generationsofGuyaneseand arguably cemented itself as part of the permanent radio
landscape of Guyana. “To many from this period, the voice of Ron Robinson was thevoiceofradioinGuyana. His contributions, however, extendedbeyondradio.
He had a long stint as a news anchor on television when it first emerged in Guyana.
Ron also had a longlasting career in stage and theatre production, many of which ran as serials on the radio.‘Merundoi’isbutonly oneofsuchserialsthatlasted formanyyears.
During this yuletide season, his production ‘Stretched Out Magazine’ featured prominently on bothTVand radio for many years and provided great entertainment and
excitement to Guyanese of allagesandfromeverywalk oflife.”
The Attorney General said that it is for his sterling contributions in his endeavours,hewasinvested with the national honours of the Golden Arrow of Achievement (AA) in 1990 and earlier this year, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of the Prime Minister on the occasion of WorldPressFreedomDay
“Mr Ron Robinson was also a prominent member of the Rotary Community, serving as President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central.
He was also Vice President of the Scout
AssociationofGuyanaanda director of the Volunteer YouthCorps.
No doubt, in these manifold pursuits, he mentoredandinspiredmany through whom his rich legacy of national contributions will continue tobepartoftheoraltradition and cultural topography of Guyana for generations to come.”
Nandlall expressed his sympathy to Robinson’s family, friends and colleagues. Leader of the Forward Guyana MovementAmanza Walton- Desir said Robinson’s voice “shaped ourgeneration.”
“From the time many of us could hear radio, he was
there. A constant on radio and television, familiar, steady,trusted.
He was also deeply rooted in theatre, giving his talent, discipline, and voice tothestage,helpingtoshape Guyana’s cultural life beyond the airwaves,” she said.
Walton-Desir said, “His passingfeelslikethepassing ofanera.
It’s a sobering reminder that time is always moving forward, that the people we know and love will one day go, and that even our icons arenotpermanent.
It reminds us that we have to live. Not just exist, butliveinawaythattouches lives and leaves something meaningfulbehind.”
BLUNT BLUNT
TheNationalUtensil
Guyanese have outdone themselves. While other nations boast national birds and flowers, we have produced something far more peculiar: the national utensil. Not spoon, not fork - human utensils, deployed faithfully to do the PPPC's dirtiest work. These political tools come In all shapes: some shuffle, some swagger, some look like they were dredged from the bottom of a very old pot.
Their common trait is their willingness to be used. Whenever an Opposition figure dares to enter a stronghold, the utensil brigade springs into action— rubber slippers, borrowed bravado, and slogans written by someone who barely survived English.
Yes, some of these individuals are driven by poverty, pulled by strings they did not tie. But others are polished stainless-steel instruments of convenience — opportunists whose loyalty sloshes with whatever gravy the State serves.
Their mission is simple: drown out dissent, smother alternative ideas, and preserve political control through noise. Tools, nothing more—clangy, dented reminders that every kitchen has its discarded tinware.
Duffy five-for triggers West Indies slide to give New Zealand first win of WTC cycle
ESPNcricinfo - Jacob Duffy,whohadtowaituntil his 31st birthday for a Test debut earlier this year, claimed his second fivewicket haul of the series as WestIndiesfoldedtamelyon the third day in Wellington. Bowled out for just 128, West Indies left New Zealandatargetof56,which was knocked off before tea
for a 1-0 lead in the threematch series with one game to go. It was New Zealand’s first win of the 2025-27 World Test Championships (WTC) cycle. West Indies, meanwhile, have now lost six of their seven outings in this cycle and remain winless.
The collapse began with Brandon King’s run-out for
22 in the morning session
After a careful start with overnight partner Kavem Hodge(35),Kingsetofffora risky single in the morning’s eighthover Sentbackandleft stranded, he was gone once substitute Michael Bracewell’ssharpthrowwas relayed on to the stumps by debutant wicketkeeper MitchellHay
ShaiHopefellinthesame overafterclosingthebatface inanattempttoworkMichael Raetothelegside,offeringa simple return catch Roston Chase,averagingunder16as Test captain, then nicked a rising delivery from Duffy throughtothekeeper
Hodge and first-Test hero JustinGreaves(25)attempted to stabilising things, with Hodgeunfurlingcrispstrokes throughthecoversandsquare leg Butinthe31stover,oneof thosewell-struckpullspicked out substitute fielder Will Young, who held a superb reboundcatchatmidwicket.
Saturday December 13, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
You'll find that things are slipping nicely into place for you today, Aries Your persuasivemannerandgentle nudges are just enough to get peoplewhereyouwantthem.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
When faced with ten entrees onthemenu,itmightbehard for you to choose just one. Feelfreetoordertwoormore, Ta u r u s D o n ' t l e t indecisiveness slow you down.Atthesametime.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Your dreams won't come true unless you believe in and act onthem,Gemini.Nooneelse is going to do it for you. Unless you have a fairy godmother, you need to take mattersintoyourownhands.
CANCER(June21–July22)
If people hassle you or give you a hard time about your appearance today, pay them nomind,Cancer Youhavethe righttoliveyourlifeanyway youwantto.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Reachforthepotofgoldatthe end of the rainbow, Leo. It's closerthanyouthink.Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach, and there are huge forces at work helping you achieve your goals.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Today is your day to dream and dream big, Virgo. Think aboutwhatitisthatyouwant most out of life. Aim your arrow to the stars and pull back your bow as far as possible. There's no limit to howfaryoucango.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra.
opportunity opening up for you in which you can make great strides in a creative realm.Followthemusic.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Scorpio, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring moremagicintoyourlife.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Today is an excellent day for you,oneinwhichyou'llfinda great deal of strength in your emotions, Sagittarius Trust that your instincts are serving youwell.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Things might get a bit confusing for you today, Capricorn. Don't feel like you needtomakesenseofitall.In fact, this task may be impossible. Just be yourself. Let your creative nature shine through.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Mixyourrealitywithabit of fantasy today, Aquarius. Allowyourfeettocomeoffthe ground for a little while. Give yourselfarest.Takesometime to meditate and clear your mindofyourdailyworries.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Let yourself go into high creative mode and drift into a whole other world, Pisces. Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through any sort of artistic endeavor Dreamasbigasyour mindallows.
an hour left before tea and a smalltargetinfront.
Thepairadded26inseven overs before Latham got a leading edge off Anderson Phillip to third slip Conway held fort, attacking with six fours in his unbeaten 22-ball 28 KaneWilliamson,with16 off 12 balls, wrapped up the match with back-to-back boundariesinthetenthover
At 88 for 6, with the lead still below 20, the match was effectively gone, and Duffy accelerated the finish. He trapped Greaves lbw with a full delivery that jagged in, a decisionfirstturneddownbut lateroverturnedonreview In his next over, Duffy drew TevinImlachintoaloosedrive away from his body for an edgetosecondslip Raeadded his third by removing Jayden Seales caught behind, before Duffy completed his five-for bygoingshorttoNo 11Ojay Shields, who miscued a legsideswipetofineleg
Duffy walked off to applause with the innings ballraised,andopenersTom Latham and Devon Conway dashed away to pad up with
GuyanaPolice Forcenames...
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Interior to earn money to travel to his weekend cricket matches. But he nevergaveup.
Quentin joined the Police Sports Club at the age of 17, and at 19, he officiallybecameamember oftheGuyanaPoliceForce. Being a police officer helped him become more disciplined and focused, bothinlifeandincricket.
Throughouthisjourney, Quentin received strong support from the Commissioner of Police, Mr CliftonHicken,Deputy CommissionerRavindradat Budhram, a cricketer he always admired, and the entire Guyana Police Force administration.
Quentin’s hard work paid off in a big way His story is one of talent,
Earlier in the Test, Blair Tickner’s first-innings fourfor and Rae’s three wickets dismissedWestIndiesfor205 New Zealand replied with a disappointing 278 for 9 declared,withTicknerunable to bat after picking up a shoulder injury. But halfcenturies from Conway (61) and Hay (60) ensured a meaningful lead, which, combined with West Indies’ limpsecond-inningseffort,set upacomfortablewin.
After the game, New ZealandcaptainLathamsaid they got “better and better” asthegameprogressed.
“Wetookalittlebittoget into the game, morning of day one, potentially some heavy legs. But we adjusted things and we bowled better and better in the second innings And obviously Duffy on the back of that [five-wicket haul] and some ofoursubstitutescomingon and getting on the board [waspleasing].
“Mitch Hay played
beautifullyinthefirstinnings coming under pressure The way he played was pretty much the way he plays for Canterburyandthat’swhatwe asked of him And Michael Rae picked up some really importantwicketsondayone, truckedintothewindallweek All those efforts do not go unnoticed We probably weren’twherewewantedtobe with the bat but we can look into that over the rest of this week.” Chase said West Indies’battersdidn’tmakethe most of the conditions on offer: “Batting is a bit of a concern,aftercomingfromthe firstTest,thatbeautifulsecond innings[inChristchurch].But we came here and our batters never really capitalised Initially we thought the pitch would be similar to Christchurch But this pitch wasaloteasierforbatting
The scores didn’t reflect that There is still one Test matchleftandwecanstilllevel the series That can help motivatetheguysfurther”
The third Test begins on December 18 in Mount Maunganui.
Scores: New Zealand 278 for 9 dec (Hay 61, Conway 60, Phillip 3-70) and 57 for 1 (Conway 28*, Williamson 16*, Phillip 117) beat West Indies 205 (Hope47,Tickner4-32)and 128 (Hodge 35, Duffy 5-38, Rae3-45)byninewickets.
Canadian Realtor, Reshma Raman injects cash into Project
“Cricket
The joint initiative between Anil
Beharry and
Kishan Das of the USAwas therecipientofcashsupport
Gear for young and promising Cricketers in Guyana”
from Canadian based Realtor, Reshma Raman, Sales Representative of Homelife Maple Leaf, 80 Eastern Avenue Unit 3,
Brampton, ON, L6W, 1X9, Canada.
Raman, a Berbician by birth, indicated that over the years, she followed this
projectandisimpressedwith theideaofprovidingsupport to young talented and aspiring cricketers in Guyana. She also indicated that hopefully, her contribution will make a differenceintheirlives.This project is grateful for the support as it continues to be part of the development of youth cricket Over the years, many Guyanese cricketers benefitted from this project, many of them went on to represent West Indiesatalllevels.
This project will continuetoimprovethelives
of youths in every community We are pleased tobepartofthedevelopment
of young cricketers in Guyana. Our aim is to keep them off the streets and get them actively involved in sports,cricketinparticular Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $786,146 in cash, thirteen colored cricket uniforms,onesetofstumps, two trophies, thirty six pairs of cricket shoes, forty pairs of batting pads, forty nine cricketbats,fortyeightpairs of batting gloves, twenty nine thigh pads, three pairs of wicket keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, twoboxes,fifteengearbags, thirteen bat rubbers, seven helmets, one fiber glass bat, one pair of floppy hat,
sixteen boxes and four of white cricket balls, thirteen boxes of red cricket balls, one bat cone, one batting inners and twenty eight footballs. In addition to the above, gear with value of over $600,000 was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former N a t i o n a l w i c k e t keeper/batsman All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available atthetime.
Todate,onehundredand four players, male and female, from all three From page20 countiesofGuyana havebenefiteddirectlyfrom cash and cricket gear along withseveralclubs.
Dolphin stay perfect, as North Ruimveldt stumble to another heavy defeat
The thunderous echo of squeaking sneakers and roaring goals filled the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall yesterday as the 3rd Annual President’s Futsal Championship served up another day of breathless schoolboy action Annandale, Dolphin, Lodge, and Hope Secondary all seized momentum with crucial victories on a dramaticDay3.
The day opened with grit as Annandale Secondary staged a come-from-behind 2-1 win over a battling Brickdam side. Jakeel Jackson’s7th-minute“blinder”forBrickdam was quickly answered by Ronika Morris’s crafty counter-strike. Annandale sealed the deallate,withJoshThomasburyingacloserange decider in the 24th minute to snatch victory The fireworks truly exploded in a goal-fest between Dolphin Secondary and Vreed-en-Hoop. Dolphin’s ace, Seon Grant, wassimplyunstoppable,nettingaspectacular hat-trick,hissecondofthetournamentina53thriller AfterChristhesonDavidnotopened the scoring, Grant turned the heat up with a double in the 9th minute. He capped his
masterclass with a solo run in the 22nd, punishing Vreed-en-Hoop despite a brave bracefromRiquanSam.
Defensivedominancewastheorderofthe day for Lodge Secondary, who dismantled NorthRuimveldt4-0.DaneVancooten(with abrace)andEmanuelPhillipssettheruthless tone early, before Tyrese Jordan completed thecommandingperformance,leavingNorth Ruimveldtwithaseconddefeat.
The day’s schoolboy finale saw Hope SecondaryedgepastSt.StanislausCollege21,poweredbyadecisivedoublefromLebron Semple, cancelling out Clint Bynoe’s early strikeforSaints.
The Kashif & Shanghai-organised championship shifted last evening to the Men’s Senior segment, with six matches on the card. Full coverage of those clashes will followinasubsequentedition.
For now, the spotlight remains on the schoolboys, where Grant’s scoring prowess andAnnandale’sresilientcomebackhaveset a thrilling standard as the tournament heats up.
Anti-doping system has ‘stalled’ as elite...
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100metressilverandbronze medallist Fred Kerley, who was provisionally suspended in August for whereabouts failures, and world 100 metres silver medallist Marvin Bracy, who accepted a 45-month sanctionforanti-dopingrule violationslastmonth.
‘NOIMPACTON INTENTIONALRULEBREAKERS’
Howman’s blunt admission highlighted a troubling reality for clean sport advocates While education programmes help deter some potential cheats, he said they are powerless against the most determined
rule-breakers at sport’s highestlevels.
“We have great education programmes which help, but they don’t impact the intentional rulebreakers in elite sport,” Howmanacknowledged.
The AIU chief warned thatthesystem’sinabilityto outsmart the cheats is undermining public confidence in anti-doping efforts.
“Our ineffectiveness in dealing with those who are beating the rules is hurting the anti-doping movement’s credibility,withtheresulting risk that our clean-sport message falls on deaf ears,” hesaid.
Howman also called for a fundamental shift from m e r e b o x - t i c k i n g compliance to supporting “ambitious anti-doping efforts” that could actually catchclevercheats.
“A renewed focus on scientific research with closer alignment between WADA and cutting-edge
ADOs (Anti-Doping Organisations) on research priorities and opportunities would be beneficial,” he added.
“The International Standards(ofWADA)might be better scrutinised regularlytoensuretheyfully support investigative efforts touncoverdoping.”
Anti-doping system has ‘stalled’ as elite cheats slip through net, says AIU chair
(Reuters) - The global fight against doping has “stalled”, with athletes evading detection systems that are failing to keep pace
w i t h i n c r e a s i n g l y sophisticated cheats, a leading anti-doping official haswarned.
Athletics Integrity Unit
(AIU)ChairDavidHowman delivered a stark assessment
at last week’s World Conference on Doping in Sport, declaring that despite
Campbell
his organisation’s proven track record of identifying rule-breakers, they are “not catchingenoughofthem”.
T h e n u m b e r o f international disciplinary casesbroughtbytheAIUhas increasedfrom62in2021to 100in2024,accordingtothe body’s annualreports,while national cases went up from 185to305.
“Let’s be honest and pragmatic intentional dopers at elite level are
evading detection We are n
ng cheats,” said Howman, who previously spent 13 years as Director General of the WorldAnti-DopingAgency
Among the elite athletes banned or suspended this yearwaswomen’smarathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich after the Kenyan admitted to antidopingruleviolations.
Chepngetichwasbanned
earns prestigious appointment to ITF Advantage All Committee
Guyana’s tennis community has achieved a major milestone as Cristy Campbell, President of the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA), has earned an importantappointmenttothe International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Advantage All Committee forthe2026–2027term.
Her selection marks a significant moment for Guyana,placingthecountry firmly within the sphere of global tennis governance andhighlightingCampbell’s sustained impact in sport, advocacy,andleadership.
Campbell, a former national women’s champion who claimed multiple singles and doubles titles throughout her playing career, has long been recognised for her dedication to advancing tennisinGuyana.
Off the court, she has been equally influential. In additiontoleadingtheGTA, she currently serves as Vice President of the Guyana OlympicAssociation(GOA) and the Vice Chairperson of the National Sports Commission(NSC).
The appointment to the Advantage All Committee reflects both Campbell’s domestic stature and her growing international influencewithinthesport.
The ITF Advantage All Committee plays a pivotal role in shaping global strategiesforgenderequality acrosstennis.
Thebodyiscomposedof representatives from around the world, tasked with advising and making recommendationstotheITF Board of Directors on policies that promote equal opportunities for girls and
women, whether as players, coaches, officials, or administrators.
Salma Mouelhi-Guizani, President of the Tunisia Tennis Association, will chair the committee which will have its term spanning 2026–2027.
The full committee includes Nuha Abujaber (JOR), Arij Almutabagani (KSA), DavoodAzizi (IRI), Andrea Buckeridge (AUS), Cristy Campbell (GUY), Maggie Chan Jones (USA), Lanni Huang (CHN), Veronica James Amasi (TAN),FatimeKante(SEY), Kirsi Lassooy (FIN), Safak Muderrisgill (TUR), Nannapat Nantasuk (THA), Julie Paterson (NZL), Sandi Procter (GBR), Larissa Schaerer (PAR), Olga Simunovic (CRO), Joseph Siame (ZAM), and Mariette Verbruggen(NED).
Campbell’s inclusion places Guyana among a distinguishedgroupofnations influencing the ITF’s global agenda. The committee’s mandate, outlined in the ITF Constitution, spans several criticalareas Foremostarethe d e v e l o p m e n t a n d implementation of the ITF Advantage All strategy, a comprehensive plan designed to guide both internal ITF operations and the standards expected from its member national and regional associations
The strategy aims to advance equal access, representation, and leadership opportunities for women and girls throughout the sport. The committee is also responsible for crafting ITF position statements on matters related to gender inequality in sport, ensuring the federation maintains a
forthreeyearsbutherrecord willremainonthebooksasit was set before her positive test.OthersincludeOlympic (Continuedonpage23)
Director General of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) David Howman
clear, principled voice on globalissues.
In addition, it promotes the use of sport as a tool for genderempowerment,while playing a central role in raising awareness of harassment and abuse in sport Its work directly informs the ITF’s safeguarding policies, a critical priority for athlete protectionworldwide.
Another major duty of the committee is monitoring the progress of ITF member nations in promoting gender equality. This includes identifying and recognising countries and organisations that demonstrate leadership or innovation in female p a r t i c i p a t i o n a n d representation.
The committee also provides oversight and support for initiatives specifically designed to benefit girls and women, whether through playing opportunities or pathways into coaching, officiating, andadministration.
Campbell’s appointment elevates Guyana’s profile at a time when the country continues to strengthen its sports governance systems and athlete-development programmes. Her presence onthecommitteesignalsthe progressbeingmadelocally, especiallyinareasofgender equityandcapacitybuilding.
For Guyana, her appointment is not only a personal honour for one of its leading sports administrators, but is a testament to the country’s
g r o w i n g v o i c e i n international sport and its commitment to building a moreinclusiveandequitable
future for athletes worldwide.
Fan group urges FIFA to halt World Cup ticket sales over ‘extortionate’ prices
(Reuters) - Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has called on FIFA to immediately halt sales of nationalteamallocationsfor next year’s World Cup, accusing football’s governingbodyofimposing “extortionate” ticket prices that risk shutting ordinary fansoutofthetournament.
In a statement on Thursday, the European fan umbrella group said prices for tickets allocated to Participating Member Associations (PMA) –typically distributed via official supporters’ clubs or loyalty schemes – had reached “astronomical” levels.
F I F A d i d n o t immediately respond to a requestforcomment.
FSE said, based on price tables quietly circulated to national associations, a supporter following their team from the first group matchthroughtothefinalvia
thePMAroutewould pay at least $6,900, almost five times the equivalent cost at the2022WorldCupinQatar ‘MONUMENTAL BETRAYAL’
FSE said national team supporterswerebeingasked to pay the full amount in early2026inordertosecure therighttobuyticketsallthe waytothefinal.
Adding to fans’ frustration, FSE said the lowest price category –Category 4 – would not be made available to the most loyal supporters through theirassociations,withFIFA reserving those tickets for general public sales and subjecting them to dynamic pricing.
The group called that decision a “monumental betrayal” of World Cup tradition and of the contribution of travelling s u p p o r t e r s t o t h e tournament’satmosphere.
“For the prices that have
beenputupbyFIFA,we’rea bitstunned,”FSEExecutive Director Ronan Evain told Reuters.
“This is a handful of people who are trying to make as much money as possible from the tournament.And we believe this approach is putting the very nature of the tournamentatrisk.”
“Forthefinal,ticketsare going up to about $4,000. You need fans, you need the life in the stands, you need
(REUTERS/Luis Cortes)
the colour, you need the atmosphere With these prices, none of this will happen,”hesaid.
The Football Supporters Association,arepresentative bodyforfansinEnglandand Wales, said it had asked England’s Football AssociationtolobbyFIFA.
“Prices for England’s matches have been set as someofthehighest,pricedat
$7,020ifyouwanttofollow the team from start through to the final,” a statement read.
“We back Football SupportersEuropeincalling for a halt in ticket sales and we are calling on the FA to work with fellow FAs to directly challenge these disgracefulprices.”
NOCONSISTENT PRICES
For the first time at a World Cup, FSE said, there will be no consistent prices across all group-stage games, with FIFA instead introducing variable pricing based on opaque notions such as the “attractiveness” ofafixture.
That means fans of different teams could pay different amounts for the samecategoryofticketatthe same stage, with little transparency on how prices areset.
Evain said the new structure would push many ordinary fans beyond what theycanafford,particularly families
“A lot of people that werehesitatingintravelling to the U S are now saying they need to take an extraordinaryfinancialrisk, especially if you’re a family,”hesaid
“We are in the region of $30,000forafamilyoffour The vast majority of football fans can’t afford this EveninEurope ” FSE urged FIFA to pause PMAticket sales and open consultations with member associations, supporters’ groups and other stakeholders “until a solution that respects the tradition, universality and cultural significance of the WorldCupisfound ”
GuyanaPoliceForcenames cricketerQuentinSampsonas theirSportsmanoftheyear
TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) has named national cricketer Quentin Sampson as their Sportsman of the year According a post on their Facebook page, Sampson,ayoungmanfrom the small village of Caria alongtheEssequiboRiver,at 25 years old, is the eldest of three children, with one younger brother and one youngersister
Quentin’shardworkover timepaidoffinabigwayas he represented the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League and had a standout outing. HewashonouredastheBest Emerging Player in the CPL to go with the Best Sportsman of the Guyana PoliceForcefor2025,andhe is now currently a franchise playerintheAbuDhabiT10 Tournament.
Sampson loved cricket from his young days, aged six years old, he with the backing of his father, pursuedthegame.
While at Aurora SecondarySchool,hehadto livein thedorms becausehe had no family nearby One day,whileplayingcricketon the school tarmac just for fun, a teacher saw how hard
he could hit the ball. Right away,theteachersignedhim up for the school’s cricket team. At that time, Quentin alsoplayedfootballandwas ontheschool’sfootballteam, but soon he had to make a choice.Hechosecricket,the sporthelovedmost.
After finishing school, Quentin moved to the East Bank to follow his cricket dreams.HejoinedtheParika
Quentin Sampson is Police Sportsman of the year.
(GPF Facebook)
Salem Cricket Club, where hemetMr.RyanHercules,a National Cricket Coach and coach of the Police Cricket Team. Mr. Hercules taught Quentin many important skills that helped him grow strongerasaplayer
Things were not always easyforQuentin.Hedidnot have a permanent job, so he sometimeshadtoworkinthe
(Continuedonpage23)
The official ball of the 2026 FIFAWorld Cup named “Trionda” is displayed during a presentation event in Mexico City, Mexico, October 3, 2025.
Several former basketball players show up to bid farewell to the late Bernard Daniels
Anumber of
former national
b a s k e t b a l l players were on hand to bid farewell to the late National CoachBernardDanielswho recently passed away DanielsservedGuyanawith distinction over the years before migrating to the United States. He recently returned home to his homeland and was a noted
guestattherecentCaribbean
Women’s Basketball championship at the Cliff AndersonSportsHall.
Among those that were hand at Daniels’ funeral to paytheirfinalrespectswere, Former Nationals Cecil Chin, Mark Agard, Floyd Manifold,DexterMuir,Eon Andrews,MelroyFitzalbert, Avril Edmondson, former youth national Royston
Wright, who played under C o a c h D a n i e l s a t
Globetrotters, former national and Pacesetters guard Michael Sommerset along with Dennis Clarke, Peassy Gill and ErrolAgard ofGlobetrotters.Statistician CharwayneWalkerwasalso on hand and supplied the information.
Daniels was cremated at theMemorialGardens.
TrophyStallsupportsBMCO40T20 assemifinalssetforSaturdayinBerbice
The Trophy Stall has thrown its support behind theBigManCricket(BMC) Over-40 T20 tournament
The popular business entity with several locations aroundthecountry,withthe main and most notable location in Bourda Market, will be providing the main trophies for the event
Proprietor Ramesh Sunich madethepresentationofthe trophies to Raj Singh of the BMC at the Bourda Market
locationyesterday
The tournament is in its latter stages with the semifinals fixed for the Albion Ground in Berbice today,Saturday
Admissionisfreeandhe action starts from 12:30pm with the first semifinal featuring North Soesdyke Masters battling Vintage Strikers.
Following at 5:00pm Everest Masters tangle with Albion Masters in the second semifinal Keen
Ramesh Sunich (right) presents one of the trophies to Raj Singh of the BMC at their Bourda Market location yesterday
competitionisanticipatedin theday’stwoencountersand fans are invited to come out andsupport.
Several former National Basketball players were in attendance at the late Bernard Daniels funeral.
Dolphin stay perfect, as North Ruimveldt stumble to another heavy defeat
Jacob Duffy celebrates the wicket of Roston Chase. (AFP/Getty Images)
Cristy Campbell, President of the Guyana TennisAssociation 2