GDF, Brazilian army tighten border shield with joint patrols, illegal mining crackdown
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Brazilian Army have conducted a series of joint mirrored patrols in the
partnership between the two forces. On Friday, the GDF in a social media post said that on November 13, a command group from both
combined operation involving air, mobile and motorised patrols in Bonfim and Normandia in Brazil and in Kanapang and Chiung with-
Takutu and Ireng Sectors, Region Nine, enhancing coordinated border security and reinforcing the strong
militaries met where planning discussions were held for joint operation activities. This engagement initiated a
in Guyana’s Upper TakutuEssequibo region.
During the joint patrols, several locations identified
through intelligence monitoring for suspected crossborder and environmental illicit activities were examined and assessed. As part of the wider security effort, the GDF supported the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in an operation targeting illegal mining in the Ireng Sector. This activity was coordinated with the Brazilian Army, which conducted a parallel operation on its side of the border. Illegal equipment
discovered during the mission was seized, disabled and destroyed, with affected communities in the area expressing strong support for the intervention.
The army noted that at the conclusion of the operation, the Commander of the Brazilian Army’s 2nd Jungle Infantry Company visited the GDF military facilities in Lethem, while Commander of the Takutu River Base, Lieutenant Philipe Delmiro was hosted at the 1st Special
Border Platoon in Bonfim. Both visits featured professional exchanges, interaction between ranks and the customary presentation of tokens. Additionally, a follow-on visit was conducted to the 1st Special Border Platoon in Bonfim by Staff Officer Three Operations of the 3 Infantry Battalion, Captain Lawrence King, and Second in Command of the GDF Border Detachment in Lethem, Sergeant Delbert Joseph.
BRIDGE OPENING
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, November 22 –05:10h–06:40h and Sunday, November 23 – 05:45h–07:15h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Clear skies interrupted by midday thundery showers and afternoon drizzles are expected during the day, and clear skies that gradually give way to later thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North Easterly to Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.
High Tide: 17:23h reaching a maximum height of 2.60 metres.
Low Tide: 10:59h and 23:26h reaching minimum heights of 0.77 metre and 0.62 metre.
Sweeping reform as Pres Ali announces land issues overhaul
By Andrew CArmiCheAl
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday announced a wide-ranging plan to tackle long-standing land issues in Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne), promising to clear backlogs at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), regularise defunct co-ops, and bring tens of thousands of acres of land into productive use. Speaking at a press conference at Albion at the end of a two-day Cabinet outreach, the President said land and survey matters have emerged as one of the top priorities for residents of the region, second only to housing. “Lands and
Surveys, I said, was one of the areas that generated significant interest. In this region, we have total applications in the system, 289 applications,” Ali told reporters. He explained that while the number of applications may appear modest, the acreage requested far exceeds what is immediately available through GL&SC.
“While that number seems small, the request for applications in terms of the total acreage of land that is applied for is far beyond the supply available. So, first, we must recognise that there is a demand–supply mismatch of land available at the Guyana Lands and Surveys,” the President said. Of the 289 applications, Ali said 89 files are at GL&SC’s head office in Georgetown, while 200 files are at New Amsterdam, Skeldon, and Black Bush Polder, many of them very old. The President then detailed the lands currently under GL&SC’s control in Region Six, along with new areas now being pursued. “We have 1,000 acres available at New Mara. We have 1,000 acres surveyed there,” he said, referring to lands along the East Bank of Berbice (EBD). “We have 5,000 acres at Mara, which needs four miles of road
extension to allow access to these lands,” the Head of State added while noting that the region also has 20,000 acres available for a cattle pasture, surveyed into 100-acre plots. “We have 3,000 acres at the back of Manaribisi. We have 15,000 acres along the Corentyne River between the Eldorado and Orealla boundary. That is what is available.”
Residents engage with Government agencies at the Classic Hotel parking lot, Berbice on Friday during a public outreach event, where several tables have been set up. Agencies present include the Office of the President, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Guyana Livestock Development Authority, National Insurance Scheme, and the Ministry of Housing (Region 6 RDC photo)
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
Multi-faceted
initiative & multipronged approach
Road safety continues to be a pressing concern in Guyana, particularly in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), where the convergence of derelict vehicles, stray animals, and improperly parked heavy-duty machinery has created significant hazards for commuters and residents alike. The Government’s announcement on Friday of a multi-faceted initiative to address these challenges demonstrates a commitment to enhancing safety, improving traffic flow, and restoring order along the region’s roadways.
Heavy-duty machinery parked on public roads has long posed a safety risk, creating obstructions for motorists and pedestrians while contributing to congestion. Recognising this, the Government has announced the development of two 30-acre parking facilities for heavy machinery at Palmyra and Number 76 Village. These sites, nearing completion, are designed to provide designated spaces for equipment storage while offering public spaces for lease. By removing these vehicles from roadways, the initiative aims to enhance traffic efficiency and reduce the hazards associated with machinery parked haphazardly. This move aligns with similar projects in other parts of the country, including at Diamond in Region Four, Region Three, and along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, reflecting a coordinated approach to road management and urban planning.
Another persistent challenge is the presence of derelict vehicles along the nation’s road corridors. Abandoned cars, buses, trailers, and machinery not only obstruct traffic but also compromise safety, visibility, and the overall aesthetic of communities. The Government has committed to a systematic removal and scrapping of such assets. Vehicles lacking wheels or doors, or those overtaken by vegetation, will be cleared and destroyed at designated Government derelict sites, such as the Linden-Soesdyke Highway location. This initiative, already launched nationwide by the Public Works Ministry, addresses both congestion and safety concerns while promoting a cleaner, more organised roadway environment.
Infrastructure improvements complement these clearance measures. Plans include the installation of approximately 4500 streetlights, construction of 160 kilometres of sidewalks with covered drainage, the introduction of globally compliant traffic signals, enhanced road markings, and the designation of proper parking areas. Additionally, diversions at Rose Hall and Corriverton are set to alleviate chronic congestion in these hightraffic zones. Collectively, these interventions signify a holistic approach to road management, combining safety, accessibility, and long-term urban planning.
The management of stray animals on roadways also forms an integral part of the Government’s strategy. Unattended animals have consistently posed risks to drivers and pedestrians, particularly along highways. While penalties for such situations exist, enforcement has been inconsistent. The Administration’s commitment to developing facilities for stray animals, combined with stricter enforcement measures, is a necessary step to ensure public safety while also safeguarding the welfare of animals.
The cumulative impact of these measures promises to improve both road safety and regional functionality. By addressing derelict vehicles, heavy machinery, urban infrastructure, and stray animals, the Government is creating the conditions for safer, more efficient roadways that can accommodate growing economic activity and commuter demand. The initiatives also underscore the importance of collaboration between Government agencies, local authorities, and residents. Sustained enforcement, proper facility maintenance, and public compliance will be crucial to ensuring the long-term success of these projects.
The Government’s multi-pronged approach to road safety in Region Six is a step toward restoring order and safeguarding lives. The creation of dedicated parking facilities, the clearance of derelict vehicles, infrastructure upgrades, and the management of stray animals is indeed a comprehensive strategy that balances safety, efficiency, and long-term planning. With consistent enforcement and community cooperation, these initiatives have the potential to transform the region’s roadways into safer spaces.
On World Children’s Day, students at Silver Hill Primary School along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway enjoyed an interactive session exploring Guyana’s Protected Areas, learning about the Iwokrama International Centre, and understanding the effects of littering on the environment. The event, part of the Guyana Conservation Initiative and funded by the ExxonMobil Foundation, was made possible with the support of dedicated volunteers (
Melissa’s hidden
By Dr ODetha Davis
When a Category Five hurricane tears across Jamaica, our eyes instinctively turn to the physical destruction – crumpled roofs, flooded roads, and an uprooted shoreline. But long after the winds have died, a quieter and more consequential storm begins to unfold: the economic and emotional fallout for the tens of thousands of Jamaicans who make their living in tourism.
Much of the early public conversation has focused on the damage to hotel plants and resort properties. This is understandable; tourism remains one of Jamaica’s largest foreign exchange earners, and hotel closures have immediate effects on revenue, arrivals, and investor confidence. Yet behind every shuttered hotel door stands a housekeeper, a bartender, a craft vendor, a tour operator, or a lifeguard whose income disappeared overnight. Their recovery will determine whether the tourism sector rebounds with equity or whether the hurricane deepens existing inequalities.
Tourism workers occupy one of the most paradoxical positions in the national economy: they support our flagship industry yet often live with the least financial buffer. Many rely on weekly wages, tips, and informal jobs that rarely come with insurance or allow them to save. When a hurricane forces hotels to close – sometimes for weeks, sometimes for months – these workers face immediate loss of income. It’s not just hotel buildings that were hit. According to recent reports, nearly 175,000 Jamaicans are
employed directly or indirectly in tourism. Many of these are housekeepers, bartenders, craft vendors, tour guides, and transport operators – people whose livelihoods depend on a steady flow of visitors.
The closure of even a single large resort can suddenly displace several hundred people. When multiple properties are affected, the shock ripples through entire parishes. Craft markets stall, taxi operators lose passengers, and farmers who supply hotel kitchens watch orders evaporate. Research on post-disaster tourism impacts in the Caribbean consistently shows that workers, not properties, endure the longest period of recovery, as employment lags far behind infrastructural repairs (Caribbean Tourism Organization analyses have highlighted this trend). If Jamaica fails to centre these workers in national recovery planning, temporary unemployment could quickly become long-term displacement from the labour force.
A hotel housekeeper in Hanover told the Associated Press (AP): “With some of the hotels closed…many of us are left without work. This storm didn’t just destroy buildings, it shattered jobs and incomes for many of us and our families.”
Similarly, a craft vendor working in Falmouth said she goes “days without tourists… no sales and no money” – a vivid illustration of how daily-income workers are bearing the brunt of the crisis. These are not temporary inconveniences. The closure of large resorts ripples outwards into the entire tourism ecosystem: local taxi drivers, farmers supplying kitchens,
casualties
guides, and market sellers all suffer when business grinds to a halt.
Short-term closures, longterm consequences
The danger is not only the immediate loss of jobs but also the trap that follows. A prolonged hotel closure can push workers into informal hustles, debt, or migration. Some never return to the tourism sector, and the country loses experienced talent – talent we cannot afford to lose as climate change intensifies the frequency of extreme weather events.
Moreover, the recovery of tourism is often uneven.
Larger, foreign-owned hotels typically rebuild faster due to access to insurance and capital. Smaller local operators and community-based enterprises take far longer as they lack the required financial cushion; therefore, their workers may remain unemployed longer.
While many small businesses and workers struggle, larger hotel chains appear better positioned to bounce back. According to Euronews, some major resorts are targeting a reopening around mid-December, just in time for the winter peak season. Without timely intervention, these delays create a two-speed recovery: one for big business and one for ordinary Jamaicans. This two-speed recovery, if left unchecked, risks deepening socio-economic disparities in our tourism workforce.
What is being done and what more must happen
Some support is emerging. The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has allocated $10 million to
help tourism workers affected by the hurricane. This aid includes grants of $10,000$100,000 for verified losses among employees and small operators, especially those without the backing of large hotel chains. But while the JHTA’s intervention is welcome, it is not sufficient for the scale of the problem. A more comprehensive, worker-centred recovery plan is urgently needed.
If Jamaica is to rebuild smarter – not just stronger – our recovery strategy must prioritise the people who animate our tourism product. I propose three policy directions:
1) Targeted social protection for tourism workers: Government emergency grants should specifically include categories such as hotel staff, contract service workers, attraction employees, and artisans whose incomes are tied to visitor arrivals. Rapidpay mechanisms – through banking partnerships or parish-level distribution centres – would prevent the weekslong wait that often accompanies relief funds.
2) Skills training and upskilling grants: Periods of hotel closure can become strategic opportunities if paired with training. Short courses in hospitality management, digital tourism, language skills, renewable-energy maintenance, or disaster-preparedness certification would help workers re-enter the job market more competitively. The HEART/NSTA Trust, tertiary institutions, and private-sector training institutes could collaborate on fast-tracked programmes designed for displaced workers.
Photos by Alliah Simon and Yogeeta Singh)
Consistent hard work and intellect
Dear Editor,
In the life of a nation, there are moments that invite reflection and quiet pride. The story of Daniel Persaud, being named the University of Guyana’s 2025 Valedictorian and President’s Medallist, is one such moment. His achievement is a powerful testament to the resilience, dedication, and potential that define the Guyanese spirit. He was not a top candidate from one of the top schools, but his output can rival even the best from the top schools in Guyana, thanks to his character, which embodies true grit. His attitude of mind must be celebrated as the benchmark for the true Guyanese aspiration as we all embark on
the journey to build a new Guyana – one that embodies humility but with a determined spirit, well-grounded in spirituality. I also want to congratulate Mr Komal Samaroo and the team at the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) for the support they offered to Mr Persaud. That kind of corporate support is vital in the positive evolution of the society. We need to see more of this from the Private Sector.
Those of us who studied at the University of Guyana (UG) will know that the engineering programme is not a walk in the park, and anytime a 4.0 GPA is achieved in the School of Engineering, it is a time for deep celebration since it is
a ground-breaking moment that was backed by consistent hard work and intellect.
As Mr Persaud stated, his path to academic excellence was not straightforward. As we all know, nothing in life is easy, but that is not an excuse to give up but to double down and press forward. After an initial rejection from UG, he demonstrated an attitude of remarkable perseverance by enrolling at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) to create another path toward creating his dream. But what I am most proud of, for this son of Wales, where the now closed sugar estate is situated, is that he was also a graduate of the GuySuCo Port Mourant
Training Centre. What is a given fact is that the Port Morant Training School has produced some of the finest technicians that ever graced these shores, and they continue to do very well wherever they are situated, be it the New York City Transit Authority, the Florida Sugar Industry, or even here at home in an industrial setting.
This story has a life-determining message of worklife balance. As he put it, balancing the intense rigours of an engineering programme, which he humorously referred to as “torture”, with personal responsibilities required immense commitment. He credited his success to a focused mindset, collaborative study with his
friend Lemuel Williams, and the supportive guidance of his lecturers and grandmother and other family members. It is this friendship with Mr Williams that is my proudest moment because it brought back many good memories for me, eating sardines and bread with my fellow study mates at midnight in those stables, in between study sessions, as working students. When we graduated, we knew that we could not have done it without each other; it was a celebration of the team.
But the most patriotic advice I have heard from anyone in a long time came from Mr Persaud when he advised fellow graduates to contribute to Guyana’s development, saying, “Stick
This region, this hemisphere, should remain
Dear Editor,
With the advent of the internet, affordable cellular phone data, and multiple social media platforms, people worldwide have been constantly reminded of the devastating consequences of war. Across continents, conflict has shattered families, destabilised communities, and left survivors permanently changed. In this context, global discussions have emerged about the role certain leaders, including US President Donald Trump, have played in seeking to prevent or de-escalate conflicts from the Middle East to other regions. Regardless of political viewpoints, these discussions high-
light a fundamental truth: lasting peace can only be achieved through diplomacy, dialogue, and respect for international law. History shows that war is rarely the will of ordinary citizens. Too often it is the result of political misjudgement, inflated egos, or decisions made without regard for the human cost. When leaders lose sight of the responsibility entrusted to them, it is the people who suffer the most: families torn apart, economies destabilised, infrastructure destroyed, and futures disrupted. In such moments, citizens must remind those in positions of power that their mandate is clear: to
act in the best interest of peace, stability, and humanity.
It is in this regard, in this spirit, that I strongly urge renewed diplomatic engagement and negotiations without weapons of mass destruction, bullets, and bombs to address tensions in our own hemisphere, including the ongoing issues between the United States and Venezuela. Dialogue, not confrontation, must guide the way forward for the sake of the people of this region, our neighbours, our partners, and our shared future. Leaders of the world and in the region must embrace the power of meaningful communication as the
Melissa’s hidden...
3) Rapid re-employment programmes: The Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, should partner with hotels, cruise lines, and tourism associations to create a centralised labour exchange for workers temporarily out of jobs. This database could match workers with short-term contracts in reconstruction, resort reopening teams, food-and-beverage events, transportation support, or community tourism initiatives. Such programmes have been used effectively in post-disaster recovery in other small island economies.
Rebuilding with the right priorities Jamaica’s tourism brand is built on more than beaches and buildings; it is built on its people. Our workers greet guests after long shifts, restore rooms with care, narrate our culture through storytelling and craft, and ensure that every visitor leaves with warmth
in his or her memory. They are not ancillary to the industry; they are the industry. As the country mobilises around infrastructure, insurance claims, and rebuilding costs, we must resist the temptation to measure recovery solely by hotel occupancy rates or revenue projections. A resilient tourism future depends on a resilient workforce. If workers fall behind, the entire sector will lag behind.
Tourism isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about people. Our housekeepers, our drivers, and our craft artisans are more than just cogs in an economic engine – they are the heart of Jamaica’s hospitality and culture. If our recovery prioritises only hotels and not the labour force, we risk rebuilding in a way that leaves the most vulnerable behind.
We must understand that a resilient tourism sector is not one that just restores rooftops and lobbies;
it is one that restores hope, jobs, and dignity. Jamaica’s future in tourism will depend on how we treat the people who make it possible.
This hurricane has given us a painful reminder: climate shocks are no longer rare events. If Jamaica is to navigate an era of stronger
first and most responsible option.
Further, it would be remiss of me not to call on all leaders across the Caribbean and Latin America to reaffirm our long-standing commitment to maintaining this region, this hemisphere, as a Zone of Peace. You must demand respect for international law, adherence to global treaties, and recognition of each nation’s sovereignty, for it must remain the bedrock of regional harmony. These principles safeguard not only our borders but also our collective dignity, our way of life, our progress from slavery and exploitation, and, above all, our se-
FROM PAGE 4
storms and rising seas, our recovery strategies must be people-first, not property-first.
The storm may have passed, but the real test –our commitment to the people who keep our economy alive – begins now. (The Guardian)
around, take advantage of the opportunities, don’t be afraid to share your ideas, dream big, innovate, be yourself.” Guyana is on the rise, and I trust our youths will listen to his message and stay, cooperate with each other, and contribute towards the building of a better Guyana for the next generation.
Daniel Persaud’s story is more than an academic triumph; it is a narrative of resilience, community support, and unwavering faith. He is a deserving valedictorian whose journey serves as an inspiration and a source of immense pride. Well done, Mr Daniel Persaud.
Yours truly, Sasenarine Singh
a Zone of Peace
curity.
Furthermore, it must be emphasised that all of Guyana’s 83,000 square miles of territory, along with its maritime and economic zones, are legally and historically the sovereign property of the Guyanese people. As President Irfaan Ali has said on numerous occasions, our country is unreservedly committed to peace and international cooperation. Guyana deserves the assurance that its integrity will not be threatened. Influential regional and global voices, including President Trump, should he again seek to champion peace, ought to encourage all parties, including the
Government of Venezuela, to respect these established international norms. Let us, as a region, raise our collective voices firmly yet diplomatically: peace must be our reality. International law must be our guide. The sovereignty of nations must remain inviolable.
I strongly believe only by upholding these principles can we ensure that the Caribbean and the Americas continue to be a hemisphere of peace, stability, cooperation, and shared progress.
Yours respectfully,
Jermaine Figueira, Former Member of Parliament
Page Foundation
Negative numbers
Negative numbers are any numbers less than zero and that have a negative sign (−) in front of them.
Numbers greater than zero are referred to as positive numbers. If there is no sign in front of a number the number is positive.
On the number line below, the numbers in orange are negative values and the blue numbers are positive values:
Just like you can add and subtract positive numbers, you can do the same with negative numbers.
When adding and subtracting negative numbers use a number line:
If you are adding, move to the right of the number line.
If you are subtracting, move to the left of the number line.
How to add and subtract negative numbers
1.If you have two signs next to each other, change them to a single sign. If the signs are the same replace with a positive sign (+).
If the signs are different, replace with a negative sign (−).
2.Find the first number on the number line.
3.Use the number line to add or subtract your numbers.
If you are adding, move to the right of the number.
If you are subtracting, move to the left of the number.
Example 1 −4 + 7
The first number in the question is (−4). Let’s find it on the number line: Since we are adding the 7, we move
7 spaces right from −4 on the number line:
Write your final answer: −4 + 7 = 3
Example 2 −2 + −3
You have a plus and a minus next to each other.
Since the signs are different, replace with a minus sign (−): −2 – 3
Next, let’s find the first number on the number line
Since we are subtracting 3, we move 3 spaces left from the −2 on the number line:
Write your final answer: −2 + −3 = −5
Materials
•Wrapping Paper Tube or 2-3 Paper Towel Tubes
•Marker
•Tape
•Scissors
•40 1-Inch Nails
•2 Index Cards
•Rice, Beans, Beads, or Other Small Items
Instructions
1.If you are using paper towel tubes, tape them together end to end to make a long tube.
2.Using a marker, make dots down the tube’s spiral seam. Place the dots about a ½ inch apart all the way down the tube.
3.Poke a nail through each dot on the tube. Make sure the nail does not go through the other side of the tube.
4.Wrap the tape around the tube making sure to cover each nail head.
5.Cut two circles from the index cards that are large enough to cover the ends of the tube.
6.Use tape to secure one circle to the end of the tube, making sure there are no gaps.
7.Add some rice, beans, beads, or other small items to the tube.
8.Tape the other circle to the open end of the tube making sure there are no gaps.
9.Turn the tube over to the rice or other items fall inside the tube.
By GeorGe SterlinG
SOFT from the linden's bough, Unmoved against the tranquil afternoon, Eve's dove laments her now: "Ah, gone! long gone! shall not I find thee soon?" That yearning in his voice
Told not to Paradise a sorrow's tale: As other birds rejoice He sang, a brother to the nightingale. By twilight on her breast
He saw the flower sleep, the star awake; And calling her from rest, Made all the dawn melodious for her sake. And then the Tempter's breath, The sword of exile and the mortal chain— The heritage of death
That gave her heart to dust, his own to pain…. In Eden desolate
The seraph heard his lonely music swoon, As now, reiterate; "Ah, gone! long gone! shall not I find thee soon?
[Source: Poetry (December 1912)]
Your main character has been stranded on a desert island for months. Alone… or so they thought. One morning, they wake up to a message written in the sand. What does it say? What happens next?
Poor patient care can now impact workers’ gratuity, promotions – Pres Ali
…as Govt to launch integrated service hubs
President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that health facility workers who deliver poor services face consequences.
“At every one of these new facilities, the new hospitals, we’re going to put a customer service desk where patients can report to if they experience bad service. And that report goes up into the system and would influence the payment of the payment of gratuity, it would influence promotions, and it would influence the way in which disciplinary measures would be applied in the public service,” the President announced during a press conference on Friday, on the conclusion of a two-day Cabinet outreach to Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).
These customer service desks, he explained, will be integrated into the ser-
vice delivery platform of the Government.
Integrated service hubs
As part of the national digitisation agenda, the Government will be establishing three integrated services hubs in Region Six, an initiative that is expected to be replicated in other regions.
These hubs will include “all the services for immigration, for GRA, licensing, and importantly, connecting the NDCs with these hubs, the regions with these hubs, and then integrating into the national hub so that each of these facilities will have a help desk,” the President explained.
“And that desk will allow citizens to connect directly with every layer of Government,” he added, noting that the intention is to focus on a people-centred approach to development.
“No issue must be allowed to escape the loop of Government. So, we’re closing that loop in a very comprehensive and integrated way,” the President emphasised.
Among other things, these hubs will deal with immigration services, passport applications and renewals, and registration of births, deaths, and marriages, as well as licensing, electronic ID services, and a range of other Government transactions.
Healthcare in Region Six
Meanwhile, the Head of State spoke of plans to improve healthcare in the region, reminding that “we’re looking to complete the New Amsterdam Hospital, which is going to be a Level Five, the highest-level hospital; the completion of the stateof-the-art nursing school; multipurpose training facil-
In this regard, he encouraged young persons in the region to seize the opportunities that will become available. “We want all our young people who want to be nurses to register on the programme and to get trained right here in your region,” the President said.
He also noted that the Government will be making investments to bring greater efficiency to the drug distribution centre and to supply chain management.
Dialysis care
The President also spoke about one of the most pressing health issues affecting citizens – which is the need for dialysis care.
It was recently revealed that more than 600 persons are currently on dialysis treatment.
In this regard, President Ali announced plans to ex-
pand dialysis care in the region, while simultaneously emphasising the need to invest in preventative measures.
“We’re concerned…about the numbers in this region in relation to diabetes and also persons who require dialysis. And the Ministry of Health will be expanding the dialysis facilities at the vari-
ous hospital and clinics,” he said. “But we don’t want this to be the solution; we have to invest to ensure we prevent you from reaching to the stage of dialysis, and the Ministry of Health will be rolling out specific measures to deal with this issue at the grassroot level, here in this region,” he added.
Major market upgrades, modern landfill overhaul nationwide announced …plan
targets improved facilities, strengthened management
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday announced an aggressive and wide-ranging plan to upgrade and transform local Government areas across the country, with heavy emphasis on rehabilitating market facilities, strengthening local market management, modernising landfill sites and expanding recreational spaces in urban and suburban communities. The Head of State made the announcement during a press conference in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), where he is currently leading a two-day Cabinet outreach focused on development programmes and community engagement. President Ali noted that the Government has already commenced major improvement works aimed at enhancing governance, service delivery and community involvement. “We have commenced work across the
country, dealing with landfill sites, markets, beautification, citizenry inclusion, and involvement in development and improvement in governance and service delivery at the NDC level. And we are going to pursue these initial areas vigorously,” the President emphasised. In Guyana, the local Government is made up of 80 Local Government Organs (LGO), comprising 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and 10 municipalities. Minister of Local Government, Priya Manickchand was also present at the press conference on Friday.
The President outlined a comprehensive national programme for the rehabilitation of market facilities, beginning with Region Six, which has seven markets earmarked for upgrading.
“In the entire country, there are 28 permanent markets,”
he noted, adding that immediate interventions will include the installation of proper stalls, improved flooring and drainage, upgraded roofing and ventilation, enhanced sanitation and waste-disposal systems, garbage receptacles, lighting, water access, and strengthened fire safety and security features. Equally important, he said, will be the strengthening of market management structures.
“We will establish a national committee that will be integrated with all of these local market committees to ensure the infrastructure, the functionality, the investment, and the market themselves represent part of the transformation and the positive imaging of the regions and communities,” the President said.
“The markets are an important part of our tourism and cultural economy; we therefore have to invest, and not only invest, but ensure that the management of the market brings continuous results for the investments that we are making.”
The President shared that his team had to “read the riot act” to the management of the Skeldon Market for imposing administrative burdens without consulting the region or the Ministry, negatively affecting vendors and consumers.
The President said the 16:00h closure of the Corriverton Municipal Market, which vendors have bitterly complained about, should be removed as it hinders the livelihood of ven-
dors.
Solid waste disposal
Addressing solid waste disposal, President Ali emphasised that the Government is moving to-
modern landfill sites. With access roads to existing and proposed sites already being upgraded. “Roads and access to these sites are already receiving our attention. In fact, we want to have acces-
ward safe, predictable and environmentally approved waste-management systems. He announced that two landfill sites in Region Six are currently under construction or rehabilitation, with additional areas being identified, particularly as relates to the handling of medical waste.
“These are modern sites that we’re going to invest in, not garbage sites. Proper landfill sites,” he stressed. According to the President, the upcoming 2026 national budget will include specific allocations for developing
sibility to these sites completed so that in 2026 we will be able to focus heavily on the development of the site themselves,’ the President said. The President shared that the Government has also already begun investing heavily in waste-management equipment, including garbage compactors, trucks, and bins for every NDC. He noted that plans are in the works to have large compactors installed in markets and other urban and suburban areas to streamline waste processing and disposal. Another major part of the initiative will be focused on improving quality of life through accessible recreational spaces. The President noted that this will be done in partnership with the Office of the First Lady. “We will also
be building out our suburban areas,” the President explained, stressing that families, women, children and the elderly should have safe, well-designed spaces for wellness, recreation, and community engagement. “These facilities will include areas that will stipulate creativity, adding to the orange economy. Areas that will be dedicated for children, areas that will be built in such a way that it is friendly for those who require special assistance. We want every group in our committee and our region to enjoy these facilities,” the President said.
President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking at a press conference in Berbice on Friday
Priya Manickchand during a visit to the Skeldon Market in October
Missing boy found dead at Golden Fleece beach
Police of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 12-year-old boy whose body was discovered at the Golden Fleece Beach on Friday morning.
Dead is Samesh Singh, of Lot 1 Golden Fleece, Region
Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and a student of Johanna Cecelia Secondary School. Singh was reported missing on Thursday after he left home around 16:00h and failed to return.
Relatives and villagers launched a search throughout the night, which ended tragically when his body
was found lying on the sand along the shoreline at about 08:00h Friday.
The body of the youth was picked up and taken to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was later transported to the hospital’s mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Police discover ganja in candy-like wrapper at Plaisance
Police in Regional Division 4 C, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Friday discovered a quantity of cannabis during an intel-led operation at Victoria Road, Plaisance.
Based on reports received, police ranks observed a black garbage bag on the eastern parapet of the access road next to a trench, and upon inspection, some 30 multi-coloured resealable bags with printed cartoon characters were found.
Of the 30, 25 contained ganja, while the other five were empty. In addition, another black plastic bag containing additional cannabis was found within the garbage bag.
The narcotics were escorted to the Sparendaam Police Station, where the 25 cartoon-character resealable bags weighed 88 grams (g), and the additional black plastic bag weighed 510 g. At the time of the operation, no arrests were made.
The ganja wrapped in candy-like Ziplock bags
Police are continuing their investigations. Back in October, the Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) reported that it had seized a quantity of narcotics packaged in a child-friendly manner.
The packaging, designed to resemble a colourful can-
dy or dessert wrapper, appears to be a deliberate attempt by drug traffickers to attract children and unsuspecting individuals.
As such, CANU has warned the public, particularly parents, teachers, and guardians, to remain vigilant. The cartoon-style
graphics and playful imagery used on these packages are intended to present the drugs as harmless treats.
The drug enforcement unit emphasises that the contents of these packages are highly dangerous and can cause serious harm or even death if consumed.
2 men on bail in separate theft cases
Two men were on Friday taken before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in separate larceny cases, both of which were heard by Magistrate Annette Singh.
In the first matter, 61-year-old clothes vendor Nigel Whyte was charged with larceny after he was accused of stealing a Samsung smartphone valued at $55,000 from Noel Bassant. The incident occurred on October 28, at Water Street, Georgetown.
Whyte, who appeared in court accompanied by his attorney, pleaded not guilty to the charge. His attorney told the court that her client has been a clothes vendor for years and has one prior conviction, which occurred 14 years ago. She added that Whyte has had no further issues with the law and has no pending matters before any other court. The prosecutor raised no objections to bail but pointed out that the stolen phone was not recovered and that CCTV footage allegedly shows Whyte removing the item from the virtual complainant’s bag. Magistrate Singh grant-
ed him $40,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to December 5.
In the second case, 19-year-old Christopher Garnett of Hadfield Street, Georgetown, was
charged with larceny by the clerk. Garnett, who is employed as a clerk at Luminous Manufacturing & Distribution Inc, is accused of stealing $39,000 from the company on November 15,
at Garnett Street, Kitty. He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor did not oppose bail. Magistrate Singh granted $40,000 bail, and the matter was also adjourned to December 5.
New frontiers…
…in
academia
Your Eyewitness is getting long in the tooth. He’d suspected as much from the massive changes he was seeing in the society he’d been living in all his long life. But suddenly he feels like he’s a stranger in a strange land!! Take the phenomenon of Scrapeheads – which broke into his consciousness after they were incited to rampage all over GT in the wake of the (first) Adrianna autopsy!! He wondered who’d revel in the notion they knew nothing and didn’t want to know nothing!! Like volcanoes, they’d erupt without any thought – just through whatever was bubbling within at the time.
Philosophers had made the distinction between “actions” and “events” – the latter just occur spontaneously, while the former’s mediated by thought. But here it was – the distinction between humans and the elements was gone!! And what made your Eyewitness do an even bigger doubletake was when a bunch of political wannabes descended at the scene of the Adrianna tragedy. One of them – a business type who was soon to morph into Chicken Man of the PNC – confessed he’d been a Scrapehead in his youth!! Imagine that!! It was like waking up in that movie “The Night of the Living Dead”!! Who knows what lurks in the body of your neighbours!??! No wonder we’ve got all this road rage playing out on our roads!!
Anyhow, as your Eyewitness continued to wrap his head around Scrapes, he looked in at one of the UG graduation exercises dealing with these 3000 bodies in this 2025 cohort. He figured the faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology might offer a glimpse of the old, science-based verities that had kept his generation going!! He never guessed he’d be witnessing another nail in his coffin of irrelevance in this new world.
He heard about a bunch of young folks getting degrees in “Human Resiliency, Strategic Security and the Future”!! “ He did a quick Google search to answer his “What the heck!” exclamation!! The “Key Objectives” of the course were “to observe and study human resilience globally; to PERHAPS develop the discipline of human resiliency systems; to generate research, disseminate knowledge, teaching and policy around the question of human resiliency; around the question of strategic human security; and…around the question of Guyana’s future in the context of humanity’s future and the future of planet earth.
“To provide a common academic space for international multi- and cross-disciplinary partnerships, to galvanise funding and intellectual resources, WHO will work across disciplines, space, time and dimensions in regard to human resilience; and to systematise and institutionalise resilience as a human attribute and practice at all levels of society through teaching and action research, especially amongst the young and those perceived as historically vulnerable.” Whew!!!
Maybe they can focus on Scrapeheads??
…for PNC
As he read about former Mayor Ubraj Narine quitting the PNC executive, the lyrics of that old Queen monster hit flashed into his mind – Another one bites the dust!! “Steve (read Ubraj!) walks warily down the street/ With the brim (turban?) pulled way down low/ Ain't no sound but the sound of his feet/ Machine guns (his motor mouth?) ready to go/Are you ready/ Hey, are you ready for this? Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?
“Out of the doorway, the bullets (resignations) rip. To the sound of the beat, yeah/ Another one bites the dust/ Another one bites the dust/ And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust (yeah)!!
"Hey, I'm gonna get you (Black Pudding Man), too." Another one bites the dust/ How do you (Norton) think (you’re) gonna get along/ Without him, when you're gone? He took me for everything that I had.
And kicked me out on my own!!”
What goes around…!!
…in pastoring
As your Eyewitness saw that pastor flay a cutlass at a WPA stalwart looking for parking in the New GT, he wondered whether the fella thought he was following Jesus who’d whipped those money changers??
Dead: Samesh Singh
Nigel Whyte
Christopher Garnett
2 major heavy-duty parking facilities under construction for lease in Region 6
…as Govt targets road hazards
The Government has announced plans to address derelict vehicles, stray animals, and the parking of heavy-duty machinery on roadways in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).
Parking facilities
During a press conference on Friday following a series of engagements with residents in the region, President Dr Irfaan Ali noted that one of the concerns raised was the parking of heavy-duty machinery on the roadways.
To address this matter, he announced that the Government will be developing two 30-acre parking facilities in the region for heavy-duty machinery and equipment. They are being established at Palmyra and Number 76 Village, and according to President Ali, they are nearing completion.
“We will have public spaces for lease so that this equipment can be off of the road, leading to road safety and also removing the encumbrance caused on the roadways,” he explained.
It was previously noted that similar facilities are being established in other parts of the country, including at Diamond, Region Four; Region Three; and along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.
Derelict vehicles
Another major issue impacting road safety is that of derelict vehicles on the roadways. According to
President Ali, “abandoned and derelict cars, buses, machinery, and trailers along the [road] corridors” will be removed and destroyed.
“This initiative includes the clearing and scrapping of derelict assets to ease roadside congestion, improve safety, and enhance the overall appearance of the roadway,” he noted.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Public Works announced the commencement of the initiative, which is being rolled out countrywide.
“We are giving notice to everyone: derelict vehicles, vehicles without wheels, doors, or vehicles with bush in it that have been abandoned on road shoulders will be removed, and it will be crushed into scrap at the Government’s derelict site on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway,” Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill had noted.
Streetlights & sidewalks
Meanwhile, President Ali also announced the installation of some 4500 streetlights and the construction of 160 kilometres of sidewalks with covered drainage.
He also announced the rollout of better road signage, traffic signals meeting global standards, modern road markings, and designated parking areas.
“Importantly, a diversion will be created at Rose Hall and Corriverton to avoid the existing congestion that we have,” he added.
Strays The issue of stray animals on the roadways will also be addressed, the President said.
“Management of strays on our roadways, the safety of our animals and the building out of facility to support the safety of our animals,” he noted.
Just a few months ago,
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had called on the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to have greater enforcement when it comes to unattended animals on the roadways.
“There are penalties already for the animals on the road, but they are not being enforced. So, clearly greater enforcement [is needed], particularly along the highways,” Jagdeo had noted.
An example of a parking facility for heavy-duty machinery
US$6M solar farm commissioned in Reg 6
Guyana’s push toward cleaner and more affordable energy took another major step forward on Friday with the commissioning of a US$6 million utility-scale solar farm at Hampshire on the Corentyne, Region (East Berbice-Corentyne). The facility, which delivers 3-megawatts-peak (MWp) of renewable power to the Berbice grid, is part of a national programme aimed at transforming the country’s energy matrix and reducing long-term dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The Hampshire installation is one of eight so-
lar farms being developed under the Guyana UtilityScale Solar Photovoltaic (GUYSOL) Programme, a US$83.3 million investment funded through the GuyanaNorway climate partnership, with implementation support from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB). The GUYSOL initiative will add 33 MWp of solar generation to Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) distributed as 8 MWp in Region Two, 10 MWp across Regions Five and Six, and 15 MWp in
Region 10. Located about one mile off the Hampshire Public Road, the 3 MW solar farm spans several acres and is engineered to meet international standards for durability and grid stability. Nearly 5000 photovoltaic (PV) panels have been installed on 900 steel piles designed to withstand extreme weather, including winds of up to 244 km/h. The project feeds electricity into the Berbice grid via a newly constructed 13.8-kilovolt (kV) transmission line and is expected to supply approximately 4800 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy each year. This will significantly reduce diesel consumption and lower operational costs for Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL).
Action, not rhetoric
In commissioning the facility on Friday, Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said the project demonstrates Guyana’s resolve to lead by action, not rhetoric, in the global transition to renewable energy. “This facility sends a clear message to our people, to Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and to the world, that Guyana is serious about transitioning to cleaner energy sources,” he declared. The PM noted that the solar farm was being commissioned at a time when world leaders are
gathered in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) discussing global climate commitments. He said Guyana continues to demonstrate that small developing states can contribute meaningfully to the fight against climate change, even as they remain net carbon sinks. “Guyana stores more carbon than we emit. Yet we continue to invest and act. Leadership is not what you claim, leadership is what you do, “he emphasised. Phillips stressed that while Guyana is advancing ambitious renewable-energy plans, the country cannot transition alone. He called for “fair, predictable and accessible climate financing” to help developing nations scale renewable projects while expanding their economies.
Long-term energy vision
Outlining the Government’s long-term energy vision, the PM said Guyana’s transition is guided
by three pillars;e natural gas as a reliable, low-emission transition fuel; hydropower as a sustainable source of base-load clean energy and distributed solar and wind for greater resilience and nationwide coverage.
“These pillars form a multi-lane highway. Solar, hydro, wind and natural gas, each lane carries us toward the same destination: affordable, reliable, low-carbon energy for a rapidly growing Guyana,” he said.
Phillips said energy demand on the national grid is projected to triple by 2028 compared to 2022 levels. “No single energy source can carry that load,” he cautioned, underscoring the need for diversification. The PM described the drive toward cheaper power not merely as an economic strategy, but a moral one. “Affordable energy is a form of social justice. When energy is costly and unreliable, families suffer. Children suffer. Small businesses suffer.” Lowering
the cost of electricity, he said, boosts productivity, stimulates economic growth and ensures that development reaches every region equitably.
“Confidence, momentum and hope” Phillips said the commissioning of the Hampshire solar farm represents “confidence, momentum and hope” as Guyana accelerates its energy transition. “This project is proof that Guyana’s transition is real, measurable and accelerating. It is not cosmetic. Every solar farm we switch on pushes us further toward a sustainable future where prosperity is shared,” the PM asserted. He also congratulated the contractors: SUMEC, Complete Equipment and Engineering Limited, and XJ Group, for completing the facility on schedule, and praised the IDB and the Government of Norway for their continued partnership.
The 3-MWp Solar Farm which was commissioned on Friday at Hampshire on the Corentyne, Region (East Berbice-Corentyne)
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips
“Beat-the-system” mentality must end – Pres Ali warns
As the Guyana Government continues to make significant investments in building a modern country and a system that consistently delivers excellent services to citizens, President Dr Irfaan Ali has affirmed that the attitude of “trying to beat the system” must be eradicated.
“Hear me now: a system is only as good as the peo-
ple who use the system. So, we can have the best system, but if you still want to find a way to beat the system, or if your only intention is to find the back door or the side door, then you will be contributing to the problems,” the President explained during an outreach in Region Six.
“So, you have a responsibility to do what is right
within the system, to follow the system, to work with the system. That is the only way the system can deliver. When those who are entrusted with managing the system and those who are using the system allow the system to function and the system to work,” he added.
For example, the President addressed the issue of bribery, even in the
Woman accused of defaming Govt Minister slapped with cybercrime charge …ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation, placed on $150,000 bail
The Lusignan woman who went on Facebook and made false allegations against Government Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar was on Friday charged under the Cyber Crime Act. Raywattie Kemraj appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution is contending that on November 19, at High Street, Georgetown, Kemraj knowingly disseminated false information online, resulting in embarrassment to the Indar. Kemraj’s attorney told the court that this was her first encounter with the law and that she has no other matters before any court. He assured the court that she is not a flight risk and would comply with all con-
Charged: Raywattie Kemraj
ditions imposed. He further raised concerns about his client’s mental health, explaining that both he and Kemraj’s family believe an independent psychiatric evaluation is necessary and would be important to her defence. The prosecutor ob-
jected to bail, citing the evidence in the matter and pointing out that Kemraj allegedly provided a different address to the police at the time of her arrest. He argued that this discrepancy suggested she might not return to court. In response, Kemraj’s attorney said the address given was related to her husband’s business.
Magistrate Singh noted that the case concerns Kemraj’s social media activity and stressed that someone will need to monitor her to ensure she does not repeat the behaviour. In addition to $150,000 bail, Kemraj was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, lodge her passport and report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters on the last Friday of every month. The matter was adjourned to December 17.
simplest form.
“You can’t want to turn up at 10 o’clock, and to get ahead of a line of 10 people, you decide you’re going to give the security guard a raise. That mindset must change, and that takes the collective effort of all of us,” he reasoned.
The same concept, he noted, applies to traffic matters. “You can’t want speed down the road; that is why we put in the electronic ticketing system, and when the Police stop you and, say, participate in some transaction that is illegal, you’re part of the problem,” he contended.
President Dr Irfaan Ali
Indian team to review Skeldon sugar estate reopening
…as Pres Ali vows to end “Panday mismanagement syndrome”
resident Dr Irfaan
PAli on Friday said that though the Government will continue to invest in the sugar industry, meaningful returns on those investments are essential, as he noted that a technical team from India is expected shortly to examine the proposed reopening of the Skeldon Estate, with the aim of producing 37,000 tonnes of sugar by 2030.
Speaking during a press conference held as part of his two-day Cabinet outreach to Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the President spoke about a number of measures that the Government will be implementing to improve the sugar industry as well as the wider agriculture industry.
“We are going to continue to invest, but we have to get the returns of our investment,” President Ali asserted, noting that the sugar industry remains a critical pillar of the Region Six economy.
He said that increasing production at the Albion and Rose Hall Estates is a priority, while the planned reviv-
al of Skeldon will integrate private farmers and introduce higher levels of modernisation and mechanisation across the industry.
According to the President, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is targeting 100 per cent field mechanisation by 2030, complemented by the deployment of quality spectral imaging drones to enhance crop monitoring and decision-making.
He also revealed that a local foreign joint venture has already submitted a proposal for the establishment of a sugar refinery as part of a wider push toward value addition within the industry.
Ali stressed that improved management will be central to these reforms. A performance matrix for GuySuCo managers is expected to be implemented next year, with non-performing officials to be removed.
“The Panday syndrome in GuySuCo must be removed,” he said, describing the term as symbolic of mismanagement that has long hindered the sector.
The President also outlined significant new initiatives to advance rice production and general agricultural diversification in Region Six and nationally. The Ministry of Agriculture, he announced, will expand support programmes that will bring 15,000 acres under new rice cultivation, introduce high-yielding varieties, and enhance seed-process-
ing capacity.
Additionally, the Government is pursuing an initiative aimed at reducing farmers’ production costs while opening access to 75,000 additional acres for rice cultivation.
As part of a diversification effort, Ali said the Government will be pushing to see at least one acre in every ten being dedicated to
alternative ventures such as livestock rearing, crab-cage farming, and high-value crops. Support will be provided to farmers transitioning into these areas, he added.
Extension services are also set for an overhaul, with 24/7 support facilitated through modern technology and precision agriculture tools. According to
the President, the launch of a new digital information platform, the “Palm App”, will give farmers direct access to extension officers, educational material, and real-time assistance from the field. Service delivery will be tracked to ensure accountability.
Ali also praised the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) for its performance in Region Six but emphasised that more improvements are coming. The ongoing construction of the Hope-like canals, he said, will significantly strengthen the region’s flood resilience and agricultural capacity.
The project includes 42.2 kilometres (km) of flood embankment, 102.2 km of internal drains, and the installation of two high-level sluices, along with an additional pump station at 45/46 Village. To date, more than $7 billion has been invested. The completed system will support another 15,000 acres of farmland and provide flood protection for 55,000 acres of agricultural and residential land.
Road Safety Council concerned about drivers with poor eyesight, health issues
As minibuses and hire cars navigate Guyana’s congested roadways each day, commuters place their safety in the hands of drivers they assume are fully capable. However, road-safety officials have warned that this assumption is increasingly uncertain. During a recent televised road safety programme, Chairman of the National Road Safety Council Earl Lambert highlighted that some public transport drivers are nearsighted, some are colour-blind and others face health issues that can slow their reflexes. Currently, there is no standardised system to ensure that drivers transporting dozens of passengers daily are physically fit to operate their vehicles. As a result, he said the Road Safety Council is now targeting the problem head-on, starting with a fair at one of the country’s busiest public-transport hubs.
“For the rest of the
Chairman
of the National Road Safety Council, Earl Lambert
month, we have some activities planned. We have a fair at the Stabroek Square, where we want to look at public transportation drivers, their eyesight. There are some drivers who are nearsighted, but they’re working. Some of them are colour-blind; they can’t see colours properly, like the traffic lights,” he explained during a recent National Road Safety Month panel
discussion.
The checks will be voluntary, but Lambert believes they can make a decisive difference. “So, we want to have them medically checked voluntarily. We’re not forcing anybody, but we feel it can help,” he added.
Traffic Education Officer at Traffic Headquarters, Inspector Richard Trotz, explained that on a normal day, those limitations may go unnoticed. But at 80 kilometres an hour (km/h), with a full bus and a busy junction ahead, poor eyesight and colour-blindness can turn into instant tragedy. Against that backdrop of speed and impatience, officials said, a driver who cannot properly judge distance at night, or who struggles to distinguish red from green at a traffic light, becomes a hidden danger to everyone else. As such, they are encouraging drivers to participate in the Road Safety Council’s fairs to avoid future disasters.
The Skeldon Sugar Estate
16-year-old dies as minibus topples on Corentyne Road
…teacher among others
critically injured
A16-year-old student of Bush Lot Secondary, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), is now dead following an incident involving a minibus carrying students home on Friday afternoon.
Dead is Jodea Seline.
Police confirmed that the student of Limlair Village passed away at the Number 75 Hospital while receiving medical attention. Up to press time, the police had only reported that the bus in which the students crashed, resulting in several students being rushed to the said
medical facility. Regional Police Commander Assistant Commissioner Shivpersaud Bacchus said the crash occurred at Number 63 Village, and the driver was in a serious condition.
This publication was also told that a teacher is also in a serious condition.
Reports are that the children were returning from school athletics sports at Corriverton. Villagers said the bus driver tried to swerve from a horse on the road, resulting the bus toppling and injuring several of its occupants.
GECOM Commissioner
Sase Gunraj heads CARICOM’s mission for St Vincent elections
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has deployed a 10-member Election Observation Mission (CEOM) to monitor the General Elections in St Vincent and the Grenadines, scheduled for November 27, 2025.
The mission was fielded following an invitation from the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines in a letter dated October 2, 2025. Observers will be in the country from November 20 to 29.
The CEOM includes senior electoral officials from seven CARICOM Member States, supported by three staff members from the CARICOM Secretariat who will handle administrative and logistical functions. The mission is led by Chief of Mission Sase Gunraj, Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission.
Other members of the delegation are Clovis St Romain, Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission; Justice Arthur Eugene Holder, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Barbados; Anthea Joseph, Chief Elections Officer, Dominica; Karina Nicola Thomas, Systems Administrator, Grenada Parliamentary Elections Office; Dorinnie Irma, Independent Electoral Council, Suriname; and Gillian Macintyre, Elections and Boundaries Commission, Trinidad and Tobago. CARICOM Secretariat support staff comprise Shae-Alicia Lewis, Programme Manager; Irvin Brown, Project Officer; and Serojnie Seetaram, Senior Secretary.
In a statement on Friday, Caricom said that the Core Group, including the Chief of Mission and Secretariat staff, arrived on November 20, with the remaining observers expected by November 23.
Chief of Mission Sase Gunraj, Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission
Since their arrival, the CEOM has met with representatives of the New Democratic Party, the National Liberation Movement, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union, the Voice of the Disabled, and members of the media.
In the days ahead, the team will meet Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, Supervisor of Elections Dora James, Commissioner of Police Enville Williams, and other political and civil society stakeholders. These consultations aim to provide insight into the pre-election environment and assess preparations for the polls.
On Election Day, observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, closing procedures, the counting of ballots, and the declaration of results. The mission will also observe the immediate post-election period.
A preliminary statement outlining the mission’s initial assessment will be released after Election Day and ahead of the team’s departure on November 29. A final comprehensive report will later be submitted to CARICOM SecretaryGeneral Dr Carla Barnett and made public.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Sonia Parag, on Friday evening said “it is with a heavy heart that we mourn the tragic passing this evening of young Jodea Seline, who attended Central Corentyne Secondary School. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and relatives and pray that you find strength at this very sad time.” She said
that the Education Ministry and the entire Government continue to engage the doctors and staff of the No. 75 Hospital as they care for and monitor the other students and teachers involved in the accident. In August, a nineyear-old boy, Sahil Naipaul, a student of Crabwood
Creek Primary School, was killed in a hit-and-run accident while on his way home from a shop.
In April, a truck driver lost control and crashed into a Guyana Power & Light (GPL) utility pole, a shop, and the fence of a nursery school on the Manchester public road. There were no injuries to anyone at the school, but the driver was arrested, and in March, a ninemonth-old baby girl died in a hit-and-run accident on the Line Path Public Road. Her teenage mother also died and her father was critically injured.
Sweeping reform as Pres Ali...
New acreage
In addition to the lands already surveyed, the Government is moving to open up even more acreage. “The new acreage that we are pursuing totals 24,000 acres. So, these are the lands that are available and that we are pursuing at the moment,” President Ali disclosed. He noted that several areas are also being prepared for regularisation to give long-standing occupants secure titles.
“Liverpool, we have 52 plots where regularisation will have been completed. Manchester Second Depth, we have 59 plots completed. Then we have Number 50 Village, Leeds. The work here is completed, and it’s now before the land court,” he said. Acknowledging that GL&SC is currently burdened by a heavy workload, the President announced that additional resources will be deployed specifically to Region Six to fast-track outstanding cases. “The first is that we recognise the burdensome load that is before the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. We’re therefore going to expand the capacity of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission with a special project team that will look at all outstanding applications here for Region Six.”
Titles
He also promised long-awaited titles for residents of Number 46 Village who have been living on land for generations. “Seventy families of Number 46 Village have been living on lands for generations, dating back to
over 100 years will get titles for those lands before June 2026,” Ali said, noting that more than 25 of those titles should be ready by the end of January 2026. The President stressed that the State is bearing all the costs of these transactions. “It’s important… that the state has borne and will continue to bear all of the costs related to these transactions,” he said. “The legal fees, the surveying fees, the filing fees, and the acquisition.”
Defunct co-ops
Meanwhile, noting that defunct co-ops hold hundreds of acres, President Ali identified these defunct co-operative societies as one of the most troublesome land issues in the region. Many of these entities still hold leases for large tracts of land that are now occupied by residents without legal documentation.
The third issue which is a very difficult issue in this region, and we must admit this, is that dozens of co-op
societies have become defunct. They own or have in their possession hundreds of acres of land that persons have been occupying without leases,” the President said. “We have to take steps now to vest these leases in the occupants’ names,” he added. However, the Head of State pointed out that legal disputes over ownership are slowing down block surveys and delaying the issuance of titles. “Almost on a weekly basis, there is a legal filing, there are controversies, there are challenges to land ownership. Two conflicts in an entire block can hold up the entire block, the leases or titles for that entire block,” Ali noted.
To break the logjam, the Government will move to conduct detailed on-theground surveys with community participation. “In this regard, we now would set up a special team to conduct an occupational survey with the inclusion of communities themselves and
grant leases from the master lease. This will bring the leases in line with lawful land occupation,” the President explained. He added that the Cabinet will appoint a subcommittee to deal specifically with land disputes and regularisation efforts in Region Six. “This subcommittee will be working on the ground to receive reports on all challenges and issues that will help us to make informed decisions,” Ali said. By clearing the 289 applications, opening up thousands of acres for agriculture and settlement, regularising long-standing occupations, and fixing problems caused by defunct co-ops, Ali said his administration aims to ensure that land distribution in Region Six is people-centred and guided by fairness and legality. “No issue must be allowed to escape the loop of Government,” he told reporters. “We are closing that loop in a very comprehensive and integrated way.”
The minibus that was involved in the accident
Dead: Jodea Seline
Upskill or be left behind – Public Service Minister tells Berbicians
Guyana’s newly established Public Service, Government Efficiency, and Implementation Ministry has outlined an ambitious programme to modernise public services and prepare citizens for the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy. Minister Zulfikar Ally, who has been in office for just one month, made this disclosure on Thursday during a Government outreach at State House in New Amsterdam. Ally urged Berbicians to take full advantage of the extensive, free educational and training opportunities now available through Government platforms, including the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), the University of Guyana (UG) and the Coursera online learning portal, which was launched nationwide in 2024.
“These are opportunities people all over the world are paying for. Imagine, it is free to you, and many of you are not aware of it. If you don’t take advantage of these op-
portunities, you are going to be left behind.” He disclosed that two weeks ago, the Government expanded Coursera to include a specialised platform for public servants aimed at preparing them for technological, administrative, and service-delivery reforms that will soon reshape Guyana’s workforce.
Digital age
Ally stressed that Guyanese must become more responsible users of social media and digital tools. He explained how platforms track users’ habits and deliver content based on what they stop and view, encouraging citizens to deliberately expose themselves to information that benefits their families, such as Government scholarship and training opportunities.
“You can choose to scroll and admire luxury cars on Facebook, or you can go to the Ministry’s page, stop for five seconds, and start receiving all the opportunities available for you, your children, and your grandchil-
dren,” he told the gathering,
One of the biggest announcements was the Government’s aggressive push to digitise the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), a source of long-standing public frustration due to missing records, long lines, and poor customer experience.
The President, he said,
has given his Ministry and the Ministry of Finance eight months to complete the digitisation. “What this means is that you will wake up one morning, and instead of wondering if you need to leave home at six to catch a line, you will simply download the NIS app. You will check your contribu-
tions, apply for compliance, and access services without even turning over in your bed,” Minister Ally explained.
He emphasised that digitisation is not a campaign promise but a mandate already being implemented.
Government services
Ally said the Government is also preparing to launch an appointment app that will allow citizens to book appointments at any Government agency, preventing wasted time and unnecessary travel. “We are making sure that throughout this region, Government service will come to you. You should not have to go to Georgetown or travel across New Amsterdam to access simple services.”
On the implementation side, he said the Ministry will ensure that citizens receive value for money from Government projects. A new national digital dashboard, already operational, will allow the President and sector Ministers to monitor construction and service-deliv-
ery activities across all regions in real time.
“If a contractor decides he is not going to work today, or an engineer says he has no time to visit a site, we will know; we are putting systems in place to hold every single person accountable.” Meanwhile, the Minister also reminded residents that major industrial development is coming to Berbice, which will bring thousands of new jobs requiring at least basic computer literacy and digital competency.
“There is a whole industrial zone coming. Even if you cook for a living, even if you run a small business, you must upskill yourself. These opportunities are free; take them. Our President is thinking about you day and night. He is putting systems in place to address every problem you face. Don’t be left behind. Go on the apps, go on the website, register, and start learning. Together, we are going to change the culture of our country,” Ally said.
ERC expands Harmony Club to St Ambrose Primary
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Thursday launched its fourth Harmony Club Pilot at St Ambrose Primary School, further strengthening the Commission’s ongoing efforts, undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to introduce the clubs to primary schools across Georgetown.
According to the ERC, this launch follows the recent establishment of Harmony Clubs at Stella Maris, St Gabriel’s, and Comenius Primary Schools.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission, ERC
Commissioner Reverend Rodwell Porter, himself a past student of St Ambrose Primary, highlighted the importance of fostering respectful relationships among people of different backgrounds.
“Harmony begins with understanding, and understanding begins with education. In a country as beautifully diverse as Guyana, it is important that our children learn about all the cultures, races, and religions that sur-
round them. That is why establishing these Harmony Clubs is so vital; they create opportunities for learning, for respect, and for the kind of tolerance that allows us to live peacefully with one another.”
He said while encouraging the students to practise the same openness and understanding learnt from the clubs, not only with their classmates but in their homes and communities as well.
District Education Officer (Georgetown),
Wendy Johnson, representing the Ministry of Education, emphasised that the Harmony Club’s objectives align strongly with her Ministry’s mission.
“The Harmony Club is formed to enhance unity, love and peace. All of those teachings are aligned with the education being provided by the Ministry,” she said, while extending her appreciation to the ERC for its ongoing partnership in developing these clubs in schools.
St Ambrose Senior Mistress (ag), Mariska Williams, expressed gratitude for the initiative and its value to the school community.
“Today’s [Thursday] launching means a lot to us at St Ambrose Primary School because promoting harmony means coexisting peacefully with others through cooperation, respect and balance. Promoting harmony is nothing strange to the school system because the children have knowledge about the ethnic groups, their way of life and contributions to Guyana,” she noted. She further added that having an established club structure will create more opportunities for meaningful engagement and learning that celebrate diversity. Harmony Clubs are in-
tended to offer a safe, supportive and engaging environment where young pupils can learn about the diverse cultures, religions and ethnic groups that shape Guyana. Through guided activities, games, cultural exchanges and interactive sessions, students will be encouraged to appreciate shared values, embrace differences, and work collaboratively towards peaceful coexistence. The schools participating in the ERC’s Pilot Programme will help establish the foundation for club operations, engagement modules, and student-led initiatives.
ERC Harmony Club Launch on Thursday
Students and teachers flanked by ERC Commissioners – St Ambrose Primary
Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Minister, Zulfikar Ally
Police step up school outreach
Students, parents, and teachers of Paradise Kid’s World on Thursday visited the Cove and John Police Station, East Coast of Demerara (ECD), where they were given an overview of the station’s operations and the functions of various departments.
Ranks at the station outlined their day-to-day responsibilities and explained how the Guyana Police Force works to maintain safety within communities.
During the engagement, officers highlighted the im-
portance of building early, positive relationships between children and the Police Force. They noted that such initiatives help young people understand the role of the Police as both protectors and partners in promoting public safety.
Parents and teachers who participated in the tour described the activity as informative and valuable, praising the officers for their professionalism and willingness to engage with the children. They said the interaction helped the students develop a clearer understanding of Police work and fostered greater trust in law enforcement.
Sergeant Caleb conducted a demonstration of the kerb drill exercise, offering the children a practical look at Police drills and procedures.
Meanwhile, on Friday last, Superintendent R Nedd, Inspector Austin, and other ranks conducted an outreach and lecture session at Three Miles Secondary School, Bertica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Students from various grade levels attended the pro-
gramme, which covered a number of topics.
Inspector Austin and Sergeant Wilson presented on road safety, traffic rules, and regulations. Woman Constable Seeram discussed cybercrime and legal procedures, while Superintendent Nedd spoke on the Juvenile Delinquent Act, the role of the Childcare and Protection Agency, the DARE initiative, communication, conflict resolution, and future career options.
A question-and-answer session followed, allowing students to seek clarification on the presentations. Officers reported that all questions were addressed.
Meanwhile, as part of the 2025/2026 Road Safety Theme, “Careful Driving Saves Lives”, a separate road safety session was held on Thursday last at Happy Acre Nursery and Primary
School in Haslington. The lecture was conducted by Sergeant Wilson and Lance Corporal Applesammy of the Regional Division Four C Headquarters Education Department. Students were instructed on several road safety principles, including the proper use of pedestrian crossings, understanding traffic lights, walking on the right side of the road, and avoiding play on roadways. Officers also stressed the need to obey parents and teachers and to refrain from fighting. A practical demonstration was conducted, allowing students to practise safe road-crossing techniques. Five road safety magazines were donated to the school. Approximately 75 students and 11 teachers attended the session. Officers said several questions were raised by students, and all were responded to.
Students, parents, and teachers of Paradise Kid’s World during their visit to the Cove and John Police Station, East Coast of Demerara
Lecture session conducted at Three Miles Secondary School by a team of Police ranks
Lecture at Happy Acre Nursery and Primary School, Haslington, North East Coast Demerara
UNDP supports GECOM’s participation in technical cooperation mission to Ecuador
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its Electoral Support Project in Guyana and Ecuador, supported a technical cooperation mission aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of the Guyana Elections
Commission (GECOM). The mission took place in Ecuador, from November 13 to 18, 2025.
According to the UNDP, the visit enabled senior GECOM officials to engage directly with their counterparts at the Consejo Nacional Electoral del
Ecuador (CNE) during the country’s national referendum on November 17, 2025. This engagement offered valuable, first-hand exposure to electoral processes in real time and created space for in-depth exchange on effective practices in electoral management.
Hurricane Melissa’s devastation Fresh CARICOM call made urgent climate action, stronger regional trade resilience
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett says the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa when it passed through the region in late October, underscores the urgency of addressing the existential threats posed by climate change.
Addressing the 61st regular meeting of the Caricom Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), Barnett spoke also of the Council’s critical role in advancing regional trade and economic resilience even as the 15-member regional grouping continues to experience climate-related shocks.
Hurricane Melissa tore into Jamaica on October 28, leaving 45 people dead, 15 others missing and an estimated US$9 billion in damage. Earlier this week, four Caricom leaders paid a visit to the island in what has been described as a tangible demonstration of regional solidarity and a catalyst for
additional support.
The Category 5 storm also affected Haiti and Cuba.
“The experience leaves us in no doubt about the urgency of addressing the existential threats posed by climate change and the need to redouble our efforts to build resilience and foster sustainable development across our region,” Barnett told the COTED meeting.
“Strengthening our trade and economic performance is a critical part of this, and COTED must continue to play its important role in this regard,” she said, adding she is “encouraged to see that the agenda of this COTED include important initiatives that will help us to respond collectively and strategically to these challenges as well as continue the push for growth that the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is intended to help us realise.
The CSME allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and finance
across the grouping.
Chair of the meeting, and Belize Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Marconi Leal, emphasised the central role of COTED in addressing issues of trade and economic development.
“We are meeting amidst complex global geopolitical and domestic challenges that are testing the resilience of individual member states and the Community at large.
“The recent passage of Hurricane Melissa provided another stark reminder of the region’s extreme vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.,” he said, highlighting the Council’s consideration of key CSME initiatives, including advancing the free movement of Caricom nationals, implementation of the Community’s Industrial Policy and Strategy 2035 and support measures for the application of Article 164 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. (CMC)
The GECOM delegation included the Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud, and four senior personnel. This South–South cooperation initiative, the UNDP said, supports the modernisation and strengthening of GECOM’s institutional capacity in key areas, including electoral operations, logistics, civic and voter education, disability inclusion, and results transmission.
As electoral systems evolve globally, modernisation of voter registration, information systems, polling procedures, and accountability frameworks has become increasingly critical. Technical exchanges such as this ensure that electoral authorities have access to state-of-the-art expertise and sound management practices. The cooperation between Guyana and Ecuador directly con-
tributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. By facilitating the sharing of practical knowledge and fostering institutional development, the mission reinforces broader efforts to promote peaceful, transparent, and inclusive electoral processes in Guyana.
GECOM Officials (Left to Right); Khalid Baksh – IT Director, Delon Clarke – Logistics Director, Nardeo Persaud – Civic and Voter Education Director, Vishnu Persaud –Chief Elections Officer, and Gansham Dwarka – Personal Assistant to the CEO
Brazil's agricultural research agency gets cannabis research green light
Brazilian agricultural research agen -
cy Embrapa has received the green light from health agency Anvisa to research the cannabis plant, a landmark move that puts farming powerhouse Brazil a step closer towards authorising its cultivation.
In an interview on Friday, Embrapa researcher Daniela Bittencourt welcomed Anvisa's decision this week, which gives the agency unprecedented permission to build its first-ever cannabis seed bank and develop projects to genetically improve the plant for various applica -
tions.
Embrapa will also research hemp used to produce fibres, Bittencourt said.
"This is only the beginning," Bittencourt said by telephone from Brasilia. "Our plan is to carry out research for 12 years, but it may possibly go on forever, like what happens with soy and corn."
Similar research efforts from Embrapa since the 1970s opened up vast regions of Brazil for largescale soybean farming, kicking off a significant increase in the country's output of the oilseed to make it the world's largest pro -
ducer and exporter.
Embrapa scientists, who breed genetic varieties of grains, cotton and vegetables best suited for Brazil's tropical climate, applied in September of 2024 for authorisation from health agency Anvisa to carry out cannabis research.
Embrapa's work may also grab international attention from cannabis companies, which have shown interest in Brazil's potential for the development and domestic sale of medicinal and industrial cannabis products for a long time. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Former President Jair Bolsonaro asks to serve house arrest in Brazil
Lawyers for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have asked Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to allow him to serve his 27-year sentence under house arrest, citing health concerns.
According to a document reviewed by the Reuters news agency on Friday, Bolsonaro’s lawyers said the 70-yearold former president’s recurring intestinal issues would make imprisonment life-threatening.
He had been stabbed in the stomach while campaigning in the state of Minas Gerais in 2018.
“It is certain that keep -
ing the petitioner in a prison environment would pose a concrete and immediate risk to his physical integrity and even his life,” the document said. It asked for house arrest on humanitarian grounds. In September, Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison by a fivejudge panel from Brazil’s Supreme Court. He was convicted of plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election to leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The former right-wing leader has already been under house arrest for violating precautionary
T&T: Woman detained for telling Venezuela to attack PM’s private home
Adetention order has been issued for a woman who posted an image of the Prime Minister’s Philippine home on social media, calling on Venezuela to target it.
The order, which was made on November 12 and gazetted yesterday, said that Olive Green-Jack should be held for her social media post.
The order stated that Green-Jack “made and published public posts and/or comments on social media addressed to the Venezuelan Government in an attempt to influence public opinion in a manner likely to be prejudicial to public safety.”
It added that the posts and comments invited violence on the Prime Minister, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and members of the public by Venezuela and/or external persons, which revealed “an imminent threat to public safety”.
Green-Jack, of Sargangar Trace, Morne Coco Road, Diego Martin, will be held at
the Women’s Prison as part of the detention order. Hers was one of four detention orders signed by Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander. The others included Vishnu “Rishi” Kalpoo of Iros Road, Chatham, and Ibis Street, Fanny Village, Point Fortin; Tyreek Romeo of 19th Street, Beetham Gardens; and Gerome Awai, also called Jerome “Bush” Awai, of Church Street, Petit
Valley, for being members of an organised crime group (OCG).
Awai was identified as the leader of the “Valley Monsters”, which is connected to other larger gangs such as the “Richplain Gang” and the “9 Gang”, with a cache of high-powered firearms, and is said to be responsible for murders, armed robberies, and narcotics and firearms trafficking. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Six dead as Jamaica experiences outbreak of leptospirosis
Jamaica is presently experiencing an outbreak of leptospirosis with nine confirmed cases.
There have also been 28 suspected and/or probable cases as of October 30, with six deaths reported from among the suspected cases.
Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton made the announcement Friday morning during a press briefing to provide an update on the health sector’s response in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
measures in a separate case, in which he allegedly courted United States interference to halt the criminal proceedings against him.
Court sources said Bolsonaro’s arrest appeared imminent after the Supreme Court panel earlier this month unanimously rejected an appeal filed by the former president’s legal team.
His lawyers said they would file a new appeal, but they argued that, if it is also rejected, Bolsonaro should begin serving his sentence under house arrest once all appeals are exhausted. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
He said cases or suspected cases have been reported across eight parishes.
The health and wellness minister noted that the number “represents significantly more cases than the two to 21 cases observed in the preceding 34 months.
“The outbreak follows the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which has created conditions that have increased the risk of exposure to contaminated water and soil,” Tufton said.
He noted that it is a significant public health risk
following heavy rainfall, flooding or any major disaster, pointing out that “the bacteria that causes the disease thrives in water contaminated by the urine of infected animals, in particular rats, but also cats, dogs and livestock”.
He is imploring persons, in particular those taking part in the clean-up exercise in the aftermath of the hurricane, to take extreme caution by, among other things, wearing the proper protective gear. (Jamaica Observer)
Colombian scientists recover first treasures from “holy grail of shipwrecks”
Acannon, three coins and a porcelain cup are among the first objects recovered by Colombian scientists from the depths of the Caribbean Sea, where the legendary Spanish galleon San José sank in 1708 after being attacked by a British fleet.
The recovery is part of a scientific investigation authorised by the Government last year to study the wreckage and the causes of the sinking. Colombian researchers located the galleon in 2015, leading to legal
and diplomatic disputes. Its exact location is a state secret.
The San José was returning to Europe with treasures to help fund the War of the Spanish Succession when it was sunk by a British squadron close to the Caribbean port city of Cartagena.
The ship, known as the “holy grail of shipwrecks”, is believed to hold 11m gold and silver coins, emeralds and other precious cargo from Spanish-controlled colonies, which could be worth billions of dollars if ever recovered.
President Gustavo Petro’s Government has said the purpose of the deep-water expedition is research and not the treasure’s seizure. Colombia’s culture ministry said in a statement on Thursday that the cannon, coins and porcelain cup would undergo a conservation process at a laboratory dedicated to the expedition. The wreckage is 600 metres (almost 2000 ft) below the surface. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Former President Jair Bolsonaro stands with his children and Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas at his home in Brasilia, Brazil
Around the World Palestinians forced from West Bank refugee camps left in limbo as Israeli demolitions go on
OOil prices settle down at lowest in a month as US seeks Russia-Ukraine peace
deal
il prices eased about one per cent on Friday to settle at one-month lows as the US pushed for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal that could boost global oil supplies, while uncertainty over US interest rates curbed investors' risk appetite.
Brent futures fell 82 cents, or 1.3 per cent, to settle at US$62.56 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slid 94 cents, or 1.6 per cent, to settle at US$58.06.
Both crude benchmarks were down about three per cent for the week and at their lowest settlements since October 21.
Market sentiment turned bearish as Washington pushed for a peace plan between Ukraine and Russia to end the three-year war, while sanctions on Russian oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil were set to take effect on Friday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned on Friday that Ukraine risked losing its dignity and freedom – or Washington’s backing – over a Washington peace plan that is a proposal US President Donald Trump said Kyiv should accept within a week.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that US proposals for peace in Ukraine could be the basis of a resolution of the conflict but that if Kyiv turned down the plan, then Russian forces would advance further.
A peace deal could allow Russia to export more fuel. Russia was the second-biggest producer of crude oil in the world after the US in 2024, according to US federal energy data. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Ukraine faces “difficult choice” as Trump demands acceptance of peace plan
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned on Friday that Ukraine risked losing its dignity and freedom – or Washington’s backing – over a US peace plan that endorses key Russian demands, a proposal Donald Trump said Kyiv should accept within a week.
The US President told Fox News Radio he believed Thursday was an appropriate deadline for Kyiv to accept the plan, confirming what two sources told Reuters.
Trump later told reporters that time was short given the approaching winter and need to end the bloodshed and that Zelenskyy would have to approve the plan.
"He'll have to like it, and
if he doesn't like it, then you know, they should just keep fighting, I guess," he said.
Washington's 28-point plan calls on Ukraine to cede territory, accept limits to its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO. It also contains some proposals Moscow may object to and requires its forces to pull back from some areas they have captured, according to a draft seen by Reuters.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who has previously refused to budge on Russia's key territorial and security demands, said on Friday the US plan could be the basis of a final resolution of the nearly fouryear-old conflict. (Excerpt from Reuters)
The Israeli military launched "Operation Iron Wall" in late January, sending troops and armour into Nur Shams and two other refugee camps in the northern West Bank to tackle Palestinian armed groups it said were responsible for attacks on Israeli soldiers and Jewish settlers.
The operation followed a largely unsuccessful attempt by the Palestinian Authority to quell the activities of local gunmen, many of them affiliated with Hamas or Palestinian
Islamic Jihad, in the parts of the West Bank where it governs and controls security.
By the end of February, the three camps had been
all but emptied in the largest displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank since Israel occupied the territory in the 1967 Six
Day War.
Ten months on, at least
32,000 residents of the three camps still don't know when they will be allowed to return to their homes.
When that moment finally comes, many will find they no longer have homes to go back to.
Human Rights Watch says Israel has demolished 850 homes and other buildings across all three camps.
Other estimates rate the extent of the damage much higher. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Red Cross to cut 2900 jobs, slash budget as donors reduce support
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will impose deep cuts to its operations in 2026, slashing almost one-fifth of its annual budget and shedding 2900 jobs as global donors retreat from humanitarian financing.
“We face a dangerous convergence of escalating armed conflicts, significant cuts to aid funding and a systemic tolerance for grave breaches of international humanitarian law,” ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said in a statement on Friday.
The organisation confirmed that its spending will fall to $2.2bn, warning
that the wider aid sector is facing a “financial crisis of unprecedented proportions”.
cial reality is forcing us to make difficult decisions to ensure we can continue to deliver critical humanitarian assistance to those who need it most.” Governments are diverting budgets towards defence and security, leaving humanitarian agencies scrambling to sustain programmes while conflict, displacement and need continue to escalate.
“The ICRC remains committed to working on the front lines of conflict, where few others can operate,” Spoljaric insisted, but warned that “the finan -
A spokesperson said the US remains the ICRC’s largest donor but has reduced its contributions this year, mirroring funding drops from other traditional backers, including the UK and Germany.
The shift comes as Washington overhauls foreign assistance under President Donald Trump, whose “America First” agenda has reshaped spending priorities. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
1700-year-old Roman sarcophagus unearthed,
revealing treasures buried with woman of "higher social status"
Aremarkably well-preserved Roman sarcophagus has been unearthed in Hungary's capital, offering a rare window into the life of the young woman inside and the world she inhabited around 1700 years ago.
The sarcophagus was untouched by looters and sealed for centuries. It was found with its stone lid fixed in place, secured by metal clamps and molten lead.
When researchers carefully lifted the lid, they uncovered a complete skeleton surrounded by dozens of artefacts.
"The peculiarity of the finding is that it was a hermetically sealed sarcophagus. It was not disturbed previously, so it was intact," said Gabriella Fényes, the excavation's lead archaeologist.
Archaeologists with the Budapest History Museum
discovered the limestone coffin during a large-scale excavation in Óbuda, a northern district of the city that once formed part of Aquincum, a bustling Roman settlement on the Danube frontier.
The coffin lay among the ruins of abandoned houses in a quarter of Aquincum vacated in the third century and later repurposed as a burial ground. Nearby, researchers uncovered a Roman aqueduct and eight simpler
graves, but none approached the richness or pristine condition of the sealed tomb.
Keeping with Roman funerary customs, the sarcophagus held an array of objects: two completely intact glass vessels, bronze figures and 140 coins. A bone hairpin, a piece of amber jewellery and traces of gold-threaded fabric, along with the size of the skeleton, point to the grave belonging to a young woman.
(Excerpt from CBS News)
Nigeria reels after second mass school abduction in a week
Unknown gunmen have abducted an unidentified number of students from a Catholic school in central Nigeria, the second mass abduction in the country in a week.
The latest kidnapping, in the Papiri community in Niger State, came against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s threat to intervene militarily to end a “Christian genocide”, which the Nigerian Government
has denied is happening.
Abubakar Usman, the state Government secretary, said in a statement, “The Niger state Government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St Mary’s School in the Agwara local Government area.”
Dauda Chekula, 62, said that four of his grandchildren, ranging in age from seven to 10, were among the
schoolchildren abducted.
“We don’t know what is happening now, because we have not heard anything since this morning,” Chekula told the Associated Press. “The children who were able to escape have scattered. Some of them ran back to their houses, and the only information we are getting is that the attackers are still moving with the remaining children into the bush.”
Niger, the biggest of the country’s 36 states, runs west from the capital, Abuja, to neighbouring Benin. The incident in the early hours of Friday is the third documented mass school abduction in the state in the last decade. In the last attack in Niger State, in May 2021, 135 pupils were abducted from an Islamic seminary, six of whom died while being held. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
The Israeli military says it needed to demolish buildings in Nur Shams and two other camps to "open new access routes"
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his wife, Olena, attend a commemoration ceremony in Kyiv, Ukraine
A Red Cross vehicle operates in an area within the so-called "yellow line" to which Israeli troops withdrew under the ceasefire
Check every detail thoroughly. False information is apparent, and if you act in haste or don’t do your due diligence, you will pay the price. Trust in you and your ability to get things done. Relying on others will result in disappointment and time restrictions. Keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself for the time being.
Find your voice, speak up, and determine where you are best to allocate your time. Working by yourself is favored and will ward off untimely problems with someone who pushes your emotional buttons. You are overdue for a personal change. Consider what will bring optimal results that boost your confidence. Romance is in the stars.
Put pressure on yourself and those around you to do what’s right and best for the collective. Your leadership ability will help you move forward quickly. Keep your emotions in check when dealing with legal, financial, or medical issues. Avoid unnecessary spending. Offer your time and skills, not a donation. Travel, communication, and helping others are favored.
You’re in a good spot. Look around and you’ll recognize how positive changes can inject energy and enthusiasm into your journey. Don’t ponder over a past you cannot change when the future looks bright and the time to act is now. It’s up to you to choose what you want and make it happen.
Pick and choose your venues by what you get back in return. Opportunities are apparent, but it’s up to you to recognize the possibilities and manipulate what transpires to suit your needs. It’s up to you to put pressure on those in charge and to offer solutions that are undeniably worthwhile. It’s your turn to shine.
It will be one step forward and three steps back if you try to do the impossible. Step back, rethink your plans, and initiate change that you can manage without outside assistance. Sometimes a little goes a long way. Pace yourself, fine-tune your skills to meet demands, and forge ahead. It’s yourself you must please, not others.
Pay attention to what’s unfolding. Focus your energy on home improvements that enhance your comfort or help you budget wisely. Don’t hesitate to entertain guests or to network with people who can help you connect with others who share your concerns, interests, or path in life. An energetic schedule will encourage better health and new beginnings.
Learn from experience, listening, and engaging in trips or reunions that prompt you to review the past and revise the future. A positive transformation is within reach; all you must do is let your instincts kick in and lead the way. Updating how you present yourself mentally and physically will pay off. Romance is favored.
Play to win and you’ll gain the advantage necessary to outmaneuver anyone trying to compete with you. Step back, take a closer look, and read the room. You have plenty to gain if you let your intuition guide you and your charm lead the way. Emotional deception is apparent, and domestic situations are changeable.
Participation will be eye-opening. How you envision spending your time and what you expect to get in return will change your perspective regarding how you move forward. Take an active role in getting what you want. Take control, lead the way, and make a statement with words and actions. An encounter will lead to a remarkable opportunity.
Use your connections, intelligence, and money wisely. Refuse to let outside influences lead you astray. Refuse to deviate from your original plans to please someone else. Take responsibility for your happiness and head down the path that brightens your day. Pay more attention to how you live and create a space that motivates you.
Slow down, take a moment to evaluate and to contemplate your next move. Time is on your side; you’re best to take a waitand-see approach if you want to avoid loss. Look inward, focus on learning, research, and adopting a healthier lifestyle. Spend more time on self-improvement and less on trying to change others.
ARCHIE
England’s own all-pace attack took the field. With Usman Khawaja unable to open after suffering back stiffness while fielding, Australia were forced into a reshuffled top order. Marnus
After a long and heavily hyped build-up, the opening Ashes Test erupted into a frenetic, gripping contest on a lively Perth Stadium pitch, where pace dominated and momentum swung wildly. By stumps, England remarkably held the upper hand on a day when an extraordinary 19 wickets tumbled before a crowd of 51,531.
Australia seized control early thanks to Mitchell Starc, who delivered one of the finest spells of his career. Leading an attack missing Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Starc tore through England with career-best figures of 7 for 58, skittling them for just 172.
In the lead-up he had expressed doubts about the so-called Perth “green monster” and reiterated his preference for the Gabba as a series opener, but the surface proved perfect for his brand of fast, skiddy leftarm pace. Operating consistently around 145 kph, he found movement, bounce, and enough seam to leave England’s batters reeling.
Yet the match flipped dramatically when
Labuschagne joined debutant Jake Weatherald, who had earlier received his baggy green from David Warner. Weatherald’s initiation was brief and brutal, trapped lbw second ball by Jofra Archer’s pace and late movement.
That brought Steven Smith to the crease at No. 3 for the first time in a Test match since 2017. Smith endured a torrid examination, notably a vicious blow to the elbow from Gus Atkinson that required treatment. Archer, bowling thunderously at around 150 kph, generated awkward bounce and removed Labuschagne, who was himself struck painfully before being bowled. Smith, clearly hampered, fought hard for his 17 off 49 but edged Brydon Carse to slip.
Khawaja eventually emerged at No. 4 for just the second time in his Test career but lasted only moments, glancing a rapid short delivery from Carse that brushed the handle and carried through to the keeper. Australia briefly recovered through a 45-run stand between Travis Head and Cameron Green, but Ben Stokes – revitalised after a quiet batting display – produced a devastating six-over
spell, claiming five wickets and crushing Australia’s resistance.
The day drew inevitable comparisons to the corresponding India Test at the same venue 12 months earlier, when 17 wickets fell on day one. Although this surface appeared a touch more playable, the combination of steep bounce and sustained high pace created constant jeopardy. Many top-order dismissals came via catches behind the wicket, long a hallmark of Perth conditions.
England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach made an uneasy debut on Australian soil. Though they scored at 5.3 an over, they survived only 32.5 overs. A calamitous collapse of 5 for 12 in just 18 balls after the first drinks break left them deeply vulnerable. It was England’s shortest Ashes innings since Australia’s infamous 60 all out at Trent Bridge in 2015. The top six divided neatly: three caught in the cordon or by the keeper, three defeated by pure pace – an early vindication of Australia’s decision to pack the slip region.
England’s later bowling heroics, however, justified their bold decision to field an all-pace attack, with offspinner Shoaib Bashir omitted despite being fully fit –an extremely rare call for an England side overseas.
Pre-match expectations leaned toward Australia batting first regardless of the toss, particularly given Stokes’ stated preference for bowling. But England, aware of the ground’s history of deteriorating surfaces, chose instead to bat. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett walked out to a mixture of jeers and applause from a crowd evenly split between English and Australian supporters.
After the high theatre of first balls in the recent Ashes series, anticipation peaked as Starc steamed in, only for Crawley to defend quietly. The tension didn’t last long. Crawley, who had dominated Starc in 2023, edged to Khawaja at slip in the first over.
Starc was relentless, exploiting Crawley’s vulnerability to balls on a shorter length. At the other end, Scott Boland struggled for rhythm in his first red-ball match at Perth Stadium. Duckett capitalised, timing several crisp drives, while Ollie Pope continued his strong form from the Lilac Hill warm-up with confident strokes down the ground.
Despite the sluggish outfield – still recovering from a recent Metallica concert –England scored freely. But Duckett, troubled throughout by Starc’s pace, fell lbw for 21 after an unsuccessful review, triggering England’s rapid unravelling and setting the stage for a day of breathtaking, high-speed chaos.
Joe Root entered in the ninth over, facing the familiar challenge of chasing a long-awaited century in Australia, but Mitchell Starc was irresistible. Delivering a ball that pitched on leg and seamed sharply across the right-hander, Starc had Root edging to third slip for his 100th Ashes wicket – a milestone he celebrated with gusto. At that stage he had extraordinary figures of 3 for 10 from five overs.
Harry Brook, unfazed in his first Test innings in Australia, counterattacked with his usual bravado, even if several strokes failed to middle the bat. He and Ollie Pope added a brisk 55 to briefly stabilise England. While Starc carried the attack amid Scott Boland’s struggles, debutant
Brendan Doggett impressed with more bite than his mid130s pace suggested.
Pope looked set for a composed half-century before Cameron Green, returning to Test bowling for the first time since March 2024, trapped him lbw with a full, straight delivery. After lunch, conditions were expected to ease, and Brook immediately launched Boland for a soaring six over extra cover. But Starc resumed as sharply as before, bowling Ben Stokes with a superb nip-backer –his tenth dismissal of the England captain in Tests –leaving Brook to shoulder the innings.
Brook reached a fighting fifty from 58 balls, as
Australia avoided feeding his favoured short-ball game. But he soon gloved a rising delivery from Doggett, whose initial half-appeal transformed into jubilation as teammates mobbed him to celebrate his first Test wicket. Doggett struck again with another short ball to remove Brydon Carse, triggering England’s collapse. Starc finished the innings in style, taking the final two wickets in consecutive balls and leaving the field to a rousing ovation. Barely three hours later, however, he would be walking off again – this time dismissed – after the match had swung dramatically once more. (Revised from ESPNcricinfo)
Jofra Archer pinned Jake Weatherald lbw with his second delivery (Getty Images)
Mitchell Starc acknowledges his five-wicket haul (Getty Images)
Ben Stokes dismissed the dangerous Cameron Green (AFP/Getty Images)
Rugby, Netball bodies commend NSC for inaugural Black-Tie awards
The Guyana Netball Association (GNA) and the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) have voiced their appreciation for the refreshing changes to the national Sports Awards hosted recently.
This year’s event, spearheaded by the National Sports Commission (NSC), was the first to ever take on the “black tie” dress code, producing a classy, stylish affair for the nation’s athletes and sport stakeholders.
Rugby
"The hosting of the National Sports Awards Gala is a truly commendable initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. It provides not only our athletes, but also the various sporting associations, with something meaningful to aspire to each year.
This event reinforces the importance that the His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, by extension, Hon Minister Ramson Jr, and
Hon Steven Jacobs place on the development of sport in our country.
As Minister Jacobs highlighted in his remarks, he himself represents the model of what an athlete in Guyana can become rising from the grassroots level of cricket, advancing academically through the University of the West Indies, and now serving at the ministerial level. His journey is a powerful example of how sport can positively transform lives.
The Government’s continued support has had a tangible impact on sports across the nation, strengthening programmes, improving opportunities for athletes, and elevating the overall standard of sport in Guyana.
Initiatives such as this Gala further motivate our athletes and reaffirm the Government’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering national pride."
Netball
"The Guyana Netball
Lando Norris headlined Formula One's second practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which was interrupted twice in the final 20 minutes by red flags for a suspected loose manhole cover at Turn 17.
In a session preceded by light rain, it took five minutes before the drivers elected to brave a presumably slippery circuit – and it took much of the opening half to build up towards Charles Leclerc's 1m 34.802s benchmark from FP1.
Oscar Piastri was first to surpass Leclerc's earlier time amid the early medium-tyre runs, and the times continued to develop as the circuit rubbered in further. Eventually, Leclerc landed on the best time amid the first-stage medium runs, settling on 1m 33.763s – a full second faster than his time from earlier in the evening.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli then toppled Leclerc's effort with his first tour on the softs, before Lando Norris nudged ahead by 0.03s to move to the top of the order.
The soft tyre running was then put on hiatus following a red flag with 21 minutes remaining, following the marshal's report of a suspected loose drain cover at Turn 17.
This was inspected by the FIA race control team, and, after a 15-minute pause, it was deemed that the session could resume with six minutes remaining.
While all 20 cars returned to the circuit, now sporting both soft and medium tyres, Leclerc had to duck behind the barrier at Turn Five owing to a gearbox issue; the Monegasque was told not to use his gear shift and ultimately parked up to bring his session to an early end.
Ultimately, this did not affect his running versus the other drivers; the session was red-flagged once again as the concern over the Turn 17 drain cover continued to persist.
This ensured that Norris' lap could remain the fastest, ahead of Antonelli and the medium-tyre lap set by Leclerc earlier in the session.
Nico Hulkenberg was fourth-fastest, over Isack Hadjar, who was just 0.008s clear of Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson. George Russell was seventh ahead of Alex Albon, while Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton completed the top 10.
Title contender Piastri was only 14th, having been unable to improve on his medium tyre run during his
first effort on the soft tyre.
Mercedes dominated the 2024 running of the Las Vegas GP, with George Russell leading pretty much the whole race from pole position while teammate Lewis Hamilton recovered from 10th to give the team a one-two.
However, team boss Toto Wolff believes one cannot convincingly expect the W16 to replicate this form given how different it is to its predecessor.
The top contenders include Will McLaren, Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, who has never finished ahead of Verstappen in Vegas but has outscored him by this margin on seven occasions in 2025.
Meanwhile, temperatures are forecast to be slightly below seasonal norms, with 8°C for qualifying on Friday night and 11°C during the race on Saturday night. This would be significantly cooler than the first two runnings of the race, which took place around 1617°C. (Yahoo Sport)
Association (GNA) would like to express sincere congratulations to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission for hosting such a prestigious awards ceremony.
This first of its kind gala was splendid, the atmosphere was fantastic and the moments, memorable.
While our President, Ms Ailene Bowman received the Female Sports Official of the year accolade, a pleasant surprise which we are grateful for, the GNA takes this opportunity to congratulate all the other awardees for their outstanding achievements which led to them being rewarded at this highest
level.
All the recipients we are sure felt appreciated and valued for their sacrifice dedication to the development of sports in various capacities.
The Government of Guyana led by His Excellency President Ali has shown that they are serious about the real development of sports and have been investing in infrastructure, equipment and travel for individuals and teams.
Sport is on great platform in our nation and can only get better going forward under the leadership of Hon Charles Ramson Jr MP, and Hon Steven Jacobs MP. The GNA is on board with you."
Wiruni Conquerors, Friendship Cavaliers to clash in Berbice River T20 finale on Sunday
The Berbice River Cricket Association’s four-team round-robin T20 competition will climax on Sunday with Wiruni Conquerors and Friendship Cavaliers booking their spots in the final, following impressive performances in the latest round of matches.
The third-place playoff will see Kimbia facing Gaetroy (Fort Nassau).
In the opening fixture, Sand Hills swept past Geatroy with a commanding nine-wicket victory. Batting first, Geatroy were dismissed for 88 in 14.3 overs.
Phillip Grimmond topscored with 23, while Tallie and Leton Grimmond chipped in with 13 and 12, respectively.
The damage with the ball came from Wiruni’s attack, led by Joshua Leacock,
two wickets each.
Friendship Cavaliers wasted little time in the chase, racing to 91–1 in just 7.2 overs. Ronald Singh struck an unbeaten 35, while Michael Capel made 26 not out and Daniel Leacock added 21. The lone wicket for Geatroy went to Phillip Grimmond.
In the second encounter, Wiruni Conquerors carved out a five-wicket victory
who grabbed four wickets. Daniel Leacock and Wacker Mackenzie supported with
over Kimbia. Taking first strike, Kimbia were bowled out for 105 in 15 overs.
Mark Sampson led the way with 32, followed by contributions from Sheldon Bovell (19) and Nelon Thomas (18). Extras were a useful 20.
Wiruni’s bowlers again proved clinical: Linford Peters took four wickets, Keron Kertious claimed three, while Martin Agard, Ralph Fleming and Lauren Gilliard collected one each.
Wiruni Conquerors then replied with 108–5 from 17 overs, sealing the win and punching their ticket to the final. Deon De Silva struck a solid 42, Ralph Fleming supported with 28, and Martin Agard added 19. Extras contributed 14 runs.
Bowling for Friendship Cavaliers, Delroy Osborne picked up three wickets, and Melroy Da Silva grabbed two, while Nelon Thomas claimed one.
The competition now heads to Sand Hills on Sunday, where Wiruni Conquerors and Friendship Cavaliers will battle for the championship title, while Kimbia and Gaetroy meet in the third-place playoff.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton
GNA President Ailene Bowman
The Wirini cricket team
GRFU President Ryan Dey
Frienship Cavaliers
GFF’s 2nd C License Coaching Course for 2025 underway
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially commenced Block One of its second CONCACAF C License
Coaching Course for 2025, taking place from November 20 to 24, 2025, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, with practical sessions scheduled at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence.
A total of 14 eligible coaches will participate, including nine new applicants and five returning participants, reflecting increasing national commitment to structured coaching pathways and professional training standards.
The programme is delivered in three blocks – Block One & Block Three: theory integrated with practical components and Block Two: a minimum six-week mentorship period in each
coach’s club environment.
The course is facilitated by FIFA Coach Educator Diploma holders, including Lyndon France, GFF Technical Director, Bryan Joseph and Head of Coach Education, and Linsworth Gilbert.
“Coaching education is the bedrock of our football development strategy. Our coaches play a critical role in shaping the growth and potential of our players, and the GFF is making decisive investment in their advancement. Football is evolving rapidly, and we are committed to equipping our coaches with the knowledge and tools required to meet the demands of modern player development,”
President of GFFM, Wayne Forde, stated.
In addition, the federation’s Technical Director, Brian Joseph, stated, “Our
national football goals are anchored in the quality of players we are able to produce, and that is directly influenced by the quality of coaches working at every level of the game. The Technical Department understands this, and we are dedicating time and resources to upskill all our coaches. We have a direct responsibility to push towards CONCACAF Convention membership, and we are tirelessly advancing coach education to achieve that standard.”
This marks the second C Licence programme hosted by the GFF in 2025, following the successful completion of the first cohort in April 2025, reinforcing the Federation’s long-term strategy to elevate coaching quality as the foundation for national player development.
onboard Grand Prix II chess tournament
Britton John dominates final race in 2025 cycling season
The curtains were pulled on all cycling meets for 2025 on Sunday last when Team Alanis Cycling Club, in collaboration with Ele’s Trading & Hardware, hosted a 48+ mile cycle road race on the West Bank Demerara (WBD) and West Coast Demerara (WCD).
The race rode off from Schoonord, WBD, and the peloton will thunder their way to Parika and back, conquering nearly 50 miles of pure speed, power, and endurance.
The riders delivered a thrilling and highly competitive finale to end the 2025
cycling season. In a strong performance, Briton John powered to victory, stopping the clock at 1hr 43min 20sec.
In the Elite/Seniors category Briton John was followed by Kwame Ridley, Jamaul John, Alex, Newton and Alexander Leung. In the Masters Category, Kwame Ridley crossed the finish line first, followed by Jaikaran Sookhai and Robin Persaud. Alex Newton won the Junior Category, followed by Alexander Leung and Ajani Cutting, while James Joseph powered over the line to win the Masters Over 50 Category, followed by Mark
Spencer and Nigel London.
In Category Four, Julio Melville copped the chequered flag with Tyrone Hamilton closely behind and Collis Williams in third. Dinesh Sookhai won the Juvenile category.
However, three of the spirit prizes were secured by Kwame Ridley, Briton John copped two, Alexander Leung carted off two and Jamaul John won one.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to Ele's Trading and Hardware, Team Alanis Cycling Club, and the Guyana Police Force for ensuring the safety and smooth flow of the event.
ICEE Soft Drinks has once again thrown its support for the Grand Prix series of chess tournaments, this time with a sponsorship of the Grand Prix 2 scheduled for November 22, 23, 29, and 30, 2025, at the School of the Nations.
As a qualifying tournament for the upcoming Chess Olympiad, the Grand Prix series is highly coveted, attracting top participation from chess enthusiasts. Registration is expected to draw approximately 50 participants, including an anticipated 20 players competing in the women's category.
The eight-round Swiss System competition carries a time control of 90 minutes with 30-second increments added to the clock after each move and will be contested in the Open category by players such as National Junior Champion Kyle Couchman, U-16 Champion
CM Sachin Pitamber, Gilbert Williams, Alek Ubaldo-Singh, Micaiah Enoe, and U-12 Champion Abel Fernandez. Newcomer FIDE Master Rawle Allicock has also thrown his hat in the ring, with the hopes of qualifying for the team.
Competing in the women’s category are the current 2025 women’s champion, WCM Aditi Joshi; U-14 Girls Champion Emma John; U-12 Girls Champion Kateleya Sam; and former women’s champion WCM Sasha Shariff, Treskole Archibald, and Ciel Clement, to name a few.
Cash prizes totalling $100,000 will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category. The top eight boards of the open category and top four for the female category will be livestreamed on lichess.org by John Lee, FIDE Arbiter and Technical Director for the GCF. Full results and pairings can be viewed on
chess-results.com. The GCF extends its sincere gratitude to its sponsor, I-CEE Soft Drinks, for its continued support of chess in Guyana and the School of the Nations for providing the venue.
I-CEE Soft Drinks Brand Manager Clayton McKenzie presents a cheque for the I-CEE Chess Grand Prix 2 to GCF Public Relations Director Shiv Nandalall at Thirst Park, Georgetown
The winners at last Sunday road race
Officials and participants at the Guyana National Stadium
Participants at the training session
Briso Promotions, CBO set to host Boxing Day extravaganza at CASH
ality, thanks to the many promoters and contacts I've made throughout the region.
On Friday, Briso Promotions, in collaboration with the Caribbean Boxing Organization (CBO), announced a star-studded boxing card scheduled for Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).
At the announcement, leading figures in the Caribbean boxing arena voiced strong optimism about the sport’s expansion
across the region while point ing to the highly anticipated boxing card.
President of the CBO and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Briso Promotions, Seon Bristol described the upcoming event as the realisation of a long-held vision.
“I am overwhelmed to be here today to welcome boxing fans – not only in Guyana but across the Caribbean and beyond,” Bristol said. “This has been a vision turned into re-
Today, the Caribbean Boxing Organization, in association with Briso Promotions, presents a Boxing Day card in Guyana. One of our key principles is to include all of boxing in our events, and I’m happy that both the amateur and professional bodies were eager to be part of this first card.”
In addition, the President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, Peter Abdul, praised the initiative while at the same time underscoring
Horse racing action will return to the ancient county of Berbice on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the Port Mourant Turf Club with more than $10 million in cash and prizes up for grabs.
The meet is expected to be a spectacle where all the champions will assemble and battle for supremacy, with the feature race being the Showdown of Champions Stakes for threeyear-olds and over, open to all imported horses.
The feature race will run for one mile, with a total purse of $4 million.
Other races on the provisional programme include the E Class and Lower winner of one race in 2025, open to all Guyana-bred horses; the H3 & Lower non-winner in 2025, open to threeyear-old West Indian-bred horses; the West Indianbred open race; the twoyear-old Guyana-bred maidens; the L Class open; the J/K/L Maidens; and the Port Mourant Jockey Sprint Trophy, open to all jockeys.
Full entries and declarations of horse, jockey, and
equipment must be made in person at the Racing Office c/o Acting Racing Administrator Secretary of Port Mourant Turf Club, John Rupert.
Entries will commence on December 8 and close on December 10 between 08:00h and 16:00h.
All entry forms must be signed in full by either the owner, trainer, or an agent representing the stable.
All entries are to be paid in full at the office when the entry form is signed. Owners and trainers are reminded that only authorised persons with badges will be allowed access to the Parade Ring, scales, and jockeys' room.
For jockeys riding on race day, they are required to visit the Racing Office to sign the entry form of the horses that they are engaged to ride on race day.
The Jockey Race Sprint entry fee is $500, to be paid at the Racing Office once the jockey is participating in the Jockey Race Sprint.
Imported riders booked to ride may have their entry forms signed by the owner or trainer who has brought them into the country to
ride. All jockeys booked to ride are to report to the Jockey Room on race morning by 11:00h.
Importantly, all jockeys are required to display their Horsemen Racing ID badges upon entering the Jockey Room. No late entries will be accepted, and no entries will be accepted over the telephone, including WhatsApp messages or calls.
All entry fees must be paid when entering your horse at the Racing Office within the four-day entry process. No entry payments will be accepted on race day. Entry fee refunds for scratched runners on race day will be returned to the owner or trainer when official race winnings are dispersed.
Grooms are required to wear their Horsemen ID badges on race day to gain access to the Parade Ring once their horse is entered to run that day. With safety being high on the agenda, it is required to dress appropriately to ensure safety among the horses you are in charge of; for example, no slippers, short pants, vests, or sleeveless shirts.
its importance to the sport’s development. “Promoters are badly needed in boxing. In fact, boxing can’t go on with out them,” Abdul said. “Mr. Bristol’s initiative address es many issues. It helps pro duce more fights, brings new promoters on board, and en sures sustainability for the sport across the Caribbean.”
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, as sured that the amateur seg ment of the card would be strong.
“I can say without fear of contradiction that we will
emphasised that the Boxing
put our best foot forward,” Ninvalle affirmed. “Our South American champion Alicia Jackman will appear on the amateur segment of the card. Other bouts are still being finalised. Fans can also
Day card is only the beginning.
“Our intention is to host bouts around the Caribbean every three months,” Pattinson explained. “We have members
and others. Our Bahamian representatives have been central to matchmaking and may serve as television hosts. The event is expected to be livestreamed, and our website, caribbeanboxingorganization.com, will feature all CBO-promoted events. We’re hoping to reach as wide an audience as possible across the Caribbean.”
The December 26, 2025 card marks the first official event under the newly unified CBO structure and is expected to bring together top talent from across the region, highlighting a renewed effort to elevate Caribbean boxing on the regional stage.
Thus far, Guyaneseowned Keevin Allicock will come up against Yendy Rodriguez from the Dominican Republic in the featherweight bout, while Guyanese Desmond Amsterdam will take on Wilson Fernandez, also from the Dominican Republic, in the super middleweight bout, and Terrence Adams from Guyana will clash against Anthony Joseph from Trinidad and Tobago in the catchweight competition.
Keevin Allicock
Top horses will assemble at Port Mourant on December 14
DR’s Yendy Rodriguez
Terrence Adams
The proprietor of King's Lumber Yard, Cyril King, and family are the proud sponsor of the uniform for the St Ignatius Secondary School football team as they prepare to compete in the playoffs against Annai Secondary in the sixth Edition of the Goodwill International School Football Under 18 Championship 2025. Their match is set for today at the St Ignatius Community Centre Ground, and the second is set for November 29 at the Annai Community Ground.
