“No excuse” – Pres Ali on hiring medical staff for local facilities
…says public deserves world-class care …as new $6.6B Bath Regional Hospital opens …containerised labs to be launched countrywide
“A fearless patriot” – PPP stalwart Shirley Edwards passes on
Bent Street man accused of $2M house lot scam remanded
Haslington woman, guard, teen face court on theft, false report charges
Witnesses note layout changes during visit to former GECOM command
Warnings on US-sanctioned Mohamed are about national risk, not politics – AG
"Get fit" – Pres
challenges cops
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 31 – 21:15h-22:45h and Friday, August 1 –22:15h-23:45h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 31 –08:00h-09:30h and Friday, August 1 – 08:40h-10:10h.
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, interrupted by sunshine during the early-morning and late-afternoon hours. Clear skies followed by thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.79 metres and 3.58 metres.
High Tide: 08:41h and 20:59h reaching maximum heights of 2.37 metres and 2.35 metres.
Low Tide: 14:33h reaching a minimum height of 0.88 metre.
“No
excuse” – Pres Ali on hiring medical staff for local facilities
…says
…as
public deserves world-class care
new $6.6B Bath Regional Hospital opens
…containerised
resident Dr Irfaan Ali has made it clear that he would not be accepting any excuses when it comes to fully staffing the new hospitals and other medical facilities that are being built out across the country.
The Head of State made this remark on Wednesday during the commissioning ceremony of the newly-constructed $6.6 billion Bath Regional Hospital in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
According to the President, there are human resources gaps in the local medical field, like many other sectors, that need to be fixed in the short term as Guyana currently trains its own cohort of medical professionals.
In fact, Ali says he has already instructed Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony
labs to be launched countrywide
“It’s about the people” President Ali noted, “We are making too much investments to accept any level of service that is below par. This
is not about the Government, this is about the people. They deserved the best that we’re investing in for them.”
Similarly, the Head of
and Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry, Malcolm Watkins to ensure that all needed skills are brought in from overseas to fill the gaps in the short term.
“I’ve mandated the Minister of Health to ensure that we bring in every single skill that is needed in this short to medium term. Whatever skill level, he has the authority to bring that skill level, because I do not want to hear that we don’t have the doctors, the nurses, the lab technicians or anyone at these hospitals to provide quality care. The PS and the Minister, they are responsible for this. And they have absolutely no excuse, because I’ve given the Minister full authority to have this done,” Ali declared on Wednesday.
Only recently, Delhibased recruitment firm –Ansari Manpower Overseas Consultant – published an advertisement inviting male and female nurses in India to work at Government hospitals in Guyana.
State called for the completion of the digitisation of the Materials Management Unit (MMU) at the Ministry of Health, which is responsible for the procurement, storage, and distribution of medical supplies and equipment across the country.
Ali warned that “if it is not done by this year end, then some people will have to find a new road to walk on… I’ve mandated that we must have a modern, tech-driven Materials Management Unit. The Government is spending on having the drugs and medical supplies, and I don’t want to hear that it is not available. The days for that is coming to an end and coming to an end quickly,” the President emphasised. TURN TO PAGE 7
President Dr Irfaan Ali (right); Chinese Ambassador Yang Yang and Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony commissioned the new Bath Regional Hospital on Wednesday
The $6.6 billion Bath Regional Hospital in Region Five
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Strengthening fight against human trafficking
The world paused on Wednesday to observe the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a day dedicated to reflecting on the persistent global threat of human trafficking and the necessary actions required to end it. In a timely and significant move, Guyana has reaffirmed its commitment to this fight through the launch of a suite of tools by the CounterTrafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry.
These new initiatives while they can be considered policy enhancements, they also reflect a strategic and targeted national response to a global human rights challenge. The comprehensive measures unveiled include a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for protection, a child-friendly storybook to educate young readers aged 7 to 16 on trafficking, QR codes for swift reporting of concerns, and a simplified version of the C-TIP Act of 2023 titled <<<A Victim’s Guide>>>. Together, these tools highlight a robust, multilayered approach rooted in prevention, protection, education, and accessibility.
Trafficking in persons, by its very nature, exploits vulnerability. It thrives in the shadows of ignorance, fear, and silence. These tools challenge that very foundation by empowering citizens with knowledge and ease of access to report incidents. The introduction of QR codes is a particularly modern and inclusive solution, recognising the role of technology in broadening community engagement. In an era where digital connectivity spans across ages and locations, these codes offer a discreet and swift mechanism to bridge victims or concerned individuals with the authorities.
Education, too, is a key pillar in the fight. By creating a storybook tailored to children, the Ministry acknowledges that awareness must begin early. Arming children with the knowledge of how to recognise signs of trafficking can play a critical role in prevention. It also helps create an informed generation that is both cautious and courageous. The notion that no child is too young to learn about personal safety and the dangers of exploitation is a progressive step toward communitywide resilience.
Another important dimension of the launch is the alignment of the new SOP with the existing Trafficking in Persons legislation. A well-crafted law is only as effective as its implementation. Standardised procedures ensure consistency in response, protect the rights of victims, and streamline enforcement. When frontline workers, from Police Officers to healthcare providers, operate with a shared protocol, the system becomes stronger and more trustworthy.
Guyana’s anti-trafficking efforts have long demonstrated resolve and consistency. Over the past five years, more than 2000 victims have been identified and assisted. This was made possible through the training of over 5000 frontline workers. Such sustained action has helped Guyana maintain its Tier One ranking in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report for eight consecutive years.
The recent increase in the C-TIP Unit’s budget from $40 million to over $60 million further solidifies the seriousness with which this issue is addressed. Financial investment in social protection mechanisms is essential, not only to scale up initiatives but also to provide long-term care and support for survivors of trafficking.
Importantly, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry continues to work in tandem with the Home Affairs Ministry and international partners such as the United States Embassy. The value of such collaboration cannot be overstated. Human trafficking is transnational in scope. It requires cooperative strategies that transcend borders, combining local insight with global expertise. The commendation from US Embassy officials, who acknowledged Guyana as one of the most proactive partners in combating trafficking, validates the country’s leadership on this issue.
As economies grow and societies become more complex, so too do the methods of traffickers. Combating this evolving threat demands foresight, adaptability, and the political will to protect the most vulnerable. Guyana’s approach – grounded in legislative clarity, education, technology, and sustained funding – offers a compelling model for other nations to emulate.
The launch of these tools on the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is both symbolic and substantive.
Norton’s call to scrap GSL T20 “reckless, ill-informed”
Dear Editor,
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has taken note of the recent public statements made by APNU Presidential Candidate Mr Aubrey Norton regarding the potential scrapping of the Global Super League (GSL) T20 tournament should his party assume office following the upcoming elections.
The GCB finds Mr Norton’s comments, particularly as a presidential aspirant, to be not only ill-informed and fundamentally misguided, but also lacking in sound judgment and depth of understanding.
It is important to clarify that this is not a Government-run programme.
Rather, the GSL is a privately-owned and managed initiative, fully funded by the Private Sector, and sponsored principally by ExxonMobil, along with other respected corporate partners.
Moreover, the GSL is chaired by none other than the legendary Sir Clive Lloyd, one of the most iconic and respected figures in the history of international cricket.
His leadership brings global credibility, experience, and stature to the league – making it a powerful force for cricket development, professionalism, and
international engagement.
This means that no political administration – current or future – has the authority to discontinue or dismantle the tournament, as it falls entirely outside the jurisdiction of the State. Any suggestion to do so demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the legal, commercial, and operational frameworks that govern such international sporting ventures.
Beyond ownership and leadership, the Global Super League is a transformational investment in Guyana’s sporting and economic landscape. It creates elite opportunities for local and regional players, facilitates international exposure, and brings substantial economic benefits through sports tourism, global broadcast rights, job creation, hospitality, and ancillary business growth.
The GSL has already placed Guyana firmly on the global sporting map, and its long-term potential for elevating Guyanese talent and branding Guyana as a premier sports destination is undeniable.
To suggest its termination is not only reckless and myopic, but an affront to the aspirations of young athletes, the Private Sector partners who invested in good faith, and the many stakeholders working tirelessly to build a mod-
ern cricketing legacy in Guyana.
The Guyana Cricket Board is proud of this mega investment, and we are confident that all of Guyana shares in that pride. The GSL is more than just a cricket league – it is a platform for national excellence, economic opportunity, and international respect. Guided by the steady hand of Sir Clive Lloyd and backed by world-class part-
ners, it is destined to become a pillar of Guyana’s modern sporting identity. The GCB reaffirms its unwavering support for the Global Super League and will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure its success, sustainability, and its role in shaping a brighter future for cricket and country.
Sincerely, Guyana Cricket Board
Brian Tiwarie does not need Rickford Burke's permission
Dear Editor
Rickford Burke should know that business-tycoon Brian Tiwarie is his own man. Brian does not need government funds to decorate a bus and a truck with PPP/C colors during this election cycle. His support for a second term for President Mohamed Irfaan Ali is his free choice, and his democratic right.
Burke has conveniently forgotten that the same Brian Tiwarie supported the APNU-AFC five years ago. Ironically the same bus was used in the 2015 elections. Mr Tiwarie wanted to give a chance to the PNC-led APNU-AFC. But the APNU-AFC made a mess of Guyana. Instead of moving the country forward, they left a trail of corruption and broken promises behind. Two hundred taxes were placed on the back of families and businesses. They took away the Because We Care cash grant from 200,000 children.
An aerial view of the Kastev Shoreline Park, Kastev, Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (First Lady Arya Ali photo)
Guyana's economic realities
Dear Editor,
In this era of unprecedented social and economic transformation, it was refreshing to hear President Dr. Irfaan Ali's pledge to build an economy that lifts all Guyanese through targeted social support initiatives during a Facebook live last Sunday.
His plan to cut the cost of electricity by 50% and cooking gas by more than 75%, while providing subsidies to GPL, shows the clear intent of his government to address the cost of living over the next five years. These initiatives, coupled with his proposals to expand social safety nets and enhance access to essential services such as health, education, water, and housing, will also serve to improve the standard of living for every
Guyanese, especially those from the working class. Furthermore, the various initiatives outlined by the President will undoubtedly build on the success of successive PPP/C governments since 1992, as pointed out by Delisle Worrell in his recent research, which analyzed Guyana's development from 1990 to 2021. In his study, published this year in the book "Economic Challenges in the Early 21st Century Guyana," Delisle Worrell chronicles Guyana's journey from being a country with one of the lowest Human Development Index (HDI) scores in the Caribbean to achieving an improved score in 2021. According to Worrell, the country registered continuous development at a rate that exceeded coun-
tries in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as most developed small states. This performance was attributed to improvements in health, education, and average income, which contributed 50%, 24%, and 10%, respectively, to the improvement in the HDI score. Even more commendable was the fact that Guyana was one of only two countries in Central America and the Caribbean that improved its HDI score between 2019 and 2021. This improvement occurred at a time when the HDI score for Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the global average, declined by 1.8% and 0.9%, respectively.
Editor, these developments were not accidental but due to the successful
Brian Tiwarie does not...
They took away the onemonth tax-free bonus from the Disciplined Services. They levied huge fees on farmers and miners. They fired 7,000 sugar workers and almost destroyed the bauxite industry. They fired 2000 CSOs from the Amerindian communities. The destruction, including the mismanagement of COVID, was endless. In the meantime, corruption was rampant.
The PPP/C took office and removed all the taxes. They restored the Because
We Care cash grant, and increased it from $10,000 to $50,000. They restored benefits to pensioners, farmers, miners, the Disciplined Services, and removed the 200 PNC-APNU taxes.
Under the PPP/C, Guyana, in the words of Bill Clinton, has become a construction zone, with physical infrastructure – roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, energy supply, among others, moving full-speed forward.
Editor, let me end by saying that while Burke is
scribbling irrelevant nonsense in New York, Brian Tiwarie is making an immense contribution to building a better Guyana. He has done so for decades in the areas of construction, sea defence, shipping, quarrying, farming, security, and aviation. And today he has freely and openly embraced the PPPC because of its record in office, its policies, and programs.
Sincerely, Alvin
Hamilton
implementation of 'People Centered' policies outlined in the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRSP) I and II and National Development Strategy (NDS) by successive PPP/C governments. Our development from 1990 to 2021 also provides important context for President Ali's pledges, as it demonstrates that Guyana can achieve meaningful gains when appro-
priate policies are developed and implemented.
To succeed, our leaders must be able to match generous promises with appropriate policies and actions. If not, we risk repeating the past, similar to when the PNC government promised to 'feed, clothe and house the nation by 1976', but instead transformed our country into one of the poorest countries
in the Western Hemisphere because it failed to match these grand promises with policies and actions.
Unlike the leaders of the opposition parties contesting the 2025 elections, the President and the political party he represents can be trusted to fulfill the promises he made last Sunday.
Yours sincerely, Kevin Persaud
Strengthening Guyanese culture
Dear Editor, A recent post by Minister Manickchand on Gam brought back fond memories of the sports deeply rooted in our culture. The renewed focus on sports in schools every Friday afternoon is a great opportunity to celebrate and strengthen our common cultural roots. Independent of who takes office after the upcoming elections we should jointly strive to embrace what has been accepted as Guyanese. This would mean promoting the playing of sports and competitions in games such as underhand flannel ball cricket, overhand hardball cricket, rounders, small and large goal football, gam, jumping chinee, netball, basketball,
President Ali, PPP/C have added money, meaning and merit
Dear Editor, For those who do not know and for those who may have forgotten, it is an opportune moment to remind all and sundry that, “The PPP didn’t begin with money but with meaning.”
The Father of the Nation, Dr Cheddi Berret Jagan, birthed a party that was built to uplift the people of then British Guiana, who were poor peasants, pulverised and plundered as the under-privileged and perceived as pariahs, partitioned as non-participants alongside an assumed “higher echelon”.
Yes, the British once ruled with a “divide and conquer” policy, trapping, caging and using Burnham and his PNC, as the new slave master and the political medium to prevent Jagan from governing this nation. THE UF, the AFC and WIN share a destructive commonality consisting of a devious denominator – to disturb, disable and disrupt the PPP/C’s
dynamic domain which is so dominant and diversified.
When Peter D’Aguiar from the UF party and Burnham from the PNC party collaborated to oust Dr Jagan in 1964, Jagan handed over British Guiana to Burnham with a healthy GDP of US$300 per capita. For 28 years the PNC destroyed Guyana and when the PPP regained control of the economy in 1992, the GDP had pilfered down to US$250 per capita.
The PNC had reduced Guyana to an embarrassing position as the second poorest nation in this Hemisphere, ahead only to Haiti. Guyana realised zero growth during 1964 and 1992. In comparison, Barbados grew by 1100 %, Trinidad by 400%, Jamaica by 260% and yes, Haiti by 400%.
With the help of the US and the Carter Center, the PPP was able to contest the first fair and free elections which they won to har-
ness the administration of Guyana from a once dictatorship. Under astute management, from 1992 to 2010, Guyana’s GDP flew from US$250 to over US$2500 per capita. Guyanese reclaimed their pride from being a least developed bankrupt nation to a middle-income country.
When the PPP/C departed in 2015, it left the PNC with a GDP of US$5580 per capita. In 2020, the PNC/ AFC barely moved the GDP to US$6775 after a five-year hiatus in office when they plundered and pulverised the economy with corruption, devastation and demoralisation. After the PNC and the AFC made a valiant attempt to rig the elections again in 2020, but failed, the PPP/C was successful in winning a free and fair election to once again lead the nation to prosperity.
In his first term in office, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has catapulted this country as the fast-
est-growing economy in this hemisphere, with the support of his entire Cabinet composed of immaculate, intelligent and industrious members. Guyana’s GDP for 2025 is projected to be US$32,330 according to the IMF.
Guyanese luck has changed from the impoverished PNC dictatorship which led Guyanese to be poverty stricken, to the affluent PPP/C dictum, which has influenced Guyanese to enjoy the opulence of a healthier and higher standard of living.
President Ali and the PPP/C have added money, meaning and merit to the lives of Guyanese, both at home and abroad over the past five years with initiative, intuition and innovation without imitation, to be the incumbent leader of this nation for a well-deserved second term.
Yours respectfully, Jai Lall
volleyball, chink, bird singing, table tennis, badminton, squash, dominoes and rap rummy to name a few. Many countries do not play the wealth of games found in Guyana, and the games we have embraced in our country reflects the diversity and inclusion that we have been able to accomplish. His Excellency's idea of Friday afternoon sports provides an opportunity to have an annual build up to Mashramani for the finals in many of the sports across the country. I am sure many adults would also be interested in having competitions across the different villages and parts of the city and towns that lead to a national champi-
onship. This helps not only strengthen our national culture, but also builds solidarity at a time when it is most needed. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport should work closely together to develop a comprehensive plan for the festivities around such an annual celebration of our culture and sport. The Ministry of Tourism can also be instrumental in the marketing and promotion of such a glorious annual event, where the entire nation has an opportunity to showcase their talents and celebrate the achievements of our fellow Guyanese.
Best regards, Jamil Changlee
Solving equations by multiplication and division
Before you begin to solve equations by multiplication and subtraction, you should review some interesting things about numbers.
Division is the “opposite” of multiplication. Multiplication is the “opposite” of division. If you multiply an original number by a second number, and then divide the product by a second number, you are left with the original number. For example: 2 x 3 ÷ 3 = 2.
If you divide an original number by a second number, and then multiply the quotient by a second number, you are left with the original number. For example: 6 ÷ 2 x 2 = 6. That works because division is the same as multiplying by a reciprocal.
Remember….
In an equation, you need to treat both sides the same way. Whatever you do to one side, you must also do to the other side.
Exercises: Solve
(Adapted from startwithabook.org)
By RL SwihaRt
The young man says, “Alan can do anything he wants” “Not fly,” I say The young man returns a puzzled look Alan has already crushed the milk carton with his heel
In a quiet garden, far from here and in a world built with sentences from a good book, Alan has left the runway and grazed a pantleg on the garden wall
Write a scene or story that includes a character confronting the decision to make a big change in their life.
Promotions now tied to station performance, accountability – Pres Ali on sweeping GPF reforms
…announces promotion for over 2000
In a significant policy shift aimed at enhanc-
ing discipline and performance within the Guyana Police Force (GPF), upcoming promotions for ranks will now be graded based on their station’s performance, according to new directives issued by the Administration.
The move announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday is intended to ensure that promotions are merit-based and reflective of individual and team effectiveness, rather than solely seniority or tenure. Additionally, all ranks will now be held to higher standards of accountability for Government-issued assets under their control.
“You have absolutely no excuse to [not] perform now… So, I want you to know that there's a path now. A clear path in the Guyana Police Force. A path through which you can improve your education. A path through which you can advance your life. But that path comes with responsibilities. Because we will put the highest system of evaluation on all of you. The quarterly report? If y’all ain’t
keep the assets and station in good standing, everybody will come out. So, everybody can go out or everybody can come out. It's up to you now. The ball is in your court. The responsibility is in your hand,” the President said.
GPF promotions
In one of the most sweeping reforms in the history of the GPF, President Ali announced the promotion of more than 2000 Police Officers, while unveiling the new era of accountability, fairness, and upward mobility in the law enforcement system.
Addressing a massive assembly of Police ranks at the GPF Headquarters on Wednesday, President Ali delivered a commanding and motivational address, setting out not only promotions – but the new merit-based path to success within the force.
With effect from August 1, 2025, ranks who have attained the requisite years of service and have no disciplinary action against them are to be promoted. These promotions
Police
ranks
will see ranks move up from Constable to Lance Corporal, Lance Corporal to Corporal, Corporal to Sergeant, and Sergeant to Inspector. Specifically, the President announced that cops who are Corporal for 8-10 years will be moved to the highest level on the scale and so their salaries will be adjusted accordingly.
Additionally, those who are Constable with five to seven years of service will be promoted to Lance Corporal at the highest level of the scale while those Constables with 8-10 years
in the system will be moved to Corporal at the highest level of the scale.
Meanwhile, he said those with 10-13 years of service will be promoted to Sergeant at the middle of the scale and those with 13-15 years will go as Sergeant at the highest level of the scale.
All those in the system with 20 and more years of service who are not at the level of Inspector will be raised to be an Inspector, at the starting level of the scale.
The Guyanese Leader and Commander-in-Chief of
the Armed Forces emphasised that predictability and fairness would now govern career trajectories within the Police Force, noting that officers could now see a clear road to retirement – not only with higher rank, but with meaningful pensions and life after service.
On this point, Ali urged officers to seize this opportunity, reminding them that the new system would also come with the strictest accountability protocols, including evaluations of station upkeep and public engagement.
“Policing and security must come with a high degree of trust from the population. If we don't have that trust from the population, we're doing ourselves a disservice and injustice… I want us to work together in the next five years… And I want to leave the best possible Police Force, with the best diverse role, but we have to work together. This is a collective effort. Accountability. I want accountability in the system, at every level. But where accountability comes with credibility. I want Police to perform well, without any discipline issues,” he explained.
He added that no one was above the system, and those who breach standards would be dealt with equally.
The President announced a full restructuring of the GPF promotion and career framework, promising transparency and performance-based progression across the board.
“We are rewriting the system. This is a force where the honest, the hardworking, and the dedicated will shine,” he declared.
“No excuse” – Pres Ali on hiring medical...
Turning his attention to the new Bath Regional Hospital, President Ali says this state-of-the-art facility will bring high-quality healthcare services to the resident of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), removing any inequality in access to healthcare services while also enhancing delivery.
“This is what we’ve invested in here – a stateof-the-art facility, a modern facility in Region Five, because you deserve equal care and equal treatment like any other region in this country,” he posited.
Containerised labs
As part of efforts to advance the nation’s healthcare system, the Head of State announced plans to establish electronic containerised laboratories that would make diagnostic tests more accessible and enable early detection of medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
“We’ll be launching a comprehensive lab integration service across our country… We’ll be putting down containerised labs across our country especially in the larger communities, integrating those labs with health development and healthcare management.”
According to Ali, while the new hospital offers advance diabetes care and treatment for patients, Government plans to still keep the diabetic centre
at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, adding “… but we want to do better than that”.
In fact, a similar initiative is the rollout of two digital systems – the National Health Information System and the Patient Management Information System, which will integrate patient records from across the country into a national health database.
1st time services
Meanwhile, the new $6.6 billion Bath Regional Hospital is a fully air-conditioned facility equipped with modern diagnostic equipment for a host of critical healthcare services, including ultrasound, digital X-rays, and CT scans, with specialised clinics and departments – most of which are services that are being offered for the first time in the region.
It has a 75-bed capacity, three operation theatres; several five-bed wards; a dental suite; ICUs (Intensive Care Units) and HDUs (High Dependency Units); neonatal facilities; and a 24-hour accident and emergency unit as well as a pharmacy and laboratory, among other ancillary features.
Health Minister Anthony pointed out that with this new hospital, residents would no longer have to travel far distances to get needed medical treatment like surgeries.
“In this hospital, we have three new operating theatres with all the necessary equipment, and so are going to be doing elective surgeries here and we can do emergency surgeries as well,” he noted.
Moreover, for the first time in Region Five, there is dialysis treatment for pa -
tients, who previously had to travel to Georgetown or New Amsterdam in Region Six. “This hospital now would have two dialysis units for the people of Region Five,” the Minister added.
According to Dr Anthony, Government has built and equipped four new health centres across Region Five in the last three years to bolstering the existing 15 facilities. “So, not only are we looking at tertiary care in the region, but we are ensuring
that we can have good primary care as well.”
To this end, the Health Minister noted that with the new Bath Regional Hospital fully equipped to service residents, the Fort Wellington Hospital, which previously served Region Five, will be closed and repurposed in the future.
The Bath Regional Hospital is one of six hospitals being built across Guyana to enhance healthcare delivery and access for citizens. Similar facilities have already been
commissioned at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, and at Enmore, East Coast Demerara.
China’s Sinopharm International is partnering with the Guyana Government to build the six regional hospitals, funded by a $37.2 billion partnership. These hospitals will be located in Regions Two (Lima); Three (De Kinderen); Four (Diamond and Enmore); Five (Bath), and Six (Skeldon and No 75).
President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing Police ranks at the GPF Headquarters on Wednesday
What about… … political brickbats?
It’s standard custom and practice on the campaign trail for all kinda accusations to be hurled at your opponents. Usually accompanied with the usual one-upmanship of pulling down each other’s flags and paraphernalia. Usually it’s dismissed as “boys will be boys” gamesmanship! In fact, if you ain’t getting “the treatment”, you worry you’re not seen as a player!! And conversely, the more slings and arrows that come your way, it means you’re seen as that much a threat!!
So what’s it been like this year in the homestretch to Elections 2025?? It ain’t as hot as in the past!! The PPP’s biggest brick to throw at their arch-rival PNC continues to be the latter’s compulsion to rig elections – which they’ve been feeding since 1968!! Their 2020 effort was a doozy and with the known suspects presently on trial – interestingly delayed for this time through objections by PNC lawyers!! –the PPP doesn’t have to do much reminding!!
Incumbent Governments – such as the PPP is this goaround – are always fair game of being accused of “political victimisation” –- a common charge in the Third World with our severely-divided societies and electorates. The PNC had introduced victimisation with gusto in their first (rigged!) 28 years at the helm: if you didn’t have a PNC party card, you were out in the cold when jobs were awarded – or retained!! When they returned to power in 2015, Health Min and PNC Chair Volda Lawrence reminded the nation that the practice was alive and kicking! She boasted, “The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC”!!
Claimed discrimination against Government workers is another brickbat – like the PNC firing some 2000 Amerindian Community Service Officers and 7000 primarily Indian Guyanese in the sugar Industry!! Minister of State Harmon defended APNU/AFC firing or sending public servants home, but said they weren’t “thousands” as claimed by the PPP!! THEY, however, perennially accuse the PPP of firing African Guyanese Public Servants and Permanent Secretaries!! Then there was the “do fuh do na obeah” hauling of Finance Ministers to the Courts!!
This go-around, a new element was added when the AFC disappeared into thin air without and was replaced by ONE of the new entrants named (hopefully!?!) WIN. They’ve garnered copious comments interpreted by some as “political victimisation”. But frankly, your Eyewitness don’t think so!! Here’s a fella who was SANCTIONED by the US OFAC for gold smuggling – evidently involving sanctioned Venezuelan gold and drug smuggling routes – and the Govt merely acted prudently to protect the NATIONAL interest!!
This is POLITICAL VICTIMISATON??!
And not even mentioning evading $10 Billion taxes on gold smuggling and $120 Million on a Lamborghini!!!
…those “othered”
In identity politics – where we vote in some ways because of how we see ourselves – we’re told that in all societies, those with power – economic, political or social – make up the rules of the game – any game – to make sure they’re on top. And that extends even in the way we identify ourselves and each other. THEY define themselves as “normal” and others who differ in any way are judged by them to be in that way – lesser!! The process is called “othering”!!
So the white man “othered” us back in the day in every which way and – accepting their judgement - we continued othering each other as to how close or far we were from them in looks and behaviour. One of their standards had to do with sex, gender and sexual relations – and so all of us had to conform to their “Victorian” norms. Thankfully, we’ve challenged their notions.
Here, SASOD just sensitised the nation at their Elections Town Hall last Tuesday about their LGBTQIA+ Guyanese Manifesto 2025!! One Guyana!!
…that grand coalition
Your Eyewitness noticed calls for a “grand coalition” of all parties have disappeared. The refusal of the Opposition Leader to agree on the top Judicial appointments signals the total gridlock that would’ve followed!!
Vacationing GDF Captain critically injured in Turks and Caicos plane crash
Avacation turned tragic for Captain Dwight Bonus, a decorated officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), who is now fighting for his life following a devastating plane crash in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday.
Captain Bonus was aboard a Cessna 210 aircraft, en route from North Perry Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Howard Hamilton International Airport (PLS) when disaster struck during final approach. The aircraft went down with two individ-
Captain Bonus was critically injured in the incident, but survived and was medically evacuated for advanced treatment. The GDF has confirmed that while his condition remains serious, he is currently stable and receiving urgent care overseas.
“Captain Bonus was on personal vacation at the time of the incident,” the GDF stated in an official release. “We are in close contact with the relevant authorities and continue to monitor the situation. Our
uals onboard, one of whom tragically did not survive.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) confirmed the aircraft, registered under tail number N1110S, encountered trouble around 15:14h, prompting immediate emergency response. Firefighters, medics, law enforcement, and even marine rescue units, including assistance from Las Brisas, rushed to the crash site in a desperate effort to save lives.
thoughts and full support are with Captain Bonus and his family.”
The GDF is standing firmly by its injured officer, who is known among his peers for his discipline, professionalism, and unwavering service to his country.
Investigation underway
While Captain Bonus clings to life, Turks and Caicos authorities have confirmed one fatality from the crash. The identity of the de-
ceased has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
The crash forced a temporary closure of Howard Hamilton International Airport from 15:14h to 17:19h, as rescue and investigation teams secured the area and began their preliminary assessments.
“Our thoughts remain with the individuals involved in today’s crash and their loved ones,” said Arlington Musgrove, Minister with responsibility for TCIAA. “We are committed to uncovering the cause of this tragedy.”
The National Security Council, along with the Civil Aviation Authority, has launched a full investigation into the incident, which may take weeks to complete.
Captain Dwight Bonus being transported by EMTs in Turks and Caicos
The crashed Cessna 210 aircraft
Haslington woman, guard, teen face court on theft, false report charges
Three individuals – a Haslington woman, a teenage labourer, and a 66-year-old security officer – appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday to answer to separate charges involving theft and false reporting.
In the first matter, Devyanie Ramsaroop, of Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was charged with larceny after allegedly stealing a cellphone from a coworker at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Ramsaroop, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, is accused of stealing a Samsung Galaxy cellphone belonging to Monique Wills on Friday, July 25. According to the Prosecutor, Wills had left her phone on her desk at work when it was allegedly taken. The device was lat -
er tracked and recovered from Ramsaroop’s residence.
Ramsaroop’s Attorney told the court that her client had no prior criminal
record and simply made a mistake upon finding the phone. She added that Ramsaroop was cooperative throughout the Police investigation, and there
was no indication that she would not return for future court proceedings.
Magistrate Azore granted Ramsaroop bail in the sum of $100,000. The case
will continue on August 20.
In another case, David Alexander, the 66-yearold security officer, was charged with giving false information to a Police Officer. He also pleaded not guilty.
The charge alleged that on Monday, July 21, at the Brickdam Police Station, Alexander knowingly provided false information to a Police Corporal. He later explained to the court that the situation stemmed from a misunderstanding between himself and his landlord, Samantha Hubbard.
Alexander said that upon returning home, he found his apartment door open and feared a burglary had taken place. Believing that his laptop, the only valuable item he owned, had been stolen, he reported the matter to Police. However, he later found the laptop and realised his
mistake.
Magistrate Azore placed Alexander on $10,000 bail, and the matter was adjourned to August 6.
Meanwhile, Triston Chapman, the 18-yearold labourer from J27 Tucville, Georgetown, was arraigned on a charge of larceny. He was accused of stealing a silver handbag containing items valued at $100,800, the property of Abiola Sunderland, on Sunday, July 27, at the Georgetown seawall. Chapman, who works at a car wash, denied the allegation. The prosecution, however, objected to bail, pointing out that Chapman was already before the court on another charge and had a history of similar offences.
Despite the objections, Magistrate Azore granted bail in the sum of $75,000. The case is also set to continue on August 20.
Bent Street man accused of $2M house lot scam remanded
ABent Street, Georgetown man accused of swindling a woman out of $2 million by promising her a house lot was on Wednesday remanded to prison after appearing before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Allister Michelle stood before the court and pleaded not guilty to the charge of obtaining money by false pretence. The allegation stems from an incident on March 6, 2024, in Ruimveldt, Georgetown, where he allegedly deceived Yonnette Joseph into believing he could secure a house lot on her behalf, a claim the prosecution said he knew to be untrue.
Appearing virtually, Joseph told the court that Michelle should not be granted bail, pointing out that he has been on the run since 2021. She accused him of habitually defrauding people and using his knowledge of the legal system and Police operations to stay a step ahead of law enforcement.
Supporting the victim’s claims, the Prosecutor said that Michelle had been difficult to apprehend and agreed that bail should not be an option in the circumstances.
Michelle, however, disputed the allegations. He said the amount in question was exaggerated and that there had been an agreement between him and Joseph. According to him, he already repaid her $500,000 and had her banking information to continue further payments.
Joseph rejected this, saying no such arrange-
ment existed. She revealed that Michelle’s wife had approached her privately with the $500,000 and pleaded that her husband not be arrested. She also showed the court a printed version of a wanted bulletin previously published in the media, confirming that Michelle had long been sought by the authorities.
“I don’t like to see people go to prison,” Joseph told the court, “but he’s slippery… he dodges the Police and even uses different names.” Michelle insisted that he was willing to repay the debt and said he could begin at the end of the month. He added that he currently holds two Government contracts and could afford to repay $100,000 monthly.
Magistrate Azore was not convinced and she questioned whether Michelle planned to use public contract money to repay private debts and insisted that at least half of the sum owed would have to be repaid upfront to even consider bail. With that, she refused bail and adjourned the case to August 20.
Remanded: Allister Michelle
Charged: David Alexander, Devyanie Ramsaroop and Triston Chapman
Warnings on US-sanctioned Mohamed are about national risk, not politics – AG
The various warnings being issued about United Statessanctioned Azruddin Mohamed are about national risks, not politics, according to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall.
In 2024, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it sanctioned Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, as well as several of their companies.
The sanctions are related to the evasion of taxes on gold exports, with OFAC noting that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10,000 kilograms (kg) of gold from import and export declarations and avoided paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.
Mohamed has since launched a political party called We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and is running as the presidential candidate. The party has been approved by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to contest the General and
Regional Elections on September 1.
OFAC sanctions are economic and trade sanctions imposed by the US Department of the Treasury. These sanctions target specific foreign countries, regimes, individuals, and entities deemed to pose a threat to US national security, foreign policy, or economy. OFAC sanctions can involve blocking assets, trade restrictions, and prohibitions on certain financial transactions.
Already, US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot has warned about the consequences if Mohamed enters Parliament. Such a development, she noted, would have implica-
tions for Government-toGovernment relations as well as the Private Sector of both countries.
President Dr Irfaan Ali had already warned that Mohamed was a threat to Guyana’s financial stability, sovereignty, and diplomacy.
In fact, a number of commercial banks in Guyana have already cut ties with Mohamed and candidates of his political party to ensure their organisations comply with regulations of the international financial sector as it relates to sanctioned individuals.
Not about politics
During his weekly programme “Issues in the
News” on Tuesday evening, Nandlall emphasised the US-sanctioned businessman was not a normal competitor.
“This is a person, if he is elected, will expose the country to harm. He has already been exposing the people associated with him to harm. Visas have already been revoked. Persons are being questioned at the airports…Look how many persons have lost their bank accounts…,” he explained.
Referring to the actions taken by the local banks to shut down the personal accounts of WIN candidates, the AG pointed out that the financial system was interconnected and once there was a threat, it would contaminate the entire structure.
This, he noted, is how the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework operates.
“As Minister of Legal Affairs, I hold responsibility for that sector. Our sys-
about the US-sanctioned businessman were not about politics, but national implications.
“I am not saying this, because I want to interfere with the outcome of an election. Whoever wins the election, these are the consequences that you will have to face if sanctioned people are elected. You can say what you want to say about that. That is a fact,” he asserted.
tem was already contaminated once when we were blacklisted because of the APNU/AFC [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change] one-seat majority being used to vote down important bits of legislation that we needed to strengthen our financial system. The Guyanese financial system is not unaware of how sanctions operate,” the AG reminded.
Against this backdrop, Nandlall contended that the warnings being issued
“What we are speaking about here is not about influencing elections. Mohamed has already qualified to contest the elections. He satisfies all the requirements and he will be contesting the elections, [but] every Guyanese has a duty, in my respectful view, to speak about the possible consequences that will flow if he is anywhere close to the Government of Guyana…And we have to deal with that reality. No amount of sugar coating will change that,” he further posited.
United States-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC
“A fearless patriot” – PPP stalwart Shirley Edwards passes on
Former Member of Parliament and long-standing committee -member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Shirley Edwards, has passed away, and tributes are pouring in, in recognition of her contributions to Guyana’s political struggles.
Edwards, who served several decades as a member of the PPP’s Central Committee and as a parliamentarian in Guyana’s National Assembly from 1992 to 2011, died at the age of 85 on Wednesday morning at her home in Lodge, Georgetown.
General Secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo, confirmed Edwards’ passing, describing her a “fearless patriot”, party stalwart, and true daughter of Guyana. He recalled that Edwards joined the PPP at just 22 years of age and remained a committed member for over six decades. According to Jagdeo, she stood firm in defence of her
party and country through some of the most difficult chapters in our history.
“Her courage, discipline, and unshakeable belief in the PPP’s founding princi-
ples of unity, equality, and democracy made her a towering figure in our movement. She was a symbol of resistance, loyalty, and hope for generations of Guyanese. Shirley worked tirelessly in service of ordinary citizens and stood as a living example of the strength and resilience of our women comrades in the struggle for a free and just society,” GS Jagdeo stated.
The PPP General Secretary added that Edwards’ legacy will continue to guide and inspire the Party as they build on the foundation she helped to lay.
Similar sentiments were expressed by President Dr Irfaan Ali, who, in extending condolences, hailed Edwards as a dedicated veteran of the PPP who devoted six decades of her life to serving her country.
“As a long-standing member of our Party’s Central Committee and a respected parliamentarian, she played a crucial role in shaping our democratic landscape. Her contributions, rooted in sincerity and love for her country and our Party, will forever be etched in the history of our political struggles,” he said.
President Ali, who had attended Edwards’ 85th birthday celebration last September, noted that she was also a close friend of his grandmother, and had touched many lives, including his.
He said she represented a generation of leaders who fought relentlessly for the PPP and the people of Guyana.
Both Jagdeo and Ali extended condolences to the family members and friends of Edwards.
Meanwhile, another se-
nior PPP member, Clement Rohee penned a tribute to Edwards, saying her death would not diminish her contributions nor her achievements to create a fair and just society in Guyana.
“Her fight for justice without violence, under the banner of the PPP; her belief woven of sympathy for the common working man and woman; the need for tolerance in a society characterised by ethnic and racial peculiarities and her belief in the basic goodness and brotherhood of man are the attributes we saw at all times shining through in Comrade Shirley as a party activist, a fighter for women’s rights, member of the Central Committee of the PPP and Member of Parliament,” Rohee stated.
He added that Edwards’ life and death must have something to teach Guyanese about the way forward for Guyana and the world today. Though her loss is irreplaceable, Rohee added, that the best tribute to pay to Edwards with her passing, would be to continue recruiting more and more young women into the PPP and to cultivate in them, all the attributes that exemplified Comrade Shirley as well as the lofty principles she fervently adhered to.
In addition to being recognised for her contributions as a female Member of Parliament, Edwards was also rewarded as a longtime PPP member. Only in January 2022, she celebrated 60 years as an active PPP member.
While Edwards recently retired from active party politics, she had still remained in contact with senior PPP associates and followed national developments.
President Dr Irfaan Ali with the late PPP member Shirley Edwards at her 85th birthday celebration last September
Former parliamentarian and PPP stalwart Shirley Edwards has passed on
Equal opportunities for all Guyanese – Pres Ali at Rose Hall meeting
…as engineering school slated for Berbice
There will be equal opportunities in Guyana.
This assurance has been given by President Dr Irfaan Ali. The Head of State committed that during the next term in office under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, all Guyanese will have the same opportunities for development, regardless of their background or geographical location.
Addressing a rally hosted by the PPP/C at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Wednesday, President Ali said that there was once a time when some dreams “were too big for us to contemplate”.
“Any teacher from Berbice can become a trained teacher and a trained graduate teacher. That is why today, the son of a cane harvester and the son of a doctor can have the same future. Because we are giving them the same oppor-
tunity. That is why today, a young girl from Black Bush or a young boy from New Amsterdam can dream equally. Because they know they have a government that will realise their dreams. That is why today, any young person wanting to do a law degree, wanting to do a medical degree, pharmacy, engineering, all of these things you can do it now, because we will pay for it,” President Ali pointed out.
Alluding to the fact that the Government had been providing free training at all levels, President Ali noted that more than 40,000 young Guyanese have already benefited from the Government’s Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, while another 70,000 have been trained in various fields, equipping them to contribute to the national development of Guyana.
“The next generation of children will have not a single worry of paying for any level
of education, and do not take that for granted. Any person here who wants to be a nurse, we will train you free of cost. We will give you a stipend while we train you. Any person wanting to be an engineer, today we cannot produce enough engineers for the pace of development that is taking place in our country,” President Ali said.
The President noted that while the education was being provided at no cost to individuals, the Government was focusing on the bigger picture.
“It is about developing a prosperous future. And it is not only about educating you… It is helping you,” he assured.
Giving an example of this, Ali pointed out that the PPP/C Government has been placing more emphasis on young persons than ever before.
“There was a time in this country when the criteria to get in a management position in the public service were that you had to be old enough, close
to 60. Today, the entire middle management of the public service is all young people,” President Ali pointed out.
He said there was much in store for Berbice during the PPP/C’s next term in government.
Among these will be an engineering school to be established in Region Six.
“The School of Engineering must come to Berbice so your children can do mechanical, electrical, or any degree in engineering right here in Berbice. That is the future I am talking to you about. I am talking to you about a future of fulfilment, dignity, honour, pride, prosperity, and sustainability.”
Meanwhile, President Ali also shared some of his other future plans for the region, including the town of Rose Hall. He said the plan was to ensure that recreational facilities were established in every community.
“We must have parks where families can go out
safely and enjoy the beauty of their community and country. We must have recreational facilities in which our sportsmen and women must develop their best talent with the best facilities.”
Speaking specifically about Rose Hall Town, President Ali said there would be a proper sanitation facility to ensure proper disposal of solid waste.
On the wider spectrum, Ali, who is seeking a second term in office, pointed out that during the next five years, investments would see all Guyanese becoming homeowners.
“We want to make homeownership cheaper and more affordable by directly transferring benefits to help you improve your home and build a new home. We are going to work with the banks to further reduce interest rates so that you pay back less. We are going to reduce the taxes and give tax incentives to persons so that homeownership can
be a deductible that puts back more money in your pockets and makes it easier for you to build your home.”
President Ali reminded that persons in Region Six would be enjoying the same benefits as persons in any other part of the country, as he urged persons to support him at the September 1 polls.
“You, in this region, are voting for your own medical school, your own engineering school, two bridges; one across the Berbice River and one across the Corentyne River, your own four-lane road, your own stadium, your own level five hospital. You are voting for your own housing programme. You are voting for your children to become lawyers and doctors, and engineers right here. You are voting for your small and medium-sized enterprises to see a government that will invest in you to build your businesses,” Ali said while promising a strong, stable, and secure future for all.
President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking at the meeting on Wednesday evening
A section of the crowd at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Region Six
Election fraud case
Witnesses note layout changes during visit to former GECOM command centre
During a court-or-
dered site visit to the Guyana Elections Commission command centre in 2020, which is popularly known as Ashmins Building on Wednesday, witnesses in the election fraud case noted differences between the current structure and what they recalled from the March 2020 vote tabulation process. The visit, which was observed by members of the media but not recorded, as per court order, was part of an ongoing effort to provide context to testimony already presented in court.
Led by acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, the walkthrough included legal teams from both the prosecution and defence, the defendants and four witnesses who have already taken the stand – Local Government Minister Sonia Parag; A New and United Guyana (ANUG) executive Kian Jabour; Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas and election observer Rosalinda Rasul.
As they moved through the building, measurements were taken and recorded as Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat asked questions.
from what was described in earlier testimony.
currently out on bail.
During that time, witnesses made passing comments about how the space appeared altered.
Remarks such as “this looks different,” and “there used to be a glass door here,” were heard as they recalled where key figures, including former Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, were positioned at the time Mingo was preparing to make a declaration.
During the visit, Defence Attorney Dexter Todd questioned the absence of any visual documentation, such as photos of the Ashmins Building in its original 2020 layout, highlighting the potential challenge of relying solely on memory, especially when the layout appears to have changed.
Nine individuals, including Mingo, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, are facing 19 charges of conspiracy to commit fraud.
The Ashmins Building has reportedly undergone renovation and reconfiguration since it last served as the Region Four Command Centre. While the scope and timeline of the changes have not been detailed in court, those present noted that some walls, doors, and room dividers seemed different
“Get fit” – Pres Ali challenges cops
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday challenged officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to get fit, noting that “when people see the Guyana Police Force, they must see strength, fitness”.
The Head of State underscored the importance of fitness, highlighting that all public schools would now move to dedicate Friday afternoons to physical education classes.
In this regard, he said the members of the GPF must lead by example. He also pointed out that it was for their own health.
“I care about you…I want you to live long, productive lives. I want you to live long after your retirement, so you can enjoy your pension,” the President
said. As such, he said “those who are doing protection
of skipping.”
In keeping with the calendar of activities to com-
Ranks in Police Regional Division #6 held a Fitness Walk earlier this month
service, you ain’t go to sit down in a hut, walk with a skipping rope…you ain’t got to sit down for eight hours; every hour, do five minutes
memorate the Force’s 186th anniversary, Police Regional Divisions have been holding fitness walks over the past month.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants bypassed official Statements of Poll (SoPs) in Region Four and used unauthorised spreadsheets to declare falsified results in favour of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition. All defendants have pleaded not guilty and are
Lead prosecutor, King’s Counsel (KC) Darshan Ramdhani stated that the visit was a very significant one.
“This was a visit to the scene of the alleged crime, and today marks a very significant event in the course of this trial. We have led about 13 witnesses so far. Of those witnesses, a number of them have given evidence as to where they were sitting in the Ashmins Building in the tabulation room, where they were seated, where the GECOM officers were seated, where Mr Mingo was standing, where Mr Lowenfield
was standing, where other participants were, and where other defendants were standing,” he said.
“And so today [Wednesday], what the court had the opportunity to do was, to come to this scene with these witnesses. And the witnesses, each one of them, the others were kept out of the building...”.
The matter has been adjourned to September 15, when both the defence and prosecution are expected to make submissions. On that date, the court is expected to determine when the trial of the 2020 elections case will proceed.
“Embrace continuous self-education” – Chief of Defence Staff to Senior Warrant Officers
Ten Warrant Officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were on Wednesday honoured for their exceptional military service, having each dedicated more than 27 years of their lives to the defence and development of the nation.
The ceremony, held at the Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Mess, was one of reflection and recognition, celebrating leadership, mentorship, and sacrifice. The most senior among the honourees was recognised for 29 years and three months of service.
During the ceremony, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan encouraged the officers to embrace continuous self-education and personal development.
Against this backdrop, he lauded the group for their enduring commitment to excellence, challenging them to continue leading by example and to remain sharp through life-
long learning.
Among the honourees was Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Carlyn Dover, the sole female awardee. She reflected that she and her colleagues, like many others within the Warrant Officers’ Corps, had dedicated more than half of their lives to national service, and that this gesture validated their contributions and affirmed that they had served well.
Other decorated Warrant Officers included WO1s Andre Worrel and Selwyn Douglas, both among the longest-serving. Also honoured were WO2s Monty Knights, Michael Joseph, Rudolph Moore, Dwaine Clarke, Hosbort Carmichael, Seon Duncan, and Keon Need.
Together, the 10 Warrant Officers have amassed an astounding 282 years of combined service to the GDF. Remarkably, nine of the 10 remain in active duty, continuing to mentor junior ranks and
lead with distinction.
The Brigadier thanked the officers’ families for their unwavering support and underscored the importance of their sacrifices in sustaining the Force’s operations. Brigadier Khan described the event as an important tribute, stating that he was honoured and proud to share in the moment. The ceremony was attended by several senior officers, including Colonel General Staff, Captain (CG) Vernon Burnett; Adjutant General, Colonel Lloyd Souvenir; Inspector General, Lieutenant Colonel Natasha Stanford-Francis; and Force Sergeant Major William Richmond, who joined the Warrant Officer and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Corps in honouring their own. As Guyana’s security environment continues to evolve, Brigadier Khan emphasised that institutional memory, seasoned leadership, and disciplined mentorship were more vital than ever.
Former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and former Returning Officer for Region Four Clairmont Mingo were among the persons who were at the court-ordered site visit of Ashmins Building
Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty along with Prosecutors and witnesses entering the former GECOM command centre during a court site visit
Top Cop Clifton Hicken and senior officers of the GPF
Copycat promises, insulting voters, denying 2020 election rigging – AG slams Opposition’s campaign
From disparaging the population as illiterate to denying allegations of attempting to rig the 2020 elections and making unsustainable promises during the 2025 campaign trail, the Opposition parties appear to be paving the way for their own defeat at the upcoming September 1 polls.
This was the view expressed by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, who stated that despite these ‘ridiculous’ positions, Opposition members will likely feign surprise at the results and shift blame to everyone but themselves.
“When these guys lose the elections, they will blame GECOM, they will blame the PPP, they will cry fraud, they will fault the voters’ list, you will hear the excuses. They will not fault themselves for not articulating a plan for the future development of this country,” Nandlall contend-
ed during his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday.
During a rally at Bagotville, West Bank Demerara (WBD), Opposition Leader and presidential candidate of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton claimed that a large percentage of the population was illiterate.
According to Nandlall, this belief could be why Norton and his backers are making unsustainable and unrealistic promises to the population.
“That’s why he feels that he can tell you anything and you will absorb it, you will believe it, and you will give him a chance and you will not think for yourself,” he reasoned.
Nandlall also contended that the Opposition’s resort to making these “grand and fanciful” promises is rooted in the fact that “they know that they are not going to be in government and there-
fore they will not have to deliver on these promises”.
Moreover, Nandlall reminded that APNU nor its former coalition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC), when in Government from 2015-2020, did not deliver on their manifesto promises.
“So they don’t care, they are indifferent whether they win the Government or not, because they have a long track record of never delivering on what they promise,” he posited.
Copycat versions
Nandlall said he has observed the promises coming from the Opposition camp to be “grander” copycat versions of policies already outlined by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
“If we say we are going to do something for a $100,000, they are saying they will do it and they will give out $500,000. That’s what they’re doing, copy-
cat politics; no originality, no sustainable plan,” he opined.
“The promises are becoming more ridiculous as we get closer to the elections,” he added.
Nandlall also highlighted the AFC’s plan to distribute house lots for to every person who attains the age of 18.
“There is no explanation how this is going to be done and no estimation of how many house lots we are speaking about, and where the money will come from, and what will happen to the backlog of existing house lots applications, if you are going to only address those who turn 18 and what about those who have turned 18 already and are not given the house lots?” he questioned.
Failed to execute
Further, Nandlall reminded that the AFC when in Government from 20152020, failed to execute a
successful housing programme for the country.
“What they did for five years was simply distribute house lots that were left back by the PPP Government, in housing schemes built by PPP Government, and to distribute those house lots, they only did about 7000 in five years. We have done 50,000 in five years…but they are out of Government now and they are promising one house lot for every person who turns 18…that is the kind of trick that the population is being dealt with whole day,” he pointed out.
Nandlall also referred to comments made by APNU’s candidate Dexter Todd ,who called for citizens to bring the evidence of the attempts by his party to alter the results of the 2020 elections.
Nandlall was critical of Todd’s statements, reminding that every Guyanese and even the international community witnessed firsthand what was unfolding.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
“We saw that you attempted to steal elections…those who are not in Guyana, they saw it on Facebook, the videos are there,” he affirmed.
In fact, Nandlall reminded that the then head of the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Bruce Golding had declared that he had never seen such a “transparent effort to alter the results of an election”.
“…and you still running around the place telling people to show you facts,” Nandlall expressed.
During his programme, the Attorney General cited other examples of the ridiculous narrative coming from the Opposition’s campaign and reiterated his position that “when the people reject them, you will hear they will cry that they are were robbed and the PPP rigged, all sorts of things” except to blame themselves and their poor campaign.
Guyana reaffirms zero tolerance for human trafficking
The Home Affairs Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against human trafficking, joining regional and international partners in observing World Day Against Trafficking in Persons under the 2025 theme, “Human Trafficking is Organised Crime – End Exploitation.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry highlighted that human trafficking remains a serious and multifaceted crime that is often deeply connected to organised criminal networks. These operations are frequently intertwined with other illicit activities such as drug and arms trafficking, money laundering, and the smuggling of migrants – creating vast and entrenched regional and international networks.
Additionally, the Taskforce has finalised a new National Action Plan for 2026-2030, which will guide Guyana’s prevention, prosecution, protection, and partnership efforts in addressing trafficking in persons.
fied and one person convicted in March. A foreign national was also charged with trafficking and the unlawful withholding of identification documents.
To further bolster victim support services, the Ministry recently completed construction of a transitional centre for suspected victims of trafficking and other vulnerable individuals. The $56 million facility is designed to reinforce the victim-centred approach in ongoing investigations and recovery processes.
“Traffickers use coercion, deception, fraud, bribery, and blackmail to entrap their victims in dangerous and exploitative situations,” the statement noted. “This strips them of their dignity and freedom, and is unacceptable.”
As part of Guyana’s response, the Home Affairs
However, the Ministry cautioned that the threat of trafficking also comes from within victims’ immediate environments, including from trusted individuals such as family members and close acquaintances. This dual nature of the crime complicates detection and underscores the need for a comprehensive and coordinated response.
Ministry, in partnership with the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, the Guyana Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, and other members of the Ministerial Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons, pledged to continue using a victim-centred approach – prioritising victims’ rights, dignity, and recovery.
Significant strides have
been made through legislative reform and operational improvements. The Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, originally enacted in 2005, was amended in 2023 to impose stricter penalties and introduce new offences, including the trafficking of children for narcotics production and illegal adoption. The updated legislation also places increased focus on victim protection and introduces enhanced provisions for restitution.
In 2025 alone, over 5000 students from 30 schools in Regions Two (PomeroonSupenaam); Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) benefited from awareness and sensitisation sessions. Capacity-building initiatives also reached 260 law enforcement, immigration, community policing, and prosecutorial personnel. Fifteen dedicated TIP focal points were also deployed across six regions, receiving specialised training to strengthen regional responsiveness to trafficking cases.
Between January and June 2025, the Guyana Police Force’s TIP Unit conducted eight anti-trafficking operations. Ninetyfour alleged victims were screened and interviewed, with four suspects identi-
The Ministry urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspected trafficking cases via its 24hour hotlines: 227-4083 or 623-5030 for English speakers, and 624-0079 for Spanish speakers.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs, with its partners on the Ministerial Taskforce, will continue to invest in building capacity and implementing robust strategies to combat this crime, bring perpetrators to justice, and support survivors as they reclaim their lives,” the statement said.
Toll-free bridge crossings begin on Friday
The Berbice Bridge will officially become toll-free for all vehicles, vessels, and freight as of August 1, 2025 following the announcement by President Dr Irfaan Ali in March that bridges will be toll free in August of this year.
The announcement of toll-free travel across the Berbice Bridge in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was made on Wednesday by the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated via public notice.
This move follows the official announcement made back in March for toll-free travel across the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Berbice Bridge and the MackenzieWismar Bridge in Linden.
While the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated is the first to confirm that the mechanism is being put in place, commuters can expect the Demerara Harbour Bridge and Wismar Bridge
Corporations to follow suit.
In fact, the Berbice bridge will briefly close for 30 minutes from 23:30h on July 31 to midnight on August 1, to facilitate the switchover.
However, despite the elimination of toll fees, processing of vehicles at toll booths will continue to manage traffic and enforce safety protocols.
Vehicle weight limits
and all existing operational rules for the Berbice River Bridge will remain in effect.
The current Berbice River Bridge, a critical link between Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six, was constructed between 2006 and 2008 through a public-private partnership at a cost of approximately $8.2 billion. It was financed by loans and equity contributions from various entities including the State-run National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and other private investors.
Quality of life
According to President Ali, these improvements are tangible and run the gamut from more disposable
income being put in their pockets, to improved access to health and education.
In one example, he revealed the contrasting investments in education made by the PPP/C Government in Region Six, versus that made by the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.
“Between 2015 and 2019, less than 20 per cent text-book availability was in the education system. Today, we have almost 90 per cent text-book availability in the school system. These are things you don’t see in a structure, but you see it in the results of our children,” the President reminded.
Guyana launches new tools to combat human trafficking
…including QR reporting, victim guide, child-friendly storybook
The Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Wednesday launched a suite of new tools aimed at enhancing victim protection, increasing public awareness, and encouraging greater community involvement in the fight against human trafficking.
The newly-launched resources include a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for trafficking in persons protection, a child-friendly TIP storybook designed for readers aged seven to 16, four QR codes to allow the public to report trafficking concerns quickly and easily, and a simplified, reader-friendly version of the C-TIP Act of 2023, titled “A Victim’s Guide.”
In a release, the Ministry said while delivering a feature address in the boardroom of the Palms Geriatric Home, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, underscored the importance of not only raising awareness about human trafficking, but also strengthening the implementation of programmes and policies at the community level. “We need to make people aware of the legislation and its complementary regulations, which have been in effect since 2023. They are in place to provide the framework of protection for persons who experience trafficking. It has punitive measures not only for persons who are
at the Palms Geriatric Home on Wednesday
direct traffickers, but also for people complicit in the act”, the release from the Ministry quoted Persaud as saying.
She emphasised that the newly-introduced tools, especially the QR codes and educational materials, will make information convenient and accessible to the public, including children.
“…I’m very happy to launch this storybook, it’s a series of TIP stories specially crafted for children. This is necessary because our children should know what trafficking in persons is, as I believe that no child is too young to understand the dangers that lie out there”, the Minister said.
She also highlighted the importance of align -
ing Standard Operating Procedures with the existing TIP legislation to ensure a progressive and effective response to trafficking.
The C-TIP Unit’s efforts have already yielded tangible results. Over the past five years, the unit has identified and assisted more than 2000 victims, thanks to the training of 5000 frontline workers in identification, rescue, and care protocols.
Significantly, the unit now operates with its own dedicated budget for the first time, an increase from $40 million to over $60 million, reflecting greater investment in anti-trafficking initiatives.
Through consistent col -
laboration between the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Guyana has successfully maintained its Tier One ranking in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report for eight consecutive years, a reflection of the country’s unwavering commitment to combating human trafficking at all levels.
This means that Guyana fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, and it continues to work to implement new initiatives.
Commending these strides, Russell Zaliznaik, Political and Economic Counsellor at the US Embassy, praised Guyana
as a global leader in the fight against human trafficking.
“I have worked in many countries across every continent on this planet, except Antarctica, and we have never had a partner as proactive as Guyana in terms of recognizing a problem and understanding that, as your economy grows, this problem will grow
with it, and taking a stand to prevent it from becoming an even bigger issue”, the Political and Economic Counsellor stated.
Guyana’s ongoing commitment not only protects vulnerable populations but also sets a regional example of what is possible through leadership, vigilance, and meaningful international cooperation.
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, reading from the TIP storybook
Berbice Bridge in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)
Bank of America to open office in Guyana in 2026
The Bank of America is set to open a representative office on Guyana in 2026.
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall on Wednesday evening during a public meeting at Dey Corner, Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) said that very soon an American bank would be opening in Guyana.
When asked to clarify which bank, Nandlall confirmed it was the Bank of America.
In September 2023, the Guyana Government met with several international financial institutions as it sought to expand the local market.
At the time, President Dr Irfaan Ali had said that engagements were currently
ongoing with at least two major United States-based commercial banks on expanding their services here. The two banks were the Bank of America and Citibank.
“We are developing our [financial] market. Our market will become more sophisticated in the future, the financial services will be much more robust, and the financial services will be extended. So, these major financial institutions are all coming. We had not only meetings with the Bank of America, but we had a lot of ongoing meetings with Citibank and other banks across the globe,” the President had revealed during a press conference in September 2023 at State House. President Ali, along with Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and Natural Resources Minister
Vickram Bharrat, met with representatives from the Bank of America, who were in Guyana on an exploratory mission.
The visiting delegation in 2023 included the Managing Director – Global Energy Corporate Banking, Donald Ward Rickertsen; Managing Director – Head of Global Export Agency Finance, Patrick William Gang, and Director – Regional Corporate Banking, Diego Armando Torres-Luna.
Back in 2016 under the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Administration, the Bank of America had severed ties with financial institutions in the Caribbean, including Guyana, over money laundering concerns. In a notice at the time, the Bank
of America had informed that it was severing its corresponding relationship with “indigenous banks” in Guyana.
The Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individuals, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, and Governments with a full range of banking, investment management, and other financial and risk management products and services. The bank was founded in San Francisco, California in 1923. It is the second-largest banking institution in the United States, after JPMorgan Chase, and the second-largest bank in the world by market capitalisation.
Citibank
Meanwhile in November 2024, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said that global banking giant Citibank was considering establishing an office in Guyana.
During one of his weekly press briefings, VP Jagdeo had explained that the Government has already engaged a representative of the financial institution, and while the Administration was optimistic about the establishment of a local branch, an office would be equally effective.
On this point, he had highlighted that the office coupled with Guyana’s growing economy will play a crucial role in enhancing financial services by provid-
ing access to international expertise, advanced banking solutions, and global networks.
Additionally, he had said that the initiative has the ability to boost foreign investment by increasing investor confidence in the local economy, facilitating international trade through better financial infrastructure, and supporting businesses with access to capital and resources.
Citibank is also a leading financial services provider with operations in over 100 countries and has a reputation for supporting economic development in emerging markets. Its interest in Guyana underscores the country’s rising profile on the global stage.
CARPHA launches 2025-2030 blueprint to boost surveillance, health systems
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) launched its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, on Monday, at an event held at the Pegasus Hotel, with speakers at the opening ceremony emphasising the importance of collaboration and partnerships to tackle the health needs of the Caribbean region.
The event was attended by a number of regional leaders, international partners, and public health stakeholders, and saw remarks being delivered by Caricom Deputy Secretary General, Dr Armstrong Alexis; CARPHA Executive Director, Dr Lisa Indar, and CARPHA Chair and Grenada Minister of Health, Philip Telesford.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Alexis emphasised the urgency for coordinated regional action.
“As we move forward, let us be specific about where collaboration can be deepened for real impact on the Region’s human development and sustainability,” he stated.
“Strategic plans are only as good as the results obtained from implementation.
It is commendable that the leadership of CARPHA has so strategically positioned
the organisation to ensure that the gains of the previous period will continue into the next.”
Stressing that strategic clarity, alignment, and implementation are essential in a region marked by economic and climate vulnerabilities, Dr Alexis said that the Caricom Secretariat viewed the new plan as a pivotal opportunity to deepen structural collaboration between CARPHA, the Secretariat, and other regional bodies.
“This strategic plan is a road map to guide member states to align their priorities and collaborate on critical regional imperatives,” he said. “We must reduce duplication, increase interoperability, and focus on results
that matter to the people of this community.”
Dr Indar also echoed the urgency of the moment, highlighting that the launch was more than just the unveiling of a document, but also a reaffirmation of a shared regional commitment.
“Today is not just about launching a plan,” she noted. “It is about reviewing our collective determination, not only to recover from the crisis of the past, but to build stronger, smarter, more resilient systems that can withstand the challenges of tomorrow.”
The plan outlines six strategic priority areas that will guide CARPHA’s work over the next five years, including a robust focus on results-based management,
strengthened surveillance systems, health systems resilience, and multisectoral collaboration. Notably, crime and violence have now been formally recognised as public health issues within the strategy.
Dr Indar noted that the plan was aligned with global and regional frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Caricom Strategic Plan (2022–2030), and the Caribbean Cooperation in Health framework. It features a clear theory of change, outcome-driven objectives, and measurable impact indicators designed to ensure accountability and tangible progress.
The strategic plan was
developed through an extensive consultative process involving CARPHA’s 26 member states, regional institutions, and international development partners, and builds upon the foundation laid by the 2018–2022 strategy, incorporating lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, recent climate-related disasters, and emerging health threats.
The document was described as a bold, evidence-driven roadmap to guide the Caribbean’s response to pressing public health challenges, including infectious diseases, NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs), mental health, climate-related threats, and antimicrobial resistance. With public health challeng-
es increasingly linked to climate change, food security, digital transformation, and socio-economic disparities, an urgency of implementation was emphasised.
The launch, she said, marked not just a milestone but a renewed commitment to resilience, innovation, and shared responsibility in Caribbean public health.
““Partnerships and multisectoral collaboration are at the heart of this strategic plan… We are indeed stronger together,” Dr. Indar noted.
Telesford underscored the political significance of the strategy, describing it as “a bold declaration of political will and unwavering commitment to safeguard the health and well-being of every Caribbean citizen”
He stressed that the plan was rooted in the collective experience of member states, including recent responses to Hurricane Beryl and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This plan is a product of tireless collaboration, rigorous consultation, and the steadfast leadership of our members. It reflects the wisdom of our Ministers of Health, the full science of our technical teams, and the courage of our communities,” he said.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) launched its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, on Monday, at Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown
File photo: President Dr Irfaan Ali and other senior Government officials meeting with officials from the Bank of America in 2023
Regional
Trump hits Brazil with tariffs, sanctions, but key sectors excluded
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday slapped a 50 per cent tariff on most Brazilian goods to fight what he has called a “witch-hunt” against former President Jair Bolsonaro, but softened the blow by excluding sectors such as aircraft, energy, and orange juice from heavier levies.
Trump announced the tariffs, some of the steepest levied on any economy in the US trade war, as his Administration also unveiled sanctions on the Brazilian Supreme Court Justice who has been over-
seeing Bolsonaro’s trial on charges of plotting a coup.
“Alexandre de Moraes has taken it upon himself to be Judge and jury in an unlawful witch-hunt against US and Brazilian citizens and companies,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.
Bessent said Moraes “is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicised prosecutions — including against former President Jair Bolsonaro”.
Last week, the Brazilian Justice levied search war-
rants and restraining orders against Bolsonaro over allegations he courted Trump’s interference in his criminal case, in which he is accused of plotting to stop President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office in 2023.
Trump’s final tariff order and the sanctions followed weeks of sparring with Lula, who has likened the US President, a close ideological ally of Bolsonaro’s, to an unwanted “emperor”.
On Wednesday, Lula and his Government closed ranks behind Moraes, calling the US sanctions “unac-
Over 60 rights groups call on France’s Macron for reparations to Haiti
People who fled their homes due to gang violence take shelter at Haiti’s Ministry of Public Works building in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, February 27, 2025 (Reuters/Ralph Tedy Erol photo)
More than 60 rights groups signed a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron calling for reparations to Haiti over the crippling payments it paid France as compensation for lost “property” – including slaves – after its independence.
The letter dated on Tuesday came as activists in Haiti, which has the lowest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in the Americas and is battling
a worsening gang conflict amid little international support, call for billions of dollars in reparations.
“The wealth extracted under this ransom set Haiti’s GDP growth back by decades, and resulted in a cycle of foreign aid dependence and entrenched debt that persists to this day,” the letter said. “It is long past time for France to acknowledge and remedy this injustice.”
Signatories included Diaspora and repara-
tions groups in the United States, Africa, and elsewhere in the Caribbean. Macron in April said he would set up a joint FrancoHaitian commission to examine their “painful” past, but avoided discussing reparations.
Haiti’s Culture and Communications Minister Patrick Delatour said after a visit to France in May that work on the commission, made up of historians mandated to examine the consequences of the debt, was set to begin in July.
He said the aim was to pave the way for reparations.
The groups’ letter follows the 200-year-anniversary of Haiti’s newly-independent government acceding to the payments, which Haiti considers a ransom paid under threat of invasion. The so-called double debt, compounded by interest payments, was paid over the course of a century.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
ceptable”.
“The Brazilian Government considers the use of political arguments to defend the trade measures announced by the US Government against Brazilian exports to be unjustifiable,” it said in a statement.
Lula added that Brazil was willing to negotiate trade with the US, but that it would not give up on the tools it had at hand to defend itself, hinting that retaliation was possible.
Still, Trump’s tariff order threatened that if Brazil were to retaliate, the US would also up the ante.
Diplomacy at work
Despite Trump’s effort to use the tariffs to alter the trajectory of a pivotal criminal trial, the range of exemptions came
as a relief for many in Brasilia, who since Trump announced the tariff earlier this month had been urging protections for major exporters caught in the crossfire.
“We’re not facing the worst-case scenario,” Brazilian Treasury Secretary Rogerio Ceron told reporters.
The new tariffs will go into effect on August 6, not on Friday as Trump announced originally.
Trump’s executive order formalizing a 50 per cent tariff excluded dozens of key Brazilian exports to the United States, including civil aircraft, pig iron, precious metals, wood pulp, energy, and fertilisers.
Planemaker Embraer, whose chief executive has met with officials in Washington and US clients in recent days to plead its
case for relief, said an initial review indicated that a 10 per cent tariff imposed by Trump in April remains in place, with the exclusion applying to the additional 40 per cent.
The exceptions are likely a response to concerns from US companies, rather than a step back from Trump’s efforts to influence Brazilian politics, said Rafael Favetti, a partner at political consultancy Fatto Inteligencia Politica in Brasilia.
Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, said he met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday to express the nation’s willingness to discuss tariffs after negotiations stalled in June, though he stressed Bolsonaro’s legal troubles were not up for debate.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
T&T Top Cop “deeply disturbed” at beating,
Trinidad and Tobago Commissioner of Police (CoP) Allister Guevarro said he was “deeply disturbed” on seeing a social media video depicting a man being savagely beaten and even chopped on his forehead in Arouca by a group of men who believed him to be up to no good.
Guevarro said the Police have already launched an
chopping video
“urgent investigation” into the incident depicted.
“Our teams are working to verify the location, identify the individuals involved and determine whether the footage reflects a recent event. We urge any witnesses or community members with relevant information to come forward, as their cooperation is essential to ensuring justice is served.”
Guevarro said he wanted to be absolutely clear on one thing.
“Acts of vigilante violence and mob rule have no place in a lawful society. The TTPS [Trinidad and Tobago Police Service] does not and will not tolerate any form of extra-judicial punishment or public brutality.”
(Excerpt from T&T Newsday)
7 top Costa Rican Ministers to step down
Seven Costa Rican Government Ministers, including the Vice President and Finance Minister, have presented their resignations, President Rodrigo Chaves said on Wednesday, adding
they decided “to seek new horizons to move the country forward”.
Vice President Stephen Brunner and Finance Minister Nogui Acosta are among those who chose to step down, Chaves said.
Major resignations were broadly expected as politicians prepare to pursue candidacies for the Central American nation’s next general election, slated for February next year. (Reuters)
A drone view shows containers in storage next to Rio de Janeiro’s port, Brazil, July 10, 2025 (Reuters/ Pilar Olivares photo)
Around the World
OOIL NEWS
Oil prices gain for 4th day on supply fears from Trump tariff threats
il prices gained for a fourth straight day on Thursday, as investors worried about supply shortages amid US President Donald Trump’s push for a swift resolution to the war in Ukraine and threats of tariffs on countries buying Russian oil.
Brent crude futures for September delivery , which are set to expire today, rose 27 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to US $73.51 a barrel by 0028 GMT, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for September gained 37 cents, or 0.5 per cent, to US$70.37 a barrel.
Both benchmarks settled one per cent higher on Wednesday.
The more active Brent October contract was up 29 cents, or 0.4 per cent, at US$72.76.
“Concerns that secondary tariffs on countries importing Russian crude will tighten supplies continue to drive buying interest,” said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities.
On Tuesday, Trump said he would start imposing measures on Russia, including 100 per cent secondary tariffs on its trading partners, if it did not make progress on ending the war within 10-12 days, moving up an earlier 50-day deadline.
Trump said on Wednesday the United States was still negotiating with India on trade after announcing earlier in the day the US will impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods imported from the country starting on Friday.
The US has also warned China, the largest buyer of Russian oil, that it could face huge tariffs if it kept buying.
On Wednesday, the US Treasury Department announced fresh sanctions on over 115 Iran-linked individuals, entities and vessels, in a sign the Trump Administration was doubling down on its “maximum pressure” campaign after bombing Tehran’s key nuclear sites in June. China is the top buyer of Iran’s oil.
Meanwhile, US crude oil inventories rose by 7.7 million barrels in the week ending July 25 to 426.7 million barrels, driven by lower exports, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday. Analysts had expected a 1.3-million-barrel draw.
Gasoline stocks fell by 2.7 million barrels to 228.4 million barrels, far exceeding forecasts for a 600,000-barrel draw.?
“US inventory data showed a larger-than-expected build in crude stocks, but a bigger-than-expected gasoline draw supported the view of strong driving season demand, resulting in a neutral impact on oil market,” Fujitomi Securities’ Tazawa said. (Reuters)
7 more die from malnutrition in Gaza, Hamas-run Ministry says
Seven more persons have died from malnutrition in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Palestinian territory has said.
It says the total number of malnutrition deaths since the start of the IsraelHamas war in 2023 has now reached 154 – including 89 children.
On Tuesday, United Nations-backed global food security experts warned that the worst-case scenario of famine is “currently playing out” in Gaza.
Israel says it is not imposing restrictions on aid entering Gaza – those claims are not accepted by its close allies in Europe, the UN and other agencies active in Gaza.
Canada follows France and UK with plan to recognise Palestinian State
Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September, becoming the third G7 nation to make such an announcement in recent days.
Carney said the move depends on democratic reforms, including the Palestinian Authority holding elections next year without Hamas.
His remarks come a day after the United Kingdom announced it would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire and other conditions and a week after France unveiled a similar plan.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry
rejected Canada’s announcement, calling it “a reward for Hamas”. Most countries – 147 of the UN’s 193 Member States – formally recognise a Palestinian State.
Carney said Canada would formally recognise
the State of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly.
He cited the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas as reasons behind Canada’s dramatic shift in foreign policy.
“The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable and it is rapidly deteriorating,” Carney told reporters on Wednesday.
He said a recognition of Palestinian statehood would hinge on commitments by the Palestinian Authority to fundamentally reform its governance and to demilitarise the territory.
Canada had long been committed to a two-State solution as part of a negotiated peace process, Carney said, but he added “this approach is no longer tenable”.
“The prospect of a Palestinian State is being eroded before our eyes,” he said.
Carney told the news conference he had spoken with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas earlier on Wednesday about the announcement. The Palestinian Authority controls parts of the West Bank through the Fatah party, led by Abbas, while Hamas runs Gaza. Neither territory has held an election since 2006. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Trump announces 15% tariff on South Korea, 25% on India
President Donald Trump says the US will charge a 15 per cent tariff on imports from South Korea as part of an agreement with the Asian trading partner that avoids even higher levies.
“I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has agreed to a Full and Complete Trade Deal with the Republic of Korea,” he said on the Truth Social platform on Wednesday.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said the deal would put his country on an equal or better footing compared with other countries.
The announcement comes just a day before an August 1 deadline for countries to reach agreements with the US or be hit with higher tariffs. South Korea
had been facing a 25 per cent levy if it had not struck a deal.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that Trump has announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, as well
as an unspecified penalty for the country’s purchase of Russian oil and military equipment, as the unending war in Ukraine frustrates the White House.
Trump announced the
trade moves – which he said will come into effect on Friday – on his Truth Social account on Wednesday, saying they are necessary to reverse a long-running trade imbalance.
“While India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high,” Trump wrote.
The President also blamed India for buying military equipment and oil from Russia, which he said has enabled the war in Ukraine. As a result, he intends to charge an additional “penalty” starting on Friday as part of the launch of his Administration’s revised tariffs on multiple countries.
(Excerpts from Reuters and Al Jazeera)
New York detectives head to gunman’s home in Nevada amid calls for gun control
NMeanwhile, US special envoy Steve Witkoff will today travel to Israel to discuss the crisis.
The trip will mark Witkoff’s first visit to Israel in nearly three months, and comes less than a week after both the US and Israel recalled their delegations from Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar. Washington accused Hamas negotiators of not appearing to be “acting in good faith”.
In a separate development, Gaza hospital sources told the BBC six Palestinians were killed near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution centre in the Rafah area in southern Gaza, on Wednesday morning.(Excerpt from BBC News)
ew York City detectives investigating this week’s mass shooting were interviewing the attacker’s associates in his home state of Nevada on Wednesday, as gun safety advocates expressed dismay that he was able to buy a gun there legally last month despite two reported mental health hospitalisations.
Authorities say Shane Tamura, 27, drove from his Las Vegas home to Manhattan, marched into an office skyscraper on Monday and fatally shot four persons, including an off-duty Police Officer, with an assault-style rifle before taking his own life.
Tamura legally purchased a revolver in Nevada in June at a gun store, New York Police said, even though, according to multiple news reports, he was hospitalised under an emergency “men-
tal health crisis hold” in 2022 and again in 2024.
The details of those episodes were not known.
Authorities have said
Tamura carried a note on Monday in which he claimed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a brain disease linked to football and other contact sports that can affect behaviour. The disease can only be confirmed after death.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Trump pushes for release of Epstein, Maxwell grand jury testimony
President Donald Trump’s Administration, seeking to ease an uproar plaguing his presidency, urged two Judges to release testimony to a grand jury that indicted Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell on sex trafficking charges.
In late-night court filings on Tuesday, US Federal Prosecutors said unsealing the materials would be appropriate given the “abundant public interest” in the case of Epstein, the late financier,
and Maxwell, an imprisoned British socialite.
The Republican Trump had promised to make public Epstein-related files if re-elected and accused Democrats of covering up the truth. But this month, the Department of Justice said a previously-touted Epstein client list did not exist, angering Trump’s supporters.
Democrats are also pushing for the release of Epstein files, saying Trump should be held accountable for breaking his promise to release them.
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a group of his fellow Democrats said they have invoked a century-old law to compel the Justice Department to release a broad range of Epstein documents while protecting the privacy of victims.
Asked whether the July 29 letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi included the release of grand jury transcripts, Schumer told reporters, “Well, that will have to be litigated.”
(Excerpt from Reuters)
US President Donald Trump meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington, DC, February 13, 2025 [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters photo]
Prime Minister Mark Carney
SUDOKU
Refuse to let uncertainty weigh you down or let someone’s anger, distress or drama ruin your day. Remove yourself from unsavory situations and rely on your resources to help fill any void.
Tidy up loose ends and take refuge in doing something that you enjoy. Refuse to let emotional misunderstandings develop when truth and transparency can eliminate such problems.
You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain if you embrace change with a smile and the willingness to put in the effort. You will discover a rite of passage if you are helpful and resourceful.
You’ll have to draw the line, set boundaries and be clear regarding what you are willing to do. You’ll face accusations if you don’t do everything by the book.
Your input will inspire you revisit what motivates you. Get back to basics, adopt a smart lifestyle and engage in pastimes and activities that bring you joy.
Take a long, hard look at yourself. A change of attitude will come if you feel good about how you look and what you can contribute. Develop a plan and implement positive change.
Words matter, so choose yours carefully. Be quick to walk away from temptation or anyone trying to lead you astray. Offer hope to others, but protect yourself.
Refrain from traveling to destinations that may pose problems due to weather or other disasters. Take precautions regarding partnerships. Trying to buy love or loyalty will lead to consequences.
Direct your energy according to your needs. Use your intelligence and offer suggestions, but refrain from providing hands-on help. Your time and effort should focus on self-sufficiency and personal care.
Expect to face restrictions that affect your relationships or your ability to apply your skills properly. Utilize your intelligence and farm out tasks that are beyond your capabilities.
Mixed emotions will surface. Envision the outcome before you begin. Your attempts to improve will lead to professional opportunities and compliments.
Spend more time or money on activities or things that help ease stress. Make your surroundings comfortable and distance yourself from people or situations that damage your confidence.
Big picture: Nice and spicy
Who doesn’t love a bit of rancour with their Test cricket?
Admit it. You’re every bit as hooked as the players themselves. Emotional over-investment has been the theme of the week, from England’s graceless antics at the fagend of the Manchester Test to Gautam Gambhir’s foulmouthed altercation with the Oval groundsman. The stakes, and the tempers, are on a knife-edge as the series finale looms, and no matter what else one might think of the behaviour on display, one thing is for sure: there will be no going through the motions for the coming five days. This contest has developed a context all of its own.
It is also shaping up as an extraordinary opportunity for India to turn the tables in a series that looked done and dusted when Chris Woakes reduced them to 0 for 2 in their second innings at Old Trafford. If it wasn’t clear by the end of that game, it seems more obvious now; England’s grumpy attitude towards India’s milestone-hunting stemmed from their own frustration and exhaustion after laying everything on the line for 143 overs. They had gone into that final innings expecting to win the series with a game to spare, and maybe coast into this fifth Test with a chance to relax and experiment. Instead, they arrived at that controversial final hour with a very real sense of vulnerability in the air. Sure enough, here they are now, starting again from
scratch just four days later, with a rejigged bowling attack and, as it turns out, without the one man whose efforts had hauled them into that winning position in the first place.
Ben Stokes clearly knew, even as he was imploring Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to shake his hand, that his shoulder injury was a very significant concern. His absence now transforms the agenda for both teams. At Old Trafford, England’s Captain reprised the peak of his allround powers, with a superb first-innings five-for, followed by his first Test Century for more than two years. Now, however, he’s reprising a more familiar recent theme –- the unavoidable fragility of a competitor whose body is struggling to keep up with his gut-busting desire.
He’ll be back, of course he will, in good time for the Ashes, but another six-seven weeks of rehab is not how Stokes hoped to finish his most prolific series as a Test bowler. Even so, Brendon McCullum’s concerns about his workload – as telegraphed from the Lord’s balcony two Tests ago – suggests that the England dressing-room always feared this could be the upshot.
Talking of the Ashes (as of course we must, it’s English cricket’s version of Godwin’s Law), it is fascinating how different the feel is around this fifth Test, compared to the last time a drawn Test at Old Trafford was the prelude to a series
decider at The Oval. In the 2023 Ashes, England were the team on the rampage –high on their own supply, as has been standard for the past three years – but as convinced of their direction of travel as they seem a little spooked by it right now.
Even though England lead the series, India’s batters make up the top four run-scorers so far, with 11 centuries to England’s seven. Notwithstanding the Bazball belief in bowling long and backing their batters to match any given innings in double-time, there is bound to be a cumulative effect to those long and fruitless hours in the field, on the psyche of the attack, let alone their stamina. The pitches, ever a talking point even before Lee Fortis got involved in the discussions, have been flat and unforgiving with only sessions worth of exceptions, while Woakes’ returns – 10 wickets at 52.80, compared to his previous home average of 21.59 from 34 previous Tests – have epitomised the underlying toothlessness of their attack.
India are not without concerns on that front too, of course. They need 20 wickets to secure a share of this series, but their own attack was utterly devoid of ideas in England’s only innings at Old Trafford, where Joe Root and Stokes controlled the agenda after a flying start from Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. Jasprit Bumrah will not play, which puts the onus squarely on the returning Akash Deep and
Mohammad Siraj –- who claimed 17 wickets between them in that memorable win at Edgbaston. Glib though it is to say it, however, desire may be the deciding factor in this fascinating series. To claim that the series is descending into foul-tempered anarchy would be doing a disservice to the genuine respect that emerged after England’s agonisingly tight victory at Lord’s earlier this month. But, there’s also no doubt –to channel each side’s inner Kevin Keegan – that each would “love it” if they beat the other this week. It may require the straining of several sinews for either side to get over that finishing line, especially if the forecast for the back-end of the Test is correct. But unfortunately for England, their key piece of sinew has already been sidelined by prior exertion. It’s up for grabs now…
In the spotlight: Jacob Bethell and Washington Sundar
For most of the summer – especially after Ollie Pope quietened his doubters with a century in the first Test – it looked as though Jacob Bethell would remain on the outside looking in; his reputation growing in absentia given the instant impact he had made as an emergency number three in New Zealand last year. Now, not unlike the last man in this set-up who was forced to wait his turn, Harry Brook in 2022, his chance has come in the final Test of the summer, and the rewards for seizing it could be immense. For it’s not just his precocious batting that will come into the spotlight this week. His potential as a spin option will be explored in the absence of Shoaib Bashir and Liam Dawson, which – in certain circumstances during the Ashes – might offer him another route into England’s XI. For the time being though, his primary
task will be to hit the ground running in a series that has been dominated by the bat. Washington Sundar’s stock has risen immensely in the course of this campaign. His inclusion for the second Test at Edgbaston looked at first like a conservative choice, with the connoisseur’s preference being the more dramatic wristspin option of Kuldeep Yadav. But then he chipped in with a vital 42 from number eight that set up a winning total, before his four-wicket onslaught at Lord’s brought his primary suit back into focus. Now he’s a Test centurion, having been a focus of England’s ire in those fraught final overs at Old Trafford. And, in the absence of Rishabh Pant, that resolve could be vital to India’s hopes of squaring the series, with Pant’s number five berth up for grabs once more.
Team news: Stokes ruled out with grade 3 tear
“Pain is just an emotion,” Stokes said after the fourth Test. Grade Three tears of the shoulder, on the other hand, are a more significant problem. The Captain’s absence from this contest is a shattering blow to England’s hopes of closing out the campaign, not least because he has been their best and most penetrative bowler all summer long. Bethell slots in for his first Test of the summer, and given that he and Root form a passable spin partnership, Dawson is the fall guy. His absence also reflects England’s need to shore up their seam attack in Stokes’ absence. Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer were off-colour at Old Trafford; Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue complete a significantly changed line-up.
England: 1) Zak Crawley; 2) Ben Duckett; 3) Ollie Pope (Captain); 4) Joe Root; 5) Harry Brook; 6) Jacob Bethell; 7) Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper); 8) Chris
Woakes; 9) Gus Atkinson; 10) Jamie Overton and 11) Josh Tongue. Bumrah is set to be rested by India’s medical team, after a tough outing in Manchester, where he bowled 33 overs and was taken for more than 100 runs in an innings for the first time. Deep, unavailable last week, is the likely candidate to replace him. Anshul Kamboj, uninspiring on debut, is expected to make way too, potentially for Prasidh Krishna, who was expensive at the start of the series, while Arshdeep Singh, who split his webbing between the third and fourth Tests, is fit again too. A decision needs to be taken on Shardul Thakur, who was neither one thing nor the other at Old Trafford. With India facing a must-win game, is it time at last to unleash the wiles of Kuldeep? Dhruv Jurel, a familiar face after his substitute keeping in the last two Tests, is this time officially included with Pant ruled out with that broken foot.
India (probable): 1) Yashasvi Jaiswal; 2) KL Rahul; 3) B Sai Sudharsan; 4) Shubman Gill (Captain); 5) Washington Sundar; 6) Ravindra Jadeja; 7) Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper); 8) Shardul Thakur/Kuldeep Yadav/Arshdeep Singh; 9) Akash Deep; 10) Prasidh Krishna and 11) Mohammed Siraj.
Pitch and conditions: Grass left on the pitch Who dares to get close enough to the pitch to analyse it fully, in light of the furore that kicked off on Monday? The surface on match eve still had a green tinge, although plenty can change in 24 hours. The weather, for the most part, looks warm, although showers are forecast for this afternoon and the back end of the match could see further downpours. (ESPNcricinfo)
India and England clash again today
ASlingerz FC to defend home turf against
Western Tigers on Sunday
…GFF Elite League returns to National Track and Field Centre
claim three crucial points against bottom-of-the-table Mainstay Goldstar FC.
“This is what football is all about,” said Shabazz, who praised Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr, for facilitating the return of top-flight football to one of Guyana’s premier sporting venues.
Sunday’s clash will mark Slingerz FC’s first home game since rejoining the Elite League last season.
GBF
The opening match at 19:00h (7:00 pm) sees Den Amstel looking to
fter a two-year absence, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League makes its long-awaited return to the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, and Slingerz FC Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz sees Slingerz FC, the league leaders and unbeaten this season, will put their flawless record on the line in the feature match at 21:00h (9:00 pm) against second-placed Western Tigers.
shifts
“Playing at home, given the challenges that we’ve had over on the West Side in
focus to women’s basketball
…Singh
looking forward to women’s team battle against Suriname
Following the conclusion of the One Guyana Premier Basketball League, Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) President Michael Singh announced that the local governing body would now turn its full attention to women’s basketball.
In a release from the GBF, Singh confirmed that all focus was now on the upcoming international women’s series, with Guyana set to host Suriname for back-toback match-ups on August 10 and August 11 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The One Guyana Premier Basketball League wrapped up with the Victory Valley Royals sweeping defending champions Ravens in a best-of-three finals, bringing the curtains down on nearly eight months of competitive basketball involving 22 clubs from across the country.
“The One Guyana Premier League was indeed a success,” Singh stated. “I want to thank Minister Charles Ramson Jr and His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, for their investment in the development of basketball.” Singh described the Linden (Royals) vs Georgetown (Ravens) final as a throwback to the historic rivalry between teams from the two basketball hotbeds.
“It’s always exciting when Georgetown and Linden teams meet on the big stage. But we also saw some exciting talent coming out of Berbice,” he noted. “Now it’s back to the drawing board to identify areas for improvement and elevate the league further.”
While commending the progress of the men’s league, Singh emphasised that the Federation’s immediate pri-
ority was women’s basketball, pointing to the upcoming international series against Suriname.
“We’re now shifting focus to the women,” Singh said, while adding, “We have a women’s league in the pipeline, but this series will give our players valuable international exposure.”
He stated, “It’s vital that we develop and showcase all areas of the sport. Alongside the Women’s Series, we’ll also be launching the Women’s League and Women’s 3x3 competition.”
Head Coach Willon Cameron has named his final roster for the Georgetown Women’s Basketball Classic against Suriname, which includes professional basketball player Joy Adams, along with the highly-touted Ramlall sisters — Amisha, Ashna, and Arshia.
Singh expressed delight at Adams’ availability, noting her professional commitments in Europe often limited her national team appearances.
“With a relatively young squad, having someone like Joy on board is invaluable. It’s important for our local girls to see firsthand the
level of commitment and professionalism it takes to play overseas. Watching her preparation and approach will be an eye-opener for them,” he said.
Coach Cameron, who also leads the Colts Basketball Club, has assembled a balanced roster featuring both experienced and emerging talents.
The other shortlisted players are: Kassidy Woolford; Jamaicy Ogle; Keisha Copperfield; Shanill James; Lanasha Mohammed (Kwakwani); Malia Samuels (Kwakwani); Sherese Leacock (Kwakwani); Natalya Clarke (Kwakwani); Akeelah Campbell (Linden); Junelly Paddy (Berbice); Ronaya Grant; Brean Ritchie; Kean Andrews and Rehaicia Romain (Linden).
Cameron will be supported by Assistant Coach Alisande Jaiserrisingh, who recently represented Guyana at the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) Americas Adelante Forum. Warren Wilson, Head Coach of the University of Guyana Trojans, has been appointed Team Manager.
the past months, is a good way to knit back the community…getting the fans coming back out, with the activation of football at Leonora again,” Shabazz said.
Commenting on the venue, the former Golden Jaguars Head Coach said, “The pitch is in excellent condition, and credit must go to the Ministry of Sport for the outstanding work done on the ground.”
Shabazz, who has been turning heads this season with Slingerz FC’s commanding performances, believes all is set for a memorable night of football, “Now it’s up to the teams – Slingerz
and Den Amstel – to deliver quality performances and connect with the fans.”
Both fixtures carry major implications for the standings.
Slingerz FC defeated Western Tigers 3-1 in their first-round encounter, with two goals from the league’s top scorer Kemar Beckford and a strike from Leo Lovell. That result remains Western Tigers’ only loss of the campaign, and the West Ruimveldt side now sits second, four points behind their Vergenoegen-based rivals.
Three points are vital for Slingerz FC to maintain their lead at the top, while
Western Tigers will be gunning to close the gap and keep their title challenge alive.
For Den Amstel, the stakes are high as they sit seventh on the table with eight points, tied with Fruta Conquerors, but ahead on goal difference. A win is essential to stay clear of relegation trouble. Meanwhile, Mainstay Goldstar will be desperate to secure their first points of the season. The Essequibo Coast side has endured a rough campaign, conceding a staggering 94 goals in 10 matches while managing just five in return.
Deonarine ready for next level after solid Regional U-19s
Guyana Under-19 opener Romeo Deonarine produced 296 runs at the recently-concluded Regional Under-19 tournament in St Kitts, and he is ready to take his learning to the next level.
The youngster had a top score of 102 vs the United States of America Under19s, and two half-centuries: against Jamaica Under-19s and Trinidad and Tobago Under-19s. In an interview with Guyana Times Sport, Deonarine reflected on his outing in St Kitts, and looked to moving forward on his cricket journey.
“This last tour was a tour I came out with a lot of new knowledge towards my game. It was not the results we were expecting to finish on the table. But sticking to the basics and working and listening to Coach (Garvin) Nedd worked well for me in the tournament. I just kept it simple as possible,” the youngster said.
He added: “Before this tournament I was looking forward to some match practice or match situations, but due to the weather I had to improvise as much as possible. I tried to bat as much balls as possible.”
While Guyana is known
for slow pitches, Deonarine had to adjust to the better pitches in St Kitts; he did it to perfection.
“The pitches in St Kitts were excellent for batting, pace on, very through, and you could have trusted the bounce and consistency of pace on the wicket,” the youngster said.
Deonarine, who prefers the 50-over format of the game because of the different phases, said his favourite cricketers are Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer. The opener is aiming to improve on his game and his fitness to secure readiness for the next level.
Deonarine’s scores at the recent Regional U-19 tour-
nament reads: 19 (27) vs Barbados; 8 (11) vs USA 1; 55 (71) vs Jamaica; 11 (29) vs Windward Islands; 30 (39) vs Leeward Islands; 102 (113) vs USA 2; 19 (27) vs Trinidad and Tobago and 52 (72) vs Trinidad and Tobago in the fifth-place play-off.
Romeo Deonarine was Guyana’s best batsman at the recent Regional U-19
Joy Adams
GBF President Michael Singh
Slingerz FC will clash with Western Tigers again in their return home
For the first time in the tournament’s four-year history, the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will head to the Land of Many Waters in a matter of weeks for its fourth edition.
Set to bowl off at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on Saturday, September 6, the tournament will feature three franchises – hosts Guyana Amazon Warriors, defending champions Barbados Royals and Trinbago Knight Riders in seven blockbuster matches.
This year’s edition of the tournament was officially launched on Thursday afternoon by title sponsors Massy Distribution at its Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD) location, where Massy Guyana Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The Board of Directors of Archery Guyana recently announced that Guyana has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 Caribbean Development Archery Championships (CDC), a proud and historic mile stone for the nation’s sporting landscape.
There are 32 member federa tions under the umbrella of World Archery Americas. However, only a subset of these were eligible to vote in the selection process for the CDC 2026 host: specifically, those English-speaking Caribbean federations that have participated in the CDC in the last three years or are English-speaking countries but have not yet competed.
Troy Beharry spoke to the significance of Guyana hosting the tournament and their commitment to women’s development.
Beharry expressed, “For the first time in this tournament’s history, Guyana will host every single match and we couldn’t be more proud. This isn’t just a cricketing milestone, it’s a celebration of Guyana as a vibrant hub of Caribbean sport, culture, and talent. For Massy, this goes beyond cricket, it speaks to what we value and stand for. We are not just sponsoring a tournament, we are investing in possibilities, we are backing the extraordinary talent of Caribbean women who represent courage, excellence, determination.”
He went on to add on the topic of women’s empowerment, “The WCPL is
a platform to elevate women, not only as athletes but as icons, role models and agents of change and Massy is proud to stand beside them. Our support for this league is part of a larger mission, Massy is committed to advancing women’s empowerment in sport, in business and in every space where potential thrives.”
Sharing similar sentiments was Nestle Divisional Head Teisha Milner, who referred to Guyana’s hosting as a moment of national pride.
“At its heart, this is about changing the game for women and girls across the Caribbean, challenging gender-based inequality and creating real pathways to progress through sport. Massy is proud to be this title sponsor of the 2025 Massy Women’s CPL and for the first time ever, Guyana will host the entire tournament. This is not just a milestone for cricket, it’s a national moment of pride and a powerful signal of the Region’s commitment
to women in sport,” Milner shared with the gathering.
“The values we celebrate on the pitch: resilience, team work, courage and ambition are the same values that Massy lives by,” the Nestle Head further stated.
CPL Sponsorship Officer Tynisa Scantlebury had high words of praise for Massy’s contributions.
Scantlebury highlighted, “Since the tournament’s inception in 2022, Massy has been more than
just a title sponsor. They have been a passionate and committed partner. From day one, they have championed the growth of women’s sport, standing alongside us in our belief that investment, visibility and opportunity can change the game. their support has been instrumental in turning vision into reality and we are immensely grateful for their continued belief in this journey.”
“As we step into this fourth season, we do so with pride in how far we’ve come and with excitement at what lies ahead. Let’s continue to raise the bar, support our athletes and inspire the next generation of girls to dream. Dream big.”
The Massy WCPL will bowl off in a double-header clash between the Guyanese and Trinidadian franchises, with the women’s game first up at 14:00h. The tournament is set to conclude with its grand finale on Wednesday, September 17.
competition.
Archery Guyana
President Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon stated, “We are humbled and honoured
“Kai, the Keen-eyed Kiskadee”.
Following a competitive bid process between Guyana and Jamaica, World Archery Americas
Secretary General Sergio Font confirmed that following the vote, Guyana has been awarded the hosting rights for the upcoming Championship.
This success follows Archery Guyana’s recent readiness exercise at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, where the federation hosted its 2025 Outdoor National Championships, demonstrating its growing capability and infrastructure to support high-level
Development Archery Championships. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Archery Guyana, we express our deepest thanks to our regional colleagues for their support and trust. This moment belongs to all of Guyana, and we now look forward to working with stakeholders at every level to ensure an unforgettable and world-class event.”
To celebrate this momentous occasion, Archery Guyana has also proudly unveiled the official mascot for 2026 Championships:
A vibrant embodiment of Guyanese identity, Kai is a Kiskadee, a bird common to all parts of Guyana, widely recognised and admired across the country. Named in homage to Kaieteur one of the most iconic and powerful waterfalls in the world, a symbol of Guyana’s natural beauty and strength, Kai brings charm, focus, and vibrant energy to our proposed hosting.
Kai’s eyes are large, animated, and focused, symbolising the discipline and precision of archery.
“Kai reflects the spirit of the Championships – bold, keen, and unmistakably Guyanese” said local designer Nicholas Hing.
With the exciting opportunity ahead, Archery Guyana extended an open call to all archers, partners, sponsors, volunteers, and proud Guyanese to come on board and help make the 2026 Championships a bold statement of what Guyana can offer to the Region and the world.
Let’s unite to deliver a warm Guyanese welcome to the Caribbean and Americas....... with Kai leading the way!
Sunday, August 3, is expected to be a blockbuster event. Four top teams will compete in the national finals for the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast 2025 at the National Stadium in Providence.
From approximately 80 teams, it is now down to four zone champions, all of whom are vying to be national champions.
It is Mahdia (Movements Family), champions of Essequibo; Titans All-Stars (East Coast Demerara/ Georgetown); Montra Jaguars (Berbice) and Eccles All-Stars (East Bank/ West Demerara).
The first semi-final will begin at 15:30h and pit the defending champions, the Titans, against Mahdia. At 17:00h, Montra will face Eccles All-Stars.
The final is scheduled to start at 19:30h; the female match at 13:30h, and the exhibition match at 18:30h.
All four teams have immense firepower, meaning the title can go in any direction.
The stakes are considerably higher in the national final, with teams vying for a massive $1.7 million grand prize, in addition to the $300,000 zone prize.
The national runners-up won’t go home empty-handed, pocketing $700,000 with a trophy and medals, while even the losing semi-finalists will be rewarded $300,000 each.
Individual brilliance won’t go unnoticed either, with a host of prizes up for grabs, including MVP ($150,000 + motorcycle); Most Runs ($100,000 + trophy + TV); Most Wickets ($100,000 + trophy + TV); Man-of-the-National Final ($75,000 + trophy + TV); Highest Strike Rate ($35,000) and Best Economy ($35,000)
While admission is free, the organisers have indicated that coolers, firearms, and glass bottles are not allowed into the stands.
The main seating area will be the Green Stand, overflowing into the Red Stand.
Parking is also free, and patrons are asked to access gate two for parking.
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has
garnered support from: Kares Engineering Inc; the Office of the President; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; KFC Guyana; Star Rentals; Banks DIH; ENet; Guyana Lottery Company; Regal Stationery and Computer Centre; Impressions; Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal; Shawn’s Mini Mart; Giftland Group of Companies; Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant & Lounge; Windsor Estates; The New Doctor’s Clinic; GuyOil; ANSA McAL; SuperBet Guyana; Digital Technology; Camille’s Academy; Navin and Sons Construction; Demerara Mutual Life Insurance; Continental Transportation and Environmental & Technical Solutions.
Four remain in the hunt for the title
A look at the CDC 2026 mascot – Kai, the Keen-eyed Kiskadee
Massy Guyana CEO Troy Beharry
Cricketers Shenetta Grimmond, Plafianna Millington and Shabika Gajnabi are attentive during Wednesday’s launch
CPL Sponsorship Officer Tynisa Scantlebury
