Man found guilty for girlfriend’s death in car accident
ECD gets rehabilitated Police Stations at Sparendaam, Mahaica
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 1 – 22:15h-23:45h and Saturday, August 2 –23:45h-01:15h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 1 –08:40h-10:10h and Saturday, August 2 – 09:40h-11:10h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers are expected throughout the day, interrupted by sunshine during the midmorning and late-afternoon hours. Thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to South SouthEasterly between 2.23 metres and 3.58 metres.
High Tide: 09:26h and 21:46h reaching a maximum height of 2.26 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 15:18h reaching a minimum height of 0.99 metre.
Emancipation Day 2025
African-Guyanese made indelible contributions, laid foundation to shape Guyana’s future – Pres Ali
…as PM Phillips urges Afro-Guyanese to take advantage of upliftment opportunities
resident Irfaan Ali has said that African-Guyanese did not just seek freedom from bondage during the widely condemned transatlantic slave trade but also sought the power to define their own destinies and en-
a better life for the generations to come.
The Head of State expressed these sentiments in his message to commemorate today’s Emancipation Day observance – a day that, he says, allows for tribute to be paid for the courage, endurance, and unbreakable spirit of African ancestors.
According to Ali, while emancipation ended the system of African enslavement, it also marked the beginning of a new journey
that was driven by a yearning for economic empowerment and self-determination.
“In the years since, African-Guyanese have made indelible contributions to the building of our nation. Through education, entrepreneurship, sport, arts, governance, the professions, and particularly the Village Movement, they laid the foundation for resilient communities that continue to shape the future of Guyana. The Village Movement itself stands as a symbol of collective agency and the pursuit of economic independence,” he noted.
Reflecting on the horrors of enslavement that they were subjected to, the president noted that these brave men and women never relinquished their dignity or humanity. In fact, he said their resistance to the inhumane transatlantic trade in captive Africans and the brutal plantation system of human enslavement remains one of the
most profound stories of struggle and resilience in human history.
“The transatlantic slave trade has long been condemned by the international community as one of the gravest crimes against humanity. It tore millions from their homeland, inflicted unspeakable suffering, and attempted to erase the identity of an entire people. But the will to survive and the yearning for freedom proved far more powerful than the chains that bound them,” the Guyanese leader posited.
Inclusive advancements
As Guyana commemorates Emancipation this year, President Ali says this is being done with a clear-eyed commitment to building a Guyana in which every citizen, regardless of race, religion, or background, has a stake in the nation’s development and shares in its bounty.
“We recommit ourselves to the ideal of One Guyana – a society where opportunity is universal and advancement is possible for all,” he posited.
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips
President Dr Irfaan Ali engaging residents on Thursday during several whistle-stop meetings along the East Bank of Demerara
Emancipation & national reflection, commitment to unity
Today marks 187 years since the abolition of slavery in the British colonies, a historic milestone that resonates deeply with all Guyanese, and especially with Guyanese of African descent. On August 1, 1838, after centuries of inhumane bondage and a four-year “apprenticeship” phase designed to delay true freedom, enslaved Africans in British territories were legally declared free. For the first time, they could rightfully proclaim, “Free at last; free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”—words that would later echo in the American civil rights movement through the voice of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
While slavery had long existed in many ancient civilisations, including those referenced in the Bible and throughout Africa, the transatlantic slave trade that developed after Columbus’s 1492 arrival in the Americas introduced a particularly brutal system –chattel slavery. Under this system, enslaved Africans were not seen as people, but as the personal property of their masters – akin to livestock or household objects – subject to every whim and cruelty of their owners.
The Spanish and Portuguese were among the first European powers to enslave Africans in the mid-15th century. This ushered in a radical shift in the global understanding of humanity. Physical differences, once simply observed, were now tied to constructed ideas of social hierarchy and human worth. The modern concept of “race” was born – not merely as a categorisation, but as a rationale to dehumanise, dominate, and exploit. Theologians and philosophers, in an effort to reconcile slavery with Christian doctrine, propagated theories suggesting that Africans were not fully human or even lacked souls. One such claim came from Spanish monk Bartolomé de Las Casas, who infamously argued that Indigenous Peoples were more deserving of protection than Africans.
These ideas metastasised into notions of racial “purity”, rigid caste systems, and doctrines that discouraged any form of racial mixing. In the United States, for example, the infamous “one-drop rule” dictated that any person with even a single drop of African ancestry was classified as Black – and by implication, inferior. This ideology laid the foundation for the deeply-entrenched systemic racism still experienced today.
Such thinking did not remain confined to Europe or its colonies. The legacy of this racial hierarchy—popularised as the “Great Chain of Being” – spread globally, ranking God at the top (notably imagined as a white, bearded man), followed by angels, whites, then other races descending in supposed value, with Africans placed just above animals. This worldview insidiously took root in the consciousness of colonised peoples, many of whom began to accept and internalise these rankings. Even today, some individuals and communities maintain this distorted sense of identity, taking solace in being above others on a ladder constructed entirely by colonial powers.
This legacy continues to echo in global affairs. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has openly claimed that Hungary was not a “mixed-race country”, contrasting it with Western Europe’s diversity. The statement was condemned by many European leaders, yet it starkly reveals how enduring and dangerous these racial ideologies remain. A similar bias was glaringly apparent during the evacuation of African students from Ukraine in the early days of the Russian invasion, where they faced discrimination and delays while trying to flee to safety.
Guyana is no stranger to the consequences of these colonial constructs. The divisions fostered during slavery and reinforced through the importation of indentured labourers – Portuguese, West Indian Africans, liberated Africans, Indians, and Chinese – were deliberately designed to disrupt unity and maintain a labour force subservient to the plantation class. After emancipation, when Africans rejected plantation work and sought independence through land ownership and community building, planters turned to indentureship as a new mechanism of control.
While Emancipation Day is rooted in the struggle of African ancestors for freedom, its significance must extend beyond a single community. It is a moment for the entire nation to reflect on the shared history of oppression and resistance, and to commit to forging a society free from the lingering shadows of racism and division.
True emancipation must include freedom from prejudice, inequality, and inherited notions of superiority. It demands a rejection of imported racial ideologies that continue to pit Guyanese against each other based on ancestry or appearance. As the country continues on its development path, building a truly inclusive and equitable “One Guyana” must remain the national aspiration.
Emancipation Day should not be simply a commemoration of the end of slavery but rather a call to remember, to heal, and to unite. It is a reminder that freedom, once won, must be defended and deepened through justice, equality, and solidarity among all citizens.
President Dr Irfaan Ali met with renowned British vocalist Maxi Priest Thursday to discuss issues related to culture, music, and entertainment at State House. Born Max Alfred Elliott, Priest is of Jamaican descent and is in Guyana for an Emancipation Day concert (President Dr Irfaan Ali social media photo)
Coming out of bondage
Dear Editor, Happy Emancipation to all my Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters. This day marks the coming out of slavery and the decadence of what slavery entails and the dawn of a new day. The first of August was the starting point of a freed people who would no longer be enslaved physically and to a greater extent mentally; no longer would our peoples be subjected to the servile dictates of the colonial masters. We look back into history and take pride in what we’ve accomplished.
While we look back with pride and dignity at the strides made by our fore parents to bring us to where we are today, we must also look to the present as to where we’ve come from and to the future, to a place where we hope to be.
In an objective analysis of ourselves, we can proudly look back at the Village Movement and speak of an honourable event in history of an indomitable people who bought land, established drainage and irrigation systems, and built for themselves whole communities to live in. Theirs is the legacy we can rightly call the foundation pillars of a modern Guyanese society, on which we can stand.
Now, we have talked about
the progressive thinking of our forefathers and the solid foundation they’ve laid for us in this century. Now, let us fast forward to the present and try to juxtapose that situation against what the descendants of slaves did with that foundation. Did they preserve the land that their fore parents bought for them? Did they remain rural or in agriculture? And the answer is a resounding no! What the descendants did is shocking!
Those who came after their ancestors had gone sold the land and moved into the urban areas; yes, they sold the land and headed for the city lights. There was an urban movement, far away from the dirt of a natural and unpretentious traditional living, of a rustic environment. In addition, the Black man became a worker for other people, mainly for the public service.
After independence, the public service became inundated with an Afro-centric crowd, where most of them still exist. Now, living in an urban setting has a lot of challenges. In the first place, inflation hits urban dwellers in a pronounced way. Even now, you are a pawn, political and otherwise, under the direct manipulation of the Government that pays you; in Guyana’s situation, we became
the servile wards of a Black Government. Burnham held direct “control” of a predominantly Black public service to do as he pleased.
The PNC then acted in the capacity of the neo-colonial masters of the race; this led them to using public servants to do their dirty work, such as to rig elections, supporting violent incursions into Indian communities to establish their Black triumphalist objectives. At election time there was “Slo fiah moh fire” and slogans such as The Police and the Army are my Kith and Kin,; all in the backwardness of brutally keeping a nation in subjugation.
The year 1992 brought some degree of change and freedom for our country when the regime changed and the PPP/C Government came to office. There was a transformation in the entire country as persons started to find themselves, and development of humankind took precedence over political control.
The PNC came back into power within a coalition of sorts, where the gains Blacks have made were again curtailed. The PNC-led coalition took away the Because We Care cash grant for the children; they took away the Joint Services year-end bo-
nus as well. These are instances where the party pauperised an area of public service where 90% of Blacks subsist. Is this the way the PNC show their “love” for the Black man? I hasten on to 2020 when the PPP/C again came to office, and once again they blazed a trail of development and progress; the Black race began to draw themselves out of poverty and a Black supremacist mentality mode. The Race began to see themselves as worthy citizens in a One Guyana World, working towards a peaceful, progressive future. So, ever wondered why so many of our Black brothers and sisters are coming into a PPP/C fold? The stark reality is they have seen the visible manifestation of what the party has done for Guyana and for the Black race in particular. Our peoples have been emancipated from the decadence of yesteryear; we are no longer bound and brainwashed by the PNC; we are moving forward together with the PPP/C for a brighter future. Guyana will never be the same again after election 2025! Happy Emancipation, brothers and sisters.
Yours respectfully, Neil Adams
Shirley Edwards – a political icon – has passed on
Dear Editor, We, in the Women’s Progressive Organisation, the women’s section of the People’s Progressive Party, received the sad news that Shirley Edwards passed away peacefully at her residence on Wednesday, 30th July, 2025, at a remarkable age. As we ponder on her life, which spanned various periods in Guyana’s history, we recog-
nise that she was a brave and resilient comrade who weathered every political storm, even the politically hostile environment in which she lived. Shirley was involved in politics long before she began her political activism. In an interview in 1995, she said, “My mother felt that women were exploited and encouraged me to fight for women’s rights through the political
platform.” She was encouraged by the then General Secretary of the PPP, Ms Janet Jagan, to join the political movement. Shirley was impressed by Brindley Benn when she heard him speaking at a Progressive Youth Organisation Seminar in 1963. In 1965, because of her political allegiance to the PPP, her services as a qual-
ified teacher at Mahdia Government School were terminated. She was also barred from receiving communion as a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. She was told by the priest that unless she denounced communism, she would not be allowed to take communion. She refused to change her views and did not attend church until 1986.
Food security in Guyana: a success story backed by data
Dear Editor,
In recent months, there has been growing commentary suggesting that a large portion of our population is now unable to afford a healthy diet due to rising food prices. While it is true that global food prices have experienced significant increases – largely driven by international supply chain disruptions, inflation, and climate-related challenges – it is important to place this issue within the proper national context.
Over the past few years, the Government of Guyana has taken proactive steps to shield citizens from the worst effects of imported food inflation.
Recognising the global crisis, the Government swiftly rolled out a comprehensive package of policies aimed at reducing agricultural costs and boosting domestic food production.
Among the most impactful of these interventions was
the removal of value-added tax (VAT) on critical agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and agrochemicals – actions that came at a notable fiscal cost to the treasury.
The Government also eliminated VAT on agricultural machinery and reversed previous fees on drainage and irrigation services that had burdened farmers for years.
Beyond tax relief, the Government went a step further by directly supporting producers with the provision of free fertilisers, planting materials, and shade houses.
These initiatives were all designed to make farming more viable and to ensure a steady, affordable food supply for our growing population.
The results of these efforts are both measurable and significant.
Between 2020 and 2024, domestic crop production increased by 28 per cent. Root
crop production rose by 65 per cent, spices by 26 per cent, beans and cereals by an impressive 533 per cent, vegetables by 14 per cent, and cole crops by 412 per cent.
In the livestock sector, poultry production surged by 92 per cent, while beef, chicken, mutton, and pork production increased by 23 per cent, 159 per cent, 175 per cent, and 132 per cent, respectively.
In fact, these gains have drawn international recognition. A recent study published in “Nature Food” identified Guyana as the only country in the world that is fully self-sufficient in food production to meet the nutritional needs of its population.
This is no small feat and speaks to the long-term vision and efficacy of the Government’s food security policies.
Most importantly, these policies have directly translat-
ed into increased food affordability.
According to the 2025 edition of the FAO’s “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World” report, the percentage of Guyanese unable to afford a healthy diet dropped dramatically – from 41.3 per cent in 2017 to less than 5 per cent by 2024. This sharply contradicts the popular narrative that food has become unaffordable for most citizens due to recent price trends.
While food insecurity remains a pressing global challenge, Guyana stands as a powerful example of how decisive policy and investment in local agriculture can turn the tide. It is crucial that we acknowledge this progress and not allow anecdotal concerns to overshadow the data-driven success we have achieved as a nation.
Regards, Kevin Persaud
Veteran extraordinaire: Shirley Edwards and the People’s Progressive Party
Dear Editor, On Tuesday, January 23, last comrade Shirley Edwards would have celebrated sixty-one (61) years as a member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
Today the veterans of the early 1960s are not as prominent as in the years of “struggle for free and fair elections...”
As the PPP gears up for the May 2024 Delegates Congress, it is important that the current cadres, including several who have served Guyana with distinction at the leadership level, remember the tremendous contributions of stalwarts such as the late Philomena SahaoyeShury and EMG Wilson, both of whom shared experiences dating from the 1961 General Elections (West on Trial: Cheddi Jagan, pp. 188/205207).
Comrade Edwards, who
Shirley was castigated by her paternal relatives for her political association. After 32 years, they spoke to her. She was married with 5 children and claimed that Mrs. Jagan provided her with much-needed moral and financial support for her family. In 1978, her husband was fired from his job after the 1978 elections. These and many other difficulties made her stronger, and as a leader of the WPO, she attended several international conferences, which helped to widen her nationalist and political horizon.
She advised young women and girls to educate themselves to achieve upward mobility. She opined that young women should not depend on men for their growth and development but must try to be assertive and financially independent.
Her vision was for Guyana to have a woman president; these sentiments were expressed in the book, which was printed for International Women’s Day in 1997. “Women, she be-
was employed as a schoolteacher up until becoming a member of the Party, was by all standards a frontline activist.
In the millennium the others who would have been affiliated with the country’s first working-class political party include Parbudyal Sattan, Harry Persaud Nokta, Clinton Collymore, and Gharpaul, as well as the widow of BH Benn (former Agriculture Minister 1961-64), Patricia Benn. Virtually all the other activists have passed to the Great Beyond.
But to genuinely appreciate the political alignment of grassroots activists of the PPP dating from the years characterised by the PPP “in Government but not in power...”, it would be instructive to note that there existed a selection process that sought to facilitate education as political knowledge based
lieves, should stand up and fight for their rights. She said very clearly that women should forget about race and race politics and must unite to change the things that oppress and discriminate against them. She asserted that women should see themselves as Guyanese and leaders and should stop saying Afro-Guyanese or IndoGuyanese, because where unity exists, women will come together to achieve their full potential.”
Shirley Edwards was appointed to the National Assembly in December 1992 and served up to 2011. She inculcated in her children and grandchildren love for the PPP and its arms. Her dedication was genuine, and she herself was loved by her comrades. She will be missed by all who knew her. We dedicate the poem “Death of a Comrade” by Martin Carter to her loved ones.
Yours sincerely, Women’s Progressive Organisation
on the Accabre College Land of Canaan course in Party History, Socialist Paradigms, Mobilisation, and International Solidarity. These invariably consisted of two weeks with the option of a ten (10) week seminar/workshop training for preparation and assumption of leadership roles based on scientific socialism and Marxist dialectics.
In retrospect, activists such as Shirley Edwards can be compared to other radical or social revolutionaries in the Eastern Caribbean, notably Jamaica, where anti-communist para-
noia was to have a devastating impact on the progressive forces during the era of the Manleys.
Cde Edwards survived the installation of the Burnham dictatorship and never wavered despite the slurs and vitriol directed at Black PPP members.
She remained consistent throughout the PNC’s 28 years, and with the Restoration of Democracy in October 1992, she served Guyana as a Member of Parliament.
Yours sincerely, Lawrence (Eddi) Rodney
Weaponising 0.019% of votes to rewrite history?
Dear Editor, One of APNU’s newer voices (formally), Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd, has attempted to argue that the APNU+AFC coalition did not attempt to rig the 2020 national elections. This claim stands in stark contrast to the well-documented evidence to the contrary. Todd further contends that the observed “irregularities” point instead to the PPP/C as the party responsible for electoral manipulation.
To support his argument, Todd cites the fact that eightyeight (88) individuals were permitted to vote by way of an Oath of Identity. In a Facebook video, he emphasises this number as if it carries significant weight in relation to the total number of valid votes cast. But does it?
Let us examine both the legal basis and statistical relevance of Todd’s claim to determine whether voting via an Oath of Identity is lawful and whether the cited figure has any material impact on the 2020 election outcome.
Legal Basis
Guyana’s General and Regional Elections are governed by the Representation of the People Act (Cap. 1:03), 1964 (“ROPA”). Section 75 of the Act provides that:
“The presiding officer shall, in the event of his needing to be satisfied of the identity of any elector whose name is on the official list of electors, accept in lieu of the prescribed identity paper such other identification as is authorised by the Commission and entailing the same stringency for its generation as to leave no doubt as to its authenticity as in the case of the identity paper and permit an elector to vote in the same manner as if his identity paper had been produced.”
This provision ensures that a voter is not disenfranchised solely due to the absence of their identification card on election day. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has codified procedures for such cases in its polling manual, which outlines the verification process and confirms that each instance is handled on a case-by-case basis.
Therefore, the use of an Oath of Identity is a lawful and regulated practice, designed to uphold the constitutional right to vote while maintaining electoral integrity.
Statistical Significance
Assuming Todd’s figure of 88 voters is accurate, these individuals represent 0.019% of the total 460,352 valid votes cast in the 2020 elections. Even if one were to assume – unevidently – that all 88 votes went to the PPP/C, they would account for just 0.04% of the party’s total 233,336 votes.
This renders the figure statistically insignificant in terms of influencing the overall outcome of the election. To suggest that such a minuscule fraction of votes could materially alter the result is not only misleading but also mathematically unsound.
Conclusion
Todd’s argument fails both legally and statistically. The use of an Oath of Identity is explicitly provided for under Guyana’s election law and is subject to stringent procedural safeguards. Moreover, the number of voters who utilised this provision in 2020 is far too small to have had any meaningful impact on the election’s outcome.
Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin
APNU’s plan to close the sugar industry
Dear Editor, Many persons have written volumes on various issues affecting the sugar industry, both negative and positive – to close or not to close. It is informative to note that those who felt that closure is the only option are from the APNU/AFC side of the divide, and those who saw the light at the end of the tunnel are from the PPP side. This enigma is easy to unravel since the sugar industry is seen as supportive of the PPP and has had to bear the brunt of the assault by the APNU/AFC.
The APNU’s shifting stance on sugar is well documented and verifiable. Prior to 2015, when the APNU/AFC was on the campaign trail, they made lofty promises to the sugar workers – no sugar estate will be closed, workers will receive a 20 per cent wage increase, and the sugar industry will be viable again. There were lots of feasibility studies to be done as usual. Some believed the sugar-coated lies, which tasted so sweet that reality was tossed overboard. The bitter truth came out when they scraped into office in 2015.
When they took office in 2015, they became busy with feasibility studies, conferences, and COIs after ensuring that they gave themselves a 50 per cent plus boost in sal-
ary to keep their shifty hands out of corruption. This always makes me wonder that if a minister who was already given a hefty tax-free salary and an assortment of perks can be tempted to be corrupted, then what about the lowly paid public servants and others? First, the Coalition spent $52 million on a COI, which, among other things, recommended that no estates be closed and planned to make the industry viable. Then came the White Papers and the ‘right sizing,’ followed by the harsh realities, which utterly destroyed the illusions of grandeur that the Coalition had deceitfully sold to the sugar workers. Four grinding sugar estates came to a screeching halt by 2017, and thousands of sugar workers were harshly thrust into poverty almost overnight. Billions in assets on the closed estates were destroyed, many beyond salvage, although the Coalition promised to keep them in operational condition for privatisation. This promise never materialised as dismissed sugar workers began to wander helter-skelter in search of a living. The sufferings of these sugar workers are too many and horrendous to detail.
Fortunately, as poetic justice will dictate, the same sugar workers became the rea-
son for the downfall of the Coalition Government. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Now in 2025, with the General Elections just days away, the APNU has been busy selling dreams, but in its confused state of mind and its bid to oversell its promises to the sugar workers, it made a terrible blunder. Initially, one of its members wanted to replace sugar with hemp and cannabis production (‘Sugar done, hemp and cannabis in’), and that was when Mr Norton had to step in with his plans for the sugar industry. Norton stated that GuySuCo under an APNU Government will produce ethanol, livestock feed, and cogeneration. He continued that more workers will be employed and better compensated, and there will be more job opportunities and better working conditions. He further stated that sugar can become a net contributor to national revenues rather than a drain on the nation’s resources. But what was not clear was his statement that ‘GuySuCo can evolve beyond agriculture and can become a leader builder of homes and communities in Guyana with investment in training and equipment… and that the APNU will provide alternative employment as we RIGHT SIZE GuySuCo.’
Once again, the conclu-
sion is pellucid: the APNU ‘will provide alternative employment,’ which means that the closure of the estates will be more structured this time around, and unlike the last time, ‘alternative employment’ will be provided – using the estate lands and training workers in the construction of houses. This can be further clarified when Norton stated that ‘we will diversify its portfolio by using its assets such as its land and workforce for new business ventures including aquaculture (tilapia?), food crops, manufacturing, and housing development.’ Therefore, the APNU plans once again to close the sugar industry. Norton promises that this time around jobs will be saved when the sugar industry is closed. This time when APNU closes the sugar industry, no jobs will be lost, like the last time. Therefore, the APNU’s plan is not to revitalise the sugar industry and make it viable but to close it down permanently. Let the sugar workers beware of the sugar-coated lies and deceptive statements. Remember, the trust of the innocent is the liar’s most useful tool. Never trust a liar: once a liar, always a liar.
Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
Solving equations by multiplication and division cont’d
Problem:
You can solve equations with unknown numbers by multiplication and division.
Examples:
Since you multiply the left side of the equation by 6. Then you would have k x 1, which is equal to k alone. You can multiply the left side by 6 alone only if you also multiply the right side by 6.
Step 1: Multiply both sides by the same number: k = 18 x 6
Step 2: Multiply: 18 x 6 = 108. So k = 108
Problem: 6r = 18. Solve for r
Now you divide the left by 6 to get r. You must also divide the right side by 6.
Step 1: r = 18 ÷ 6
Step 2: Divide: 18 ÷ 6 = 3. So r = 3
Remember….
In an equation, you need to treat both sides the same way. Whatever you do to one side, you must also do to the other side. 1) x + 10 = 20 2) y – 2 = 6 3) 8 + p = 22 4) 2b + 28 = 30 5) 15 + 2n = 4 6) 7z + 7 = 0
LBy Sally Keith
On an
all
Exercises: Solve
all evergreen, there perched a baby serval. A solitary carnivore, this cat is active day and night. I felt my own fear. A serval likes to stalk. It has large, black spots that break into rows as they move down the back. This cat I never owned is fast. Fast and slow. Slow then fast. Is fierce. Fierce enough to get a man up against a wall. I told myself stop worrying. I told myself there is no fear. The gentle guard hairs wisp over the white of the animal underside. Sometimes more than others, when I read, I feel the words as very, very far. I find a thimbleful of pleasure in the thought of something soft. The greatest line ever written, I find, by Rossetti at fifty: I am sick of where I am and where I am not. Coincidentally, I suppose. I never know. I never liked the guess-what -I-am situation. I don’t know what comes next, what happens after. I never owned anything like that animal. I swear.
Source: Poetry (June 2024)
2025 elections a key test to show commitment to credible, peaceful & democratic processes – EU Mission Chief
…as Election Observation Mission begins work
As Guyana prepares to head to the polls on September 1, the European Union says the upcoming General and Regional Elections will be a critical event for the country to prove its commitment to credible and democratic electoral processes.
The EU has dispatched its Election Observation Mission to Guyana (EU
Biedro? will oversee the mission’s efforts to observe the September 1 General and Regional Elections in Guyana as part of the EU’s commitment to human rights, democracy, and credible elections in Guyana and around the world.
Biedro? commenced his work in Guyana on Thursday with a round of visits to stakeholders who
Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud; and Deputy CEO Aneal Giddings, along with Government-nominated Commissioner Manoj Narayan and Oppositionnominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander, engaged the EU EOM at the Commission’s High Street, Kingston headquarters.
EOM) which commenced work on Thursday, engaging local political stakeholders. The team is headed by Member of the European Parliament, Robert Biedro?.
“The elections in September will be an important moment for Guyana to demonstrate its continued commitment to credible and peaceful democratic processes,” Biedro? said in a brief statement posted to the EU Election Observation Mission Guyana 2025 social media page.
According to the EU EOM’s Chief Observer, “At this pivotal time of economic transformation, upholding democratic principles and human rights is especially important and Guyana has the opportunity to continue setting a strong example.”
As the Chief Observer,
will be involved in the election process, including public officials and political candidates.
The members of the EU EOM Core Team started off the series of meetings on Thursday by engaging Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George to discuss the role of the Judiciary in the electoral process. That meeting was held at the Chief Justice’s Chambers at the High Court in Georgetown.
The EU EOM then met with officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Biedro? discussed GECOM’s preparedness and other issues of electoral importance for next month’s General and Regional Elections with the Commissioners.
GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh;
other party members including Ganesh Mahipaul at Congress Place, where they discussed the party’s participation in the upcoming elections.
To end off the day of meetings, the EU EOM met with the Alliance For Change (AFC) Presidential Candidate Nigel Hughes and other party members on preparations for the September 1 polls.
Biedro? is expected to continue his work in Guyana today with the hosting of the EU EOM delegation’s first press conference at 11:30h during which he will apprise the media on the work and mandate of the EU EOM in preparation for Guyana’s General and Regional Elections.
Blatant attempts to steal
electoral officials with the aim of keeping the then A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition regime in power.
At those elections, the then EU EOM was the largest foreign group here, having deployed 55 observers to monitor the opening, polling, counting and tabulation processes in all 10 regions.
In its final report, the Mission found that while the voting and counting were well managed all over the country along with the tabulation of results in nine of Guyana’s 10 regions, the tabulation process was abruptly stalled in Region Four – the country’s largest and decisive voting district. The EU EOM had said, “…the integrity of the entire electoral process was
AFC. Both Lowenfield and Mingo, along with other GECOM staff and senior APNU/AFC members, have since been slapped with a slew of electoral fraud charges that are still pending before the local courts.
Electoral context and key issues
Chief Observer Biedro? and his team then met with President Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, who are both returning on the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) ticket to seek a second term in office.
Joined by PPP’s Executive Secretary and current Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, at State House on Thursday, the Government delegation and the EU EOM members discussed the electoral context and key issues ahead of the upcoming polls.
Similarly, Biedro? led his core team to engage the Presidential Candidate of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition, Aubrey Norton, and
The dispatch of this 2025 Election Observation Mission to monitor the upcoming polls in Guyana comes on the heels of the international community, including the EU, playing a crucial role in ensuring that democracy prevailed following the historic March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. At the time, Guyana was plunged in a political deadlock for five months as a result of blatant attempts to steal the elections by some senior
seriously compromised by the non-transparent and non-credible tabulation of results in the largest and decisive Region Four by senior GECOM officials acting in blatant violation of the law and High Court orders issued in this regard.”
At the centre of those allegations are former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and then Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, who allegedly blatantly inflated figures in favour of the APNU/
Meanwhile, in its final report on the March 2020 elections, the previous EU EOM had made some 26 recommendations on diverse aspects of the elections, including the legal framework, election administration, the campaign and campaign financing, the media and social media, and electoral dispute resolution – all aimed at improving future electoral processes in Guyana. Of those recommendations, eight had been identified as priority, which the EU says could have the most positive impact on the elections if implemented.
Two years ago, the EU had deployed an Election Follow-up Mission (EFM) to assess Guyana’s progress towards electoral reform.
In May 2023, the EFM disclosed that two of the EU’s priority recommendations were implemented in full by the Guyana Government through amendments to the Representation of People (Amendment) Act and the National Registration (Amendment) Act that were made in 2022.
The EU EOM Core Team also met with APNU leaders on Thursday
The EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) delegation meeting with officials of the Guyana Elections Commission on preparations for the September 1 polls
The EU Election Observation Mission Guyana 2025 met with Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George on Thursday
Chief Observer of the 2025 EU EOM and his team engaged President Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips and PPP Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha at State House
The zeal…
…of the convert??
On this Emancipation Day 2025, today’s musings might be a tad heavy – if you don’t mind, dear readers. Your Eyewitness is trying to understand what was going on in the minds of those who’d been in bondage for hundreds of years in our dear Mudland. Of course, we know folks don’t live for hundreds of years to experience bondage or freedom!! But we should appreciate that through the years, the experience is captured in the stories we hear on our mothers’ knees. It becomes OUR story – not just HIS story!!
The Dutch – and then the Brits – literally tried to beat out the culture we practiced in Africa – before we were sold to the pirates. Over in Suriname, many escaped into the jungle, or “bush,” and recreated – as best as they could –tribal life in Africa. They were dubbed “Bush Negroes” and had about six tribes – one being the Djuka – who still retain a distinctive culture and identity. Under their leader Rennie Brunjswick, they fought for their autonomy, and today, even though greatly assimilated, they’re represented in parliament by the BEP!!
In the British Caribbean, Jamaica’s Blue Mountain forested terrain facilitated slave escape and settlement, and they were dubbed Maroons. They were so ferocious and independent, the Brits had to negotiate treaties with them!! Maybe that explains the unique Jamaican insistence on marching to their own drummer!! While we had some slaves who ran away into our Bush – these were raided and destroyed by the Dutch and Brits, and so most African cultural retentions we see around us were contributed by the thousands of Africans brought here AFTER Emancipation as INDENTURED SERVANTS!! Yes!! You heard that right –some Africans also came as indentured servants!
So our forefathers faced the full brunt of the British conquest of our minds – after our bodies had already been conquered through chains, racks, and guillotines. At Emancipation, then, we did our darndest to live like the Whites who’d ruled over us. Looking at pictures from those days, it’s amazing how our men dressed in thick, dark worsted woollen three-piece suits and the women decked out in corsets, crinolines, and parasols – complete with elaborate hats.
Living in a multicultural country, your Eyewitness figures we’ve all experienced the zeal – and even the fanaticism –of the new convert!! Such it was then – and so it remains!! Or does it?? Your Eyewitness has written (too extensively?) on the new phenomenon called “Scrapeheads.” Is it possible they might become the new standard for fashion and manners?!!
And so maybe new convert James Bond – who predicted a two-thirds majority for the PPP – might be bringing the Scrapes into the Cup??
“Free at last” on Emancipation 2025??!!
…to reform the GPF
You Dear Readers, would know that your Eyewitness feels VERY strongly that the professionalisation of our Police Force is absolutely critical for us to progress out of Pres Trump’s delicately worded “shithole” country status. So he understands where our Pressie’s coming from when he promoted – on the spot – some 2000 police ranks to corporals, sergeants and inspectors – based merely on their years of service!! Apart from the concern about demotivating merit, there’s the other that we’re adding this bump to thousands already there – in a force with just 4500 bodies!! Isn’t this gonna leave the GPF a tad top-heavy??
And on the subject of “top heavy,” Pressie urged police officers to take physical wellness seriously, recommending simple daily routines like skipping for five minutes. Looking at pics of police with their bellies protruding like car bumpers to ward off collision damage, maybe he should’ve suggested they also skip that daily chicken fried rice?
For which they shake down us poor commuters??
…of virtue signallers
The Western Governments of France, Canada, and the UK are gonna virtue-signal on Gaza by “recognising” a Palestinian state at UNGA’s September 2025 meet.
Couldn’t they’ve simply sent a battalion to protect aid trucks to stave off genocidal starvation?
“Don’t be deterred, don’t be demoralised” – Jagdeo to AfroGuyanese being attacked by Opposition
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has strongly condemned the People’s National Congress-
led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Alliance For Change (AFC), and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) for their continued attacks on Afro-Guyanese who have either endorsed the PPP or who are seizing opportunities provided by the current administration to empower and uplift themselves.
Speaking during his press conference today, Jagdeo said these opposition parties seem to believe that Afro-Guyanese must ignore their lack of plans and achievements and “just vote for them blindly because of race.”
Jagdeo expressed concern that Afro-Guyanese who are independent thinkers and choose to support the PPP/C – either out of trust in its leadership and vision or to take advantage of opportunities being created by the Government – are subjected to some of the vilest attacks from opposition members.
Referring specifically to WPA’s David Hinds and Tacuma Ogunseye, Jagdeo lamented that “all they do is try to beat down the young Afro-Guyanese man who is trying to make something from his life.”
Jagdeo also called out AFC’s Nigel Hughes, who warned Afro-Guyanese contractors against pledging loyalty to the PPP/C over Government contracts.
“We see this as empowering people… Of course we’d love them to vote for PPP based on performance and their own empowerment,” the PPP/C GS highlighted as he reminded that AFC, when in government from 2015 to 2020 in coalition with APNU, did not launch any initiatives to ensure young AfroGuyanese were uplifted.
In fact, he reminded them that Hughes’ wife, Cathy Hughes, who was minister of telecommunications, gave her company millions of dollars in contracts.
Hughes’ company, Videomega Productions, benefitted from contracts from the Ministry of Telecommunications whilst she was minister.
In contrast, Jagdeo – who is also the country’s Vice President (VP) – highlighted
that the PPP/C administration has been working tirelessly to ensure all citizens, including Afro-Guyanese, benefit from development taking place countrywide.
He pointed to opportunities in areas such as education, training, employment, healthcare, and housing, which are being created for all citizens.
Moreover, Jagdeo emphasised that the PPP/C is the only multi-ethnic party in the country with a proven track record, and this is why more persons are gravitating towards them.
As such, he urged AfroGuyanese who continue to be vilified by the opposition to not worry about the attacks.
“Don’t be deterred; don’t be demoralised by it,” Jagdeo encouraged.
Youth & unity Jagdeo said that APNU has shattered any hope of being credible, particularly as it relates to young people, as nothing significant was done for youths under the APNU/ AFC during 2015 to 2020.
“With what they did in the five years, young people know now that they are not going to get any help from ANPU. They ignored young people; they lost jobs – everything in those five years.”
Meanwhile, the VP also recalled the unity of the 1950s when Guyanese stood together in the fight for independence, stressing that the PPP/C remains committed to returning the country to that level of unity.
“For many, many years, the PNC stayed in office through rigged elections. And to do that, they had to keep… the people divided, as Walter Rodney pointed out. And they used race to perpetuate that division,” he reminded.
He said, “That was the biggest tool that they used for decades upon decades to keep our people divided… and we suffered greatly as a country.”
Now, the PPP/C under the leadership of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali is paving the way for thousands of Guyanese, regardless of their race, to secure a better future, Jagdeo said.
A PPP team at Wismar, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), preparing for this weekend’s rally
US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed’s sister, brother-in-law stayed off party’s ballot to avoid consequences – Jagdeo
…as US sanctions bite unsuspecting WIN candidates
General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has pointed out that the sister and brother-in-law of United States (US)sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed have withheld their names from the lists of candidates of his political party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).
Hana and Max Dmitriyev are not listed as candidates for WIN.
Jagdeo reasoned that they did not put their names on the list in order to protect themselves from the consequences of being officially associated with a USsanctioned individual.
On the other hand, unsuspecting Guyanese whose names are on the list are now facing the consequences.
Local commercial banks – Demerara Bank, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, and Citizens Bank – have already closed down the personal accounts of several of WIN’s candidates to ensure their respective institutions comply with regulations of the international financial sector as it relates to sanctioned individuals. Additionally, it was reported in another section of the media that a 31-year-old network and system administrator had his employment contract terminated with one of the local banks after his name appeared on the We Invest in Nationhood’s (WIN) Regional List. The man said that the bank held discussions with him and outlined their concerns about the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC) sanctions related to Mohamed and his candidacy with WIN.
On Thursday, reports surfaced that Citizens Bank has closed the accounts of candidates on the WIN’s list to ensure that they are in compliance with international banking regulations and Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws, which are designed to prevent the use of illicit funds.
In this regard, Jagdeo criticised the US-sanctioned businessman for putting the lives of ordinary Guyanese at risk.
“When they were supporting him, it was different; now they’re part of a formal organisation headed by a US-sanctioned individual. The banks have no choice whatsoever, or else they would lose their business with the US.” he highlighted.
“All of the poor people who join his list, now they would not be able to have a bank account… How are they going to conduct their business?”
According to Jagdeo, “I feel sad for those people… I’m sorry for those people because they and their families would be in trouble, and he would laugh at the misery again.”
“Notice his sister and brother-in-law; they didn’t give up their US citizenship, and they are not on the list. They’re every day in the media running all kinds of commentary, cussing everybody under the sun, but they don’t want to run afoul of the US… Poor, unsuspecting people now would face the consequences…,” the
vice president pointed out.
Jagdeo has contended that Mohamed does not care about governing or advancing the lives of citizens and is only running for office for selfish reasons.
Mohamed, during his party’s manifesto launch, indicated that he is running for office to get US sanctions lifted.
In 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it sanctioned Nazar Mohamed
and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, as well as several of their companies. Their bank accounts were closed, and cambio licenses were cancelled.
Former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs Mae Thomas, who was also sanctioned by OFAC, also had her accounts at Republic Bank Limited and Citizens Bank Limited closed.
OFAC sanctions are economic and trade sanctions imposed by the US Department
of the Treasury. These sanctions target specific foreign countries, regimes, individuals, and entities deemed to pose a threat to US national security, foreign policy, or economy. OFAC sanctions can involve blocking assets, trade restrictions, and prohibitions on certain financial transactions.
Failure to take action could put local financial institutions at risk of losing their correspondent banking relations, i.e., their ability to trade and conduct business
with overseas banks.
The US has already warned that Guyana’s economic transformation is at risk if the US-sanctioned businessman gets near the government, since such an outcome could impact government-to-government relations and private sector transactions.
President Irfaan Ali has already warned that the USsanctioned businessman is a threat to Guyana’s financial stability, sovereignty, and diplomacy.
Hana and Max Dmitriyev, the sister and brother-in-law of USsanctioned Azruddin Mohamed, are not listed as candidates for WIN
ECD gets rehabilitated Police Stations at Sparendaam, Mahaica –
as new Ogle Fire Station opens
As part of a broader modernisation agenda for the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the rehabilitated Sparendaam and Mahaica Police Stations, along with a newly-completed Police Living Quarters at Cove and John, were declared open in Regional Police Division 4C (East Coast Demerara – ECD) by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn.
He was joined by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Andre Ally; Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Errol Watts; Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner
In addition to the ranks, during Thursday’s commissioning of the newly-redone Mahaica station, helmets were also handed over to several motorists under the Ministry’s “Do the Right Thing” road safety campaign.
24% reduction in serious crimes
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Watts reminded the ranks of their legal and moral duty to serve the public with integrity and accountability.
“As members of the Force, we have to do what we are charged to do by law: serve and protect, and re-
Khali Pareshram and Regional Chairman Daniel Seeram, among others.
In his feature address, Minister Benn reiterated the Government’s strategic focus, not only on strengthening the physical infrastructure of the Force, but also on reshaping the ethos of policing in Guyana.
spond proactively to reports in the most intelligent way possible,” Watts posited. He further urged officers to model the values they wish to promote in society, “We must be the example. We must set the example that we want to see in society.”
The Home Affairs Minister emphasised the Government’s unwavering resolve to deliver real, lasting improvements.
“More than ever, with the resources that are available, we can make Guyana a shining example, not simply for the Caribbean, but for the world,” he said.
Benn also reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to accountability, stressing that, “We keep our promises. And any promise we make now, in terms of our manifesto and in terms of elevating our people, we will keep… This building is not simply about us. The building is owned by the people. It must be used to bring better security to our people.”
Regional Commander Pareshram welcomed the transformation of the stations and the boost it would provide to policing capacity in the division. He noted that specialised offices for handling gender-based violence, juvenile matters, and other sensitive cases in confidential, child-friendly, and welcoming environments would significantly improve public confidence and engagement.
Commander Pareshram also reported measurable improvements resulting from strategic initiatives, revealing “our focus on community-oriented and intelligence-led policing has resulted in a 24 per cent reduction in serious crimes”.
The new $128 million Ogle Fire Station
The newly-rehabilitated $112M Sparendaam Police Station
Police ranks in Regional Division 4C received helmets from Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn
No signed deal yet with InterEnergy for GPL supervision – Jagdeo …says DR firm most
cost-effective option, talks ongoing
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has clarified that no agreement has been signed with Dominican Republicbased company InterEnergy Group Limited (IEG) for the supervision of works to be conducted by the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL).
While some sections of the media had reported that an agreement was signed, Jagdeo explained that nego-
grid and would review the natural gas-fired plants as well as the fossil fuel-generated plants.
Jagdeo confirmed that the cost would amount to US$650,000 per month but noted that this is the most cost-effective option available.
“I think they had several proposals from different groups that they considered…and this one was the
tiations are still ongoing.
“Let me make it clear, the InterEnergy agreement has not been signed until now… there is negotiation going on. There is a proposal that went to Cabinet that spoke of this, but we now need to see that they’re actually delivering on what is in the proposal. When a company makes an offer, you look at it and compare it with others, but then you have to discuss and concretise in clear, legal language what this is, and that negotiation is still ongoing, and I’m not even sure it will be concluded before the elections,” the vice president explained.
He added that there is still the possibility that talks could break down and “we may have to go back to the drawing table again.”
However, when any agreement is signed, Jagdeo assured that the document would be made public.
Reports are that the agreement caters for the supervision of works such as the installation of more than 300 kilometres of 230 kV and 69 kV transmission lines, the construction of five new substations, the upgrade of another, and the building of medium-voltage circuits, to the tune of US$422 million.
Additionally, reports are that the firm would also be tasked with assessing the existing power grid with a view of developing a smart
most cost-effective one,” he explained.
“Often, a firm to supervise projects comes up with 5-8 per cent of the contract price; this is lower, significantly lower,” he added.
Moreover, Jagdeo noted that IEG is a company that is well-known and possesses great technical capabilities. He posited that the company will bring great value in being able to assist in the buildout of a modern energy infrastructure to meet international standards.
Furthermore, the vice president rejected reports that the arrangement was “secretly done.”
Since last year, the Guyana Government had signalled its intention to work with IEG, among other partners, to assist GPL.
“They are one option. They’ve been working with us, trying to help us identify gaps and build out the system that they will support. So, yes, they are in the equation,” President Irfaan Ali stated in April 2024.
An MOU to this effect was already signed in January 2024.
When the MOU was signed, both IEG and GPL had agreed to engage in discussions to explore opportunities and identify potential areas for collaboration and development of GPL through the implementation of IEG’s expertise and know-how in
electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, and in the management of electricity systems and assets.
In a significant milestone for regional tourism development, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Suriname Hotel and
Tourism Association (SHATA) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Roraima Duke Lodge in Georgetown.
The MoU is aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation between the two South American neighbours and lays the groundwork for a broader “Three Guianas”
tourism collaboration involving French Guiana.
The signing ceremony brought together key stakeholders from both nations, including Suriname's Ambassador to Guyana, Liselle Blankendal; THAG President Mitra Ramkumar and former President Dee George; SHATA Chairman Egon Von Foidl, Board Secretary Jerry A-Kum, and representative John Castello; as well as Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Blankendal hailed the MoU as a symbol of "a shared commitment to unlock the true potential of cross-border tourism between our two nations."
She emphasised that the initiative is more than a formal agreement, also standing as a promise to create seamless, sustainable tourism experiences that celebrate the biodiversity, rich cultures, and hospitality of
both countries.
“The signing of this MoU not only signifies the strengthening of the bilateral ties, but we are also opening new doors and new opportunities for our people, for our cultures, and of course, for our economy,” Blankendal said.
“Tourism is not just a product; it brings people together, supports local businesses, and fosters people-to-people connections. By aligning our efforts, we open new doors for our economies and our communities. Let us continue to build together – not just as neighbours, but as partners shaping a shared and sustainable future.”
The agreement outlines collaboration on several key areas, including marketing, product development, guide training, and ease of travel, particularly addressing current logistical challenges such as the ferry system between the two countries.
Both associations also committed to jointly promoting the "Three Guianas” – Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana – as a unified and unique multi-destination travel experience.
THAG President Ramkumar underscored the importance of moving from talk to action: “For too long, we've been hearing about the region’s potential. It’s now time to unleash it,” he said. “This MoU is just the first step. The essence of our agreement is collaboration, joint marketing, joint product development, and positioning ourselves as a single, attractive region on the global tourism stage.”
Ramkumar pointed to the World Travel Market as an opportunity for the three Guianas to exhibit collectively, rather than individually, to attract more visitors interested in diverse yet connected cultural and ecological experiences.
THAG President Mitra Ramkumar (sixth from left) and SHATA Chairman Egon Von Foidl (second from right) along with other THAG, SHATA, and GTA representatives
Rich African cultural heritage takes over Main Street
African culture took over Main Street
Thursday, as scores of people lined the road, showcasing their talents in traditional African cooking, clothing design, and craft-making.
Draped in vibrant fabrics, echoing the rhythms of ancestral drums, and proudly representing their heritage, several individuals hailing directly from Africa brought Main Street to life with a stunning cultural exposition in celebration of Emancipation Day.
Guyana Times caught up with several exhibitors and vendors who brought the spirit of the continent to life through their displays.
One Nigerian exhibitor –Joachin Ezeanokws – proudly showcased authentic products and materials commonly used in Nigeria, giving passers-by a taste of African heritage first-hand.
“If you look at my hand, you will see a horse tail and an African attire. This is what the prince, president, and security use to guide the crowd. I am from Nigeria, Africa. For five years, I’ve been offering these products in Guyana and enjoy doing this.”
He added, “We have black soaps – organic black soap.
Suriname, Guyana sign MoU...
A major component of the cooperation involves human resource development, particularly guide training and hospitality education. Ramkumar noted that Suriname currently has a Hospitality Institute, while Guyana is in the process of developing its own.
“There are clear synergies here: technical consultations, curriculum input, and even exchange visits can help raise the standard of service delivery across the board,” he said.
SHATA Chairman Von Foidl echoed the sentiment, stressing that regional cooperation is the future of tourism in South America.
“The Three Guianas will make a difference if we market together,” he said.
“Tourism is not a side gig; it’s a cornerstone of economic development. We are learning from Guyana’s growth, especially in the context of its expanding oil and gas industry, and how it intersects with the hospitality sector.”
Von Foidl highlighted the need to build tourism for the next generation: “Let young people see tourism as a viable, exciting future; not just a job, but a career and a way to serve society.”
GTA Director Baksh emphasised the importance of strong public-private partnerships as the “bedrock for
tourism development.”
He reported a consistent rise in visitor arrivals and flights between the two countries, reflecting the growing interest in bilateral travel.
The MoU, he noted, will further strengthen joint itineraries and expand marketing reach.
“French Guiana is a vital piece of the puzzle,” Baksh added. “The strategic direction is clear: we want to market the Three Guianas as a distinct and compelling destination, with unique offerings that stand apart from the rest of the Caribbean. From logistics to services and training, all elements must align.”
We have tiger nut, and we also have something special that we call alligator pepper. We also have a special thing called the horsetail— it is used on occasions as a symbol of blessings. I also have many clothes for men and women, and I am a designer… It takes about one month to bring these items from Africa to Guyana.”
Meanwhile, speaking
while dressed in a dashiki, one vendor, Ibeh Chibuike, highlighted that the practices and spirit of Emancipation Day should continue even after the celebrations have ended.
“I’ve been doing this for about three years now, and the experience has been very lovely. I wish Emancipation [Day] came every month because it’s a time of good experiences. You see people from other countries coming here for Emancipation [Day]. During Emancipation [Day], there are crowds, but after Emancipation [Day] finishes, everyone goes back to normal life, and things don’t move as much. People need to come out – just look around. Some people have taken a look at the grand crowds, and seeing the crowds makes me happy.”
Another exhibitor, Nykia Roberts, who specialises in crocheted clothing, shared her experience: "Well, I started at the age of 11, but I made it official three years ago. It feels good because it allows you to show your cre-
ativity. I feel good putting these things out. I’m 31, and my co-worker is 17.”
The food exhibitors were not left out, as two standout vendors stole the show by demonstrating the step-bystep process of preparing authentic African-style dishes.
One of them, Euranie Tieshmak, explained, “I wake up early in the morning around Emancipation [Day] time to make conkie and pone. First, you need to get the coconut. For both conkie and pone, you grate the coconut. With conkie, you get your cornmeal and spice it up, then wrap it and boil it. For the pone, you grate the coconut, spice it up, add your essence, and bake it.”
She added, “I also had pepper pot and pone, but they finished quickly. Metem is coming a bit later today. I’ve been making these foods for several years now. Tomorrow [Friday], we’re going to the park, and we’ll have pork and other dishes there too.”
Emancipation Day is celebrated August 1 throughout Guyana.
Nigerian exhibitor Joachin Ezeanokws
African Exhibitor Ibeh Chibuike
$83M deal with T&T
company
PNC should have offered to sell Republic Bank shares to Guyanese – VP
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has sharply criticised the main Opposition People’s National Congress (PNC) for what he described as a failure to prioritise Guyanese interests when offloading the party’s shares in Republic Bank.
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo addressed reports that the Opposition party sold $83 million in Republic Bank (Guyana) shares to a Trinidadian company – igniting fresh controversy over foreign financial influence, party transparency, and lost local investment opportunities.
The Vice President argued that the sale represented a missed opportunity to empower local investors and build national wealth, especially as Republic Bank continues to see strong performance in the financial sector.
“I didn’t realise that PNC is so rich. They own nearly half a billion dollars of
shares in Republic Bank. It’s a rich party…Legitimately, I don’t know how they got the shares – but I don’t want to explore that too much here – but if you’re selling your shares, you should offer it to Guyanese first, because you want Guyanese to invest in this company, the Republic Bank, if it’s doing well,” Jagdeo remarked.
The share sale was reportedly executed quietly, with no known public offer or bidding process, further intensifying suspicions about the intent and beneficiaries of the deal.
Jagdeo zeroed in on what he described as a shocking lack of national consideration in the deal, which was reportedly executed with Maritime Life (Caribbean) Limited, an insurance giant based in Trinidad and Tobago.
But the Vice President did not stop there. He raised questions about accountability and transparency within the PNC, throwing shade at
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
PNC leader Aubrey Norton, whom he accused of having a “proclivity for blank cheque”.
“So, they sold it to a Trinidadian company and then I’ve had concerns raised by a number of people. Would this resource be paid into the party coffers or would Norton have about 10 blank cheque writ-
ten for the whole sum? You know, Norton is a very – he has a strong proclivity towards blank cheques. I see him talking about corruption too. He has not dealt with that matter as yet. The blank cheques that he directed the treasurer of the PNC to sign for him,” he added.
African-Guyanese made indelible...
On this note, the Guyanese leader cautioned against efforts by some to thwart this inclusive agenda. “We must not allow anything to come between us and the achievement of this ideal. Let us reject, with firm resolve, the efforts of those who seek to manipulate race and ethnicity for narrow and selfish ends. These efforts serve no one. They do not uplift communities – they only divide them. They do not solve problems; they deepen wounds. And they do not build a future; they attempt to chain us to a past we have struggled so hard to overcome,” he noted.
Instead, President Ali encouraged citizens to reaffirm their faith in each other and deepen their commitment to equity, justice, and inclusion. He added that the true honour descendants can pay their ancestors is not only in remembrance but also in action, by working every day to create a society rooted in respect, equality, and shared prosperity.
To this end, the President said he remains unwavering in his pledge to ensure that no Guyanese is excluded from the ongoing national development.
“Whether in the hinterland or on the coast, in the villages or the urban centres, all must be able to benefit from the growth and progress of our nation. So, on this Emancipation Day 2025, let us stand together,
proud of our past, confident in our future, and united in our purpose. Let us celebrate the strength of our AfricanGuyanese sisters and brothers and draw inspiration from their struggles and achievements. May their example continue to guide us. May their courage continue to fortify us. And may their legacy live on in the just and inclusive Guyana we are building together,” the president stated.
Opportunities for empowerment
Meanwhile, similar sentiments were expressed by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips in his Emancipation Day message. The Prime Minister said this day is not only one of the defining moments in Guyana's history but also represents a reaffirmation of the Afro-Guyanese identity, their rich culture, and the resolute spirit of a people who turned struggle into strength and legacy.
“Emancipation is both to be celebrated and a call to reflection. It marks a turning point in the journey of African descendants in Guyana. Theirs was a journey that took them from bondage and gross abuse to freedom and speaks of their resilience despite the adversity they faced,” he stated.
On this occasion to mark 400 years since the arrival of Africans in Guyana and the 187th anniversary of emancipation, PM Phillips took
the opportunity to shine the spotlight on Buxton, an East Coast Demerara village built on the vision and unity of formerly enslaved Africans.
“That bold and unprecedented act is now an integral part of our history, known as the Village Movement, and it is also a significant part of our identity. Their co-operative purchase of land and formation of self-reliant communities were acts of power, and it reminds us that villages are a symbol of collective ownership, culture, and hope,” he noted.
According to Phillips, this day also celebrates the vibrant music, food, fashion, and faith of the African heritage, noting that these are expressions of pride and self-determination. He added that they also serve as essential teaching tools for Guyanese children, and they carry the values that will shape tomorrow's Guyana.
To this end, the Prime Minister pointed out that the current People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government recognises the importance of these roots, and we are committed to investing in the lives of all African-Guyanese.
“We will continue creating national initiatives that allow African-Guyanese culture to thrive, heritage to be protected, and opportunities to be shared. We are committed to ensuring that the stories and successes
of African-Guyanese people are recognised and integrated into our country's future. That means more than marking a holiday – it means making real investments in culture, education, and community spaces where identity and history can flourish.”
“Therefore, I urge all African-Guyanese to take advantage of the many opportunities for self-development, economic empowerment, and social upliftment presented by the current People's Progressive Party/ Civic Government,” PM Phillips stated in his Emancipation Day message to the nation.
Jagdeo’s remarks ahead of the September 1 General and Regional Elections, hinted at alleged financial mismanagement inside the PNC and possible misuse of funds. The party has been struggling to raise campaign financing, with sources confirming dwindling attendance at rallies, even in traditional strongholds.
Cash-strapped
Last week, Opposition Leader Norton had confirmed that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is deliberately rationing resources during the 2025 election season, choosing what he described as “strategy over spectacle”.
The APNU on July 6 officially launched its campaign, an event that has since been described as “lukewarm” and lacking in attendance, especially among the youth population.
Since then, the party has held several rallies and public meetings, including in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and in Melanie, on the East Coast of Demerara.
However, in a recent appearance on the GlobeSpan24X7 programme, Norton addressed growing public concern over APNU’s low visual and ground presence in traditional PPP strongholds. The long-time politician brushed off claims of campaign weakness, asserting, “We don’t have the resources like PPP, but we are campaigning, just strategically.”
“If you peak too early in an election and you don’t have the resources your opponents have, then they will come back and counter,” Norton stated. “So, you have to time it and ensure you go straight through and impact as you move along.”
Reciprocal tariffs
US slashes Guyana tariff from 38% to 15%
The White House on Thursday evening announced that the 38 per cent reciprocal tariff announced for Guyana in April has been reduced to 15 per cent. This was confirmed by White House documentation released on Thursday.
Speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday evening, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said that the Government of Guyana was very pleased that there was a downward adjustment.
He added, however, that Guyana was still hopeful for a further adjustment.
“We’re still engaged in talks and discussions, and we hope upon the completion of those discussions that we can get back down to the 10 per cent. But we’re pleased that there was a downward
adjustment,” Jagdeo said.
Speaking on the issue on Thursday at his weekly press conference, the Vice President said that Guyana had submitted documents to the US Trade Representative’s Office regarding the tariffs and explained that the US authorities understood that the surplus was largely from oil exports.
“They know that it’s almost entirely from the export of oil into the US. So given that, I think we have… they’ve approached this matter differently…
Now, unlike with some other countries which I think they take a harder line, they understood that the [Guyana’s] surplus is as a result of the oil export, not any unfair currency practices or protective barriers in Guyana
that have led to that situation which they accuse other countries of. So given that, that goodwill there and the understanding, I anticipate that we should have a favourable outcome,” Jagdeo told reporters earlier on Thursday.
Currently, US-based oil major ExxonMobil and its co-venturers are conducting oil production activities offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block.
Back in April, Guyana had been included on a list of countries facing reciprocal tariffs from the US, a measure that once implemented could have seen the cost of doing business increase, and had resulted in the Government of Guyana reaching out to its partners in the US, seeking answers.
According to a chart US
President Donald Trump read from, Guyana had a 38 per cent reciprocal tariff rate applied to its exports to the US, in response to the 76 per cent tariff that Guyana was listed as imposing on US products.
However, the US then put a 90-day pause on these tariffs.
In May, Senior Minister with responsibility for
Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and a team from Guyana, met with the US Trade Representative, Ambassador Jameson Greer, to discuss the tariff. At the time, Jagdeo had revealed that the meeting focused on explaining the economic context of the surplus, including the nascent nature of Guyana’s oil and gas industry and the dominant role US companies
play in its development.
“It is the quiet diplomacy that we’ll work through. And we’re working with the US Government so that they understand why the trade surplus arose. It’s mainly because of our export of oil, and most of that is from Exxon, a US company. So, that is the approach we will take, not planning retaliatory tariffs,” Jagdeo had said.
Guyana eyes production of peritoneal dialysis supplies for local, regional markets
As the Government works on building a modern healthcare sector, the country is aiming to produce syringes, saline and fluids used in peritoneal dialysis to supply local and regional markets.
President Dr Irfaan Ali recently disclosed that “we have thrown out a challenge to the Private Sector that with an investment of between US$15-$20 million, we can establish a facility in Guyana for all the fluids, including the peritoneal fluids and what we commonly call saline, so that we can produce it right here in Guyana for here and the rest of the Caribbean”.
Currently, Guyana spends millions annually on fluids to treat 25 kidney failure patients who receive peritoneal dialysis.
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) and haemodialysis (HD) are both forms of dialysis used to treat kidney failure, but they differ significantly in their approach. In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of the body, passed through a machine that filters waste and excess fluid, and then returned to the body, whereas with peritoneal dialysis, a special fluid (dialysate) is infused into the abdominal cavity, where it absorbs waste and excess fluid from the blood; after a set time, the dialysate is drained out
of the body.
“We’re spending on those 25 patients alone – on the fluids $150 million annually,” President Ali pointed out.
In this regard, the Head of State emphasised the significance of building out a biopharma industry in Guyana. In fact, he said talks have already commenced on the possibility of establishing a syringe plant in the country. “…to service the entire CELAC region, that is what we are talking about, that is what we’d be co-investing in with the Private Sector so that not only are we providing healthcare, but we are providing first world opportunity for our human resources in Guyana”.
When these facilities are established and in operation, the President emphasised that they would create opportunities for higher-level jobs for locals.
Over the years, Guyana
has been working to expand its pharmaceutical and medical supplies production capacity, with key support from the European Union.
In 2022, Guyana, Barbados, and Rwanda launched the Pharmaceutical Equity for Global Public Health initiative which aims to ensure equitable access to essential medicines and vaccines by strengthening local production and reducing dependence on external supply chains.
Under the Global Gateway, the EU is already providing vital technical expertise in partnership with the Lithuanian regulatory agency, to help Guyana strengthen its regulatory environment, ensuring that the country’s pharma sector can meet international standards and attract global investors.
The EU will also support Guyana’s vision to set up a biopark — a Global Gateway project aimed at fostering innovation and creating a sustainable ecosystem for the local health and pharmaceutical sectors in partnership with the award-winning biopark of Charleroi (Belgium).
The biopark will act as a catalyst for local and international investment, bringing together companies, research institutions, and healthcare innovators to drive forward cutting-edge solutions.
Guyana is also working with India to produce vaccines for livestock, for the local and regional markets.
Toll-free bridges
Berbice River Bridge toll free from today
...NA-GT hire car drivers refuse to drop
fares ... NA -Rosignol bus fare drops by 33%
As of today, tolls on the Berbice River Bridge –along with the Demerara Harbour Bridge and Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge – are officially abolished, delivering financial relief to more than 50,000 daily commuters and representing approximately $3.5?billion in annual savings for the population.
For motorists, the savings are tangible: a private car crossing the Berbice Bridge previously incurred a $1900 fee per trip.
Meanwhile, operators of hire cars plying the New Amsterdam-Georgetown route have refused to drop their fares.
The fares which increased from $1500 to $2000 and $2500 during COVID, never returned to pre-COVID levels.
Some drivers have been demanding $3000 after dark.
However, with operational costs being reduced by $1900 as a result of the bridge being toll free now, those operators have refused to pass on the
Man found guilty for girlfriend’s death in car accident
Twenty-five-yearold Niraz Sukdeo of Lancaster Village, Corentyne was on Wednesday remanded to prison and awaiting sentence, after being found guilty of causing the death of his girlfriend during a fatal accident last year.
Niraz Sukdeo appeared at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where Magistrate Tuanna Hardy found him guilty of causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the July 22, 2024, crash that claimed the life of his 18-year-old girlfriend, Bibi Aleah Ali, a medical technologist.
Reporting on the July 22, 2024 crash, the police had said it involved motor car PAF 6330, driven by Niraz Sukdeo, with Ali the other occupant in the car.
While proceeding north along the western lane allegedly at a fast rate and under the influence of alcohol, Sukdeo reportedly lost control of the vehicle and collided with a crane, which was parked on the western parapet, before coming to a stop in a canal on the eastern side of the road.
As a result of the im-
pact, Ali was flung out of the vehicle and into the canal. They both received injuries, and were picked up by public spirited citizens and conveyed to Anamayah Memorial Hospital and Skeldon Public Hospital respectively, where Ali was pronounced dead. Sukdeo will return to court next Wednesday to be sentenced.
ECD gets rehabilitated...
The Sparendaam Police Station, reconstructed at a cost of over $112 million, is now outfitted with modern policing amenities designed to support efficient and professional law enforcement. Like its counterparts across the country, the station includes male lock-ups, a witness and ID parade room, an armoury, an evidence room, a child-friendly space, and a domestic violence interview and waiting area. It also houses offices for Enquiries, the Officer-in-Charge (OC), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Traffic Department, and upgraded senior and junior living quarters for ranks.
Meanwhile, the Mahaica Police Station was completed at a cost of over $143 million. This state-of-the-art facility enhances regional security and is equipped with male, female, and juvenile lock-ups; a ZARA Computer School; an ID parade room; an armoury; an evidence room; child-friendly and domestic violence interview areas; and dedicated offices for the OC, and CID and Traffic divisions. Living quarters have also been significantly upgraded to improve the quality of life for officers stationed there.
At Cove and John, the newly-completed Police Living Quarters, valued at $23 million, was also offi-
cially opened. Constructed to support the welfare of law enforcement personnel, the quarters include three bedrooms, a kitchen, a laundry area, and a general living space, ensuring officers are accommodated in conditions conducive to readiness and professionalism.
New fire station
Also on Thursday, Minister Benn joined Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham to commission the newly constructed Ogle Fire Station, which will enhance both community and aviation emergency response along the ECD corridor.
Constructed at a cost of over $128 million by Singh and Sons Construction, the new fire station is located within the Eugene F Correia International Airport compound at Ogle. The facility is purpose-built to provide rapid and efficient responses to both aviation-related incidents and surrounding community emergencies. Its location within the airport ensures faster deployment, boosting operational readiness in a high-traffic zone. The commissioning of the Ogle Fire Station marks a significant milestone. Strategically located at one of the country’s key domestic aviation hubs, the new facility not only reinforces airport safety, but also enhances fire
benefits to commuters, saying that prices for spare parts have increased.
However,
Teen gets 2 years for unlawful possession of firearm
Ricardo Simon Paul, a 19-year-old resident of Lot 1443 Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was arrested by Police on July 29, 2025 and charged on July 30, 2025 with the offence of unlawful possession of firearm without licence.
Paul appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Devendranauth Singh on Thursday, where the charge was read to him and he pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 24 months in prison.
WCB man remanded for robbery
AWest Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) man was on Thursday remanded when he appeared at the Fort Wellington Magistrates Court on a robbery charge.
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and rescue response capabilities along the East Coast of Demerara.
Crucially, the facility is fully compliant with international standards, aligning with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements outlined in Annex 14 – Aerodromes and ICAO Doc 9137: Airport Services Manual. This compliance guarantees that the station meets globally-accepted best practices for aerodrome rescue and firefighting services.
Designed for 24/7 operations, the Ogle Fire Station features a dedicated appliance bay, administrative offices for station management, living quarters for senior and junior ranks, an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) office and storage area, a waiting room, gym, and laundry facilities. These provisions ensure that the station is well-equipped to meet operational demands while supporting the welfare of its personnel.
Since its establishment in 1957 with only two fire stations, in Georgetown and New Amsterdam, the Guyana Fire Service has expanded significantly over the years, now boasting 22 completed stations, with several others under construction across the country, including auxiliary units serving interior regions.
Patrick Roach, 31, of Number 28 Village, WCB, appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy, where the charge was read to him.
It is alleged that on July 28, Roach robbed 35-yearold Balwant Changalal of Experiment Bath Settlement, WCB, of a gold chain valued at $400,000.
He was not required to plead.
The prosecution objected to bail, stating that Roach
has a pending matter at the Blairmont Magistrates’ Court for possession of a firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without a license.
Magistrate Hardy denied bail and remanded Roach to prison. He is scheduled to return to court on August 20.
On the day in question, at about 21:00h, Roach and his friends were at a shop on Middle Dam, Bush Lot, WCB, when he approached Changalal and forcibly removed his gold chain. He allegedly struck Changalal in the face.
Roach jumped into a car parked nearby and fled the scene. At the time, Roach appeared to be holding a gun.
The matter was reported to the police.
Acting on the information received, officers from the Fort Wellington Police Station went to Roach’s residence and arrested him. He was subsequently placed before the court.
Fisherman remanded for killing labourer
ACorentyne fisherman was on Thursday remanded after being charged with the murder of a Corentyne labourer.
Mohamed Fazar Ally, called “Rana”, 24, a fisherman of Jackson Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Springlands Magistrate Court, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), where it is alleged that on July 29, he unlawfully killed 38-yearold Corentyne labourer Gavin Daniels, called “Talk to Me”.
He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded until August 28.
It had been reported that the two men were known to each other, and back in June, the two were engaged in an altercation, soon after which Ally left for sea.
It was reported that upon his return, Daniels, the alleged aggressor, learnt that
Ally was back home and went to confront him.
Remanded: Patrick Roach
Sentenced: Ricardo Simon Paul The illegal firearm found in his possession
He was killed after attempting to kick down Ally’s door at his Moleson Creek, Corentyne River home on Monday night.
Remanded: Mohamed Fazar Ally
Deceased: Gavin Daniels
Berbice River Bridge
buses plying the Number 56 minibus route (New Amsterdam-Rosignol) have agreed to drop fares by 33 per cent from $300 to $200 per trip.
Pay hikes, “evolved” tax system coming in 2nd term in office – Jagdeo
…miners, farmers, fishers also in line for major support
With the march toward General and Regional Elections heating up, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has unveiled a detailed and far-reaching plan for its second term in office, placing strong emphasis on financial empowerment, youth opportunities, local infrastructure, and sweeping community revitalisation.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has laid out a bold agenda that signals the PPP/C’s deepened commitment to job creation, tax reform, and improved living standards for Guyanese across all regions.
At the heart of the party’s campaign is an economic vision to put more money in people’s pockets — not only by increasing earnings but by reducing the cost of living.
Jagdeo reiterated that “every public servant — including teachers, nurses, Police Officers, firemen, and army personnel — will benefit from increased salaries and expanded allowances.” These include those under public assistance, part-time workers, and Community Service Officers (CSOs), all of whom are slated to receive increased stipends.
The Administration also plans to evolve the tax system to allow greater income retention. Measures already introduced, such as doubling the income tax threshold from $65,000 to $130,000 and offering taxfree allowances for overtime and second jobs, are just the beginning.
According to Jagdeo, “the same benefits will ex -
tend to critical sectors such as mining, fisheries, and agriculture, enabling farmers, miners, and fishers to not only save more but reinvest in their livelihoods.
Central to the PPP/ C’s second-term strategy is a youth-focused development agenda. Plans include the establishment of a Development Bank that would offer zero-interest loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with special windows reserved for women and youth entrepreneurs. This move, he stated, will empower thousands to build wealth and autonomy. Additionally, through reduced taxes on vehicles and targeted housing initiatives, young Guyanese will be better equipped to start families and gain independence. “Young people want homes, jobs, recreation, and vehicles — and that’s the direction we’re heading,” Jagdeo declared.
“The money that they earn, that they can keep more of it, and secondly, they have to spend less on things that they were spending on before. So, first of all, about more money in people’s pockets. So, clearly, as the President pointed out, every person who works for the State, at the state sector, will see increases.”
Security lights, proper drainage, garbage disposal, and community safety now top the list of residents’ concerns, especially in growing regions like the East Bank.
“People are no longer crying out for just jobs and
roads. Now that they’re working, they want quality of life — better lighting, cleaner communities, and greater safety,” the VP observed.
In response, the Government has procured 100,000 LED street lights, with 4000 already deployed and the remainder expected by mid-2026; increased subventions to Neighbourhood Democratic Councils from $5 million to $30 million to strengthen garbage collection capacity; committed to building modern,
GCCI
to
containerised Police outposts with surveillance capabilities in every community, and promised a wave of micro-contracts for locals to construct concrete drains — a model designed to generate employment while solving infrastructure issues.
Addressing the cost-ofliving burden, the PPP/C is also taking proactive steps to ensure equitable housing access, particularly in Indigenous communities where communal land ownership limits individuals’
ability to obtain mortgages. The party promises to develop mechanisms that allow Amerindian youth to access financial support to build homes, even on non-titled land.
“In Region One, we’ve already begun expanding road networks so residents can use regular vehicles to traverse their communities — this cuts costs and changes lives,” said Jagdeo. This vision for connectivity spans all regions, from Moraikobai in Region Five to Wakapao in Region Two.
“This is not just a coastal thing. It will be for all Guyana, and we have –we’re going to help people to own. So those kids in those communities too, many want to now do housing. Many who live in Amerindian communities where the land is communal, they have been reaching out to us and saying, how can I get the help to build too in my community? It’s not state land. And so, we have to work with them, too…” he declared.
support 50 small businesses for NSBW 2025
Ative commitment to helping small businesses sustain themselves.
head of National Small Business Week (NSBW) 2025, set to run from August 4 to 9, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) will be supporting some 50 small businesses across the country through consultations, advisory services, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening operations and boosting growth potential.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025
12:05 Movie - Emancipation (2022)
15:00 How I Met Your Mother S2 E18
16:00 Indian Soaps
17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 Aljazeera
19:00 The Evening News
20:00 Stop Suffering
20:30 Abbot Elementary S2 E1
21:00 Movie - The Colour Purple (2023)
23:00 Heartland S2 E1
The event will be held under the theme “Building a Sustainable Future for MSMEs.”
The week-long event will feature seminars, workshops, and an exposition. NSBW is an annual initiative focused on building the capacity of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), helping them enhance operations and optimise performance.
Persons can expect a range of benefits, including expert consultations, business advisory sessions, and other forms of strategic support throughout NSBW 2025.
Workshops will be held in Georgetown and Berbice.
In Georgetown, sessions will run from August 6 to 8 and will include topics such as quality management, financial management and record keeping, and marketing fundamentals.
This year’s NSBW is sponsored by Brava Business Solutions, Century Tamara Logistic Services Inc., Assuria Inc., and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), among others.
Speaking at a press briefing to announce the support, GCCI President Kathy Smith emphasised that the event is intended to support the growth and sustainability of small businesses across the country.
“This year we have decided on the theme: ‘Building a Sustainable Future for MSMEs.’ And it was quite easy for us to come up with that theme, because we have observed over the years that the advocacy work of the Chamber has really landed on the ears of people who want to support small businesses. So we have seen different programmes that are coming out to support small businesses, to make business easier for
them. And hence, what we want to do, as they’re accessing all those opportunities, is show them a way to sustain their businesses.”
She pointed out that through this programme, specific areas such as cybercrime, among others, are being targeted for training and education.
“So some of the topics that will be discussed are cybersecurity, smart financing, growing your business, and building sustainable businesses. And at that seminar, we have quite a few individuals who have been supporting the work of small businesses for over 30 years – some for 20 or 25 years. And we’re happy that they would take the time out to be there to support us.”
For GCCI members, they will benefit from a preferential workshop fee of $15,000, while non-members will pay $35,000. However, if persons decide to join the GCCI during National Small Business Week, they can enjoy a discounted rate of $25,000 for participation.
Smith emphasised that the financial investment involved reflects a collec-
She noted that while many entrepreneurs have strong ideas and solid business initiatives, what they often lack is proper guidance. She explained that the initiative is meant to provide that support – helping small business owners refine their strategies and build more sustainable operations. Meanwhile, IDB Consultant Jared Kissoon said small business owners should view the payment fee as an investment, noting that it will open doors to properly capitalise on available opportunities.
He added that the basis of the consultations will not be structured around simply supplying services but rather on providing the guidance that businesses need in order to excel.
“And again, we’re targeting businesses that are not operating in the oil and gas sector. But again, it’s about expanding the private sector at the MSME level, because at the end of it, all of us benefit, right? If we’ve got better businesses to work with and people are more equipped to run better businesses, everybody at the end of the day benefits.”
GCCI President Kathy Smith
Emancipation Day a powerful reminder of the triumph of the human spirit
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends Emancipation Day greetings to all Guyanese, in particular to our AfroGuyanese brothers and sisters, as our nation marks the 187th Anniversary of the abolition of slavery.
Emancipation Day stands as a powerful reminder of the triumph of the human spirit over the darkest chapters of our shared history. The inhumanity of slavery – the exploitation, the brutality, the systematic stripping away of dignity – was met with unbreakable courage and unwavering resistance.
The sacrifices of our AfroGuyanese fore parents, who
were forcibly brought to these shores and made to labour under the harshest conditions, remain etched in our collective memory.
We pay tribute to the countless heroes of that era, including Cuffy – our National Hero – whose leadership in the Berbice Slave Rebellion remains a defining moment in our struggle for freedom. The resilience and determination of the emancipated African community laid the foundation for a legacy of ownership, independence, and excellence.
Their establishment of village economies and advancement in education, culture, and public life continue to
shape the fabric of our nation today.
As we celebrate this important day, let us honour their legacy by fostering inclusion, defending democracy, and working together to secure a future where every Guyanese, regardless of race or background, has the opportunity to thrive.
The PPP remains committed to policies that empower all people, uplift communities, and deepen our national unity. We are proud to walk forward on this path, inspired by the strength and achievements of those who came before us.
Happy Emancipation Day to all!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
Emancipation Day a call to reflect on sacrifices, strength, resilience of African ancestors
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) joins with all Guyanese in commemorating the 187th anniversary of the Emancipation of Africans from slavery, a solemn yet empowering moment in our nation’s history.
This day, August 1st, is not only a celebration of freedom but also a call to reflect on the sacrifices, strength, and resilience of our African ancestors.
The full abolition of slavery in 1838 marked the end of a harrowing chapter of human suffering, injustice, and oppression. It also
marked the beginning of a powerful journey, one of perseverance, self-determination, and nation-building.
The ERC celebrates the immense contributions of Guyanese of African descent whose cultural, economic, and social legacies continue to shape our national identity. The courage and endurance of our emancipated brothers and sisters continue to inspire generations of Guyanese.
As the ERC continues its mandate to promote harmony and good relations among all ethnic groups residing in Guyana, it rec-
ognises Emancipation Day as critically important to fostering national remembrance, education, and unity. This observance reinforces our shared responsibility to continue nation-building and promulgating respect for our cultural diversity. All citizens are encouraged to take part in Emancipation activities across the country to honour the legacy of our ancestors, celebrate our achievements, and renew our commitment to unity, understanding, and mutual respect.
GAWU pays homage to spirit of African ancestors
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) extends warm Emancipation Day greetings to all Guyanese, particularly to the descendants of enslaved Africans, whose indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and dignity continue to inspire our nation.
As we mark 187 years since the abolition of slav-
ery in the British colonies, we pause to reflect solemnly on the harshness and cruelty of slavery. This system dehumanised generations of African people and subjected them to inhumane treatment, forced labour, and deep social and psychological trauma.
We pay homage to the fighting spirit of the enslaved Africans, who, despite unimaginable hardship and oppression, resisted
Emancipation Day also marks beginning of journey toward dignity, justice
Today, the Alliance For Change (AFC) joins all Guyanese in honouring the strength and legacy of our African ancestors.
Emancipation Day marks not only the end of slavery in 1838 but also the beginning of an unrelenting journey toward dignity, justice, and equality.
Our ancestors endured centuries of brutality, and even after “freedom” came, the slave owners – not the
enslaved – were compensated.
Yet, from those bitter roots, Afro-Guyanese communities rose with resilience, building villages, leading in public life, and shaping the very character of our nation.
Let Emancipation Day be more than a memory. Let it be a movement toward true freedom and national unity.
Happy Emancipation Day.
their bondage through rebellion, resistance, and survival. Their courage laid the foundation for the eventual dismantling of the system of slavery and the onwards march towards freedom and self-determination.
Today, we also acknowledge the outstanding contribution of their descendants, who have helped shape Guyana’s cultural, political, and economic landscape and continue to play leading
roles in all sectors of national life.
As a union representing sugar workers, we cannot overlook the central role of the sugar industry in the pursuit and perpetuation of slavery. The sugar plantations of the colonial era were at the very heart of the transatlantic slave trade – economic exploitation designed to enrich colonial powers at the cost of African lives and dignity.
At this time, GAWU joins the growing chorus calling for reparative justice, recognising that true emancipation must go beyond symbolic celebration and move towards tangible actions that address historical injustices and uplift affected communities.
On this important day, GAWU salutes the strength, resilience, and cultural richness of the African-Guyanese commu-
nity. Their journey from chains to freedom and from oppression to empowerment is a powerful reminder of the enduring human quest for justice.
Let us all use this occasion to deepen our commitment to unity, equality, and national development and ensure that the dignity of all people will never again be denied or diminished.
Happy Emancipation Day 2025 to all Guyanese!
Freedom demands vigilance, as rights must never be taken for granted
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) extends Emancipation Greetings to all Guyanese as we commemorate the 187th anniversary of the end of chattel slavery. This moment is not merely a date in history – it is a call to remembrance, a reminder of struggle, and a demand for vigilance.
Our ancestors fought, bled, and endured unimaginable horrors to break the physical chains of slavery. But true freedom is not only measured by the absence of
shackles – it is measured by the presence of justice, dignity, and the ability to determine one’s own future. Today, we honour that legacy by guarding what they fought for.
The fight did not end in 1838. In 1926, the trade union movement launched the struggle for One Man, One Vote – daring to challenge a colonial system that denied the majority of Guyanese the basic right to choose their leaders. That movement paved the road to universal suffrage and the
constitutional right we now have to cast our vote freely and fairly.
We must also reflect on the wider struggle. As former United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon once said, the transatlantic slave trade was an unparalleled global tragedy. It robbed millions of life and liberty and left behind a legacy of suffering and inequality that continues to echo in the present.
On this Emancipation Day, GTUC reminds the people of Guyana that the price of freedom is eternal vigi-
lance. We cannot afford to take our rights for granted. We cannot allow division, fear, or foreign manipulation to undo the progress we have made. The right to vote, to speak, to live with dignity – these must be defended with the same passion that once tore down the plantation walls. Let us move forward together, with courage and clarity, to build a Guyana where no one is left behind. Aluta Continua. The struggle continues. Victory is still ahead.
Regional
“Shoot first, kill first” – T&T Defence Minister advises gun owners deal harshly with intruders
Trinidad & Tobago
Defence Minister Wayne Sturge is advising constituents and citizens that during a home invasion, they can shoot first and “explain yourself after.”
He says that provision, among others, will be available under the proposed stand-your-ground legislation the United National Congress Government is seeking to enact.
He says another measure would allow a victim to defend themselves against an intruder before they are even physically attacked.
Sturge made the stunning comments during a stand-your-ground consultation at the Sangre Grande Civic Centre on Tuesday.
“You don’t have to wait to see what the attacker is going to do. You don’t have to wait to see if he pulls a gun or a cutlass or anything like this. You can, once you honestly believe that you are under attack, or that an attack
is about to take place – or is imminent, as they say here – once you believe an attack is imminent, you can strike first. You can strike first and kill first,” Sturge said.
Sturge, who was a criminal defence attorney before his successful run in the April 28 General Election, said the proposed legislation differs vastly from existing self-defence laws.
The Government has already said the stand-yourground laws will follow the Florida model. Florida enacted its stand-your-ground laws in 2005.
Sturge said the proposed law gives a homeowner or victim leeway to defend themselves before the attacker even gets to strike the first blow.
Sturge added that the intruder could also be shot in the back under particular circumstances.
He also said the use of illegal weapons can be allowed to defend someone’s
home and valuables.
However, while you may not be charged with murder should the intruder die, Sturge warned that a citizen could still be charged with possession of the illegal weapon.
Minister Sturge’s comments have already caused alarm.
Former police commissioner Gary Griffith said yesterday that the intent of the law is not to “gun down children stealing fruits and running away,” but said in a gunfight, the attackers may not always be facing the homeowner.
He stressed that training gun owners should be a priority.
Former national security Minister Marvin Gonzales said the bill “exposed the belly of the beast” and called on citizens to ask themselves whether this is what they want for the country.
(Excerpt from Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)
Police Chief questions arrest of Jamaican officer by ICE
The police Chief in a resort town in Maine has requested an investigation into the arrest by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement of one of its officers. The Chief stated that the officer was federally approved to work in the country in May.
ICE arrested Old Orchard Beach Police Department reserve officer Jon Luke Evans, of Jamaica, on July 25. The agency said Evans was illegally present in the US and unlawfully attempted to purchase a firearm.
ICE said in a Monday statement that Evans had legally entered the US in September 2023 and violated the terms of his admission by overstaying his visa.
But Old Orchard Beach Police Chief Elise Chard said in her own Monday statement that the US Department of Homeland Security had verified that Evans was authorised to work in the US in May of this year.
The Old Orchard Beach Police Department and ICE officials did not respond to requests for a status update about Evans’ case. It was unclear on Tuesday if he had access to an attorney.
ICE and Chard presented different accounts of Evans’ employment by the town. Chard said the department was notified by federal officials that Evans was legally permitted to work in the country and his authorisation document would not expire until 2030.
She said the department is “distressed and deeply concerned about this [apparent] error on the part of the feder-
al Government” and will investigate to determine what steps it can take to ensure the town’s compliance in the future. She said the department would also conduct an internal review of the circumstances of the case.
“The Old Orchard Beach Police Department was never officially informed about Evans’ detention, and the department officially learnt the details of the matter in a news release issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” Chard said.
ICE said in a statement that Evans admitted to its officers that he attempted to purchase a firearm for his employment as a police officer with the town. That triggered an alert to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which coordinated with ICE to make the arrest, the agency said in a statement.
Evans was scheduled to depart the US in October 2023 but never boarded his
departing flight, the statement says.
“We have a police department that was knowingly breaking the very law they are charged with enforcing in order to employ an illegal alien,” Patricia H. Hyde, the acting field office director of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston, said in a statement.
Maine is one of about a dozen states that allow non-citizen residents to work in law enforcement, Chard said. They are part-time, seasonal employees who are assigned a variety of tasks, including community policing and beach patrol by foot and bicycle, she said.
Evans passed physical and medical checks and a background check, Chard said. He also underwent the standard course of training before being deployed on duty, she said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Star)
Haiti to probe US deportees over gang, financial crime ties – CPT President
In an interview with a pool of reporters from international media outlets, including The Haitian Times, Fritz Alphonse Jean, president of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), announced Monday new efforts to investigate Haitian nationals deported from the US for alleged financial crimes or suspected gang affiliations.
Jean said the CPT, in coordination with Haiti’s justice sector, has adopted a new protocol to evaluate deportees before release, amid rising violence that continues to claim the lives of both civilians and law enforcement personnel.
“We cannot receive Haitian citizens who have been singled out, especially by the US, and do nothing,” Jean said.
“When they return, we cannot simply act as if nothing happened.”
The announcement follows US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) statement on the imminent deportation of oligarch businessman-turned-politician Pierre Réginald Boulos.
ICE said Boulos concealed political affiliations and alleged ties to violence on his residency application and would be met by Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit upon arrival.
Jean emphasised that Haiti is not facing isolated criminal groups but a broader web of transnational crime that includes arms trafficking, money laundering, and highly organised operations.
The CPT president, whose five-month term ends next month –when another councillor, Laurent Saint-Cyr, will take over – confirmed, for the second time, the existence of a contract between the Haitian Government and a foreign private security firm assisting the national police on the ground. He declined to reveal further details, citing the strategic nature of the agreement and the need for confidentiality.
He explained that such partnerships are necessary because of the limited size
of Haiti’s security forces –about 10,000 police officers and only 1300 military personnel, as the military is still going through restructuring.
Additionally, the current CPT president highlighted a major election challenge: enabling displaced persons from gang-controlled areas to vote. No official date has been set yet for either the constitutional referendum or general elections, although a power transfer is expected by February 7, 2026. (Source: The Haitian Times)
Dominica PM wants hundreds of Palestinian refugees to resettle in Dominica
Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has proposed the possible resettlement of several hundred Palestinian refugees in the country, contingent on support from international partners.
Speaking in Parliament this week, Skerrit revealed that the Government intends to engage the Governments of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as the United States (US), to explore the feasibility of the initiative.
“We’ll be working to engage the Government of
Qatar and the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the UAE with a view to quite possibly allowing the resettlement of a couple hundred Palestinians into Dominica,” he said.
Skerrit said the initiative would depend on financial backing from these countries, particularly for infrastructure support. Discussions with the US are also expected to form part of the effort.
Highlighting the potential benefits of the move, the Prime Minister noted that Palestinian professionals could help address skills shortages in Dominica.
“You have very talented people in this country –top-class doctors, top-class engineers – who we believe can assist us in our efforts towards growing the economy and filling the gaps where we have some skills deficiencies,” he said. No timeline was provided for when discussions would begin or how many refugees could ultimately be resettled.
The proposal comes amid growing international concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza and ongoing efforts by several nations to provide support to displaced Palestinians.
(Antigua News Room)
Fritz Alphone Jean, new president of Haiti’s transitional Presidential Council (CPT), during his swearing-in ceremony at Villa d’Accueil, Port-au-Prince, on March 7, 2025
Image provided by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement showing Jon Luke Evans (US ICE)
OOIL NEWS
Oil prices fall as market weighs US-Mexico trade deal extension
il prices declined on Thursday as investors considered the extension of an existing trade deal between the US and Mexico, while a surprise build in US crude stocks on Wednesday also dragged down prices.
Brent crude futures for September, set to expire on Thursday, declined by 74 cents, or 1.01 per cent, to US$72.50 a barrel by 1:31 p.m. EDT (1731 GMT). US West Texas Intermediate crude for September fell 90 cents, or 1.29 per cent, to US$69.10.
Both benchmarks had recorded 1 per cent gains on Wednesday.
US crude futures fell by more than US$1 a barrel earlier in the session.
News of the extension weighed on crude futures, said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital in New York.
“Overall the tariffs are negative for oil demand going forward, and this situation with Mexico kicks the can down the road,” Kilduff said.
Meanwhile, US crude oil production rose to a record 13.49 million barrels per day (bpd) in May, data from the US Energy Information Administration showed.
US crude output was up 24,000 bpd in May from the prior record in April, the EIA data showed.
US crude oil inventories rose by 7.7 million barrels to 426.7 million barrels in the week ending July 25, driven by lower exports, the EIA said on Wednesday. Analysts had expected a draw of 1.3 million barrels.
Gasoline stocks fell by 2.7 million barrels to 228.4 million barrels, far exceeding forecasts for a draw of 600,000 barrels.
“US inventory data showed a surprise build in crude stocks, but a bigger-than-expected gasoline draw supported the view of strong driving season demand, resulting in a neutral impact on the oil market,” said Fujitomi Securities analyst Toshitaka Tazawa.
The threat of US sanctions on Russia has helped support oil prices this week.
On Monday, Trump said he would start imposing measures on Russia, including 100 per cent secondary tariffs on its trading partners, if it did not make progress on ending the war in Ukraine within 10-12 days, moving up an earlier 50-day deadline. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Pakistan jails more than 100 members of ex-PM Imran Khan’s party for 2023 riots
APakistani anti-terrorism court on Thursday sentenced more than 100 members of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party to prison terms on charges related to riots that targeted military sites in 2023, a court order said.
Fifty-eight of the defendants, who included parliamentarians and senior officials, were sentenced to 10 years in prison, and the rest were given sentences ranging from one to three years, the
Kyiv
toll
court said.
The accused include Omar Ayub Khan and Shibli Faraz, the leaders of Khan’s opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) in the lower and upper houses of parliament, respectively, the court order seen by Reuters read.
Khan, who has been in prison since 2023 facing charges of corruption, land fraud, and disclosure of official secrets, is being tried separately on similar charges related to the riot.
rises
The Government accuses him and other leaders of inciting the May 9, 2023, protests, during which demonstrators attacked military and Government buildings, including the army headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Thursday’s ruling does not directly affect the incitement case against him, in which prosecution is still presenting witnesses.
The PTI party said it will challenge the verdict.
The ruling is the third
such mass conviction this month; Khan’s party says they have included at least 14 of its parliamentarians. They will lose their seats in parliament under Pakistani laws, which will shred Khan’s opposition party’s strength. Another 77 were acquitted for lack of evidence in the latest verdict, which is linked to an attack on the office of an intelligence agency in the eastern city of Faisalabad, the court said. (Excerpt from Reuters)
to 15 as wave of Russian strikes defies Trump ceasefire demand
Fifteen people have been killed and 145 others have been wounded in a barrage of Russian drones and missiles that struck several districts of Kyiv and brought down an apartment block overnight, officials have said.
Ukraine’s interior Ministry said 14 children were among the wounded, and Kyiv’s Mayor said it was the biggest number hurt in one night since the full-scale war began. Russian attacks have continued despite US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow if Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire by 8 August.
Russia launched 309 drones and eight cruise missiles during the night, according to Ukraine’s air force. And although officials say air defences did manage to destroy many of them, there were numerous hits, including from cruise missiles.
These were the biggest airstrikes since Trump brought forward an earlier deadline to Putin. The threat of more US sanctions appears to have done little to persuade the Russian president to change course. (Excerpt from BBC News)
YouTube to be included in Australia’s social media ban for children under 16
Australia has picked a fight with the world’s largest video platform by backtrack-
US Senate rejects bids to block arms sales to Israel over Gaza
Two resolutions that would have blocked arms sales to Israel in response to civilian casualties in Gaza were blocked in the US Senate on Wednesday, although they garnered more support than similar measures earlier this year.
The two resolutions were introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent aligned with Democrats. They failed by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27 in the 100-member chamber in voting late on Wednesday night.
Similar measures, also introduced by Sanders, failed by 82-15 and 83-15 in April.
A decades-long tradition of strong bipartisan support for Israel in the US Congress means resolutions to stop weapons sales are unlikely to pass, but backers hope raising the issue will encourage Israel’s Government and the US Administration to
do more to protect civilians.
All of the votes for the resolutions came from Democrats, with all of President Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans opposed. Sanders said in a statement he was pleased that a majority of the Democratic caucus had backed the effort.
“The tide is turning. The American people do not want to spend billions to starve children in Gaza,” Sanders said. “The Democrats are moving forward on this issue, and I look forward to Republican support in the near future.”
The resolutions would have blocked the sale of $675 million in bombs and shipments of 20,000 assault rifles.
Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a speech opposing the reso -
lutions that the militant group Hamas was to blame for the situation in Gaza.
“It is in the interest of America and the world to see this terrorist group destroyed,” he said.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was one of the Democrats who opposed the Sanders-backed resolutions in April but voted for them this time.
Shaheen said in a statement that Israel has a right to defend its citizens but added, “It is clear that the Government of Israel has not conducted its military operations in Gaza with the necessary care required by international humanitarian law. It is also clear that the Government of Israel has failed to allow adequate humanitarian assistance into Gaza, resulting in unbelievable suffering.” (Excerpt from Reuters)
ing on an earlier promise to exclude YouTube in its social media ban for children under 16.
The Labour Government said Wednesday the site, which is owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, will be subject to the same rules as other leading platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X – under legislation due to come into effect in December.
The ban puts the onus on social media platforms to prevent children under 16 from having an account on their sites or risk fines of nearly 50 million
Australian dollars ($32 million).
A YouTube spokesperson said the decision to include it in the ban “reverses a clear, public commitment” from the Government to treat the site as an educational tool.
Speaking Wednesday, Communications Minister Anika Wells likened the ban to teaching children to swim – a basic life skill in Australia, where many suburban homes come with a swimming pool.
“It is like trying to teach your kids to swim in the open ocean, with the (rip currents) and the sharks,
compared to at the local council pool,” she said.
“We can’t control the ocean, but we can police the sharks, and that’s why I will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the well-being of Australian kids.”
The Government said the decision to include YouTube was influenced by a survey released by Australia’s independent online regulator, the eSafety Commission, this month that found 37 per cent of children surveyed had reported seeing harmful content on the site.
Harmful content includes sexist, misogynistic, or hateful ideas; dangerous online challenges or fight videos; or content that encourages unhealthy eating or exercise habits.
“YouTube uses the same persuasive design features as other social media platforms, like infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic feed,” Wells told Parliament Wednesday.
“Our kids don’t stand a chance, and that is why I accepted the eSafety (Commission) recommendation that YouTube should not be treated differently from other social media platforms.” (Excerpt from CNN)
Communications Minister Anika Wells
Three persons were killed when an apartment block was brought down
SUDOKU
Reach out to people you know who can contribute to your success and help you move forward. Mix business with pleasure; brainstorm with those who share your ideas and yearn for a similar outcome.
Refuse to let your emotions get you in trouble. Hold on to your thoughts until you are sure that what you have to say is accurate. Rethink your strategy and the outcome you desire, and proceed with confidence.
Learn a new skill or update your profile to stay current with the latest trends in the job market. Embrace home improvements that promote more convenience and comfort.
Refresh your memory and rethink your spending habits. Address debt, and it will ease stress. Be open with loved ones, and you will gain valuable insight into how to turn a negative into a positive.
Pay attention to detail and avoid criticism. Make simple changes if they will improve your position or help you gain interest in what you have to offer. An energetic, unemotional approach is best.
Be cautious when dealing with institutions, government agencies and those in positions of power. Listen attentively and align yourself with those who share common concerns and interests.
Set aside your emotions and let hard work and discipline guide your actions. Home improvements will lift your spirits and encourage you to focus more on what makes you feel complete.
Relax; don’t let what others do annoy you. Impulsive spending is apparent. Don’t spend trying to impress someone or win favors. If you must buy someone’s love, you are with the wrong partner.
Consider upgrading your skills to ensure you continue to meet demands. Focus your energy on networking, negotiations and making home improvements that lower your overhead.
Direct your energy into something enjoyable and healthy. Trust yourself and leave nothing to chance. Nurture partnerships, and something good will unfold.
A change of location, surroundings or who you hang out with will be uplifting and make you aware of what’s important to you. Discourage jealousy and possessiveness in yourself and others.
Pay attention to where each dollar goes. Don’t leave possessions out in the open. Someone will try to take advantage of you if given the chance. Take care of responsibilities before moving on to more enjoyable pastimes.
ARCHIE
After four tests on flat pitches that took bowlers from both teams to the brink and counted among its casualties Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and Jasprit Bumrah, the Oval, which has been profoundly seam-friendly in recent times, provided a margin of error. England played like they needed it; there were 30 extras but also six wickets and just 204 runs.
India came to the ground facing humongous odds, but they beat them. The probability of losing a 15th toss in a row was 32728 to 1. There’s a chance unicorns are easier to find than a coin that will fall the way Shubman Gill wants it to.
England got first use of a pitch with 8mm of grass on it, and their fast bowlers benefited from the weather in more than one way. Rain through most of the afternoon helped keep their legs fresh, and the threat of it, hanging over the entire day, created overhead conditions that were perfect for swing and seam. Only 64 overs were possible, but there was enough help to bowl a team out. England’s lack of discipline is the reason why India is still standing. That and Karun Nair scoring a Test fifty after 3149 days of dreaming of it. His hopes of becoming a permanent fixture in this batting line-up are still alive, with his opponents lending him a helping hand.
Josh Tongue could only create 13 false shots in 13 overs. Watching him bowl raised the suspicion that the stumps aren’t inanimate; that they can get up and move wherever they please. Otherwise, why would a
Test match bowler stray so far and so often? His first overproduced 11 runs in wides. And yet this was the same man who eventually made England feel comfortable about their decision to bowl first when he found his radar – briefly –to dismiss B Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja in the space of four overs. India went from a respectable 101 for 3 to 123 for 5, and it was because Tongue wasn’t bowling line and length; he was bowling filth and jaffas. Gill takes a portion of the blame as well. He was looking good in testing conditions, rendering England’s most experienced bowler – Chris Woakes – toothless by batting a foot and a half in front of his crease and exploiting the mistakes from the rest of the attackers – who have 18 caps between them – by cutting and pulling handsomely. In doing so, he went past Sunil Gavaskar’s tally of 732 against the West
Indies in 1978-79 to become the Indian captain with the most runs in a Test series.
No batter who reaps such a big bounty does so without something special about him. In Gill’s case, it is the sound of a bat hitting a ball. Oftentimes it is deafening, a sign of shots well-chosen and perfectly executed. Ironically though, his dismissal here was the result of a ball he middled. He thought he could get a run off a front-foot block, but he hadn’t placed it wide enough of the bowler. Gus Atkinson had a head start thanks to his follow-through; he picked it up comfortably, took aim at the keeper’s end, and broke the stumps. Gill wasn’t even in the frame. Ten balls later, rain swept the players off the field. It was as untimely as a wicket could be.
Sai Sudharsan enhanced his reputation while they were out there on the ground he calls home in county cricket. He didn’t
throughout. But the rest of the attack only got their act together in the final session.
look quite so susceptible to being caught down the leg side, even though England kept targeting him there. There was a moment where a pigeon flew right across the pitch just as Atkinson let go of the ball. It was an inswinger. Nicely pitched up. Searching for lbw and bowled. But Sai Sudharsan, on instinct, prevented his front leg from going too far across and was able to bring down a lovely straight bat. That was the kind of delivery that was taking him out early on in the series. It raised the question that maybe this is the real him and that in Leeds and Manchester, he was just a mess of nerves because he was playing his first few Tests. It took an unplayable delivery from an unlikely source – Tongue – to dislodge him for 38 off 108.
Nair took over from there, playing some gorgeous drives, particularly through cover. He still appears vulnerable to the ball in the channel because his bat comes down at an angle and his front foot doesn’t move too far, but England didn’t test him there enough. Atkinson was their most reliable bowler. He only had a second XIs game to prove his readiness for Test cricket again after a hamstring injury, and apparently that’s enough of a testing ground. His first spell was pristine, 6-1-7-1, where he took down Yashasvi Jaiswal early and caused problems
Tongue and Jamie Overton did point to some extenuating circumstances for their rhythm being awry. They kept slipping as they powered their weight through their bowling action because the landing spot for their front foot kept giving way. Sawdust came to the rescue, but it still wasn’t ideal. When you’re running and worried you could twist your leg, you run less hard.
Karun and Washington Sundar saw India through to the close of a strange day’s play. Neither team will be disappointed with their efforts, though England will be mulling the injury that Woakes sustained. His efforts to stop a boundary late in the day might have led to a dislocated left shoulder (ESPNcricinfo)
Gem of a delivery from Tongue gets the in-form Jadeja
Shubman Gill being run out
Patient work from Karun Nair to bring up his first fifty since his Test comeback, off 89 balls
Regal Stationery and Computer Centre has significantly enhanced its support for the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, delivering a range of prizes for both top individual performers and lucky fans ahead of the tournament’s grand finale this Sunday, August 3, at the National Stadium, Providence.
John Ramsingh, speaking on behalf of the organisers, FL Sport, expressed immense delight at Regal’s continued commitment to the tournament, highlighting their crucial role in elevating the event’s prestige.
Among the impressive
incentives, one fortunate fan attending the final will ride away with a brandnew motorbike, while the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) will receive a substantial GY$150,000 cash prize. Players achieving the most runs and most wickets will each be awarded GY$100,000.
All these prizes, including additional televisions, are courtesy of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre.
Further bolstering the prize pool, businessman and avid cricketer Mario Moonsammy has sponsored the Man-of-theFinal award, which includes GY$75,000 and a trophy, with Regal also contributing a trophy for this accolade.
Azad Ibrahim has sponsored the prize for the tournament’s
GOA champions Paralympic capacity development through GAPS programme
he Executive Committee
Tof the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has taken a bold step toward strengthening Paralympic sport in Guyana by partnering with Commonwealth Sport through its GAPS (Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain) training programme.
As part of this initiative, Mr Alque Stanley (Cyril Potter College of Education Lecturer) and Mrs Anjalena Veerasammy Beshpatty, advocate and founder of an education centre that focuses on needs of children with Autism, “Sameir Uniquely Me”, were selected to attend and participate in the 2025 Commonwealth Sports GAPS Americas & Caribbean Jamaica Paralympic training Camp for para-athletics development which was held from July 21–26, 2025 in Jamaica. Their participation marks a paradigm and strategic shift in the GOA’s approach to Paralympic development, focused on empowering and developing a cadre of trained personnel from within the differently-abled community, equipped to lead, coordinate and support inclusive and sustainable sporting initiatives for differently-abled persons across Guyana.
This strategy over time envisions the formation of a nucleus of key individuals, leaders, coordinators, and advocates from within the Paralympic community, who will form the backbone of Guyana’s Paralympic development efforts. By participating in the GAPS Programme, they gained the training, mentorship, and
resources necessary to develop inclusive sport programs in schools, institutions, and communities, support national federations with trained resource personnel, drive participation and performance at local, regional, and international levels and coordinate efforts with Government agencies and civil society for greater reach and impact.
As part of this new direction, the Executive Committee of the Guyana Olympic Association has actively commenced engaging with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Needs Department, the Ministry of Health, the National Commission on Disability, and the Cyril Potter College of Education and other key stakeholders to foster collaborative input and secure support for a more inclusive development framework.
This effort aligns with the Executive Committee of the GOA’s commitment to fulfilling key mandates within the Olympic Charter, promotes inclusion, and supports the achievement of the Millennium Sustainable Development Goals (MSDGs). It also signals a move away from past reliance on ablebodied coaches, toward building a sustainable, communitydriven ecosystem led by those with lived experience.
“The GAPS Programme offers us a rare and transformative opportunity to reset our national approach to Paralympic sport development, developing leaders who understand the challenges and can drive meaningful change by empowering voices and leaders
from within the differently-abled community from which national sporting bodies can support and align with, we are promoting not just inclusivity, but authenticity and sustainability.
The GOA envisions this initiative as a cornerstone in a broader national movement where parasport becomes an integral part of Guyana’s sporting identity, offering hope, opportunity, and empowerment to all,” GOA President, Godfrey Munroe said.
The GAPS Programme, a flagship initiative of Commonwealth Sport is conducted yearly. It provides an integrated training platform to develop para-athletes, coaches, and sport administrators. The programme offers tailored resources, education, and mentorship that enhance the capabilities of participants to foster inclusion, excellence, and long-term development in their respective countries.
Most Economical Bowler (GY$35,000), while BM Soat has backed the award for the batsman with the Highest Strike Rate (GY$35,000), alongside other record-breaking performance incentives.
Sunday, August 3, promises a blockbuster day of tapeball action as the four zone champions battle for the national title at the National Stadium, Providence.
The first semi-final will kick off at 15:30h, pitting defending champions Titans All-Stars against Mahdia (Movements Family). This will be followed at 17:00h by Montra Jaguars taking on Eccles All-Stars.
The day’s festivities include a female exhibition match at 13:30h and a special exhibition match at 18:30h featuring Government, private sector, and youth cricketers, leading to the highly anticipated grand finale at 19:30h.
The championship title is up for grabs, with all four teams boasting immense firepower.
The stakes are considerably higher in the national final, with teams vying for a massive GY$1.7 million grand prize, in addition to the GY$300,000 zone prize they’ve already secured.
The national runner-up will receive GY$700,000, a trophy, and medals, while even the
losing semi-finalists will be rewarded GY$300,000 each.
Admission to the event is free, inviting all cricket enthusiasts to witness the thrilling conclusion.
Organisers have advised patrons that coolers, firearms, and glass bottles are prohibited inside the stands.
The main seating area will be the Green Stand, with overflow into the Red Stand. Free parking will be available, and patrons are asked to access Gate Two for parking.
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has garnered support from Kares Engineering Inc., the Office of the President, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, ENet, Guyana Lottery Company, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Impressions, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal, Shawn’s Mini Mart, Giftland Group of Companies, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant & Lounge, Windsor Estates, The New Doctor’s Clinic, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet Guyana, Digital Technology, Camille’s Academy, Navin and Sons Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Continental Transportation, and Environmental & Technical Solutions.
East Coast FA benefits from additional financial support under MFAP banner
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Saturday last reaffirmed its continued support for its members’ associations and football development with a $1.5 million contribution to the East Coast Demerara Football Association (ECDFA) for the successful hosting of its 2025 Senior Men’s League.
The contribution, which GFF Third Vice President Dion Innis officially handed over during the league’s opening ceremony at the upgraded Plaisance Sports Club Ground, was allocated as part of the Federation’s ongoing Member Financial Assistance Programme (MFAP).
Since the league’s launch in 2021, the Federation has contributed significantly through finance, materials, and technical support.
The MFAP is a core component of the GFF’s strategic development plan and was designed to give member associations the financial resources and autonomy to deliver tailored football programs or initiatives. GFF President Wayne Forde describes it as an “essential operations toolkit” and has always been enthusiastic about empowering the Federation’s member associations to capitalise on the program to fulfil their constitutional obligations.
Speaking during the ceremonial launch, Mr Innis emphasised the historical significance of East Coast football and its consistent production of national talent.
“This league is more than a sporting event – it’s
a continuation of a proud tradition. From this coast we’ve had outstanding players like Ramroop, Carl Cole, Dwain Jacobs, and Ousman Juene – players who rose from humble community grounds to national and international stages,” Innis said.
He encouraged the young footballers to use the platform as a springboard for personal and professional development, adding, “This is your stage. Represent your communities with pride and integrity. Your journey could be the next East Coast success story.”
Mr Innis also noted that while the passion for football is alive and well across the East Coast, continued development requires strong partnerships and sustainable support. “Football development needs more than passion –it needs partners. The GFF is committed to working hand in hand with its members
to ensure that our primary mandate of developing the game in all its forms is carried out throughout Guyana,” he stated.
He further called on the business community to play a greater role in supporting local clubs and facilities. “Now is the time to get involved – support a team, assist in upgrading a ground, donate some gear. Your support can help change lives.”
After the league, the top team will qualify for the 2026 GFF Elite League playoffs, providing the winning team with an opportunity to play the highest level of football in Guyana.
The opening ceremony was attended by several key stakeholders, including the Honourable Charles Ramson, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, as well as football executives and community representatives. Over 11 clubs are expected to participate in
this year’s league, with the newly rehabilitated Plaisance Sports Club Ground serving as a central venue.
In his closing remarks, Innis issued a rallying call to all involved: “Let’s make this a season of pride, unity, and excellence. When football is strong on the East Coast, football at the national level is made even stronger.”
The GFF noted that they remain committed to the long-term growth and professionalisation of football in Guyana through strategic investment, collaboration, and development initiatives.
A look at the GFF’s presentation to the East Coast Demerara Football Association
Mr Alque Stanley
From left: Regal’s Telisha Ousman-Yamin, Mahendra “Anil” Hardyal, and John Ramsingh of FL Sport
Kyle Couchman once again proves himself a force to be reckoned with as he triumphantly wins the Rouge Salon and Spa-sponsored National Junior Chess Championship Qualifiers last Tuesday, July 29th, 2025, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Couchman played unbeaten with seven points, marking his expected victory after he defeated Candidate Master Sachin Pitamber in Round 5 in an intense battle that ended in a loss for Pitamber.
The fifteen-year-old, having won the National Junior Chess Qualifiers last year and again this year, is setting his sights on the National Junior Chess Championship title.
The seven-round classic-style tournament, host-
Former
ed by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), lasted four days, following a gruelling and stiff competition among the 59 participants. With a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move, players had ample opportunity to strategise and meticulously plan their moves for optimal results.
Fifteen-year-old Pitamber came in a close second with 6 points after his loss to Couchman. As Guyana’s youngest Candidate Master, Pitamber, who holds the National U16 title, is also eyeing the National Junior Chess Championship title.
Nicholas Zhang, no stranger to the chessboard, placed third with 5.5 points. The thirteen-year-old convincingly defeated his opponents, showcasing strategic talent he
honed over the years.
Finishing fourth was Micaiah Enoe with 5 points, only losing to Couchman and Pitamber. The talent-
Guyana and Pele FC player contributing to healthcare advancement in Guyana
Former Guyana international standout Patrick
“Labba” Barton (1973–1978) has continued to shine and touch the lives of many even beyond the field of play.
Familiarly referred to as “Labba”, Patrick was also one of many Pele players back in the 1970s who migrated to the USA and attended college and worked his way to the top by being committed, disciplined, and focused.
Now, way past his playing days, Patrick has taken on a new role in the health industry in his adopted homeland of the USA and has been scoring many goals as he continues to give back to the land of his birth in the health industry whilst also remaining grounded in football.
He holds the distinguished position of Executive Director at Cedars-Sinai Health System, and this career manifests his dedication as a leader whilst underlining his steadfast commitment to improving global healthcare.
Among his most notable achievements in recent years is his philanthropic contribution to the healthcare system in his beloved Guyana –a country with ongoing needs for modern medical infrastructure.
In collaboration with Guyana Medical Relief and Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Mr Barton has spearheaded vital donations of advanced hospital equipment to improve patient care and operational capacity in the region.
According to Mr Barton, “Healthcare systems in developing nations like Guyana often face some limitations in medical infrastructure and patient care equipment. Recognising this gap, I decided to address some of these challenges, guided by a belief that access to quality healthcare should not be dictated by geography or economic status.”
Partnering with Guyana Medical Relief, a non-prof-
it organisation focused on improving healthcare delivery in Guyana, Barton mobilised support, leveraged relationships, and ensured that valuable, functional medical equipment reached hospitals in need.
In recent years, Mr Barton facilitated the donation of a range of essential hospital equipment, including crash carts, hospital beds, mattresses, medical monitors, and mobility aids. These contributions addressed urgent needs in emergency preparedness and general inpatient care.
One of Mr Barton’s most impactful initiatives came in 2025, when he arranged the donation of 50 modern hospital beds to Georgetown Public Hospital, Guyana’s largest tertiary care institution. These beds included advanced functionality such as patient-controlled elevation (head and leg); adjustable support for improved mobility; high-quality therapeutic mattresses to reduce bedsores and enhance comfort.
This donation significantly elevated the standard of inpatient care and directly benefited dozens of patients daily, enhancing recovery, safety, and dignity.
A key to the success of this initiative is the collaboration with Mr Robbie Rambarran, CEO of Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Working together, Barton and Rambarran ensured smooth coordination of logistics, customs clearance, and installation of the donated equip-
ment, maximising the speed and impact of deployment.
Patrick Barton’s efforts are more than a one-time gesture – they form part of a larger vision to build sustainable international partnerships in healthcare. His legacy lives on in the strengthened capacity of Guyanese hospitals, in healthier patients, and in the model he sets for future healthcare leaders.
His partnership with Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation has paved the way for continued collaboration between US institutions and Caribbean healthcare systems.
Patrick Barton’s professional journey culminates not just in a legacy of excellence at Cedars-Sinai, but in a deeply human story of global healthcare advocacy. His work in Guyana reflects the highest values of medical leadership: compassion, equity, and action.
The medical equipment donations, especially the 2025 hospital bed initiative, stand as tangible symbols of what can be accomplished when experienced leadership, non-profit coordination, and local engagement come together with a shared mission.
Gratitude is extended to Patrick Barton for his enduring service to global healthcare, the Guyana Medical Relief for logistical support and commitment, and Mr Robbie Rambarran and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for their continued partnership.
ed fifteen-year-old, who has been playing chess for several years, defeated Alexander Zhang in a four-hour-long battle in Round 2. Enoe scored a thrilling win in an endgame battle with Alexander Zhang. Both players were locked in an intense struggle that ended on move 66. Enoe began marching his two extra pawns to promotion, supported by his king and rook to trap Zhang’s king. Zhang gave up the fight as the pawns edged closer to promotion and a looming
checkmate of his monarch.
Rounding up the top nine finishers who will go on to challenge the current National Junior Champion, Ricardo Narine, are Jerod Roberts, WCM Aditi Joshi, Matthew Singh, and eleven-year-old Aquilani Swaminadha, all with 5 points.
Alexander Zhang placed ninth with 4.5 points. Joshi, the current Women’s Chess Champion, is the only female to make it to the championships this year.
The nine players were awarded medals for their outstanding performances.
Category winners Maya Khan secured the Best U8 prize, Vir Narine won the Best U10 prize, and Aquilani Swaminadha took home the Best U12 medal.
FIDE Arbiter John Lee officiated the FIDE-rated competition. The federation extends its heartfelt gratitude to Mr Lee for his tireless efforts in ensuring all games adhered to FIDE rules and fair play. He was assisted by National Chess Champion CM Taffin Khan.
The National Junior Chess Championships, also sponsored by Rouge Salon and Spa, will commence on Friday, August 01, 2025, at the School of the Nations.
The nine-round robin tournament will see all ten players playing against each other, vying for the 2025 title.
The GCF have expressed their sincere gratitude to Rouge Salon and Spa for their sponsorship of the tournaments. Thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport for providing the venue.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday announced that the West Indies Men’s squad will feature four changes heading into the threematch T20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan, to be played from July 31 to August 3 at the Broward County Stadium in Florida.
The changes come relative to the squad that faced Australia in the recent five-match T20I series in the Caribbean, with fast bowler Shamar Joseph, along with batters Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, and Johnson Charles, being drafted into the squad for Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Brandon King, and Shimron Hetmyer, respectively.
Alzarri Joseph has been granted rest for the T20 leg of the Pakistan home series to manage his workload ahead of a busy sched -
ule of cricket for the rest of the year, after full participation in the recent tour of the UK and the home series against Australia.
Lewis has been ruled out of the series with an injury and will return home for monitoring ahead of the 50-over leg of the series.
Shimron Hetmyer and Brandon King both sustained side strains in the fifth and final T20 international against Australia in St. Kitts, causing Hetmyer to be ruled out of the series, while King is still being assessed to determine his availability for the 50-over leg of the series, which bowls off on August 8 in Trinidad.
Andrew,
Athanaze,
Blades, Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, and Romario Shepherd. Team
West Indies Squad for T20I Series vs Pakistan: Captain Shai Hope, Jewel
Alick
Jediah
The West Indies are hoping to bounce back after suffering a whitewash against Australia
A look at some of the donated equipment
Winners with Rouge Salon and Spa’s Ms Pritima Balgobin
As the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League draws closer, the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) have made some key changes to their squad as the tournament is set to bowl off on August 14.
New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips has picked up an injury and has been replaced by Australian big-hitter Ben
McDermott. McDermott will have some familiarity with the Caribbean conditions, having just represented the Hobart Hurricanes in the recently concluded ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSLT20). In 99 innings in the Big Bash League, McDermott scored 2782 runs at a strike rate of 138.41 with a high score of 127.
Iftikhar Ahmed, a fellow Pakistani all-rounder who played for the Rangpur Riders in the GSL this season, will take Hassan Khan’s place. Hassan Khan, who will miss the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ opening three games, will be temporarily replaced by the big hitter. So far in his international career, the right-handed batter has an average strike rate of 130.
The eight teams for the Demerara Cricket Board Independence T10 Cup have finalised their squads for the mega fundraising event on Friday, August 1 – a national holiday – at LBI Ground.
Among the top players set to battle in the exciting short format are Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemol Savoury, Quentin Sampson, Clinton Pestano, Riyad Latif, Richie Looknauth, Akshaya Persaud, Rajendra Chandrika, Anthony Bramble, Assad Fudadin, Jonathan Van Lange, Shamar Apple, Emmanuel Lewis, Reyaz Latif, Chaitram Balgobin, Thaddeus Lovell, Ushardeva Balgobin, Sagar Hatiramanie, Andrew Lim, and Ershaad Ali.
The event will bowl off at 10:00h with Match One featuring an East Coast/ Georgetown clash between Better Hope and Transport Sports Club.
Match Two from 11:50h will bring together Lusignan and Helena One and Two, followed by Match Three from 13:40h between Enterprise and Meten-Meer-Zorg East. Match Four will
bring together LBI and Herstelling A from 15:30h.
The winners of Match One and Match Three will then clash in Semi-Final One from 17:20h, followed by the winners of Matches Two and Four facing off in Semi-Final Two from 19:10h.
The grand final will take place from 21:00h.
SQUADS
Better Hope: Azad Mohamed, Sachin Singh, Mulchand Singh, Randy Danraj, Navin Singh, Ravi Singh, Joshua Beharry, Chris Deonarine, Ryan Pramchand, Dinesh Mangal, Alex Persaud, Mohine Persaud, Roy Persaud, Brandon Jordan,
and Suresh Budhu
Transport: Jeremiah Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Riyad Latif, Myheim Khan, Alvin Mohabir, Emmanuel Lewis, Ryan Latif, Dave Mohabir, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Brandon Henry, Renaldo Grenville, Reyaz Latif, Akeem Redman, Jermaine Dewsbury, and Newrawl Nichols
Singh, Wazim Khan, and Neeran Bani. Helena One and Two: Yuedister Persaud, Randy Hemraj, Dhanesh Persaud, Carlos La Rose, Troy Gonsalves, Royden Phil, Anand Mohamed, Thaddeus Lovell, Ramnarine Chatura, Prakash Chowti, Rovaldo Pereira, Darshan Persaud, Trilok Nanan, Daniel Seegobin, and Nandram Baneswari.
Dindyal, Randy Rajaram, Anthony Ifill, Assad Fudadin, Chatterpaul Singh, and Zaheer Mohamed Meten-Meer-Zorg East: Ushardeva Balgobin, Sachin Balgobin, Richie Looknauth, Vishal Persaud, Navindra Bholaram, Christopher Harry, Vicky Lallbeharry, Arvin Suknandan, Sarwan Bisram, Aryan Persaud, Sheldon Alexander, Ricardo Poloram, Safeek Deonarine, Imtiaz Ghanie, and Jeffrey Blair
LBI: Nizam Khan, Imran Mohamed, Ariel Tilku, Richard Dowlatram, Akshaya Persaud, Munesh Outar, Aaron Beharry, Kyle Michael, Shawn Gaskin, Kemol Savoury, Safraz Ali, Clinton Pestano, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Nityanand Mathura, and Yogeshwar Bishun
Herstelling A: Anand Bharat, Mahendra Dhanpaul, Sagar Hatiramanie, Rickey Sargeant, Vivian Beckles, Andrew Lim, Quazim Yusuf, Safraz Esau, Reaz Esau, Jeavon Hector, Ershaad Ali, Marlon Boele, Malcolm Hubbard, Dwain Dick, and Jonathan Van Lange
On the individual side, the Man-of-the-Match in the semi-finals and final will receive a trophy.
Apart from the on-field entertainment, fans can get lucky with several gate prizes to be won. Admission is GY$1000. The tournament is sponsored by Survival Group Inc., Petama Enterprise, Premier Insurance, CIC Insurance Brokers (Guyana) Inc., President of the Guyana Cricket Board Bissoondyal Singh, Choke’s Gas Station, L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio, Office Express, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Anil Beharry Real Estate, Construction and General Business Services, Naven’s Construction, Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd, Ramchand Auto Spares, Mike’s Pharmacy, Steve’s Jewellery, 4R Bearings, Rid-O-Pes, Ariel Enterprise, Doctor’s Clinic, Fullworks Party Rental, Anil Beharry Project for Cricket Gears, Luke’s General Contractor, Ansa McAl Distribution, and Universal Construction and Contracting.
The champion team is guaranteed GY$250,000 cash plus a trophy; the runners-up, GY$150,000 and a trophy; while the losing semi-finalists will receive GY$50,000 each.
From left: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Quentin Sampson, Kemol Savoury, Riyad Latif, and Veerasammy Permaul
