Pres Ali meets 10year-old aspiring President
Berbice couple busted with illegal gun, drug
Over 5700 errant drivers arrested in Reg 6 for traffic violations
Over 56lbs of ganja found during Police operations in NA, Mahdia
Constitutional Reform Commission
High Court tosses out trade unionists’ bid to block labour appointment
The High Court has dismissed a challenge brought by two trade unionists seeking to overturn the appointment of the labour representative on the Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC).
Filed through their lawyer, Roysdale Forde, Second Vice President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Julian Cambridge, and General Secretary of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Kempton Alexander, had objected to the trade union’s representative on the CRC, Aslim Singh, who is a member of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).
Cambridge and Alexander had asked the High Court to issue several declarations, including one that “the failure to engage in any consultation with the constituent Labour Unions, which in Guyana constitute the Labour Movement as referred to in Section Four of the Constitution Reform Commission Act No 16 of 2022, renders the said Constitution Reform
Commission not lawfully and validly constituted.”
They also asked the High Court to rule that President Dr Irfaan Ali’s appointment of Singh as the CRC labour representative has breached Guyana’s Constitution because there was no consultation as envisaged and provided for in the Preamble to the Constitution of Guyana, Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana, and the Constitution Reform Commission Act No 16 of 2022, and is procedurally irrational, null, void and of no legal effect.
They also wanted the High Court to issue an order directing the CRC not to act or engage in any of the functions, duties and obligations conferred on it until a nominee representing the Labour Movement is appointed in accordance with Section Four of the Constitution Reform Commission Act No 16 of 2022 after consultations with the labour unions constituting the Labour Movement.
Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, who was listed as a respondent in the
matter, on Tuesday evening revealed that the case was dismissed by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Roxane George, who previously served as acting Chief Justice.
“We led evidence to show that we consulted with FITUG, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions, which is the largest umbrella body of trade unions in the country. We consulted the largest Christian organisations in the country to get a Christian nominee. We consulted the largest Hindu organisations in the country to get a Hindu nominee. We consulted the largest Muslim organisations to get a Muslim nominee. But we didn’t consult every single organisation representing Hinduism or every single organisation representing Christianity or every single organisation representing Islam. In the same way, we didn’t consult every single union in the country and nothing is wrong with that. The law never, the Constitutional Reform Commission Act, never mandated the
President or the Attorney General to consult with every single organisation representing a particular cause in Guyana, or else the consultation would never done. The consultation would have never been completed,” Nandlall asserted.
“When would I have finished consulting to appoint a commission?”
Frivolities
According to the AG, “These are the frivolities that are being filed in the court system.”
The members of the CRC include: Nandlall along with Ministers Gail Teixeira, Dr Frank Anthony, Pauline Sukhai, and Kwame McCoy for the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government; Vincent Alexander, Sherwood Lowe, Ganesh Mahipal and previously Nigel Hughes (who has since resigned) for the then APNU+AFC Opposition; while Timothy Jonas was the other political appointee, representing the joinder parties that held a seat in the last National Assembly;
Labour Movement Representative Aslim Singh, National Toshaos Council Representative Derrick John, Private Sector Representative Ramesh Persaud, Women’s Representative Kim Kyte-Thomas, Youth Representative Dr Josh Kanhai, Muslim Representative Imran Ally, Hindu Representative Radha Krishna Sharma, Christian Representative Keoma Griffith, Farmers’ Representative Adrian Anamayah, and the Guyana Bar Association Representative Kamal Ramkarran. Provisions were also made for the President to appoint a Chairman of the Commission, and former acting Chancellor of the Judiciary (Ret’d) Justice Carl Singh was selected to head the body.
However, AG Nandlall had previously revealed that his office has already drafted amendments to the Constitution Reform Commission Act to change the current composition of the body to reflect the parliamentary chang-
es stemming from the recent General and Regional Elections.
The Constitution Reform Commission Bill 2022 was first tabled in the House in August 2022 and was subsequently passed in November of that year. After months of consultations and negotiations, President Ali swore in the CRC members in April and May 2024.
The Act sought to establish a commission to review the country’s supreme laws, outlining the key areas that should be considered for potential reforms. These include the fundamental rights of citizens, Indigenous peoples’ rights, rights of children, the eradication of discrimination, enhancement of race relations, promotion of ethnic security and equal opportunity, safeguarding minority rights, electoral reforms, economic, political, and cultural rights, fiduciary responsibility, bolstering integrity in public office, as well as the functioning of the National Assembly and local Government.
BRIDGE OPENING
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, November 20 –16:15h–17:45h and Friday, November 21 – 16:40h–18:10h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers with afternoon sunny intervals are expected during the day, and partly cloudy skies are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.
Winds: Easterly to East South Easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.12 metres.
High Tide: 16:17h reaching a maximum height of 2.65 metres.
Low Tide: 09:54h and 22:18h reaching minimum heights of 0.71 metre and 0.56 metre.
International
Men’s Day 2025
“We shouldn’t be okay with abuse”
– Persaud slams mocking of male victims at Police Stations
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud has issued a strong condemnation of the ridicule and dismissive treatment that male victims of domestic abuse continue to face when seeking help at Police Stations, declaring that Guyana “shouldn’t be okay with abuse” in any form.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Men’s Wellness Symposium hosted at Herdmanston Lodge to commemorate International Men’s Day, Minister Persaud outlined a series of initiatives aimed at improving support systems for men while also tackling long-standing cultural norms surrounding masculinity, relationships, and expectations within Guyanese society.
However, Persaud highlighted troubling cultural attitudes that normalise the suffering of men. She noted
Assault Relationship Programme, which examines the root causes of violence, ways to provide support, avenues for prevention, and strategies to foster healthier relationships.
According to her, failing to intervene now will only contribute to more households where children are left without parents, an outcome she has seen firsthand.
Challenge cultural norms
"We're looking at the ‘why’s. How can we help, support, unravel it, and how can we provide preventi-
men who contribute positively to their homes, their families, their communities, and their country,” Persaud explained.
She urged Guyanese men and women to challenge cultural norms that excuse violence or belittle victims and to promote a culture where wellness, responsibility, and respect are universal expectations – not gendered ones.
“This is something you can all champion even in your friend circle. Let them be okay with telling you. Let them be okay with telling you so that they can go
ve. It's a big difference. We should not be okay with abuse. We should not be okay with violence on either side. And we should not be okay with disrespect… We need to work not only on the report of the hotline; we
that many people know men who are victims of abuse or violence but dismiss these experiences. The 914 hotline, launched several years ago, initially saw only women reporting incidents; however, recent statistics show more men are now calling to seek help, which the Minister described as significant progress.
However, Persaud acknowledged that progress is hindered when men attempting to report abuse face laughter, mockery, or disbelief at Police Stations.
“But in being realistic, we should not be permissi-
need to work on the Police Stations out there so that when men go to the Police Stations, they are not diminished. They're not laughed at. They're not mocked because that happens. They might find in that one split second that courage to go and say, ‘You know what? I'm being abused or beaten up. Something's going wrong with me’,” the Minister said.
During her address, Persaud announced that the Ministry is preparing to roll out a new policy framework for men titled Bridging the Gap, which was introduced earlier this year. Central to the policy is the Partner
on methods to developing healthier relationships?
Because we have to; because if we don't do that, I will be visiting more homes where children are left without parents. That's the reality, but what are we doing right now to have all of these things happen? We have introduced a programme called the Brave Programme because I'm a firm believer that we should not label men as bad people. We need to move away from that narrative. We are having the Brave Program because there're men who do good things every day. There're
to get help because the services are not only for women. 914, the iMatter app, the legal pro bono initiative where we provide free legal support, the counselling services, the shelters – all of these things are gender neutral, and so is the new legislation which I took to Parliament in 2024 and got support on and today is now called Family Violence Act of 2024. It's gender neutral for both men and women, and so we need to make these things, change these things. Listen, we're talking about the Caribbean male,” she urged.
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud speaking at a men’s forum on Wednesday
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Male victims of domestic abuse & time for culture change
Domestic abuse in Guyana has long been framed as a women’s issue. While this focus is understandable given the historical and statistical realities, it has inadvertently left male victims invisible, their suffering minimised, and their cries for help dismissed. Remarks by Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud at the Men’s Wellness Symposium on International Men’s Day expose a stark truth: Guyana has allowed cultural biases and institutional shortcomings to persist at the expense of men who are victims of abuse. This must change.
Persaud’s critique is unflinching. She highlights a pervasive culture in which male victimisation is normalised, ignored, or even ridiculed. Men who attempt to report abuse often encounter mockery at police stations or disbelief from authorities, an experience that discourages reporting and compounds trauma. This is not a matter of isolated incidents; it reflects systemic failings within both society and law enforcement. Courage to report abuse, especially for men, is fragile and fleeting. When institutions respond with derision, victims retreat into silence, leaving cycles of violence unbroken.
Cultural attitudes play an equally destructive role. Deeplyentrenched ideas about masculinity, linking male identity with toughness and emotional invulnerability, create an environment in which suffering is seen as shameful. As Persaud observed, people often know men who are being abused yet dismiss their experiences. Changing laws alone will not suffice; societal norms that excuse abuse, diminish victims, or stigmatise male vulnerability must be confronted.
The Government has begun to address these challenges through initiatives such as the “Bridging the Gap” policy framework, which incorporates the Partner Assault Relationship Programme. These programmes aim to examine the root causes of abuse, promote healthier relationships, and provide pathways for prevention. Complementary initiatives, including the Brave Programme, emphasise positive masculinity and the contributions men make to families and communities. By reframing the conversation, these measures confront stereotypes that have historically silenced male victims.
Yet programmes and policies can only be effective if institutional practices align with them. Police Stations, legal services, and social support mechanisms must ensure that male victims receive the same respect, attention, and protection as any other victim of abuse. The Minister’s call for law enforcement officers to respond without ridicule is urgent and necessary. The courage required for a man to report abuse can be destroyed in an instant by laughter or mockery; any society serious about justice must ensure that such courage is met with support rather than humiliation.
The consequences of inaction are not abstract. Persaud warns of broken households, absent parents, and children left vulnerable to trauma – a pattern already visible in communities across the country. Male victimisation is a family issue, a societal issue, and a matter of national concern. Gender-neutral laws, such as the Family Violence Act of 2024, are critical, but the law is only as effective as the willingness of institutions and citizens to enforce and uphold it.
The imperative is clear: cultural change and institutional accountability must move in tandem. Services such as the 914 hotline, the iMatter app, counselling services, legal pro bono initiatives, and shelters must be actively promoted as genderneutral and accessible. At the same time, public discourse must confront the stigma surrounding male vulnerability and challenge norms that excuse or conceal abuse. Responsibility, respect, and wellness cannot be gendered values; they are universal expectations.
Persaud’s interventions represent a decisive step towards inclusion and recognition of male victims of domestic abuse. Yet, real progress requires more than policies or programmes; it demands collective societal courage to confront biases, demand institutional accountability, and redefine masculinity in a way that does not punish vulnerability. Silence and ridicule are luxuries the nation can no longer afford.
The country must embrace a comprehensive, gender-inclusive approach to domestic abuse, one that validates every victim, challenges every cultural norm that excuses violence, and holds institutions accountable for their responses.
Why Data Protection Law matters for Guyana after the November 18 Cloudflare outage
Dear Editor,
A global disruption underscores local priorities: privacy, resilience, and accountability.
The Internet disruption that swept the world on November 18 – originating from a global content delivery and security provider –briefly slowed or stalled access to websites and apps across the globe. In Guyana, the outage served as a realworld stress test for the country’s digital ecosystem, including the resilience of local services to threats that occur far beyond Guyana’s borders, as well as a reminder of why having a Data Protection Act matters. Just as importantly, it showed where continued guidance, enforcement, and preparedness can turn legal principles into everyday protection for people and businesses.
Guyana’s Data Protection Act lays out the rules of the road for how personal information is collected, used, stored, and shared. It places duties on organisations to safeguard data, respect individual rights, and plan for incidents whether they occur far beyond Guyana’s borders or in the next neighbourhood. When third-party infrastructure hiccups ripple through local services, the Act’s focus on accountability and “security by design” becomes more than a theory; it becomes the dif-
ference between chaos and a coordinated response.
What the law already delivers
Organisations acting as data controllers and processors must have appropriate technical and organisational measures in place – encryption, access controls, staff training, and regular testing – to protect personal data.
The Act encourages privacy impact assessments for higher risk processing, which help institutions identify weak points in supply chains and third-party dependencies before a problem occurs.
Residents have the right to know how their data is used and to seek redress when things go wrong, creating a feedback loop that strengthens trust in digital services.
By setting expectations for incident detection and reporting, the Act promotes timely communication with authorities and affected individuals when personal data is at risk.
Lessons from the outage
When a single provider sits between citizens and critical services, resilience and vendor oversight become central to data protection. Contracts with processors should include clear security standards, transparency on sub processors, and cooperation on inci-
dents.
Outage plans – fallback DNS, alternate routing, and staged degradation – are not just about uptime. They reduce the likelihood of risky workarounds, rushed configuration changes, or data exposure during recovery.
Accurate, time-stamped records help determine whether personal data was impacted and support evidence-based notifications to the public.
Because many services run abroad, organisations should know where data flows, what safeguards apply, and how to switch or compartmentalise services if one region or provider falters.
What organisations can do now
Maintain an up-to-date inventory of personal data, systems, processors, and sub processors – including geographic locations – and review high-risk dependencies.
Ensure data processing agreements cover security standards, breach cooperation, data return/deletion, and sub processor controls.
Practise incident response, designate a responsible lead (such as a data protection officer or equivalent), and pre write customer notices for faster, clearer communication.
Use least privilege access, encrypt data at rest
and in transit, segment systems, and consider diversified architectures that avoid single points of failure.
What citizens should know Your rights travel with your data.
You can ask organisations what data they hold about you, why they hold it, and how it’s protected –even if their technology providers are overseas.
Use strong, unique passwords, enable multi factor authentication, and be cautious of phishing that may follow high-profile outages. If an incident risks your personal data, organisations should communicate promptly and clearly about what happened and what you can do.
The November 18 disruption will not be the last global shock to the internet’s plumbing. The good news is that Guyana’s Data Protection Act already provides a solid foundation. The opportunity now is to operationalise it – through practical guidance, consistent enforcement, and a culture of readiness – so that the next incident is met with resilience, clear communication, and stronger protection for everyone who depends on the country’s growing digital economy.
Yours sincerely, Philip Inshanally
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues joins officials for a cashew roasting experience at Rock View Lodge during the North Rupununi Media Familiarisation Trip for Tourism Awareness Month 2025 (La'Wanda McAllister photo)
Universal Church removes Pastor after parking dispute sparks public outrage
The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in Guyana has removed one of its Pastors following a public confrontation on Monday over parking on Charlotte Street, Georgetown, an incident that has drawn widespread attention and prompted an official apology from the church’s leadership.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the president of the Universal Church in Guyana, Pastor Dillipchan Bikharie, said the behaviour displayed by the Pastor and several congregants was “unbecoming” and not aligned with the church’s principles. He noted that the Board convened to review its internal conduct policies before deciding to relieve the Pastor of his duties.
“The Pastor is no longer associated with the Board of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in Guyana,” the release stated, adding that a video apology was issued to the nation for the misconduct.
The Board also stressed that it could not act unilaterally and that disciplinary measures required a formal meeting. It apologised to President Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Cabinet
members, parliamentarians, religious leaders, and the wider public.
The disciplinary action follows an incident on Monday in which a confrontation occurred between the Pastor and a driver over parking outside the church at Charlotte and Wellington
Streets, Georgetown. The matter escalated after the Pastor claimed the church had reserved parking in the area.
Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore has since refuted those claims, stating that the church never applied for, was never granted, and was never considered for any reserved parking by the council.
“This council has never given the Universal Church any parking. No parking facility was ever applied for… It was very erroneous for the Pastor to speak so vociferously about ‘reserved parking’,” Mentore said.
The City Engineer’s Department visited the location during the incident and removed encumbrances placed by the church to restrict public parking. Mentore added that only a limited number of entities, such as embassies and the Bank of Guyana, are granted reserved parking privileges.
Mother of all contradictions not newsworthy for some media houses
Dear Editor,
It was the mother of all contradictions. The ruling by the apex Judge in our local Judiciary clearly contradicts that of a sitting Judge on identical GRA/PCAU matters.
Technically it is a win for GRA but cannot be so declared in the dominant matter in the public domain, pending appeal. What does this mean for the Judge?
Still on the matter:
scrolling through the headlines of the online editions of the two independent dailies, the landmark ruling by the apex Judge, which contradicts that of the Judge, was noticeably not given frontpage prominence in either newspaper. Was the ruling not newsworthy enough?
Kind regards, Shamshun Mohamed
President of the Universal Church in Guyana, Pastor Dillipchan Bikharie
The Pastor during the incident on Monday
Page Foundation
Expressions show a value but doesn’t say it equals anything, such as 3 + 8. It tells you what to calculate, but it doesn’t have an answer yet.
Equations say two things are equal, like 3 + 8 = 11. Think of it as a “balance scale” – the left side must weigh the same as the right side.
Expressions and equations typically work with variables, symbols or letters whose value is unknown to us.
In the example above:
• x is a variable, whose value is unknown to us.
• 5 is known as the coefficient of x. 3 is the constant value term that has a definite value.
The differences in equations and expressions are made clear in the table below:
Materials
3 - 4 white paper plates
• Marker
• Tape Magnifying Glass Petroleum jelly (like Vaseline)
Instructions
1. Use the marker to label each plate with a location inside the house.
2. Spread a thin layer of petroleum jelly on each plate. The same
Example 1
If you want to find three more than an unknown number, this expression would be written as x + 3.
If the sum of those numbers is 10, the equation would be written as x + 3 = 10.
Example 2
“Twice a certain number minus 5” can be written as the expression 2x – 5.
“Twice a certain number minus 5 is 11” can then be written as 2x – 5 = 11.
Practice
Write the following as expressions or equations:
1. A number increased by 9.
2. A number divided by 5 plus 2 equals 7.
3. A number decreased by 7 and then doubled.
4. A number doubled and then 3 added.
5. Twice the number of pencils Sam has plus 6 equals 14
6. Maria has some candies. She buys 5 more.
By William Blake
When my mother died I was very young, And my father sold me while yet my tongue Could scarcely cry " 'weep! 'weep! 'weep! 'weep!" So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep.
There's little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head That curled like a lamb's back, was shaved, so I said, "Hush, Tom! never mind it, for when your head's bare, You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair."
7. Tom saves some money every week. He saves 7 dollars more this week, totalling 15 dollars.
8. Twice the number of apples in a basket minus 2 equals 8.
amount should be used on each plate.
3. Hang the plates around the house using tape.
4. Let the plates stay there for 3–5 days, then take them down.
5. Use the magnifying glass to observe each of the plates. What do you see?
What’s happening?
Indoor air pollution can come from many different places; outside, through doors and windows, furni-
ture, fireplaces, cooking, pets, cleaning products, and more! When breathed in, these things can sometimes make a person feel sick. If these types of things are breathed in for too long, it can cause problems. But there are ways indoor air can be kept clean, like keeping doors and windows closed when the outdoor air pollution is bad, using air filters in the HVAC system or portable air filters, and cleaning dust, pet hair, and dander regularly.
(Children's Science Center Lab)
And so he was quiet, & that very night, As Tom was a-sleeping he had such a sight! That thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned, & Jack, Were all of them locked up in coffins of black; And by came an Angel who had a bright key, And he opened the coffins & set them all free; Then down a green plain, leaping, laughing they run, And wash in a river and shine in the Sun.
Then naked & white, all their bags left behind, They rise upon clouds, and sport in the wind. And the Angel told Tom, if he'd be a good boy, He'd have God for his father & never want joy.
And so Tom awoke; and we rose in the dark And got with our bags & our brushes to work. Though the morning was cold, Tom was happy & warm; So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.
You head to school on Monday morning, only to realise it's Saturday again and you're stuck in a loop of the weekend!
2025 General and Regional Elections
Subjective, partisan, lacks analysis – Pres Ali on sections of EU report
…says report skilfully avoided vote-buying, misinformation campaign by Opposition …tells EU that incumbents must be able to celebrate delivered promises
President Dr Irfaan Ali has sharply criticised aspects of the European Union Election Observation Mission’s (EU-EOM) final report on Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections, describing sections of the document as “subjective, partisan, completely biased” and lacking analytical depth.
While welcoming the mission’s presence and acknowledging the report’s confirmation that the elections were peaceful and professionally managed, the President said several conclusions failed to reflect factual realities and ignored critical issues such as opposition vote-buying and targeted online misinformation.
In an address to the nation on Wednesday evening, President Ali said the EU report must be examined not only for what it contains but also for what it “skilfully avoided”. He stressed that while the body of international observation missions upheld the credibility of the 2025 polls, the EU must improve its adherence to best practice in the hiring of local staff.
“I believe that whilst all these reports point to the positive nature of the elections, I believe the time has come where we must get these missions, like the EU in this case, to adhere to international best practices in the hiring of local staff. If you go through some of the staff that were hired in this process by the EU, their own staff that influenced the out-
come of the report, you would have to question those persons' independence, because they are associated with or are in association with persons who would have expressed partisan positions on many issues. The EU has always been an important part of election observation in Guyana,” the President said.
Elections were peaceful, calm and efficient
The President began by drawing attention to the EUEOM’s positive conclusions, noting that the report itself acknowledged that Election Day was “peaceful, calm and orderly” and that voting, counting and tabulation were administered “efficiently and professionally”.
“These are the most important components of a free and fair election,” the President said, adding that
the report clearly states that GECOM staff performed well and that women made up 87 percent of election-day workers and 81 percent of presiding officers, demonstrating strong gender participation.
Ali also underscored the report’s confirmation of major electoral reforms implemented since 2022, including more than 100 technical improvements, real-time publication of Statements of Poll, tighter procedures, increased penalties for electoral offences, enhanced logistical operations, and more inclusive voter education.
Addresses incumbency advantage
The President reserved his strongest criticism for the report’s conclusion that incumbency created an undue advantage in the 2025 campaign. He said the EU failed
Majority of truckers complying with weight regulations – Edghill
Since the introduction of weigh-in-motion scales last month, approximately 2000 trucks have been tested, and, according to Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, the majority of these vehicles are operating within their respective weight limits.
The regulation stipulates that trucks are allowed to transport 15 tonnes of goods per axle.
Weigh-in-motion scales have been deployed across the country to test these trucks. Being caught with an overweight vehicle results not only in a ticket but also in the vehicle being clamped and held in place until the excess weight is removed.
“It’s working better than I anticipated. I thought we would have had some
pushback from the truckers and the owners of the trucks…,” Edghill told the Starting Point podcast on Wednesday.
He noted that even “the owners of the loam pits, the sandpits, the stone quarries…have agreed with us that the trucks are not going to leave their premises overladen.”
The Public Works Minister said authorities have to work with farmers and stakeholders in the forestry sector to ensure they too are complying with the regulation.
About 20 weigh-in-motion scales and 1000 clamps have been procured.
“I’m not going to say here exactly where the scales are because they are movable scales, so you might find a team here today and you see anoth-
er team somewhere else. We’re just moving… all the way in the bush, where nobody ain’t seeing, from the time you leave the quarry and you come out, you going on a scale,” Edghill explained.
The Government is now moving to address the issue of speeding among truck drivers. In fact, authorities are gearing up to introduce an Auto Control Speed Management System.
A sensitisation exercise, hosted by the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs, is currently underway with stakeholders. The session is intended to explain the requirements of the new system and outline the roles and responsibilities of truck drivers and owners.
The media was banned from covering the event.
to provide evidence and instead relied on complaints from political actors.
“This comment is not based on any facts,” Ali stated. “That is a commitment that a Government made in its manifesto of 2020 to 2025 that the incumbent would have delivered on. An incumbent has a duty and responsibility like any other country in the European Union. In the European Union, Governments campaign on their delivery. Governments campaign on their results. And these hospitals, these schools, these roads, the subsidy to our rice farmers, they were all results of the People's Progressive Party/ Civic Government. Is the report saying that incumbency, as part of incumbency, must not include campaigning and celebrating the successes of the Government? What nonsense is that? The Government has a responsibility to highlight and celebrate its accomplishments and its results.”
He emphasised that in European democracies, incumbents routinely campaign on their achieve-
ments. “Is the report saying Governments must not celebrate their success? What nonsense is that?”
Ali said all new or expanded social programmes referenced in the report were rooted in the 2024 and 2025 national budgets, as well as the PPP/C’s 2020–2025 manifesto. Their rollout, he stressed, was neither electioneering nor preferential treatment but the fulfilment of policy commitments.
“New or expanded social programmes roll out near elections. How is that an uneven playing field? We always had a social agenda based on the budget. This report lacks analysis. Because if they went back to the 2025 budget and the 2024 budget and our manifesto, they will see that every single one of the social programme was alluded to. That we made commitments that we kept and surpassed. And as President, I made it clear that as we surpass commitment, and based on revenue projection, that we are going to give back more to the people. That is not an incumbency advantage. That is deliv-
ering,” he further explained.
Vote-buying, misinformation
The President further argued that the EU-EOM selectively omitted serious concerns, including vote-buying reportedly undertaken by opposition elements and a documented online misinformation campaign against the ruling party. Against this backdrop, he recalled videos circulating on social media with the leader of one opposition contesting party on the campaign trail sharing money with members of Indigenous villages in the hinterland.
“There is no mention of misuse of social media by non-political actors and operatives targeting the ruling party,” he said. “The report skilfully avoided that.”
“We value the participation of the EU, but like any entity, they too must re-evaluate where some narratives come from,” he said. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration as we work to build a stronger and more resilient electoral system,” he added.
President Dr Irfaan Ali
Misleading…
…the (African) poor
Over the years, your Eyewitness has ventilated time and again about that lowdown import from the states called “Poverty Pimps” – to distinguish them from denizens of the ghettoes who pimp girls!! Thomas Sowell, the eminent Black Harvard sociologist who’s spent his whole life teaching that the poor – including those who’re Black – can only escape poverty through their own efforts In contrast, the Poverty Pimps insist they can only be lifted up through handouts from Governments and others in the society who’re more well-off!!
“The poor are a commodity to these people – who include not only local politicians, community activists and small-time hustlers – but also people with impressive titles and academic credentials, who likewise milk the larger society in the name of the poor ” In Guyana the species is well represented by the Black Pudding Man – who was just sent to Parliament and has already announced this is gonna be his agenda!!
You’d recognise him from Sowell’s satirical poem, “Poverty Pimps”: “Let us celebrate the poor; let us hawk them door to door There’s a market for their pain, votes and glory and money to gain Let us celebrate the poor Their ills, their sins, their faulty diction Flavour our songs and spice our fiction Their hopes and struggles and agonies get us grants and consulting fees Celebrate thugs and clowns; give their ignorance all renown Celebrate what holds them down, in our academic gowns Let us celebrate the poor”!!
After the new Minister of Local Government Priya Manickchand went into the ghetto of Tiger Bay, she not only embarked on a clean-up programme in the community but also got the Government to launch a structured programme to have the residents lift themselves out of poverty!! However, a picture of her surrounded by several shirtless street urchins – who happened to be Black since everyone in the community is Black – is all Black Pudding Man saw!! And announced, “Hands off!! Do you think if I were to go into the ghettos of Bath settlement or Enmore or wherever and pick up little naked children and hold them up like that, Indian people would allow me?” And then came his Poverty Pimp clincher: “Govt should give $1M cash grant to every household”!!!
Never mind that residents of Tiger Bay will not just be living in Guyana’s first “Model Neighbourhood” but will soon benefit from new training, recreation, and employment opportunities as the Government rolls out a series of community projects!! Two dilapidated buildings will be rehabilitated to house a new technical and vocational training centre – with the nearby School of the Nations helping design and deliver programmes!! Ten businesses have already committed to providing jobs!! Tiger Bay residents should say “NO!!” to Poverty Pimps!!
…men
Yesterday was “International Men’s Day”, and the theme – which is obligatory for these “Days” – is “Strong hands, kind hearts: today we celebrate you”!! Could you believe this?? Your Eyewitness is a card-carrying member of the subspecies “man” – with all that entails!! – but he’d be the first to admit that he’s not sure as to what those “strong hands” are being put!! What will all the maimings, maulings, batterings and even murdering of the females in their midst do!! Was “kind hearts” meant to be ironic or sarcastic?? It would’ve then made more sense
Now your Eyewitness isn’t saying that “EVERY MAN” uses his hands for abusing his significant other And he’s sure that the majority of them do use theirs to work and create with kind hearts – for their families But he gotta admit that most of those same men haven’t really accepted the implications of the dawn of the age of female equality! That the “weaker sex” is no mo’ and they have equally strong hands and kind hearts!!
…judgement
Somehow your Eyewitness just couldn’t follow the logic of Justice Gino asserting that the GRA couldn’t rectify insufficient taxes paid for imports But before he could say, “The law is an ass!!”, Chancellor George rectified the matter!!
EU Observer Mission lauds women participation in Sept 1 polls
…says more transparency still needed in parties’ gender equality approaches
The European Union Election
Observation Mission (EU-EOM) has commended Guyana for what it describes as notable progress in women’s political participation during the September 1 General and Regional Elections, while simultaneously urging political parties to adopt clearer and more transparent approaches to gender equality.
The mission released its final report on the 2025 polls on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Pegasus Suites & Corporate Centre in Kingston. The EU-EOM, which deployed 50 observers from all EU member states and Norway, visited more than 250 polling stations across all 10 administrative regions, ranging from dense coastal communities to remote hinterland and Indigenous villages.
Chief Observer Robert Biedroń, in presenting the findings, said the mission observed several positive developments. He noted that some digital media platforms and personal
pages provided balanced, non-partisan election information that helped voters make more informed decisions. More significantly, he stated, “Guyana has made notable progress on women’s political participation,” citing special measures that resulted in high levels of female representation among candidates at the national and regional levels, including two women contesting for the presidency: the leader of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), Amanza Walton-Desir, and the leader of the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), Simona Broomes.
Nevertheless, Biedroń emphasised that there is still space for more women-led leadership.
“Guyana has made notable progress on women's political participation. Special measures contributed to high levels of women's representation among candidates at both national and regional levels, including two presidential contenders. Women also played a strong role in GECOM leadership and
in across public life. Yet, there is still space for more transparency in party approaches to gender equality. Also, online abuse targeting women politicians and activists shows that stronger safeguards against gender-based online harassment are very much needed,” the Chief Observer explained.
The report further highlighted challenges affecting other vulnerable groups. Indigenous peoples, described as an “important electorate”, continue to face structural obstacles, including long
distances to polling stations, limited access to timely election information, and socio-economic dependence on state support. The EU-EOM also received reports that opposition parties experienced more restricted access to some Indigenous villages compared with the ruling party, a finding that the mission said warrants closer scrutiny.
Persons with disabilities were also noted as facing significant barriers, including inadequate physical access to many polling stations and the absence of
tactile ballots or other tailored election materials. The mission recommended that Guyana strengthen its legal and logistical framework to ensure equal participation for citizens with disabilities.
Another major issue flagged was the limited participation of national observer groups. While the accreditation process administered by GECOM was described as efficient but independent, citizen observer groups were “notably absent”. The mission has recommended that national observers be granted the same legal rights of access as international missions to improve the oversight environment.
“The accreditation process for observers was efficient, and GECOM accredited 12 domestic observer organisations and five international missions, including, of course, our mission. Yet, national citizen observer groups were notably absent. Most domestic observers came from professional bodies and interest groups. The legal framework could be
strengthened by extending to national observers the same legal rights of access as are accorded to international missions,” Biedroń said.
“Women, again, made up the large majority of staff and presiding officers. Party agents from PPPC, APNU, and WIN were present in all polling stations observed by the EU EOM, contributing to transparency. Yet, all observers were present in only a minority of polling stations observed,” he added.
Despite these concerns, the EU-EOM assessed Election Day itself as peaceful, calm, and well-administered. Observers reported that voting and counting procedures were efficiently executed and generally followed correctly by polling staff.
The final report is expected to form the basis of continued dialogue with Guyanese authorities and political stakeholders as efforts move toward strengthening future electoral processes.
EU-EOM Chief Observer, Robert Biedroń
Indonesia offers agriculture scholarships to Guyanese students
Indonesia has committed to providing scholarships for Guyanese students in the agriculture sector.
The commitment was made during a meeting on Wednesday between Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia Agus Priono, a statement from the Ministry noted.
The discussion focused on enhancing capacity and strengthening collaborative efforts with Indonesia within the agricultural sector.
According to the
Ministry, Mustapha emphasised that the agricultural sector stands to gain significantly from technical assistance, particularly in advancing Guyana’s aquaculture and other crop sectors.
He reiterated Guyana’s position as the leading food-producing nation within Caricom.
Consequently, the expansion of rice, sugar, corn, coconuts, soya, and other crop cultivation represents a strategic priority for his Ministry.
“Ambassador Priono identified new avenues for development oppor-
tunities between Guyana and Indonesia. He indicated that Indonesia intends to provide scholarships for students pursuing agricultural training,” the Ministry stated.
On Tuesday, President Dr Irfaan Ali received the Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia.
During the ceremony, the President and the Ambassador discussed ways to enhance relations between the two countries.
“The President highlighted opportunities in which Indonesia can support Guyana in health-
on Wednesday
care, tourism, and agriculture, while the Ambassador spoke about the importance of greater collaboration and
scholarship opportunities for Guyanese students,” a statement from the Office of the President had noted.
Guyana and Indonesia established formal diplomatic relations in August of 1999.
2 appear in court for firearm, traffic offences
Two men appeared in separate Magistrate’s courts this week to answer charges related to firearms and traffic violations.
Twenty-three-year-old Heimraj Ramjewan, a labourer of Parika Outfall, Essequibo, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), appeared via Zoom at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Clive Nurse. Ramjewan faced the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm without a licence. Upon the charge being read to him, he pleaded guilty and was remanded to prison. The case has been adjourned to December 2.
In a separate case, 51-year-old Eyon Moore of Two Miles, Potaro Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Tariq Mohamed. Moore faced three charges: driving a motor vehicle while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit, driving without a licence, and breach of insurance regulations. He pleaded guilty to all charges and was fined a total of $265,000, broken down as $200,000 for the alcohol-related offence, $40,000 for driving without a licence, and $25,000 for the insurance breach. If he fails to pay the fines, he will face three months’ imprisonment.
Berbice couple busted with illegal gun, drug
The gun, ammunition, and ganja found during the operation
A43-year-old farmer and his 55-yearold partner, both from Cromarty Farm, Corentyne Berbice, were taken into custody following the discovery of a .32 firearm and three matching rounds of ammunition during a Police operation on
Tuesday.
Police stated that a team of ranks visited the couple's home and conducted a search, during which the firearm and ammunition were found under a mattress in a bedroom. In another section of the house, two others. 32 bullets were found along with eight grams of cannabis. The couple remains in custody pending charges.
During the launch of the Guyana Police Force Christmas Policing Plan, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum reported that 100 illegal firearms had been seized for the year thus far, including 57 pistols, 12 revolvers, 29 shotguns, and two rifles.
He added that the majority of the illegal guns originated from the United States, Brazil, Australia, Italy, Venezuela, and Turkey. In 2024, 178 guns were seized, while 157 guns were seized in 2023.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha meeting with Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Agus Priono,
Remanded: Heimraj Ramjewan Fined for traffic offences: Eyon Moore
Over 5700 errant drivers arrested in Reg 6 for traffic violations
Police in Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne) arrested more than 5700 persons so far this year for various traffic violations. However, Divisional Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus has said that the sole focus for the Police is not to have persons arrested for traffic violations.
Between January 1 and October 24, 2025, a total of 5747 motorists were taken into custody for various traffic offences, a 39 per cent increase compared to the 4122 arrests made during the same period last year.
Despite the spike in enforcement, road users continue to ignore basic laws, prompting the Region Six Police to expand their opera-
tions across major roadways further.
Regional Commander Bacchus said the Police Force is not interested in prosecuting motorists unnecessarily but stressed that unsafe driving leaves them no choice.
“We don’t want to arrest you for your violation. You have to use the road in the rightful manner; this will be reduced. The Police is not after you to make cases… If you use your road wisely and don’t speed;
exercise the 5C,” Bacchus explained.
In addition to the arrests, Region Six Police have issued 7881 traffic tickets so far for 2025. This represents only a one per cent decrease from the 7998 tickets issued during the same period in 2024, showing consistent enforcement levels.
Altogether, Police recorded 13,628 traffic cases up to October 24, a 12 per cent jump from last year.
Officers said that the most common violations in-
Over 56lbs of ganja found during Police operations in NA, Mahdia
Two separate operations at New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), and Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), on Tuesday have led to the discovery of over 56 pounds (lbs) of cannabis and the arrest of two men.
In the first instance, ranks found 55.7 lbs of ganja in two bulky black
plastic bags and several parcels wrapped in transparent plastic during an intelligence-led operation at Angoys Avenue, New Amsterdam.
The ganja was found in the living room area of the two-storey wooden house, which was at the time occupied by two masons – a 26-year-old and a 27-yearold.
However, following the discovery, the narcotics, along with the two suspects, were taken to the Narcotics Branch. When weighed, the ganja amounted to 55.75 lbs. The two men remain in custody pending charges.
Meanwhile, over in Region Eight, 350 grams were found wrapped in plastic bags hidden in a drainage channel near the Mahdia Arcade. According to reports, the Police were conducting an operation in and around the arcade area when the drugs were found in two black plastic bags and one small transparent plastic bag.
At the time of the operation, no one was seen in close proximity. Investigations are continuing.
clude speeding, unlicensed motorcyclists, driving under the influence, and defective vehicles.
Meanwhile, Police are also monitoring several high-risk areas following the year’s fatal accidents. According to the data, Eversham Public Road accounted for the highest number of deaths, with 19 per cent of fatal crashes for the year.
Several other locations, including Line Path, Garrison Road, Chesney Public Road, Princess Elizabeth Road, Crabwood Creek, and Fort Canje, each accounted for nine per cent of fatal accidents. These hotspots are now under targeted patrols, with
an emphasis on visibility, speed control, and breathalyser operations.
“Leave home before time so you can arrive on time. We know we have these road constructions going on. There are several hindrances in terms of traffic congestion, especially at Port Mourant, Rose Hall, and further,” he urged. Bacchus is advising all road users to slow down, obey signals, and remain alert, particularly in construction zones and known accident-prone areas. He said the Force will maintain heightened enforcement measures throughout the remainder of the year as part of efforts to reduce violations and save lives.
A Police motorcycle compliance campaign on Monday in Division 6 (GPF photo)
Divisional Commander
Shivpersaud Bacchus
Ganja found at Mahdia Arcade
The ganja discovered in Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam
ERC launches 3rd Harmony Club at Comenius Primary
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Wednesday launched its third Harmony Club Pilot at Comenius Primary School, 49 Anira Street, Queenstown, continuing the Commission’s efforts, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, to promote greater appreciation and respect for the country’s various cultures and religions, starting with young minds first.
According to the ERC news release, the third launch came after successful first and second launches at Stella Maris and St Gabriel’s Primary Schools, respectively. It underscores part of the ERC’s national initiative, in keeping with its mandate, to foster un-
derstanding and awareness of Guyana’s cultural diversity and shared nationhood.
Chairman of the ERC, Shaikh Moeenul Hack, speaking at the launch, reiterated the underlying purpose of the Harmony Club to students and teachers of Comenius Primary.
"The Harmony Club is about helping our children truly understand each other, our faiths, our customs, our differences, and the love that binds us. When our students learn to respect every religion, every race, and every culture, they carry that understanding into their homes, their neighbourhoods, and eventually our entire country. That is how harmony becomes a way of life," he said.
District Education Officer (Georgetown), Wendy Johnson, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education, thanked the ERC for working with them to establish these much-needed Harmony Clubs.
According to Johnson, “This is the ideal place to start, with our babies, to really hit home the message of harmony. This is the segment of our population who will be interacting on a daily basis with their peers, and what better part of the population to spread harmony? We are shaping young minds to value peace, empathy, and respect. When children are taught to appreciate the diversity around them, they become ambassadors of unity within their schools,
Vice President Jagdeo meets with regional officials
families, and communities. This programme strengthens not only our classrooms, but our nation."
Headmistress of Comenius Primary, Janice Torrington, emphasised that children and teachers of her school are always eager to show love, regardless of race or creed. “At Comenius Primary, we are proud to create a space where every child feels seen, valued, and understood. The Harmony Club allows our students to learn about each other in meaningful ways, building friendships grounded in respect and love. This is the foundation of the kind of Guyana we all want to see,” she said. Harmony Clubs are de-
signed to provide safe, structured, purposeful environments for pupils to learn about, appreciate, and celebrate the diverse cultures that make up the Guyanese population. The clubs are envisioned as safe and inclusive spaces where students can learn and openly discuss topics related to ethnic diversity, national identity, mutual respect, and peaceful co-existence.
Through guided activities, games, cultural exchanges and interactive sessions, students will be encouraged to appreciate similarities, celebrate differences, and work collaboratively.
The pilot programme is slated to be rolled out next
at St Ambrose Primary and North Georgetown Secondary schools.
The schools in the ERC Pilot Programme will serve as the initial phase for the club structure, engagement modules, and student-driven activities. Feedback and outcomes at the pilot stage will determine the next phases of the programme to include schools across all regions in Guyana.
The Commission expresses gratitude to the Ministry of Education, school administrators, teachers, Parent Teacher Associations and students for their support and enthusiasm towards the project that embraces peaceful co-existence overall.
Comenius Primary HM Janice Torrington speaks at the launch
Pupils of Comenius Primary performing during a cultural presentation
Tourism Minister tours key Rupununi ecolodges
– as media team explores Guyana’s tourism assets
The stunning landscapes of Region Nine (Upper Takutu–Upper Essequibo) served as the backdrop for a multi-day media familiarisation tour organised by the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) as part of Tourism Awareness Month 2025.
The trip, which brought together journalists, videographers, photographers, and GTA officials, aimed to
gation. Staff of the lodge briefed her on their operations, the challenges of running a major ecotourism destination deep in the Iwokrama Forest, and the importance of balancing sustainable visitor experiences with wildlife protection.
Kurupukari
From Iwokrama, the entire group boarded a boat on the Essequibo River for a scenic journey to the
highlight the country’s ecotourism strengths while giving the national media first-hand exposure to the lodges, trails, wildlife, and cultural heritage that define the Rupununi tourism circuit. The team arrived on Tuesday morning and will remain in the region until Thursday.
Iwokrama
The first stop was the Iwokrama River Lodge, where the media delegation was given a guided tour of the facilities, including its riverside cabins, research centre, and community-based conservation operations. Shortly after the team settled in, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues arrived to join the dele-
Kurupukari petroglyphs, ancient rock carvings etched into large stones along the riverbank. The Minister listened as guides explained that the markings are part of a significant Indigenous cultural heritage site and are believed to represent traditional fishing symbols, spiritual beliefs, and the deep relationship between the early inhabitants and the Rupununi waterways. The visit also highlighted the fragility of these archaeological sites, which are periodically submerged during the river’s rise and therefore require careful preservation.
During the stop, the media were also taken to other Kurupukari areas, where they were shown additional natural features and activities that form part of
the lodge’s tourism offerings. Reporters were given the chance to take short bike rides and explore forest trails. On one of the guided walks, the forest was alive with the piercing call of the Screaming Piha, one of the loudest birds in the world, whose echoing cry is a signature sound of the Amazon basin.
Atta Rainforest Lodge
The second major site vis-
Makushi language, means “hammock”, and it is from a hammock dwelling that the Atta Rainforest Lodge, the winner of the Resort of the Year Award at the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana’s (THAG) 26th Annual President’s Awards, originated.
After arriving at the lodge, the group followed trained guides into the rainforest and climbed the elevated walkway, which ris-
ited was the Atta Rainforest Lodge, located within the Iwokrama Forest and known internationally as the home of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway.
The word “atta”, in the
es nearly 30 metres above the forest floor. Here, the Minister and media paused at the platforms to observe the dense treetops, listen to the birdlife, and experience one of Guyana’s most iconic
tourism attractions.
The visit helped showcase the walkway’s role not only as a visitor experience but also as a model of how conservation and community-based tourism can exist together, since Atta Lodge operates through a partnership that directly supports local employment and environmental stewardship.
Rock View Lodge
The final stop of the day was Rock View Lodge in the North Rupununi, owned by the Edwards family and long regarded as one of the region’s cultural and hospitality landmarks. The lodge’s founder, Colin Edwards, welcomed Minister Rodrigues and the media and shared the story of how he purchased the property in 1992 and developed it into a heritage-rich ecolodge grounded in Rupununi culture. The original ranch house was built in the 1950s, and parts of the property still reflect the old cattle-trail era when the
Rupununi was connected by horseback and overland journeys. Edwards spoke about the lodge’s evolution, the challenges of sustaining tourism through changing seasons, and the importance of strengthening partnerships between the private sector, government, and local communities.
Throughout the visit, Minister Rodrigues emphasised the importance of Tourism Awareness Month, noting that the November observance is intended to spotlight the country’s diverse tourism products, encourage domestic travel, and promote the value of tourism to rural development. Her engagements at the three lodges show the Ministry’s commitment to supporting operators who are safeguarding natural and cultural assets while contributing to job creation in remote communities.
By the end of the day, the media delegation had explored river systems, walked among ancient rock carvings, listened to some of the world’s loudest forest wildlife, experienced treetop views from the canopy walkway, and engaged directly with lodge owners and conservation guides. The familiarisation tour continues until Thursday, giving the press more opportunities to witness firsthand the experiences that are being promoted during Tourism Awareness Month as Guyana works to further improve its tourism experience. (Photos from the
Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce)
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues with staff of Atta Rainforest Lodge, located within the Iwokrama Forest
In a boat on the Essequibo River for a scenic journey to the Kurupukari area
The media, including Guyana Times, toured the region with Minister Rodrigues
Minister Rodrigues on the elevated walkway at Iwokrama
Every Guyanese will rise –Manickchand tells PNC/APNU
…slams Opposition for “racist propaganda”
Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand has rejected attempts by the People’s National Congress–led A Partnership for National Unity (PNC/APNU) to spread racist propaganda regarding the Government’s recent interventions in Tiger Bay, Georgetown.
She was responding to remarks made by PNC/APNU Member of Parliament David Hinds. Hinds had commented on the Government’s recent visit to Tiger Bay, Georgetown, where President Dr Irfaan Ali announced a number of interventions aimed at enhancing the community.
Among other things, Hinds said, “Every Black man and Black woman should be offended by that spectacle.” Hinds had also attacked Minister Manickchand’s photographs with children from the area, saying they were “a poppy show of the poverty of our people”. Manickchand has since rejected Hinds and his party’s attempts to spread racist messaging.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Manickchand reminded that the PNC/APNU never did anything to uplift
the lives of the residents of Tiger Bay – not even when they were in Government from 2015 to 2020.
“This abusive fossil is trying for some relevance. Let’s indulge him. What did Hinds and Co. ever do for Tiger Bay or people of African descent generally? EVER? Nothing,” Manickchand posited.
“In their time in recent Government, APNU/AFC did nothing to empower peo-
ple and nothing at all to empower vulnerable communities or African Guyanese. Not a single secondary school was started and finished. Anywhere. Not a single African Guyanese family, that wasn’t connected to the elite, was built up through being awarded civil works or higher education opportunities. Not a single young African Guyanese was offered the opportunity to
move into the small contractor group or from small contractors to medium and then large… Yet when the time came and APNU refused to give up Government even though the people of Guyana had thrown them out of office with their vote, this derelict was happy to foist the same non-service on the whole of Guyana and particularly people of African descent by saying that Granger should
be made President again while we worked out what he deemed electoral kinks, aka a failed attempt to rig the election,” she noted.
According to the Local Government Minister, “the likes of David Hinds would like to see African people struggle and stumble and go into or stay in poverty so he could exploit them using his old race baiting for his narrow political gains.”
“I say get from here. That is old and backward and will not be accommodated in this Government and by me. Every Guyanese will rise up, and I make no apologies and have no reservations in aggressively going after that cause,” she contended.
Moreover, Manickchand shared a few snippets of Facebook users rejecting Hinds’ racist messaging, expressing that “the nation is letting the PNC/APNU leaders KNOW the old, backward, sexist, racist politicking just ain’t gonna be accepted!”
On Sunday, President Ali outlined a transformative urban renewal programme that will include the construction of a futsal and basketball facility, the renovation of two historic buildings, expanded so-
cial services for children and mothers, and new mechanisms to help households upgrade their living conditions.
The initiative is part of the One Guyana “Neighbourhood Love” programme, which aims to rebuild communities through shared responsibility and sustained investment.
Hinds, originally from the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) party, was appointed as a PNC/APNU MP following the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
Hinds is notorious for making racist and derogatory remarks, which were often defended by leaders within the PNC/APNU, including the party’s leader, Aubrey Norton.
In the lead-up to the 2025 elections, General Secretary of the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and Guyana's Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had criticised the PNC/APNU and the WPA for their continued attacks on Afro-Guyanese who have either endorsed the PPP/C or who are seizing opportunities provided by the current Administration to empower and uplift themselves.
Racial rhetoric could cost PNC/APNU
all seats by 2030 – Nandlall tells party
Legal
The People’s National Congress–led A Partnership for National Unity (PNC/ APNU) could be completely ousted from the National Assembly if its members persist with racial messaging, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has warned.
He was at the time responding to remarks recently made by PNC/APNU Member of Parliament David Hinds.
Hinds had commented on the Government’s recent visit to Tiger Bay, Georgetown, where President Dr Irfaan Ali announced a number of interventions aimed at enhancing the community.
Among other things, Hinds said, “Every Black man and Black woman should be offended by that spectacle.”
During his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday, Nandlall contended, “These guys do not understand, and perhaps they will never understand, that it is because of the racial rhetoric that they moved from 31 seats to 12 seats.”
“Let them continue this merry way and [by] 2030, they will be without a seat because the Guyanese people are intelligent… and have no time, have no patience, have no tolerance for racism and stupidity, and you have a dangerous combination of the two on
the opposition benches,” he said.
On Sunday, President Ali outlined a transformative urban renewal programme that will include the construction of a futsal and basketball facility, the renovation of two historic buildings, expanded social services for children and mothers, and new mechanisms to help households upgrade their living conditions.
The initiative is part of the One Guyana “Neighbourhood Love” programme, which aims to rebuild communities through shared responsibility and sustained investment.
Hinds, originally from
the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) party, was appointed as a PNC/APNU MP following the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
Hinds is notorious for making racist and derogatory remarks, which were often defended by leaders within the PNC/APNU, including the party’s leader, Aubrey Norton.
In the last parliament, the PNC/APNU and its former coalition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC), occupied 31 seats in the National Assembly, forming the main parliamentary opposition. Of these, the AFC itself occupied 9 of those seats, while the remaining
22 were held by APNU politicians.
But based on the results of this year’s General and Regional Elections, the PNC/APNU’s influence in the current parliament has weakened.
The main parliamentary opposition now comprises the We Invest Nationhood (WIN) party headed by USsanctioned and criminally indicted businessman Azruddin Mohamed.
WIN picked up 16 seats, while PNC/APNU gained 12, and Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) earned one – forming the parliamentary opposition. PNC/ APNU has also lost power at the regional level, where it previously controlled Regions Four, Seven, and 10. The PNC was formed in 1957 by Forbes Burnham, who was later elected leader – a position he would retain until his death in 1985. It later rebranded itself as PNC/Reform and then again as the APNU after coalescing with other smaller political parties.
Since its inception, the party (under the umbrella of APNU) has been a strong political force, forming the Government as recently as the 2015-2020 period in a coalition with the AFC. But now, it has fallen to the third-ranked political force in the country.
Attorney General and
Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall
PNC/APNU Member of Parliament, David Hinds
Leader of PNC, Aubrey Norton
Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand chatting with residents of Tiger Bay, Georgetown, on Sunday
President Ali meets 10-year-
old aspiring President
n International
OMen’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating positive role models, President Dr Irfaan Ali met with Treyson Mahadeo, a remarkable 10-year-old who has big aspirations of one day becoming a President.
At Wednesday’s visit, Treyson, who lives in B Field Sophia, walked in with confidence and his questions ready for the President.
“Good afternoon, sir. I wanted to ask you, what do you do for your President job? How exactly hard is it?” Mahadeo asked.
President Ali shared that leadership is less about difficulty and more about commitment.
“Once you have commitment, once you work hard,
right, and as the President, you have to be able to love people, you have to be able to listen to people, you have to be able to work at every level…” President Ali replied.
President Ali spoke about the joy he finds in serving others and reminded the young student that success comes from determination, loving what you do and meaningful work.
When Treyson revealed his dreams of becoming a President, scientist or engineer, the President encouraged him to build a strong foundation through education and consistent effort. Treyson shared with President Ali that although he likes to read in his school’s library, books are limited.
“We don’t have many
books… Some kids are not able to afford books; I prefer that every child has an opportunity to be able to read,” young Treyson said.
President Ali noted his statement and commended Treyson on his selflessness and compassion for others.
“You know what’s beautiful about that? That I’m asking you questions about what you think, and you’re thinking about everyone else. And that’s a good quality. That’s a quality that makes you an exceptional person,” President Ali said.
It was an ideal reflection of what International Men’s Day celebrates: boys and men who uplift others, think beyond themselves, and embody integrity and compassion. (Source: DPI)
Multimillion-dollar agriculture development bank a “game-changer” – Agri Minister
...as Govt looks to reshape rice industry
Rice farmers in Region Five (Mahaica–Berbice) are being assured that long-standing practices which have kept them tied to a single miller – and forced them to accept whatever paddy price is offered – will soon come to an end.
Central to the Minister’s announcement is the creation of a US$200 million development bank, scheduled to begin operations soon, which will prioritise agriculture and agro-processing.
This commitment was delivered on Saturday by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who met with hundreds of farmers at Onverwagt to discuss issues of their concern and upcoming reforms designed to reshape the rice industry from the ground up.
For decades, many rice farmers have been locked into restrictive arrangements where, after borrowing money or receiving fertiliser and inputs from millers, they were obligated to sell exclusively to that miller, often at prices that left them struggling to cover expenses.
Farmers have repeatedly complained that these binding relationships erase their bargaining power and create a cycle of dependency that is difficult to escape.
However, Mustapha told the gathering that the Government has taken decisive steps to break that cycle.
“This will be a thing of the past next year,” the Minister declared to a round of applause.
He explained that new financial instruments, in-
cluding the establishment of a multimillion-dollar agriculture development bank, will allow farmers to access funds directly and free themselves from arrangements that give millers disproportionate control over the rice value chain.
Development bank
Mustapha described the institution as a “game-changer” for small- and medium-scale farmers who have, for years, battled with limited access to flexible and affordable financing.
The bank will offer interest-free loans, require no collateral, and will be open to farmers who traditionally do not qualify for commercial bank lending. Mustapha said this will not only end the monopoly situation farmers face with millers but will also unlock long-term growth in the sector.
“When farmers can access their own money, interest-free and without collateral, they will no longer have to sign away their crop before planting it. You will be able to choose who to sell to, negotiate your prices, and take your paddy to the miller who treats you fairly,” Mustapha said.
Farmers welcomed the news, with some saying the new bank represents the first major step toward correcting the power imbalance between producers and buyers.
The development bank is part of the Government’s broader agenda to build a stronger, more diversified non-oil economy. Agriculture remains a pillar of Guyana’s development, supporting
tens of thousands of households, and the Ministry of Agriculture has said repeatedly that the Government views the sector as essential to food security, export earnings, and sustainable job creation.
The new bank is expected to fuel growth across several subsectors, including rice, livestock, cash crops, aquaculture, coconut, and agro-processing.
According to Mustapha, the benefits will be wide-ranging: easier access to capital, farmers will be able to invest in machinery, land preparation, improved drainage and irrigation, and climate-resilient seed varieties.
It will also afford them expanded production and diversification. With financing challenges removed, producers can venture into value-added activities, such as packaged rice products, coconut water bottling, spices, and aquaculture feed production.
The bank is also expected to stimulate rural employment, as the bank’s financing is expected to spark new agricultural enterprises, leading to job creation in rural communities, especially among youth and women.
The establishment of the new financing facility is also expected to impact food security by realising increased domestic output, thus reducing Guyana’s reliance on imported foods and building resilience to global supply chain disruptions.
Access to capital will help farmers to adopt climate-smart technologies, upgrade machinery, and im-
prove traceability and sanitary standards, as farmers are more likely to adopt modern farming technology.
Ending imbalances Mustapha stressed that the Government understands the vulnerability many farmers feel when dealing with millers who also act as creditors. He noted that while not all millers exploit farmers, the structural imbalance gives millers significant leverage, particularly during periods of low paddy prices or financial uncertainty.
“We must protect our farmers. You produce the crop. You take the risk. You pay for labour, fertiliser, and fuel. You must be able to negotiate your price, not be forced to accept what someone tells you,” Mustapha
stressed.
He said too many farmers fall into a cycle where borrowing from millers leaves them with no option but to return to the same buyer season after season, regardless of the prices offered.
The new development bank, he added, will “completely break that dependency” and usher in a fairer,
more competitive marketplace for paddy.
As Guyana continues its rapid economic transformation, the Agriculture Minister emphasised that farming will remain a central pillar of national development. The new development bank, he said, is intended to ensure that farmers benefit directly from national growth and are positioned to thrive in a modern, competitive agricultural sector.
The Minister assured farmers that better days are ahead.
“We are building a future where no farmer is left behind. You will have choices, freedom, and the financial strength to run your farms the way you want. That is the commitment we are making,” he said.
Assuria launches “no fault, no deductible” add-on for motor
Assuria has introduced a new feature for motor insurance clients aimed at reducing out-of-pocket expenses for drivers who are not at fault in accidents. The “No Fault, No Deductible” addon allows customers to have their deductibles waived in third-party incidents where they are not responsible. The add-on is available for both new and existing policies and can be repurchased if the deductible is
used. Customers can also easily add the feature to their current comprehensive motor policies. The service is offered at a cost equivalent to 10 per cent of the policyholder’s existing deductible.
According to Assuria Managing Director Yogindra Arjune, the new add-on reflects the company’s commitment to fairness and customer-centred solutions. “Our customers deserve insurance that works for them, not against them.
When you’re not at fault, you shouldn’t have to pay – it’s that simple,” Arjune said. Key benefits of the addon include faster claims processing, reduced financial burden for drivers, and greater assurance for policyholders. Assuria said the initiative is part of its broader strategy to provide transparent, value-driven protection and adapt to the evolving needs of Guyana’s motor insurance market.
President Dr Irfaan Ali with 10-year-old Treyson Mahadeo
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
Onverwagt solar farm to go online soon
The Government’s push toward cleaner and more reliable energy continues as work advances on the new solar farm at Onverwagt in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). The facility is among several being rolled out nationwide under Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.
Construction on the large-scale solar farm that is being established at Onverwagt on the West Coast of Berbice, one of the biggest renewable energy investments ever made in Region Five, is progressing.
The project, when completed, will feed clean, stable power directly into the national grid, significantly reducing the area’s dependence on diesel-generated
megawatts (MW) of power –enough to serve thousands of households and businesses across the Mahaica–Berbice region.
For residents who have long been affected by voltage
deliver improved reliability and more consistent service.
But beyond local benefits, the Onverwagt solar farm forms part of a much broader national transformation in energy production.
LCDS 2023 and solar farms
It is one component of the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, which combines solar, wind, hydropower, gas-to-energy, and other renewables to create a diversified, modern, low-emission power system.
The LCDS aims to cut energy costs, reduce Guyana’s carbon footprint, and stimulate new economic opportunities.
Solar farms like the one
at Onverwagt are central to that vision, bringing immediate climate-friendly energy to rural and hinterland regions while reducing fuel imports and stabilising long-term electricity prices.
The project also includes modern inverters, battery-support systems, and smart-grid technology that will allow the plant to efficiently feed power into the main network, even during peak demand.
Officials say the investment will also create jobs during construction and maintenance, while providing new training opportunities for young people in renewable-energy technology.
These skills, they say, will be critical as Guyana
continues commissioning several renewable projects simultaneously, including solar farms in Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight, Nine, and 10.
When combined, these facilities are expected to add dozens of megawatts of clean, renewable energy to the national grid, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping Guyana maintain its position as a global leader in forest conservation and climate action.
And with the country’s energy demand rising rapidly due to industrial expansion and new economic growth, solar projects like the one at Onverwagt will help ensure that communities outside of Georgetown
benefit equally from the country’s modernisation. The Government has repeatedly stressed that clean energy is not just an environmental goal; it is a development priority aimed at lowering electricity costs for ordinary Guyanese, improving service reliability, and supporting new manufacturing and agro-processing ventures in regions like Mahaica-Berbice.
Once commissioned, the Onverwagt solar farm is expected to become one of the major renewable energy landmarks in Guyana – contributing to national energy security while serving as a model for future expansion in other parts of the country.
SINOTRUK outlines major global expansion plans at 2025 Partner Conference
SINOTRUK hosted its Global Partner Conference on October 18, 2025, in Qingdao, bringing together 620 partners from 97 countries and regions to discuss collaboration and future growth. Guyana, as one of the company’s export markets, was among the countries represented. The conference centred on two main components: strategic meetings and a comprehensive product showcase. During the strategic sessions, the company reported strong performance for the January to September period. Total vehicle sales reached 335,000 units, marking a 22.8 per cent year-on-year increase.
exports, mining trucks, and aftermarket parts. The company said both traditional and new segments advanced steadily over the period.
SINOTRUK also highlighted its service support network, which now includes more than 700 international service and parts outlets and over 40 training centres, designed to strengthen technical support and customer service globally.
Chairman Liu Zhengtao reaffirmed the company’s
Heavy truck exports stood at 111,000 units, an increase of 24.5 per cent over the same period last year. Growth was also recorded in several emerging business areas, including new energy vehicles, light truck
commitment to five strategic priorities: sustainability, digital intelligence, service excellence, global expansion, and business diversification. He said the company will continue to
work closely with partners to enhance product quality, technology development, and service delivery.
Looking ahead, SINOTRUK outlined an ambitious internationalisation plan for the next five years. By 2030, it aims to export 250,000 heavy trucks, 100,000 light trucks, 50,000 light vehicles, and 3,000 mining trucks. The company is also targeting US$1 billion in overseas aftermarket revenue.
The product showcase featured 24 vehicles across logistics, construction, new energy, and light-duty applications. In logistics, the C9H tractor – the first in its
class to obtain EU WVTA certification – was presented as a model incorporating advanced technologies designed to meet performance, safety, and environmental requirements. Construction offerings included upgraded dump trucks built for varying operational conditions, while mining trucks ranged from 30 to 135 tonnes in both diesel and electric versions. The new energy line-up consisted mainly of pure electric models, supplemented by hydrogen fuel, plug-in hybrid, and range-extended vehicles. Light-duty options on display included pickups and vans. Also featured were fleet management and
AI-based diagnostic systems aimed at reducing operating costs and improving safety and efficiency.
During the conference, SINOTRUK recognised several partners with the 2025 Outstanding Service Award, Outstanding Marketing Award, and Notable Contribution Award. Each recipient was presented with a SINOTRUK pickup truck.
The company said it intends to continue expanding alongside its global partners, delivering commercial vehicle solutions to more markets as it enters its next phase of international growth.
Construction on the new solar farm at Onverwagt in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) is moving apace
Once commissioned, the Onverwagt solar farm is expected to contribute to national energy security
With high daily sunlight exposure and large open areas suitable for photovoltaic fields, Region Five is ideal for solar generation
Police raid in Rio de Janeiro leaves at least 2 dead
At least two persons were killed and eight arrested on Wednesday during a Police operation in the Vila Kennedy neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, the state civil Police said in a statement.
The operation follows the deadliest Police raid in Brazil's history last month – which killed 121 persons, including four Police offi-
cers. According to local authorities, both operations targeted the Comando Vermelho gang that controls the drug trade in several favelas – poor, densely populated neighbourhoods woven through the city's hilly terrain.
"This is another stage of 'Operation Containment' and underscores the fight
against Comando Vermelho in its various criminal activities," the civil Police said in a statement, adding that a "large amount of drugs" had been found.
Four criminals were wounded during the confrontation with the Police in Wednesday's raid, the military Police said in a separate statement. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Shotgun seized from grave in J’ca Police raid
During a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, the St Mary, Jamaica, Police recovered a shotgun from a grave at Robins Bay in the parish.
According to a Police report, at about 02:20h, a team from the St Mary Criminal Investigative Branch (CIB) conducted an intelligence-driven operation in the community of Robins Bay, St Mary, where the high-powered weapon was discovered.
"When most people would seek to avoid going into a cemetery, especially after dark, we were busy digging up a shotgun from a grave in the Robins Bay area," commented Superintendent Anthony Wallace, head of the St Mary Police Division.
"We conducted a targeted search, and during the operation, our members discovered a black Arnsan Silah A S shotgun concealed in a shallow grave. It was sheer vigilance on the part of our
hard-working detectives which led to this discovery. This is one less illegal weapon that has been taken off the streets of St Mary. We continue to increase intelligence-driven operations as part of our strategy to curb crime, enhance public safety, and protect the citizens of this parish," Wallace stated.
No one was arrested in connection with the find as investigations continue.
(Source: Jamaica Star)
Nearly EC $1M in drugs seized at Port Castries
Law enforcement authorities intercepted nearly EC$1 million worth of illegal drugs at Port Castries on Saturday, November 15, uncovering compressed foreign cannabis and cannabis resin concealed in barrels.
The haul included 22.76 kilograms (kg) of com-
pressed cannabis valued at $500,000 from Shed Seven and an additional 4.32 kg of cannabis and resin worth $400,000 from Shed Six.
All items were photographed, tested, and secured, Police said.
The operation was carried out by the Police
Gangs, Narcotics, and Firearms Unit (GNFU) and the Customs and Excise Department.
“Investigations are ongoing into the consignees linked to the intercepted barrels,” Inspector Shervon Matthieu, officer in charge of the GNFU, said. (Excerpt from St Lucia Times)
T&T: 5 men claim abuse while at RC Children’s Home
Five former wards of St Dominic’s Children’s Home have filed a sweeping High Court claim alleging decades of physical and sexual abuse while in the home’s custody.
They have asserted that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Port of Spain, the Attorney General, the Statutory Authorities Service Commission and a former supervisor are legally liable for the harm they endured.
The claimants say the abuse occurred between 1983 and 2006 and that they were unable to sue earlier because they were minors at the time and later suffered psychological conditions that prevented them from recognising the wrongdoing or pursuing legal action. They argue that equity requires the court to extend the limitation period, citing delayed awareness triggered by the 1997 Sabga Report, the 2022 Jones
Report and recent psychiatric evaluations.
The claim will be heard next week.
According to the filings, the first defendant – St Dominic’s Children’s Home – failed in its statutory and common-law duty to protect the children placed in its custody, enabling years of beatings, sexual assaults and unsafe living conditions.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese is named as the second defendant on the basis of an alleged supervisory and managerial role over the home’s operations.
The Attorney General is sued as the third defendant for alleged vicarious liability under the State Liability and Proceedings Act for abuse said to have occurred when the supervisor and other officers were legally considered servants of the state prior to 1998.
After legislative amendments separated the
Hundreds displaced by armed attacks in Tabarre, Haiti
Hundreds of residents in Tabarre, a commune in the metropolitan area of Port-auPrince, have fled their homes following armed attacks last week, as insecurity continues to escalate in the Haitian capital.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that attacks on November 13 and 14 displaced more than 600 persons, most of whom remain in Tabarre, hosted by local families. The violence comes amid heightened tensions between law enforcement and gangs operating in the city.
The leader of the “Viv Ansanm” gang coalition, Jimmy Chérizier, also known as “Barbecue”, issued a warning to residents in a video message released Sunday, urging people to stay indoors. “This message
is addressed to the Haitian people in general. Starting this Monday, November 17, 2025, unless absolutely necessary, do not go out… Leave the streets to Viv Ansanm and the Police so that we can confront them,” Chérizier said.
Chérizier’s warning follows a joint operation earlier this month by the Haitian National Police (PNH), the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAD’H), and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) targeting the “400 Mawozo” gang in Tabarre and nearby Croix-des-Bouquets. The operation led to at least seven gang members being fatally wounded, numerous others injured, and the seizure of a large cache of weapons, including a .50-calibre Barrett sniper rifle. No security personnel were reported injured. Attacks in other previously stable residential areas, including Thomassin and Fermathe, have forced over 1800 persons to seek refuge elsewhere. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Weekly)
Suspected tuberculosis outbreak at Ecuador prison kills 10 inmates
Ecuador's prison authority said on Wednesday that 10 inmates at the Litoral prison in the capital, Guayaquil, were found dead between Monday and Tuesday, possibly from tuberculosis.
"Apparently the cause of death is tuberculosis. We are waiting for forensic results for an official determination," the agency said.
The deaths were recorded on Tuesday. It is known that there were 10 inmates from seven different cellblocks. The deceased inmates were between 19 and 49 years old and were incarcerated for different reasons. (Source: Reuters, El Universo)
Trade between Latin America, Caribbean due to grow in 2025 despite US tariff policy – ECLAC report
TStatutory Authorities Service Commission from the state, the commission was sued directly as the fourth defendant for alleged negligent appointment, supervision and replacement of officers who later abused the claimants.
The supervisor was named as the fifth defendant.
They are seeking damages, aggravated damages, interest and further relief for psychological trauma, lost educational and employment opportunities, longterm mental health injuries and lifelong social challenges they say stem from the abuse.
The defendants, according to pre-action correspondence, have denied liability and raised limitation defences. The High Court is expected to first address whether the claims may proceed despite the delays.
(Excerpt from Trinidad & Tobago Newsday)
rade between Latin America and the Caribbean will likely grow in 2025 despite broad US tariffs across the region, which have had a weaker impact than initially expected, a report by the UN's Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) revealed on Wednesday.
The ECLAC projected that the value of the region's exports would rise by five
per cent this year, up from 4.5 per cent in 2024, driven by a four per cent increase in export volume and a one per cent increase in prices, the report said.
In the first half of the year, total trade in goods and services between Latin America and the Caribbean rose at year-on-year rates of four per cent for exports and seven per cent for imports.
The ECLAC noted that the upward revisions reflect
strong global trade momentum in the first half of the year, driven by accelerated imports and inventory buildup ahead of new US tariffs.
While regional exports currently face relatively lower tariffs, that could change depending on trade balances and non-economic factors, the report said, urging countries to diversify trade relations and deepen regional integration. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Miss Universe Jamaica hospitalised after stage fall during preliminary competition
Miss Universe Jamaica, Dr Gabrielle Henry, was hospitalised on Wednesday after falling during the evening gown segment of the preliminary competition for Miss Universe 2025.
The incident occurred shortly after Henry showcased her gown, sending immediate alarm across the venue and on social media. While the exact cause of the
fall has not been confirmed, the swift response by onsite medical personnel ensured she received immediate care. Photos circulating online show Henry being attended to by a team of staff before being carefully removed from the stage on a stretcher.
Dr Henry was transported to Paolo Rangsit Hospital in Bangkok, accompanied by her mother, sister, and representatives
from the Miss Universe Organisation. A statement from the Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation confirmed that the ophthalmologist, who is also a prominent advocate for the visually impaired through her See Me Foundation, did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. Medical professionals are conducting preliminary tests to monitor her condition. (Excerpt from CNW)
OIL NEWS
Oil falls on signs of renewed push to end Russia-Ukraine war
Oil prices fell on Wednesday after reports indicated the United States is renewing its push to end Russia's war in Ukraine and has drafted a framework for it.
Brent crude futures fell US$1.63, or 2.5 per cent, to US$63.26 a barrel at 12:15h ET (17:15 GMT), while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down US$1.56, or 2.6 per cent, to US$59.18.
The US has signalled to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that his side must accept the US-drafted framework to end the war, which proposes Kyiv giving up territory and some weapons, two sources told Reuters.
An end to the war in Ukraine might pave the way for higher Russian oil flows, adding to oversupply concerns, analysts said.
"With the amount of oil on the water, in floating storage and what has been sanctioned, prices will probably end up in the low 50s, as all of that oil that is sanctioned from Russia will probably come to market," said Scott Shelton, energy specialist at TP ICAP Group.
The US last month announced sanctions against Russian oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil, setting a November 21 deadline for companies to wind down business with the companies. The sanctions had already reduced Moscow's oil revenues and are likely to reduce the amount of oil it can sell in the long term, the US Treasury said on Monday. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Indonesia’s
Semeru volcano
erupts; alert level raised to highest
Indonesia’s Semeru volcano has erupted, unleashing fast-moving pyroclastic flows as the country’s volcanology agency increased the alert level of Java Island’s tallest mountain to the highest.
The volcano spewed ash clouds as tall as 5.6 kilometres (km) into the sky, the agency said on Wednesday, adding that residents should stay a 2.5 km distance away due to risks.
The eruption began at about 09:00h GMT, according to a written report from Mukdas Sofian, an officer at Indonesia’s volcanology monitoring post.
“Pyroclastic flows are still occurring, with the runout distance reaching seven km from the summit, and the eruption was ongoing at the time this report
was prepared,” Sofian said.
Mount Semeru, located in a densely populated region of Java, is Indonesia’s highest peak at 3676 metres (12,060 feet) and sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a seismically active arc where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are common.
Semeru, also known as Mahameru, has erupted numerous times in the past 200 years, including a deadly episode in 2021 that killed 62 persons and buried villages in hot ash.
Indonesia is home to nearly 130 active volcanoes – more than any other country, and Semeru’s frequent activity is closely monitored because of the risks it poses to nearby communities, transport routes and aviation. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Around the World
Lebanon says Israeli strike killed 13 near Palestinian refugee camp
At least 13 persons have been killed in an Israeli strike near a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, the country's health Ministry says.
The Israeli military said it had targeted members of the Palestinian armed group Hamas "operating in a training compound… in the Ein el-Hilweh area".
It said the location was used by Hamas to plan and carry out attacks against Israel, which Hamas rejected as "fabrication and lies".
Israel has carried out regular air strikes on people and places in Lebanon since a deal to end the conflict with the Iran-backed
armed group Hezbollah. Most strikes have targeted Hezbollah, but Israel has also attacked Hamas in the country.
As well as those killed,
Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least four people had been injured in the strike.
Images showed emergency workers at the entrance of Ein el-Hilweh, the largest
Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon.
Footage online also showed ambulances rushing through the narrow streets of the crowded camp as a huge plume of smoke billowed from the location hit.
Initial reports said the strike hit an area outside a mosque that is usually busy at night.
In its statement, the IDF said, "Prior to the strike, measures were taken to reduce the chance of harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions, aerial observations, and additional intelligence information." (Excerpt from BBC News)
25 killed in Russian strike on apartment buildings in West Ukraine
At least 25 persons were killed in a Russian drone and missile attack overnight that hit apartment buildings in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday.
About 80 others were wounded as Russia fired 476 drones and 48 missiles at Ukraine, striking energy and transport infrastructure and forcing emergency power cuts in a number of regions in frigid temperatures.
The upper floors of a residential building in Ternopil were torn away in the attack. Smoke poured upwards as fire crews tried to douse flames, while devastated residents huddled outside waiting for news of loved ones.
"It seems that from the ninth to the first floor, this fiery lava engulfed our people. They did not have time to escape from their flats because everything was on
fire," Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said in televised comments.
Officials said three children were among the dead and that the death toll could rise, with about 25 persons still missing.
Poland, a NATO member state bordering western Ukraine, temporarily closed Rzeszow and Lublin airports in the southeast of the country and scrambled Polish and allied aircraft as a precaution to safeguard its airspace.
Zelenskyy urged allies to increase pressure on Russia to end its nearly four-yearold war in Ukraine, including by providing Kyiv with more air-defence missiles. (Excerpt from Reuters)
New drug could be breakthrough in treatment for killer TB, trial suggests
Anew treatment for tuberculosis could boost cure rates and shorten the time needed to treat the disease by months, trial results suggest.
Globally, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB last year, and 1.23 million died from it.
In its annual report on tuberculosis, launched last week, the World Health Organization said it remained a “major global public-health problem” and the leading infectious cause of death.
Progress is being threatened by aid cuts and is already falling short of targets towards a UN goal of ending TB as a public-health threat this decade, the WHO said.
Sorfequiline, a new antibiotic, showed stronger action against the deadly bacteria than existing treatments, with a comparable safety profile, researchers from the TB Alliance told the Union Conference on Lung Health in Copenhagen on Wednesday.
The trial involved 309 people across 22 sites in South Africa, the Philippines, Georgia, Tanzania and Uganda, with different dose regimens.
All participants had “drug-sensitive” tuberculosis, meaning a standard cocktail of drugs can safely treat them, but researchers believe TB infections that are resistant to standard treatment could also be helped.
The trial suggested a sutequiline-based regimen could be used for anyone testing positive, said Dr Maria Beumont, vice-President of TB Alliance. Access to swift diagnostic tests for TB is patchy, and it can take days or weeks in some places for doctors to get laboratories to identify the TB type a patient has before they can be helped. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Epstein files bill heading to Trump's desk after clearing final hurdle in Congress
The House on Wednesday formally sent to the Senate a bill that would force the Justice Department to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the final procedural move before the legislation can be sent to President Trump for his signature.
After the House passed the measure in a 427-1 vote on Tuesday, the Senate approved the bill unanimously before it could even be formal-
ly transmitted from the lower chamber. With the transmission of the bill Wednesday morning, the bill is formally considered passed and now heads to the President's desk for his signature.
Mr Trump, who had initially expressed opposition to the release of the files, is expected to sign the measure into law after he changed his tune Sunday and urged Republicans to vote in favour of the bill.
With his signature, the
Justice Department, FBI and US attorney's offices would be forced to release their files related to Epstein, his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell and other entities connected to them within 30 days. Survivors' personal information and other sensitive material can be withheld or redacted with explanations to Congress. The final hurdles for the bill come months after the effort began. (Excerpt from CBS News)
A dense cloud of ash from the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang, East Java
Rescuers work at the site of the apartment building hit by a morning Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ternopil
The aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near the Lebanese city of Sidon
Keep your thoughts to yourself. A positive change regarding how you handle your finances and health issues will encourage good results, less stress and stronger resilience.
If it's change you want, make it happen. Stop waiting for someone else to make the first move. Set your sights on what you want and make a beeline for the path that will take you there.
Learn, explore and eliminate dead weight. Lighten your load, sell off what you no longer need and take a deep breath. The freedom you gain from the choices you make will encourage you adjust your priorities.
Effective money management will put your mind at ease, and following advice to curb unhealthy habits will give you the stamina to take care of business. Make special plans with someone you love.
Live and learn. Listen to your gut and rely on your experience and intuition to gain ground when unusual circumstances arise. Trust in your instincts and be ready to act fast.
What you discover will change your perspective regarding your current lifestyle. A partnership looks promising, and a commitment will lead to a chance to use your skills in a manner suitable to a changing market.
Think twice before you promise too much or let indulgence tempt you. A change requires patience, research and time to weigh the pros and cons. When in doubt, take a pass.
Interact as much as possible; network, share your thoughts and collaborate with people you find motivating and creative. Feed your mind, body and soul with new possibilities.
Put together a budget before you agree to participate. Sharing expenses can help lower your overhead, but before you agree, be sure to get what you want in writing.
Donating your time or money will offer unexpected returns. Someone you meet through an organization or group you fund or participate in will have a positive impact on your life and how you live.
Make necessary adjustments and keep moving forward. The less you have to do with others, the more you will achieve. Premature confrontations or conversations with someone you love will backfire.
Adjust your agenda, explore unfamiliar places and assess your daily routine to ensure your life is functioning efficiently. Look inward and focus on being and looking your best.
Wendy’s onboard with VMFA year-end festival
Wendy’s Guyana on Wednesday announced their partnership with the Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA) for the Academy’s annual YearEnd Football Festival. According to a missive from the establishment, the collaboration underscores Wendy’s ongoing commitment to empowering young people, strengthening communities, and promoting positive development through sport.
The VMFA Year-End Football Festival – now in its third year – brings together over 100 young athletes, ages four to 15, across multiple age categories for a day of fun, teamwork, and healthy competition. With teams representing age groups from U6 to U14, the event provides an inspiring platform for young footballers to improve their skills, build confidence, and foster sportsmanship.
Founder of the VMFA, Vurlon Mills, said that he
4 earn black belts as 53 karatekas advance in ASK-Guyana grading
Four students achieved the coveted rank of Shodan (First Dan black belt) as the Association-do Shotokan Karate (Guyana) hosted its latest grading examinations on Sunday at the Albion Sports Complex, West Coast Berbice. In total, 53 karatekas were successful.
The newly promoted black belts are Salih Ali, Noorisha Harrinarine, Venessa Kamalall, and Aaron Anamayah.
Their promotion marks a major milestone in their martial arts journey and was met with loud applause from parents and fellow students.
Sunday’s grading was spearheaded by Seventh Dan Chief Instructor Amir Khouri, with support from senior instructors, Seventh Dan Clinton Moriah and Sixth Dan Sensei Hazrat Ali, who evaluated students across multiple technical, physical and theoretical components.
Khouri said he was particularly pleased with the progress of the black belt candidates and the high standard demonstrated across all levels. He spoke at length about karate’s value not just as a sport, but as a holistic discipline that develops physical fitness, mental resilience and self-control.
“So, karate, like any other physical exercise sport, has the physical benefit there for you,” he explained. “Health benefits, it’s train-
ing for becoming self-defence. In karate we use hand, feet, whole body, even your head. Not the head as a weapon, but mostly to look; you have to turn your head sharply, so that also gives you exercise all around.”
Khouri noted that karate also strengthens character and emotional well-being.
“Some people are timid – by shouting, you bring up your fighting spirit… A hard day at work or school, you come to train and shout, you let off all that steam.”
He credited parents for the strong turnout and continued support.
“Due to work some parents may not be able to make it, but they do support their children. I am happy today to see a large amount of parents here looking on, taking pictures after, and I always tell them pictures are very important. If you’ve got a child who wants to go to university, this is extracurricular activity for the child,” he said.
Meanwhile, the full list of successful students is as follows:
New Black Belts –
First Dan (Shodan)
Salih Ali, Noorisha Harrinarine, Venessa Kamalall, and Aaron Anamayah.
Second Kyu – Brown Belt
Daneldi Elmoodeen and Iqbal S Amamayah.
Third Kyu
Aaliyah Persaud, Aaliyah Mahindon, Rashad Ramperasaud, Eshan Ali,
Seraphina Amamayah and Za’rfah Haniff.
Fourth Kyu
Disha Bissessar, Minsiya Narain, Fezeema Nazzamil, Areeb Haniff and Fawaz Ali
Fifth Kyu
Ronaldo Toolsie, Sheila Ramber, Shania Fazad, Yashwardeo Sookdeo, Morvin Hayes, Sawaz Ramber, Fawaz Haniff, Diya Persaud, and Mya Haripersaud.
Sixth Kyu
Nathan Seelochan, Abdur Pooran, and Shane Dillon.
Sixth Kyu – 5B / 6B
Jayden Persaud (5B), Caleb Ramsaywack (5B), and Amiah Williams.
Seventh Kyu
Teandre Victor and Sandeep Singh.
Eighth Kyu
Sariana Naglen, Shaquad Pollard, and Saniyah Pollard.
10th Kyu
Rajiv Chattergoon, Sufiyah Persaud, Ashwin Chandipersaud, Casandra Persaud, Mia Wong, Sameer Bacchus, Mya Wong, Elysse Adams, Sudesh Persaud, Liam Wong, Maria Chang, Dylan Chang, Ventorii Reid, Jesus Rivero, Omesh Persaud, and Curtis Austin.
The Chief Instructor Khouri congratulated all students and encouraged them to continue training with discipline and dedication, noting that the promotion of four new black belts demonstrates the growing strength of karate in Berbice. (G-4)
“continues to see the positive impact and progress this programme brings to
its participants of all ages.
Private sector companies play a big role in making this programme a success, and we are excited to have Wendy’s on board and grateful for the support.
Wendy’s Guyana noted that they are thrilled to support the initiative and to stand alongside organisations that invest in youth talent, community engagement, and the future of local sport. This partnership aligns with Wendy’s broader mission of enriching the communities we serve and creating meaningful opportunities for young people to grow, thrive, and shine.
Team Spirit eliminates defending champion Gold is Money
“At Wendy’s Guyana, we believe in the power of sport to inspire discipline, teamwork, and ambition,” said the company’s Director, Iman Cummings. “We are honoured to support the Vurlon Mills Football Academy and the incredible work they do in shaping the next generation of athletes and leaders.”
The Year-End Football Festival will take place on December 20, 2025, bringing families, supporters, and young players together for a memorable celebration of youth football in Guyana.
Anew champion will be crowned in the Bent Street/VP “Champion of Champions” Futsal Cup as debutant Team Spirit eliminated holders Gold is Money 3-0 at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
Team Spirit was led by the trio of Solomon Austin, Deon Alfred, and Cecil Jackman, who scored in the 24th, 26th, and 29th minutes, respectively.
Meanwhile, Sparta Boss overcame Corinthians 4-2. Nicholas MacArthur recorded a double in the eighth and 14th minutes, while Job Caesar tallied a brace in the 24th and 27th. For Corinthians, Wellington Dos Santos recorded a double in the fourth and 12th minutes.
On the other hand, Bent St A dismissed Gaza Squad by a 4-1 score-line. Back Circle mauled YMCA of Linden 7-0. Martin King recorded a hat-trick in the second, fifth, and 26th minutes, while Sigmund Cobena, Simeon Moore, Daren Benjamin, and Ravin Naughton scored in the 17th, 20th, 24th, and 25th minutes apiece.
Similarly, Bent St B crushed Stabroek Ballers
3-0. Orin Moore, Antonio MacArthur, and Shane James scored in the 18th, 28th, and 30th minutes apiece.
Family edged North East La Penitence 4-1 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended 3-3. Earlier in the match, Devon Padmore bagged a double for Family in the 19th and 27th minutes, while Steffon Ramsay scored in the 30th.
For North East, Calvin Moore, Shemar Sampson, and Akil Plass netted in the 16th, 28th, and 29th minutes, respectively.
In other results, Melanie edged Make it Happen 1-0, while Wash Bay Boys needled Festival City 3-2.
The winner of the event will receive $1,000,000 and the championship trophy, while the second-, third-, and fourth-place finishers will pocket $500,000, $300,000, and $200,000, respectively, and the corresponding accolade.
The event will also feature a women’s and youth segment which will commence at the semi-final round of the main draw. $150,000 will be given to the winner of the women’s section, while $100,000 will be awarded to the victor of the youth division. Both second-place finishers will receive $50,000. Below is the complete list of results and quarterfinal fixtures.
A snapshot from the Bent Street/VP “Champion of Champions” Futsal Cup
A scene from Sunday's grading exercises
Seventh Dan Chief Instructor Amir Khouri
Wendy’s Guyana will offer corporate support to VMFA’s year-end festival
Conway, Santner outdo Hope's 109 to seal it for New Zealand
ing for the West Indies. After Shai Hope's unbeaten 69-ball 109 took them to 247 for 9 in the rain-reduced 34-overs-a-side contest, the visitors would have fancied their chances. And they were in this, particularly when New Zealand found themselves at 194 for 5, needing another 54 runs off 29 balls. But then, as has so often happened in the whiteball leg of this tour, Mitchell Santner came clutch and took New Zealand to a five-wicket win, giving them an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
With the equation coming down to 40 off 18 deliveries, Santner took on Matthew Forde, who, by then, had gone at only four runs an over. Santner carted Forde for four, six, and four to take 18 runs off the 32nd over. Santner then smashed Shamar Springer for four and six in the second-last over, leaving New Zealand eight runs to win off the 34th.
It could still have been anyone's game, but Jayden Seales bowled a chest-high no-ball, which Tom Latham calmly glided over the wicketkeeper. Then Santner fittingly sealed the chase
West Indies (34 ovs maximum)
John Campbell c Tickner
b Jamieson 4
Ackeem Auguste c Jamieson
b Smith 22
Keacy Carty c Chapman
b Jamieson 7
Shai Hope (c)† not out 109
Sherfane Rutherford c Conway
b Santner 13
Roston Chase b Smith 2 Justin Greaves c Bracewell
b Smith 22
Romario Shepherd c Henry
b Tickner 22
Matthew Forde c Young
b Smith 21
Shamar Springer c Young
b Jamieson 6
Jayden Seales not out 1
Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 14) 18
Total 34 Ov (RR: 7.26, 167 Mins) 247/9
Fall of wickets: 1-15 (John Campbell, 5.1 ov), 2-38 (Keacy Carty, 9.3 ov), 3-62 (Ackeem Auguste, 11.5 ov), 4-83 (Sherfane Rutherford, 14.2 ov), 5-86 (Roston Chase, 15.3 ov), 6-130 (Justin Greaves, 23.4 ov), 7-177 (Romario Shepherd, 27.6 ov), 8-220 (Matthew Forde, 31.1 ov), 9-235 (Shamar Springer, 33.1 ov)
Bowling O-M-R-W
7-1-62-0
Matt Henry
Kyle Jamieson 7-2-44-3
ing to it himself, and needing help from several of his teammates to come off the field.
As has been the case all through the series, the second ODI ebbed and flowed all the way through. Chasing 248, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra found the going tough on a treacherous Napier surface. But once the duo settled down, the runs started to flow. They added 106 runs off 99 balls, New Zealand's first century opening-wicket stand in ODIs in 74 innings since February 2020.
They were quite scratchy early on, though, against some tight West Indies bowling. Forde got the ball to move both ways as Conway played out a maiden first up. Ravindra got going with a couple of runs before Conway got off the mark with a crisp square drive through point. There were a couple of very tight leaves, while both batters were beaten several times outside off with the exaggerated movement as New Zealand squeaked to 13 for 0 after five overs.
Conway took the attacking route when he thrashed Seales through point, while Ravindra deposited him
Blair Tickner 6-0-61-1
Nathan Smith 7-0-42-4
Mitchell Santner 7-0-35-1
New Zealand (T: 248 runs from 34 ovs)
Devon Conway c Chase b Springer 90 Rachin Ravindra c Chase b Greaves 56 Will Young c Rutherford b Chase 11 Mark Chapman c Greaves b Seales 0 Tom Latham † not out 39 Michael Bracewell lbw b Forde 11 Mitchell Santner (c) not out 34
Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 5)
(Rachin Ravindra, 16.3
over deep midwicket for the first six of New Zealand's innings. Romario Shepherd was introduced into the attack right after the powerplay but was unable to stem the flow of runs.
Ravindra, by now in full flow, pulled Forde over cow corner before Conway went after Justin Greaves, pulling him over deep square leg. Springer was dumped over the leg-side fence twice in an over as New Zealand started catching up. Ravindra reached his sixth ODI fifty in style by slog sweeping Roston Chase for six.
However, Ravindra fell soon after when, in a bid to up the scoring rate, he sliced Greaves to backward point, where Chase timed his jump to perfection. Will Young, short of runs, came in at No. 3 and failed to inject any momentum into the chase. He was beaten multiple times and fell 14 balls into his innings, slog sweeping to deep square leg.
Mark Chapman came and went as the hosts lost three wickets in a hurry. Conway, meanwhile, stood firm and continued to rack up boundaries regularly. He reached his fifty off 54 balls and stepped on the accelerator with the required rate climbing. Just when
it seemed Conway would break his century drought, he fell for 90, thrashing a cut-off Springer straight to point.
With the required rate now past ten and over, Latham and Santner joined forces. They took their time to settle in, targeting the short square boundaries on both sides. It wasn't until the 31st over, with the required rate in excess of 13, when Santner flipped the switch and, along with Latham, took New Zealand over the line, helping them register their 11th straight bilateral ODI series win at home.
Earlier, West Indies captain Hope showed his class as he single-handedly propelled his team from 130 for 6 in 24 overs to 247 for 9 in 34, on the way notching up his 19th ODI century.
The match, supposed to start at 14:00h local time, was delayed by close to three hours due to rain and a wet outfield. When the toss did eventually take place, Santner, with a smirk on his face, had no hesitation in bowling first. From the outset, it was clear that batting would be hard work. Kyle Jamieson got the ball to move heaps as West Indies played out three maidens in
the first four overs.
After multiple wafts and across-the-line attempts, Ackeem Auguste pumped Matt Henry straight over his head in what was the first commanding shot of the day in the fifth over. But the West Indies soon lost John Campbell, whose difficult innings was ended by Jamieson. He got a length ball to move away from off stump, and Campbell, looking to flay him across the line, only managed a thick leading edge that nestled into deep third's hands.
West Indies, having managed just 18 runs in the reduced powerplay of seven overs, targeted Blair Tickner, brought into the side in place of Jacob Duffy. Auguste first clubbed him over his head before Keacy Carty sliced him over point for four more.
Carty's innings was, however, short-lived, as he fell soon to Jamieson, whose opening spell read 5-2-122. West Indies continued to go after Tickner as Hope got into his groove. He first hooked Tickner to the vacant deep midwicket fence and then laced him through covers to bring up 6000 ODI runs. Among his compatriots, only Viv Richards has got to this mark quicker, by
for Jamieson to take a catch running back from midwicket. That didn't impact Hope and the incoming Sherfane Rutherford, who refused to curb their aggressive instincts. Hope pulled Santner deep over midwicket, while Rutherford thumped Nathan Smith twice into the stands to get West Indies moving again.
However, two quick wickets got New Zealand back into the game. Santner first got rid of Rutherford while Smith breached Chase's defences with a peach of an indipper that decked back to castle his off stump. While Greaves also fell relatively early, Hope continued on his merry way.
He reached his fifty off 42 balls, and just went up a gear. At 130 for 6 after 24 overs, Hope took charge and belted the bowlers all across McLean Park. He got decent support first from Shepherd, who pumped Henry for two sixes in three balls, and then dumped Tickner over deep midwicket.
Once Shepherd fell, Forde took Jamieson to the cleaners, thrashing him for three fours and a six. Hope moved through his 90s in a flash, crashing Henry for back-to-back fours before reaching his first ODI century against New Zealand with the straightest of straight hits in the final over of the innings. Arms aloft, he soaked in the applause, finishing with 13 fours and four sixes. But it wasn't enough. (ESPNcricinfo)
Steady rain delayed the toss in the second ODI
Mitchell Santner took his team home with a rapid knock
Nathan Smith made an impact with the ball
Devon Conway slices the ball
Rain had the final say in Trinidad and Tobago, washing out two matches on the opening day of the 2025 CG United Regional Super50 Championships, one including the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE), who had earlier gotten off to a good start with the bat.
The Harpy Eagles, in their opening clash against the Jamaica Scorpions, were sent in to bat first by their opponents, who won the toss at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain.
Raymond Perez and captain Matthew Nandu started well at the top, notching a 107-run opening partnership for the Guyanese side. Perez fell first for 61 off 66
deliveries, consisting of six fours and one six, while Nandu departed a few overs after for 54 off 70.
Kemol Savory got a strong start with 25 but
Raghunauth returns as GCF President
Returning GCF President Anand Raghunauth
Anand Raghunauth will serve another consecutive term as President of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), following the Federation's biennial National Conference held virtually on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Raghunauth and his entire slate for the 20252027 Board of Directors returned to office unopposed, as declared by the Returning Officer, Attorney at Law, Mrs Tanya Warren-Clement.
Returning as Vice President is Irshad Mohamad, as well as Company Secretary Marcia Lee, with Directors Loris Nathoo, Davion Mars, Shiv Nandalall, and Yolander Sammy.
Committee members serving on the Board are John Lee, Pritima Balgobin, Gilbert Williams, Sabine McIntosh, and new addition Roberto Neto.
The meeting also highlighted the achievements and events of the last two years and the financial report of 2024.
President Raghunauth presented his report detailing the partnership and enhanced level of support to the GCF by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Confederation of Chess for the Americas (CCA), and the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports
Vice President Irshad Mohamad
Commission. Raghunauth noted the growth in membership and acknowledged the growth of chess among school children through the Chess in Education programme, which was bolstered significantly by the Ministry of Education’s Priority Areas Programme in schools around Georgetown, resulting in more than 2000 children being exposed to the game of chess.
Raghunauth noted the landmark achievement of the GCF with the successful conceptualization and execution of the CARICOM Classic Chess Tournament, which saw its inaugural event in 2024 and a successful second edition in 2025.
He mentioned significant investment was made in the Special Education Needs schools, where training programs and competitive chess were introduced to both teachers and students. The GCF received recognition when two deaf chess players won the Sportswoman of the Year for Persons with Disabilities award from the National Sports Commission for 2023 and 2024.
The President highlighted the growth of chess through the chess clubs at School of the Nations, the Pegasus Chess Club, the distribution of chess sets to school students by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Gift of Chess programme,
Company Secretary Marcia Lee
and the expansion of rated chess players in Guyana.
Raghunauth credited the GCF’s accomplishments to its hard-working and dedicated management team.
In his financial report presentation, Mr Loris Nathoo, Chief Financial Officer, highlighted the two international tournaments, the CARICOM Classic and the Chess Olympiad, that the GCF would have required an enormous amount of funding for, and these came from FIDE, the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission, and tremendous support from Corporate Guyana. Nathoo also stated that the cost of the National tournaments and other tournaments requires funding, which the GCF was able to obtain from Corporate Guyana. He reported that the federation is now in a position to sponsor some of the smaller rapid and blitz tournaments as compared to the previous years when this was not possible.
Raghunauth and his team thanked the membership for their support over the years. The new Board of Directors will serve for the next two years, concentrating on the continued development of chess within the country, with plans for expansion in some regions as its main goal.
was unable to convert the score. Showcasing his recent international experience, Kevlon Anderson
slammed a commanding 83 off 60 balls, punctuated by 10 fours and three sixes.
Mavendra Dindyal added 26, while Ronaldo Alimohamed was unbeaten on 25 when the heavens opened, stalling the Harpy Eagles’ innings at 287-6 in 47 overs.
However, what was hoped to be a short rain delay persisted past the lunch break and into the afternoon, thus forcing a no-result.
The situation was the same over at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St Augustine, where the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s meeting with the Barbados Pride was also washed out.
Barbados were sent in to bat first by the Red Force and were able to put up 48-0 in 5.1 overs before rain intervened.
The teams whose matches were washed out will receive two points and any bonus points acquired in their innings, according to CWI Media.
The CG United Regional Super50 continues on Friday, November 21, when the Harpy Eagles will take on the Windward Islands Volcanoes in St Augustine. TT Red Force will then battle the Jamaica Scorpions, while the Leeward Islands Hurricanes will go up against Barbados Pride.
Glasgow double helps Golden Jags thump Antigua 4-1
Guyana’s senior men’s national football team, the Golden Jaguars, completed their first leg of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Friendly Series (CFS) with an unbeaten run, on the heels of a 4-1 victory over Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday night.
Head Coach Thomas Dooley opted for a starting XI that featured Captain Elliot Bonds, goalkeeper Quillan Roberts, Jalen
Jones, Nathan Ferguson, Deon Moore, Rashaun Ritch, Nathan MoriahWelsh, Omari Glasgow, Kyle Reid, Stephen DukeMckenna and Osaze DeRosario.
Recently crowned Sportsman of the Year, Omari Glasgow was the striker to watch, putting Guyana two up by the end of the first half with strikes in the 11th and 25th minutes. Osaze DeRosario and Stephen Duke-McKenna later struck in the 75th and 80th minutes for Guyana’s
four, while Antigua pulled one back in the second half. The Golden Jaguars are now two-for-two with wins in the ongoing CONCACAF Friendly Series (CFS) following a win against Bonaire on Saturday last. On that occasion, Stephen Duke-McKenna (fifth) and Osaze DeRosario (77th) found the back of the net in Guyana’s 2-1 victory. Guyana is grouped in the friendly series alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados and Bonaire.
A look at the action during Tuesday night’s clash between Guyana (green) and Antigua
The Golden Jaguars’ starting XI in their 4-1 win over Antigua
Kevlon Anderson slammed a commanding 83
Matthew Nandu also hit a half-century
