Guyana Times - Friday, December 5, 2025

Finance Minister warns against economic complacency

Linden contractor remanded after gun, ammo found hidden in ceiling

NA youth nabbed with illegal gun in home

Rape accused charged, remanded for narcotics possession

“The real issue is $191B” tax evasion – AG slams silence on Mohameds’ owed taxes

Chevron to spend up to US$19B next year on US, Guyana oil production

UG creates historic 1st as 18 Rupununi teachers graduate with CDL/MPE

Eighteen nursery school teachers from the South and Central Rupununi in Region Nine made history on November 22, 2025, when they graduated with the Certificate in Dual Language/Multilingual Practice in Education (CDL/ MPE).

Their achievement not only strengthens the nation’s capacity to better support multilingual learners but also marks the University of Guyana’s first cohort of graduates in this specialised field.

The teachers who participated in the year-long, fulltime programme were drawn from the villages of Achiwib, Aishalton, Awarewaunau, Karaudarnau, Katoonarib, Katu’ur, Maruranau, Rupunau, Sand Creek, Sawariwau, Shea, Shiriri, and Shulinab.

Central to the CDL/MPE programme was its teacher- and student-centred design, which encouraged participants to act as reflective practitioners and researchers. Within the programme, the teacher/students were termed Junior Researchers (JRs), and the facilitators,

Senior Researchers (SRs).

JRs met twice weekly with SRs for three-hour sessions from October 2024 to July 2025.

Through “proof of practice” methods, JRs presented classroom video recordings, conducted self-observations, created culturally relevant resources, and carried out interviews with parents and children to document local language use.

The programme gen-

erated several important resources, including the Wapichan Phonics Curriculum for the nursery levels and a series of Wapichan Big Books created by the JRs. While long-term outcomes will require further study, early classroom observations are promising. JRs report greater student participation, clearer comprehension, and increased pride among children using Wapichan in class.

As one participant noted, “Dual and multilingual education has helped my learners gain confidence, communicate better, and express themselves freely. They participate more and understand concepts faster, showing greater cultural awareness.”

Graduates described the programme as transformative for their teaching, confidence, and understanding of language in education.

Lourinca James shared, “This programme reshaped my classroom into a more inclusive and empowering environment where children’s voices are heard. Multilingual education transforms classrooms into spaces where children can thrive.”

“Earning this certificate is a dream come true. It equips me to help revolutionise education in the Rupununi, build cultural identity, and enrich young minds,” said Denis Gomes, another graduate.

For Dolores Rodrigues, the achievement “represents my fellow Wapichan people.”

She expressed gratitude to the parents and learners of Shea Nursery School, the MoE, the IDB, UG lecturers, and her family for their support. “This programme has deepened my commitment to bilingual education. Thanks to my Heavenly Father, through whom all things are possible,” she added.

“At first I wasn’t motivated, but this programme opened my eyes to the importance of language in the classroom. When I use children’s home language, learning becomes joyful

and meaningful. This programme is even helping me as I pursue my degree,” said Tracy, another teacher who completed the programme.

Elaine Joseph described the programme as “a truly transformative experience that strengthened my ability to use children’s home language to explain difficult concepts. I now feel more confident and better equipped to support diverse learners. I highly recommend this programme to other educators.”

For teacher Fatima Wilson, the journey has been “a testament to resilience and determination. I am proud to be part of the first cohort to earn this certificate and excited to use my knowledge to positively impact my school and Guyana.” Finally, Elsie Griffith, another graduate, stated, “I am proud to be a certified university graduate. Though challenging, the programme was worth it. I am committed to creating classrooms where the Wapichan language is encouraged and included.”

The first cohort of students graduating with the Certificate in Dual Language/Multilingual Practice in Education (CDL/MPE) from the University of Guyana, together with Deputy Chief Education Officer for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development, Marti De Souza; Charlene Wilkinson, lecturer in the Department of Language and Cultural Studies (first right); and Dr Tamirand Nnena De Lisser, Coordinator of the University of Guyana’s Guyanese Languages Unit

BRIDGE OPENING

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, December 5 –16:10h–17:40h and Saturday, December 6 – 05:20h–06:50h.

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 cloudy skies will bring thundery showers again at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 16:35h reaching a maximum height of 2.83 metres.

Low Tide: 10:09h and 22:41h reaching minimum heights of 0.38 metre and 0.59 metre.

Finance Minister warns against economic complacency

...as US Ambassador stresses danger of becoming “pariah State”

tark warnings against economic complacency and the risk of becoming an internationally isolated “pariah state” were delivered Wednesday, as Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and US Ambassador Nicole Theriot delivered high-level appeals for national vigilance.

Addressing manufacturers at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) 30th Anniversary Dinner at the Georgetown Marriott, Singh praised the association’s role in powering the non-oil economy but cautioned that Guyana must aggressively safeguard democratic integrity and global financial credibility or face erosion of investor confidence and diplomatic relevance in an era of intensifying global disruption.

Focusing on governance, geopolitics, and financial credibility, the Finance Minister noted that these issues must never be underestimated in responsible policy-making. “We must never underestimate the importance of preserving the democratic credentials of our country and preserving our standing in the international community, including the integrity of our financial system as part of an integrated, unavoidable, global financial and economic system,” he cautioned, stressing that national progress can quickly regress if democratic or financial integrity is weakened.

Singh also reinforced that macroeconomic stability must be defended and institutionalised. “We must also never take for granted the importance of macroeconomic stability and macroeconomic resilience,” he further posited, explaining that a resilient economy includes strong institutional structures, an oil and gas-backed natural resource fund, and a sovereign wealth fund governed transparently and strategically.

At this point, he reminded the audience that Guyana stands today as one of the very few countries in the world to have accumulated enough resources in its sovereign wealth fund to pay off the entire external debt while still having cash remaining – a milestone underscoring enormous fiscal potential.

“But also, when we spe-

ak of resilience, we are speaking also of an economy that is more diversified and needs to be more diversified,” Singh stressed. “Resilience can only be achieved if we diversify the sources of growth and the sources of macroeconomic and fiscal space… You will hear us speaking incessantly about the importance of the non-oil economy and, importantly, the importance of a globally competitive nonoil economy.”

“Pariah State”

In her address to the gathering, United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot issued one of the evening’s strongest warnings: “Should Guyana take its current position for granted, it can run the risk of becoming a pariah state, or a state isolated by those who traditionally have been its friends, such as the USA.”

Theriot emphasised that global confidence in Guyana’s financial and democratic posture is central to its continued economic rise.

“Guyana is at an economic inflection point – a moment countries wait decades for,” Ambassador Theriot stated. “But the fastest way

to lose the world’s trust is to behave like you no longer need it. A resilient economy must also be a trusted one.

The United States wants Guyana to succeed, but success requires discipline, democratic strength, and global responsibility, not complacency.”

Global unpredictability

The Finance Minister began his address by congratulating businesses for their sustained contributions to Guyana’s growing non-oil economy, assuring them that the Government of Guyana, under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali, remains committed to responsible governance, investor support, and long-term national stability amid an unpredictable global commodities market.

“Everybody has been alive long enough to remember an era when oil was US$138 a barrel, and we should remember not only the era of oil being US$138 per barrel, but we’ve also in recent memory lived through a period more recently when oil was as low as US$13 per barrel, and the reality is that oil did not stay at US$138 per bar-

rel for very long,” Minister Singh explained. He further underscored that, only two and a half years ago, oil commanded US$98 per barrel, starkly contrasting with current pricing realities. “It’s not US$98 a barrel today; it’s closer to maybe sixty-something dollars – a third less than it was two and a half years ago. That's the reality of the world in which we live.”

Drawing an economic parallel with gold, Singh reminded stakeholders of the volatility inherent in Guyana’s commodity-dependent economy. “Gold is, of course, an important contributor to our economy, and all of us in this room, we celebrate the fact that gold today is US$4000 an ounce, but we can all in this room remember a period when we were excited about gold even crossing the US$400 threshold, and we can all remember a time when gold was just US$450 an ounce. Today it is US$4000 an ounce. I don’t know who will wager whether it will remain at US$4000 an ounce,” he expressed.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

GMSA President Rafeek Khan

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Advancing autism care

Guyana’s commitments to strengthening its health and education systems continue to demonstrate a recognition of the needs of some of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. The disclosure by Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony that the Government is expanding its capacity to identify and support children on the autism spectrum is an important moment in the country’s pursuit of inclusive development. This advancement signals an investment in early diagnosis, evidence-based care, and long-term support for children and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Autism Spectrum Disorder is widely understood today as a complex neurodevelopmental condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Its impact on social communication, behaviour, and cognitive development makes early detection essential. For many years, delayed diagnosis has contributed to gaps in learning, reduced access to interventions, and limited opportunities for affected children to reach their full potential. The move toward systematic identification and structured care marks a transformative and necessary shift in national policy.

The Government’s efforts to train professionals in autism detection are timely and commendable. Equipping healthcare workers, caregivers, and primary care physicians with the tools to recognise developmental differences ensures that children are not left behind during their formative years. The introduction of child psychiatrists into the public health system – another first for the country – further enhances Guyana’s clinical capacity to assess and manage ASD.

Collaborative efforts with renowned institutions such as Mount Sinai also reflect a sophisticated understanding that modern health care flourishes through partnership and knowledge sharing.

The development of national guidelines for autism diagnosis and management, supported by international expertise, will provide a standardised framework across health facilities. These guidelines are expected to sharpen clinical accuracy, reduce diagnostic disparities between regions, and ensure that children, regardless of geography, benefit from the same level of care. The decision to begin rolling out nationwide training once these guidelines are finalised further underscores the intention to build sustainable, long-term capacity.

National data presented by the National Commission on Disability provides valuable insight into the landscape of autism in Guyana. With Region Four recording the highest number of cases, consistent with its population density, and several hinterland regions yet to document confirmed cases, the country’s diagnostic reach remains uneven. This disparity makes the expansion of trained personnel and standardised protocols even more critical. Improved detection will reveal the true prevalence of autism across all regions, as well as guide policy planning, resource allocation, and community-level awareness initiatives.

Global statistics underscore the importance of such investments. Autism is diagnosed at notable rates in both developed and developing countries, with international data showing a prevalence of one in fifty-four children in the United States and eleven per thousand across the Caribbean. These figures underscore the need for systems capable of early recognition. Research demonstrating earlier and more frequent diagnoses among boys than girls highlights the importance of gendersensitive screening as well. When health systems are equipped to identify language delays, social differences, and repetitive behavioural patterns from early childhood, the outcomes for affected children can be significantly improved.

Education remains a critical pillar of autism support, and the Government’s previously announced commitment to establishing the country’s first school dedicated specifically to autistic learners is another significant leap forward. Tailored education environments can provide structured learning, sensory-appropriate spaces, and specialised teaching approaches that are key to the academic and social development of students with ASD. Such an institution will support individual learners and will also serve as a model of inclusive educational reform across the country.

Strengthening early diagnosis, enhancing clinical expertise, expanding caregiver training, and forging partnerships with global institutions collectively create a foundation that will uplift generations of children.

The age of unipolar

diplomacy is coming to an end

By Jonathan Whittall

In Gaza, the world has seen the cost of a diplomacy that claims to uphold a rules-based order but applies it selectively. The United States intervened late, and only to defend an occupation the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled illegal. Alongside other Western nations that built multilateral institutions, the US increasingly pursues nationalist agendas that undermine them. The hypocrisy is stark: one set of rules for Ukraine, another for Gaza.

This erosion of credibility marks the structural collapse of unipolar authority, symbolised by the US’ absence from the Group of 20 (G20) in South Africa this past week.

As thousands gather in Qatar over the coming days for this year’s Doha Forum under the theme “Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress”, the failure to prevent genocide demands a reckoning. The imposed ceasefire in Gaza has delivered neither political resolution nor safety for Palestinians. Meanwhile, the future of Gaza continues to be discussed without Palestinians in the room.

This is not an unusual scene. Since the Cold War, international diplomacy has operated on what might be called the master-key model, where one powerful actor unlocks a conflict through political leverage, economic pressure, or conditional aid. Around it grew an entire ecosystem: humanitarian organisations, think tanks, mediators, and consulting firms, often funded by Western states, reinforcing the belief that a call to Washington could solve any crisis.

The ceasefire in Gaza shows that the master key

can still turn the lock. The US exerted its influence, and the humanitarian community fell in line to deliver dividends on the deal. A Civil-Military Coordination Center has been set up by the US military to coordinate the delivery of aid and reconstruction.

States have hailed this flawed agreement as a breakthrough. Yet the fact that this master key was used only after two years of total destruction – despite extensive humanitarian diplomacy and in a way that entrenches an illegal occupation – exposes the moral bankruptcy of real estate diplomacy, most clearly embodied by the transactional approach taken by the current US Administration, which ultimately advances a settler-colonial logic.

We are living through what Antonio Gramsci, writing from his imprisonment by fascists in the 1930s, called an interregnum, when “the old world is dying and the new world struggles to be born”. In that void, the “morbid symptoms” of resurgent fascism and ethno-nationalism emerge.

So what remains when a superpower refuses to turn the lock? A world that is no longer unipolar but multipolar is messy and contested, requiring a new approach for those seeking to influence the outcomes of conflicts.

The age of singular leverage is fading, and institutions built for the 20th century cling to outdated maps. As Western power turns inward, those who built their credibility on proximity to it face a crisis of legitimacy.

The United Nations has struggled to assert influence in this shifting landscape, constrained by the politics of its funders and the erosion of trust among affected popula-

tions. Yet this transition offers the UN a rare opportunity to renew its legitimacy by aligning with emerging powers, embracing regional partnerships, and championing the equitable application of international law. If it adapts, it could serve as a bridge between the old order and the new. If it does not, it dies.

Amid this transformation, new centres of gravity are emerging in the pursuit of meaningful peace and security. In Doha, a mediation hub has taken shape. Qatar has leveraged its unique political position and diplomatic agility to broker dialogue where traditional power has faltered. Its open channels with actors across divides have made Doha an indispensable node in the global architecture of conflict resolution – even for its critics. South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice and the Hague Group show how legitimacy is shifting – a shift forged in the ruins of a genocide.

Out of this could emerge a new form of political leverage, created through broader alliances and an insistence on accountability rather than dominance and co-option. As the Doha Forum theme suggests, it is a call to move “Beyond Promises to Progress” by putting “Justice in Action”.

However, when nations overwhelmingly voted this month for the UN Security Council resolution endorsing the US plan for Gaza, it demonstrated the fragility of this emerging order. States bowed to American pressure, according to diplomats familiar with the negotiations, proving that economic interests still supersede a resurgent decolonial movement. It was a reminder that multipolarity is not a guarantee of justice; it is only a redistribu-

tion of influence. It does not have to be this way. The Global South can be a geopolitical bloc that builds its own negotiating tables and sets its own terms. The growing assertiveness of the BRICS coalition of economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and the diplomatic independence of some Latin American Governments already demonstrated this possibility. Ignoring this is ignoring the future. At the recent BRICS summit in August 2025, member states reiterated their push for a multipolar order, challenging the longstanding dominance of Western capitals in international diplomacy.

Diplomacy, whether conducted by states, multilateral institutions, or those who support them, must evolve beyond the logic of the master key. It needs a craft built on ideological honesty and pragmatic engagement. This means confronting asymmetries of modern conflict, rejecting the blanket labelling of entire movements as “terrorist”, and recognising the legitimacy of diverse power structures. Pragmatic engagement requires readiness for multi-door dialogue and engagement with the actors who actually hold power – including regional alliances, armed groups, and civic movements. Those clinging to a single, crude key will be left behind. Palestinians – and others who have suffered under a unipolar order – will not miss them. The future of peace-making belongs to those who carry many keys and know which door to open, and when. The age of the master key is coming to an end. (Al Jazeera) Jonathan Whittall is a humanitarian leader and political analyst from South Africa.

Germany's record-breaking house of Christmas trees. Susanne and Thomas Jeromin broke their world record for the largest number of decorated Christmas trees in one place with a total of 621 trees this year. The Jeromins are the official world record holders recognised by the Record Institute Germany (RID) (Reuters)

Guidelines, training to better identify autism spectrum – Health Minister

...as Ministry focuses on early detection, support

Minister of Health

Dr Frank Anthony has disclosed that the Government is training professionals to better identify children on the autism spectrum so they can receive the care they need.

“Another area that we’re expanding our focus on is in the area of autism because we have children; sometimes, we don’t diagnose them on time,” Dr Anthony said during an event on Wednesday. “But we now have, for the first time in the country, two child psychiatrists, and we have other persons who are training to identify people on the autistic spectrum.”

“We have just concluded guidelines with Mount Sinai’s assistance, and very

soon we will be rolling out those guidelines, training our caregivers and primary care doctors so that they can identify people early, and if they determine that this child is on the spectrum, then we want to put them in programmes that’s going to be beneficial for them,” the minister added.

According to the National Commission on Disability (NCD) in Guyana, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder which affects the nerves and is caused by complex genetic and environmental factors that come together to change the brain’s development.

“This fosters a deficit in social communication and

interaction, which brings about gaps between educating communities, along acceptance and inclusion of persons who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is imperative to note that fostering good environments in which persons are grown and nurtured is paramount,” the NCD noted.

On its website, it highlighted that in the United States, the prevalence of autism is one in every fifty-four children, whereas in the Caribbean, the prevalence of autism is eleven in every one thousand children.

“Research has shown that this condition occurs more often in boys than girls, and early symptoms may include a marked de-

lay in language and social development. To be diagnosed with autism, a person must show symptoms in the areas of difficulties with communication and social interaction and restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour or activities,” the NCD also noted.

The NCD also outlined that in Guyana, the prevalence of autism varies by region, with Region Four recording the highest number of persons. “This may be because this region is the most populated,” it noted, adding that research has also shown that Region Three, followed by Regions Six, 10, Five, and Two, have recorded cases of autism.

“Further, there are still

yet to be published actual cases of children with autism in Regions Eight, Nine, and One (National Household Survey on Persons with Disabilities NHSPWD – National Commission on Disability, 2016),” the commission said.

In January, the then Minister of Education Priya Manickchand had announced that the Government is designing the country’s first school which would cater specifically to autistic learners.

Guyana: One-off disability grant and 5000 inclusive jobs

Dear Editor, Guyana’s Government has taken steps to support persons living with disabilities, a group often left behind, especially during the pandemic. A one-off cash grant of GY$50,000 will provide much-needed liquidity to persons with disabilities who face steeper challenges to afford living costs and access essential services and employment. The cash transfer, if efficiently implemented, should meet urgent needs and buy time to push for a longer-term vision of more inclusive social protection.

Cash will help to meet a range of essential costs, from transport to assistive devices to medication to therapy to higher everyday expenses like food and household items. The immediate relief of GY$50,000, especially to households whose budgets are stretched by inflation and other care costs, can be used to pay utility bills or buy durable goods, such as hearing aids and white canes, or to cover shortterm needs for additional caregiving. In a country where informal jobs and irregular incomes are the norm, the grant is a source of stability that can contribute to better overall well-being and lower anxiety. In addition to putting cash in the hands of many persons with disabilities, the grant can create a mul-

tiplier effect in neighbourhoods when GY$50,000 is spent on local transport services, neighbourhood shops, and small businesses. This could make the cash transfer’s positive impact visible, particularly in rural or hinterland areas where money circulates faster and other sources of income or Government support may be less readily available.

Cash will not solve the exclusion that persons with disabilities experience daily. This one-off grant must be accompanied by longer-term efforts, including new jobs that are accessible to all, to begin to reverse exclusion from society and the economy. The Government’s announcement of 5000 new jobs for persons with disabilities is therefore welcome.

Creating inclusive jobs for persons with disabilities will tackle one of the largest structural barriers to social protection. Employment is the best form of insurance, and persons with disabilities are much more likely to be poor than persons without disabilities. Labour market exclusion can arise because of stigma, inaccessible work sites, or a lack of resources to pay for an extra worker or accommodation.

Employer-side support for creating accessible and inclusive jobs should be part of the plan. Tax incentives for retrofitting work -

spaces, wage subsidies, or dedicated spaces to hire and train newly accessible workspaces, as well as an awareness campaign to reduce hesitation or lack of information about hiring persons with disabilities, would remove some of the barriers that make employers reticent to make changes. Awarding Government contracts for services to companies with an accessible hiring plan, or having tax deductions for accessible retrofitting, would send a clear message. Finally, anti-discrimination enforcement and accessible complaint channels should ensure that the new jobs are actually productive, pay a living wage, and are not in isolation, so that people have careers and not just jobs.

Taken together, the one-

off cash transfer and the 5000 accessible jobs can be the start of a virtuous cycle for persons with disabilities that provides both immediate support and a pipeline for more long-term inclusion in work and social life. The cash transfer, if efficiently implemented, will provide immediate liquidity, and the 5000 jobs would begin the long, necessary process of normalising accessibility and ensuring inclusion for persons with disabilities.

Guyana has a chance to follow its progressive commitments on disability inclusion in practice and in principle with the equal-opportunity provisions in its constitution. The one-time cash transfer and new jobs for persons with disabilities demonstrate that inclusive policies and pro-

grammes are possible and needed.

The one-off cash grant meets urgent needs, and the announcement of 5000 jobs provides a pathway to more inclusive economic and social life in the longer term. Together, the cash transfer and new jobs

form part of a continuum of inclusion where the most marginalised can begin to access the protections of the state and to feel included in the fabric of civic and social life.

Yours sincerely,

Sign Off 06:00 Cartoons

Evening News (RB) 09:00 Stop Suffering 10:00 Movie - Fred Claus (2007) 12:00 News Break

12:05 Movie - The Polar Express (2004) 13:45 Indian Movie - '83 (2021)

16:30 Indian Soaps

17:00 The Young & The Restless 19:00 The Evening News

20:00 Stop Suffering

20:30 Abbot Elementary S4 E16 21:00 Heartland S1 E8 22:00 Movie - Dear Santa (2024)

Philip Inshanally

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

Quadrilaterals

Example 2

On the polygon below, the points M and N are midpoints of the lines AB and CD, respectively. The quadrilateral has one line of symmetry along MN. Angle AMN = 90°. By looking at the properties, let’s determine the type of quadrilateral.

place the seeds in the soil.

3. Cover the seeds with some more soil. Then, add some water by pouring or spraying onto the soil to make it moist.

1. The dashed vertical line at point M is the one line of symmetry

2. The lines BC and AD are symmetrical about the line MN, and as such must be the same length

3. Adding the co-interior angles ABC and BCD together totals 180°, so the lines AB and CD are parallel

4. As the line MN is a line of symmetry, since the lines on either side are equal, angles at the same base are equal: angles A and B at the top = 43° and angles D and C at the bottom = 137°.

5. Although the diagonals are not shown, the symmetry of the shape and the matched angle pairs imply equal legs and equal base angles, which guarantees equal diagonals.

1. Having satisfied all the properties, we can conclude that the quadrilateral is an isosceles trapezium

4. Poke three holes into the bottom of the empty cup. Then, place it upside down on the cup with the soil and seeds.

5. Tape the two cups together.

6. Place the cups in a sunny spot and observe the changes that happen.

7. Add more water as needed and watch the seeds over 14 days to see them sprout!

8. Extra Step: Once the seeds sprout, move them to a bigger pot and continue to water and make sure they get enough sunlight. It takes almost three months for a carrot to grow.

What’s happening?

Because the roof and walls are transparent, the sun's light and warmth can be used to keep plants healthy even when outside temperatures are too cold for most plants to survive. Greenhouses are useful because they allow us to control the environment and make it easier for plants to grow. This technique has been used for a very long time! Roman gardeners built structures made of cloth covered in oil to provide lots of sunlight to the plants and then brought them inside at night to keep them warm.

(Children’s Science Center Lab)

By ErnEst rhys

No more fugitive, Returning like the sea: But they that share so well Heaven must portion Hell In their copartnery: Care, ill fate, ill health, Came we know not how And broke our commonwealth. Neither has you now. Some wait you on the road, Some in an open door Look for the face you show’d Once there-no more. You never wear the dress You danced in yesterday; Yet, seeming gone, you stay, And come at no man’s call: Yet, laid for burial, You lift up from the dead Your laughing, spangled head. Yes, once I did pursue You, unpursuable; Loved, longed for, hoped for you Blue-eyed and morning brow’d. Ah, lovely happiness! Now that I know you well, TO BE CONTINUED

(Source: Poetry (January 1913)]

You are a Judge presiding over a case regarding a man who claims he is Santa.

Collective action needed to elevate “Destination Guyana” by 2030 – President Ali

...plans in pipeline to expand cruise line, maritime offerings, arts & crafts

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday night issued a rousing call for united, strategic pressure and stakeholder collaboration to transform Guyana into a globally competitive tourism destination by 2030, outlining ambitions to expand cruise tourism, maritime offerings, and commercial creative industries.

The President delivered the remarks during the Guyana Tourism Awards and Gala 2025, where he signalled plans to bid for one of the world’s largest and most extraordinary global events in 2030 – an initiative already formally activated.

“Because these are small opportunities that we can start buying into,” President Ali said, referring to emerging offerings that appeal to niche visitor markets. “If we want to create 'Destination Guyana', I’m going big in 2030 for one of the largest global events,” he added, hinting at a mystery yet to be unveiled.

“We already put the let-

ter in. I’m not going to tell you what it is yet. No, no, no. Bigger. Bigger. We are going for something that is extraordinary. Something that sells the world who we are,” the President teased with deliberate intrigue. “I’m going to keep it to my chest a bit longer, but know that we’ve already put a letter in.”

With intent to multiply Guyana’s cruise tourism footprint, President Ali advocated for a collective diplomatic and commercial push targeting glob-

al cruise operator Royal Caribbean, calling for competitive re-routing pressure supported by physical infrastructure investments.

The President spotlighted regional diplomatic alignment, singling out strategic support expected from Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, whose administration historically secured strong Caribbean home-porting advantages for cruise lines.

“We’re expanding what Guyana offers. We’re developing our market for luxu-

ry cruise tourism,” he said. “And when we build out the waterfront, I want you guys to come together. Go to Royal Caribbean and say, ‘If you come to Trinidad, you have to add Guyana to your destination.’ We must pressure them.”

“We have friends who will fight with us,” Ali reaffirmed. “Barbados is a home port for cruise liners. One of the top home ports. And I know my Prime Minister in Barbados would fight with us to get one of those cruise liners to come here – but help us fight. Help us push together.”

Further, the Guyanese leader anchored the next stage of Guyana’s tourism evolution in the “orange economy” – a model driven by creativity, culture, and ideas, integrating local art, music, drama, heritage, and design into commercial visitor experiences.

The President delivered a comprehensive definition, clarifying that the orange economy derives value not from natural resources, but from people, imagination, cultural expression and artistic skill-building.

“The orange economy

ties all of this together—investments in culture, music, drama, craft, and the wider creative industries,” Ali explained. “We’re enriching the visitor experience and creating new opportunities for Guyanese talent.”

“It is called 'orange' because the colour is often linked to creativity and culture,” the President elaborated. “This economy helps countries earn more, not only from natural resources, but from the skills and artistic strengths of their people.”

He outlined the sectors encompassed by the orange economy, including music, film, theatre, dance, visual arts, fashion, design, craft, festivals and cultural events, along with creative services like advertising, architecture, publishing, animation, gaming and digital media. Cultural heritage in the form of museums, historical sites, and traditional practices, he noted, also plays a central role.

Guyana, he noted, has already drafted a formal vision for its own orange economy strategy. “Our national vision is to build a vi-

brant creative economy that empowers our people, enriches our tourism product, strengthens national identity, and drives sustainable, diversified growth where culture and creativity become engines of opportunity,” the President declared. Ali insisted that the orange economy is not intended to replace Guyana’s traditional tourism advantages but to elevate them into premium, culturally entangled offerings.

“Together these elements produce goods and experiences people value, enjoy and are willing to pay for,” Ali explained. “In this way, the orange economy turns creativity into economic opportunity.”

“This synergy will pair pristine eco-resorts with a night of world-class music and entertainment or cultural heritage tours, giving deeper, authentic experiences that evolving traveller markets demand,” he explained. “We must see this investment not as competition – we all have a role weaving these threads together to build a destination that will truly be the envy of the world.”

UG creates historic 1st as...

The initiative has its genesis in May 2022, when Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin informed the Faculty of Education and Humanities (FEH) that the Ministry of Education (MoE) was seeking support for an intercultural bilingual education programme for Wapichan children.

The Guyanese Languages Unit (GLU),

which is part of the FEH, accepted the request and collaborated with the MoE to launch the programme. It was first envisioned as six short workshops but eventually evolved into a full-time, online university programme, allowing teachers in remote areas to participate without leaving their villages.

The CDL/MPE programme represents a sig-

nificant step forward for mother-tongue-based bilingual education in Guyana. Through reflective practice, community engagement, and a renewed commitment to Indigenous language, the programme has laid a strong foundation for culturally grounded and pedagogically sound education for children.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Linden contractor remanded after gun, ammo found hidden in ceiling

Twenty-eight-yearold Martin Fraser, a contractor of Castello Avenue, Central Amelia's Ward, Linden, who was arrested following discovery of a gun ammunition in the ceiling of his home, was on Thursday charged and remanded to prison.

It was reported that Police conducted a search of the contractor's premises, where they discovered a 9mm pistol along with two magazines containing a total of 48 live rounds of ammunition.

As such, he was arrested and taken to the Mackenzie

Remanded: Martin Fraser

Police Station, where charges were instituted.

However, he appeared before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool at the Linden

Magistrate's Court, where the charges were read to him. He, nevertheless,

pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison until January 8, 2026.

NA youth nabbed with illegal gun

A25-year-old man was taken into custody following the discovery of a .22 calibre firearm in a drawer inside his Tucber Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice home on Wednesday.

Police stated that, acting on information received, ranks went to the home of the young man

in home

and requested to conduct a search, which was granted. During the operation, the .22 calibre firearm was found hidden in a drawer inside the house.

At the time, he was the only occupant, and as such, he was arrested and taken into custody. An investigation into the discovery is underway.

Rape accused charged, sentenced for narcotics possession

Awanted rape accused was arrested on Wednesday for possessing a quantity of cannabis during an intelligence-led operation at Agatash Village, Essequibo River.

Police stated that during the operation, ranks went to a makeshift camp where they confronted 22-year-old Nicholas Allen, a miner from Potaro Road, Bartica. A search was conducted in the camp, where 298.4 grams of cannabis were found. As such, the wanted man and a 17-year-old female who was present at the camp at the time were taken into custody.

During interrogation, it was revealed that an arrest warrant had been issued for Allen in relation to a rape offence.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, he appeared

before Magistrate Tariq Mohamed at the Bartica Magistrate's Court, where he pleaded guilty to the narcotics possession charge and was fined $30,000 and will spend one year in prison.

Conversations… …and misinterpretations

Over the last couple of weeks, reports have been circulating that US President Donald Trump had made a telephone call to Mad Maduro. This, of course, had been after months during which the Donald had been building a vast armada in the Caribbean Sea, blowing narco-boats out of the water, declaring the madman as head of a narco-smuggling cartel, doubling the bounty on his head to FIFTY MILLION US DOLLARS, revealing that CIA operatives were conducting covert operations in Venezuela and finally that he was about to launch military operations on Venezuelan soil to remove him.

Well, we finally heard from Mad Maduro himself on the call!! Rather amazingly, he says the telephone conversation was conducted in a “respectful and cordial manner”!! Your Eyewitness has just picked himself off the floor – where he’d fallen after reading that claim!! – and has had his jaw wired since it had also dropped open and refused to close!! Your Eyewitness is trying to wrap his head around the notion of President Trump conducting a conversation with Mad Maduro in a “respectful and cordial manner!! His mind is still boggling!!

Was Mad Maduro referring to the same US President who’s not only insulted and dismissed heads of what he calls “shithole countries” of the third world but also some of his erstwhile allies in Europe?! Remember the treatment of Zelensky – President of Ukraine – when the latter came calling at the White House?? Wasn’t different from the five African leaders sitting in front of him in the Oval Office whom he asked to state their names and which countries they were from!! But he WAS complimentary to Liberia’s president for speaking English – that country’s official language!!

Your Eyewitness thinks it’s most likely Mad Maduro didn’t really understand what President Trump was saying since the latter only speaks English (beautifully!!) and the former is stuck with Spanish!! From what we know to be Trump’s style, he most likely started out with, “What the hell, Maduro??” Which Mad Maduro took to mean, “Hello Maduro”!! And then followed up with, “I’m giving you a week to pack your bags and leave the country.” Which Mad Maduro must’ve taken as an invitation for him to take a vacation – since he asked whether he could take his wife and those of his closest insiders with him!!

President Trump’s assurance that he’d be housed at Miami’s Federal Correctional Institution – like Panamanian dictator Noriega after his conviction for drug trafficking –clearly was misinterpreted by Mad Maduro, who couldn’t get past the word “housed”!!

Anyhow, we hope Mad Maduro ain’t too shocked when those Navy Seals show us Miraflores Palace with bangles (handcuffs) and (orange) jumpsuits already fitted for him.

They won’t be so “respectful and cordial”!!

…on Doggies

Back in the day, there was a popular song by Patti Page with the refrain, “How much is that doggie in the window?/ The one with the waggly tail/ How much is that doggie in the window?/ I do hope that doggie's for sale!” Well, in Guyana we have our very own Doggie – who wasn’t just in no window but was seen and caught on video in the middle of the biggest Square of the Revolution – not just wagging his tail but brandishing a gun and pistol-whipping a young lady who’d demanded her payment for showing up at a Sanction Man’s WIN Rally!!

We’re told that since the assaulted young lady hadn’t shown up in court – and the police could find no expert to verify a gun was brandished from the video – all that’s left is “disorderly behaviour”!! If we needed any further proof of the screwed-up police prosecutorial system – look no further!!

How much did it cost for that doggie walking free?? Ask Sanction Man!!

…on Disabilities

Guyana hasn’t been a place that’s kind to folks with disabilities. Look at how we mock people who just stammer?? Thankfully, we’re slowly understanding it’s our society that suffers an impairment for displaying such lowdown behaviour.

The gun and ammunition found in the ceiling

The firearm that was found in the drawer

Accused: Nicholas Allen

The cannabis belonging to Allen that was found in the camp

Student health screenings reveal many require hearing aids – Dr Anthony

...as some 70,000 students screened to date through Govt’s Comprehensive Child and Youth Health Programme

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony has disclosed that almost 70,000 students have benefited from free medical check-ups, many of whom need to be outfitted with hearing aids.

Speaking during an event on Wednesday, Dr Anthony disclosed that through the Comprehensive Child and Youth Health Programme, it has been discovered that many children need hearing aids.

“We started doing screening for children going to school, and we were surprised at how many children needed hearing aids… so, as we test them…and if they need such help, we’re able to then bring them into the facility and be able to

outfit them with a hearing aid – and I think that would make a tremendous difference for their education because, think of a child who was sitting in the classroom, not understanding, not hearing what the teacher was saying…that would have prevented them from learning effectively,” he said.

“…so far in the Ministry, we would have screened close to 70,000 children… And our intention is to screen every child that is at school so that we could prevent some of these things, or at least know those children with hearing loss and other developmental issues; and if we pick them up early, we’d be able to address them early,” the Minister added.

Through the programme, children diagnosed with various medical conditions are provided with the necessary assistance from the Health Ministry.

Under the programme, school-aged children are screened for hearing, vision, oral health, and other key areas to help them stay healthy. The aim of the programme is to ensure the nation’s children are offered preventative care and opportunities for a healthy lifestyle through early detection of any health-related issues.

More importantly, the screening exercises are not one-off; children will have at least three medical check-ups before their time in school comes to an end.

A student looks at a school health screening brochure during GuyExpo in November

Cop caught on camera threatening to shoot civilians with AK-47 jailed

Police Constable Daniel Henry, attached to the Port Kaituma Police Station, who was caught on video brandishing an AK47 in public, was charged on Thursday with possession of a firearm with intent to injure and was remanded to prison.

Henry virtually appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Port Kaituma Magistrate's Court and was not required to plead to the indictable charge

when it was read to him.

As such, bail was refused, and he is expected to make his next court appearance on January 14, 2026.

The video, which was released on various social media platforms, showed a drunken Henry, dressed in civilian attire, threatening to shoot and kill civilians. The incident reportedly occurred from Friday evening into the early hours of Saturday, November 29, 2025.

However, hours after the video was posted, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken immediately ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. He was subsequently placed under close arrest.

The Guyana Police Force reported that the contents of the video form part of the ongoing investigation, which will determine the full extent of both disciplinary and criminal actions to be taken.

Lethem porters remanded for attempting to rob businessman

Two porters – Seon Fraser, 26, of Monkey Mountain, and Theron Sandwell, 18, of Paramakatoi, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) –were charged and remanded to prison on Thursday in connection with attempting to commit a felony.

The duo appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the Lethem Magistrate's Court, where the indictable charge was read to them. Police stated that the two men attempted to rob a businessman from Tabatinga,

Charged: Theron Sandwell

Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

They were arrested on December 3, 2025.

Charged: Seon Fraser

Nevertheless, on Thursday, the duo was not required to enter a plea and was remanded to prison until January 28, 2026.

New Amsterdam duo busted with over 20lbs of ganja

Two labourers from New Amsterdam, Berbice, were busted with over 20 pounds of cannabis at D'Edward Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), on Thursday.

Police stated that on the day in question, at about 10:00h, the 44-year-old

from Smithfield and the 24-year-old from Angoys Avenue were seen acting in a suspicious manner by ranks conducting mobile patrol duties.

As such, a search was conducted on both men and on two haversacks that were next to them, during which nine parcels containing cannabis were found.

The men were arrested and taken to the Blairmont Police Station, where the ganja was weighed and amounted to 9.20 kilograms. They remain in custody pending investigations.

Porter stabbed to death during argument with partner

A42-year-old porter was on Wednesday stabbed to death during an argument with his partner at her Recht Door Zee, West Bank Demerara home.

Dead is Peter Michael Rawlins of Tucville, Georgetown. Based on re-

ports, the now deceased man and the suspect, a 27-year-old female Special Constable, were at her home when an argument broke out between them, during which she inflicted a stab wound to his upper right leg.

Rawlins was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention. The suspect was arrested and remains in custody as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, Rawlins's body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting post mortem.

The ganja found in the haversacks belonging to the two men

“The real issue is $191B” tax evasion – AG slams silence on Mohameds’ owed taxes

Attorney General

Anil Nandlall on Tuesday evening called out persons criticising the Government’s payment of US$60,000 in legal fees for the Jamaican and Guyanese lawyers representing the United States in the extradition proceedings against indicted businessmen Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed.

Speaking on his weekly “Issues in the News” programme, Nandlall said those persons should instead be concerned about the $191 billion owed to the Government by the Mohameds.

“Yes, those sums of money were approved to pay the lawyers who were hired by the Government of Guyana to represent the interest of the United States Government. I’ve said that a million times, yet I’m accused of lying… But these same persons are quiet about $191 billion,” he noted.

The $191 billion he refers to is the tax claim by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) against the businessmen. The claim was made in October 2025 following an audit that found the company, Mohamed’s Enterprise, understated its income by over $34 billion for the years 2019-2023.

However, those charges were withdrawn following the US request for extradition.

Azruddin Mohamed was also facing a separate criminal charge for tax fraud in relation to the importation of a Lamborghini, but that matter was also withdrawn to facilitate the US extradition request.

The US Government, in early November, requested the extradition of the Mohameds, who have been indicted by a grand jury in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida on 11 criminal charges ranging from wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering, primarily connected to the export of gold to the US by their company, Mohamed’s Enterprise, between 2017 and June 11, 2024.

Nandlall on Tuesday evening referred to several

fake profiles which he insinuated are connected to the Mohameds as harassing him on social media over the sum to be paid by Guyana for the extradition.

“All of them who are cursing me are the very ones who this money was taken from, or it’s their money that was taken. But that, I suppose, that’s freedom of expression; that’s freedom of political thought… And we will continue to respect the rights of every Guyanese,” he said.

Nandlall had previously explained that Guyana is legally obligated to finance the prosecution of the ongoing extradition proceedings against the Mohameds.

He had noted that the Administration’s decision to pay for the attorneys

prosecuting the US extradition request follows the same international protocol that would apply if Guyana were seeking to have a fugitive returned from another country.

The Mohameds were previously sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which cited that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10,000 kg of gold from import and export declarations and avoided paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.

Currently, the duo are fighting their extradition

before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Presiding over the matter, Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman scheduled oral submissions for December 8, 2025, and indicated that rulings will be delivered on December 10.

The Mohameds will know on December 10 whether the magistrate will refer the United States’ request for their extradition to the High Court of Guyana for further hearing on constitutional grounds.

They remain on bail locally, each secured at $150,000. The bail conditions remain intact as the matter advances toward a

decisive legal marker next month.

Meanwhile, Nandlall had previously explained that though the GRA’s criminal charges against the father and son duo for tax fraud were dropped, the agency will still pursue the recovery of the money in a civil court.

In fact, in the Lamborghini case, the GRA intends to appeal a decision by High Court Judge Justice Gino Persaud, which ultimately blocked the tax body from retroactively reassessing and seeking to recover taxes owed on the undervalued Lamborghini.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

US-indicted Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed who are facing extradition

Hundreds of children in Regions 1, 5, 6 receive gifts from ERC Christmas Toy Drive

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) continued its highly anticipated 2025 Christmas Toy Distribution

on December 2, spreading festive cheer to hundreds of children across Regions One, Five, and Six. The annual initiative,

which aims to foster goodwill and promote unity during the holiday season, began its first phase on Monday, December 1. On Tuesday, ERC Commissioners travelled to Region One (BarimaWaini), where they met scores of pupils and their teachers as part of the ongoing outreach.

Chairman of the ERC, Shaikh Moeenul Hack, led the delegation, which included Commissioners Chandrowtie Sarran, Deon Dick (Ras Khafra), Pandit Krishn Sharma, Reverend Rodwell Porter, along with CEO Gomin Camacho and staff. The team visited several schools, personally handing out toys and engaging with students and teachers.

This week’s distribution exercise covered Region Five’s Hopetown and Bushlot Nursery Schools, Region Six’s Leeds Nursery & Primary and No. 48 Primary School; and Region One’s Wauna Nursery and Primary Schools.

The outreach forms part of the ERC’s wider mandate to promote ethnic harmony and strengthen relations among Guyanese. By reaching children during the festive period, the Commission hopes to reinforce values of kindness, sharing and unity.

According to the ERC, the joy and excitement seen

on the children’s faces in Hopetown, Bushlot, Leeds and No. 48 Village underscore the importance of connecting with communities across the country – regardless of race, religion, or location.

The Commission noted that the spirit of giving will extend beyond the coastland as additional toy distribution exercises are scheduled throughout the remainder of the Christmas season.

The ERC has extended warm holiday greetings to all Guyanese and is encouraging citizens to embrace togetherness and goodwill during this festive period.

Students receiving gifts

NGSA, CSEC 2026 success hinges on mock exams – Education Minister

...calls on parents, teachers to work with students on weak areas

he success of stu-

Tdents preparing for the Caribbean’s two major high-stakes secondary and exit examinations – the 2026 sitting of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the 2026 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), respectively – will be heavily determined by performance on structured mock examinations, Minister of Education Sonia Parag has emphasised, issuing an urgent call for par-

ents and teachers to work intensively with learners in academically weak areas.

Speaking directly to the nation’s exam-bound cohort via video remarks on Tuesday evening, the Education Minister acknowledged the emotional tension surrounding the first set of 2026 preparatory mock assessments, scheduled for December 3 and 4, 2025, for Grade Six students sitting the NGSA, and December 4, 2025, for Grade 11 students writing

the first Mathematics mock sitting for CSEC 2026.

“It’s an important week for us; it’s an important week for our students, it’s an important week for our teachers, as well as our parents,” Parag said, drawing from personal experience to extend reassurance. “And I know how parents can feel at this time because I was that parent last year when my son was also writing NGSE,” she shared, referencing her own journey through the rigours

Maternal death investigation at New Amsterdam Hospital reaching final stages – RHO

Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Vineshri Khirodhar has confirmed that the investigation into the recent maternal death at the New Amsterdam Hospital, where 32-year-old Latoya Griffith and her one-dayold baby both died, is now at an advanced stage and awaiting final review by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

Latoya Griffith, a 32-year-old mother of three, died at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital on November 20, just one day before her baby also passed away.

Family members say negligence and claim that the medical system failed both mother and baby. They have called for a full investigation.

According to the RHO, there must first be an internal review that follows national protocol.

Her comments came after requests at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) meeting on Thursday for information on the finding

of the investigation.

Dr Khirodhar told the RDC that strict national protocols govern maternal and neonatal death investigations, and the RHO cannot independently comment until the process is completed.

“There is an internal investigation… The RHO cannot be investigating a maternal and child death by herself. There is a protocol,” she emphasised.

She explained that the hospital must first conduct its internal review, after which the findings

are examined by the Chief Medical Officer.

“The CMO, who is the highest charge of the medical system in this country, summons another investigation and makes a deliberation. When the CMO deliberates and makes this decision, then the RHO is given liberty to speak,” she told the Council.

Dr Khirodhar confirmed that the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh, is scheduled to be in Region Six today to finalise the investigation.

“The CMO will be in Berbice tomorrow [Friday] morning at 09:30h, and I will be having that deliberation. When the investigation is concluded, all relevant parties seeking answers will get them,” she assured.

The RHO said she recognises the public concern surrounding the maternal death and committed that full information will be released once the official findings are in her possession.

of the now-renamed national assessment.

Mock exams, the Minister stressed, serve a critical diagnostic role in the education system’s performance strategy by identifying knowledge gaps early enough for targeted remediation. “These mock exams are important for the simple reason that it tells the student, and it tells the parent and the teachers where that student’s weaknesses lie, and where their strengths lie in terms of a particular topic or subject,” she explained, urging stakeholders not to treat mock scores as final verdicts but as evidence-driven guides.

Grade Six students began testing English and Science on Wednesday before moving to Mathematics and Social Studies on Thursday. All four core subject areas will include Paper One and Paper Two, but with English mock papers being administered in the reverse order – Paper

Two first, followed by Paper One. Meanwhile, Grade 11 students sitting Mathematics mocks on December 4 will use the exercises to pinpoint challenging topics ahead of their final assessment window, building readiness for CSEC 2026.

“This is to assist you in getting to the point of CSEC where you can excel,” Parag said. “Mock exams give you the chance to determine your weaknesses in Mathematics and which topics need more effort to secure a good CSEC grade. Investment is being made in Mathematics and in our students to make sure outcomes are strong and sustainable.”

The Minister was explicit in her appeal to parents and teachers: immediate corrective support must be deployed for students who underperform mock assessments in certain subject areas. “Pay attention to mock results when they come out,”

she urged. “Prepare learners for the second set of mock exams, which will be held in February 2026 for NGSA and CSEC Mathematics. Mock One covers Grades One to Four, Grade Five, and up to the 10th week of Grade Six for NGSA mock coverage.”

Importantly, Parag reinforced that mock examinations provide timing leverage – students still have months to improve before the final 2026 delivery. She reassured learners not to succumb to fear-driven pressure narratives.

“Panicking will get you nowhere. Take a deep breath, have a good night’s rest, and put your best foot forward tomorrow and Thursday,” Parag said. “Mock exams are a stepping stone. You still have time to get even stronger. You can do better in Mock Two. And we will continue to engage you so we can make your journey successful together.”

GDF hosts 1-day seminar for ranks on GBV and Family Violence Act

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) reaffirmed its commitment to tackling gender-based and domestic violence by hosting a oneday training session on the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Family Violence Act.

The programme was conducted by the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

More than 200 ranks from units across the Force participated, reflecting the GDF’s continued effort to promote awareness, vigilance, and protection within its ranks and the wider national community.

Lieutenant Commander Shennel Europe welcomed the training team and participants, along with Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud.

In her remarks, Minister Persaud urged ranks to remain vigilant within their

communities and to promptly report any instances of gender-based violence or sexual offences, emphasising the military’s vital role in safeguarding vulnerable citizens.

The Minister’s delegation, Dr Cona Husbands, Jemacy Phillips, Kwame Gilhuys, Andre Jagdanan, and Akisia Williams, led sessions on the Family Violence Act, reporting procedures, warning signs, and the range of support services available to victims and sur-

vivors. A lively question-and-answer segment followed, during which ranks sought clarification and explored real-life scenarios to strengthen their understanding of the issues.

The initiative forms part of the national observance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, with the GDF continuing to serve as a key partner in advancing prevention, education, and advocacy across Guyana.

Education Minister Sonia Parag with the pupils of Rama Krishna Primary

Deceased: Latoya Griffith

(GDF photos)

Labour Ministry inspects mining operations in Reg 7

Over 100 miners across 17 mining operations benefited from an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) awareness and inspection exercise conducted in the gold mining areas of Puruni, Region Seven.

tions.

Key benefits discussed included maintaining safe work grounds to reduce accidents and fatalities, improving environmental conditions to limit pollution and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, and reducing operational downtime caused by accidents, ceasework orders, and penalties.

Some of the issues addressed were the development of an OSH policy and implementation programme and the mainte -

nance of an accident register and of clean camps and surroundings.

Other issues discussed included adequate tree clearance around operations; proper waste disposal; availability of adequate toilet facilities, drainage, and first-aid kits; and safe pit wall slope angles and benching based on soil type and pit depth.

Emergency response planning; proper entry and exit of pits; working at safe distances from the pit face; and safe storage of overburden away from pit faces

were advised, as was conducting safety inspections before and during mining operations.

Relevant brochures and posters were distributed, including materials on mercury health effects, accident prevention, workplace hazards, proper use of PPE (personal protective equipment), emergency response procedures, and safe mining practices. Treated mosquito nets were also provided to help reduce the spread of vector-borne diseases in mining camps.

Naipaul Persaud, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Safety Officer Stokeley Roberts, and Ministry of Health (MOH) Officer Ms Lallbachan.

The team carrying out the activity comprised Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Officer

Areas visited included Rock Creek, Mara Mara, Tiger Creek, Black Water, Needle Island, and Peter’s Mines. During the engagement, miners were educated on the importance of complying with occupational safety and health and environmental regula -

Woman killed in Aubrey Barker Road accident

Awoman was struck down and killed on Thursday afternoon whilst crossing the Aubrey Barker Road in Georgetown.

The victim has been identified as Shondell Dundas.

This publication was informed that at around 12:50h today, the woman was crossing the road – just a few metres away from a pedestrian crossing – when she was

struck down by a speeding motor car.

An eyewitness informed us that while crossing the road, Dundas noticed the car speeding towards her, and in a state of panic, the woman stepped back in an attempt to avoid a collision.

However, at the same time, the vehicle swerved, colliding with the woman, throwing her in the air be-

fore she landed back onto the roadway.

Residents in the area say Dundas, who resided in South Ruimveldt, is the mother of a girl who attends the David Rose Primary School. A vendor in the area told this publication that just before the woman met her demise, she was chatting about her preparations for the holidays.

Finance Minister warns against...

He also made pointed reference to freight pricing, noting that global freight prices have skyrocketed over the last five years, another reminder of external forces shaping the business environment.

“And so we must never forget that we live in a very uncertain and unpredictable period, and we know this as a Government, and as a responsible Government that recognises the reality that we are living in an unpredictable world, and as a Government that takes its responsibility seriously, and not only its responsibilities today and tomorrow, but its responsibilities next year and the year after that, and not only its responsibilities in this term of office but in the next term and the term

after, and not only for this generation but the generation after, we as a responsible Government have to be mindful of these global realities,” Dr Singh emphasised, asserting that resilience requires not only navigating the current economy, but safeguarding Guyana’s prosperity long into the future.

GMSA

Meanwhile, GMSA President Rafeek Khan reinforced the broader message of long-term readiness. Khan noted that the GMSA is entering the fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), driven by data, automation and genetic engineering, where the service sector will continue bridging operational gaps for manufacturing

via transportation, finance, warehousing, telecommunications and professional services.

Khan urged institutional preparedness and unveiled a future campus that he said will bring expanded value to stakeholders.

He recalled an earlier PPP/C economic call to action, stating, “About five years ago I stood on this platform serving then as President of GMSA, and I echoed a voice from our President, Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali – to build consortiums.” He added, “Today I am pleased to say that we have witnessed successful consortiums formed with international companies within various sectors of the economy.”

Chicken N Burger Delight opens 4th location at Royal Mall

Visitors heading into the Food Court of the Royal Mall will be greeted by the aroma of Chicken N Burger Delight.

During a launch held on Wednesday, the managing director of the franchise, Chetan Puran, said the move into Georgetown was driven by years of public demand.

“People have been asking us for many years, ‘When are you coming to Georgetown?’” he explained. “We wanted to invest in Guyana and meet that demand. Some of our menu items have become so popular that customers specifically requested we bring

them to Georgetown. Our flavour is very distinctive –unlike other brands – and we believe it will attract a lot of people.”

Puran also highlighted one feature that sets the brand apart, which is its dedication to properly prepared vegetarian options.

He noted that many customers, especially those from Hindu communities, are cautious about cross-contamination.

“We are very careful. All our vegetarian products –including the veggie nuggets and our signature Vigo line – are prepared separately. They’re fried in dedicated

fryers, with strict procedures to avoid cross-contamination. We take that very seriously, and everything is 100 per cent vegetarian.”

He further outlined the wide range of menu options available, noting that the franchise is introducing a new speciality burger exclusively at the Royal Mall location.

“We have the classic burger, the triple burger with two pieces of chicken and double cheese, and now we’re introducing the Jalapeño Classic. It comes with jalapeño peppers inside and has that cheesy, spicy hit customers love. It’s first

available here and will roll out to other branches later.”

Puran also revealed that the franchise will soon launch a series of Christmas promotions, expected around December 15. “We always aim for excellence. Like any franchise, there may be hiccups, but we work hard to maintain consistent quality, great service, and the standards customers expect.”

Also attending the launch was Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues, who commended the company for its bold expansion model.

“What surprised us is that you didn’t begin in Georgetown, like most businesses do,” the minister said. “You started in Region Three, expanded there, then moved to Region Two – and only now, with your fourth franchise, are you launching in Georgetown. That approach is very different and very brave.”

She said the franchise’s presence in three regions reflects strong confidence in both the national and regional economies. “Every new franchise creates over 30 jobs, supports local communities, and benefits local farmers. I’m especially

proud that you use 100 per cent local ingredients.” Rodrigues also encouraged the franchise to continue elevating its service standards.

“There’s a real opportunity to stand out – not just with great-tasting food, but through excellence in customer service,” she said. She further recommended that the company explore quality-management standards available through the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), noting that certified standards can strengthen internal processes and improve service delivery.

GPL, GFC sign $75M MoU for reforestation in Linden

The Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL), through its Programme Execution Unit (PEU), on Thursday signed a $75 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) to advance reforestation and environmental restoration efforts in the Dacoura area, Linden, Region 10.

Under the MOU, eight hectares of previously replanted degraded land will be rehabilitated, and an additional five hectares will be planted with native tree species. Across these 13 hectares, the project is expected to support the growth of 13,000 to 26,000 trees, based on standard reforestation density.

These restored forest areas will significantly contribute to carbon storage and offsetting, with projections showing that they can collectively store 286 to 572 tonnes of CO 2 annually once the trees reach maturity. Over a 20-

year growth period, this represents an estimated 5000 to 11,000 tonnes of

CO 2 absorbed, strengthening Guyana’s long-term climate mitigation efforts.

Currently, three solar farms totalling 15 megawatt peak (MWp) with 22 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage, under the Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme (GUYSOL), are under development in Linden.

This initiative forms part of the GUYSOL commitment to offset environmental impacts from utility-scale solar projects and strengthen Guyana’s natural carbon sinks.

Beyond carbon benefits, the reforestation of Dacoura will help restore native biodiversity, stabilise soils, reduce erosion, and protect the local watershed that supports Linden. The expansion of green cover will also enhance resilience against climate risks and contribute to healthier ecosystems for wildlife and surrounding communities.

Leader of Executive Management, Kesh

Nandlall, whilst speaking about this grand undertaking, highlighted that GPL is proud to support initiatives like these.

“The conservation and protection of our environment and natural resources must always be a priority, and we remain committed to advancing Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.” Edward Goberdhan, Commissioner for Forest, said the Guyana Forestry Commission welcomed the collaboration, noting the ecological importance of the Dacoura area and the value of restoring it for future generations.

GPL continues to support Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) by investing in natural climate solutions that preserve the country’s environment while advancing renewable energy development projects.

The ceremonial ribbon-cutting of the Chicken N Burger Delight opening at Royal Mall

Team Leader of the Executive Management Committee of GPL, Kesh Nandlall (middle), alongside officials of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and others

Berbice RHO clarifies circumstances over newborn held by authorities after home delivery

Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Dr Vineshri Khirodhar has broken her silence on the case of the newborn baby who was reportedly removed from the New Amsterdam Hospital without the family’s knowledge, clarifying that the child was taken into protective custody following welfare recommendations – not by the hospital acting on its own.

On Wednesday, a Corentyne grandmother told this publication that she was pleading with authorities to return her newborn grandson after the infant was reportedly uplifted from the New Amsterdam Public Hospital by someone unknown to the family. The incident has left the child’s mother in distress, and the family is demanding answers from the Child Protection Agency (CPA).

Shanti Sookoo, 43, of Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-

Corentyne), said she last saw her grandson on Thursday, November 28, 2025. When she returned to the hospital the following day for her routine visit, she was told that the baby had already been signed out and collected earlier that morning.

“I just want my grandchild back,” the emotional grandmother told this publication. “This is my first grandchild. I raised four children myself. I know how to look after a baby. They can come and see how we live. This house strong and big. Nothing is wrong with it.”

Baby delivered at home after hospital visit

According to Sookoo and her 20-year-old daughter, Keshma Jagdeo, the ordeal began after Jagdeo visited the Port Mourant Public Hospital on October 22, believing she was ready to deliver.

Jagdeo was reportedly given an injection and told the pregnancy was not yet due. She was also instructed that when the time came, she should go directly to the New Amsterdam Hospital, not Port Mourant.

However, in the early hours of the next morning, around 01:00h, the young mother went into labour inside her bedroom at home.

“When she done cut out the navel string, then she call me and tell me that the baby done born.”

Meanwhile, the 20-year-old speaking with the publication said she was confident in cutting the umbilical cord even though no one told her about it.

Sookoo said she quickly wrapped the newborn

with a sheet and took both mother and child to the Port Mourant Hospital, which is about five minutes walking from her home.

The young mother and child were later transferred to New Amsterdam Hospital, where Jagdeo is said to have spent one day before being discharged –without her baby.

According to the 43-year-old grandmother, when she went to visit her grandson at the New Amsterdam Hospital on Friday, she was told that someone had signed and uplifted the infant earlier in the day. The previous day was the last time she saw her grandson.

Officers from the CPA reportedly visited the home before the birth of the baby, as both Sookoo and Jagdeo receive Government public assistance.

Sookoo makes a small income by collecting unwanted clothes in the

community and selling them as rags to the mechanic shop of the Albion Sugar Estate, while Jagdeo assists shoppers to fetch their bags at the Port Mourant Market on Saturdays.

The grandmother insists she is capable of taking care of her grandchild.

“They said I wouldn’t be able to care for the baby and that someone else should take the child,” she said.

Adequate home, says family

During this publication’s visit to the family’s residence, Sookoo allowed access inside the house as she stood cooking in the small wooden kitchen. She insisted the home – a typical large older wooden Corentyne house – is more than adequate.

“This is a big, big house,” she said. “Some of the places they allow babies to stay is worse than here. Why they saying my home not good enough?”

Jagdeo, who left school in Grade Eight after she was bullied, said she remains confused about what happened to her child.

She expressed confidence that she acted correctly during the unexpected home delivery.

“Nobody teach me, but I know how to cut the cord,” she said quietly.

The family said they have not returned to the CPA office at Whim since the baby disappeared from the hospital, but they intend to seek clarification as soon as possible.

Sookoo is now calling on the Ministry of Human Services, CPA officials, and the New Amsterdam Hospital administration to explain how the newborn was released without the knowledge or permission of his mother or grandmother.

“I want to know who signed for that baby,” she said.

Childcare and Protection Agency

Addressing the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Thursday, Dr Khirodhar rejected suggestions that hospital officials acted improperly. She explained that the mother did not deliver at a health facility despite advice from medical staff.

“The mother took it upon herself to deliver herself at her home, severing the child’s umbilical cord by herself under insanitary conditions, taking a grave risk against the nurse and doctor’s advice,” she said.

Dr Khirodhar further disclosed that the woman has several children and that the family had previous interactions with welfare authorities, prompting doctors to involve the CPA.

“This mother also had several other kids that the welfare would have investigated, and the decision was taken by the doctors to call in the welfare officers,” she stated.

According to the RHO, while the mother was discharged because she was stable, the child was kept for observation and later placed into protective care based on welfare recommendations, not by the hospital acting independently.

“The RHO does not have a say in what welfare officers decide. Our job is to keep the child, treat the child, manage the child, and make sure the child is held,” she clarified.

Dr Khirodhar assured councillors and the public that once the welfare process is complete, the family will be officially updated.

Police seize 9.2kg of suspected cannabis at D’Edward Village; 2 in custody

Police in Regional Division Five have arrested two men after more than 9 kilograms (kg) of suspected cannabis were discovered during a patrol at D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice, on Thursday morning. The incident occurred at around 10:00h when ranks on mobile patrol observed two males act -

ing suspiciously. The men, a 44-year-old labourer from Smithfield, New Amsterdam, and a 24-year-old labourer from Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, were stopped and searched. Police said a search of the men and two haversacks next to them uncovered nine bulky parcels containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The suspects were arrested and taken to the Blairmont Police Station, where the narcotics were weighed in their presence. The substance amounted to 9.20 kg. The suspected cannabis has been lodged as evidence, and both men remain in custody as the investigation continues.

Region Six Regional Health Officer, Dr Vineshri Khirodhar

Shanti Sookoo and her daughter Keshma Jagdeo

Chevron to spend up to US$19B next year on US, Guyana oil production

Chevron said on Wednesday that capital expenditure for 2026 will be between $18 billion and $19 billion as the oil major focuses on production in the US and investments connected to a recently ac-

quired oil stake in Guyana.

The range is at the low end of previous guidance that put annual investment between $18 billion and $21 billion through 2030. The second-largest US oil producer outlined a plan last

month to cut costs, operate more efficiently and increase returns to investors through the end of the decade.

"Our 2026 capital programme focuses on the highest-return opportunities while maintaining disci-

Genome study reveals milestone in history of cat domestication

Whether they are a Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon, or Domestic Shorthair, there are hundreds of millions of cats living with people around the world. But despite their popularity as pets, the history of cat domestication has remained difficult for scientists to decipher.

A new genome study is providing some insight into the matter by determining the timing of a key milestone in feline domestication –the introduction of domestic cats into Europe from North Africa.

Domestic cats pounced into Europe roughly 2000 years ago in early imperial Roman times, the researchers found, probably thanks to maritime trade. Some of these furry trailblazers may have been brought by sailors to hunt mice on ships that plied the Mediterranean, carrying grain from the fertile fields of Egypt to ports serving Rome and other cities in the sprawling Roman Empire.

The findings contradict a long-held idea that domestication occurred in prehistoric times, perhaps 6000 to 7000 years ago, as farmers from the ancient Near East and Middle East first moved into Europe, bringing cats with them.

"We show that the earliest domestic cat genomes in Europe are found from the Roman imperial period onwards," starting in the first century AD, said paleogeneticist Claudio Ottoni of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, lead author of the study published on Thursday in the journal Science.

The study used genetic data from feline remains from 97 archaeological sites

across Europe and the Near East as well as from present-day cats. The researchers analysed 225 bones of cats – domestic and wild –ranging from about 10,000 years ago to the 19th century AD and generated 70 ancient feline genomes.

The researchers found that cat remains from prehistoric sites in Europe belonged to wildcats, not early domestic cats.

Dogs were the first animal domesticated by people, descended from an ancient wolf population separate from modern wolves. The domestic cat came later, descended from the African wildcat.

"The introduction of the domestic cat to Europe is important because it marks a significant moment in their long-term relationship with humans. Cats aren't just another species arriving on a new continent. They're an animal that became deeply integrated into human societies, economies and even belief systems," University of Rome Tor Vergata paleogeneticist and study co-author Marco De Martino said.

The genome data identified two introductions of cats to Europe from North Africa. Roughly 2200 years ago, people brought wildcats from northwestern Africa to the island of Sardinia, whose present-day wildcat population descended from these migrants.

But those were not domestic cats. It was a separate dispersal from North Africa about two centuries later that formed the genetic basis of the modern domestic cat in Europe.

The study's findings suggest that there was not a single core region of cat domestication, but that sev-

eral regions and cultures in North Africa played a role, according to zooarchaeologist and study co-author Bea De Cupere of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.

"The timing of the genetic waves of introduction from North Africa coincides with periods when trade around the Mediterranean intensified strongly. Cats likely travelled as efficient mouse hunters on grain ships but possibly also as valued animals with religious and symbolic significance," De Cupere said.

Cats, for example, were important in ancient Egypt, whose pantheon included feline deities and whose royalty kept pet cats, sometimes mummifying them for burial in elaborate coffins.

The ancient Roman army, with outposts arrayed across Europe, and its entourage played an instrumental role in the dispersal of domestic cats throughout the continent, as attested to by feline remains discovered at the sites of Roman military camps.

The earliest domestic cat in Europe identified in the study – one genetically similar to present-day domestic cats – dated to between 50 BC and 80 AD from the Austrian town of Mautern, the site of a Roman fort along the Danube River.

The study, however, does not unravel the timing and location of the initial feline domestication.

"Cat domestication is complex," Ottoni said, "and what we can tell now is the timing of the introduction of domestic cats to Europe from North Africa. We can't really say much about what happened before and where."

(Reuters)

pline and improving efficiency, enabling us to grow cash flow and earnings," Chevron CEO Mike Wirth said in a statement.

About $17 billion will be spent on upstream, roughly $9 billion of which is allocated to the United States. Chevron said it expects to spend $6 billion on American shale and plans

to produce more than two million barrels of oil equivalent per day from the country next year.

Spending on offshore production will total about $7 billion to support Guyana, projects in the Eastern Mediterranean and production from the US Gulf of Mexico.

Downstream spend-

ing will be about $1 billion, slightly lower compared with this year.

Chevron closed its $55 billion acquisition of Hess in July, with the main asset being a 30 per cent stake in the prolific Stabroek Block in Guyana. The deal also came with new assets in the Bakken shale formation in the US. (Reuters)

Pentagon announces 4 killed in boat strike in Pacific

The Pentagon announced on Thursday that the US military had conducted another deadly strike on a boat suspected of carrying illegal narcotics, killing four men in the eastern Pacific as questions mount over the legality of the attacks.

Video of the new strike was posted on social media by the US Southern Command, based in Florida, with a statement saying that, at the direction of Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary, “Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization”.

“Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying

illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed,” the statement added.

The latest strike comes as the Pentagon and the White House have struggled to answer questions

about the legal basis for the campaign to kill suspected drug smugglers with military strikes, with US lawmakers promising to investigate the first such attack, in September, in which two survivors clinging to wreckage were killed in a follow-on strike. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Screenshot of US Southern Command post via X, from December 5, 2025 (Photograph: US Southern Command/X)

Cuba says island is no “black hole” on drug trafficking route to US

Top law enforcement officials in Cuba said on Thursday the island was prioritising the fight against narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean and continued to provide information to the US Coast Guard amid escalating tensions and a surging US military presence in the region.

Cuba and the US in 2017 agreed to cooperate in the fight against drug trafficking, but Colonel Ybey Carballo, chief of Cuba's Border Guard, told reporters in Havana formal engagement between the two long-time rival nations had ended under the second Administration of US President Donald Trump.

Carballo said Cuba nonetheless routinely provides the US Coast Guard with intelligence, locations, routes and characteristics of boats suspected of trafficking drugs near its waters.

"Cuba is not a black hole like some like to say," said Carballo, adding that the island's proactive approach contributed both to the security of the region and "especially to that of the United States, because the boats are often headed (there)."

Carballo said Cuba had provided more than 1500 tips and intelligence on drug traffickers to the US Coast Guard between 1990 and November 30, 2025, proof, he said, of the island's long-standing commitment to fighting the drug trade.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

A&B: $60M spent on back pay

since 2022; more to come

Antigua and Barbuda’s public servants will receive another round of retroactive wage payments this month, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced Thursday, as the Government continues clearing longstanding arrears owed to workers across the public sector.

Browne made the statement during the presentation of the 2026 national budget, highlighting the Administration’s efforts to settle outstanding obligations and restore confidence in the Government’s payroll system. He said more than $60 million in retroactive

wages has already been paid since 2022, with a further payout now underway.

“Since 2022, our Administration has cleared over $60 million in retroactive wages owed to public servants,” Browne told Parliament. “Later this month, we will make a further payment, ensuring that every eligible worker, including those who left the public service before December 2022, receives what is rightfully theirs.”

The Prime Minister said clearing the arrears reflects the Government’s commitment to fairness and responsible governance, adding

that workers should never have to wait years for money owed to them. He described the decision to prioritise retroactive payments as an example of “caring leadership”.

Browne said the arrears stemmed from previous Administrations and years of stalled wage negotiations but added that his Government has “faced the responsibility head-on” and is determined to prevent the build-up of future back pay. As part of the reform effort, the wage negotiation process is being restructured to ensure timely settlements. (Excerpt from Antigua Guardian)

Last foreign carriers halt flights

to

Venezuela after Trump’s airspace ban

The last international airlines flying to Venezuela have suspended routes to the country, days after United States President Donald Trump declared the South American country’s airspace closed.

Panamanian carrier Copa and its Colombian budget subsidiary Wingo announced Wednesday evening that routes to Caracas would be suspended on December 4 and 5, while Colombian state airline Satena and Bolivian flagship carrier Boliviana de Aviacion also cancelled flights on Thursday. “Due to intermittent problems today with one of the navigation signals during its flight to Caracas…

[Copa and Wingo] took the preventative decision to temporarily suspend flights to and from this city,” wrote Copa and Wingo in statements.

The companies added that the interruptions “at no time compromised operational safety”, with a spokesperson telling Al Jazeera that aircraft from both carriers had been affected by the signal problems.

On Thursday, Colombian Government airline Satena suspended its route to Valencia – Venezuela’s third-largest city – while Boliviana also cancelled its flight to Caracas. Neither has made a public statement at the time of publication.

Following the suspensions, no international carriers are flying to Venezuela, although several national airlines continue to operate international routes.

The suspensions also follow a 90-day warning issued on November 21 by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of risks to commercial planes flying in Venezuelan airspace, which prompted several major carriers to suspend flights.

The FAA cited “the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela” amid a massive build-up of US forces in the Southern Caribbean. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Experts urge release of boat strike video as US Admiral denies “kill them all” order

Top Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Congress on Thursday said that the defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, had not ordered the military to kill surviving members of a deadly attack on a boat alleged to be carrying drugs in the Caribbean but differed over whether the double strike was appropriate.

The allegation that Hegseth ordered the killing of survivors sparked bipartisan concern in Washington that he or others involved may have committed a war crime. On Thursday, US Navy Admiral Frank Bradley, who commanded the attack, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, appeared before the House and Senate’s armed services and intelligence committees for a closed briefing in which they showed video and discussed the attack with lawmakers.

“What I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things I’ve seen in my time in public service,” Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services

Committee, said after exiting the meeting.

However, he said Bradley “confirmed that there had not been a ‘kill them all’ order, and there was not an order to grant no quarter.”

The Republican chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Tom Cotton, defended what he called “righteous strikes” and said Hegseth had not explicitly ordered that all on board be killed.

“Adm Bradley was very clear that he was given no

such order to give no quarter or to kill them all. He was given an order that, of course, was written down in great detail, as our military always does,” Cotton told reporters.

The comments came days after the Washington Post reported that Hegseth had verbally given such an order before the attack, which resulted in the death of two people who had survived an initial air strike targeting the vessel off the coast of Trinidad. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

J’ca: Government receives Ethiopian delegation on hurricane recovery assistance mission

The Government of Jamaica on Thursday received a high-level delegation from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, which was dispatched to the island to explore areas where Ethiopia may assist Jamaica’s recovery and relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

The Ethiopian delegation was led by State Minister His Excellency Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye.

The delegation was received at Jamaica House by State Minister in the

Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley.

In a post on social media, Fitz-Henley commended Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for seeking to assist Jamaica’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa.

Fitz-Henley noted that both Jamaica and Ethiopia share a rich history, “which includes ancestry and cultural heritage and a strong partnership”.

The state minister commented that he has “no doubt” the partnership between Jamaica and Ethiopia “will become even stronger in the weeks, months and years to come”. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

“It was good to receive and host Ethiopia’s State Minister, His Excellency Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, in a meeting today where we discussed Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery efforts in Jamaica. Jamaica welcomes the decision by the prime minister of Ethiopia to send a delegation to Jamaica with a view of assisting our recovery from the impact of Melissa,” Fitz-Henley said.

Alleged Haitian gang leader sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping 16 American missionaries

Aman alleged to be the founder and leader of a Haitian gang was sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison for orchestrating the 2021 kidnapping of 17 people – 16 of them Americans – including five children, who were on a missionary trip to the Caribbean country.

Joly Germine declined to say anything before US District Judge John Bates in Washington, DC, sentenced him.

"No remorse has been shown by Mr Germine. No acceptance of responsibili-

ty," the Judge said.

Some of the kidnapping victims chose to speak in court, telling Germine they forgive him for his role in their ordeal.

Ray Noecker, whose wife, Cheryl, and five children were held hostage, said it was a "life-changing experience" for their family.

He turned to Germine and told him that he hopes he finds "God's peace". "True freedom is not found outside of prison walls. True freedom is found inside your own heart," Noecker said.

The victims – 16 US citizens and one Canadian citizen – were kidnapped by gang members near Portau-Prince, Haiti, on October 16, 2021. Two hostages were freed in November 2021, and three more were released in early December. The remaining 12 escaped later in December after being held at gunpoint for 62 days.

Prosecutors also sought a life sentence. They said Germine, now 34, led the "400 Mawozo" gang from a prison in Haiti. (Excerpt from CBS News)

The aftermath of a US military strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean

Colonel Ybey Carballo, chief of Cuba's Border Guard, speaks during a news conference in Havana, Cuba

OIL NEWS

Oil settles up on expectations of Fed rate cut, Ukraine peace talks stalling

Oil prices settled up on Thursday on investors' expectations for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, while stalled Ukraine peace talks tempered expectations of a deal restoring Russian oil flows.

Brent crude settled up 59 cents, or 0.94 per cent, to US$63.26. US West Texas Intermediate settled up 72 cents, or 1.22 per cent, to US$59.67.

US crude futures briefly rose more than US$1 a barrel earlier in the session, powered by expectations that a US rate cut will support the world's largest economy and oil demand, after data showed employment is slowing.

The dollar was lower, poised for its 10th straight day of losses against a basket of major currencies, making crude cheaper for buyers using other currencies.

“I think the potential for a rate cut is overshadowing everything right now and driving crude prices up,” said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with Price Futures Group.

Escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela were also supporting prices, analysts said, due to concerns of a drop in crude supplies from the South American country.

"Benchmark crude oil prices could be impacted significantly by escalating military tensions between the US and Venezuela," Rystad Energy analysts said in a note on Thursday, noting that US President Donald Trump's administration is ratcheting up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, "signalling the possibility of a US incursion." (Excerpt from Reuters)

UK, Norway sign pact to "hunt Russian submarines" in North Atlantic

The United Kingdom and Norway are forming an alliance to "hunt Russian submarines" and protect communication lines in the North Atlantic Ocean, as part of a new defence agreement between the two countries, the UK Government announced on Thursday.

The agreement will see the British and Norwegian navies work side-by-side. Central to the deal is a new joint fleet of anti-submarine warships – in response to a 30 per cent increase in the presence of Russian ships in UK waters over the last two years, according to the UK's announcement. The fleet includes eight British vessels and at least five Norwegian vessels.

"At this time of profound global instability, as more Russian ships are being de-

tected in our waters, we must work with international partners to protect our national security," UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement. "This historic agreement with Norway strengthens our ability to protect our borders and the critical infrastructure our nations depend on."

John Healey, the UK's head of defence, said the pact, called the Lunna House Agreement, will allow the two countries to "patrol the North Atlantic as one, train together in the Arctic, and develop the advanced equipment that will keep our citizens safe now and into the future."

Healey and Tore Sandvik, the head of defence in Norway, signed the agreement in London on Thursday. (Excerpt from CBS News)

Around the World

Recovery work begins at Gaza's war-damaged heritage sites

With pickaxes and wheelbarrows, dozens of Palestinian workers in hard hats and high-visibility vests are clearing rubble from the ruins of the Gaza Strip's oldest and largest mosque.

The broken stump of the distinctive octagonal minaret of the mediaeval Great Omari Mosque and a few external walls are all that remain after it was targeted by the Israeli military during two years of war against Hamas.

Since the US-brokered ceasefire began almost eight weeks ago, work has begun to clear and sort the stones, but actual restoration cannot yet start.

Israel is not allowing building supplies to enter Gaza via the crossings, saying this is in line with the truce agreement.

"The challenges we face are first of all scarcity of resources – iron and construc-

tion materials," says Hosni al-Mazloum, an engineer from Riwaq, a Palestinian cultural heritage organisation. "Then we're using primitive tools... and being very careful because the stones here are 1200 or

1300 years old." In her cramped office nearby in Gaza City, Hanin al-Amsi has an equally challenging task as she pores over fragments of rare ancient Islamic manuscripts which she has recovered from storage rooms at the Great Omari Mosque's 13th-century library. While there have been "catastrophic losses", Ms Amsi says, remarkably, some 148 out of 228 manuscripts survived. This was largely due to her prewar efforts, working with the British Library to preserve, archive and digitise the works. They had been stored in acid-free boxes and kept in iron safes. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Uganda stops granting refugee status for Eritreans, Somalis,

Ethiopians

The Ugandan Government has stopped granting asylum and refugee status to people from Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia, citing severe funding shortfalls for the significant policy shift.

Hillary Onek, Uganda’s Minister for refugees, announced that the Government would no longer grant the status to new arrivals from countries “not experiencing war”.

“I have instructed our officers not to give refugee status to citizens from those countries … especially those coming from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, because there is no war there,” he said late last week.

The decision, from a country seen as one of the world’s most progressive in its approach to migration, has raised concerns that thousands of persons will be left in legal and humanitar-

ian limbo.

Onek put the blame on a lack of money. “The situation is dire, and it is our people who shoulder those costs,” he said.

“Uganda used to get

$240m per year from [the UN refugee agency] UNHCR, but with an increased refugee population of almost two million persons, we now get less than $100m,” Onek said, adding that this year, the country had received only $18m (£14m).

The Minister was speaking at the handover of 2544 tonnes of rice donated by South Korea to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), which will support about 600,000 refugees across 13 settlements. The contribution, worth $2.9m, was received at the UN agency’s warehouse in the northern Ugandan city of Gulu. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Putin authorised 2018 Novichok poisoning of ex-Russian spy Skripal, UK inquiry says

ussian President

RVladimir Putin must have ordered the Novichok nerve agent attack on Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in 2018, in a "reckless" display of power that led to the death of an innocent woman, a UK public inquiry concluded on Thursday.

Skripal was found along with his daughter Yulia slumped unconscious (opens new tab) on a public bench in the southern English city of Salisbury in March 2018 after Novichok was applied to the front door handle of his nearby home.

About four months later, mother-of-three Dawn Sturgess, 44, died from exposure (opens new tab) to the poison after her partner found a counterfeit perfume bottle which Russian spies had used to smuggle the military-grade nerve agent into the country, the inquiry said.

The Skripals and a police

officer who went to Skripal's house were left critically ill from its effects but recovered.

In his conclusions, the chair, former UK Supreme Court judge Anthony Hughes, said he was certain a team of GRU military intelligence officers had at-

tempted to murder Skripal, who sold Russian secrets and moved to Britain after a 2010 spy swap.

"I have concluded that the operation to assassinate Sergei Skripal must have been authorised at the highest level, by President Putin," Hughes said in his report. "The evidence that this was a Russian state attack is overwhelming."

Russia has always denied any involvement, casting the accusations as anti-Russian propaganda. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US Senators unveil bill to keep Trump from allowing AI chip sales to China

Abipartisan group of US senators, including prominent Republican China hawk Tom Cotton, has unveiled a bill that would block the administration of President Donald Trump from loosening rules restricting Beijing’s access to artificial intelligence chips for 2.5 years.

The bill, unveiled on Thursday, is known as the SAFE CHIPS Act and was filed by Republican Senator Pete Ricketts and Democrat

Chris Coons. It would require the Commerce Department, which oversees export controls, to deny any licence requests for buyers in China, Russia, Iran or North Korea to receive US AI chips more advanced than the ones they currently are allowed to obtain for 30 months. After that, the Department of Commerce would have to brief Congress on any proposed rule changes a month before they take effect.

“Denying Beijing access to [the best US] AI chips is essential to our national security,” Ricketts said in a statement. The legislation, which was co-sponsored by Republican Dave McCormick and Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Andy Kim, represents a rare effort led in part by Trump’s own party to stop him from further relaxing tech export restrictions on China. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Congolese refugees on Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo after fleeing fighting between Rwandanbacked M23 rebels and the DRC

Gaza City's mediaeval Great Omari Mosque was targeted by Israel's military during the past two years of war

Norway's Minister of Defence Tore O Sandvik, left, and Britain's Secretary of State for Defence John Healey shake hands during the signing of a strategic defence agreement in Downing Street in London

Be mindful of how you spend your cash, but don’t deny yourself a new adventure. Monitor conditions and add stipulations as you go. Recognize and dismiss temptation.

Protect your investments, manage your money and take better care of yourself. Monitoring your health, diet and stress levels will be necessary. Emotional deception and a poor diagnosis are apparent.

Keep your money, paperwork and possessions in a safe place. Don’t fall prey to people trying to guilt you into making a donation you cannot afford. Put your time and effort into love and personal growth.

Interviewing for jobs and adapting your skills for a desired career change will pay off. Charm the crowd, and you’ll increase your chances of advancement.

Socializing will give you a platform to practice your spiel and to raise awareness for something dear to your heart. A life-changing experience will unfold through an encounter with someone prominent.

Domestic troubles will brew if you aren’t quick to respond. Reach out to an expert or someone you can rely on for support and facts, and it will make it easier to get things back to normal.

Let your actions lead the way and your charm mesmerize those you encounter. Hit the reset button and head in a direction that helps you make up for lost time.

Step outside your comfort zone. If you trust and believe in yourself and your abilities, so will those you encounter. Versatility and flexibility will be key.

Your actions will not go unnoticed. Be mindful of how you express your feelings. Make what you are willing to contribute is common knowledge to avoid doubt and negative responses.

A change of scenery will unleash your imagination and encourage you to outperform any challenger. A positive lifestyle change is within reach. Today will be filled with personal milestones.

Personal growth, happiness and love are on the rise. The contributions you make to the causes you care about will pay off. Form connections and share ideas.

Separate your emotions from dilemmas or drama. Deception and confusion are apparent, and taking measures to gather the facts and instill the truth are in your best interest.

ARCHIE

Dinar’s Trading happy to support 3rd President’s Futsal Championship

With less than a week to go before the kickoff of the 2025 edition of the President’s Futsal Championship, which will see some 70 teams (senior, junior and women) competing, Dinar’s Trading of Lot 1 Cummings and Lamaha Streets has come on board as a sponsor.

The tournament is or-

ganised by the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

The male segment, which takes on an international flavour with teams from Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago, has at stake $6 million in cash and prizes; the women will contest for $1.5 million, and the school-

boys, $2 million.

Manager Sayad Ahamad said his company, which has been supporting sports and its development over the years, was more than pleased to be associated with the third edition of the President’s Futsal Championship.

“Our support for the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation is well known

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons 113-109 despite losing the NBA's twotime Most Valuable Player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, to injury early in the match.

Antetokounmpo, 30, fell to the floor in the third minute and had to be helped off court by his teammates.

The Bucks trailed by 18 points in the first quarter, but fought back at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum to claim just their second win in 10 games.

Kevin Porter Jr registered 26 points for the Bucks, with Ryan Rollins adding 22 and AJ Green scoring 11 of his 19 in the fourth quarter to fuel the comeback.

"It was a hell of a win," Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers said.

"We get down early, miss wide open, great shots, but we just couldn't get anything to fall.

"And Giannis gets hurt... to fight back, it just shows a lot of stuff about this team."

Detroit remain top of the Eastern Conference after their fifth loss of the season, with Milwaukee sitting 10th.

The Bucks initially thought Antetokounmpo had strained his right calf but are awaiting confirmation after the Greek power forward had an MRI scan.

Before the match, rumours had emerged via ESPN that Antetokounmpo

Antetokounmpo injured as Bucks beat Pistons

…Clippers release Paul

was "mulling his future" with the franchise.

But Rivers said there had been "no conversations" about a possible trade.

Elsewhere, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard combined for 48 points to help the Los Angeles Clippers end a five-game losing streak with a 115-92 win at the Atlanta Hawks.

Jamal Murray scored a season-high 52 points as the Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 135-120 in Indianapolis.

Struggling Clippers release NBA great Paul

The Los Angeles Clippers have released 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul following the side's dreadful start to the season.

The Clippers, who have lost 14 of their past 16 matches, announced Paul's departure before their match against the Atlanta Hawks.

Paul, 40, is regarded as one of the best players in NBA history and is competing in his 21st and final season in the league.

"We are parting ways with Chris, and he will no longer be with the team," Clippers chief Lawrence Frank told ESPN.

"Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career. I want to make one

thing very clear. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance.

"I accept responsibility for the record we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we've struggled. We're grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise."

In a post on Instagram, Paul confirmed his departure, writing, "Just found out I'm being sent home."

Paul and Clippers Head Coach Tyronn Lue had not been on speaking terms for "several weeks" before his departure, according to ESPN.

Paul spent six seasons at the Clippers from 2011 to 2017 before rejoining the franchise on a one-year deal in July.

Paul is second on the NBA all-time list for assists with 12,552, behind John Stockton's 15,806.

He is also second in steals with 2728, trailing only Stockton's 3265.

Paul has not won an NBA title, getting to the NBA Finals only once with the Phoenix Suns in 2021, when they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks.

and we are once again showing our support for this tournament, which is welllooked-forward-to. With a record number of teams set to play and the introduction of a schoolboys' segment, we look forward to lots of excitement.”

Co-Director of the Kashif

and Shanghai Organisation, Aubrey “Shanghai” Major conveyed gratitude to Ahamad and the company for their continued support, informing that fans can look forward to another exciting edition of this competition which continues to grow.

On Tuesday, action will get started with the new schoolboys' segment at 14:00h-16:00h, with the seniors taking centre stage from 20:00h. Matches will be played every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, with the final set for January 2, 2026.

PromoTech Guyana Inc teams up with LGC for annual golf tournament

The holiday season is about to get even brighter at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), as PromoTech Guyana Inc partners with LGC to launch the first-ever PromoTech Guyana Inc Golf Tournament, set for Sunday, December 7, 2025, with tee-off at 08:00h at the Lusignan clubhouse.

This exciting new tournament promises to usher in a celebratory tradition for golfers across Guyana, blending sportsmanship, community spirit, and the festive flair of the Christmas season. The initiative highlights PromoTech’s ongoing commitment to uplifting communities, supporting local talent, and investing in activities that bring people together during one of the most joyful times of the year.

has also promised that this will now be an annual event.

We anticipate a festive and wonderful tournament, perfect for the season and enjoyable for golfers of every level.”

(BBC Sport)

LGC Secretary Chet Bowling expressed enthusiasm ahead of the event. “We at the Lusignan Golf Club recognise and truly appreciate the tremendous support we are receiving from PromoTech,” Bowling said. “Their commitment to corporate social responsibility is evident in the way they have embraced this tournament. Players can look forward to lucrative prizes, beautiful trophies, and an atmosphere full of holiday cheer. PromoTech’s Country Manager, Bala Vinjimoor,

PromoTech Guyana Inc, widely known for delivering innovative and reliable tech solutions across the country, emphasised that their investment in this event goes far beyond business. The company views sports as a powerful force that strengthens unity, inspires discipline, and helps cultivate local talent. A representative of PromoTech noted, “Our partnership with the Lusignan Golf Club reflects our belief in the role of sports as a catalyst for community growth

and positive change. We are delighted to bring some holiday excitement to the golfing community, and we look forward to seeing players enjoy a day filled with camaraderie, competition, and festive celebration.”

Adding to the merriment, players will be treated to lunch and drinks, along with opportunities to compete for attractive prizes and trophies, all designed to make the inaugural tournament a standout event on the holiday calendar. With its blend of competition, community spirit, and festive excitement, the PromoTech Guyana Inc Golf Tournament is poised to become one of the most-anticipated annual events at the Lusignan Golf Club.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was a first-round pick for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2013 NBA draft

Chris Paul re-joined the Clippers in July after a spell with the San Antonio Spurs

LGC Secretary Chet Bowling receives the sponsorship cheque from PromoTech Incorporated Country Manager Bala Vinjimoor

Dinar’s Trading Manager Sayad Ahamad hands over the cheque to Aubrey "Shanghai" Major in the presence of staff members

pinned New Zealand's domination on Day Three in Christchurch, as the hosts transformed a modest 64run advantage into a towering lead that now feels insurmountable.

The pair's third-wicket stand of 279 ensured a potentially-gripping third day went flat halfway through. West Indies merely went through the motions, sitting

lot different had they caught better.

Ravindra's innings began under a cloud of uncertainty. On eight, Kemar Roach grassed a sumptuous flick at midwicket as he threw himself at the ball one-handed. On 14, Kavem Hodge put down a regulation catch at slip, leaving Justin Greaves to wear the frustration of being the unlucky bowler twice in two overs. The charmed

By stumps, New Zealand had added 395 to lead by 481. For the record, West

cusing on crease occupation

ed his artistry – playing the cover drives and on-drives –

Roach moved the ball away appreciably early on to have Conway in a hint of trouble, while Jayden Seales got the ball to lift off a ing scratchy early on. The first 17 overs produced just 35; Latham survived a thick

Conway set himself in and was out slashing to deep point for 39 as Hodge plucked a superb catch while

Indies will have to achieve the highest successful chase to win at Hagley Oval – 285 is the highest fourth-innings score chased down at this venue.

Before Ravindra arrived, Devon Conway and Latham played a solid first hour, fo-

moving halfway in from the ropes. Initially off balance, Hodge back-pedalled to complete the catch. One wicket became two when Roach had Kane Williamson nicking behind with a perfect out-swinger.

Having got off the mark

with a top-edge for six off Greaves, Williamson was troubled by his late movement before Roach had him in the last over before lunch, with New Zealand effectively 164 for 2. The spell after lunch was perhaps West Indies' best chance to get into the game, as they routinely created chances, only for them to be grassed.

If the first session was about the hard grind, the second was about accumulating and pressing home the advantage. Ravindra didn't take long to march into the 40s and even got into a bit of a scrap with Seales. The pair of centurions brought up their century stand in just 126 deliveries, with Ravindra's enterprise allowing Latham to also

open up after getting past his half-century.

Latham was particularly punishing square of the wicket on both sides, with the cuts and pulls, as he pounced on a tired attack that kept pounding the ball in even as the surface appeared to have lost a lot of the venom seen on the first two days. Latham brought up his century first, while Ravindra got there with a pull through midwicket –his second successive century.

After he passed a hundred, as the West Indies went defensive, Latham brought out the inventive batter in him – scooping and paddling his way to a couple of boundaries. It seemed inevitable the pair would bat through, but a lapse in concentration late in the day saw them fall in back-toback overs. But even those two wickets were no consolation for the West Indies as they face an uphill battle for survival. (ESPNcricinfo)

Jayden Seales appeals

Tom Latham scored his 14th Test hundred

Kemar Roach is pumped up after taking Kane Williamson’s wicket

Rachin Ravindra made 176 on day three

Williams sisters steer Essequibo to nail-biting Super 50 victory

The finals of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS)/Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Women’s Super 50 tournament took place yesterday at the LBI Ground, where Essequibo defeated Berbice by two wickets in a tense 45over contest.

Berbice, sent in to bat under slightly overcast skies, were given a positive start by opener Tiea Isaacs, who applied early pressure on the Essequibo bowlers. The first breakthrough came when Nikehsa Narine removed Sherica Campbell for seven. Essequibo nearly struck twice in quick succession, but a mis-hit from Crystal Durant landed safely in no man’s land. After 14 overs, Berbice were 45 for 1.

Narine struck again soon after, removing Durant for a duck, before Sheneta Grimmond contributed 12 from 15 deliveries, only to fall to a smart return catch by the in-form Narine.

Kumarie Persaud then produced a double strike, bowling Plaffianna Millington for 12 and trapping Daniella Hicks lbw for

two, leaving Berbice wobbling at 95 for 5 after 26 overs.

The slide continued as Tramaine Marks delivered two excellent deliveries to claim back-to-back wickets, reducing Berbice to 96 for 7. Isaacs remained the backbone of the innings, but her patient 47 from 87 balls (including six fours) came to an end when Narine returned to dismiss her. Berbice were eventually bowled out for 134 in 37.5 overs.

Narine led the attack with outstanding figures of 4 for 33, while Marks and Persaud chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Essequibo’s chase began shakily, with Persaud dismissed for a duck. Marks attempted to inject momentum, but was removed for 16 off 28 balls. With Berbice gaining control, Millington was reintroduced into the attack and immediately made an impact, trapping Yonette Welcome lbw for 8. Durant

then bowled Shonette Belgrave for one, leaving Essequibo at 55 for 5 after 20 overs.

With Berbice desperately needing stability, the Williams sisters delivered a crucial 62-run partnership built on smart rotation of the strike and timely boundaries.

Captain Laurene Williams’ determined 35 from 77 balls finally ended in the 36th over, with Essequibo poised at 117 for 6.

Berbice struck twice in succession to set up a tense finish, but Latoya Williams remained calm under pressure. Her unbeaten 32 from 69 balls, supported by Cyanna

It has been a busy week for the organisers of the KFC Goodwill International Schools’ Football tournament, as they were part and parcel of another sponsorship presentation on Thursday morning.

This time around, it was distribution giant ANSA McAL on the giving end, supporting the upcoming competition under their Lucozade brand. During the simple presentation at their Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD) head office, Lucozade Brand Manager Christina Beepat highlighted that the company was happy to be on board with the tournament and be able to fuel the athletes with clean, long-lasting energy.

“Lucozade is happy to be a sponsor of this tournament. We’re committed to sports, fuelling athletes with clean, long-lasting energy which supports both brain and muscle function, which is exactly what these players need for this event,” Beepat expressed.

On the other hand, Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca spoke to

their partnership with the corporate entity, as he extended his gratitude.

Mendonca noted, “Today marks a very significant day in the relationship we would’ve established over the years with ANSA McAL, specifically as it relates to

in Nickerie will be representing the neighbouring nation at the KFC competition. They join defending champions Chase’s Academic Foundation, Guyana’s qualifiers West Ruimveldt Secondary and Annai Secondary, Trinidad

this tournament. They’re one of the companies that supported this event from the inception, and it speaks volumes for the relationship we would’ve established.”

“We want to say a big thank you, again, to ANSA McAL,” he went on to add.

At the event, it was also confirmed that the Suriname Technical School

and Tobago’s St Benedict’s College, Jamaica’s Kingston College, the Bahamas’ Anglican Central Education Authority (ACEA) Select and Jose Vieira de Sales Guerra School of Roraima State, Brazil.

The KFC Goodwill tournament will be contested from December 14 to December 21.

A look at the VP “Champion of Champions” Futsal final between Bent Street A (white and red) and Back Circle

Tournament hosts Bent St A crushed Back Circle 4-1 to capture the second VP “Champion of Champions” Futsal Cup on Wednesday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch Avenue.

In front of a large crowd, Bent St A opened the scoring in the 11th minute after a flat cross into the area was misdirected into the back of the net by the challenging defender. It was the only goal of the first half, which was 20 minutes in duration, as defence dominated the game.

However, Back Circle gave their fans a reason to celebrate after equalising in the 23rd minute, compli-

Bent St A drub Back Circle en route to VP Futsal Championship

ments of Ravin Naughton, who blasted a shot from the right side into the lower left corner.

Nonetheless, Bent St A reclaimed the lead five minutes later as Colin Nelson scored after an attempted pass into the path of Bevney Marks was allowed to slip through his legs and settle into the back of the net.

Marks then made it 3-1 in the 35th minute as he found the back of the net, rolling the ball past the advancing goalkeeper into the lower right corner from inside the left of the penalty area. The victory was then sealed in the final minute as Marks completed his brace, slamming the ball into the

roof of the right corner from inside the left of the penalty area.

With the win, Bent St A received $1,000,000 and the championship trophy, while Back Circle collected $500,000 and a trophy. In the third-place playoff, Team Spirit bested Bent St B 3-2. Due to the win, Team Spirit walked away with $300,000 and a trophy, while the losers pocketed $200,000 and a trophy. In the U-17 final, Back Circle overcame Kingston 4-3 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended 1-1. Back Circle received $100,000 and a trophy, while Kingston collected $50,000 and a trophy.

Retemiah’s 8*, guided Essequibo to 135 for

in 38.1 overs — securing a memorable two-wicket victory and the 2025 Senior Women’s Super 50 title.

Bent Street A celebrate their victory

Lucozade Brand Manager Beepat makes a presentation to Petra’s Co-Director Mendonca in the presence of ANSA McAL’s Divisional Head of Beverages Darshanie Yusuf-Abel and Petra’s Troy Peters

Lucozade Brand Manager Christina Beepat

Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca

The Williams sisters inspired a victory

GCB’s Shaun Massiah presents Latoya Williams with the Player-of-the-Match award

IGG begins today with grand ceremony and high anticipation

The spirit of regional unity takes centre stage today as the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) officially begin, bringing together student-athletes aged 14 to 18 from Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname.

The prestigious tri-nation event opens with a gala ceremony at 09:30h at the National Track and Field Centre, West Demerara, marking the start of three days of competition, camaraderie, and cultural exchange.

Government officials from all three participating nations will join athletes, coaches, and dignitaries in declaring the Games open, reinforcing the long-standing diplomatic and sporting ties that the IGG has nurtured for nearly six decades.

This year’s edition features competition in swimming, track and field, futsal, chess, and basketball, with

male and female categories in each discipline, except futsal, which will be contested solely by the boys.

The event remains a vital platform for youth development, allowing young athletes to showcase their talent on an international stage while strengthening bonds among the Guianas.

“We’re expecting an exciting IGG,” Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle said, emphasising the Games’ significance to the region.

“The three countries share a rich history, and

the IGG has played an integral role in shaping our diplomatic relations over the years. It’s something that this Government under President Irfaan Ali takes seriously,” Ninvalle said.

The IGG was last held in French Guiana in 2024, continuing a tradition that began in 1967. Interestingly, that inaugural event was shaped by the efforts of former national footballer "QT" Donald, who was sent to Suriname by then President Forbes Burnham to collaborate on establishing the

framework of what would become a cornerstone of regional youth sport.

Football was the first discipline contested at the IGG, with Suriname and Guyana competing for the Forbes Burnham/Johan Pengel Trophy, named in part after Suriname’s Prime Minister at the time, Johan Adolf Pengel. Basketball later joined the roster in 1972.

Ninvalle underscored that the preservation and continuity of the IGG are priorities for the National

Sports Commission (NSC), adding, “It is our responsibility to ensure the Games are executed at the highest standard, We owe it to the young athletes and to the legacy of cooperation built through sport.”

Competition officially gets underway today at 11:30h, with Guyana looking to defend its track and field trophy.

Later in the afternoon, attention shifts to chess at the National Racquet Centre and volleyball at the National Gymnasium where

The action continues at the Cliff Anderson

Hall from 17:00h, beginning with the women’s basketball showdown between Guyana and French Guiana, followed by a men’s encounter between French Guiana and Suriname. The first day’s festivities conclude with futsal, where Suriname and French Guiana will collide under the lights.

The competition runs daily until Sunday.

Guyana and French Guiana will face off in both male and female matches.

Sports

Flashback! Guyana’s Inter-Guiana Games team of 2024