Home Affairs Minister pledges tougher law enforcement
…road safety to gun crimes – Minister vows follow-through on prosecutions
Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond has acknowledged that while Guyana has the necessary laws to address a wide range of crimes, enforcement remains a significant challenge.
Strengthening the implementation of these laws, she says, will be a key focus during her tenure as head of the country’s security sector.
For instance, when it comes to traffic violations, the Minister pointed out that while tickets are being issued, oftentimes there are no follow-ups.
“…charges were not being laid,” she noted during an interview with media operatives on Wednesday.
While admitting that ultimately a culture change is needed among road users, Minister Walrond said, “I believe also that enforcement has to play a major part, and we are looking at that.”
She said stakeholders have to look at issues such as “suspension of licences and make sure there’s a follow-up because we have all these laws in place, but are we following up to make sure they’re dispensed with so we can get the impact which we are looking for?”
Guyana’s Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act was amended a few years ago to include tougher fines and penalties for errant road users. It introduced the offence of motor manslaughter, where a person causes the death of another by driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of a drink or drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle. It also provides penalties for causing grievous bodily harm while driving under
the influence of alcohol or a drug.
The amended law also introduced tougher penalties for those caught driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). The penalty for driving while over the alcohol limit was changed from a $7500 fine to now $200,000, and the sentence from 12 months to 24 months.
Additionally, the penalty for driving under the influence and losing control of your vehicle has been increased from the $30,000–$60,000 fine and 12 months’ imprisonment to now a $200,000 fine for first-time offenders and $300,000 for second-time offenders. It also provides for a 12-month suspension of licence for persons convicted of DUI offences.
The Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act was also amended to require liquor store owners and operators to exercise better judgement when selling alcohol. Specifically, they are required to discourage drinking and driving by refraining from selling alcohol to drunken persons who are likely to drive after leaving the business place. Additionally, they are required to report to the Police any person who is intoxicated and attempts to drive or is in charge of a vehicle.
Meanwhile, Walrond indicated that tougher enforcement of laws is needed across all areas, for instance, on the issue of getting illegal firearms off the streets.
“My concern as a former Magistrate is now many of these are being prosecuted; what is the follow-through? Because the criminals are not going to respond if it is that you’re not seeing full enforcement,” she noted.
Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond greeting ranks at the Kitty Police Station on Wednesday
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 19 –02:45h–04:15h, and Saturday, September 20 – 03:30h–05:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 19 –15:15h–16:45h and Saturday, September 20 – 15:50h–17:20h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Sunny skies interrupted by midday showers and followed by late afternoon sunshine are expected during the day, and clear skies are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 3.72 metres and 6.83 metres.
High Tide: 15:17h reaching a maximum height of 2.42 metres.
Low Tide: 08:50h and 21:07h reaching minimum heights of 0.77 metre and 0.78 metre.
Govt eyes new rice markets, farmers’ committee, tighter monitoring for drainage works
he Government is moving to strengthen oversight in the rice industry while also exploring new markets and boosting infrastructure to support farmers facing global challenges.
President Dr Irfaan Ali, speaking at a multi-Ministerial engagement with rice and private cane farmers at a press conference on Tuesday in Skeldon, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), announced that a farmers’ committee will be established to sign off on drainage works in key canals. This committee, he explained, will oversee the flushing of canals three times annually to ensure accountability and proper maintenance.
To complement this, a new monitoring system will be introduced across the country. Contractors engaged in drainage and irrigation projects will be required to install cameras on their machines, linked directly to the Office of Efficiency of the Ministry of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation.
The President also addressed concerns raised by farmers in Black Bush Polder about silted canals, stressing the need for modern methods, including amphibious excavators, to clear waterways without damaging road shoulders.
“So, we're going to put that system in place. And what I want also, Zulfi, is a full monitoring system that we have spoken about for transport and harvest on all the main drainage canals across the country to be digitally uploaded – and in real time we can see all the canals across
the country. And every contractor who is working now on these D&I projects, they have to install a camera on their machine that is linked to the Office of Efficiency so we can monitor what they are doing in the canals in real time and live. So, your office, Zulfi, Agriculture, D&I, and the Efficiency Office. So, any cntract that is given out now, they have to put that on so we can monitor what's happening,” the President said.
At the same time, diversification will form a key part of the plan. The President revealed that discussions are underway
to encourage farmers to dedicate one acre out of every ten to high-value alternatives, such as cage farming for crabs. He said Government support will be provided to establish processing plants to add value to these ventures.
"I'm going to bring in experts from around the world to see how in every ten acres we can convert one acre into an alternative crop. Whether we do cage farming for a crop which has high value and a big market, we can put a processing plant to do the crab meat. So for every ten acres of rice farm, we have to have one acre of high-yiel-
ding production. You agree with this? And we're going to invest to help you to do this. That is what is called agribusiness diversification. And it's important for you, for us, for your cash flow, and everything,” Ali said.
The President stressed the need for continuous dialogue between landowners, farmers, and millers. He assured farmers that over the next two weeks, the Government will continue to meet with all stakeholders to find workable solutions for the benefit of everyone involved.
Despite global challenges such as oversupply, falling prices, and delayed payments from key markets, the Government has already injected $2 billion into the industry to stabilise prices.
Additionally, the Government has also implemented several other key measures to support the rice sector, including the provision of $3.6B in fertiliser, flood relief, seed paddy, and crop insurance; The removal of VAT on machinery, equipment, and agrochemicals; The introduction of a zero-rated sales commission through the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) for 2025; and the negotiation of the settlement of the Panama payment of $1.5 billion dollars.
President Ali addressing private cane farmers in Skeldon, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne)
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Elevating youth & women as catalysts for regional transformation
The Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2025 represents a decisive moment in the ongoing evolution of the region’s agricultural sector. Set to run from September 29 to October 3 in St Kitts and Nevis, this year’s flagship event under the theme “Sowing Change, Harvesting Resilience: Transforming Our Caribbean Food Systems for 2025 and Beyond” underscores the critical roles of youth and women in driving innovation, sustainability, and resilience in Caribbean agriculture.
For decades, agriculture has been a cornerstone of economic development, food security, and climate adaptation across the Caribbean. Yet, despite its foundational importance, structural challenges, including climate vulnerability, limited access to financing, and gaps in technology adoption, have often constrained the sector’s potential. CWA 2025 seeks to address these persistent issues by positioning youth and women at the centre of regional policy, practice, and planning. By integrating the perspectives of these groups into discussions and decision-making processes, the event acknowledges that a sustainable and resilient agricultural future cannot be achieved without the full participation of all stakeholders.
The week-long programme promises a blend of high-level meetings, technical sessions, and interactive initiatives aimed at stimulating dialogue and practical solutions and are deliberately designed to provide platforms where young people and women can showcase innovation, exchange knowledge, and influence policy development. This approach reflects a growing recognition across the Caribbean that inclusive participation is central to addressing contemporary challenges, from ensuring food security to building climate-resilient systems.
Central to the discussions will be the 25×25+5 regional food security initiative, climate resilience strategies, and mechanisms to de-risk the regional food system. In addition, attention will focus on unlocking funding opportunities to boost agricultural innovation, improve production systems, and expand economic participation. By creating forums where stakeholders from public, private, and civil society sectors converge, CWA facilitates collaboration across disciplines and countries, fostering a unified regional vision. The Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Agriculture, a customary feature of the event, will further cement policy-level engagement, aligning strategic priorities with on-the-ground realities.
The significance of CWA extends beyond the immediate outcomes of each annual gathering. Since its inception in 1998, the event has provided a consistent platform for regional dialogue, knowledge exchange, and strategic coordination. Hosted annually by CARICOM Member States and Associate Members, the CWA has continually emphasised the intersection of agriculture, rural development, and economic growth. The collaborative framework under the Alliance for Sustainable Development of Agriculture and the Rural Milieu, in conjunction with partners such as the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the CARICOM Secretariat, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), exemplifies the region’s commitment to structured, multi-sectoral cooperation. Past collaborations with institutions like the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) have further strengthened the capacity of stakeholders to implement sustainable agricultural strategies.
Each edition of the CWA reflects the evolving priorities of the region. From the inaugural meeting in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999 to CWA 2024 in St Vincent and the Grenadines, themes have progressed from foundational development to climate-smart agriculture, sustainability, and resilience. The trajectory underscores the Caribbean’s proactive engagement with emerging global and regional challenges, while highlighting the importance of continuity, coordination, and innovation.
CWA 2025, however, signals a notable shift in emphasis. By explicitly centring youth and women, the event acknowledges both the demographic and gender dimensions of agricultural development. Empowering these groups is not only a matter of equity; it is a strategic imperative for transforming Caribbean food systems. Young people bring fresh ideas, technological fluency, and entrepreneurial energy, while women contribute invaluable knowledge, leadership, and community engagement. Harnessing these strengths will be critical for achieving food security, economic diversification, and climate resilience across the region.
As Caribbean nations confront an increasingly complex agricultural landscape, the outcomes of CWA 2025 will carry implications far beyond the week’s scheduled activities. The integration of youth and women into planning, innovation, and decision-making is set to redefine the region’s agricultural trajectory, fostering systems that are more inclusive, resilient, and responsive to both local and global pressures. This strategic focus serves as a reminder that transformation in the agricultural sector is not a distant aspiration but a tangible imperative, one that requires leadership, collaboration, and the recognition that the future of Caribbean agriculture is inherently linked to the voices and talents of all its people.
The High Commission of Guyana in India joined global representatives in celebrating Van Mahotsav 2025 under the theme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” in New Delhi. The campaign, which seeks to honour both mothers and Mother Earth, was hosted by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi with a target of planting 7.5 million saplings between September 17 and October 2, 2025.
Thursday’s ceremony was led by India’s Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav; Delhi’s
Minister Smt Rekha Gupta; Minister of Food and Supplies, Industry, Forest and Environment
representatives of 75 countries. Representing
participation highlighted Guyana’s enduring commitment to environmental protection, sustainable development, and international collaboration in advancing a greener and healthier planet (Photos: The High Commission of Guyana in India)
Heat, air quality, insurance costs: how climate change is affecting our homes – and our health
By Ang Li
This year, ten days of extreme heat in Europe killed roughly 2300 persons, severe flooding on the New South Wales coast left more than 48,000 stranded, and wildfires in Los Angeles destroyed at least 16,000 homes and other buildings.
Events such as these signal what climate scientists have long warned: climate-related extremes are becoming more frequent and intense.
Poor housing can leave us more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. So in today’s warming world, it’s increasingly important our homes and our housing system are climate resilient. This means they must protect us from heatwaves, floods and bushfires and keep out air pollutants. And the housing system must function to provide affordable and secure housing.
Location is important too. Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment, released this week, estimates 8.7 per cent of residential buildings are in very highrisk areas (prone to hazards). This proportion is projected to increase to 13.5 per cent by 2090 in a scenario with a high global warming level.
Housing and health are inextricably linked. In a new paper published in the Lancet Public Health, my colleagues and I identify several ways climate change affects our homes and, in turn, our health.
On a basic level, housing shields us from the elements. But when we look at the bigger picture, resilient housing and housing systems have a key role to play in helping us face the challenges of climate change.
Climate change can lead to deterioration in the indoor
conditions in our homes.
For example, extreme temperatures can compromise air quality by making building materials more likely to degrade and generate pollutants. Particulate matter and other hazardous air pollutants from bushfire smoke can infiltrate indoor environments. Both of these processes can contribute to poor indoor air quality. This is not to mention that extreme heat outside can lead to unbearable temperatures indoors.
Meanwhile, floods, storms and cyclones can cause structural and water damage to homes. This can expose occupants to toxins, for example from contaminated water, and increase the risk of allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and infectious diseases (such as water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases).
The risks associated with climate change can also influence housing security and affordability.
Both housing insecurity and unaffordability are significant predictors of poor mental health and wellbeing, and both are already significant problems independent of climate change.
But a changing climate exacerbates these problems. Equally, the housing crisis leaves us more vulnerable to climate change.
Climate-related disasters put a strain on housing costs and general cost-of-living pressures. Residents may need to pay for maintenance and repairs alongside their mortgages and rental payments. Meanwhile, increasing extreme weather events push insurance premiums higher. All this puts pressure on housing affordability.
Extreme temperatures also increase the risk of en-
ergy poverty. Not being able to adequately heat or cool a home can negatively affect both physical and mental health for its occupants.
What’s more, climate-related disasters can drive forced relocation, with flowon effects to health and wellbeing through disruption to family life, loss of income, gender-based violence, social disconnection, and reduced access to services.
Notably, the effects of climate change reduce the supply of affordable housing, especially affordable rentals, which are more likely to be damaged or lost from hazards, for example, due to lower structural quality. Lowerincome renters, as a result, find it harder to compete for the remaining stock.
There are also other examples showing the effects of climate change on housing are inequitable, with the consequences flowing disproportionately to less advantaged groups.
When areas with low climate risk become more desirable, this can drive up housing and other costs in an area. Climate “gentrification” can displace low-income households to higher-risk and less-protected areas. We’ve seen this happen in countries including the United States and Denmark.
Housing needs to protect people from the growing risks posed by climate change. In a physical sense, this means it must be robust enough to bear more intense weather conditions, be energy efficient, and have good thermal performance that allows for both ventilation and climate control.
To achieve this, climate-resilient housing should include features such as: Well-constructed foundations, walls and roofs
• Ventilation and insulation
Energy-efficient cooling and heating
Exterior shading and roof reflectivity
Building materials that are fire- and heat-resistant
Building codes need to be cognisant of the changing climate, while existing housing may need to be upgraded.
We’ve seen some signs of progress. For example, updates to the National Construction Code in recent years have accounted for the increasing impact of climate change by raising energy efficiency and thermal performance standards, among other measures.
There is also a need for stronger tenant protection policies. Rental housing is disproportionately of poor quality, yet it houses a large portion of the more vulnerable people in the population. Minimum standards for rental housing must be climate resilient.
But housing people well isn’t just a question of the physical construction of homes.
Climate-resilient housing should be affordable and secure and provide residents the chance to access opportunities for work, education and social connection that sustain wellbeing.
So much public discussion has focused on the need to meet housing supply targets, but we can’t forget that people need to be housed well to flourish. (The Conversation) Ang Li is an Australian Research Council DECRA and senior research fellow at the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Healthy Housing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Chief
Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa, alongside
Guyana was Counsellor at the High Commission Ronalda Edwards-Horatio, whose
Pillion rider killed in 3-vehicle collision on ECD
…motorcyclist slapped with causing death, other charges
Twenty-one-year-old Emanuel Elias from Victoria, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Thursday charged with the death of Kevin Nedd, 31, who was killed in a three-vehicle collision on Tuesday along the Cove and John Public Road, ECD.
Police stated that the accident involved a motor car bearing registration number PAL 8365, owned and driven by a 40-yearold man from Haslington, ECD; a motor lorry with plates GAC
5625, which was at the time being driven by a 49-year-old man from Vigilance, ECD; and motorcycle CM 3708, driven by the accused with Nedd as the pillion rider.
Based on reports received, the motorcar was proceeding along the roadway in a line of traffic when the motorcycle, which was travelling in the same direction at a fast rate, slammed into the back of the car. As a result of the collision, the pillion rider was flung into the path of the lorry.
Nedd was subsequently pro-
nounced dead at the Enmore Regional Hospital, while Elias was treated and sent away. However, following investigations, Elias was slapped with several charges, including causing death by dangerous driving, unlicensed driver, uninsured motor vehicle, uncertified motor vehicle, and unlicensed motor vehicle.
He appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Vigilance Magistrate's Court, where the charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to causing
death by dangerous driving after the administration of the Justice Act was applied and was granted bail in the sum of $200,000. On the other hand, he pleaded guilty to the other charges, which each carried fines.
For unlicensed driving, he was fined $40,000; for an uninsured motor vehicle, $40,000; for an uncertified motor vehicle, $10,000; and for an unlicensed motor vehicle, $20,000. He is expected to make his next court appearance on November 25, 2025.
GECOM CEO and team have been marvellous at 2025 elections
Dear Editor,
I wish to take this special moment to say a very special thank you to the CEO of GECOM, Vishnu Persaud for the administrative skills displayed by Persaud in coordinating what I would term as a perfect election, which truly requires much appreciation and respect. An election without fraud or complications/confusion. The most professional GECOM staff imaginable anywhere.
The order and the systems set in place truly were marvellous and impeccable to the point of perfection, unheard of or unseen ever in the history of this country. The RO’s and assistants were so respectful! Most polite! Most elegant! To the point of bringing great joy to the heart. I visited many polling stations to independently ob-
serve from a distance the voting process, as I was not an authorised observer. As it relates to persons with disabilities, I observed that the system did not cater much for persons in wheelchairs. I am proud to have noted that the CEO has accepted this reality. However, a CEO has his captains and lieutenants who should have guided him. He most positively explained that he had learnt from this experience and better preparations will be made in the future. It is my suggestion that all polling stations should be positioned on the ground floor.
Notwithstanding, when I took my aunt in Newtown, Kitty, to vote, the RO realised the situation (my aunt was in a wheelchair) and immediately put things in place, in a most polite manner, to have my aunt vote under the tent where per-
sons are verified and authorised to enter to vote. My aunt was allowed to swear. She was advised most patiently of the procedure. She voted, and they had fulfilled all legal obligations to have her insert her ballot into the box in the presence of the observers. My aunt is 85 years old and was so happy I helped her to vote and that the GECOM officers from the gate to the point of completion of the vote were so extremely pleasant and kind.
I went to many locations and spoke to many people as they came out from their place of voting: from East Coast Demerara, Central Georgetown, and East Bank Demerara to the West Coast and West Bank Demerara. The message was always the same. They said, “Well planned, easy to vote.” When I asked them if they were briefed
on what to do and where to put the X, they all said yes. Everyone I spoke to was so happy.
Everywhere I went there was no animosity amongst people of various ethnic backgrounds. We have arrived at the most beautiful period, where people could cross-vote from one party to another because of principles and from one ethnicity to another. These are things we as a people must celebrate. There are always a few who would be bitter and mischievous.
It would also be fair to recognise the Chairperson. The Most Honourable Justice Ret’d Claudette Singh and the GECOM Commissioners.
I have one pain, and that is even though the then Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, in a cloudy manner conceded to the
Vehicles encroaching on pedaland motorcyclist-designated lanes
Dear Editor,
I am writing to draw the attention of Guyanese road users, the Guyana Police Force, and the Ministry of Public Works to the dangers of vehicles encroaching on the pedal- and motorcyclist-designated lanes on our gazetted roadways. During peak traffic hours, 06:00h–08:00h and 15:00h–20:00h, it has become increasingly common for cars, vans, and lor-
ries to form a third lane on what are essentially twolane roads. In doing so, these vehicles occupy the lanes intended for cyclists and motorcyclists, forcing riders into dangerously narrow spaces, hemmed in by larger vehicles on both sides.
Further, the narrow, cramped spaces created when vehicles encroach on cycle lanes pose a serious risk not only to the lives of
riders but also to the safety of other road users. Riders are forced into precarious positions that increase the likelihood of accidents, while motorists risk scraping or colliding with other vehicles in the tight lanes. The misuse of cycle lanes as “third lanes” is not just a traffic management issue; it is quite literally endangering lives.
I urge the authorities, particularly the Ministry of
Public Works, to mandate contractors to build roads that properly accommodate cyclists. Mounds are used in other countries to separate and protect riders. Lastly, I urge all road users to treat this matter with urgency, use your designated lanes, and preserve the health and safety of those who depend on them.
Yours faithfully, Lydia Roberts
PPP/C. He did not take my advice to let the PNCR commissioners vote unanimously, as elections were free and fair. Hence, he caused the chairperson to use her casting vote power. This is one hurdle I see in time: that a proper, most elegant opposition leader of any political entity will congratulate and concede defeat to the victor. This is one thing I hope we will overcome by the next elec-
tion. At this juncture, let us look at the development thrust that the Government of Guyana, under the leadership of H E President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will be conducting for the betterment of one and all, in fulfilment of all the promises for a greater, better, One Guyana.
Yours sincerely, Roshan Khan Sr
Charged: Emanuel Elias
Page Foundation
The diameter is the longest chord of a circle which passes through the
Finding the Length of a Chord
A chord’s length can be calculated using its distance from the centre and the radius of the circle.
If:
• r = radius of the circle
• d = perpendicular distance from the centre to the chord
• l = length of the chord
Then the chord length is:
Example 1
A circle has a radius of 13 cm. A chord is 5 cm away from the centre. Find the length of the chord.
The length of the chord is 24cm.
Example 2
A circle has a radius of 10 cm. A chord is 6 cm from the center. Find its length.
The length of the chord is 16cm. Practice
1. A circle has a radius of 5cm. A chord is 3cm from the centre. Find the length of the chord.
2. In a circle of radius 10cm, a chord is 6cm away from the centre. Determine its length.
3. A circle has a radius of 5cm. A chord is 4cm from the centre. Find the length of the chord.
4. A circle has a radius of 7cm. A chord is 3cm from the centre. Find its length.
5. The radius of a circle is 6cm. A chord is 5cm from the centre. Calculate the chord length.
6. In a circle of radius 10cm, a chord is 8cm away from the centre. Find its length.
By Nikki Grimes
I am hardly ever able to sort through my memories and come away whole or untroubled. It is difficult to sift through the stones, the weighty moments and know which is rare gem, which raw coal, which worthless shale or slate. So, one by one, I drag them across the page and when one cuts into the white, leaves a trail of blood, no matter how narrow the stream, then I know I’ve found the real thing, the diamond, one of the priceless gems my pain produced. “There! There,” I say, “is a memory worth keeping.”
Source: Poetry (March 2021)
You are going on a trip to a jungle safari! What items do you pack in your suitcase?
WORD SEARCH
4. Put your bird together Assemble the 3 cardboard pieces into a flying bird. Punch two holes in the top of the bird body and add a string to hang it from the ceiling. 5. Repeat! Make more cardboard birds and hang. When the breeze blows, they will fly together!
The chord of a circle can be defined as a line joining any two points on the circumference of the circle.
centre of the circle.
2020 Election fraud trial
Mingo dodged Police questions on source of numbers in initial Region 4 declarations
…as Court shown Police interview on false declarations
Former Guyana Elections Commission Returning Officer of Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, skirted around answering questions on how he arrived at the 2020 election results figures that he had initially declared when he was questioned by the Police back in August 2020 at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Mingo also sidestepped confirming that he made declarations of Region Four results on March 5 and March 12 or whether it was his authentic signature on the declaration forms used in those declarations.
This is according to a recording played to the court on Thursday when proceedings in the trial of the alleged election fraud case continued on Thursday morning before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate Court.
In the afternoon session, the court was also shown recordings of Police interrogations of Mingo’s co-accused, Carol Smith-Joseph and Volda Lawrence.
The video of Mingo’s interrogation was played as part of the testimony of Police Officer Romario Campbell, a crime scene examiner, videographer and fingerprinting specialist, who recorded the video of the Police questioning of Mingo on August 26, 2020.
In the video, Mingo can
be seen being interrogated by Head of Major Crimes Unit Senior Superintendent Mitchell Caesar and another officer.
Video recordings
In the recording, Mingo is seen acknowledging that the numbers generated for the declaration of the election results are supposed to come from the Statement of Polls (SOPs). The election declaration is officially documented on Form 24, a statutory document in the election process.
“I am saying to you that whatever is on the Form 24 is generated from all the SOPs that are collected from March 2,” Mingo can be heard saying.
However, Caesar questioned Mingo on how there were more than 160 instances where the numbers on the SOP submitted to Mingo were different from the numbers that Mingo would have declared on his declaration form.
When shown a copy of a Form 24 which a signature purported to be his, Mingo said he would not confirm that the signature on the form was his.
“I wouldn't commit and say,” Mingo noted.
Questioned about what became of the SOPs, Mingo noted that they were handed over to the then Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield.
“The SOP from me…
25 arrested, 38 cases made out for traffic violations
Some of the motorcycles that were impounded for traffic violations
Some 25 motorcyclists were arrested for various traffic violations during an exercise conducted along the Nabaclis Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Tuesday. As a result, 38 cases were made against the errant drivers.
Police stated that during the exercise, 12 motorcycles were intercepted for various traffic violations. They were lodged at the Cove and John Police Station to be examined by the Licensing and
Certifying Officer. However, two persons were charged for unlicensed driving, two for breach of insurance, two for no identification marks in the front of the vehicle, four for obscured identification marks on the front of the vehicle, two for obscured identification marks on the rear of the vehicle, two for driving without a safety helmet, three for carrying a pillion rider without a safety helmet, three for uncertified motor
vehicles, eight for no reflecting mirror, two for breach of condition of provisional licence, four for unlicensed motor vehicles and four for uninsured motor vehicles.
In addition, the Police stated that 13 tickets were issued.
The operation is part of the Division 4C’s ongoing efforts to promote road safety, enforce traffic laws, and reduce motorcycle-related offences along the East Coast corridor.
Those were sent back to the [GECOM] Headquarters a long, long time ago. It becomes the property of the Chief Elections Officer,” Mingo noted.
Questioned about discrepancies in the declarations made on March 5 and then a subsequent declaration on March 12, Mingo noted that he had never confessed to having made those two declarations.
“I still have not confirmed,” Mingo noted.
However, Caesar confronted him with the evidence and witnesses.
“The thing is, Mr Mingo, it's public knowledge that you made two declarations. To sit and say you don't want to get into the nitty-gritty… In confirming you made two declarations, you leave me with no other alternative than to confront
you with someone who was there when you made one of those two declarations,” Caesar noted as he prepared to bring in witnesses.
Mingo pleaded for an opportunity to go “off the record” to explain himself.
This was refused by Caesar.
“For me to say yes would be unfair to you. To tell you to go off the record would not be the best thing… We are aware of two declarations made. What do you want to clarify?” Caesar noted.
Sonia Parag, who at the time functioned as an Elections Agent for the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC), was later brought into the room and gave testimony to witnessing Mingo making attempts to make a declaration on March 5, at the Ashmin’s Building, of the results for Region Four, notwithstanding the tabulation of the SOPs not having been completed.
Parag also spoke of the pandemonium that unfolded. Mingo chose not to respond to Parag’s claims when given an opportunity to do so.
In the afternoon session of Thursday’s proceedings, Police Sergeant David Samnarine took the stand.
Samnarine was the videographer on 20 October, 2020, when the Police interrogated both Smith-Joseph and Lawrence in separate interviews. During those interviews, both women noted that they had nothing to say in the matters put before
them, and they were subsequently allowed to leave.
Co-defendants Mingo, Lowenfield, Smith-Joseph, and Lawrence are among nine individuals currently facing 19 charges of conspiracy to commit electoral fraud for the events that occurred following the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections (GRE).
Other persons charged include Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers and former GECOM employees Enrique Livan, Sheffern February, Michelle Miller and Denise BabbCummings.
After smooth and peaceful voting on March 2, the election process descended into chaos in the tabulation of the election results in Region Four, where Mingo was tasked with computing and declaring the results. However, Mingo continually attempted to make election declarations with numbers that were apparently tampered with.
The results as announced by Mingo initially would have led the win to the then ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition; however, this proved fraudulent, as it was later revealed that the elections were won by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic.
The trial continues on Friday when former candidate for The New Movement (TNM) political party, Josh Kanhai, is expected to take the stand.
From left: Enrique Livan, Sheffern February, Clairmont Mingo, and Carol Smith-Joseph [Some of the individuals facing charges in relation to electoral fraud]
From left: Volda Lawrence, Keith Lowenfield, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller
East St acid attack
“I do not
have trials by public opinion” –
Magistrate tells Police in clash over bail
Acting Chief Magistrate, Faith McGusty, has criticised the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for what she describes as a misleading public statement regarding her handling of a high-profile acid attack case.
On Wednesday evening, the Police Force had criticised the acting Chief Magistrate for granting bail earlier in the day to a man accused of allegedly dousing two women with acid.
At the start of her Court proceedings on Thursday, Magistrate McGusty took time out to respond to the GPF, stating that she was both surprised by the tone and content of the statement issued.
She contended that the Police Force might have received erroneous information since the missive it published misrepresented what had actually occurred in her Courtroom. According to the Magistrate, the Force would be better served to have someone appear in the Courtroom so that they can have the correct information on the proceedings.
The acting Chief Justice went on to underscore the importance of Police in-
vestigations being properly carried out and that all information provided to the prosecutors be fully screened in order to ensure accuracy when presenting to the Court.
In fact, she pointed out that some of the details in the GPF’s statement were not even relayed in Court. “It seems like it was trial by public opinion,” Magistrate McGusty said on Thursday about the Police’s statement, adding that “I do not have trials by public opinion.”
Nevertheless, the acting Chief Magistrate announced that she will be recording all proceedings before her henceforth to prevent any future misrepresentation from her Courtroom.
Acid attack
The case in question relates to the September 3, 2025, acid attack committed on 27-year-old, Genesis Leitch and 20-year-old Nirmala Sukraj.
On Tuesday, 32-yearold Keron Mervin Daniels of Uitvlugt Pasture, East Bank Essequibo, was remanded to prison after being arraigned on two counts
Labourer busted
Police in Regional Division Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) arrested a 27-year-old labourer on Wednesday after suspected narcotics were found in his possession during an operation at Parika Junction, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). According to reports, at about 17:30h, ranks acting on intelligence approached Clive Moses in the vicinity of a gas station. Moses, who was standing on the southern parapet next to a black unregistered Luminus motorcycle, was informed by an Inspector that he was suspected of having narcotics in his possession. Police said that he did not object to a search, and during the search, police discovered $135,000 in Moses’ pants pocket. When questioned about the motorcycle, he told the ranks that it belonged to him.
The ranks then searched the motorcycle in Moses’
of throwing a corrosive substance with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
During the arraignment, prosecutors had strongly objected to bail, citing CCTV footage capturing Daniels in the act and highlighting the severe injuries sustained by Leitch, who has severe burns to her face, stomach, and hand while she is visually impaired in one of her eyes. Sukraj, on the other hand, received minor burns.
Police had reported that the women were attacked after leaving Balwant Singh Hospital around 15:30h on September 3. A white motorcar pulled alongside them, and a passenger flung a bottle filled with a corrosive liquid before fleeing. Investigators believe the attack stemmed from a shortlived relationship between Daniels and Leitch, which ended on bitter terms earlier this year.
Magistrate McGusty had requested to see the CCTV footage, and the Police prosecutors committed to producing it the following day. But when the matter was called again on Wednesday, the prosecution informed the Court that although the CCTV recording had been obtained, it was not available in time for the hearing. In those circumstances, the Principal Magistrate granted Daniels bail of $500,000. He is scheduled to return to Court on October 22.
“Grave disappointment”
However, the GPF in its Wednesday missive expressed “grave disappoint-
Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty
ment” over the Court’s bail decision. They noted that Daniels had provided a video confession and that Leitch, still hospitalised, had pleaded for justice from her bed.
“According to the medical officials, the victim has lost sight in one of her eyes, and her face is severely disfigured. Nevertheless, the Magistrate still granted bail in the sum of $500,000,” the statement read.
The Police Force also highlighted concerns about the high likelihood of repeat offences, especially when the accused continues to have ready access to the victim. They noted that despite the heavy prevalence of violence against women in Guyana, Magistrates often fail to take this crucial factor into account when granting bail.
“Notwithstanding these setbacks, the Guyana Police Force pledges to continue to make every possible effort in reducing, if not wholly eradicating, these heinous acts of violence being committed so wantonly against the women in our society,” the statement read.
at Parika with ganja, “molly”
The drugs that were found in the labourer’s possession
presence and found, under the seat, a transparent plastic bag containing several zip-lock bags with suspected cannabis amounting to 75 grams (g), along with a suspected amphetamine (com-
monly called “molly”) weighing 24 g.
He was told of the offence and reportedly said, “Sir, is a small hustle I’m doing; we can work out something.” Moses was arrested and
The end…
…of an epoch
Nigel Hughes, the leader of the AFC, just resigned!! It was not surprising, and in fact, it was expected.
The AFC, after all, was the biggest loser in the Sep 1st elections – they didn’t even get a single seat in Parliament!! This is seen as a minimum accomplishment for being recognised – much less taken seriously – by the powers-that-be in our local politics!! In Guyanese politics, being without a seat is equivalent to “not having a pot to piss in” for ordinary folks!!
What must hurt more than anything else is that two parties – WIN and FGM, which just sprouted literally overnight – were able to respectively snag SIXTEEN and one seat!! Meaning that folks were willing to vote – but just not for the AFC. What happened?? Was it all due to Nigel since he said the debacle was “his responsibility”? Well… not quite!! Even though, if the truth be told, he had an outsize role. It was a long time coming, and so, as we were advised in “The Sound of Music”, let’s start at the very beginning!!
The AFC was founded by (then) two VERY ambitious young men – Trotty from the PNC and Ramjhaat from the PPP. Even though he’d only just been brought in by Hoyte, at the latter’s passing in 2002, Trotty felt he should lead the PNC rather than Corbin – who’d literally grown up in the YSM and then the PNC!! Ramjhaat had also cut his teeth in the PYO and felt HE rather than Jagdeo should’ve gotten the nod by Janet to be part of her 1997 “A-team” and in the line of succession! Jagdeo ran in 2001 and defeated Corbin to become President!!
By 2003 the two of them quit their respective parties but squatted in their seats in Parliament and – encouraged (wink! wink!) by the Yanks – they launched the AFC with Shiela. Their spiel was they were “multiracial” in their persons and would be a buffer between the old fogeys PPP and PNC and do the right thing by supporting either of them for Guyana’s benefit!! They bagged 5 seats!!
But that was the beginning of the end – they started playing footsies with the PNC and blocked AFHEP, which was good for Guyana!! They were cynical politicians who wanted power to get a piece of the action!! They coalesced with the PNC in 2015 to oust the PPP Government – but also outed themselves!! Naked power grabbers OK-ing PNC’s rigging!!
Nigel got into the act when he proposed the 32 greater than 33 nonsense – in a futile effort to have the AFC/ APNU remain in power!! His latest outlandish coalition demands on Norton for the Opposition leadership were the nail in his – and the AFC’s – fate!!
RIP!!
and
were lodged.
…of Aubrey?
Unlike Nigel, Aubrey – who suffered an even more humiliating loss – has made it clear he ain’t going quietly into any night!! He’s railing against fate – and everybody in sight!! – the PNC’s debacle is their fault! Your Eyewitness could bring up his rigging the internal PNC elections for leadership – which cost him several solid members of his team. He could bring up the alleged sexual harassment of Kissoon and so many other actions that hurt his party. But hey…this is the PNC, and that’s par for the course!! Aubrey should go because his time is up. Politicians – like every other product – come with expiration dates, and Aubrey is well past his. For what it is worth, Nigel’s middle-class coloured politics have also expired because the scorn of the Scrapes that whupped both of them is for a different time – this time!! And dis time na laang time!!
Aubrey’s gonna embarrass himself – not just by more exits by his executive – but because his WPA bestie’s gonna constantly expose his misreading of the times!!
…of Garbage City?
Well, Pressie’s had it with the M&CC’s kerfuffling on taking care of what was one of the wonders of the British Caribbean – our capital, then called the “Garden City”. He’s gonna fix it – like City Hall!!
taken to the Parika Police Station, where the suspected narcotics, cash,
motorcycle
Moses remains in custody.
Major drug lords will take years to bring down despite increased seizures – Walrond
Home Affairs Minister
Oneidge Walrond on Wednesday explained that although local authorities have made significant progress in removing illicit drugs from the streets, it will take years before major arrests and successful prosecutions of bigger players in the drug trade are achieved.
The Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) last year seized and destroyed some 6700 kilograms (kg) of narcotics, of which cocaine amounted to more than 90 per cent – 4400kg of which was linked to the €176 million bust in Region One (Barima-Waini) in August 2024.
This was a significant increase when compared to the 1363kg of narcotics netted in 2023.
For the year 2024, a total of 71 cases were made with regard to illegal substances, from which there were 82 arrests. This is a decrease from the previous year, whereby there were 93 cases made. Moreover, for last year, there were 54 charges laid in relation to drug trafficking; however, 11 were either withdrawn or dismissed.
Responding to questions from the media on clamping down on the drug trade, Minister Walrond explained that “it takes a lot more intelligence and a lot more Police work to get to the leaders of the cartel and bigger fish, and that work is not easy because they are not physically in possession of the drug.”
“So, it takes sometimes years of careful policing work to be able to identify and get enough evidence to bring a successful prosecution over someone [who] you may call a leader of a cartel,” she added.
Nevertheless, the Home Affairs Minister highlighted that, “I do know there is a successful record of getting marijuana and cocaine off of the streets, and we have been seeing those drug busts.”
Just a few months ago, the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) updated its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List
to include the four Guyanese who are reportedly linked to trafficking tonnes of cocaine from South America to the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Among them is Senior Superintendent of Police Himnauth Sawh, who previously served as Commander of Region One at the time of the massive drug bust.
Also sanctioned are Paul Daby Jr, called Paul Daby Ramsuchit, Randell, and Rondell; Randolph Duncan, called Rudolph Duncan; and Mark Cromwell, called “Demon” and “Diamond”, a former Police officer.
According to the Treasury Department, the OFAC carried out this investigation in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) before imposing the sanctions.
According to the Treasury Department, Sawh “…has ensured safe passage to Colombian and Venezuelan traffickers through Region One.”
Moreover, it was noted that Daby Jr and Duncan “…operate the largest drug trafficking organisations in Guyana and rely on maritime vessels and aircraft to conceal and traffic cocaine, while also allegedly bribing Guyanese officials to facilitate their drug trafficking operations.”
The Treasury Department said Daby Jr traffics tonne quantities of cocaine, coordinating the shipment of loads from Colombia and Venezuela via aircraft and utilising illegal airstrips in Guyana. He also relies on a network of individuals to conceal and transport cocaine in shipping containers from the ports of Guyana and Suriname, the Treasury Department said. It was further outlined that Daby Jr is also involved in transporting illegal gold from Guyana via maritime vessels.
Moreover, the Treasury Department revealed that
Duncan traffics cocaine from Guyana to Africa and the Caribbean, with Europe and the United States as the ultimate destinations.
With regard to Cromwell, who is also a former Police officer, he was described by the US officials as “a violent drug trafficker and associate of Daby Jr”.
Meanwhile, according to the US officials, Guyana has been the focus of major US law enforcement operations in the last few years that were done in partnership with Guyanese authorities and resulted in several multi-tonne seizures of cocaine.
Only in March this year,
a cargo vessel originating in Guyana was discovered by Police in the waters of Trinidad and Tobago with approximately 182kg of cocaine. Cocaine packages stamped with the Toyota logo, a known trademark of the Sinaloa Cartel, were found on board the cargo vessel.
Additionally, collaboration between US and Guyanese law enforcement resulted in the seizure of 2370kg (5000 pounds) of cocaine in a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) approximately 150 miles off the coast of Guyana on March 21, 2024.
The cocaine that was found stashed at the clandestine airstrip in Region One (Barima-Waini) in January (CANU photo)
File photo: Some of the cocaine that was found in Region One in April
Clearing of 8-acre land for Guyana’s 1st law school within days – AG at site visit
Less than two weeks after it was announced that Guyana has gotten the green light to estab-
lish its own Council of Legal Education (CLE)-accredited law school, works will soon commence to clear the plot of
land within the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen Campus that will house the building.
On Thursday afternoon, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, accompanied by Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana Professor Paloma Mohamed, Christopher Ram and other officials of the University of Guyana, visited the site earmarked for the building.
In a post on his social me-
dia page following the site visit, AG Nandlall said the eight-acre plot of land will house the edifice and other facilities relating to the Caribbean’s newest addition to its current complement of law schools.
“The clearing of the lands will commence in the next few days. It is the Government’s hope to have the law school up and running in the shortest possible time,” the Attorney General said in the Facebook post.
With the site heavily vegetated, Nandlall told Guyana Times after the visit that they are clearly preparing the land for the actual construction of the building.
The plan and architectural design of the new law school, he explained, are already drawn up and were part of the proposal that was presented to the West Indies’ CLE and approved.
Funding for the law school will be included in the next budgetary cycle, and thereafter, the procurement process to select a contractor will commence.
At his September 7 inauguration ceremony following the recent General and Regional Elections, President Dr Irfaan Ali disclosed that Guyana got approval to pursue this highly anticipated project.
“Based on the recent approval granted by the Council for Legal Education, we will commence work immediately on the establishment of Guyana's very own law school,” Dr Ali declared after being sworn in earlier this month to serve a second term in office.
Over the last two years, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has been working to get permission from the CLE to establish a much-needed law school here. The CLE is a regional organisation which operates the Hugh Wooding Law School in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, and the Eugene Dupuch Law School in the Bahamas.
Guyana had previously conducted a feasibility study for the establishment of a local law school, and the findings were handed over to the CLE last September.
Additionally, a high-level subcommittee, which included AG Nandlall and
other prominent officials across the Caribbean region, was appointed to review Guyana’s application.
According to President Ali, this law school will “… enable hundreds of persons to qualify as Attorneys-atLaw right here in Guyana, with full rights to practice in CARICOM (Caribbean Community) countries.”
For nearly three decades, Guyana has been trying to establish a law school within its jurisdiction since law students are forced to attend the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad. However, only the 25 top law students from Guyana are allowed each year into the programme. UG’s Law Degree programme usually has about 40 students per year.
Moreover, the high cost of living in Trinidad has deterred many persons from further pursuing a legal career, but in response, the Guyana Government now offers limited fully funded scholarships to Hugh Wooding Law School.
The journey to getting a local law school set up here started some three years ago when Guyana’s proposal to set up its own law school was accepted by the CLE in September 2022.
The CLE subsequently outlined the requirements that the country needed to fulfil, including the conduct of a comprehensive feasibility study in which Guyana has to illustrate the number of students the school will attract and accommodate as well as the Government’s capacity to fund the construction of the facility and its initial operation cost.
Under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition Administration, attempts were made to establish the Joseph Oscar Fitzclarence Haynes Law School. However, the CLE was not approached about the project initially, and when permission was eventually sought, it was denied in late 2017.
However, the PPP/C Government had previously declared that any law school that is established in Guyana will be done under the ambit of the CLE – something that will also allow the country to capitalise on the overcrowding at the other institutions across the region.
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, UG’s Vice Chancellor Paloma Mohamed, Mr Christopher Ram and other officials visited the site that will house the new school
The site for Guyana’s first law school within UG’s Turkeyen Campus is currently covered in rich vegetation and will be cleared in the coming days
Politics with good intentions can change lives – new Reg 6 MP
Newly-appointed to serve in the next Parliament, Zamal Hussain of Region Six, who will be a part of the 36 Parliamentarians from the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to serve in the Parliament, will not be representing just Region Six but rather the entire country.
As the current supervisor for the party in Region Six, he says that as a politician, one should have the right intention, and in that way, one can help people across the country.
Hussain met with the media in Berbice to speak of his plans.
The 54-year-old Zamal will be making his first entry into the National Assembly when it is convened, serving as an MP in the country and, to a lesser extent, Region Six.
He told the media that apart from focusing on assisting residents of Region
Six, his goal is to be able to widen his area of service and extend it to the entire country.
“In politics, as long as you have the right intention, then you can help several people across the country. And in Region Six, for the past several years, working as the Vice-Chairman of Region Six, I have reached out; a lot of persons reached out to me… Serving the people of Guyana is really a passion for me. I think people who know me would know me well. When there are issues, when there are problems, when there is concern, I personally like to tackle it head-on.”
In so doing, Hussain says he ensures that he gets the problems fixed. According to the politician, who was the Vice Chairman of the last Regional Democratic Council (RDC), one of the things he has learnt is that being a politician is not al-
ways about being a negative or controversial person.
“With the help of the Government, I have assisted numerous persons of different types, be it with the drains, be it with personal empowerment, be it with economic empowerment, be it with issues of assistance, and several other things. So if you are a politician, you can use those opportunities to help people, and by helping people, in return, they will support you, they will trust you, and at the end of the day, they will also vote for you, whichever party you support or whichever party helps you. So I think it is a two-way system in politics, where you can use it to help the residents and the people of Guyana and Berbice. So my focus is basically on this, about helping the people of Guyana,” Hussain said.
Expressing his appreciation for being selected to serve in the next
ECD driver fined $50,000 for dangerous
driving
Dexroy McGarrell, 29, of Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Thursday fined $50,000 on a dangerous driving charge.
The offence was reportedly committed on Tuesday, but he made his appearance before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Thursday at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him.
He pleaded guilty to the charge, and as such, the Magistrate imposed the fine.
Parliament, he referred to it as a privilege, while noting that his new role as a Parliamentarian is a new field but one which he intends to give 100 per cent of his ability.
Early years of politics
His journey to Parliament was a long one, being in politics for over 40 years. During his career, he also served as a religious leader.
“I was also, at one period, a religious leader. I was the Imam of the Vryheid Masjid for a period from 1993 to 1999. In fact, I have been the President of the masjid from then to now. So, in all the fields, I think I had a good stint. I was a businessman, religious leader, activist,
party supervisor, and vice chairman. And that is why I said initially that using this work as a politician is just to help people. In return, you don’t expect financial or any kind of reward, but at the end of the day, the Almighty can bless you with this type of work that you help people with. Because, you know, when you go there and you see the plight of people, like if you go into a community and you see the depression there and the amount of things that people need, you know, sometimes you break down… and we helped them. So, that is a sense of, you know, humanity in terms of helping people.”
After leaving school, he worked at Berbice Mining Enterprise as an accounts clerk and, when it closed, took up a supervisory position in the private sector working in the logging industry. After working with the private sector for eight years, Hussain opened his own business in the logging industry in 1999.
He moved into politics in 2006 but had been a member of the PPP long before that, even working for the party at the 1992 elections.
“As I remember, I worked as a person in the tent, doing the checking of the vot-
ers and so on.
I was young at that time, and from then on, I was doing ordinary party member work, then coming into Parliament through a regional councillor. I think Minister Zulfikar Mustapha reached me and asked me to serve as a councillor, and I was privileged at that time. I was very thankful to Mustapha, who has actually worked with me in my entire career, to make sure I reached this position, whereby he always guided me in politics. And also the vice President and the President, who guided me to reach this position. And from 2006, as a counsellor, I served on many committees.”
Meanwhile, last year Hussain obtained his master’s in the field of accountancy.
The National Assembly in Guyana has 65 members elected using the system of proportional representation. 25 are elected from the 10 geographical regions, and 40 are awarded at the national level, with political parties being awarded seats based on the percentage of votes obtained.
Hussain was selected from the national list, of which the PPP won 23 seats.
Fined, Dexroy McGarrell
MP Zamal Hussain
30 GDF ranks graduate from Junior All Arms Ordnance Course
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has announced that 30 of its ranks have successfully completed the Junior All Arms Ordnance Course, part of the Force’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the skills and competence of its
personnel.
In a social media post, the GDF said that the training, spanning 12 weeks, covered both theoretical and practical aspects of storekeeping within the military. Participants were introduced to several modules designed to build their understanding of stores and combat supplies management. Their performance was evaluated through exercises that tested their competence in applying the knowledge gained.
According to GDF, the graduates are now qualified to carry out responsibilities related to stores and supply management, enhancing the operational capacity of the GDF. They will serve in roles as storemen and storewomen across the Force. Among the graduates, Private Andel Marslowe was recognised as Best Graduating Student, while Private Alero Allen received the Runner-up award.
Some of the participants of the Junior All Arms Ordnance Course
Number 63 Beach undergoing major upgrade to boost tourism
Number 63 Beach is being upgraded as part of efforts to strengthen Guyana’s tourism sector, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Hon Susan Rodrigues, confirmed during a site visit on Wednesday. She was accompanied by the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh, to assess the ongoing works and current
Rodrigues said the works are aimed at elevating the beach into a premiere tourism destination.
“As a destination serious about tourism, our priority is to expand and enhance the experiences we offer. This beach is already a popular attraction, but with the transformative upgrades led by the First Lady, it will be elevated into a premiere
and the new Corentyne River Bridge will link Guyana with Suriname. With these and other transformative developments, we expect a significant influx of visitors to the region, and this beach will serve as a key hub for leisure and entertainment, ensuring they enjoy the best of what Guyana has to offer,” Rodrigues noted.
According to the minis-
state of the facility.
The initiative falls under the National Beautification Project, which is being
tourism landmark, one that significantly boosts our national appeal,” the minister is quoted as saying.
ter, the ministry will soon unveil comprehensive plans for Number 63 Beach and other key facilities nation-
spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the Public Works and the Regional Democratic Council Ministry of Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne).
She also highlighted ongoing developments within the wider Berbice region and their potential impact on tourism.
“Very soon, Palmyra will boast a world-class stadium,
wide. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to improve Guyana’s tourism profile and increase the country’s competitiveness in the regional and international markets.
A farm at Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast, where a half-acre of the onion variety Aquarius has been planted through a collaboration between the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the farmer (Photos by NAREI)
New Amerindian Affairs Minister commits to advancing Amerindian development
Newly-appointed Amerindian Affairs
Minister Sarah Browne says she is committed to building on past achievements while advancing the Ministry’s work and enhancing overall opportunities for Amerindian people.
Just days after taking office, Browne said she is ready to build on the foundation laid by her predecessor while also improving on what has already been done.
In outlining her policy agenda, Browne identified land titling and support for young people and women as key priorities.
“And for the hinterland, we made commitments, of course; land titling is number one on our agenda, support for youth, for women, in different aspects, whether it's small projects, we had our commitments. And first and foremost, we always pride ourselves as a party
and a Government that delivers on our commitments. So, you know, we'll start from there, and ensure that the promises that we made, that they're fulfilled.”
Browne also highlighted the charge given to the new Cabinet by President Irfaan Ali, stressing that her Ministry’s work will be
aligned with that vision.
“So those who are at the swearing-in have already heard His Excellency give [the cabinet] a charge, ensuring that the next five years are people-orientated and driven and that, you know, we achieve the objectives of what we set out.”
She further empha-
sised the critical role of the Ministry in Amerindian communities, pointing to the practical ways in which it impacts daily lives, stressing that it provides essential support for communities across the country.
“And for Amerindian people, this Ministry is a very important Ministry for us, because it's where we get our funding. The funding is channelled through accountability, governance, and oversight of villages; welfare is also something we look at, because people don't know, but sometimes [Amerindian] persons come to town for different reasons, and they encounter difficulties. Our Ministry usually reaches out and helps persons who, you know, are faced with difficult circumstances.”
She added that while much of this work is not always visible to the public, it makes a daily impact in
people’s lives.
“It's being done; we help people every day… We have a lot of work to do, yes, but, you know, we're working. But there are a lot of things that we do behind the scenes that affect people directly, but we don't put them out there. And, you know, sometimes when we help, you know, in these circumstances, it's not for likes on Facebook, but it's because real people need real help.”
Early years
When asked to describe herself, Browne noted that her journey has been a complex one but deeply rooted in humble beginnings: she is a mother of three and married, but beyond that, her life started in Santa Rosa, one of the largest Amerindian villages in Region One. It was there she attended school, at a time when the community was very
different from the Moruca or Santa Rosa of today. Like every other Amerindian girl of that era, she too faced the struggles. Browne reflected on life in the hinterland, noting it was not the same as the hinterland today. Looking back on where she came from, she emphasised that of all her achievements and sources of pride, being an Indigenous woman stands above the rest. She explained that Indigenous people have a strong culture and a way of life that defines them. Like many other young Amerindian women of her time, she shared in the same struggles. During that period, she recalled, many children living along the riverbanks were forced to endure the same daily hardships, including long journeys and limited resources, which shaped their experiences and strengthened their resilience.
Dozens of Region 10 residents graduate from WIIN training programmes
Over the past week, dozens of pupils proudly graduated from three separate training programmes in Décor and Events Management, Care for the Elderly, and Garment Construction.
The Women Innovation and Investment Network (WINN), an initiative of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, continues to expand its footprint across Guyana, giving women and men practical training that can immediately translate into employment or small business ventures. The programme has become a lifeline for many residents in hinterland and riverine communities as well as in urban centres, ensuring that opportunities for economic growth are not limited by geography.
At the Watooka Guest House, participants wrapped up a three-day Décor and Events Management course. The training placed emphasis
on creativity, innovation, and professional standards within the events industry. From hands-on exercises in floral arrangements and stage décor to lessons in event planning, coordination, and budgeting, trainees were given a comprehensive introduction to the field. By the end of
the workshop, participants not only received their certificates but also walked away with the confidence and technical know-how needed to launch their own businesses or secure meaningful jobs in the growing events and hospitality sector.
Meanwhile, at the same
venue, another group of residents completed WIIN’s Care for the Elderly training. This three-day programme was designed to build competence in one of the most compassionate and necessary professions – caregiving. Participants learnt practical skills such as assisting se-
niors with personal hygiene, monitoring dietary needs, preparing nutritious meals, and offering companionship to improve emotional well-being. The training also emphasised patience, empathy, and professionalism. With their certificates in hand, these newly trained carers are now better prepared to provide quality services both within their own households and as part of the formal workforce. Importantly, their skills will help strengthen the standard of elder care within Region 10 and beyond.
Additionally, a separate graduation ceremony was held at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) boardroom, where residents successfully completed WIIN’s Garment Construction course. This programme, which also spanned three days, introduced participants to sewing techniques, design principles, and garment creation.
The training encouraged participants to explore entrepreneurship by making clothing that is both creative and marketable. At the close of the programme, participants proudly received their certificates, signalling the start of their journey into the sewing and fashion industry. For many, the course represented more than just learning a skill – it was the beginning of financial independence and the chance to contribute to the region’s growing creative economy.
Across all three training programmes, participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to improve their lives and to give back to their communities.
Trainers highlighted the dedication and enthusiasm shown by the graduates, many of whom are already making plans to collaborate on projects, start businesses, or provide services within their neighbourhoods.
Newly-appointed Amerindian Affairs Minister Sarah Browne
WIIN Décor and Events Management graduates
WIIN Garment Construction graduates
WIIN Care for the Elderly graduates
CWA 2025 puts spotlight on youth, women in agriculture
The Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA)
2025 is expected to place youth and women at the centre of the regional agricultural agenda, highlighting their crucial role in shaping solutions for food security, economic development, and climate resilience.
The annual flagship event of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) will run from September 29 to October 3 in St Kitts and Nevis under the theme “Sowing Change, Harvesting Resilience: Transforming Our Caribbean Food Systems for 2025 and Beyond”.
Organisers say this year’s edition aims to empower youth and women Caricom Secretariat headquarters
by giving them a strong voice in discussions that drive innovation, inclusivity, and resilience across the sector. By integrating their perspectives, CWA 2025 seeks to address both the development of agriculture in the region and the growing threats posed by climate change, positioning these groups as essential drivers of transformation.
The week-long programme will feature technical sessions, high-level meetings, and interactive activities, including the
Youth AgriMarine Debate
Competition; a honey show hosted by CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); and an Agriculture & Marine Expo (Open Day).
Discussions will focus on youth and women within the framework of the 25×25+5 regional food security initiative, climate resilience and survival, de-risking the regional food system, and finding funding solutions to boost agricultural innovation and growth. As customary, a Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Agriculture will also be convened.
Since its inception in 1998, the CWA has been hosted annually by CARICOM Member States and Associate Members, providing a platform for decision-makers in the public and private sectors to highlight the importance of agriculture and rural development. The event also brings together stakeholders across agriculture and related industries to engage in dialogue, exchange ideas, and create a unified vision for the sector.
The event is convened under the Alliance for Sustainable Development of Agriculture and
the Rural Milieu (The Alliance), with the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the CARICOM Secretariat serving as lead collaborators. In 2002, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) joined the Secretariat to strengthen coordination and strategic oversight. Previous editions have also benefited from partnerships with institutions such as the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA).
Since the first edition in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago, there have been 18 successful CWA gatherings. Most recently, St Vincent and the Grenadines hosted CWA 2024, attracting nearly 500 participants under the theme “ClimateSmart Agriculture for a Sustainable Future”, further highlighting the region’s commitment to resilience, sustainability, and transformation in the agricultural sector.
This year, organisers say, CWA 2025 promises to be a milestone for youth and women, giving them the tools, knowledge, and platforms to shape the Caribbean’s agricultural future.
Dr Josh Kanhai appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary at Local Govt Ministry
Dr Josh Kanhai has been appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary (Administration) at the Ministry of Local
Government and Regional Development.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr Josh Kanhai, our first-ever Deputy
Permanent Secretary for Administration,” the Ministry said in a brief statement on Thursday.
“His strong desire to serve has led him into Government, where he brings with him dedication, energy, and vision,” the Ministry noted.
According to the Ministry, Dr Kanhai has long been involved in patriotic duties, most notably serving tirelessly on the Men on Mission frontline.
“His proven commitment to people and country assures us that he will continue to make a meaningful difference in this new role,” the Ministry noted.
Dr Josh Kanhai
Tourism Minister conducts site visit of Tourism & Hospitality Institute
Expressing her optimism for Guyana’s Tourism and Hospitality Institute in a post on her social media
Wednesday conducted a site visit at the construction for the facility at Port Mourant, where she met with contractors and consultants.
project and added that she has advised the contractor that her Ministry will be closely monitoring its progress.
page, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce
Susan Rodrigues on
She expressed her concern about the pace of the
She also emphasised that the facility would play a critical role in supporting
Guyana’s emerging tourism industry and noted the number of hotels currently under construction, along with the Government’s plans to attract even greater investment in the sector, highlighting the corresponding demand for a skilled and well-trained workforce.
This world-class facility, with the capacity to
train 200 persons per cohort, will offer Caribbean Vocational Qualifications in areas ranging from mixology to cosmetology. We recognise that a growing sector requires a skilled workforce, and as a proactive Government, we are ensuring that Guyanese are well-positioned to benefit from this expanding industry, while simultaneous-
ly building national capacity,” Minister Rodrigues said. Construction of the US$7 million institute began in January 2024, following the official sod-turning ceremony. The project is being financed through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and is expected to be completed by June 2026.
“Business as usual is no longer an option” – T&T PM urges stronger intelligence sharing on crime, poverty, climate risks
Warning that the Caribbean cannot afford to continue along its current development path, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar on Thursday called for urgent action, stronger regional cooperation, and smarter use of technology to confront mounting threats ranging from poverty and inequality to crime and climate change.
The Prime Minister delivered the charge at the Trinidad and Tobago launch of the Regional Human Development Report 2025 for Latin America and the Caribbean, titled “Under Pressure: Recalibrating the Future of Development in Latin America and the Caribbean”.
Persad-Bissessar described the report as both a warning and a roadmap, noting that despite years of progress, the region remains “fragile” and vulnerable to shocks.
“Business as usual is no longer an option,” she declared.
According to the report, poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean was cut in half in one generation, yet one in four people still lives below the poverty line, while another third remains “one shock away” from falling into hardship. The Prime Minister cautioned that the COVID-19 pandemic had worsened these vulnerabilities, reversing decades of steady gains on the Human Development Index.
“Today, our region faces uncertainty. Levels that are higher than the global: 50 per cent higher than the global average. And the truth is, crises no longer come one at a time. That is what this report rightly calls a polycrisis. The conclusion is undeniable. Business as usual is no longer an option. Here in the Caribbean, we live these contradictions every day. Growth is recorded in reports, yet inequality continues and endures in our households,” the PM said.
The T&T Prime Minister iden-
tified three “stressors” highlighted by the report: technological disruption, social fragmentation, and the climate emergency. To confront them, Persad-Bissessar urged the creation of debt-for-climate swaps, catastrophe-linked financing, stronger regional value chains in
food, health, and renewable energy, and expanded carbon risk pools and early warning systems.
On crime, she pressed for “stronger intelligence sharing, coordinated maritime security, and recovery strategies that rebuild trust in communities,” stressing that regional cooperation is essential to safeguarding people’s lives and livelihoods.
The Prime Minister also underscored the potential of digital transformation and artificial intelligence to improve education, healthcare, and public services –but only if governance structures ensure equitable access. “If we fail to act, they can deepen our divides,” she warned.
“Digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and new technologies are not mere tools. They are accelerators of human development. When harnessed responsibly, they can expand access to education, they can improve public services, and they can create new
pathways of opportunity. But if we fail to act, they can also deepen our divides. Our national strategy must enshrine digital access, AI governance, and innovation ecosystems that empower every citizen,” she explained.
Persad-Bissessar reaffirmed her Government’s commitment to people-centred development, promising investments in resilient infrastructure, community empowerment, and inclusive institutions. “These are not abstract policy goals. They are the foundations of a prosperous future for Trinidad and Tobago and sustainable development for the whole Caribbean,” she said.
Closing her address, she called on Governments, civil society, the private sector, youth, and the diaspora to “turn risk into resilience, pressure into progress, and uncertainty into opportunity.”
“Under pressure, Trinidad and Tobago will not retreat – we will lead,” she affirmed.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Regional
T&T Form One student held with drugs by school Police
Form One stu-
Adent of the Coryal Secondary School in Cumuto, Trinidad has become the first person to be detained by the newly formed School Orientated Policing Unit after he was found with a quantity of marijuana and wrapping paper at school Wednesday.
The 13-year-old of East Trinidad was in Police custody up to last night as investigations continued.
Reports indicate that one of the Police officers assigned to the school received certain information around 11.30h, following which he approached the student and ordered him to empty his pockets.
When the student complied, the officer retrieved the contents of his pockets, which included a package containing a loose plantlike material resembling marijuana and several
pieces of brown wrapping paper.
The student was told of the offence he was alleged to have committed and cautioned by the officer, who went on to inform the school principal.
Officers from the unit, along with personnel from the Cumuto Police Station and officials from the Ministry of Education, visited the school.
Senior officials commended the officer for doing what he was trained to do and for his dedication and commitment to duty.
Speaking on the incident, Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said, “I continue to stand firmly behind the School Orientated Policing initiative, which has proven to be a vital line of defence in safeguarding our learning environments.
“Today’s intervention underscores the vigilance
and professionalism of our officers, whose presence is not merely symbolic but actively preventative.”
He urged parents and guardians “to take a closer look at what their children are bringing into our nation’s schools. The last time I checked, plant-like material was not on the Ministry of Education’s approved book list,” Guevarro said.
Officers from the unit were placed in some 60 high-risk schools at the start of the new school year last week. Tobago’s Signal Hill Secondary School and Mason Hall Secondary School were added to that listing last week, and officers started operating in those schools on Monday. The unit’s goal is to help school administrations instil school discipline. (Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)
Haiti Police kill former rebel leader Wilfort Ferdinand in Gonaïves
Haitian authorities say officers killed former rebel leader Wilfort Ferdinand after he allegedly opened fire at a Police checkpoint earlier this week in the coastal city of Gonaïves.
Ferdinand, also known as Kòmandan Ti Wil, was a suspected gang leader and a key figure in the 2004 uprising that ousted former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. He led the Artibonite Resistance Front and was an ally of former rebel leader Guy Philippe.
“Police had no intention of killing anyone,” said Michel-Ange Louis Jeune, spokesman for Haiti’s National Police, speaking to The Associated Press. He said Ferdinand approached a checkpoint in a car with tinted windows, backed up, and then fired at officers who returned fire, killing him and an unidentified passenger.
Wilfort Ferdinand, right, in Gonaives, 2004
The checkpoint was part of ongoing operations against the Kokorat San Ras gang, which operates in the Artibonite region and is notorious for extreme violence.
Local media reported
heavy gunfire shortly after the shooting. Graphic images of the incident circulated on social media, sparking protests in Gonaïves that have forced businesses to close. (CNW)
DR: Over US$1 million in assets seized as money laundering, drug network dismantled
Assets valued at more than 70 million pesos (over US$1M), including houses, apartments, villas, nightclubs, a boat, vehicles, and highend clothing, were seized on Wednesday in a series of simultaneous operations carried out in different parts of the Dominican Republic (DR) by the General Directorate of Drug Control (DNCD) and the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Two persons were arrested during the operations,
carried out with the support of the Navy of the Republic, as authorities pursue a third person, whom they urged to surrender.
During the operation, two houses, four apartments, a villa, a pharmacy, firearms, two nightclubs, vehicles, a recreational boat, a drone, a satellite phone, five jet skis, clothing, documents, currency in pesos and dollars, electronic equipment, cell phones, and other evidence related to the investigation were seized.
In total, 15 raids were carried out in Bani, the National District, and Santo Domingo Este as part of an investigation aimed at eradicating an international drug trafficking network that had been under surveillance for months.
Four firearms were also seized, including two pellet rifles, eight motorcycles, high-end watches, and several important documents. Those arrested will be brought before the courts.
(Source: The National)
Barbados raises concerns over US military strikes on suspected drug boats
Barbados Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds has voiced unease over recent United States (US) military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean suspected of drug trafficking, warning that the actions may have bypassed due process and set a troubling precedent.
The concerns follow US President Donald Trump’s order late last month to strike a boat off the coast of Venezuela, killing 11 persons. Trump later confirmed that three more people were killed in a separate strike, saying both vessels were carrying drugs.
While some regional leaders, including Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, have praised Washington’s tougher stance on narcotics, Barbados is taking a more cautious view.
In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Symmonds said the region values US support in curbing trafficking but stressed that the conduct of the two recent
strikes raises serious legal and ethical questions.
He warned that if innocent civilians were mistakenly targeted and killed, the region could face “a most difficult and disastrous incident”.
Symmonds said Caribbean Community (CARICOM) foreign Ministers have written to the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio seeking assuranc-
es that any future military actions will not destabilise the region or be undertaken without consultation.
The letter also called for advance notice of operations likely to affect the Caribbean and for continued diplomatic engagement with Washington.
“So far there has been no formal response,” Symmonds confirmed. (Excerpt from CNW)
BVI HOA members secretly doubled their salaries, says report
As the British Virgin Islands (BVI) House of Assembly (HOA) members publicly hyped up a plan to increase civil servants’ pay in 2023, they quietly reserved far bigger raises for themselves.
During a closed-door meeting that December, HOA members secretly agreed to double their own baseline salaries – a move that was not publicly disclosed until the release of a special report by Auditor General Sonia Webster this week.
The decision boosted the 13 elected members’ collective salaries from US$681,000 to nearly US$1.5 million – a 119 per cent increase – from the start of 2024, according to the report.
As a result, individual members’ baseline salaries now range from US$71,230 for backbenchers to US$176,243 for Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley.
When members’ allowances are factored in, the changes have pushed all legislators’ total annual compensation well into six figures – with the Premier pulling in more than US$250,000 in total, most other Ministers earning about US$200,000, and even the lowest-paid HOA members drawing some US$134,000.
“The significant increase in HOA members’ salaries was implemented without any form of public disclosure,” Ms. Webster’s report states.
HOA members decided
the raises when they met informally on December 19, 2023, and agreed to award themselves the maximum increase from a range recommended by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as part of a public-sector compensation review, according to the Auditor General.
Originally, however, that compensation review was not meant to include HOA members.
“The January 2021 Cabinet decision which approved the Public Service compensation review did not include remuneration for members of the House of Assembly,” wrote Ms Webster, who launched her probe primarily to investigate a dramatic overspend in civil servants’ pay raises that came to light last year.
But in December 2022 – after PwC started the compensation review – the Deputy Governor’s Office instructed the consultants to include legislators’ sala-
ries as well, according to Ms Webster.
Her report also notes that HOA members passed the 2024 budget – which contained the funding needed for their raises – on the same day that they met privately and approved the move.
There was no public announcement of the raises at the time, and no debate in open session of the HOA. The secret raises came on the heels of a vocal public backlash over the so-called “Greedy Bill”, a 2021 law that dramatically expanded legislators’ post-term payouts and benefits.
With the members’ new raises, such long-term payout commitments could increase substantially – and Ms Webster warned of the consequences in her report.
The Premier and other HOA members did not respond individually to the Beacon’s requests for comment, but the HOA issued a statement about the auditor’s report last night after news reports sparked a public outcry over the secret raises in social media forums.
“The House notes the public interest and concern expressed following media coverage, particularly regarding compensation for elected officials,” the statement notes. “With the report now officially before the House, members will undertake a thorough review of its findings, engage in detailed discussions, and provide a formal response consistent with established Parliamentary procedures.” (Excerpt from BVI Beacon)
Auditor General Sonia Webster
Barbados Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds
Around
OOIL NEWS
Oil prices settle lower as concerns remain about US economic outlook
il prices eased on Thursday, settling lower as traders remained worried about the United States (US) economic outlook a day after the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time this year.
Brent crude futures fell 51 cents, or 0.8 per cent, to settle at US$67.44. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 48 cents, or 0.8 per cent, to settle at US$63.57.
The Fed cut its policy rate by a quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday and indicated it will steadily lower borrowing costs over the rest of the year, responding to signs of weakness in the jobs market.
Lower borrowing costs typically boost demand for oil and push prices higher.
"They did this now because clearly the economy is slowing down," said Jorge Montepeque, managing director at Onyx Capital Group. "The Federal Reserve is trying to restore growth."
Persistent oversupply and soft fuel demand in the US, the world's biggest oil consumer, also weighed on the market.
US crude oil stockpiles fell sharply last week as net imports dropped to a record low while exports jumped to a near two-year high, data from the Energy Information Administration showed on Wednesday.
A rise in US distillate stockpiles by 4 million barrels, however, against market expectations of a gain of 1 million barrels, raised worries about demand in the world's top oil consumer and pressured prices. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Two teenagers charged over Transport for London cyberattack
Two teenagers have been charged in connection with a massive cyberattack which caused Transport for London (TfL) months of disruption.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) says it believes the hack – which began on 31 August last year –was carried out by members of the cybercriminal group Scattered Spider.
Thalha Jubair, 19, from east London and Owen Flowers, 18, from Walsall in the West Midlands, were arrested at their home addresses on Tuesday by the NCA and City of London Police.
Both appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon charged with conspiring together to commit unauthorised acts against TfL, under the Computer Misuse Act.
They have been remanded in custody to appear at Southwark Crown Court at a later date.
TfL says the hack caused it £39m of damage and disruption.
The hack disrupted TfL services for three months.
Whilst trains, buses and other transport were unaffected, many TfL online ser-
US Judge orders Mahmoud Khalil deported, citing “misrepresented facts” on green card form
An immigration Judge in the United States (US) state of Louisiana has ordered the deportation of pro-Palestinian protest leader Mahmoud Khalil to Algeria or Syria, ruling that he failed to disclose information on his green card application, according to court documents filed on Wednesday.
Khalil’s lawyers said they intended to appeal against the deportation order, and that a federal district court’s separate orders remain in effect prohibiting the Government from immediately deporting or detaining him as his federal court case proceeds.
Khalil, in a statement to the American Civil Liberties Union, said in response to the order, “It is no surprise that the Trump Administration continues
to retaliate against me for my exercise of free speech. Their latest attempt, through a kangaroo immigration court, exposes their true colours once again.”
The order dated 12
September by the immigration Judge asserted the lack of full disclosure on Khalil’s green card application “was not an oversight by an uninformed, uneducated applicant … rather, this court
finds that respondent wilfully misrepresented material fact(s)”.
“It is hereby further ordered that the respondent be removed from the US to Algeria, or in the alternative to Syria,” wrote the Judge, Jamee Comans.
Khalil, a legal permanent resident of the United States who is married to a US citizen and has a USborn son, was detained for three months beginning in March and faced potential deportation.
A former Columbia University student who was one of the most visible leaders of nationwide pro-Palestinian campus protests, Khalil was released from custody in June but has faced the continued threat of deportation from federal authorities. (The Guardian)
Three Police officers killed in Pennsylvania shooting
Five Police officers were shot, and three were killed in a shooting in southern Pennsylvania on Wednesday.
The gunman was killed, local Police confirmed, and two officers were in hospital in a critical but stable condition.
Officers were initially deployed to the location to follow up on a “domestic-related” investigation that began on Tuesday, a Police spokesman said.
vices and connected information boards went offline as part of the attack.
TfL wrote to around 5000 customers to say there may have been unauthorised access to their personal information, such as bank account numbers and sort codes.
Data including names, emails and home addresses were accessed.
Deputy Director Paul Foster, head of the NCA's National Cyber Crime Unit, said, "Today's charges are a key step in what has been a lengthy and complex investigation. This attack caused significant disruption and millions in losses to TfL, part of the UK [United Kingdom]'s critical national infrastructure."
The court heard that the TfL hack occurred while Mr Flowers was on bail.
After he was arrested, detectives found evidence he had also targeted United States healthcare companies.
Mr Flowers has been charged with conspiring, with others, to infiltrate and damage the networks of SSM Health Care Corporation and attempting to do the same to Sutter Health. (Excerpt from BBC News)
The suspect who killed three officers “was shot by Police”, the spokesman said. However, according to NBC News, York County DA Tim Barker declined to reveal if Ruth was killed by other Police at the scene or if he died at his own hand.
"Following the final ex-
change of fire, the actor became deceased," Barker said. "So I will leave it at that."
Schools in the area were briefly put on lockdown, and York Hospital, where the injured officers were being treated, said it implemented
enhanced security protocols.
The man who gunned down the three detectives in central Pennsylvania had been wanted for allegedly stalking a former girlfriend and broke into her house before ambushing the lawmen, authorities said on
Thursday. Police had been on the lookout for 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth in hopes of arresting him for alleged stalking, prowling and trespassing, according to a criminal complaint filed on Wednesday.
“Matthew J Ruth is the actor” who fatally shot three officers, York County DA Tim Barker told reporters on Thursday, vowing to never mention Ruth’s name again. The three fallen Policemen were identified as Detective-Sgt Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser.
The prosecutor called this a result of "the hateful scourge of domestic violence". (Source: NBC News, The Telegraph)
Trump Admin has been quietly pushing to retake Afghan base from Taliban for months, sources say
President Donald Trump has been quietly pushing his national security officials for months to find a way to get Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan back from the Taliban, three people familiar with the matter told CNN.
Trump hinted at those discussions publicly for the
first time on Thursday, telling reporters that his administration is working to regain control of the base, which lies an hour north of Kabul. The Taliban took it over following the collapse of the Afghan Government and the Unites States (US) military withdrawal in 2021.
“We gave it to (the Taliban) for nothing,”
Trump said during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer on Thursday, “We’re trying to get it back, by the way.”
The sources told CNN that the conversations about returning the base to US control date back at least to March. Trump and his senior national securi-
ty officials believe the base is needed for several reasons, including to surveil China, whose border is under 500 miles away; gain access to rare earth elements and mining in Afghanistan; establish a counterterrorism node to target ISIS; and possibly reopen a diplomatic facility, the sources said. (Excerpt from CNN)
US revokes visas for Indian business executives over fentanyl links
The United States
(US) embassy in New Delhi has revoked and subsequently denied visas for some Indian business executives and corporate leaders based on their involvement in trafficking fentanyl precursors, the embassy said in a statement on Thursday.
Fentanyl precursors refer to the basic or parent chemicals that form fentanyl, a leading cause of US overdose deaths.
The statement from the embassy did not name the people affected, but a spokesperson said they were Indian nationals.
“Indian Government of-
ficials have been closely cooperating with US counterparts to combat the challenge of drug trafficking,” the US embassy added in its statement.
India's foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment on the US visa measures.
In a statement to US Congress this week, Trump listed India as one of 23 major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries, though he added the presence of any country on the list was not necessarily a reflection of its Government's counter-drug efforts.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
A Police officer is loaded into a Medevac helicopter
Mahmoud Khalil at a rally in New York City on 22 June
You are overdue for a change. Be original, collaborate with someone you love to spend time with, and make plans that will lead to fond memories. Participation, socializing, and collaborating with like-minded people will be uplifting. Join forces, address concerns, and you’ll make a difference. Don’t get angry, get moving, and see what happens.
Express yourself through your actions. Do something nice for someone you care about, and focus on putting your energy to good use by attending networking events, improving your fitness and diet, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Looking and feeling your best will enhance your love life and boost your confidence. Pick up the pace and thrive.
Share your thoughts, entertain, participate in events and activities that pump you up and offer you an opportunity to share and to make a difference to the people and causes that concern you most. Refuse to let emotions and ego stand between you and doing what’s right. Promote change that leads to growth and positive prospects.
How you approach people will be the deciding factor in what you receive in return. A positive attitude and energetic response will earn you the favor and support you need to advance your position, agenda, or prospects. Be open to suggestions and willing to share, and something good will transpire. Avoid unnecessary expenses or purchases.
Avoid temptation. Verify the information before entering a joint venture or signing up for something that may not deliver what you expect. Time is on your side; slow down, gather the facts, and consider how to make the most of what you already have. Pay attention to detail when it comes to your wellness and awareness.
Take the high road regardless of what others do. Keep an open mind, but stick to the script that works best for you. When you feel unsure, backstep away and conduct your research. Let your intuition guide you when dealing with suspicious information, and reach out to someone trustworthy to verify the facts.
Express your thoughts, gather information from experts, and align yourself with people heading in a similar direction. The connections you make will be helpful moving forward. Invest more time and effort into your surroundings, comfort, and convenience, and you will increase your awareness of how to achieve your desired lifestyle. Romance is favored.
Finish what you start. Focus on doing the best job possible and take a responsible attitude when dealing with institutions and authority. Distance yourself from those trying to provoke havoc or bring about changes that can be disruptive to your life and prospects. Put yourself first and protect your possessions and assets.
When in doubt, step aside and become a spectator. What you learn will be valuable and help you when you can act. Focus inward, make personal growth, build confidence, and learning or expand your knowledge to help you achieve your dreams. What you start now will lead to higher income, a better position, and greater prosperity.
You can’t buy love, but you can protect yourself from those trying to take advantage of you. Ask questions, be a good listener, and look for signs that offer insight into other people’s intentions. Commit to nothing, refrain from sharing personal information, and protect your reputation. Choose discipline, common sense, and a responsible attitude.
Pay attention to money, contracts, and health issues. Take responsibility, ask questions, and adopt a proactive approach to ensure you receive the best possible advice. Leave nothing to chance or up to someone else. The time you spend going through the process of elimination will spare you disappointment, loss, and grief. Speak up, be your advocate.
Expect the unexpected and act accordingly. Examine every angle and consider how to utilize your attributes to excel. Networking will help you discover what’s possible and recognize who you are best suited to align yourself with. Partnerships look promising, but will require proper management and a written agreement if you plan to collaborate. Protect your ideas and secrets.
ARCHIE
ster boost.
Kusal Mendis ensured Sri Lanka's 100 per cent record through the group stage as his unbeaten 74 off 52 trumped Mohammad Nabi's outrageous 60 off 22 for a six-wicket win against Afghanistan. The result means Bangladesh also qualifies with a second place in group B.
Kusal was crucial to the chase, with his ability to navigate Afghanistan's variety of spinners – courtesy of well-executed sweeps and pulls – proving crucial in Sri Lanka running down a tricky target with eight deliveries to spare.
Kusal was therefore the common denominator in a string of partnerships – 22, 25, 45, 27 and 52* – as Sri Lanka put aside a potentially momentum-shifting cameo from Nabi.
Nabi had earlier resurrected the Afghanistan innings, striking five sixes in the final over bowled by left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, who had been draughted in to this game ahead of Maheesh Theekshana. Prior to that, Dushmantha Chameera had been taken for 17 runs in the penultimate over of the innings, meaning Afghanistan struck 49 in the last two overs to give their total a
Up until that point, though, Sri Lanka had dominated proceedings, with Nuwan Thushara, in particular, shining with figures of 4 for 18. It was a performance worthy of a win, and so it proved in the end.
Kusal special takes Sri Lanka home
Losing Pathum Nissanka early was not ideal, nor was Kamil Mishara falling in the powerplay. But Kusal ensured that he took on the scoring burden and kept Sri Lanka in the chase with timely boundaries through the middle overs.
However, nerves still remained, with Sri Lanka needing 48 off the last five overs. It was here that Kusal was joined by the other Mendis in the side –Kamindu – who once more showed off his capabilities as a finisher.
Kamindu struck two
pivotal sixes – one each off Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi – to take the pressure off his senior compatriot and finished unbeaten on 26 off 13. It meant Kusal rarely had to shift gears, even at the death, as Sri Lanka ran down the target with ease.
Stars align for Nabi
Starting left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Wellalage over Theekshana was a call presumably predicated on the idea that Afghanistan had ten righthanders in their batting lineup, while also a move that simultaneously lengthened the batting and improved the fielding.
As things transpired, though, Wellalage was not needed with the bat, while he dropped Nabi on 5. But more pertinently, so effective were Sri Lanka's strike bowlers –particularly Thushara – that Charith Asalanka decided that it was worth the gamble to bowl his main bowlers out early in the hopes of picking up wickets sooner rather than later.
And the plan worked – to an extent. Thushara bowled three overs in the powerplay and picked up three wickets in that period before getting a fourth at the death. Chameera bowled well but was unlucky to go for 50 runs in his four overs – the most expensive spell of his career. Dasun Shanaka, nominally the fifth bowler, got away with 29 runs in his four overs, while Hasaranga gave away just 18 in four wicketless overs.
Even Wellalage had given away just 17 up until his last over. For Nabi, a fantas-
tic hitter of spin, this was an ideal match-up, and he took on Wellalage in epic fashion. Five sixes in the V saw 32 come off that final over – and with it gave Afghanistan hope.
Sri Lanka's solid plans with the ball
It's unfortunate that many will remember Wellalage for that final over, because up until then, he, along with the rest of the Sri Lanka bowlers, had kept Afghanistan quiet right through their innings.
Thushara was the star, taking three in the power-
play with his outswingers to the right-handers and one searing inswinger to lefthander Sediqullah Atal.
Asalanka smartly got through his fifth bowler quota with Shanaka in the middle overs as Afghanistan sought to consolidate, though it was that extra over from Thushara in the powerplay
Afghanistan (20 overs maximum)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz † c Perera
b Thushara 14
Sediqullah Atal b Thushara 18
Karim Janat b Thushara 1
Ibrahim Zadran c Chameera
b Wellalage 24
Darwish Rasooli c Perera
b Chameera 9
Azmatullah Omarzai b Shanaka 6 Mohammad Nabi run out (Perera/†BKG Mendis) 60
Rashid Khan (c) b Thushara 24
Noor Ahmad not out 6
Extras (lb 5, nb 1, w 1) 7
Total 20 Ov (RR: 8.45) 169/8
Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2.1 ov), 2-32 (Karim Janat, 2.6 ov), 3-40 (Sediqullah Atal, 4.5 ov), 4-64 (Darwish Rasooli, 10.3 ov), 5-71 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 11.3 ov), 6-79 (Ibrahim Zadran, 12.1 ov), 7-114 (Rashid Khan, 17.1 ov), 8-169 (Mohammad Nabi, 19.6 ov)
Bowling O-M-R-W
Nuwan Thushara 4-0-18-4
Dushmantha Chameera 4-0-50-1
Dunith Wellalage 4-0-49-1
Dasun Shanaka 4-0-29-1
that proved decisive in the end, as it meant Wellalage wound up having to bowl to Nabi in the final over – a strategy rarely, if ever, employed by a Sri Lanka side in recent years.
Fortunately for Wellalage and Sri Lanka, it mattered little once all the chips were counted. (ESPNcricinfo)
Wanindu Hasaranga 4-0-18-0
Mohammad Nabi hit five sixes in the final over to give Afghanistan hope Afghanistan were eliminated
Sri Lanka qualify for the Super Four
Kusal Mendis played well in his unbeaten innings
Sterling joins supporting cast for Boys’ Pee Wee
The five-year partnership between the Petra Organisation and Sterling Products Limited was extended on Thursday afternoon, as the company reaffirmed its support for this year’s 12th edition of the Courts Opticalsponsored Boys’ Under-11 Pee Wee Schools’ Football Competition.
This year’s competition will feature 32 teams from Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, and 10, all vying for a range of prizes.
Sterling’s support for the initiative was formalised through a simple presentation at their Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) Head Office, where Marketing Manager Dellon Lynch expressed the company’s strong commitment to the tournament.
“This annual event holds a special place in our hearts. Over the past five
years, we’ve witnessed not just matches, but the steady growth of the programme that uplifts communities and helps shape the future of football in the nation.
Ogle, Young Rivals,
The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) Premier Insurance Second Division 40-Over Competition continued last weekend with a series of lopsided encounters, as several teams registered dominant victories.
Batting first, Unity’s innings never got going as they crumbled for just 36 all out in 14.5 overs.
Only C Pitt managed double figures with a fighting 10, while the rest of the line-up fell cheaply. Ogle’s attack was led by Rohan Sukhnandan, who returned brilliant figures of four for four in 2.5 overs, and J Dindyal, who chipped in with two wickets.
In reply, Ogle wasted little time in the chase, reaching 37 for three in eight overs. D Khemraj anchored the innings with an unbeaten 19 from 19
LBI
munity, health and wellbeing and to the development of the next generation of leaders. Football has the power to connect neighbourhoods, build character and open doors. That’s why we remain committed partners and look forward to many more years of collaboration.”
part of this. Sure, we try to put financial resources in also, but I’m sure we’ll assist in other ways that we can to ensure that at the end of the day, you know, people are happy and that it’s a good, well-organised tournament. At the end of the day, everybody comes out winners.”
McCammon of Sterling Products Ltd presents to Troy Mendonca of Petra, as Sterling’s Ramsey Ali and Dellon Lynch and
So, next Saturday, the first whistle will blow, and with it another season of exciting skills and friendship begins,” Lynch told the small gathering.
He continued, “At Sterling Products Ltd, we believe that investing in programmes like this is more than a sponsorship; it’s a commitment to com-
Also in attendance was the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ramsey Ali, who was assured of Sterling’s support in other areas, should the need arise.
Ali assured, “Very pleased that we could be a
The Boys’ U11 tournament is set to kick off next Saturday, September 27, at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, with Santa Rosa Primary aiming to launch their title defence.
“B” steamroll Lusignan rivals in ECCB 2nd Division
balls, ensuring the hosts sealed victory comfortably to continue their strong run in the competition.
Over at the Fairfield ground, the Young Rivals B recorded a thumping 239run victory over Helena 1 & 2. Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Young Rivals B piled up a mammoth 374 for eight in 40 overs, thanks to a brilliant century from H Durga, who struck a superb 102. He was well supported by R Chatura, who added a valuable 80 to the total. Despite efforts from Helena’s bowlers like D Persaud (2-70) and P Chowt (2-75), the runs kept flowing as Young Rivals dominated proceedings. In reply, Helena managed only 136 all out, with Y Persaud (38) and P Chowt (34) showing brief re - sistance.
sealed the win for Young Rivals, who dominated in all departments.
At the LBI ground, LBI “B” batted first and piled up an imposing 304 for eight from their 40 overs. I Mohammed led the charge with a top score of 62, supported by N Mathura’s 58 and S Singh’s 40. For Better Hope, R Mohammed
and R Rashid both chipped in with two wickets apiece.
In reply, Better Hope United struggled and were dismissed for 150. R Mohammed stood out with a fighting knock of 87 but lacked support from the other end. I Mohammed and M Outar ensured LBI “B” sealed a comprehensive 154-run victory, each tak-
ing three wickets.
At Lusignan, the home side hosted Hope Estate and, after losing the toss, were sent in to field. The visitors collapsed to 52 all out in 26.3 overs, with Jermaine Persaud offering the only resistance with 21.
For Lusignan, Neeran Bani starred with three for 11, while Chaitram Balgobin
Albion poised to extend dominance as BCB Two-Day First Division continues this
weekend
F(2 for 15) and Ferron Kadir (2 for 17) also chipped in. In response, Lusignan Sports Club made light work of the chase, reaching 55 for two in just 12.3 overs to seal an eight-wicket victory. Steve Ramdass topscored with 31, while Karan Singh picked up both wickets for Hope Estate.
Chatura (2- 11) and J Stuart (2- 41)
resh off a dominant nine-wicket win over Rose Hall Town, Albion will be looking to keep their momentum going when they face Police in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) first-division two-day clash on September 20 and 21.
In Zone A, West Berbice will face Tucber Park at Bush Lot, while Young Warriors host Rose Hall Canje at Young Warriors.
In Zone B, Albion will take on Police at Albion, while Skeldon host Rose Hall Town at Skeldon. Port Mourant and Blairmont have drawn byes this round. The last round’s highlight fixture saw Berbice powerhouse Albion crush Rose Hall Town by nine wickets at Area H Ground.
On a weekend blessed with glorious sunshine, both teams fell to low scores. Rose Hall Town were dismissed for 96 in their first innings, before Albion replied with
102 all out.
In their second innings, Rose Hall Town managed only 62 all out, before Albion raced to victory, closing on 57-1. On the opening day, Albion won the toss and rat tled Rose Hall Town for 96 in 22.5 overs, with Sylus Tyndall top-scoring with 33.
With the ball, Leon Cecil starred for Albion, bagging 7-45 from 10 overs, while Veerasammy Permaul provided solid support with 2-23 from 6.5. In reply, Albion were dismissed for 102 in 29 overs, with Damian Cecil top-scoring on 31 and Ari Afrizal Kadir adding 22.
Bowling for Rose Hall Town, Keith Simpson was outstanding, taking 5-14 from eight overs. He received support from Matthew Pottaya and Jeremy Sandia, who claimed two wickets apiece.
Albion held a slender fiverun lead after the first innings, and Rose Hall Town
Veerasammy Permaul may have missed out on CPL selection, but he is bringing his experience to Albion at the First Division level
once again failed to make a big score, being dismissed for 62 in their second innings. Clinton Pestano top-scored with 30, while left-arm spinner Gaurav Ramesh took 4-30 from 8.3 overs, supported by Cecil and Permaul, who claimed three wickets each.
Chasing 57 for victory, Albion raced to the target in just 11 overs, finishing on 57-1. Damian Cecil led the charge with 29, while Kadir remained unbeaten on 16 and Adrian Sukwah 8 not out.
Matches across the ancient county are expected to get underway at 09:30h at various venues.
Rohan Sukhnandan four wickets for Ogle
Durga scored a brilliant century
PRO Youlandra
Petra’s Troy Peters look on
Do-or-die battle: Kings, TKR clash for CPL final spot
After falling short in Qualifier 1 of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the defending champions, the St Lucia Kings, will have no time to brood as they prepare for a crucial do-or-die clash in Qualifier 2 against the Trinbago Knight Riders tonight at 20:00h at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
The Kings, who missed their first chance to book a spot in Sunday’s final, now face a knockout battle where victory will secure their ticket to defend the title, while defeat will end their campaign.
Captain David Wiese admitted that while the loss in Qualifier 1 was a setback, his team remains focused on regrouping quickly.
“Yeah, look, you know one thing is that there isn’t too much time to dwell on it. It’s basically spending 10–15 minutes reflecting, looking where we can improve, looking where we can get better and then just parking this and focusing on Trinidad for Friday,” Wiese said.
“Like I said, not a lot of turnaround time, so you can’t dwell on it – just get one or two improvements,
and come Friday, just im plement those.”
The Knight Riders, buoyed by momentum af ter their victory in the Eliminator, will be brim ming with confidence and hoping to ride their pow er-packed batting line-up, spearheaded by Nicholas Pooran, Alex Hales and Colin Munro, into the final.
Meanwhile, the Kings will bank on their expe rienced core to respond strongly under pressure, with Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, and Tim David expected to play piv otal roles.
Friday’s encounter promises high drama, with a place in the grand finale at stake and both teams eager to set up a blockbuster show down for CPL glory.
Republic bank CPL…
The Republic Bank
Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has confirmed that Nicholas Pooran of the Trinbago Knight Riders has been charged with a Level 1 offence under the CPL Code of Conduct.
The charge stems from Pooran showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during the Eliminator match against the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons.
He has accepted the sanction, which carries a fine of 20 per cent of his match fee.
Pooran’s altercation with Umpire Ryan Banwarie began in the 8th over of the Trinbago Knight Riders’ chase, when he was wrongly given out lbw – a decision later overturned on review. However, Pooran continued to direct words at the Umpire for the remainder of the match. In the end, Pooran offered an apology to the umpire after the match concluded.
TPolice, GDF pile on the goals in spree
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) Women were the first to taste victory on Wednesday evening, thrashing Monedderlust FC 18-0 thanks to a sensational performance from Shanic Thornhill.
he Guyana Police Force (GPF) Women and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Women left the Guyana Football Federation’s National Training Center (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) with
Thornhill netted 12 goals in the 3rd, 14th, 21st, 24th, 29th, 31st, 46th, 47th, 50th, 54th, 59th, and 60th minutes. Adding to Thornhill’s brilliance, Collette Rutherford (4th), Martha Chance (7th), Alleia Alleyne (20th), Amanda McKenzie (27th), and Melina Larson (58th) each scored once. An own goal in the 52nd minute rounded off the tally, giving Police what was, at the time, the largest win of the tournament.
Sandra Johnson led the charge, scoring eight goals in the 6th, 11th, 27th, 32nd, 52nd, 54th, 57th, and 59th minutes. Jalade Trim added six more for GDF in the 18th, 31st, 37th, 47th, 49th, and 51st minutes, completing a remarkable scoring spree.
Glendy Lewis also enjoyed a productive outing, netting 4 goals in the 7th, 8th, 25th, and 32nd minutes, while Rosa Ross (42nd) and Shenessa Cornelius (56th) added one each, helping GDF secure a 20-0 victory.
The Women’s Division One League continues today with another doubleheader at the same venue. At 18:00hrs, Santos FC
plenty to celebrate, both recording dominant victories in the recent round of the Women’s Division One League
That record win was soon eclipsed when the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Women took to the pitch against Rivers’ View Football Club.
will take on the formidable GDF Women, followed by Monedderlust FC aiming to bounce back against Ann’s Grove FC at 19:30hrs.
Sandra Johnson (On ball) was the star of the GDF’s Women team
Nicholas Pooran has been fined 20% of his match fee
St Lucia Kings
Trinbago Knight Riders
Women’s Division One League…
Shanic Thornhill sent 12 goals past Monedderlust’s goal keeper
