Guyana Times - Monday, July 17, 2023

Dr Irfaan Ali and his Dominican Republic counterpart, Luis Abinader, and members of the delegation during discussions on the sidelines of the

Foulis man, 29, killed in hit and run

– biker later arrested in connection with accident

Ahit-and-run accident along Foulis Access Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), claimed the life of a 29-year-old man in the early hours of Sunday.

The victim has been identified as Amir Bassalut of Foulis, ECD. Based on Police preliminary investigations, Bassalut was walking along the main access road of the village, and while in the vicinity of 15th Street, he was struck down by an unidentified vehicle.

As a result of the collision, Bassalut fell on to the road and sustained severe injuries. He was found unconscious by the Police and swiftly transported to Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police have since arrested a 23-year-old motorcyclist from Foulis and he is assisting with the investigations.

Police stated that the motorcycle the suspect was operating upon his arrest exhibited damage to its left side front with traces of blood. As a result, law enforcement officers seized the motorcycle and transferred it to the Cove and John Police Station for further examination by a certifying officer.

The investigation into this hit-and-run accident is currently underway, with law enforcement agencies diligently working to gather more information.

This is the second hitand-run accident that

Timehri man stabbed to death during altercation at Soesdyke junction

has occurred within the last two months. In May, a hit-and-run accident claimed the life of 46-yearold Mahendra Kissoon in Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Kissoon and his granddaughter had gone to buy hotdogs when he was struck by a speeding motor lorry owned by Golden Fleece Investment.

The impact threw him into the air, causing severe injuries. The driver fled the scene, leaving Kissoon bleeding on the road.

His granddaughter alerted family members, who rushed him to Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver was later arrested and charged.

The lifeless body of a labourer attached to the Bulkan Sawmill was in the wee hours of Sunday found with at least two stab wounds at Soesdyke-Linden Highway Junction, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The dead man has been identified as 40-year-old Yoel Valenzuela of Timehri Public Road, EBD.

Based on reports received, the now-dead man along with his 17-year-old son and several other relatives were imbibing at a popular night spot at the Soesdyke-Linden Highway Junction, EBD.

At about 4:30h, one of the suspects reportedly walked up to the now-dead man and initiated an argument. The man’s teenage son reportedly intervened and started to “chuck” one of the suspects identified as “Eric”. He then dealt him one blow to the mouth.

“Eric” who was in the company of other friends

4 minors among 10 homeless as fire destroys Diamond home

Atwo-storey wooden house at Lot 22 Diamond School Street, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was destroyed on Sunday, leaving 10 persons including four minors homeless.

One of the occupants, 35-year-old Rosanna Jairam, a housewife and mother of four, related that she had been renting the upper flat of the house for approximately one year while the lower flat was occupied by a man, his mother, and three other persons.

However, on the day in

question at about 11:30h, Jairam was alerted by family members about the fire and quickly evacuated the premises along with her children.

Within moments, the woman said the entire house was engulfed in flames, leaving no chances for salvage or rescue efforts.

Jairam revealed that the fire originated in the bottom flat, shortly after a heated argument between one of the tenants and his mother.

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then confronted Valenzuela and his relatives, forcing them to leave the premises to avoid a further altercation.

However, upon exiting the drinking spot, the now-dead man and his relatives dispersed in different directions, with him running towards the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. Not giving up, the suspects who were armed with bottles went after them.

Nevertheless, at about, 5:30h, the lifeless body of Valenzuela was found lying on its back in the vicinity of the service station. At the time, he was clad in a longsleeved navy-blue jersey, a grey vest, a pair of long black jeans, and a pair of black and white sneakers.

The Police were immediately contacted. Upon examining the man’s body, a stab wound was seen above the left ear and another to his right side back.

Guyana Times under-

stands that earlier in the morning, a team of Police ranks attached to the Timehri Police Station was on patrol in the area when they observed the nowdead man and the suspects engaged in a fight.

The Police intervened and warned them to disperse after which the lawmen left the location.

Meanwhile, Police acting on information received, contacted one of the suspects who was seen wearing a white jersey with bloodstains. He was later examined and a wound was seen on his right thumb.

Further, a search was conducted on his person and a brown-handled bloodstained knife was found in his left side pants waist.

The Police are on the hunt for the two other suspects. CCTV footage collected from the area is being viewed as investigations continue.

Investigators at the scene on Sunday morning

The fire at Diamond, EBD

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, July 17 –04:00h-05:30h and Tuesday, July 18 – 04:15h-05:45h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, July 17 –16:45h-18:15h and Tuesday, July 18 – 17:00h-18:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers and sunshine are expected during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 16:27h reaching a maximum height of 2.33 metres.

Low Tide: 10:01h and 22:11h reaching minimum heights of 0.75 metre and 0.87 metre.

Pres Ali talks investments, food & energy security with DR President ahead of EU-CELAC Summit

President Dr Irfaan Ali, who is presently in Brussels, Belgium, for the European Union-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States’ (EU-CELAC) Summit, on Sunday used the occasion to hold talks with his Dominican Republic counterpart, President Luis Abinader.

In a release from the President, it was explained that President Ali and President Abinader spoke about agriculture, food, and energy security while meeting on the margins of the EU-CELAC Summit.

Additional discussions were also held on potential areas for investment that will benefit Guyana's private sector. These discussions follow the talks that the two presidents had during Abinader’s visit to Guyana last month, where he was accompanied by a delegation comprising both Government and private sector officials.

During his one-day visit, it had been revealed that the Dominican Republic is exploring the possibility of partnerships, specifically collaborating with Guyana for the establishment of a crude oil refinery here.

Following brief bilateral talks between the two Presidents at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Greater Georgetown, senior Ministers from the two regional nations signed three pacts to strengthen collaborations, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in energy-related matters.

MoU

This MoU sought to establish a framework to facilitate and enhance bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector of the two countries based on equality and mutual benefit. It will include the promotion of investments in each other’s countries, as well as technology transfer, research and development, the building of human resources, and collaboration in the natural gas sector.

The MoU signed by Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez also creates the opportunity for support towards financing and construction of a refinery in Guyana.

It was announced that a joint working group will be set up within the next three months to discuss the various arrangements for cooperation in the energy sector and to also oversee the implementation of initiatives agreed to by the two sides. Prior to the signing of the agreement, President Abinader remarked that

the Dominican Republic is eager to partner with Guyana in the energy sector.

“Guyana will be the energy partner of the Dominican Republic and will be a destination for all the produce [from Guyana’s oil and gas sector] …In this MoU, we will also look at exploration and exportation of gas, oil and also, if possible, because it will have to be discussed between our countries and private sectors… a refinery – a joint venture here in Guyana,” the Dominican Republic leader had stated.

EU-CELAC

Meanwhile, the EUCELAC Summit will last from July 17-18. The opening session will be held today, with EU leaders and leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean in attendance and expected to participate in a range of activities including bilateral meetings and a plenary session. The summit will be co-chaired by President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.

It is expected that during the summit, PM Gonsalves will push for both regions to increase their levels of collaboration. During an interview with the staterun National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) prior to his departure for Brussel, he had made it clear that the two regions are unequally yoked.

"Europe remade Latin America and the Caribbean and, in the process, remade itself. What they did in remaking our hemisphere, they have not quite yet understood how they remade themselves and that has to be part of their own consciousness. Historically we have been unequally yoked but we must not continue unequally yoked,”

ing it easier to import ‘all junk from outside’ into the Region.

“So, we have a supply problem. We have an eating problem. We have a system problem but now we have an economic problem. Because the model we’re using to feed the people in our Region has resulted in the highest cost for a healthy diet. Something is wrong.”

“The existing framework is not working! Whatever we’re doing in this moment has given the people of our Region the highest cost for a healthy diet,” President Ali had highlighted.

Gonsalves was quoted saying.

President Ali has been vocal at the level of CELAC, in calling for a revamp of the current framework to achieve food security and nutrition, urging a re-engineering of current policies. As recently as last month, the President addressed a CELAC high-level Ministers of Agriculture meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), calling for an action plan to come out of this engagement.

Between 2019 and 2021, the number of hungry people increased by 13.2 million in the Region. Severe food insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean was higher than the global average. The Region also had the highest cost attached for a healthy diet.

Fearing it will disrupt their business arrangements, Ali pointed out that distributors are also find -

Ali told regional leaders that producing more food and integrating food security objectives while reducing poverty and inequality, remains the key to ensuring food and nutrition security in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“How do we treat investment within the CELAC family? How do we get a common policy decision that we may remove corporate tax from any investment in agriculture within the CELAC Region? What are the types of policies you will recommend at the end of this conference that are so comprehensive that we must think of adopting them throughout the Region? What is the signal we want to send to our development partners?” Ali had also questioned.

Through the 25 by 2025 plan, Caricom has seen a turnaround with significant interest and investment in food production. For the first time in decades, there has been a major shift in action at the policy level, which has attracted attention globally and created a space for dialogue. (G-3)

President Dr Irfaan Ali as he greets Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader

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Guyana and its international relations

As we reported on Sunday, President Irfaan Ali recently declared that among our country’s foreign policy objectives is for Guyana to obtain a place of “respect and regard” in the international community, “…such that we can contribute to influencing global decision-making for good and better”. Within the last three years, more than 70 world leaders or their representatives have either visited Guyana or have had direct bilateral engagements with him, because, he said, “they believe that we can contribute to leadership in the world and in the pursuit of a peaceful and economically-stable world. My government intends to live up to their expectations by ensuring that Guyana plays a full part in fashioning an international system that is fair and just”. In so doing, he continued, Guyana will continue to seek alliances with other countries but, at all times, will remain “independent and principled” by standing up for values set out in the UN Charter and in international law.

While the 11 billion barrels of discovered oil and the one million barrels we will be pumping in four years have brought us world attention, Guyana still remains a “small State” in the global order and it is important to note how such States are seen – starting with the “Classical Realists”. According to one expert, “For classical realists, the absence of a sovereign power in the international system with the ability to enforce the rule of law through coercion means we are left with a system where to quote Thucydides, “the strong do what they will and the weak suffer what they must”.

“This is a particular problem for small States, as inevitably they will be worse off in situations of confrontation and conflict when confronted by larger, more powerful States. Small is, in this respect, a relative term – small, in terms of military, economic, and/or political power, when compared to other more powerful states….(However, seemingly in line with President Ali’s premise,) “Scholars who have examined the development of cooperative relations between States similarly argue that norms of cooperation can develop and deepen over time, making conflict and the exercise of raw power the exception rather than the rule of international relations. Trust, once established, becomes a strong binding factor that facilitates mutually-beneficial cooperation.

“A second stream of realist thinking on international relations (IR) developed during the Cold War. This approach, initially put forward by American theorist Kenneth Waltz, is described as neorealism. (They) discount human nature as an explanatory factor in international relations. For Waltz, States are like units faced with a system of anarchy. However, States are differentiated with respect to their relative power, and the system as a whole is defined by the most powerful States within the system.

"Thus, for Waltz, a balance of power system of IR is the most likely outcome over the long term. This view reflects, in many respects, the experience of the Cold War, but need not be confined to that era. Neorealists focus much of their attention on strong States as the defining players of the system of balance of power…with a single hegemonic power, a bi-polar system, or a multi-polar system. Some also focus on the role of regional hegemons – defined as the strongest State in a particular region, and how these States influence and are influenced by the global balance of power.”

"Of interest to Guyana and President Ally should be this piece of information: "A neorealist exception to this focus on larger States is another American theorist, Stephen Walt. Walt sets out two principal strategies that States can adopt in alliance formation – balancing or bandwagoning. Balancing takes place when a State aligns with others to balance against a stronger power; bandwagoning occurs when States join an alliance with the stronger power. For Walt, the key determinant of state behaviour relates to the degree of threat smaller States feel with respect to States with greater power. Balancing and bandwagoning on the part of smaller States are, therefore, a response to threats, with threat perception being influenced by the aggregate power of another State, its physical proximity, its offensive capability, and its offensive intentions.” A word to the wise.

An infamous, shameful and sad day - July 16, 1973

Dear Editor, My dear Comrades, villagers of No 63/64 Village and especially the family gathered to honour the late martyrs Bholanauth Parmanand (Jack) and Jagan Ramessar both of No 64 Village, Corentyne.

I greet you on this sad day of remembrance as a villager like you, still personally pained by the memory of this day 50 years ago. That two of our very own, one my opposite neighbour, fondly known as Jack, a peaceful and humble rice and cattle farmer, and the young 17-year-old Jagan, son of my father's cousin, Jeffrey, were brutally killed by the armed forces of Guyana on that day of the 1973 elections - under the watch of the Commander in Chief, the President of Guyana and leader of the PNC, LFS Burnham - a President who not only brutalised our country for close to three decades but also killed the hopes and aspirations of its people, especially the young.

While on that fateful day July 16, 1973, vast numbers came out to vote in the rural communities like in Berbice, with very high hopes and expectations that the "dictator to be Burnham" and his PNC will be removed from Office and the PPP under a benevolent, peoples' leader, Dr Cheddi Jagan, will triumph.

The bold attempts at rigging/voter padding pri-

or to those elections by the PNC galvanised our determination that our vote must count. But that day sadly became one of grief, mourning and anger for our village and the families of the two sons we lost to the killings. A day of anguish and hopes extinguished for my country!

I recall returning to 64 Village from Georgetown, rather excitedly to vote on that fateful day in 1973, and for the very first time, with high expectations for victory and change, as Guyana under Burnham and only seven years post-independence, was already in a state of mismanagement and decline.

The theme of Burnham "paramountcy of the party", the PNC, was a telling sign of bad things to come. But that could have been arrested with good, honest leadership of the country and the support of Guyana for free and fair elections from our Caribbean Region in particular, and the world over. Sadly, this didn't happen and we lived under the tyranny of Burnham's PNC until 1992 for 28 years.

So today, 50 years after our two villagers were killed, trying to protect the sanctity of the ballot boxes and for the votes to be counted at the place of poll, we must not forget this day. Their blood was shed for all of us, to protect our freedom and democracy and we therefore must pay homage to them

through their surviving families who are here with us today. Our thoughts will always be with you and for the loss you suffered.

July 16, 1973 was meant to be a day when our people exercised their democratic right to choose their leaders for this country. That right was eliminated that evening with the Burnham's PNC's hijacking of the ballot boxes and the brazen electoral vote rigging that occurred in Georgetown, that kept them in power.

Not unlike what they tried to do in 2020! Thankfully the PPP/C prevailed this time with the help of Caribbean leaders like the straight-talking PM of Barbados, the Hon Mia Mottley. The PNC knows only one way to achieve power, by electoral fraud rather than a visionary, honest, even-handed approach to governance. We must never ever forget the lessons of this day of 1973, as it repeated itself, election after election. We must forever stand guard to protect our freedom and democracy!

What was meant to be a day of peaceful voting and vote counting, ended with the sad loss of two of our people. This began the process of "voting with your feet" - migration from Guyana and the loss of talent that we are still painfully suffering from. Guyanese became refugees when we didn't even know the meaning of the word in

1973!

So, thanks to the families of Bholanauth and Jagessar for being here with us and I know some left our shores; to the PPP stalwarts in our village and Region, past and present, for keeping their memories alive and what they died for. We must never forget, never, and especially the PNC of Forbes Burnham who led this blood bath and the eventual decay of Guyana, a once proud, Caribbean country. This history must never be remade; it must be captured in our history textbooks for the young to know and to reflect uponour dark past. What some died for to preserve our democracy.

I close with this quotation; "You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free"

(Charles Darrow) Bholanauth

and Jagessar of 64 Village, Corentyne, Berbice died for our freedom. May their souls continue to rest in eternal peace.

Sincerely,

Professor Clement Krishnanand Sankat, Ph.D., CEng., former PVC and Campus Principal, UWI, St Augustine, Trinidad, and immediate past President, University of Belize

The six delegates vying for the title of Miss Moruca 2023 were officially sashed ahead of the contest which, is slated for July 28 and 29 at the Moruca Community Centre Ground, Region One (Barima-Waini). The contestants are L-R: Miss Santa Cruz, Anastacia Valenzuela; Miss Warapoka, Nicola Benjamin; Miss Assakata, Shannia Charles; Miss Kwebanna, Arinna Williams; Miss Santa Rosa, Telisha Singh and Miss Waramuri, Anessa Castello

Mohameds are no criminals

Dear Editor,

I refer to several articles about the Mohameds by a Reuters special report, unnamed US officials, and well-seasoned with regurgitated accusations, anecdotes, and innuendoes.

It seems very strange that after a thorough investigation into Mr Nazar "Shell" Mohamed and his companies, by reputable corporations, mostly Americans: Exxon, Halliburton, Champion X, Stena Drilling, Peterson

Energy Logistics, Aramco and Baker Hughes, not a shred of evidence has been uncovered to implicate Mr Mohamed & companies in drug dealing, money laundering or gold smuggling. Further, the US corporations have all continued to do business with Mr Mohamed and their business relationships have been growing exponentially. According to the Governments of Guyana and the United States of America, they are all in good standing.

Colossal Collapse

Dear Editor,

The recent failure of the West Indies cricket team to qualify for the 2023 ICC ODI world cup in India later this year is a major disappointment for Caribbean fans and cricket enthusiasts around the world. From the winners of the inaugural tournament in 1975 then 1979 and runners-up in 1983, the West Indies cricket team has sunk to a new low after missing qualifications for the T20 world cup in 2022 and the recently concluded qualifier in Zimbabwe. The recent failures have exposed the imminent dangers of poor organisation and player management only to be rivalled by the advent of franchise cricket.

Many have felt that the West Indies Cricket Board over the years has not displayed its competence at managing the affairs of cricket. The current structure of island nations and Guyana having a representative on the Board who votes on a President has given rise to nepotism and incompetence. Selection of captains and coaches has not been about the personnel with the qualification and capability but what is the “best fit” for the Board. It has borne disappointing and shameful results as in the 2016 ICC T20 tournament, the team was without uniforms in the initial part of the tournament and eventually victors of a cliffhanger against England. The players, who represent the maroon are without innocence on the downward spiral of calypso cricket.

In the early 2000s, it became evident that player and Board relations were becoming more contentious. Players took to the media on numerous occasions criticising the inadequacies of management. Coupled with periodic strikes, most notably during the tour of India when a majority of players led by captain Dwayne Bravo went on strike for fair compensation for players on a tour of India in 2014.

The longstanding rifts between the players and the Board have caught the attention of past players and Caribbean leaders who have called on numerous occasions for players and board to come to a truce on the way forward to maximise the performance of the junior and senior teams. It is evident that in the era of franchise cricket, players have

found it more lucrative and are more enthusiastic to play for non-national teams while neglecting the investment made to them by West Indies Cricket.

With a packed international calendar alongside domestic games and franchise leagues, the modern-day player is busy and overwhelmed. The COVID-19 pandemic has had its effects on players’ mental stability due to being isolated for weeks and sometimes months on tour. Many cricket Boards have offered support to the player’s services including sports psychologists and recreational activities to alleviate player exhaustion. The West Indies Cricket Board has been lacking the newer innovations in training, player support, and management which becomes evident when players take the field.

West Indies Players themselves have not adapted to the demands of professional cricket by investing in their own well-being like some of their counterparts in Australia, England, and India have. Mental toughness is not a regular feature as it was where players would quickly assess the conditions and play accordingly instead of giving away their wickets and runs in the field due to sloppy fielding, poor line of bowling, and field placements by the captain. Players unlike their counterparts from other parts of the world, have not prioritised playing for West Indies over domestic leagues for fast cash, which has led to bad cricketing habits that become a major hindrance to the longer formats and also international T20 cricket.

All is not lost for the once kings of cricket but the Board, players, and administrators must all play a part in a renewed effort to create sustainable initiatives that will see the rise of a once dominant and successful team in sports history. We welcome the past legends like Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, and Darren Sammy’s involvement in the current setup and would hope for others like Curtly Ambrose and Shivnarine Chanderpaul to be given an opportunity to translate their experiences to the younger future of West Indies cricket.

Thank

A separate issue that is being conflated is whether Mr Mohamed is eligible for a non-immigrant US visa. As a lawyer who practices Immigration and Naturalisation Law in the United States, it's absolutely clear that the issuance of such a visa is entirely at the discretion of a US Consular Officer. Nothing nefarious can be inferred from a denial of a non-immigrant visa application other than the adjudicating Consular Officer chose not to exercise his/her favourable discretion at the moment. It was unethical of those advising Mr Mohamed to push him to retain a PR firm in Washington DC to lobby the US State Department for a remedy.

Editor, it's important for your readers to know and

for me to declare whether I have either a professional or friendly relationship with Mr Mohamed. I have known "Shell" for many years even before he became wealthy and well-known. He was from a poor family from the Essequibo Coast. He came to Georgetown, like many others from the Essequibo Coast and the Essequibo Islands in the 1980s. They all hawked pants-length and socks on the sidewalks on Lower Water St, Georgetown.

It's without any question that the American Govt is seeking to get its hands on Mr Mohamed. However, it's not for drug dealing, money laundering or gold smuggling. And his US visa applications were not denied because of complicity in those illegal activities. There are

allegations of alien smuggling against Shell. However, no formal charges have been filed naming him in any Federal Court in the US and therefore no extradition order has been sought by any US Attorney for his extradition. If there was a mustard seed of evidence that Mr Mohamed and his companies were engaged in drug dealing, money laundering and gold smuggling, the US Dept of Justice would have moved to charge and have him extradited.

On the other hand, Mr Nazar Mohamed is "guilty" of association with the ruling Govt and has established long-standing business relationships with many wealthy business owners and corporations in Guyana. Those relationships, Editor, once mined, gifts a treasure trove of intel-

ligence to any foreign Govt seeking to influence policymakers in this sovereign nation.

I have no professional relationship with Mr Mohamed, whom I still consider a friend. This letter, Editor, was written because I still respect him for his honesty, humility and unquestionable integrity.

In conclusion, I challenge these unnamed US officials. If your Justice Dept has an iota of evidence that this gentleman and his companies are engaged in drug dealing, money laundering and gold smuggling, then present it before a grand jury in the Southern District of New York and charge him with a crime.

Sincerely,

Fuad Rahaman

Dr Desmond Haynes needs to do a Usain Bolt run

Dear Editor, I have long come to the realisation that successful cricketers do not necessarily become good cricket administrators. For a number of years there had been clamouring near and far for a certain gentleman by the name of Desmond Haynes to be more involved in the administration of West Indies cricket with loud noises calling for him to be the coach among other things.

I myself had held the same view, but in the recesses of my mind, I have always been cognisant of the well-known tendency of Barbadians to openly practice insularity and the possible devastating effects it will have on an already fledging precariously poised West Indies cricket.

I still strongly believe that past West Indian cricketers should be more directly involved in the administration of West Indies cricket and see the current structure with sixteen (16) Directors and a top heavy secretariat as a “Parasitic Bureaucracy” dolling out monies to friends who at best could not hold a similar position within the private enterprise.

So, I nervously supported Desmond Haynes’ elevation to the position of Chairman of Selectors of West Indies cricket with the hope (not expectation mind you) that there would be some sense of sanity and normalcy in his team selection and that players would be selected based on performance (primarily) among other things. After all, he benefited from this very policy as a young player.

But no one was prepared for what has unfolded and it seems like the bestowing of the doctorate degree on this goodly gentleman has either aroused his demons of insularity into legions or negatively impacted his equilibrium to the stage where his behaviour makes him a prime candidate for our facility at Fort Canje, Berbice.

You,

Collin Haynes, MPH, MBA

This current bunch that he calls the West Indies Test

team is an embarrassment. It has always been the practice in the structure of test teams that the best batsman in the team occupies the number 3 position. Raymond Reifer better known for his left-arm seamers with some batting skills has been continuously selected by the goodly Dr Haynes as the West Indies #3, a position which he is illequipped to fill and can only be justified due to his country of birth.

Cornwall and Warrican are proven failures with the former unable to pass a properly administered fitness test, but yet they find themselves in the West Indies team ahead of Permaul who performed well in the Sri Lanka test series as well as in the regional tournament. And to add to the insult, WI were beaten by India by an innings and 141 runs within 3 days. They could only score 280 runs in 2 innings.

And by what logic has Pooran been continuously sidelined from West Indies test selection despite indicating clearly that he was interested in playing test cricket? I suppose that the same logic dictates that Hetmyer would not be selected either despite a West Indies-sanctioned “Enquiry” including the mighty Brian Lara concluding that both gentlemen should be part of the West Indies team.

It is clear that there is either a disconnect between the goodly Dr Haynes and the administration of the West Indies Cricket Board or the “Enquiry” was just a comedy show to appease the angry public of WI’s embarrassment as being the first-ever T20 World Champions to be eliminated by minnows for the T20 World Cup? Either way, it is an indictment against the team selection and administration of West Indies Cricket.

It is necessary to highlight that the technical capabilities of some of these players are so ridiculously unacceptable that they can elevate your blood pressure to dangerous levels if you are hypertensive. It is as a consequence of four

(4) decades of mismanagement of West Indies cricket by individuals who should be banned for life from even entering any cricket ground in the West Indies. The recent appointment of a proven failure to the position of “Director of Cricket” is a positive indication that the worst is yet to come and I dare say that the loss of test status is a real possibility and just a question of when.

Four (4) years ago I had predicted that West Indies cricket will get worse and I have been proven to be correct I dare say that with the current new WICB administration, it will get progressively worse.

I saw images of the goodly Dr Haynes smiling broadly while in Zimbabwe where his West Indies-selected team took West Indies cricket to its lowest level ever in the history of West Indies cricket where the two (2) time champions were trashed by Netherlands and Scotland on their way of being embarrassingly kicked out of the 2023 World Cup. His record of embarrassment is enviable and one would have thought that he would have come to reality and adjusted his approach to correct the rubbish. But NO! The goodly Doctor somehow believes that he can do the same thing repeatedly and get a dif-

ferent result, a situation best described as insanity.

There is absolutely no doubt that Dr Haynes’s team selection has elevated the previous Chief Selectors’ status to the level of excellence if a proper comparison is made, even though they all have proven to be below expectations. I can say clearly, without fear of contradiction that Mr Clyde Butts stands heads and shoulders, literally and figuratively, above those selectors who were former players and held that position after him.

It appears as though being aloof and obdurate are behavioural traits coveted upon ascending to the throne of Chief Selector and the goodly Dr Haynes is clearly up to no good. The results so far under his tenure, do not do justice to the respect the world has for him as a former great opening batsman and his obvious ridiculous and visionless actions do not do justice to his pedigree as a former player nor his recently bestowed elevation as a doctor.

We expect nothing else but excellence from a doctor and to save his name, face, and West Indies cricket he should do a “Usain Bolt” … RUN and do so with alacrity. The West Indies public deserve better.

Yours truly, Eric Whaul

Page Foundation

Use a ruler and find the measurement of each line segment

Climate Check?

Community connection

Now connect what you have learned about weather, seasons, and climate to your own community. Have a weather and climate scavenger hunt. Look for different examples of how weather and climate affect your community. Fill out the chart and decide whether what you see is evidence of recent weather or of long-term climate. Add more examples when you find them.

Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, On Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour. July 13, 1798 Part I

By William WordsWorth

Five years have past; five summers, with the length

Of five long winters! and again I hear

These waters, rolling from their mountainsprings

With a soft inland murmur.—Once again

Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs, That on a wild secluded scene impress Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect

The landscape with the quiet of the sky.

The day is come when I again repose

Here, under this dark sycamore, and view

These plots of cottage-ground, these

orchard-tufts, Which at this season, with their unripe fruits, Are clad in one green hue, and lose themselves

'Mid groves and copses. Once again I see These hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows, little lines

Of sportive wood run wild: these pastoral farms, Green to the very door; and wreaths of smoke

Sent up, in silence, from among the trees! With some uncertain notice, as might seem Of vagrant dwellers in the houseless woods, Or of some Hermit's cave, where by his fire The Hermit sits alone.

These beauteous forms, Through a long absence, have not been to me

As is a landscape to a blind man's eye:

But oft, in lonely rooms, and 'mid the din

Of towns and cities, I have owed to them, In hours of weariness, sensations sweet, Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart; And passing even into my purer mind

With tranquil restoration:—feelings too

Of unremembered pleasure: such, perhaps, As have no slight or trivial influence On that best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless, unremembered, acts

Of kindness and of love. Nor less, I trust, To them I may have owed another gift, Of aspect more sublime; that blessed mood, In which the burthen of the mystery, In which the heavy and the weary weight

Of all this unintelligible world, Is lightened:—that serene and blessed mood,

In which the affections gently lead us on,—

Until, the breath of this corporeal frame And even the motion of our human blood Almost suspended, we are laid asleep In body, and become a living soul: While with an eye made quiet by the power Of harmony, and the deep power of joy, We see into the life of things.

WORD SEARCH

World Bank bumps Guyana up to high-income status – due to economic growth, increase in

Gross National Income

per cent leading to a 60.0 per cent increase in Atlas GNI per capita,” the World Bank further said.

With a projected growth rate of 37.2 per cent for 2023, Guyana is expected to continue its trend this year, outpacing every other Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) country when it comes to economic growth.

however, that by 2028 Guyana’s economic growth will drop to 3.3 per cent.

fiscal management.

Guyana’s upward climb on global indices continues, with the World Bank most recently revealing that Guyana has moved from the upper-middle to high-income category for fiscal year 2024, on the back of strong economic performances buoyed by higher oil prices.

According to the World Bank in its country classification by income level for July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, Guyana and South Pacific Island American Samoa are moving from upper-middle to the high-income category this year.

It was explained that there are two ways a country’s classification can change. The first and most obvious way is a change in economic growth, inflation, exchange rates, and popu-

lation growth. The second way is a change in classification thresholds.

The World Bank explained that in Guyana’s case, the country’s economic growth is driving the change in classification and the increase in Guyana’s Gross National Income (GNI) - the per capita dollar value of a country's final income in a year divided by its population.

“The large increase in Guyana’s Atlas GNI per capita is driven by the increasing volume of oil and gas production which more than doubled in 2022. The nominal increase was further amplified by higher oil and gas prices.”

“And despite strong increases in outflows of primary income abroad, Guyana’s nominal GNI jumped 86.2

This was according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest World Economic Outlook, which it released in April. Of the other LAC countries, St

Meanwhile, other LAC countries that will record single-digit economic growth this year include Panama at 5.0 per cent, neighbouring Venezuela at 5.0 per cent, Dominica at 4.9 per cent, St Kitts and Nevis at 4.5 per cent and the Dominican Republic at 4.2 per cent.

Noting that Guyana has cemented its place as the fastest-growing economy in the world, the Head of State had further boasted that the country was projected to grow at an average of 25 per cent annually from 2023 to 2026. He indicated that these numbers were impressive when the global economic growth estimates are examined.

Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) at 6.0 per cent, has the next highest growth projections for this year.

But while SVG’s growth projections are expected to fall next year to 5.0 per cent, Guyana’s is expected to increase to 45.3 per cent in 2024. The report states,

Last week, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced that Guyana’s nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) almost tripled in the space of two years, moving from $1.1 trillion in 2020 to $3.1 trillion at the end of 2022.

While he had attributed this largely to the country’s petroleum industry, it is also linked to his Administration’s prudent

“The world is estimated to grow at 2.8 per cent in 2023. Advanced economies are expected to grow at 1.3 per cent; Latin America and the Caribbean, 1.6 per cent; the Caribbean tourism-dependent countries at 3.2 per cent; Caribbean commodity exports, 18.7; and Guyana is expected to grow at 25.1 per cent. Guyana’s non-oil growth is now projected at 7.9 per cent this year, building on the 11.5 per cent growth recorded last year,” the President had said.

Moreover, the Guyanese leader disclosed that the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 24.6 per cent at the end of 2022, down from 38.9 per cent a year prior. “…demonstrating Government’s commitment to prudent fiscal management of the country’s resources,” Ali expressed.

In terms of inflation, he had revealed that the world estimate is 6.1 per cent; Latin America and the Caribbean, 11.8 per cent, and Guyana is estimated at 3.8 per cent. Inflation has been a problem even in Guyana, but it is not a problem the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has met sitting down.

Back in May 2022, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced a series of ground-breaking measures to tackle rising cost of living. These measures had ranged from cash grants to households in hinterland and riverine communities to the provision of free fertiliser for farmers, which are aimed at improving the lives of citizens. (G-3)

The World Bank produces income classifications for countries every fiscal year President Dr Irfaan Ali

Town Clerk, 3 other City Hall officials facing bribery charges

Chapter 8:01.

In the private complaint, Bertrand Thorn of Area K Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), deposed that from 2009 to August 2022, at the Stabroek Market, Water Street, Georgetown, they allowed Terrence Joshua Bidajhar to sell alcohol, play music and solicit females all day.

cluding that the Head of State is creating an Islamic State in Guyana.

Narine had gone to the area after the Public Works Ministry had initiated action to remove vendors occupying spaces along New Market Street, between Thomas and East Streets, following notices that they were impeding the flow of traffic in the vicinity.

Making connections… …with Chase and labour

Acting Town Clerk of Georgetown,

Candace Nelson is among four City Hall officials facing a joint bribery and corruption charge that was filed against them by a Stabroek Market vendor.

Nelson, along with Clerk of Market Sherlock Lovell; Assistant Clerk of Market Melroy Gordon, and Senior Revenue Clerk Shellon Green are charged with bribery and corruption, contrary to Section 332 (m) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act,

When the quartet appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, bail was granted to each of them in the sum of $10,000. Georgetown City officials have faced numerous scandals in recent times.

In December 2022, outgoing Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine was charged and placed on $200,000 bail for allegedly attempting to excite racial hostility.

The two charges stem from certain remarks the Mayor had made while protesting the removal of vendors from the positions they occupied in front of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) at New Market Street in Georgetown on Monday, December 12,

2022. The matters are ongoing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Backed by the vendors, Mayor Narine lay on the roadway to prevent trucks from carrying away the vendors’ food caravans and stalls.

Mayor Narine descended into making a series of serious accusations against President Dr Irfaan Ali, in-

Remarks uttered by Georgetown Mayor Narine, accusing the President of creating an Islamic State, were vehemently condemned by Government, the private sector, and civil society, among others. His comments were met with immediate backlash and calls for his immediate resignation on the ground that he was unfit to hold such office.

Narine, who is a pandit, was also rebuked for his statement by the Guyana Pandits Council and its affiliates, which vehemently condemned the utterances he made.

4 minors among 10..

She further disclosed that during her tenancy, she had been compelled to contact the police multiple times due to threats made by the said individual who had previously threatened

FROM PAGE

to set fire to the house during disputes with his mother.

“The man smokes and he is an alcoholic. Every time they argue he always says he will burn down the house. I had to call 911 and the police came and warned the mother to get him out of the yard and take him to the hospital if he has a mental problem”, she said.

The blaze, fanned by strong winds, spread quickly, leaving the firefighters with a formidable challenge upon arrival. Despite their valiant efforts, the fire could not be contained in time to save the house from complete destruction. The intensity of the flames left nothing but charred remnants.

The displaced families are now facing the daunting prospect of finding alternative accommodation, as they have lost their homes, belongings, and cherished memories in the fire.

“I lost everything and I have nowhere to go. Even my children’s school things that I just bought with the money from the Ministry, everything gone. Being in this position with four children is hard, with nowhere to go. I don’t know what to do and I need help”, she said.

Jairam is appealing to anyone willing to help her family to contact her at 674-6019. Meanwhile, the investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing.

Well, if nothing else, Ashton Chase was certainly “recognised” at his passing – at the grand old age of ninety-six!! The man passed the proverbial “three score and ten” by miles, so he must’ve done something right!! But seriously, how do we really honour a man who’s universally considered a national icon?? With just words, or by actions? Your Eyewitness goes for action – but what kind of action??

Chase lived for an idea that was supposed to benefit our country, So why not examine his idea and implement those aspects that deal with our reality today? He grew up during the Great Depression when the contradictions of the capitalist economic system in America had made the lives of hundreds of millions of people across the world “nasty, brutish and short”. Even some of the despised capitalists jumped off skyscrapers when the stock market crashed –making them into paupers!!

So what was the solution to capitalism’s crisis in Chase’s day?? Trade unions to represent workers and Governments that recognised the need for workers to earn wages to give them a decent standard of living. Unions never said capitalist employers – called such because they put up the “capital” for the business – shouldn’t make profits. But enough of those profits should go to the workers to move their way beyond subsistence levels. And the Government?? It should ensure the said decent wages, and the safety of workers –and use fair taxation laws to provide services like medical and educational free.

So how applicable are these proposals today?? Still sound reasonable to your Eyewitness! This sadly implies that not much might have changed since Chase’s days!! Take sugar workers in a beleaguered industry. The PNC Govt had thrown 7000 of them into the breadlines – are they being assisted by the present to live in dignity while new jobs open up? But hey – we now got oil!!

Are the oil companies paying their fair share of taxes?? Your Eyewitness notices we got a severe shortage of nurses in the medical system – and the Government’s talking about bringing in Cuban nurses. Has the Government addressed whether the salary demands of nurses are fair?? And consider that Spanish-speaking nurses might be pennywide, pound-foolish since they can’t even communicate with our working class who used public medical services.

But to the credit of the Government at least Chase’s PRINCIPLE of workers’ rights has become standard in our country. Sadly, the Trade Union field has withered and most unions are political in the wrong way and for the wrong reasons. Chase recognised Unions gotta be political – but on behalf of their workers and NOT for any political party!!

Both entities should return to Chase’s first principles!!

…with dreams

This Friday – in the midst of a strike in Hollywood – two big-budget movies are gonna be released. Hey…life goes on, doesn’t it?? And what are those movies?? Well, first comes the FIRST live-action BARBIE movie – after all those computer-animated versions that were such hits with the kids. But the times are “a-changin’’ – as one poet minstrel crooned – so what tickled the fancy of kids then mightn’t tickle it now!

This time, “Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colourful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.” And that reminds you Eyewitness of the old gag where the aghast father asks why the “Divorced Barbie Doll” is 20 times more expensive than all the other versions.

It's modern times, so this Barbie has to get Ken’s house, car, etc…etc…!!

…with death

The other movie released is “Oppenheimer” – the man who led the Manhattan Project that created the Atomic Bomb. Looking at the first test explosion, he quoted from the Bhagavad Gita: “I have become death, the destroyer of worlds”.

Guess why Japan ain’t showing the movie.

Town Clerk (ag) Candace Nelson

Outgoing Georgetown

Mayor Ubraj Narine

Concrete batching plants installed at new DHB site as work progresses – Min Edghill

– to be completed by contracted deadline

Work on the new Demerara River Bridge that will link the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) is moving apace and is on course to be completed by the deadline in 2024.

This was revealed by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during a recent episode of “The Guyana Dialogue” on Thursday.

“The work is moving apace for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge. Just under two weeks ago I was on the site examining what is taking place. They were currently installing four concrete batching plants which would facilitate the pouring of the concrete for the structures of the bridge. There’s a lot of preparation that is being done, all the geotechnical have been completed, the designs have been retweaked to ensure greater efficiency and we expect to get this bridge within the contracted time frame.”

The Minister also revealed that the contractor for the project has started to import some 250 containers of steel which will see them

building out a steel structure that will be used to work on the concrete structure for the bridge.

“The contractor had started importing 250 containers of steel, which will form a steel bridge so they can work from the steel bridge to build the permanent bridge. So, they’re building a steel bridge to work as their platform to build the fixed structure concrete bridge. Those containers have started to arrive and they have already put in the piles, demarcating the work area to ensure that vessels and others would not be within any

danger zone.”

He further stated too that plans are well advanced and very soon persons will start seeing physical signs of a bridge being built in another couple of months.

With $5.2 billion set aside in this year’s budget to advance works on the new bridge, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill revealed earlier this year that all the persons who were residing along the pathway of this massive infrastructural development have agreed to relocate without any resistance.

In January, Mohamed’s Enterprise gifted the

Government its US$3 million prime waterfront property at Providence, EBD to facilitate the construction of the new Demerara River crossing.

In May 2022 a US$260 million contract was signed with a joint venture led by China Railway and Construction Corporation Limited to construct the new bridge, which will land aback Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara and at La Grange, West Bank Demerara.

In the 2022 national budget, a sum of $21.1 billion was allocated to the Public Works Ministry for work on the bridge. The China Railway and Construction Corporation (International) Limited-led joint venture outbid four other pre-qualified international companies that submitted proposals for the project.

In the months prior to the contract being awarded, the PPP/C Government, through a team of specialists – legal and engineering – was in negotiations with the Chinese company to finalise the terms of the contract. The new bridge

will be a fixed 2.65-kilometre, four-lane, high-span, cable-stayed structure across the Demerara River, with the width of the driving surface being about 23.6 metres.

The bridge, which features a bicycle lane, will bring an end to closures to vehicular traffic with a 50-metre fixed-high span to cater to the free flow of vessels uninterrupted. The river will be dredged along a 13.5-kilometre stretch to accommodate large vessels.

This new bridge will replace the ageing floating Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), which has outlived its lifespan by several decades. At 1.25 miles (2.01km), the current Demerara Harbour Bridge

is a strategic link between the East and West Banks of Demerara, facilitating the daily movement of thousands of vehicles, people, and cargo.

Specifically, it will provide better connectivity to the EBD road, the Diamondto-Ogle bypass road on the eastern side of the river, as well as the WBD roads, including the Parika-toSchoonord road on the western side of the river.

In September 2022, some $11.8 billion in contracts were signed for the construction of the Schoonordto-Crane four-lane highway, a project that is part of a much larger initiative to establish a secondary road link to Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Artistic impression of what the new Demerara River bridge will look like once finished

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

$20M up for grabs as Digicel launches “Deal or No Deal” summer promotion

Digicel is turning up the heat this summer with its highly anticipated promotion, “Deal or No Deal”, where over $20 million is up for grabs.

Prepaid customers are in for a thrilling experience as they participate in Digicel's gameshow to select their cash prize and negotiate their winnings with the Banker.

During this campaign,

qualifying prepaid customers will have the opportunity to make a “deal” of their lives and potentially win up to a staggering $2 million instantly. The promotion will run for six weeks, commencing on July 16, 2023, and concluding on August 26, 2023, with two exciting game shows scheduled to be aired on NCN channel 11.

To be eligible, prepaid customers must top up

their accounts with $1000 or more using scratch cards or electronic top-up methods to collect the letters to spell the word D-E-A-L. Once the top-up is successful, customers will receive a text message containing their electronic letter within five minutes.

By texting 'DEAL' to the short code 1441, Digicel consumers can keep track of the electronic letters they have collected. During

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

Digicel Communications Manager, Vidya Sanichara highlighted, “Our summer promotion is coming off the heels of some of our highly anticipated and exciting promotions that we had. We celebrated 16 years recently and we launched that with $16 million in 16 days. Then we gave away 16 iPhones in 16 days.”

The company also celebrated Mother’s Day and

Father’s Day with big giveaways for their customer base.

During the launch, media personnel and other personalities also had a chance to win monetary prizes.

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

For more information and updates on the "Deal or No Deal" promotion, customers can visit the Digicel website or contact customer support on 100. Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 31 markets throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and Asia Pacific. The company also runs various community-based initiatives across its markets, including Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago, focusing on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

Members of the media and other personalities won cash prizes during the launch Hosts Surida Nagreadi and DJ Akelo with “Deal or No Deal” girls at the launch

3-year-old medevacked to US after suffering 50% burns – SHEA charity seeks funding to offset treatment costs

Battling from second-degree burns across 50 percent of his body, a three-year-old boy from Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) was flown to the United States of America (USA) on Sunday to undergo much-needed treatment.

However, little Shiv Thompson is in need of financial support to cushion the costs of medical expenses. The Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) organisation graciously undertook the efforts to raise the US$60,000 needed but only a percentage of this has been raised.

It was shared that the little boy accidentally fell into a pot of boiling water at his Mabaruma home. Given the time-sensitive nature of his case, he was medevacked for treatment at a reputable burns facility in Texas and payments have been deferred in the meantime.

SHEA Volunteer, Sita Sugrim told Guyana Times on Sunday, “The funds have not been raised as yet. However, they’re still going ahead with the treatment. Because of our relationship with medevac

and the hospital, they’re able to defer payment until a later date. The last time I checked, I know it was about US$3000 raised out of the US$60,000 we need.”

In light of the unfortunate incident, his tiny body suffered from significant burns. Thompson was immediately rushed to the regional hospital and quickly transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where doctors worked tirelessly to stabilise him.

“They were cooking and the child was right around the area and he fell into the pot,” Sugrim explained.

He was under the care at the GPHC under ‘outstanding supportive care’, SHEA said. However, due to the extent of his injuries, he needed to be medically airlifted to the US for emergency surgery and management.

SHEA accepted Shiv’s case and urgently worked on getting all paperwork and preparations made for his travel. He was accompanied by his mother.

“Usually when these cases

happen, they’re always time sensitive. As soon as it happens and the hospital realises that they need more expertise, they would reach out to the organisation. As soon as they reach out, the process starts right there. Even before we are able to meet the family, the process has started to communicate with the hospital and get the paperwork ready for the medevac,” Sugrim underscored.

Within a couple of days, the volunteer added that they were able to acquire documents such as a birth certif-

icate.

“Families from far-flung areas usually don’t have birth certificates, passports. So application to the embassy, getting their visas, and everything was done within a few days. Everyone got into action as soon as it happened.”

The organisation is calling for support, as it helps to support the young boy in accessing the best quality care and medical attention. This can give him a new lease of life.

“Please help us help Shiv in this desperate fight for his life by making a generous donation today.”

There are several avenues open for donations to filter. Persons can use Demerara Bank under the name Lori Narine and account number 2041325. Wire transfers can be made under the savings account at the Le Ressouvenir branch. SHEA also accepts MMG via 650-8658; or Venmo at SheaCharityGY and Zelle at shea@sheacharity.org.

SHEA is a publicly-funded charity, which is managed by volunteers. All of its donations are allocated to patient care. The organisation has

also clarified on its website, “SHEA Charity only accepts donations through its online platforms and the local bank.

It does not solicit cash in-person donations; there-

fore, if you are approached by any person seeking a cash (hand to hand) donation, it is not on our behalf, nor is it for the benefit of the children in our programme.” (G-12)

Little Shiv Thompson needs support to offset his medical treatment

The burns across a section of his body

422 inmates now equipped with necessary skills for reintegration into society

ation ceremonies, Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot emphasised the Prison Service's responsibility to provide inmates with the necessary tools for their reintegration while assisting them in recognising their past mistakes and fostering personal growth.

Guyana's prison system celebrated a significant milestone as 422 inmates from Lusignan, New Amsterdam, Camp Street, and Timehri Prisons completed a series of ground-breaking training courses geared towards reintegration into society.

These courses have been specifically designed to equip inmates with valuable skills and knowledge that will aid their reintegration into society upon release.

The comprehensive programmes offered a diverse range of training areas, including family reconcilia-

tion, domestic violence, literacy, citizenship and the law, psychology, and even yoga. By addressing these crucial aspects, the aim is to help inmates rebuild their lives and successfully transition back into the community.

During separate gradu-

Elliot highlighted the significance of the programmes and their impact on the inmates' future, stating, "The various programmes are just another phase to assist and strengthen the rehabilitation of inmates that are currently incarcerated.

The programmes also signify the important step that the Prison Service is taking in order for the full rehabilitation of the inmates."

He continued, emphasising the importance of the

training in preparing the inmates for life after prison, "You must consider yourselves fortunate that you have been chosen.

We hope that the programmes that you have participated in will help you understand where you have gone wrong and encourage you to be better citizens once you are released back into your communities."

The successful completion of these training courses marks a positive turning point in the lives of these inmates, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for a fresh start.

The Prison Service's commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration underscores its dedication to fostering a safer and more harmonious society.

Armed robbery suspect sets fire to Brickdam Police Station lock-ups – claims he lit toilet paper to ward off mosquitoes

Aprisoner who was detained for armed robbery is now expected to be charged with arson as he reportedly set a mattress on fire while being in custody at the Brickdam Police Station.

The incident occurred on Sunday at approximately 6:50h, according to reliable sources. Swift action by on-duty Police officers led to the prompt extinguishing of the fire.

The suspect, identified as Stephan Howard, a 22-yearold vendor from East La Penitence, Georgetown, was arrested on Saturday and is due to make his court appearance today.

Guyana Times understands that a Constable on duty heard prisoners raising an alarm about the fire and upon checking, observed smoke emanating from one of the cells – the very cell where Howard was being held.

The Constable immediately removed Howard from the cell, and discovered that two mattresses had been partially burnt.

The Guyana Fire Service

(GFS) was alerted, but by the time firefighters arrived at the scene, the fire had already been extinguished. Following the incident, Howard complained of feeling unwell and was subsequently transported under Police guard to the Georgetown Public Hospital for medical attention.

At the time of the incident, six other prisoners were being held in custody at the lock-ups.

Fire incident at Brickdam Police Station

The Police in a release late on Sunday stated that the prisoner was questioned during which he told ranks that upon entering the lockups, he discovered a lighter and a piece of toilet paper inside of the cell, and due to mosquitoes biting him, he lit the piece of toilet paper around 06:40h on Sunday and placed same on the cell door.

He added that about 10 minutes later, he realised that the toilet paper had fallen on the mattress on the floor of the cell, and the mattress ignited into flames,

which he successfully extinguished by throwing water from a plastic bottle he had.

“Howard then shouted out during the interview, stating that the Police should do what they had to do since he had nothing more to say. An 'entry' was made in the Station Diary to this effect. He also refused to put his story in writing and also refused to go on a video interview,” the Police stated.

A similar incident occurred in October 2021, causing the Brickdam Police Station to be completely destroyed by a fire, which was allegedly started by a prisoner in the lock-ups.

It was reported that after starting the fire, the prisoner, 28-year-old Clarence Greene, a robbery suspect, raised an alarm, and other inmates were evacuated from the lock-ups.

He was escorted to the Sparendaam Police Station, then to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Major Crimes Unit, where he confessed to the crime and was later charged.

The fire that destroyed the Brickdam Police Station in 2021

Work on young professional section begins at Silica City

Work has commenced in the young professional section of Silica City, Guyana’s first smart urban centre located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

This update was provided by President Irfaan Ali on social media. Preparatory work is ongoing at the site, to map out the construction of roads and the various infrastructure which will encompass this section.

The first phase of the project will see an initial 400 young professional homes being constructed.

In February, a $2.1 billion contract was inked to develop Silica City. It is envisioned that over the next two decades, this new city along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway will grow to hold more than 12,500 households. The new city is intended to be one of the People’s Progressive Party/

Civic (PPP/C) Government’s climate change mitigation strategies.

It will initially cater to just over 3000 households in the first five years but 3800 acres of land has been earmarked for the new city, and designs for the first phase

of the project will begin this year.

The city will be a smart one, powered by renewable energy and developed with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

secondary city. He had explained that the Government was looking at an area on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway that would be connected to the new four-lane bypass road.

He had further noted that as development and expansion continued, there would be more occupation of the outskirts of Georgetown, and the country must be prepared for it. As a result, Government will be putting plans in place to ensure that such growth and development will be facilitated.

Change

and Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Silica City is a development the PPP/C Government had initiated talks on prior to leaving office in 2015, but which was never continued under the succeeding

A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government.

In his first year in office in 2020, President Dr Irfaan Ali had revealed that Government had begun discussions on Silica City as a

President Ali had also explained that the idea was not new, but was in the pipeline since he was Housing and Water Minister years ago, when the concept of Silica City was introduced at a Building Expo. In fact, talk of Silica City began as early as 2013, under the previous PPP/C Government.

CANU Head happy with conviction of “big fish” drug trafficker

Force (GDF).

In addition, several other factors were helpful, including the establishment of a maritime section, the establishment of a joint container scanning section, a metal inspection section, the presence of CANU at key locations across the country, and more importantly, improved relationship with the public and private sector.

He added that while Guyana is deemed a transhipment point for cocaine and other drugs, this is gradually being addressed with some optimism of breaking that stereotype.

Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh on Sunday expressed his elatedness with the recent conviction of Andrew Morgan, who is listed as one of the “so-called big fishes” in the drug trafficking trade.

The 53-year-old businessman had been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of trafficking seven pounds of cocaine at his residence at Ixora Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD), back in June 2022.

It was reported that CANU officers acting on intelligence conducted a narcotics operation at Morgan’s home, thus resulting in the discovery of a quantity of cocaine, 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, one .32 Taurus firearm, along with one magazine and 25 matching rounds of .32 ammunition.

Morgan had the custodial sentence along with a fine of $4,917,000 — three times the street value of the narcotic — imposed on him by Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts.

Following the conviction, Singh explained that he is more than happy, noting

that Morgan and other “big fishes” had been under their radar for a long time.

This has been the second conviction of a high-profile individual, the first was Troy Jacobs, who was found guilty and sentenced to 3 years in prison in March after being arrested by the unit back in 2021.

Some of the other notable persons of interest for the past 25 years include Kay Butcher, James Herbert, Lena Narine, Royston Peniston, Clyde Barrett, Joseph Wilkinson, and others.

Back in April 2022, Butcher, Narine, and Herbert were nabbed with $12.9 million worth of cocaine and ecstasy pills. They were later slapped with drug trafficking charges when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and were all released on cash bail.

Multi-agency approach

Singh praised President Ali’s multi-agency approach that is taken to fight drug traffickers while noting that they have better coordination with the various agencies – the Guyana Police Force (GPF), The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Guyana Defence

“The demand for the drugs is not here in Guyana but overseas…so what we have been doing is to make sure that our main ports of entry are well secured… when we have this type of security, persons must be

juana seized was destined for other regions and these interdictions are a result of the sharing of resources, including intelligence in order to be proactive. We will not sit and wait at the ports, we will follow every lead, every call-in.”

“We want to send a

to tackle and put a dent in the drug trade. “The performance of CANU is an example of the GoG desire to fight the drug trade in trade.”

Presently, the unit has just over 100 staff who are spread across various regions of Guyana with the aim of executing its mandate. This has definitely contributed to successful surveillance and apprehension of the so-called “big fishes” in the business.

seized from various ports of entry and through operations within the country.

The unit has also strengthened relations with regional counterparts throughout the region such as the Regional Security System of which Guyana is not a member as well as Caricom Impacts.

conscious and hesitant to ship the drugs… we want to create that fear in the drug mules that if they attempt to smuggle the drugs, they will be caught.” More and more passengers are being held at the airports whether incoming or outgoing rather than upon arrival at other destinations. The majority of cocaine and mari-

strong message that the Government is serious about fighting narcotics within Guyana and also Guyana will not be used as a transhipment point for narcotics to other territories.”

He nevertheless reiterated that the Government, through the Home Affairs Ministry, has been providing the necessary resources

In January, CANU destroyed 140.6 kilograms (kg) of seized cocaine and 454.7kg of seized marijuana. This totals around 596kg of narcotics that were destroyed and are from cases that have concluded in the Magistrates’ Courts.

In 2022, a total of 3.7 tonnes of marijuana and over 124kg of cocaine were

In addition, the unit continues to support multinational operations that have yielded significant seizures outside of Guyana, so the same multi-agency approach that President Ali speaks about is also being done on an international level through partnerships and ongoing investigations.

“We are all working together to ensure that the “One Guyana” initiative is also a safer Guyana for all citizens and investors,” Singh added.

– says others under radar will be closely monitored

The area under development as ongoing work continues

Head of CANU, James Singh

Clyde Barrett

Royston Peniston James Herbert

Kay Butcher

Michael Andrew Morgan

Ballot Box Martyrs 50 years after PPP remembers duo killed while protecting ballot boxes

July 16, 2023 marked the 50th death anniversary of 17-yearold Jagan Ramessar and 42-year-old Bholanauth Parmanand – the “Ballot Box Martyrs”.

The duo was killed after becoming victims in a hail of bullets from guns carried by members of the Guyana Defence Force. At the time of the shooting, they were protesting the removal of ballot boxes from a polling station along the Corentyne coast.

During a simple wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery where the two were laid to rest at Number 65 Village Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Executive Secretary of the People’s

took rigging to new heights. Although the votes were counted at the place of poll, they tried their utmost to steal an entire country in front of the international community,” Mustapha stat-

joying it today,” he added. He urged that the occasion be used to commit never to allow PNC or the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to take power again.

Sugar Estate, and a number of other persons were dismissed. In a matter of

Chairman David Armogan pointed out that despite the achievements attained in

be trusted and should not be allowed to get anywhere close to power in Guyana.

Progressive Party (PPP)

Zulfikar Mustapha recalled the struggle for democracy in those days under the then People’s National Congress (PNC).

He said the freedom and democracy which we enjoy today did not come on a platter but rather there was a hard struggle and Ramessar and Parmanand would have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“In 1973, they made those sacrifices but our votes were not counted at the place of the poll until 1992, although they gave their lives for that cause, it took us a number of years to fight and struggle for us to have that objective met in 1992,” the Party’s Executive Secretary said.

In 1992, the PPP won the national elections after being in opposition for 28 years.

“Before 1992, they used to rig the elections; the PNC agents used to storm the polling place, seize the ballot boxes and take them to a central counting point and replaced it with votes already counted in favour of the PNC. In 2020, they

ed. In paying respects to the two martyrs, he said the PPP will always remember

“We have seen what has happened in our country, right here in Berbice thousands of people were placed

weeks, the Rose Hall Estate will be recommissioned and once again sugar will be produced there,” Mustapha an-

1992, the PNC having returned to power in 2015, decided that 47 years after the sacrifices of the two martyrs,

Advisor to the Ministry of Health, who is also a PPP Executive, Dr Leslie Ramsammy also speaking at the ceremony said as Guyanese we all need to keep up the struggle for democracy.

“It is not just remembering a sacrifice made 50 years ago, but committing and affirming that we will never forget and we will never give up the struggle to preserve our freedom.”

On the same note, Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo committed that the PPP will never allow the memory of Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Parmanand to fade.

“They will never be forgotten,” he said.

Also attending the ceremony and laying wreaths were family members of Ramessar and Parmanand.

them. “Their sacrifice is important for us. The sacrifice that they made, we are en-

on the breadline. They closed the Skeldon Sugar Estate, they closed the Rose Hall

nounced to thunderous applause.

Meanwhile, Region Six

they would not adhere to a democratic process. For this reason, he said they cannot

Parmanand’s cousin, Dr Ramise Deosaram reflected on his childhood days living with his big cousin whom he referred to as an uncle. (Andrew Carmichael)

People’s Progressive Party Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha

The grave of Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Parmanand

Persons gathered at the cemetery on Sunday

Family members of the two martyrs laying wreaths at the Number 63 monument

Berbice Deep-Water Port, Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase projects on track for completion

– Demerara channel goes from 70m to 100m wide; depth also increased

and operation of the oil and gas support base in late 2023, subject to construction schedules and supply chains.

The port facility intends to serve as an offshore supply base for the oil and gas industry, and as a multi-purpose terminal to service agricultural import/export and containerised and specialised cargo, including aggregates for construction purposes. The BDW Project aims to enable the provisioning of operators and vendors in the territorial waters of both Guyana and Suriname.

deliver the first phase of that island on December 15 of this year. The entire project will be delivered in three phases. The first phase is December 15, 2023, the second phase is March 30, 2024. And the final phase being handed over at the end of 2024,” DeygooBoyer said.

Work is progressing on both the Berbice Deep-Water Port and the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase, two large-scale port facility projects that, when completed, will dramatically transform the infrastructure in their respective locations.

A recent roundtable discussion brought together the heads of companies that are investors in two large-scale shore base projects being built simultaneously. One of these companies is Canadian-based CGX Energy, which was represented by its Executive Chairman, Professor Suresh Narine.

CGX is presently constructing a Deep-Water Port at the mouth of the Berbice

River that will not only support oil and gas but the agriculture sector. According to Narine, work is progressing on schedule.

“In addition to being an explorer in the basin, we’ve also invested in a deep-water port, which is well on its way to completion on the Berbice River. So, we are quite deeply embedded within the Guyana petroleum story,” Narine said.

Back in January, the company had said it had spent over US$22 million on the BDWP project thus far through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Grand 2 Canal Industrial Estates (GCIE). In November 2022, CGX reported that the cargo terminal aspect of the port is expected to commence in mid-2023

The deep-water harbour project is being built on 30 acres of land adjacent to and north of Crab Island on the eastern bank of the Berbice River. It has been reported that 10 acres of the plot have been set aside as a living laboratory for the study of mangrove habitats in co-existence with commercial port operations.

Demerara

Alsto at the roundtable was Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, one of the Directors of NRG Holdings Incorporated. NRG Holdings is a Guyaneseowned consortium currently constructing a US$300 million shore base project in the Demerara River. According to Boyer, the first phase of this project - the island

Construction workers charged with stealing $400,000 in items

that will serve as a base for Exxon’s operations, is well on the way to completion by December 15, 2023.

“As part of a project, we had to open up the mouth of the Demerara River and

In April 2022, ExxonMobil Guyana and the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Incorporated (VEHSI) signed a 20-year agreement for shore base services to be provided at the port of Vreed-enHoop facility to support the US oil giant’s operations offshore Guyana. The sod was subsequently turned in June of that year on the US$300 million facility.

VEHSI is a joint venture between a fully-owned Guyanese consortium – NRG

Hardware Guyana Limited, and Andron Alphonso of ZRN Investments Inc. NRG holds a majority stake of 85 per cent in VEHSI, while the remaining 15 per cent is owned

Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Friday granted bail in the sum of $150,000 each to five construction workers charged with stealing items worth $407,000.

Patrick Adams, Seon Duncan, Adrian Greene, Shawn Duncan, and Akeem Greene, all of Linden Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) pleaded not guilty when they appeared at the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts.

It is the Police’s case that on July 10, at Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), they stole a Honda generator, three rolls of construction plastic, and binding wire among other items, totalling $407,000—property of Charles Ramlackhan.

According to the prose-

cution’s short facts, the virtual complainant (VC) was awarded a contract by the Government for the construction of a school in Mahdia. As such, Ramlackhan hired Adrian, who brought the other defendants to work with him.

The court heard that the five men travelled from Linden to Mahdia earlier this month and began working on the project. On the night in question, the VC left the premises with the items mentioned in the charge intact and went to transact business. However, shortly after, he received information that his workmen had packed the generator and other items into a motor car and driven away from the construction site.

Ramlackhan immediately

made contact with the Police which resulted in a roadblock being set up at Linden. During the roadblock, the Police stopped a motor car with five men. A search of the car unearthed all of the stolen items.

Adrian, who had initially pleaded guilty, had been jailed for six months by Magistrate Scarce.

But that sentence was vacated after Ramlackhan informed the court that he had been in talks with this defendant’s father to settle the matter.

In light of this, Magistrate Scarce reread the charge to Adrian and he pleaded not guilty. This matter will be called again on Thursday for the prosecutor to report on the status of the settlement talks between the VC and Adrian’s father. Adrian and Akeem are related.

the shipping channel that is there, in order to achieve the timeline, set by Exxon to deliver our project… now, the shipping channel of Guyana pre was about 70 metres wide and about six meters deep. Post, it’s about 100 metres wide and nine meters deep.”

“[It’s] currently still in construction. We expect to

Holdingss Incorporated, and Jan De Nul Group, the Belgium-based company undertaking the project that specialises in offshore, marine, civil, environment, and project development.

The consortium includes Hadi’s World Inc, owned by businessmen Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed, Nicholas Boyer and Eddie Boyer of National

by Jan De Nul – the company that will construct the facility.

The shore base project started the first step in June 2022, which entailed the dredging of the access channel in the Demerara River, including the deepening/widening of the existing nautical channel, berth pockets, and turning basin.

Vigilance man busted with 125.2 grams of ganja

Law enforcement officers attached to the Vigilance Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD), conducted a cordon and search operation at a shop in Vigilance South, ECD, which led to the arrest of a 32-year-old man who had a quantity of ganja in this possession.

Police officers reported that they noticed a group of males gathered under a shed at the shop, engaging in a game of cards.

As the officers approached, one individual quickly stood up from his chair, clutching an orange plastic bag, and attempted to flee the scene. In the process, he disposed of the bag in a nearby shed.

Acting swiftly, the officers pursued the suspect and successfully apprehended him.

The individual, a resident of Vigilance, was taken back to the location where he had discarded the plastic bag and it was retrieved.

Inside the bag were 49 small transparent zip-lock bags and one black plastic bag, all containing cannabis.

The suspect was duly in-

formed of the allegations against him, cautioned, and subsequently arrested. He was then escorted to the Vigilance Police Station, where the confiscated substance was weighed and amounted to 125.2 grams. He remains in custody pending charges.

The five construction workers

Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce

CGX Executive Chairman, Professor Suresh Narine

NRG Holdings Incorporated Director, Nicholas DeygooBoyer

The marijuana that was found by Police at Vigilance, ECD

Work progressing on the Deep-Water Port in Berbice

The artificial island being constructed as part of the Vreed-en-Hoop shorebase

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Full Court overturns Bartica businessman’s conviction for assaulting child

The Full Court has vacated an assault conviction against a Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) businessman after finding that errors were made by the trial Magistrate during his trial.

Ganesh Deonarine was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in 2018 by Magistrate Christel Lambert after she found him guilty of assaulting a six-year-old girl. During the trial, High Court bail was secured and the conviction was appealed.

But the Full Court, com-

prising Justices Jo Ann Barlow and Simone MorrisRamlall ruled on Friday to set aside Deonarine’s conviction, noting that it could not stand based on those errors.

In arguing Deonarine’s case on appeal, Attorneyat-Law Latchmie Rahamat submitted that the child’s evidence was not corroborated. “The law says it must be corroborated.”

According to counsel, the child in her evidence in chief testified that Deonarine held her bicycle after which she went home and told her mother that he had slapped her.

Public Works Ministry urges caution along ECD corridor as widening project commences

The minor, Rahamat said, further testified that she did not know why she had told her mother that the man had slapped her. “Under cross-examination, she said that she told her mother Ganesh slapped her because she didn't like that he held her bicycle,” Rahamat stated.

Video evidence was also presented by the prosecution. But according to Deonarine’s lawyer, “There was no link between the defendant [Deonarine] and the video on the prosecution's case because the Magistrate noted that you couldn't

make out the faces in the video.”

“So, the video couldn't corroborate the prosecution's case,” added Rahamat.

Further, the lawyer pointed out that there was no test of competency for a witness of such tender age and so the Full Court treated her evidence as being unsworn.

It had been reported that Deonarine assaulted the girl on August 6, 2018. He allegedly did so after becoming annoyed at the girl riding a bicycle in front of the property he was renting to conduct his clothing busi-

Govt, UNDP hand over

ness. As such, he reportedly grabbed her bicycle and beat her.

transportation,

equipment to Reg 1 villages

The widening of the East Coast Demerara (ECD) road has commenced and as such, the Public Works Ministry has urged road users to exercise caution when using the roadway.

The project spans construction to improve the road network from Belfield to Mahaica and Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau on the Railway Embankment. Presently, works have started at Good Hope for drainage and road widening. At Nutenzuil to Clonbrook, pipe works and other road widening is being undertaken. Meanwhile, preparation for the surcharge is ongoing at Turkeyen. The project is being executed by China Railway First Group Company Limited.

“Pedestrians and motorists are asked to exercise caution and observe all directional and safety signs while traversing these areas,” the Ministry cautioned.

In October 2022, the contract for the expansion

project was signed to the tune of US$184 million.

The project is twopronged: the completion of phase two of the East Coast Demerara Road widening and improvement project from Annandale to Mahaica; and the construction of a four-lane road along the railway embankment corridor from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau.

China Railway First Group Company Limited, is also no stranger to Guyana, having been in talks with the Government for some time on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), to construct it in a Build-Own-OperateTransfer (BOOT) arrangement.

There is another contract, the redesign, and widening of the road from Belfield, ECD, to Rosignol, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

The Belfield to Rosignol road widening was intended to be a continuation of the East Coast Road Widening and Expansion Project, which was commissioned in 2020. The

US$50.2 million project was supposed to have two components: a four-lane expansion from Better Hope to Annandale, and an upgrade to the existing twolane road from Annandale to Belfield.

Earlier last year, Government had even mulled the extension of the four-lane road from Sheriff Street to Buxton and beyond.

At the time, a US$106 million contract had been signed between the Public Works Ministry and Indiabased Ashoka Buildcon Limited, for the construction of a four-lane bypass road to link the East Coast of Demerara corridor at Ogle directly to the East Bank Demerara corridor at Eccles.

As Government continues on its agenda to transform the infrastructural landscape of the country, soon the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara will be merged as one city through the impressive road networks and highways being created.

Several villages within the Moruca sub-district in Region One (Barima-Waini) recently received buses, tractors, boat engines, and generators from the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Subject Minister Pauline Sukhai, and Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal handed over the gifts during the Regional Toshaos and Community Democratic Council (CDC) Chairpersons Conference, at the Santa

Meanwhile, health services within the Moruca sub-district are expected to run more efficiently, as Waramuri and Manawarin each received a 40-horsepower boat engine and a generator for their health facilities.

The generators were donated by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and will be a source of backup electricity.

Rosa Secondary School.

The two buses were handed over to the villages of Karaburi and Mora. They were each procured at the cost of $3.7 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

The buses will provide transportation, bringing great ease to community

members, specifically school children.

Additionally, the tractors were handed over to the Santa Rosa, Rincon, and Koko Area Councils. The heavy-duty vehicles were bought for $6.7 million each. The buses and tractors were funded by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

The engines will help the villages to transport patients to the Kumaka District Hospital for emergency and other medical purposes.

During the feature address at the conference, Minister Sukhai urged the village leaders to invest heavily in their communities with the funds that they receive from the Government.

Ganesh Deonarine

Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat

The ECD highway

The generators and boat engines for the Moruca sub-district health facilities

A representative of Karaburi village receives the keys to a new bus to be used in the village

The tractors that were handed over

New products, experiences diversifying

Guyana’s tourism sector

Pilots being trained as GPF seeks to establish air wing

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is looking to establish an air wing as it seeks to reform and modernise its services, to more contemporary policing, while enhancing its capacity.

This was announced by Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken during the Force’s 184th Anniversary Awards Ceremony held Thursday last, at the Police Officers’ Annexe, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

now going and complete the double engine and we’re doing well in that regard,” the Commissioner reported. The air wing, he said, will either be established in conjunction with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) or separately.

Additionally, aeronautical engineers are being trained to complement the pilots for the Force’s air wing.

The creation of new products and experiences brings vast diversity to Guyana’s evolving tourism sector, and Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh remains adamant that all regions should develop products that will benefit their communities.

concentration in any particular area because all the regions have great products,” the Director stated.

In March, the GTA along with the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and other stakeholders launched the Discover Essequibo Circuit Development project.

will give both local and international travellers a wide range of options to choose from.

“Our aim is to create a diversified product. So, it is diversified, it’s resilient, strong, competitive in the market and that’s what we want to develop here,” Baksh

According to the Top Cop, two pilots attached to the GPF are currently undergoing advanced training in Miami, USA.

“They have completed a single engine and they are

Deputy Commissioner of Police for ‘Administration’, Calvin Brutus had disclosed that these ranks are being trained at the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School, Ogle, East Coast Demerara. “We have two engineers… a male and a fe-

male at an advanced stage of completing their programme too,” Commissioner Hicken disclosed.

This will bring the GPF up to par with its counterparts within the Caribbean Region and further afield.

Mahaicony woman is newest centenarian

He made the disclosure during a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), as he stressed the importance of establishing more goods and services to appeal to foreigners and even local businesses.

“We’re developing prod

ucts across the ten adminis

trative regions. There is no

This project is aimed at creating, revitalising, and boosting tourism services in Region Two.

Similar circuit development projects have since been launched in a number of villages in various regions, while more are on GTA’s agenda to be established.

The creation of these new products and experiences

explained.

However, these products are created based on a criterion called the ‘Product Market Match.’ This is done based on location, the people living in the area, and how the product fits into the village.

According to Baksh, within the last three years, the GTA has launched 27 new tourism experiences in the country.

Decomposed body of miner found floating in pit

The body of 53-yearold Jerome John was on Sunday found floating in a mining pit at Puttering Backdam, Middle Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

From all reports received, John, who was last seen on Friday evening, might have drowned. Police stated that the body was discovered at about 11:00h on Sunday.

Based on the information received, John was employed as a pitman by a 30-year-old miner of Pomeroon, who operates a 4-inch land dredging operation. According to the owner, John left the camp at about 18:00h on Friday for 'Top Side' to see his girlfriend but he did not return.

However, at about

08:00h, another miner contacted John’s employer and informed him that his employee was found floating in an old mining pit. The matter was reported to Police, who promptly arrived at the scene where they observed John's body in the water lying face up.

The body bore no visible

wound, and due to the state of decomposition, the rank was unable to determine if there were any marks of violence. His body was pulled from the mining pit and is being transferred to Bartica for a post-mortem examination.

Investigations are ongoing.

Mildred Halley also called "Darcus" of Now-or-Never Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), celebrated her 101st birth anniversary on Sunday. She was born on July 16, 1922.

Mildred is a member of the Perseverance Seventh Day Adventist Church. She attended the Belmont Scott School where she attained her education.

In her late teenage years, she met Cecil Halley, whom she married and their union brought forth 13 children, six of whom are now dead. Her husband is also deceased.

Halley worked as a rice and cash crop farmer and also produced and sold coconuts to Coven and John Oil Mill. Although over 100 years old, she moves around without any assistance but suffers from a hearing impediment.

The newest centenarian is being cared for by one of her daughters, Merlene Halley, who expressed joy that her mother lived to see 100 years.

"I try my best to help her by God's grace to get there... We sit and chat. She tells us old-time stories; she sits on the step at night and looks at the moon and sings a love song,” the daughter told Guyana Times

Halley has 29 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren, and 28 great-great-grandchildren.

Guyana Tourism Authority Director Kamrul Baksh

One of the eco-lodges located in St Cuthbert’s Mission, Region

Newest centenarian, Mildred Halley

Acting Top Cop, Clifton Hicken

Regional EU seeks to revive Latin America, Caribbean ties as it turns away from China, Russia

More than 50 leaders from the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean will hold their first summit in eight years today, adding momentum to an EU push for new political and economic allies prompted by the Ukraine war and suspicion of China.

At the two-day EUCELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) summit in Brussels, both sides are expected to be eager to forge economic partnerships, but delicate discussions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Europe's role in the slave trade could complicate the talks.

Regardless of the outcome, officials said the meeting itself marked a step towards stronger ties.

"The most important issue of the meeting is the meeting itself," Argentine Undersecretary for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Gustavo Martinez Pandiani told a small group of reporters in Brussels. "After eight years, we are able to reconnect."

The EU has said it wants a joint declaration condemning Russia, but knows this will be difficult to achieve. While most CELAC countries backed a UN resolution in February

demanding an immediate Russian troop withdrawal, Nicaragua voted against and Bolivia, Cuba and El Salvador abstained.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has pitched himself as a neutral and potential peace broker.

The European Union has cut itself off from Russia, which until the Ukraine war began in February last year, was the bloc's biggest supplier of gas.

It also wants to reduce its reliance on China and build alliances with "reliable partners" to open up more markets to trade and

Mexico intercepts over 500 migrants in 2 days

Mexican authorities on Sunday said they intercepted over 500 migrants in two days in the eastern state of Veracruz as authorities crack down on the transportation of migrants toward the United States in unsafe conditions.

Authorities found 206 migrants abandoned in a tractor-trailer on Saturday in the town of Puente Nacional, Veracruz, a source at the National Migration Institute (INM) said.

The town's mayor Roberto Montiel wrote on Facebook that "over 180" migrants were found, including women and chil-

dren, with some of the migrants presenting signs of dehydration.

Earlier on Sunday, the INM reported in a statement that authorities had intercepted 303 migrants in two operations on Friday morning in Veracruz.

In the first, authorities found 107 migrants without regular migration status, including 20 unaccompanied minors, in a tractor trailer after it was pulled over on the highway.

Six people were arrested for alleged roles in transporting the migrants, who hailed from Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, the INM's statement said.

Also on Friday, authorities found 196 migrants, including 19 unaccompanied minors, packed into an improperly parked tractor-trailer detected on a road close to the city of Fortin de las Flores.

Five of the migrants were adults from Guatemala and another five adults from India, the INM statement said, without providing further details on the other migrants' nationalities.

The precarious smuggling of migrants en route to the United States has ended in notable tragedies in recent years. (Excerpt from Reuters)

to secure minerals critical for electric vehicles and the broader transition to a low carbon economy, a supply chain China dominates.

The EU has acknowledged it has sometimes neglected its Latin American partners as China's role in the region has risen, but that regular EU-CELAC summits can provide a counter-balance to Beijing.

All 60 leaders are invited to the Brussels talks, but the Presidents of El Salvador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela are among those not expected to travel. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Moonilal: PM’s explanation for procurement law changes a “cop-out”

Trinidad Oropouche

East Member of Parliament, Dr Roodal Moonilal said the Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley's explanation for changes to the Procurement Act as a “cop-out.”

He said the Government was aware that institutional and cultural changes were needed prior to the act’s passing.

Dr Moonilal and Opposition MP Dr Lackram Bodoe spoke on the issues of crime, procurement and the health sector at its weekly Sunday press briefing at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Charles Street, Port of Spain.

Moonilal said, “That is a cop-out. It is an attempt to hide and to disguise the real intention of undermining the procurement legislation.

“We all knew since 2012 what Procurement Law was. Imagine 11 years ago we knew what procurement law was and, if implemented, how it would work.”

He said TT’s institutions

Journalist shot to death in car in Acapulco, local media report

Mexican Journalist Nelson Matus was killed Saturday in the coastal resort city of Acapulco in the southwestern state of Guerrero, local media reported.

The director of local news site Lo Real de Guerrero, Matus was shot in his car in the parking lot of a store, Mexican newspaper El Universal reported.

The attack took place after 15:00h in the neighborhood of Emiliano Zapata in the north of Acapulco, Mexican newspaper Reforma reported.

Reforma added that Matus had survived two assassination attempts in 2017 and 2019, citing local media.

Matus' death comes one week after the body of Luis Martin Sanchez, a Journalist for Mexican

newspaper La Jornada, was found after going missing in the state of Nayarit.

The Guerrero state attorney general's office did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

In Mexico, investigat-

ing corruption, crime and drug cartels often comes at a high risk. The country was the deadliest in the world last year for Journalists, according to media watchdog Reporters without Borders. (Reuters)

CVM TV sends condolences after passing of Jill Stewart

cial media.

were to be prepared for new procurement law. “Clearly, there will be a need for a change of culture, timelines. You cannot wait ten days before something happens to say you are going to buy goods and services, when the law provides for 20 days.

“You have to be proactive. It requires change.”

The United National Congress (UNC) was asking questions for six years on whether each ministry was

prepared and had the designated officers, Moonilal said.

At a People’s National Movement (PNM) rally at Hillview College, Tunapuna on Thursday night, Dr Rowley said the present law meant no one could do business in under two months, the time to facilitate tenders, responses and the input of an advisory committee on procurement.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

CVM Television on Sunday extended heartfelt condolences to executive chairman of Sandals Resorts Adam Stewart on the passing of his wife, Jill Stewart.

Mrs Stewart passed away peacefully Friday night surrounded by loved ones, her husband announced on social media Saturday afternoon.

She had been diagnosed with cancer just over a year ago, and shared her battle with followers on social media

She had been diagnosed with cancer just over a year ago, and shared her battle with followers on so-

“It is with deep regret that we send heartfelt condolences to a dear friend and colleague Adam Stewart on the passing of his wife, Jill Stewart. As we mourn her loss, let us also celebrate the beautiful moments and cherished memories we shared with her. Her warmth, kindness, and gentle spirit will forever remain in our hearts. Her steadfast spirit and loving heart were evident to all who knew her,” CVM said in a release.

“May her soul find eternal peace, and may you Adam and your dear children, find solace in the love

and support of your family and friends during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers,” CVM added.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness was among other Jamaicans that poured condolence messages on social media platforms on Saturday, saying it was "a devastating blow that has left us all with a profound sense of grief".

"Words cannot adequately convey the depth of our sadness and the pain we feel for your loss," the prime minister told Stewart (Jamaica Observer)

Argentine Undersecretary for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Gustavo Martinez Pandiani

A general view of a Forensic Medical Service vehicle behind barricade tape at the crime scene, following the death of Mexican Journalist Nelson Matus, in Acapulco, Mexico, July 15, 2023 in this handout image (La Plaza Diario/Raul Sendic Garcia Estrada/ Handout via Reuters)

Dr Roodal Moonilal

US drillers cut oil and gas rigs for 10th time in 11 weeks, Baker Hughes says

Around The World

Putin says Russia will use cluster bombs in Ukraine if it has to

President Vladimir Putin said Russia had a "sufficient stockpile" of cluster bombs and reserved the right to use them if such munitions, the use of which he said he regarded as a crime, were deployed against Russian forces in Ukraine.

Ukraine said on Thursday it had received cluster bombs from the United States, its biggest military backer, which says the munitions

are needed to compensate for shell shortages faced by Kyiv's forces at a time when they are mounting a counteroffensive.

Cluster munitions are banned in more than 100 countries because they typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Some of them inevitably fail to explode and can pose a danger for decades,

particularly to children.

Kyiv has said it will use cluster bombs to dislodge concentrations of enemy soldiers when trying to take back its own territory, but will not use them on Russian territory.

Putin told state TV Moscow would respond in kind if necessary.

Putin said he regarded the use of cluster bombs as a crime and that Russia had so far not needed to use them

itself despite having suffered its own ammunition issues in the past.

Human Rights Watch says both Moscow and Kyiv have used cluster munitions. Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. have not signed up to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the production, stockpiling, use and transfer of the weapons. (Excerpt from Reuters)

'Heat storm' stretches into southern Europe, health alerts issued

Italy issued hot weather red alerts for 16 cities on Sunday, with meteorologists warning that temperatures will hit record highs across southern Europe in the coming days.

US energy firms last week cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for a 10th time in 11 weeks, energy services firm Baker Hughes said in its closely followed report on Friday.

The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by 5 to 675 in the week to July 14.

Baker Hughes said that puts the total count down 81 rigs, or 11%, below this time last year.

US oil rigs fell 3 to 537 this week, their lowest since April 2022, while gas rigs fell 2 to 133.

In the Permian in West Texas and eastern New Mexico, the nation's biggest shale oil basin, drillers cut five rigs, bringing the total oil and gas count down to 337, the lowest since May 2022, according to Baker Hughes.

Data provider Enverus, which publishes its own rig count data, said drillers kept the number of rigs operating flat at 732 in the week ended July 12. That put the total count down about 17 rigs in the last month and down 14% year-over-year.

US oil futures were down about 6% so far this year after gaining about 7% in 2022. US gas futures, meanwhile, have plunged about 44% so far this year after rising about 20% last year.

The massive drop in gas prices has already caused some exploration and production companies, including Chesapeake Energy, Southwestern Energy and Comstock Resources, to reduce production by cutting rigs - especially in the Haynesville shale in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

Analysts at East Daley Analytics, an energy research firm, said gathering and production systems owned by Energy Transfer and Williams Cos have seen some of the largest rig count declines. (Reuters)

Kennedy Road fire: Hundreds of Durban homes destroyed in South Africa

Hundreds of homes have been destroyed by a fire in a poor neighbourhood of the South African port city of Durban.

One person is known to have died in the blaze that tore through the Kennedy Road informal settlement early on Sunday morning, but there are fears that more bodies could be found.

Video footage shows the twisted remains of corrugated iron sheets used to build the shacks amid the smouldering debris.

People can be seen trying to salvage their belongings.

The cause of the fire is not yet known. However, some eyewitnesses say it started when two people, who had been drinking, got into an argument.

A South African Red Cross spokesman described it as a disaster and estimated that about 1000 shacks may have been destroyed, leaving some 3000 people homeless.

Siyabonga Hlatshwayo told the eNCA news site that the Red Cross had been distributing hot meals, mattresses and blankets to those affected and he appealed to the public for more donations.

(BBC News)

Spain, Italy and Greece have been experiencing scorching temperatures for several days already, damaging agriculture and leaving tourists scurrying for shade.

But a new anticyclone dubbed Charon, who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of the dead, pushed into the region from north Africa on

Sunday and could lift temperatures above 45 Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) in parts of Italy early this week.

The heatwave will intensify from today, with temperatures reaching 44C (111.2F) in the Guadalquivir valley near Seville in the south of the country, forecasters predicted.

On the Spanish island of La Palma in the Canaries, meanwhile, at least 4000 people had to be evacuated as a forest fire burned out of control following a heatwave, authorities said.

South Korea flood: 9 bodies recovered from flooded tunnel

Europe's highest recorded temperature of 48.8C (119.8F), registered in Sicily two years ago, could be exceeded in the coming days, notably on the Italian island of Sardinia, meteorologists have said.

The heatwave has stretched across the Mediterranean to Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was hospitalised on Saturday suffering dizziness and apparent dehydration. He was discharged on Sunday.

The United States was

also in the grip of high temperatures, with nearly a quarter of the population under warnings for extreme heat, from the Pacific northwest, down through California, through the Southwest and into the Deep South and Florida.

Besides the Italian capital, health alerts were in place from the central city of Florence to Palermo in Sicily and Bari in the southeast of the peninsula, while the temperatures also started to build further north. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Entire pod of 55 whales dies after mass stranding on Lewis

An entire pod of 55 pilot whales has died after a mass stranding on a Western Isles beach.

Only 15 were alive after they washed onto Traigh Mhor beach at North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis at about 07:00 on Sunday morning.

Marine charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue

Pilot whales are known for their strong social bonds, so often when one whale gets into difficulty and strands, the rest follow.

Attempts continued throughout the day to give the surviving whales first aid. But after the attempt to refloat one of the whales, it was found further down the beach.

Rescuers working to reach vehicles trapped in a flooded tunnel near the South Korean city of Cheongiu have recovered nine bodies.

Flood water caused by days of torrential rain poured into the underpass so quickly that passengers and drivers were trapped in their cars, unable to escape.

At least 37 people have died in total after flooding, landslides and power cuts across much of the country.

Nine people are still missing.

It is unclear how many people are still trapped in the 685-metre (2247ft) long tunnel in the town of Osong, but 15 vehicles are thought to be submerged.

Several of the bodies were recovered from inside a bus. Nine survivors were rescued on Saturday.

The victims' families say the deaths might have been prevented had the local authorities responded effective-

ly.

Several local media outlets reported that a few hours before the tragedy the river flood control office had issued a warning about the alarming water levels, and therefore the traffic around the tunnel area should have been diverted.

Most of the other fatalities were in the mountainous North Gyeongsang region, where landslides swept away whole houses.

Almost 300mm (11.8in) of rain is reported to have fallen across South Korea on Saturday.

The country typically sees 1000mm (39.4in) to 1800mm (70.9in) a year, according to the Korean Meteorological Association - although much of that does fall during the summer months.

Aerial pictures from flood-affected areas show brown mud and flood waters so deep, only the tops of roofs can be seen sticking out.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

(BDMLR) attempted to refloat one of the more active whales but it was then restranded.

The decision was taken to euthanise the remaining whales on welfare grounds.

Western Isles CouncilComhairle nan Eilean Siarhas asked people to avoid the area as a clean-up operation began.

The BDMLR released an update on Sunday evening which said that one of the dead whales appeared to have had a vaginal prolapse.

This led them to suspect that the whole pod stranded due to one female giving birth.

A further three whales then died, leaving 12 still alive - eight adults and four calves.

A statement said: "At about 15:30, the local vet along with the Coastguard, Fire and Rescue, and a forensics vet came to the conclusion that the shallow beach and rough wave conditions made it too unsafe to refloat the remaining animals.

"Considering how long the pilot whales had been out of the water in addition to the poor conditions, it was decided that they should be euthanised on welfare grounds."

(Excerpt from BBC News)

While many factors contribute to flooding, scientists say a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely

Pilot whales are social and therefore more likely to stick together when one gets into difficulty

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Don’t let outside influences cause distress. Use your intelligence and knowledge to outmaneuver anyone in your way. Let your actions speak for you. Mix business with pleasure.

(March 21-April 19)

Move forward, but don’t make unnecessary changes. Focus on what makes you feel good about yourself and improves your health and appeal. Don’t exaggerate or believe everything you hear.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Don’t limit yourself. Reach out to experts and pick their brains. Make changes at home that complement your lifestyle. An unusual situation will turn into a worthwhile lesson. Protect your health.

Take nothing for granted and think outside the box. Keep things simple and use what’s necessary to reach your goal. Don’t exaggerate or renege on promises. Be willing to work hard.

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Do not sign up for more than you can handle. Refuse to let anyone pressure you or talk you into something that makes you uncomfortable. Put your energy, experience and knowledge into something promising.

Focus on opportunities, learn as you go and change what’s necessary. Put faith in yourself and those who share your work ethic, and you’ll find a way to improve your life and finances.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Pay attention, don’t lose sight of your goal and be mindful of what everyone says. Emotions will heat up if pressure is applied. Choose your words wisely and be precise in your actions.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Embrace life and learning. Take care of your responsibilities. Travel, communication and education are favored. Don’t make impulsive decisions.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Listen to your heart and express your feelings. Be cautious of people pushing false information. Do your research. Don’t let others make decisions for you.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Take pride in what you do, and don’t fear being different. Make every penny, decision and move count. Share your feelings and intentions with a loved one.

Speak concisely and give others the same freedom you expect in return. Agree to do only what’s reasonable, and refuse to let temptation result in overindulgence. Peace of mind requires honesty and empathy.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Choose to be original. Let your creative imagination lead the way, and embrace what brings you joy. Spend time with individuals who can offer different perspectives on life.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

SATURDAY'S WORD -- MUSICAL

Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon men's title

Carlos Alcaraz won the Wimbledon men's singles title for the first time by ending Novak Djokovic's recent dominance with a stunning victory.

Spain's Alcaraz, 20, fought back from a nervy start to win 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 against the defending champion. Djokovic was going for a fifth straight win, an eighth men's triumph and a 24th major – all record-equalling feats.

But the 36-year-old Serb was outlasted by top seed Alcaraz, who underlined his class by winning a second major title.

"It is a dream come true for me," Alcaraz, who was playing in only his fourth grass-court tournament, said.

"Even if I lost, I would have been proud of myself. To be able to play in these stages of these occasions – as a boy of 20 years old – is really fast.

"I'm really proud of myself."

Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open last year, celebrated by falling flat on his face after taking his first match point and kicking a ball into the crowd.

The majority of a packed Centre Court, which included the Prince and Princess of Wales, actor Brad Pitt and twotime winner Andy Murray, rose to their feet to acclaim the All England Club's newest champion.

As tradition now dictates, Alcaraz ran up the stairs from the court to his box and embraced Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, along with his family and friends.

Alcaraz is the third youngest man to win the Wimbledon title in the Open era after 17-year-old Boris Becker in 1985 and 20-year-old Bjorn Borg in 1976.

"You never like to lose matches like this, but I guess when all the emotions are settled I have to still be very grateful," said 23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who broke down in tears during his on-court speech.

"I won many tough matches here. Maybe I have won a couple of finals I should have lost so maybe this is evensteven.

"It is a tough one to swallow when you are so close. I lost to a better player, I have

to congratulate him, and move on – stronger hopefully."

Fantastic final proves to be a feast

Before an eagerlyanticipated men's final between the top two seeds, Djokovic further ramped up the excitement by predicting a "feast" between a pair with equally "hungry" appetites for success.

A compelling contest –full of quality, drama and momentum swings – lived up to the hype.

The pair have been two of the leading players on the ATP Tour this year and jostled for position as the world number one.

Djokovic won the Australian Open and French Open this year to move ahead of Rafael Nadal's tally of 22 major titles, knowing another victory would equal Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 victories.

At the opposite end of the career scale, Alcaraz was aiming to prove not all of the younger generation can be overawed by Djokovic's greatness.

The Spaniard had already

been dealt a chastening experience when facing Djokovic, having suffered body cramps during their French Open semi-final last month because he was so overcome by nerves.

One of the plotlines going into the Wimbledon final centred on Alcaraz's state of mind.

Alcaraz was confident that fear was out of his system going into Sunday's showpiece – but that did not look to be the case in a one-sided first set, which Djokovic won after just 34 minutes.

Djokovic suffocated his opponent with his deep and consistent returning, forcing Alcaraz into hurrying his shots and making too many mistakes.

Alcaraz slowly grew into the contest, finding more rhythm with his groundstrokes and introducing an increasing number of the drop shots for which he is becoming known.

After turning the deficit into a lead, helped by edging a mammoth 27-minute game early in the third set, Alcaraz produced two loose errors at a crucial time in the fourth and Djokovic went on to level.

However, Alcaraz's composure returned in the decider.

He broke for a 2-1 lead which led to Djokovic smashing his racquet on the net post and, continuing to play with power and variety, served out a stunning victory after four hours and 42 minutes.

The tears from Djokovic after the match were indicative of the physical and mental effort he puts into creating even more history.

The defeat meant he was unable to equal Roger Federer's men's record of eight Wimbledon titles and Court's all-time record of 24 major wins.

Djokovic also saw two mindboggling runs – 34 successive match wins going back to 2017, and 45 straight victories on Centre Court stretching back to

Sha'Carri rains on Shericka's birthday parade as Caribbean athletes come up short

Sha’Carri Richardson went

2-0 against Shericka Jackson this season after storming to victory in the 100 metres at the Silesia Diamond League meeting in Poland on Sunday.

The American, who remains unbeaten over 100m this season chased down Jackson, nipping the Jamaican at the line to win in a time of 10.76. Jackson, celebrating her 29th birthday on Sunday and who ran a world-leading 10.65 to win the Jamaican championships a week ago, clocked in at 10.78. Poland’s Ewa Swoboda ran a personal best of 10.94 for third place.

“It was an amazing race, I am really having fun,” an excited Richardson said afterwards.

“The 10.76 – I love the time. I put a great race together. This was a great competition, it was amazing. I executed correctly. I love the atmosphere here. I wish we could replicate this to the US. All the energy, all the love from the audience. I was satisfied with my race altogether.”

It was not a particularly good day for Caribbean athletes nonetheless the eighth Diamond League meeting of the season delivered plenty of outstanding

performances considering that the World Championships are less than five weeks away.

Chief among those performances was the meet record 44.08s South Africa’s Wayde Van Niekerk unleased on a quality field in the 400m. Demonstrating his best form since his return from a careerthreatening knee injury in 2017, the South African had Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, himself returning from recent knee surgery, for company up to 300m before the 31-year-old Olympic champion went full throttle down the home stretch putting daylight between himself and the rest of the field.

Bayapo Ndori of Botswana finished strong to slip by the Brazilian and crossed the finish line in a personal best 44.61. Dos Santos, the 2022 world 400m hurdles champion, settled for third in a season-best 44.73.

Van Niekerk expressed his satisfaction with the race.

“Things are moving in a positive direction. I have been able to train consistently. It is my fastest run in seven years and 44.0 shows that 43 seconds is possible,” he said.

“The competition in my event is getting stronger, so I need to work to get better as well. I do not feel any special pressure, but it is natural for an athlete to want to reach their best possible level. I will be going on to London now and then want to get some good training sessions before the World Championships.”

Earlier, Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek delivered a similarlydevastating performance in the women’s race that she won in a new lifetime best of 49.48, which was also a new meet record. Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands also showed she was in good form heading into the world championships clocking a time of 49.81, which was just shy of Femke Bol’s previous meet record of 49.75. Marileidy Paulino, the World Championship silver medallist, uncharacteristically outrun over the first 300 metres, stormed through the field late to finish third in 50.00.

Jamaica’s Candice McLeod ran a season’s best 50.19 for fourth just ahead of Barbados’s Commonwealth Games champion, Sada Williams, who was fifth, also in a season’s best

50.34.

The 100m hurdles was another thrilling affair that saw world champion Tobi Amusan winning in a season-best and new meet record 12.34 to edge Kendra Harrison, the former world record holder, who finished second in 12.35. Newlycrowned USA champion Nia Ali ran a time of 12.38 for third place.

Breaking down her performance afterwards, Amusan revealed the challenges she has faced while competing this season.

“It was not easy for me with injuries in my hamstring and my knee. But I trusted in my coach and my work,” said the Nigerian, who is coached by Jamaican Olympian Lacena Golding-Clarke.

“It is all about the process. I just won this in a smooth style, I was just running. Honestly, I had no idea that I won when I crossed the finish line.”

In reference to the upcoming World Championships, Amusan said she was not looking too far ahead.

“I take it one step after the next. I knew it was going to be a battle until the finish line. I am

2013 – ended by Alcaraz.

Despite the disappointing manner of the loss, there was plenty to suggest the veteran is still well placed to at least equal Federer's and Court's tallies.

His game, physicality, and elasticity remain as good as ever.

"I hope this will be the beginning of a rivalry for some time – for my sake," said Djokovic on the prospect of more duels with Alcaraz.

"He's going to be on the tour for quite some time. I don't know how long I'll be around.

"I hope we get to play at the US Open. I think it's good for the sport, one and two in the world facing each other in a five-hour, five-set thriller.

"It couldn't be better for our sport." (BBC Sport)

happy to compete against the best. I am just out here doing well. I came out there, I was not feeling too good. About my start – I would not say that I executed, but the second part of the race was really good. I am most definitely building up for the World Championships, extremely satisfied with my season-best, one step at a time.

Jamaican champion Megan Tapper was the best-placed Caribbean athlete. She finished fourth in 12.49, her second fastest time ever, after the 12.44 she ran at Jamaica’s National Championships a week ago.

Danielle Williams, the 2015 world champion, was fifth in a season-best 12.55. Natoya Goule has been running well all season and she produced another season-best performance to finish third in the 800m. The Jamaican champion ran 1:57.90, but was not fast enough to get by Uganda’s Hallimah Nakaayi, who set a new national record of 1:57.78.

However, both women were outrun by Kenya’s Mary Moraa, who sped a new meet record and season-best time of 1:56.85, which sets her up as a legitimate

medal contender in the event at Budapest next month. American Fred Kerley lost his first 100m this season, finishing second to Akani Simbini in a closelycontested race in which 0.02 separated the top four finishers. The South African ran 9.97 to Kerley’s 9.98, which was the same time given to Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme.

The USA’s 100m champion Cravont Charleston finished fourth in 9.99. Yohan Blake, the 2017 world champion, was the next-placed finisher in 10.01, his best time this season.

Yulimar Rojas was once again dominant in the women’s triple setting a world-leading mark of 15.18m, which was also a new meet record and season’s best. Ukraine’s Maryna BekhRomanchuk came late to the party with a leap of 14.70m which gave her second place while bumping Cuba’s Leyanis Perez-Hernandez, second for most of the competition, down to third. Jamaican champion Shanieka Ricketts’ season-best jump of 14.56m saw her finish fifth while Dominica’s Thea LaFond was sixth with 14.43m. (Sportsmax)

President Ali, Prime Minister Phillips endorse Kares One Guyana T10 Blast

President Dr Irfaan Ali

on Friday met with the organisers of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, which will be played in Georgetown July 29-30.

President Ali, the tournament’s patron, recommitted his support to the tourney, noting it was an event that would bring many people together from various communities under the “One Guyana” banner.

The President also unveiled the specially-made handcrafted winner’s trophy. Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips was also present, and he, too, pledged his support towards the tournament.

The tournament features 32 teams drawn from various geographical locations.

Preliminary matches will be staged at the Police Sports Club, the Guyana Defence Force, Queen’s College Ground, YMCA, and Transport Sports Club, while the finals will be held at the Everest Cricket Ground on July 30.

To progress to the championship match, a team must win three matches on day one and their semi-final on day two.

They will then qualify to compete for the first prize of $1 million cash and the speciallycrafted One Guyana Trophy.

The organisers are grateful for the support of Kares Engineering, which quickly committed to being the title sponsor, and Mohamed’s Enterprise, which funded the first-place prize and offset the transportation costs for Team Moruca. They are also grateful to Banks DIH, through GT Beer, for fuelling the weekend; Star Rentals; Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc; ENet; Regal Stationery and Computer Centre; V-Net Communications; Trophy Stall; Premier Insurance; Cricket Zone USA; Beacon Café; Continental Transport; the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry; National Sports Commission; RS53 RestoBar and Lounge; Jacobs Jewelry & Pawn Shop; First Change Builders Inc; Impressions Inc and Sicko Mode.

The first-ever champions will pocket $1 million, while the losing finalists will collect $300,000.

The two losing semifinalists will walk away with $100,000 each. There will also be prizes for outstanding individual performances.

Additionally, there will be a celebrity match before the championship match where the winning side will be rewarded $200,000, which will be donated to a charity of their choice.

The celebrity match could feature President Ali, former national and international cricketers, entertainers, sponsors, media members, athletes, former and current Ministers, and other influential persons in Guyana.

The organisers reminded that not only players would walk away with their pockets filled as there would be numerous instant prizes for the fans who participate in cricket novelty activities.

At the same time, the

children will be pampered with free rides, games, and treats in the Banks DIH Fun Zone.

There was a change in fixtures to accommodate the usage of normal mud pitches, as unanimously requested by participating teams.

Round of 16 matches commences at 13:30h at all five venues, while Super Eight matches start at 16:00h and will be at QC, Police and the Guyana Defence Grounds only. The semi-finals and final are on July 30 at Everest Cricket Ground.

Round of 32 fixtures: Matches starting at 09:00h

1. Eccles All Stars v Hero Riders – Queen’s College Ground

2. Ministry of Human Services and Social Security v Bartica Bulls –Queen’s College Ground

3. Avinash All-Stars v PB Contractors – YMCA

DCB announces U-13 inter-county team

The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) announced the Demerara Under-13 squad following the end of the Franchise Tournament, which concluded this past week.

DCB held its recent competition at the Queen’s College Ground, where several young stars managed to catch the selectors’ eye, as their talent did not go unnoticed. Key players in the Franchise U-13, like Brandon Henry, Joshua Bollers, Reaz Latiff, and others, were named to the 16-member team.

DCB meanwhile designated today, Monday, July 17, as

Khush Seegobin; Nathan Bishop; Brandon Henry – Captain; Makai Dowlin; Reeaz Latiff –Vice Captain; Joshua Bollers; Patrice Fraser; Theiry Davis; Kyle Gibson; Kristoff Tracy; Joshua Williams; Shakar Ramesh; Lomar Seecharran; Jermaine Grovesnor; Hezekiah Hohenkirk and Junior Ruel Dindyal.

Guyana scoreless in rugby tournament

The Guyana Under-19 team continue to disappoint being winless in two more games of the Rugby Americas North (RAN) U-19 tournament at the University of West Indies’ Mona Bowl in Kingston, Jamaica.

Caribbean neighbour Trinidad and Tobago continued to perform at an exceptional level, going through Guyana’s defence with ease to score five tries, amounting to 33 points, with Guyana held to

being scoreless.

Guyana also did not manage to put up a fight against the tight defence of their other opponents, Jamaica, as Jamaica secured the win with seven tries, which added up to 37 points. Guyana are yet to score a try.

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the first practice session for the U-13 team at the Queen’s College Ground, from 14:00h.

Demerara U-13 team:

Stand-bys: Mario Singh, Amit Shivdarsan, Caleb Basham, Nathan Suknanad, Nicholas Rukhdeo, and Navin Narine.

Manager – Kevin Ross Coach – Kumar Bishundial

President Dr Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister and Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips along with organisers Yusuf Ali (far left) and Akeem Greene (far right) at the Office of the President on Friday (Photo: President Dr Irfaan Ali)

Bold changes should be made for West Indies after Dominica disaster

B y B randon C orlette

West Indies will play against India in the second Test match from July 20 at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago.

After West Indies lost by an innings and 141 runs, inside three days in the opening Test match in Dominica, veteran international cricket commentator, Joseph “Reds” Perreira is calling for the West Indies selectors to make bold changes.

“After the heavy defeat in three days in Dominica, se lectors, the Honourable Dr Desmond Haynes and Roland Butcher, are now forced to really re-construct the side with some major changes. I certainly believe they should make some bold changes.

“What has not worked in the past continues to be non-productive, and certainly a lineup for the second Test will offer the Caribbean people some hope

as we might be competitive, especially if there is some backing from the crowd for the 100th game anniversary celebration,” Perreira said.

“My side will be [Captain Kraigg] Brathwaite; [Tagenarine] Chanderpaul; [Alick] Athanaze at three; [Brandon] King; [Kirk]

McKenzie; [Shai] Hope; [Jason] Holder; [Alzarri] Joseph; [Kemar] Roach; [Akeem] Jordan or [Shannon] Gabriel, and Bryan Charles the off-spinner.

“Gabriel will bring genuine pace, while Jordan will demonstrate his control in bowling

Couchman, Sandiford take lead in Milex national junior chess

a good off-stump line. With the uncertainty of [Rahkeem] Cornwall’s fitness, my off-spinner would be Bryan Charles, who had good First-Class figures, who, in fact, was highly touted by the selectors that they took him up to Antigua for the camp,” the veteran commentator said.

“If you want to give an off-spinner a debut Test match, there is nothing like his home ground.”

The pitch in Dominica was a talking point, and the West Indies

Captain was surprised at the surface prepared. Perreira shared similar sentiments, calling for a better surface in Trinidad and Tobago, and a more positive approach from the West Indies.

“A better performance from the West Indies will be determined on a better pitch, but West Indies need to be more positive against the India spinners,” he said.

Perreira is calling for Raymon Reifer to be dropped, after he made 02 and 11 in the first Test, and his overall Test average in eight Tests is 22.92. Reifer has three fifties in 14 innings in Test cricket.

Moreover, the inconsistent Jermaine Blackwood should also be dropped after scoring 14 and 05 in the first Test. Perreira also believes that Joshua Da Silva should be rested, after he had an ordinary time in the first Test with scores of 02 and 13, and Jomel Warrican should also be replaced after he failed to dominate on a spin-friendly surface.

Briton John wins Alanis Cycle Club circuit race

While it is still far too early in the tournament to determine whether the junior champion will be able to hold on to his title or have it taken away by any of the many skilled contenders, Kyle Couchman and Keron Sandiford are off to a brilliant start, leading the tournament after four rounds.

The Milex-sponsored national tournament is a round-robin event with 10 players vying for the title of National Junior Champion. The time control is 90 minutes with 30-second increments. Games will be played between July 14 and July 19 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Couchman, a student of Queen's College, has won three of his four matches, defeating qualifying champion Ethan Lee, Alexander Zhang, and defending champion Ricardo Narine. He drew his match with Oluwadare Oyeyipo. Couchman’s signature Ruy Lopez did not fail him when he faced Oyeyipo in round three as neither young man allowed the other any

chance to gain an advantage. As is typical with such an opening when played well, the game ended in a draw by agreement when both players surmised that they saw no advantage to be gained from the equally-matched end position.

Couchman went on to play white against the defending champion, who conceded defeat and resigned after move 26. Sandiford started the day with 1.5 points as he went to face Zhang.

Zhang fought valiantly, but was defeated in the end. Sandiford then came up against qualifying champion Lee. The duo had faced each other in the qualifiers, at which time the match came to a draw.

However, Sandiford was victorious this time.

Couchman and Sandiford are both on 3.5 points. The other players in the top five are Matthew Singh on 3 points, Oyeyipo on 2.5 points, and Ronan Lee on 2 points.

The reigning junior champion Narine and qualifying champion Lee are

on 1.5 points. Zhang has 1 point, and Kishan Puran is yet to earn a point.

The players had a much-needed and wellearned rest day on Sunday before they return to the board today. With five rounds to go, the championship is still wide open.

Going into round five, both the reigning junior champion and qualifying champion are down on points, but can still make a comeback if the leading players are not careful in the remaining five rounds.

Sandiford is a seasoned competitor with many years of experience and trophies under his belt, but may risk being surpassed by the upand-coming Couchman, who has displayed solid and consistent prowess in the game.

With five rounds to go, there is still room for surprises on who will take home the title. While the leading players have established a strong lead, they must keep their wits about them and stay focused to maintain their advantage until the end of the event.

Guyana's national road race champion Briton John of Team We Stand United returned to local racing with a crushing win in the Team Alanis Cycle Club 40-lap feature race at the National Park at the weekend.

Briton was followed by Christopher Griffith of KFC Evolution; Curtis Dey of KFC Evolution; Emmanuel Grayal (unattached); Robin Persaud of KFC Evolution and Alexis Mendes of the Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycling Club, in that order.

Persaud was the top Under-50 veteran while Kwame Ridley and Mendes were the other top finishers.

The Masters O-50 cate -

Briton John continues to dominate cycling in Guyana

gory saw Team Evolution rider Roy Mangru topping the charts while Edwards Deburgh came in second.

Alexander Leung of We Stand United was the top junior while Ajani Cutting and Sebastian Nathan were the other top finish -

ers.

Daniel Jiang was the top rider in the Juvenile Category, while Clivecia Spencer was the top female. Briton claimed six sprint prizes while Jamual John and Leung had one each.

Briton John receiving his prize

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