Guyana Times - Monday, August 14, 2023

game show Family of 3 homeless after fire ravages

home Construction of sluice at Highbury to commence this year –Min Mustapha Suspect in Leopold St fatal stabbing still at large – Police

11kg ganja found during roadblock at Providence

P10

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

FERRY SCHEDULE

WEATHER TODAY

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

Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 15:37h reaching a maximum height of 2.26 metres.

Low Tide: 09:09h and 21:23h reaching minimum heights of 0.87 metre and 0.94 metre.

CGX transfers 4.7% in Corentyne oil block shares to Frontera

–JV partner to fund additional drilling expenses from Wei-1 well

Frontera Energy and CGX Energy, the two joint venture partners in the Corentyne Block, have amended their Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) that will see Frontera increasing its ownership within the block by 4.7 per cent.

Previously, CGX held a 32 per cent participating interest in the Corentyne Block while Frontera held the remaining 68 per cent. But following the JOA amendment, Frontera will now hold 72.7 per cent and CGX, 27.3 per cent.

During a recent conference call, Frontera Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Orlando Cabrales explained that there were a number of factors that went into this decision. These factors include the increased costs of drilling the Wei-1 well, where oil was recently found.

“Frontera CGX entered into an agreement to amend the Corentyne Block (agreement) to cover the unexpected additional costs of the Wei-1 well, associated with the delayed release of the rig by a third party, sampling and the drilling of the bypass well.”

“As a result of this agreement, if the maximum amount is transferred by CGX, the company would have 72.7 participating interest and CGX will have a 27.3 participating interest in the block,” Cabrales said.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

And in Frontera’s second quarter 2023 results, the company further expounded on the amendments to

the agreement. It was explained that the transactions will remain subject to regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange - the Canadian stock exchange.

“As part of the JOA Amending Agreement, CGX will transfer 4.7 per cent of its participating interest in the Corentyne Block to Frontera in exchange for Frontera funding CGX's additional expected outstanding share of the joint venture's costs associated with the Wei-1 well (the "CGX Corentyne Block Expenses") for up to $16.5 million,” the company stated.

“As a result of the JOA Amending Agreement, if the full 4.7 per cent participating interest is transferred by CGX and not re-assigned, the company will have a 72.7 per cent participating interest and CGX will have a 27.3 per

cent participating interest in the Corentyne block.”

Back in June 2023, CGX had announced an oil find in its Corentyne Block Wei1 bypass well, after drilling to a total depth of 20,450 feet. Previously, CGX had drilled the original Wei1 well to a depth of 19,142 feet. The bypass well was intended to further explore the Santonian target for the well. According to CGX, 71 feet of net oil had previously been encountered.

“Prior to the bypass, the well encountered an aggregate of approximately 71 feet of net oil pay in the secondary target reservoirs in the Maastrichtian and Campanian. Following the bypass, data collected from LWD (Logging While Drilling) and cuttings indicate multiple hydrocarbons shown in the primary target reservoirs in the Santonian interval,” CGX said.

According to CGX, the results from the well are encouraging and data acquisition will be done via wireline logging and core sampling. According to the company, further information will be provided when acquisition and evaluation are done. In the meantime, they further projected that the costs to drill the well has been adjusted.

“Results from the well are consistent with predrill expectations. The well has confirmed the company’s geologic and geophysical assessment of the block. As operations continue, the joint venture has revised its total Wei-1BP1 cost estimates to approximately $190-$195 million to complete the logging runs, finish well operations, and release the rig.”

“The additional costs are primarily due to the lost sampling tool and the drilling of the bypass well. The well was drilled by CGX and Frontera Energy Corporation. CGX holds a 32 per cent participating interest with Frontera holding the remaining 68 per cent participating interest in the Corentyne Block, offshore Guyana,” CGX had further said.

Evaluation of oil that was found in the Wei1 well, could meanwhile wrap up within months and the results will be used to inform the company on whether it should make history as the second set of oil companies to start up production in Guyana. (G-3)

The JV partners’ holdings in the Corentyne Block

Views

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Statecraft for Guyana

A2022 paper, “Small states, statecraft and the challenges of national security: the case of Guyana”, written by two Nigerian sources and one Guyanese source (from Insights into Regional Development), proposed some “policy options that can ameliorate the Guyanese post-colonial political challenges occasioned by the precarious colonial experiences.” We list these below without comment.

“Guyanese statecraft trajectory towards a sustainable and stable Caribbean nation in the face of precarious post-colonial history, political alliance and nuances of intra and interregional influences on a country with great economic and geo-strategic potentials and the contradictions of a small population cannot be over-emphasised. The world is presently filled with extraordinarily successful small states in virtually all four corners of the earth. Singapore, Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Israel, etc are glaring examples of states with small populations with incredible success in developmental strides. Guyana can join the league with the right policy and programmes. The nations of the Caribbean, including the Republic of Guyana, are highly studied and most of their national challenges are well known by researchers and scholars who have understudied the challenges of the Southern American countries. The following recommendations, therefore, are proffered to ameliorate and promote national growth and development in the CRG and cement its diplomatic intercourse with its neighbouring countries.

First and foremost, the government of the republic should promote and encourage national integration and unification of the multiracial groups without marginalisation of any of these groups. This will significantly promote national cohesion and the unity of the state. This is against the backdrop of verifiable racial-cum ethnic divide amongst Indo-Guyanese, Afro-Guyanese, Asians, and indeed Latinos within the political, economic and social landscape of the country. The urgently needed cohesion is a prerequisite for stability and virile statecraft, stability and development.

It is imperative that the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (CRG) needs the massive strengthening of the institutions of governance including the security architecture. From politics to the economy, these institutions must be reformed and upgraded to meet current sub-regional and global challenges. This is against the backdrop of the relevance of these institutions to statecraft. The whole gamut of national security and law enforcement must be reinforced to attract the best brains and guarantee enhanced efficiency. Previous studies have shown that the reward system in the security sector is abysmally disincentivized and bedeviled by corruption, apathy, and poor performance. Adequate training and manpower development of personnel in collaboration with willing states such as the US will be needed. In a nutshell, a massive security sector reform is highly recommended to protect the newfound wealth in the Republic.

Thirdly, with great economic potential and near-geometric growth rate, the country needs an objective overhaul of demographic policies needed to attract the right kind of immigrants that can sustain the tempo of macro-economic growth and sustainable development. The suggested population growth policy is also needed to provide the needed human resources that will be needed to police the enormous landmass of CRG which is bounded by potential predatory states like Brazil and Venezuela.

The geo-strategic architecture of CRG needs a comprehensive overhaul in the face of renewed interests from the United States, Venezuela, Russia (for historical reasons) and indeed China. This kaleidoscope of interests by global powerful nations in a small state like the CRG can jolt the nation in centripetal directions and greatly undermine its stability and development.

Within the CARICOM region, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (CRG) needs to upgrade the alliance between member countries aimed at reducing competition and engendering cooperation based on shared common threats and destinies. This way, the trans-Atlantic geo-strategic alliances will be more robust and effective.

Within the ambit of statecraft, there is the need for the country to adopt the Costa Rican example of demilitarisation to save enormous resources hitherto utilized for some nebulous national security and reallocate the same for policing and public safety and social security. Inclusive leadership rooted in deep national patriotic culture is a prerequisite for sustainable development. This should permeate the entire country and stamp on the psyche of Guyanese via reorientation of the entire citizenry.”

The real gobblers…

Dear Editor, Mr Hamilton Green, in a letter captioned “Where is GuySuCo’s money being gobbled up”, seemed deliberately oblivious to justification given by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha for the supplementary sums critically needed for not only GuySuCo to become viable once again, but the resuscitation of the entire Agriculture Sector, which became the target of destruction by the Coalition.

He claimed thus: “Mr. Editor, no one really knows how and where these billions of dollars are being gobbled up by GuySuCo management and the Ministry of Agriculture. Speak with people in the industry and no one can give lucid answers.”

Definitely, he spoke to the wrong persons, since his Coalition comrades were provided with these definitive and precise answers in Parliament on numerous occasions, but they vehemently denied their involvement to annihilate the Sector. This reminded of a song by Buck Owens, “No Fool Like an Old Fool”.

On August 23rd, 2019, I wrote a letter, captioned “The deliberate destruction of GuySuCo”, and therein I made it clear that from 2011 to 2015, the PPP/C

Government invested 26 billion in GuySuCo, and no Estates were closed and workers’ livelihood was secured. In contrast, the Coalition spent $32 billion in ‘subvention’ and $17.6 billion from a ‘blood-sucking Bond - a total of $49.6 billion - and unconscionably closed four grinding Estates, pauperizing thousands of sugar workers. This meant that these billions were spent basically on the three remaining Estates.

Perhaps it would have been pertinent then for Mr Green to question the gobbling and guzzling up of those billions with absolutely nothing to show for it. I wrote numerous letters on this issue and provided real statistics therein. In fact, the then Finance Minister claimed that some of the billions will be used to make the four closed Estate fully operational to attract investors, and some were to be used for co-generating plants on the grinding Estates, mechanization of the sugar industry, and setting up of a plant to produce plantation white sugar to capture the CARICOM market.

The financial ‘genius’ Mr. Jordan had said, “We cannot keep them closed and mothballed, because when buyers come, they would prob-

ably not be as impressed as if they were working”. This was to further squander the money, which they did. ‘Yard sales’ were done daily with the assets on the closed estates, as friends and cronies ‘bought’ these for peanuts.

Today, the four closed estates stand as stark testimony to the diabolical acts of the Coalition to just destroy the perceived PPP support base and to steal. If the closed estates had remained operational, it would have been quite easy task to get them going again. This is where the need to make right the devastating wrongs done to not only the sugar industry, but to the entire Agriculture Sector.

It must be recalled that the budgetary allocations continued to get less and progressively less under the Coalition. In 2019 it was a mere $19 billion. It decreases by over a billion dollars annually.

The Coalition and Mr. Green should have visited these closed Estates to fully ‘appreciate’ their handiwork in wreaking panoramic destruction across the cane fields, the infrastructures, the factories, buildings, machinery and equipment, and everything in sight. They should visit now and witness the transformation done at

the Rose Hall Estate. These were never kept in operational mode for the investors, but were cannibalised, stolen, and allowed to rot and decay. Therefore, the billions which are expended to reopen these estates are a result of the direct and deliberate destructive action of the Coalition Government. They were not ‘mothballed’, but ‘cannonballed’, Mr Green. They should never again object to any allocation to the Agriculture Sector.

In conclusion, Mr Green, the Elder, was part and parcel of the gobbling up of the entire country and pauperizing of an entire nation by the PNC. The PNC bankrupted an entire nation and reduced it to mendicancy, and again, thanks to the PPP/C, this country has now become the fastest-growing nation in the world. Green, as an Elder, should do the honorable thing and apologize to this nation.

I am extremely proud of the statement made by the Minister of Agriculture, when he said that his Government will continue to invest monies in GuySuCo to correct the great wrong done to this entity and make it viable once again.

Yours sincerely,

Haseef Yusuf

The 11 delegates vying for the title of Miss Guyana Teen Scholar 2023 were officially sashed by their respective sponsors on Saturday evening at the Herdmanston Lodge at Peter Rose and Anira Streets in Queenstown, Georgetown. The Teen Scholar pageant is in its 5th year, and is Guyana’s only scholarship pageant for adolescent girls

Persons to be trained on restorative justice – AG Nandlall

As the Guyana Government pushes to curb the high prevalence crimes, a public awareness session on restorative justice was conducted for residents in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), where it was disclosed that persons across the country will be trained specifically to handle these cases.

Saturday’s awareness session was led by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, at Latchmansingh Primary School, Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice. The exercise is part of a slew of activities under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded Support for the Criminal Justice System (SCJS) programme, intended to popularise the concept of restorative justice.

Earlier this year,

accompanied by Director of Restorative Justice and former Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud. Government Member of Parliament for Region Five, Faizal Jaffarally, and SCJS Programme Director, Indira Anandjit, were also at the event.

issue which caused the problem and to make amends either by the payment of compensation or on such terms agreed upon by the parties.

It is also intended to observe manifestations of deviant behaviour and to address them very early, long before they

in the formal legal system as well as outside of the legal system.

The Minister pointed out that in the formal legal system, cases will be referred either by the Magistrate or the Director of Public Prosecutions to trained restorative justice officers located within each Magisterial district and these persons will manage the engagement between the perpetrator and the victim.

In the non-formal legal system, teachers, for example, once properly trained, will be able to detect manifestations of problems in children’s behaviour in schools. They will be required to interrogate these situations to determine the root causes such as an abusive environment at home. Once the problem is detected, steps will be taken to address it at this early stage. This simple remedy can prevent a child from being prone to criminal conduct.

der, manslaughter, rape, robbery, sexual offences, offences involving minors, and other violent offences are exempted from restorative justice.

Parliament enacted the Restorative Justice Act as a measure to overcome prison overcrowding by reducing pre-trial detention, reducing recidivism and increasing the use of alternative sentencing, among other things.

At Saturday’s exercise, the Attorney General was

During his remarks, AG Nandlall explained to the scores of citizens gathered for the awareness session that restorative justice is an approach to justice that seeks to repair the harm caused the offender, by providing an opportunity for the victim and the perpetrator to interrogate the

engage the formal legal system.

Significantly, restorative justice allows the lay public, such as community leaders, religious leaders, teachers, etc, to play a central role both

Nandlall noted that the concept is fairly new, and will allow the courts to make orders outside of the conventional penal nature of orders that it is now circumscribed to make, and explore a whole host of potential and opportunities to address in a real, practical and pragmatic way, the circumstances that may have led to criminal conduct and for that conduct to be rehabilitated and for compensation to be paid. He also clarified that the restorative justice concept is not open to all criminal offences but a few minor, petty offences which can be dealt with at a community level and allow for direct rehabilitative intervention. In this regard, offences such as mur-

The Attorney General went on to outline that the concept of restorative justice allows for justice to be served in a way that promotes healing and accountability, while also reducing recidivism and keeping individuals out of prison who may not need to be there. He stressed that the approach can only work through support from members of the community and solicited their assistance to see the success of the programme.

On this note, the Legal Affairs Minister told the residents of Region Five that this is only the first of many engagements and that the Director of Restorative Justice will return with a training programme to train suitable qualified persons who are willing to participate in the programme.

Meanwhile, Persaud informed the residents that he is currently executing a pilot project involving several com-

munities on the East Coast of Demerara. Once that pilot is successfully completed, the system will be replicated across the other administrative regions of the country.

During Saturday’s awareness session, members of the public were given the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarity on restorative justice.

With the enactment of the Restorative Justice Act in November 2022, a Restorative Justice Centre was established in April 2023, which is staffed by trained professionals who will work with victims, offenders, and their communities to develop individualised plans that focus on repairing the harm caused by criminal behaviour and preventing further offences.

Teachers, community leaders, Toshaos and religious leaders have already benefited from this training. The training exercise will continue across Guyana. A similar outreach exercise is scheduled to be held in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) before the end of August.

as public awareness session held in Region 5

Attorney General & Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

Region Five residents at the public awareness session on restorative justice

Restorative Justice Director, Seelall Persaud

Page Foundation

Plane Geometry – Triangles cont’d

Area = ½ × b × h

The formula works for all triangles.

Note: a simpler way of writing the formula is bh/2

Example: What is the area of this triangle?

Perimeter of a triangle

The perimeter is the distance around the edge of the triangle: just add up the three sides:

(Note: 12 is the height, not the length of the left-hand side)

Height = h = 12

Base = b = 20

Area = ½ × b × h = ½ × 20 × 12 = 120

The base can be any side, Just be sure the "height" is measured at right angles to the "base":

Why is area "half of bh"?

The area is half of the base times height.

• "b" is the distance along the base "h" is the height (measured at right angles to the base)

In this fun and easy science experiment, we’re going to create an awesome NonNewtonian goo to explore, investigate, and enjoy.

Materials:

Cornstarch

Water

Food colouring

Mixing bowl

Spoon

Measuring cups

Instructions:

Mix two cups cornstarch with one cup water in the large mixing bowl.

Add a few drops of food colouring if you want for fun.

Imagine you "doubled" the triangle (flipped it around one of the upper edges) to make a square-like shape (a parallelogram) which can be changed to a simple rectangle.

THEN the whole area is bh, which is for both triangles, so just one is ½ × bh.

Have fun exploring your non-Newtonian liquid.

How it works:

The Non-Newtonian goo we created is known as oobleck. The oobleck has properties of both a liquid and a solid. The cornstarch grains remain intact and suspended in the water and do not dissolve. When you allow the oobleck to run through your fingers, it behaves like a liquid. When rapid force is applied, the oobleck will behave like a solid. Make this a science project: Try different temperatures of water. Try adding items like salt to the mixture. Try flour. (sciencefun.org)

BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.

WORD SEARCH

Triangles can also have names that tell you what types of angles are inside:

Children - aged 9, 11 - infected with dengue die at GPHC

Two children – a 9-yearold and an 11-year-old –who were infected with dengue, died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Saturday.

The two children were receiving medical attention in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the medical facility, a health official confirmed.

Only a few days ago, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony had reported that two children were critically ill and were receiving treatment. This was in addition to several other children who were being treated.

In addition, the Minister stated that several adults were also admitted to the hos-

pital last week after they were infected with dengue.

On Friday, Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy stated that despite the rate of dengue cases in Guyana being above normal since March, it does not yet need to be classified as a crisis.

“From March to now, there

has been an increasing number of cases per week. We had a little drop-off in June but basically, we are at an above-normal rate since March. In the Region of the Americas, dengue has been going up steadily year to year and since last year, there’s been an upward trend and so, Guyana has now joined that upward trend,”

Ramsammy said, in an interview with this publication.

Thus far, in Guyana, the Health Ministry has conducted some 8000 tests for dengue across the country, with about 1800 of those returning positive.

While the number of hospitalisations is reportedly slightly higher than that of last year, Dr Ramsammy expressed his hope to maintain this over the last two weeks.

“We have a problem, not yet a crisis. But it's something that people should be aware of,” Ramsammy said.

Dengue is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. While most people who get dengue will not exhibit symptoms according to the

World Health Organisation (WHO), for those who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headaches, body aches, nausea and rashes.

Dr Ramsammy noted that since many persons who have dengue do not have symptoms, the number of cases in Guyana may be even higher than recorded.

In response to this grow-

ing issue, the Health Ministry has been conducting regular fogging exercises across communities and has had Environmental Health Officers visiting businesses and homes to treat water. For one, he urged Guyanese to store water in closed containers as open containers of water are common breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Local Content app being developed to bring Guyanese closer to contracts, oil and gas companies – Pertab

In an effort to bring local companies closer to contract opportunities within the oil and gas sector, the Local Content Secretariat is developing an application (app) to connect Guyanese with contractors and licensees.

This was revealed by Director the Local Content Secretariat, Dr Martin Pertab, who was at the time speaking at the opening of the two-day Ghana-Guyana Local Content & Capacity Building Conference last week.

According to Dr Pertab, information asymmetry is a recurring challenge that the Secretariat is face with, where one party – such as oil and gas contractors, sub-contractors, and licensees – have more information and take advantage of another party – like Guyanese companies –during transactions.

In addressing this issue, the Secretariat has pushed for a competitive bidding process to be undertaken within the oil and gas sector especially as it relates to the 40 ser-

vice areas that were specifically carved out for Guyanese and Guyanese-owned companies.

“We intend very soon, and we have already started work on the development of a local content app, which will bring locals even closer to [oil and gas] contractors, sub-contractors, and licensees… They’d be able to have access to all contracts, they’ll have access to information if you need clarity, etc. That will help address the asymmetric information kind of issue that we’re faced with because even though we have to push for a competitive bidding process, not most of the locals manage to see those RFIs (Request for Information) and when they do, the timeline is already elapsed,” the Director explained.

Dr Pertab also disclosed that there has been an increase in participation by Guyanese in opportunities within the petroleum sector.

He added too that there has also been an increase in joint ventures (JV) between local and foreign companies

with many of these partnerships being formed outside of the 40 carved out areas.

“Trajectory seems to suggest that we are aligning our focus to provide a more sophisticated line of services… This is the kind of direction we want to move in. We want to move outside of those basic services and see a more advanced line of services being offered by Guyanese,” the Secretariat Head posited.

After being passed in the National Assembly in December 2021, the Local Content Act was enacted in January 2022. The Act lays out 40 different services that oil and gas companies and their subcontractors must procure from Guyanese companies.

These include 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent janitorial services, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent pest control services; 100 per cent local insurance services; 75 per cent local supply of food; and 90 per cent local accounting services.

The Local Content Act

mandates penalties, such as fines ranging from $5 million to $50 million, for oil and gas companies and their sub-contractors who fail to meet the minimum targets of the legislation, as well as those who are in breach of the Act.

Only last week, Dr Pertab, in response to complaints that some Guyanese companies are entering into sham partnerships with foreign companies to capitalise on the benefits earmarked for locals – a practice called ‘front-

ing’ or ‘rent-a-citizen’, indicated that an enforcement unit has been set to go after those companies involved in these illegal acts.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Government had committed to reviewing the Local Content Act and expanding the 40 service areas set aside for locals.

According to the Director, the strengthening and revising of the Local Content Act is high on the Secretariat’s agenda for 2023.

With the ultimate objective being ensuring that Guyanese benefit from the opportunities that exist along the value chain in the oil and gas industry, Dr Pertab noted that work has already started on the process of drafting the new legislation. Once completed, it will be released publicly for countrywide consultations and feedback from stakeholders before being finalised and taken to the National Assembly.

Police still probing matters which fall under purview of PCA – Chairman

– chides Top Cop for violating law, asks President to intervene

uation that undermines public trust in the Police, and has reprimanded the Commissioner of Police for flagrantly breaking the law.

And with this unlawful conduct continuing unabated, Justice Ramlal has called on President Dr Irfaan Ali, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to intervene.

which fall under the statutory purview of Sections 8 and 12 of the Police Complaints Authority Act. There are a number of deaths in or at Police stations, but were never sent to the Police Complaints Authority in accordance with Sections 12, 13, and 14 of the Police Complaints Authority Act”, Justice Ramlal reiterated.

Justice Ramlal has written, “I will be the first to concede that the Office of Professional Responsibility has a right, albeit a limited right, to investigate members of the Force. The Office of Professional Responsibility cannot be used to circumvent or defeat the statutory functions of the [PCA].”

What’s with…

…the Chinese?

Although the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) is the entity legally mandated to oversee complaints and investigations pertaining to fatalities or serious injuries allegedly caused by Police ranks, it is being disregarded.

These complaints and investigations are instead being overseen by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), a department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). This simply means that the Police Force is conducting investigations into serious complaints against its own officers.

Justice (retired)

William Ramlal, the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, discovered this troubling sit-

“It is my recommendation that His Excellency the President makes it clear to the Commissioner of Police that he cannot continue to violate the law…”

In his 2022 report, which was recently handed over to the National Assembly, Justice Ramlal specifically referred to Sections 8 and 12 of the Police Complaints Authority Act. The former states that any person who has reasonable grounds to believe that a Police rank is guilty of any misconduct may make a complaint to the PCA, stating the particulars of the complaint; the particulars, as far as they are known, of the person against whom the complaint is made; the nature of the evidence that the complainant proposes to produce in respect of the complaint, and such other matters as may be prescribed.

“The Police Force is still investigating matters

He said last year there were four files that were reviewed by the Police concerning the death of four persons involving the Police. But according to him, “These matters were never sent to me for investigation. These matters were all investigated by the Police in flagrant violation of the Act and then later sent to me for my report to be done pursuant to Section 15 of the said Act, which requires me sending this report to the Director of Public Prosecutions”. That report, he said, can only be done if he supervised the respective investigation.

Further, he said the Police Commissioner “must put a stop to such open violation of the law.”

While he has no power to investigate the Top Cop, Justice Ramlal said, the head of the Police Force can be investigated under Article 225 of the Constitution of Guyana.

Noting that the GPF “cannot, and should not, use the OPR to investigate complaints against its members”, Justice Ramlal has emphasised that the Police Force “cannot be a judge in its own cause, and should refer these complaints to the [PCA] for supervision of these investigations.”

The PCA received 194 complaints between January 1 and December 31, 2022, of which 36 were rejected, 52 were closed following preliminary investigations, and three each were forwarded to the Police Commissioner and the Director of Public Prosecutions respectively.

There are 106 open complaints in total.

The PCA is an independent body that receives and looks into public complaints regarding Police misconduct, as well as oversees the investigation of any criminal offences allegedly committed by members of the Force.

The President went to China and suddenly you’d think he sold away our dear old Mudland. This was against the flurry of stories about the Chinese coming in with their wads of (American) cash to inveigle us poor and huddled masses to WILLINGLY enter into a new colonial arrangement. We forget that, in the first go-around, we also invited them in willingly - whether in India or Africa.

Anyhow, the Chinese have made no secret of their ambitions - they’re to make their “Middle Kingdom” pip the US as the TOP GUN within a few decades – by hook or by crook! Their trillion-dollar Belt & Road (B&I) global project is their main strategic salvo --er…investment -outside of their military build-up. Another line of attack has been the offering of low-cost loans within the B&I aegis. Post WWII, the Breton Woods financial institutions of the IMF and the World Bank - controlled by the US - had been saying for decades that developing countries needed to improve their infrastructure - bridges, highways, ports etc - to get their economies moving upwards. But they weren’t providing the loans!!

So up comes the Chinese with the $3.3 TRILLION they’ve accumulated in American dollars – by becoming the workshop of the Americans!! - to dangle in front of us. What are we to do?? Look a gift horse in the mouth? Well, maybe we should - and who’s to say that the Ali Administration hasn’t been doing that?? After all, they had to read about several projects across the world where countries went in over their heads - like in Sri Lanka with that Port - and the lender China had to take over the project. Isn’t that what all lending institutions do? Didn’t we go bankrupt under Burnham, when he borrowed and couldn’t pay, and had to be bailed out by the IMF – with their “conditionalities” that squeezed the life out of the economy??

This isn’t rocket science…and it has nothing to do with the Chinese. If you’re gonna borrow for a project, you better ensure your cash flow’s gonna be there to service the loan - as per its terms. For instance, when our physical and ethnic twin Ghana, across the Atlantic, got into financial trouble after they struck oil in 2007, it was because they floated bonds they couldn’t service when their oil production wasn’t up to projections. Now, we've been dealing with the Chinese deep pockets for decades - think Skeldon and CJIA, so it’s more than being condescending that the PNC is accusing us of borrowing too much from China.

Whatever concerns we have about the Exxon contract, at least we know that the proven reserves gonna cover our debt!!

…free and fair elections?

Some people and institutions are unfortunately so stuck in the past that they refuse to look around to appreciate that the world has changed, and they are in effect tilting at windmills. The PNC falls in this category in Guyana. When Burnham launched the PNC, the PPP of Jagan not only had a large plurality of its ethnic supporters, but they were distributed more evenly across the country, so that they would win any FPTP election.

The system was changed to PR to suit the PNC’s demographics, Burnham got into power and then rigged elections to neutralize the PPP’s numerical advantage. But all of that is long gone!! The PNC won a free and fair election in 2015!! And they did so by forming a political vehicle that appealed outside their constituency. In 2020, the PPP won because of PNC’s missteps, and they also appealed for crossover votes.

Yet the present lot of wannabe PNC leaders wanna ignore the crossovers who were alienated by Granger’s spite.

Go figure!!

…City Hall?

The restoration of City Hall proceeds apace - costing billions and billions. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to tear down the entire derelict structure and rebuild it from “scratch”?? We can still do Gothic, can’t we??

Justice (retired) William Ramlal

3 children die after boat collides with rock in Essequibo River

Three children lost their lives in the wee hours of Saturday after the boat in which they were travelling collided with a rock and sank in the Essequibo River in the vicinity of Gun Village, Deep North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Dead are 12-year-old Lindra Joseph, three-yearold Norsha Ayaw, and oneyear-old Newton Ayaw. The Ayaw children were from Parabara Village in Deep North Rupununi, while Lindra Joseph, who

At time of the tragic incident, the boat was being captained by Joseph Ayaw, who was transporting con -

three children and his wife as occupants.

According to information reaching Guyana

adults desperately attempted to save the children, the gasoline spilled and ignited, burning to death Lindra Joseph and Newton Ayaw. Moreover, Joseph Ayaw and his wife sustained injuries as the boat in which they were travelling became completely submerged.

This publication understands that another boat that was behind Ayaw’s boat saw what had hap -

pened and went to their aid. Eventually the two adults were rescued, and the bodies of the three children were later found. The face, hands, feet, and other parts of three-year-old Norsha Ayaw’s body were eaten by piranhas beyond recognition.

The Ayaws are now grappling with the fact that the three children have perished. The Police were later

informed of the tragedy, and an investigation has been launched. This incident has definitely left the village in a state of shock.

Meanwhile, the three children were laid to rest on Sunday. Close family members, friends, and members of the community gathered to bid them a final farewell and to console the grieving family, who are still in disbelief.

Guyanese man killed in Suriname during altercation

AGuyanese man living in Suriname was on Friday evening stabbed to death during an altercation with two other Guyanese men at Commissioner Roblesweg, Suriname.

Dead is 26-year-old Chris Persaud, formerly of Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

He added that he later learnt that the argument stemmed from Persaud having driven too close to one of the suspects while that suspect was walking on the roadway.

was from Karaudarnawa Village, was vacationing with the Ayaws.

struction materials and gasoline from Parabara Village to Gun Village with

Times, the boat came in contact with a rock, causing it to sink; and as the

Based on reports received, Persaud and two men were involved in a heated argument, during which he was attacked with a knife. In retaliation, he reportedly went to his vehicle, collected a cutlass, and returned to the scene. It was at that time that a friend restrained Persaud’s action, but one of the suspects reportedly came from behind and stabbed Persaud in the throat.

The injured Persaud reportedly jumped into his vehicle and drove home, but subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

Vickash Balkissoon, the dead man’s brother-inlaw, explained that Persaud worked with him transporting workers, and on the night in question, they had both reached home at about 9:00h.

“He does drive a bus for me…so, when we reach home, he tell me that he was going to collect one of his friends, but I tell him to relax at home and get some rest, because

who is also his worker.

“He tell me that Chris get jook, and that he jump in the bus and drive off… He tell me what happen, and asked me to come out, so they can go look for him.”

However, Balkissoon said that as he drove out of his

“Me worker explained that one of the suspects accused Chris of driving too close to him, but in Suriname the streets are very narrow, so you can’t avoid that… This is a jokey matter to even lose your life…Chris come to Suriname after his house burn down… he come to make a living, but this is how things end up,” Balkissoon noted.

Meanwhile, he added that after committing the act, the

he had to collect workers the next morning at 3:00h. He was bent on going, and he tell me that he will make it fast because the friend waiting on him.”

Balkissoon further stated that, at about 10:30h, he received a telephone call from his brother-in-law’s friend,

yard, he saw the bus in the trench almost submerged.

two suspects, along with a 14-year-old girl and two other

As he looked closer, he saw Persaud lying on the parapet in a pool of blood.

“He wasn’t responding; so, without hesitation, we picked him up and rushed him to a nearby health post, but by the time we reach, they pronounced him dead,” the aggrieved brother-in-law stated.

men, stole a boat from a fisherman and made their way to Guyana. One of the suspects reportedly lives at Unity and the other at Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD). He is optimistic that these two men would be arrested and charged with the heinous crime.

The bodies of the three children being laid to rest

Dead: Norsha Ayaw Dead: Newton Ayaw

Dead: Chris Persaud

The two men accused of murdering Persaud

The boat that the suspects stole

486 Reg 10 residents graduate from free computer studies

11kg ganja found during roadblock at Providence

Atotal of 486 residents of Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), graduated from the ZARA Computer Centre on Saturday, having completed the Foundation and Advanced level courses of Information Technology, and the Summer

Programmes which are offered free of cost by the Guyana Police Force's Computer Centre. These 486 persons were the intake of the academic year September 2022 to August 2023, and 30 programmes were offered for three different age groups during that year.

The ZARA Computer Centre, which represents a successful partnership between the GPF and the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, has seen over 30,000 persons of all ages and from all walks of life benefitting from these free computer studies.

Owing to the success of the first Centre, several other state-of-the-art ZARA centres have been established in almost all of the administrative regions of Guyana, and they continue to play a critical

role in the GPF's drive to make quality and accredited Information Technology training accessible and free to residents in all communities across the country.

In attendance at Saturday’s graduation ceremony were the President of the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, Dr Jay Sobhraj; Commander of Regional Police Division #10, Superintendent Guy Nurse; and Coordinator of the GPF-ZARA Centres, Assistant Superintendent Gladwin Hanover, among other officials.

An intelligence-led operation conducted by the Commander and officers of Division 4'B' (East Bank Demerara) has led to the discovery of a significant quantity of marijuana along the Providence Public Road, EBD on Saturday.

According to reports, during the operation, a minibus was stopped and searched, during which 11,200 grams of cannabis were found hidden in a cardboard box on top of the vehicle, which was en route to Lethem.

The Police have said that they stopped a white

Pitbull minibus (Route 94, with registration #BAB 5234) driven by a 38-yearold resident of Wismar, Linden, which was travelling to Lethem with several passengers at the time. A thorough search was conducted on the minibus and the passengers' belongings. This resulted in the discovery of a quantity of cannabis wrapped in transparent plastic. The driver and a 29-year-old passenger of Hadfield Street, Georgetown were taken into custody. Investigation is ongoing.

Fmr GECOM Chairman Justice Patterson passes on

Former Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice James Patterson, who was appointed by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change, passed away on Saturday at his Century Palm, D’Urban Park, Georgetown home.

He was 89. Justice Patterson was appointed as GECOM Chair on October 19, 2017.

At the time, President Granger had rejected three lists submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo. These lists comprised a total of 18 names of former Judges, persons eligible to be judges and prominent members of civil society.

The list of nominees had included anti-corruption advocate Christopher Ram, current Bar Association President Teni Housty, former GECOM Chairman, Retired Major General Joe Singh; Justice of Appeal BS Roy (ret’d), Justice William Ramlall (ret’d), Oneidge WalrondAllicock, Attorney-at-Law

and a former Magistrate, Kashir Khan; Attorneyat-Law Nadia Sagar and Gerald Gouveia.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha had challenged the appointment but Justice Roxane George had ruled that the Constitution of Guyana allows for the President to unilaterally appoint someone to fill the position of GECOM Chair.

The PPP had then approached the Appeal Court to reverse the June 2018 High Court ruling

but Justice Gregory and Justice Rishi Persaud upheld the acting Chief Justice’s ruling.

The PPP then approached Guyana’s Highest Court, the Caribbean Court of Justice to challenge the Appeal Court ruling. The case was heard by the CCJ on May 8 and one month later, it ruled that the appointment of Retired Justice James Patterson as Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman was flawed and unconstitutional.

The illegal drug that was found in the minibus

President of the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, Dr Jay Sobhraj; his wife Sylvia Sobhraj, and the Foundation's IT Consultant Nardeo Singh at the graduation ceremony

One of the young graduates showing his certificate

Commander of Regional Police Division #10, Superintendent Guy Nurse, handing over a certificate to one of the young graduates

Former Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (retired) James Patterson

10 families in Warapoka to get home under Hinterland Housing Project

Over the coming weeks, the Village Council of Warapoka, in the Moruca sub-region of Region One (Barima-Waini) will commence the selection process for the Hinterland

Housing Project.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal made the announcement during a community meeting in the village on Sunday. A total of 10 houses will

38 Reg 10 residents to be trained as Community Health Workers

be built at an overall cost of $40 million. The timber to be used for the construction of the homes will be sourced from the village and likewise, the labour force.

The elevated structure will measure 20×25 ft and feature four rooms and washroom facilities with a 6×10 ft verandah.

According to Croal, this project will aid in transforming the village’s economy. The Ministry will be paying two skilled workers for the construction of each unit while the beneficiary is expected to provide three labourers.

The timber will be paid for by the Ministry at the

rates offered to villagers. A total of 5000 BM of wood is needed for the construction of each unit.

Also, in an effort to safeguard the beneficiary, Minister Croal explained that before construction the beneficiaries, both married or common-law will be made to sign a contract that will seek to safeguard them in the event of divorce or separation. Additionally, each beneficiary will receive a trestle and water tank to facilitate rainwater harvesting.

In addition, Croal announced that the village will benefit from a new well, which will be catered for in the 2024 National Budget.

He explained that the new well for the village is part of a commitment made by the Government to ensure improved access to potable water in hinterland communities.

The Minister recalled that when he took office, the coverage for potable water in Region One, stood at 40 per cent. However, to date that has significantly improved and the coverage now stands at 70%, as a number of communities in the region are now accessing potable water for the very first time.

Meanwhile, the Minister offered residents an opportunity to raise issues affecting them and invited sugges-

tions that will aid in making their daily lives easier.

A number of issues were raised, including the need for technical training for youths in the village, the need for repairs at the primary school building, the need for training in the agriculture field and residents requested assistance for upgrading their recreational facility.

Accompanying the Minister were Regional Vice Chair Annansha Peters; Guyana Water Inc Hinterland Service Director, Ramchand Jailal; Hinterland Housing Project Engineer, Cy Rodriques and other technical staff of the Ministry.

Agroup of 38 young people from Wismar, Amelia’s Ward, Wisroc, and a number of riverine communities in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) will soon commence training to become Community Health Workers (CHW). The training will be conducted at the Bamia Health Centre.

The 38 individuals were selected from a pool of more than 200 applications and will be trained in the basics of medical care over a period of six months. This is the first time the CHW programme is being held in Region 10.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony delivered the feature address at the opening ceremony, which was held at the Bamia Health Centre on Saturday.

While the CHW programme is not a new one, Dr Anthony explained that previous iterations saw persons trained at a centre in Mabaruma, with selected persons being brought there to be trained.

However, it quickly became obvious that it would be more practical to do the requisite training within the regions from which persons were selected.

“So, we have started this process of decentralising, making sure that in every region where there’s a need, we can get persons who are interested in the programme, and train them right in the region. We are doing that for a number of reasons.

“One is that we feel that if we select people from the region to be trained to work in the region, we will have a larger amount of retention. In the past when we have trained people from one place, and then you have to send them to other places to work, most times they don’t want to go there. So, moving people around has become very problematic. So, we thought it’s important to take people from the region, train them, and let them come back to work in the region, and that would work for everybody,” he expressed.

The Health Minister stated that although training programmes are being conducted across the country, Guyana still has many gaps to fill even as the health sector continues to grow on a large scale. These include nurses, assistant nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, and laboratory technicians.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal

A section of the gathering at Warapoka village on Sunday

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

Construction of sluice at Highbury to commence this year – Min Mustapha

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is expected to commence construction of a sluice at Highbury, East Bank Berbice, in the latter part of this year, according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha.

The minister made this disclosure during a meeting with residents and farmers of Kortberaadt and other surrounding communities, who informed that there is urgent need for the drainage and irrigation structure, as many of them are constantly affected by flooding.

Mustapha said that although he could not place the commencement of this construction within a time frame, as it was not budgeted for, he is assuring farmers that it would be done before the end of the year.

“The farmers spoke about the sluice. I want to assure you that it will start this year. I can’t say if we’ll be able to complete it, because it wasn’t on the programme for this year, but we’ll start it. I’ll engage the NDIA to draft the bills and then do the design, and we’ll see how soon we can get it done. The en-

gineer said that it will cost roughly $30 million, so we’ll make funds available to see how we can get it done,” he noted.

In responding to requests for land clearing for agriculture and clearing of drains, Minister Mustapha said those works have to be done in a systematic way. He ad-

vised that a committee be formed, comprising representatives from the various communities as well as engineers from the NDIA and regional officials, to develop a programme to guide the works.

On two other occasions,

election. As it relates to the agriculture sector, we’ve increased budgetary allocation by 150% from 2020 to now, so that more funds can be made available to help our farmers. Only recently, we went to the Parliament for funds

he noted, formed part of the overall developmental agenda for the sector, as the Government moves towards equipping farmers in order to expand their productive capacities.

He had also told the

Minister Mustapha had met with farmers and residents of Albion and Auchlyne, on the Corentyne Coast, to discuss issues they face and advances made to develop the agriculture sector over the last three years. While at Auchlyne, Minister Mustapha had told farmers that budgetary allocations for the agriculture sector have increased over the past three years to ensure farmers benefit from improved infrastructure such as drainage channels, pump stations, sluices, dams, and farm-to-market roads.

“In less than three years, this Government has fulfilled almost all the promises made to the people of this country when we went to the

to commence construction of massive drainage and irrigation structures similar to the Hope Canal. We’ll build one in Region Six because, as many of you are aware, over the years, our farmers have suffered a lot as a result of flooding. I also want to let you know that, for the first time in history, we are discussing at a regional level setting up farmers’ insurance, so that you can be compensated if you are devastated by flooding,” the minister explained.

While at Albion, Mustapha had distributed approximately $1 million worth of farming tools and implements to approximately sixty farmers. This,

Albion farmers that agriculture remains one of the most important sectors in the country, as it ensures food and nutrition security.

As such, Government would continue to assist farmers with inputs to develop their production and the sector as a whole.

He also said Guyana is now leading the agriculture agenda in Caricom, and Government is working to assist every farmer to increase their production.

Farmers who had attended that meeting were able to take home small farming tools such as water pumps, spray cans, shovels, cutlasses, forks and files, as well as inputs such as seeds.

Minister Mustapha while engaging a resident during the meeting at Auchlyne

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha while engaging residents of Kortberaadt, East Bank Berbice

Minister Mustapha with some of the farmers from Albion and surrounding communities who received farming tools and implements

Over 100 pre-fab homes exported under 1000+ modular timber project

Under the 1000-plus modular timber project launched earlier this year, DuraVilla Homes has exported over 100 pre-fab houses to Barbados and St Vincent. This was according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DuraVilla, Rafeek Khan during a recent interview with Guyana Times.

Khan shared that the company ships these homes monthly to various countries and some have already been constructed and are awaiting shipment.

“To date, I’m pleased to say we would have shipped in excess of 100 homes. We would have shipped actually about 105 homes, we have in our factory 20 more homes and these homes are going to Barbados and St Vincent, this is where the contract first started with our company to produce a home for export. We’ve been shipping homes monthly,” Khan stated.

However, he shared that when the project was first launched in February, the company faced some challenges in terms of mobilising as quickly as it wanted to.

“When we launched the 1000 homes, it has been somewhat of a challenge in terms of mobilising as quickly as we wanted to. The homes are confirmed for Barbados and have been produced and 50 homes for St Vincent [of the 50] majority have been shipped.”

During the launch of the project in February, Khan underscored that the housing demand in the Region has been growing rapidly, and consequently can lead to Guyana

doubling its exports by the end of the year.

The Government of Barbados had put in an order for 100 homes to be shipped while the Governments of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana have already put in orders and a delegation from Grenada visited the country to gauge the prospects of the product.

These houses, when sent to other countries, are built to meet the respective building code regulations, and to withstand disasters such as hurricanes.

“The housing demand in the Region, and even right here in Guyana, is a God-sized vision…I think our consumers’ tastes have been changing in the building systems in Guyana. I ask that consumers reconsider timber. Timber is not exploited to the point that you don’t want to use it. I hear people saying commonly that we’re overharvesting timber in Guyana, but less than one per cent of our forest is allocated to the production of timber products,” Khan expressed.

He further noted that exports can double by the end

of this year through support from not just the Government, but small loggers. Last year, Guyana exported over US$34 million in timber.

“We could double Guyana’s exports by the time we close this year by US$60 million, and I would like to challenge us to do this together… Export is where we need to go to get the better value for the products that we are promoting,” he said.

The company can produce one home per day but is building capacity to construct a minimum of four homes per day.

Minister within the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues has stated that the Government has been directly supporting to bring this project into fruition.

“With the private sector being the engine of growth, and having these ideas and promoting our locally made products, I assure you that you have that similar support from Government. Use this project as that demonstration of our support for the private sector.”

This project is expected to bring housing solutions for the Caribbean Region and is also expected to hike Guyana’s export earnings. (Tassia Dickenson)

The modular timber homes produced by DuraVilla Homes Guyana

Businessman wins $2M in Digicel’s “Deal or No Deal” game show

roll," Cummings explained.

According to Cummings, he was notified that he had spelled the word D-E-A-L and was eligible to participate in the game show. In fact, he was actually in the middle of work, and was a bit hesitant to answer the call. However, he decided to take the call, and was notified of his success in the competition by Digicel’s Communications Manager Gabriella Chapman.

Businessman Carlos Cummings won himself $2 million during the first game show of Digicel’s “Deal or No Deal” summer promotion on Sunday at the Theater Guild.

Cummings noted that he intends to use these funds to expand his business operations and take his family on a vacation.

In an interview with Guyana Times after winning, Cummings, who operates a construction business, noted that a portion of the money would go toward purchasing tools and other equipment that he needs for his company.

A confident Cummings

also related that, upon leaving his home for the show, he had already made the decision to choose briefcase number seven because that was his lucky number.

"Well, I'm into trucking service and I'm also a contractor, so I need to get some equipment. So, I will spend some on equipment, and then I would go on a little vacation with the family,” he said.

“Seven is my lucky number. Before I leave home, I said, ‘Look, I'm going to go there I wouldn't trade this case for no other case or no other money, and that would be the case; because you know when you're on a winning roll you're on a winning

“I was doing some work on my truck, but I didn't really focus much on the competition. Then I got this call from Gabriella, a strange call, I saw the number, I said wait, my hands were in grease, so I said should I take this call or not. I said, ‘You never know how important it is, [so] take the call’. She said, ‘I'm calling from Digicel. You aware of this competition?’, I said yes. I said to myself that sound like I winning something, so I listened to her and she said, ‘You’re going to enter into this competition’, and I was all excited" Cummings explained.

Meanwhile, another contestant, Premanand Dhaniram, won $1 million. He related that when he first received the call from Chapman, he was skeptical that it was a scam.

"I wasn't paying attention to this game, I just love Digicel. So, when she called me, I said, ‘Is this a scam? and she said, ‘No, I called to say you qualified for the Deal or No Deal game show’,” Dhaniram shared.

The contented man added, "I didn't plan to come and get this, but I'm a man who loves to give. Anywhere I go I give, so I'm thinking I'm telling her (Gabriella) this is my time of getting back. It's a blessing to give than to receive, so it's my time to get and I'm happy. Big up Digicel!”

Three other contestants, Ryan Sobers, Waheeda Kaioum and Ramona DeMattos, have won $1 mil-

lion, $700,000, and $600,000 respectively.

To be eligible to be a part of the game show, prepaid customers must top up their accounts with $1000 or more using scratch cards or electronic top-up methods to collect the letters to spell the word D-E-A-L during the second qualifying period August 6, 2023 – August 26, 2023, to be eligible for the final game show slated for September.

Once the top-up is successful, customers will receive a text message containing their electronic letter within five minutes.

By texting ‘DEAL’ to the short code 1441, Digicel consumers can keep track of the electronic letters they have

collected. During the two qualifying periods, customers who successfully spell the word D-E-A-L will have the chance to participate in the game shows. During the show, participants will have five minutes to strike a deal of a lifetime.

The company also cautioned, “Digicel emphasises the importance of customers being vigilant against scammers. It is essential to note that only customers who have collected the letters D-E-A-L are eligible to win any prizes. The company urges customers not to share their pin numbers or verification numbers with individuals claiming to be calling from Digicel.”

Family of 3 homeless after fire ravages Tuschen home

Afamily of three returned home on Saturday evening to a heart-wrenching sight— their house had been ravaged by a fire suspected to have been electrical in origin.

The incident occurred at Lot 1822 Tuschen New Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

<<<Guyana Times>>> understands that the family was at a birthday celebration in La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), when

they received a telephone call at about 20:15h that their house was on fire.

Upon returning to Tuschen, they broke down in tears upon seeing their house completely destroyed.

The wooden house reportedly belonged to Clint Roberts, a mason, who lived there with his wife, a teacher, and their four-year-old daughter.

A relative told this publication that the house had only one light left on. Neighbours informed the family that there had been

an electrical spark after a power fluctuation in the area, which led to the fire's outbreak.

Unfortunately, the fire consumed the house along with various appliances and furniture, causing an estimated loss of around $3 million. The family is currently staying with relatives.

If anyone would like to extend their support and help the family get back on their feet during this challenging time, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up.

The aftermath of the fire

… 4 others win big

Winner Carlos Cummings and his family

The five contestants on Sunday

UG to commemorate 200th Anniversary of the 1823 Demerara Revolt

a community presentation at Parbamel Community Centre at Bachelor’s Adventure. This activity will feature a libation ceremony, a wreath-laying ceremony at the 1823 Monument in Bachelor’s Adventure, presentations on the rebellion, and drumming.

The University of Guyana (UG) through the Department of History and Caribbean Studies will be hosting a series of events in August 2023 to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the 1823 Demerara Uprising in Guyana.

The events, organised under the theme "Honouring our Ancestors’ Sacrifices and Extraordinary Achievements," will be open to all Guyanese.

The 1823 Demerara Rebellion was the first massive slave uprising in Demerara, British Guiana. It broke out on Monday, August 18, 1823, and involved an estimated 11,000 to 12,000 enslaved people from about 55 plantations on the East Coast of Demerara, from Liliendaal to Mahaica.

This uprising was an attempt by Africans to gain their freedom from an oppressive, authoritarian system that characterised the plantation economy in British Guiana. This year marks the 200th Anniversary of the uprising by these enslaved people who eventually won their full emancipation on August 1, 1838.

The planned events include an essay competition, a symposium, a community presentation, a radio and newspaper historical series, and a student tour of the revolt route.

The 1823 Bicentennial Essay competition is open to public and private school students from Grade Five to Grade 12. The organising committee has also planned a series of radio appearances between August 18 and 21 during which mem-

bers of the Department will highlight the major features of the rebellion as part of their public awareness initiative.

On August 18, the day the rebellion began, a symposium will be hosted at UG and will comprise leading Guyanese academics whose presentations will focus on various aspects of the rebellion.

Presenters include Cecilia McAlmont, Dwayne Benjamin, Dr Estherine Adams and Shammane Joseph-Jackson. Professor Nigel Westmaas will focus on the Views in the News, (historical newspaper coverage of the 1823 Rebellion).

The symposium will also feature a brief award ceremony for the essay competition winners as well as cultural presentations in the form of African drum-

ming, poetry recital, and a steelpan rendition.

The committee is also organising a historical tour, tracing the route of the uprising, and focusing on the plantations/villages

involved and the locations of notable events/battles.

The commemoration activities will conclude on Sunday, August 12, the day of the Battle of Bachelor’s Adventure, with

The University will also launch an 1823 Bicentennial website at the beginning of August 2023. The website will feature an overview of the revolt, historical and contemporary maps of the area and current images of the area, artist rendition of the leaders and other images related to the event, images of various monuments dedicated to the revolt, images of Rev John Smith, copies of other related primary sources from the National Archives and other repositories, past newspaper articles, etc, a bibliography, blogs, list of events and copies of the winning essays.

1823 Demerara Revolt

The 1823 Demerara Revolt Monument

Youths draft declaration on climate change at Advocacy & Youth Forum 2023

children for the position they are taking to advocate for their rights,” he added.

Meanwhile, a participant, Delroy Marks of Region Six, said the forum encouraged him to use his voice as a youth. “I have met a lot of youths from across the country that are very passionate about the same topics as me, which include climate change, mental health, human rights and children rights. This forum allowed me to create a voice to bring awareness and create an impact in society.”

also learned there are better ways to help with the earth and global warming, and I am really happy to have been a part of such a forum.”

The three-day forum concluded with a panel discussion and mini exhibition, led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in collaboration with the UN Guyana Volunteers.

Following a threeday Advocacy and Youth Forum hosted by the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) and UNICEF, a total of 150 young people came together to draft a declaration on climate change.

The three-day event, held in observance of International Youth Day 2023, saw a range of topics being discussed, including Climate Change, Green Skills and Youth, Entrepreneurship and Youth, Life Skills, Mental Health and Youth and Immunization.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson, during the final day of the initiative, stated that

he was proud of the initiative coming out of youths at the event.

“Being able to raise awareness and be part of the global conversation is really important for the kind of future we are going to inherit. Climate change is real, and is caused by a lot of our activities. We have to find the solutions…and I am extremely pleased to join in the conversation,” he said.

Commenting on the forum and the youth declaration on climate change, UNICEF Deputy Representative Irfan Akhtar noted the forum has achieved its goal. “This forum was very engaging and strategic in terms of bringing youths from different regions to re-

flect and discuss various issues, like climate change and other issues affecting them. They have developed a plan of action and drafted a Youth Declaration that will guide and shape their intentions going forward,” Akhtar said.

Chief Executive Officer of RCC, Andre Gonsalves, expressed contentment while adding, “I cannot wait for them [the youths] to present it [Youth Declaration] to the Government and other stakeholders. I know it’s going to be an inclusive document. It includes voices from the National Toshao Council (NTC), the Indigenous people’s group, and the migrant groups.

“They spoke highly of including Indigenous voic-

38 Reg 10 residents to be trained...

es…so there are so many angles, topics and issues to be addressed. I am very proud of my Guyanese youths and

Sharing similar sentiments, Kimora Payne of Region Four related, “From this forum, I have learned a lot about green skills and the part youths play in making the world a better place. I

Also, in attendance at the closing were British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller; United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative Gerardo Noto, and others. This year, International Youth Day is observed under the theme “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World.”

Essequibo Coast driver gets 6 months in jail for one ounce of weed …another remanded for cocaine

FROM PAGE 11

As such, the Ministry made the decision to decentralise many of its existing training programmes and train persons within the regions to fill those gaps.

“It’s easier to move a few people from Georgetown to come to Georgetown to [conduct] the training, rather than to move 35 people from Linden to Georgetown to do the training,” the Minister reasoned.

He further noted that major changes will be made to the way the Ministry implements its training programmes, as the telemedicine practice picks up steam in the interior regions.

“We put this system in last year, and already we flew out at least three persons. Because when the doctor had the consultations with the Community Health Worker and the patient, we realised that this person needed to have a medical

evaluation as soon as possible. So, we sent in a plane, we brought them out, the doctors in Georgetown operated on them, and they were good to go. Before, those persons would have died. And that is how technology can help us to upgrade the quality of the services that we are providing.”

Further, he added that during the course of the training, Community Health Workers will need to be exposed to telemedicine training, so that it can be adopted across many communities, especially in remote areas.

However, Regional Health Officer, Dr Gregory Harris encouraged the participants to put their best foot forward as they undertake the training.

“This training will help us to enhance the healthcare services, the high-quality care that we normally provide throughout this re-

gion. You, the students, are part of the region’s history, being the very first batch of participants to undertake this training programme in the region. We have placed your training into the capable hands of personnel that have been in their specific fields long enough to truly allow you to grasp enough that you will be able to understand each concept over the duration of your training. I therefore challenge each and every one of you to be enthusiastic, and most importantly, to be focused on the goal, which is to become an efficient community health worker.”

Deputy Director of Training, Chandroutie Persaud noted that the region is well prepared for the students to begin their training and subsequent employment, and encouraged them to give their best.

Upon completion, each participant will be contractually obligated to work within the region at a starting salary of around $100,000.

They will also be given the option to enter other health programmes and continue to upskill, with the aim of becoming nurses, doctors, and specialists in the medical field.

Participants from the programme hail from communities including Wismar, Amelia’s Ward, Wisroc, and a number of riverine communities. The training will be conducted at the Bamia Health Centre.

Munesh Bissessar, also known as "Su nil", a 29-year-old driver of Lot 97 Dryshore, Essequibo Coast, was on Thursday charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Appearing before Suddie Magistrate Esther Sam, he pleaded guilty as charged and was given a six-month term of imprisonment. Bissessar had 37 grams of cannabis in his possession on February 10 at Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast.

According to reports, Police ranks were on patrol in the area when they saw motor tractor TR 26837 delivering perishable goods. The tractor, which Bissessar was operating, was stopped and inspected, and a clear plastic bag with seeds, leaves and stems which later tested positive for cannabis sativa was found in a compartment of the tractor.

According to the Police, Bissessar told ranks, "Officer, is a smalltime hustle."

In a separate matter in connection with possession of 56.6 grams of cocaine, Jermaine Williams, also known as “Cash Money”, was remanded to prison on Thursday.

The 45-year-old construction worker, of Lot 331 Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was also

brought before Magistrate Esther Sam.

He entered a not-guilty plea to the drug trafficking charge, but was remanded after the prosecution objected to him being released on bail. That case has been adjourned until September 1. According to the Police, Williams was detained with the illicit drug on March 6 at Onderneeming Public Road on the Essequibo Coast.

Taxi driver to repay woman after misappropriating US$800 in lawyer’s fees

Having been entrusted by a woman with US$800 to get in touch with a lawyer to process bail for her son, a taxi driver must now reimburse that woman the money, which he converted to his own use.

On August 11, Desmond Cummings, 43, of Lot 200 Vryheid's Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD) appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and admitted guilt to a charge detailing that on December 10, 2022, in Georgetown, he misappropriated US$800 that Onika

Albert had given him to use to contact a lawyer to process bail for her son.

The virtual complainant testified before the court that she had personally sent the money to Cummings. Although the bail was approved, the prosecutor asked for reporting requirements.

Magistrate Daly mandated that the defendant pay back the money to the VC in two installments: He must pay half on August 11 at the Magistrate's Court, and the remaining amount by no later than September 8 at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Desmond Cummings

He will receive a ninemonth prison sentence if in default.

Jailed: Munesh Bissessar Remanded: Jermaine Williams

Minister Charles Ramson among other panelists at the Advocacy and Youth Forum 2023

Chief Executive Officer of RCC, Andre Gonsalves

Deputy Director of Training, Chandroutie Persaud

Regional Health Officer Dr Gregory Harris

$680.8M spent on SLED programme since February – Min Persaud

– additional $250M to be injected to expand project targets

The $61 billion supplementary paper passed last week in the National Assembly included a $250 million allocation to “facilitate the expansion of targeted initiatives”, in a move aimed at continuing the effective rollout of the Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship Development (SLED) programme across the country.

With the Government requesting an extra $250 million for the SLED programme, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Parliamentarian Volda Lawrence had questioned how much of the $1.5 billion that was previously received in the budget in February, had been spent as of June 30.

It had been announced earlier this year that approximately 5000 persons would benefit from the SLED programme for 2023. Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud, last week gave details on how much had been spent.

“To date, $680.8 million was spent through SLED… this is money being spent on entrepreneurs, persons with small businesses and vulnerable individuals, single parents, etc,” Persaud responded, adding that the Government has either gone directly to the people to register persons for the SLED grant or persons have come directly to them.

“That is being done not in an ad hoc manner. Forms have to be filled out... forms are filled out in various regions. And these accounts are

being audited.” The Minister further said that the SLED programme is being rolled out in all 10 regions.

In the 2023 budget, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh had announced that an additional $13.5 billion was budgeted for the SLED programme, the National Pathway Workers, and the Community Infrastructure and Improvement projects.

The Guyana Government had injected a whopping $1.8 billion to develop small busi-

Suspect in Leopold St fatal stabbing still at large – Police

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Sunday in a statement confirmed that an investigation into the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Noel Fraser called “Nunu”, is ongoing and investigators have not been able to locate the suspect.

The GPF said the suspect is a 25-year-old gold miner of Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, and also from Tucville.

Fraser, of 101 Leopold Street, Georgetown, was stabbed to death at about 08:00h on Saturday while trying to make peace between his two friends who were fighting.

His mother, Carol Fraser, recounted that she initially heard a commotion outside her house but

didn't think much of it. She went out later to find her son trying to stop the altercation.

During the struggle, one of the young men turned his anger towards Noel, fatally stabbing him in the chest. Despite her efforts to

nesses in all 10 administrative regions for 2023. This sum accounts for two separate avenues to support small business financing.

The first was the Small Business Bureau (SBB) grant, which falls under the auspices of the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry. It was previously reported that over 700 applications were outstanding, given the meticulous requirements to confirm eligibility.

Based on the grant regulations, recipients can receive anywhere between $500,000 and $150,000 under this initiative. However, the business must be compliant with all the requirements, including being registered with the Deeds and

Commercial Registry, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). A business plan must also be submitted.

The SLED programme was redesigned by the People’s Progressive Party/

Civic (PPP/C) Government to allow for smaller business grants to be issued to a larger pool of people. This is after several members of the former Government were flagged during an audit that found that millions in State funds were in fact wasted.

A total of $760 million was disbursed under the SLED programme between 2015 and 2020, in increments of $115 million, $40 million, $100 million, $150 million, $250 million, and $105 million, respectively. In April 2023, prominent Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) were fingered in a damning forensic audit report into the former APNU/AFC Government’s SLED programme.

Digital platform set to revolutionise caregiving for children, elderly

intervene, Noel collapsed.

Noel's mother described him as a peaceful individual and revealed that she had recently cautioned him against getting involved in conflicts to maintain his safety.

The incident resulted in a broken fence and Noel's body lying in a neighbour's yard. He was taken to the Georgetown Hospital, but attempts to save his life were unsuccessful.

Noel's family, already facing financial difficulties, is now burdened by both emotional pain and strained finances due to his sudden demise. The grieving mother is seeking justice for her son, emphasising the need for accountability in this tragic event.

Safe Haven, a pioneering digital platform, was recently launched and is aimed at reshaping the landscape of family connections with highly skilled caregivers, catering to both the elderly and children in Guyana.

Under the leadership of Aliyah Abel, a young Guyanese woman, the driving force behind this revolutionary endeavour, Safe Haven is positioned to redefine the dynamics of caregiving and emerge as the ultimate solution for families seeking dependable assistance.

The genesis of Safe Haven traces back to Abel’s personal voyage of overcoming challenges while caring for her father, who was engaged in a battle against cancer but later died. Bearing witness to the shared trials of others, the founder conceptualised a platform that extends comfort and aid to families in similar circumstances.

The mission of Safe Haven is to cultivate a supportive community built on trust, centred around care-

givers who embody not only professionalism but also empathy and expertise.

At its core, Safe Haven boasts an array of caregivers who have undergone rigorous training and embody selflessness. These individuals hold certifications that establish industry benchmarks, underscoring their unwavering commitment to excellence. Beyond their skillset, Safe Haven caregivers are selected for their genuine dedication to making a positive impact on the lives they touch.

Navigating Safe Haven's user-friendly website and app enables families to connect with caregivers tailored to their specific needs. Transparent caregiver profiles, showcasing qualifications and experiences, empower families to make well-informed decisions.

Testimonials from previous clients serve as commendations for the exceptional caregiving journey facilitated by Safe Haven.

According to Abel, security remains paramount at Safe Haven, with thorough background checks, in-

terviews, and references in place to ensure trustworthiness.

“Open lines of communication create a seamless rapport between caregivers and families, fostering an environment of safety and nurturing. Safe Haven transcends being merely a transactional platform,” she said.

Abel further underscores that the inauguration of Safe Haven signifies a significant milestone in the realm of caregiving.

“It underscores the importance of empathy, compassion, and innovation in addressing society's critical requirements. Whether it's for elderly family members grappling with health challenges or children in need of dependable care, Safe Haven extends an invitation to all to benefit from our services, as we work towards a world where the challenges of caregiving need not be faced alone.”

For further information on this digital platform, persons are asked to contact +592-609-3289, visit safehavengy.com, or download the Safe Haven app from your preferred app store.

Minister within the Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development, Anand Persaud

APNU MP Volda Lawrence

Safe Haven Founder Aliyah Abel

The Safe Haven app

Dead: Noel Fraser, called “Nunu”

Regional Argentines vote in primaries as triple-digit inflation stokes anger

Argentines headed to the polls in primary elections on Sunday, with voters expected to punish the ruling centre-left Peronist coalition for inflation that is scraping 116% and a cost-of-living crisis that has left four in 10 people in poverty.

The primaries are obligatory for most adults and each person gets one vote, making it in effect a giant dress rehearsal for the general election in October and giving a clear indication of who is the favourite to win the presidency.

That will be key for policy affecting Argentina's huge farm sector, one of the world's top exporters of soy, corn and beef, the peso currency and bonds, and ongoing talks over a wobbling US$44 billion debt deal with the International Monetary Fund.

The economic crisis has left many Argentines disillusioned with the main political parties, the Peronist coalition and the conser-

vative opposition Together for Change, and opened the door for a potential surprise win by a far-right libertarian.

"This is another chance we have to change things. Inflation is killing us and job uncertainty doesn't let you plan your life," said Adriana Alonso, a 42-yearold housewife, as she went to vote after polls opened at 8 am (1100 GMT).

Voting centres will close at around 6 pm local time,

In Ecuador, party of slain presidential candidate picks replacement

The political party of Ecuador's assassinated presidential hopeful, Fernando Villavicencio, picked his would-be vice presidential candidate to replace him as the party standard-bearer on Saturday, just a week before the election.

Villavicencio's Build party, or Construye in Spanish, announced on social media it had tapped Andrea Gonzalez to replace the slain 59-year-old in the Aug 20 vote.

tal Quito despite his own Government-provided security detail.

Six suspects - all Colombian nationals whom Police accuse of links to criminal groups - have been charged with the murder and remain in custody after a Judge on Thursday ordered they remain behind bars as the criminal investigation continues.

met. Sarauz described the party decision to tap Gonzalez as "arbitrary" and said it breaks a law that forbids the vice presidential candidate from stepping down.

The national electoral council must still approve the party's stand-in candidates.

with the first results expected about three hours later.

Others are planning a protest vote for fringe parties or none at all, a trend which could play against the more moderate presidential candidates in the race, including right-ofcentre Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Larreta and Economy Minister Sergio Massa, who may be the Peronist coalition's biggest hope. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Father of Colombian children who survived plane crash accused of abuse

Colombian prosecu-

tors announced sexual abuse charges on Saturday against the father of two of the four Indigenous children who survived a May plane crash in the South American country's Amazon region. The children went missing after the small plane they were travelling in went down, killing their mother and two other adults.

In a statement, pros-

ecutors accused Manuel Ranoque of sexually abusing his 13-year-old step daughter, who was widely credited with ensuring that she and her younger siblings survived the more than five-week-long ordeal in the Amazon that garnered headlines across the globe.

Ranoque, who was arrested on Friday, stands accused of abusing his step daughter since she was 10 years old, according to the

statement.

Reuters was not able to locate Ranoque or his lawyer after hours on Saturday to request comment.

The children, aged 1 through 13, were hospitalised for over a month after they were rescued in June. Since then, have been in the care of Colombia's family welfare institute, where prosecutors claim the alleged abuse was first suspected. (Reuters)

Despite anti-theft measures, $300,000 stolen from LATT

The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) has revealed that the misappropriation of close to $300,000 from its accounts over nine months took place despite measures previously implemented to prevent this.

LATT president Lynette Seebaran-Suite made the disclosure to Guardian Media, in response to questions on whether the organisation had enacted the recommendations of an emergency committee established in 2012.

The team was established after LATT discovered in March of that year, via an annual audit conducted by Shaffick Hosein & Company, that $284,000 could not be accounted for.

The committee suggested that steps be taken to ensure transparency and accountability in future. These included computerising accounting systems, ensuring that vouchers were signed by the recipient of the payment, and stopping the practice of leaving blank cheques with secretarial staff or executive members.

The committee further

warned that LATT members should never use their personal credit cards to conduct transactions on its behalf. Moreover, it was advised that vouchers for more than $10,000 be signed by a member of the executive, while cheques for more than $100,000 required three signatures.

Asked if these steps were considered, Seebaran-Suite said, “We have implemented the above for the most part. We have filed a civil lawsuit and the matter is now in the hands of the Police.”

Later on Saturday, the deceased candidate's widow criticised the party's replacement as unlawful.

Villavicencio, an ex-lawmaker and journalist with a track record of exposing corruption, was gunned down last week after leaving a campaign event in the capi -

Veronica Sarauz, Villavicencio's widow, told reporters on Saturday she holds the State directly responsible for her husband's murder.

"The government still has to provide a lot of answers for everything that happened," she said, after arriving at the press conference with an armed police escort and wearing a bullet-proof vest and hel -

Gonzalez, an environmental activist who has not previously held public office, was selected by Villavicencio to be his running mate in the snap election called by outgoing President Guillermo Lasso.

The South American nation of some 18 million has seen a rising tide of violence in recent years, including a sharp increase in the murder rate. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Peru announces air security pact with United States after extended pause

Peru announced an air security agreement with the United States on Saturday in what the Government described as a push to stop planes belonging to drug gangs from entering the South American country's airspace.

The deal revives a bilateral security cooperation pact with the United States from 20 years ago, according to a Government state-

ment, and will permit new intelligence and training support to flow to Peru's air force.

It covers upgrades to two dozen helicopters and radar equipment, with the statement also citing "intense collaboration" with the United States, but without disclosing the cost of the security assistance.

The US Department of Defence did not immediately respond to a request for

comment.

The statement cited Peruvian Defence Minister Jorge Chavez, who stressed that airspace interdictions efforts under the agreement will be carried out via non-lethal means.

An earlier air security pact between the two countries was suspended two decades ago after Peru's air force shot down a plane it had misidentified, killing two US citizens. (Reuters)

Brazil Police raid Bolsonaro aides over sale of jewellery gifts

Brazilian Police on Friday raided the addresses of a lawyer to former President Jair Bolsonaro and the family of his jailed personal aide to investigate the alleged sale of jewellery and other presents from Arab governments.

The search warrant issued by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes followed police allegations that Bolsonaro's aides used Government resources for their personal advantage.

However, Senior Counsel Avory Sinanan, during a telephone interview with Guardian Media, said he would not be surprised if key recommendations were never adopted.

He added that he had no expectations of a united front by LATT members across the country to demand better representation.

“The culture of the membership of the Law Association is, look, we elect a council, let the council run the law association,” he said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

A Federal Police statement said those under investigation "are suspected of using the structure of the State to divert high-value assets delivered by foreign authorities to Brazilian representatives on official visits, through the sale of these items abroad."

The decision by Moraes, seen by Reuters, said proceeds of the sales were delivered in cash to Bolsonaro via intermediaries.

Moraes authorised the Police to search the homes or offices of lawyer Frederick Wassef and Mauro Cesar Cid, the father of Bolsonaro's former aidede-camp Lt Col Mauro Cid, to seize computers, tablets,

cameras and data storage media.

The decision by Moraes cites messages obtained by the Police in which Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro's former aide, deals with the sale of statues, a palm tree and a gold-plated boat received as gifts during an official visit to Bahrain.

Cid has been in jail since May related to a separate investigation into the alleged fraudulent insertion of vaccination data into the records of the former President and his associ-

ates. His father was a contemporary of Bolsonaro's in the army and served in the federal government during his presidency.

The raids follow an investigation into jewellery worth some $3 million given by the Saudi Arabian Government as a presidential gift to Bolsonaro, which he failed to declare.

Bolsonaro denies he committed any wrongdoing. The jewellery was returned this year to the state, as ordered by the federal audit court.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

A woman casting her vote during Argentina's primary elections, in a polling station in Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina August 13, 2023

Frederick Wassef, lawyer representing Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, attending an inauguration ceremony at the Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil June 17, 2020. Picture taken June 17, 2020

Around The World OIL NEWS

Ukraine war: Three-week-old baby and family among 7 killed in Russian shelling

OPEC+ oil supply plunges by 1.2 million bpd as Saudi Arabia cuts output

Oil supply from the OPEC+ group dipped in July by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) to 50.7 million bpd, the lowest level in nearly two years as Saudi Arabia began its unilateral production cut of 1 million bpd, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Friday.

The alliance’s oil production was down by more than 2 million bpd from the start of the year. Over the same period, oil producers outside the OPEC+ group increased their combined production by 1.6 million bpd to 50.2 million bpd. For the rest of the year, the non-OPEC+ production gains are expected to be limited, the IEA said.

OPEC alone saw its crude oil production from all its member states fall by 836,000 bpd to 27.31 million bpd in July, due to a 968,000 bpd decline in Saudi output as the Kingdom nearly delivered its promised 1-million-bpd cut last month. Saudi Arabia, leader of the cartel and the OPEC+ agreement, saw its crude oil production slump by 968,000 bpd from June to average 9.021 million bpd in July, per OPEC’s secondary sources in its latest monthly report. Due to Saudi Arabia’s cut, the Kingdom’s crude oil production has now fallen below the production of Russia, the key partner of OPEC in the OPEC+ alliance.

Global oil supply plunged by 910,000 bpd to 100.9 million bpd in July, as the Saudi cut more than offset a 310,000-bpd increase in non-OPEC+ supply to 50.2 million bpd last month, the IEA’s estimates showed.

This year, global oil output is set to rise by 1.5 million bpd to a record 101.5 million bpd, with the US driving gains of 1.9 million bpd from non-OPEC+ producers. Next year, nonOPEC+ supply is also set to dominate world supply growth, and is expected to increase by 1.3 million bpd while OPEC+ could add just 160,000 bpd, the agency said. (Oilprice.com)

Iran’s Shiraz shrine comes under 2nd deadly attack in months

Aholy shrine in Iran’s southern city of Shiraz has come under a second deadly attack in less than a year with another gunman breaking into its grounds and opening fire.

Yadollah Bouali, the provincial commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), told state media that one shooter entered the Shah Cheragh shrine through its southern gate on Sunday at 7pm (15:30 GMT) to carry out a “terrorist” operation, revising earlier reports indicating two shooters.

The assailant, who was arrested at the scene, shot four people killing one, he said, adding the shooter carried an assault rifle and eight magazines with 240 bullets, 11 of which he managed to get off before being subdued.

Videos online showed people running in panic outside the shrine and shutting down their shops. Images showed bullet holes in walls and windows and blood on the ground.

Ababy aged just 23 days, her 12-yearold brother and their parents were among seven people killed by Russian shells in southern Ukraine on Sunday.

Bombs hit their family home in the village of Shyroka Balka in Kherson, Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said.

The dead also included another village resident and two men in the neighbouring Stanislav.

"Terrorists must be stopped. They must be stopped by force," said Klymenko. "They don't understand anything else."

The Minister shared photographs of the aftermath of the attack on Shyroka Balka, showing black columns of smoke rising from buildings, and the digitally obscured bodies of some of

the dead.

Kherson was one of four regions in Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have annexed last year.

Ukraine's military reclaimed the western part of the region last November but Russian troops have continued to shell the area from across the Dnipro river.

The shelling came a day after Russia accused Ukraine of "terrorism" for what it said was an attempted missile strike on the Kerch Bridge linking mainland Russia with the Crimean peninsula.

Ukraine has not confirmed the attack, although President Volodymr Zelensky has said the bridge is used as a military supply route and is a legitimate target.

In another development, Moscow said it had fired warning shots at a cargo ship in the southwestern Black Sea as it made its way to the Ukrainian port of Izmail.

It is the first time Russia has fired on merchant shipping beyond Ukraine since exiting a landmark UN-

brokered grain deal last month.

Russia said in a statement that its Vasily Bykov patrol ship had fired automatic weapons on the Palau-flagged Sukru Okan vessel after the ship's captain failed to respond to a request to halt for an inspection. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Trump heading for Republican 'coronation' as 2024 rivals struggle to stop him

As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flipped pork chops in front of the cameras at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, a plane appeared in the broiling blue sky.

It was Donald Trump's Boeing 757 private jet. It circled the fairgrounds, and thousands in the crowd looked up and went wild, cheering for the Republican former President.

An hour later, Trump arrived in a motorcade from nearby Des Moines airport to a rock-star reception, stealing DeSantis' thunder and reducing his nearest rival for the Republican presiden-

tial nomination to a bit-part player at one of the biggest political events on the US political calendar.

The Iowa State Fair is a political must for aspiring presidential candidates in the Midwestern state that kicks off the Republican nominating contest in January. But with Trump leading DeSantis by 34 percentage points among likely Republican primary voters in an Aug 3 Reuters/Ipsos poll, and the rest of the field languishing in single digits, the fair this year had the air of a coronation rather than a beauty pageant.

Despite Trump's legal

The shrine, located in the province of Fars and one of the most important in Shia Islam, was hit by a similar attack on October 26, 2022.

At the time, a lone gunman entered the shrine with an automatic rifle, shooting a group of pilgrims and staff. Authorities said the gunman killed 13 people and injured 40 others before being killed by security forces.

The group was also responsible for coordinated 2017 attacks on the Iranian Parliament and the mausoleum of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran.

Last year’s assault on the shrine also came as Iran was rocked by nationwide protests that started in September 2022 following the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for alleged noncompliance with the country’s mandatory dress code for women.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after alleged strip searches

The Miss Universe Organisation has cut its ties with its Indonesian franchisee and will cancel an upcoming pageant in Malaysia after contestants accused local organisers of sexual harassment.

Six contestants of a Miss Universe Indonesia pageant recently filed complaints with Police, accusing local organisers of asking them to strip to their underwear for “body checks” for scars or cellulite, in a room with about two dozen people present, including men.

Five of the contestants said they were then photographed topless.

The New York-based Miss Universe Organisation decided to sever ties with PT Capella Swastika Karya – the beauty company that runs the Indonesia pageant – and the company’s National Director Poppy Capella, it said in a statement late on Saturday.

“In light of what we have learned took place at Miss

Universe Indonesia it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards and ethics,” Miss Universe said on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

It also said it will cancel this year’s Miss Universe Malaysia as the Indonesian franchisee also holds the licence for that pageant. Arrangements will be made for the Indonesia 2023 title holder to compete in the Miss Universe pageant to be held in El Salvador late this year.

The Miss Universe Indonesia pageant was held from July 29 to August 3 to choose Indonesia’s representative to the 2023 Miss Universe contest, and was won by Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld.

Capella denied her involvement in the physical examination during the contest and said she is against any kind of “violence and sexual harassment”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

problems - he has been indicted three times this year and could be indicted a fourth time in Georgia this week - he holds one of the biggest primary polling leads in US electoral history. No candidate in modern history has had such a big lead in a

contested primary and gone on to lose the nomination. Meanwhile, DeSantis has had two staff shake-ups in the past three weeks and has been sinking in the polls as he desperately tries to recalibrate his campaign. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Maui wildfires deadliest in century, as death toll hits 93

The death toll from the Maui wildfires in Hawaii reached 93 on Saturday, according to the Maui County website, making it the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century, with the total likely to rise as cadaver dogs sift through the ruins of Lahaina.

The scale of the damage came into sharper focus four days after a fast-moving blaze levelled the historic resort town, obliterating buildings and melting cars.

The cost to rebuild Lahaina was estimated at $5.5 billion, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with more than 2200 structures damaged or destroyed and more than 2100 acres (850 hectares) burned.

Hawaii Governor Josh

Green warned at a press conference on Saturday afternoon the death toll would continue to increase as more victims were discovered. Dogs trained to detect bodies have covered only 3% of the search area, Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier said.

Officials vowed to examine the state's emergency notification systems after some residents questioned whether more could have been done to warn them before the fire overtook their homes. Some were forced to wade into the Pacific Ocean to escape. Sirens stationed around the island - intended to warn of impending natural disasters - never sounded, and widespread power and cellular outages hampered other forms of alerts. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Photos of the aftermath showed a plume of smoke rising from the family's home

Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump, campaigning at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, US August 12, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Don’t deny yourself happiness for the sake of someone pressuring you to do something that doesn’t appeal to you. Embrace life and pursue what you feel passionate about.

(March 21-April 19)

Recognize the difference between seeking opportunity and being used. Make decisions using reason and research. Avoid risks to your health and finances; now’s not the time to take a chance.

(April 20-May 20)

Stick close to home and to those who support you. Think for yourself and protect who you are. Self-improvement is favored. Don’t let yourself be micromanaged, and avoid following the herd.

(May 21-June 20)

SUDOKU

(June 21-July 22)

Put your energy where it counts, and you’ll get results. Don’t fear being different or taking a chance. Be the one to change how others think or do things. Support your beliefs and be true to yourself.

Use your imagination; you’ll recognize how many options are available. Don’t settle for less or follow the crowd. Listen to and observe others and you will devise a unique plan. Act on your instincts.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Curiosity will open your mind to doing things differently. Test the water before you immerse yourself in debt, promises or risky ventures. Be resourceful. Build your success based on your needs.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Take pride in what you know, and share information with those you can count on to get things up and running. Don’t waste time teaching when action will get you where you want to go.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Change begins with you; if you don’t like what someone is doing, head in a different direction. Put your energy where it counts. Be brave and use your imagination.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Follow your heart and let your intuition lead the way. Check out your budget and live within your means. Refuse to let anyone push you into something that makes you feel uncomfortable.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Don’t hesitate; size up situations and implement adjustments that serve your needs. Embrace change and be vocal. The input you receive may seem farfetched, but you should take it seriously.

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(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

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(Feb. 20-March 20)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

England considering punting on Stokes, Archer for World Cup 2023

near peak levels with regard to pace in the series in Bangladesh, and alongside Mark Wood, he would offer England much-needed air-speed to defeat batters on what should be batting-friendly wickets in India.

"It would be a big ask for him to play every game, so we would have to target specific ones; but we are big on ball speed for India, we feel like that's a really important asset for us to have out there, and it will be good to see Mark Wood, who had such an

impact in the Ashes, do the same with the white ball.

"The thing about pace like that is it's not just the immediate impact of unsettling or making opponents feel uncomfortable, it's the whole aura that it creates around the team. Look at Wood's impact at the back end of the Ashes. Everyone else on that field fed off his energy and what he brought.

"If you can upset top orders and deny the big hundred-makers, that goes a really long way to winning games

over there. If you look at the way India play, they set their stall out to make sure people are 'in' at the 40-over mark, and therefore able to score 100-plus during the last 10; and that is very hard to stop," Mott said.

England will announce their squad this week, but will have time until September 28, as per ICC regulations, to prune their squad down to 15. That'll give them sufficient time to assess the pair's readiness for the marquee event. (cricbuzz)

England haven't given up on the possibility of fielding Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer -- two heroes from their ODI World Cup win four years ago -during their title defence in India later this year.

Stokes gave up the 50over format last year, citing the “increasing demands of international cricket on his body”, while Archer has been laid low by recurrence of the stress fracture on his elbow.

The national selectors of the men's team will announce a provisional 18-member squad tomorrow (Tuesday), and white-ball coach Matthew Mott has expressed hope that both bigmatch players could yet be available. While Archer has resumed bowling in the nets

after being ruled out of the Ashes series, there is an intrigue over the status of Stokes, with Mott even happy to have a proven match-winner like him in a batting-only capacity, given his recent concerns with the knee.

And retirement u-turns in England may just be in vogue, with Moeen Ali temporarily returning to Test cricket on Stokes's request. The talismanic all-rounder will be at the receiving end of a similar call.

"Jos [Buttler] will probably lead the way on that communication, but Ben's pretty straight with all of us. We will see if he's keen," Mott told Daily Mail.

"There has not been a clear direction on what he's going to do yet, but we are

still hopeful. I've always said his bowling would be a bonus, but just look at what he brings with the bat, even in the field. Watching him throughout the whole Ashes series, he had such a great presence. He's done it for years when it comes to performing in oneday cricket, and so he's an invaluable commodity."

There is more hope that Archer will be available to make that trip to India despite his injury setback.

The 28-year-old fast bowler showed no signs of rust earlier this year during his first return from injury, when he claimed career-best ODI figures of 6/40 against South Africa in just his second game back.

He also operated at

Paris St-Germain forward Mbappe returns to squad, and may sign contract extension

Paris St-Germain for-

ward Kylian Mbappe has returned to firstteam training, and is likely to stay at the French champions this summer.

The France forward, 24, had not been training with the first-team squad, and was left out of PSG's 0-0 sea son opener with Lorient on Saturday. He has been in a contract stand-off amid a desire to join Real Madrid, but could now extend his contract at PSG. PSG said Mbappe was reinstat ed after "very constructive and positive" talks.

The France cap tain watched the game on Saturday from the stands with France team-mate Ousmane Dembele, who joined PSG from Barcelona for £43.5m. He was also left out of the pre-season trip to

Asia.

Mbappe has one year left on his current deal, and has so far refused to sign a new contract.

Last month, PSG gave Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal

Khelaifi has been adamant he would not let the striker leave for nothing, and it is thought some kind of agreement is likely that will see Mbappe sign the one-year extension to his present deal, as originally envisaged. That would run to 2025, and allow PSG to sell Mbappe to Real next summer.

"Following very constructive and positive discussions between Paris Stand Kylian Mbappe before the PSGLorient game, the player has been reinstated into the first team training squad this morning," PSG said on Sunday.

ing a world-record £259m bid. His reintegration has been arrived at following discussions between all parties in the past 12 hours.

PSG chairman Nasser Al-

Mbappe, who joined PSG in 2017, initially on loan from Monaco before a 180m euro (£165.7m) transfer, has scored a club record 212 goals in 260 games. (BBC Sport)

Stokes and Archer could play for England at World Cup

West Indies defeat India to claim T20I series 3-2

around all this, there was a display of sensational hitting - clean and uninhibited - to throw India's bowlers completely off the rails.

Did India err tactically?

India's multi-format tour of the Caribbean and the USA ended with a T20I series defeat to West Indies, with their lack of lower-order

India's decision to play six bowlers (Hardik included), which brings with it the inherent risk of their batting tapering off quickly down the order, was specifically designed, it seemed, to counter situations such as this. However, today, against Pooran in particular, you wondered if they were erring tactically.

Mukesh Kumar's

warning.

Upon resumption, with West Indies needing 47 off 42, Hardik threw the ball to Tilak Varma for some offspin, and he struck second ball when Pooran gloved an attempted reverse-sweep to slip. But Shai Hope came in and played a sparkling hand, allaying any fears of a slowdown by sealing victory with a six down the ground.

Suryakumar, Tilak help India

recover after early blows

At the toss, Hardik said India wanted to challenge themselves by batting first, but three overs in, it seemed

set themselves up for a final assault when the rain came down again…followed by a collapse.

Hardik fell soon after resumption when he picked out long-on for a delivery after he had smacked Shepherd over the long-off boundary.

Suryakumar followed in the next over when West Indies overturned a not-out lbw decision via the DRS.

The lower order just unravelled from there; a fortuitous boundary from the last man Mukesh (edged past the

batting muscle and a lacklustre bowling show playing a part in Sunday's result in Florida.

But let that not take any credit away from Nicholas Pooran and Brandon King, the architects of a superbly constructed chase. The pair put on 107 off 72 balls for the second wicket, and didn't allow India a foot in the door. What seemed like it might be a challenging chase at the outset turned into a stroll, West Indies eventually getting home with 12 balls to spare to record their second straight T20I series win and their first against India since 2017.

King, Pooran blaze away West Indies lost Kyle Mayers in the second over to Arshdeep Singh, but it only spurred them to go even harder in drizzly conditions that forced the teams to have one eye on the DLS sheet.

Cramped for room, and hit on the ribs by a short-delivery second ball, Pooran offered the perfect reply when he muscled Arshdeep over deep midwicket to open his account off the fourth ball he faced. Pooran then had a slice of luck when he was almost pouched by a diving Mukesh Kumar at mid-off in the third over of the innings, and he took full advantage of that by pummelling Hardik Pandya for back-to-back sixes soon after.

Pooran continued to enjoy a charmed life when a small spike on Snickometer - the thinnest of edges off the glove in attempting a slog sweep - helped overturn an lbw decision off Kuldeep Yadav in the fifth over. But

strength as a bowler is to swing it with the new ball. Today he bowled just one over in the first 10 (the tenth). Axar Patel was handed just one over (the 15th, with West Indies needing 42 from 36) and Yuzvendra

already that they had quite a task on their hands.

Chahal, perhaps at his lowest point in terms of confidence, was brought on in the powerplay - that over went for 14, with King welcoming him with a massive hit against the turn for six.

The only bowler to rein in the batters somewhat was Kuldeep Yadav, who varied his pace and lengths nicely.

In the previous two games, Pooran was out trying to take Kuldeep on. Today Pooran was intent on learning from that, and milked singles off Kuldeep, whose first three overs went for just 16.

After going neck-andneck for much of the innings, King pipped Pooran to the half-century when he stepped out and clobbered Chahal over long-off in the 13th over to get there off 38 balls. No sooner than the shot was hit, the players went off following a lightning

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, the architects of the carnage from 24 hours earlier, fell cheaply to Akeal Hosein's left-arm spin. Jaiswal was done in by the skid off the pitch, while Gill was out lbw to a sweep he could've reviewed, with replays confirming the ball would've missed leg stump.

Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak offset that early pressure with a superb counterattack. Tilak was especially dismissive of Alzarri Joseph, as he took him for 4, 6, 4, 4 in the sixth over. The six in particular was audacious, as he swept Joseph off length to the deep-square-leg fence.

At the other end, Suryakumar was having fun of his own, lofting Hosein, flat-batting a sweep down the ground for four, and standing tall and driving elegantly.

A slowdown…

India's third-wicket pair had added 49 off five overs to kick the innings into fourth gear, before Roston Chase's brilliance accounted for

Tilak. What seemed an innocuous push for a single turned lethal when Chase, in his follow-through, ran to his right and put in a full-length dive to grab the ball and belt out a belated appeal. It seemed it would be a mandatory check for a bump ball (Chase's team-mates had not even appealed), but again it proved to be much more than that: wild fist bumping ensued in the West Indies camp when replays confirmed Tilak had lobbed the ball straight off the bat, and his cameo was nipped in the bud.

Then Sanju Samson fell for his third low score of the series - a nine-ball 13 - to Romario Shepherd. At 87 for 4 in the 11th over, Hardik seemingly decided he wasn't going to run the risk of exposing the lower order too early, and looked to bat himself in.

Shepherd claimed four wickets

India went from overs 10.2 to 14 without a single boundary, before Suryakumar launched Shepherd and then Joseph for six - the latter an inside-out six over cover to raise his half-century off 38 balls.

At 121 for 4 in 15.5 overs, India seemed to have

SCOREBOARD

India (20 ovs maximum)

Yashasvi Jaiswal c & b Hosein 5 Shubman Gill lbw

b Hosein 9

Suryakumar Yadav lbw

b Holder 61

Tilak Varma c &

b Chase 27

Sanju Samson †c †Pooran b

Shepherd 13

Hardik Pandya (c)c Holder

b Shepherd 14

Axar Patel c Shepherd

b Holder 13

Arshdeep Singh

b Shepherd 8

Kuldeep Yadav lbw

b Shepherd 0

Yuzvendra Chahal not out 0

Mukesh Kumar not out 4

Extras (b 4, w 7) 11

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.25) 165/9

Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 0.5 ov), 2-17 (Shubman Gill, 2.5 ov), 3-66 (Tilak Varma, 7.5 ov), 4-87 (Sanju Samson, 10.2 ov), 5-130 (Hardik Pandya, 16.2 ov),

6-140 (Suryakumar Yadav, 17.5 ov), 7-149 (Arshdeep Singh, 18.4 ov), 8-149 (Kuldeep Yadav, 18.5 ov), 9-161 (Axar Patel, 19.5 ov) •

DRS BOWLING O-M-R-W

Akeal Hosein 4-0-24-2

Kyle Mayers 1-0-4-0

Jason Holder 4-0-36-2

Alzarri Joseph 3-0-41-0

Roston Chase 4-0-25-1

Romario Shepherd 4-0-31-4

West Indies (T: 166 runs from 20 ovs)

Brandon King not out 85

Kyle Mayers c Jaiswal

b Arshdeep Singh 10

Nicholas Pooran †c Pandya

b Tilak Varma 47

Shai Hope not out 22

Extras (lb 4, w 3) 7

TOTAL 18 Ov (RR: 9.50) 171/2

Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Kyle Mayers, 1.2 ov), 2-119 (Nicholas Pooran, 13.2 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Hardik Pandya 3-0-32-0

Arshdeep Singh 2-0-20-1

Kuldeep Yadav 4-0-18-0

Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-51-0

Mukesh Kumar 1-0-10-0

Tilak Varma 2-0-17-1

Axar Patel 1-0-8-0

Yashasvi Jaiswal 1-0-11-0

keeper) dragged India to 165, when at one point they had looked good for 190. The way the chase shaped up, perhaps even that may have not been enough. (ESPNCricinfo)

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Pooran was adjudged ‘player of the series’

West Indies bowlers did well

King slammed 85

Pooran and King led the batting

The Master Z Racing Stables may have found another gem of a horse, as newly-imported Easy Time claimed the win in the feature race of the Guyana Cup at a packed Rising Sun Turf Club track on the West Coast of Berbice.

Jockey James Rodrigues marked a convincing win in the one-mile race with the Master Z Racing Stables’ Easy Time walking away with US$23,148. El Tarzan of Slingerz

Suriname-bred Maiden category. Shake the bank finished in second, while Jet Lee and Lashana Pharaoh rounded out the top finishers in that order. In the race for two-

four, the G Class Classic, with Smoking Heels and Supremacy dominating the field. Regal Intension and Coup d’tat were the other top finishers. Race five was filled

Tizway won race seven, which was the J Class Mile event, followed by War Time, El Dorado Queen, and Perfect Dream.

The 1,600-metre derby, which was the eighth race

Racing Stables came in second, while Bossalina ran third and Our Stuie came

fourth in the feature race.

Defending champion Alado was dethroned, placing tenth in a field of 11 horses.

The day began under glorious sunshine, and Twisted Jet marked a win in the Guyana and

$17.5M raised by cricket for charity

The Kares One Guyana T10 Tape ball Blast Cricket for Charity match led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali has raised $17.5 million on Saturday.

The funds will be distributed to eleven orphanages, the Salvation Army, Dharm Shala Home of Benevolence for All Races, and two animal welfare groups in Guyana, Tails of Hope and Paws for a Cause.

The Private Sector Commission secured the funds through generous donations from various individuals and businesses.

President Ali's ‘Roraima' beat Guyanese Cricket Legend Lennox Cush's 'Kanuku' in the showpiece at the National Stadium on Saturday evening.

year-old Guyana-bred maiden horses, She’s A Monica stormed to victory, while Regal Surprise, Top of The Stage, Country Rock and Caribbean Time were the other finishers in that order. The L Class Open saw Black Time claiming an easy win in the end in a sprint home against Princess Samiah. Miss Olympic, and Dr Switch were the other finishers. Jagdeo Racing Stables dominated race

with controversy. It was the K Class Classic that saw She’s a Star edging to a close win, while Not This Time was adjudged second and Gt Boss was adjudged third. Princess Sasha rounded out the top four in that order.

In another controversial race, Spankhurst won the Guyana Sprint Classic while Hecho Con Amor came second. Glories Business and Early Bird rounded out the top four finishers.

of the day, saw Firecracker claiming the win while Rachel, Scandal and Renaissance Man rounded out the top four.

Sexy eyes then pulled off a surprise win in the

penultimate race of the day, while Amicable Kate, Princess Steffani and Lucky Star were the other finishers in that order.

The next race meeting - the President’s Cup - is slated for September 23 at the Bush Lot United Turf Club.

S tory and photo S by b randon C orlette

Guyana’s First Lady Arya Ali posing with Easy Time of the Master Z Racing Stables and sponsors at the presentation

Jagdeo Racing Stables won two top spots with the Smoking Heels and Supremacy dominating

Jockey Ross pulled off the closest win of the meet

Sexy Eyes pulled off a surprise win in the penultimate race of the meet

The support was again great on Guyana Cup day

President Ali enjoyed a good game of cricket for a good cause