Guyana Times - Monday, June 26, 2023

Thousands of PPP/C supporters at the “Thank You Meeting” in Leonora, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on Saturday (President Dr Irfaan Ali’s FB page photo)

Agro-processing

Govt willing to co-invest with private enterprises – VP

The benefits of the project, according to the Government, will include saving between US$150 million to US$200 million in foreign currency that would have otherwise covered the country’s fuel import bill and cutting the cost to generate electricity by half.

In a similar way in which Government has co-invested with the private sector for call centres aimed at providing employment, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo noted that the Government is inclined to pursue a similar policy in agro-processing, particularly in the hinterland.

During a recent press conference, Jagdeo noted that even as the Government has made great strides in the agricultural sector, processing and the related cost of energy has been a constraint for

potential local investors.

While the oil and gas sector has been directly benefitting most people on the coast, Jagdeo was of the view that supporting the agricultural sector in more hinterland areas could be the Government’s way of ensuring they reap the benefits of the sector, as well as advance the value-added agriculture sub-sector.

“We have to focus. Those communities can’t do much on oil and gas. That’s why we have to push the agri-investments so our people who live in these re-

gions are not left behind, in the remote regions of the country. That they’re not left behind in the national development. We want all our people to move forward.”

“The Government is prepared to put the investment in. Even co-investing in processing facilities with business. So, if they produce the stuff, we can co-invest with someone to get this done. Like we’re co-investing in some other areas on the call centres,” Jagdeo said.

Here, he made refer-

ence to the two call centres currently being built at Palmyra and in the Upper Corentyne of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). The call centres are being built under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and each of the facilities will have the capacity for 150 seats.

It is a similar strategy to what the previous PPP/C Government did in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) with a call centre at Kara Kara - a project that was abandoned under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government but which has since been resuscitated under the current Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government and now employs hundreds of Lindeners under new management.

Jagdeo noted that once completed, the State will turn over the buildings to a private enterprise that will operate the call centre and provide employment to hundreds of locals. When it comes to Guyana’s agricultural sector and the leadership it has taken in the Region, Jagdeo explained that Guyana took the position it did because of the lack of policy focus on agriculture in the Region.

“Our agriculture growth

has been a steady, significant one. We’ve stepped back only in sugar. But almost every sector. The Region fell back. That was a regional initiative. And you had about eight or nine constraining factors to agriculture. One of which was scale of investment.”

“If you look around the Caribbean, very few people invest in agriculture. On drainage and irrigation or anything of the sort. Except for the five years under APNU, our budget for the farm to market roads, drainage and irrigation, the lifeblood of agriculture, skyrocketed. Secondly, fiscal concessions.”

He pointed out that in many Caribbean countries, investors in the tourism sector can get a plethora of concessions. However, the same could not be said for investors in agriculture. Jagdeo contrasted this with Guyana’s approach, where there was an extensive removal of taxes on fertilisers, pesticides and agricultural equipment.

For the majority of Guyana’s history, the cost of energy has been a sticking point hampering the development of the local manufacturing sector. However, the Government has long theorised that the gas-to-energy project will change this.

It has also been theorised that by 2025, with 300MW of new baseload capacity provided with natural gas, the reliability of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) grid will increase while the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with electricity generation will be reduced by half.

The scope of Guyana’s gas-to-energy project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil.

It features approximately 200 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will run from Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore. Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

In Budget 2023, the gas-to-energy project received a $43.3 billion allocation. This allocation is in addition to the $24.6 billion injected into the startup of the transformational project, which includes the construction of an integrated NGL Plant and the 300-megawatt (MW) Combined Cycle Power Plant at Wales, WBD.

The call centre at Kara Kara, Linden, an example of Government partnering with the Private Sector to generate jobs

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, June 26 – 11:00h

– 12:00h and Tuesday, June 27 – No retraction.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, June 26 – 09:20h

– 10:50h and Tuesday, June 27 – 10:25h – 11:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 2.68 metres.

High Tide: 10:14h and 22:47h reaching maximum heights of 2.25 metres and 2.25 metres.

Low Tide: 16:15h reaching a minimum height of 0.96 metre.

PPP/C must expand to every community across Guyana – Pres Ali

Reeling from a resounding success at the recently conducted Local Government Elections, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is showing appreciation to supporters across the country and is simultaneously rallying Guyanese to throw their support behind the incumbent party as they head into the next General and Regional Elections in two years’ time.

Speaking at a ‘Local Government Elections Thank You Meeting’ on Saturday at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, President Dr Irfaan Ali expressed appreciation to residents of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) for their tremendous support at the recent local government polls.

Party family must be expanded and must be expanded in every single community in this country. No more are we going to allow the lies and the propaganda of the Opposition to ever gain root in communities. We’re going

see the party’s presence more and more in the fields as they work to not only extend the PPP/C’s time in office but also ensure it secures the largest victory ever seen.

Similar sentiments were

Areas (LAAs) that were contested at the June 12 local government polls, more than doubling its votes in several of the traditionally PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Oppositioncontrolled constituencies.

According to Jagdeo, the party is having these ‘Thank You Meetings’ across various regions to show its appreciation for all the hard work to ensure its LGE victory. He noted that the PPP/C is the only national party whose candidates were a true reflection of Guyana.

“We recognised the hard work done by our activists, our supporters and our candidates in every part of this country. And here in this region [Three], I want to say a special thank you to those who come from communities that traditionally did not support the PPP –Den Amstel and the others. Welcome to the PPP family,” he stated.

The PPP General Secretary went on to say that the party has now set a bigger task of winning handsomely at the 2025 polls – something which will require the input of all its supporters throughout the country.

The ruling PPP/C managed to secure wins at every Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in the region, including at the non-traditional areas.

According to President Ali, this victory is reflective of the party’s unifying policy that seeks to develop and bring prosperity to Guyana as well as the advancement of every single family in the country.

“Our message and the foundation of the People’s Progressive Party is about all of us. All of us unified as Guyanese, working together and working harder every day to ensure development and prosperity come to every single home. And we thank you very much for your courage and your determination in breaking traditions that sought to divide us… You are the custodians of this victory. You are the workers of this victory. You are the champions of this victory.”

However, the Head of State told supporters that it is not time to slow down or stop. Instead, he called on them to start suiting up in preparation for the next General and Regional Elections in 2025. Ali noted that focus will be placed on further expanding the party’s support base across the country.

“The People’s Progressive

to walk every single community and talk to the people directly because when we send our message to the people directly, they realise that this is a party that cares about them… that cares about unity.”

To this end, the President pointed out that notwithstanding the strong work already being done on the ground and the resounding victory at the recent LGE, leaders of the PPP/C have already been instructed to work even harder to garner votes on the ground.

“We want them to be working harder and more on the ground because we believe that when we’re shoulder to shoulder with you, when we’re in communities with you, when [we] walk with you then you will walk with us regardless of the weather and regardless of the storm.”

“This party is a strong party, it’s an all-weather party and it’s a party that believes in the people, and the people believes in this party… And that is why all of our plans and programmes are aimed and directed to the people because we ultimately are responsible for and accountable to you – the people and we will continue to be accountable to you.”

Going forward, Ali assured that Guyanese will

shared by General Secretary of the PPP Bharrat Jagdeo, who reflected on the massive victory of the party across the country.

The ruling party won 67 of the 80 Local Authority

“The PPP family is big enough to accommodate everyone – all of Guyana. And we will move from this victory and onto an even bigger victory in 2025. But for that to happen, every one of you here tonight will have to play a role – not just a passive role, not just to come to meetings and vote. You have to become activists of this party. You have to talk about what we stand for –the positive things. Every time we campaigned; we campaigned on improving people’s lives,” Jagdeo asserted. (G8)

President Dr Irfaan Ali (right) and PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo at Leonora on Saturday

Scores of supporters at the PPP/C "Thank You Meeting" in Region Three on Saturday

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Protecting victims’ identities

Guyana has been agog at the allegations made since June 15 over social media that Minister of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall had groomed and raped a minor Amerindian girl last year. In the post, the minor offered a detailed and articulate account of her allegations and claimed she sent it to President Irfaan Ali. The following day, when asked by the media the President related he had seen the missive on social media posts. He assured the nation that “it will be thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities”. And that he has “no tolerance for such behaviour and anyone found guilty of such allegations will be held accountable.” He later noted that he asked the Minister about the allegations which were denied. However, he noted he had “already told the Police any report must be thoroughly and comprehensively investigated.” The Minister asked the President for “administrative leave” to facilitate the Police and other investigations and this was granted.

Even before President Ali, Minister of Human Services and Social Protection, Dr Vindhya Persaud said, “The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has taken note of the serious allegations made against a Minister by a 16-year-old girl. Our women and girls must be safe and no one is above the law.”

She further stated that the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) was carrying out a full investigation and the child was in its custody. The Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand also weighed in: “I begin by believing complainants, always, every time. Because the statistics are clear. Despite the myths, victims of rape and sexual assault do not lie about their experiences any more than victims of any other crime.” She further said, “I immediately passed the information on to the Chief Education Officer with a request that he find the child and offer our full support to her.”

The Guyana Police Force promptly confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the allegations against Dharamlall. They, along with other stakeholders, were insistent that the 2010 the Sexual Offences Act was being complied with. They issued a statement: “…on Monday, the 19th day of June, 2023, Mr Dharamlall presented himself at the Brickdam Police Station in the company of his Attorney, where he was told of the allegation and subsequently arrested.” The Minister by then had secured the services of a law firm and was interrogated and placed on $1 million bail. His home was later searched in the presence of the minor. The Police have sent their file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and they are awaiting further instructions on how to proceed.

As soon as the post on social media surfaced, however, the Opposition became hyperactive as they sought to make political capital of the unfortunate incident. Sadly, by highlighting facts about the circumstances surrounding the minor’s claims, they revealed her identity. It would appear that they are ignoring Article 62, subsection 1 of the Sexual Offences Act of Guyana, which states that “the publication in any document, the broadcasting, or transmission in any way, of any information that could identify the complainant or witness to such offences under this Act is prohibited.” In this and other instances, due process must be afforded to the Minister, as with any accused, lest we descend into anarchy arising from the social media frenzy for blood, which must be disciplined.

The allegations, however, have raised the issue of endemic exploitation of Indigenous women by individuals occupying power in institutions of the State, hinterland businessmen and gold and diamond miners. Historically, powerful white planters left a legacy of raping “native” women to create mixed strata in Guiana and other slave societies. Abuse of Indigenous women in the hinterland remained a perennial problem and mushroomed after the post-independence failed Rupununi Uprising of 1969, which led to troops from the coastland, sent to suppress the rebellion, sexually exploiting Indigenous women.

While laws have been enacted on the sexual abuse of women, we should now accept from anecdotal evidence that many such incidents have been occurring with impunity. While we have been very vigilant in complying with foreign imposed TIP laws, for instance, it would appear that this equally brutal rape of Indigenous minors have slipped under the radar. This must be addressed immediately.

LGE 2023 and the changing dynamics of the vote

Dear Editor, Fresh out of the 2020 attempts to derail the democratic norms, subvert the will of the people and to illegally hold on to power by key political and administrative players, another election was held. The recently concluded Local Government Elections can be hailed as a successful rollout of the reforms, amendments and the proper applications of the Elections Laws; Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2022, National Registration (Amendment) Act 2022 and the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Act.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) can be credited to executing its mandate in the prescribed manner, albeit a few hiccups. This was evident by the many reports from electors and candidates from various polling stations countrywide. In the case of my polling station, the elections day staff manned by the Presiding Officer was most helpful when I refused my ballot, based on the fact the number was unclear and smudged. This was immediately rectified by having the numbering stamp cleaned and a new ballot issued.

Many, if not all of the sixty-seven Local Authority Areas (LAAs) provided their Statements of Poll within a few hours and the Statutory Declarations within twenty-four hours of the elections.

We witnessed, unlike the National and Regional Elections of 2020, robust application of the elections rules and laws, where recounts were requested and granted, candidates to the poll were given unfettered access to the voting and counting process, electors were provided with ample and

sufficient facilities to exercise their franchise and where tabulations were done to the approval of the candidates and parties.

Now that the elections have concluded and results are available, the analysis of those results are interesting. The two national political parties, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)/ A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) dominated the process, with the PPP/C contesting and fielding candidates in all 80 Local Authority Area (LAA), while the PNCR/APNU contested

of those electors.

An examination of the candidacy is worth taking note of. Diversity of the PPP/C candidates is arguably the best in the last three LGEs. There were ample representation of AfroGuyanese and Amerindians and other key representation as part of the slate. Additionally, the youth category with their vibrancy and women representation were commendable.

Within the 10 municipalities, it is worth noting that the PPP/C made massive inroads in seats allocation as follows:

In the municipality of Georgetown, the increase of 78% of the Proportional

South Georgetown.

Notably other areas such as Mocha Arcadia, where the number of votes for the governing PPP increased, the rationale remains.

What is worth attention by the major parties as well as GECOM is the relatively low voter turnout, approximately less than 35% of the listed electors. Transfers from one list to another, sensitisation on importance of LGE, and increased mobilisation are immediate matters to be worked on for future elections.

67/80. Other voluntary groups and smaller parties were limited in their representation and participation within the Constituencies and LAAs.

The PPP/C fielded candidates from its non-traditional supported LAAs while the PNCR/APNU was unable to secure candidates and backers in thirteen LAAs and several constituencies including the town of Lethem and the LAA of Aranaputa in Region 9. The work undertaken by both party machineries leading up to Nomination Day was therefore evident as well as receptiveness

Representation (PR) votes and 57% in the seat allocation, reflects the changing dynamics of the largest Local Authority Area. This paradigm change can be attributed to the evolving voting patterns of the electors, urbanisation, the intense political work done by the respective candidates and Central Government, improvement in the communities/standard of living and voting based on local issues and solutions against the traditional party loyalty and hard lining. As a result of these factors, we saw the PPP/C making inroads within

Evidently, the road ahead to woo voters is not as straightforward as traditional voting patterns are changing and electors are looking towards issue-based politics, results driven leadership and the social securities of improved standard of living and quality of life. This requires consistent work and dedication from the actors involved.

Newly elected Mayors, Chairmen and Councillors now have the responsibility, to fulfil on their commitments, obligations and responsibilities in relation to the local governance laws, accountability, prudent management of resources and responsiveness to their constituents.

Sincerely,

Ronald A Harsawack, MPA

Students and regional officials at the Yoga Programme held at Cotton Field Secondary School, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) High to mark International Day of Yoga. The event was a collaboration between India’s High Commission and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Guyana

Massive win at LGE will accelerate the uniting of our people!

Dear Editor,

It was a foregone conclusion that the PPP/C would have realised significant improvements as a measure of their improved connectivity with the Guyanese people. The results of the Local Government Elections (LGEs) polls confirm that the PPP/C won sixty-six (66) or approximately eighty-three (83) per cent of the eighty Local Authorities Areas.

A more detailed breakdown of seats to be filled on the various Councils by elected candidates, the PPP/C emphatically won nine-hundred and six (906) or approximately 75 per cent of the available eleven hundred and twenty (1120) seats contested in the just concluded LGEs. This massive victory manifests the PPP/C’s electoral prowess, and our population’s response to the Party’s demonstrated resolve to continue working hard to unite every citizen

while improving the welfare of our people.

At the Municipal level, the PPP/C’s performance shows much improvement and is most encouraging. While the PPP/C won seven of the ten Municipalities, their votes in Georgetown, New Amsterdam, and particularly Linden increased by the thousands. This increase in support is particularly great news for the heavily populated areas in Guyana, where our politics in the past was heavily polarised. Undoubtedly, we are experiencing almost a re-engineered political dynamic with citizens paying keen attention to the country’s tremendous all-around development, leading to greater unity in our diversity.

Although the Opposition PNC is talking about retaining their support base in Georgetown, Linden, and New Amsterdam, their leaders cannot at all be breathing easy, given the substan-

tial attrition of their usual support. With most of the voting population supporting the candidates on the PPP/C slate for the contested seats at the LGEs, the Party has undoubtedly asserted itself in the Local Authorities Areas. Indeed, these results elicit strong confidence in the PPP/C’s leadership and set the stage for catalysing productive work with supportive teams at the local levels.

From the looks of things, the PPP/C’s Agenda for National and Community Development will not pause or slow down. Further, our citizens have ensured a diminished influence in the many LAAs, of the usual obstructionist approaches we have witnessed for decades across many previously fully controlled PNC areas. This confidence and assurance pave the way for an all-inclusive continuous engagement at the grassroot levels in all communities as a collective with

common goals. Consequently, there is high country-wide anticipation that with supporting partnerships on the various Community and Municipal Councils, the new Councillors must advance effective representation while providing objective and decisive leadership. Critically, our Councillors must work together to deliver the most significant service improvements and support national development by aggressively assisting with programmes and initiatives to increase the advantage of citizens within their respective LAAs.

The PPP/C’s general selection approach and quality of the candidates is a true reflection of the ‘One Guyana’ motto of President Irfaan Ali. The balance of ethnic, religious, and respected experienced personnel manifests itself in a fine blend of included youths, women, and promi-

nent business personalities, along with vibrant community leaders now elected to serve as Councillors.

Notably, the PPP/C’s leadership carefully crafted the observed selection of candidates’ criteria to inform the set up more qualitative and better functioning Council that will understand the diverse community needs and be easy to communicate with, among others.

The PPP/C is a massbased political Party with a well-oiled and flexible structure. Its high-quality leadership is highly competent and well-respected. Consequently, the Party’s rollout of strategic plans have been effective holistically and at various levels, giving proper and meaningful guidance to the activists and foot soldiers. Door-todoor canvassing and effective use of well-prepared relevant flyers was a success story. The house-to-house campaign made a big difference, as the PPP/C leaders

walked the walk and talked the talk with the masses of people. Importantly, our leaders allowed the populace to express their views and genuine concerns, and they listened and acted.

Unlike other political parties, seeing the older comrades in the PPP/C making way for the younger generation is heartening. This approach was also reflected in the 2023 LGE, which attracted the involvement of many neutral and otherwise stakeholders who wanted to contribute. In this respect, even in the many PPP/C strongholds, our senior comrades stepped aside in a purposeful working bid that must unite our people.

As this nation transforms and develops economically, our people must unite in our diversity and live a better life.

Sincerely,

Neil Kumar

understanding the specificity of the political

Dear Editor, GHK Lall has declared that he does not care what others say about his daily broodings about Bharrat Jagdeo. Yet, we know from basic linguistics that speech and writing cannot be monological, meaning they are not uni-directional. On the contrary, the structure of communication is dialogical, that is, an endless back and forth among speakers. It is in this context that I address GHK Lall. Put differently, we know you care what others say, which is why you say you do not care!

I noted a few days ago that GHK Lall will fail in his central objective, which is to ruin the prestige of Bharrat Jagdeo, and the PPP/C. I offered two reasons, namely, that his reliance on race to critique the PPP/C is vacuous, and secondly, that he has an acutely underdeveloped understanding of the carefully configured working relationship between President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Jagdeo. I would now like to add a third reason for Lall’s immanent and imminent failure.

The third issue takes us deep into political theory, in this instance the work of Carl Schmitt. The work of this German theorist is at once brilliant and controversial. Let us get straight down to business. The key insight of Schmitt is that politics is about power. Unlike other public institutions such as

the church or trade unions that revolve around trust, salvation, negotiation, and cooperation, the raison d’être of politics is to defeat the opponent. Schmitt frames politics as an existential struggle (in the political sense) between ‘friend’ and ‘enemy.’

Here is Schmitt – Every religious, moral, economic, ethical, or other anthesis transforms into a political one if it is sufficiently strong to group human beings effectively according to friend and enemy. Note that ‘friend’ and ‘enemy’ are conceptual categories employed to build a theory of the political. Friend and enemy do not have plural forms because they are logical constructs, not sensuous entities with subjectivities. Put differently, the contestation between friend and enemy is about the Logic of Power. This is what GHK Lall fails to apprehend.

His writings are mostly about how nice Irfaan Ali or Bharrat Jagdeo should be to the other side. He cringes when Jagdeo critiques the political ‘enemy’ even in response to attacks against the PPP/C that are patently unfounded, or intentionally untruthful. GHK Lall wants the PPP, Irfaan Ali, and Bharrat Jagdeo to be –shall we say, ‘ecumenical.’

In fact, he takes his theological thinking so far that he believes he himself has divine insights. Mr Lall is so naive about politics, about the specificity of the

political, that he thinks he can simply throw his own hat in the ring, just like that. He has indicated that he feels he has a calling and a following! Guyana is going through a period of rapid change, transformational as President Ali has said. One of the down -

sides of the rapid economic transformation is the emergence of forms of malignant opportunism to flourish. Just look at Melinda Janki pontificate nonsense on Newsmakers and you will know what I mean. Same for some of the columns in the mainstream broadsheets.

While we do not have an economic crisis in Guyana, we do have an intellectual one. People who have no training in politics or in the political economy of development and underdevelopment have suddenly become talking head experts. Most don’t understand the specificity of the

political. The political is not about God; it is about the constitution of legitimate power and authority. This is true, response or no response.

Sincerely,

Dr Randolph Persaud

Not

Page Foundation

Dividing mixed numbers

To divide mixed numbers, change each mixed number into an improper fraction. If only one number in your division problem is a mixed number, change it to an improper fraction. If both numbers in your division problem are mixed numbers, change both to improper fractions. CONTINUED FROM SATURDAY

Example:

Exercises: Divide

B y M artin C arter

They come in long lines toward the broad city. is the golden moon like a big coin in the sky is the floor of bone beneath the floor of flesh is the beak of sickness breaking on the stone O long is the march of men and long is the life

And wide is the span.

O cold is the cruel wind blowing O cold is the hoe in the ground. They come like sea birds flapping in the wake of a boat is the torture of sunset in purple bandages is the powder of fire spread like dust in the twilight is the water melodies of white foam on wrinkled sand. The long streets of night move up and down baring the thighs of a woman and the cavern of generation. The beating drum returns and dies away the bearded men fall down and go to sleep the cocks of dawn stand up and crow like bugles. is they who rose early in the morning watching the moon die in the dawn is they who heard the shell blow and the iron clang is they who had no voice in the emptiness in the unbelievable in the shadowless

O long is the march of men and long is the life

And wide is the span

WORD SEARCH

Guyana can tap into energy, other solutions close to home – French Ambassador

…notes potential to partner with French Guiana

While Guyana has formed partnerships across the world with a view of fostering development in sectors such as agriculture, oil and gas and energy, it is important that solutions closer to home, such as French Guiana, are not overlooked.

This is according to French Ambassador to Guyana Nicholas de Lacoste, in a recent interview with this publication during the visit of a French Guiana trade delegation led by President of the Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane, Gabriel Serville.

“We underline that [the people of Guyana] are neighbours with French Guiana. There are plenty of solutions which have been worked out. Which are completely adapted to the local circumstances here,” de Lacoste said.

“And what we have advised, kindly, our Guyanese partners, it’s better to look not far away for good solutions with proven efficiency, than go far away overseas to find solutions which already exist and are working.”

During the trade delegation’s visit, President Serville had informed this publica-

tion that one area for potential cooperation between the two countries is in renewable energy. According to Serville, French Guiana has already developed an extensive renewable energy system. He said that French Guiana would like to share its technological knowledge with Guyana.

“We’re looking to have a good cooperation with Guyana. There are French Guianese companies who are already here looking to invest. And we’re looking to have strong ties and enhance bilateral cooperation,” Serville had explained.

“French Guiana is already using as far as 71 per cent of renewable energy out of the total. We’re already using different types of renewable energy. So, we’re quite far when it comes to development and we would like to see that transposed [to Guyana] as well,” he had also said.

There are a number of policy decisions the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has taken towards realising its renewable energy ambitions. These include the revival of the 165-megawatt Amaila

Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), which was one of the promises made by the PPP/C in its manifesto.

The AFHP was the flagship of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). It was expected to deliver a steady source of clean, renewable energy that would have been affordable and reliable, and was envisioned to meet approximately 90 per cent of Guyana’s domestic energy needs while removing dependency on fossil fuels.

Guyana has received avid interest and even proposals from Brazil and other countries for the 165-megawatt hydropower project. Earlier this month, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had expressed anticipation that in the near future, the Government might go out for another bidding process for Amaila Falls.

The AFHP will be based on a Build-Own-OperateTransfer (BOOT) model where the company will supply electricity to GPL Inc at a cost not exceeding US$0.07737 per kWh and where the company will provide the entire equity re-

quired by the project and undertake all the risks associated with the project.

Previously, China Railway First Group (CRFG) had won the contract to undertake the project. However, they had subsequently informed Government that they were facing difficulties meeting the contract obligations of a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model. While the company had proposed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract, Government did not budge and the contract was terminated.

Meanwhile, there was a $362.4 million InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB)-funded contract that was signed last year for a so-

lar farm at Mahdia, Region Eight, that will benefit close to 3000 residents and significantly reduce the State’s expenditure on heavy fuel oil.

The 0.65MW Mahdia solar farm is being financed through a loan from the IDB, under the Energy

Matrix Diversification and Strengthening of the Department of Energy (EMISDE) programme. There is also a 1.5MW Bartica solar farm, which cost $625 million and was commissioned in April.

French Ambassador to Guyana, Nicolas de Lacoste

2 men facing child rape charges

As a condition for bail, the rape accused was ordered by the court to stay away from the virtual complainant and not to make contact with her or her family members.

The matter has been adjourned until July 5.

remanded to prison until July 4, when he will return to court to collect statements.

An Aberdeen, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) taxi driver was arraigned on a child rape charge on Friday

at the Suddie Magistrate's Court. Haimraj Narine, 22, was not required to plead to the indictable charge. Bail was granted to him in the sum of $150,000.

In a separate matter, 25-year-old Akeem Lowe appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Christel Lambert on Friday, charged with the offence of rape of a child under 16, contrary to Section 10 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03.

The accused, who was not required to plead to the indictable charge, was

According to reports, Lowe raped the young child on June 19 in Region Seven. The incident was reported to the Police the following day, which led to the arrest of Lowe.

He has reportedly confessed to the crime.

A Paper Committal will be conducted in both matters to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to put the accused on trial by a jury before a Judge.

Both men are facing life imprisonment if convicted. (G1)

…on “integrity”

There was a whole lotta kvetching and bitching by the Opposition and their myrmidons about the appointment of the Integrity Commission by Pres Ali last year. But you gotta understand where these folks are coming from. The word “integrity” to PNC people is like garlic to vampires!! It just sucks the lifeblood out of them!! But then, their party was founded by Burnham on the betrayal of the nationalist cause when he conspired with the Imperialists to split the movement for “pelf and power”!! Integrity?? Gwan da side!!

But they didn’t call his successor Granger the “Sanctimonious Gangster” for nothing!! After all, he was weaned by Burnham himself to betray the principles of military integrity!! Imagine going along with – and even being the point man – to promulgate the army’s swearing PERSONAL loyalty to King Kong! Anyhow, when he was handed the presidency by Corbin who worked out the coalition strategy – and even executed it – it was Granger who came up with a “Code of Conduct” to go with the Integrity Commission. Which the PNC had NEVER supported for decades. The Sanctimonious One was just the man to try rehabilitating the PNC in other areas than politics!!

Granger’s point man on the Code of Conduct was Raphael Trotman – his oleaginous clone from “Nassau” days!! You gotta be hypocrites of this magnitude to say with a straight face that Ministers of Government are expected to act with propriety on all occasions!! Takes a lotta brass balls!! When Trotman signed that “contract” with Exxon, he had to’ve broken every one of those guiding moral principles!! The best any of his defenders can say is he was “loyal” to the foundation principle of the PNC on betrayal!! Like the scorpion who bit the kind toad fetching him across the swollen river and drowned, “it was his nature”!!

The cynicism of the PNC on integrity in general and on the Commission in particular was exemplified by the just-released report from the Commission – headed by Chairwoman Gajraj. Imagine that Former Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, alongside nine other former and current Opposition parliamentarians, failed to submit their 2022 declarations to the Integrity Commission!! And the Opposition still have the chutzpah to accuse the PPP of playing fast and loose on financial probity!! Like charity, this begins at home – but sadly it’s still absent in the PNC!!

What makes it worse is Granger had sanctimoniously announced a Code of Conduct - drafted by Trotman with 10 principles – Accountability, Dignity, Diligence, Duty, Honour, Integrity, Loyalty, Objectivity, Responsibility, and Transparency – to tighten the Integrity Act!!

Financial propriety is the modern test of those values. But the PNC bigwigs wouldn’t recognise this if it crept up and bit them on their bamzies, would they?!

…in Russia

Russia’s Putin always figured he was one smart fly!! And we know where the flies end up, don’t we??!! Now don’t get your Eyewitness wrong – he knows the US and its NATO allies pushed the envelope in Ukraine. But hey!! You just don’t invade neighbouring countries claiming lebensraum – like Hitler did in 1938!! Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me, innit??

Well, Putin didn’t stop with his troops invading Ukraine to “denazify” it. He sent in the 20-40,000 strong mercenary force Wagner Group – headed by his friend Yevgeny Prigozhin – to use tactics that would amount to war crimes by regular Russian forces. But he didn’t count on the Wagner group turning rogue and invading Russia because of the beef between his friend and his military command!!

That the Wagner Group was able to move unimpeded towards Moscow exposed cracks in Putin’s braggadocio! He didn’t save much face with an emboldened West when Prigozhin halted his troops just before Moscow!!

A deal was brokered!

…in the woke chatterati

With the heightened awareness of the abuse of young Indigenous girls, your Eyewitness accepts that it’s better late than never. But he’s appalled at the racist assumptions about Indigenous Peoples that made the Woke Brigade silent all these years!!

Rape accused: Akeem Lowe Rape accused: Haimraj Narine

Guyana still has multi-billion barrels of oil exploration potential – Hess

…remains optimistic of daily production reaching 1.2M barrels by 2027

Guyana has been producing oil since 2019 and as of this year has produced more than 375,000 barrels of oil per day. But according to Hess Corporation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John Hess, there still remains multi-billion barrels of oil exploration potential in Guyana’s waters – evidently a factor in the intense interest Guyana has received for the oil blocks’ auction.

During a recent JP Morgan 2023 Energy, Power & Renewables Conference, Hess spoke about the two floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels - the Liza Destinyand Liza Unity, currently producing oil in the Liza 1 and 2 developments, Stabroek Block, where Hess’ partner ExxonMobil Guyana is the operator. He also spoke about the other three developments coming on stream.

“We’ve already sanctioned five low-cost developments. These are world class developments. The first two are on production, producing in excess of 375,000 (gross) barrels of oil per day. Recently closer to 400,000 barrels of oil per day. The performance of the reservoir and the two FPSOs is excellent.”

“We have three more developments in queue. Payara, that should come on in the fourth quarter. That’s 220,000 barrels per day. And then in 2025 and 2026, you have Yellowtail and Uaru should come on,” the executive said.

According to Hess, the company is doing a lot of reservoir evaluation prior to them investing billions of

dollars to get another production ship. He explained that in the second half of 2023, they will be drilling two more prospects, Basher and Lanternfish, near their Fangtooth well, which could be tied into a potential development or their seventh ship.

“All of this is to appraise the area for the future development of the deep horizon. We want to make sure the reservoir is going to have the right performance. We’re doing drill stem tests, extended well tests, to really figure out the aerial extent, the producibility of the reservoir. We’re optimistic about the results so far. But it’s a work in progress.”

“As we get these well results and we calibrate the seismic, we’re starting to see other deep potential on the block. So, there’s explo-

ration potential prospectivity that we’re going to be able to build upon, because of the success we’re having at Fangtooth.”

Hess went on to explain that on the financial side, they are getting better financial returns in Guyana than the industry average. He was optimistic that by 2027, daily production could reach 1.2 million barrels.

“I think it’s important for everybody to know, these are world class economic, world class financial returns, where the breakeven is at Brent price between US$25 and US$35, to make a ten per cent return. So, it’s really the best investment return in the industry. And there’s more to come,” the CEO said.

“We have a line of sight to six of these developments, to produce over 1.2 million barrels of oil per day in 2027.

And the potential to have 10 FPSOs to develop that discovered resource. In addition to that, we still have multi-billion barrels of exploration potential remaining. I think it’s also important to know that the Government there is very supportive of investment, very supportive of business,” Hess added.

In January of this year, the United States-based Hess Corporation had announced an oil discovery at the Fangtooth Southeast-1 (Fangtooth SE-1) well located approximately eight miles southeast of the original Fangtooth-1 discovery. The new discovery also came on the heels of the

January 2022 oil find at the Fangtooth-1 well.

The third development in the Stabroek Block – Payara – is on track to come online by the end of 2023 with a gross production capacity of approximately 220,000 bopd; while the Yellowtail – the fourth development – is slated for 2025 with a production capacity of some 250,000 bopd. Both these development projects have been approved by the Guyana Government.

Uaru is the fifth development and is expected to come online at the end of 2026 with a gross production capacity of approximately 250,000 bopd with first oil anticipated at the end of 2026. The development plan for Uaru was submitted for Government approval in November 2022

and approval was granted back in April 2023.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027. However, the co-venture partners had also said that the results of the appraisal on the Fangtooth well could see the number of planned FPSOs increased to seven. (G3)

Hess Corp CEO John Hess

The Stena Drillmax, one of the drillships that have been used in the Stabroek Block

Essequibo Coast teen dies in fiery car crash

A19-year-old lost his life on Sunday morning when the motor car he was driving collided into a car wash on the Essequibo Coast Public Road before striking a utility pole and being engulfed in flames.

Dead is Mario Adams

of Lot 45 Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast.

At the time of the crash, three other persons were also in the vehicle. They were 32-year-old Troy Ross of La Belle Alliance; 21-yearold Dean Cortman of Lima Sands, and an unidentified male, who fled the scene.

Reports are that the accident occurred at about 01:15h on the Bush Lot Public Road, Essequibo Coast, leaving behind a scene of devastation and a burnt-out vehicle.

According to Police reports, Adams was driving motor car PAD 5291, at a

fast rate along the western driving lane, heading north. However, while negotiating a right bend, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a nearby car wash on the Bush Lot Public Road. Subsequently, it collided head-on with a light pole situated on the western side of

the road. The impact of the collision caused the vehicle to immediately burst into flames.

Promptly responding to the fiery scene, members of the public extricated the driver and occupants from the burning car. The intensity of the fire was such that

the vehicle was completely consumed.

The driver and occupants were transported to the Suddie Public Hospital for medical attention.

Adams was pronounced dead at approximately 01:50h. His body has been transferred to the hospital's morgue, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, the two surviving occupants received injuries. Troy Ross sustained lacerations to his body, while Cortman suffered head trauma and lacerations. Both individuals are currently admitted to the hospital for further treatment and are under close observation.

The burnt vehicle at the scene

Entrepreneurs must seize local business opportunities in Guyana – Walrond

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister

Oneidge Walrond has urged local entrepreneurs to take advantage of the “remarkable” opportunities coming their way for investing in Guyana’s economy. She was at the time speaking at the second edition of the ‘Econome Business Conference and Mixer’ on Saturday.

“We must send a resounding message that the time is now. The time to invest is now, the time to seize business opportunities is now, the time to explore collaboration is now and the time to strike

deals is now,” the Tourism Minister emphasised.

She noted that with the growing number of ongoing developments, the country has witnessed its economy mounting at a phenomenal rate.

“More than one billion US dollars has already been deposited into our Natural Resources Fund (NRF). Our non-oil economy is expected to grow at a rate approaching ten per cent, which is more than itself the overall global average,” Walrond highlighted.

The Minister further emphasised that with strategic leadership and interventions by the Government

in all sectors, efforts are being made for the citizens who will reap the benefits and enjoy a country of constant advancement.

In the recent past, Guyana has been receiving significant attention from foreign investors, indicating their interest in the various opportunities available in the country.

While speaking at a webinar in March, the President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), Rafeek Khan, noted that Guyana’s investment regime makes it an attractive destination for investors.

“Companies are very, very excited to partner in Guyana. The cost of getting leased land is more lucrative in Guyana… We see our tax incentives are being easier to do business in Guyana. So, there is a wide range of opportunities in Guyana and why businesses want to come in,” he stated. Meanwhile, during a press conference held in April, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced that the Government is working on a project that will allow investors, including ordinary Guyanese, to invest and get returns in the country’s booming oil and gas sector.

“I’m now working on a plan to go much larger and much further than SUVs [vehicles contract], one in which all the private sector, every single cent, we can mobilise as a country to invest in a business opportunity in the oil and gas sector to create an infrastructure that all those investors can invest and one in which ordinary Guyanese will be able to invest so that they too can be part of the growth and opportunities. I will launch that very soon,” the President said.

A recent report published by FocusEconomics, a provider of global forecasts, stated that Guyana

will lead the list of top five nations with the fastest-growing economies up to 2026.

Fairview to build tourism cabins, repair village truck

truck] or sometimes we get hired by outsiders to transport goods and construction materials and so,” Allicock shared.

He explained that repairs to the truck include; changing the cabin, overhauling the engine, purchasing new brakes and tires, painting the exterior, and more.

ture and history with their guests.

$4.7B distribution

The Amerindian village of Fairview, located within the Iwokrama Forest, will utilise its $15 million carbon credit grant to build out its tourism product as well as repair a truck that is used for transporting goods and materials for villagers.

During a telephone interview with this publication on Friday, Toshao of Fairview, Bradford Allicock unveiled that the village submitted three priority projects that they will be executing this year. These include; building two cabins to accommodate tourists, purchasing a minibus and repairing a Bedford truck, and lastly, drilling a well for the village.

However, he noted that subsequent to the submission of the village sustainable plan, he was informed by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) that a well will be drilled in the community by the Government.

“At present, we get a word from the Regional Democratic Council stating that a well would be drilled by the Government. So, what would have to happen here we have to take off the one

that we have the proposal for. Once it’s [the well] coming from the Government we don’t need to use that money to do that. We would use it on another project,” Allicock told this publication.

According to Allicock, the village currently has one solar well that is used to supply the priority buildings within the village and a few households.

“We have a solar well which is not too big that would supply the whole village. But we use that just for the main buildings, the school, health centre, teachers’ quarters, and the doctors’ quarters, and some on the homes close by have access to that well,” Allicock added.

Allicock shared that the construction of the cabins is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed within the next three months. The project is being executed by the villagers.

The Bedford truck, he noted, is used for transporting construction materials and goods for villagers from Lethem or Georgetown.

“We normally use it for transporting lumber, goods and to bring in our

goods from Lethem [or] Georgetown. Villagers would normally hire it [the

Fairview is a small Amerindian settlement that lies a few kilometres upriver from the Iwokrama River Lodge and is the only community located within the Iwokrama Forest. Populated with approximately 430 people, occupying 81 households, the hospitable residents will gladly share their traditional Makushi cul-

In February this year, a total of 241 Amerindian communities across the country received grants, ranging from $10 to $35 million each. This initiative followed the historic agreement signed with Hess Corporation for Guyana’s carbon credits in 2022 that will see the country earning US$750 million for its forest. A total of $4.7 billion (US$22.5 million), which represents 15 per cent of Hess’ payment for Guyana’s carbon credits, was disbursed in the various communities.

Vice President Bharrat

Jagdeo had explained that a strict mechanism will be followed to ensure accountability and transparency regarding how the funds will be expended. Each community is required to create separate bank accounts so the spending of the funds can be properly monitored. Moreover, the community cannot utilise the funds until a finance committee is named and the village development plan is completed and endorsed by the village. Jagdeo had expressed that the plans should be focused on either empowerment projects in the social sector, job creation, and/or on food security efforts.

Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond speaking at the business conference and mixer on Saturday

Kurupukari Falls near Fairview village

$15M carbon credit grant

98 years’ jail time

Assistant DPP agrees sentences for killer mom disproportionate, excessive

Contending that Justice Navindra Singh erred in law when he failed to rule on the voluntariness of the alleged caution statements of Hosfosuwa Rutherford, who is serving a 98-year prison sentence for killing her two young children, defence lawyer Dexter Smartt has argued that this is a sufficient ground for his client’s convictions and sentences to be overturned.

Rutherford, 30, was found guilty of two counts

of manslaughter in regard to the deaths of her two children — four-year-old Hodascia Cadogan and oneyear-old Jabari Cadogan — by a jury in the High Court of Demerara following a trial in 2018.

On the first count, for the killing of Hodascia, Rutherford was sentenced to 45 years in jail; while on the second count, for the killing of Jabari, she was sentenced to 53 years’ imprisonment. The prison terms were

ordered to be served consecutively; her cumulative sentence is 98 years.

When the Court of Appeal opened arguments in Rutherford’s appeal recently, Smartt contended that the trial Judge erred by not ruling on the voluntariness of the caution statements.

“There were three statements made under caution: one written and two oral. And in none of these statements were any rulings on voluntariness made. We be-

lieve that the Judge erred in not ruling on voluntariness before allowing the jury to hear those statements…”

While these caution statements were not challenged by Rutherford’s then counsel, Adrian Thompson, defence counsel submitted that case law mandates that a caution statement is only admissible evidence against the accused if it is proven by the prosecution, beyond a reasonable doubt, to have been freely and voluntarily given.

Moreover, Smartt argued that the sentences imposed by the trial Judge were manifestly excessive and not in keeping with sentencing guidelines given by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the sex-

was for the jury, at the end of the day, to determine whether or not these statements were freely and voluntarily given,” Lake contended.

In interjecting, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, who was among the three Judges that heard the appeal, said that even though the Judge might have been “careful” in his summation, “the obligation remains on [the Judge] to make a ruling or to write…make a record of the fact that he did consider” the voluntariness of the statements.

The other Judges that heard the appeal were Justice Rishi Persaud and Justice Dawn Gregory.

In relation to Rutherford’s ground of appeal that the sentences were excessive, the

tences ought to have run concurrently and asked the court to consider the totality principle when resentencing Rutherford.

The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgement in this matter.

Background

During the woman’s trial in 2018, the State had adduced evidence that this mother had given each of her children half of a tablet of aluminium phosphide (rat poison) on March 27, 2014, at Supply Branch Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, where they all resided.

Rutherford’s defence was that she had bought cold tablets at the Plaisance bus park in Georgetown from a man who sells rat poison,

ual offences case, Linton Pompey v the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of Guyana 2020.

To make his point, he reasoned that since both deaths “stemmed from the same incident on the same day”, the sentences should have been concurrent, starting at 45 years.

Disproportionate, excessive

For her part, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Teshana Lake acknowledged that it is a condition precedent for the Judge to rule on the voluntariness of the caution statements. She also conceded that there was no express ruling in that regard on the record of appeal.

“But despite the fact that there was no written ruling by the trial Judge, when one examines the summation of the evidence and sees the manner in which the caution statements were treated, the State is of the view that it

Deputy DDP contended that the CCJ in Vishnu Bridgelall v Hardat Harprashad 2017, held consecutive sentences may be given where the offences arise out of unrelated facts or incidents and that consecutive sentences may be imposed where the offences are of the same or similar kind but where the overall criminality will not sufficiently be reflected by concurrent sentences.

When the facts and circumstances of the extant case are examined, Lake said that “concurrent sentence may have been the way to go, especially since the overall criminality from the sentences of 45 years and 53 years would have been reflected based on the sentence.”

She agreed with defence counsel that the 98 years’ sentence is disproportionate and excessive.

Bearing in mind that the Court of Appeal stated that the starting point for manslaughter would be 25 years, Lake submitted that the sen-

but the logic behind this story was not accepted by the jury. Rutherford had been hospitalised for seven days after the poisoning of her offspring, and she had said she had drunk two rat poison tablets after giving the same to her children.

“No one in this world loves my children more than I do. I love them to my soul. I am sorry for my shortcomings and my faults,” the convicted children killer had stated at her sentencing hearing. She had then turned her attention to Justice Singh, whom she begged to have mercy on her.

“Justice Singh, even God in Heaven above is merciful, and I am asking you to grant me a second chance, so I can make things right,” a crying Rutherford had pleaded.

Justice Singh had, however, seemed perplexed as to why the State had indicted this mother for the lesser offence of manslaughter. He had contended that “everything points to murder.” (G1)

Convicted killer: Hosfosuwa Rutherford

From L-R: Court of Appeal Judges, Justices Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Rishi Persaud, and Dawn Gregory

Dead: Hodascia Cadogan Dead: Jabari Cadogan

IDPADA-G’s case over subvention frivolous, vexatious – AG

…maintains organisation “misused” Govt funding

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, has asked acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, to put a stop to what he has deemed “vexatious and frivolous” litigation filed by the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly-Guyana (IDPADA-G) over the Government’s decision to stop funding that organisation.

The Government’s case is that it stopped providing IDPADA-G with the $8M monthly subvention after numerous persons complained that although they are qualified for assistance from IDPADA-G, a limited liability company, they have been wrongly excluded and deprived of same.

Last December, the organisation filed judicial review proceedings over the Government’s refusal to pay the monthly subsidy. In court filings, the IDPADA-G said that the discontinuation of funding had, among other things, forced it to lay off staff and halt its planned activities.

There had been a public spat between the Government and the IDPADA-G over several months with the Government accusing the body of mismanaging its funds.

The IDPADA-G has rejected Government’s claims and is contending that there is a legitimate expectation, given the money was granted by the Government based on an undertaking, in the form of an annual subvention paid monthly which began under the APNU/AFC Administration pursuant to a promise by former President David Granger.

By withholding the monies, the IDPADA-G has argued, the Government has broken its legitimate expectation; therefore, the organisation is entitled to the intervention of the court on the violation of this legitimate expectation and for a breach of contract.

According to the organisation, the withdrawal of funding is an abuse of power; is unlawful and without basis; and it was not given notice of the withdrawal, nor was it allowed by the Government to be heard regarding changing the decision.

But the Attorney General, on behalf of the Government, has contended that IDPADAG’s case is frivolous and vexatious and should be dismissed with costs.

He said the Government

has resolutely maintained that Granger's representation related to the Government's support for activities associated with the implementation of the International Decade for the People of African Descent in respect of the United Nations Resolution dated December 23, 2013, was not made to IDPADA-G or any specific organisation.

“In the circumstances, when President Granger's speech in 2016 is carefully examined, there was no promise of any subvention made to the Applicant [IDPADA-G] nor any organisation, and therefore, insofar as the Applicant's case is grounded in this promise as the foundation for the doctrine of legitimate expectation, it must fail. The Applicant was not even in existence in 2016, having been incorporated in September 2019,” Nandlall pointed out.

While successive Governments have pledged their commitment to funding the organisation with this position being publicly stated from 2016-2023, the Attorney General said that this matter has become unclear because IDPADA-G has managed, in its narrative, to monopolise the financial benefits flowing from this pledge, and now claims it as its exclusive entitlement.

Moreover, Nandlall submitted that what a Government decides to include in its budget and appropriates, and to whom monies are disbursed under that Appropriation Act, are all matters within the constitutional right and freedom of a Government.

Legitimate expectation must necessarily fall away, a fortiori, at the might of the Constitution, as it does in the face of ordinary legislation, he argued.

He added, “Public interest will eschew the continuing budgeting, appropriation, and disbursement of public monies to an organisation facing the type and volume of criticisms with which the Applicant is burdened. The rule of law and public interest aggregate to demand that public monies be dealt with a greater degree of fiscal care, prudence, and responsibility.”

IDPADA-G’s lawyer, Dr Vivian Williams, on the other hand, submitted that there is no evidence to support that the funds disbursed to the organisation were used for a purpose other than what was stated in the work plan submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

While perusing the evidence, Justice George said she observed that the financial statements tendered by IDPADA-G show that the body was utilising a large portion of the subvention to pay employees while only a “minuscule” sum was being pumped into projects.

In reply, Williams sought to clarify that at the time the work plan was submitted, IDPADA-G did not factor in

the costs associated with adequately compensating human resources, rental of a building for its headquarters, and travel expenses, among other things.

The IDPADA-G, chaired by Oppositionnominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner Vincent Alexander, is ultimately seeking a court order to have the subvention reinstated as

well as damages. The Chief Justice is expected to rule on the case soon.

The Chief Justice had previously described the dispute over the monies as a “national embarrassment” and had urged the matters to consider mediation; however, settlement talks had broken down irretrievably and the matter went back to her for trial.

In April, the Government reported that it would bypass IDPADA-G and disburse the 2023 subvention to 55 organisations representing Afro-

Guyanese across the country, who are the founding members of that organisation, to pursue the objectives of the decade, 2015–2024.

According to court documents, in 2018, IDPADA-G received a subvention of $68,438,000; $100,000,000 in 2019; $107,223,607 in 2020; $100M in 2021, and $66,666,672 as of August 2022. Another $100M was set aside in the 2023 National Budget for the organisation. (G1)

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

Rare ‘human tail’ successfully removed from newborn by GPHC’s neuro team

The neurosurgery team at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) recently removed a “very rare medical phenomenon of human tail” on a 10-day-old infant.

The unique presentation of a pathology such as the “human tail” is not only rare in Guyana, but the world. In such cases, this rare congenital anomaly mostly presents immediately after birth or in early childhood.

According to a statement from the GPHC on Sunday, this successful surgery was conducted on June 18, 2023, at the public hospital.

The 10-day-old baby boy was born with a tail which is basically a continuation of the spine/spinal nerve elements.

The GPHC medical team was led by Chief Neurosurgeon, Dr Amarnauth Dukhi, who performed a procedure to remove the tail and reconstruct the spinal canal of the 10-day-old newborn boy. This sophisticated technique required the protection of the patient’s spinal nerves.

Following the successful surgery, the infant has since been discharged from

the hospital.

It was explained that this tail was surgically removed in order to allow the child an opportunity to develop normally.

“While a human baby having a caudal appendage resembling a tail generates an unusual amount of interest, excitement, and anxiety – often, parents may be concerned about the social stigma, superstition, or

shame that may befall their young child when they are integrated into society,” the GPHC explained.

Based on current records, there are less than 60 cases documented in the medical literature of caudal appendage or the human tail.

The human tail is usually considered a marker of the underlying pathology of peculiar spinal dysraphism.

The reported presentations of spinal dysraphism include spina bifida occulta, meningocele, and spinal lipoma or tethered spinal cord. However, the etiological basis of the human tail is not clear yet.

Due to its extremely rare presentation, the occurrence of the human tail is a phenomenon of great interest to both the lay and medical community.

As a tertiary medical institution with a commitment to medical education and research, the GPHC pointed out that its Neurosurgery Department will be presenting this case to the global medical community for documentation and review.

Woman nabbed with $3M worth of ganja

Ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) seized a quantity of cannabis at Tabatinga, Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Saturday.

CANU said its officers conducted an operation at a premises in Tabatinga during which a search was carried out in the presence of the property owner. This led to the discovery of nine plastic-wrapped parcels of suspected cannabis.

The owner was arrested and escorted to the Lethem Police Station along with the suspected drugs.

The narcotic tested positive for cannabis and amounted to approximately 10 kilograms (about 22 lbs).

According to CANU, the cannabis found at the suspect’s property has a street

value of approximately $3M. Investigations are ongoing.

Pedestrian killed by speeding driver on EBD road

A33-year-old man was struck and killed by a speeding motor car on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) roadway on Saturday night.

Dead is Joshua Madanlall of Second Street, Number Two Village, East Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The fatal accident occurred around 20:40h on the Little Diamond New Access Road, also known as the Mocha to Diamond New Road.

According to Police reports, a hire car, HB 6038, was travelling south along the eastern driving lane of the New Diamond Access Road at a fast rate of speed. However, while in the vicinity of Prospect New Housing

Scheme, EBD, the left front portion of the vehicle collided with Madanlall, who was walking on the eastern edge of the road.

The impact caused the pedestrian to be thrown in a south-eastern direction, resulting in his head hitting the right rear side of another motor car, PRR 440, which was parked on the eastern parapet of the road.

Meanwhile, after hitting Madanlall, the driver of hire car HB 6038 attempted to flee the scene but his escape was thwarted by alert members of the public at Seventh Avenue in Diamond, who gave pursuit and apprehended him. He was handed over to the Police and taken to the Little Diamond Police Outpost.

Madanlall was pro-

Dead: Joshua Madanlall

nounced dead at the scene. The driver was served a Notice of Intended Prosecution. A breathalyser test revealed alcohol levels of 94 micrograms and 93 micrograms in his system, exceeding the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms.

He is expected to appear in court sometime this week.

(G9)

The drug that was found in the Lethem property

The ‘human tail’ attached to the infant boy

The GPHC team headed by Chief Neurosurgeon Dr Amarnauth Dukhi during the survey to remove the rare 'human tail' from the infant

World Refugee Day

“They deserve a chance” – Teixeira on Govt’s commitment to integrating migrants

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira has emphasised that Government remains resolute in its commitment to accommodating and integrating migrants through its open-door policy.

Teixeira was at the time providing a keynote address at the commemoration of World Refugee Day, at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, on Friday.

The Minister stated that the Government is working to provide necessary support to migrants.

“We have to be care-

Arrest of CANU ranks

ful whether we talk about refugee migrants, asylum seekers, that we deal with the identity of the person. These are individuals, they are people, they are not faceless, and that they deserve a chance,” the Minister was quoted in a DPI report as saying.

The Government’s commitment to integration is not limited to basic needs.

One of the key initiatives available is the provision of free public healthcare to all.

“Healthcare and education have their own challenges for us to provide but we offer free public health-

care to all those who are in Guyana…regardless of nationality, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity…,” Teixeira said.

This inclusive approach ensures that everyone has access to essential medical services, with the country’s dedicated healthcare professionals playing a vital role in this endeavour.

The Government has also made significant strides in the education sector, creating an inclusive learning environment for all children, including those from migrant backgrounds.

While language barriers

have presented a challenge, efforts have been made to address this issue through language programmes and support services. By ensuring that every child can attend school and receive a quality education, the nation is investing in the future and fostering social cohesion.

The Government, in collaboration with international organisations such as the United Nations, are working together to create synergies and develop comprehensive programmes that protect the rights and promote the well-being of all migrants.

“Embarrassing incident” – Head of CANU on Police probe of diamond theft

Two ranks of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) are currently under investigation for stealing diamonds from a Surinamese while he was detained – an incident which has been described by the agency’s Head as “embarrassing”.

It was reported on Saturday that the two CANU officers were in custody of the Guyana Police Force in relation to simple larceny allegations during an operation in Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

On Sunday, the Police Force revealed that the ranks allegedly stole several diamonds from the detainee.

According to a statement from the GPF, the Surinamese national was detained by the two CANU officers – Annick Hossanah and Jamine Goddard – for an illegal firearm.

“They are now accused of stealing diamonds from the said Surinamese national, who they allegedly stole several pieces of diamond from during their search,” the Police said.

The Police further disclosed that Goddard had swallowed two diamonds and was taken to the hospital, where he excreted them.

Hossanah, on the other hand, admitted to investigators that he sold his loot to another individual.

The Police Force are now on the hunt for the individual who allegedly bought stolen diamonds from the CANU rank.

Meanwhile, the Police said the two CANU officers remain in custody, while the Police search for the alleged buyer.

The investigation is ongoing.

Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that sometime after the detainment of the Surinamese man in Berbice, it was discovered that the diamonds he had in his possession were missing. At that point, the two CANU officers were called in for questioning over the stolen diamonds.

CANU Head James Singh had disclosed on Saturday that the two ranks were handed over to the Police Force for further

investigation.

In a statement on Sunday, the CANU Head distanced the agency from the actions of two officers which he described as “an embarrassing incident”.

“Not the kind of news we should be waking up to in the morning or ever. You can bring fame or shame to yourself, your family, and your Unit. These officers made their choices, their actions do not reflect that of our organisation,” he posited.

Singh reassured all that

his agency was committed towards tackling not just drug trafficking but all other crimes in Guyana.

“CANU remains committed to carrying out

its mandate and combating drug trafficking and any other crimes within Guyana, even within our Unit. I wish to thank the Guyana Police Force’s CID

for bringing this embarrassing incident to a close and I trust that the courts will ensure justice is done,” he said.

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira

…says CANU remains committed to mandate

International Day of Yoga

Yoga session to be held twice per week – regional chairperson

The High Commission of India, in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Guyana, continued to celebrate the 9th International Day of Yoga on Saturday in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) themed “One Earth, One Family, and One Future.”

Speaking at the simple ceremony held at the Cotton Field Secondary School, India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa said that

yoga is a system of holistic living that can improve the lives of persons both mentally and physically.

He pointed out that yoga is known to operate on fitness and immunity and provide the necessary tool for risk reduction, amelioration of stress and anxiety, and strengthening of the immune function.

High Commissioner Srinivasa further noted that yoga can help persons resolve issues such as stress, depression, and high

blood pressure by calming the mind and encouraging a healthy vegetarian diet and regular exercise.

“During the pandemic citizens were engaged in yoga sessions and this officially shows how yoga helps to build their immune system, fight diseases like stress, anxiety, and depression, and is known to provide relief from diabetes, strokes, and even to cardiac attacks,” the High Commissioner said.

Additionally, he encour-

aged the students and officials present at the programme to continue doing yoga which will build their immune system, help fight diseases and keep their body active.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairperson Vilma DeSilva, expressed gratitude to the High Commissioner and the team for hosting such an interactive session that will greatly enhance the lives of citizens in Essequibo.

She told the students

that she is suffering from hypertension and as such was restricted from certain foods and was encouraged by her doctor to exercise.

“I'm suffering from hypertension and my doctor told me he has no medication for me, all I have to do is ease off from fatty food, oil, and carbs and he also told me to exercise... So I ease up eating the food and started my daily exercise with stretching and trust me my body feels better,” DeSilva said, as she

encouraged the students to participate in yoga sessions which the region will start to host at least twice per week. She noted that the sessions will help both young and middle-aged people to stay fit and healthy.

Also present at the programme were the team from India, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit, the Deputy Regional Executive Officer, teachers, and students of various schools along the Essequibo Coast.

Work in partnership – Sukhai to Region 8 communities …development of villages discussed

Amerindian Affairs

Minister Pauline Sukhai and her team visited Micobie in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) on Saturday at the invitation of the villagers to address development issues within the community.

The Minister listened to several concerns from residents affected by the tragic Mahdia fire that claimed the lives of 20 children in May and pledged continued support. This is in addition to the counselling services being provided to the survivors and families by the Health Ministry.

Sukhai also visited the

families of three students from El Paso, who survived the deadly fire.

Discussions were also held to advance development within the communities.

The Council and villagers were advised to work in partnership to bring benefits to the community with a special focus on women and youths.

Sukhai, a Department of Public Information (DPI) report said, indicated the Village Council and residents should meet to address the completion of their village’s sustainable plans which will outline

the development priorities.

Concerns were raised about temporary systems to accommodate students

who are unable to attend classes due to the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory being destroyed.

The Minister assured that the matter was being discussed with consultations over the sectors and

the residents would soon be provided with a solution.

Meanwhile, Minister Sukhai handed over two sewing machines to Community Service Officers (CSOs) to support them in establishing micro businesses in garment construction.

Additionally, bags of rice were also handed over to the Micobie Village Council, benefiting approximately 180 households in this village.

During the visit, an AllTerrain Vehicle (ATV) was delivered to the Chairman of the settlement of Wailiang/ Kurobrong, Region Eight.

High Commissioner of India Dr KJ Srinivasa and Regional Chairperson Vilma DeSilva among other persons at the yoga programme

Nebraska groom dies 1 hour after his wedding

Agroom in Nebraska died an hour after his wedding ceremony began.

According to an NBC news report, Toraze and Johnnie Mae Davis walked down the aisle last Monday and promised the rest of their lives to each other.

The newly married couple reportedly went outside to take wedding pictures. Shortly after, the groom fell, and an ambulance responded, turning what was supposed to be a happy occasion into a tragedy.

The groom reportedly died from a blood clot.

The "happiest day of their lives turned into a day of tragedy," Monica Miller, the bride’s supervisor who was at the wed-

ding, told NBC News.

Friends are now trying to support the bride.

An online fundraiser to help with funeral expenses and the couple's children had raised more than

Texas airport worker dies after being sucked into Delta jet engine

Aworker at San Antonio’s international airport died after being sucked into a jet’s engine late on Friday, officials said.

$12,000 as of Friday evening.

“She went from planning a wedding to now planning a funeral,” said Miller, who is organising the fundraiser. (NBC)

Bandits lock workers in freezer, escape with T&T $25k

Bandits locked workers inside a freezer before they escaped with $25,000 after they robbed Great Foods Ltd, E-Teck Park, Frederick Settlement, in Caroni on Friday night.

A police report said a security guard was making his way from the upper level to the lower level of the security booth when two men in blue tactical clothes, wearing ski masks, gloves and

armed with a crow bar, approached him and announced a robbery.

The guard was beaten, tied up and taken into the security booth. Two other security guards also on duty had already been tied up and placed on the floor.

The guards told police the bandits turned off the electricity, via a switch in the power room then went into to the building and

robbed nine workers of cell phones and other personal items.

The workers were then locked in a freezer. No one was harmed.

Before the suspects escaped they made their way to the office area to a safe and stole the money.

Soon after one of the guards escaped and contacted the police. Investigations are ongoing. (T&T Newsday)

A source briefed directly on the case told the Guardian on Sunday that it appeared the worker had “intentionally stepped in front of the live engine” on the jet and that police were investigating that aspect. But the cause of the worker’s death hadn’t officially been determined on Sunday, and the source spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation into the case was still pending.

The worker’s death occurred at about 10.25pm as a Delta Air Lines jet which had just arrived from Los Angeles was taxiing to an arrival gate, US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials said in a statement.

Officials added that the worker – whose identity has not been publicly released – was ingested into the one engine which the plane in question had on at the time.

“The NTSB has been in contact with Delta,” the federal agency’s statement added. “They are in the information gathering process at this point.”

Unifi Aviation, whose workers provide ground handling operations for Delta and other airlines, employed the worker who was killed. In a statement provided to the local news outlet KENS, Unifi described itself as “deeply saddened by

the loss of [the] employee … during a tragic incident”.

The company also made it a point to say that its initial investigation had shown the worker’s death was “unrelated to Unifi’s operational processes, safety procedures and policies”. The statement did not elaborate on whether officials suspect anything other than an accident had happened.

“Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased, and we remain focused on supporting our employees on the ground and ensuring they are being taken care of during this time,” Unifi’s statement added. “Out of respect for the deceased, we will not be sharing any additional information” at this time.

San Antonio firefighters and police officers were the first to respond to the worker’s death late on Friday. The NTSB has since joined the investigation into the worker’s death and could release a preliminary report with more details in the coming days.

cumstances of Friday’s case weren’t immediately known, at least some aspects of it called to mind the 31 December 2022 death of Montgomery, Alabama, airport worker Courtney Edwards.

Investigators who examined Edwards’s death concluded that she and her colleagues had been warned repeatedly about the dangers of going near a jet which had landed that night and was left running for a cooldown period. But the mother of three walked in front of one of the engines and was killed.

Meanwhile, the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration (Osha) later determined a safety breach had led to Edwards’s death and issued a fine of more than $15,000 to the jet’s operator, an American Airlines subsidiary named Piedmont.

It was too early to know on Sunday what Osha may have concluded about Friday’s death at the San Antonio airport. (The Guardian)

High Court Judge Betsy Ann LambertPeterson has maintained she has no political relationship with her husband, Senior Counsel Gilbert Peterson, or anyone else.

Lambert-Peterson made the statement on Friday, which was seemingly sent to only one media house.

On Friday, Newsday requested a link to the hearing of the Public Services Association (PSA) challenge of the Judge’s failure to recuse herself from hearing its complaint over the constitutionality of the TT Revenue Authority Act and the operationalisation of several portions of it.

Newsday’s request was acknowledged by the Judiciary’s court protocol and information department. It said the request was sent to the judge’s team for approval. No link was provided. Newsday later learned that the matter had been adjourned to next Thursday.

However, the Judge’s statement said on June 14, she was asked to recuse herself so the matter can be reassigned to a different judge.

Lambert-Peterson is presiding over the claim filed by customs officer Terrisa Dhoray who alleges that the TTRA Act has given the Government political control over the authority and that the law facilitates and allows undue political influence and interference with the authority’s management.

In the application, Dhoray maintained that the matter was politically sensitive because of the importance to the Government and the ruling party, that she was of the view that there was a realistic possibility of unconscious and sub-conscious bias because of her husband.

In her statement, the Judge said the case was docketed to her.

“This is an administrative process, over which I have no control. This matter, like any other constitutional motion listed before me, will be determined on its merits.”

“I have no ‘political connection.'”

She admitted her husband had a professional relationship with the Prime Minister and played golf with a group which includes

Dr Rowley.

Lambert-Peterson said her husband also had no political affiliations or relationships.

“I am not aware of him lending political support to the People’s National Movement, or any person or political party.”

She also said there was no need for her to notify Dhoray that she is married to Peterson nor was any complaint raised by Dhoray’s attorney, Anand Ramlogan,SC, when the matter was first docketed to her.

She also said no matter how small the case was, she did not adjudicate in any involving Peterson.

Responding to the apparent bias application that her husband was the personal lawyer, a close friend and golfing partner of the Prime Minister, she said as far as she knew, Peterson represented Dr Rowley in several court matters and he adheres to the ‘cab-rank’ , which prevents advocate Attorneys from refusing work because they disagree with the actions or views of those seeking their services.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Authorities from the region, academics and specialists from the United Nations and multilateral organisations will participate on June 27-29, 2023 in the Third Regional Seminar on Social Development: Promoting labour inclusion as a way to overcome inequalities and informality in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The event – organised by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, German Cooperation, and the Ford Foundation – aims to reflect on the promotion of labour inclusion policies to enable progress on reducing gaps.

At the hybrid gathering (in-person at ECLAC’s headquarters in Santiago, Chile and virtual) , participants will debate the strategies

While the full cir-

Judge defends refusal to recuse self Labour inclusion main theme of 3rd Regional Seminar on Social Development

and innovations being proposed in the field of labour policies, as part of a transformative recovery with equality and sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean. Special attention will be paid to successful experiences in the region.

Participating in the opening session – which will take place on Tuesday, June 27 from 10:00h local time in Chile (GMT-4) – will be José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, ECLAC’s Executive Secretary (via video); Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO (via video); Fabio Bertranou, Director of the ILO’s Office for the Southern Cone of Latin America; Jostein Leiro, Norway’s Ambassador to Chile; Volker Oel, Commissioner for Latin America at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) (virtual); and Javier Ciurlizza, the Ford

Foundation’s Director for the Andean Region.

The event’s six panels will address issues such as labour informality, child labour, youth labour inclusion, the present and future of work, skills development for labour inclusion, and the articulation between labour policies and social protection.

The seminar will also include keynote addresses (in a virtual format) by Alejandro Portes, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Princeton University and winner of the Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences in 2019; Francisco HG Ferreira, Amartya Sen Professor of Inequality Studies and Director of the International Inequalities Institute of the London School of Economics (LSE); and Glenda Quintini, Senior Economist at the OECD and Head of the Skills Team at its Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs. (ECLAC)

Toraze and Johnnie Mae Davis kiss at their wedding ceremony.

(Photo via NBC News)

Worker’s death occurred about 10.25pm as a Delta Air Lines jet which had just arrived from Los Angeles was taxiing to an arrival gate

Regional Polls shut in Guatemalan presidential election; run-off expected

Polling stations closed on Sunday evening in Guatemala's tight presidential election, which has been dominated by international concerns over corruption, the exclusion of a leading candidate and the cost of living.

The contest is expected to go to a run-off in August, with former First Lady Sandra Torres tipped to win the first round though expected to fall short of the 50 per cent plus one vote needed for an outright victory.

Torres is up against more than 20 other candidates, including Edmond Mulet, a career diplomat, and Zury Rios, daughter of

the late dictator Efrain Rios Montt.

Entry to polling stations closed at 18:00h local time (0000 GMT). Preliminary results are expected from 21:30h local time on Sunday.

Young voters headed to the polls for the first time, including a 19-year-old student, Maximo Santacruz, who said he relied on social media to decide who to vote for.

"All the young people right now will have a role in politics in Guatemala in 20 years’ time... I got informed mainly via Tik Tok," he said.

Julio Valenzuela, a 40-year-old audio producer, said he hopes the new lead-

Opposition T&T MP tells Govt: Fuel-transport workers should be allowed to go on strike

er can build a brighter future and stick to their campaign promises.

"What we Guatemalans hope is that everything they have promised is fulfilled... We want them (politicians) to deliver and not only with the urban area but also in the interior," he said as he cast his vote.

The race to succeed conservative President Alejandro Giammattei, who is limited by law to one term, has been overshadowed by a court ruling to block four candidates from the ballot including early front-runner, businessman Carlos Pineda. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Curfews imposed after more than 20 killed in north Honduras

The Honduran Government announced curfews on Sunday in two northern cities after more than 20 people were killed overnight in separate attacks amid escalating violence in the country.

Heavily-armed men opened fire on Saturday night in a billiards hall in a neighbourhood in the northern manufacturing city of Choloma, killing 13 persons and seriously wounding another, Police press person Edgardo Barahona told Reuters.

He added at least 11 other murders had taken place on Saturday in separate episodes across the northern

Valle de Sula zone, including in the industrial city of San Pedro Sulay.

President Xiomara Castro announced a 15-day curfew in Choloma between 21:00h and 04:00h, effective immediately, and another in San Pedro Sula, effective July 4.

"Multiple operations, raids, captures and checkpoints are initiated," Castro said via Twitter.

There has been a partial state of emergency in parts of Honduras since December in a bid to confront violent gangs and turf wars.

Security Minister Gustavo Sanchez announced later on Sunday that the

Government would be sending a proposal to Congress to "classify members of a criminal structure, maras or gangs as terrorists" in the coming days.

The Minister, speaking at a press conference, added that 1000 additional Police and military are being sent to the Sula Valley, where Choloma and San Pedro Sul are located.

The Government is also offering a cash reward of 800,000 Lempiras ($32,707) to help identify and capture those responsible for the killings in Choloma, the President said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Antigua and Barbuda diplomat delivers stark warning on behalf of SIDS at Paris Summit

Antigua and Barbuda’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tumasie Blair painted a bleak future for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) should the status quo that has denied them the opportunity to build resilient economies and achieve prosperity be allowed to continue.

Blair joined a distinguished panel of speakers during an interactive discourse during last week’s Paris Summit in France. The panel included President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr Hyginus “Gene” Leon; leading economist Dr Jeffrey Sachs; Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves and Canada’s Minister of International Development, Harjit Sajjan, who delivered keynote addresses during the event.

Blair joined the speakers in discussing the pressing challenges being faced by SIDS and the urgency in

it difficult for countries like Antigua and Barbuda to overcome their unique developmental challenges.

To achieve this, the conveners of the Paris Summit, headed by President Emmanuel Macron of France and Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, indicated that the goal must be a more responsive, fairer and more inclusive international financial system to fight inequalities, finance the climate transition, and ultimately bring developing countries closer to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Rudranath Indarsingh on Friday accused the Government of being against trade unions after it added all workers involved in fuel transport to the essential list of workers. Being added to the list means the workers are legally forbidden from taking strike action.

In a motion on the adjournment of the House of Representatives on Friday, the Couva South MP said Legal Notice 163, passed on May 29 by Cabinet approval, listed liquid fuel pipeline facilities and network services workers to the list of essential workers.

Indarsingh sought to annul the legal notice, saying it was an attempt by Government to stop workers from joining trade unions. The amendment to the Industrial Relations Act, he said, came “like a thief in the night.”

He accused the Government of being hypocrites as the law now made it illegal for some 100 workers to take industrial action and called on the Labour Minister to explain the need to include the workers.

Indarsingh said the Labour Ministry was aware that the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) applied to be considered the registered union for the workers in April and has

since not been given the courtesy of an acknowledgement letter.

In response, Labour Minister Stephen Mc Clashie said those workers were responsible for transporting 75 per cent of the country’s fuel, which should be considered essential since the workers transport gas and aviation fuel.

Mc Clashie assured that, should the need arise, Government would settle disputes expeditiously, adding that it was not reasonable to annul the amendment.

“It is not about union busting, this is about the national good and protecting the country from shutdown and making good sense of natural resources.”

In the end, Indarsingh lost the motion with him and 10 of his colleagues voting to have it dismissed and 17 Government members voting that the law remain in place.

The law now means that there are 11 categories of workers prevented from stopping services owing to industrial action, they are: electricity services, water and sewerage services, internal telephone service, external communications (telephone, telegraph, wireless), fire services, health services, hospital services, sanitation services, public school bus services and civil aviation services.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Peruvian man shot and killed in Barbados

A29-year-old Peruvian man was shot and killed at Road View, St Peter, Barbados Saturday night.

Police say the owner and an employee of a Chinese restaurant and bar located along that street had just closed up the business and were about to leave, when

they were attacked by two armed gunmen.

Shots were fired, and the owner fled, but the employee received injuries, which proved to be fatal.

An ambulance was summoned to the scene, and on arrival, the EMT checked the injured man and found no sign of life. The victim

was later pronounced dead at the scene by a medical doctor.

While investigations continue, the deceased’s relatives have to be informed in Peru before his identity is released to the public.

The report was received around 22:50h. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Mexico City holds mass celebration for same-sex weddings, gender ID changes

Hundreds of same-sex couples and transgender people in Mexico City celebrated weddings and the completion of administrative processes to change their gender on Friday, in a mass ceremony a day before the city's annual gay pride march.

devising the solutions that would help them escape a perilous future during the Paris Summit in France late last week.

Heads of Government and leading experts from across the globe were brought together for two days during the Paris Summit in an effort to address frontally the inequalities in the international financial system that make

Blair was however quick to remind that SIDS no longer find comfort and encouragement in ‘talk’ and only firm and decisive action would help them escape a vicious cycle that keeps them constantly pleading for support to recover from burdensome debt and the devastating impacts of climate change.

(Excerpt from Antigua and Barbuda Observer)

Some 120 couples met the requirements to get married under the slogan "Hand in hand, we march with pride," the city government said in a statement. Marriage helps to regularise a couple's civil status and provides them with legal benefits.

In 2009, Mexico City became the first jurisdiction in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriage. It took

until last year, however, for the rest of the country to follow suit with Tamaulipas becoming the final state to do so in October.

Another 131 people in the capital are set to complete administrative gen-

der-change processes, the city government said. Transgender people face many hurdles when they cannot update legal documents such as ID cards to reflect their gender identity. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Naparima MP Rodney Charles, St Augustine MP Khadijah Amee, Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh and Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal during debate in Parliament (Angelo Marcelle)

Antigua and Barbuda's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tumasie Blair speaking during a panel discussion at last week's Paris Summit

Around The World OIL NEWS

US officials see weakened Putin as Russia turmoil reveals 'cracks'

US oilfield activity slipped in 2nd quarter, Dallas Fed says

Oilfield activity slowed further this quarter, according to the latest survey of energy executives by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, with declines in oil production and gas output indices.

The overall business activity index, a broad measure of conditions, fell to zero in the second quarter from 2.1 in the previous quarter, the survey of oil and gas executives in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico released on Thursday showed.

US oilfield executives polled this quarter expect crude oil and natural gas prices to continue rising through the end of this year. Rising oil and natural gas prices play a role in inflation, which the Fed has been attempting to bring down by increasing interest rates.

A poll of energy executives at 152 firms found they expect US crude oil prices to reach by year-end about US$77 a barrel and natural gas at US$2.97 per million British thermal units (mmBtu). US oil futures were trading at US$70.50 a barrel and gas at US$2.55 per mmBtu on Thursday.

"Oil prices seem to be trading like a financial instrument terrified of this pending recession instead of paying attention to supply-and-demand fundamentals, which are pointing to pretty strong draws headed our way," said one unnamed executive quoted in the survey.

Firms reported rising costs for a 10th consecutive quarter, but the rate of increase slowed. At oilfield services firms, the input cost index fell to 41.2 from 61.6 in the prior quarter. The index for exploration companies' finding and development costs fell to 14.9 from 46.8.

"Margins have been squeezed to the point that it is hard to commit to new projects," said one executive in the survey. "All of the uncertain economic projections give no confidence as to what is going to happen," that executive added. (Reuters)

Cocaine market is booming as meth trafficking spreads, UN report says

Cocaine demand and supply are booming worldwide and methamphetamine trafficking is expanding beyond established markets, including in Afghanistan where the drug is now being produced, a United Nations report said on Sunday.

Coca bush cultivation and total cocaine production were at record highs in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available, and the global number of cocaine users, estimated at 22 million that same year, is growing steadily, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said in its annual World Drug Report.

Cocaine seizures have, however, grown faster than production, containing the total supply to some extent, the report said. The upper band of the estimated total supply was higher in the mid-2000s than now.

"The world is currently experiencing a prolonged surge in both supply and

The unprecedented challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin by Wagner fighters has exposed fresh "cracks" in the strength of his leadership that may take weeks or months to play out, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday.

Blinken and members of the US Congress said in a series of television interviews that Saturday's turmoil in Russia has weakened Putin in ways that could aid Ukraine's counteroffensive against

Russian forces within its territory while benefiting Russia's neighbours, including Poland and the Baltic states.

"I don't think we've seen the final act," Blinken said on ABC's "This Week" programme after an aborted mutiny by forces led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Blinken said tensions that sparked the action had been growing for months and added the threat of internal turmoil could affect Moscow's military capabilities in Ukraine.

"We've seen more cracks

emerge in the Russian facade. It is too soon to tell exactly where they go, and when they get there. But certainly, we have all sorts of new questions that Putin is going to have to address in the weeks and months ahead," Blinken told NBC's "Meet the Press" programme.

Blinken described the turmoil as an "internal matter" for Putin.

"Our focus is resolutely and relentlessly on Ukraine, making sure that it has what it needs to defend itself and to take

back territory that Russia seized," Blinken said. US officials expect to learn more soon about the events that unfolded in Russia, including details of the deal with Prigozhin mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that led Wagner fighters to return to their bases.

"It may be that Putin didn't want to debase himself to the level of negotiating directly with Prigozhin," Blinken said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

One killed, 9 injured in roller coaster crash in Sweden

One person was killed and nine injured, including children, in a roller coaster accident at the Grona Lund amusement park in the Swedish capital on Sunday, representatives of the park said.

Eyewitnesses said the park's Jetline roller coaster had partly derailed during a ride, sending people crashing to the ground.

"Today is a day of mourning at Grona Lund, we've had a very serious accident

in the roller coaster Jetline, where one person has died and nine people have been injured," Jan Eriksson, the park's chief executive, said in a press conference.

Ambulances, fire trucks and a helicopter were seen arriving shortly after the accident, and Police launched an investigation.

Police said the nine injured people were being treated in hospital, and that three had severe injuries.

"Something like this

Egypt and India bolster ties as Modi makes 1st trip to Cairo

should not happen at Grona Lund, and yet it happened",

Eriksson said, adding that the 140-year-old park would be closed for at least a week to aid the Police investigation.

The park spokesperson said 14 people were on the roller coaster when the front part partially derailed. It then stopped in the middle of the track with one carriage leaning out.

Jenny Lagerstedt, a journalist visiting the park with

her family, told Swedish broadcaster SVT she was nearby and heard a metallic noise and noticed the track structure was shaking at the time of the accident.

"My husband saw a roller coaster car with people in it falling to the ground," Lagerstedt said.

Grona Lund is a popular attraction on the waterfront on one of Stockholm's many islands, surrounded by several museums. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Fighting surges in Khartoum as fighting in Sudan enters 11th week

demand of cocaine, which is now being felt across the globe and is likely to spur the development of new markets beyond the traditional confines," the UNODC report said.

"Although the global cocaine market continues to be concentrated in the Americas and in Western and Central Europe (with very high prevalence also in Australia), in relative terms it appears that the fastest growth, albeit building on very low initial levels, is occurring in developing markets found in Africa, Asia and South-Eastern Europe," it said.

While almost 90% of methamphetamine seized worldwide was in two regions - East and Southeast Asia and North Americaseizure data suggests those markets have stabilised at a high level yet trafficking has increased elsewhere, such as the Middle East and West Africa, the report said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo on a rare visit during which both sides pledged to deepen their strategic partnership.

Modi and el-Sisi “signed a joint declaration to elevate relations to a strategic partnership”, which they had first announced in January when el-Sisi visited New Delhi, a spokesman for the Egyptian President said on Sunday.

The two leaders agreed to boost investment by India –the world’s most-populous nation – in Egypt, which has the Arab world’s largest population and is now in the grips of an economic downturn.

Both sides said the bilateral talks covered areas including trade and investment, renewable energy, information technology and pharmaceuticals.

The two also discussed “further cooperation in G-20, highlighting the issues of food and energy insecurity, climate change and the need

for Global South to have a concerted voice”, a statement from Modi’s office said, adding that the talks additionally addressed defence and security ties.

El-Sisi welcomed Modi at the presidential palace in Cairo and bestowed upon him the country’s highest honour, the Order of the Nile, as the two leaders affirmed their “mutual commitment” to strengthen relations.

Last January, the two leaders agreed to increase Indian investments in Egypt, which currently stand at more than US$3.15bn, including through a potential “dedicated land area for Indian industries in the Suez Canal Economic Zone”.

Modi, who arrived in Cairo on Saturday, is the first Indian prime minister to pay a state visit to Egypt in more than two decades. His twoday stop came six months after el-Sisi was in New Delhi as an official guest during India’s Independence Day.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Clashes, artillery fire and air raids surged in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, witnesses said, as a war between rival military factions that has displaced 2.5 million people and caused a humanitarian crisis entered its 11th week.

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it had seized the headquarters of a heavily armed Police unit on Sunday as it sought an edge in its war with the army during heavy fighting in the capital.

The RSF said in a statement that it had taken full control of the camp belonging to the Central Reserve Police in southern Khartoum, and posted footage of its fighters inside the facility, some removing boxes of ammunition from a warehouse.

“Now this headquar-

ters of the Central Reserve Police in the southern part of the capital is about 12km [7.5 miles] from another camp which belongs to the Rapid Support Forces and which has been under attack by the Sudanese army using fighter jets and heavy artillery for a few days,” said Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan, reporting from Omdurman.

“The camp also has a lot of ammunition and it looks like it’s one of the targets for the RSF trying to gain control of the unit because of the vehicles, ammunition, and weapons there.”

However, Morgan added, it is not clear whether the RSF will be able to hold on to the Police headquarters by the end of the day, as fighting is still ongoing and the Sudanese military has sent reinforcements.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Black smoke billows behind buildings amid ongoing fighting between the army and RSF in Khartoum, Sudan [AFP]

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (right) gives the Order of the Nile medal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Cairo, June 25, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Self-improvement will enhance your attitude. Get involved in activities that allow you to show off your attributes. Don't make a hasty relationship decision.

PICKLES

(March 21-April 19)

Consider every angle before making a decision. It's best not to let your emotions interfere or put you in harm's way. Keep your distance from anyone trying to start a fight.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Stick to the facts and ask questions. Look for financial opportunities. A chance to increase your income or branch out in a direction that pays the bills and puts more money in your pocket is apparent.

An introduction will be important. Demonstrate who you are and what you have to offer. Keep your emotions and sensitive issues secret. A change will lead to some needed wiggle room.

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Control your emotions. Don't make an impulsive move based on hearsay. Get the lowdown before you let anger or disappointment surface. Look for positive alternatives; something good will transpire.

Look into something new and exciting, and you'll find a way to incorporate it into your daily routine. A promising partnership will lighten your load. Don't hesitate; make your move.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Review what you know and what you want to find out. Connect with people who have something to offer. Consider a domestic change that helps eliminate debt. Don't mix love and money.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Remain calm, listen and gather information. Put more thought into stabilizing your home life. If you must overspend to impress someone, you are dealing with the wrong person.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Follow the money, look for opportunities and be true to yourself. Concentrate on health and fitness, and ease stress by lowering debt. Find a physical outlet that you enjoy.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Learn from your mistakes regarding trust issues. Share only what you feel comfortable divulging. Pay more attention to how you earn and handle money. Be honest with yourself and others.

Live with what you have for now, and you'll avoid debt, arguments and stress. Pay attention to where every dollar goes and how you care for yourself and the people you love.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Stabilize your domestic situation. How you handle your finances will impact your important relationships. See if you can sell things you no longer need.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Reggae Boyz squander lead in 1-1 stalemate with US in Group A opener

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s wait to register his first win as Jamaica’s Head Coach has been prolonged, as his Reggae Boyz squandered an opportunity from the penalty spot, as well as a lengthy lead, and were held to a 1-1 stalemate by the United States in their CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A opening fixture on Saturday.

Defender Damion Lowe gave the Reggae Boyz a 13th minute lead, which was later cancelled out by substitute Brandon Vazquez in the 88th minute to rescue a point for United States in a contest that lived up to its billing in entertainment value for the massive crowd at the Soldier Field in Chicago.

Though they will be pleased with the point, the Jamaicans will also feel hard done given the fact that Leon Bailey should have converted from the 12-yard spot. But take nothing away from United States goalkeeper Matt Turner, whose save on his birthday proved the difference, though Reggae Boyz Captain Andre Blake was also at his best between the sticks to spare their blushes.

Both teams started positively and signalled intentions with a few direct passes from the back into the attacking third to keep their respective defensive units on their toes.

Jamaica found a break

in the eighth minute with Bailey finding debutant Demarai Gray out wide, the Everton winger showed glimpses of his nippy footwork and later played a dangerous pass inside that was cleared by the United States defence.

The host responded almost immediately and caught Jamaica's defenders flat-footed with Jordan Morris finding loads of space in the final third to get a shot off from close range that was kept out by Blake who got down well to his left.

Still, United States

struggled to deal with the pressure posed by the newlook Reggae Boyz as again set pieces proved their undoing when the Jamaicans eventually broke the deadlock.

After Bailey was fouled by Jordan Morris, Gray delivered a perfectly-weighted free kick which was expertly met by Lowe with a diving header that gave Turner in goal for United States, no chance at a save.

Jamaica should have doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before the halfhour mark when Amari’i

Bell’s long throw inside the danger area was headed on by Michail Antonio to Kevon Lambert, who was taken out by Aidan Morris’s high boot.

Mexican referee Cesar Ramos quickly pointed to the spot and Bailey confidently stood over the ball, but the Aston Villa winger badly fluffed his lines, sending his penalty at a perfect height for Turner to save. He had a grand opportunity to make amends, but steered the rebound wide as well.

That missed opportunity gave United States hope and they gradually found

their rhythm, though they were assisted by some sloppy Reggae Boyz defending at times. One such occasion was in the latter stages of the first half, when Jordan Morris easily waltzed his way through on goal and it took some brilliance from Blake to deny him.

With momentum in their favour, the United States came out lively on the resumption as Head coach BJ Callaghan made the adjustments with the introduction of Vazquez, Cristian Roldan and Djordje Mihailovic, who injected some tempo into their attacking thrust, as they probed for the equaliser.

A gorgeous interplay by United States in the 70th minute paved the way for Roldan to get a shot off from close range, but Blake again came up big to keep the Reggae Boyz in front.

As the game drew closer to its climax, the Jamaicans withdrew into a defensive posture, desperately trying to preserve their lead which would have not only handed Hallgrimsson his first win in eight games, but also condemned United States to their first Gold Cup opening loss.

The victory would have also been Jamaica’s second against United States at this tournament following their semi-finals triumph in 2015.

However, all that went

Lionel Messi says relationship with Paris St-Germain fans “fractured”

Lionel Messi says his relationship with Paris St-Germain fans "fractured" after a "significant" number of supporters started to treat him differently.

Messi, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, left PSG at the end of last season after two years and has joined Inter Miami.

In the second half of last season, Messi was repeatedly booed and PSG had to increase security around his house.

"I think in the beginning it was something wonderful," said Messi.

Speaking to beIN

Sports, the 36-year-old said: "But then some people started to treat me differently, a part of the Paris supporters. I think the vast majority still see me and treat me as they did at the beginning, but there was a fracture with a

significant group of the Paris fans, which obviously wasn't my intention, far from it.

"It happened just as it had happened before with [Kylian] Mbappé, with Neymar. I know that's the way they behave.

"I'll take away with me the people who respected me, as I always respected everyone since I arrived and that's all."

Messi said he did not know if Argentina beating France in the World Cup final was a factor.

He was booed by some PSG fans after being suspended for an un-

authorised trip to Saudi Arabia, and again during his final match for the Ligue 1 champions.

In a wide-ranging interview, Messi also said he found it "very difficult" to adapt to life in Paris on and off the pitch following his 2021 move from Barcelona, having missed pre-season and then later having a month out mid-season with COVID.

In contrast, he said he felt "very comfortable" at the start of his second season at Parc des Princes, but the mid-season winter World Cup "affected the whole season for everyone".

(BBC Sport)

out the window when Vazquez pounced on a poor clearance from a Jesus Ferreira cross to put the ball away from close range.

This stalemate represents an opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago or St Kitts and Nevis to assume early pole position in the group, provided they separated themselves in Sunday’s fixture.

Teams:

Jamaica: Andre Blake, Dexter Lembikisa; Damion Lowe; Adrian Mariappa; Amari’i Bell (Kemar Lawrence 65th); Bobby Reid; Joel Latibeaudiere; Kevon Lambert; Demarai Gray (Daniel Johnson 90th); Leon Bailey (Shamar Nicholson 90th); and Michail Antonio (Corey Burke 75th).

Subs not used: Coniah Boyce-Clarke; Jahmali Waite; Dishon Bernard; Javain Brown; Kaheem Parris; Jonathan Russell; Dujuan Richards

Booked: Lowe (3rd); Lawrence (83rd); Blake (85th)

United States: Matthew Turner; Deandre Yedlin; Matt Miazga; Aaron Long (Jalen Neal 46th); John Tolkin (Brandon Vázquez 82nd); Alejandro Zendejas (Djordje Mihailovic 66th); Aidan Morris; James Sands; Jordan Morris (Cade Cowell 55th); Jesús Ferreira; and Alan Soñora (Cristian Roldan 66th). (Sportsmax)

Jamaica's Leon Bailey tries to escape the attention of United States duo James Sands (left) and Alejandro Zendejas during their Gold Cup Group A opening fixture at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday

West Indies have named fitagain Chinelle Henry in their 16-member provisional squad for the first two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) of their three-match series against Ireland. The all-rounder has fully recovered from the injury that kept her out of the recent Super50 Cup and T20 Blaze.

Offspinner Ashmini Munisar and wicketkeeper Shunelle Sawh have also earned their maiden callups. Munisar, West Indies' Captain at the Under-19 T20 World Cup earlier this year, was the joint-third highest wicket-taker in the T20 Blaze with six scalps from five games. Her economy of 3.31 was the best among those who bowled at least 10 overs in the tournament.

Hayley Matthews will continue to lead the squad; Shemaine Campbelle will be her deputy. The official squad of 13 players will be named ahead of each match.

The ODI series from June 26, West Indies' first ODI cricket since December 2022, will be followed by three T20I International (T-20s). All six matches will be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in

West Indies Women and Ireland Women to clash in St Lucia today

St Lucia, and for the first time, a full West Indies Women's bilateral home series will be broadcast live on television.

These are West Indies' only home fixtures this year.

Provisional squad for first two ODIs: Hayley Matthews (Captain); Shemaine Campbelle (Vice Captain); Aaliyah Alleyne; Shamilia Connell; Chinelle Henry; Afy Fletcher; Cherry-Ann Fraser; Shabika Gajnabi; Zaida James; Djenaba Joseph; Qiana Joseph; Ashmini Munisar; Karishma Ramharack; Shunelle Sawh; Stafanie Taylor, and Rashada Williams.

Captain Matthews said she did not expect Ireland Women to be any pushovers when her side comes face-to-face with them in a white-ball international home series over the next fortnight in St Lucia.

“I think pretty much just kind of using the home advantage of knowing the pitches and knowing the grounds really well,” Matthews said during a virtual news conference yesterday.

“They gave us quite a challenge in the (Twenty20) World Cup, but I think the biggest thing is making

sure we get over that line all the time which is something we’re definitely looking to do continuously this series.”

West Indies Women have won seven of the eight ODIs and all five T20Is they have contested against the Irish – and Matthews is anxious to keep that record in place and build on the hard work they have put into preparing.

“I think we’re looking for just good consistent performances,” she said. “We’re a team that’s been grow-

ing together as well over the last couple of months, and I think over the last few weeks we’ve been in the training camp for the last 10 days or so and working really hard, so I think for us, we really do want to see that had work kind of pay off.”

West Indies Women will be under new direction with former Jamaica men’s captain and West Indies left-handed opener Robert Samuels taking over the head coaching role from compatriot and former

West Indies Captain and fast bowler Courtney Walsh on an interim basis.

“We would have worked with Robbie in the previous year, and it is good to have him back now, and the girls have been working pretty well with him,” Matthews said.

“The structure and everything about having him here within the camp for the first few weeks. it has been good to be a part of this camp, so hopefully we’ve got good things coming up this series because of the work

we have put in.”

The three ODIs on June 26, 28, and July 1 will be the team’s third fixture in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Championship, where they are pushing to earn points to achieve a top five position to qualify directly to the Women’s CWC 2025.

West Indies and Ireland are the two bottom teams after playing six matches each so far, with the Caribbean side having won once and the visitors yet to open their account.

The three T20Is will be played on July 4, 6, and 8 at the same venue. (ESPNcricinfo)

Fresh from a successful stint in the United States of America, We Stand United cyclist Briton John came and conquered the roadways in Linden. He was crowned the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) national elite champion, stopping the clock in five hours and 10 minutes and 29 seconds, in a gruelling 97-mile fivelap race, which started at the KD&J Supermarket through the LindenSoesdyke highway.

Team Evolution veteran Robin Persaud continued his good form as he finished second, stopping the clock in five hours, 20 minutes and 46 seconds. Another senior statesman, Kwamie Ridley of the Kaieteur Attack Cycling club was in the mix, as he finished

third in a time of five hours 20 minutes and 47 seconds.

Christopher Griffith of Team Evolution came in fourth in a time of five hours 27 minutes and 39 seconds, while Arjune Sookhai rode in on these at five hour 27 minutes and 47 seconds. The race was a high-profile event which saw the return of both Johns – Jamual and Briton. Both riders enjoyed a fruitful stint in the USA, but it was only Briton John who stole the show to claim a dominant win.

The GCF national cycling championship time trial was held the previous day at the K&K Gas Station circuit in Mahaica and it was Curtis Dey, Denise Jeffrey, Alex Leung, Kwamie Ridley and Aaron Newton who won in their respective categories.

West Indies Women will be led by Hayley Matthews

West Indies Test players to be encamped in Antigua this week as India series looms

By Brandon Corlette

The busy days in West Indies cricket will continue. As the One-Day International team battle for a spot to qualify for the 50-over World Cup, the Test players are gearing up for the India Test series, which stars on July 12 in Dominica.

In a matter of days, the squad for the India Test series should be announced, and during this week, some of the Test players will be encamped in Antigua to intensify preparations for the two Tests against India.

According to veteran international cricket commentator Joseph "Reds" Perreira, some of the players should be heading to Antigua for a camp this week. Perreira said that the

can read the tea leaves that (Kraigg) Brathwaite, (Tagenarine) Chanderpaul, (Joshua) Da Sivla, (Kemar) Roach, (Jermaine) Blackwood, (Alick) Atahanaze and (Raymon) Reifer are more or less automatic. We do not know the medical situation between (Jayden) Seales and (Gudakesh) Motie, but we have to look at guidance from the West Indies A tour," he said.

"One would think that the third opener would be (Kirk) McKenzie, and (Kevin) Sinclair could be an automatic pick. (Jair) McCallister, along with Jordan had a good A tour, along with Drakes, who played in the Headley-Weekes series,"

Qualifiers are going on, with (Yannic) Cariah having an operation, the West Indies will be down to 11 players in Zimbabwe. Are they planning to send a reinforcement player or spinner. The other young spinner (leggie) we saw

July 20-July 24: 2nd Test, Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad India tour of West Indies: ODI series

July 27: 1st ODI, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

West Indies selectors would have to make some bold decisions as it relates to the selection of the Test team.

"We have no specific names for the camp. One

While it was unofficially circulated that Alzarri Joseph, Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers will return to the Caribbean from Zimbabwe for the first Test, Reds is asking who would be the player heading to Zimbabwe.

"If the West Indies send those three players back to the Caribbean while the

recently was the Jamaican Abhijai Mansingh."

"It is probably the most unusual situation facing the CWI and the selectors, while being caught up trying to qualify for the World Cup, and three days after you start a Test series against India in Dominica. I can expect the selectors to be bold and we can have a couple of new caps," Reds explained.

The veteran commentator also asked the question as who should be the back-up wicket-keeper for the India Tests? Should it be Tevin Imlach?

India tour of West Indies: Test series

July 12-July 16: 1st Test, Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica

West Indies penalised for slow over-rate against Zimbabwe

July 29: 2nd ODI, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

August 1: 3rd ODI, Brian Lara Cricket Academy,

Trinidad India tour of West Indies: T20I series

August 4: 1st T20I, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad

August 6: 2nd T20I, Providence Stadium, Guyana

August 8: 3rd T20I,

Providence Stadium, Guyana

August 12: 4th T20I, Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida

August 13: 5th T20I, Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida

Region 1 teachers complete F4S programme

West Indies were penalised 60 per cent of their match fees

As if to rub salt into the already gaping wound of an embarrassing 35-run loss to Zimbabwe in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup qualifier on Saturday, the West Indies have been fined 60 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow overrate.

Muhammad Javed of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after the West

Indies were ruled to be three overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

Captain Shai Hope plead-

ed guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Sam Nogajski and Ravindra Wimalasari, third umpire Roland Black, and fourth umpire Allahudien Palekar levelled the charge. The West Indies ODI side will be in action again today, Monday, June 26 at 3AM Eastern Caribbean time.

(Sportsmax)

Teachers in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) last week participated in a two-day FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) training session, which was organised by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

The group attended theoretical and practical sessions on June 20 and 21 as part of their FIFA coach-educators training, which gives them the responsibility of training children from the age of four to 14 in fundamental football and life skills.

GFF President Wayne Forde said the teachers were taught the technical competencies necessary for delivering coaching sessions and the life skills development component of the F4S programme.

“The GFF is ramping up the training of school teachers who are actively involved in the delivery of the FIFA Football for School programme (F4S) across the nation’s eleven school districts. The aim of this training is to provide teachers

with the technical competencies necessary for delivering coaching sessions and the life skills development component of the F4S programme. The training will

oped by FIFA in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and is being rolled out in all 211 coun-

also cover key elements of the FIFA child safeguarding programme,” President Forde said.

Football for Schools, which was launched in Guyana May 2022, seeks to make football more accessible worldwide to both boys and girls by incorporating football activities into the education system and contributing to the development and empowerment of children.

The initiative was devel-

tries which are a part of FIFA.

Issues addressed in the curriculum include self-confidence, teamwork and learning to win and lose.

Teachers are critical to the success of the initiative since they are positioned to effectively implement the programme in schools across Guyana.

Guyana was the first country in the Caribbean region selected to pilot the programme.

The trainees also got the opportunity to test their newfound knowledge in practical sessions

A look at the theoretical component of the training programme

Joseph "Reds" Perreira

Kevin Sinclair may earn a Test call-up

Alick Atahanaze

Tagenarine Chanderpaul is set to open the batting for the India Tests

West Indies Test players to be encamped in Antigua this week as India series looms

The Berbice and Linden basketball tournament concluded with some spectacular performances and jubilant supporters from the respective schools.

In the Berbice tournament, New Amsterdam Secondary thumped Berbice High School having a commanding 41-26 to secure the title.

Xavier Ferreira was outstanding, securing 13 points. He won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award while Jared Dant did not miss out on the scoring, as he shot 11 points, as did

Timothy Rampersaud.

Meanwhile, Kwakwani Secondary with their outstanding dribbling and shooting ability, they thumped Christiansburg Wismar Multilateral with a massive victory of 110-62 points. The Kwakwani Secondary secured the title with an astonishing performance from Kelon Phillips, who scored 37 points, and Kasim English, who had 23 points.

Teishawn Kitts’ 32 points were insufficient to carry his team over the finish line