Guyana Times - Friday, August 8, 2025

Focus on "holistic development" of children, families – President Ali

After scrapping 1-month bonus as APNU/AFC Govt, AFC now promising 2 months tax-free Govt in talks with investors for acquisition of Berbice Bridge

Pres Ali

ganja, meth, over $1.1M, raw gold seized in Puruni Landing raid Argument at Ruby shop ends in fatal stabbing

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 8 – 03:45h–05:15h and Saturday, August 9 –04:30h–06:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 8 –16:00h–17:30h and Saturday, August 9 – 16:40h–18:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected during the day and at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 2.68 metres.

High Tide: 16:16h reaching a maximum height of 2.45 metres.

Low Tide: 09:48h and 22:03h reaching minimum heights of 0.68 metre and 0.75 metre.

Focus on "holistic development" of children, families – Pres Ali

…as Guyana’s 1st $93.4M Day and Night Care Center opens …facility to nurture children, support families around the clock

As part of efforts to cre-

ate holistic and integrated development within communities and their residents, the Guyana Government on Thursday opened the first-of-its-kind Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Development Center.

Located at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, the centre provides a combination of a 24-hour care facility for children up to 3 years and 9 months and also a space to foster early childhood development.

Staffed with trained carers, the centre has the capacity to hold 50 children for 8-hour shifts at a time.

According to President Irfaan Ali, who inaugurated the building on Thursday, the centre is more than just a care facility for children but also one that empowers Guyanese parents and ultimately, families.

“So, today's initiative is about empowerment: giving parents who never had the opportunity to explore their professional possibility, adding to their disposable income… It's about building equity in the system, giving everyone the type of support that is needed for the family to grow, for the community to grow…”

“If you look at the facility itself, it's about an environment that is conducive for the development of the children. It's about their mental development. It's about the skills development, it's about their educational development, and it's about their value development. That is what this facility represents – the holistic development of the child and the family,” the Head of State noted.

Not drop and pick up

Similar sentiments were expressed by Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, who noted that the centre will not only tend to children’s needs but also offer parental support.

She said that the growing number of women in the local workforce has created the need for such a facility to support their ambitions.

“When we speak about day and night care, what is being melded there would be the dreams and needs of parents in our country... Women are now more in the labour force in our country. With that recognition…this [centre] was birthed from that, understanding that when parents go out to work, they want the assurance and guarantee that their children are absolutely safe… in a secure environment…”

“As a Government, we’re comprehensively looking at the child, and not only that child but also looking at their parents and the caregiving system. So, here will also have parenting classes so when parents come here for their children, it’s not drop [off] and pick up. We are working with parents.”

In fact, Persaud noted that

“We have to create the ecosystem to ensure that everyone is in a learning environment, having that opportunity to learn continuously. The Center, of course, is a centre of empowerment, equity, development and support, because it will support the families. It creates a safety net for children, for families, for communities. It creates economic stability because families now don't have to sacrifice…or reduce the economic well-being of the family by staying home or having to care for the children,” he stated.

there is a parenting manual and workbook already in place.

In addition, not only is the programme being offered in communities across the country, but they are looking to amplify it through these centres.

Persaud recalled too that the idea of the centre, which is staffed with carers trained under the ministry’s Women's Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme, was birthed from the 2022 tragedy where three children – eight-year-old Timothy Kippins, six-year-old Triston Kippins and one-year-old Zhalia Flue – were killed in a fire. The siblings were left alone at their Lot 10 Field, Barnwell, Mocha, East Bank Demerara, home by their mother, who went to work.

“That [incident] cemented in my mind why we need night care,” Dr Persaud stated.

The minister further explained that they recognised there was a gap between the “zero to 3-years, 9-months” age group, and so in setting up this care centre, a hybrid model

was conceptualised, with emphasis placed on both caregiving as well as the early childhood development aspect.

Currently, the Guyana Government has invested millions of dollars in its early childhood development programme and is leading the region in this regard.

“Using the early childhood policy and education and the knowledge we had, we wanted to make sure that when children are placed here, as a Government we’re comprehensively looking at that child’s development,” Persaud noted.

Creating an ecosystem

Meanwhile, President Ali outlined the ecosystem that would be created with this centre and other Government initiatives that could lead to the early detection of learning difficulties and/or even health risks among young kids. He said this would get rid of the old “slow learners-fast learners” system as well as produce healthier populations in the future.

With this first day and night care and early childhood development centre established in Region Three, the Government plans to construct similar facilities across the country.

“This Care Center is beautiful, but we have to build many care centres across the country as beautiful but less complex…because we want one of these set in almost every NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council]. When I say complex, it is not reduced service. It is about making more of the facilities available, because we want to reduce the time and cost for parents to bring their children here. We want to make it easier for the carers themselves, who are working day and night. So we're going to work on filling out facilities like these in every NDC, and we're going to work on upskilling our part-time workers [to be staffed there],” President Ali stated during Thursday’s commissioning ceremony. The next Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Development Center is being constructed in Region Four to the tune of $94 million.

President Dr Irfaan Ali at the opening of the first-ever Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Development Center in Region Three on Thursday

Editor: Tusika Martin

News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761

Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Family empowerment & understanding of early childhood

The commissioning of Guyana’s first Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Development Center in Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, marks a significant milestone in the nation’s social infrastructure. This initiative embodies an approach by the Government which prioritises holistic and integrated community development, focusing on the foundational years of a child’s life and simultaneously empowering families.

This centre, designed to accommodate children from birth to nearly four years old, addresses a critical gap in childcare services by providing 24-hour care, a feature previously unavailable in Guyana. With trained carers overseeing 50 children per shift, the facility not only ensures the safety and well-being of young ones but also creates an environment conducive to comprehensive developmental growth. The Government’s commitment to fostering mental, educational, and values-based growth highlights a nuanced understanding of early childhood needs beyond supervision.

Such an initiative transcends traditional childcare. It recognises that the stability and progress of a family unit are deeply intertwined with the support mechanisms accessible to parents. The centre’s operational model, emphasising parental empowerment alongside childcare, responds directly to the socio-economic shifts in the country, including the increasing participation of women in the workforce. By facilitating reliable, round-the-clock childcare, the Government enables parents, particularly mothers, to pursue professional opportunities, thereby contributing to household incomes and broader economic growth.

Moreover, the centre’s role extends into active parental engagement. Unlike the “drop and pick up” mentality common to many childcare facilities, this establishment integrates parenting support programmes designed to build capacity among carers and guardians. The availability of parenting classes and educational resources reinforces a more comprehensive support system, ensuring that children receive consistent nurturing both at the centre and at home. This holistic strategy speaks to a systemic approach that values the child’s ecosystem in its entirety.

The genesis of the centre reflects a response to a poignant national tragedy that underscored vulnerabilities faced by working parents lacking safe childcare options. The 2022 fire incident, resulting in the loss of three young siblings left unattended, starkly illuminated the urgent need for structured and reliable night-time care. This development transforms that awareness into constructive action, demonstrating a Government attuned to the realities of its citizens and proactive in crafting solutions to safeguard children.

From a policy and investment perspective, the Government’s allocation of millions towards early childhood development programmes places Guyana at the forefront of the region. This financial commitment underpins a strategic vision that aligns education, health, and social services into an integrated framework. Such investments benefit individual children and families, as well as strengthen communities and lay the groundwork for a healthier, more educated population in the future.

President Irfaan Ali’s remarks underscore the multifaceted value of this centre; it is a platform for equity, development, and economic stability. By creating an ecosystem where children can be assessed early for learning difficulties or health concerns, the Government is actively dismantling outdated educational models that stigmatise “slow learners” and perpetuate inequality. Early intervention supported by such facilities can transform educational outcomes, fostering a generation better equipped to contribute meaningfully to national progress.

The economic implications are equally profound. With the availability of secure and dependable childcare, families are no longer forced to choose between earning income and caring for their young children. This safety net stabilises family finances and encourages participation in the formal economy, enhancing overall productivity and growth. Additionally, the Government’s vision to expand these centres across the country, aiming for a presence in Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, shows a scalable model designed to reduce logistical burdens on families and maximise accessibility.

The forthcoming centre in Region Four, with a substantial investment of $94 million, signals continuity and confidence in the programme’s value. By combining high-quality facilities with strategic workforce development, such as upskilling part-time carers, the Government ensures that these centres maintain consistent standards of care and contribute to local employment opportunities.

The establishment of the Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Development Center represents a transformative approach to social policy that integrates early childhood development with family empowerment and community growth.

This initiative showcases a Government committed to nurturing its youngest citizens while simultaneously uplifting parents and families, thereby planting seeds for long-term national advancement.

Decoding US tariff adjustments: A PPPbased competitiveness perspective

Dear Editor, Key takeaways The tariff outcome was largely outside of Guyana’s control. Nonetheless, through effective negotiation and engagement, the Government successfully secured a reduction from the initially proposed 38 per cent to a final rate of 15 per cent, demonstrating strong diplomatic and policy management under constrained conditions.

Guyana was not singled out by the United States. The revised tariff regime was applied across all US trading partners, with rates varying based on country-specific trade dynamics. As such, Guyana’s positioning remains competitive relative to international peers, and the adjustment does not place it at a systemic disadvantage.

• Scenario modelling indicates that maintaining a 15 per cent tariff alongside a stable exchange rate delivers better outcomes than a scenario where the exchange rate appreciates by 15 per cent and the tariff is reduced. This underscores the critical importance of coordinated foreign exchange and trade policy – especially when viewed through the lens of Dutch Disease risk. In fact, applying the same 15 per cent tariff to a simulated appreciated exchange rate produced a more negative outcome, reinforcing the value of nominal stability.

The Government’s FX policy has helped stave off Dutch Disease, ensuring that

the nominal exchange rate does not appreciate excessively. This strategic restraint has preserved the competitiveness of non-oil sectors, enabling a more balanced and diversified economic trajectory. Forward-looking policy investments are positioned to offset the impact of the tariff. These include a national strategy to halve energy cost (gas-to-energy), an expansive infrastructure development programme that would lower logistical costs, and over GYD 80 billion in tax expenditure to subsidise fuel. Collectively, these measures are set to enhance Guyana’s medium-term export competitiveness and support a resilient, private-sector-led growth model.

The recent increase in US tariffs on Guyanese exports –from 10 per cent to 15 per cent – has sparked public debate. But far from being a diplomatic failure, this adjustment reflects Guyana’s rising global competitiveness. Analysis shows that Guyana’s currency is undervalued in real terms, with a widening gap between its nominal exchange rate and its purchasing power parity (PPP) value. Comparative data from 2014 to 2024 confirms that Guyana has the largest PPP-market rate differential in the Caribbean, outpacing Trinidad, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Importantly, scenario modelling shows that a stable exchange rate with a slightly higher tariff may be more fa-

vourable than a lower tariff paired with an appreciated currency – demonstrating the importance of sound exchange rate policy.

In August 2025, the United States raised tariffs on Guyanese exports from 10 per cent to 15 per cent. This adjustment followed a prior 90-day negotiation window after Guyana was initially earmarked for a 38 per cent tariff. While some critics labelled this outcome as a policy failure, a deeper analysis reveals that the adjustment is best interpreted as a reflection of Guyana’s increased economic competitiveness. The decision is likely rooted in macroeconomic fundamentals, including structural shifts in Guyana’s economy and widening differentials between its nominal exchange rate and purchasing power parity (PPP) benchmarks (PPP is a theoretical framework used to compare the relative value of currencies and cost of living between countries). It allows for the comparison of different currencies by eliminating the effects of exchange rate fluc-

tuations and adjusts for differences in price levels across countries.

Analysis and Discussion PPP Trends and Trade Competitiveness: Between 2012 and 2024, Guyana experienced a steady decline in its PPP conversion factor, indicating increased real exchange rate competitiveness. Compared to Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, Guyana showed the sharpest appreciation in real terms, with the PPP–market rate differential rising from 105 per cent in 2014 to 175.5 per cent in 2024. This suggests that Guyana’s goods have become increasingly affordable in US dollar terms – enhancing export attractiveness and potentially triggering corrective trade measures, such as tariffs. While PPP is a theoretical construct, it remains a valuable lens to interpret long-term exchange rate misalignments and trade competitiveness.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips was presented with a rakhi by representatives of the Indian High Commission and Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre during a Raksha Bandhan observance at his Camp Street, Georgetown office. The activity marked the symbolic ritual of tying the rakhi that celebrates the cherished bond of protection, respect, and affection shared between brothers and sisters. The “sacred thread” was tied on the Prime Minister’s wrist as a gesture of goodwill, spiritual connection, and mutual blessings. The official celebration is on August 9, 2025 (Office of the Prime Minister photos)

Exercising a political bias

Dear Editor, When the only truly national newspaper in Guyana was Government owned and operated, my cousin, David De Caires, had the determination, courage and foresight to establish and publish the privately owned Stabroek News. This newspaper immediately earned the reputation of a truly politically independent, objective and factual publication. Sadly, even though it continues to be owned by the De Caires family, its reputation for independent and factual reporting and objective editorialising has become questionable.

I have searched in vain for many days back for a Stabroek News editorial which has not been anti-Government and now, in the context of elections, hostile to the PPP/C. Certainly not one in support of anything which the Government has or is doing nor, for that matter, the PPP/C.

In addition, the Stabroek News has provided a newspaper platform for articles by Christopher Ram, recognised as a virulent anti-Government personality, the subjects of which are then repeated as news, all of which are attacks on the governing party. In contrast, any criticism of the established opposition, APNU, is highly muted, and little or nothing is said about the other opposition parties, except for the fact of the editorial on “Azruddin Mohamed’s Candidacy” published last

Tuesday (5th August, 2025).

While this editorial quite correctly underlines the “illegal activity” of Mohamed’s Enterprise, it does not neglect to also emphasise “bribery payments to Guyanese Government officials” and then, quite unfairly, editorialises that “that statement was as much an indictment of the PPP/C Administration as it was of the Mohameds”. How, may I ask, can the political leaders of a Government be held responsible for one or more of its professional employees taking bribes and, further, then discipline those employees without any evidence as yet being made available to the Government which will stand up in a local court?

Let us examine the platform given to Mr Ram, published in the Stabroek News at length on Saturday, 2nd August, 2025. Ram, citing the 15 per cent tariff now imposed by the Trump Government on Guyana, comparing it with the 10 per cent imposed on other CARICOM countries, Suriname, Cuba and Haiti, accuses the Guyanese Government of being “a compliant and accommodating partner”, which is entirely false and dishonest.

Both Christopher Ram and the Editor of Stabroek News know full well that, far from being compliant, it has been because of the persistent and unwavering diplomatic intervention involving President

Ali himself and the Minister of Foreign Affairs with the US Secretary of State and the US Ambassador that the tariff rate has come down from 38 per cent to 15 per cent and that these negotiations are still taking place.

Both Ram and the Stabroek News also know full well that the reason the tariff applied to Guyana is slightly higher than that of CARICOM is the balance of payment surplus caused by our extensive oil income, even though Guyana has continued to re-emphasise in the negotiations that this income is actually greatly benefitting ExxonMobil and not Guyana.

Of course, Ram and the Stabroek News do not fail to have a dig at the Private Sector Commission (PSC), accusing the Commission of “its inertia”, totally ignoring the fact that the PSC’s Chairman, Capt Gerald Gouveia Jnr, while publicly welcoming the US reduction of the tariff rate from 38 per cent to 15 per cent, is reported as urging “continued dialogue (with the US Government) to further ease the impact this could have on Guyanese exporters”. Capt Gouveia is reported in the Guyana Times, for instance, on the same day, 2nd August, 2025, (to my point, not the Stabroek News), pointing out that “while we respect the right of every country to set its trade policy, we are mindful of the potential impact this may have on Guyana’s emerg-

ing non-oil export sectors like agriculture, agro-processing and manufacturing”.

The PSC was not the only private sector organisation to speak out on this matter. The Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA) is also reported to have expressed “appreciation to the Government for its active engagement and representation throughout the negotiation process with the US to secure a reduction”. Yet, Ram and the Stabroek News have the audacity to ignore this and pretend a different reality.

So, to return to my original reason for writing this letter, there seems to be abundant evidence that, whether by intent of its owners or the independently expressed will of its editorial management, the Stabroek News, particularly in the context of the current elections, has seriously lost its way as a politically independent and objective newspaper and, unfortunately, has joined all the other newspapers in exercising a political bias in its reporting and editorialising.

It is hugely regrettable, indeed, that the Stabroek News has become the premier Government opposition newspaper in the country at a time when its professional objectivity would have been all the more important to its faithful readers, including myself.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Decoding US tariff adjustments...

Consolidated PPP Analysis and Exchange Rate Differential Trends (PPP Rates and Market Rates: 2014-2024): The consolidated analysis (below) compares PPP conversion factors, market exchange rates, and their resulting differentials across Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica over the 2014–2024 period. The differential between market rates and PPP rates indicates real exchange rate misalignments, which reflect price Competitiveness and can influence trade policy decisions such as tariff assignments.

Key Observations

• Guyana shows the sharpest real appreciation, with the differential rising from 105 per cent in 2014 to 175.5 per cent in 2024. This suggests a strong price competitiveness advantage, which aligns with the 15 per cent US tariff imposed on its exports.

Trinidad & Tobago also experienced growing real appreciation, with the differential widening from 46.3 per cent to 86.5 per cent. While less dramatic than Guyana’s, this increase supports the 15 per cent tariff as a policy response to enhanced competitiveness.

The Dominican Republic displayed consistent real depreciation until 2021, when the differential surged to 170.9 per cent, later stabilising to 153.3 per cent. The relative competitiveness was less aggressive than Guyana, correlating with a lower 10 per cent tariff.

Jamaica, in contrast, showed a moderate early-peri-

od depreciation but then a narrowing differential – declining from 87.6 per cent in 2016 to 66.1 per cent in 2024 – indicating stable real exchange alignment and more limited trade leverage, consistent with a 10 per cent tariff.

Scenario-Based Exchange Rate Impact Assessment

To contextualise the implications of the 15 per cent tariff, a scenario-based analysis was conducted. Under the current stable exchange rate of GY$216 to US$1, an export value of US$100 million results in a post-tariff cost of GY$24.84 billion. However, under a simulated 15 per cent appreciation in the exchange rate to GY$184 to US$1 with a reduced 10 per cent tariff, the cost decreases to GY$20.24 billion – highlighting the importance of foreign exchange policy in moderating import costs. A third scenario considers both currency appreciation and an increase in export value to US$118 million. Despite the higher export value, the post-tariff cost (GY$23.88 billion) is higher than the baseline scenario, highlighting the critical impact of exchange rate alignment and tariff strategy. This scenario demonstrates that US$100 million worth of goods, taxed at 15 per cent with a nominal exchange rate of GY$216, results in a lower cost in USD terms

than US$118 million worth of goods taxed at 10 per cent, even when paired with a 15 per cent appreciation in the exchange rate. The implication is that a stronger currency and lower tariff do not necessarily offset the cost impact of increased export value – especially when the exchange rate appreciation reduces the local currency value of exports. This underscores the importance of carefully balancing exchange rate policy with tariff negotiations to optimise trade outcomes.

Comparative Scenario Outcomes

Structural Considerations and Strategic Outlook

The current tariff increase should be viewed within the framework of Guyana's evolving macroeconomic structure. The widening gap between the PPP rate and the nominal exchange rate suggests that the GYD is undervalued on a real basis. While this undervaluation enhances trade competitiveness, it may also trigger scrutiny under global trade norms. Thus far, policymakers have effectively mitigated rapid appreciation – thereby avoiding Dutch disease effects – but continued vigilance is necessary. Importantly, the US tariff hike was not uniquely directed at Guyana. Other countries were also affected, and the US tariff formula considers trade bal-

It is unpatriotic to cultivate division in Disciplined Services

Dear Editor, Lelon Saul complains that many of his friends are abandoning him. While he may be baffled, the average citizen on the street would have no problem determining that Saul’s claims of oppression are so ridiculous that people do not want to be associated with him.

The truth is, no one wants to be connected to a man who appears to be actively cultivating division in the disciplined services. Lelon Saul should know better. When you serve in the military, you have a lifelong obligation to defend the institutions that are tasked with the nation’s national security. To do otherwise is patently unpatriotic.

Saul has every right to support the political party of his choice. That is a fundamental right when you live in a democratic society. But he must know that the PNCRled APNU is indeed the party with the sordid record of rigged elections, assassinations, catastrophic economic performances, nepotism, and an amalgam of depravations that were placed on the backs of the hard-working Guyanese people.

Former friends of Lelon Saul have done the right thing. That is a good indicator of the change that is occurring in Guyana.

Yours sincerely, Dr Randy Persaud

ances, strategic policy, and income classification. Moreover, Guyana’s national strategy to halve energy cost (gas-to-energy), coupled with an expansive infrastructure development programme that would lower logistical costs, and over $80 billion in tax expenditure to subsidise fuel costs; collectively, these measures are set to enhance Guyana’s medium-term export competitiveness and support a resilient, private-sector-led growth model.

The analysis concludes that retaining the 15 per cent tariff under a stable exchange rate yields more favourable outcomes than allowing currency appreciation – even if paired with a lower tariff. While the scenarios are simulated, the logic remains robust: in practice, real-world elasticity of demand and supply must also be considered for a full economic assessment. Importantly, the US tariff regime was not uniquely applied to Guyana –it spans all trading partners, albeit at varying rates. This ensures that Guyana remains globally competitive despite the tariff. Lastly, credit must be given to the Government of Guyana for fostering a private-sector-friendly environment, underpinned by strategic public investments in infrastructure, transport, and energy. Notably, efforts to halve energy costs in the medium term will mitigate the inflationary pass-through of tariffs and enhance export competitiveness, securing Guyana’s position in the evolving global economy.

Yours sincerely,

Joel Bhagwandin

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2025

00:00 Sign Off 06:00 Raksha Bandhan Musical Hour 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 HGTV 09:00 Stop Suffering

Food Network

News Break 12:05 Indian Movie - Jhootha Hi Sahi (2010) 15:00 How I Met Your Mother S3 E1

Indian Soaps

The Young & The Restless 18:00 Aljazeera

The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 Abbot Elementary S2 E5 21:00 Indian Movie - Goodbye (2022) 23:00 Heartland S2 E2

FROM PAGE 4

Customary Units of Length

The customary units of length (that is the units commonly used) are inches (in); feet (ft); yards (yd); and miles (mi).

1 foot = 12 in

1 yard = 3 ft

1 mile = 1760 yd

You can compare these units to each other.

Example:

How many feet are in a mile?

Step 1: You know that there are 3 feet in a yard, so multiply the number of yards x 3.

Step 2: 1760 x 3 = 5280ft. There are 5280 feet in a mile.

The standard units of measurement that should be used in Guyana are the metric measurements. It is necessary to know customary units of length to convert them to metric units.

Remember:

You do not have to add the plural s when you abbreviate units of measurement.

Exercises: Convert

1) 12.7 feet is how many inches?

2) 4 miles equals how many inches?

3) 8 inches is how many yards?

S4) 36 inches is how many feet? 5) 10 yards is how many feet?

Seasons in the Sun

(Excerpt

startwithabook.org)

By Matthew arnold

Continued

She steals to the window, and looks at the sand, And over the sand at the sea; And her eyes are set in a stare; And anon there breaks a sigh, And anon there drops a tear, From a sorrow-clouded eye, And a heart sorrow-laden, A long, long sigh; For the cold strange eyes of a little Mermaiden And the gleam of her golden hair. Come away, away children Come children, come down! The hoarse wind blows coldly; Lights shine in the town. She will start from her slumber When gusts shake the door; She will hear the winds howling, Will hear the waves roar. We shall see, while above us The waves roar and whirl, A ceiling of amber, A pavement of pearl. Singing: "Here came a mortal, But faithless was she! And alone dwell for ever The kings of the sea."

Start a retelling of a classic tale in which the romantic pairings of characters are altered.

More cash grants coming after elections – VP

…outlines post-election economic relief plan to confront cost of living

Vice President (VP)

Bharrat Jagdeo has confirmed that while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will not issue any new cash grants before the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections, Guyanese can expect a flood of financial support measures, particularly direct cash transfers and increases in stipends, when the party is re-elected to office.

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo reaffirmed the party’s intention to fulfil its campaign promises, emphasising that more cash grants, higher wages, and expanded support for vulnerable groups are part of its long-term plan to ease the cost of living.

“I can assure you there will be lots of cash grants after the elections – but not before,” Jagdeo declared. “We are a party – you know, once we put it there in our manifesto… there will be cash grants and increases.”

In December 2024, the Government began the distribution of the $100,000 cash grant per adult citi-

zen. Approximately 600,000 persons were eligible for the grant, of which, to date, more than 500,000 cheques have been distributed.

Cost of living

According to the VP, the initiative is part of the administration’s dual approach to tackling the cost of living by providing disposable income while simultaneously reducing expenses for households through subsidies and tax relief and increasing disposable income through higher earnings and direct support.

Jagdeo pointed out that the Government had already done extensive work to cushion households from global economic shocks, especially those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

He identified six primary areas of concern for most Guyanese households: electricity, water, transportation, internet, mortgages, and food. The Government has subsidised electricity and water bills, kept fuel prices low through heavy subsidies on gasoline and diesel, reduced mortgage interest rates, and liberalised

telecommunications to offer faster internet at better rates.

Despite these interventions, food prices remain a challenge. Jagdeo explained that even locally grown food items, like cassava, have seen price surges due to logistical costs and market imbalances.

“Our cassava production in Region Three jumped from 3 million pounds to 20 million pounds, but the price still went up – from $40 per pound in Parika to $120 in other markets,” he noted. He said that while the Government is actively promoting agriculture and expanding farmers’ markets, food inflation is a global is-

sue that requires continuous innovation and investment.

“So those five areas we had success in, because there were things we could do policy-wise. On food items, we're not so successful because even for the things we produce in Guyana, there was an increased production – they went up... We have to look at tackling that issue. But we've been honest about it. And we tackle the things that are under our control. The five items that push prices up. But food prices were different,” Jagdeo said. He also outlined a broad roadmap for more relief measures post-elections. These include expanding public

transportation, increasing wages and pensions, boosting stipends for part-time workers, and Community Support Officers (CSOs).

“Already the public servants – it's 120 billion dollars more per year they earn. We see it reflected in more vehicle purchases. Pensions would be increased, public assistance increased… So, we have to focus on this issue from two angles. One, getting more money in people's pockets by getting better-paying jobs for them. Two, ensuring the taxation system allows people to keep more money in their pockets.”

More relief

Jagdeo explained that the Government is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to help families: first, by increasing earnings through better jobs and skills training; second, by lowering taxes to put more money in people’s pockets; and third, by directly reducing household expenses in areas like education, healthcare, and housing.

He highlighted the Government’s education transport grants and school

feeding programmes, which reduce the cost burden on families. In health, investments in tertiary care and support for chronic illnesses like dialysis and cancer are expected to cut out-of-pocket expenses significantly.

Jagdeo reiterated the Government’s support for low-income homeownership, noting its efforts to distribute house lots and support home construction and upgrades. The administration is also moving ahead with plans to reduce electricity costs by up to 50 per cent as part of the gas-to-energy project and a major solar farm development on the Essequibo Coast. Other cost-reduction measures on the horizon include lowered cooking gas prices and broader training programmes aimed at empowering youths to earn higher incomes through skilled employment.

Jagdeo concluded with a powerful message to Guyana’s youth: “We are saying, give us six months of your time, and we’ll give you a skill that allows you to earn ten thousand dollars a day – not just a one-time handout.”

Govt in talks with investors for acquisition of Berbice Bridge – Pres Ali

…VP says engagement likely with bus, taxi operators to lower fares

President Irfaan Ali has disclosed that negotiations are ongoing with the private investors in the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) on a possible buyout.

“We’re in the final stages of that [negotiation]. The Minister of Finance is leading that, and we will be working towards inking an agreement after the elections so that the responsibility of the bridge will be that of the Government,” Ali told the Guyana Times on the side-lines of an event on Thursday.

According to the President, the goal is to ensure there is an “amicable” agreement between the private investors and the state.

“Investors must have the opportunity to negotiate, and if there’s a buyout, then they must have their… concerns dealt with, so we have a very good process that is ongoing,” he explained.

The Berbice River Bridge, a critical link between Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), was constructed between 2006 and 2008 through a public-private partnership at a cost of just over $8 billion.

The 1.57-kilometre (km) bridge was financed mainly by the state-run National Insurance Scheme (NIS) along with other private companies. It was conceptu-

alised and constructed under the Bharrat Jagdeo presidency.

In fact, Jagdeo, who now serves as Vice President (VP) in the current PPP/C Administration, just last year had to defend the innovative financing model used for the bridge.

“It was one of the most lucrative investments for the NIS. NIS made a tonne of money from that bridge because it invested in a lot of the preference shares that had a higher ranking and the subordinate debt… And we didn’t have to go to the treasury. It was because of the innovation of the Government,” Jagdeo had stated last September.

NIS had invested in Bond One of the project to the tune of $300 million. The scheme received (not principal payments) $270 million, a 90 per cent return on their investment. It also invest-

ed in Bond Two, $760 million, and received $823 million in return. The insurance scheme also invested $500 million for subordinate debt (loan stuck) and $456 million, while preference shares invested were $950 million. Some $80 million was further invested in common shares.

Under the previous A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, there were talks of a possible state buyout of the BBCI to avoid the increase of tolls.

However, the then Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had refused to meet the BBCI Board to discuss the Government’s buyout offer. This was after the BCCI had taken court action against the State after the then Public Infrastructure Ministry took over operations of the bridge

to stop the toll hike in 2018.

On November 5, 2018, the then APNU/AFC Government took over operations of the facility.

In fact, the BBCI had cited the Coalition administration’s persistent refusal to respect contractual obligations under the Concession Agreement to come to the table and address the annual adjustments to the bridge toll that the BBCI said it was forced to resort to the court.

Engaging public transport operators

Nevertheless, the current Ali-led Government on August 1 introduced its toll-free initiative, which saw the removal of fees to cross not just the Berbice River Bridge but also the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the Mackenzie-Wismar

Bridge in Linden.

Over the years, there had been numerous complaints about the high tolls to cross the Berbice Bridge.

However, now that the bridge tolls are removed, there have been calls for public transportation operators like minibuses and taxis to lower their fares as well, especially for the Berbice route.

Speaking at his press conference on Thursday, VP Jagdeo says that such an engagement is likely between the Government and the operators.

“I think we should have a discussion with them,” the VP stated, but cautioned that Guyana operates a free-market economy; hence, the Government does not dictate prices.

“But we should constantly have discussions because

we want them to do well too… They should be able to earn a living,” Jagdeo stated.

Since the removal of the bridge toll about one week ago, some operators plying the Number 56 minibus route (New Amsterdam to Rosignol) have reduced their fares from $300 to $200 per passenger, but others, especially the taxi/car operators, have refused to follow suit.

In fact, hire car operators plying the New Amsterdam-Georgetown route have refused to drop their fares, which increased from $1500 to $2500 during the COVID-19 pandemic and never returned to preCOVID levels. Some drivers even demand as much as $3000 after dark. Defending their position, the car operators argue that the price for spare parts has increased.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

President Dr Irfaan Ali

The Berbice River Bridge

12.5kg ganja, meth, over $1.1M, raw gold seized in Puruni Landing raid

Apolice operation at Puruni Landing, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) on Wednesday night led to the seizure of a large quantity of suspected narcotics, cash, and raw gold, and the arrest of two individuals. According to police, the “cordon and search” exercise was conducted between 20:10h and 20:30h on August 6 as ranks were acting on intelligence. Officers moved in on the residence of 37-yearold Hudley Khan, also known as “Allan”, where his reputed wife, 32-year-old Venezuelan Yolimar Del Valle Rivas, was also present.

During the search, car-

ried out in the presence of the suspects and video-recorded, Khan reportedly directed officers to a multi-coloured bag in his room. Inside, police found 23 bulky brown Scotch tape parcels and one trans-

parent plastic bag containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis, along with a plastic bag containing a whitish rock-like substance believed to be methamphetamine.

Both Khan and Rivas were informed of the offences, arrested, and transported to the Bartica Police Station. At the station, the cannabis weighed 12,542.5 grams (g) (12.5 kilograms), while the methamphetamine weighed 108.8g. Officers also documented the seizure of $1,120,810, believed to be proceeds from the illegal drug trade, and 5.9 pennyweights of raw gold.

Police said Khan admitted ownership of the narcotics during a recorded on-site interview but later declined to provide further statements. Both suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

Argument at Ruby shop ends in fatal stabbing

Police in Regional Division Three are investigating the murder of 25-year-old William Jaris of Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo, who was fatally stabbed during an altercation on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at a shop near the Ruby Bridge, where Jaris and the suspect, a 33-year-old labourer of Ruby Back Dam, reportedly became involved in an argument. Police said the two men, who were known to each other, engaged in a fight during which the sus-

pect was seen armed with a knife. Moments later, blood was observed coming from Jaris’ body.

The suspect allegedly fled the scene on a bicycle, while Jaris collapsed. He was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police said that an examination of the victim’s body revealed three stab wounds: one to the right side of the jaw, one to the chest, and one to the left upper arm. The body has since been taken to

the Ezekiel Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

Police later arrested the suspect at his home and took him to the Parika Police Station. Officers noted an injury above his left eye, after which he was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital for treatment. Due to the nature of his wound, he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he remains admitted under guard. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Here’s… …the hero!

With three weeks to go before elections day – and your Eyewitness having promised to cover the daily goings-on – you’d think these politicians on the hustings – excepting Pressie, of course – would come up with new material. Just not, of course, to help out yours truly but to help keep the voters out here interested in what’s in it for them – literally!! Now we know Pressie always has something new – but your Eyewitness figures if he keeps focusing on him, folks might just think this humble scribbler’s singing for his supper!! That’s just how Guyanese think, innit??

So what’s new, pussycat?? Well, your Eyewitness’ eyes were caught by an announcement by the sister of that USsanctioned fella. The one who decided he’d rather hand out the money he owes the GRA – for smuggling out TWO TONNES OF GOLD without paying taxes – to get elected to Government. Ironically, he’d have to urge folks to pay their taxes to keep the wheels of Government turning!! This is like wanting to become the Sheriff of Nottingham after stealing the Sheriff’s money but keeping it in HIS pocket – unlike that Robin Hood fella in green that he pretends to be!! This local hood should deck himself in an orange jumpsuit!!

Anyhow, back to the sister who seems to’ve decided to become the sanctioned chap’s PR rep. Speaking about Burnham on his death anniversary, she announced that the dictator’s “role in shaping the nation is undeniable”!! Well, sure it is!! Didn’t a person who was there when Burnham was doing his (dirty) thing – Dr Walter Rodney – declare that everything the “megalomaniac” touched turned to shit?! How many people can be reverse Midas?!! But the sanctioned gold smuggler’s sister continued to wax lyrical about Burnham!! “May his legacy continue to serve as a reminder of the importance of strong, principled leadership in difficult times!” “Principled”?? Imagine that!! Knowing her brother intimately – as she’s assured us – is she confirming Burnham’s is the kind of leadership he’ll offer – as most folks believe he will – based on his smuggling background?

So, what else did Burnham do that the sanctioned fella might emulate?? Corrupting the police to do his bidding for his own agenda?? Well, he’s been there and done that!! Assassinating people like Burnham assassinated Rodney for exposing him as a nothing?? Hold it!! There have been persistent assertions that Mr Sanction has also been here and done that also – even more publicly on Main Street even!! And we can go down the list of Burnham’s peccadilloes – like going in for ostentatious rides – like that refurbished Rolls Royce for which he paid neither the price nor the taxes!!

Maybe Mr Sanction would take up horse-riding to fulfil Burnham’s “legacy”??

…the BRICS scoop

BRICS has been in the news recently ever since Pres Trump placed it in his crosshairs for daring to attempt to replace the dollar as the world’s reserve currency! But what exactly is BRICS?? We know the name BRIC –Brazil, Russia, India and China – was concocted by a Wall Street fella early in the millennium. He considered them as significant “emerging economies” – as opposed to the older “developed” and “developing” dichotomy that prevailed after WWII after decolonisation. South Africa was added on after the named countries actually began to meet annually in 2009. Talk about serendipity!!

But exactly what have they achieved since?? Whether you slice it or dice it, they’re still a bunch of wannabes that want to challenge American unipolarity – and find safety in numbers. They’ve been unable to agree on any significant issue, and we saw this at their meeting earlier this year when Chinese President Xi didn’t show up!! Even without the excuse that Russia’s Putin had.

He could’ve been arrested!!

…CariGone

We’ve just had a demonstration of why some wags dub Caricom as “CariGone”. There’s this committee just formed to source the “RoPax” vessels – for inter-territory roll-on/roll-off cargo and passenger service.

How long, Jah??

The drugs, gold and cash that were found during the raid

William Jaris

Joint Services bonus

After scrapping 1-month bonus as APNU/AFC

Govt, AFC now promising 2 months tax-free

Despite being part of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government that scrapped the one-month tax-free Christmas bonus for the Joint Services, the AFC on Thursday released a manifesto now promising two months' tax-free bonus each Christmas, among other lofty promises to the members of the Joint Services.

In addition to the twomonth tax-free yearend bonus, the AFC is also promising a free house lot for all members of the Disciplined Services, a Joint Services Housing Development, money for the family of any rank who dies in the line of duty or is injured and permanently disabled while on the job, or if a rank becomes disabled while off duty along with salary increases. Additionally, the manifesto spoke about a tax-free allowance to servicemen and women stationed at the border, in addition to a national cash

grant.

The one-month taxfree yearend bonus for the Joint Services ranks is a key initiative of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government. This bonus, which has been in place since 2002, is awarded to members of the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Fire Service, Guyana Police Force, and Guyana Prison Service. Officers often look forward to and depend on the onemonth salary bonus to assist with Christmas expenses.

However, to the frustration and disappointment of the ranks, in 2015 when the AFC in coalition with APNU assumed office, the bonus was discontinued. Many ranks openly criticised the move, but the APNU/AFC was unapologetic.

During the APNU/AFC Administration, ranks instead received a one-off $50,000 in 2015, for those earning less than $500,000 a month, and $25,000 in 2016.

However, the annual bonus was restored after PPP/C returned to office in August 2020. By 2024, members of the Joint Services benefited from approximately $1.6 billion in the Christmas bonus payout.

Additionally, in November 2022, the Government had rolled out the first phase of salary adjustments for Joint Services members. Meanwhile, earlier this year, the Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces, President Irfaan Ali, announced an increase in the minimum wage for junior ranks and officers to $130,000, with the aim of levelling the playing field among the various agencies within the Joint Services.

Prior to this, the salary of junior ranks such as Constables and Privates in some agencies differed, ranging from $105,000 to $130,000. The adjustment fixed the salary scale across the board, ensuring equity among the junior members of the Joint Services.

Paying for votes is a crime – Jagdeo

…calls on GECOM to enforce election laws

General Secretary of the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo, said the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) must take strong enforcement actions against persons who transgress election laws.

Jagdeo, who is also the country’s Vice President (VP), made the call during his press conference today, noting that the relevant authorities must be vigilant because “there are lots and lots of cases” where this is happening.

“…including paying people for their vote because it’s a crime,” he added.

“They need to take strong enforcement action against people who transgress election laws. And including paying people for their vote. Because it's a crime.”

He said in some instances a particular party is urg-

ing persons to take a photo of their ballot to show that they voted for them, and they will be generously rewarded.

“I saw GECOM now saying that, well, we always knew since the last local Government elections they had a very explicit position. You can't use your phone in the polling place. You can't take a picture. Even when politicians go in, they can't carry their cameraman into the polling place. You have to stay outside. You can't take pictures in the polling place,” Jagdeo added.

In a recent public statement issued, GECOM strongly emphasised the importance of compliance with key provisions of the Representation of the People Act (Cap. 1:03), which outlines several electoral offences and penalties aimed at preserving the integrity of the voting process.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has

also issued a call for the enforcement of the laws prohibiting vote buying and for stricter measures to protect the secrecy of the ballot.

In a statement released Monday, the coalition refer-

enced the GECOM warning that it is a criminal offence to pay voters in exchange for their vote and, while welcoming it, also criticised it for omitting a key concern, the use of mobile phones to

photograph marked ballots as evidence for bribe collection.

APNU also expressed concern about the increasing use of photography in polling stations to confirm voting choices in exchange for payment, calling on GECOM to publicly and repeatedly emphasise that the use of cameras or taking photographs of ballots is strictly prohibited.

GECOM’s warning

On Monday, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) urged all stakeholders to uphold their statutory and civic responsibilities to ensure the polls are conducted in a free, fair, transparent and credible manner.

In a public statement issued, the Commission strongly emphasised the importance of compliance with key provisions of the Representation of the People Act (Cap. 1:03), which outlines several electoral offences and penalties aimed at preserving the integrity of the voting process.

Among the provisions highlighted, GECOM reminded voters and political actors alike that it is a criminal offence for any individual – including the voter – to disclose to anyone the political party for which they or another person have voted, whether on their own behalf or as a proxy; any attempt to coerce or influence a voter into displaying their marked ballot or revealing their vote is similarly prohibited, and offering money, gifts or loans to voters in exchange for their vote is strictly illegal.

The Commission cautioned that any individual found guilty of these offences is liable to a fine and imprisonment of up to six months upon summary conviction. In addition, convicted individuals may be barred from participating in future elections.

GECOM’s reminder comes as Guyana is weeks away from the September 1 elections. The Commission is also urging all voters, parties and other actors involved in the elections to familiarise themselves with the legal requirements and to act in ac-

cordance with the law.

Vote buying

The commission’s warning comes days after a video surfaced on social media showing We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Presidential candidate and United States (US)-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed was seen distributing cash at a public meeting in an indigenous community and making certain promises.

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.

According to a statement from OFAC, this is related to the evasion of taxes on gold exports, noting that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10 thousand kilograms of gold from import and export declarations and avoided paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.

Code of Conduct

Meanwhile, the PPP/C GS highlighted that signing the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) elections Code of Conduct does not guarantee good behaviour among political parties during the campaigning period, but it is necessary to show some form of unity.

“…that beyond the elections, we have to still work as a country,” Jagdeo expressed.

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), led by Aubrey Norton, and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), led by Amanza Walton-Desir, refused to sign onto the Code earlier this week.

The Code is aimed at securing commitments from political parties to uphold peace, avoid hate speech, and promote ethnic harmony during the election season. Jagdeo contended that APNU and FGM could have shared their concerns about the Code but still signed onto it.

“So signing a code of conduct is not a guarantee. And I hope that GECOM is vigilant and the police too. Because there are lots and lots of cases where we have seen this happening.

The other four political parties that have been approved to contest the September 1 elections signed onto the Code. Zulfikar Mustapha signed on behalf of the ruling PPP/C, Hana Dmitriyev represented the WIN party, Khemraj Ramjattan signed for the Alliance for Change (AFC), and Aeon Thomas represented the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) party, which is led by former APNU/AFC Minister Simona Broomes.

WIN candidate, US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed distributing cash at a public meeting in an Indigenous community

APNU targets Afro-Guyanese critics in disparaging tirade at Bareroot rally

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) continued its campaign of disparaging remarks directed at former members, supporters, and segments of the AfroGuyanese community for not swearing blind loyalty to the party at a recent public meeting held in Bareroot, East Coast Demerara, on Sunday night.

APNU newcomer Eden Corbin and Working People’s Alliance (WPA) executive member David Hinds led a scathing verbal assault against a number of former party executives, including attorney James Bond, former Region 10 Chairman Jermaine Figueira, and former Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir, all of whom have since broken ranks with the APNU.

Both Bond and Figueira have since both publicly come out in support of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), while Walton-Desir has started her own party, the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), one of six parties contesting the upcoming September 1 elections.

Corbin, who was recently introduced as a new face of the coalition, openly ridiculed the former members, calling them “stupid”, “clowns”, and “cochores” –the latter being a derogatory Guyanese slang implying betrayal or sell-out behaviour. Corbin was particularly aggrieved by the negative attention that the APNU has been receiving about the party’s inability to draw large gatherings of supporters to its meetings and rally. He also accused them of prioritising crowd sizes at rallies over the lived economic realities facing Guyanese citizens.

“The cochores that are around here are talking about crowd, crowd, and crowd. Do you see the state of this country and have the audacity to worry about how many people attend the rally?” Corbin said to the crowd. “Their priorities are wrong.”

He singled out Bond and Figueira, both of whom have been campaigning for the PPP, accusing them of working along with “…murderers and killers and people who have denigrated this economy. The problem with the PPP is that they think everyone on this side is as stupid as James.”

Attacking Walton-Desir, Corbin questioned the speed with which she launched her new party after her resignation from APNU’s main faction, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

Walton-Desir has been at odds with APNU since last year when she sought to contend against Aubrey Norton for the leadership of the PNCR, which is the biggest party in the APNU coalition. Norton was elected unopposed for the PNCR

leadership after all of his contenders withdrew from the race, citing irregularities and lack of transparency in the process.

Earlier this year WaltonDesir officially resigned from the PNCR entirely and founded the FGM. FGM will be contesting in seven regions at the General and Regional Elections.

Racialised messaging

Taking the stage after Corbin, Hinds, known for his controversial and inflammatory public commentary, applauded Corbin’s remarks and furthered the attacks with racialised messaging, reinforcing the narrative that Afro-Guyanese citizens should demonstrate unwavering loyalty to the APNU, which has historically had a majority AfroGuyanese base.

“When I listen to the young man just now, I want to retire. I’m gonna kick back because I know the future is in good hands,” Hinds remarked.

In his speech, Hinds reiterated a divisive collectivist message, arguing that individual dissent within the Afro-Guyanese community undermines their historical struggle.

“They told us not to think as a collective... But when our ancestors took money, they didn’t just take individual money. They poured money together in a wheelbarrow and bought land. Whenever we have won anything big, we have won it as a collective,” he said.

Hinds, no stranger to controversy, has previously come under fire for using racially charged slurs against both Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese critics of the APNU. In February 2025, Hinds, during his “Politics 101” programme, hurled a series of insults at AfroGuyanese, calling them “lick bottoms”, “house slaves”, and “sell-outs”, among others. Also, earlier this year, he called former PNCR executive Geeta ChandanEdmond a “slave catcher” and accused Indo-Guyanese former PNCR Regional Chairman Daniel Seeram of benefitting from ethnic favouritism.

“Here’s an Indian man rewarded by the votes of

Africans,” Hinds said at the time. “When you’re an Indian, you rise up quickly in the Black party – at the expense of some Black members.”

Hinds said on Sunday that his message was primarily directed at AfroGuyanese who he claims have lost faith in the APNU. Acknowledging growing disenchantment over the party’s tenure in Government from 2015 to 2020, he claimed that accomplishments made during that period went unrecognised simply due to poor communication.

“We hear some of our young people say that ‘when the APNU was in Government, they didn’t do anything for us.’ Now those young people are not stupid; they didn’t know that APNU did things for us. But what they are talking about is that as young Black peo-

ple we did not go to them and say, “We are doing this for you as public servants; we are doing this for you as African Guyanese,” Hinds said.

Snub Code of Conduct

APNU, led by Aubrey Norton, was one of two parties notably absent on Tuesday from the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) Code of Conduct signing ceremony for political parties contesting the upcoming General and Regional Elections on September 1.

This marks the second consecutive election that APNU has refused to sign the Code. In 2023, the party also abstained from signing the ERC’s Code of Conduct for the Local Government Elections held that year.

Meanwhile, Hinds also reiterated APNU’s claim that the 2020 elections were

rigged by the PPP, warning the current administration that any repeat in the upcoming September 1 elections would not be tolerated. However, the 2020 election results were declared by the Guyana Elections Commission. A nation-

al recount supervised by a CARICOM delegation revealed that the PPP had actually secured 233,336 votes, defeating the APNU+AFC’s 217,920. The recount ultimately led to the swearing-in of President Irfaan Ali on August 2, 2020.

Several persons, including former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) CEO Keith Lowenfield and former DCEO Roxanne Myers, along with former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, have been charged with conspiracy to commit electoral fraud in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition. Also charged are former PNCR Chairperson Volda Lawrence, PNCR activist Carol Smith-Joseph and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Michelle Miller and Denise Babb-Cummings.

APNU newcomer Eden Corbin

WPA’s David Hinds

Public procurement system

Robust enhancement ongoing as PPP/C intensifies fight against corruption, project delays – Jagdeo

The Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration will continue strengthening the public procurement system by further reducing corruption and addressing project delays.

Responding to questions during his press conference today, Vice President (VP) Jagdeo admitted that there are still flaws in the system but contended that in the last five years, efforts by the PPP/C Administration have resulted in significant improvements.

Jagdeo explained that with some 10,000 contracts being awarded per year, there will be some lapses in the system.

“Two years ago, we had to go out and threaten people; we’ve had cases where they would award a contract for a road [for] just rehabilitation, but on the bills of quantity it would look like a completely new road, and then we would award a contract for a new road, and then the engineer – we’ve had cases where [they] go to

the contractor and say, 'We will approve payment for the whole road if you share the money with us'. We’ve found a few cases where the people doing the evaluation don’t actually do the evaluation… One person would do it, and he would send

it to the others, and they would just sign the document; they wouldn’t even look at the document…,” the VP admitted.

However, he said, “But we nipped it because we went across the country… We warned the engineers, etc., and we saw a significant reduction and greater oversight, but whether it happens sometimes, yes, it does happen.”

Meanwhile, Jagdeo said the Government will also have to address the issue of project delays, including looking into the possibility of bringing in foreign contractors, particularly for housing projects.

The PPP General Secretary said in the next term, the Government anticipates it will construct another 45,000 houses.

With local contractors seemingly already at their maximum capacity, foreign assistance may be required.

“People are slow to complete a lot of the projects that they’re awarded… You know how many young professionals have come to me

and said the contractors are delayed a year, they’re waiting and paying their mortgages, and the people are waiting. So we have a problem with many local contractors; some are doing an excellent job, and many are not fulfilling their promises or are doing substandard work. We have to fix that,” he said.

“But who do you go to? If people are at the limit, you’d have to engage foreign contractors so we can then get a company to come in and do 2000 houses of a particular standard,” he further explained, noting that there has to be a balance between “giving our people the opportunities and getting the work done fast enough”.

Meanwhile, the VP emphasised that the PPP/C Administration has significantly improved transparency in the public procurement system over the years and will continue to do so.

“Given the scale of what we’re doing and the pace of transformation in this country… we have done 100 times more than APNU in terms of civil works, and we have been more transparent about it,” he posited.

For instance, Jagdeo explained that every contract awarded by NPTAB over a certain cost is published, along with the procurement method.

Ongoing works on the Aubrey Barker Road Widening Project, which was visited on Thursday by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill. He lauded the pace of the construction works being done from the “blacks” to Ogle by contractors Aranco and CRBC. However, for the contractors who are behind schedule for the lots from the “blacks” going forward, Minister Edghill called for accelerated work to be done on a 24-hour rotation

Nationwide literacy reform to revolutionise reading skills – Education Minister

Anationwide literacy reform programme will be implemented across all levels of the education system, introducing new resources, revised timetables, and targeted intervention strategies aimed at improving reading skills from the earliest years through to secondary school.

At the nursery level, all pupils will now receive structured daily foundational literacy instruction. As part of this effort, the Adventures with Letters and Songs Teacher’s Edition and the revised Roraima Reader Series will be introduced to support explicit phonics teaching.

Dedicated phonics workbook sessions will be formally added to timetables, with the first set of new materials expected to be rolled out in 2025, followed by additional resources in the future.

Group story time sessions will also be restructured to incorporate shared and guided reading, as well as writing activities, using levelled and decodable readers to ensure pupils progress at an age-appropriate

pace.

At the primary level, the updated timetables will include 15 minutes of daily phonics and spelling instruction for all classes, guided by the Adventures with Letters and Songs learner’s guide.

The Atlantic Reader Series has been officially adopted as the main reading resource for students. Literacy Hour and Literacy Studies periods will be redesigned to address all five pillars of reading – phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension – ensuring a more holistic ap-

proach to literacy development.

A key component of the reform is the launch of the BRITE (Building Reading Independence Through Engagement) intervention programme, which will specifically target students reading below grade level, starting from Grade Two.

At the secondary level, the BRITE programme will be expanded to cater to struggling readers in higher grades. Specialised literacy modules, along with detailed instructor manuals, will be provided to teachers, enabling them to

deliver targeted support. The aim is to ensure that students who have fallen behind in earlier stages can still achieve functional literacy by the time they graduate.

Phased rollouts

The initiative is being rolled out in phases, with teacher training, curriculum adjustments, and classroom resource distribution already underway in several pilot regions.

According to the Education Ministry, the reforms are based on both local assessments and international literacy benchmarks, with the ultimate goal of significantly reducing the number of students leaving school without adequate reading skills.

Officials have indicated that the implementation will be closely monitored, with regular evaluations to measure progress and make adjustments where necessary. The full impact of the reforms is expected to be evident within the next three years.

Speaking at the launch of the

National Literacy Programme, Education Minister Priya Manickchand announced that, starting September, all primary school students across Guyana will receive workbooks in Mathematics, English, Social Studies, and Science – an initiative separate from the programme.

She explained that the initiative would ease the workload for teachers while providing uniform access to materials for students.

“Teachers will no longer have to copy lessons on the board for children to write in their books. Now, everyone will simply turn to the same page in their workbook and work together,” she said.

Addressing challenges

Manickchand stressed that the National Literacy Programme is designed to address a wide range of challenges – from children entering the system without meeting literacy benchmarks, to students already in nursery, primary, or secondary school who are still

unable to read at their age-appropriate level, and even those who have left school without being literate.

“It’s a collection of programmes aimed at resolving these issues within four to five years, and I have no doubt it will work,” she asserted.

Meanwhile, the Minister underscored the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach, involving parents, teachers, children, the literacy department, and other partners. She also called for accountability within the system, questioning how some students reach Grade Six unable to write a single word at the national examination.

“This, my friends, is the game changer in the education system. The literacy programmes, collectively, is the game changer, along with trained teachers, along with schools, along with support for families. This is the game changer in the education system and so we are asking for stakeholder support. We're asking for stakeholder support; the Union has to buy into this.”

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

A view of the first-ever 24-hour Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Development Center

Peace Corps volunteers to aid in nursery school health screenings – Health Minister

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Wednesday called on the 36th cohort of the United States (US) Peace Corps volunteers to play a vital role in early childhood healthcare by assisting with the screening of pupils before they enter nursery school.

On Wednesday, Guyana welcomed the 36th cohort of Peace Corps volunteers, which marked another step in the long-standing partnership between the country and the US aimed at deepening community development, education support, and cultural exchange across all regions.

The volunteers, who come from diverse backgrounds and professional disciplines, will be deployed to various communities throughout Guyana to support initiatives in education, health, youth empowerment, and capacity building. Many of them will live and work in remote and underserved areas, helping to bridge gaps and support sustainable local development.

According to Dr Anthony, this partnership with the US Government has brought not only human resources to Guyana but also the sharing of equipment and knowledge across various fields, especially to aid in the screen-

ing of pupils.

“Our aim is that every child entering nursery school should be screened before they go into nursery school. And when they leave nursery to go into primary school, they should be screened again. And when they leave primary to enter secondary school, they should be screened again. We have a menu of age-appropriate measures that we are using to screen them,” the Minister explained. He continued, “The

volunteers who would be working between health and education – I think this would be a very meaningful programme for you to support. We have lots of children that we want to screen. And if we find any issues, we want to bring them into the medical system so we can respond appropriately.”

Another key area identified for volunteer support is the elimination of infectious diseases, which Dr Anthony noted would bene-

fit greatly from the involvement of the Peace Corps.

“If you want to get involved in those areas, we are willing to have you work there as well. One of the exciting things we’re doing is working to eliminate certain infectious diseases from Guyana. For example, lymphatic filariasis has been with us for more than two centuries – probably longer – but we are now on the verge of eliminating this disease.”

Meanwhile, Dr Anthony noted that Peace Corps members will be a valuable asset in hinterland regions, particularly in the assistance of preserving local Indigenous languages, where there is a shortage

of personnel.

“For those of you serving in the interior, we also have nine Amerindian languages, and some of these are endangered. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) standards, only 2000 to 4000 people are fluent in some of these languages. We are working to preserve them.”

He explained that volunteers will have an opportunity to interact with native speakers, potentially learn some of the language, and immerse themselves in the rich cultural diversity of Guyana’s interior.

“There’s so much you can learn from the people

who live there – they are true guardians of our interior forests. The traditional knowledge they can pass on is truly remarkable." Dr Anthony stressed.

“If you want to learn more about that, the opportunities are there. But overall, there is so much to learn from this experience. I hope you enjoy every moment of it, and when you return to the United States, you take some of this with you,” he concluded.

The Peace Corps volunteers will be deployed to various communities throughout Guyana to support initiatives in education, health, youth empowerment, and capacity building.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony speaking during the ceremony held at the Umana Yana on Wednesday

Guyana, US continuing talks to further reduce tariffs – VP

Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo has reiterated that Guyana and the United States (US) are continuing discussions on the possibility of a further reduction of the reciprocal tariff.

Last week, the White House revealed that the 38 per cent reciprocal tariff announced for Guyana in April has been reduced to 15 per cent.

Some sections of society were critical of the decision, arguing that Guyana could have secured a lower reduction.

During his press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo rejected those criticisms, noting that the current reduction is proof that the country’s economic diplo-

macy was effective. He further noted that discussions are still ongoing, with hopes of further reducing the tariff to 10 per cent.

According to Jagdeo, the US authorities understand that the trade surplus be-

tween the two countries is 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 approached this matter differently… Now, unlike with some other countries which

I think 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,” Jagdeo told reporters at his press conference last week.

Speaking on the issue at that press conference, Jagdeo had said 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 had said.

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 responsibil-

ity 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,” Jagdeo had said.

THAG calls for peace, tolerance, stability ahead of national elections

The Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), in a statement on Thursday, urged all political parties,

stakeholder bodies, and Guyanese in general to uphold a code of tolerance, maturity, peace, and stability – particularly during the critical periods leading

up to, during, and immediately after the elections. According to the tourism body, elections often come with heightened emotions and tensions,

and in such times, it is more important than ever that we act with restraint and unity.

THAG encouraged everyone to de-escalate potential conflicts in homes, workplaces, communities, and across the nation.

With Guyana’s General and Regional Elections just over three weeks away, THAG stated Guyanese should work together to ensure that Guyana remains a safe and welcoming destination – for Guyanese and

for visitors, whether they are here for business or leisure.

As we look ahead, plans for the year 2026 continue. Guyana will celebrate 60

years as an independent nation, and excitement is already building. Some hotels are fully booked, and tours are being planned, THAG noted.

We have much to explore, unite, and mix in 2026 – but this will only be possible if we protect the peace and stability that allow our people and our tourism industry to thrive. Let peace be our priority. Let unity be our strength. Let 2026 be our celebration, the statement concluded.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Fisherman pulled from Corentyne River

Autopsy shows man died from drowning

An autopsy conducted on the body of the man who was pulled out of the Corentyne River on Wednesday afternoon has revealed that he died from asphyxia and drowning.

The autopsy was done by Government pathologist Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan.

Police on Thursday released the identity of the man, saying it was 22-yearold Tamesh Takurdin, a fisherman of Number 65 Village, Corentyne.

According to the police, Takurdin, along with three

other fishermen, was in a boat on Wednesday afternoon just off the Corentyne coast when the boat reportedly capsized.

As a result, the young man disappeared into the murky water, and his lifeless body was found by several residents some 90 minutes later at the mouth of the Number 65 Channel.

The body was examined for marks of violence, but none were seen. The police reported that froth was observed oozing from his nostrils and mouth.

The boat captain, who

was subsequently arrested the same day, remains under questioning.

However, despite the police report of three persons in the vessel when it capsized, Takurdin’s relatives told this publication that the 22-year-old and the boat captain were the only two occupants in the boat at the time it capsized.

According to the fisherman’s sister, Kavina Takurdin, he worked as a boat builder and had gone to work at the boat landing at Number 65 Village.

According to Kavina,

they were only informed of the incident sometime after. “I didn’t believe. Until I see my brother, then I believe,” she recalled.

Meanwhile, Takurdin’s 17-year-old wife, Radika Sookdeo, said her husband did not come home for lunch, and she could not get on to him by phone. Hours later, she was told that he fell overboard and could not be found.

According to the now teenage widow, she was told that her husband was

repairing a boat during the day. She said he was working on a speedboat which had leaks.

“He was putting cork on the boat bottom – and another boy, he drank [intoxicated], and he went in the boat and started up the boat, and my husband told him to wait, but he didn’t wait. My husband told him that he wasn’t going. He said that he wanted to come off the boat, but the boy didn’t wait; he drove off the boat,” she claimed.

Both the sister and wife described Takurdin as being a kind person who never consumed alcohol and was committed to his family. He was the eldest of four siblings. Takurdin and his wife were married for just over five months and have no children. Family members remain, however, suspicious of the circumstances surrounding the death of the young boat builder and called for a deeper probe into his death.

Guyana set to showcase cultural heritage at CARIFESTA XV in Barbados

Guyana, the birthplace of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), is ready to showcase its culture again as the region comes together for the 15th edition, scheduled for August 22–31, 2025, in Bridgetown, Barbados.

This year’s festival, themed “Caribbean Roots, Global Excellence”, promises to be a celebration of regional diversity, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of our Caribbean community.

The Government’s ongoing support for CARIFESTA shows its commitment to cultural integration and regional growth.

Guyana’s delegation is expected to feature a powerful blend of traditional dance, drumming, storytelling, fashion, culinary artistry, and contemporary

performances.

As the diverse group of cultural ambassadors prepare to journey into a renaissance of regional pride, for them, the festival is not just a stage but a rite of passage and an opportunity to use the art of expression to tell the stories of authentic Guyanese traditions.

At the heart of the cultural showcase is the highly anticipated “Guyana Night”, which features signature performances designed to immerse the audience in the rich heritage and diverse artistic expressions of Guyanese people.

The Director of National Events at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Andrew Tyndall, described the upcoming presentation as “a cohesive blend of sound, movement, and storytelling that celebrates our six peoples and one na-

tion”.

He emphasised that the selection process was primarily based on the winners of most national competitions and cultural events held in Guyana.

To complement Guyana’s rich cultural palette, the culinary showcase at the festival’s “Grand Market” aims to tempt visitors with a bold

fusion of flavours that reflect traditional Afro, Indo, Indigenous and Creole heritage, promising an unforgettable taste of home.

The stage is set to come alive with featured performances by the National Drama Company, the National Dance Company, and an array of vocal performances by renowned local artists.

Creatives will participate in a variety of literary events, which spotlight some of the local winners from the Guyana Prize for Literature competition 2025, including film screenings, spoken word poetry, exhibitions and an award-winning play directed by Rae Wiltshire.

Guyana’s participation at CARIFESTA XV builds

on its strong legacy at past festivals, where the ambassadors have consistently impressed audiences with their innovation and cultural authenticity.

As the delegation prepares to depart on this journey, anticipation is high for what promises to be a memorable and impactful presence on the regional stage. [DPI]

8-year-old killed in CWC accident

Autopsy reveals death from fractured spine, spinal cord severance due to speeding car

Afractured spine with severance of the spinal cord is the cause of death of an eight-yearold student of Crabwood Creek (CWC) Primary who was hit by a speeding car on Tuesday.

The autopsy was conducted on Thursday by Government Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan, who also concluded that the injuries to eight-year-old Sahil Naipaul were due to a motor vehicle accident.

The Police had reported that the driver fled the scene after the accident.

According to the Police, the crash involved motor car PAK 6593, driven by a 21-year-old man, also from Crabwood Creek.

Reports indicate that after being contacted, the Police quickly responded

and headed in the direction of Moleson Creek in pursuit of the driver, who had entered a back street and was heading in the opposite direction when apprehended.

According to the Police, the driver claimed that the child ran across the road and the front of the vehicle hit him.

The child’s mother, Davi Ramkissoon, had stated that at the time, she was at home cooking and it was a neighbour who told her about the accident

“I put down everything and I came out on the road and I see my son in the trench,” the mother of five recalled, while revealing that three years ago she also lost her eldest son, who was 10 years old at the time.

She said she pulled

out her son’s lifeless body, which was submerged in the trench.

“Mud was in his mouth, his teeth and all his foot break up, his hand break and he went in the trench,” she added mournfully.

The news of her son being killed in a vehicular accident was shocking to the 24-year-old mother.

She said she trusted her son to use the road, noting that he would run errands using the family’s bicycle or even their electric bike to do so. In fact, she noted that on two occasions Tuesday morning, he was sent to the shop on the family’s bicycle To reach the shop, he would have had to cross the Corentyne Highway.

The driver is expected to be placed before the court today, Friday.

Dead: Tamesh Takurdin

The boat that reportedly capsized, resulting in Takurdin’s death

Takurdin's sister Kavina Takurdin

Young widow Radika Sookdeo

Dead: Eight-year-old Sahil Naipaul

Regional

Haiti businessman takes over presidency as gangs threaten transition

Haitian businessman Laurent SaintCyr took over his country’s leadership on Thursday, the last phase of its transition before it is mandated to hand power to a democratically elected successor, but a top gang leader threatened to topple the precarious Government.

Saint-Cyr was inaugurated at a ceremony at the capital’s Villa d’Acceuil, the temporary seat of power after downtown Port-auPrince became too insecure.

He called on foreign allies to do more to help local security forces that have struggled to prevent heavily armed gangs from gaining power and territory.

“I invite all international partners to increase their support, send more soldiers, and provide more training,” Saint-Cyr said at the ceremony. “I am asking the security forces to intensify their operations.”

A UN-backed security force led by Kenyan police deployed to Haiti a year ago, but it has struggled with a lack of personnel and resources. The council has said it has recently contracted a private military company to assiSt Bursts of gunfire were heard in parts of the capital on Thursday morning, as Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier, who leads the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs that now controls most of

Businessman Laurent Saint-Cyr delivers a speech after assuming the presidency of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

the capital, threatened to disrupt the transition.

“We have decided to march on the Premier’s office and the Villa d’Accueil to end it all,” Cherizier said in a video shared on social media.

The inauguration ceremony ended without disruption, however.

The UN-backed force said it had thwarted plots to “disrupt national stability and render the country ungovernable” in the early hours of Thursday.

Three of its officers were briefly hospitalised after two patrolling armed vehicles came under attack by Molotov cocktails and were set ablaze, it said.

Saint-Cyr, who sat on a prior transition council during the premiership of Ariel Henry, took over from former central bank chief Fritz Alphonse Jean, mark-

ing a shift to the right for the unpopular nine-member council.

Saint-Cyr represents Haiti’s private sector on the council, which consists of leaders from different society groups.

Prime Minister AlixDidier Fils-Aime is also from Haiti’s business class. Both he and Saint-Cyr are mixed-race, and some Haitians have raised concerns of power concentrating in the hands of the former French colony’s wealthy, lighter-skinned economic elite.

Saint-Cyr’s term runs until February 7, 2026, when the council’s mandate is set to end and a newly elected President be inaugurated, although it is unclear if elections called for November will be able to take place. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Swine virus outbreak in Trinidad prompts vigilance

Barbadian authorities stepped up surveillance and biosecurity measures after a deadly virus swept through a pig farm in Trinidad, but the officials insisted the outbreak currently poses no threat to the swine industry.

The Ministry of Agriculture remained on alert on Wednesday following confirmation of a deadly outbreak of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in Trinidad.

But in a statement to Barbados TODAY on Wednesday, Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir gave assurances the island’s pig population remains safe. The virus – commonly known as “blue ear disease” – is not a threat to humans and cannot be contracted through the consumption of pork, he said.

The disease, which

has devastated at least one Trinidadian pig farm, spreads easily among swine through direct contact and bodily fluids.

“Transmission of the virus occurs through direct contact between pigs and via bodily fluids such as urine, faeces, and nasal secretions. Importantly, it is not transmitted through the consumption of pork,” Weir explained.

While Barbados does not import pork from Trinidad, border protocols remain strict, and veterinary authorities are closely monitoring developments in the region, he added.

His comments follow confirmation from Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Agriculture earlier this week that PRRS has resurfaced in that country, with 264 pigs set to be culled and buried at a farm after testing positive for the virus on July 21.

The outbreak in

Wallerfield in northern Trinidad comes just weeks after the Ministry confirmed another PRRS detection in early July and marks the second outbreak in as many years. In 2023, the disease was found on a farm in south Trinidad.

According to the Trinidad Guardian newspaper, the outbreak has prompted immediate containment measures. A letter from Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Lisa Musai confirmed that Maturine’s farm had been declared an infected zone.

PRRS affects pigs’ reproductive and respiratory systems, often causing abortions, piglet mortality, fever, and breathing difficulties. Though harmless to humans, it can be spread through contaminated clothing, equipment, and vehicles – making strict on-farm biosecurity vital. (Excerpt from Barbados Today)

plot suspect held

Man detained on gun charge after threat to kill lawyers of Teteron inmates, CoP confirms T&T

ASanta Cruz man alleged to be a senior member of the Resistance Gang, who was held in connection with a reported plot to kill two defence attorneys, has been charged with trafficking in firearms.

The 36-year-old appeared before High Court Master Adia Mohammed on Tuesday and was remanded in custody without bail.

He was arrested on July 30 with what police described as a “sophisticated weapon”, which was supposedly going to be used in the assassination of the two lawyers.

The suspect has been described as a “close associate” of a senior Resistance member who is currently incarcerated at Teteron Barracks, Chaguaramas.

Guardian Media understands that the suspect, who cannot be named at this time as the police investigation into the alleged plot continues, was upset with the representation being meted out to the inmate, who was relocated from the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) on July 18, the same day the State of Emergency was declared.

A senior T&T Police Service (TTPS) official said, “Intelligence suggests that frustrations within the criminal network, particularly over legal setbacks in attempts to transfer their leadership from

Guantanamo Bay and back to the MSP, have escalated into threats against members of the legal fraternity, whom they have termed as jokey lawyers who have the bosses locked down.”

Contacted yesterday on the issue, Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said, “Law enforcement and intelligence agencies continue to treat these threats with the utmost seriousness.”

He confirmed the two attorneys had been briefed regarding the threat and were advised on what security measures they should adopt.

Guevarro reassured that all necessary steps were be-

ing taken to thoroughly investigate the matter, which, he said, “remained an extremely sensitive matter which touched on issues and processes regarding national security.”

The senior Resistance Gang member was among ten inmates who were removed from the Maximum Security Prison and transferred to the Teteron Barracks, Chaguaramas, in the early hours of July 18 as the SoE went into effect.

Guevarro has said that the initial threat that led to the SoE being declared has since been neutralised.

(Excerpt from Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)

Bahamas Speaker suspends MP after

he refuses to apologise

The Bahamas House of Assembly Speaker Patricia Deveaux on Wednesday suspended Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright from the next sitting of the House of Assembly after he failed to apologise as recommended by a ruling by the Committee on Privilege.

Last week, Englerston member of Parliament (MP) Glenys Hanna-Martin noted that the committee had met and concluded that both Cartwright and St Anne’s MP Adrian White should apologise to the House of Assembly over their actions in separate incidents.

Regarding Cartwright, Hanna-Martin said he accused South and Central Andros MP Leon Lundy of misleading the House of Assembly after a back-andforth between the two over water supply rates and charges.

She said Cartwright

“used words that [Lundy] found objectionable” and that he refused to withdraw his statement when asked by Lundy to do so.

The matter was referred to the Committee on Privilege, which HannaMartin said “found the words used by the member for St Barnabas to be unfounded or unsupported and unwarranted in the circumstances”.

“It is the view of the committee and its recommendation that the member for St Barnabas take the high road and apologise to this House for accusing the member for South and Central Andros of deliberately misleading the House, as the evidence he used to support his claim failed to do so upon examination,” she said.

During Wednesday's morning sitting of the House of Assembly, Deveaux called on Cartwright to respond to the findings of the committee.

After more disagree-

ment between Government and opposition MPs on the issue, Cartwright refused to apologise.

“Madam Speaker, for the record, with God as my guide and my commitment to my principles, I cannot, in good conscience, apologise,” he said.

Deveaux asked him again, noting that he was disobeying the ruling.

In response, Cartwright said, “The members of the committee are not the only honourable members in here, and as a fellow honourable member of this place who is the subject of this committee, with my duty to my own conscience and the principles that I bring to this, I cannot in good conscience give an apology.”

Deveaux then ruled that Cartwright be suspended from the next sitting of the House, which will take place in a few weeks following the summer break. (Excerpt from Nassau Guardian)

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro

Around the World

OOIL NEWS

Oil falls on announcement of Trump-Putin meeting

il prices dropped on Thursday for a sixth consecutive session after the Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet United States (US) President Donald Trump in the coming days, raising expectations for a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine.

Brent crude futures settled down 46 cents, or 0.7 per cent, at US$66.43 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 47 cents, or 0.7 per cent, to US$63.88.

Both benchmarks slid about 1 per cent on Wednesday, touching their lowest in eight weeks, after comments from Trump on progress in talks with Moscow.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Thursday that Trump and Putin would meet in the coming days in what would be the first summit between leaders of the two countries since 2021.

A White House official had previously said that Trump could meet Putin as soon as next week.

The US, however, continued preparations to impose secondary sanctions on major buyers of Russian energy products to try to pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.

Russia is the world’s second-biggest producer of oil, behind the United States.

Oil prices have dropped over 9 per cent over the last week.

“Additional increases in OPEC production remain as the overriding negative consideration, while continued tariff uncertainties are still providing the main argument favouring lower price levels,” analysts at energy advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates said in a note.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, including Russia, together known as OPEC+, met on Sunday to raise oil production by 547,000 barrels per day for September.

Thursday’s selling was limited by a crude stockpile drawdown in the US, higher Saudi prices for Asia and solid Chinese crude imports in July, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Modi ready to "pay a heavy price" as India seeks to resist Trump tariffs

The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has said he is ready to “pay a very heavy price” for resisting US attempts to dictate the country’s trade policies, as India took a defiant position in the wake of Trump’s punitive export tariffs.

In an executive order signed on Wednesday, Trump slapped India with an additional 25 per cent tariff in a move he described as punishment for continuing to purchase large quantities of Russian oil and “fuelling Russia’s war machine”. It came on top of a 25 per cent tariff for Indian exports already announced by the US President.

India’s foreign Ministry hit back almost instantly, calling the additional tariff “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable” and accusing the US of double standards, as other countries also importing Russian oil have not faced the same punitive

US announces US$50M reward for capture of Venezuela dictator Nicolás Maduro

The Trump administration on Thursday offered a US$50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.

“Maduro uses foreign terrorist organizations like [Tren de Aragua], Sinaloa and Cartel of the Suns to bring deadly drugs and violence into our country,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a video posted on X.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has thus far seized 30 tons of cocaine

linked to Maduro and his associates, Bondi said, and “nearly seven tons linked to Maduro himself, which represents a primary source of income for the deadly cartels based in Venezuela and Mexico.”

The attorney general noted that cocaine linked to Maduro’s smuggling scheme “is often laced with fentanyl” and has resulted in “the loss and destruction of countless American lives.”

In March 2020, Maduro, 62, was hit with a slew of federal charges in the Southern District of New York relat-

ed to his drug trafficking efforts, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.

Following the indictment, President Trump’s first term administration had initially offered a $15 million reward for his capture.

The State Department, under former President Joe Biden, raised the bounty to $25 million on Jan. 10, which the Trump administration doubled on Thursday.

5 killed in China’s

action.

According to Indian officials, the US has been pushing India to allow for the import of American genetically modified (GM) crops into the country and for duty-free imports on US farm and dairy products.

However, protecting India’s hundreds of millions of farmers – who are a powerful political lobby – is seen as a highly sensitive area for the Modi Government. Indian officials said these areas were “non-negotiable on principle” and were firm that “we can’t import GM”.

That stance was reflected in Modi’s speech on Wednesday night. “India will never compromise on the interests of its farmers, livestock rearers and fisherfolk,” he said. “And I know that I will personally have to pay a very heavy price for this, but I am ready.” (Excerpt from The Guardian)

“The DOJ has seized over $700 million of Maduro linked assets, including two private jets, nine vehicles and more. Yet Maduro’s reign of terror continues,” Bondi said.

“He is one of the largest narco traffickers in the world, and a threat to our national security,” she added.

Bondi vowed that “under President Trump’s leadership, Maduro will not escape justice, and he will be held accountable for his despicable crimes.” (Source NY Post)

Xinjiang after cable on suspension bridge snaps

Five people were killed after a cable on a suspension bridge snapped in north western China’s Xinjiang region, causing them to fall off the bridge, state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Thursday.

The incident, which took place at 06:18h (10:18h GMT) on Wednesday in a sightseeing area in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, injured a further 24 people, Xinhua said.

The scenic area has been closed while the incident is being investigated, Xinhua said.

Videos circulating on social media, verified by Reuters, show a low-hang-

Aftermath of a suspension bridge collapse in Yili, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video

ing suspension bridge tilted to one side with handrails made from cables dangling between the walkway and the ground below. Part of the bridge hangs over a river.

The videos also show at least two people lying on the ground below the bridge. In one of the videos, a casualty was put onto a wooden plank, while another video shows people carrying the makeshift stretcher away from the scene.

The central Government has sent a task force to the site of the accident to oversee the investigation and the treatment of the injured, Xinhua said in a separate report. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Train and bus collide in central Kenya; at least 4 killed

Atrain and a bus collided on a railway crossing in central Kenya on Thursday, killing at least four people and injuring others.

The Kenya Pipeline Company, whose bus was involved in the accident, said it was carrying staff finishing their morning shift at a training centre near the town of Naivasha.

“All injured staff have been evacuated to hospitals within Naivasha for medical attention,” the company said in a statement.

It added that it would organise airlifts for those critically injured.

A Red Cross worker at the scene told Reuters that so far emergency teams had recovered four bodies from the wreckage.

The Kenya Pipeline Company did not say how many people had been killed or injured.

The Standard newspaper cited a police commander as saying at least six people had been killed and scores injured in the accident. (Reuters)

Ex-Superman Dean Cain to join ICE ‘ASAP’ to "save America"

Dean Cain has been branded the “worst Superman ever” as he announced he will join the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “ASAP”.

The 59-year-old, who was cast as Superman in the TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, announced he had joined the team amid the federal agency’s unprecedented immigration raids.

He told Fox News on Wednesday his recruitment video on Instagram had gone viral, and since then, “I have spoken with some of the officials over at ICE, and I will be sworn in as an ICE agent ASAP.”

“You can defend your homeland and get great benefits,” he said in the Instagram post where he appealed for his followers to join ICE.

Speaking with the Superman theme song in the

background, he said “hundreds of thousands of criminals” had been arrested since US President Donald Trump took office.

He then told his followers they would get a series of benefits if they joined ICE, including a (US) $50,000 signing bonus and student loan repayment.

“If you want to help save America, ICE is arresting the worst of the worst and removing them from America’s

streets,” he said, before adding, “I voted for that.”

Cain’s post on Instagram received some backlash, with one user commenting, “Worst Superman ever.”

Another said, “Shame on you, Dean – that’s the most un-Superman thing you could possibly advocate.”

One fan turned against him and said, “Until I saw this, I was such a fan. What a sad human being you must be.” (Excerpt from Sky News)

People gather in front of the wreckage of a staff bus that collided at a railway crossing in Naivasha, Kenya

Take the guessing out of the equation. When in doubt, ask. It’s essential to determine where you stand so you can move forward and focus on what truly matters to you.

Overselling your capabilities will backfire. Listen to someone’s idea or requirements, consider their words carefully and offer what you can. Someone you meet will show interest in you.

Don’t shy away from engagement, but avoid overspending, getting involved in joint ventures or paying for someone else. You can’t buy love; use your charm to win someone’s affection.

Embrace kindness, generosity and a playful attitude, and you’ll attract love. Muster up some courage to update your appearance, and set trends that help you fulfill your dreams.

Partnerships, conversations and sharing ideas will change your perspective regarding your goals. Offer incentives to people who can contribute something valuable to your agenda, and success will be yours.

Know who you are dealing with before you enter the ring. How you go about your business will make a big difference. Success comes with fine-tuning your approach and maintaining a positive attitude.

Choose self-improvement over criticizing others. Getting along is crucial if you want to get ahead. Choose to charm those you encounter with your witty conversation and resourcefulness.

Keep an open mind, but refuse to let your emotions dictate your actions. Avoid situations that can put you in harm’s way. Pay attention to your physical needs and make healthier life choices.

Pay attention to where your money goes. Before starting a new project, determine its cost and explore ways to reduce expenses. Learn from experience and avoid debt.

Look for opportunities, not for trouble. Shared expenses and joint ventures will not meet your expectations. A discrepancy regarding agreements will leave you in a precarious position.

Control whatever situation you face and turn it into a happy adventure. Be the instigator of good times and healthy living. Put your energy where it counts.

Participate in networking events and promote yourself. A vibrant attitude will help you attract attention. Look and do your best, and step into the spotlight.

ARCHIE

Matt Henry's sixth Test five-for eclipsed Brendan Taylor's international comeback and entrenched questions over Zimbabwe's batting in the longest format. Zimbabwe were bowled out for their lowest total in nine innings and second-lowest since 2023, with Taylor's 44 and Tafadzwa Tsiga's 33 being the only individual scores over 11. That Taylor and Tsiga never batted together further underlines the issue, as Zimbabwe mustered a best partnership of only 29 on a surface where they chose to bat first.

There was some early movement, but with less bounce on offer than last week, and the quality of New Zealand's seamers shone through. Henry led the attack, but debutants Zakary Foulkes, Jacob Duffy and Matthew Fisher were also impressive. They varied lengths well and bowled tight lines to a plan to give New Zealand's lineup the best of the batting conditions.

In response, Devon Conway and Will Young put on New Zealand's third-highest opening partnership against Zimbabwe and New Zealand's first opening stand of over 150 in almost three years. It was their fourth century stand together and first for the opening wicket. Though separated late in the day, Conway and Young put New Zealand ahead, and memories of Taylor's slog earlier in the day were already far from mind.

Taylor was called into action immediately on his comeback after a threeand-a-half-year ban when he was elevated to open the batting – something he had only done six times before –in place of Ben Curran. The reason for that became obvious as Taylor looked, by a distance, the most aware of his off stump, left well, and defended solidly. With all those qualities on display in the morning, he will be livid with the manner of his dismissal shortly after lunch. Taylor

became Henry's third wicket when he popped a tame catch to stand-in captain Mitchell Santner at extra cover to end a twohour-and-23-minute stay at the crease. By then, Zimbabwe were in all sorts of trouble. They had already lost the rest of their top order thanks to poor shot selection in the face of excellent bowling. Brian Bennett, who partnered Taylor, was out as early as the ninth ball when he chased a delivery that shaped away and edged Henry to second slip and will have to address his technique going forward.

Henry should have had Nick Welch off the next

the break on 67 for 4, with Taylor on 33 and well set. His shot of the session was an upper cut off Duffy that was struck powerfully and placed well.

The same could not be said of the shot Taylor played in the afternoon, when Henry bowled on a good length outside off, and Taylor tried to drive off the back foot but chipped the ball to Santner. At the start of the next over, Foulkes set a leg-side trap for Sikandar Raza and banged it in short, and Raza walked straight in. He moved to the off side and guided the ball into Rachin Ravindra's hands. That was the third time in as many innings in this series that Raza was dismissed by the short ball.

ball when he edged a goodlength delivery. But Young, who took the catch that dismissed Bennett, could not hold on. Welch was beaten on the outside edge at least twice more by Henry, who then beat his inside edge and had him out lbw.

Zimbabwe would have hoped an experienced middle order would stabilise them, but Sean Williams and Craig Ervine went cheaply. Williams was worked over by Foulkes, who moved the ball away late and edged to third slip, where Young took a diving catch to his right. Then, on the stroke of lunch, Ervine reached for a full, wide ball and handed Young a third catch. Zimbabwe went to

Foulkes had Trevor Gwandu lbw three balls later, and Zimbabwe had crashed to 83 for 7. The end of the innings was only a matter of time. Henry picked up his fourth when Vincent Masekesa played down the wrong line and the ball hit the top of the off stump, and his fifth when Blessing Muzarabani backed away and was bowled. Foulkes also chased a fifth, but Tsiga and Tanaka Chivanga resisted with a 25-run last wicket stand.

Tsiga played a couple of well-timed shots through deep third and midwicket and offered a rare glimmer of hope for Zimbabwe's batting. But he ran out of partners when Chivanga failed

to use his feet and drove Fisher to mid-off to give him a wicket on debut. Zimbabwe were bowled out inside 49 overs.

In response, New Zealand raced to 57 without loss after ten overs, and 40 of their runs came in boundaries. Conway got hold of fuller deliveries from Chivanga, while Young, who was struck on the glove, took on Muzarabani's short ball. Zimbabwe's new-ball pair then adjusted their lengths, but when Muzarabani and Chivanga went full, it was too full, and Conway cashed in. Chivanga's fourth over cost 14 runs as Young cut him twice and then edged a back-of-a-length ball over the slips to bring up New Zealand's fifty.

Gwandu's introduction quietened things down, but only a touch, as New Zealand accumulated with ease. Chivanga changed ends, and it was off him that Young brought up his 11th Test fifty and New Zealand's hundred with a flick through midwicket.

Zimbabwe's best chance came shortly after the day's final drinks break when Muzarabani drew Conway's

edge, but the chance died on Ervine at slip. Muzarabani also found the inside edge, but the ball raced away for four. Conway rode his luck and then brought up his 13th Test fifty. New Zealand were in the lead with 14.4 overs left to play on the opening day.

They were 33 runs ahead when Masekesa thought he had the breakthrough. He hit Conway, on 72, in front of middle and leg and appealed for lbw, but it was turned down. Zimbabwe finally had some joy when Young tried to pull Gwandu but chopped on. Young remains without a century one innings into his 22nd Test. Conway finished the day on 79* alongside night watcher Duffy. (ESPNcricinfo)

Matt Henry bagged 5 for 40, his sixth Test five-for

Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher and Zak Foulkes earned their first Test caps

Will Young remains without a century one innings into his 22nd Test

Brendan Taylor scored 44 on his return to Test cricket

This evening will be marked as a historic one in Guyanese women’s football history as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women’s Division One

Expectations high as Women’s Division 1 League kicks off tonight

League 2025 kicks off.

A $1M grand prize is on the line; ten women’s teams from Guyana’s Elite League clubs will begin their quest tonight for supremacy in the

one-round league, which will be followed by a playoff competition.

Tonight’s women’s football action will get going with a clash between Monedderlust Football Club and Fruta Conquerors

FC, set to begin at 18:00h. Thereafter, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Women will do battle with Santos FC at 19:30h, both at the National Training Centre, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Eager to see the kick-off of this year’s competition, GFF President Wayne Forde spoke of the positive impacts of the revamped Women’s League.

SLewis most recent beneficiary of “Project Cricket Gear”

es of balls, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves and two sets of stumps and bails.

ixteen-year-old national junior all-rounder

Emmanuel Lewis has once again benefited from the “Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”, a noble initiative being conducted jointly by Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA.

Lewis was the recipient of one brand new cricket gear bag, which was purchased with funds from this project.

The prolific batsman, who also bowls medium pace and leg spin, recently participated in the prestigious, annual Sir Garfield Sobers tournament in Barbados with great success. Lewis is set to represent his home country in the 2025 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Under-17 tournament, to be held in Trinidad and Tobago later this month.

He is a student of Carmel Secondary School and represents Transport Sports Club at all levels.

At a simple ceremony held recently, Lewis promised to work hard on his game and do Guyana proud. He has the distinction of scoring a double hundred at the InterAssociation level.

According to facilitators, this project will continue to improve the lives of youths in every community. “We are pleased to be part of the development of young cricketers in Guyana. Our aim is to keep them off the streets and get them actively involved in sports, cricket in particular,” they noted.

Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far: $730,000 in cash, 13 coloured

cricket uniforms, one set of stumps, two trophies, 36 pairs of cricket shoes, 38 pairs of batting pads, 47 cricket bats, 42 pairs of batting gloves, 29 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, 14 gear bags, 13 bat rubbers, seven helmets, one fibreglass bat, one pair of floppy hats, one pair of inners, 16 boxes and four of white cricket balls, 13 boxes of red cricket balls, one bat cone and 28 footballs. In addition to the above, gear with a value of over $600,000 was donated by Sheikh Mohamed, former national wicketkeeper/batsman.

All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.

To date, 99 players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited directly from cash, nine gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 36 bats, four boxes, six helmets, 37 pairs of cricket shoes, 21 pairs of batting pads, 26 thigh pads, one bat grip, four pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicketkeeping pads and four pairs of wicketkeeping gloves with one pair of inners.

Many others benefited indirectly.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, and Cold Fusion Cricket Club received 13 coloured uniforms, while RHCCCC received six box-

Other beneficiaries are the Essequibo Cricket Board, the town of Lethem, youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls), male and female teams playing the traditional hardball and softball in the Upper Corentyne area, No 65 Young Titans with 30 T-shirts, youths of Just Try Cricket Club, Wakenaam Cricket Academy with one box of white balls, Shamar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Leguan Cricket Committee, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Malteenoes Sports Club with nine cricket balls each, Kendall’s Union cricket club with 12 red balls, Lower Corentyne, Corentyne Comprehensive and JC Chandisingh Secondary Schools with 12 red balls each, Thaddeus Lovell with one pair of cricket shoes, GCC, two

boxes of white cricket balls, Bush Lot United Sports Club with one box of red balls, West Demerara Cricket Association with one box of white balls, Blairmont Cricket Club with one pair of batting pads, one cricket bat and one helmet and cricket balls, Tagore Memorial Secondary School and St Cuthbert’s Mission with a box of balls, and Port Mourant Cricket Club with three boxes of balls, white cricket uniforms and one bat stick.

As part of the initiative, cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country, and club leaders are assisting to identify the same. Progressive and well-managed cricket clubs with a youth programme will also benefit.

“We are taking a bold step to establish a sustainable Women’s League for our most talented domestic players,” President Forde shared.

“The Women’s Division 1 League will significantly increase playing opportunities for our athletes, enhance talent scouting, and provide our domestic coaches with the vital experience needed to work effectively with female players.”

“Additionally, this league will serve as a platform for the development of female referees and match administrators.”

Forde added, “As a key component of our Women’s Development Strategy, this league will elevate the profile of women’s football, boost participation, and inspire more young women to get involved in the sport – a winwin for everyone involved.”

Beaming with pride at the vast improvements made to the Women’s League, which encompass prize money, investment, opportunities for players across the country and the utilisation of the Elite League clubs, was Women’s Football Association President Andrea Johnson.

“The kick-off of the Women’s Division 1 League marks a bold step forward for our women. We’re proud to see our Elite League clubs

Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Tournament shifts to November

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) announced the postponement of the 8th Annual Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Tournament, originally scheduled for August 15-17, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

According to a release from the GBA, the championship will now be held at a date to be announced in November, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control.

In a letter to presidents of the boxing associations throughout the Caribbean,

the GBA explained that they recognise and appreciate the time, effort, and preparation that athletes, coaches, and officials from across the Caribbean have dedicated in anticipation of the prestigious event.

“Please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this necessary adjustment may cause,” the GBA said.

Led by President Steve Ninvalle, the GBA noted that the new dates for the tournament will be confirmed and communicated shortly, along

with updated logistical details to support all planning efforts.

leading the way in setting high, competitive standards, and even more excited to welcome a wave of emerging talent stepping onto the national stage and even the international stage,” Johnson expressed.

She went on to highlight, “We deliberately chose to begin with our ten Elite League clubs not only because it is a requirement for their club licensing, but also because they have proven structures, talent development pathways, and a commitment to excellence. This foundation gives rising stars a real stage to shine, and already we’re seeing an exciting influx of new players ready to make their mark. This league is not only a platform for excellence but also a clear signal that the future of women’s football is here, and it’s brighter than ever.”

Following tonight’s action, the competition will continue next Friday, August 15, with another doubleheader. At 18:00h, Fruta Conquerors will face off with Den Amstel FC, while Ann’s Grove and Slingerz FC go head-to-head at 19:30h at the same venue.

With a $1M first-place prize up for grabs for the first time in Guyana’s women’s football history, tonight’s games are expected to be the commencement of competitive, fast-paced and exhilarating competition between Guyana’s women. In addition, the teams will later compete for a $300,000 first prize in the playoff competition.

The GBA said they remain committed and unwavering in delivering a worldclass event that not only upholds the standards of excellence the tournament has become known for but also continues to serve as a vital platform for the growth and development of young boxing talent throughout the Region.

Guyana are the reigning Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Champions

GBA President Steve Ninvalle

Emmanuel Lewis shows off his new gear bag

CONCACAF U15 Championships…

Glasgow, Garrett find the net to silence Cuba U15s

Guyana’s National Under-15 Boys brought up their second victory of the CONCACAF U15 Championships, pulling off a commanding win against Cuba on Thursday morning at the Stadion CD Guillermo Trinidad in Aruba.

Head Coach Levi Brathwaite opted for five changes to his starting XI, which saw Mark Glasgow donning the captain’s armband, alongside goalkeeper Matthew Gajadar, Tyler Abrams, Nyron Barrow, Simon Solomon, Mekaiya Daniels, Mark Stewart, Brandon Parks, Juslyn Halley, Germaine Garrett and Jaden Tasher.

After a few chances went begging on both sides

of the pitch, Guyana’s captain was the one to break the ice in the 22nd minute. Glasgow won a battle with two defenders in the final third, going on to slip the ball into the left corner of the goal past an outstretched Darion Chavez in goal for Cuba for Guyana’s first goal.

Then, just before the first half ended, Garrett got just enough on a service from Barrow at the corner to slip the ball through the legs of Chavez for Guyana’s second goal in the 35th+2.

However, Guyana were forced into defence mode after Cuba’s Erick Grotestan capitalised on some chaos between the sticks to slip the ball in for their consolation in the 39th minute.

Guyana’s defences would hold up until the 70th minute to land the Junior Golden Jaguars anoth er three points and a sec ond-place finish in Group C.

While Puerto Rico played unbeaten for nine points from three wins, Guyana finished second with six points from two wins and a loss. Cuba were third in the group with three points from two losses and a win, while the Cayman Islands were unable to register any wins and thus came up empty-handed on points.

Though they will not advance to the semi-finals (group winners Puerto Rico, advanced), the national U15 team will play one more placement match in this year’s U15 Championships.

ECCB launches 1st and 2nd Division Tournaments

The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) recently launched the Naven’s Construction First Division 50 overs competition and the Premier Insurance Second Division 40 overs competition at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) community ground on August 6, 2025.

The Naven’s Construction First Division 50 overs competition will see 12 teams competing: Ogle, Better Hope A, LBI A, Lusignan A, Lusignan B, Industry, Buxton, Enterprise A, Enmore, Golden Grove A, Fairfield, and Young Rivals A.

The chairman of the ECCB’s competition committee, Yeuraj Khemraj, gave a brief outline of the action-packed competition.

“This competition will start with 12 teams, and upon conclusion, the two teams that end at the bottom of the table will be demoted to second division competition, and the top two teams from the second division tournament will be promoted up to the first division tournaments. So, it will be a demotion-promotion link that will work together continuously throughout both competitions hand in hand.”

The tournament's sponsor, Naven Singh, is once again elated to be a part of the competition.

Singh stated, “Randy came up to me and wanted me to sponsor the first division, and I said ‘yes, no problem’. Anything to do with East Coast cricket, I’m always on board.”

The second division tournament will comprise 12 teams: Better Hope United, LBI B, Young Rivals B, Buxton B, East Coast Masters, Lusignan

East, Novar, Golden Grove B, Unity, Low Land, Helena and Hope Estate CC.

The tournament's sponsor Premier Insurance representative, Anil Singh outlined the importance of developing young cricketers on the East Coast. Singh shared, “I believe that it’s for the first time that we will be doing an official East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) tournament, and we are proud to do this because it contributes to another level. Its contribution towards the development of the younger players and this tournament is separate from private cricket, which actually allows the young-

er players to really develop. Clubs are encouraged to give opportunities to the younger players.”

Premier Insurance's support of grassroots cricket was acknowledged by the ECCB, which also pointed out that the competition will provide a stage for both seasoned and upand-coming players to display their skills. The event is anticipated to last for many weeks and will feature matches at several locations around the East Coast region. The tournament winners will receive a trophy and $200,000, while the runners-up will receive $100,000.

The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) recently confirmed the participation of its junior athletes in two prestigious international competitions this August.

A Junior Pan American Games team departed for Asunción, Paraguay, on August 7, 2025. Representing Guyana are Frank Waddell, Jonathan Debidin, Mishka Beharry, and Leshaunte Berkley. These athletes will compete in the singles and mixed doubles events. The competition will run from August 10 to 13, 2025. The team will be led by National Senior Men’s Champion,

Akili Haynes, who will serve as both coach and manager.

Following the Pan Am Games, Coach Haynes and the team will travel to Bridgetown, Barbados, where they will be joined by Ruel Rambiriche to represent Guyana at the CAREBACO Junior Team Tournament from August 14 to 17, 2025. Frank Waddell will not participate in this leg due to age eligibility restrictions.

In Barbados, the Guyanese team will compete in the Mixed Team Event, facing regional opponents across five match categories: Boys’ Singles, Girls’ Singles, Boys’ Doubles, Girls’ Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. Also joining them in Barbados for the CAREBACO Individual Championships, which will span August 19-23, 2025, will be another strong contingent consisting of Coach Nkosi Beaton and players Yonneil Benjamin, Christopher Jordan, Joel Rambiriche, Anjaneysa Godette, and Liam Brumell. These athletes will compete in their respective U11 to U19 age categories.

The GBA has extended its best wishes to all the athletes as they continue to represent the nation with pride and determination on the international stage.

Naven Singh (left)

Premier Insurance representative Anil Singh (left) and Chairman of the ECCB competition committee, Yeuraj Khemraj

Guyana’s CAREBACO team feature, among others, Jonathan Debidin, Leshaunte Berkley, Ruel Rambiriche, Yonneil Benjamin, Christopher Jordan, Liam Brumell, Mishka Beharry, Anjaneysa Godette, and Joel Rambiriche

The Junior Pan Am team, from left: Jonathan Debidin, Leshaunte Berkley, Coach Akili Haynes, Mishka Beharry and Frank Waddell

Guyana’s U15 boys celebrate their opening goal on Thursday

President Godfrey Munroe and the Executive Committee of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) have revealed that Guyana’s swimming ace Raekwon Noel and hockey’s junior girls’ team captain Sarah Klautky will be Guyana’s flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay,

this Saturday.

The duo will lead athletes from six sport disciplines who have qualified or were selected to represent Guyana at the highest continental junior games.

The opening ceremony for the games is scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 19:00h at the UENO Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asunción, Paraguay.

Noel, one of the region’s top junior swimmers who recently won several medals at the Junior Pan Am Swimming Championships, is expected to lead Guyana’s medal hunt, while Klautky will lead Guyana’s hockey team in what represents one of our first team sport participations at the junior edition of the games.

The Junior Pan American Games bring together the best junior athletes and future Olympic prospects from South, North, and

Central America and the Caribbean to compete in 21 sport disciplines. It is a flagship developmental bridge competition for the Pan Am Sports Organisation, the region’s lead international sport organisation.

The Guyanese sport disciplines that have qualified for the games are archery, athletics, badminton, hockey, swimming and weightlifting. Guyana will be represented by a 50-member delegation comprising the following athletes, coaches and officials:

Athletics Team - Malachi Austin, Kaidon Persaud, Shamar Horatio, Simeon Adams, Wesley Tyndall, Afi Blair, Stafon Roach, Anisha Gibbons, Narissa McPherson and Keliza Smith.

Athletics Coachs – Mark Scott and Johnny Gravesande Swimming Team –Raekwon Noel, Paul Mahaica, Shareefah Lewis and Ariel

Rodrigue

Swimming Coach –Stephanie Fraser Archery Team – Archery is set to make its historic debut at the Junior Pan Am Games with Lucas Chung competing Archery Coach –Jeewanram Persaud

Weightlifting Team – This discipline will be represented by young talented prospect Kymani Joseph, who recently participated in the highperformance training camp in Paraguay

Weightlifting Coach –Tyson English Hockey Team – Captain Sarah Klautky, Solana CrumEwing, Tinashe Henry, Kazaquah Uzzi, Keitanna Percival, Kendra James, Charlia Webb, Sara Matthias, Anna Rebecia Ferreira, Africo Blackman, Clayza Bobb, Makaylah Poole, Sarah Harry, Kirsten Gomes, Hannah Percival and Madison Fernandes

Hockey Coach - Philip Fernandes Team

Managers –Gabriella Xavier, Abosaide Cadogan

Physiotherapist and Doctor – Aaron Finer BadmintonMishka Beharry, Jonathan Debidin, Frank Waddell and Leshaunte Berkley

Badminton Coach – Akili Haynes

The team will be accompanied and supported by Chef de Mission Sileena Arjune, Deputy Chef de Mission Nalini McKoy, physiotherapist Vanessa Wickham and Welfare Officer Carolyn Garraway

Further, the Games will get under way on Sunday, August 10, 2025, and end on Saturday, August 23

Swimming will commence

on Sunday and end on Thursday, August 14, badminton shuttles off on Sunday, August 10 and ends on the 13th, athletics commences on Monday, August 18 and concludes on the 22nd, while the hockey team commence their quest for medals on Sunday, August 10, and that ends on the 19th. Meanwhile, archery starts on Sunday, August 10 and ends on the 12th, and weightlifting gets underway on Wednesday, August 20 and ends on the 23rd.

Chicago Fire FC loans Glasgow to USL’s Loudoun United

Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire Football Club on Thursday announced that it has loaned defender/ winger Omari Glasgow to United Soccer League (USL) Championship side Loudoun United Football Club for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Glasgow, 21, joined the Chicago Fire in March 2022 as a member of the club’s

MLS NEXT Pro side, Chicago Fire II, before signing a contract with the first team in December 2024. Glasgow appeared in 14 matches for the Fire in 2025 (four starts) and three in 2024 when he was called up to the first team on short-term agreements from Chicago Fire II. At the international level, Glasgow is a constant for the Guyana

Men’s National Team. He is currently the Golden Jaguars’ leading scorer with 21 tallies in 33 international matches played. In 2024, Glasgow was awarded the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League Young Player of the Tournament honours. Additionally, with seven goals in five games,

Glasgow earned CONCACAF Nations League Top Scorer honours, making him the first Guyanese player to win the award. Glasgow was the youngest player in competition history to earn the honour at just 20 years of age.

Loudoun United shared about Glasgow’s acquisition, “As Guyana’s all-time leading goal scorer, Glasgow joins the Red-and-White

with valuable international experience with the Guyana Men’s National Team, having competed in both FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and CONCACAF Nations League matches.”

“I’m very excited to join the club for the rest of this season, and I can’t wait to get started and compete with these guys,” Glasgow said.

“Omari is a tremendous

young man who fits perfectly with our style of play and attacking philosophy,” said Head Coach of Loudoun United FC, Ryan Martin.

“Coming from Chicago Fire, a club with a similar game model, he brings pace, directness, and the ability to stretch the opposition by running in behind. We believe he’ll be a big addition for us down the stretch and a fan favourite.”

Guyana’s Omari Glasgow has been loaned to Loudoun United FC for the remainder of the 2025 season

National record holder Raekwon Noel is the other half of Guyana’s flag-bearing duo

Hockey Captain Sarah Klautky will bear Guyana’s flag