Jayden Adrian (CSEC)
Arthur Roberts (CAPE)
APNU unveils “winning” manifesto
Build coast-to-hinterland highways
Overhaul police force Promises to open foreign markets for non-oil exports
ByShaniaWilliams
A Partnership for
National Unity (APNU) officially launched its manifesto 'Compact with Guyana' on Friday during a signingceremonyheldatthe Pegasus Corporate Business
Center, Kingston, Georgetown.
Speaking at the event,
APNU's Presidential Candidate, Aubrey Norton, described the manifesto as a “winning manifesto” that directly confronts Guyana's
m o s t p r e s s i n g issue—poverty
In his address, Norton said the manifesto was built on consultations across the country, reflecting challengesGuyanesefacein theircommunities.“Wehave taken the time to visit you. The information that you shared with us about the
conditionsoflifeiswhatwe used to create our PCDS
(People-Centered Development Strategy)," Nortonstated.
The manifesto outlines a wide range of initiatives aimed at addressing poverty, income inequality, and the high cost of living, while encouraging the growth of the non-oil economy It includes plans to improve education, boost local industries, strengthen public services, and overhaul nationalsecurity Norton emphasized the importanceofeducationasa means of breaking the cycle of poverty and an initiative thattheAPNUwillbesolely focusing on. He pledged widespread investment in teaching and learning, including reducing class sizes,increasingthenumber
f trained t
s, expanding adult education, and providing access to
skilling, reskilling, and upskilling programmes Students, especially in
hinterlandcommunities,will benefit from free or affordable transportation and two daily meals to improve attendance and reducedropoutrates.“These communities (hinterland) continue to lag behind the national achievements in many areas. We will be adopting a holistic and multifaceted approach to poverty that will not only include monetary payouts but will also contain access to food, land, medicine, safety and social services," Nortonsaid.
Toeasethecostofliving, APNU's proposals include increasing the Old-Age Pension to $100,000 per month and providing a $120,000 monthly childcare allowance for both preschool and school-age children. The public sector minimum wage would be raised to $200,000 per month,whiletheincometax threshold would increase from $130,000 to $400,000. Post-secondary students and participants in the special part-time programme would each receive $50,000 per month Household relief measures would include an electricity subsidy of up to $10,000andawatersubsidy of up to $5,000 per month. Additional programmes would support single parents, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerablegroups. APNU's manifesto also focuses on opening foreign markets for non-oil exports
like rice, sugar, and timber Norton stressed that to encourage large-scale production, manufacturers must have access to export markets beyond the small domesticdemand.Headded that government spending must be adjusted to avoid crowding out the private sectorfromforeigncurrency access.
“In our view, if the nonoil economy is to grow, it would be necessary for the government to adjust its spending to prevent the continued crowding out of the private sector from access to adequate amounts of foreign currency At this time,nomanufacturerwould be persuaded to engage in large-scale production, without access to export markets, because of the small size of our domestic market,"Nortonexplained.
To b o o s t l o c a l production, APNU plans to promote industries such as glassmanufacturing,leather, paper, industrial chemicals, and bauxite by-products Norton argued that while comparative advantage is important, it should not be the sole determinant of economicdevelopment.
"Some people will make the case that production of suchitemsshoulddependon comparative advantage Indeed, comparative advantage is a necessary condition,butitisnotalways asufficientconditionforthe economic future of a
(Continuedonpage8)
Presidential Candidate of APNU, Aubrey Norton
Presidential candidate of the APNU signing the manifesto ' Compact with Guyana’
Supporters and candidates during the launch of APNU's manifesto
Ship builder eyes big earnings with startup of Guyana, Brazil FPSOs
With the startup o f t w o F l o a t i n g Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in Brazil and the ONE GUYANA FPSO, Dutch shipbuilder SBM Offshore has noted that the company will see a big boost in earnings.
SBM's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Øivind
Tangen, during the company's second-quarter earnings call, noted that following the successful delivery of FPSO ONE GUYANA, SBM now has three major projects under construction: FPSO Jaguar for ExxonMobil Guyana, FPSO Tryon for Woodside and FPSO Grand Morgu for TotalEnergies. He said, “All three are progressing well andremainonschedulewith overall portfolio progress at approximately 30% completion…”
TangennotedthatSBM's sale-and-operate model for FPSOs Jaguar and Grand Morgu begins to generate profit after just 25% c
by accelerating cash flow at an early stage of construction, while maintaining our life cycle value proposition through operations and maintenance contracts that commence upon completion ofconstruction.
He explained that what the company has realised in relation to FPSOs like P
ONE GUYANAisthattheyareall at an initial nameplate capacity of 250,000 barrels per day (bpd). Tangen said that the vessels like Prosperity and ONE GUYANA have been performing well. “So, we believe there's a lot of dialogue around it. Keeping the size of the FPSOs at the current size is important to continue to be economical and meet those breakeven costs that we know are the underpinning the deepwater development,”hesaid.
The CEO explained that SBMfeelsthatthelifecycle knowledgeisinstrumentalin being able to harness that topside weight growth,
ONEGUYANAFPSO
noting that it is through operational experience that the company is able to provide efficient top sides that are reliable, functional and at the cost level of the capital expenditure is optimized.Further, he noted that, as implied by the guidance, the company expectsastrongfinishtothe
year Tangensaid,“We'llsee the contribution from Grand Morgu and then, of course, big boost in, lease and operate, from the two units we started up, in Brazil and also impact from ONE GUYANAaswell.Soatleast
an operator really gonna get going, in the second half off the back of these successful startups.”
To date, SBM has constructed four FPSOs for Exxon's Stabroek block operations,theLizaDestiny, Liza Unity, Prosperity and ONE GUYANA. Exxon had recruited the services of Japanese ship builder, MODEC,foritsfifthFPSO, Errea Wittu and SBM was awarded a contract last year forthesixthFPSO,Jaguar
KaieteurNews
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
The ERC
Guyana's Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) now stands as a disgraced body, one in which Guyanese are seeing their fears proven. It is an entity with sensitive nationalresponsibilities,butonethatattractscontemptdue totheactionsofamember Ifavoteweretobetakennow, theresultwouldbeno-confidence. Itisthewrongtimefor anyoneintheERCtobefoundwanting,noteventryingto separate from the divisive politics that hurts this country's prospects.
Some members of the ERC may have been caught off guard by their ignorance of who was responsible for the presence of foreign religious personnel invited to address thefaithfulinahouseofworship,whothendipshistoeinto Guyana's politics. Not in a general way, which may have been permitted, depending on what was said. What occurred was a very well-orchestrated effort for a foreign invitee to take a side in local politics. It was about who is good for Guyana, and therefore offers the best fit for Guyaneseintheirpendingelections. Aspaceheldsacredby believers is violated by the politics of Guyana that dirties everyplacethatittouches. Then,theprocessisrepeatedin severalotherhousesofworshipinGuyana.
It is obvious that this was not some random development,orareligiousscholarspeakinginanuntutored manner Whatoccurredhadtohavehadsomehighbacking, some heavyweight clearance, to get such things going. Moreover, some bright people should have known better than to get entrapped. What may be seen as innocent by some as not lacking in controversy is the height of slipperiness. It goes to show how much standards have dropped here, where any thoughtless practice is found acceptable Whether innocent in the making, or controversial in the delivery, people from the ERC had no grounds to be in the middle of such shabby arrangements. Fromwhatisunderstood,theERCwasnotinthemiddle,but someone in it was in the forefront of piloting that political program forward. The ERC as a body, as well as each individual that makes up its grouping, has a duty to the citizens of Guyana. Each of its members must be disciplined enough to steer a middle ground in Guyana's politics,andnotbeseenasfavoringonesideortheotherin localpolitics.
Unfortunately, given what has occurred in one place of worship,thenseveralothers,whenERCpeoplewereneeded themosttostandabovethefray,therewassomecomfortin dabblinginthegutterpoliticsofGuyana. NowthattheERC hassometaintfromtherecklessnessofapparentlyoneofits own, how can it hold itself out as a fair and honest arbiter when local politics drive Guyanese at each other's throat? RacialhostilitythatcoursesthroughsectionsofGuyana,and the unending brawls on social media that expose the deepseatedpassionsandprejudicesofdomesticpolitics,demand anERCatitsfinestintheexpressionofnonpartisanshipat thistimemorethananyothertime.
There are elections pressures building and elections tensionsintensifying,inwhatalreadyhasalltheingredients of the mother of all elections. Guyanese elections have never been a time of peace and tranquility, nor of mutual respect. Guyaneseelectionshaveleftahistoryofthesordid andtheforgettable,exceptthatnooneforgets. Thisyear's electionshavealreadygivensomeindicationsthattheywill not be a Sunday afternoon walk in the park. We shouldn't have to say how vigilant and committed every member of this group must be. It's one that can trace its power to the ConstitutionofGuyana,asamendedin2000. Thusarmed, theERChasseeminglyturneditsbackononeofitsprimary mandates, which is to foster a sense of security among Guyanese,regardlessoftheirethnicity,notwithstandingthe pulloftheirpolitics.WhentheERC'snamegetsattachedto Guyana's politics, then distrust intrudes. Whoever in the ERC had a hand in bringing a religious speaker selling politicsinareligioushousemustbecutloose,giventheboot forthegoodofallGuyana.
It has been more than 4 years since the government promised to release the oil companies' tax certificates
DearEditor,
InCanada,itisestimated that the average family pays 42%oftheirincomeintaxes ( s e e https://tinyurl com/bdapxsrt ) Corporations also pay taxeswhichrangeacrossthe provinces, but in large provinces like Ontario, the corporate rate works out to about23.5%.
PeopleinCanadareceive significant benefits from t a x e s , s u c h a s unemployment insurance, subsidized dental care for those earning less than US$65,000 annually (or CAN$90,000),anduniversal health insurance, including fullycoveredheartandother majorsurgeries.Inacountry that is 46 times the size of Guyana, Canadian roads are generally well maintained, withsidewalks('pavements')
pedestrians. From 2020 to 2024, u
l statements, it is estimated, they,thethreepartnersofthe Stabroek Block Consortium didnotpayUS$5.2billionin taxes.
Guyana is plagued by blackouts, which is ironic given that we are pumping 900,000 barrels of oil a day. To put that in context, the typical Guyanese uses 4.4
kWhperday
A barrel of oil is equivalent to 1,700 kWh. Thus,weareproducingmore than385timestheenergywe need per day but we can't keep the lights on. We don't have to wait for the constantly delayed gas-toenergy project to be the sole solution to the blackout issue Solar power can significantly reduce the frequency of blackouts the t y p i c a l G u y a n e s e experiences.
If we assume a solar installation, to power major appliances such as a fridge and air conditioner, in Guyana costs US$10,000, then for the approximately 250,000householdslivingin Guyana, that US$5.2 billion in uncollected taxes could have paid for solar installations, which would cost around US$2.5 billion. Plus, we would have money left over to significantly increasepayforourteachers and nurses. Instead, the government prefers to put Guyana in debt to build a gas-to-energysolutiontothe blackoutproblem.
We don't need to tax our citizens at 42% to provide first-class services. We just need to have the oil companiespaytheirtaxes,as must all other companies in
Guyana at 25 per cent for non-commercial and 40 per cent for commercial activitiesinGuyana.InJune 2021, during a Guyana E
ncy Week conference, in response to a question, Mr Gopnauth 'Bobby' Gossai Jr., Senior Petroleum Coordinator in the Ministry of Natural Resources,indicatedthatthe tax certificates issued to the oil companies for taxes which the oil companies did not pay—would be made public Please see his statement on this matter at t h i s l i n k : https://youtube/sd8oiNNQq XQ?t=2808. A letter dated July22,2021,wassenttothe Hon Vickram Bharrat, Min
er of Natural Resources, requesting d i s c l o s u r e o f t h e information, but there was noresponse. Thatletterwas subsequently published in the newspapers (see https://wwwkaieteurnewso nline com/2021/09/24/oilgas-governance-networkawaiting-response-fromgovt-on-tax-certificatesissued-to-oil-companies/).
Canada ranks as the world'sfourth-largestoiland gas producer. Over the next decade, the Canadian government is expected to
collect several hundred billion dollars in taxes and royalties from oil and gas companies. Without these tax revenues, Canada's healthcare system and other infrastructure would likely face serious impairment
Even the thought of eliminating taxes on profit oil in Canada would probably trigger significant public protests, given that Canadian citizens already pay approximately 42% of theirincomeintaxes.
We c a l l o n t h e government to release the annualtaxcertificatesissued to the three members of the Consortium, as it has promised.
It is troubling that the Government of Guyana is withholding these tax certificatesmorethan4years after it promised to disclose them.
Hence,oneshouldask:is the Government more concerned about protecting Exxon and its partners than actinginthebestinterestsof Guyanese?
AndreBrandli
JanetteBulkan
KenrickHunte
DarshKhusial
JoePersaud
O n b e h a l f o f www.oggn.org/about a 501(c)(3)organization
Purchase more American goods to eliminate the Trump tariff
DearEditor,
Much has been written onPresidentTrump'stariff,a consumption tax and a protectionistpolicymeantto protect American industries and to reduce trade deficits. Guyana, as does Trinidad andTobago,hasastifftariff. ThePresidenthasalsolevied a high tariff on other poor (developing, third world) countries. Tariff is a tax on imports raising the price of goodsforlocalconsumers.It willhaveanegativeeffecton ourcountryaspricesforour exportstoUSAwillincrease resulting in the public purchasing less from Guyana. Guyana should not havehadanincreaseintariff.
And Guyana should purchase more from USA. Since theAmericans are not involved in any serious direct negotiations with our government, the hired
lobbyist (being handsomely paid some US$65K monthly) must bring to the attention of the American Commerce Department the fact that our trade surplus is attributed to the exports of oilwhichhasbeenexempted from any tariff. Leaving out oil,Guyana'stradewithUSA is in the red, meaning we importmorethanweexport. Guyana exports a small number of goods to USA besidesoil.
Generally speaking, as anyone who studies economics knows, a tariff is imposed on goods to raise revenues and or to reduce imports in order to conserve foreign exchange and or to punish a nation or company to model their political behavior The consumer is ultimately affected as the increased price is passed on toconsumers.Anytimethere
is an increase cost in doing business, the consumer is affected. A tariff increases cost.
Trump has imposed tariffs in order to obtain greater trade balance with countriesthatUSAhashuge trade imbalance (deficits –meaningitimportsalotmore than it exports). As Vice President Jagdeo noted in a press conference, Guyana's trade surplus is a result of Guyana exporting large quantitiesofoiltoUSA–oil produced by Exxon, an American company with some sold on the international market and the restboughtinUSA. Exxon and USA are prime beneficiaries, and Guyana has benefited enormously with royalties and profit sharing plus the huge investment of over US$40 billion that created
jobs and better the lives of thousands.Exxonwillpump more revenues in our economy that ultimately redounds to benefit of USA as the oil is refined and sold overseas improving trade balancewiththosecountries that purchase USA oil Therefore,Exxonshouldnot bepunishedbytheAmerican Administration for its huge trade surplus Indeed, President Trump has not penalized Exxon through which Guyana is running huge trade surplus. What Trump is seeking is an increase in imports from USA. Instead of purchasing from China, for example, Guyana can increase its purchases from USA. The trade balance with China is notknown;butitisbelieved to be in China's favor exceedingUS$1.5billion. (Continuedonpage5)
PPPC leaders only visit Enterprise during election time
DearEditor,
Only NOW the PPPC leaders are PROMISING to build the roads, build concrete drains and culverts and install street lights in Enterpriseafter33years in power! They have severely neglectedthatvillage.
Addressing a large gathering on Monday,
President Irfaan Ali announcedthatmoremobile securityunitsandnewpolice outposts will be established
to strengthen law enforcement in the area Why didn't the government implement these ideas long before?
A c t u a l l y, w h a t Enterpriseresidentsneedare jobs,notjusta$200Million livestock mill to be built somewhere on the East Coast of Demerara as PresidentAliannounced.
Since the closure of the historic Enmore sugar factory by the PNC-AFC coalition some 2500 sugar workers in Enterprise and Enmore have been unemployed.
The PPPC government situatedtheregionalhospital in Enmore which creates jobs for Enmore residents. Good for Enmore...but what about jobs for Enterprise residents?
Enterpriseresidentswho were overwhelmingly sugar workers were strong loyal supporters of the PPP and G A W U a n d w e r e discriminated against by the now defunct Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund(SILWF).
All the streets of Enterprise were muddy for the duration of the PNC 28yearruleandfullofpotholes with the stagnant drains being breeding grounds for mosquitoesandsnakes.
The dilapidated wooden CommunityCenterwhichis some 60 years old needs to be completely rebuilt with a concretestructure.
ThePPPCgovernmentto its credit has completely rebuiltTipperaryHallandall streets in Buxton which is a traditionalPNCstronghold. Presently the Enterprise
Primary School is overcrowded and beyond capacity
It needs an extension as wellasrefurbishingsincethe buildingwasbuiltin1963by the Cheddi Jagan PPP governmentofthe1960s.
The Ministry of
Education should also consider establishing a secondary
Enterprise as the village surroundings have grown 6 times its original size due to thedistributionofhouselots by the PPPC government. What was once rice fields has now been converted for housing
Sadly, prominent PPPC leaders only visit Enterprise justbeforeelectiontimeand make grand vacuous promises.
With reports that Team Mohamed of WIN having family in Enterprise the ruling party which takes the village for granted could be in for a surprise come September1st.
Sincerely
SultanMohamed
Purchase more American goods...
Frompage4
For Guyana's security interests It is better if Guyana can reduce imports from China and increase importsfromUSA.Thiswill leadtoTrumpreducingifnot altogether eliminate the tariffonGuyaneseexportsto USA. It is not known how directly involved is the AmericanPresidentontariff relating to Guyana or any other country The President is being advised by the Commerce Secretary and Department Guyana's lobbyist in Washington, a
former staff member and friendofthePresident,isina position to wield influence onhimonGuyana'stariff. Trump's tariff has landed a very heavy blow on Guyana and other poor nations that open global trade was supposed to help For decades, the U.S. granted special trading privileges to poor countries, cutting tariffs and boosting market access to lend emerging countries a helping hand. Now the new President wants to end the benefits because countries are taking
More contracts, better facilities promised to Region 6
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday promised to upgrade more facilities, improveservicesanddeliver more contracts to Berbicans ifthePPP/Creturnstooffice onSeptember1.
Jagdeo gave these a
community engagement in the Ne
A
terdam community of Angoy's A
enue, where he encouraged residents to align their votes with the government.
He outlined the PPP/C's ambition to realise a "world class education system," for Guyanese, noting that the cancellation of tuition at the University of Guyana for Guyanese students, as well asgovernment'ssponsorship ofeightsubjectsattheCXC examinations, is a definite stepinthatdirection.
Touting better health care in the region, the VP referenced the construction of a new hospital for New Amsterdam, with plans also to upgrade the current regionalfacility
He said while the government was able to increasetheworkforceinthe township over the last five years, more jobs will be
advantage of US generosity by purchasing goods from countries unfriendly with USA. Guyana should cut a dealwithWashingtontobuy more American goods and
including on vehicles. In addition, Guyana should encourage more American companies to invest in Guyana. Greater amounts in contracts should be given to American companies rather thantopChinese.
Yourstruly, VishnuBisram
Residents at the meeting
c r e a t e d i n t h e administration's new term. He also lauded the massive road expansion project acrossthecountry
Already, some 100,000 streetlights were purchased, he disclosed, from which 4,000 were delivered so far These are to be handed over to communities to tweak their outlook and lend to saferneighborhoods.
He acknowledged that manyprogrammesareyetto be completed, but assured the community that should the party retain office, these will be diligently undertaken.
"In the next term, there are some things we have to get back to that we did not completeinthisterm."
If reelected, the vice president pledged more contracts Already, many contractshavebeenawarded for the construction and repair of roads, and for improvementtothedrainage network in Angoy's Avenue and other communities acrosstheregion.
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo addressing residents on Angoy's Avenue on Friday
"We have to get more contracts to people.Alot of people here have benefitted from contracts. In the next term, there will be probably twice as many, because we nowhave,oncewecomplete the road network and all of thesedrainsthatyouseehere (and) across the country, we're gonna move to building concrete drains. That would require a lot of labor-intensive works, lots of contracts given out to people to build the communities."
The vice president's A n g o y ' s A v e n u e engagement was part of a series of community meetings scheduled for Friday across Region Six to rallysupportforthePPP/C. He was joined by Minister with responsibility for Finance and Public Service,Dr AshniSinghand partyofficialsoftheregion.
Guyana lone Caribbean country countr to record Oropouche virus
WA S H I N G TO N –
Guyana is the only Caribbean Community (Caricom)countrythathasa confirmed case of the Oropouche fever, a viral disease that has resurged across the Americas since late 2023, the PanAmerican Health Organization (PAHO)hasreported.
I n i t s l a t e s t epidemiological update, PAHO said that so far this year,12,786confirmedcases havebeenreportedacross11 countries—sevenwithlocal transmission and four with imported cases — reflecting the growing spread of this virus, primarily transmitted by the Culicoides paraensis midge.
According to PAHO, from January 1 to July 27, this year, Brazil has the highestconfirmedcaseswith 11,888 cases, followed by Panama (501), Peru (330), Cuba (28), Colombia (26), five cases in Venezuela and onecaseinGuyana.
PAHO said imported cases have been reported in Uruguay, Chile, Canada and the United States. In 2024, the region recorded 16,239 casesacross11countriesand one territory, including four deaths.
PAHO said that Oropouche fever typically causes high fever, severe headaches, and muscle and
joint pain, with most patients recovering in two tothreeweeks,thoughupto 60 per cent may experience relapses. Inrarecases,itcanlead t o m e n i n g i t i s o r encephalitis, and in pregnant women, there are concerns about potential fetalrisks
Thevirus'spreadtononendemic areas is driven by factors like climate change, deforestation, and urbanisation of forested areas, which boost the midge population, it said, emphasising the need for stronger epidemiological surveillance and vector control to curb the disease, which currently has no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment.
PAHO said that the key PAHO recommendations to countries in the region include adapting actions b a s e d o n t h e epidemiologicalsituationin each country to detect the virus' introduction into new areas, monitor its spread in a r e a s w i t h l o c a l transmission, and properly c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e epidemiologicallandscape.
It said there is the need toeliminatemidgebreeding sites by clearing vegetation and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, prevent bites by using bed
nets, protective clothing, and repellents containing DEET, IR3535, or icaridin, especially for pregnant womenandruralworkers.
In addition, countries
are being urged to strengthen early clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis, particularly with dengue and that treatment focuses on relieving pain and
ng hydration, and managing vomiting, while monitoring
complications or issues in pregnantwomen
“PAHO stresses that national and regional collaboration is essential to monitor and control the
arboviruseslikedengue.
The organization is supporting countries with technical guidance on d
agnos
inical management, and vector prevention and control, urging prompt reporting of unusual events, such as deaths or cases of vertical transmission."
The virus was first detected in 1955 in a febrile forest worker in a village in Trinidad and Tobago called VegadeOropouche,nearthe O r o p o u c h e R i v e r Oropouche virus is endemic totheAmazonbasin.–CMC
Jagdeo sees PPP securing significantly more votes from Indigenous communities
The Peoples Progressive PartyCivic(PPP/C)believes thatsupportfromIndigenous communities will allow the party to secure more votes thanitdidin2020.
Vice President Bharrat
J a g d e o e x p r e s s e d confidence at his weekly Thursday press conference t h a t I n d i g e n o u s communities will vote overwhelmingly for his party
Jagdeo, who is also the general secretary of the PPP/C in response to questionsposedbyreporters onwhetherhispartycanwin the upcoming September 1, 2025 general and regional electionswithoutthesupport of the indigenous communities said, “we believe we can win the elections based on the support that [the indigenous communities give] and win the elections with a bigger majority than 2020, with a significantlybiggermajority than2020withthesupportof the Amerindians, the IndoGuyanese, the mixed people and Afro-Guyanese and we goingtodothat.”
Notwithstanding,Jagdeo clarified that his party does not need 100 per cent of the votes from the Indigenous communities to be successful at the upcoming elections.ThePPPCgeneral secretary said his party isn't t h r e a t e n e d b y i t s competitors.
Hesaidrivalpartiestryto frequent the Indigenous communities because they believe that the residents do nothaveaccesstothemedia there He specifically mentioned presidential candidate for the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed, who has been frequenting Indigenouscommunities.
“Pay a few people to lie…aboutthesanctionsand allofthesethingsandhegets awaywithit.Hegoesthereto avoid scrutiny because he would not campaign here so heavilybecausehe'druninto themedia,andthenhewould h a v e t o a n s w e r uncomfortable questions,” Jagdeosaid. This week alone,
Mohamed visited more than f i v e I n d i g e n
s communities as he takes his campaignacrossthecountry
The PPP/C leader said hispartysecured57%ofthe votes in Region 9 with the remaining 43% of the votes being divided among the other parties in the 2020 elections. He suggested that the 43% that voted for the other parties five years ago mayverywellvoteforWIN orAPartnershipforNational Unity(APNU).
“We didn't win 99% of Region 9… so that any vote that goes to another party will come at the expense of thePPP Wewon57%ofthe votes there in the last elections. We're hoping to increase that percentage there,”Jagdeonoted.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
Two weeks before elections GECOM still looking for legal officer
With just two weeks left before the September 1 General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has reopened applications for the post of legalofficer
Thecommissionhasalso reopened the position for public relations (PR)
assistant, citing an unsatisfactory response from the initial round of applicants.
O n We d n e s d a y, GECOM Commissioner
Vincent Alexander confirmed that applications were received from the first round of advertisements for boththelegalofficerandPR
assistant positions However, he noted that the commission decided to readvertise.
The initial vacancy notice invited suitably qualified candidates to submit their applications by August7,2025.
“Three applicants were received for each position. Some members felt that the field of applicants was too smallandthattherewereno outstanding candidates,” Alexander explained “I differed.
Iwaspreparedtoprocess those who applied or forego the process since there is littletimelefttorecruitand, more importantly, deploy them before elections, as is the intended objective,” Alexanderstated. Theadvertisementshave sincebeenrepublishedinthe local newspape
According to the vacancy notice, the legal officer will report directly to the commission through the Office of the Chairperson and will be responsible for ensuring all legal and statutory requirements are met for registration and elections.
The officer will also serve as Secretary to the
$250k bail for contractor accused of obtaining money by false pretence
A38-year-old contractor was on Friday placed on $250,000 bail for obtaining moneybyfalsepretence.
The accused,Terbhawan Ramjit, of Lot 126 Bath, West Coast Berbice (WCB), was hauled before MagistrateAnnette Singh at theGeorgetownMagistrates' Court to answer to the charge. Ramjit pleaded not guilty to the charge which allegedthathe,betweenJune 1 and July 31, 2025 in Georgetown, with intent to defraud, obtained $1 3 million from Nalini Ramcharan by falsely pretending he was in a position to sell her three house lots knowing same to befalse.
Ramjit was represented by attorney Jevon Cox who requested bail while reassuring the court that his client is not a flight risk and willreturntocourtatthenext scheduledday
H o w e v e r , t h e prosecution objected to bail citing the serious nature of the offence and the amount of money that was allegedly obtained by the accused. Further, the prosecution
argued that due to consequencesofcommitting suchanoffence,Ramjitmay not return to court should
Commission.
Thedelayinappointinga legal officer comes at a critical time for GECOM, especiallywiththeelections drawingnear
The commission has been without a legal officer since March 3, 2025, when attorney Kurt Da Silva's contract expired. Da Silva, w
GECOM's legal officer for three years, stated that his contractwasdueforrenewal and that he had received an exemplary performance
Chairperson, along with a
renewal However, the government-nominated
against the renewal, a position supported by GECOM C
Justice (Ret'd) Claudette Singh.
Their rationale centered
d . Notwithstanding, a request was made for reporting conditionstobeimposedand 'substantial bail' to be
he magistrategrantbail. After listening to all arguments,MagistrateSingh granted Ramjit bail on the condition that he reports to the Brickdam Police Station every last Friday of the month. The matter was adjourned to September 10, 2025.
GECOM Commissioner
Vincent Alexander
on Da Silva's written submissions in the Carol Smith-Joseph v Attorney General, Commissioner of Registration & GECOM case, which they claimed contradicted instructions fromthecommission.
Da Silva has since publiclydisputedthisclaim,
submissions were circulated
Elections Officer (CEO), and all commissioners. In a detailed letter to Justice Singh, he described the Commission's press release onthematteras“repletewith false and misleading statements” regarding his legal work and professional conduct. As a result, Da Silva has filed a defamation lawsuit against GECOM, seeking damages, including aggravated or exemplary damages, over statements made in the press release titled “Non-Renewal of the Employment Contract of GECOM'sLegalOfficer.”
Meanwhile, GECOM hasfacedadditionalscrutiny o
d involvement of Attorney General Anil Nandlall in providinglegaladvicetothe commission.
Several political party leaders, including those from the Alliance For
Change (AFC), have raised concerns about what they describe as a conflict of interest. In a letter to the Chairperson, AFC's leader Nigel Hughes expressed unease over Nandlall's dual role as both Attorney Generalandlegaladvisorto GECOM, questioning the commission'sindependence.
AsubsequentAFCpress rel
sentiment, alleging that Nandlall's involvement undermines public trust in theelectoralbody With the general and regional elections fast
requires a Legal Officer to provide legal guidance and
n authorities,ensuringthatthe electoral process complies with established legal frameworks and best practices.
Terbhawan Ramjit
One jailed, two remanded for cocaine possession
A man was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for possession of cocaine while two others wereremandedforthesame offence.
The Customs AntiNarcoticsUnit(CANU)ina statement said Joel Leander wassentencedafterpleading guiltytobeinginpossession of over 5 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking He was also fined$8million.
Leander along with two other persons, Lorna Scott Williams and Satrohan Hardowar appeared at the Leonora Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Alisha Georgefortheoffence.
However, Hardowar and Williams pleaded not guilty andwereremandedtoprison pendingtrial.
Jailed: Joel Leander
Williams also faced a separatechargeforanother3 kilograms of cocaine. She also pleaded not guilty to thatoffence.
The court was informed thatin2015Williamsandher husband were charged for possession of 3 8 kilogrammes of cocaine They also had some 36 grammes of ganja in their possession at the time. The drugs along with a significant amount of foreign currency were seized.
In 2017, Williams' husband was jailed 6 years fordrugtrafficking
Remanded: Satrohan Hardowar
Remanded: Lorna Williams
APNU unveils “winning...
Frompage2 people,"Nortonsaid."
Similarly,wemustnotbe discouragedfromincreasing our domestic supply of goods and services if we are tolowerthecostoflivingof Guyanese The APNU coalition has an unswerving commitmenttothatgoal.Itis for this reason that we will implement our programme to have all regions involved in sustainable agriculture production,"headded.
The manifesto also commitstothedevelopment of hinterland areas. APNU plans to build coast-to-
hinterland airstrips, and provide fast, free, and reliable internet access to everyhinterlandcommunity Investment opportunities will be expanded to retain local talent, and 50% of carbon credit funds will be directed to indigenous communities.
Furthermore, all major m
companiesoperatinginthese areas will be required to u
development projects and comply with local content laws The party also p
indigenous participation in decision-makingprocesses.
To
environment, APNU will reduce corporate tax rates to international norms (20–30%) and modify regulatio
ve predictabilitytotaxbenefits.
The APNU intends to introduce special economic zones for both domestic and foreign investors to pursue production of various items,
processing, and technology in agriculture They also intend to reduce the tax on four-door 4WD pickups to 15%, recognizing their importance across multiple industries.
In the financial sector, APNU aims to bridge the financing gap between large and small producers by es
g
new developmentbank.
The party also plans to unlock the potential of the localstockmarketthrougha proposed junior stock exchange, giving youth and small businesses access to equity financing. To support this, legislation governing thesecuritiesindustrywillbe amended APNU also
expressed openness to expanding fintech solutions, including lending platforms and even cryptocurrencies. "There is room to add other services such as lending platforms and investment platforms.Giventhewaythe world is moving, we should not shy away from c o n s i d e r i n g cryptocurrencies," Norton stated.
On security, Norton said the police force must be overhauled to become more effective and responsive The focus will be on preventivepolicingtoreduce crime and improve public safety
Regarding governance, Norton emphasized that in orderforthemanifestotobe implemented, there must be afunctioningpublicservice. As such, APNU pledges to modernize government operations and improve public servant welfare, including a 35% salary increase,accesstolong-term financing for housing or vehicles, and eligibility for duty-free vehicle purchases after three years of service. Public servants would also benefit from periodic VATfreepurchasesunderspecific conditions.
Beware of the PPPC!
T h e P e o p l e ’ s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) has long been accustomed to playing the saviourofGuyana.Butithas a well-established record of political roughhousing as is evidentwhere the PPPC has launched what may well be its nastiest, most unscrupulous election campaigninlivingmemory.
Those with long memories will recall the 1980s,whenthePPPC,then in opposition, found common cause with its supposed arch-nemesis, the People’s National Congress (PNC), in tormenting Paul Tennessee’s Democratic Labour Movement (DLM). The PNC supplied the official harassment — the policeraids,theintimidation ofmembers—whilethePPP outsourced the more kinetic disruptions by breaking up DLM meetings as though democracywereaninfection to be stamped out before it spread. As if this were not enough, the PPP slathered the DLM with the convenient Cold War smear asagentsoftheCIA.
Theironyofthateraisit
was the same DLM, malignedandmauledbythe PPP, that kept the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD)fromimplodingwhen GUARD and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) tried to sabotage the consensuscandidateprocess bydenyingthePPPtheright to name that candidate. In the end, there was no consensuscandidate,butthe DLMheldthePCDtogether
through those quarrelsome months. Until after the final curtaintheDLMvanished.
Themoralofthestoryis that when both the PPP and thePNCperceiveathreatto their respective fortresses, they will set aside their mutual loathing to crush the interloper.Inthosedays,the common enemy was the DLM. In our present hour, the spectre haunting both parties is the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party,
Mohamed —AZMO, in the public shorthand has unnerved the old order simplybydaringtoexist.
But here the symmetry falters, and not in the way one might expect The PNCR, whatever else one can say about it, has so far kept itself free of the gutter tactics the PPPC has deployed. In an age when restraint is regarded as a political anachronism, the PNCR has, at least for the moment, resisted the temptation to join the lynch mob.
The PPPC, by contrast, hasgivenitselfoverentirely to the art of political annihilation. Hooligans are dispatched to disrupt even the most modest of WIN’s gatherings.Humblebottomhouse meetings are now considered subversive operations requiring suppression. State agencies have been conscripted as weapons against the Mohamed family Abroad, thePPPChasusedaforeign firm in the United States to
weave a conspiracy theory worthy of a pulp novel, falsely linking AZMO to Venezuelaandelevatinghim from a rival candidate to a “national security threat.” It has found common cause with private agents in concocting, almost daily, all manner of conspiracies and machinations against AZMO.
This is desperation in its purest form. In the PPPC’s mind, political survival justifiesanymethod,anylie, any ruin visited upon the opponent. The playbook is asoldasthepartyitself,and it is written in the ink of historicalamnesia.
For when the PPPC growsdesperate,nastinessis never the ceiling. Horror is always a possible sequel.
Peter Taylor, the former editoroftheArgosy,andthe Abrahamfamilyinthe1960s are chilling examples of what happens when this party’s fury graduates from insult to injury In those cases, the politics of vilification metastasized into something darker, the kindofoutcomefromwhich democratic societies seldom recoverintact.
Andyet,thePPPCseems tohavelearnednothingfrom itsownhistory Thispolitical season has seen the resurrection of the old discredited tactic of bludgeoning the opponent intopoliticalextinction.And this election the PPPC has beennastierthanever
Inthisrespect,theattack on WIN is not merely an episode in the current
DEM BOYS SEH
Paintcan’tfixrottenwood
Dem boys hear govament got big,bigplansfuhStabroekand Bourdamarkets.Demsehdem gon fix up, renovate, modernize them, make them look fancy Dem boys seh if dem want Georgetown to look nice, dem firstgatfuhstopitfromsmellinglikeadead cowsoakintrenchwaterfuhthreedays. Stabroek Market? That place is a heritagesite,yes…heritageofrust,rot,and rat.Ifyouleanpononeahdembeamsatde backtoohard,yuhmightendupinderiver –orunderit.Demboyssehthatmarketso dangerous, yuh don’t need earthquake fuh bringitdown.Justoneloudsneeze.People does go in there like is a dare, not a shoppingtrip.
Bourda Market? That ain’t a market, that’s a petri dish. If yuh want to study bacteria, just let some of the stink water fromdemguttersgetonyuhshoes. Demboyssehitgotmoregermsthana sewage line. The drains smell like they trying to tell yuh something – and it ain’t
election cycle; it is a specimen of the pathology that has long afflicted Guyana’s politics. It is the belief shared, in varying degrees, by the PPPC that the citizen’s vote is less a choice than a loyalty oath, andthatthosewhoattemptto widen the menu of options must be taught, through intimidationorruin,thefolly oftheirambition.
When a government calls a political opponent a national security threat without evidence, when it sends its agents to disrupt political meetings, when it turns the machinery of the state into an instrument of
partisan vengeance, it is not defending the nation. It is dismantling it, piece by piece, until the only thing left to secure is the party’s ownmonopolyonpower
The PPPC’s present campaign against WIN is thereforenotjustthenastiest in its own history. It is the logical culmination of a political tradition that confuses power with principle, and victory with virtue. In the end, the party may succeed in burying AZMO beneath an avalanche of slander and manufacturedscandal.Butit will do so at the cost of confirming, yet again, the
truth that has stalked Guyana’s politics for decades: that for those who rule by fear, the enemy is never just the rival party or theinsurgentcandidate—it is the very idea that power shouldbeearned,notseized.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
“Welcome!”
But here’s de joke. All de bustle and business happening outside dem markets. Pavementvendingtekover Peoplebuying fish in the sun, chicken in the dust, and greensnexttoamansellingsocks.Inside? Empty stalls, shutter down, cobweb hanginglikeChristmasdecoration.
So govament gon spend millions painting,tiling,andputtingupfancylights insidethesemarkets–justsopigeonscould shopinstyle.Demboyssehunlessyuhdeal with de illegal vending outside, yuh wastingpaintandcement.Yuhjustputting lipstickpontwosickpigs.
Dem boys seh if yuh can’t clear de pavements,don’tbotherfixingdemarkets. Is like polishing a coffin—look nice outside,stilldeadinside.
And at de rate things going, the only peoplegonenjoytherenovationsisderats, de roaches, and de stray dogs near dem butcherstalls.
Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
Jagdeo the shifter
First it was the son, now it is the father, according to Vice President Jagdeo. He pluckswhathewassureisa roseoutofthinair,andwhen it rots in his hand, he then adjusts his mind and his mouth and claims it is a sucker tree. This is how he makes suckers out of all Guyanese (except this one).
In the developments surrounding the visit of a MohamedtotheVenezuelan
Embassy, Jagdeo was creativeenough,andcraftily so, to throw caution to the windsinhishastetonailMr WINMohamed. Ifhereally issosureofa“landslide”he wouldn't spend one second on a dark horse like WIN Mohamed. Butthat'snotthe case, as his trembling lips, spittle-flecked speeches confirm. Also, that's not how Big Bee Jagdeo operates.
He started out with one Mohamed, then it was two Mohameds (or more) Demerara Waves articles of th August 13 , and my contribution in the same th paper on August 14 , provide the details. From onetotwo,thenbacktoone Mohamed. FromMohamed theYoungertoMohamedthe Elder Perhaps, it was the youngeronedisguisedasthe father in some cloak-andd
Venezuelan fortress I withdraw cloak-and-dagger, for I just remembered MinisterJoeHamilton's“ina box” contribution to Guyana's political culture, and thought better of it. Racing from one to two and then walking back to one is classic Jagdeo BJ the shifter JBtheshuffler The formernationalleaderisthat kind of a snake dancer It's
whyIholdhiminsuchhigh regard. Alandslidetheman says, and WIN Mohamed has him sliding on his face, slidingonhisderriere.
TheVPbeing theVP, he triedanothermove. Shuffler andshifter,remember “His father visits the Venezuelan embassy; he's a member of this family Don't tell me that Azruddin Mohamed doesn't know about it or the daughter, the active one on social media doesn't know about it. They all know that he did visit the embassy and they know the purpose of the visit. And so, I am today, you notice they've gone silent since that information came out ” Will some kind Guyanese give the man a glass of water in a red cup, please? He gets the highest marks for trying, for never givingup. Fromme,hegets a shaking of his shoulders: know when there is a losing hand, know when there is time to take a strategic retreat (whatever the hell that is), and start over with new plotting and replotting. Checkthisout.
Ask Guyana's oil rajah, policymaharajah,aquestion about oil audits or oil discoveries and he doesn't know Ask Vick (minister), who is out of town. Ask Godfrey (Tax Chief), whose firstnamelostthefirstthree letters. Jagdeodoesn'tknow what he doesn't want to know But there he was extending that gift to WIN Mohamed. Heevendragged in the daughter The son or the daughter should know what is going on in the family,andwiththatvisitby Mohamed the First with the conquistadores Jesus Christ! This is one hell of a tangled country I checked and rechecked: Mr Nazar “Shell” Mohamed is not running for president. For full disclosure, I know Mr NazarMohamedfromapast
life, and if I measured him right, he is too smart to run forpresident. So,ifhegoes to the Venezuelan Embassy, how does that rise to the level of a contentious campaign issue, sanctions and all? Here is another question. Howisitandwhy was it that the chief policymaker and chief immigration officer of Guyana was not all lathered up, very silent, when the same WIN Mohamed went through the airport to meet with American envoys in Bridgetown, Barbados? It could be he didn't know of thatAmericanarrangement. What Jagdeo doesn't apply to himself, those are the standards to which he holds others. Ah, the ways and wiles of shifters and shufflers. Hetriedtopinthe tail of the Venezuelan donkey on WIN Mohamed due to his own palpable elections dread, only for the soundsthatemergeoutofhis majestic vice-presidential head come across as some h e e h a w s i n g s o n g Somebody is working tirelesslytomakesuckersof the Guyanese people, and it is not me. I am not running from anything, especially the light. The day that the general secretary can say that, he is sure to rise from the bottom of national estimation. I have begged the big man repeatedly Shapeup,stepup. Hehasa love,instead,forthisshifting and shuffling breakdancing at which he is now a true grandmaster, a regional political prodigy Yo, Bharrat: best of luck, with thatlandslide,bruddah.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Top CSEC and CAPE performers set eyes on science and engineering careers
By Francwa Fortune
This year's top performers at the Caribbean
Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) all intend to pursue careers in the science and engineeringfields.
Some of the high-flyers spoke with Kaieteur News onFriday,momentsafterthe announcement was made at the Arthur Chung ConferenceCentre.
Arthur Roberts of Queen'sCollege(QC)whois the country's top CAPE performer,wrote13subjects andsecurednineGradeOnes and four Grade Twos. He told Kaieteur News that he intends to challenge his studiesinthefieldofscience orresearch.
Roberts, who has performedconsistentlyfrom primarytosecondaryschool, thanked God, his teachers, family, colleagues and his community for supporting him throughout his journey Hesaidthereisnooneroute to success and advised students to improve their strategy until it works for them.
“Nomanisanislandand similarly, I am also not an island, but I am only here becauseofthosepeoplewho have pushed me here. I'm a representation of all those people that have impacted me in my life thus far,” Robertssaid.
In 2018, the teen had secured second place in the country at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) gaining a place at the country's leading secondary school – Queen's
College. He then secured 23 CSEC subjects (17 Grade Ones, 5 Grade Twos and 1 GradeThree)in2023andin 2024hesecured6GradeOne passesatCAPE. Michael Henry also of QC has his eyes set on becoming an engineer or businessman. The lad who wrote10CAPEsubjectssaid timemanagementwaskeyto his success. He noted that it was a challenging journey but he overcame through trialanderror
“Ifeelverygoodthatthe hard work paid off. I found the past papers very helpful and that was the main tool I used.Idon'tthinkyoushould necessarily use one method butusewhatworksforyou,”
Henrysaid.
Meanwhile, Jayden Adrian also a student of QC wrote27CSECsubjects.He isthetopperformerforthose examinations. He told this publicationthatheintendsto walk in the footsteps of his father and grandfather by becoming a mechanical engineer
Notwithstanding, the elated young man said he also has a passion for aeronautics.
“I feel very fulfilled because that's all I was workingfor,forthepasttwo yearsandIcouldn'tsettlefor anything less given the hard work I put in,” he stated. Adriansaidhechosetostudy 27 subjects to obtain a
government scholarship to studyabroad.
Odwin Bouyea, an aspiring electrical engineer, who attended the Fraser's Educational Institute wrote 21 CSEC subjects securing 19 Grade Ones and one Grade Two and one Grade Three. The young man said finding motivation to study late at night was a challenge for him. He said his school days started at 08:00h and e n d e d a t 2 0 : 0 0 h Notwithstanding the
challenge, he said he turned to God while noting that his mother was his pillar throughouthisjourney
“I had many sources of motivation. First off God wasaverybigpartinwhereI amtoday,mymotheraswell whowasthepillarinmylife. She played both the role of the father and the mother in my life, and the teachers as welltheypushedustogetus to receive these great results,”Bouyeasaid.
He encouraged the next batch of students to endure the challenges and the journeynomatterhowtired, demotivated or indiscipline theyfeel.
“Find that discipline, find that motivation in yourself, what makes you go, what you want to achieve… find that and it will keep you going,” Bouyeashared.
Safina Dowding attended the Abram Zuil SecondarySchoolwhereshe wrote 21 CSEC subjects. Dowding is an aspiring lawyer, a therapist or psychologist.
The young lady shared that her journey was somewhat nerve-wrecking since she was initially preparingtosit17subjectsat the examination. However, her teachers and family saw her true potential and encouraged her to do sit more subjects just four monthsbeforetheexams.
“It was a journey The timeforstudieshadtogoup
and I use to wake up and studyfrom12:30amto5am, catchanhoursleepandthen prepare for school and have lessonstillprobably10inthe night,”Dowdingsaid.
She encouraged other students to start studying from4thFormandtohavea list of subjects they are sure theywanttopursue.
“AlwayshaveGodatthe center because if you don't have him there you can't achieve anything, and make sure you work hard to make your parents proud,” she advised.
Meanwhile, Joshua Mc Arthur,afourthformstudent from QC who wrote nine CSECsubjects.
The young man felt that he possessed the capability toexcelattheexamwhilein th4 Form and took the risk whichhesaidwas“worthit”.
“My biggest challenge wascompletingtheSBAsin the short amount of time because I decided in November Also trying to learn the practical stuff in chemistry like with the labs, I couldn't do that so I had to study them on paper,” Mc Arthurrelayed.
Hementionedhisdriving force was being able to complete high school faster andbeingabletoachievehis goal faster, which is to becomeanengineer
M c A r t h u r ' s encouragementtostudentsis to “study hard”. He said, “I had a lot of people doubting meandIguessIprevailed.”
Arthur Roberts Michael Henry Jayden Adrian
Odwin Bouyea Joshua Mc Arthur Safina Dowding
“Any attempt to rig the
elections
will have serious consequences”
D e s c r i b i n g t h e upcoming polls as the most consequential elections in G u y a n a ' s h i s t o r y, presidential candidate and leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton has warned the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government, that any move made to tamper with the elections will have dire consequences.
Norton said while the APNU has shied away from streetprotestsovertheyears, he is prepared to “behave bad” should any attempt be madebythePPP/Ctorigthe outcomeoftheelections.
“You are not going to be allowed to rig these elections. Our agents must scrutinise the process and ensure that nothing illegal happens.Wearepreparedto behave bad if illegalities occur.
Wehavehadfiveyearsof your domination, we have had five years of your barefacedness, we have had five years of your contempt for ordinary people, we say enoughisenough.”
-NortonwarnsPPP
APNU's presidential candidate, Aubrey Norton Attorney Dr. Dexter Todd
Norton made the bold proclamation at theAPNU's campaign rally Friday evening at Vreed-en-Hoop, RegionThree.
He told the sizeable crowd that, as opposition leader, he has always been proddedtotaketothestreets inprotestoverinjustices.He has however refused, since, according to him, the governmenthasalwaysbeen waiting to use the opportunity to turn ethnic groupsagainsteachother
“I believe it would have been an error to do that. I believethatallGuyaneseare prepared to live together I believe all Guyanese know
there is a need to live together, and I want to urge all, you must not allow anyonetodothingsthatwill bringethnicproblemsinthis country.”
He said while his are a peaceful people, if trouble comes, “we will not back down.”
“In the same breath. I warn this government, any attempt to rig the elections will have serious consequences.”
Guyanagoestothepolls on Monday, September 1. With its “people centered” manifestoofficiallyreleased onFriday,Nortonisurging (Continuedonpage25)
Increased performances recorded in Math & English at CSEC –EducationMinistry
Chief Education Officer (CEO), Saddam Hussain on Friday announced that this year, there has been improvements in students' performanceinMathematics and English A at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, having had a decline in performance in 2024.
The CEO made the revelation at the release of the preliminary results for this year's CSEC and CAPE whichwasheldattheArthur ChungConferenceCentre.
Hussain reminded that the start of the students' secondary education was interruptedwhenthecountry was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2020 Instead of 14 terms, this batch of students studied for nine terms.They returned to face-to-facelearninginApril 2022 instead of September 2020.
“They actually started in thesecondtermofFormTwo (GradeEight),”headded.
TheCEOsaidthatforthe CSEC examinations Grades One, Two and Three are considered pass, while at CAPE, Grades One to Five areconsideredpass.
Some 12, 685 students sattheCSECexamswith80, 556entries.
Religious Education, Physical Education and Sports, Industrial Technology, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Building - building technology, Industrial Technology and Mechanical Engineering.
Chief Education Officer (CEO), Saddam Hussain
Thisyear,thepassrateat the general and technical proficiency that is between GradesOnetoThreestoodat 66.76%. “There was really nochangefromlastyear,”he said.
Out of the 35 subjects being offered in Guyana for CSEC, the CEO declared that this year they have recorded improved performancesin15subjects.
“So,15ofthosesubjects had an improvement meaning this year's figure is greater than last year's. Five subjects remain constant, those did not change, and outstanding performances werenotedinsevensubjects where we had 90% and over,”heannounced.
The seven subjects referenced are: Agriculture Science (double award),
Hussain disclosed that the pass rate for EnglishAGrades One to Three have improved to 71.2% from 68 96% in 2024 (a 3% increase),whilethepassrate forEnglishBis63.89%.
“In 2024, our math pass ratewas27%,Iampleasedto inform you that in 2025 our math pass rate is now 32%. This is now an increase of 5%, which is significant in anyaspectofeducationgain inasingleyear,”hedeclared.
ForCAPE,theCEOsaid thatthisyear650candidates from 13 secondary schools and three private centres sat the examinations. Last year, 721 candidates sat the exams.
“Our pass rate in 2024 was 92.57%, in 2025 it is 91 9% a very minimal decline, ” Hussain announced.
The CEO disclosed that therewasan11.6%passrate in Grade Ones, 20.88% in Grade Twos, 25 42% in GradeThrees,19.58%in (Continuedonpage13)
IncreasedperformancesrecordedinMath...
Frompage12
Grade Fours, and 14.4% in GradeFives.
Additionally, he disclosed that students recorded100%passratein Agricultural Science Unit Two, Art and Design Unit One and Two, Animation and Gaming Design Unit One and Two, Applied Mathematics Unit Two, Computer Science Unit Two, Digital Media Unit
S
Entrepreneurship Unit One, Geography Unit One
,
a n d T w o , G r e e n
engineering Unit One and Two,SpanishUnitOneand Two, Physical Education and Sports Unit One and Two, PerformingArts Unit One and Two, Logistics
and Chain Supplies
Operation Unit One, French Unit One, IT Unit Two, Tourism Unit Two, a n d D e s i g n a n d
TechnologyUnitOne He said too that there was less than 75 % rate in fiveCAPEsubjects. Congratulating the students, Hussain informed that the preliminary results are subject to reviews and noted that the deadline for reviews is September 5, 2025. Persons desirous of reviewingtheirgradeshave to visit Exams Division in the Queen's College to requestsame.
Guyanese youth mobilize for the SDGs at Int'l Youth Day 2025 conference Y
More than 100 youth leaders and stakeholders participated in Guyana's observance of International Youth Day (IYD) 2025 which was held on Friday at DukeLodge,Georgetown.
The event, themed “LocalYouthActionsforthe SDGs and Beyond” was described as “a dynamic, youth-led forum that c e l e b r a t e d y o u n g changemakers and their pivotal role in localizing the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).”
Hosted in partnership with the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) and
UNICEF, and supported by other UN agencies, the conference placed young people at the center of national conversations on sustainable development, withasharpfocusonaction, innovation,andinclusion.
This year's IYD theme underscores a global truth, achievingtheSDGsdepends on grassroots leadership
Withover65percentofSDG targets linked to local governance, youth are proving that meaningful progress begins within communities.
From the coast to the hinterland, Guyanese youth
are mobilizing for climate justice, inclusive education, gender equity, mental health awareness,cleanenergy,and civic participation The forumcreatedspaceforthese efforts to be shared, strengthened,andscaled.
“This generation is not merely engaged; it is mobilized. Our youth are participating in national dialogues, raising awareness, and holding leaders accountable This event is about giving those efforts greater visibility and support,” said Mr Gabriel Vo c k e l , U N I C E F Representative (a i ) for
GuyanaandSuriname. With an agenda codesigned and led by young people, the day featured an inspirational keynote panel, spotlighting local youth-led SDG initiatives, the launch of "Younited4GY", a youthled climate action group under UNICEF with a missiontoeducate,mobilize, and empower peers on environmental issues; and breakout workshops on health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), climate and sustainability (SDGs 6, 7, 13), and inclusive governance (SDGs 10, 12, 16,17).
ApowerfulCommitment Circle was formed, where each participant pledged concrete action for their community in alignment withtheSDGs.
Participants, including youth leaders from Policy Forum Guyana, UNICEF Youth Advocates, RCC's Child Rights Ambassadors, STEMGuyana, Young Influencers GY, Guyana CouncilofOrganisationsfor Persons with Disabilities, and youth homes among other youth groups, described the conference as transformative.
“This was more than a celebration,itwasalearning space, and a call to action. The workshops helped connect global goals to our lived experiences, and we leavewithpracticalideasand renewed energy to act,” said Youth Advocate, Aquila Obermuller
In her address, Ms Rosemary Benjamin-Noble, Deputy Chairperson of the Rights of the Child
Commission, reflected on thedeepermeaningofyouth e n g a g e m e n t a n d sustainability “You are the changemakers You have youth on your side, full, productive years ahead Advocate, lend your voice, educate and continue to be educated, and bring others with you. Remember the words 'and beyond'? They speak not only to action beyond 2030, but to the future generations that depend on your leadership today,” Benjamin-Noble said.
She emphasized the importance of partnership, urging young people to link the SDGs with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, highlighting that these goals are not lofty ideals, but “practical, (Continuedonpage26)
Participants at the “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond” Conference held at the Duke Lodge Conference Room, Georgetown.
Canadian firm to complete updated PEA for 5.4M gold project
Canadian firm, Aris Mining Corporation has disclosed that it will be conducting a new Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Toroparu Gold Project located in Guyana's Region Seven, Cuyuni-Mazaruni district.
The project, which boasts an estimated 5 4 million ounces in gold resources, is positioned amongsomeofthecountry's largest gold operations.Aris Mining owns the project
entirely through its subsidiary,ETKInc.
During the company's secondquarterearningscall, Richard Thomas Aris Mining Chief Operating Officer (COO) said that a newPEAisunderwayforthe project He noted, “At Toroparu,anewpreliminary economicassessmentisalso in progress to evaluate updated development options in the context of the current coal price environment. The PEA is also expected to be completed in the third quarterofthisyear Welook forward to providing a comprehensiveupdateinthe coming months once these studiesarecompleted.”
The same was said by Neil Woodyer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aris Mining during the earnings call It was disclosed that the updated PEA is to evaluate updated developmentoptions.
The Toroparu gold project is an explorationstageopenpitgoldproject.
The Aris Mining team
hadconfirmedthatToroparu is a large-scale gold-copper deposit with an updated measured and indicated resource estimate of 5 4 million ounces of gold and 118 thousand tonnes of copper, and an inferred resource estimate of 1 2 millionouncesofgold.
OnMarch14,2023,Aris Mining announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Toroparu Project, effective asofFebruary10,2023.The MRE report states that the ToroparuProjectbeganwith alluvial mining by Alfro
Alphonso in 1997, transitioning into deeper saprolite mining by 1999 before ending in 2001. ETK started exploring the site in 1999 and, through a joint venture with Alphonso in 2000.
ETK acquired full ownership of the project in 2020byexercisinganoption in the joint venture, paying $20 million Alphonso retained alluvial mining rights on specific lands and the use of certain roads and the airstrip. A consulting agreement withAlphonso & Sons ensures payments of $1-2 million annually once ETK generates sufficient cash flow Additionally, a 2011 mineral agreement with the Government of Guyana established a tiered goldroyaltyof5%forprices up to $1,000/oz and 8% above that, plus a 1.5% royalty on other minerals.
ETK has also negotiated an investment agreement with GO-Invest for tax exemptions on projectrelatedimports.
44people,including16aidseekerskilledinGazayesterday
…asIsraeltargetsemergency workers
Aljazeera - Palestinian residents of Gaza City have comeunderrelentlessIsraeli bombardmentasthemilitary prepares for a major offensive to seize and ethnically cleanse the area, barring emergency workers from reaching people trapped in the residential Zeitounneighbourhood.
Gaza civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud BasaltoldAlJazeerathatthe Israeli army had been firing atemergencyvehiclestrying to reach the wounded in Zeitoun on Friday, as Israeli quadcoptersdroppedleaflets threatening a forced displacement.
Residents were told to leave sections of the eastern neighbourhood, where hundreds of homes have recentlybeendestroyed.
Reporting from Deir elBalah, Al Jazeera’s Tareq AbuAzzoumsaidIsraelhad been deploying “heavy artillery, drones and fighter j e t s ” , w i t h f o u r neighbourhoods of Gaza City “reporting relentless bombardment shaking the grounddayandnight”asthe militaryadvanceditsplans. It was, he said, “a full dismantlingofcivilianlifeto ensurethatpeoplewillnever be allowed back into this area”.IsraeliPrimeMinister
Benjamin Netanyahu has beenpushingtoseizeGaza’s largest urban hub and forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to concentration zones, despite a wave of criticism from families of captives held in Gaza and their supporters, the Israeli securityestablishment,anda multitude of nations and organisations around the world.Asthemilitaryclosed in on Gaza City, it also continued attacks on other parts of the enclave, killing 44 people, including 16 aid seekers desperately seeking sustenancefortheirfamilies, accordingtomedicalsources whospoketoAlJazeera. Attacks included strikes
Palestinian pleas that no place in the besieged and bombarded enclave is safe.
One person was killed at alShifa in Gaza City, which hasbeenbombedandburned multiple times over the war And at least two were killed at Deir el-Balah’s Al-Aqsa Hospital in an explosion preceded by a swarm of Israeli drones hovering over thehospital.
‘Humanremains46days under the rubble’ Amid the reports of further Israeli killing, Al Jazeera Arabic reportedthatawomaninthe
neighbourhood east of Gaza City retrieved the body of
Trump-Putin summit yields no deal on ending war...
Frompage26 members of the court. The daybeforethesummit,Putin held out the prospect of something Trump wants - a new nuclear arms control agreementtoreplacethelast surviving one, which is due to expire in February It was unclear if the issue was discussedonFriday ‘COUNTINGON AMERICA’ Zelenskiy, who was not invited to Alaska, and his European allies had feared Trump might sell out Ukraine by essentially freezing the conflict and recognizing - if only informally- Russian control overone-fifthofUkraine.
Trump had sought to assuage such concerns on Friday ahead of the talks, saying he would let Ukraine decide on any possible territorialconcessions.
“I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I’m here to get them at a table,” he said. Asked what would makethemeetingasuccess, he told reporters: “I want to seeaceasefirerapidly I’m not going to be happy if it’s nottoday Iwantthekilling to stop.” The meeting also included U.S. Secretary of StateMarcoRubio;Trump’s special envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff; Russian foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov; and Foreign MinisterSergeiLavrov Trump, who said during his presidential campaign that he would end the Ukraine war within 24 hours, conceded on Thursday it had proven a tougher task than he had expected.
He had said if Friday’s talks went well, quickly arranging a second, three-
way summit with Zelenskiy would be more important than his encounter with Putin Trump ended his remarksonFridaybytelling Putin, “I’d like to thank you very much, and we’ll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon.”
“Next time in Moscow,” Putinresponded.Trumpsaid hemight“getalittleheaton that one” but that he could “possiblyseeithappening.”
Zelenskiy said ahead of Friday’s summit that the meetingshouldopentheway for a “just peace” and threewaytalksthatincludedhim, but added that Russia was continuingtowagewar
“It’stimetoendthewar, andthenecessarystepsmust be taken by Russia. We are counting on America,”
Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram.
continuedtobetargetednear humanitarian distribution sites run by the GHF, with medicalsourcesreporting16 werekilledonFriday
The United Nations human rights office said at least 1,760 Palestinians had beenkilledwhileseekingaid in Gaza since late May – a jump of several hundred since its last published figures at the beginning of August.
enteringdailytofightoffthe effects of man-made starvationcausedbymonths oftotalIsraeliblockade.
TheIsraeliarmyentityin charge of managing aid –C o o r
f GovernmentActivitiesinthe Territories – claimed that it allowed 310 aid trucks to enterGazaonThursday Itsaidthatmorethan290 w
her brother and some remains of her father from the rubble of a bombed house.
The woman said that the bodies had been trapped alongwith31otherssincean airstrikethathadtakenplace 46daysearlier–thetimeline indicating the attack occurred at the end of June. With no equipment to retrieve them under Israel’s harshlypunitiveblockade,it had been impossible to find them.“Whatwearefacingis too much. Too much torture and oppression Torture, tiredness, and pain,” she said Starvation and dehydration as temperatures soar
In parallel, aid seekers
Of the 1,760, 994 were killedinthevicinityofGHF sites and 766 along the routes of supply convoys. Most of the killings were committed by the Israeli military,theagencysaidina statement.
United States security contractors have also fired onaidseekers.
Meanwhile, as reports emerged that another child had died of Israeli-induced starvationintheenclave,the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said nearly one in five young children in Gaza City were now deemed to be malnourished The starvationdeathtollhasnow reached 240, including 107 children, according to the HealthMinistry
The UN has said Gaza requires the equivalent of at least 600 trucks of aid
d distributed by the UN and o
nternational organisations.
International and Palestinian groups are reporting only one-sixth of the necessary 600 trucks a day are actually entering the territory where Israelibacked gangs are engaged inlooting
As people battle extreme hunger, they are also enduring severe dehydration in the current heatwave, with record temperatures surpassing 40C (or 104F), and are resorting to drinking contaminatedwater
“It causes stomach cramps for adults and c h i l d r e n , w i t h o u t exception,”HosniShaheen, whosefamilywasdisplaced fromKhanYounis,toldThe Associated Press “You don’t feel safe when your childrendrinkit”
“Any attempt to rig the elections will have serious consequences”...
Frompage12 Guyanese to vote wisely so that the country could be returned to a glorious state, free of povertyandcorruption.
“A vote for the PPP is a vote for the continuationofthecoverupofcrimes,avote for the PPPis a vote for injustice, a vote for the PPP is a vote to wrongfully incarcerate youngpeople….ThePPPisdoingwrongto thiscountry,”hedeclared.
Norton said theAPNU has offered itself asanalternativebecauseithascommittedto putpeoplefirst.
He said the country can only progress if peopleareplacedattheforefront.
The presidential hopeful said Guyanese continuetoliveinacountrywherethosewith wealth and links to political power are allowedtoviolatethelaw
Hesaiditislaughablethatleaderssuchas Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo is publicly committingtochangethingsoncere-elected.
“We know that no leopard changes its spots.Weknowthatifyouareaccustomedto thieving and you do if over a period, you becomeapathologicalthief.”
He spoke specifically to small contractors, who he noted have to do the
bidding of the PPP in order to land jobs. Norton promised that under an APNU government,nosuchsituationwillexist.
“When we come to power, you will get yourcontractsbasedonmerit,”hesaid.
Continuing on a platform of clean governance, attorney and APNU candidate Dr Dexter Todd told residents that they neededtoelectapresidentthatwillstandfor integrityatallcosts.
Such a president, he assured could only be found in Aubrey Norton. He said in any countrywherethereisrespectfortheruleof law,thereisorder
Todd reminisced on the state of Guyana afterthe2015elections,whereGuyanesefelt safe because police were respecting the law andtherightsofcitizens.Heurgedvotersto return theAPNU to government to ensure a safecountry
“The actions of the PPP/C have always demonstrated that we were nothing,” he lamented, pointing out the mounting police excesses that are allowed to fester under the current regime. He recounted the abuse of power by police in the Orin Boston and QuindonBacchus’cases.This,hepromised, willcometoanend.
Intensified bombardment, civilian suffering deepens in Gaza (Aljazeera)
WANTED VACANCY
One Sales person. Please Call: 680-7402 ( Mr. Lall )
Canter driver with at least 2 years experience & Hauler driver with atleast 3 years experience. Tele: 644-7088 / 624-7248.
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Job openings: Truck drivers, AC Technician, Excavator and Skid Steer Operator. To apply send applications via Whatsapp: 689-1111 / 6082114.
Wanted one Maid. Call: 6801282.
Experienced Bilingual (Spanish & English) to car for a 6 Year old, Must be Reliable & Responsible.Tel : 6905434.
Security Officers for the Interior wanted urgently. Call: 691-6081/ 611-8370,6001196.
Able bodied security to work. Apply 21 Seaforth street, Campbellville. Tele : 621-5140.
FOR SALE
T RUCK TIRES 295/ 75R22.5 $40K EACH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL/WHATSAPP: +592688-3201.
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General Domestic ,Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office. 4 day work.
Vacancy at Dyna's Embroidery & Screenprints: We are hiring Factory Workers. Tel# 226-2621.
Room Attendant & Desk Staff needed. 25-45 years old at 233 South Road, Lacytown. Call: 225-0198.
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VISA Application for USA, Canada, UK, ETA, ETC. Natrualisation guidance + application filling, ECT. Tel: 6267040.
LEGAL NOTICE
2025/397-FD-PET-DEM
HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY.
DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL
JURISDICTION FAMILY
DIVISION Petition No. 397
BETWEEN: (SINGH) BIBI
SAFEY nee KHAN
Petitioner/Applicant-V(SINGH) MOSES
Respondent TO: MOSES
SINGH Address
Unknown
TAKE NOTICE that on the 15th day of April, 2025 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by BIBI SAFEY SINGH nee
KHAN 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 12TH 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 Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana. AND FURTHER TAKE
NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person of by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be OF THE SUPREME COURT OF 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 iyoTat
TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is scheduled for Directions
Trump-Putin summit yields no deal on ending war in Ukraine
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Aug 15 (Reuters) - A highly anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday yielded no agreement to resolve or pause Moscow’s war in Ukraine, though both leaders described the talks as productive.
During a brief appearance before the media following the nearly three-hour meeting in Alaska, the two leaders said they had made progress on unspecified issues. But they offered no details and took no questions, with the normally loquacious Trump ignoring shouted questions from reporters.
“We’ve made some headway,” Trump said, standing in front of a backdrop that read, “Pursuing Peace.”
“There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” he added.
Hearing on Thursday the 16th day of September, 2025 at 11:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Jacqueline Josiah-Graham via Zoom Meeting ID: 293 189 6521 and Password: Court10.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 19th day of May, 2025
The talks did not initially appear to have produced meaningful steps toward a ceasefire in the deadliest conflict in Europe in 80 years, a goal Trump had set ahead of the summit.
But simply sitting down face-to-face with the U.S. president represented a victory for Putin, who had been ostracized by Western leaders since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Following the summit, Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that he would hold off on imposing tariffs on China for buying Russian oil after making progress with Putin. He has targeted India, another major buyer of Russian crude, with an additional 25% tariff on U.S. imports.
“Because of what happened today, I think I don’t have to think about that now,” Trump said of Chinese tariffs. “I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don’t have to think about that right now.”
Trump has also threatened sanctions on Moscow but has thus far not followed through, even after Putin ignored a Trump-imposed ceasefire deadline earlier this month.
In the Fox News interview, Trump also suggested a meeting would now be set up between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which he might also attend. He gave no further details on who was organizing the meeting or when it might be.
Putin made no mention of meeting Zelenskiy when speaking to reporters earlier. He said he expected Ukraine and its European allies to accept the results of the U.S.Russia negotiation constructively and not try to “disrupt the emerging progress.”
He also repeated Moscow’s long-held position that what Russia claims to be the “root causes” of the conflict must be eliminated to reach a long-term peace, a sign he remains resistant to a
ceasefire. There was no immediate reaction from Kyiv to the summit, the first meeting between Putin and a U.S. president since the war began.
When asked by Hannity what he would advise Zelenskiy, Trump said, “Gotta make a deal.”
“Look, Russia is a very big power, and they’re not,” Trump added. The war has killed or injured well over a million people from both sides, including thousands of mostly Ukrainian civilians, according to analysts.
ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET
Zelenskiy has ruled out formally handing Moscow any territory and is also seeking a security guarantee backed by the United States. Trump said he would call Zelenskiy and NATO leaders to update them on the Alaska talks. As the two leaders were talking, the war raged on, with most eastern Ukrainian regions under air raid alerts. Governors of Russia’s Rostov and Bryansk regions reported that some of their territories were under Ukrainian drone attacks.
Ukraine’s opposition lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko said on the Telegram messaging app, “It seems Putin has bought himself more time. No ceasefire or de-escalation has been agreed upon.”
The anticlimactic end to the closely watched summit was in stark contrast to the pomp and circumstance with which it began. When Putin arrived at an Air Force base in Alaska, a red carpet awaited him, where Trump greeted Putin warmly as U.S. military aircraft flew overhead.
Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court, accused of the war crime of deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine.
Russia denies the allegations, and the Kremlin has dismissed the ICC warrant as null and void. Russia and the United States are not
(Continued on page 25)
Guyanese youth mobilize...
From page 18 grounded in realism and reachable.” Dr. Kim Eva Dickson, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., praised Guyanese youth for shaping national development and urged institutions to “open doors and institutionalize youth engagement, not as a token gesture, but as a core part of governance.”
Both RCC and the UN pledged ongoing support for youth-led initiatives, with UNICEF reaffirming its commitment through mentorship, advocacy training, and direct investment in youth-driven solutions. As the conference
closed, participants expressed confidence that the day’s momentum would lead to concrete community actions. With strengthened partnerships and the launch of Younited4GY, youth left inspired and equipped to lead in climate action and sustainable development. This International Youth Day was more than symbolic; it was a milestone in Guyana’s growing youth movement for change. And as young people pledged to act, connect, and lead, the message was clear, the SDGs are not just global goals, they are local responsibilities, and youth are ready.
LAND FOR SALE
LEGAL NOTICE
NSC sponsors Chess Team to Colombia for FIDE World Youth U16 Olympiad
The National
S p o r t s
Commission (NSC) has generously supportedtheGuyanaChess Federation’steamoffourtop junior players to the upcoming FIDE World Youth U16 Olympiad 2025, which will be held in Barranquilla, Colombia,
from August 16th to 23rd, 2025. Theyoungcontingent willjointeamsfromallover the world to compete in the
International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the C o l o m b i a n C h e s s Federation (FECODAZ) hosted tournament at the Dann Carlton Hotel in Barranquilla. Guyana’s top
youths, Kyle Couchman,
Candidate Master (CM)
Sachin Pitamber, Alexander
Zhang, and Wo
Candidate Master (WCM)
Aditi Joshi, will represent Guyana in the weeklong competition.
FIDE Master and coach
Anthony Drayton will accompany the team
Having already represented G
ons,
m Caribbean tournaments to the Chess Olympiad, these junior players are wellacqua
international competition scene.
Saturday August 16 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Youshouldenjoytheintense energy of today, Aries. The mud is finally beginning to clearaway Exposethetruthin every issue and get ready for the gremlins that may be unearthed.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Todaymarksthebeginningof a new cycle for you, Taurus. Collect and consolidate your recent ideas and focus them outwardly The time is right foryoutoact.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Take a cold shower to jumpstart yourself today, Gemini. It'sfineifyoulazearoundabit in the morning, but by evening, you should be working at full capacity. You will be called into action whetheryouwanttobeornot.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Today may start out sluggish foryou,Cancer,butbytheend of the day the energy will move fast and furious. Your thoughts will be buzzing around your head like bees aroundahive.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Enjoythecalmmorning,Leo, because things are going to getcrazierandmoreenergetic as the day goes on. Emotions willrunhigh,andpeoplewill be more opinionated than usual.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
You will experience an intense amount of energy today,Virgo.Yourdreamstate willbemoreactivethanusual, and you will find that people aredrawntoyoulikemothsto light.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
It's time to get up and get moving, Libra You have tremendous ideas and vision forthefuture.Youhaveallthe informationyouneed.Nowall youhavetodoisact.Stepupto the plate and hit one over the fence.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
Theearlypartofthedaymight find you sluggish and indecisive, Scorpio, but later youshouldbepsychedupand ready to go. Today marks the beginning of a new period in which you should set your ideasinmotion.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Today's energies will get progressively more intense as the day goes on In the morning, you may be in an easygoing, dreamy state, Sagittarius.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
For the past several weeks you've felt like you've been dragging y
r heels, Capricorn Decisions may have been hard to make and people may have seemed wishy-washy.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) The morning might find you sitting like a stick in the mud, Aquarius. People might begettingdownonyoufornot contributing, but tell them to bepatient.Youwillberaringto gobynightfall.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20)
Things are moving your way, Pisces.As the day progresses, you will find that the energy intensifies.Conflictsmayarise nearsundown,butdon'tworry aboutittoomuch.
Recently crowned the 2025 National Junior Chess Champion, Couchman will lead the team on Board One He has quickly risen through the ranks in recent months and is now the third highest active FIDE-rated player (1947)inGuyana.Pitamber, the youngest CM and the current U16 Open Chess Champion, will play on BoardTwo.
He has proven himself as oneofGuyana’stopplayersby showcasing his talent, determination, and dedication tothegame Zhang, an avid and talented chess player, will play on Board Three. Zhang emerged as the top Guyanese player in the recently held CARICOM U16 Junior Tournament last July in Guyana and was successful in the InterGuiana Games in French Guiana in 2024 Joshi, playing on Board four, is currently the U16 Girls and Women’sChessChampion.
Shehasprovenherselfon the board with her dedication and exceptional talent in the game Pitamber and Joshi werepartoftheGuyanachess team, which took part in the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Hungary, where they earned their CM and WCM titles, respectively
The Guyana team is the highest-ranked CARICOM nation in the tournament, with 90 teams worldwide competing with over 350 players registered The competitionwillfeaturenine rounds using the Swiss System, with a time control of 45 minutes plus 10secondincrements.
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) is confident this tournament will be a great experience, significantly boosting the players’ individual growth and skills The GCF expressesitsgratitudetothe NSC, which sponsored the airfare expenses for the team.
Beharry’s century fires Untouchable to victory in Hibernia Over-40 T20 final
F
o r m e r S e n i o r Essequibo Inter-County opening batsman Ravi Beharry hit a boundarystudded, unbeaten 129 to spur Untouchable to victory in the final of the Hibernia Over-40, T20 competition against Caribbean Cricket Club 2 Sunday night at
Hibernia ground, Essequibo Coast,Region2(PomeroonSupenaam).
The right-handed
Beharry struck nine sixes and seven fours to help Untouchable reach 271-7 with two balls to spare replying to Caribbean CricketClub2’scompetitive
264-9 from the allotted 20overs.
Beharry arrived at number3whenhisteamwas in some trouble at 16-1 but he launched his 58-ball innings with a bunch of boundaries.
Yaseer Mohamed grabbed two wickets for 28
runs from two overs, bowling for Caribbean CricketClub2,whowonthe toss and opted to take first strike. Their high-profile batter Patrick Rooplall slammed exactly 100 which included 10sixesandfivefours.
Rooplall, like Beharry,
another aggressive righthander,gotsupportfromexGuyana youth player LatchmanRohitwith40.
RaymondAllypickedup fivewicketsfor32runsfrom his maximum four overs as the best-bowler for Untouchable.
Untouchable received a trophy and $200,000 while Caribbean Cricket Club 2 collected a trophy and $100,000 Beharry was named the player-of-thematchforhisbrilliantbatting performance.
Hewastherecipientofa trophy
Several teams on the Coast participated in a round-robinphasebeforethe topfourteamsfeaturedatthe
Ravi Beharry
Caribbean Cricket Club 2 recently won the Essequibo Softball Cricket League Over-40T20Championship. They, Untouchable and other teams will feature again when the next competitionstartsshortly T h e H i b e r n i a tournament was sponsored by US-based Guyanese Deeraj Ramnauth Ramnauth was on hand to witness the final and helped with the presentation of the prizes He expressed s
tournament and thanked all t
s for their participation He also promised his continued support.
Road to Recovery Complete: Deandra Dottin’s Journey Back to the Crease
(CWI Media) - Few cricketerspossesstheability tochangeamatchinasingle overwhichmadethesightof the West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin limping out ofwarm-upsbeforeacrucial WPL playoff match much moreheartbreaking.
Her subsequent absence sincelateMarchleftagaping holeintheMaroonWarriors’ lineupthroughouttheseason as teammates and fans alike craved the return of her match-winning capabilities and vast experience on the field.
Now,monthsonfromher rehabilitation, the “World Boss” looks in fine form in The Hundred franchise tournament in the United Kingdom for Manchester Originals, further adding to the excitement of her return to the regional side, especially ahead of next year’s Women’s T20 World Cup.
Speaking recently about herrecoveryjourney,Dottin, whoturned34thispastJune, expanded on her days of resilience, meticulous rehabilitation and determination to return strongerthanever
What was initially a 12weekrecoveryperiodturned into a much more complex rehabilitation process, but the key breakthrough came
when medical professionals dug deeper to find the root causeofherproblem
“I had torn the patella tendon ligament. It was a slight tear there and happenedintheWPL.Itwas a playoff to reach the semifinals, and I pulled up whilewewerewarmingup,” she recalled of that fateful day.
“My recovery took longer because we did other stuff to enhance the recovery Firstly, we had to findoutthemainproblemor thesourceoftheinjury After we did that assessment, we startedtherapy.”.
In addition to the expected stress of treatment andrecovery,watchingfrom thesidelinesprovedtobeits own form of torture for a playerwhosecareerhasbeen defined by explosive performance and matchwinningmoments.
“Things are looking prettygoodnowandI’malot more confident in it than I wasbefore,”sheconfirmed.
“On the sidelines, I felt miserable. I just wanted to playcricket.
Iknowtheimportanceof making sure that I’m fully recoveredandpreparedtobe back on the field, but it was miserable and felt a bit uneasy.”
The emotional pain was
heightened particularly during the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Pakistan, where the West Indies narrowly missed out on securing their spot in the global tournament in India laterthisyear.
“Iwasheartbroken.Iwas having a conversation with Hayley, and I told her, “I don’t care if you guys win the qualifying group, I just want us to qualify.That was the main goal, so to see the end results was really heartbreaking.”
“I know everything happens for a reason. We need to reflect, work on our gameandcomebackhungry andready.”
Dottin also missed the team’s two subsequent white-ball tours, away to England and at home to SouthAfrica.
Despite her frustration, she maintained her connection with the team and supported as a fan from thesidelines.
“I think the T20I series victory against SouthAfrica was very important. Since wearenotgoingtotheWorld Cup this year, we should have fought some more to finishtheyearwithabang.”
“Yes, we came back to wintheT20seriesandthat’s the format we are most known for because of our
ups and downs, Dottin acknowledged one positive fromtheexperience,namely the emergence of young players Realeanna Grimmond and Jahzara Claxton, who came to the fore during the tough series awayinEngland.
“I think that going to Englandwasalwaysgoingto be tough. Even if you don’t win the games, make sure that every time you finish playing, you have improved,”sheurged.
fearless cricket, but in the ODI series we could have donealotbettertofinishthe entireyear,onagoodnote.”
Whilethetourshadtheir
“With Realeanna and Jahzara, it was good to see the youngsters leading from thefrontaswell.
Iwatchedthembothand I think they did well as debutants. It’s only up from
here once they continue to putinthework.”
That sage advice came from a place of personal experience for the Bajan, as the injury that threatened to ruin her recent return to international cricket instead brought a more mature understanding of her body, her mental fortitude and a renewedappreciationforthe game.
For Deandra Dottin, the longroadback,evenwithits twists, turns and potholes, has been worth every step. Cricket fans across the regionandtheworldwillbe watchingandwaitingforthe moment she finally steps back onto the field, in maroon.
Deandra Dottin (Photo: CWI Media)
Guyana’s run at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games came to an abrupt end on Friday, following a crushing 11–0 defeat to the UnitedStates.
The national women’s junior team struggled throughout this year’s championship, having already suffered two heavy defeats in their earlier matches.Chilehandedthem a 12–1 thrashing in their opener, followed by a 9–0
losstoMexico.
Facing a dominant U.S. side, the Guyanese showed some fight in the opening quarter, holding the score at 1–0 However, USA’s pugnacious striker Alaina McVeigh doubled the lead five minutes later, before Maci Bradford buried a penalty corner in the 20th minutetomakeit3–0.
Just a minute later, McVeigh struck again to extendtheleadto4–0.Talia Schenk converted a penalty
to add a fifth, before Rylie Wollertonnettedtwiceinthe 34th and 42nd minutes.Ava Moorethenmadeit8–0.
McVeigh returned to completeherhaulwithgoals inthe51stand52ndminutes, while Schenk scored her second to seal an emphatic 11–0 victory over the lacklustreGuyanese.
Thisresultunderscoresa broader issue. Perhaps now isthetimeforthoseincharge to make one final push to give hockey in Guyana a
permanent home. From my perspective, this team’s shortcomingsarenotduetoa lack of talent; fitness levels are solid, and many players havebeenactiveintheleadup to the games but rather a lackofadequatepreparation.
With the country investing in several major sporting facilities in recent years, it is my hope that the MinistryofSportwillfinally turn its attention to hockey
The call has been long overdue,MisterMinister
Guyana’s Junior Pan Am Hockey campaign ends in heavy defeat Bethell to become England’s youngest men’s captain
(BBC Sport) - Jacob Bethell is set to become the youngest man to captain England in international cricketwhenthe21-year-old leads an understrength T20 side on a tour of Ireland in September
With regular white-ball captain Harry Brook and England’s other all-format players rested, the leadershipforthreeT20sin Dublin has been handed to all-rounderBethell,whohas hadlimitedplayingtimethis summer
Monty Bowden was 23 years and 144 days old when he led England in a Test against South Africa in 1889, and to date he remainstheyoungestmanto have captained England in aninternational.
“It was obviously a great news to hear,” BethelltoldBBCSport
“Thefeelingwasthatof pride at first It’s not really sunkinyet It’sonlybeena fewhours
“I am looking forward to it and it’ll be a huge honour to lead the team againstIreland ”
PriortotheIrelandtour, a full-strength England will play three one-day
internationals and three T20sagainstSouthAfrica
Hampshire bowler
SonnyBakerhasbeengiven a first call-up for the ODI series against South Africa andtheT20triptoIreland. Baker has impressed withhislivelypacebowling in The Hundred, taking four wickets in four matches for ManchesterOriginalssofar Fast bowler Mark Wood hasbeenleftoutofallofthe squads, having not played since February after knee surgery
He had been targeting a returninthefifthTestagainst India earlier this month before a setback and his continued absence is a concern given his importance to England’s hopes in the Ashes this winter
England say they are prioritising Wood’s winter schedule, though his recovery is taking longer than expected
Bowler Gus Atkinson has alsobeenleftout.
Brydon Carse, who skipped The Hundred to manage his workload, is included among the attack options for the South Africa ODI matches,
Jacob Bethell has played 12 ODIs and 13 T20s for England (Getty Images)
along with Jofra Archer, Baker, Jamie Overton and SaqibMahmood.
Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, who has also impressed domestically this summer, has been recalled to the squads which will be led by batter Brook.
Phil Salt returns to the T20 squads to face South Africa and Ireland after paternityleave
Despite both holding
central contracts, there is still no place for allrounders Sam Curran or Liam Livingstone–evenin the squad for the Ireland series when Brook, Archer, Carse, Joe Root, Ben DuckettandJamieSmithare resting.
The decision to name Bethell captain for the Ireland series is a remarkableshowoffaith England are huge admirers of his talents -
he scored fifties in each of his first three Tests last year-butheisyettomakea century in professional cricket.
Bethell’s previous experience as captain has been with England U n d e r - 1 9 s a n d Warwickshire’s second XI
Hehasnevercaptainedat fullseniorlevel.
“Jacob has impressed with his leadership qualities ever since he has been with the England squads and the series against Ireland will provide him with the opportunity to further develop those skills on the internationalstage,”selector LukeWrightsaid.
Bethell added: “I do try and lead by example but coming into the team as a youngster, you sometimes feel like it doesn’t really have much ofanimpact
“But it’s nice to see they believe in what I can do and hopefully, I can go outandshowthatIcan ” Bethell’s summer has alsobeenstop-start
He missed the one-off Test against Zimbabwe while at the Indian
Premier League, with Ollie Pope retaking the numberthreepositioninhis absence.
He then played three ODIs and three T20s against West Indies from late May but was an unused member of England’s squad for the first four Tests against India.
When he was called in for the fifth Test after an injury to Ben Stokes, he had only played one redball match this year and returned scores of six and five
Inhadhadahighscoreof eight in his first three Hundred matches but returned to form with 48 on Friday against Northern Superchargers.
Rather than picking him to play South Africa and Ireland, another option wouldhavebeenforBethell to play in Warwickshire’s three County Championship matches in September as preparationfortheAshes,for which he is still expected to travel.
Instead,hewillhaveonly played25first-classmatches in his career by the time the Ashesbegins.
McDermott, Hope fifties push Warriors Warriors to 5-wicket opening win over SKNP
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NSC sponsors Chess Team to Colombia Colombia for
Guyana’s U16 Chess team (L-R):Alexander Zhang,Anthony Drayton, Sachin Pitamber,Aditi Joshi and Kyle Couchman
Ben McDermott celebrates reaching the half century mark on debut for the GuyanaAmazon Warriors. (Getty Images)
Dwaine Pretorius removed Kyle Mayers cheaply. (Getty Images)