Guyana inks landmark deal with Bloomberg Grain to boost regional food exports
US to train Guyana Police for election security, fund major observer missions
Housekeeper slapped with attempted murder charge after man shot in chest
Cleaner charged for smuggling
GECOM approves symbols for 21 political parties ahead of 2025 elections Elections can be “free, fair & transparent” if procedures followed at all poll stations – US Ambassador
Mason charged for brutal cutlass robbery …jailed on
Teen among 2 remanded for West Berbice murder
“We are sitting on a gold mine” – GOInvest Head rallies Guyana, Suriname to seize $10B trade opportunity …1 party bows out as race heats up
Public warned about alleged cement scam artist
Guyana inks landmark deal with Bloomberg Grain to boost regional food exports
…MoU aims to position Caribbean produce on global market
Guyana has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US agribusiness powerhouse Bloomberg Grain, cementing an international partnership that is poised to catapult Caribbean-grown produce onto the global stage.
The MoU, signed on Wednesday in a high-stakes meeting at the Agriculture Ministry’s boardroom, formalises a new alliance focused on marketing and branding the soon-to-becompleted regional food hub at Yarrowkabra, a key pillar in President Irfaan Ali’s aggressive food security agenda.
da moving forward. And the PPP civic government, over the years, has increased budgetary allocation from 2020, when I became Minister of Agriculture, from $13 billion to today's $106 billion, leaving out the other direct investment like this, what we will be executing here this morning,” Mustapha said.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg Grain’s Executive Vice President, Jeff Speaks, echoed similar sentiments, pointing to Guyana’s unmatched agricultural potential and strategic geographic location as a launchpad for penetrating both CARICOM and South American markets.
In his address at the ceremony, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha disclosed that the agreement also lays the foundation for integrating modern marketing strategies and branding mechanisms to expand Guyana’s agricultural exports and secure a stronger presence in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and South American markets.
Highlighting that Guyana is the only country in the world that can feed its citizens, Mustapha noted that the MoU further complements work executed
by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) over the past five years.
“As Guyana is now developing its infrastructure in the country, we are also lending expertise and assistance to member states
in CARICOM. Only yesterday we heard the heads of government concluded its meeting in Jamaica, and we heard, coming out of the communique, that food security is one of the most important items in CARICOM's agen-
“The president wants a food hub, and the minister has reinforced that in Guyana to serve not just the country but CARICOM and parts of South America. And we're prepared to join the minister and the president in that effort to create a major regional hub. My confidence in the president's
vision for this country allows me to make announcements here today that I have not made publicly. We will invest. Not only will we do this project, and I hope others will too, but there's been a discussion of rice and meat and poultry and so forth and even a port project. But the reality is we're prepared to invest in processing on our account of Guyana agriculture products,” Speaks said. The Yarrowkabra Food Hub, located on the bustling Soesdyke-Linden Highway, is being designed as a stateof-the-art agro-processing, logistics, and export hub — a game-changing nerve centre intended to slash post-harvest losses, streamline distribution, and drive unprecedented market access for farmers across the region.
Guyana's partnership with Bloomberg Grain brings cutting-edge marketing intelligence, branding expertise, and access to high-value markets to the table.
The signing of the MoU being witnessed by US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot; Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 10 –03:55h-05:25h and Friday, July 11 – 03:55h-05:25h
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 10 –16:25h-17:55h and Friday, July 11 – 17:00h-18:30h
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers are expected during the day, and cloudy skies with sporadic showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 2.68 metres.
High Tide: 16:28h reaching a maximum height of 2.38 metres.
Low Tide: 10:00h and 22:12h reaching minimum heights of 0.70 metre and 0.83 metre.
Elections
can be “free, fair & transparent” if procedures followed at all poll stations
– US Ambassador
United States
Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, believes that the upcoming General and Regional Elections in Guyana on September 1 could be free, fair and transparent if all of the established protocols and procedures are followed across the country.
Ambassador Theriot made these remarks during an interview with reporters on the side-lines of an event on Wednesday after she was asked whether she is satisfied with the ongoing preparations for the upcoming polls.
The US diplomat pointed out that while they are aware of concerns expressed by opposition political parties and other stakeholders, the mechanisms in place by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)
2020 elections in ensuring Guyana’s democracy was not derailed and had even issued visa sanctions on top officials in the country who were involved in attempts to subvert the March 2, 2020 elections.
Those rigging attempts by the then A Partnership
could deliver free, fair and transparent 2025 elections.
“We meet regularly with GECOM – the CEO (Chief Elections Officer), the Commissioners, the Chairperson (Retired Justice, Claudette Singh) – and as they’ve described the process, we feel that this can be a free, fair and transparent elections but all of the procedures just simply have to be followed at every polling stations in the country, and that is why having those international observers there, having those party observers there is going to be very instrumental in that,” Ambassador Theriot stated.
She told reporters that the US will be collaborating with other observation missions – international, regional and local – to ensure that their work is not redundant and that they have a presence at all the polling stations across the county on election day.
According to the US diplomat, “…the strengthening of Guyana’s democracy is incredibly important to the United States.”
The US, along with the other members of the ABCE community – the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union – had played a crucial role in the
for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition Government to stay in power had resulted in a five-month political deadlock before the current People’s Progressive
Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration was finally declared the winner and sworn in to office on August 2, 2020.
The ABCE diplomatic missions in Guyana were at the time vocal in their calls for democracy to prevail and for the will of the Guyanese people to be respected.
Heading into the 2025 polls, these countries have already signalled their intention to field election observer missions (EOM) to Guyana to monitor the activities here.
In addition to working along with the ABCE missions, the US is also partially funding the Organisation of American States (OAS) Election Observer Mission and is also lending support to the US-based Carter Centre Observer Mission, which is already in Guyana.
The US Government will also be providing election security training for the
Guyana Police Force and is also supporting technical assistance to GECOM.
Fair and credible Only last month, President Irfaan Ali had lauded the US Government’s continued support in ensuring that Guyana has a fair and credible electoral process.
“As Guyana prepares for its upcoming General and Regional Elections in September, we welcome the continued support of United States in ensuring a fair, transparent and credible electoral process, as was the case with your support eventually after the 2020 elections,” the Head of State said at a reception hosted by the US Embassy in Georgetown to celebrate America’s 249th Independence anniversary on June 27. the Head of State said at a reception hosted by the US Embassy in Georgetown to celebrate America’s 249th Independence anniversary on June 27.
Already, the Carter Centre has deployed an election observation mission to Guyana ahead of the September 1 elections. The Centre – founded by the late former United States President, Jimmy Carter –said its four-member core team comprised electoral experts from the US, Georgia, and the UK. They will be joined by additional electoral specialists and short-term observers closer to election day.
US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Symbolism and substance
The recent graduation ceremony at Fyrish Village Nursery School in Corentyne transcended the customary celebration of early academic achievement. It marked a defining moment in Guyana’s education landscape both in symbolism and substance. The presence of Guyana’s Ambassador to the European Union, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, a former Minister of Health and Agriculture, underscored the deepening commitment to early childhood education and reinforced a national vision rooted in equity, inclusion, and the principle that every child must be given a strong start. Dr Ramsammy’s remarks at the ceremony spotlighted an achievement that should resonate not only within the borders of Guyana but across the Caribbean and Latin America. Guyana now leads the region in access to nursery education, a feat that speaks volumes about the country’s policy direction and long-term investment in its human capital. This accomplishment cannot be an abstract statistic, but rather an indicator of systemic, measurable progress that forms a solid foundation for national development.
That such a graduation ceremony, once a routine community affair, was elevated underscores a deliberate shift; that is – early childhood education is no longer being treated as peripheral, but as central to the national agenda. The move reflects a deeper appreciation for the profound impact early educational interventions have on lifelong learning outcomes, civic engagement, and social equity.
Investment in early childhood education is not only social good, it is also a strategic imperative. The universal access to nursery education now enjoyed in Guyana has positioned the nation as a regional trailblazer. It demonstrates that thoughtful, inclusive policy combined with sustained public investment can dismantle generational barriers and broaden the development horizon. This success is a roadmap for others to follow.
The Government’s role in equipping every graduating student with trophies may seem symbolic, but it is a tangible act of validation that reinforces the value of effort, achievement, and aspiration in the minds of young learners. It sends a message that no contribution to nation-building is too small to be recognised and that every child’s journey deserves to be celebrated.
Equally significant was the presence of a diverse group of public figures, former Mayors, Members of Parliament, and senior community development officers – at the ceremony. Their attendance was not ceremonial alone. It reflected a holistic, cross-sectoral commitment to education and community development. When leadership shows up in tangible ways at the community level, it builds trust, motivates educators, and inspires families. It also signals to the wider society that education is a shared responsibility and a shared pride.
There is a broader narrative emerging from this event. It is one of a nation steadily rewriting its developmental story, one where progress is measured not only in economic statistics but also in the extent to which the youngest citizens are nurtured, empowered, and positioned for success. From a time when nursery education was a luxury or non-existent, Guyana has transitioned to a model of universal access, making it a beacon for similar nations with shared histories and aspirations.
This moment calls for applause and a reflection on the significance of sustained public investment and inclusive governance. The ability of a country to lead the region in such a crucial development indicator is not an accident of geography or resources, it is the result of intentional policy choices, institutional alignment, and a people-centred vision.
The graduation ceremony at Fyrish Village Nursery School stands as a reminder that when early childhood development is prioritised, the impact reverberates far beyond the classroom strengthening communities, shaping futures, and unlocking a nation’s full potential.
What transpired in Fyrish was not a routine academic celebration; it was a reaffirmation of Guyana’s development trajectory, one that places children at the heart of national transformation. This approach is delivering measurable results and setting new regional benchmarks.
We Guyanese must always remember the past
Dear Editor,
We, as Guyanese, must always remember the past despite the fact that those in the PNC and the AFC would like us to conveniently forget it, especially disastrous events which transpired from 1964 to 1992 and 2015 to 2020, as well as what happened when the PPP/C became a minority Government from 2011 to 2015. In actual fact, the performance of the APNU/AFC should be judged from 2011 to 2020, since they were together in their quest to wrest power. All Guyanese are cognisant of how the PNC destroyed their lives for the 28 years from 1964 to 1992, and this hardly needs repeating. Those were the dark days when buying food was a criminal act.
In this letter, I will deal mostly with what transpired from 2011 to 2015. In the 2011 General and Regional Elections were held on 28th November, and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic was victorious and won 32 out of the 65 seats. However, the APNU and the AFC, contesting on separate lists, secured 33 seats, giving them an absolute majority in Parliament, and this was the recipe for disaster. Together they unleashed their sinister plan and destabilised the socio-economic progress of the country, wreaking chaos and havoc as the PPP/C Government came face to face with the venom of Ramjattan and Nagamoottoo. The latter was the ‘scissors man’, and
he appeared more as the happy and sadistic executioner with his hands on the guillotine, ready to destroy an entire country. They shredded the budget year after year, stymieing the socio-economic progress of this country. During the period 2011 to 2015, they cut the budget by over $90 billion, thwarting the progressive trajectory of this nation. Some of these debilitating cuts affected the electricity sector (Amaila Project), the Speciality Hospital, the CJIA Modernisation Project, ICT development, NCN and GINA, the Ethnic Relations Commission, Guysuco, etc. Every sector in some way was affected by Nagamootoo’s malicious ‘scissors’.
The APNU and AFC did not coalesce before the 2011 elections but did so in Parliament from then onwards to 2015. This paved the way for the no-confidence motion submitted by Nagamootoo in August 2014, but he was denied the self-gratification of seeing the fruition of this move since the then President, Mr Donald Ramotar, prorogued parliament and made the final dissolution 6 months later. But the lies, deceit and false promises took their toll, and the more gullible Guyanese were fooled into giving the APNU/AFC Coalition a one-seat majority, which actually resulted in a return of the dark days of the PNC.
The infamous duo were more focused on their per-
sonal ambition and greed for money and power. The APNU was willing to sit back and allow the AFC to be in the forefront of the attack, which they gleefully carried out. A crying shame for these men who are without honour, who were viciously beaten, subjected to degrading and inhuman treatment and unjustifiably jailed by the same PNC, yet they clung on for dear life. It was clear that the AFC was not interested in compromises. They wanted to remove the PPP from Government to satiate their lust for power and were willing to destroy this country in the process. Are we now seeing the same scenario being replayed, this time by the WIN political party? It is difficult not to conclude that the founder of this party and some of his members are not being motivated by the quest for vengeance like the duo from the AFC. This is a bad omen for the country and its people should the configuration of the next parliament allow this. Our people need to make an objective judgemental call after deliberate considerations. It is always prudent to remember that a bird in hand is always worth 2 in the bushes.
Today, it is poetic justice that the AFC has been unceremoniously kicked out of the Coalition after it has relegated itself to the toothless and subservient poodle of the PNC. It had lost sight of all its founding principles, which had existed on paper
only, and for a long time its members have been exiting with great haste. It is doubtful that the AFC, which had once won 5 seats in 2006 and 7 seats in 2011, could even bring home 3 seats in 2025. Guyanese are wary of newcomers who have no proven track record, no persuasive manifesto and are surrounded by a gang of misfits, opportunists and rejects. If wishes were horses, then beggars may ride. If anyone feels that a country is run by doling out alms and not by smart social and economic policies that promote sustainable and inclusive growth by addressing inequalities, fostering innovation, and building resilient communities, then that is a sad miscalculation. They involve a range of strategies, including social protection, targeted investments, and policies that encourage both economic development and social well-being. Is WIN or any other political party capable of this, except the PPP/C? In conclusion, it is highly probable that the PPP/C will once again repeat its performance at the poll in 2006 when it won 36 seats or even surpass this since the One Guyana initiative is bearing great dividends and more and more Guyanese are convinced that it is the only multi-racial party which can deliver on its promises to the people.
Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
Shade houses boost climate-resilient farming in Region Nine: Over 24 shade houses in communities such as Sawariwau, St Ignatius, Yurong Paru, Karasabai, and Shulinab are thriving with fresh vegetables, credited to smart agriculture practices. Supported by NAREI Extension Officers who provide pest monitoring, technical guidance, and training, these climate-resilient structures are key to improving food security and farmer income across the region (Agriculture in Region 9 photos)
Explanation needed on protracted delay in appointment of Chief Magistrate & deputy
Dear Editor, On June 7, 2025, we wrote to the press expressing concern that Magistrate Judy Latchman had not received her instrument of appointment as Chief Magistrate. Similarly, Magistrate Alisha George’s appointment as Deputy Chief Magistrate, also approved by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), has not been finalised.
According to a June 5, 2025, article, both appointments
were approved by the JSC in January 2025.
It has been a month since our June 7, 2025, letter, but the Chair has not yet issued the appointment instrument to Magistrates Judy Latchman and Alisha George, despite their approval through normal vetting.
In our June 7, 2025, letter, we asked whether the issue was an oversight or had another reason, urging the Chair to clarify.
Constitutional commissions have often resisted criticism and scrutiny, but this must change; all state agencies should be held accountable and transparent, as taxpayers expect nothing less.
At a meeting of the JSC on June 10, 2025, we understand from a source that the protracted delay in the issuance of the instrument of appointment to the two magistrates was discussed, and we have been disappointed to learn
that the Chair is seeking to derail these JSC-approved appointments, which the JSC members rejected. The Chair has no veto power over decisions. She has one vote like other members, except when the votes are tied.
Article 226(4) states: “Any question for decision by a commission shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members of the commission at which a quorum is present, and if on any
question the votes are equally divided, the Chairman or the member presiding shall have a casting vote in addition to his or her original vote.”
We learnt that a letter was sent to the Chair and Secretary of the JSC expressing members’ dissatisfaction with the Chair’s actions regarding the approved appointments. We request that the Commissioner of Information provide us with a copy of this letter under the
Freedom of Information Act.
We urge the Attorney General, Bar Association, and President to enquire into this issue with a view to resolving the impasse. Perhaps a Commission of Inquiry might be useful, and there is judicial precedent for this. We hope this matter does not result in lengthy delays like the election fraud cases.
Yours truly, Dr Tara Singh et al
Like Dubai, we are building a nation ‘step by step’
Dear Editor,
I refer to the letter titled “Confront the reality that many Guyanese are still not benefiting equally from the spoils of the ‘new Dubai’”, published in the July 3, 2025 edition of Stabroek News and penned by Mr Blane R. Bunbury.
Let’s not forget: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Dubai. It took over four decades for Dubai to reach the heights we now admire, and even then, its journey wasn’t without setbacks and growing pains. Guyana’s transformation is still in its early stages. But that journey has begun. And it requires not only patience and planning but participation from all of us, including thought-
I respect Mr Bunbury’s concerns and fully acknowledge that Guyana, like any developing nation, faces real challenges. But I also believe it’s important to highlight the meaningful, data-driven improvements the Government of Guyana is making to ensure that our national development is both inclusive and transformative.
ful voices like Mr Bunbury’s. Instead of dismissing what has already been achieved, let’s work together to make the necessary improvements. Take, for instance, the issue of electricity. Yes, power outages remain frustrating, but they are being addressed. The Gas-to-Energy Project in Wales, once operational in 2025, will cut electricity costs by half and bring stable, reliable power to thousands. Already, we’re seeing investments in solar farms, hydropower, and energy diversification, particularly in the
hinterland and riverine communities that need it most.
Water and sanitation are also a priority. The government has committed $10 billion in 2024 to expanding access to clean drinking water, especially in underserved areas like Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9. Georgetown is also benefiting from a major upgrade through the IDB-supported Sanitation Improvement Programme, which is modernising our city’s drainage and solid waste systems. In housing and employment, real progress is be-
Embrace unity wholeheartedly
Dear Editor,
I note with great concern recent claims by certain individuals, notably those with evident political ambitions, suggesting that the “One Guyana Worship Experience” held on Monday, July 7, was intended as a political ploy to entice Christians and further accusing the Church and Christians of compromising their integrity.
Firstly, I emphatically reject such unfounded accusations. The “One Guyana Worship Experience” was a unifying occasion and sought to foster national harmony, spiritual upliftment, and collective thanksgiving. The event was open to all Guyanese, including those who now sit behind their keyboards to spew hate. The event transcended political, ethnic, and denominational boundaries. The govern-
ment’s support for this event underscores its commitment to promoting peace, unity, and national cohesion, principles deeply consistent with Biblical teachings. The Bible itself urges believers to unite in worship and fellowship:
• Psalm 133:1 states, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
• Hebrews 10:24-25 admonishes believers, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.”
Editor, such scriptures affirm the value of collective worship and reinforce unity as a divine principle.
It is deeply troubling that the sincerity and spiritual integrity of our Christian brothers and sisters have been
Dear Editor, The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) notes Craig Sylvester’s letter in yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News and takes this opportunity to clarify his gross misconception on cane harvesters’ wages. Firstly, as mentioned in my previous letter, Guyana is one of the highest-paying sugar-producing countries to sugarcane harvesters globally. This fact can be substantiated by data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, which indicates that average wages for sugarcane harvesters in India fall between US$4
and US$7 per day, while in Brazil, one of the world’s largest producers, the average ranges from US$12 to US$25 per day, depending on region and experience. In contrast, GuySuCo pays harvesters an average daily wage that far exceeds those mentioned above, with top performers earning as much as US$150 per day during the first crop of this year. Furthermore, GuySuCo’s incentive scheme is structured to reward increased productivity and efficiency through a tiered system tied to tonnes of cane harvested. The incentive begins
impugned. Participating in worship and accepting government support for a faithbased event does not compromise one’s devotion but aligns with the scriptural principle of collaboration for the common good. The Bible also acknowledges the legitimacy of governance structures and their supportive role in society. Romans 13:1 clearly states, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
Furthermore, in Matthew 5:16, it instructs believers, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
The “One Guyana Worship Experience” provided such an opportunity, and it showcased unity, charity, and spiritual upliftment, glorifying
at a 31.8% bonus and climbs to 120% for those harvesting up to 40 tonnes. Therefore, above-average performers’ total earnings can exceed $100,000 per week, equating to US$68.24 per day, with top performers easily surpassing even that target.
This incentive programme not only reflects a competitive and fair pay structure but also supports performance-based advancement and offers meaningful earnings in fewer days. For example, during the last crop, workers in the midto high-output range, who utilised 5 to 7 workdays, were able to take home $175,000 to $235,000 per week, chal-
God and serving as a powerful testament to Christian values in public life.
I encourage everyone in Guyana, especially those who are part of political discussions, to approach these conversations with care and kindness. Let’s avoid divisive language that can hurt our national unity and religious harmony. Our country truly flourishes when all of us, whether in religious, government, or community roles, come together and work collaboratively for the greater good.
My prayer is that we all strive to build bridges rather than barriers, to embrace unity rather than division, and to live out the true principles of our faith.
Sincerely,
Suelle FindlayWilliams
lenging the incentive scheme and maximising their daily returns. It is truly hard work that takes time, effort and commitment.
Therefore, to suggest that sugarcane harvesters’ wages are “unliveable” is simply misleading. The issue of labour availability in agriculture is a global phenomenon, and Guyana is no exception, but GuySuCo is doing its part to ensure that workers who turn out are remunerated adequately.
Paul Cheong Chief Executive Officer Guyana Sugar Corporation
ing made. Since 2020, over 36,000 house lots have been allocated and 67 new housing areas developed, bringing not just homes but jobs, particularly for young people and women. In the oil and gas sector, the Local Content Act (2021) has generated more than 5,000 jobs and close to US$1 billion in earnings for local companies. Hundreds of Guyanese businesses are now servicing the energy sector with greater access and opportunity than ever before.
On education and human development, the Because We Care cash grant has expanded to $50,000 per child per year, directly supporting families with school-related costs. The GOAL scholarship programme, a game changer for many, including me, has already exceeded its initial target, awarding more than 20,000 scholarships across the country. As a young Guyanese myself, I’ve
seen firsthand how these programmes are opening doors for people from all walks of life.
And let’s not forget our environmental changes. Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 has earned global recognition. We became the first country in the world to receive carbon credits under the ART-TREES standard, with USD 750 million in revenue from Hess Corporation. These funds are being reinvested into Amerindian communities, reforestation, and climate adaptation. Guyana is not just improving; it is redefining its place in the world. We might not be the “new Dubai” just yet, but we’re laying the foundation for something uniquely ours. And that’s something worth building together.
Yours truly, Michael Younge
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025
Sign Off 6:00 Cartoons 7:00 Evening News (RB) 8:00 Stop Suffering 9:30 GSL 2025 Stags vs Capitals
Jurassic World S1 E2
The Fairly Oddparents
How I Met Your Mother S2 E7
Indian Soaps
Shayk Faisal Lecture
Stop Suffering
The Evening News
AEMG Episode 37
GSL 2025 Warriors vs Riders
Modern Family S1 E4
Arrested Development S3 E6
By Ralph Waldo EmERson
Subtracting mixed numbers with unlike denominators
To subtract mixed numbers, first subtract the whole numbers, then subtract the fractions.
Subtract
Example:
Step 1: Subtract the whole numbers: 12 - 7 = 5
Step 2: Change the fractions with unlike denominators to fractions with a common denominator. The lowest common multiple of 8 and 4 is 8. In this case, 4 x 2 = 8. The best common multiple is the higher number.
Step 3: Subtract the fractions
Step 4: Add your two differences:
Exercises: Subtract
Trees provide habitats for many animals, plants, and insects. A tree can be both a habitat and a small ecosystem. Forests are ecosystems with many different kinds of habitats. There are even habitats in each layer of a forest. And under the forest floor, plants and trees, with the help of fungi, gain greater access to water and nutrients.
Ecosystems can occur on their own. But what happens when people build a park or garden? Those places create habitats for plants, animals, insects, and fungi, too. Central Park, in New York City, is 2.5 miles long and half a mile wide, and is home to more than 500 plants and animals. Forest and park rangers and arborists care for naturally occurring and man-made ecosystems and protect the things that live there. You can learn more about habitats, ecosystems, and the crucial role trees play in both by creating your own forest ecosystem in a
diorama that shows others what they look like and how they work.
Supplies
• Notebooks
• Writing tools
• Books about trees
• Computer and printer (optional)
• Internet access to research kidfriendly sites (optional)
• Drawing tools, painting materials, clay
• Coloured construction and/or tissue paper
• Shoe box, scrap cardstock, paperboard (cereal boxes, paper towel tubes), cardboard, and other materials from the recycling bin
• Scissors, glue, and tape
Get started
Choose a kind of tree or forest ecosystem to research in depth. Using books and other data sources , gather information about the ecosystem to inform the diorama. You’ll need to know: what kind of tree or forest (boreal, temperate, or tropical) it is; where it can be found on Earth; what levels it has; what seasons it experiences and the kinds of trees, plants, animals, and insects that live there. Using the shoebox, create a diorama. You could also use natural materials such as twigs and rocks that you find on the ground to create a more realistic effect. Add 3D elements using scrap paperboard or other materials to build out the tree trunk and branches or plants and animals. Add labels that identify the different trees, plants, animals, and insects in the ecosystem diorama. (Adapted from startwithabook.org)
The mountain and the squirrel Had a quarrel; And the former called the latter ‘Little Prig.’ Bun replied, ‘You are doubtless very big; But all sorts of things and weather Must be taken in together, To make up a year And a sphere. And I think it no disgrace To occupy my place. If I’m not so large as you, You are not so small as I, And not half so spry. I’ll not deny you make A very pretty squirrel track; Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; carry forests on
Neither can you crack a nut.’
2025 elections
US to train Guyana Police for election security, fund major observer missions
Following a request from the Guyana Police Force, the United States will be sending experts here to conduct security training for ranks ahead of the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections.
This was revealed by US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, during an interview with reporters on the side-lines of an event on Wednesday.
“So, what we’re going to be doing very shortly is bringing in police trainers – we haven’t settled yet on whether it’s Las Vegas or Miami Dade – to provide election day security training to help the GPF be prepared for whatever might come.”
“As you know, our elections, no matter how contentious they might be, are always peaceful for the most part, and so we do have a lot of expertise in that area in the United States. So, we were very happy to help,” she explained.
Ambassador Theriot could not say how many experts will be coming but noted that it would be a small number. Those per-
sons, she stated, would train a group of GPF ranks who would then pass on the techniques to the Force’s wider membership.
The Guyana Police Force had come under heavy criticism and scrutiny over their handling of the events that followed the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections during which chaos erupted over blatant
attempts to rig the results, which catapulted the country into a five-month political and electoral deadlock. Election observation support
On the other hand, the US is also lending support to election observation efforts. In addition to fielding a 50-member observation team from the Embassy in Georgetown, the US is also
Elections can be “free, fair...
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has already signed an agreement with GECOM to facilitate its Elections Observation Mission (EUEOM).
Additionally, Canada has also signaled its intention to once again play its part in ensuring the integrity of the 2025 polls.
“…With the elections coming up in Guyana on September 1, Canada will work with the Guyana Council of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities. We will work with the Organization of American States, and we will work with the Carter Center to ensure accessibility, transparency, and fairness because a strong democracy makes for a strong nation,” Canadian High Commissioner
to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, declared at the Canada Day celebration in Georgetown on June 25.
The governing PPP/C Administration has already indicated that it will invite as many of the reputable international observer mission to monitor the upcoming elections.
Only on Tuesday evening, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, S.C., urged citizens to stay alert and work together to safeguard the country’s democracy.
Reflecting on the events that following the March 2020 elections, Nandlall says the PPP/C is preparing any eventualities to arise at the upcoming polls.
“We can’t rule out anything, we can’t rule out the possibility of litigation or
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several litigations which may or may not travel all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Once the electoral miscreants are around, anything is possible,” he said during Tuesday night’s edition of ‘Issues in the News.’
He added, “The usual suspects are still around. Those who attempted to rig the elections are still around and contesting these elections. Up to now, we have not heard either an admission of guilt or a word of repent or contrition but what we have heard is complete denial and worse yet, victimhood… There is a likelihood that we can have attempts at recurrence and that is why we have to remain vigilant. The same perpetrators are still around.”
working along with the other missions in Guyana, including the other ABCEU members – the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union (EU) – to ensure that they all cover different aspects of election support.
“For example, we’re funding two-thirds of the OAS (Organisation of American States) Election Observation Mission, who’ll be coming. And we’re working extremely closely with the Carter Centre, who we’re thrilled… arrived here at the end of June to do their elections observation through [to] the results tabulation. So, we’re very, very pleased to have that incredible institution here and to be able to support them along with my colleagues at the UK, EU and Canadian missions,” the US envoy noted.
In addition, the ABCEU members will also be working with local and other regional bodies such as the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), respectively.
“We’re trying to ensure that we’re all working together so that we’re not redundant and that, hopefully, every polling station in the country has international observers,” Ambassador Theriot posited.
Moreover, the US also assisted the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to field technical expertise, who are currently in Guyana and are working with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in their preparation for the September 1 polls.
This Electoral Support
Project, funded by the UK government to the tune of £750,000 and implemented by UNDP, will see the GECOM benefiting from high-level technical assistance, international expertise and best practices to support its core activities in administering elections that meet international standards. The project is designed to support both the immediate and longer-term needs of GECOM in managing the 2025 electoral cycle and will continue through to March 2026.
Already, GECOM and UNDP hosted a one-day workshop on ‘Strengthening Communication Strategies for Electoral Integrity’ in June. That workshop was designed to enhance GECOM’s strategic communication capacity in the lead-up to the 2025 election with a focus on enhancing participants’ understanding of effective civic and voter education strategies; building capacity in anticipating information needs and maintaining proactive media relations; and strengthening institutional readiness for crisis communication.
The workshop also served as a platform to align efforts toward a unified vision of informed civic participation and institutional resilience and demonstrated the importance of proactive, timely, and accurate public engagement as essential to building trust in democratic systems – particularly in an era of rapid information flows and increasing disinformation.
Police controlling a crowd during the five-month-long 2020 elections (Stabroek News photo)
Cleaner charged for smuggling SIM cards into prison
…granted $50,000 bail
A29-year-old woman, who works as a school cleaner, is now before the courts after allegedly trying to smuggle SIM cards into the Camp Street Prison for an inmate.
Shevaghn Samuels of Hogg Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was arrested on Monday morning after prison officers found nine SIM cards hidden inside a Colgate toothpaste tube during a standard search of items taken for inmates. The incident reportedly occurred around 09:15 during a routine drop-off for inmate Ray Smith.
Following the discovery, Samuels was handed over to the police and later charged with introducing prohibited articles into a prison, an offence she answered to on Wednesday before Acting
Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
In court, Samuels entered a guilty plea with an explanation, telling the magistrate she was unaware that the bag she delivered contained contraband. She claimed that a woman named Shaneeza Smith, whom she knows personally, had contacted her earlier that morning and asked if she could deliver a package to the prison. According to Samuels, since she was already en route to work, she agreed to do the favour, unaware of what was inside the bag.
She claimed she followed instructions and took the bag to the prison drop-off area. Moments later, she was informed that contraband had been found and
was taken into custody.
The court also heard that Samuels is employed as a cleaner at a top secondary school in Georgetown and is the mother of four children, the youngest being just one year old. She shared her distress over the arrest, telling the court that she was unsure whether she would be allowed to continue her job. “I didn’t know what was inside,” she reportedly said.
Magistrate McGusty acknowledged the seriousness of the charge and advised her to cooperate with investigators by providing information on the person who gave her the bag and encouraged her to speak with her employer about the possibility of resuming work.
Samuels was granted $50,000 bail, and the matter was adjourned to July 23.
The incident prompted a stern reminder from Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot, who emphasised that smuggling contraband into correctional facilities is a dangerous and punishable offence. He noted that such acts compromise the security of the prison and endanger the lives of both inmates and staff, warning that individuals who attempt to undermine the system will face the full force of the law.
Fixing… …Caricom?
The reason why CARICOM is fulfilling the old joke about it actually being “CARI-GONE” was clearly brought out by the remarks of Barbados PM Mia Mottley at the conclusion of the 49th meeting of its Heads of Government (HoG) in balmy Montego Bay, Jamaica – with its sun-soaked white beaches on aquamarine seas. Here we are, two years after these HoGs had agreed that within months they’d launch a ferry service – starting between T&T, Barbados and Guyana – to ship goods and people between our islands, and with absolutely nothing done, Mia announced we should be acquiring a communications satellite!!
Now the ferry was supposed to’ve been supplied by T&T – as announced by then PM Rowley – since they’d bought one in 2018 for about US$19 million to ply the route to Venezuela, which had its own special challenges. Guns, criminal gangs and drugs were not the least of those challenges!! Communications satellites go for at least US$400 million – with about the same amount to launch them into geosynchronous orbit!! So, we can’t launch a US$20M ferry, and we want to launch a satellite for FORTY TIMES THAT?? As the Italians would exclaim, “Mama Mia!!!” At the HoG meeting a committee “was established to review presentations on ferries and report back to the HoGs.” The cost of a suitable vessel has been seen as an impediment!! So, your Eyewitness will now have a committee on satellites!!
Now why does Mia want us to have our own satellite that might just plunge the region into a deeper bankruptcy than it already is in?? Well, waxing lyrical about the right Honourable Marcus Garvey and his prophetic words echoed by Brother Bob (Marley) – about freeing ourselves from mental slavery – she said we won’t be able to do that until we stop getting all our information from those (imperialist running dogs?) who own the present satellites!! Pontificated she: “We have to generate our own content because it is only us who know our reality, and we cannot simply be the victims of other people’s judgement as to who we are and what we stand for.” I and I, sister!!!
Now let’s be honest. Isn’t this the grandiose, unrealistic assessment about our supposed needs and capabilities that has kept us as a Third World backwater? Decades ago, Singapore PM Lee Kwan Yu wrote in his book “From Third World to First” about attending Commonwealth conferences where his contemporaries Manley from Jamaica and Burnham from Guyana would wax as eloquent as Mia about creating a “New Global Order”!! They both led their countries into stagnation!!
No wonder T&T’s present PM Kamla – who’d once complained about T&T being Caricom’s ATM machine –was a no-show. Antigua wants the US$60M from T&T's Clico bust!!
…our community?
One of the myths fellas like Manley and Burnham had spread was we in the British Caribbean were ONE PEOPLE!! And that one of the main reasons we should come together into a political union wasn’t just economic or political –but to realise our COMMUNITYHOOD!! The Caribbean Community, get it? Lee Kwan Yu had gone in the opposite direction – he declared Singapore DIFFERENT from Malaysia and went on his own!!
The result?? They both prospered!! Yet sixteen years after Caricom’s launch, the HoGs said since we were a community, we should form a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) with the “free movement of peoples”.
Twenty years later Bajans were still keeping even Guyanese in-transit passengers on segregated benches!! But it seems the dream lives on. At the HoGs meeting, Barbados, Belize, St Vincent and Dominica agreed to free movement of all the Caricom mantra from October 1st! Guyana, which has come into some (oil) money, didn’t say nothing!!
They worry we’re now the new ATM machine??
…the broken police?
The COP said the Adriana case is still open. So will the civilian employed at the Force’s command centre who fed information to police ranks that there was footage of Adriana Younge’s “abduction” gonna be named??
Charged: Shevaghn Samuels at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts
GECOM approves symbols for 21 political parties ahead of 2025 elections
…1 party bows out as race heats up
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has approved the symbols of 21 political parties that have signalled their interest in contesting the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections.
Initially, 22 parties had submitted symbols for approval by GECOM. However, Deputy Chief Elections Officer Aneal Giddings told reporters at a media informative session on Wednesday that GECOM had previously approved 19 symbols while three parties were asked to make adjustments to their symbols.
Those changes were made and resubmitted, and at the Elections Commission’s statutory meeting on Tuesday, final approval was given.
According to the DCEO, the Republic Party of Guyana headed by Joel Hamilton, has since pulled out of the race.
With their symbols
now approved, these 21 parties will now have to submit their respective lists of candidates to the Elections Commission on Nominations Day, slated for Monday, July 14. These include a Geographical Constituency List, a National Top-Up List and a Regional Democratic Council List.
Each party is required to submit their lists of candidates for the election of a president, members of the National Assembly and members of the Regional Democratic Councils to the Chief Elections Officer.
The law prescribed that the submissions of the lists of candidates and nominators will have to be done strictly on Nominations Day and within the timeframe set – no time earlier or later. Consequently, these lists will be presented to the Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud, on Monday from 10:00 to 14:00 at the Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown.
Already, several political parties have camped out outside the Umana Yana to secure their spot for Monday’s Nomination Day. But the GECOM official explained that there will be guidelines provided to the parties outlining the order in which they will make their submissions.
Nominators, candidates
Each party’ National Top-Up List should comprise 300-330 nominators, 42 candidates (persons to be elected to sit in the National Assembly), who all need a signed statutory declaration form in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths or Justice of Peace, and include the name of the presidential candidate.
The Statutory Declaration form is what candidates sign to indicate that they are Guyanese and conform to other requirements set out in the law, such as that they are not a citizen of any other country.
Meanwhile, the Geographical Constituency (Administrative Regions) List must include 150-175 nominators from each constituency.
With regards to the regional elections, the Regional Democratic Council List must comprise 150-175 nominators for each constituency – all residing in the said region – and 12 to 36 candidates also from within the region. They too are required to sign a statutory form.
Candidates and nominators can only appear on one party’s list, including on both the National Top-up and Geographical Constituency Lists, but can
only appear on one of that party’s geographical lists.
With Guyana’s National Assembly comprised of 65 elected members, 25 of these are elected from the 10 geographical constituencies and the remaining 40 from the national topup list. Parties also have to ensure that one-third of the candidates nominated are female.
A breakdown of the 10 geographical constituencies shows that Regions One, Two, Five, Seven and 10 are allocated two seats each; Regions Three and Six get three seats each; Region Four is allocated seven seats; and Regions Eight and Nine get one seat each.
Political parties can contest a minimum of six of the 10 geographical constituencies, but when combined, those constituencies must amount to a total of 13 seats.
Defects/corrections
These requirements, as well as others, will be examined by the Chief Elections Officer, and those parties ’whose lists do not meet all the requirements will be deemed defective. However, the CEO will inform of the defective list(s), and the respective parties will have one day to make
corrections and resubmit the lists.
According to Giddings, GECOM has software that it has been using since 2006, which has been finetuned over the years, to run the lists from each political party to identify defects such as repetition of names where they ought not to be.
For those lists with defects, the respective party will be informed by GECOM on July 15, and they will have until July 17 to make the corrections.
GECOM will give final approval or disapproval of the lists on July 18. Thereafter, provisions are made for any party to take legal action to contest GECOM’s decision.
During this time also, parties can make withdrawals or notifications of
the death of candidates to GECOM by July 15; submit withdrawals of lists by July 17; and submit notifications of the Joinder of Lists by July 21.
GECOM will then be publishing the final and approved lists, titles and symbols on July 23 after a rigorous vetting process to ensure that all the submissions are in compliance with the various legal practices and procedures.
Although GECOM has approved the list of 21 political parties, several of the smaller parties have since formed alliances with either other small parties or with much larger political parties. These changes will be reflected when GECOM publishes the final list on July 23.
Deputy Chief Elections Officer Aneal Giddings during his presentation at Wednesday’s informative session for the media ahead of the July 14 Nomination Day
DCEO Aneal Giddings briefing the media on the Nomination Day procedures
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Teen dies in WCB hit and run
Sixteen-year-old
Kimberly Natasha Jones, a student of the Fort Wellington Secondary School and of Lot 63 No 22 Bel Air West Coast
Berbice (WCB), was killed on Tuesday evening in a suspected hit-and-run accident along the Number 22 Village Public Road, WCB. Family members said
Jones had recently completed her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. On Tuesday, she was returning home from Rosignol
Housekeeper slapped with attempted murder charge after man shot in chest
…also charged for robbery; illegal gun possession, ammo possession
A19-year-old St
Lucian woman was on Wednesday remanded to prison after being slapped with multiple charges, including robbery under arms, attempted murder, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Condoleezza Henry, a housekeeper and mother of a nine-month-old baby, appeared unrepresented before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where she denied all but one of the allegations. She pleaded not guilty to possession of a firearm without a licence and guilty with an explanation to possession of ammunition without a licence, telling the court the weapon belonged to her child’s father and had been left at their home.
Henry, who resides at the Guyhoc Squatting Area, was also charged with robbery under arms and attempted murder stemming from a June 20 incident at Princes Street, Lodge. It is alleged that she, along with others and armed with a knife, robbed 69-year-old Claudius
Fraser, Operations Manager at Calibre Security Services, of a .32 revolver worth $165,300 and $495,000, totalling $660,300. She pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The court heard that during the robbery, Henry and her accomplices used Fraser’s stolen revolver to shoot him in the chest. Although Fraser was discharged from the hospital, the prosecutor revealed that a bullet remains lodged in his chest, and he is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday.
The charges followed a cordon and search operation conducted by police between 15:30 and 16:30 on July 6 at the Guyhoc Squatting Area, where ranks searched several homes for stolen items, firearms, narcotics, and wanted persons. Based on intelligence received, they searched the home shared by Henry and 29-year-old Kristoff Nicholson, who remains on the run, and recovered a .32 revolver, one live round, and a spent shell hidden in a speaker box.
After being arrested and taken to the East La
Charged and remanded: Condoleezza Henry being escorted from court on Tuesday
Penitence Police Station, Henry was charged and later brought before the court. The prosecution strongly objected to bail on the grounds of public safety, the nature and seriousness of the offences, and the ongoing medical condition of the virtual complainant.
Despite her explanation, Magistrate McGusty denied bail and remanded Henry to prison until July 30.
when the incident occurred around 21:00.
One relative explained that he went to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), and while return ing home, he noticed a large crowd on the road and stopped to find out what had happened. Upon making en quiries, he was informed that it was Jones who had been struck down.
He said she was picked up and rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. According to the fam ily, the driver of the vehicle, after hitting the teen, fled the scene but was later arrested.
Jones lived at Number 22 Village with her sister and brother-in-law. The family member stated that she is the youngest of four children and had moved in with her sister after her mother died some five years
Relatives are now trying to obtain surveillance footage from nearby locations to piece together what oc-
“The family is devastated. Her sisters are taking it very hard.” They said. Jones was remembered as a bubbly and friendly girl who got along well with others. “She was very interactive, very jovial,” the relative said. “Always helpful, always smiling.”
“…they only wanted one person to be in there… They did not give us any information because they said they didn’t want us to go and beat up the people’s family.”
“I went to the hospital, and while there, 10 minutes after she was pronounced dead. They took information from me concerning the name of the person and the address. We later got an update that the police in the car. So, they brought him back to Fort Wellington. We went to Fort Wellington,” the relative said.
“We just need answers,” the relative said.
Meanwhile, up until press time on Wednesday, police have not released a statement on the accident.
Mason charged in brutal cutlass robbery …jailed
on illegal gun charges
Just one day after being apprehended by police to begin serving a three-year prison sentence on firearm-related charges, 23-year-old mason Leon Moore was hauled back before the courts, this time for his alleged role in a violent robbery that left a man severely chopped and bleeding in the streets of Agricola.
Moore, who resides at Phase 2 Farm Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, and Titus Street, Agricola, appeared on Wednesday before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He was charged with robbery under arms committed on Kweisi Lewis during a cutlass-wielding attack on April 30.
The charge mirrors the earlier one laid against Brandon Williams, also 23, of Agricola, who was remanded to prison on July 4 in connection with the same incident. During that court appearance, the virtual complainant, Lewis, told the court that two men, Williams and another individual, viciously chopped him after accusing him of “bringing police into the village” following a dispute involving his girlfriend and a female associate of the accused.
The other man involved in the attack had not been publicly named at the time. But during Wednesday’s proceedings, it was revealed that Leon Moore was the alleged accomplice referenced in Lewis’s earlier testimony.
Police allege that
on April 30, Moore and Williams, both armed with cutlasses, robbed Lewis of an Akunya cell phone valued at $150,000 and $40,000 in cash, totalling $190,000. Lewis told the court that on the day of the incident, he was visiting a friend at the front of the village when the two men confronted him, kicked down the door of the home, and stole his belongings. When Lewis questioned them, the men reportedly turned on him and began chopping him about his body.
He recalled that in an attempt to shield himself from a cutlass swing aimed at his head, he raised his hand, which absorbed the blow. His wrist was severely lacerated, exposing the bone.
Despite being chopped several more times, Lewis managed to escape and hide in a nearby yard. He later made a desperate run to the public road, where he tried to flag down vehicles but collapsed from blood loss. Eventually, a passing police patrol noticed him lying in the street and rushed him to the hospital, where he was admitted for three days. In court on Wednesday, Moore denied the charge and was remanded to prison until August 8, the same date set for Williams’s next court appearance. Prosecutors once again objected to bail, citing the violent nature of the crime and continued threats allegedly made by the accused against the victim.
Leon Moore being escorted
Ganja vs sugar
Confusion in APNU camp as member says shut down estates to plant ganja, Norton says no
…Norton also contradicts himself on 2024 position to downsize industry
Confusion reigns in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) camp after a bold claim from one member that the party intends to replace sugar estates with ganja cultivation if elected.
Party leader Aubrey Norton was quick to contradict the statement, reaffirming his commitment to keeping the sugar estates open, a move that raises questions about internal coherence and policy direction.
During APNU’s campaign launch on Sunday, member Leon Saul declared, “Sugar done, hemp and cannabis in… When the oil is done, hemp and cannabis will still be growing.”
In fact, Saul represents a political party called “Legalise Cannabis Guyana”, which forms part of the APNU.
In a statement the following day, APNU contradicted Saul’s announcements.
“The APNU Coalition wishes to re-emphasise its official position on the future of GuySuCo. As its presidential candidate Aubrey C. Norton stated at a press conference held on Friday, 27th June 2025, the APNU Coalition has absolutely no intention of closing down GUYSUCO and abandoning sugar,” the statement reads.
It continued that “[Norton] emphasised that GuySuCo will remain in sugar by stating that ‘much potential also exists where the sugar cane plant itself can be utilised to produce not only raw and processed sugar but also ethanol, livestock feed, bagasse board, and the cogeneration of electricity.’ No estates will therefore be closed.”
The APNU statement made no mention of the announcement by its member to move into cannabis cultivation, which would be illegal.
In fact, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall highlighted that such large-scale cannabis culti-
vation – as seemingly envisioned by Saul – would constitute drug trafficking.
“Planting marijuana on that scale is serious; it’s a serious criminal offence. That’s large-scale drug trafficking you’re talking about,” Nandlall pointed out on Tuesday evening during his programme “Issues in the News”.
Nandlall also drew attention to the fact that APNU’s statement did not debunk or repudiate Saul’s announcement at the campaign launch.
The difference in positions between two members of the same party vying for election at the upcoming polls highlights that it has no clear policy to govern the country –a position which General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Bharrat Jagdeo has repeatedly stated.
APNU contradicts previous position
In fact, the APNU’s statement in itself contradicts an earlier position from the party. In August 2024, Norton had revealed that an APNU administration would downsize the sugar industry.
“I believe that sugar has to be produced in limited quantities,” Norton had stated during a Globespan 24X7 programme.
The People’s National
Congress (PNC)-led APNU has a controversial history with the sugar industry.
Under the David Granger-led APNU+AFC government, the administration had closed four sugar estates across the country, sending some 7000-plus workers on the breadline.
In 2016, the Wales Estate was closed, and the following year, the Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates were also shut down.
In this regard, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, in a statement on Wednesday, labelled the PNC/APNU and its recent statement as “disingenuous”.
“These reckless decisions were made despite a report from the Commission of Inquiry into GUYSUCO, commissioned by the APNU/AFC themselves, which warned of the devastating long-term impacts of closures… They ignored it, and thousands of families paid the price,” Mustapha reminded.
Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali recently disclosed that GuySuCo must become a hub of rural economic development, expanding its operations to support other crops such as rice, cassava, and corn. He noted too that it can support livestock operations, agro-processing hubs,
farmer training and extension services, as well as fabrication and engineering services.
The president had also revealed that one of the strategies being looked at by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration is to elevate sugar workers into part-ownership roles within the industry, ensuring that they can own the means of production and increase their earnings.
PPP revitalise
Between 2020 and 2024, the Government invested $45 billion in the sugar industry to revitalise the sector and make it a vital component of the country’s developmental plans.
The focus has been on modernising operations, including the mechanisation of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates, with nearly 40 per cent of the estates now automated.
Additionally, efforts are underway to recapitalise the industry through
the replacement of outdated infrastructure and systems, aimed at improving overall efficiency.
With a focus on strengthening internal cooperation, the Government hopes to bring the sugar industry back to its former glory, contributing once again to the nation’s development and economic growth.
The Government has already declared that changes will be made in the management structure of GuySuCo this year, signalling a renewed commitment to achieving higher productivity and greater collaboration between all stakeholders in the sugar industry.
GuySuCo produced 6,738 tonnes of sugar for its first crop of 2024, falling short of the initial target of 16,000 tonnes. In total, less than 50,000 tonnes of sugar were produced in 2024, with President Ali warning that heads will roll if GuySuCo’s 2025 first crop targets aren’t met. In total,
the Government is projecting the production of over 100,000 tonnes of sugar for 2025.
Last year, some $15.5 billion was expended on support to the sugar industry, including the acquisition of six new cane harvesters, conversion of 2,734 hectares of land for mechanised cultivation and harvesting, and rehabilitation of critical revetment works.
In 2025, an additional 3,068 hectares of land will be converted to support mechanisation. Key investments will be made to acquire additional field equipment, rehabilitate field infrastructure, and construct over 17 kilometres (km) of all-weather roads across the industry. For these efforts, some $13.3 billion was approved during the budget estimates – as part of the Agriculture Ministry’s $104.6 billion budget – to support and rehabilitate the sugar industry this year.
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and APNU member Leon Saul
“Not heavyweights” claim
“Why were they in Parliament then?” – Nandlall asks Norton
Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton, recently downplayed the impact of prominent members who have resigned from his party in the past few months, noting that the former members are “not heavyweights” – a term used to define persons who have a lot of influence, experience, and importance in a particular field.
During his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday evening, Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Anil Nandlall questioned Norton’s posture, noting that if the former members are not “heavyweights”, then they should not have been Members of Parliament, representing the party at the highest level of political office afforded to the Opposition.
“Well, it’s not me to pass judgement on Mr Norton or what he says about his party, but that must be a very unfortunate statement because the persons who have left are persons whom the party put in the National Assembly to represent its interests and the interests of its constituents, and it would appear more
than passing strange that at that high level – and in fact, that is the highest level that you can put a person when you’re in the opposition – it is very illogical that you would put these persons at that high institution, the highest forum available to you in opposition, and then when they leave, say they are not heavyweights,” Nandlall contended.
Members of Parliament who resigned from the PNC include Amanza WaltonDesir, Jermaine Figueira, Natasha Singh-Lewis, and Geeta Chandan-Edmond. “Well, if they are not heavyweights, why were they in the Parliament for the last five years?” Nandlall questioned, adding that “that’s a question that Norton will have to answer to the membership and supporters of the PNC.” While ChandanEdmond endorsed President Dr Irfaan Ali and the PPP for a second term in office, Walton-Desir formed her own political party, while Singh-Lewis threw her support behind
US-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed. Figueira has not yet disclosed his next move.
Other members who recently resigned from the PNC include former Region Four Chairman Daniel Seeram and Vice Chairman Samuel Sandy, both of whom have thrown their support behind the PPP.
Former PNC parliamentarian James Bond, former PNC/R Central Executive member Dr Richard VanWest Charles, former PNC member Thandi McAllister, and former Georgetown
Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen have also left the PNC/APNU and are now supporting President Ali. Sydney Allicock, member of the Guyana Action Party (GAP) – one of the parties that make up the APNU – has also endorsed President Ali. Allicock served as Vice President under the former David Granger-led administration.
Norton believes these resignations will not hurt the party’s performance at the upcoming September 1 polls.
Operator dies as heavy-duty vehicle topples overboard
A36-year-old man was killed on Wednesday after the heavy-duty equipment he was operating toppled into a trench at a West Bank Demerara (WBD) construction site.
Dead is Nadir Baksh, a front-end loader operator, from Zeelugt Squatting Area, East Bank Essequibo.
The incident occurred at about 11:30h on Wednesday along the Vive-La-Force
Access Road, West Bank Demerara.
Based on police reports, Baksh was driving a frontend loader, 24776, proceeding across a wooden bridge when he lost control, causing the loader to end up in the trench.
As a result, the operator was pinned down and received injuries to his body. The loader was subsequently removed from the trench,
and Baksh was taken out in an unconscious condition by his colleagues and transported to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.
The body is presently lying at the Ezekiel Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Further investigations are in progress, the police say.
The scene of the incident where the operator of the front-end loader lost his life (Newsroom Photo)
Resigned: Jermaine Figueira; Amanza Walton-Desir; Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Natasha SinghLewis
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton
Hurricane Beryl GDF ranks return home, hailing rebuilding efforts in St Vincent and the Grenadines
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Tuesday officially welcomed home a 42-member contingent following their successful completion of a humanitarian mission on Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. The team, which comprised two officers and 40 other ranks, was deployed under the directive of President Irfaan Ali as part of Guyana’s contribution to a regional emergency response. Their deployment came in the wake of
the powerful Category 4 storm that inflicted widespread devastation on the island. In a social media post
on the GDF Facebook page, it was stated that during the mission, the ranks engaged in extensive recovery and rebuilding efforts,
Teen among 2 remanded for West Berbice murder
Charged:
Two men were remanded to prison on Wednesday after being charged with the murder of 18-year-old Jerroy Gordon of Litchfield Village, West Coast Berbice.
Nineteen-year-old Antwone Campbell, called "Antone", and Rayon Frank, called "Fearless", 33, both of Number 40 Village, West Coast Berbice, appeared at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Michelle Matthias, charged with murder.
It is alleged that on July 3, 2025, at Number 40 Village, West Coast Berbice, Campbell and Frank murdered Jerroy Gordon.
They were not required to plead to the indictable
Dead: 18-year-old
Jerroy Gordon
charge of murder. Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards told the court that the case file has been completed, but the deceased’s post-mortem examination report was outstanding.
The duo was remanded to prison, and the case will continue on August 8.
The matter has been transferred to the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court.
It was reported that the now-dead teenager was attacked and killed by a group of men over an ongoing feud with a gang from another village.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Gordon and his 16-year-old brother travelled a few villages away to purchase food, and
on their way, they passed a group of young men known to them.
According to the younger brother, Jerry, when they arrived at the food stand, they realised that their motorcycle was out of gasoline.
The younger brother was sent to his sister’s house, a few houses away, to make a phone call to have someone bring gasoline for them.
By the time he returned, Gordon had already managed to secure the gas.
However, it was on their way back home that they were attacked by the gang, during which Gordon was beaten to death. His young brother managed to escape.
Several persons were arrested, but charges were instituted against Campbell and Frank. (G4)
including the restoration of more than 187 homes. Their work involved critical repairs to roofing, windows, and doors, as well as plumbing, electrical, and painting services. The contingent also played a pivotal role in the reconstruction of the Union Island Police Station and the rehabilitation of the Stephanie Brown Primary School, which served as their operational base. In honour of their service, the contingent was greeted with high commendation at a formal welcome ceremony hosted at Base Camp Ayanganna. Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier
Omar Khan, MSS, praised the ranks for their professionalism, resilience, and unwavering dedication to regional duty.
Highlighting the significance of their work, Brigadier Khan announced the creation of the GDF’s first Humanitarian Service Medal. The newly designed honour, he said, will be presented to all returning members of the Union Island mission in recognition of their outstanding contribution to regional relief efforts. He also confirmed that the medal will be awarded retroactively to ranks who served in previous humanitarian missions, including
the GDF’s deployment to Grenada.
The contingent’s return closely followed the celebration of CariCom Day and underscored the spirit of regional unity in times of crisis. The mission stands as a testament to Guyana’s ongoing commitment to the Caribbean Community (CariCom) and to the GDF’s evolving leadership role in regional disaster response and humanitarian relief.
Hurricane Beryl, the first storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, caused widespread destruction across parts of the Eastern Caribbean, including Union Island.
Public warned about alleged cement scam artist
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is urging members of the public to exercise caution following reports of a man who is allegedly impersonating a wholesale cement supplier and fraudulently collecting money from unsuspecting individuals.
The suspect, identified as Javier Quintero, is said to be falsely claiming to represent a company named "GESG Solutions Group" and promoting a bogus sale of Argos Cement at discounted prices. According to the GPF, Quintero has no legitimate affiliation with Argos
Cement or any authorised cement distributor.
In one of the messages purportedly used in the scam, victims were lured with promises of a "flash sale" offering Argos Cement for $51,765 per sling or $1,295 per sack, with a minimum requirement of 2,500 slings per individual or company. The message, marked by urgency and promotional language, claimed the deal was valid for only 24 hours. Representatives of Argos Cement have since confirmed that Javier Quintero is not associated with their company in any capacity.
The GPF is warning members of the public not to engage with Quintero or transfer any funds under the belief that they are securing cement supplies. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
Anyone who may have fallen victim to the alleged scheme or has relevant information is asked to contact the nearest police station immediately.
Rayon Frank, called "Fearless” Charged: Antwone Campbell, called "Antone"
The GDF ranks that assisted in the rebuilding efforts in St Vincent and the Grenadines
Javier Quintero (GPF-issued photo)
31 GuySuCo apprentices graduate with call to build Guyana’s future
Thirty-one persons on Wednesday graduated after successfully completing a four-year course at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Port Mourant Training Centre (GPMTC).
It was the school’s 62nd apprentice graduation exercise since opening its doors in 1957.
Corporate Manager of GuySuCo, Hutton Griffith, said it was a proud moment for the 31; it should not be the end of their learning.
“I assure you, this is just the beginning. Technical knowledge alone is not enough. What will set you apart will be your attitude, your work ethic, your mindset, and the character that you display. Your skills and experience, humility, strong interpersonal relations, and a constant desire to learn are what will take you very, very far. Do not be afraid to set yourselves high goals,” the corporate manager said while noting that the government of Guyana is offering free education from nursery to university.
“Even more of you graduates could take up a gold scholarship, the
Guyana Online Academy of Learning. You can continue to improve yourselves with what is available. Dream and dream big, and while you chase those dreams, I invite you to consider building those dreams right here with the Guyana Sugar Corporation with all of us.”
Meanwhile, Region Six
Chairman David Armogan, who is also head of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), was also admonishing the grandaunts not to give up learning, saying that there are numerous opportunities for them.
“Guyana today is classified as the fastest-growing economy in the world. Therefore, you, the young people, will have to ensure that you can play your part in the future development of our country.”
Armogan said that daily, new investors are coming into Guyana.
“...if at any point in time after you have completed your journeyman course and you decide that you want to work elsewhere, there are so many opportunities that will be available in our country for you to work. Today, in Berbice in
particular, so many things are developing…”
He made mention of two new hospitals currently being built in Region Six, saying that tradesmen and
women will be needed for the construction.
“When that is opened as well, you will need tradesmen to go and work there. So, in all the industries,
“We are sitting on a gold mine” –
even in agriculture, we are expanding agriculture in a big way in this region because we will once again have to become the food basket of the Caribbean, and so there will be many opportunities for you to work, not only in GuySuCo but also elsewhere in the region in agriculture and other industries that are developing at a fast pace.”
Armogan, however, pointed out that GuySuCo is on the rise again. As such, those who have qualified themselves through the technical and vocational training programme in electrical installation, fitting and machining, welding and fabrication, motor vehicle servicing and repairs, and refrigeration have a role to play to ensure the progress of GuySuCo, which Armogan said is very important.
In the first two years of the course, students go through an apprenticeship, and during the latter two years, they get handson experience on one of GuySuCo’s sugar estates. Advisor to the Agriculture Minister, Dr Richard Blair, and focusing
on what has been happening in the sugar industry, pointed out that advances in agro-processing, precision farming, irrigation methods, renewable energy, and smart technology are now very much a part of how food is grown.
“It is no longer just about farming. It is technology, engineering, and innovation. In fact, this industry understands that very well. And that transformation is happening in a very profound fashion.
Thousands of hectares of land have been converted to facilitate mechanised harvesting.”
Dr Blair noted that at Albion and Rosehall, about 45 per cent of the land has been converted to facilitate mechanised harvesting. This, he said, helps in efficiency and raising productivity.
“So, whether it is keeping sugar mills efficient, developing agro-processing plants, or helping us modernise farm equipment, your skills are part of the bigger picture. You are not just part of GuySuCo; you are part of Guyana's future,” he told the graduates.
GO-Invest Head rallies
Guyana, Suriname to seize $10B trade opportunity …calls for unified cross-border strategy to dominate Caribbean food and logistics markets
In a fiery and impassioned address at the launch of the 2025 International Business Conference (IBC) hosted by the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Chief Investment Officer and Head of GO-Invest Dr Peter Ramsaroop issued a clarion call for Guyana and Suriname to join forces and unlock the region’s untapped economic power.
Standing before an audience of regional investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, Dr Ramsaroop pointed to staggering import figures, which see Jamaica and Trinidad each importing over US$1.2 billion in food annually, while Barbados spends US$400 million.
He explained that most of that produce comes from outside the region, not from Guyana, Suriname, or northern Brazil, despite their fertile lands and growing capacity – something Ramsaroop believes must be addressed.
“We are sitting on a gold mine between these two nations. And we've got to look at it. Jamaica came into Guyana a couple of weeks ago. Grace Kennedy, as a large food processing company, wants to set up operations in Guyana. But we are sitting on it. Why not us? Why don't we do it? Why don't we figure out where the two or three companies in Guyana and Suriname, and maybe include northern Brazil, and include other parts of the Caribbean? And we own this $6 to $10 billion agriculture market,” Dr Ramsaroop said. Labelling the IBC not just a “conference” but a business engagement with outcomes, Ramsaroop emphasised the urgency of real, collaborative action. He lauded the growing alignment between Suriname and Guyana, from infrastructure to policy, and stressed the importance of turning that momentum into tangible cross-border projects.
“That will be the initiative of what I hope comes out of this business engagement. So, look across from just the speakers and look at where we can join forces. How could we twin these products, right? The Dutch store is brilliant. The rum initiative, brilliant. And if we join the two logistics sectors, we join the shipping sector; we are going to be known for more than oil,” he posited.
Meanwhile, Ambassador
of the Republic of Suriname to Guyana, Liselle Blankendal, shared similar sentiments, noting that Guyana and Suriname are undergoing major economic transformations, driven by investment in sectors ranging from oil and gas to agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and innovation.
Thus, the timing of this year’s conference is crucial — and the world is paying attention.
“We help bring people to-
gether, support trade, and encourage investment. So, hosting this launch shows our shared goal to strengthen cooperation and build economic partnerships between Suriname, Guyana, and beyond. Guyana is going through big changes, and Suriname is also moving towards economic transformation. That is why this conference is so timely. It will bring together business leaders, investors, and policy makers not just from our two countries but from across the region and the world,” Ambassador Blankendal said.
Back in 2024, the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce and other Chambers of Commerce recently inked several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to increase cooperation, the most important being the commemoration of the 2025 International Business Conference (IBC).
This year, on October
14-16, more than 500 delegates and 100 speakers are expected to attend the International Business Conference.
The IBC, which was organised by the GuyanaSuriname Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA), the Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), offers a platform for locals to pool their resources, strengthen collective capabilities, and elevate the Caribbean’s standing in the global market. With high-level discussions, targeted networking opportunities, and avenues for foreign investment, the IBC is set to play a crucial role in advancing regional development and fostering new business partnerships in real estate, infrastructure, mining, industrial services and tourism.
Best graduating student Djanraj Lawrence, who obtained four distinctions
GO-Invest Head, Dr Peter Ramsaroop
New Police facilities commissioned on Essequibo Coast
…to strengthen security, boost marine operations, enhance community policing
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) marked a significant milestone in its infrastructure and service expansion efforts with the commissioning of four new buildings across Regional Division No Two on Saturday.
Benn was joined by Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Andre Ally, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Errol Watts.
Security strengthened In his feature address, Benn reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the security sector through strategic investments in infrastructure, personnel, and policy. He
The facilities commissioned by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn included the new Divisional Headquarters and Command Centre in Anna Regina, the Charity Police Station, and a new boathouse in Charity, all aimed at bolstering operational efficiency, decentralising services, and expanding the GPF’s reach in coastal and riverine communities.
underscored the role of the new facilities in expanding the marine division of the GPF, which is especially crucial for the region’s riverine communities.
He also addressed key societal issues such as road safety, motorcyclist fatalities, and family violence. “We continue to see lives being lost due to reckless motorcycle use and failure to wear helmets,” Benn noted, as he handed over safety helmets to Deputy Commissioner Watts and Regional Commander Khemraj Shivbaran.
On the issue of domestic violence, Minister Benn highlighted the need for accountability from all parties and stronger community engagement. “We must work toward a better society through greater collaboration,” he said, urging tighter coordination between community policing groups and national law enforcement to improve crime-fighting strategies.
Enhancing Deputy Commissioner Watts spoke on the ongoing transformation within the GPF, noting
the construction of new divisional headquarters and the rehabilitation of existing stations across the country. He emphasised the importance of maintaining Police buildings to ensure quality service delivery to the public.
Regional Commander Shivbaran highlighted the decentralised services now available to Essequibo residents and pointed to new specialised departments within the headquarters as part of the force’s broader development pillars focused on infrastructure and performance.
Judiciary hosts Career Day in Region 9
The Judiciary of Guyana held a “Career Day” for the first time at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court earlier this month. In a post
on the Supreme Court of Judicature – Guyana social media page, it was stated that the initiative was the idea of the Chancellor of the Judiciary
(ag.), Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, OR, CCH, to educate youths and make them aware of employment opportunities. Magistrates
Dylon Bess and Omadatt Chandan; Deputy Mayor Indira Singh, Regional Chairman Brian Allicock, Assistant Superintendent of Police
Seon Leitch, other Government officials, students, and teachers from the Lethem community attended the “Career Day”.
Catfish ban
“We’ll
have this resolved soon” – US Ambassador
There may be a breakthrough on the horizon in the long-standing catfish export impasse between Guyana and the United States. In a promising development, the United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, has signalled that a resolution is near, telling reporters, “We’ll have this resolved soon.” The dispute, which has hampered Guyana’s catfish exports to the US since 2017, may finally be nearing its end — bringing hope to local fisherfolk and exporters alike.
After years of frustration, mounting diplomatic pressure, and hard-fought negotiations, hope is finally on the horizon for Guyana’s embattled catfish exporters. In a strong show of support, US Ambassador Nicole Theriot on Wednesday declared that a resolution to the long-standing US ban on Guyanese catfish imports is “very, very near”.
Speaking candidly at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Guyana and Bloomberg Grain, Ambassador Theriot said the once-daunting process – triggered by stringent updates to U.S. seafood import regulations – has seen Guyana delivering on every single technical requirement to requalify for access to the American market.
“I know this has been a very long-term negotiation. As you all know, the requirements for importing catfish into the United States and most seafoods became much more stringent quite a few years ago, and so Guyana had to requalify, if you will, as did the rest of the world. Guyana has taken every step we've asked of them. It's a long process. They will submit the responses to questions we have. We'll ask more questions. They'll submit more responses, but I can tell you that it's going
very, very well. Guyana has been incredibly responsive,” Theriot noted.
The United States has maintained a ban on catfish exports from Guyana since 2017, during the administration of former President David Granger. At the time, Guyana’s catfish exports to the US were valued at approximately $1.8 billion.
Since entering office in 2020, the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been working assiduously with the USDA to reverse
the ban.
Now, the tides may finally be turning, with Ambassador Theriot indicating that she and Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, are fully aligned in pushing for a breakthrough.
“I am very, very hopeful, as is the minister, that we'll have this resolved soon and that it will be a positive response, and I am certainly pushing on my end to make that happen,” Theriot said.
According to the US regulations, Guyana must be
able to catch catfish and transport it to a processing plant while it is alive. This is in contradiction to what is being practised here, whereby the fish is caught, disembowelled, and the carcass is iced until it reaches the shore.
Exporters of catfish were required to provide documentation to verify that their inspection system was equivalent to US standards. The failure to do this resulted in the US imposing a ban on catfish imports from Guyana and other non-compliant countries.
Guyana is also required to have inspectors at the plants along with documentation of sanitation and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) during the packaging process. It also needs to provide information on how adulterated catfish products are managed.
As Guyana continues to strive to meet these stan-
dards, there have been multiple exchanges between authorities from both sides, with the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) requesting additional documentation and information from its Guyanese counterpart.
Guyana has been engaging the US Government at high levels on reversing the catfish ban. In fact, the matter was raised with former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a visit to Georgetown in September 2020, and he had committed to reviewing the ban on catfish.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had previously lamented that the local fishing industry has been severely affected by the ban. The wild-caught catfish, especially ‘gilbaka’, has been in great demand within the Guyanese diaspora in the US.
GDF Coast Guard hosts interagency maritime safety and security seminar
The Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard (GDF CG) launched a two-day Maritime Safety and Security Seminar aimed at strengthening interagency cooperation and coordination among key national agencies responsible for the country’s maritime domain.
In a post on social media, the GDF stated that the seminar, which opened on Tuesday at the Coast Guard Headquarters, has been spearheaded by the Commander of the Coast Guard, Commander David Shamsudeen. It brings together department heads and operational teams from a range of critical agencies, including the Maritime
Administration Department (MARAD), Maritime Police, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Fisheries Department, Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to the GDF, the first day featured presentations by the GDF Coast Guard, Marine Police, and MARAD. Each agency provided detailed briefings on their operational capacities, surveillance systems, and ongoing challenges in maintaining maritime safety and security.
These sessions were followed by robust discussions focused on improving inter-
agency communication, joint response strategies, and the creation of a unified framework to tackle both current and emerging maritime threats. A key point of consensus was the need for enhanced integration between regulatory and enforcement bodies, a move seen as vital to safeguarding Guyana’s inland waterways and expansive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The seminar continued Wednesday with presentations from CANU, GRA, the Fisheries Department, GEA, and the EPA, furthering the dialogue on collaborative mechanisms and operational synergy across maritime institutions.
Gold production increases this year – Bharrat
The Government will continue to support the country’s mining sector as it forges ahead with a bold developmental agenda.
Natural Resources
Minister Vickram Bharrat spoke with members of the Bartica business community at a recent networking activity.
He noted that once mining does well, so does Bartica and the entire country.
“I want to tonight give our Government and our
president full commitment to the mining sector because the mining sector is critical to the development of our country. Today, the Guyana that you see wasn’t built on oil and gas. It was built on mining. It was built on logging, agriculture, tourism and the other traditional sectors,” Bharrat is quoted in a DPI report as saying.
The Minister stated that the Government does not intend to make the same mistake as other oil-producing nations.
According to the Minister, the Government will not abandon other traditional and non-oil sectors of the economy.
According to the DPI report, the Minister said, “We said from day one that we are not going to make that mistake. As a matter of fact, we are going to use revenue from the oil and gas sector to incentivise. We are expanding the traditional productive sectors. And we have done that.”
He also noted the benefits
of Government incentives for the mining, quarrying and other industries as well.
He noted that when the Government took office in 2020, the annual production of stone aggregate was 600 thousand tonnes. This year, Guyana is projected to produce 3.6 million tonnes of aggregate, most of which is from Region Seven.
“Gold production has increased; compare this year with last year. We are over 20 thousand ounces ahead of 2024 already, and this is
only July 2025,” he added.
He stated that Region Seven will see one of the largest gold mines ever built in Guyana, called the Oko West Project by Reunion Gold.
This operation will employ locals as part of the agreement with the government.
“For Bartica directly, I have mentioned the expansion of the mining sector, and we will continue to work with miners because we know this community
depends heavily on mining. We are going to continue to make land available and to make land accessible to miners,” the Minister said. He noted that the Government will continue to work with miners to increase the recovery rate.
Bharrat also mentioned the road leading to Bartica that the President, Irfaan Ali, has considered and the gas-to-energy project, all of which will bring tremendous benefits to Bartica and other parts of Guyana.
Trump hosts 5 West African leaders to discuss trade and development
nited States President
UDonald Trump is meeting with leaders from five African nations as he escalates a trade war that could impact developing countries reliant on commerce with the US.
On Wednesday, Trump hosted leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal at the White House for talks and a working lunch, with discussions expected to centre on
US President Donald Trump hosts a lunch for African leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 9, 2025 [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]
business opportunities, according to a White House official.
During the lunch, Trump said they hail from “very vibrant places with very valuable land, great minerals, great oil deposits and wonderful people”.
“There’s a lot of anger on your continent. We’ve been able to solve a lot of it,” Trump said, pointing to a recent peace agreement leaders
of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda recently signed at the White House.
The leaders are expected to discuss key areas of cooperation, including economic development, security, infrastructure and democracy, according to statements from the White House and Liberia.
Trump said the five countries were unlikely to face US tariffs.
Trump is expected to soon announce dates for a broader summit with African leaders, possibly in September around the time of the United Nations General Assembly. This week’s mini-summit marks the latest effort by successive administrations to counter perceptions that the US has neglected a continent where China has increasingly made economic inroads. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
The meeting with the Bartica business community
Regional
Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Brazil after spat with Lula
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States would impose a 50 per cent tariff on all imports from Brazil after a spat this week with his Brazilian counterpart who called him an unwanted “emperor”.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva fired back on Wednesday, saying new tariffs would be met with reciprocal measures.
In a letter, Trump linked the tariffs to Brazil’s treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial over charges of plotting a coup to stop Lula from taking office in 2023.
The levies were imposed due “in part to Brazil’s insidious attacks on Free Elections, and the fundamental Free Speech Rights of Americans”, the letter said.
Brazil’s real currency added to earlier losses to fall over two per cent against the dollar after the announcement, and companies such as planemaker Embraer and oil major Petrobras also suffered setbacks in the stock market.
Lula, his Vice President, his Finance Minister, and others held an emergency meeting in Brasilia on Wednesday night to discuss the new levies.
In a lengthy post to social media after the meeting, Lula said Trump’s accusations that trade between the two countries was unfair to the US were false, stressing the US runs a trade surplus against Brazil.
“Sovereignty, respect, and the unwavering defence of the interests of the Brazilian people are the values that guide our relationship with the world,” Lula wrote.
The US is Brazil’s second-largest trading partner after China and the tariffs are a major increase from the 10 per cent announced in April. Trump’s
letter said the 50 per cent tariff would start August 1 and would be separate from all sectoral tariffs.
On Monday, Lula pushed back against Trump after the US leader threatened to impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) group of developing nations, which he called “anti-American”.
“The world has changed. We don’t want an emperor,” Lula told reporters when asked at a BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro about the possible BRICS tariff.
Bolsonaro “witch-hunt”
Tensions between the United States and Brazil had already intensified on Wednesday after Brazil’s Foreign Ministry summoned the US Embassy Chargé D’affaires over a statement defending Bolsonaro.
Around the same time, Trump, speaking to reporters at an event with West African leaders at the White House, said Brazil “has not been good to us, not good at all”, adding the tariff rates would be based on “very, very substantial facts” and past history.
The US Embassy in Brasilia confirmed on Wednesday its Chargé D’affaires had a meeting with officials from Brazil’s Foreign Ministry, though it declined to share details
about the conversation.
Trump’s support for Bolsonaro echoed his support for other global leaders who have faced domestic legal cases like French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump has called cases against those leaders a “witch-hunt”, a term he used for cases he faced himself in the US after the end of his first term in office.
Trump said in a social media post on Monday that Bolsonaro was the victim of such a “witchhunt”. The US Embassy in Brasilia issued a statement on Wednesday to the local press echoing his remarks.
“The political persecution of Jair Bolsonaro, his family, and his supporters is shameful and disrespectful of Brazil’s democratic traditions,” it said.
In a post on social media, Bolsonaro did not mention Trump, but said he “is persecuted because he remains alive in the public consciousness. Even out of power, he remains the most remembered –and most feared – name.”
In his letter, Trump also directed US Trade Representative James Greer to initiate a probe into what he called unfair trade practices by Brazil, particularly on US companies’ digital trade. Trump also criticised decisions
from Brazil’s Supreme Court that he said censored social media firms.
Brazil’s Supreme Court has long been criticised by Bolsonaro’s allies for ordering social media websites to take down content from leaders of their farright movement. The court also imposed more responsibilities on those companies last month.
In his post on Wednesday, Lula rebuffed Trump’s accusations of a witch-hunt and said the case against Bolsonaro was up for the courts to decide and not subject to any “threats that could compromise the independence of national institutions”.
Lula also defended his country’s Supreme Court and its ruling on social media and said “freedom of expression must not be confused with aggression or violent practice”.
Impact on food exports
The tariffs on Brazil could have a significant impact on food prices in the United States. Around a third of the coffee consumed in the US, the world’s largest drinker of the beverage, comes from Brazil, which is the world’s largest coffee grower. Annual Brazilian coffee exports to the US are close to eight million bags, according to industry groups.
More than half of the orange juice sold in the US comes from Brazil, which has an 80 per cent share of the juice’s global trade. The South American agricultural powerhouse also sells sugar, beef, and ethanol to the US, among other products.
“This measure impacts not only Brazil, but the whole US juice industry that employs thousands of people and has had Brazil as its main supplier for decades”, said Ibiapaba Netto, the Executive Director of Brazilian orange juice industry group CitrusBR.
(Reuters)
ublic Utilities
Earthquakes strike Guatemala, Jamaica
Aseries of earthquakes rocked Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, prompting authorities to ask residents to evacuate from buildings in case of further aftershocks.
Mid-afternoon, a 5.2 magnitude quake shook southern Guatemala, around 60 kilometres from capital Guatemala City, according to the nation’s seismological institute, which then registered a wave of more aftershocks ranging from magnitudes of 3.9 to 5.6.
Images from local media showed that some buildings had suffered damage.
Authorities did not imme-
diately report serious collapses or injuries from the shakes. The nation’s disaster response agency recommended that people evacuate public and private buildings as a precaution.
Meanwhile, the Jamaica Observer reported a magnitude 3.6 earthquake was felt in several parts of Jamaica Wednesday afternoon. The Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies (Mona) has confirmed that the epicentre of the 16:15h quake was located south west of Buff Bay, Portland with a focal depth of 16 kilometres. (Reuters and Jamaica Observer)
Chile, Mexico look to new markets ahead of Trump’s copper tariffs
Top officials in Chile and Mexico said on Wednesday they could seek markets elsewhere to avoid tariffs from the Trump Administration, a day after US President Donald Trump said he would soon announce a 50 per cent tariff on the red metal.
Mexico and Chile export the bulk of their copper to China.
“Chilean copper will keep finding new markets,” Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren told a press conference, after President Gabriel Boric said earlier in the day that he had yet to hear from the US and called for official communication.
Wall Street’s main indexes closed higher on Wednesday, with the Dow adding roughly half a per cent, the S&P 500 gaining about six-tenths of a per cent and the Nasdaq
climbing just shy of one per cent.
“Clearly these measures worry us,” van Klaveren added, pointing to market uncertainty on global supply flows.
“The US is going to keep needing copper, because the US doesn’t have the capacity to replace the copper it imports from Chile and other countries,” he told the conference.
Chile is the single biggest copper supplier to the US, a market that makes up about 11 per cent of its total copper exports, and less than seven per cent of its refined copper exports.
Boric said he was awaiting official communication from the US Government, including whether the tariffs would include copper cathodes, and questioned “whether this will actually be implemented or not”. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Padarath stands firmly behind current UNC leader as internals loom Caribbean countries to benefit from new PAHO agreement
PMinister Barry Padarath has thrown his full support behind United National Congress (UNC) political leader, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, rejecting speculation that he harbours leadership ambitions ahead of the party’s forthcoming internal election.
“Without a doubt, Mrs Persad-Bissessar is the undisputed leader now and for several years to come,” Padarath told Guardian Media y in response to queries about whether he had such ambition.
date for the internal election of the political leader. I intend to contest for the position of political leader. Any member of the UNC can file a nomination for the position of political leader. If you want it, come and take it; I will be waiting,” Persad-Bissessar told supporters.
Caribbean countries are to benefit from the renewed agreement between the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and Bloomberg Philanthropies to enhance civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems in the Americas.
During the UNC’s Monday Night Report in Penal, Persad-Bissessar declared her intention to run for the position she has
held since 2010, after putting the party on notice that the election was close.
“The Natex will meet this week to decide on the
Yesterday, Padarath signalled that he has no intention to challenge for the position, despite speculation that he was a candidate to succeed PersadBissessar.
(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
PAHO said that the agreement would be “supporting countries and territories of the Caribbean to improve the quality and availability of vital statistics to increase the proportion of accurately and completely registered births and deaths, and to modernise systems”.
It said that the agreement expands ongoing work under the global Data for Health (D4H) initiative, aimed at improving how countries collect and use data on births, deaths, and causes of death to shape public health policies.
PAHO said in many countries across the region, data on deaths remain incomplete or inaccurate, noting for example, in several countries, fewer than half of death certificates include a documented cause of death. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
US President Donald Trump [Bloomberg/Getty Images]
T&T Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath speak during a sitting of Parliament in June
Guatemalan firefighters work beside a vehicle buried under rocks and soil during a landslide, following a quake that shook southern Guatemala, near Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala, July 8, 2025 (Bomberos Voluntarios de Guatemala/Handout via Reuters)
Around the World
OIL NEWS
Oil steady on strong gasoline demand, Red Sea attacks while Trump tariffs loom
Ukraine suffers heaviest attack as Trump criticises Putin
President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy says Ukraine has been hit by the biggest-ever aerial attack from Russia, after 728 drones and 13 cruise or ballistic missiles struck cities around the country in multiple waves.
Zelenskyy condemned the “telling attack”, adding: “It comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire, and yet only Russia continues to rebuff them all.”
Oil prices were steady on Wednesday as investors weighed strong US gasoline demand data and attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, while US copper tariffs loomed.
Brent crude futures settled up four cents, or 0.06 per cent, to US$70.19 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled up five cents, or 0.07 per cent, to US$68.38 a barrel.
US crude stocks rose while gasoline and distillate inventories fell last week, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) )said on Wednesday.
Shell says it expects quarterly earnings to be hit by weaker trading in its integrated gas division and losses at its chemicals and products operations.
Crude inventories rose by 7.1 million barrels to 426 million barrels in the week ended July 4, the EIA said, compared with analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a draw of 2.1 million barrels.
Gasoline demand rose six per cent to 9.2 million barrels per day last week, the EIA said.
“Demand seems to be solid and not slowing down,” said Phil Flynn, senior market analyst with Price Futures Group.
After months of calm in the Red Sea, attacks in the major global shipping lane were renewed in the past week. Rescuers pulled six crew members alive from the Red Sea on Wednesday and 15 were still missing from the second of two ships sunk in recent days in attacks claimed by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia after months of calm.
Oil prices were also supported by an EIA forecast on Tuesday that the US would produce less oil in 2025 than previously expected, as declining prices have prompted US producers to slow activity.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said he would impose a 50 per cent tariff on copper, aiming to boost US production of a metal critical to electric vehicles, military hardware, the power grid, and many consumer goods.
Trump made the announcement as he delayed a deadline for some tariffs to August 1, spurring hopes among major trade partners that deals to ease duties could still be reached, though many remain uncertain.
Elsewhere, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) producers were set for another big output boost for September as they complete both the unwinding of voluntary production cuts by eight members, and the move by United Arab Emirates (UAE) to a larger quota, five sources said.
On Saturday, OPEC+ approved a supply increase of 548,000 barrels per day for August.
“Oil prices have stayed surprisingly resilient in the face of accelerated OPEC+ supply additions,” said Suvro Sarkar, energy sector team lead at DBS Bank.
UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said on Wednesday that oil markets were absorbing OPEC+ production increases without building inventories, which means they are thirsty for more oil.
“You can see that even with the increases for several months we haven’t seen a major buildup in inventories, which means the market needed those barrels,” he said. (Reuters)
The overnight strike came after President Donald Trump said the US would send more weapons to Kyiv – a reversal of last week’s suspension which US media said Trump had not known about.
On Tuesday, the US lead-
er expressed growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump told reporters. “He’s very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was “pretty calm about this. Trump’s way of talking is generally quite harsh, the phrases he uses”.
The two leaders have been in regular contact, but this
has so far failed to translate into tangible steps towards a ceasefire in Ukraine – something Trump once said he would be able to achieve in a day.
Last week, following a phone call with the Russian President, Trump said he was “very unhappy”.
“He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people, it’s no good,” Trump said of Putin.
The criticism came even as the Trump Administration announced a suspension of military aid to Ukraine, reportedly authorised by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Elbridge Colby, the Under Secretary of Defence for Policy. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Netanyahu and Trump prioritise hostages as Gaza military campaign grinds on
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday his meeting with US President Donald Trump had focused on freeing hostages held in Gaza, as Israel continued to pound the Palestinian territory amid efforts to reach a ceasefire.
Netanyahu said on X that the leaders also discussed the consequences and possibilities of “the great victory we achieved over Iran”, following an aerial war last month
in which the United States joined Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sites.
Netanyahu is making his third US visit since Trump took office on January 20 and had earlier told reporters that while he did not think Israel’s campaign in the Palestinian enclave was done, negotiators are “certainly working” on a ceasefire.
Trump met Netanyahu on Tuesday for the second
time in two days to discuss the situation in Gaza, with the President’s Middle East envoy indicating that Israel and Hamas were nearing an agreement on a ceasefire deal after 21 months of war.
Hamas official Taher al-Nono told Reuters they were engaged in a “difficult round” of negotiations.
A source familiar with Hamas’ thinking said four days of talks in Doha did not produce any breakthroughs
on three main sticking points. These are the free flow of aid into Gaza, withdrawal lines for Israeli forces, and guarantees that negotiations would pave the way to a permanent ceasefire.
The source said Israel has demanded it retain control of about one-third of the enclave, including the Morag Axis, a corridor between the Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis. (Excerpt from Reuters)
South Korea ex-leader Yoon returns to jail as court grants warrant
Former South Korean
President Yoon Suk Yeol returned to jail today after a court approved a warrant sought by Prosecutors investigating his attempt to impose martial law last year.
The Seoul Central District Court’s decision bolstered the special counsel investigation into allegations that Yoon’s move in December represented obstruction of justice and
abuse of power.
The court said in a statement it granted the request because of concerns Yoon could seek to destroy evidence.
The conservative politician already faces criminal charges of insurrection over his martial law decree, and that could carry a sentence of life in prison or death.
The former President returned to confinement in the Seoul Detention Centre
about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of the capital after the decision. He spent 52 days in jail earlier in the year, but was released four months ago on technical grounds.
The Constitutional Court ousted him as President in April, upholding Parliament’s impeachment for the martial law bid, which shocked South Koreans and triggered months of political turmoil.
The special prosecution team launched its investigation after new leader Lee Jae Myung was elected in June, and it has been looking into additional charges against Yoon.
The special counsel team is now expected to speed up its probe into allegations, including whether Yoon hurt South Korea’s interests by intentionally inflaming tensions with North Korea. (Excerpt from Reuters)
India and China strive to reset ties, but with caution
After years of border tensions, India and China appear to be gradually moving towards resetting ties – but larger challenges and suspicions remain.
The visit of two senior Indian officials to China late last month was seen as a sign of a thaw in bilateral relations.
In June, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also made separate visits as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meetings.
The SCO is a 10-member Eurasian security grouping that also includes China,
border. Rivers, lakes and snow-caps along the frontier mean the line often shifts, bringing soldiers face to face at many points, sometimes sparking skirmishes.
The crisis escalated in June 2020 when the two forces clashed in the Galwan valley in Ladakh in what was the first fatal confrontation between them since 1975. At least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers died. Stand-offs between the militaries have since taken place in several places.
Russia, Iran, and Pakistan. Singh’s visit was the first by a senior Indian official to China in five years.
At the heart of IndiaChina tensions is an ill-defined, 3440-kilometre (2100-mile)-long disputed
But geopolitical uncertainty and ground realities appear to have nudged the two sides to find common ground on several issues.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Fast-changing geopolitics has compelled Delhi to reach out to China to reset ties, experts say. Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit on September 4, 2016 in Hangzhou, China [Getty Images]
Firefighters battling fires sparked by explosions in the Kyiv region
SUDOKU
Give and take will be essential if you plan to get along with others. Be willing to compromise and share the cost, time and workload necessary to achieve positive results.
Work to ease your mind and stop others from pressuring you. Look for opportunities to expand your horizons and relationships. Make changes at home to ensure optimum efficiency.
Spend time researching, interacting with experts and considering your options. Bide your time, avoid premature action and be cognizant of what others choose to do.
Participate and enjoy. Don’t put off what you can accomplish today. Join in, formulate a plan and make things happen. Take the initiative, be an instigator and see what unfolds.
Keep your eye on the ball when dealing with government, legal and financial matters. Do your best to get along with your colleagues and to align yourself with those you feel akin to.
Be smart about investing your time, money and emotions. Know who you are dealing with and get everything in writing. Emotional energy will surface, leaving you vulnerable if you take the bait.
Be smart about investing your time, money and emotions. Not everyone will share your principles. Know who you are dealing with and get everything in writing.
You’ll want to explore prospects that require upgrading your skills and expertise. Don’t let fear stand between you and striving for something better.
Concentrate on learning, exploring possibilities and finding ways to bring in more cash. Doing what you enjoy will bring you in contact with like-minded people and potential partners and friends.
Precision, attention to detail and quick action will help you gain respect and increase your potential to negotiate successfully. Keep things simple and avoid interference.
Make alterations at home that will help you pursue what’s essential. Discussions will help you resolve pending issues and give you access to suggestions that can improve your work.
Don’t overlook what others are doing. Place more thought into networking and mingling with people you can learn from. Personal and professional growth look promising, but you will have to do some legwork. Get moving.
ARCHIE
After their 3-0 ODI series sweep in 2022, India women achieved another milestone with their first-ever T20I series victory on English soil. The result is especially significant, coming less than a year before they return to these shores in pursuit of their maiden T20 World Cup title.
Wednesday’s victory at Old Trafford was shaped by India’s spinners – Radha Yadav and N Shree Charani
– who picked up a combined 4 for 45 in eight overs to restrict England to 126 for 7 after they chose to bat first for the second match in a row.
Four overs are all it took for India’s openers – Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana – to prove those runs were hardly adequate. Where England hit all of eight fours in their innings, they conceded nine in four overs alone.
India’s openers put on 56 in seven overs to set the tone for
SCOREBOARD
Sophia Dunkley c Yadav
b Sharma 22
Danni Wyatt-Hodge c Reddy
b Shree Charani 5 Alice Capsey lbw b Shree Charani 18 Tammy Beaumont (c) c Reddy
b Yadav 20
Amy Jones † b AB Kaur 9 Paige Scholfield c Reddy
b Yadav 16
Charlie Dean run out (Shree
Charani/†Ghosh) 4
Sophie Ecclestone not out 16
Issy Wong not out 11
Extras (b 4, w 1) 5
Total 20 Ov (RR: 6.30) 126/7
Did not bat: Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell
Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Danni WyattHodge, 2.6 ov), 2-33 (Sophia Dunkley, 5.2 ov), 3-68 (Tammy Beaumont, 10.2 ov), 4-70 (Alice Capsey, 11.1 ov), 5-93 (Amy Jones, 14.5 ov), 6-98 (Paige Scholfield, 16.1 ov), 7-101 (Charlie Dean, 16.6 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Amanjot Kaur 4-0-20-1
Deepti Sharma 4-0-29-1
Shree Charani 4-0-30-2
Arundhati Reddy 3-0-16-0
India Women (T: 127 runs from 20 ovs)
Smriti Mandhana c Filer b Ecclestone 32 Shafali Verma c Capsey b Dean 31 Jemimah Rodrigues not out 24 Harmanpreet Kaur (c) c Ecclestone b Wong 26 Amanjot Kaur run out (Dean/†Jones) 2 Richa Ghosh † not out 7
Extras (nb 1, w 4) 5
Total 17 Ov (RR: 7.47) 127/4
Did not bat: Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Sneh Rana, Shree Charani
Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Shafali Verma, 6.6 ov), 2-69 (Smriti Mandhana, 8.5 ov), 3-117 (Harmanpreet Kaur, 15.5 ov), 4-119 (Amanjot Kaur, 16.1 ov)
Bowling O-M-R-W
Lauren Bell 3-0-32-0
Lauren Filer 2-0-18-0
Charlie Dean 4-0-29-1
Sophie Ecclestone 4-0-20-1 Issy Wong 3-0-18-1
Alice Capsey 1-0-10-0
a dominating win.
Deepti’s feat
India applied early pressure with spin, removing both England openers inside the powerplay. After being struck for a four and a six by Sophia Dunkley in her first three deliveries, Charani hit back in the third over, as Danni Wyatt-Hodge miscued a slog to long-on.
Dunkley, looking in fine touch, fell in the sixth over as she was lured into an uppish drive by Deepti Sharma, who cleverly deceived her in flight with Radha completing a sharp diving catch at point. The wicket was a significant one, taking Deepti past Nida Dar’s tally to become the leading wicket-taker among spinners in women’s T20Is.
Spinners keep striking Tammy Beaumont showed glimpses of a revival, as she took the attack to Sneh Rana in hitting her for two well-placed cuts to split a packed off-side ring in the seventh over. But her counterattack was short-lived; she holed out to long-on attempting to go big off Radha. India soon had a double strike five balls later when Alice Capsey was lbw attempting a reverse sweep off the hugely impressive Charani. England slumped from 68 for 2 to 93 for 5 by the 15th over.
Ecclestone’s late lift The innings stagnated
In a deeply personal and emotional revelation, Jamaican sprint icon
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has broken her silence on why she abruptly withdrew from the semi-finals of the women’s 100m at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Speaking for the first time in detail in the July 2025 issue of Marie Claire, the “Women in Sports” issue, Fraser-Pryce laid bare the mental and emotional toll that led to her withdrawal from what was expected to be her final Olympic appearance.
“Last year was very hard for me mentally and physically,” she told journalist Emily Abbate. “I’ve always done it for the flag and showed up to do it for my country. But what happened in Paris, that was a ‘me’ decision.”
Fraser-Pryce had having a panic attack,” she
through the middle overs, with no boundaries scored from the start of the 11th over until the 19th. Poor running between the wickets added to England’s struggles, including a costly mixup that led to Charlie Dean’s run-out from backward point. India’s ground fielding, catching and cutting off angles were massively impressive. Reddy proved pivotal in the deep, taking three well-judged catches at longon during this dry spell.
Right towards the end, marking her 100th T20I in front of a home crowd, Sophie Ecclestone finally broke the boundary drought in the 19th over, shovelling Amanjot Kaur to the midwicket fence. She topped that off with two slog sweeps for six off Deepti, taking advantage of the wind, to give England a late surge. They closed on 126, the final over producing 16.
Shafali’s thunder Shafali came out firing, matching England’s shortpitched attack with fearless aggression. Hard lengths and deliveries dug into the pitch posed no threat as she simply backed away to swing, shovel, and slap her way to three boundaries and 14 runs in the second over, setting the tone for India’s chase. Coming off three low scores and left out of the ODI squad, this was a crucial knock for her confidence.
Not to be overshadowed,
Mandhana joined the charge as she took the attack to Dean with a clean strike over mid-on. The pair raised the half-century of their partnership in the seventh over to put the pressure right back on England. Ecclestone fell just short of catching Shafali on 29, running back from mid-off. But England didn’t have to pay for it, as Shafali hacked one to deep square on 31.
Rodrigues and Harmanpreet all but seal it India soon lost Mandhana as she sliced a catch to short third and went boundary-less from overs 7.1 to 13.6, with Jemimah Rodrigues breaking the drought with a lofted hit off Lauren Bell. Harmanpreet Kaur too struggled for timing and was nearly worked over on a number of occasions by Ecclestone as
admitted. “I felt I could see it in front of me—and it was ripped [out of my hands].”
Unable to get into rhythm, her legs cramping and her mind spiralling, Fraser-Pryce made the gut-wrenching decision to pull out. As the world watched a semi-final with a glaringly empty lane where Lane 4 should have featured the legendary Jamaican, she was walking back toward her Airbnb. When her son Zyon asked, “Mommy, why didn’t you run?” Fraser-Pryce broke down in tears.
In the days that followed, she fled to New York City with her family to heal. “I went through so much grief and sadness,” she wrote in a note to herself earlier this year. “But I’m giving God thanks for the ways he showed up for me, nonetheless.”
she teased her in flight, loop and guide in a terrific exhibition of spin bowling – her figures reading 3-0-11-1 at one stage. It wasn’t until India needed 27 off 34 that Harmanpreet managed a boundary, off her 20th delivery – a lofted hit over extra cover off Dean. The struggle was over as she put the next ball away to the deep square leg fence. Victory wasn’t far away from there on. Harmanpreet and Rodrigues put on 48 off 42, along the way ensuring India didn’t slip up like they did earlier in the week. While Harmanpreet wasn’t around to see the chase home, Rodrigues remained unbeaten on 27, bringing up the winning runs with a paddle as India cruised home with 18 balls to spare. (ESPNCricinfo)
This wasn’t the first time Fraser-Pryce had faced adversity. She recalled the devastation of her 2016 toe injury and the surprise pregnancy that followed, a moment that made her question her future in the sport. She kept her pregnancy a secret for a long time, even from her mother, afraid of the stigma and the assumption that motherhood would end her career. But Fraser-Pryce came back stronger. In 2019, just over two years after giving birth to Zyon, she stunned the world by winning the 100 m at the World Championships in Doha in 10.71 seconds, capturing her eighth world title. “I believe in the power of alignment,” she said. “When things are aligned, no one and nothing on this earth can stop that.” (Sportsmax)
Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh celebrate after beating England
“It Was Ripped Out of My Hands...”
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has broken her silence on her abrupt Paris Olympic exit last year
The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League has announced the official broadcast partners for the highly anticipated 2025 tournament, scheduled to take place in Guyana from July 10 to 18, 2025.
Cricket fans around the world will be able to follow the action live as five top teams – Guyana Amazon Warriors, Rangpur Riders, Hobart Hurricanes XI, Dubai Capitals, and Central Stags – compete for glory in this electrifying international T20 showdown.
The tournament will be broadcast live across multiple regions, ensuring comprehensive global
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially announced the formation of its First Instance Body (FIB), an independent decision-making committee mandated to evaluate club licensing applications in accordance with Article 11 of the Concacaf Club Licensing Regulations.
This development marks a significant milestone in the GFF’s efforts to professionalise domestic football and ensure that clubs adhere to internationally recognised standards for operational, financial, and sporting excellence.
The establishment of the FIB, the GFF stated, aligns with the broader objectives of the Concacaf Club Licensing System, a regulatory framework launched in 2013 to raise the standards of football clubs across the region. The system evaluates clubs based on six core criteria: sporting, infrastructure, personnel and administrative, legal, financial, and social responsibility. Only licensed clubs are eligible to participate in Concacaf-sanctioned regional and international competitions, including the prestigious Concacaf Champions Cup.
“The FIB is tasked with evaluating applications submitted by local clubs and determining whether they meet the minimum criteria for licensing. This includes validating documents, assessing compliance, and rendering reasoned, impartial decisions. The committee also plays a critical role in promoting transparency and accountability across the footballing landscape,” the GFF stated in a missive to the media on Tuesday evening.
The release added that members of the newly ap-
pointed body will serve for a term of two years and are expected to maintain detailed records of all deliberations and decisions and submit reports to the GFF Club Licensing Manager for onwards transmission to Concacaf.
The FIB is not just a regulatory tool but a catalyst for growth and development within club football in Guyana. The Federation believes the licensing process should be viewed as an opportunity for clubs to improve their internal structures, governance practices, and long-term sustainability.
Shellon Bess
Shellon Bess currently serves as the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health. She brings a wealth of experience in governance, human resources, and administrative oversight, having led divisions responsible for personnel management and the Guyana Football Federation scholarship administration. A meticulous and results-driven professional, Ms Bess has also held roles in the education and private sectors, demonstrating adaptability and leadership across diverse environments.
Her academic qualifications include a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Bedfordshire, a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Guyana, an associate degree in education from Cyril Potter College of Education, a certificate in industrial relations and social studies from Critchlow Labour College and a certificate in small business management
Bess is known for her interpersonal acumen, effective communication, and ability to manage complex operations in both public and private institutions.
Julius Nathaniel David
Julius David is a respected educator and sports administrator, currently serving as a Lecturer II and Coordinator of the Agricultural Science Department at the Cyril Potter College of Education.
A native of Kuru, David has over two decades of experience in education, sports development, and youth engagement.
After beginning his career as a teacher, he earned his Trained Teacher Certificate, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. His commitment to sport led him to complete a programme in sports administration through the Guyana Olympic Association. He has also served as a programme director at Al Sport and Tour Promotions, overseeing wind-ball cricket activities in schools nationwide.
Mr David has played an integral role in curriculum development, school sports coordination, and technical officiating. He previously served as Acting Administrator for the NGO Generation Next and continues to work actively in shaping youth development initiatives.
His leadership philosophy is summed up in his life motto: “Where there is a will, there is a way.”
Lemar Williams
Mr Lemar Williams is an Attorney at Law and the current Corporate Legal Officer I at Banks DIH Limited, one of Guyana’s leading corporate institutions. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of the West Indies, where he also undertook specialised studies in sports and entertainment law.
An advocate for youth development and civic engagement, Mr Williams previ-
– Fox Sports; Bangladesh –T-Sports; the Caribbean –Rush; Guyana – E-net, TVG28 & NCN; India (Digital) – Fancode; India (Linear) – Sony; New Zealand –Sky NZ; South East Asia & MENA – Cricbuzz; Sri Lanka – Supreme TV; Trinidad – TV6; and the USA & Canada – Willow.
The matches will be streamed on the Global Super League’s YouTube channel in all countries where there is no broad-
ously served as Chairperson of the Sports Committee at UWI, where he fostered greater student participation through inclusive athletic initiatives. He is also a former Opposition Youth Parliamentarian and Maritime Debate Champion, known for his eloquence, critical thinking, and leadership capabilities.
In addition to his legal qualifications, Mr Williams holds certifications in legal research, information technology, and electrical wiring and installation, underscoring his Guyana Football Federation interdisciplinary expertise. Outside the courtroom, he is passionate about football, athletics, chess, and travel.
Williams’ approach to leadership is grounded in integrity, service, and institutional development, values that will guide his contributions to the FIB.
The GFF, through its President Wayne Forde and the GFF Council, has extended its sincere appreciation to the members of the First Instance Body for stepping forward to serve football in this pivotal capacity. The Federation reaffirmed its full support for the FIB, including access to all necessary training, documentation, and technical resources to facilitate the effective execution of their mandate.
The establishment of this body is a critical component of the GFF’s commitment to good governance and the long-term development of club football in Guyana. As the local game continues to evolve, the First Instance Body will play a key role in ensuring that only clubs that meet the established standards are permitted to compete, thereby preserving the integrity of the sport and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
cast deal, meaning the tournament can be watched no matter where you are.
This widespread distribution underscores the tournament’s global appeal and the growing international appetite for high-quality T20 cricket.
Viewers can look forward to dynamic matchups, passionate local crowds at Providence Stadium, and a showcase of international cricket talent and Guyanese culture.
Pride of the Caribbean…
Emotions ran high, and pride beamed from every word as legendary squash mentor Carl Ince reflected on what he described as one of the most rewarding moments of his journey, as he witnessed Guyana capture not one but three titles at the 2025 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships.
The outstanding Guyana team wrote a golden chapter in the region’s sporting history as they clinched the boys’ team title, the girls’ team title, and, ultimately, the overall team title, which asserted their dominance on Caribbean courts in a fashion that left little doubt about the future of the sport in the nation.
Ince, who has dedicated decades to building the foundation of squash in Guyana, could not hide the emotion as he praised the players, coaches, and supportive families behind the scenes.
“I can’t begin to tell you all how happy I am to congratulate you on this well-deserved and truly inspiring victory. Watching this team rise to the challenges and take back victory has been one of the most rewarding moments of my journey. I’m so thankful I got to be a small part of it,” Ince said.
While the spotlight was rightly on the athletes’ talent and tenacity, Ince was quick to highlight the broader picture—a growing and unified support structure behind Guyana’s sustained success. He credited the diversity and strength of the coaching and management staff, whose blend of experience and fresh energy, he said, has become a catalyst for national excellence.
“Beyond the skill and grit of the players, what stands out to me is the diversity and strength of the management and coaching team. The solid foundations, new ideas, and commitment of parents have all contributed to creating something truly powerful. I know we all
felt it,” he said.
Guyana has long been a powerhouse in junior squash but had recently been challenged by rising talent from Barbados, Jamaica, and host nation Cayman Islands. With this 2025 clean sweep, Guyana signalled that its development pipeline is robust and forward-facing.
“This win is a beautiful example of what joint effort, shared vision, and a deep love for the game and Guyana can accomplish. I see the full team of coaches we now have as an amazing resource for so much more growth and see the committed leadership that will carry Guyana’s sporting legacy forward with pride, purpose, and excellence. There’s nothing more an old coach could wish to see in retirement,” Ince declared. (Sportsmax)
The confirmed broadcast partners include Australia
from IDCE.
Julius Nathaniel David
The five captains and the trophy up for grabs
Lemar Williams
Shellon Bess
July 9, 2025 —The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) officially opens today, bringing not only world-class cricket action but an unforgettable entertainment experience. Fans at the National Stadium, Providence will experience the global spectacle early as the pre-match shows begin at 6:00 PM sharp, igniting the evening
with some of Guyana’s most celebrated performers.
Tonight, some of the brightest talents will take to the stage including Calvin Burnett, Nekeita, Omaiah Hall, Steven Ramphal, Fiona Singh and AW Lyrical whose powerful performances promise to set the tone for a thrilling night of cricket, culture and carnival. These beloved local talents
will energize the crowd ahead of the high-octane matches where global champions go head-to-head in electrifying clashes.
However, the excitement will move to another level with the Super Concert where fans will be treated to phenomenal regional talent.
Soca sensations Patrice Roberts, Nadia Batson, Ravi B, Mical Teja, and the dynamic Nailah Blackman will each take the stage on different match days, delivering showstopping performances that celebrate Caribbean music, rhythm, and energy.
The Global Super League runs from today until July 18, culminating in a grand
final that promises to be as spectacular on the field as it is on the stage. With the perfect fusion of sport and entertainment, this is more than a tournament, it’s a festival of champions.
Tickets are available daily at the local box office at 233234 Camp Street Georgetown and are priced from $1,000 upwards.
Members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) Squad persevered in the blistering sunshine on Wednesday afternoon as they put in their final touches ahead of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 bowling off today.
In these Jemima Holmes photos, the Amazon Warriors go through the paces during a net session at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, Camp Street, Georgetown, prior to today’s opening clash with defending champions Rangpur Riders.
The ExxonMobil Guyana
Global Super League (GSL) T20 is here to stay and is ready to collaborate with the big players in the cricket world.
These were only some of the declarations made by Guyanese Head of State Irfaan Ali, who passionately spoke of the evolving vision of the GSL T20 and its intention to cement its ’place on the world stage.
On Tuesday evening, President Ali graced the Tribe Gastronomic Lounge in Georgetown for the ExxonMobil GSL welcome party, where, in an ensuing interview with media operatives, the Head of State highlighted that the event is more than just about cricket.
“This tournament is more than Guyana now; this is an international tournament. When we launched this tournament, the objective was not just cricket; the objective was positioning Guyana as a major sports destination, as a leader in entertainment and sports, and cricket is a natural part of that positioning. In the coming years, I want us to ensure that we position Guyana in football and basketball because the development
that will take place here and the ecosystem that is being built must be supported by events and must be supported by a structure that allows a continuous flow of people.”
The Head of State explained. President Ali asserted, “So, the Global Super League is not just about cricket. This is about economics, this is about business, this is about tourism, this is about bringing people together, it’s about positioning Guyana globally, and it’s about making our mark in the cricketing world and creating this product that is global in nature.”
However, the Head of State has taken notice that the GSL T20 may be ruffling feathers across the globe, given the reported resurgence of the T20 Champions League.
He divulged to media operatives, “You know, if you look at the cricketing news from around the world, Saudi Arabia is trying to get a super league. I just saw the English cricket board and the Indian cricket board trying to come up with a partnership to get the Champions League going again. Now, that tells you something; that tells you that the Global Super League has ruffled some feathers, and I have no problem saying that.”
“But I believe the Global Super League’s success lies in partnership; that is why we’ll be reaching out to the Indian Cricket Board, the English Cricket Board and every other cricket board because the West Indies is not the home of cricket; the West Indies is the home of exciting cricket. The West Indies brand of cricket has reshaped the cricket experience, and in today’s sporting world, it’s not only about the game; it is the holistic experience behind the game, and that is what we’re bringing to the table here.”
“The Indian Cricket Board and the English Board announcing that they’re going to partner on the Champions League, I would’ve loved for them to say that they recognise what the Global Super League is
because they do. It has ruffled feathers, there is no doubt about it; this Super League has been ruffling feathers in the cricketing world, and instead of trying to centralise power around cricket for the big boards, it’s time for the big boards to reach out to Guyana, the West Indies Cricket Board, and say, ‘You guys have developed something good. How are we going to partner? ’ It cannot be cricket politics,” Ali passionately shared.
As such, President Ali declared that the ExxonMobil GSL is here to stay.
He boldly declared, “The Global Super League is not only here to stay; the Global Super League is here to ruffle feathers and let the global cricketing world understand that this is something that will be part of our cricketing future, and all of our cricketing future, and all of us have to get on board behind it.”
Quizzed about whether or not he believes the GSL T20 can compete with the Champions League, President Ali clarified that he is more concerned about collaboration than competition.
“I’m not looking at competition; I’m looking at collaboration,” Ali emphasised.
“I’m
hoping that India and the English cricket board will see that something came up in the absence of the Champions League that they need to embrace. The Global Super League is the Global T20 tournament, and it must be embraced. We might be small, but we’re going to fight for it; we’re going to make a lot of noise about it, and the West Indies Cricket Board must be part of that noise.”
Turning his attention to another issue, Ali disclosed, “Look at what is going to happen with the T20 at the Olympics. I’m going to create a lot of noise about this because I’m not seeing the criteria of how teams will be selected for that Olympics, and these are the things we have to start thinking about because cricket is not just about the sport. Cricket is
about an entire ecosystem.” Reports earlier this week indicated that the Champions League T20 would likely return in 2026, rebranded as the World Club Championship with the champions of each T20 franchise tournament competing.
Meanwhile, the ExxonMobil Guyana GSL T20 will bowl off today with a double header. At 10:00 hrs, the Dubai Capitals and Central Stags will get the tournament going, while at 19:00 hrs, defending champions Rangpur Riders and hosts Guyana Amazon Warriors will clash in a blockbuster matchup, both at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
President Irfaan Ali addresses media operatives during the ExxonMobil GSL T20 welcome party
President Ali says the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League T20 is here to stay