Guyana Times - Monday, August 7, 2023

Guyana leads list of countries in discovered oil for 2023

…4th largest oil basin by discovered well count

With 45 oil wells being discovered since the first discovery in 2015, Guyana has been listed as having the most discovered volumes of oil, 603 million barrels, in 2023, ahead of a number of other countries who have been in the business for much longer.

This is according to Rystad Energy, a Norwaybased oil and gas research and business analytic company. In its latest report, Rystad revealed that Guyana had more oil discoveries by volume than Turkey, Nigeria and Namibia. There is also potential for the estimates to grow.

“The continued growth of Guyana’s Stabroek offshore block means the Caribbean country leads the way in discovered volumes, with 603 million boe in 2023. Turkey sits second with 380 million boe, Nigeria with 296 million boe and Namibia with 287 million boe, with the potential for these estimates to grow as we better understand the reserves,” Rystad said.

Meanwhile Guyana, in conjunction with neighbouring Suriname, has also been ranked by Rystad as having the fourth largest oil basin in the world by well count

in its top 15 basins list. In the ranking, the Guyana/ Suriname basin eclipses Malaysia, India, Nigeria, Kuwait/Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Brazil and Namibia.

Only the deepwater gulf in the United States (US), the Viking Graben in Norway/UK and the Sureste basin in Southeast Mexico, received higher rankings. Mainland China and Russia were also excluded from the

analysis.

Exxon is currently conducting 3D and 4D mapping in the Stabroek Block. It has been explained that the seismic surveying will conclude on December 31, 2023, and will use five vessels – seismic survey vessels Sanco Spirit, OSV Moonrise G, MPV Rem Saltire, seismic support vessel 7 Oceans and the OSV Atlantic Liberty.

Exxon’s fifth develop-

ment, the Uaru project in the Stabroek Block, has meanwhile also been approved and a licence was issued in April. The Uaru oil development is itself targeting between 38 and 63 development wells, including production, water injection, and gas re-injection wells. Exxon had previously also made known that it anticipated first oil from the Uaru development by late 2026 or early 2027.

Last month, Exxon also received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its ambitious 35 well campaign, for which drilling is expected to start in the 2023 third quarter and will come to an end by the fourth quarter of 2028.

The Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) of the 35 exploration/appraisal wells planned for the Stabroek Block was done by ERM Guyana, which conducts environmental, health, safety and risk assessments. It had said that no major environmental impacts would result from the project.

Guyana, with US oil giant ExxonMobil as the operator, began producing oil on December 20, 2019, in the Stabroek Block. Guyana’s oil revenues are being held in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) at the New York Federal Reserve Bank, where it is earning interest.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Exxon, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), holds 45 per cent interest in the Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of

CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.

Since last year, Guyana has been recording weekly lifts in the Stabroek Block with oil production now at 340,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the <<<Liza Destiny>>> and <<<Liza Unity>>> floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels. With EEPGL making weekly lifts, Guyana’s crude entitlement of one million barrels occurs monthly from the two FPSOs.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027. Production has already started in the second phase, with the <<<Liza Unity>>> FPSO vessel in operation.

The third project – the Payara development – will target an estimated resource base of about 600 million oil-equivalent barrels, and was at one point considered to be the largest single planned investment in the history of Guyana.

Meanwhile, the Yellowtail development, which will be oil giant ExxonMobil’s fourth development in Guyana’s waters, will target a mammoth 250,000 barrels per day (bpd). (G3)

Outline of the productive Stabroek Block

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, Aug 7 – 04:15h –05:45h and Tuesday, Aug

8 – 21:00h – 22:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, Aug 7 – 08:25h –09:55h and Tuesday, Aug 8 – 09:25h – 10:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

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 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East South-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 08:41h and 21:01h reaching maximum heights of 2.5 metres and 2.47 metres.

Low Tide: 14:34h reaching a minimum height of 0.77 metre.

Carbon credit sale

“Broad interest” from int’l aviation players – VP

With a global push by operators in various sectors to reduce their carbon footprints, Guyana is receiving broad interest from major players in the international aviation sector that are exploring buying the country’s high-quality carbon credits.

Back in April, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had disclosed that Guyana is one of the few credits in the forestry sector that can now be sold in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) market, which is the compliance market for abating airlines’ emissions.

Since then, Jagdeo disclosed that major aviation operators including some in Asia have been showing interest in buying Guyana’s carbon credits.

“We have broad interests from the aviation sector,” the Vice President recently told Guyana Times

With Guyana now being able to trade in the CORSIA market, Jagdeo noted that the value of the country’s carbon credits will attract a higher value.

He explained, “When we go into the market, people look at where the credit can be used. So, if it’s only for voluntary offsets [market] or if it can be used in a compliance market. So, that lends value to the credit itself. That’s why we got priced significantly higher than the market price.”

A carbon credit is a tradable permit or certificate that allows the holder of the credit the right to emit a stated tonnage of carbon dioxide or an equivalent of another greenhouse gas. Countries and companies that exceed their permitted limits can purchase carbon credits from nations that have low emissions such as Guyana.

There are two categories of carbon offset markets in which carbon credits are traded: the voluntary carbon market and the compliance carbon market.

In the voluntary carbon offset market, organisations or countries, in Guyana’s case, create carbon credits by lowering their own greenhouse gas emissions and sell to other organisations or countries that have high emission levels.

With the compliance market, however, there are certain caps on emission levels set by governments and other regulators as a means

of achieving carbon reduction targets. This market is also known as the cap-andtrade and similarly, allows organisations that emit less to sell to high emitters but this is driven by legal mandate.

Historic multi-year agreement

In December 2022, the Guyana Government signed a historic multi-year agreement with United States energy major, Hess Corporation, for the sale of high-quality carbon credits to the tune of a whopping US$750 million.

You will see a huge difference. We’re exploring other interests,” Jagdeo noted.

However, the Vice President pointed out last month that Government is not in a hurry to sell the remaining carbon credits as it explores which carbon offset market will attract the highest value for Guyana’s credit.

For the period 2021 to 2025 in the Hess deal, Guyana’s carbon credits would be sold for US$20 per tonne, thus earning the country another US$250 million; while another

REDD+ Transactions (ART)

on December 1, 2022.

However, it was explained that while the deal is for a 10-year period, that is, 2022 to 2032, the Government was able to negotiate, as part of the sale agreement, for the oil major to also purchase some 12.5 million carbon credits from the period 2016 to 2020 – referred to as “legacy credit”.

Regarding the 12.5 million legacy credits, Hess will be paying a minimum of $15 per tonne, thus taking the total to about US$187 million. It was anticipated that this amount would be paid in full within 18 months of the signing.

Unlike the arrangements with the Norway deal, payments from this Hess agreement go directly into the Treasury as revenue but will be placed in a separate account for auditing and parliamentary accountability purposes as well as to allow for easy access to financing.

Being a signatory of the Paris Agreement, the former coalition Government had put forward the intention of achieving 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025.

The 33.7 million credits being sold to Hess Corp is just 30 per cent of the carbon sink contained in Guyana’s vast forest cover. The country’s more than 18 million hectares of forest is estimated to store approximately 20 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Only last month, the VP said that the remaining 70 per cent of carbon credits are attracting interest from several markets, which Government is looking into.

“We’ve had several people reaching out to us and we are exploring those opportunities. When you look at the voluntary markets for forest carbon globally and you see the prices we got, these are really good prices.

US$312 million is expected during the 2025-2030 period when the credits would be sold at US$25 per tonne.

Some 15 per cent of the US$150 million earned from carbon credits, that is, a total of $4.7 billion (US$22.5 million) is earmarked for distribution to Indigenous villages across Guyana.

Of the 242 villages which have benefitted from the grants, 160 have already submitted plans approved by the communities for the utilisation of the money. Some have already started implementing those plans.

The deal with HESS came on the heels of Guyana being the first country to receive a certification of more than 33 million carbon credits by the Architecture for

Given that no country has been able to achieve this and the former Administration failed to make a dent, Jagdeo had stated Government will be working on the revision of Guyana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to make it more realistic.

“We have to resume the consultation and then submit a realistic NDC. That’s one of the things we will move forward on and hopefully, that will allow us to move closer to some of the markets that are currently available. So, as we’re exploring some compliance markets, we have to get that done,” the Vice President had stated previously.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Burnham’s legacy

Yesterday was the 38th anniversary of the death of Forbes Burnham, who had been manoeuvred into office through fiddled constitutional arrangements as part of the plot to oust the PPP from office. Incapable of agglomerating a democratic majority, he rigged elections between 1968 and 1980 to establish a dictatorship that remains his enduring legacy. From the attempt of his acolyte David Granger to blatantly rig the 2020 elections, it is evident that there remains in the PNC a stubborn willingness to subvert the democratic process against which the Guyanese body politic must be inoculated. Knowledge of the Burnhamite Dictatorship can help in that process and we present excerpts from the inimitable academic Walter Rodney who not only opposed but analysed the dictatorship before he was assassinated through the machinations of Burnham.

“The first peculiarity is that the Burnham dictatorship has masked and camouflaged itself. It would prefer that its vices be hidden from the public…(It) presents itself as its own opposite; that is to say, it presents itself as a democracy. This pattern has been determined by the manner in which Burnham achieved political power. Some dictators seize power by violence, as frequently happened in Latin America. Occasionally, a dictator can arrive on the scene as part of an electoral process before taking the steps of brazenly undermining the self-same electoral system. This was the case with Hitler who subverted German bourgeois democracy in the 1930s. Burnham has taken a similar road to power, subverting the democratic system of which he was a part in 1953.

“Hitler's megalomania was backed by the powerful German economy and the might of the German army. Burnham's megalomania is closer to comedy and farce. It takes the form of wearing a General's uniform and hoping that the army will conquer his own people. In the long run, however, every dictator is like any other dictator. Burnham certainly has the capacity to make life miserable for the entire population of our small nation. Like all classic dictatorships, that which exists in Guyana has fostered the cult of the personality. The minority People’s National Congress (PNC) regime has used all manner of tricks and gimmicks to make the "Comrade Leader" appear to be a demi-god. Some of the gimmicks were inherited from those of our past colonial oppression. Thus on the exercise books of school children, the face of the reigning English monarch was simply replaced by that of the Prime Minister, even though there is a President as constitutional Head of State in Guyana.

“For a small nation, Guyana has produced a discouragingly large number of lackeys and stooges who hide in the shadow of the "Comrade Leader". Guyanese constantly complain of "square pegs in round holes." The square pegs are the misfits and soup drinkers who flourish because each one is prepared to be his master's voice. There is a double tragedy in this situation. First there is the tragedy (with some mixture of comedy) of the incompetent, the mediocre, and the corrupt making a mess of things. Secondly, there is the tragedy in which men and women of ability and integrity have been dismissed, or they have run away, or they have been reduced to silence. This part of the tragedy involves honest police Officers who must condone corruption, doctors who must heal without drugs, managers who are not allowed to manage, and workers who are not permitted to produce and are then forced to consume a diet of lies and deceit. And all of this, incidentally, is carried on in the name of socialism.

“The fate of the army and police can serve as examples of the trickery which built the Burnham dictatorship. According to the Guyana constitution, each soldier or policeman takes an oath of loyalty to his country symbolised by the Head of State. Each soldier or policeman is expected to be loyal to the commands of an elected government representing the people. Little by little since independence, loyalty to the country became loyalty to the PNC and then personal loyalty to Burnham.” Forewarned is forearmed.

Is Barbie feminist? Not for all women

B y P riyamvada G o P al

Two weeks into its release, Barbie is undoubtedly one of the great marketing successes of our time, having transformed a two-hour company commercial into cinema with indie-street cred and pulled vast pink-clad audiences to see it in its opening weeks.

The film is produced by Mattel, the same company that makes the iconic dolls – in need of an advertising update in the face of declining sales – and directed, in a canny corporate choice, by film director, Greta Gerwig, who, as a maker of independent films, has a non-corporate reputation. I don’t doubt that a great many of those tens of thousands who flocked to the film in its opening week enjoyed themselves hugely. There are sequins, fun dance numbers, campy allusions to other films, good-looking lead actors and gleaming pink – lots of it.

Moreover, in affluent societies which have achieved wide immunisation, we believe ourselves to be on the other side of the horrors of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has given many people joy to be able to crowd into cinemas in close and daring proximity. The opening weekend of the film was perhaps less about the film itself than the pleasures, finally, of a mass social gathering indoors.

The truth is that the movie by itself does not explain the crowds. As a generally sympathetic review in the magazine Vanity Fair puts it, the film has a couple of moments of real laughter but is otherwise only mildly amusing in places with far too many knowing jokes “clunk[ing] around like cheap plastic”.

Unable to be a really hard-hitting film – the doll’s corporate paymasters were hardly likely to permit it to go that far. What Barbie ultimately offers is a mildly satirical take on gendered double standards, corporate boardrooms, and boys inclined to behave badly given the chance. Nothing terrible, other than a tellingly ill-conceived ‘joke’ about Native Americans

and smallpox epidemics, but also nothing brilliant – and quite a lot of surprising dullness.

Barbie is a popcorn film at the end of the day, even if a few fragile male egos found it unpalatable. There’s no need to require more of it.

Yet, a lot is being made to hang upon this glittering confection, nothing less than the present and future of feminism and, of course, as always, liberal American feminism lays claim to nothing less than the universe of women. The film has received fulsome adulation from politically progressive quarters. A number of academics have been thrilled by the film’s sly allusions to gender studies and literary theory (done to death, Vanity Fair grumbled, with some justification). We are so used to being ignored or denigrated as a profession that the novel joys of being acknowledged are perhaps understandable: ‘Female agency’! ‘Cognitive dissonance’!

‘Patriarchy’! ‘Archival’! Point taken.

The high-profile feminist writer, Susan Faludi, has gone so far as to claim that “you couldn’t write the script without 30 years of women’s studies“. The liberal platform, Vox, described the film as “just about as subversive as a movie can be while still being produced by one of its targets“.Meanwhile, the venerable leftwing US publication, The Nation, pronounced that more than the feminism, the greatness of the film lay in how it ennobled “a kind of love that is rarely taken seriously: the love of artifice, objects, and surfaces”.

The Nation’s publisher, Katrina vanden Heuvel, argued in the Guardian that Barbie herself embodied emancipatory aspirations around gender justice that the American right-wing feared, embodied in the doll’s motto: “We girls can do anything.”

The exultant joy that Barbie has been greeted with in these progressive quarters is testimony to the continued power of a dangerous American patriarchal conservatism which has undoubtedly wrought a lot

of damage in recent years. The film “wants girls to imagine the possibilities”, Vanden Heuvel declares, “and for conservatives, those possibilities are unimaginable”.

There is, however, a real danger that in focusing so heavily on what conservatives don’t want, feminism ironically ends up – once again – limiting its own imagination to the generic female ‘choice’ individualism that Barbie ultimately proffers.

The film pivots around ‘Stereotypical Barbie’s’ (played by Margot Robbie) discovery of cellulite, fallen foot arches and thoughts of death, instigated by her adult human owner’s (America Ferrera) personal crisis. She must journey into the real world in order to address these ‘problems’ and in the process, experiences a real transformation which entails leaving her life as a doll behind.

While Barbieland embraces restored constitutional rule after an attempted coup by Kens (political allusion needs no spelling out) and women are back in charge by the end of the film, Stereotypical Barbie makes the choice to leave Barbieland and become human. Fortunately, there are no immigration rules constraining her from crossing the membrane separating the worlds and being rendered ‘illegal’ as some women’s individual choices and achievements reign supreme again.

For what it’s worth, the film reminds us that patriarchy is harmful for men as well, with Ken (played by actor Ryan Gosling) setting off on his own journey of self-discovery declaring that he is “Kenough”. At the end of the day, Barbie the movie, like the 240 types of Barbie made by Mattel, gives us little other than that American holy grail: individualism.

In a time of authoritarians everywhere, women’s individual choice is not to be sniffed at. At the same time, not questioning the larger economic and racial structures – by which all patriarchy is shaped – within which these choices are made, is something of a dead-end.

Officer Cadets displaying their skills at the Standard Officer Course 55 on Sunday at Cadet Day at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS), Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri (GDF photo)

Increasing debt ceiling timely and justifiable

Dear Editor,

Last Thursday, the National Assembly approved the increase in the debt ceilings for external and public loans to $900 billion and $750 billion from $650 billion and $500 billion, respectively. Already, critics are condemning this strategic move by the Government. However, from a strictly technical standpoint, this move is timely and justifiable.

Editor, the country is at a juncture where the future income stream from the new oil and gas sector justifies frontloading spending on the transformative projects proposed in the PPP/ C's 2020 Manifesto. Firstly, all the traditional debt indicators suggest that it is safe for the country to take on additional debt without being exposed abnormally high risk of default. The country's debt-to-GDP ratio, external debt to exports, and debt service-toGDP ratios, which are historically low and among the world's lowest, suggest that the risk of Guyana defaulting on additional debt is extremely low.

Since the current stream of revenue collected by the Government is grossly inadequate to finance all the transformative projects that will catalyse the country's development, it makes perfect sense to borrow against future income. By postponing the implementation of the transformative projects, we are more likely to pay more for them in the future as money has a time value. In other words, it would cost substantially less to undertake a project now than a decade from now. The construction and financing costs will not get lower in the future but increase. Indeed, the like-

lihood of obtaining concessional financing will diminish as the oil and gas sector expands. This means that we will have to finance the major transformative projects using commercial loans if we undertake them in the distant future.

Thirdly, the socioeconomic benefits of these projects will be delayed if they are implemented during the medium term.

Residential and commercial consumers, for instance, will be denied cheaper and more reliable electricity by 2025 if the gas-to-shore project is postponed. The major roads, highways, and bridges that are necessary to reduce commuting time and open lands for the development of house lots will also be delayed. Thus, Guyanese will have to wait longer than they should to own a home while enduring substantial loss of income by using the existing road transport network to commute. The six regional hospitals, specialised paediatric and maternal hospital, and other health sector investments to ensure every Guyanese can access modern healthcare will be postponed. Similarly, our students will have to wait longer than they should to access world-class education.

Apart from immediately improving the well-being of every citizen, these projects will also make Guyana an attractive investment destination. If we wish to provide our citizens with high-paying employment opportunities in the short, medium, and long term, then it is a no-brainer to take on additional loans to accelerate the implementation of transformative projects.

Editor, the fact that our international partners are

prepared to provide us with finance for these projects means that they consider them economically feasible and our country creditworthy. We should therefore take full advantage by frontloading spending on all the transformative projects the Government has promised in its manifesto.

Editor, in closing, I wish to reiterate two crucial points. As earlier stated, the capital investment projects under the PPP/C, are catalysts for broader economic growth, unlocking economic potential, attracting private investments, and stimulating business activities. Frontloading such investments therefore serve to sustain economic development and create a positive spiralling feedback loop of growth. Equally important is the fact that economic development often involves taking advantage of strategic opportunities that arise due to favourable conditions as in the case of Guyana’s economic boom. These opportunities are however time-sensitive and will not be available in the future. By seizing these opportunities and making the necessary capital investments now, Guyana is positioning itself for longterm benefits. Editor, these were the opportunities that Guyana has always hoped and which we must take. Prudence will never be traded at the altar of expediency, neither the welfare of the vulnerable. In fact, these projects are in themselves vehicles for creating employment, bringing essential and modern services and public goods to the masses, and ultimately raising the welfare of all.

With regards,

Kevin Persaud

Dear Editor, News of Dr Luncheon’s passing is very sad for the PPP and for Guyana. The masses of working poor have also lost a great champion. The greatness of his contribution to national life is when Guyana was in the grips of an oppressive dictatorship, and people were beaten into submission to Burnham’s paramountcy of the PNC party, Dr Luncheon was on the side of the people, giving strong support alongside Dr. Jagan. He stood up for Guyana and for the restoration of democracy when it mattered most, when champions were few, and many were too scared to speak out.

When democracy needed advocates, he was there. When the struggle needed diverse, united voices, especially from the AfroGuyanese community, Dr.

the PNC dictatorship

Luncheon was not afraid to step up and make the personal sacrifice that entailed. When the struggling working masses needed hope, Dr. Luncheon was there with the Jagans. Dr. Luncheon was active in the struggle for democracy at a time when the PPP had no soup to give. He came through the tough times of struggle, unlike others now supporting the PPP because of premium soup, but have no history of being in the trenches with the poor, as the Jagans did.

I have never heard of anyone complaining that Dr. Luncheon was corrupt, or was a bribe-taker, as people usually complain about our politicians. That’s very honorable and worthy of celebration. President Ramotar’s letter has confirmed that, as well as Mr. Trotman’s tribute.

Dr. Luncheon has cer-

tainly earned a place in Democracy’s Hall of Fame in Guyana, and has etched his name indelibly as one who believes the PPP Party should never lose its massbased character and its focus on the working poor. Maybe the PPP should create some kind of Public Service Award named after Dr. Luncheon, to inspire the younger comrades. Thank you, Dr. Luncheon, for all you did for Guyana. You made us proud. You have served well and faithfully. You have enriched us all. A grateful nation salutes your long commitment and labour of love serving the people of Guyana. Thanks to you and your family. May you rest in peace!

Sincerely,

Dr Jerry Jailall

Health Ministry should include lay counsellor training

Dear Editor, The Ministry of Health Community Health Care Workers concept is indeed a good one, especially given that it emphasises that Georgetown and Region Four are not Guyana and it embraces communities across the nation. Ditto for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Community Partners initiative. Thus, since the promised reemergence of the Lay Counsellor training programme is yet to be realised, The Caribbean Voice strongly urges that these training programmes be slightly expanded to include lay counsellor training so that those trained will be able to incorporate basic mental health care in their work. In fact, we suggest that this piggy-

Is Barbie feminist? Not for...

As American women are urged to be anything they want to be -meaning, really, middle-class professionals like doctors, lawyers, and astronauts, with a few Nobel Prize winners in the mix – we are left with silence about the capitalist economic order in which the relative affluence of those women who can make these choices in facilitated by the indigence of millions of women globally whose choices are rather more constrained.

Yes, more women in Mattel’s boardroom. Yes, more successful Latina actors like America Ferrera to make Hollywood less white. But will our imaginations encompass libera-

tion for Sweatshop Barbie and the women labouring to make President Barbie’s clothes – and indeed, the dolls themselves – in Asian and Latin American factories? The women and families displaced by wars American presidents were involved in? Women sexually assaulted by the foot soldiers of the grinning authoritarians and chauvinists embraced by American foreign policy?

For all the inflated claims about its subversive, even revolutionary, nature and for all the dazzling diversity of Barbieland, the film has very little to say about the other oppressions which intersect with the patriarchy it sends up

– racial, economic and climate injustice (the last, admittedly, is a bit hard for a doll made of fossil fuel-derived plastic to do).

Ultimately, perhaps, the movie is a paean to middle-ness as exemplified by America Ferrera’s ‘show-stopping’ monologue which decries the multiple contradictory directions in which women are pulled as they are enjoined to have and do it all.

Ostensibly about all women, in fact, this speech invokes a very specific kind of woman, the proverbial ‘girl boss’ with a career and aspirations to wealth but who feels the pressure also to be at once thin and healthy, a leader and a nice

FROM PAGE 4

person. These are not the difficulties of the positions in which most women in this world – indeed, even most American women –find themselves.

Of Barbie, the film, as they say, it is what it is and will soon be forgotten as the next IP franchise rolls along. But unless our own imaginings of liberated futures can be more critical of the world we live in and expand beyond middle-class professionals and girl bosses, the future, feminist or otherwise, comes to us in varying shades of grim. (Al Jazeera)

(Priyamvada Gopal teaches in the Faculty of English at Cambridge University)

backing be instituted in all training programmes focusing on community work, especially in the rural areas. Piggybacking is much more cost-effective than a standalone training programme and adds to tremendous efforts already undertaken with respect to mental health care in Guyana. Most importantly, such piggybacking will significantly supplement existing sui-

cide and abuse prevention efforts across the nation and let rural communities know that they are not neglected afterthoughts, especially given that the vast majority of initiatives, every which way, continue to focus on Georgetown and Region Four.

Sincerely,

Annan Boodram

Dr Luncheon battled for democracy when it was risky, dangerous to stand up to

Converting metric units

How many centimetres are there in six metres? Convert the metres to centimetres to find out! This table shows some of the relationships between  metric units of length, mass, and liquid volume You can use these relationships to convert between the units.

God's Grandeur

By Gerard Manley Hopkins

The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?

Shiny stuff chemical reaction science experiment

In this fun and easy science experiment for kids, we’re going to attempt to make metal shiny by using a chemical reaction.

Glass Vinegar

Salt

Materials:

Measuring spoon

Twenty or thirty dirty $1/$5 coins

Two or three paperclips

Instructions:

Fill the glass about halfway full with

vinegar. Stir in one teaspoon of salt until it dissolves.

Soak the $1/$5 coins in the solution until they are clean.

Take the $1/$5 coins out of the vinegar solution. Now put the paperclips in the vinegar solution and let them sit for several hours. Remove the paperclips. If they are not a noticeably different colour, return the paperclips to the solution.

How it works:

The vinegar is an acid and when combined with salt will easily dissolve the copper of the $1/$5 coins. The copper atoms in the vinegar and salt mixture will move through the solution and swap with the iron atoms in the paperclips. The swapping of iron atoms for copper atoms will copper plate the paperclips giving them a nice and shiny copper coating.

Make this a science project: Try to copper plate other metal items. Try a different acid like lemon juice. Try different types of salt such as Epsom salts. (sciencefun.org)

Generations have trod, have trod, have trod; And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod. And for all this, nature is never spent; There lives the dearest freshness deep down things; And though the last lights off the black West went Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs — Because the Holy Ghost over the bent World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

WORD SEARCH

8009 domestic violence calls recorded in 6 months

The 914 toll-free domestic violence (DV) hotline has received a large number of calls for the first half of 2023. This is according to the Human Services and Social Security Ministry statistics received by this publication.

Through the Ministry’s hotline and survivor advocate's programme, a total of 8009 calls came in, with 1049 being prank calls while the remainder dealt with a wide range of issues centred around cases, questions, as well as referrals.

Of the calls received, 257

domestic violence cases and 36 sexual offence cases were reported, this is significantly less when compared to the 360 DV cases that were recorded for the same period last year. As a result, 38

women and children were provided with temporary shelters after fleeing abusive environments.

The 914 hotline is available to all persons, including migrants, and was created for victims of domestic and sexual violence, as well as other individuals to call for assistance or report incidences of abuse.

The Ministry trained and employed survivor advocates to provide victims with the support needed to overcome the trauma from their experiences. Temporary housing is also

available for victims until they are able to provide housing and basic essentials for themselves.

Meanwhile, vouchers and legal pro-bono services are available to the victims of violence. During a Department of Public Information (DPI) interview in April, Human Services and Social Security Minister Vindhya Persaud unveiled that 60 persons would have already benefitted from legal pro-bono services.

“For the legal pro-bono services which would be

free legal services to persons who would’ve experienced violence, 60 persons would’ve already benefitted from the beginning of the year,” Persaud noted.

Similarly, the Ministry’s spotlight programme is leading the charge in fighting domestic violence through the COPSQUAD 2000 initiative, equipping Police officers with the tools necessary to respond to reports in a professional manner. In May some 1000 members of the Guyana Police Force graduated un-

der this initiative. Done in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) under the Spotlight Initiative, this programme aims to train 2000 officers across the country on how to address domestic violence and gender-based violence reports in a manner that follows international best practices.

In February 2023, 500 officers had graduated, bringing the number of officers trained to effectively handle cases of gender-based violence to approximately 1500.

Over 100 dengue cases reported in Region 6

Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

Chairman David Armogan has reported a semi-outbreak of dengue in the region.

On Friday the health department in the region had reported 107 cases, with 24 new cases being reported for Thursday.

According to the Chairman, the cases are spread across the region.

He explained that fogging exercises have commenced throughout the region. Fogging is being done to kill mosquitoes which may potentially be carrying the virus.

Dengue fever is an infection caused by one of four dengue viruses. They are related to each other, but they are not exactly the same. Getting sick from one dengue virus does not protect an individual from getting the others. A person can get dengue fever more than once. Dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes that carry dengue viruses.

People who live in ar-

eas where these mosquitoes are common have the highest risk of infection.

“Dengue can be dangerous; it should not be taken at face value because a few persons would have died with dengue,” the Regional Chairman pointed out.

Tests for dengue are be-

ing conducted at the four hospitals in the region.

The Chairman is encouraging persons who may display symptoms to get tested.

The symptoms would usually last between five to seven days. Dengue symptoms include fever, head-

ache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pains, tiredness – sometimes for days to weeks, rash, stomach problems, nausea, vomiting, and diar-

rhoea, cough, sore throat, and stuffy nose, small purple spots on the skin along with red-eye or swollen glands.

Symptoms usually be-

gin days after a person is bitten by a mosquito that carries a dengue virus. However, it can be up to two weeks before symptoms begin to occur. (G4)

Fogging exercise being carried out in Berbice

Black Water Backdam double murder Magistrate to rule on whether 5 accused will face Judge, jury

The Kabaka’s... ...touch

Yesterday was 38 years since Burnham passed on to the land of the ancestors. Imagine that!! More than half of our population weren’t around when the man ran roughshod over the country and forever etched into our national consciousness the image of “DICTATOR”!! He’d wielded that power to grind us all into the dirt just to satisfy his insane compulsions to “remold” us in his image!! Guess his image was folks going around hungry, homeless and naked – which his “doublespeak” dubbed “feed, clothe and house the nation”!!

Come August 23, a Magistrate will rule on whether the five accused in the murders of Steven Niles and Suresh Bachan will face trial for the offence by a jury before a Judge.

A Guyanese and four Venezuelans have been on remand since August 25, 2021, for the killings.

Those charged are Nicholas Caesar, 24, called “Wild Buck”, a miner of Yarrowkabra village, Linden-Soesdyke Highway; and Venezuelan nationals

Juan Oscar Calderon Lopez, called “Gordo”, 27; Jose Ramon Tovar, 26, called “Bashein”; Luis Miguel Monrroy, 37, and Jhonny Gonzalvez, called “Sankey Pankey”, 49.

They have not been required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that between August 4 and 5, 2021, at Blackwater Backdam, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), they

murdered Niles, 32, and Suresh Bachan, 63, during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

During the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the joint charge, several witness-

and Lopez.

On July 31, a no-case submission was made on Gozalves's behalf by his attorney-at-law.

However, last Friday, this was overruled by the

Reports are that the now dead men were employed at a mining camp in the region.

After they had finished working on August 4, 2021, they went to their separate camps about 100 metres apart. The following morning, the mining camp’s General Manager discovered Niles and Bachan lying motionlessly in their hammocks.

According to reports, the mining camp was attacked by armed men who carted off cash, a firearm, and a top mat from the sluice box.

It was more that irony that Burnham passed just a few days after “Emancipation”. The irony being that by that time he’d taken Guyanese almost back to the days to the days of slavery – when life was nasty, brutish and short. The man even invoked slavery by riding around the city on his (high) horse decked out in jodhpurs, and wielding a riding crop something fierce to get folks out of the way!! He took particular pleasure in hauling hoity-toity civil servants to Hope Estate – “hope”….get it?? – and have then jump out of the way into canals – which they had to clean!! Yep…he had this fantasy of being an Overseer!!

By the time he’d gave up the ghost, he’s banned most imports that constituted the staples on which we’d been socialised to exist on. Bread and roti specifically which became verboten after he banned wheat!! “Buy local!!” he shouted – looked down on the masses passing by on the East Coast Road from his verandah at the Big Manja house at Belfield!! Yet when it became clear to him he was gonna go, his last request was for can of imported condensed milk for his to savour!! After all his pretensions on swirling cognac and nibbling on canapes, he had to lick some condensed milk!!

es testified on behalf of the prosecution. Also, several exhibits were admitted into evidence, including the dead men’s post-mortem reports and caution statements for Caesar, Tovar,

presiding Magistrate.

The case is now postponed until August 23 for the court to rule on the sufficiency of evidence against the five accused. The case is being prosecuted by

The robbery was reported to the Police and the five accused were subsequently arrested and charged. Postmortem examinations conducted on Niles and Bachan revealed that they died as a result of blunt trauma to their heads. (G1)

BV taxi driver on drug trafficking charge

Thirty-three-yearold Earlson Murray, a taxi driver, appeared on Friday at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

He pleaded not guilty to the allegation, which stated that on August 3, he had 47.3 grams of marijuana in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Murray was placed on $100,000 bail by Magistrate Ruschelle Liverpool, who postponed the matter to September 23.

At about 10:00h on August 3, Police ranks were on patrol duty at Beterverwagting, in a Force motor vehicle when they observed a Toyota Premio car coming out of a known drug yard.

As such, the Police patrol signalled the driver of the car bearing registration number HD 740 with a Green Ice Taxi Service

logo, to stop, but he refused, increased his speed, and drove away.

The Police patrol vehicle pursued the vehicle, and the ranks saw the driver throw out a black plastic bag from the driver’s side window.

The ranks stopped and picked up the black plastic bag, checked it, and observed the bag contained a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The ranks proceeded behind the car since it was

in close proximity, and the driver continued evading the Police until he was cornered.

The vehicle came to a halt after the driver crashed his motor car into the Police vehicle.

A search was conducted on the vehicle, but nothing illegal was found.

Murray was told of the offence committed, cautioned, and arrested.

He was escorted, along with the suspected cannabis and motor car to the Beterverwagting Police Station, where the narcotic was weighed in his presence and amounted to 47.3 grams.

The Police vehicle sustained minor damage to the left-side front door while the right-side front of the motor car was damaged. (G1)

Yesterday, as his successors paid tribute to their “founder leader” they should reflect on the irony of that designation. That he was the “founder” of the PNC all on his lonesome – it was a one-man show!! Now we know there were a host of others who joined he and the bunch who’s departed from the PPP – like the bunch from the League of Coloured People. As Rodney pointed out, “Burnham encourages around himself individuals who are weak or corrupt because he then exercises vicious control over them.” We can now understand why the Sanctimonious Granger was one of his favorites!!

Burnham’s epitaph is also best summarized by Rodney, who advised that “Our language must express not only ridicule but anger and disgus” when it came to Burnham. And that’s why they ironically called him “King Midas“anything he touches turns to shit!”

...ego

Did you wonder why is it that in all those pics of the faithful at Burnham’s mausoleum yesterday there were all those Purple Flowers?? Well, Burnham’s megalomania didn’t just have him ridiculously strutting around in a twostar General’s outfit - when he’d never even been a Boy Scout!! He also fancied himself as ROYALTY!! So his favorite color was “purple”, the colour of royalty!!

We return to Rodney who has some advice for the present generation on Burnham: “Dictators have a way of building statues in their own image. When a dictator is overthrown, the population seizes the chance to destroy or remove the various things which were meant to glorify him. But (also) the population must learn to despise the falsehoods which surround the man; they must refuse to accept that he has any halo of greatness around him.

They must remove any confusion in their own minds and see the dictator clearly for what he is

— a villain and a monster, the principal enemy of the people!”

...image

Finally Rodney informed us : “In Latin America, the dictators are known as “gorillas” — as distinct from the freedom fighters who are “guerrillas.”

We want it known that Guyana too has its “gorilla,” and that he is appropriately named “King Kong.”

That’s the real Burnham

Superintendent of Police Shellon Daniels on behalf of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Murder accused: Nicholas Caesar Murder accused: Juan Oscar Calderon Lopez

Dead: Steven Niles

Dead: Suresh Bachan

Murder accused: Jose Ramon Tovar

Murder accused: Jhonny Gonzalvez

Earlson Murray

The quantity of marijuana which was seized by Police

Thousands of new jobs being created in agri sector – Pres Ali

achieving 50,000 new jobs by 2025

With thousands of jobs being created in the agriculture and other sectors in the country, President Dr Irfaan Ali has assured that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is well on its way to achieving its promise of creating 50,000 jobs in its first five years in office.

During a recent broadcast, the President explained that not only will they achieve the 50,000 new jobs milestone, but they will exceed it. He referenced the Government’s rehiring of thousands of Community Support Officers (CSOs) and Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) workers.

“The 50,000 new jobs. We are well on track of surpassing that, when many doubted our ability to achieve it. The more than 2500 CSOs who were rehired. These are CSOs who were fired under the previous Administration. It is this Government who rehired those Amerindian CSOs. Over 2000 GuySuCo workers rehired, that were fired under the last Administration in GuySuCo.”

President Ali explained that thousands of new jobs are being created in the agriculture sector, including in sectors outside of sugar. The President pointed to the sectoral support the PPP/C Government has been pro

viding in agriculture, includ

ing in drainage and irrigation (DNI) charges.

“Thousands of new jobs being created in the agricul-

ture sector… we have initiated many programmes to support agriculture. Yes, we have reversed the land lease fees, water charges, land taxes and DNI charges, back to the 2014 rates. It is this Government in the last three years, that reversed the VAT on fertiliser. Pesticides.”

“And key inputs in the poultry sector, include zero rating the poultry sector. Tax concessions for agro-processing. Cold storage and packaging and special incentives for corn and soya production. That’s why we’re seeing such a boom in the agriculture sector. We’ve helped the poultry sector again, bring down interest rates from eight to five per cent.”

According to President Ali, the Government has also invested in call centres and through this, created more than 1200 new jobs. Mention was also made of the parttime jobs initiative, noting

that so far 13,000 part time jobs have been created.

“The 13,000 part-time jobs in Regions Two, Three, Five, Six and 10, that is adding disposable income. New disposable income, to families who did not have that income before. Who’s it benefitting?”

“When that disposable income is repaying monthly instalments for low-income loans, who is it benefitting? This is what the Government has been doing, putting more into the pockets of people,” the President explained.

Government’s focus on agriculture is down to the vision of making Guyana the bread basket of the Caribbean and reducing the regional food import bill. President Ali has declared that his Government would be pursuing an aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultural trade and that in the next few years, with the assistance of more

Drunken truck driver crashes into Radio Aishalton antenna

diversified crops, Guyana would play a key role in reducing Caricom’s food import bill by 25 per cent.

The Agriculture Ministry was allocated $33.2 billion in Budget 2023 and in March of this year, five agencies attached to the Agriculture Ministry signed 21 contracts totalling $1,130,817,572 to advance the Government’s agricultural agenda.

Of the contracts signed, GuySuCo received $532 million; National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) received $504 million, Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) got $1 million, Mahaica Mahaicony Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) received $27 million, and the Fisheries Department got $15 million.

Seven contracts were signed by GuySuCo for the supply of critical equipment and other materials, while NDIA signed 13 contracts that will see the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure. Other contracts were signed by the New GMC, the Fisheries

Department, and the MMAADA for the supply of materials, construction, and the provision of services.

Among the projects are the NDIA-led $43,916,800 rehabilitation of 16 pontoons; 10 pumps and 10 excavators for Regions Two to 10. This is aimed at assisting over 25,000 farmers and residents countrywide.

Also signed was a contract for the $69,875,000 rehabilitation of the Access

Road at Onderneeming Phase 11, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), that will benefit over 12,000 households and open up access to new areas which can be cultivated.

Seeking to tremendously increase rice production in the latter half of the year, MMA received $26,971,000 for the supply and delivery of crusher run, a construction material. (G3)

Adriver, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, reversed his truck and pulled down a support antenna of Radio Aishalton in the Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Sunday morning.

A resident of the village told this publication that around 10:00h, she along with other residents were attending service at the Roman Catholic Church in

the village when they heard a loud impact that emanated from the direction of the radio station.

Upon checking, she recalled seeing the antenna, which stood at approximately 100 feet, on the ground within the Roman Catholic Church compound.

Shortly after, the driver emerged from the truck as onlookers converged on the scene.

The truck belongs to a mining company that

operates in the Marudi Mountains, another resident related.

Following the incident, the radio station went off the ai. A newly erected WiFi tower in the village was also damaged during the incident; cables from that tower were also cut as a result of the incident.

The Aishalton Village Council has since said that it is monitoring the situation and the Police are investigating the incident.

The Radio Aishalton support antenna after it came crashing down on Sunday morning

…says Govt well on its way to

President Dr Irfaan Ali

MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

300 MW power plant

As works progress, businesses urged to join national grid to reap benefits

The construction of the 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD), that aims to significantly reduce the cost of energy by means of an energy mix, is progressing, with work on the transmission lines already underway.

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar last week gave an overview of the project during the launch of the 60th anniversary activities of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA).

The Government’s multimillion-dollar gas-to-energy facility will see natural gas being piped from offshore operations to Wales, where the 300 MW power plant and an integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant are being constructed.

The plant aims to reduce the cost of energy by at least 50 per cent through an energy mix, thereby potentially saving Guyana US$150 million on power generation annually.

“The site has already been developed, the access [and] the material offloading facility [are in progress], the road into Wales is being constructed, the pipeline from offshore is coming in, the contracts have already been awarded for the onshore bit from Crane to take it to Wales. So, the different parts of the project have already been awarded,” Indar said.

Through the turbines used at the plant, 300 MW of energy will be generated, which is double the amount that Guyana Power and

Light Incorporated (GPL) currently provides.

“That will be dispatched through 230,000 volts (V) transmission lines. It will come from Wales, go to Vreed-en-Hoop to the power station, then it will come to the back of Garden of Eden then it will go to the back of Eccles where the control centre will be. From that control centre, it will be broken down into 69,000 V and 13,800 V to be dispatched across the country,” Indar said.

Indar noted that contracts have already been

awarded to undertake the transmission and distribution aspect of the project, with work on these components having already begun. Meanwhile, GMSA President Ramsay Ali encouraged businesses to ensure they’re on the national grid as not only will the cost of electricity be significantly reduced but the operational cost of businesses will be slashed as well.

“GPL will be willing to work with all of us to get ourselves back on the grid because it would be shameful if the gas-to-shore gets here and the energy costs go down significantly and you’re not on the grid. So, I’m saying to companies who are not on the grid, you should be starting to make those preparations to get on it,” Ali said.

Further, Indar noted the 165 MW Amaila Falls Hydro Project and the 33 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farms in Essequibo, Linden and Berbice will complement the power plant.

Active interest

In June, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had announced that there was active interest from Brazil to bring the Amaila Falls project to life after it was hindered when the China Railway First Group (CRFG), the company that won the contract, had informed the Government of its difficulties meeting the contractual obligations.

This project will be based on a Build-OwnOperate-Transfer (BOOT) model where the company will supply electricity to

GPL Inc at a cost not exceeding US$0.07737 per kWh and where the company will provide the entire equity required by the project and undertake all the risks associated with the project.

Meanwhile, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) had approved the use of US$83.8 million, earned from Norway to keep Guyana’s rainforests intact, for the construction of eight solar farms that aim to add renewable energy sources to Guyana’s grid.

Police crack down on 105 errant drivers during EBD operation

In a bid to enforce road safety and ensure order on the East Bank road corridor, traffic ranks from Regional Police Division 4B carried out a rigorous traffic enforcement operation on Friday.

The crackdown resulted in a total of 105 cases made against errant drivers for a range of offences.

During the operation, traffic officers monitored the roads and took action against drivers violating traffic regulations.

The most common offences detected included speeding, breach of prescribed fitness, faulty packing of load, driving under the influence (DUI), driving without a valid licence, illegal tinting, and operat -

ing unlighted motor vehicles.

One notable aspect of the operation was the removal of multi-coloured

lights and flashers from motor lorries and various other vehicles. These

as they not only distract other drivers but also create hazardous situations on the road.

The traffic enforcement operation aimed to instil a sense of discipline among drivers and make the roads safer for all road users. By cracking down on offenders and issuing appropriate penalties, the Police hope to send a strong message that traffic violations will not be tolerated.

to maintain road safety and prevent traffic violations.

East Bank Demerara, targeting motor lorries.

flashy modifications have been a cause for concern,

The public has been urged to cooperate with traffic authorities and adhere to traffic regulations to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and reduce road accidents. Regular enforcement exercises will continue to be conducted in various parts of the region

As the enforcement operations continue, Regional Police Division 4B said they remain dedicated to promoting responsible driving behaviour and protecting the lives of road users.

Only a few days ago, a traffic enforcement exercise was held on the Friendship Public Road,

Twenty-one cases of various violations committed by motor lorry drivers were detected. Offences included inadequate tyre maintenance, unlighted vehicles, faulty packing of load, and breach of prescribed fitness conditions.

As a consequence, the Certificates of Fitness for 10 lorries were revoked to ensure road safety. (G9)

GMSA President Ramsay Ali

Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar

Modern era of business strengthened as Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill passed

Modernisation of the State’s laws to make them responsive to the demands of a 21st century landscape has been complimented with the passage of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill in the National Assembly.

The legislation will allow for electronic communication to be recognised by law and, acceptable for business and Government transactions. This means electronic records, communications and signatures are legally effective. It also outlines standards which must be met for legal effectiveness and the role of intermediaries.

Another element speaks to an administrative framework and central certifying authority to register and regulate providers after appropriate vetting.

Such developments will also enhance efficient delivery of governance by public authorities by means of reliable electronic records and electronic filing of documents.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond voiced in the House as she supported the new legislation, “Our thrust for modernisation is total and multi-sectoral. It is not just limited to the

Information Technology sector. We are on a thrust to modernise our country in all respects.”

Previously, Government was hindered from fully implementing e-services due to inadequate legal framework and protection, as well as conflicting legal provisions. Now that the framework has been approved, citizens can conduct transactions from the comfort of their homes.

This Bill, along with the Data Protection Bill, puts Guyana in a position to operate effectively in a modern era, the Minister added.

“Our efforts in bringing these Bills in the ICT sector are part and parcel of a comprehensive modernisation and transformational agenda. This agenda is all encompassing and includes

the State, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and individual citizens.”

However, penalties can also arise from nonadherence to the law. In fact, any person who gives information that is false or misleading commits an offence and can be fined one million dollars and imprisonment for three years. This penalty also applies for theft or retaining possession of a card; and purchase or sale of an issued bank card, smart card, electronic wallet, token or device or number/ data associated with such.

It also takes into consideration other measures to prevent fraud, in keeping with the prevalence of such through electronic means.

Government is moving towards digitalising key services in efforts to erase the bugbear of doing business and transactions.

The Digital Identity Card Bill was also tabled in the National Assembly – a major endeavour to consolidate the biometric data of each citizen into one card that will be used for a host of transactions and services.

A US$35.4 million contract with German-based company, Veridos Identity Solutions, was inked in March. In addition to in-

16 persons living with disabilities complete basic computer training

creasing the ease of doing business, the e-ID card will also allow the Government to monitor migrants in Guyana. It will also have internationally recognised features that will be accepted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for international

travel.

This will tie into the Government’s plans to make Guyana’s airports paperless, using the biometrics from the e-ID card for citizens, as well as efforts to boost local security by expanding the safe city initiative countrywide.

Meanwhile, the Data Protection legislation will govern the use of the e-ID cards and this includes protecting citizens’ personal data. This means any unauthorised use of data will see persons facing hefty fines and a jail term.

Car with Guyanese number plate crashes in Suriname

Adriver suspected to be Guyanese was injured in a crash in Suriname late last week, according to Surinamese Police. It was reported that a white Toyota Spacio with Guyanese licence plates was involved in an accident on the Vijfde Rijweg in Suriname.

The vehicle collided with an EBS mast before veering off the road and ending up in a gutter.

The Surinamese Police were alerted to the accident at approximately 16:45h, leading to a prompt response from Jarikaba Police.

Upon arrival at the scene, they discovered a man, believed to be Guyanese, inside the vehicle with a severe head injury. The man’s identity has not been revealed by the Police yet. Urgent medical attention was provided, and

the injured individual was swiftly transported to the emergency room via an ambulance.

As of now, the cause of this single-vehicle accident remains unknown. The cir-

cumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined, and the Surinamese Police are conducting an investigation to ascertain the factors leading to the mishap.

Sixteen persons living with disabilities (PWDs) have completed the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s basic computer skills course.

This is the first training session undertaken at the recently commissioned Learning Lab, a training facility catered specifically for PWDs, at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

After this course, Job Access with Speech (JAWS) for the visually impaired will commence from August 7 to 11, and garment construction from August 21 to 25. A similar classroom size consisting of 15 to 18 participants will be maintained to ensure the unique requirements of persons living with disabilities are met, providing them with personalised attention.

Additional programmes to come on stream include adult literacy and numeracy, which aims to reintegrate PWDs into society. It has a duration of eight days, a DPI report stated. Meanwhile, the Ministry is exploring two other programmes including sustainable agriculture and audio and visual editing.

These programmes will be rolled out in every region once there is a cohort of 10 –15 persons.

In keeping with the Government’s manifesto promise, over 300 persons living with disabilities

were trained over the past 12 months, as they are committed to creating equal opportunities, resources, and a nurturing environment to foster growth and empowerment. Persons interested in registering for the programme must be 16 years and older, living with a disability, and passionate about learning.

Interested persons can contact the Ministry at 2593559 or pwdlearninglab@ mhsss.gov.gy Transportation and snacks will be provided for the participants.

The car with the Guyana number plate that was found crashed on the Vijfde Rijweg in Suriname

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond

Persons Living with Disabilities receiving basic computer skills training at the Learning Lab

GDF’s medevac saves Region 1 teen’s life

A17-year-old

One

cient response of the GDF resulted in the successful evacuation of the young patient, ensuring she received urgent medical care and ultimately saving her life.

The situation unfolded when the Regional Health Officer in Mabaruma urgently requested a medevac at approximately 01:00h on Sunday, expressing grave concern for the teenager's well-being.

Responding, the GDF Medical Corps mobilised their resources and conducted the emergency evacuation.

The patient underwent a medical procedure at

the Mabaruma Regional Hospital to stabilise her condition before the GDF Medevac team took charge, transporting her to the city for further medical attention.

Led by Lt Colonel Micheal Charles, the medevac operation utilised a Bell 412 crew, which included Captain Dwight Bonus, Sergeant

Claude Jones, and Ordinary Rating Mark Bharat. A key player in the operation, Corporal

Clensford Burnett, played a crucial role as the ambulance driver, ensuring the patient's safety throughout the journey.

The teen is now in a stable condition and receiving essential medical care at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. (G9)

Buxton resident on bail for illegal gun, giving Police false information

Alabourer accused of having an illegal firearm has been placed on $150,000 bail.

In addition, Roshane Dellon Pellew, called “Kevin Savory”, a 26-year-old labourer of Lot 25 Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD), is also charged with giving false information to the Police.

Pellew was arrested on August 2.

He is charged with the following offences: possession of firearm without licence, contrary to Section 16 (2)(a) of the Firearm Act; and giving false information to a public officer, contrary to Section 200 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act.

When he appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court last Friday before

Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore, Pellew pleaded not guilty to both charges.

He was granted $150,000 on the illegal firearm charge and $25,000 bail on the other charge.

The matters were postponed until October 16.

Meanwhile, in February 2020, Pellew was arraigned on an illegal gun charge.

The charge stated that on February 4, 2020, at Reliance, Public Road, East Canje, New Amsterdam, he had in his possession a .38 revolver when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

He was remanded to prison after denying the charge.

The court heard that at the time, Police ranks acting on information stopped a motor car.

After exiting the car, Pellew reportedly pulled out a firearm from his waist and placed it under the front seat of the car. Pellew then made a sprint to escape but was apprehended by the ranks.

Police had said Pellew had claimed someone had given him the gun to bury.

(G1)

girl’s life was saved after she was medevacked from Mabaruma, Region

(Barima-Waini) by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Medical Corps. The prompt and effi-

Roshane Dellon Pellew

Scenes from West Indies vs India T20 match at Guyana National Stadium

MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cadets show off displays during Cadet Day

Officer Cadets currently undergoing training on the Standard Officer Course (SOC) 55 on Sunday showcased various aspects of their training during Cadet Day. The event was held at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS), Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri.

The cadets are near completion of their first year of training, the Guyana Defence Force said on Sunday evening.

According to the GDF, the SOC first year of training is a transformational training which is 70 per cent physical in nature and designed to transform the OCDTs from civilians

to physically fit and standard-bearing Ensigns.

On Sunday, the OCDTs displayed their drill skills during the Silent Drills after which, a breathtaking display of Military Martial Arts was executed.

The attendees then joined the OCDTs at their various display areas to view the training aids, weap-

ons, and jungle traps and equipment showcased.

The OCDTs then demonstrated their shooting skills during the Falling Plate Shooting display. The day’s displays continued with a gripping Obstacle Course crossing and Rappelling and ended with the Accommodation Orientation and a simple

reception.

Present to watch the riveting displays were several Government Ministers; Heads of the Joint Services; Senior and Junior Officers of the GDF and their families, relatives and guests of the OCDTS, and members of the Guyana National Cadet Corps.

The 34 OCDTs of SOC

55 include two members of the Belize Defence Force, two from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, seven members of the Guyana Police Force, one from the Guyana Prison Service and the remaining 22 will serve the GDF.

Nine of the OCDTs are females, the GDF said.

Cemetery Road expansion project only 25% complete

…July 2023 deadline hampered by rain, utilities & procurement – Minister

The ambitious expansion and upgrade of Cemetery Road is to date 25 per cent complete, with $191.4 million or 40 per cent of the contract spent so far as rain and procurement delays took their toll on the project.

This was revealed in the answers provided by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, to questions submitted by the parliamentary A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Opposition in the National Assembly. The completion date was July 2023.

In answering questions about the total percentage of work that has been completed, as per the scope of works, Edghill revealed that 25 per cent had been completed to date. This includes the $197.4 million that has been spent out of the $475 million contract sum.

A breakdown of the contract shows that from Princes Street to Sussex Street, 20 per cent has been

completed. It was explained that this section of the project has been delayed by rain, shortage of concrete and materials and the relocation of utilities.

Meanwhile, five per cent has been completed from Sussex Street to Middle Road. A similar per cent was also completed from Middle Road to Front Road. Both sections, $68.6 million and $66.5 million, respectively, were delayed by rain.

While $86.1 million was allocated from the contract for Front Road to Mandela Avenue and $15.9 million for traffic lights, signs and other road furniture, no notes accompanied these categories. However, 50 per cent was listed under per cent done for traffic management and control. General items meanwhile saw 80 per cent of $54.2 million from the contract being spent.

Speaking about the project in the National Assembly last month, Edghill had ex-

Modern pathology lab to be launched in November – Dr Ramsammy

As Guyana continues to undergo massive transformation in the health sector, the Government will be launching a modern pathology laboratory in November, to reduce the waiting time for certain diagnoses.

The laboratory is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Mount Sinai Health System.

Adviser to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy made the disclosure during a recent episode of “The Guyana Dialogue”. “This will have equipment that we procured at about close to US$3 million and fully automated pathology labs, that will allow us to prepare all of our specimens right here in Guyana. We don’t have to send them anywhere and will allow us to access the expertise of pathologists around the world,” Dr Ramsammy disclosed.

To complement this, four health personnel will be sent for training in pathology at Mount Sinai shortly, the health adviser stated.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) offers pathology services. However, samples are usually sent overseas for testing which can result in a long waiting time to get back results.

The lab will significantly

plained that the contractors will expedite their ongoing work in order to ensure the project can be completed by this year end.

He had explained that the delays included the flooding from the drains and contractors having to change several teams, as well as the delays in removing utilities that were impeding the project. Edghill had assured, however, that the Ministry continues to have close engagements with the contractors and engineers.

“All of us would have seen and known that the drains in the cemetery road alignment have been consistently flooding and waters from the burial ground have been coming in.”

“The Ministry has indicated that it has no objections to sub-contracting elements of the project, since there are two bridges, two culverts and a fence to be built, in addition to the widening of the road,” Edghill had said.

4 months later

Last year, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government launched its $1.4 billion Enhancement Project along Independence Boulevard and Cemetery Road. The enhancement project will see almost $1.5 billion being pumped into the upgrade and trans-

formation of roads along Independence Boulevard and at Cemetery Road. Works at Independence Boulevard will be completed in three lots, each lot being awarded to a different contractor to speed up the construction process.

Lot one will see works being done from Saffon

Street to La Penitence by Rim Construction Inc. Construction will begin from La Penitence to Garnett Street, making up lot two, by IB Contracting and Machine Rental. Lot three will be done by C&L Construction Inc from Garnett Street to Cemetery Road. (G3)

Family seeking justice for Haslington man allegedly beaten by Police

Four months after the Guyana Police Force has found itself at the centre of a brewing controversy following allegations of vigilante justice made by a dying man against several of its ranks, the family is calling for justice, saying that they are being given the “royal run around” by the police.

reduce the waiting time for diagnoses and according to Dr Ramsammy, it will also fill the gap in human resources using technology to access expertise from abroad.

“They would be able to view the specimens and view slides, view tissues using the remote technology that we have introduced. And so, some of the constraints of not having people physically here are overcome by using technology,” Ramsammy is quoted as saying in a DPI report.

Meanwhile, the Government is collaborating with Mount Sinai and Hess Corporation to transform Guyana’s healthcare into a world-class service that is second to none and will ensure accessibility and affordability for citizens locally and across the Caribbean Region.

The now-deceased man, Collin Murphy, also known as "Day Day," a 22-year-old welder of Haslington New Scheme on the East Coast Demerara (ECD), and who was employed at Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI), died at the Georgetown Public Hospital in April after being hospitalised for six weeks following an accident outside the East La Penitence Police Station, Georgetown, on February 13, 2023.

Throughout his hospital

stay, Murphy and his family had repeatedly claimed that he was accosted and beaten by two Police officers following the accident, an allegation that the Guyana Police Force has vehemently denied.

However, in a video which was circulated on social media, Murphy can be heard describing the al-

leged beating to his relatives from his hospital bed, saying, "I sure they lash me up in meh head with a gun because if you watch me skin you will see it ain’t get nuff whitey like when you ride and you fall off yah bike. Is all them gun butt that they lash me up in me neck back mussy trouble me spine."

Evade police

The incident allegedly occurred as Murphy was attempting to evade a party of Policemen, who were conducting a roadblock outside the East La Penitence Police Station. He was allegedly riding an unmarked motorcycle without a helmet on the wrong side of the road when he collided head-on with a car in oncoming traffic.

Meanwhile, the Police had said that ranks have cooperated with the family in all ways reasonable, and an active investigation is ongoing with a file being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

However, in a Facebook post less than a week ago, Murphy’s sister tagged several media agencies while calling for justice for her brother.

Works ongoing on the Cemetery Road expansion

Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Dead: Collin Murphy

MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Brackish water shrimp project

Govt invites bids for supply of high-density tubes

The Agriculture Ministry has issued an invitation for bids from qualified and eligible bidders for the supply of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) tubes for the brackish water shrimp project, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) at an estimated cost of $24,500,000 million.

Bidding documents can be uplifted from the office of the Fisheries Department, Regent Street and Vlissengen Road, Bourda, Georgetown, for a non-refundable fee of $3000 each and deposited in the tender box at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown, no later than 09:00h on August 15.

During a telephone interview with this publication on Sunday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha explained that these tubes will be used to enhance the ponds to get proper drainage and also to take in water so that farmers could

grow the larvae to come into shrimp.

"These are the continuation of the work so that is why we are now buying the tubes to continue the enhancement. These tubes will be used to enhance the ponds to get proper drainage and also to take in water so that they could grow the larvae to come into shrimp,” Mustapha explained.

He added: “This is what the Government is contributing because the project…is the rehabilitation of these ponds so that we could make it more effective.”

UG’s Got Talent

It was previously reported that under this project, farmers were able to produce 182.89 metric tons (182,890 kilograms) of blackwater shrimp in the first quarter of this year, earning over $274 million, which represents an increase of almost 50 per cent in production when compared to the same period in 2022.

The Minister previously highlighted that with the successes seen thus far, the Ministry is now working to have the programme replicated in other regions, the next being Region Five.

“So far, we’ve assisted farmers with constructing ponds in Region Six and we’ve started preliminary works in Region Five. We’re also looking at other places like Region Two and so on. In the first few months of the project, we were able to increase production by 203 per cent and those levels have continued to increase over the years,” the Minister said.

Patentia teen wins competition, now 1st brand ambassador

The University of Guyana’s Got Talent competition concluded earlier this month at the Theatre Guild of Guyana, Parade Street, Georgetown. This made way for the university’s very first brand ambassador.

Moses Williams emerged the inaugural winner of the competition, which begun on May 18 with two preliminary rounds, two quarter finals, a semifinal and the highly competitive final round. Williams hails from Patentia, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

In the scoring of the competition, judges were given a percentage of votes, likewise the public and within the mega finals the public had a greater percentage in determining the winner.

Williams, who is enrolled in the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, has credited his humble upbringing to his two devoted Christian parents. "My parents would’ve taught me about the importance of timing. There’s a time and season for everything,” Williams said. Questioned about being named the University of Guyana's Talent Ambassador,

Williams added: “I don't take this responsibility lightly. It's more than just getting a title, more than just getting recognised in front of others. This gives me the opportunity to develop new projects with the UGGT Board. Also, to use my many talents to inspire and help young people and the elderly. Along with many other noteworthy characteristics like singing and poetry, not forgetting mental health awareness.”

Sharing some encouragement to his fellow com -

petitors, and other young aspiring talents, Williams went on to say, “It was an honour to share this the stage with so many great talents. I pray that you all continue giving your best on which ever stage you chose to go next…a few years back, I participated in a highly visible competition and finished third. I was content with my third place.” He said that considering that, he held firm in his belief that “my first win will arrive shortly, and it did. This proves that I kept trying. To

Mustapha noted that some 37 farms in Region Six have been developed, comprising a total of 133 ponds.

“Before we started this project in July 2021, farmers were producing just about 10,000 kilograms monthly, just about 120,000 kilograms annually. We announced that this was the direction we wanted to take and that farmers

would be given the support to expand. To date, we’ve been able to construct 133 ponds, and this has contributed to us exceeding initial production figures,” the Minister previously explained.

A total of $349.6 million was allocated in this year’s budget to support the further improvement of the fishing industry.

Over 100 Kabakaburi students benefit from free transportation

Over 100 students of Kabakaburi Primary School located in the Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), will now benefit from free transportation, in the new school term, after the region’s Education Department handed over five brand new 15-horsepower boat engines along with five shed boats to the community.

ents living in the Pomeroon area are not financially able to send their children to school and as such the handing over will ensure that all students are safely taken and returned from school.

De Silva further stated that the Government will continue to place a heavy focus on education and ensuring that each child has equal access to education regardless of their location.

stand on stage and display your ability requires courage. There will be times when you feel inadequate, when you want to give up, and when you doubt your abilities. But pay attention when I emphasise that God has the final word. You'll experience success if you give yourself encouragement from God's Word.”

As the winner of the competition, Williams is expected to travel to the United States to perform alongside an International Artiste. He also won $200,000.

Speaking at the simple handing-over ceremony, Regional Education Officer Shoundelle Hercules said it is an initiative President Dr Irfaan Ali, who had promised that students attending schools in the hinterland receive would boats and engines to ease burden on travelling allowances.

“Take good care of them (boat and engine) and use them for the benefit of the children of Kabakaburi,” Hercules told the residents.

Regional Chairperson, Vilma De Silva said she is very pleased with the initiative, adding that many par-

Meanwhile, Toshao of Kabakaburi, Monty Simon expressed gratitude to the Government while adding that this gift to the community will be properly maintained.

“There won't be any complaints that parents don't have enough money to send their children to school... With the boats and engines, all students attending the school will be picked up and taken home safely free of cost... I thanked the Government for such an initiative that will tremendously assist parents to send their children to school,” the Toshao said.

Some of the shrimp captured at one of the shrimp ponds in Berbice

A section of the brackish water shrimp pond along the Corentyne Coast

Niger coup: Junta shuts airspace citing military intervention threat

Niger's coup leaders have closed the country's airspace until further notice, citing the threat of military intervention.

Flight tracking website Flightradar24 is showing that there are currently no aircraft in Niger's skies.

The West African group of countries, Ecowas, had earlier warned it could use force if President Mohamed Bazoum was not reinstated by 23:00 GMT on Sunday.

A junta spokesman says Niger's armed forces are ready to defend the country.

Mr Bazoum was de-

tained on 26 July, and Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, commander of the presidential guard, later proclaimed

himself the new leader. The military takeover has been internationally condemned, including by for-

mer colonial power France and the rest of the European Union, as well as the United Nations and the United States.

After a crisis meeting in Nigeria, Ecowas military chiefs said on Friday they had drawn up a detailed plan for the possible use of force.

"All the elements that will go into any eventual intervention have been worked out here, including the resources needed, the how and when we are going deploy the force," said Abdel-Fatau Musah, Ecowas commissioner for political affairs, peace

HEALTH TIPS COPING WITH MENOPAUSE

tactics will be needed to cope with this. There are a multitude of strategies that may help with this, many of which may also contribute to improving a woman’s overall mental, physical and emotional health and well-being.

• Meditation: A mere 15 minutes a day of meditation can effectively alleviate stress, and make it easier to cope.

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Family meDicine/ enDocrinology, DiabeTes

Hormonal changes that define the transition to menopause can cause minor or temporary issues, but also significant and longer-lasting ones that can affect women’s quality of life. As they work to manage physical symptoms like hot flashes and insomnia, it's also important to find ways to cope with emotional ones, be they mood swings or challenges in regard to mentally adjusting to this new phase.

EMOTIONAL

The emotional impact of menopause depends largely on an individual woman's personal history and life circumstances, among other factors, but increased stress and mood swings are nearly universal.

This is often a time of reflection and realization that one important phase of life is giving way to another. A woman may feel like her self-identity and sense of femininity have been based on factors that change at menopause, such as her physicality or her ability to have a monthly cycle and bear children. Women might feel grief or regret as they go through this transition. Their social roles may be changing with the end of their fertile years, which can be stressful as well, even if it is welcome. New

Exercise: Any sort of physical activity can reduce stress. The important thing is to do it regularly (at least three times a week).

• Goal setting: Do a life inventory. List things you'd most like to accomplish, hobbies you're interested in, or skills you'd like to hone. Consider any obstacles that might be in your way, even if it's simply a negative mindset. Plan to begin pursuing at least one goal.

Social support: This is a healthy response to stress, because it helps establish a social support network. When overwhelmed by stress, anxiety or worry, call a friend, or see a counsellor.

PHYSICAL

If needed, there are a host of treatments that can help persons cope with the physical symptoms of menopause. Beyond medications, people may find relief by trying some of these approaches.

HOT FLASHES

The internal thermostat may be very touchy around menopause. Many women find that they have a very narrow range of comfort, and it doesn’t take much to become overheated. Try some of these ways to deal with flashes: Dress in layers so you can easily remove clothing if you start to feel hot.

Breathe slowly and deeply: Doing this sort of controlled breathing just as

a hot flash begins can shorten its duration and lessen its severity.

• Drink water if flashing and sweating: Water helps replenish and seems to help regulate internal temperature. Try to get at least 48 ounces in a day.

• Turn down the heat: Whenever possible, keep the environment under 70 degrees in the daytime.

Avoid hot places: Don’t sunbathe or sit in a sauna if prone to flash.

• Don't eat hot and spicy foods: Even if people have always been able to eat them, they may trigger hot flashes.

Try flaxseed or flaxseed oil: It may decrease hot flashes, and have the added benefit of reducing joint and muscle pain for some women.

Consider vitamin E, yam phytoestrogens, and black cohosh: These have all been used for many years to combat hot flashes, though studies on these alternative remedies usually show them to be only as effective as a placebo. Because some supplements can have estrogenic effects, it is best to discuss them with your healthcare provider before deciding to take them.

INSOMNIA

Insomnia is very common just before and after menopause. Sometimes it is due to night sweats, which are hot flashes. But some-

and security.

And he added: "We want diplomacy to work, and we want this message clearly transmitted to them [Niger's junta] that we are giving them every opportunity to reverse what they have done".

Ecowas is a regional trading bloc of 15 West African countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Ghana.

The coup leaders seem to be showing no sign of willingness to cede power, and on Sunday thousands of their supporters rallied defiantly at a stadium in Niger's capital Niamey.

Two of Niger's neighbours - Burkina Faso and Mali - earlier warned they would treat any outside military intervention in Niger as "a declaration of war" against them. Burkina Faso and Mali are both Ecowas members but have been suspended from the bloc since being ruled by military juntas.

Niger is a significant uranium producer - a fuel that is vital for nuclear powerand under Mr Bazoum was a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants in West Africa's Sahel region. (BBC)

times women seem to have a hormone shift that makes them wakeful at the same time each night. This can be frustrating and exhausting. Here are some things to try: Cool the bedroom: Try to keep the nighttime bedroom temperature below 65 degrees.

• Meditate: Just before bed, meditate for a bit. This can put persons in a calm state of mind and help them fall asleep — and stay asleep. Take a bath: A warm or cool bath can regulate the temperature, and cause a person to drift off to dreamland comfortable and relaxed.

Try sedatives: These can sometimes help to regulate the sleep cycle. It’s not a long-term solution, so talk it over with a medical provider.

• Discuss changing antidepressant: If using an antidepressant that makes you wakeful, talk to a health provider about changing to one that has a more sedative effect, and about taking it at bedtime.

Consider CPAP: If snoring, or if having periods of not breathing while sleeping (sleep apnea)

VAGINAL DRYNESS AND URINARY

INCONTINENCE

Vaginal dryness or pain with intercourse can be very upsetting for women who experience it during menopause. These symptoms can disrupt one’s sex

life, which may affect one’s relationship. Incontinence can also be embarrassing and disheartening. These symptoms can be caused by the change in vaginal and urethral tissue that occurs when estrogen drops. In addition to seeking vaginal estrogen treatment: Use a lubricant: Because the vaginal wall is becoming thinner, it is easier to tear or damage. Using lots of vaginal lubricant during sex will help prevent damage. Water-based lubricants feel natural, and wash off easily. Siliconebased lubricants last longer, but more women report being sensitive or allergic to them.

Incorporate vitamin E and flaxseed oil: These can sometimes offer some relief from vaginal and urinary symptoms. Usually, women take them as oral supplements, but there are creams that contain them as well, to be applied directly to the vagina.

• Do Kegel exercises: Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can improve sensation during intercourse and reduce urinary incontinence.

• There are additional treatments, such as vaginal rejuvenation and platelet-rich plasma injections that a gynecologist may recommend in addition to vaginal estrogen treatments.

WEIGHT GAIN

Since metabolism slows down with age, menopause is a common time to begin gaining weight. Weight loss in menopause requires the same approaches that it does at other times in life. Set a goal for a target weight — one that is both reasonable and driven by achieving good health, not a certain size. Enjoy a varied diet in the calorie goal range.

Use weight training as an exercise to get stron-

ger, prevent osteoporosis, and step up your resting metabolism. Managing stress has a place here as well, as it can help tame the release of hormones like cortisol, that tell the body to hang onto fat.

MEMORY PROBLEMS

Although some memory loss is part of aging, there may be some transitory loss that comes with the dip in estrogen which is associated with menopause. Here are some suggestions for relief:

• Consider the diet: Get plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables for antioxidants and vitamins. Cut back on (or cut out) alcohol, sugar, and caffeine, and see if it improves the ability to remember. Explore memory strategies: Use acronyms to remember lists of names or streets. Associate one thing with another; for example, green apples to remember a person with the last name Green.

Implement external supports: For example, hang keys in the same place every time, or put important information into a cell phone, to be easily accessed.

SOCIAL

Nurturing and leaning on existing relationships is beneficial for everyone, and that's certainly the case in menopause. But it can also help to try to make new relationships with women who are in this life stage. Every woman's experience is unique, and how they can best cope with menopause is, as well. Keep in mind that menopause is another life stage. Just like adolescence, women can cope with the changes leading up to it, and enter this new chapter confidently by adopting some useful strategies.

Niger's junta leaders were cheered by thousands of supporters at a defiant rally in Niamey on Sunday

Regional

T&T PM reiterates objection to Opposition Leader's call –“Stand your ground divisive”

power to act without proportionality. Yes we want to be able to give people in this country (the opportunity) to defend themselves, no one is arguing against that.

“We already have that in our country. We have had situations where people have defended themselves and found themselves afoul of the law. You remember a fella that had set up a cutlass with a spring, and a thief who was robbing him on a regular basis went through the window and lost an arm?

Protesters oppose Petrobras oil exploration plan at mouth of Amazon River

Environmental demonstrators protested on Sunday against plans by Brazilian Staterun oil company Petrobras to drill for oil at the mouth of the Amazon River.

"Oil-free Amazon," said a banner held by the group of 50 protesters outside a convention centre where heads of state of Amazon nations will meet this week to discuss joining efforts to protect the rainforest.

"This type of exploration today, in 2023, does not contemplate us and only puts our lives and our way of life at risk," said one protester, Luis Barbosa.

Petrobras has rights to explore a block 175 kilometres from Brazil's northeastern coast in a deepwater area, south of where Suriname is exploring for oil and where foreign companies have discovered 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil in Guyana.

Ibama is not opposed to drilling at the mouth of the Amazon, in principle, and will study the technical and scientific reports impartially, Silva told a news conference.

"Ibama does not make things more difficult or easier. It reaches a technical opinion that must be obeyed," said the Minister, who has opposed the plan to drill at the mouth of the Amazon.

Trinidad and Tobago

Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley said regardless of the outcome of the Local Government Elections, the Opposition will not be able to give citizens easier access to firearms users licences (FULs). He also reiterated his criticism of the Opposition Leader’s promise to introduce stand your ground laws if the United National Congress (UNC) forms the next Government.

He said this law is divi-

sive.

In the latest instalment of the Conversations with Dr Rowley forum, on Saturday at the La Joya Complex in St Joseph, he was asked whether stand your ground laws would address the issue of home invasions.

“What is being proposed is a copycatting of what is happening in America. No local government body could offer stand your ground law, that's a matter for Parliament. It gives a licensed firearms user the

"Was that person ever prosecuted? No. You are not likely to find yourself in a position where you are being prosecuted for defending yourself.”

Rowley said there were 14 states in the US which are trying to get rid of stand your ground laws, as they had very bad consequences. He said Act 15 of 2019 provided a penalty of TT$50,000 and 15 years in jail for using threats or force against people.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Venezuelan teen raped, robbed, stabbed in Chaguanas

A17-year-old

Venezuelan girl who hired a man to take her to Chaguanas was raped, stabbed, and robbed by the man who left her naked and bleeding on the roadside. The suspect remained at large up to Sunday.

Reports are she met with him around 15:00h on Saturday, and upon reach-

ing Connector Road, he drove to a side street and dragged her out of the car.

The man then sexually assaulted the teen. The victim later reported to Police that after the rapist bound her hands as she lay naked on the ground, he used his cellphone to take photos of her.

He then stabbed her twice in her collarbone be-

Petrobras has appealed against a decision by Brazil's environmental protection agency, Ibama, to deny it permission to drill an exploratory well at the mouth of the Amazon, saying the request lacked an environmental assessment of the project.

Speaking here on Saturday, Environment Minister Marina Silva said Ibama would study Petrobras' new request to install a drilling rig off the coast of Amapá to explore for oil in the area where the Amazon River waters enter the Atlantic.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said this week his Government has not decided whether to allow exploration there, and was in a "process of internal discussion”.

He said in a radio interview a decision would be made soon. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Tropical storm Eugene could strengthen to hurricane

Monday," the NHC said in a report, adding that no coastal warnings were in effect.

fore driving off with her phone and other personal items.

The victim walked to a nearby house, where a resident assisted her and later took her to the Chaguanas Police Station.

The girl was taken to the Chaguanas health facility for treatment.

Investigations are ongoing. (Trinidad Newsday)

Barbadians petition for better pension reform of NIS

More than 1500

Barbadians have already put pen to paper, signing a petition aimed at pushing Government to find a different way to recapitalise the National Insurance Fund.

Veteran Attorney and politician Lynette Eastmond started the petition over the weekend, saying it was necessary for all citizens to be involved in how their pensions are determined.

The petition comes after Government on July 28 tabled the Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions Bill) and the National Insurance and Social Security (Amendment) Bill, which caused a stir in the country.

Under the proposed changes in legislation, the retirement age would move from 67 to 68 years old, and there would also be adjustments to the length of con-

tributions into the National Insurance Scheme for people to qualify for pensions.

People who are 60 years old now and nearing retirement have been shielded from the changes.

“Government has written off billions. It has refused

to pursue those who owe the fund money. Please do not allow those who work so hard to pay for the excesses of the rich and the privileged. The main issue is the recapitalising of the fund. Let us find another way,” Eastmond stressed.

(Nation News)

Tropical storm Eugene is strengthening in the Mexican Pacific and could become a hurricane in the next few hours as it moves parallel to the coast of the Baja California peninsula, the United States National Hurricane Centre (NHC) reported on Sunday.

Eugene was located 205 kilometres (127 miles)

southwest of the peninsula and blowing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometres per hour (68 miles per hour) moving at 30 km/h (18.6 mph) in a west-northwest direction, according to data from the Miami-based NHC.

"Eugene could become a hurricane later today before starting to weaken on

The state water commission in Mexico, Conagua said the storm would cause very heavy rains in the state of Baja California Sur and waves up to four metres (13 feet) high. Waves are also expected in the states of Nayarit and Sinaloa.

Baja California Sur is home to tourist hotspots like Cabo San Lucas, while Nayarit hosts San Blas and San Pancho. The port city of Mazatlan is in Sinaloa.

Eugene is expected to continue on its current track through Tuesday with winds extending up to 130km (81 miles) from the centre of the storm, the NHC said.

In late June, Hurricane Beatriz dumped heavy rains in its path, also off the Pacific coast of Mexico.

(Reuters)

Woman shot dead, man injured during party in Jamaica

Awoman was shot dead and a man injured during a party on the Crawl main road in Riversdale district, St Catherine on Sunday morning.

She has been identified as 31-year-old Shelisa Hylton, a round-robin manager from Riversdale. The injured man is 36 years old.

It was reported that around 16:30h, the two were at the party and boarded a grey Toyota Probox motor car when gunmen opened fire on them inside the vehicle.

Police said Hylton was shot in the face and right upper arm. She died on the

spot while the injured man was hit in his upper left thigh and right arm.

He has since been admitted to hospital and is undergoing treatment.

The Police, who were un-

able to confirm if a permit was granted for the party, said they are following several leads to determine a motive for the attack and identify possible suspects.

(Jamaica Observer)

T&T PM Dr Keith Rowley

Veteran Attorney and politician Lynette Eastmond

Around The World OIL NEWS

Pakistan passenger train derails killing 30

At least 30 people have been killed and 100 injured when a train derailed in southern Pakistan, a Police spokesman has confirmed.

OPEC+ panel keeps policy unchanged against backdrop of stronger oil market

An OPEC+ ministerial panel which met on Friday made no changes to the group's current oil output policy after a Saudi decision to extend its voluntary production cut into September helped oil prices rally further.

The panel, called the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, can call for a full meeting of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies led by Russia, known as OPEC+, if warranted.

Oil prices rose more than 14% in July compared with June, the biggest monthly percentage increase since January last year, as tighter supply and rising demand outweighed concern that interest rate hikes and stubborn inflation could hit economic growth.

"The committee will continue to closely assess market conditions," an OPEC statement issued after the online meeting said, adding that the panel urged members to achieve full compliance with output cut pledges.

On Thursday, OPEC leader Saudi Arabia said it will extend a voluntary oil output cut of one million barrels per day (bpd) for another month to include September, adding it could be extended beyond that or deepened. Oil prices on Friday traded at nearly $86 a barrel, close to their highest since mid-April.

Russia will also cut oil exports by 300,000 bpd in September, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said shortly after the Saudi announcement.

OPEC member Algeria, which announced an additional voluntary cut of 20,000 bpd for August, is yet to decide whether to extend the cut into September, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

OPEC+ agreed on a broad deal to limit supply into 2024 at its last policy meeting in June, and Saudi Arabia pledged a voluntary production cut for July that it extended to include August.

The group's output cuts, excluding the additional voluntary reductions from the three producers, amount to 3.66 million bpd, roughly 3.6% of global demand.

The JMMC will hold its next meeting on Oct 4. (Reuters)

Record flooding along Alaska river near Juneau prompts evacuations

Record flooding struck Alaska's capital city on Saturday after a glacial dam outburst, destroying at least one structure and prompting city officials to issue evacuation orders for residents on one street.

The National Weather Service (NWS) received reports of large trees collapsing into the Mendenhall River near Juneau on Saturday night as water levels rose, eroding the banks.

Glacial outburst flooding happens when trapped water escapes through cracks in thinning ice dams, a phenomenon that has increased around the world as a result of climate change.

The water level of Mendenhall Lake reached nearly 15 feet (4.6 m) early Sunday morning, a 3-foot rise over the previous re-

Several carriages of the Hazara Express overturned near Sahara railway station in Nawabshah, about 275km (171 miles) from the largest city Karachi.

Wounded passengers were moved to nearby hospitals. Rescue teams are trying to free people from the twisted wreckage.

Accidents on Pakistan's antiquated railway system are not uncommon.

Railway Minister Saad Rafiq said initial investigations showed the train was travelling at normal speed and they were trying to establish what led to the

derailment.

A railways spokesperson in Karachi said at least eight carriages went off the track.

Some people were still trapped inside a train carriage, according to local broadcaster Geo.

"We don't know what

happened, we were just sitting inside," said one dazed woman who was rescued from a carriage, while others were being taken away by ambulance.

An emergency has been declared in the main hospitals in Nawabshah and neighbouring districts of

Sindh.

Videos posted on social media show dozens of people at the site of the accident, with some passengers climbing out of the overturned carriages.

Train services to the interior districts of Sindh have been suspended.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon told BBC News that the Government's top priority was "the rescue work, which we are totally focused on".

In 2021, two trains travelling in Sindh province collided, killing at least 40 people and injuring dozens.

Between 2013 and 2019, 150 people died in such incidents, according to local media reports. (Excerpt from BBC News)

At least 2 killed, dozens missing in shipwrecks off Italy’s coast

At least two people have been killed and dozens of others were missing after two shipwrecks off the Italian island of Lampedusa.

The Italian coastguard said on Sunday it had recovered two bodies and rescued 57 people following the sinkings.

Around 28 people were reported lost at sea by survivors on one boat, while three were reported missing from the second after both

went down in stormy weather on Saturday, said the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Both were rickety iron boats believed to have set off from Sfax in Tunisia on Thursday.

One was carrying 48 people, the second 42, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Cultural mediators with the IOM believed there were “at least 30 people missing” after speaking to the survi-

vors, press officer Flavio Di Giacomo told the AFP news agency.

An investigation into the shipwrecks has been opened in Agrigento, on the nearby Italian island of Sicily.

More than 2000 people have arrived in Lampedusa in the last few days after being rescued at sea by Italian patrol boats and NGO groups, as strong winds further complicate the situation around the island.

Agrigento’s chief of po-

lice Emanuele Ricifari said the human traffickers putting migrants and refugees out to sea would have known rough seas were forecast.

“Whoever allowed them, or forced them, to leave with this sea is an unscrupulous criminal lunatic,” he told Italian media.

“Rough seas are forecast for the next few days. Let’s hope they stop. It’s sending them to slaughter with this sea,” he said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Ukraine says US and German air defence systems 'highly effective'

Ukraine is seeing "significant results" from US and German air defence systems, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday, despite waves of Russian air strikes that included a hit on a blood transfusion centre.

cord set in 2016, and 5 feet over "moderate" flood levels, according to the NWS.

Water levels were receding rapidly on the Mendenhall River in Alaska on Sunday morning, but a flood warning remained in effect until 10 am local time, the NWS said.

Such extreme weather is expected to increase as a result of human-induced climate change, with scientists reporting that it played an "absolutely overwhelming" role in the record-breaking heat waves that swept North America, Europe and China in July.

Climate change-driven glacial melt and unusually heavy monsoon rains submerged large swathes of Pakistan last year, damaging crops and infrastructure and killing at least 1700 people. (Reuters)

Russia reported that it had shot down a drone heading for Moscow in the third such attack in a week, while officials on both sides said that Ukraine had struck two bridges linking Crimea to the mainland.

Both countries have stepped up attacks on each other's troops, weaponry and infrastructure supporting the war as Ukraine seeks to dislodge Russian forces who have dug in across southern and eastern Ukraine since their invasion last year.

The Moscow-appointed head of Crimea said the Chonhar bridge to the peninsula, which was annexed from Ukraine by Moscow in 2014, had been damaged by a missile strike. Another of the three road links between Crimea and Russian-occupied parts of mainland Ukraine, near the town of Henichesk, was shelled and a civilian driver wounded, a Moscowappointed official said.

Traffic was halted on a third bridge, linking Russia to Crimea, after both sides said a Ukrainian naval drone full of explosives struck a Russian fuel tanker vessel overnight from Friday to Saturday, the second such attack in 24 hours.

In his nightly video address on Sunday, Zelenskiy

said advanced air defence systems, including the USbuilt Patriot and Germany's IRIS-T, were proving "highly effective" and had "already yielded significant results".

Zelenskiy said Ukraine

had shot down "a significant part" of Russia's attacks over the past week, including 65 missiles of various kinds, and 178 assault drones, including 87 Shaheds. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Minibus plunges down Morocco ravine killing 24

Twenty-four people have died in Morocco after the minibus they were travelling in plunged down a ravine in a mountainous area, authorities say.

The bus was taking people to market in central Morocco, when it overturned on a bend, local media say.

The cause of the accident on the road to the town of

Demnate, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, is unknown.

It is reported to be one of the country's deadliest accidents. Morocco has a poor road-safety record.

A picture of the aftermath shows a battered vehicle on its side at the bottom of a slope.

"All the passengers are dead," Youssef Makhloufi, director of the Demnate hospi-

tal, is quoted by the AFP news agency as telling Moroccan public broadcaster 2M.

Two women and a child were among the victims, 2M said.

In 2020, an average of eight people a day died on Morocco's roads, according to the International Transport Forum.

In March this year, 11

people died when their vehicle hit a tree in a rural part of Morocco. A year ago, 23 people died when the bus they were in overturned on a bend east of Casablanca, AFP reports.

In 2020, Morocco established the National Road Safety Agency to co-ordinate its road-safety strategy. (BBC News)

Paramilitary rangers and volunteers inspect the carriages at the accident site following the derailment

Ukraine is two months into a gruelling counteroffensive to try to push out Russian forces occupying almost a fifth of its territory

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Making demands will set you back. Working alone will build confidence and encourage you to take on more moving forward. Refuse to let someone stand in your way or control your destiny.

(March 21-April 19)

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

A change of heart will be due to how someone treats you. Let your intelligence, not your heart, be your guide. Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll gain respect and support.

Someone will leave out important information. Verify facts before participating in something that might hurt your reputation, position or productivity. Keep your thoughts and plans a secret.

Reach out to those with something to contribute and who are well versed in your goal. Distance yourself from those trying to redirect you, take advantage of you or tempt you to indulge.

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Stay on the straight and narrow path and refuse to let temptation lure you in a different direction. Put your energy into living up to your promises and maintaining a good reputation.

It’s up to you to take advantage of opportunities and turn something that interests you into a masterpiece. Your tireless work and enthusiasm will help you dazzle onlookers.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Concentrate on participating physically in a cause that concerns you. The process and experience will enrich you. Spend time with loved ones doing things that bring you joy.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Size up your situation, use your skills and experience to achieve the changes you want to make, and consider partnering with someone who shares your vision. Don’t let emotions stifle your plans.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Take a stance and make physical changes to protect yourself from anyone trying to push you in an incompatible direction. A makeover will stroke your ego and raise your self-esteem.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Don’t waste time or let someone control the outcome. Be aggressive and do whatever it takes to reach your objective. Invest more time and money in making your surroundings comfortable.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

You’ll need patience and the courage to say no to anyone trying to tempt you into doing something erratic. Do your own thing if you want to make progress. Be secretive until you are ready to promote.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Speak up, make plans and follow through. Don’t let your emotions steer you in the wrong direction. Use your imagination and contacts to reach your goal. Positive change is apparent.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Arsenal beat Man City in Community shootout

Arsenal gave their hopes of beating Manchester City to the Premier League title a psychological boost as they defeated Pep Guardiola's side on penalties to win the Community Shield.

After a largely forgettable 70 minutes in the season curtain-raiser, Cole Palmer looked to have won it for City when the substitute curled home a stunning strike.

But Leandro Trossard equalised in the 101st minute when his shot deflected into the back of the net.

That took the game to spot-kicks, where substitute Kevin de Bruyne struck the crossbar before Rodri saw his effort saved and then Fabio Vieira converted to secure the silverware for Arsenal.

Arsenal led the Premier League for 248 days last season, but their challenge fell apart in the closing stages as City overtook them to claim the title as part of a treble, along with the Champions League and FA Cup.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta admitted in the buildup to this game that the end of last season still hurt, and was clearly desperate to get one over City, who beat his side home and away last season.

Arsenal's big summer signings Declan Rice, Kai

Havertz, and Jurrien Timber were all handed their competitive debuts at Wembley, but it looked like it was going to be a familiar story as Havertz failed to convert two big opportunities in the first half,

the league title.

But that will not concern Arsenal for now as they revel in a positive result after such a disappointing end to last season.

Guardiola said in the build-up to this game that Arsenal's transfer business in the summer has moved them to another level, and while neither Rice, Havertz nor Timber particularly excelled, there is little doubt their arrival has strengthened the core of Arteta's team.

before Palmer's stunner put City ahead.

But Arteta's side showed impressive spirit to battle to the end and got their reward when substitute Trossard struck before keeping their cool to come out on top in the shootout.

Win the boost Arsenal needed Few people put great stock in a Community Shield win and history tells us that it does not often lead to a Premier League title win –only once since 2011 has the winning side gone on to secure

The Gunners lost 4-1 and 3-1 in the Premier League to City last season, but this was a much closer affair with Arsenal having the better chances of a cagey first half, but Havertz was twice denied from close range by Stefan Ortega.

While the pressure of a title race is nowhere near the same of a Community Shield match, it would still have been encouraging for Arteta to see his side battle back after going behind, particularly after the manner of their capitulation towards the end of last season.

Another Community Shield loss for City

This is familiar territory for City. They have now played in the last three

Pakistan Govt clears team's World Cup participation, but says concerns remain

chance of a security team visiting India, but a decision on this would be taken later.

Pakistan's matches are slated to take place in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata. As per the existing schedule, their inaugural match is against the Netherlands in Hyderabad, with a highly-anticipated match against India in Ahmedabad, likely on October 14.

Community Shields and lost them all, but City fans will not care if the ultimate outcome is the same as in previous campaigns – winning the Premier League.

After winning three major trophies last season, Guardiola did not need to significantly strengthen in the summer, although Mateo

Kovacic – one of their two big summer signings along with Josko Gvardiol – started in this game.

He slotted in well to City's midfield and for large parts of this game they looked to have picked up from where they left off last season, controlling play and dominating possession.

Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland, who scored 52 goals in all competitions last season, had an off day in front of goal, but did so when he made his debut in last year's Community Shield loss to Liverpool and both he and City went on to enjoy an exceptional campaign. (BBC Sport)

Rashid expected to be available for Pakistan series

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said that Rashid Khan, who skipped the Hundred due to a back problem recently, will be available in the upcoming three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan, scheduled in Sri Lanka from August 22.

Pakistan will play Afghanistan in the threematch series ahead of the Asia Cup as both teams will be keen to finetune their preparation ahead of the tournament.

The Pakistan Government has expressed concerns about its team's security in India during the World Cup, but has stated that it would allow the side to take part in the tournament.

"Pakistan has deep concerns about the security of its cricket team. We are conveying these concerns to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Indian authorities. We expect that the full safety and security of the Pakistan Cricket Team will be ensured during its visit to India," a Foreign Ministry statement said on Sunday.

However, it has stat-

ed that it would not prevent Babar Azam's side from travelling to India. "Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics. It has, therefore, decided to send its cricket team to India to participate in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023," the Foreign Ministry statement added.

The statement, however, does not mention about sending a reconnaissance delegation to India to do a recce of the venues where Pakistan will play. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sources have maintained that there was a

As recently reported, a high-level meeting was held on Thursday, August 3. The decision of the meeting was conveyed to the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

"Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations," the statement said, adding, "Pakistan's decision shows its constructive and responsible approach visa-vis India's intransigent attitude, as the latter had refused to send its Cricket Team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup." (cricbuzz)

Rashid, who was rested in the one-match Test series against Bangladesh due to a back problem and joined the team in the white-ball series, decided to skip the Hundred after taking part in Major Cricket League, to take some rest for the back issue.

Doubts were raised regarding his availability against Pakistan in the upcoming series, though ACB chief selector Asadullah Khan brushed off speculations.

"He (Rashid) skipped the Hundred for these games (against Pakistan) as he wanted some rest to be fully fit for the Pakistan game. Consistently, he is playing cricket so he took a rest from Hundred for the Pakistan series," Asadullah told Cricbuzz recently.

"We had a preparation camp in Kabul and the next camp will be in Hambantota

Rashid Khan

from August 10 and he (Rashid) will join the camp in Hambantota," he said.

Asadullah said that he has high hopes for the team to do well against Pakistan and hopes that it would raise their morale ahead of the Asia Cup and World Cup.

"We have lots of hope before going to the Asia Cup, and if we can win the game that will be very good for our players' morale," said Asadullah.

"This is the start of our World Cup journey. Before now, we have selected too many players to set up the team as a unit so they can understand their roles, but now we are ok with the squad that will play the Asia Cup as well.

"We have lots of hopes

from the fast-bowling attack along with the spinners. And as a batting unit, we are hopeful that those players who are out of form will regain form in the Asia Cup and in the Pakistan series as well. The good thing is everybody is fully fit and very happy, and they are working very hard to perform well.

"That ODI series win against Bangladesh gives us lots of confidence as a batting and bowling unit. We won in Bangladesh, which means that our preparation was very good and some of the mistakes that we made in Bangladesh, I am sure our coach Jonathon and his staff are working very hard on that," he concluded.

(cricbuzz)

Arsenal have boosted their hopes of beating Manchester City to the Premier League

Pakistan govt clears team's World Cup participation, but says concerns remain

Pooran satisfied with his match-winning knock

West Indies lefthander Nicholas Pooran became the leading run-scorer in T20 International cricket against India when he smashed a match-winning 67 in the second T20I at Providence.

Pooran, who is continuing his good form with the bat, smashed four sixes and six fours.

Speaking after the match, Pooran said he was satisfied. He looked at ease on the Providence surface and credited his previous knowledge of the ground to his stint with Guyana Amazon Warriors.

"Satisfied that I performed. The beauty of the game is it is never over till it's over. Being consistent is something I am wanting to do. I won't say it is a purple patch. I have been working hard in the last couple of years, but we have been losing. Now

I look at the game differently and want to continue to entertain. [Mindset at 2 for 2 and 17 for 3] The score didn't matter to me as long as I was batting. It was about being smart and controlling the game. I felt like it was a decent wicket and we are accustomed to get such wickets here. The bowlers are going to give you half-volleys, full tosses," Pooran said. As it relates to the surface, Pooran said: “it’s a beautiful wicket. I love batting here, it is nice.”

The man from Trinidad also credited his countryman Akeal Hosein for his consistency with ball. “Akeal has been really consistent for West Indies over the last three-four years. It is really nice to see him being among the top 10 bowlers in the world when it comes to T20 format, so he continues to do what he has to do,” Pooran said. West Indies and India will return to Providence tomorrow, Tuesday, August 8 for the third T20I. (Brandon Corlette)

Sparta Boss, Gold is Money, Bent Street and Back Circle book semi-final spots

Sparta Boss, Gold is Money, Bent Street, and Back Circle secured their semifinal berths in the Keep Your 5 Alive tournament after exhilarating quarter-final action at the National Gymnasium on Saturday, with a packed audience to support their side.

In the inaugural match, Tucville started the game on a high, scoring the opening goal within the

Gold is Money with an undoubtful performance managed to come back in the second half with a strike from Deon Alfred to send the game into extra time.

Gold is Money did not waste any time, with the ball coming off the feet of Randolph Wagner within the first minute of the extra time period to book their semi-final spot.

In the second match

with a comeback goal from Jemar Harragon seconds after their oppo nents’ goal.

With many shots at both sides the field, the teams managed to keep their composure to keep the score level at the end of the half.

The second half saw the keepers showcasing their

first five minutes. Gold is Money held their composure and they

of the night, Back Circle started the scoring with a strike from Stephon

ball-handling, but Back Circle showed their class to score two quick goals from Ravin Norton and Jamaine Beckles to obtain the lead and qualify for the semi-finals.

Mbappe:

Paris St-Germain striker will not train with 1st team amid contract stand-off

Kylian Mbappe will not train with the Paris St-Germain first-team squad when they step up preparations today for the start of the Ligue 1 season.

Mbappe has been in a

made a world record offer to bring him to the Saudi Pro League.

PSG begin their French title defence at home to Lorient on Saturday and it is understood Mbappe will train with the 'loft' group

for Benfica's Goncalo Ramos.

The 22-year-old scored a hat-trick for Portugal at last year's World Cup in Qatar and has attracted interest from numerous top European clubs.

PSG are expected to pay 80 million euros for the forward. (BBC Sport)

managed to make attempts at their opponents’ goal with the score at 1-0 at the end of the first half.

Reynolds, which gave his team a major advantage. However, Team BV did not let nerves get to them

Harris pulls off thrilling comeback victory over Wells at UFC Nashville

In a thrilling welterweight match-up at UFC Nashville, Brazil-based Guyanese Carlston Harris secured a comeback victory over Jeremiah Wells with a submission in the third round.

contract stand-off with PSG amid a desire to join Real Madrid.

The club's all-time leading goalscorer is refusing to sign a year's extension to his contract which ends next summer.

PSG, therefore, want to sell the France forward now and secure a transfer fee rather than let him go for nothing.

As a result, Mbappe was left out of PSG's touring squad for their pre-season trip to Asia.

Paris St-Germain

criticised by union after leaving Mbappe behind He subsequently refused to meet with representatives of Al-Hilal, who

rather than the 'A' training group, which is players who could feature for the first team.

PSG sources say their most recent attempt to broker a solution to the situation was to offer Mbappe a guaranteed sale clause in his contract for the end of this season. This offer was rejected.

After years of underachievement at Champions League level with their 'galactico' model of signing superstar players, PSG are now going down a different path and are understood to be close to completing a deal

The fight showcased Harris’ resilience and grappling skills as he overcame adversity to secure the win.

Harris entered the fight with a record of 18-5 and was determined to make a statement in the welterweight division. Despite facing a tough opponent in Wells, Harris showcased his fighting spirit and refused to back down.

The first round saw both fighters exchange strikes, with Wells of the USA landing some significant shots with takedowns and top control.

However, Harris weathered the storm and showed his durability by surviving the round. In the second round, it was more of the same as round one, Wells just blanketing Harris and controlling him for the ma-

jority of the round.

In the third round, Harris turned the tide of the fight when Wells went for a takedown and Harris locked up his patented anaconda choke and put Wells to sleep shortly thereafter.

With this impressive victory, Harris has solidified his position as a rising star in the welterweight division. His determination, resilience, and grappling skills make him a formidable opponent for anyone in the division.

Harris’s win at UFC Nashville serves as a step-

ping stone towards bigger opportunities and higher-ranked opponents.

Wells put on a strong performance in the fight, displaying his striking skills and ability to control Harris on the mat with his suffocating top pressure.

However, he was unable to withstand Harris’ grappling and ultimately fell victim to the submission. Despite the loss, Wells has shown promise in his previous fights and will likely bounce back stronger in future match-ups. (clutchpoints.com)

In the penultimate match of the night, Sparta Boss continued to showcase the reason they are one of the best teams in futsal, giving themselves a major advantage in the first half with the ball going into the back of the net with strikes from Curtz Kellman and Ryan Hackett.

In the second half, Sparta Boss continued to dominate, with Nicholas McArthur netting two goals while Kelsy Benjamin and Darron

Niles did not miss out on the action, scoring one each respectively to secure the team’s semi-final spot. Details on the game between Bent Street and Stabroek Ballers will be published in tomorrow’s edition of Guyana Times.

Nicholas Pooran speaks to the media after the second T20I

A glimpse of the action

Carlston Harris extended his record to 19-5 (Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)

Kylian Mbappe was left out of the squad for their pre-season trip to Asia

Pooran’s powerful 67 helps West Indies go 2-0 up against India

65-3. On the slow Providence surface, the West Indies seamers used cutters and slower balls to good effect. Twenty-year-old Tilak Varma looked comfortable, playing some classy strokes and he was given a chance

spinner was animated in his celebration, signalling to the fans at Providence, “blocking the noise.” Pandya struck a big hit onto the media box, but the impressive Joseph produced a good yorker to shatter his stumps at 129-6 in 18 overs.

By Brandon Corlette at ProvidenCe

Nicholas Pooran continued his purple patch with the bat with a scintillating 67 to help West Indies go 2-0 in the five-match T20 International series against India.

In the match played at Providence under steaming sunshine, and watched by more than 2000 fans, ed with a two-wicket win, heading into the third T20I at Providence on Tuesday.

In the chase of 153, West Indies lost Brandon King for a golden duck. Hardik Pandya continued his eventful over when he removed Johnson Charles caught at cover, at 2-2. Pooran came and survived a leg-before shout early and Kyle Mayers got another start, but made only 15.

The home crowd was left in shock, as West Indies were 32-3 in 3.4 overs. Pooran, who is in red-hot

form, played some clean strokes, and destroyed Ravi Bishnoi in an 18-run over. Pooran and Rovman Powell (21) added 57 runs together after the early collapse.

In the process, Pooran reached his fifty from 29 balls. Resounding applause from more than 2000 fans had the Stadium rocking as Shimron Hetmyer made an entrance. He survived a close call early in his innings, but he played sup

off Mukesh Kumar. West Indies won by eight wickets and seven balls to spare.

Pandya was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 3-35 from his four overs.

Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat first. Bishnoi replaced Kuldeep Yadav, who was struck on the hand during a net session on the eve of the match. Obed McCoy began proceedings and he was spot on giving away only one run.

Hosein was thumped for a six first ball he bowled, but Joseph induced Shubman Gill (07) into a false shot. The Guyanese fans gave a loud cheer as Hetmyer claimed the catch. A brilliant run-out by Mayers ensured the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav was back in the hut with India being reduced to 19-2 after four overs.

Shepherd was slammed for six by Ishan Kishan (27), but the next ball, he cleaned

on 25. Shepherd was the culprit at short fine-leg as the ball burst through his hands.

Varma then reached his fifty in 39 balls. One run later, he was removed by the steady Hosein. The left-arm

While it was not a dominant day for India, they managed 152-7 in 20 overs. Shepherd, Joseph and Hosein ended with two wickets each. The third T20I will be played at the same venue from 10:30h local time.

SCOREBOARD

India (20 ovs maximum)

Ishan Kishan †

b Shepherd 27

Shubman Gill c Hetmyer

b Joseph 7

Suryakumar Yadav run out

(Mayers) 1

Tilak Varma c McCoy

b Hosein 51

Sanju Samson st †Pooran

b Hosein 7

Pooran was caught at cover for 67 from 40 balls, and West Indies were 1265, with 27 needed from 36 balls. His wicket sparked a collapse; Shepherd was run out for a duck, Holder was stumped for a duck, and Hetmyer was trapped leg-before for a run-a-ball 22.

West Indies were 1298 after 16 overs. Akeal

Hosein (16*) and Alzarri

Joseph (10*) took West Indies across the line after Joseph broke the ice with a six in the penultimate over

West Indies bowlers kept it tight and India reached 34-2 at the end of the powerplay. Hometown boy

up the southpaw, hitting the top of the off stump. At the half-way stage, India were

Hardik Pandya (c)

b Joseph 24

Axar Patel c †Pooran

b Shepherd 14

Ravi Bishnoi not out 8

Arshdeep Singh not out 6

Extras (lb 1, w 6) 7

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 7.60) 152/7

Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Shubman

Gill, 2.5 ov), 2-18 (Suryakumar

Yadav, 3.3 ov), 3-60 (Ishan Kishan, 9.3 ov), 4-76 (Sanju Samson, 11.2 ov), 5-114 (Tilak Varma, 15.5 ov),

6-129 (Hardik Pandya, 17.6 ov),

7-139 (Axar Patel, 19.1 ov) •

DRS

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Obed McCoy 4-0-25-0

Akeal Hosein 4-0-29-2

Alzarri Joseph 4-0-28-2

Jason Holder 4-0-29-0

Romario Shepherd 3-0-28-2

Kyle Mayers 1-0-12-0

West Indies (T: 153 runs from 20 ovs)

Brandon King c Yadav

b Pandya 0

Kyle Mayers lbw

b Arshdeep Singh 15

Johnson Charles c Tilak Varma

b Pandya 2 Nicholas Pooran †c Samson

b Mukesh Kumar 67

Rovman Powell (c) c Mukesh

Kumar b Pandya 21

Shimron Hetmyer lbw

b Chahal 22

Romario Shepherd run out (Patel/†Ishan Kishan) 0

Jason Holder st †Ishan Kishan

b Chahal 0

Akeal Hosein not out 16 1

Alzarri Joseph not out 10

Extras (lb 1, w 1) 2

TOTAL 18.5 Ov (RR: 8.23) 155/8

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Brandon King, 0.1 ov), 2-2 (Johnson Charles, 0.4 ov), 3-32 (Kyle Mayers, 3.4 ov),

4-89 (Rovman Powell, 9.5 ov),

5-126 (Nicholas Pooran, 13.6 ov),

6-128 (Romario Shepherd, 15.1 ov), 7-128 (Jason Holder, 15.4 ov),

8-129 (Shimron Hetmyer, 15.6 ov) •

DRS BOWLING O-M-R-W

Hardik Pandya 4-0-35-3

Arshdeep Singh 4-0-34-1

Mukesh Kumar 3.5-0-35-1

Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-31-0

Yuzvendra Chahal 3-0-19-2

Guyana Amazon Warriors commence training camp for

Some members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team commenced training on Sunday morning at the Everest Cricket Club.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors training camp included some notable players in Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Ronsford Beaton, and Keemo Paul among others.

The 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will bowl off on August 16 in St Lucia. Shimron Hetmyer and Romario Shepherd will join the squad after the T20I series between India and West Indies conclude on August 13 in Florida.

the team for this season of the CPL. The Amazon Warriors had further indicated that Rahmanullah Gurbaz would

unavailable for some of this year’s CPL owing to international commitments. Haris will replace Gurbaz for that period.

Guyana Amazon Warriors squad: Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Odean Smith, Romario

2023

Shepherd, Azam Khan, Shai Hope, Gudakesh Motie, Dwaine Pretorius, Kevin Sinclair, Keemo Paul, Chandrapaul Hemraj,

Ronsford Beaton, Kevlon Anderson, Matthew Nandu, Junior Sinclair, Saim Ayub and Muhammad Haris. (Brandon Corlette)

Pooran’s powerful 67 help West Indies

go