Guyana Times - Friday July 7, 2023

Future Irish investments in Guyana, business opportunities to be highlighted

US-Guyana trade exceeded US$3.9B in 2022 – Pres Ali

No NGSA results for children failing to return/replace textbooks –Manickchand

Haitian crisis among areas of collaboration between US & Guyana at UNSC – Secretary Blinken

…Guyana’s UNSC team to meet stakeholders in Washington – Pres Ali

…Secretary Blinken says bond between 2 countries will grow Charity Market destroyed by fire

Arnold Adams, Vilma De Silva or Nandranie Coonjah to replace Dharamlall as MP

Body of teen reported missing found on Bartica Beach

APNU’s Mentore, who lost his constituency, is new Georgetown Mayor

…replacement will not assume ministerial portfolio – VP

E-bike law about road safety – VP Jagdeo

Govt to replace outdated pipelines in Georgetown

CANU unearths $10.6M worth of cocaine in car

…as Mayors elected for Anna Regina, Mahdia, Linden, Lethem

Haitian crisis among areas of collaboration between US &

Guyana

at UNSC – Secretary Blinken

…Guyana’s UNSC team to meet stakeholders in Washington – Pres Ali

By Vahnu Manikchand

With Guyana’s recent election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has disclosed that the ongoing Haiti crisis is one of the areas that the two countries will have to collaborate on at the level of the UNSC.

Secretary Blinken was in Georgetown on Thursday, and held discussions with the Guyana Government.

In remarks following that meeting at State House, the US Secretary of State lauded Guyana for its leadership role not only in the Caribbean region but internationally, especially with its UNSC membership.

Last month, Guyana was one of five countries elected as non-permanent members for the 2024-2025 term at the Security Council – an organ of the United Nations that has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Asked about the potential areas of collaboration between Guyana and the US at the UNSC, Secretary Blinken revealed that the situation in Haiti was a topic that was discussed between the two sides at Thursday’s high-level engagement.

“Haiti is certainly one area of, I think, potential and important collaboration with Guyana on the Security Council, precisely because it’s going to be very important to have the endorse-

ment of the United Nations for any force that goes in to support the Police to create a more secure environment. So that’s one of the areas that we actually talked about today,” he noted.

But the US official noted that this would be an ongoing conversation between the two nations as his country is invested in learning from the Guyana Government their thoughts and their agenda for its tenure on the Security Council.

Global peace and security

Meanwhile, President Ali reiterated Guyana’s commitment to global peace and security. He noted that there were many security challenges the world was currently facing such as the Haiti crisis and the Russia-Ukraine war, and so Guyana’s UNSC

representatives will soon be meeting to iron out the country’s agenda.

“These are things that we will elaborate in much greater details. Very soon, our team that will be working at the Security Council will be meeting with our stakeholders in Washington and other stakeholders to further define and to prioritise action, because there are so many challenges. But we have to prioritise the actions that are critical today and the issues that are critical and must be addressed as we confront these challenges,” the Head of State noted.

With regard to the Haiti crisis, President Ali disclosed that this matter took up a substantial part of the recently-held Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government meeting in

Trinidad and Tobago earlier this week. Battered by a series of natural disasters over the years, the Caribbean nation has been experiencing an escalated economic and social crisis that has led to mass violence and food shortages.

President Ali noted that in addressing this issue, there were three critical areas that needed to be focused on –the security issue, the humanitarian issue, and the political issue. The President pointed out that there was a commitment at the regional level to working on establishing a line of control in Haiti that would allow humanitarian aid to get into the country and reach the people.

According to Ali, one of the decisions taken at the conference, which was at-

tended by several global leaders including Secretary Blinken, is that the eminent group comprising former regional Prime Ministers –Kenny Anthony and Bruce Golding –would continue to work with the leadership and various stakeholders in Haiti to come up with broadened representation in Government.

The Guyanese Leader further noted that current Haitian Prime Minister, Dr Ariel Henry, who has already indicated that he would not run in any future elections, has committed to broadening efforts towards a transitional government in his country.

Among the global leaders at the Caricom meeting this week was Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and according to President Ali, both Rwanda and Kenya have committed to assisting with efforts to resolve the crisis in Haiti.

“Kenya and Rwanda would have jointly committed to putting together some form of troop to support the Haitian Police and to have a presence. Now, that has to be financed, and that has to come through a mechanism through the UN. And this is where we now have to focus our work: how we get a UN resolution and how this mechanism is developed,” the Guyanese Head of State noted.

Moreover, Secretary Blinken also spoke on security efforts in Haiti. He noted that while time, resources and efforts have been expended to strength-

en and build up the Haitian National Police, this has proven to be insufficient.

“As you heard from leadership in Haiti, as you heard from the Haitian people, as you heard from the Secretary General of the United Nations, as you heard from the OAS, there is a consensus on the need for some kind of multinational force to support the work of the Police to try to create some space and a more secure climate so that the work that we’re doing to strengthen the Police, to strengthen security services in Haiti has time to take hold, and the government can regain control of the country and not have it dominated, as it is in so many parts, by gangs,” the US official noted.

Nevertheless, the Secretary of State pointed out that the US was in very active conversation with countries, both in the Region and beyond, about such a course as well as with the UN. This, he noted, will require a particular country playing a leading-nation role.

“That’s something, again, we’re very actively engaged in and so is the Haitian Government. So, what I can say to you today is it’s very much part of the conversation at Caricom [on Wednesday], very much part of the conversation that I had with Prime Minister Henry, and a focus of our work. And we are seized with the urgency of moving this forward,” Blinken stressed.

Haitians walk down a street attacked by gangs (Photo: Twitter/@miguela69054525)

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July7– 04:15h-05:45h and Saturday, July 8 – No retraction.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, July 7 – 07:10h-08:40h and Saturday, July 8 –08:05h-09:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East South-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 07:26h and 20:00h reaching a maximum height of 2.60 metres and 2.50 metres.

Low Tide: 13:30h reaching a minimum height of 0.60 metre.

US-Guyana trade exceeded US$3.9B

in

2022 – President Ali

…Secretary Blinken says bond between 2 countries will grow

has created a positive shift. More and more investments are coming from the US,” the Head of State noted.

President Ali was at the time responding to a question from an ABC News reporter, who asked about Guyana’s “deepened” bilateral relations with China and the scope for enhanced cooperation.

In response, the Guyanese Leader underscored that China was one of Guyana’s many development partners. He noted that with China having a huge global footprint, the Chinese companies have been “very aggressive in the way they do business; they go after opportunities”.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

By Vahnu Manikchand

As Guyana and the United States continue to strengthen their already-strong bilateral relations, trade between the two nations amounted to more than $3.9 billion last year alone.

This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who travelled to Guyana on Thursday for a one-day visit.

Following a meeting between the visiting United States official and senior members of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government Cabinet at State House in Georgetown, the Head of State highlighted the strong trade relations Guyana and the US share.

“United States is Guyana’s largest trading partner with accumulated trade of over US$3.9 billion in 2022. United States is overall ranked our number one export … destination, US$2.7 billion in 2022; and our number one import … source, US$1.2 billion,” he disclosed.

According to President Ali, while the relationship between the two countries spans many sectors, they share common interests in three priority areas – food security, energy security, and climate security.

“Guyana is contributing significantly [in the region] in all three of these areas. The vision of Guyana is to position our country as a global leader on energy security, food security, and climate security. We’re seeking to expand our partnership with the US in all of these areas,” he posited.

US-Guyana bond Meanwhile, Secretary Blinken said “productive dis-

cussions” were held during Thursday’s engagement between his delegation and the Guyana Government. He went on to reassure of the United States’ commitment towards working with Guyana on its developmental path.

“I know the bonds between our people will continue to grow… It's really a pleasure to be here with you to continue our ongoing dialogue and the work that we're doing together –with one of our closest partners in the Caribbean – at a moment of such profound transformation, such profound change and such profound hope,” the Secretary of State noted.

In fact, President Ali

Guyana stood at US$4.2 billion.

“This is the highest in history. And if you look at the investment from different countries, this is the highest investment over the last few years,” the President noted.

However, even as he pledged to work on presenting Guyana as a more sustainable destination for US investments, the Guyanese Leader stressed that this level of heightened interest from businesses in the North American nation has not always been there.

Private Sector aggression

“I said before publicly that the aggression from the US Private Sector was

According to Ali, that aggression is now being replicated by investors from different parts of the world here in Guyana. He pointed to the country’s broad investment portfolio which ranges from the United Kingdom, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates among others.

“The fact is very little was known about us… we did not have the type of public following or global following that we have today… Since oil was discovered, we’ve a very welcome interest from the global community on Guyana and we're utilising that interest to showcase Guyana not as an oil and gas producer, but as a country that has the ability to provide strong global leadership on climate change, food security, and energy security,” the President stated.

pointed out that the US’s strategic partnership was not only helpful and supportive in the current development phase of Guyana ,but a key element especially with the US$2 billion financing from the US EXIM Bank. He further noted that the interest shown by the US Private Sector in the local economy continues to grow.

As a matter of fact, in the last three years alone, the figure for foreign direct investment from the US in

not there in terms of going after the opportunities [in Guyana]. But as a result of the strong bilateral relationship over the last years, and setting that tone and creating that policy environment and building that trust, we have seen a complete change from the US Private Sector. And this is as a result of both countries, at a policy level, saying to the Private Sector, saying to the investors, there is an opportunity. We are welcoming that opportunity and that

Meanwhile, Secretary Blinken also met with Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton on Thursday.

Efforts by Guyana Times to contact Norton on that meeting were futile, however based on local reports, the Opposition Leader presented the US official with a dossier of his party’s – A Partnership for National Unity’s – concerns.

Secretary Blinken is the second US Secretary of State to visit Guyana under the current PPP/C Government.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered remarks after a high-level meeting on Thursday at State House

Officials at Thursday’s press conference held at State House in Georgetown

Editor: Tusika Martin

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July-August school break

Our children will be home from tomorrow as schools go into recess for the July-August period and this means that our children will have a lot of time on their hands and should, therefore, be encouraged to utilise this time in a constructive manner.

During the July-August period, parents are faced with the challenge of finding activities; whether they are academic or recreational, etc, for their children to be involved in. There are many different ways in which our young people could effectively utilise their time wisely. Some students who have not done so well during the past year; or perhaps those who encounter difficulties in a particular subject area could use the time to do remedial academic work to catch up with their peers.

Some of the more mature students also choose to take up work-study opportunities where they get a taste of what the world of work has to offer. There are also those who go off on ‘summer camps’ hosted by religious/youth groups or other organisations, including the Governmentsponsored programmes. This provides an opportunity for youths to interact with their peers and engage in extracurricular activities which would help them become well-rounded individuals.

When persons are not fully occupied with doing positive and uplifting things, they tend to fall by the wayside, most times to their own detriment. Many would agree that many of our young people are falling prey to the use and trafficking of illicit drugs and engaging in criminal activities, in the process completely destroying their lives and the great futures they could have had if better choices were made and the necessary support systems were put in place to ensure their proper upbringing.

It is being said that institutions such as the family and religious groups need to take up their roles more seriously as happened before. Historically, the older generation had managed to transmit their beliefs, values, traditions, customs and institutions to the younger members of their societies and had contributed in some way to their disciplined upbringing. This was achieved largely due to the impact of agencies of socialisation, such as the family, religious organisations and the schools to a large extent. Today, the impact of these institutions has been challenged and undermined by new forces, particularly television and the Internet, and pop culture as a whole.

We believe that if our adolescents are to move from the less mature and irresponsible ways of thinking and acting to making more mature and responsible judgments and engaging in activities that are the hallmark of a socially-productive adulthood, certain support systems must be provided. In addition to the various interventions which the Government should make, there are numerous organisations, including those in the Private Sector, which could rise to the occasion and contribute more towards saving our youth population. They need to come on board and sponsor programmes that would see our children and young people becoming well-equipped with the necessary skills to develop themselves and the society as a whole. Coordinating and sponsoring such programmes during the summer break when children are away from school for a long period is a good way to start.

Successful programmes typically incorporate specific components, such as providing a sense of belonging, promoting a supportive relationship with adults, and affording opportunities to enhance decision-making and leadership skills.

Further, sport could also play a very important role in bringing the youth population back on track so that they could interact with their peers and elders in a more meaningful and dignified manner. There is need to revive all of the non-functional sport groups/centres in communities as the lack of access to such facilities makes it more challenging to engage youths.

The idea is for young people to be meaningfully engaged with activities that they could gain something positive from.

Politicising the Dharamlall allegations

Dear Editor,

As someone who has studied American constitutional law and politics at the doctoral level, I agree with GHK Lall’s argument that “Innocent until proven guilty must remain (SN Jul 4). He is spot on. It is also the law in our country and globally. The result may not be favorable to most but it is the law.

Much ink has been spent on the Dharamlall matter and justifiably so. It is/was a very emotive allegation – the entire Guyanese universe and beyond the past judgment of guilt. There was outrage and public protests. One expects wrath and rage from the serious allegations. Regrettably, the allegations were politicized especially by the accused detractors (and he has many that he created) and political opponents (of himself and his party). And understandably given the gravity of the allegations, most or many of the commentaries rendered the accused guilty and lynched him in the press (including social media). I also chimed in but without pre-judgment. How many of those who voiced an opinion and or condemn the accused really care for the alleged victim?

As law-abiding persons, we ought to reserve judgment on allegations until a court passes a verdict unless an accused pleads guilty. The accused denied the alleged crimes.

In a democracy, especially in developed countries like the UK, US, and Canada where most of the diaspora resides, and at home, an accused is innocent until convicted. One is entitled to due process (including the right to a lawyer). In democ-

racies, even mass rapists and mass murderers are entitled to and given “due process” – a basic principle in law entitling one to a fair hearing (trial) and the opportunity to a defense (face a complainant’s allegations). In the US, the state pays a lawyer (if he so desires one and if he can’t afford the cost) to defend an accused.

The complainant was heard. Her allegations were not ignored by the President or the government. He referred it to the police; that is the judicial process when there is an allegation of a crime. There was an investigation of the allegations by the police and the DPP. As that was going on, the accused rightly recused himself from his job (requested a leave of absence until the matter was investigated and heard – tried in a court). The President wisely acquiesced, granting leave and appointing others to carry out the Minister’s responsibilities.

The accused should be nowhere near or seemingly have any influence over or contaminate the investigations. The complainant, for whatever reasons, and there are many speculations without evidence, withdrew the complaint. According to Guyanese law, and indeed the law of mature democratic countries like America, the matter cannot proceed without a complainant or victim no matter how egregious the allegations and regardless of how the public feels. The law does not function on emotions but on facts and evidence (true or false). There can be no conviction on mere allegations or without a complainant. The teenager is unwilling to go for-

ward.

In any crime, there is an established laid down process and that process has to be followed regardless of status. Due process may take time, but this centuries-old dictum must be followed. One must not be emotive about the matter. Politics must have no role in it. But in our country, everything is politicized. Opponents smell ‘political red meat’ and as expected want to exploit it, seeking to make gains among voters. Every opposition politician acts this way in virtually all countries. Logic, reason, and law give way to politics and the public loves it. Opponents called for the accused’s head. He tendered his resignation from parliament and cabinet, and it is/ was the wise thing to do given the anger or fury that followed the allegations. In resigning, he also shifts focus away from himself and the work of the government so that the nation’s work (law-making, development, etc.) can continue. The politics of the allegation should end or else it will destroy any basis for moving forward. Lessons should be learned and laws enforced.

Politicians and the public ought to take note that no political party has a monopoly on bad behavior or on allegations (particularly of a sexual nature). Some engage in duplicitous behavior – selectively condemn some politicians accused of wrongdoing and not others for similar allegations. They are more concerned about politics (benefits arising from the allegations) rather than the welfare of victims. It is noted that hardly any of those who condemn the accused are real-

ly concerned about the welfare of the alleged victim. What has been done to assist the alleged victim and her family? How many have proposed assistance to her?

The official opposition faced many sex allegations when it was in government during its 33 years in office and several were mishandled resulting in acquittal in court. Once the judicial or due process was completed, the accused did not resign; there were several such cases. The then opposition ended ‘the politics’ of the allegations. The work of the then government and opposition continued. Political normalcy returned.

Allegations of rape and domestic violence, indeed of any allegation of a crime, must never be tolerated and certainly not those in which politicians are the accused. But one cannot be denied a fundamental right such as due process because one is a politician or because one is disliked. The law does not work that way. The judicial system has to take its course and it did in Guyana.

While many or most may not like the ending, the process worked. The accused was investigated and will not be tried in court, but he has been tried by the court of public opinion. He is gone. And many say good riddance. The politics of capitalizing on the pain of both the alleged victim and accused should also end. Parliament must now work on a code of ethics and political parties must hold their members accountable.

Yours truly, Vishnu

Bisram

President Dr Irfaan Ali received a courtesy visit from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Maninder Sidhu, at State House on Thursday. Sidhu was accompanied by Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman (Office of the President photo)

Caribbean, Latin American business forum

Future Irish investments in Guyana, business opportunities to be highlighted

…as outgoing Ambassador discusses relations between 2 countries

By Pooja RamBaRan

Come November, Guyana is expected to mark its attendance at the first-ever Caribbean and Latin American Business Forum based in Dublin, Ireland. This Forum will facilitate dialogue on business opportunities, and encourage future Irish investments in this country.

During an interview with this publication on Thursday, Ireland’s outgoing Ambassador to Guyana, Seán Hoy, discussed the current Ireland-Guyana relations, and noted that this forum can play a vital role in strengthening the growing partnership.

“The idea of the forum is to determine what the interest is. I know a lot of Irish companies are sometimes a little hesitant about Latin America because they don't understand the language, but Guyana has a real advantage there. I think there's potential in the supply chain for oil and gas, for infrastructure; but also on the soft side of things: teaching, health work,” Hoy said.

“I would really like to see Guyana come to Dublin to talk about the potential in your country, and to look for stakeholders, investors, and good partners in the future.

I believe there are many people in Ireland interested in hearing this and responding,” he said.

The ambassador added that Ireland is also willing to share its expertise on training and investing in the local workforce.

Guyana and Ireland established diplomatic relations in 2000. While an Honorary Consulate has existed in the country for some time now, Hoy has been the first ever Irish Ambassador to Guyana since 2019. As he is based in Brazil, this marks his final trip to Guyana in

this professional capacity, with a new non-resident Ambassador expected to take his place in August.

Hoy remarked on the tremendous progress he has seen in Guyana over the years. “Guyana, to me, represents a country that is very fortunate because you have the ability to use natural resources – your oil and gas – in a way that is compatible with the challenges we have in the climate, because you also have a very high level of forest cover,” Hoy said.

“The other import-

ant thing is [Guyana has] a small population. So, as the country becomes richer, you have a real chance with the right policies and leadership [to ensure] that everybody in the country benefits,” Hoy added.

During this final trip, Hoy remarked that he also met with President Dr. Irfaan Ali, where he recognized Guyana’s strides in the agriculture sector and congratulated Ali on attaining the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Award for Contribution to Food Security and Sustainable Development.

“In terms of agriculture, I think this is something that everybody in Guyana should be very proud of, because if you cannot feed yourselves, you have no security. And Guyana has the potential to feed itself and also the region,” Hoy said.

Academic opportunities

In addition to expanding the business relations between the two countries, Hoy noted, academic opportunities also exist.

The Ireland Fellows Programme Scholarship is a one-year master’s level programme that is available to those within Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

that seek to equip early to mid-career professionals with quality education from a higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland free of cost.

In a previous interview with Guyana Times, Sara Henry, one of the first recipients of this scholarship, had commended her experience, having studied Environmental Leadership at the University of Galway.

Having returned to Guyana last year, Henry now works as a freelance conservation consultant, and volunteers with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) United Nations Small Grants Programme, where she works with civil society groups to develop proposals to solve environmental issues and improve the wellbeing of local people.

“[Henry] is back here as part of your future,” Hoy remarked. “We are advertising that programme again, and we are looking for young people from the region, from Guyana, to take up the opportunity and come study with us.”

Additionally, Ireland’s Mobility and Travel Grants 2023 is one of several competitive opportunities available to Guyanese seeking to address specific ocean, climate, and sustainable blue

economy-related challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as such. This grant, and seven others available under the “Our Shared Ocean” programme, is funded through Irish Aid, Ireland’s programme for overseas development, and is managed by Ireland’s Marine Institute (MI).

Diaspora

Meanwhile, the ambassador noted that, given Ireland’s large history of migration, its knowledge, when it comes to connecting with the diaspora, can be particularly helpful.

“I know that, in Guyana, you have many people overseas in different countries. They can be part of your future. It's not about bringing them back, but it's about connecting them to your economic growth, sending out the message of where you want to be in the future, using them as ambassadors and telling the good story about Guyana,” Hoy said.

Hoy noted that he previously spoke to Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd on Ireland’s success in engaging its diaspora. He added that he welcomes the opportunity to exchange knowledge in this regard.

Outgoing Irish Ambassador to Guyana, Seán Hoy

Distributive Property and Identity

The Distributive Property of Multiplication: When you multiply numbers, you may multiply by each separately, and then add their products.

Example:

8 x (4 + 2) = (8 x 4 ) + (8 x 2) 48 = 32 + 16

Multiplication and division are closely related. When you learnt how to divide fractions, you were shown that division was the same as multiplication by a reciprocal. You can use the Distributive Property of Multiplication when you are dividing. But you may only use the Distributive Property when the addends are in the dividend.

Identity elements are numbers in a problem that do not affect the answer.

When adding, the identity element is 0. Any addend or addend + 0 will not change the total. In multiplication, the identity element is 1. Any factor of factors x 1 will not change the product. Subtraction and division do not have identity elements.

Remember: You cannot use the Distributive Property when addends are in the divisor: Find the answers to the following problems and tell which property they represent.

Exercises: Identify the property

BY SIR WALTER RALEIGH

Nature, that washed her hands in milk, And had forgot to dry them, Instead of earth took snow and silk, At love’s request to try them, If she a mistress could compose To please love’s fancy out of those. Her eyes he would should be of light, A violet breath, and lips of jelly; Her hair not black, nor overbright, And of the softest down her belly; As for her inside he’d have it Only of wantonness and wit. At love’s entreaty such a one Nature made, but with her beauty She hath framed a heart of stone; So as love, by ill destiny, Must die for her whom nature gave him, Because her darling would not save him. But time (which nature doth despise, And rudely gives her love the lie, Makes hope a fool, and sorrow wise) His hands do neither wash nor dry; But being made of steel and rust, Turns snow and silk and milk to dust. The light, the belly, lips, and breath, He dims, discolors, and destroys; With those he feeds but fills not death, Which sometimes were the food of joys. Yea, time doth dull each lively wit, And dries all wantonness with it. Oh, cruel time! which takes in trust Our youth, our joys, and all we have, And pays us but with age and dust; Who in the dark and silent grave When we have wandered all our ways Shuts up the story of our days.

WORD SEARCH

APNU’s Mentore, who lost his constituency, is new Georgetown Mayor

…Mayors elected for Anna Regina, Mahdia, Linden, Lethem

pality, as it contested unopposed. Those occupying the other seats on the Town Council include Sharon Malcolm, Jason Wilson, Fitzgerald Singh, and Ryan Alceides.

In 2018, of the 1334 valid votes that came in for the Lethem municipality, the APNU received 528 votes, PPP/C 676, and AFC 130.

Despite not securing the confidence of his constituency at the local government polls, Alfred Mentore of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was on Thursday elected to serve as Mayor of Georgetown.

Mentore, who represented APNU in Constituency

Four (Lamaha Gardens, Newtown, Campbellville, Section K Campbellville

gardless of who wearing a green shirt and who wearing a red shirt,” Mentore emphasised.

He also expressed his willingness to work along with Central Government in the development of Georgetown.

“I will do everything in my power to earn your trust…and extend an olive branch to our PPP

Copeland, Eslyn David, Jason David, Rudolph Dyal, Trowes Ellis, Yvonne Faguson, Dexter Forte, Gregory Fraser, Troy Garraway, Winston Harding, Clayton Hinds, Mohamed Isfehani, Steven Jacobs, Robert Maison, Jeffon Muhammad, Leon Saul, Kesha Satimo, Jai Singh, Phagoo Singh, Kyle Solomon and Dion Younge.

fidence you have placed in me. I’m committed to serve our community with dedication, integrity and transparency; as newly-elected Councillor and Deputy Mayor...I firmly believe in the power of collaboration and open dialogue, I will actively seek your input and ideas to shape the decision that we make, your voices matter…”

In this year’s Local Government Elections (LGE), APNU earned 14 seats on the Linden Town Council while the PPP doubled its seats to two.

Mahdia, Anna Regina, Lethem, Rose Hall In Mahdia, Region

Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), representatives of the PPP/C have taken up the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Eslyn Hussein was unanimously elected Mayor while Akita John took up the post of Deputy Mayor.

Following the recent LGE, both the PPP/C and APNU won four seats each on the Mahdia Town Council.

Meanwhile, in the township of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), John Macedo was re-elected Mayor, while Indeera Singh was elected Deputy Mayor on Thursday. The PPP/C won the munici -

In Rose Hall, Dave Budhu was again re-elected Mayor, with Roydel Lewis as his Deputy.

In addition, Devin Mohan was elected the new Mayor of Anna Regina, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) and Lorna Fitzallen was re-elected to the post of Deputy Mayor.

The other Councillors are Prince Holder, who is the lone APNU member along with Rajiv Avinash Chata, Chaitwattie Naraine, Roopan Ramotar, Parasram Singh, George Washington Kgm, Rosaline Thompson, Vijahlall Goberdan, Lokenauth Rooplall, Chaitram Harrypersaud, Bibi Nazmoom Husman, Dhanwantie Persaud, and Herman Amit Persaud.

TURN TO PAGE 17

& Bel Air Park) in Georgetown, lost to the candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Alfonso Fidel De Armas-Archbold by 31 votes.

Mentore was, nevertheless, elected to the Georgetown City Council as a proportional representation candidate.

Mentore has served two terms on the City Council and was also the former Deputy Mayor.

After being elected as the new Mayor, he addressed the fact that his constituency rejected him.

“I still love all of you even though I might not be your constituency councillor this term, but will work to regain your trust and support in this greater calling as Mayor as I serve the city in a new capacity,” he expressed.

He also called for Councillors to put their political differences aside and work in the interest of the capital city.

“For us to put our collective shoulders to the wheel. Let us turn a new page and let us find a way…how we could work together and be able to build this city re -

Councillors here and Central Government leaders as a whole to work to improve the city’s infrastructure and bring a better life to all,” he said.

“We have serious issues of flooding, we have serious issue of aging infrastructure, we have serious issue of market, poor and damaged roads that urgently need attention; as such, we need a stronger sense of teamwork.”

He also expressed his support for the livestreaming of all City Council meetings, in the interest of transparency.

“I personally will support and I’m sure whenever we meet as a council, we would like to support the livestreaming of these meetings for the civility of these meetings, for the transparency of these meetings…people must understand this council ain’t got nothing to hide.”

Meanwhile, APNU’s Denise Miller was elected Deputy Mayor.

The other Georgetown councillors are De ArmasArchbold, Tahirih Adams, Odayson Ashby, Bishram Bipat, Jewula Caesar, Aileen Chalmers, Patricia Chase-Green, Kibwe

Based on the results of the recently-concluded Local Government Elections, APNU is occupying 19 seats on the council while the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has 11. In 2018, the PPP had occupied seven seats while APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) combined had 23.

Linden

Meanwhile, over in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), long-standing political activist and former chairman of the mining town, Sharma Solomon was elected the new Mayor with newcomer Dominique Blair as his deputy.

“Sitting in this position after 11 years of administration of our beautiful community, I want to say that we gave a commitment to ensure that we have strong, right and proper representation that will be returned to this particular leadership. I am humbled to return to be of service,” Solomon expressed, after being elected unopposed.

For his part, Blair said: “I want to express my gratitude for the trust and con -

Mayor Alfred Mentore Linden's Mayor Sharma Solomon

Anna Regina's Mayor Devin Mohan

Eslyn Hussein was unanimously elected Mayor while Akita John took up the post of Deputy Mayor

The new Lethem Town Council (NCN photo)

Fireman, Nigerian charged for scamming woman online

vestigations, it has been revealed that Frank and Nwachukwu had conspired with other persons who befriended the victim via WhatsApp and formed a relationship with her.

Her “lover” had called her via WhatsApp and told her he had sent an expensive package with surprises for her. Sometime after, the woman received a call from someone who claimed he was working at the airport in New York, USA. He informed her that her package had arrived in Guyana, and that someone would call her to pay the customs fees.

Afireman and a Nigerian national who was jailed in relation to a romance package delivery scam were on Thursday arraigned before Sparendaam Magistrate

Alisha George on seven counts of conspiracy to commit a felony.

Dwayne Frank, a 30-year-old fireman of Tabatinga, Central Rupununi, Lethem, and Matthew Ejike Nwachukwu, a 37-year-old Nigerian national of Lot 96 Duncan Street, Kitty Georgetown, have both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Represented by Attorney-at-Law S.

Martin, Frank has been placed on $300,000 bail, while the unrepresented Nwachukwu has been remanded to prison. The matters have been adjourned until August 9 for report and fixture.

Nwachukwu is currently serving 24 months’ imprisonment for a similar offence. In September 2022, based on an intelligence report, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) commenced several investigations concerning romance/package delivery scams allegedly being masterminded by Nigerian nationals, one of whom is Nwachukwu.

As a result of those in -

She subsequently received a call from a male, who told her that she needed to pay customs fees to clear the package, as it contained cash and expensive items. That person gave her the names and identification particulars of several Guyanese nationals who were used as money mules in the scheme, and she was required to send the money in their names via the Post Office Corporation.

The money was collected by the mules and handed over to Frank, who worked with Nwachukwu in the scheme. Frank kept a portion of the money for him -

self, and handed over the remainder to Nwachukwu. The victim sent a total of $1,030,000 via the Post Office Money Order on seven occasions. Based on investigations, the two accused were charged.

In September 2022, Nwachukwu and another man were charged with defrauding Njema Nobel of $100,000 in cash by falsely pretending that they were in a position to deliver a package to her.

While the other man was placed on cash bail, Nwachukwu was remanded to prison.

SOCU had previously warned of a sharp rise in cases in which Nigerian nationals who are in the country illegally, as well as some out of Guyana, are working with local accomplices to carry out scams and pyramid schemes on unsuspecting persons.

According to SOCU, package delivery/romance scams became prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic, as scammers targeted primarily women via several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as well as online dating sites. Persons are urged to be on the alert for such scams. (G1)

Democratic… …model??

If you’re Guyanese surely, you’ve spent a good bit of your life wondering when our politicians will be able to bring peace and stability – and prosperity – to our dear Mudland. Ever since Burnham split the PPP nationalist movement– a scarce five years after it’d been launched in 1950 – he exploited our ethnic identities to keep us congealed into warring factions. Periodically, these factions erupt into violence that end up not only with dead bodies in the streets but deepening divisions.

What to do?? Well, we can do worse than look at how one poor colonised country ( colonised by Germany and Belgium) with even starker ethnic divisions did it. If you think we’re too violence-prone, this country had 800,000 of one ethnic group hacked to death by the competing ethnic group – and floated down the river!! Yet today, it’s regarded as one of the most stable democracies in Africa, making steady progress to climb out of poverty and becoming the toast of the developing world.

Your Eyewitness, of course, is talking about Rwanda, whose President Paul Kagame showed up at the Caricom HoG meet to discuss opening up a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the Caribbean. Guyana maybe – since we saw him huddled with President Ali?? Last year, even though Rwanda wasn’t a British colony, it was accepted into the Commonwealth and even hosted that organisation’s HoG meeting!! Our President did some more huddling with Kagame then!

Surely, he would’ve asked the latter how he was able to bring peace and stability to his country fractured along its Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. Back in 1994, it was the majority Hutu who’d massacred 800,000 of the minority Tutsi who’d ended up ruling the country – after being favoured by the colonial powers. It was Kagame leading a Tutsi force from neighbouring Congo who’d overthrown the Hutu Government and has been ruling ever since.

But didn’t your Eyewitness say Rwanda was a democracy?? Well, it is: Kagame’s been holding elections which his party – the Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) – keeps winning!! Most government officials are Tutsis – even though Hutus are 80%. His most pertinent innovation has been TO BAN THE USE OF ETHNIC LABELS in public!! That’s right…folks can’t mobilise on ethnic lines – except on “Genocide Day”!! It’s One Rwanda down the line!! Like Lee Kwan Yu of Singapore, Kagame has been called “authoritarian” for cracking down on political types who don’t toe the line.

Rwanda has a “National Strategy for Transformation 2017-2024” within a “Vision 2050 with the goal of becoming a higher middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income one by 2050. Corruption is controlled, with Rwanda 52nd of 180 countries in the Corruption Index.

A hint to beneba…?

…example?

Guyanese politicians should take a leaf out of the American political playbook. US Secretary of State Blinken – who visited yesterday – is a Democrat and is locked in political combat with the Republicans whom they’ll face at the polls next year. His counterpart Pompeo – who visited back in 2020 – was Republican but you’ll never hear a word of criticism uttered by one against the other when they’re abroad!! While they may differ on specifics, those are kept within the US borders. Your Eyewitness hopes our Opposition’s taking note – especially with their Brooklyn posse.

Now talking about the latter, your Eyewitness noted that one Democratic American politician – House Democratic Leader Jeffries – broke that tradition and hopes he’s brought to heel by President Biden. It’s not anything he said – but what he did vis-à-vis President Ali. Last year, he’d refused to see the latter – at the urging of a PNC flack who’s close to him.

At the Caricom HoG meeting, Jeffries stared daggers at Pres Ali!!

…expansion?

The Caricom Heads of Government (inelegantly abbreviated to HoGs!!) have decided to move from “the freedom of movement of skills and service” to “free movement of people” in the organisation. However, Haiti bowed out. They don’t want folks flocking to their island??

Fireman Dwayne Frank Matthew Ejike Nwachukwu

Arnold Adams, Vilma De Silva or Nandranie Coonjah to replace Dharamlall as MP …replacement

will not assume ministerial portfolio

which were accepted by President Dr Irfaan Ali.

Dharamlall will nevertheless continue to be a member of the PPP, and also be supportive of the Government, the Guyanese Head of State had announced.

Great asset

For his part, Jagdeo has described Dharamlall as a “good Minister” and a “great asset”.

With Nigel Dharamlall no longer performing the duties of a Minister and a Member of Parliament (MP), the Government has to now seek two persons to fill those empty positions.

This was explained by Vice President and General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday. He noted that the parliamentary replacement will be different from the person who takes up the ministerial portfolio.

He explained that Dharamlall was chosen as a Parliamentarian, having been a PPP constituency candidate from the Geographical List of Candidates for Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

As such, his parliamentary replacement will have to

be extracted from that very list. There are currently three other persons who are likely to take up that post: Arnold Adams, Vilma DaSilva and Nandranie Coonjah.

“The MP would have to be between one of the three,” Jagdeo outlined. But he explained that the new Parliamentarian will not take up the post of Minister of Local Government and Regional Development. This, he said, is “a matter for the President” to decide.

Asked if there is a time period within which the new Minister would be appointed, Jagdeo responded, “Not necessarily. We have Anand Persaud who is the Junior Minister in there, and he’s been acting and he’s been doing a good job.”

Meanwhile, Adams is the Prime Minister’s

Representative in Region Two, DaSilva is currently the Regional Chairperson, while Coonjah previously served as Regional Vice Chairperson.

The PPP is expected to submit to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) the name of one of these individuals to take up the seat in Parliament. But this can only be done upon Dharamlall’s official resignation being tendered to the Speaker of the National Assembly, who will then have to notify GECOM of the vacancy, after which GECOM would inform the PPP.

After being cleared of charges in relation to an allegation of rape brought against him by a 16-yearold girl, Dharamlall on Tuesday tendered his resignation as a Minister and Parliamentarian, both of

“He’s a very efficient person. I’ve worked with him a long time, and he is committed to the task of national development…I’ve seen him work very, very hard, and I need to say that…that he’s been a great asset to the PPP in its work, and I think this whole matter has taken a toll on him and his psyche… and so, I think he needs time to recover from this,” Jagdeo said. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) told the Police on Tuesday that there is no legal provision to proceed with any case against Dharamlall, given that the victim has withdrawn her complaint against him. According to the DPP, the victim said her decision to withdraw the complaint was made in her best interest.

From the inception of the allegation, the institutions commenced their work: the Minister was arrested and placed on $1 million station bail as the Police investigated the matter. Dharamlall was also on administrative leave throughout the entire investigation.

Meanwhile, the Vice President has criticised the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) for its continuous politicisation of this matter. In fact, Jagdeo said that, because the APNU and its supporters were politicising the matter, “they must have put more pressure on this young lady”.

He also accused the APNU of having ‘no ounce of sympathy or empathy’ of the young lady; but rather, they

were simply trying to score political points.

“They were calling for his resignation or for him to be fired. He has resigned now, but they still continue to protest…,” he expressed.

The Vice President has nevertheless highlighted that, throughout the entire matter, the Government never engaged in any political defence of Dharamlall.

“Throughout it all, we stayed faithful to the process. We did not engage in political defence of Nigel Dharamlall, we didn’t comment on the victim’s statement, we said the agencies of the State have to deal with these matters by law: the Police, Childcare, the DPP Office. We allowed that process to work,” he emphasised. (G11)

Arnold Adams Vilma De Silva

Nandranie Coonjah

Bharrat Jagdeo Nigel Dharamlall

Govt to replace outdated pipelines in Georgetown

In an effort to upgrade and transform the capital city of Georgetown, the Housing and Water Ministry is working to change all of the outdated pipe systems in several prominent areas around the city.

This was revealed by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal during a recent episode of “The Guyana Dialogue.”

Some of the pipes slated for upgrade are those located in the vicinity of the Bank of Guyana, Umana Yana, and other areas.

“A third thing we will be focusing on in the water sec-

tor is to change out some of the old pipe systems that we have here in Georgetown. You know those old pipes that you see on the ground that have leakage. For example, by Bank of Guyana, in front of Umana Yana [and other areas],” the Minister outlined.

According to Croal, if the Government were to increase the water pressure for Georgetown, those pipes would leak given their deteriorating condition.

“If you increase the pressure for Georgetown all of those will start leaking. So, we’re changing out those old pipe systems. We’re hoping

that within the next year and a half to two years, we will transform Georgetown. Those are about 200 years’ old pipes we’re speaking about so they can’t really withstand the level of pressure that we will want to put,” the minister explained.

It was previously reported in February 2020 that Guyana Water Inc (GWI) has embarked on a journey to replace the aged water network (pipes) within Georgetown. This saw numerous Georgetown residents suffering interruptions in their water supply caused by breakages in the old pipes.

The breakages were as a result of the aged state of the transmission lines which constitute the Georgetown

network, which was installed more than 100 years ago. In 2019, GWI said the

$51 million replacement of the Church Street water transmission line would commence in the first quarter of 2020, and it was expected that the other replacements would follow.

The Government has also been working assiduously to transform the city by upgrading old infrastructure, clearing drains, upgrading markets, expanding the road network, and more.

One major project that commenced under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration was the restoration of the historic City Hall Building at an investment of over $1 billion.

Body of teen reported missing found on Bartica Beach

The body of 13-yearold Daniel Cameron who was reported missing on Tuesday was on Wednesday found floating at a beach in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni -Mazaruni).

During a telephone interview with this publication, Commander of Region Seven, Deon Moore, revealed that a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted shortly to determine Cameron’s cause of death.

Cameron had resided at Grove, East Bank Demerara, but was sent to spend time with his grandmother at Bartica on Tuesday. The child was received at the Bartica stelling by his uncle, who had then gone to the Bartica Regional Hospital

for a medical checkup. While there, the child was told to sit on a bench and wait, but upon the uncle’s return, the child was not there.

The child’s aunt, Ramdi Singh, related to this publication, “The uncle said that… he left him outside…and he went in the hospital to take a blood test, and when he came out, he didn’t see him back. And he called the mother, and then she called me and she tell me, and we friends and so look for he in Bartica.

“They look whole night the [Tuesday] night. Yesterday (Wednesday) morning they search and didn’t find he. And when they go and report the matter, the Police look for him and they found him at the beach side,” The child’s aunt detailed. Cameron had been a pupil of the Covent Garden Secondary, EBD.

Dead: Daniel Cameron

GWI workers repairing a broken pipe in Georgetown

No NGSA results for children failing to return/replace textbooks – Manickchand

Education Ministry’s Facebook page.

Manickchand had previously said the Ministry was forced to enforce this policy to ensure that adequate textbooks and similar opportunities are given to the next batch of Grade Six children. While the Ministry caters to a small amount of damage, she had noted, it is a very expensive enterprise to give everybody textbooks.

“And so we have to manage it very, very sternly and carefully, to make sure it passes down,” she had said.

2 admit to robbery with aggravation

Two men who have been charged with the offence of robbery with aggravation have pleaded guilty as charged when they were arraigned before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in that Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Orlando Scott, 25, of Cummings Park, Sophia, Georgetown, and Chris McKenzie, 24, of Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, have each offered the court an explanation for their resort to crime.

the charge, before making good their escape on a motorcycle that was parked nearby.

Police were able to apprehend these men after reviewing close-circuit television camera (CCTV) footage in the area, and they were eventually nabbed at the Stabroek Market and taken into Police custody.

The results of this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations are set to be released today, but Education Minister Priya Manickchand has made it clear that those pupils who have not returned/replaced textbooks that were loaned to them would have their results withheld.

The Education Ministry publicized this notice on Thursday, and the minister did likewise via

her Facebook page. This is in keeping with the MoE’s textbook policy, which states, “Learners must return books before Progress Reports/Examination Results/ Recommendations/References are uplifted.”

Defaulting pupils will also be unable to access their results online or by slip.

The 2023 NGSA results will be announced at 10:00h today, and will be live-streamed on the

This year, a total of 15,268 pupils had registered to write the NGSA. The assessment papers were translated into Spanish for the first time in order to help Spanish-speaking pupils, many of whom are migrants.

Shortly after returning to Government in 2020, the PPP Government had fulfilled another promise by distributing brand-new textbooks to primary school children in the public school system. They cover the core subject areas: Mathematics, English Language, Science, and Social Studies.

The particulars of the charge against them stated that on Friday, June 23, at Water Street, Georgetown, while in the company of each other, they robbed Dyanand Singh of a Samsung Galaxy cellular phone valued at $55,000, and of $75,000 in cash.

According to the prosecution’s short facts, on the day in question, Singh and his girlfriend were walking along Water Street, Georgetown when the two men accosted him from behind. They choked him and relieved him of the items mentioned in

In a brief address to the court, Scott claimed he committed the crime because he was frustrated at not being able to secure employment. “[I] would like to ask for the court’s leniency…I was frustrated because I am not getting no work,” he said.

McKenzie, on his behalf, said, “[I] am asking for forgiveness, and I would never do it again.”

In his remarks to the court, the Police prosecutor pointed out that Scott had previously twice been charged for armed robbery, but those matters were concluded after he had opted to compensate the victims.

In the end, the confessed robbers were remanded to prison until July 26 for sentencing. (G1)

File photo: Education Minister Priya Manickchand distributing text books in 2022 at a school in East Berbice-Corentyne

United States Secretary of State Antony

Antony J Blinken's visit to Guyana

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Charity Market destroyed by fire

Over 100 stalls have been destroyed by a massive fire that engulfed the Charity Market in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Reports are that the blaze stated at about 19:20h on Thursday. According to the Guyana Fire Service, two of its officers were injured during attempts to control the blaze.

This newspaper was told that Region Two Fire Commander Courtney Springer and another rank have been injured. Reports are that one of the officers was attempting to disconnect

the power from a Guyana Power and Light pole when he was shocked. He was rushed to the Oscar Joseph District Hospital at Charity in an unresponsive state, but regained consciousness at the hospital.

that one of our officers received a mild electrical shock during firefighting activities. He was taken to the hospital and treated. Additionally, another rank was also injured at the scene and required medical attention,” the Fire Service statement read.

This fire comes months after the Parika Market Centre was completely destroyed on February 10 by a raging inferno that devastated its structure with millions of dollars in goods inside. That incident has had a major negative impact on the livelihoods of a large number of vendors.

In a statement issued late on Thursday evening, the Guyana Fire Service said it was working along with

the Guyana Police Force to contain the fire. It said two fire tenders were operating at the scene.

“…we also have to report

That mid-afternoon fire had reportedly been started at about 14:30h, after thick black smoke was seen billowing from the structure.

The Charity Market on fire (Photos courtesy of FB users)

Injured: Courtney Springer

Local, int’l interest shown in developing biomedical hub in Guyana

Both local and international Private Sector bodies have demonstrated significant interest in establishing a biomedical hub in the country to expand on the production of pharmaceuticals, according to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony.

During a recent conversation with the “Guyana Dialogue,” the Minister not-

ed that the Health Ministry is not usually involved in manufacturing for sale, as that is typically in the hands of the Private Sector.

“Now, in the more medium to long term, one of the things that we are looking at is to develop a biomedical hub in Guyana, where we can expand manufacturing of pharmaceuticals,” Anthony said.

A biomedical hub aims to be a space for researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals across biomedical disciplines to share research findings, experimental results, and clinical experiences. This hub is in line with the Government’s vision of creating a modern, world-class health system for Guyanese.

Anthony noted that dis-

GYSBI to host Career Fair in Reg 3 on Sunday

to create opportunities for Guyanese in all facets of our operations, and this Career Fair is geared towards doing exactly that. This project will be executed in Region Three, where the Gas to Energy project is being undertaken; and, as such, we would like to provide employment to persons who are living there,” she said. The activity would also provide opportunity for GYSBI to scope out, for future employment opportunities on the project, the skillsets and expertise which are available in the region.

cussions about the possible production of vaccines in Guyana are also underway, with a number of partners showing interest.

“We are also looking at the possibility of man-

ufacturing diagnostic kits and other medical devices,” Anthony added. “So, lots of interest in this area. Outside of providing care, this can possibly be another industry that can grow,” Anthony said.

Healthcare statistics

Meanwhile, considering another aspect of developing the healthcare system, Dr. Anthony noted that the Ministry is also looking to rebuild its Planning Department and seek out a Health Economist.

“The Ministry used to have a strong Planning Department that we are now trying to rebuild. We also used to have a Health Economist that would help us to gather some [vital] in-

formation, but [haven’t] had for quite some time now,” Anthony said.

Health economists typically use their knowledge of economics and the healthcare industry to analyse cost effective systems and how healthcare resources are used and distributed. They’re essential in helping to better understand the healthcare system, improve healthcare policies, improve medical care, and the quality of patient care.

“I've been talking to some international partners, and they're working to help us to get a Health Economist to come in and to work with the Ministry. So, once we do that, I think we'd be better able to get some [crucial] data,” Anthony said.

Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYBSI) will be hosting a Career Fair on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at the West Demerara Secondary School in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The one-day fair, which will commence at 09:00h and conclude at 16:00h, will see hiring being done on the spot to fill various positions, including Bulldozer Operators, Excavator Operators, FrontEnd Operators, Roller Operators, Skid Steer

Operators, Mechanics, Human Resources Officer, Dispatcher, Banksmen, QHSSE Officers, Operations Assistant, among others. These persons are expected to support a component of the Gas to Energy Project which is being undertaken by the Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil Guyana.

Public Relations Manager of GYSBI, Gomatie Gangadin, has said the company is desirous of hiring people from that region, since its project will be based there.

“Our goal has always been

“So, there are numerous positions that we will be hiring persons to fill directly, but it will also give us an idea of what are some of the skills we have over here that we can utilize or tap into when other opportunities open up,” Gangadin added.

Persons who are interested in these positions are encouraged to walk with their resume, ID Card, academic certificates, TIN certificate, COVID vaccination card, and two references.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

Guyana Shore Base Inc. rep conducting an interview

Over 100 suppliers, contractors attend PPC’s Region 2 Open Day

Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Cap. 1:01, to “promote awareness of the rules, procedures and special requirements of the procurement process among suppliers, contractors and public bodies.”

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) on Wednesday hosted a Public Open Day at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Compound at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam).

More than 160 persons from procuring entities, suppliers and contractors from across the coast, and members of the public seized the opportunity to educate themselves and be guided on various topics covered by the PPC. Those topics included an introduction to the PPC – who they are and what they do, what the public procurement process entails, tendering tips, and how to lodge a complaint.

This event forms part of the commission’s ongoing

public awareness campaign to apprise stakeholders of the rules and procedures of the public procurement system, so that they are able to better navigate, comply with, and benefit from, the system.

The PPC is mandated by Article 212AA (1) (b) of the Constitution of the

PPC Chief Executive Officer Michael Singh and team interacted with the participants, and answered questions and concerns. The objective was to furnish participants with information to improve the public procurement system within their organizations.

The PPC held a similar Public Open Day exercise in June at the New Amsterdam Recreational Park (opposite the RDC Building) at Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

PPC hosting a Public Open Day activity at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast (PPC photo)

E-bike law about road safety – VP Jagdeo

…as users protest ‘burdensome’ measure

Users of electric bikes are protesting Government’s move to regulate the use of this type of vehicle on the country’s roadways, crying that it would be burdensome, however Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has hit back, noting that the measure was needed to guarantee road safety.

In May, the National Assembly passed amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act allowing electric bikes to be subjected to the same regulations as motorcycles in a move that was intended to address the alarming increase in road fatalities and incidents involving this category of vehicles.

Effective July 4, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) began to register e-bikes at its Licence Revenue Office, Lamaha Railway Embankment, Camp and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown and Integrated Regional Tax Offices (IRTOs) countrywide.

Among the requirements for registration, persons must be the holder of a valid driver’s licence to operate the e-bikes on the country’s roadways.

Protest

However, on Thursday, a handful of persons took to the streets at Blairmont in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to protest this development.

“We don’t need no licence,” the protesters chanted as they waved placards which read: “It is an electric bike. It do not have an engine. It do not need licence”; “licence will not stop accident”; “The

e-bike help us tremendously in our daily life. Cutting down expense. Transport our children to school”.

Former Councillor of Blairmont-Gelderland Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Tajram Persaud, who is also a religious leader in the community, said it was almost impossible for owners to take their e-bikes from Blairmont, Ithaca or Shieldstown to Fort Wellington where the registration is taking pace.

He explained that the bikes do not have enough battery power to go and owners could not afford to take the bikes to Fort Wellington by other means.

The residents are calling for an inter-agency outreach involving the GRA, the licensing department and insurances companies in their community.

Meanwhile during Thursday’s protest, some residents argued that they were among the first to purchase the bikes hence Government should waive the $6000 registration fee for them.

Persaud, in expressing delight in Government’s approach in formalising the operation of that mode of transportation, said the community was in full support of only allowing persons above the age of 16 to ride e-bikes.

Weighing in on this development during a broadcast interview on Thursday, Jagdeo contended that “we have to deal with the safety issue”.

“A lot of people are getting killed on the roads because of the lack of safety measures…

when you come on the public road, remember there are other users and remember these [vehicles] are silent, because they are electric bikes. So, we have to ensure that we can keep the people safe and also others from having accidents.”

Nevertheless, the Vice President accepted that some of the protesters have legitimate concerns which would be addressed.

Reasonable

“There are two groups of people out there. Some who believe that there should be no rules governing the use of these bikes and then another group that have reasonably expressed some concerns that the process of registration could be used as an opportunity for bureaucracy and it could be costly,” he accepted.

Jagdeo made it clear that the Government was not interested in using this measure as a money-making scheme, but rather, wanted to ensure road users were safe.

“We’re not interested in collecting taxes. We don’t want money for registration from these people. So let me make that clear, that is not a revenue-earning measure. I think the idea was to register to bring some control. We have to make this process a simple process. We have to put in some rules in place that would ensure safety, but without it becoming burdensome to people. So, they need to give us some time to work this through,” he said.

He emphasised that the measure was not meant to be punitive, as Government

CANU unearths $10.6M worth of cocaine in car

Some of the persons on the protest line against the regulation of e-bikes at Blairmont on Thursday

wanted persons to be able to use e-bikes but in a safe manner.

Owners of electric cycles have been advised to present a completed motor vehicle registration application form, purchase receipt or affidavit of lost purchase receipt (must have relevant revenue stamp) and valid identification (National ID card, passport or current driver’s licence) when registering their electric bikes.

According to the GRA, owners of existing electric

bikes that do not have a chassis or frame number will be issued a unique identification number by the Revenue Authority.

The GRA had also noted that it was the responsibility of the owner to engrave this number onto the frame of the cycle before proceeding to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to apply for the Certificate of Fitness.

It was also announced that the standard rate for registration and motor vehicle revenue licence will apply and that persons must be

the holder of a valid driver’s licence to use these electric bikes on the roadways.

The GRA had also said in collaboration with the GPF, it would allow a three-month voluntary registration period, after which the law would be enforced by both agencies.

Meanwhile, it was also noted that the GPF has been taking steps to educate road users on the recent amendments made to the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act Cap 51:02 about the regulation of e-bikes. (G11)

APNU’s Mentore, who lost...

One person has been arrested following the seizure of some $10.6 million worth of cocaine by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Thursday.

The bust was made when CANU officers, conducting

an operation at the Young Professionals Housing Scheme at Providence, East Bank Demerara, intercepted motorcar PVV 4385, which was being driven by a 32-year-old man of Herstelling, EBD. A search of that vehicle

unearthed nine brick-like parcels suspected to be cocaine, and the suspect and the parcels were taken to the CANU Headquarters, where the substance tested positive for cocaine with a weight of 23lbs and a street value of $10.6 million.

Attitude

Meanwhile, PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, during a broadcast interview on Thursday, explained that the Party invited its Councillors to speak to them about the organisation’s expectations of their conduct at their respective councils.

“So, we’ve emphasised about behaviour and attitude in response to residents’ concerns. That you can’t claim you support the PPP when your attitude in relation to people on the ground will drive them

away from the Party and that happens in some cases,” he stated.

“So, we spoke about ac -

countability for the funds, about engagement with the communities, not to take personality fights into the Councils…”

Linden’s Deputy Mayor Dominique Blair

The new Anna Regina Town Council Deputy Mayor Denise Miller

Regional “Cup of blood”: Haitian official decries impunity in Moïse killing

AHaitian Government monitor has decried the “unacceptable slowness” of the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, charging that the delay has contributed to a culture of impunity that puts citizens in danger.

In a letter, titled “The Cup of Blood”, Haiti’s Office of Citizen Protection (OPC) argued that any failure to bring Moïse’s killers to justice “will open the way for the assassination of other Heads of State in the same conditions, with the same degree of cruelty, of barbarity”.

The scathing letter was released to coincide with the two-year anniversary of Moise’s killing on July 7, 2021.

The OPC functions as an independent Government body, investigating complaints against public institutions. Its head, Renan

Hedouville, signed the letter, which warned that all levels of society are threatened by the continuing lawlessness in Haiti.

“The cup of barbarity, of impunity, of terrorism, is filled with blood, above all that of the victims assassinated every day (lawyers, Police Officers, shopkeepers, health professionals,

Venezuela to regulate private shipments of food and medicine, sources say

Venezuela is planning to introduce new regulations on courier shipments of food, medicine and other products in an effort to raise more taxes, one Government and two Private Sector sources said on Thursday.

So-called "door-to-door" courier services are used by some retailers to bring in goods such as toilet paper, detergent and diapers from countries, including the United States.

students, ordinary citizens) under the umbrella of impunity and the benediction of corruption,” Hedouville wrote.

Hedouville also called for greater protection for Walter Wesser Voltaire, the Judge tasked with overseeing the Moïse investigation.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Top FARC dissident leader Ivan Marquez dead – sources

Ivan Marquez, the wellknown leader of a faction of former FARC rebels who returned to arms after a peace deal with Colombia's Government, has died in Venezuela, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

The former guerrilla commander had called on demobilised fighters to join a dissident force helmed by ex-leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – FARC), known as the Segunda Marquetalia.

Marquez, wearing fatigues and carrying a pistol, declared in a video that the group would return to war, claiming the Colombian state had "betrayed" the peace accords signed in 2016 between the

government and the FARC. The address – published on YouTube in August 2019 – threatened to jeopardise the entire peace process further.

Márquez, as the former second-in-command of the FARC, was able to attract many ex-guerrillas back to criminality and received

They were originally used by individuals to circumvent shortages in Venezuela's crisis-hit economy, but de facto dollarisation has led retailers to also take advantage of the fewer restrictions and tax exemptions on the couriers.

The Government provides no official figures on the volume of such shipments, which arrive by boat and plane. But in a bid to raise tax revenue amid US sanctions and a faltering oil industry, the Government is

preparing to regulate them, the sources said.

"The door-to-doors will remain and we are working on regulations," said a Government source, without providing further details.

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and other officials met with business people in late June to discuss regulation, but no specific measures came out of the meeting, the two Private Sector sources said.

This week several courier companies, who are general-

ly local outfits, said on social media they would suspend shipments as they await official action.

Further regulations could make shipments – which can sometimes even include furniture – more expensive.

Retailers who receive shipments can often offer consumers lower prices on goods compared to local purchases in Venezuela, where inflation was 429 per cent in the 12 months to May, according to the central bank.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Extreme weather in Latin America unlocks vicious cycle that further fuels climate dangers

Extreme weather is wreaking hav -

oc across Latin America, racking up billions worth of damage and unleashing a vicious cycle that leads to higher demand for fossil fuels and more climate change, the World Meteorological Organisation said on Wednesday.

pledges of loyalty from certain ex-FARC Mafia groups.

He also rapidly set up a base of operations for the Second Marquetalia in Venezuela, capitalising on opportunities to get involved in drug trafficking, illegal gold mining, and contraband. (Reuters and InsightCrime)

Delayed Guatemalan election results to be made official next week

Official results from Guatemala's firstround presidential election late last month will be released next week, the country's electoral court announced on Thursday, following an extended delay triggered by challenges from parties.

A court spokesperson told Reuters that final results in the presidential race from the June 25 vote did not change.

The preliminary results

from the first-round election showed Sandra Torres of the centre-left National Unity of Hope (UNE) party with 15.8 per cent of the vote, and Bernardo Arevalo of the Seed Movement party, also centre left, with 11.8 per cent support. Both are set to participate in a decisive August 20 runoff vote since no candidate secured a simple majority.

Nine parties, including UNE, challenged the first-

round results alleging votes were manipulated, prompting the country's top court to order a controversial ballot review. International organisations and foreign Governments swiftly expressed concerns over the review.

Earlier this week, the Washington-based Organisation of American States said it was returning its observer mission to Guatemala to oversee the process. (Reuters)

Temperatures have warmed an average 0.2 degree Celsius per decade over the past 30 years – the highest rate on record, according to the State of the Climate in Latin America and the Caribbean 2022 report.

As temperatures rise, extreme weather events become more common, with often unexpected consequences that stoke climate change, the report said.

"Prolonged drought led to a drop in hydroelectricity production in large parts of South America, prompting an upsurge in demand for fossil fuels in a region with major untapped potential for renewable energy," the report said.

Wildfires across swathes of Latin America in 2022, fuelled by dry soils and extreme heat, led carbon dioxide emissions to spike to their highest level in 20 years, driving temperatures up and further raising the risk for disaster, the report noted.

“Many of the extreme events were influenced by the long-running La Niña, but also bore the hallmark of human-induced climate change," said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

"The newly-arrived El Niño will turn up the heat and bring with it more extreme weather."

Drought and storms made up the bulk of US$9 billion worth of economic damages reported in 2022 to Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT).

The World Meteorological Institute report comes amid the Convention on Environment and Development held in Havana and organised by

the G77 group of developing nations, which includes China.

Cuba´s Environment Minister Elba Rosa Perez said during the inaugural session of the convention on Tuesday the situation has pushed many developing countries to the limit.

"We are facing increasingly strong impacts from climate change, but the decisions adopted in climate negotiations for the implementation of the Paris Agreement do not advance at the same rate," she said.

The 2015 Paris Agreement set a goal of keeping warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, but scientists and activists warn more action is needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A moto-taxi driver rides past a mural of slain Haitian President Jovenel Moise in Port-au-Prince, Haiti [File: Odelyn Joseph/The Associated Press]

People walk across a street as temperatures rise during an unusual heat wave, in Monterrey, Mexico, June 14, 2023 (Reuters/ Daniel Becerril file photo)

Ivan Marquez

Around The World OIL NEWS

Oil almost flat as tighter supplies offset US rate hike risk

Oil prices were nearly flat on Thursday as the market weighed tighter US crude supplies with the higher likelihood of a US interest rate hike that could dent energy demand.

Brent crude futures settled 13 cents lower at US$76.52 a barrel, after a 0.5 per cent gain the previous day.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained one cent to US$71.80 a barrel, after rising 2.9 per cent in post-holiday trade on Wednesday to catch up with Brent's gains earlier in the week.

The market has been expecting interest rates in the US and Europe to rise further to tame stubborn inflation. Fears of a global recession mounted after recent surveys showing slower factory and services activity in China and Europe.

Minutes released on Wednesday showed that a united US central bank agreed to hold rates steady at its June meeting to buy time and assess the need for further hikes, though most attendees expected they would eventually need to tighten further.

US interest rate futures on Thursday increased the probability of another US rate rise after news private payrolls surged last month.

"We know the Federal Reserve wants to see the labour market cool off," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures group. "The market is concerned that the Fed has to take the punch bowl away."

Supporting prices were data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) that showed US crude stockpiles fell by more than expected last week.

Crude inventories fell by 1.5 million barrels in the last week to 452.2 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1 million-barrel drop. US gasoline and distillate inventories also dropped.

"While the inventories are supportive for oil prices today, the oil market is being dominated by fears of further rate increases," said Andrew Lipow, President at Lipow Oil Associates in Houston. "This is coming at a time when OPEC+ [Organisation of Petroluem Exporting Countries plus allies], especially Saudi Arabia and Russia, are reiterating their commitment to rein in production and exports, respectively."

Top oil exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia announced a fresh round of output cuts for August. The total cuts now stand at more than five million barrels per day (bpd), equating to five per cent of global oil output.

The cuts, along with a bigger than expected drop in US crude stocks, provided some support for prices.

OPEC is likely to maintain an upbeat view on oil demand growth for next year when it publishes its first outlook for 2024 this month, predicting a slowdown from this year, but still an above-average increase, sources close to OPEC told Reuters.

OPEC Ministers and executives from oil companies told a twoday conference in Vienna that Governments needed to turn their attention from supply to demand.

Rather than pressuring oil producers to curb supply, which heads of global energy companies say serves only to increase prices, Governments should shift the focus to limiting oil demand to reduce emissions, they said. (Reuters)

Iran seizes commercial ship in Gulf

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have “forcibly seized” a commercial ship in international waters in the Gulf that was possibly involved in smuggling, according to United States Navy.

The Bahrain-based US Navy’s Fifth Fleet said in a statement on Thursday that it monitored the incident, but assessed the circumstances “did not warrant further response”.

“US forces remain vigilant and ready to protect navigational rights of lawful maritime traffic in the Middle East’s critical waters,” US 5th Fleet spokesperson Commander Tim

Ukraine spy chief says nuclear threat at Zaporizhzhia plant subsiding

Ukraine's military spy chief said on Thursday that the threat of a Russian attack on the vast Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant was receding, but that it could easily return as long as the facility remained under occupation by Moscow's forces.

The intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, made the comment in an interview with Reuters after days of warnings by Ukrainian and Russian officials accusing each other of plotting an attack at Europe's largest nuclear plant.

The threat is decreasing", said Budanov, who is the head of Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence at the Ministry of Defence, declining to say how he was able to say.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has for days warned of the grave threat

at the facility, most recently saying Russian forces had mined the roof of several reactors.

Budanov did not give details of what had been done to reduce the threat, or what it consisted of. He made clear he believed the threat had only been postponed until later.

"Sorry I can't tell you what happened recently, but the fact is that the threat is decreasing," he said. "This means that at least we have all together with joint efforts somehow postponed a technogenic catastrophe".

"It's not eliminated. As long as the station is occupied this can happen again any time if they want", he said.

He also commented on the major counteroffensive which Ukraine launched against Russian occupying

forces last month.

"The counteroffensive is in progress. In general, let's just say it's happening. There will be success, but later," he said.

He compared the Ukrainian operation with Russia's months-long battle to capture the eastern

city of Bakhmut in April.

"I want to remind you this famous story with Bakhmut. The Russians were attacking it for more than 10 months. Our task is a bit bigger than Bakhmut, but we have a bit less time than 10 months".

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US Government approves Alzheimer’s drug to slow cognitive decline

United States officials granted full approval to a closely watched Alzheimer’s drug on Thursday, clearing the way for the Government-run Medicare and other insurance plans to begin covering the treatment for people with the brain-robbing disease.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) endorsed the IV drug Leqembi for patients with mild dementia and other symptoms caused by early Alzheimer’s

disease. It is the first medicine that has been convincingly shown to modestly slow the cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer’s.

Japanese drugmaker Eisai received conditional approval from the FDA in January based on early results suggesting Leqembi worked by clearing a sticky brain plaque linked to the disease.

The FDA confirmed those results by reviewing data from a larger 1800-pa-

No one came out of Russian mutiny a hero, Belarus leader tells BBC

It was Alexander Lukashenko who had brokered the deal to end the Wagner mutiny. So we're told.

So if there's anyone who can shine a light on this murkiest of stories, surely it's the leader of Belarus. Or so we hope.

Hawkins said.

Iran has not commented on the incident.

British maritime security company Ambrey said it was aware of an attempted seizure by Iranian forces of a small Tanzanian-flagged tanker, about 59 nautical miles (about 110km) northeast of the Saudi Arabian port city of Dammam.

“Iran regularly intercepts smaller tankers it suspects of smuggling oil,” the company added in a note.

The US has long accused Iran of harassing and seizing commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit hub in the global energy market.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

We're part of a small group of Journalists invited to the Palace of Independence in Minsk for "a conversation" with Lukashenko.

Only a few weeks ago there'd been feverish speculation about his health. But the Belarusian leader clearly has stamina. The "conversation" lasts nearly four hours.

Instead of shining a light, though, he muddies the waters on the recent Russian uprising.

According to the agreement between the Wagner Group and the Kremlin, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was supposed to move to Belarus, along with some of his fighters.

That hasn't happened. Not

yet anyway.

"As of this morning," says Lukashenko, "the Wagner fighters, very serious ones, are still in the camps they'd withdrawn to after Bakhmut.

"As for Yevgeny Prigozhin, he's in St Petersburg. Or perhaps this morning he flew to Moscow. Or perhaps he's somewhere else. But he's not in Belarus."

I ask Alexander Lukashenko whether that means the deal is off.

He denies that. It feels as if there are conversations going on behind the scenes we're not going to be told about.

When it comes to discussing the mutiny, Moscow and Minsk have not exactly been on the same page.

Last weekend Russian state TV declared that President Vladimir Putin had emerged from these dramatic events a hero.

"I think that no-one came out of that situation a hero," Lukashenko tells me.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

tient study in which the drug slowed memory and thinking decline by about five months in those who got the treatment, compared with those who got a placebo.

“This confirmatory study verified that it is a safe and effective treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s disease,” the FDA’s neurology drug director, Dr Teresa Buracchio, said in a statement.

The drug’s prescribing information will carry the most serious type of warning, indicating that Leqembi can cause brain swelling and bleeding,

side effects that can be dangerous in rare cases. The label notes those problems are also seen with other plaque-targeting Alzheimer’s drugs.

The process of converting a drug to full FDA approval usually attracts little attention. But Alzheimer’s patients and advocates have been lobbying the US Federal Government for months after Medicare officials announced last year they would not pay for routine use of drugs like Leqembi until they receive the FDA’s full approval.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Twitter threatens legal action over Threads app

Twitter is considering legal action against Meta over its fast-growing rival app Threads.

Threads, which was launched to millions on Wednesday, is similar to Twitter and has been pitched by Meta bosses as a "friendly" alternative.

Twitter's Elon Musk said "competition is fine, cheating is not" – but Meta denied claims in a legal letter that ex-Twitter staff helped create Threads.

More than 30 million people have signed up for the new app, according to Meta.

The look and feel of Threads is similar to Twitter, BBC News technology reporter James Clayton noted. He said the news feed and the reposting were incredibly familiar.

In a move first reported by news outlet Semafor,

Twitter Attorney Alex Spiro sent a letter to Meta Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday accusing Meta of "systematic, wilful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property" to create Threads.

Specifically, Spiro alleged that Meta hired dozens of former Twitter employees who "had and continue to have access to Twitter's trade secrets and other highly confidential information" that ultimately helped Meta develop what he termed the "copycat" Threads app.

"Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information," the letter says.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Major General Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Military Intelligence of Ukraine, speaks during an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine in Kyiv Ukraine, July 6, 2023 (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Do something physical that will ease stress, keep you from saying something you shouldn’t and encourage you to do your own thing. Personal improvements will lift your spirits.

(March 21-April 19)

Consistency will lead to success. You’ll gain ground if you are persistent and willing to do the work yourself. Don’t put things off due to temptation or interference.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Bide your time. Spontaneity and haste will take you in the wrong direction. Work alone to avoid interference. Seek expert counsel, but trust in yourself. Personal improvements will attract attention.

Avoid controlling people. Speak on your behalf to ensure you get both your point across and recognition for your thoughts and solutions. Put faith in yourself, not others.

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PICKLES SUDOKU

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Take care of financial, legal or health matters swiftly. You’ll learn something that helps you cut corners and save time and money. Don’t let a decision someone makes ruin your plans.

Use your knowledge, skills and experience in unique ways. Turn a joint venture into a social event. A trip or shopping spree will go over budget if you aren’t careful.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Do your best and finish what you start. Making a good impression is crucial if you want to get ahead. Conflicts between personal and professional responsibilities will lead to trouble.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Refuse to get angry or frustrated. Express your thoughts and desires with compassion and empathy for others. Address issues that can cause problems before they become overwhelming.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Temptation to get involved in endeavors that sound too good to be true is apparent. Step back and rethink what’s best for you before you commit to something questionable.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Sharing will not be the way to go today. Do your thing and pay your way. Set high standards and take the initiative to add unique touches that will be noticed and admired.

Remain consistent to avoid backlash. Too many changes will make people question what you are doing. Designate how much you want to spend and on what before signing an agreement.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Make plans to have fun. Let your ideas shine, and you’ll gain approval from someone you love and respect. Don’t be too quick to give someone access to your financial picture.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

The Ashes Series 2023: Test 3 of 5…

Wood grabs five after Marsh returns century

at Lord’s, Wood bamboo zled Australia with ex press pace that topped 96 miles per hour and claimed five for 34 in the tourists’ 263 all out.

A one-man show from comeback kid Mitch Marsh was responsible for the ma jority of those runs, but his breathtaking run-a-ball 118 would not have been possible had Joe Root not put him down at slip with just 12 to his name. That was one of four drops for an England side whose collection of missed chances is starting to become a worrying theme of the summer.

SCOREBOARD

Australia 1st Innings

David Warner c Crawley b Broad 4

Usman Khawaja b Wood 13

Marnus Labuschagne

Ollie Robinson 11.2-2-38-0 Mark Wood 11.4-4-34-5

Chris Woakes 17-1-73-3

Moeen Ali 9-1-40-0

Aburst of breakneck speed from Mark Wood breathed life into England’s Ashes campaign as the third Test

got off to a feisty start at Headingley.

Four days on from the stumping controversy that dogged the previous match

Root, with 19 not out, has the chance to make amends with the bat on day two, with England 68 for three in response. With him at the crease is Jonny Bairstow, the man at the centre of last Sunday’s flashpoint dismissal, and one who always brings his best when there is a score

well with a raucous crowd, who booed and barracked the opposition with gusto all day. The two players involved in Bairstow’s controversial dismissal copped the worst of the anger, but both held their nerve, Cummins dismissing Ben Duckett and Harry Brook, and Carey pulling off a fine leaping catch.

But the moment belonged to Wood -- making his first Test appearance since December, and held back for the first two matches due to worries over his fitness -- as he recorded his best ever performance on home soil.

(Sportsmax)

c Root b Woakes 21

Steven Smith c †Bairstow b Broad 22

Travis Head c Root b Woakes 39

Mitchell Marsh c Crawley

b Woakes 118

Alex Carey †c Woakes b Wood 8

Mitchell Starc b Wood 2

Pat Cummins (c) lbw b Wood 0

Todd Murphy b Wood 13

Scott Boland not out 0

Extras (b 10, lb 10, nb 3) 23

TOTAL 60.4 Ov (RR: 4.33) 263

Fall of wickets: 1-4

(David Warner, 0.5 ov), 2-42

(Usman Khawaja, 12.6 ov), 3-61

(Marnus Labuschagne, 19.3 ov), 4-85

(Steven Smith, 24.2 ov), 5-240

(Mitchell Marsh, 52.1 ov), 6-245

(Travis Head, 54.3 ov), 7-249

(Mitchell Starc, 56.3 ov), 8-249

(Pat Cummins, 56.5 ov), 9-254

(Alex Carey, 58.2 ov), 10-263

(Todd Murphy, 60.4 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Stuart Broad 11.4-0-58-2

England 1st Innings

Zak Crawley c Warner b Marsh 33

Ben Duckett c †Carey b Cummins 2

Harry Brook c Smith b Cummins 3

Joe Root not out 19

Jonny Bairstow † not out 1

Extras (b 4, lb 2, nb 4) 10

TOTAL 19 Ov (RR: 3.57) 68/3

Yet to bat:

Ben Stokes (c), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood Fall of wickets: 1-18

(Ben Duckett, 3.2 ov), 2-22

(Harry Brook, 5.2 ov), 3-65

(Zak Crawley, 13.3

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mitchell Starc 7-2-18-0

Pat Cummins 6-1-2

Scott Boland 3-0-7-0

Mitchell Marsh 3-1-9-1

Bas de Leede's five-for and 92-ball 123 take Netherlands to the ODI World Cup

Basde Leede put in an all-round performance for the ages as Netherlands stunned Scotland to book their ticket to the 2023 men's ODI World Cup in India.

First, de Leede's maiden five-wicket haul helped Netherlands restrict Scotland to 277 for 9. Netherlands needed to chase that down inside 44 overs to trump Scotland on net runrate. Around the halfway mark, they looked all but out of the contest, before de Leede smashed 123 off 92 balls, his first ODI century, to power them over the line in 42.5 overs, with four wickets to spare.

This will be Netherlands' fifth appearance in the men's ODI World Cup. They last featured in the 2011 edition.

De Leede, meanwhile, became only the fourth player to score a hundred and take five wickets in a men's ODI, reducing to a footnote Brandon McMullen's equally outstanding hundred for Scotland.

In the morning, Scott Edwards opted to bowl, citing help for seamers in the first hour, and Logan van Beek duly sent Matthew Cross's off stump cartwheeling in the opening over of the match. Christopher McBride and McMullen ensured Scotland didn't lose another wicket in the first ten overs. While McBride strug-

gled with timing, McMullen looked at ease. He used his feet well, often coming down the track to try to disrupt the Netherlands seamers' lengths.

McBride chipped in with two successive fours off leftarm spinner Clayton Floyd in the tenth over, but fell to de Leede in the next, when he pulled straight to short midwicket.

De Leede picked up his second wicket when George Munsey gloved a pull that was caught down the leg side.

That left Scotland 64 for 3 in the 15th over, but McMullen was looking more and more comfortable by now. Through a perfect alchemy of timing and power, he put up an exhibition of eye-catching strokes. In the 11th over, he timed offspinner Aryan Dutt over long-off for his first six. A few overs

later, he went down the pitch to a short ball from de Leede and smashed it over mid-on.

To bring up his fifty - off 63 balls - he lofted Ryan Klein over wide long-off for another six, and then chipped Floyd over extra cover for back-to-back fours.

McMullen reached his hundred, off 106 balls, with a punched four through extra-cover off van Beek. He and Richie Berrington added 137 off 135 balls for the fourth wicket.

Having reached 200 in the 38th over, Scotland were eyeing a total in excess of 300, but the late strikes from Klein and de Leede reined them in. Klein first had McMullen caught behind, and then left Michael Leask's stumps in disarray to make it 207 for 5.

Berrington held one end up and brought up his

half-century, but couldn't provide the impetus. He was on 64 when de Leede uprooted his middle stump. Shortly afterwards, de Leede sent back Chris Greaves and Mark Watt off consecutive deliveries to complete his five-for. All that meant Scotland could score only 74 in the last 12 overs.

Max O'Dowd and Vikramjit Singh gave Netherlands a steady start of 65 in 12.4 overs, before Michael Leask trapped both lbw in successive overs. The loss of Wesley Barresi and Teja Nidamanuru in a short interval further dented Netherlands' chances, leaving them needing 170 in 20 overs to qualify. De Leede was on 19 off 30 at that stage. He and Edwards revived the chase by hitting four fours in four balls, across the 25th and 26th overs. The pair added 55 in 44 balls before Edwards failed to connect with a sweep against Mark Watt and was lbw. Even at this point, Scotland were the favourites. Netherlands needed 115 in 13.1 overs with half their side back in the pavilion, and when the next three overs produced just 12 runs, it became 102 required from ten overs. With Netherlands' backs against the wall, de Leede went on an all-out attack. He started by hitting Watt for a six, before picking up two fours off Safyaan

Sharif a couple of overs later.

Saqib Zulfiqar also found the occasional boundary to keep Netherlands abreast with the required rate. With 45 needed in four overs, it was even-stevens. That's when de Leede went into overdrive, hitting four sixes

in a space of ten balls that also included a maximum from Zulfiqar. One of those hits took de Leede to his hundred, off just 85 balls. By the team he was run out, Netherlands needed just two from 11 balls. They got them in singles. (ESPN Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Scotland (50 ovs maximum)

Christopher McBride c

van Beek b de Leede 32

Matthew Cross †b van Beek 0

Brandon McMullen c †

Edwards b Klein 106

George Munsey c †

Edwards b de Leede 9

Richie Berrington (c)b de Leede 64

Michael Leask b Klein 1

Tomas Mackintosh not out 38

Chris Greaves b de Leede 18

Mark Watt c & b de Leede 0

Safyaan Sharif run out

(†Edwards/Klein) 2

Extras (lb 2, w 5) 7

TOTAL 50 Ov (RR: 5.54) 277/9

Did not bat: Chris Sole

Fall of wickets: 1-1

(Matthew Cross, 0.4 ov), 2-46

(Christopher McBride, 10.6 ov), 3-64

(George Munsey, 14.5 ov), 4-201

(Brandon McMullen, 37.2 ov), 5-207

(Michael Leask, 39.4 ov), 6-234

(Richie Berrington, 44.1 ov), 7-264

(Chris Greaves, 48.3 ov), 8-264

(Mark Watt, 48.4 ov), 9-277

(Safyaan Sharif, 49.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Logan van Beek 10-0-49-1

Ryan Klein 10-0-59-2

Clayton Floyd 9-0-54-0

Bas de Leede 10-0-52-5

Aryan Dutt 5-0-27-0

Saqib Zulfiqar 3-0-16-0

Vikramjit Singh 3-0-8-0

Netherlands (T: 278 runs from 50 ovs)

Vikramjit Singh lbw b Leask 40

Max O’Dowd lbw b Leask 20

Wesley Barresi c McBride

b McMullen 11

Bas de Leede run out (Sharif) 123

Teja Nidamanuru c

Mitchell Marsh

Bas de Leede became only the fourth player to score a century and pick up a five-wicket haul in a Men's ODI (ICC/Getty Images)

CWI Regional U19 tourney 2023…

Guyana Women’s team beat Barbados; Male team suffer second defeat

Guyana U19 Women’s team have registered an important win against Barbados in the second round of the Cricket West Indies Regional Under-19 tournament, played at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St Augustine Trinidad.

Guyana batted first and posted 110-6 in their allotted 30 overs. West Indies

Under-19 Women’s opener

Realeanna Grimmond was the top-scorer with 38, while Nya Latchman contributed 26.

Theanny Herbert Mayers was the pick of the Barbadian bowlers with 3-9.

In reply, the Guyana girls restricted Barbados to 99-9 in 30 overs.

Trishan Holder made 41, but she was not fully supported by

her team. Latchman claimed 2-16 in a collective bowling effort from the Guyanese girls.

Meanwhile, the Guyana U-19 boys have suffered their second defeat in as many matches in their 50-over tournament in St Vincent, as

National Inter-District Kayaking Competition set for July 16

Leeward Islands crushed the Guyanese boys by eight wickets.

Batting first, Guyana posted 108 all out in 35.2 overs. Thaddeus Lovell, batting at number nine, top-scored with 37. His fellow fast-bowler Isai Thorne made 15, as the Guyanese top-order failed again.

Onjae Amory led with 3-21 in a collective bowling effort from Leewards.

In reply, Leewards made light work of the Guyanese total, ending on 109-2 in 31.4 overs.

Malique Walsh top-scored for Leewards with an unbeaten 52. Thorne and Dindyal were the wicket-takers for Guyana in another poor day at the office.

Guyana U19 men’s team will play Barbados on Saturday, July 8, in St Vincent, while the Guyana U19 girls’ team will play Leeward Islands on Sunday July 9 in Trinidad.

The second annual National Inter-District Kayaking Competition, which will be hosted by Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours, is set for Sunday, July 16, at the Watooka Guest House in Linden.

This competition will see an increase in participation of teams from all the districts countrywide, as we excitedly await to see who will emerge as kayaking champion in 2023. Teams participating are Rupununi, Upper Demerara-Kwakwani, North Georgetown, East Georgetown, South Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, New Amsterdam, North East, Essequibo Coast/

Pomeroon, West Demerara, West Coast Berbice, Corentyne, Bartica, Potaro/ Sipuruni.

Each team will comprise eight (8) participants: 4 males and 4 females. The team members will participate in a total of seven (7) races.

The long-distance single categories will follow from Rigby’s Boat Landing to the Watooka Guest House (a distance of approx. 2 km) while the relay will incorporate a 400m sprint from Hamilton’s Sawmill to Rigby’s Boat Landing, where the sprinters will then tag their respective partners who will then proceed into the water in a double kayak from the boat

GFF thanks Tiger Rentals for the investment

landing to the Watooka Guest House.

The long-distance categories are: Long Distance Male single: 1 person. Long Distance Female single: 1 person. Male Relay (sprint and double kayaking): 3 persons. Female Relay (sprint and double kayaking): 3 persons.

The short races are as follows: Male single: 1 person. Female single: 1 person. Mixed Team (double kayaking): 2 persons.

In a simple presentation on Thursday at the office of Tiger Rentals on Middle Street, the Guyana Football Federation(GFF) thanked Tiger Rentals for their partnership in hosting the first U13 Tiger Rentals Tournament at the GFF National Training Centre along with The Champions of the Tournament East Bank GFF President Wayne Forde donated a picture embracing the tournament along with a flash-drive with videos and images.

The GFF will create an official Tigger Rentals Page filled with pictures and images of the event for people to rejuvenate their memories within the next ten days.

President of the GFF, Wayne Ford, thanked the

Tiger Rental Team for their support in the tournament.

“Thank you for the generous investment you’ve made in the inaugural National U13 Tiger Rental Development League, and the support that your team offered. On many occasions, many members of your team showed up and enjoyed the games, kicking off the first ball of the game,” Ford said.

He also detailed the importance of the investment made by Tiger Rentals.

“This Investment made to the young men (will) show dividends in years to come. Already, four members participating in the tournament are now being prepared for the Concacaf U15 Championships in August,” he revealed.

656-5544 or 6237805.

Donation of the Picture done by East Bank’s Captain Tyrone William to a member of Tiger Rentals Team

Champions of the inaugural National U13 Tiger Rentals League, East Bank, with Tiger Rental Team

Malique Walsh led the chase for Leewards against Guyana

Champions of the inaugural tournament in 2022: Upper Demerara-Kwakwani

Tickets go on sale online for Guyana Cup 2023

vent 'scalping' or hoarding to make profit, we have also limited the purchase of tickets to five. We do not want 'scalpers' to hoard tickets and sell at exorbitant prices to patrons or horsemen. My advice: buy your tickets early, to be on the safe side. We are trying to avoid ticket sales at the gates because it creates problems. We want patrons to enter and exit with-

Regarding the day's card, he declared, "We are inviting other Caribbean racing islands to come and compete. And yes, Alado will be defending his title."

tinued support for this historic day of racing. Without them, these ventures would only be ideas. Sponsors, I am eternally grateful for your support. We promise this year will be spectacular, that will reach out to millions worldwide."

Please Follow the link provided to be redirected to the Jumbo Jet Events Facebook page.

$3000 Early Bird

$6,000 At The Gate

$10,000 Stage Front VIP NB *DO NOT SHARE YOUR BARCODE WHEN RECEIVED!*

Sun Turf Club. Patrons and horsemen can purchase their tickets online at -Events Details –CaribTix.

to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which will be hosted in Guyana. This is one of the biggest social events in this country's

swered, "It could be bought at Jumbo Jet's offices in Georgetown and Berbice. It will be sent to your phone through Whatsapp. To pre-

He continued, "We are having eight(8) races on the day, with the marquee event being the 1,600-metre Guyana Cup, with a Sprint Classic and a 1,600-metre Derby for three-year-olds Guyanabred West Indian-bred horses. Horsemen will be competing for close to Gy$30M in purse moneys. Where else are purses of this nature up for grabs? Only in Guyana."

Mohamed, in closing, shared, "I have to thank the sponsors for their con-

BEI books quarter-final spot in Digicel Schools Football tourney in Region Six

The Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) is the first team to book a semifinal spot in the Region Six leg of the Digicel Schools Football knockout tournament.

BEI came from one down to register a 5-1 win over Berbice High at the All Saints Ground on Princess Elizabeth Road in New Amsterdam on Wednesday.

Reuel Randolph put BHS ahead in the third minute, when he took a shot from the centre line after the referee had signalled there was an infringement. The shot went straight into the goalkeeper's hands, but slipped out and found the back of the net.

Marvin Arjune found the equalizer in the 32 minute.

The second half was dominated by BEI, with Colisi Scipio, Jomal Adams and T’Jon Reid registering goals, before Arjune sealed the issue with his second goal, scored in the 69th minute.

The competition was expected to continue on Thursday afternoon with New Amsterdam Multilateral taking on Vryman’s Erven Secondary.

Multilateral was very impressive with a 14-0 win over Port Mourant in their first game, while Vryman’s Erven recorded a 25-0 win over Central Corentyne Secondary on Tuesday. On Friday, Tutorial Academy will take on BEI in the first quarter-final match.

Alpha Harrison to compete at 2023 AAU Track and Field Junior Olympics

Ever since migrating to the USA, Guyanese Alpha Harrison has been pursuing a career in athletics, and has been doing very well, even at his age.

The former resident of Mocha, East Bank Demerara is again aiming to compete at the AAU Junior Olympic Games’ track and field competition.

This year, all the action will unfold at the Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex is hosting the event, which lasts from July 25-Aug 5.

Harrison, a member of the Charles County Elite Track and Field Club, will be teaming up with Austin Bragg, Jayden Luckey, Kyrie Irvin and Jacob Sanders to contest the Male 11-12 4x100m relay.

Harrison’s father, Lindon, disclosed that this would be Alpha’s second year at these Olympics, training has been going fine for him and clubmates, and they are aim-

ing to make their club proud.

The senior Harrison has embarked on a fund-raising drive to enable his son’s attendance at the Junior Olympics. He has set up a gofundme account in the name of Alpha Youth junior Olympics, and persons wishing to make a donation can do so via this page.

The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit, volunteer, amateur multi-sport organizations in the U.S. It started hosting the AAU Junior Olympic Games in 1967, and these have since been held in 19 states and 30 cities across the country. The AAU Junior Olympic Games Track and Field is considered one of the largest multi-sport events for youth track and field athletes. The annual meet features 12 sporting competitions with athletes aged 8 to 18. Many move on to be top collegiate athletes, Olympians, or become professionals.

Cup champion Alado

Goal-scorers from left to right: Martin Arjune, Jamal Adams, T'Jon Reid and Colisi Scipio

Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr.

Alpha Harrison