“No amount of bluster or sabre-rattling” will change US support of Guyana’s territorial integrity – US Ambassador
In an affirmation of international solidarity, the United States (US) has made it clear that no amount of “bluster or sabre-rattling” will deter its support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. According to US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, the US stands firmly and unconditionally behind Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, despite rising rhetoric from Venezuela.
Speaking at the launch of Guyana Diaspora Forum Series, the Ambassador declared “none of what Venezuela is doing should affect Guyana’s flourishing investment climate or readiness to do business. That is exactly what I tell every single US company & businessperson interested in Guyana. No amount of bluster or sabre-rattling can change the fact that the United States will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Guyana in support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Additionally, Theriot firmly dismissed recent
moves by the Maduro regime — including the symbolic "governor election" for Essequibo on May 25 — as meaningless political theatrics aimed at bolstering domestic support, not legitimate threats. She also highlighted the depth of bilateral military cooperation, revealing that the US is assisting Guyana’s maritime and air domain awareness, supporting GDF training and embedding a retired US military officer to provide full-time advisory support within the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
Joint military exercises
“We have been strongly supporting the GDF & will continue to do so. This includes our growing US security partnership as reflected in Senator Bennet’s recent bill introduced last week. We are helping the Guyanese with their maritime domain awareness, including providing equipment, resources and training and air domain awareness is next on the agenda. Through a strong and steadfast partnership with SOUTHCOM (United
States Southern Command), Guyana has hosted a number of invaluable exercises where our Service Members learn just as much from the GDF and militaries from the region as they shared.”
“The Department of State is even funding a yearlong embedded retired US military officer in the GDF to assist them on a daily basis with everything from procurement choices to improving recruitment and retention. We also have a much-enhanced intelligence relationship, through which we are able to share military and other types of in-
telligence with the GoG regarding Venezuela. And of course, we’ve had many high-level visits from SOUTHCOM, the Pentagon, JIATF-S (Joint Interagency Task Force South) with many more to come in the next few months. President Ali often says our military partnership is one of the strongest aspects of our bilateral relationship, and he is not wrong. We’re very proud of that,” Theriot disclosed.
Ambassador Theriot also lauded the critical role of the Guyanese diaspora in deepening commercial and diplomatic ties between the US and Guyana.
“You all can and do play a pivotal role in strengthening and expanding the economic ties… especially as Guyana
remains the fastest-growing economy in the world.”
She encouraged diaspora engagement in investment, expertise-sharing, and national development, describing the US/Guyana relationship as “rooted in shared democratic values, mutual respect, and a common vision for a prosperous and secure future.”
Back in December 2023, Presidents Irfaan Ali of Guyana and Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela signed the Argyle Declaration in Argyle, St Vincent and the Grenadines. This agreement was facilitated by regional leaders, including Prime Ministers Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, with support from CARICOM, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Brazil, and the United Nations (UN).
Key provisions of the Argyle Declaration include a commitment to non-aggression, the peaceful resolution framework and the establishment of a joint commission comprising Foreign Ministers and technical experts from both countries was to be formed to address mutually agreed matters.
Despite the provisions, Venezuela continues to use aggressive tactics against
Guyana, including plans to unlawfully elect a Governor and legislative council of “Guayana Esequiba State”, which is the name the Spanish-speaking nation has given to Guyana’s Essequibo region.
In January 2025, the Nicolás Maduro regime had announced plans to hold elections in the Essequibo region, which is two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, on May 25, 2025 – something which Guyana wrote the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in March to have blocked.
The World Court, which is hearing the border controversy case, subsequently issued an order that Venezuela must refrain from conducting or preparing to conduct elections in Guyana’s Essequibo region. It also reaffirmed the provisional measures issued by the Court on December 1, 2023, which states that “…Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Co-operative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area; and (2) Both Parties shall refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.”
US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, July 29 – 03:55h-05:25h and Wednesday, July 30 –20:55h-22:25h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, July 29 –06:50h-08:20h and Wednesday, July 30 – 07:20h-08:50h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers are expected during the day, interrupted by sunshine during the early-morning and afternoon hours. Cloudy skies followed by thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.13 metres.
High Tide: 07:21h and 19:40 reaching maximum heights of 2.55 metres and 2.48 metres.
Low Tide: 13:16h reaching a minimum height of 0.70 metre.
“Never again”, 2020 election fraud plot could have doomed Guyana – Jagdeo
Vice President (VP)
Bharrat Jagdeo, has issued a reminder of how close Guyana came to democratic collapse in 2020, warning that had citizens, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), civil society, international observers and the judiciary not stood firm against efforts to rig the elections, the country could have faced a fate similar to Venezuela.
Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary (GS) of the PPP/C, who was at the time addressing a massive gathering of several thousand at the PPP/C’s Elections Rally held Saturday at the Anna Regina Market Square in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), highlighted the decisive roles played in safeguarding the electoral process and ensuring the rightful Government took office.
The VP recalled what he described as Guyana’s near descent into authoritarianism and economic collapse
(PNC/R)
under the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Administration.
“If we had not prevailed when they tried to steal the elections, if we didn't defend democracy, Guyana would have been like Venezuela at this point in time. You see what's happening in Venezuela. The people here are experienced. The many migrants who have come from Venezuela, who have lost their freedom, they lost their economic livelihood. Many who migrated years ago to seek a better life in Venezuela had to flee that country because they lost their freedom. The PNC took away our freedom for 28 years. We became the poorest country in the hemisphere in the 1990s. They destroyed our economy. And then in the five years they were re-elected, they tried to steal it again,” he said.
Nine persons including persons who were in the APNU/AFC Government are before the court in 2020 fraud case on allegations they attempted to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. They include former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and his former Deputy Roxanne Myers. Also charged are former People’s National Congress Reform
Babb-Cummings. Together, these nine defendants are facing 33 counts of election-related fraud charges after their alleged efforts to manipulate voting results.
Never again Jagdeo hammered the point “never again should they come to power”.
Turning to the PPP/C’s record since reclaiming power, Jagdeo ticked off an extensive list of achievements, from reversing over 200 taxes, restoring joint services bonuses and doubling oldage pensions, to launching the $55,000 school grants that now reach over 200,000 children.
“$11 billion per year in the pockets of their families. We double old age pension. That's $19-20 billion more per year the pensioners get in their pockets. We start spending back on farm-tomarket roads. We reverse the value-added tax on machinery and equipment, on pesticides, on fertiliser, on electricity, on water, on food. All of these things we did, we gave back the joint services their bonus. We started creating jobs once
again because under APNU, 35,000 jobs were lost. In the Amerindian communities, they took away 2,000 jobs from the CSOs by firing them. We rehired many people. We started the part-time work so that more people in this region can get work. That is what we have been doing, and we did it with COVID. For the first two years of our Government, we lost to COVID,” he told supporters in Essequibo Caost. “You have seen all the changes in Guyana that took place in three years of PPP Government because we lost to COVID. Just imagine five years more what could happen in this country. We'll transform it. We'll fulfill the ambitions of our people. Everyone will get help. We've laid out our plans for the future, and that is why I hope that every one of you will read the flyer that we put out,” VP added.
Chairperson Volda Lawrence; PNC/R activist Carol Smith-Joseph; and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Michelle Miller and Denise
General Secretary of PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo speaking at the rally at Anna Regina
The rally at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast over the weekend
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Guyana’s evolving culture of travel
In recent years, Guyana has witnessed a fundamental transformation in the way citizens engage with tourism. Once considered an industry primarily reliant on international visitors, tourism in Guyana has matured to include a robust and rapidly-expanding domestic component. This evolution reflects broader social, economic, and cultural changes, and signals an encouraging shift toward national pride, sustainability, and inclusivity in tourism development. The announcement by Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond, that domestic tourism now accounts for approximately 50 per cent of the sector’s activity is a significant milestone. This is not merely a statistic, it is a reflection of changing attitudes among Guyanese toward their own country. Historically, limited infrastructure, affordability challenges, and a narrow perception of what constitutes a worthwhile vacation led many to look outward for leisure and travel. Today, those barriers are being dismantled through Government policies, private sector innovation, and community-driven initiatives.
The growing appetite among Guyanese for exploring local destinations, from the vibrant Essequibo Coast to the hinterland charm of Lethem, underscores an increased national awareness of the country’s rich ecological and cultural diversity. The growing popularity of lodges such as Lakeview Cabins in Mainstay, fully booked for six weeks at its launch, is indicative of this new wave of interest. More than just a desire to travel, it represents a reconnection with Guyana’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Crucially, the domestic tourism surge has occurred in tandem with the rise of sustainable, community-led tourism models. These initiatives are more than hospitality projects – they are catalysts for grassroots economic development. The Mainstay/Whyaka project is a prime example: a village using its resources, bolstered by funding from the Low Carbon Development Strategy and other Government channels, to develop lodges that are both environmentally conscious and economically empowering. All income generated remains within the community, funding further development and ensuring that tourism profits are equitably distributed.
These projects embody the principle that tourism must benefit both travellers as well as hosts. By involving women, youth, and other community members in the creation of immersive experiences, Guyana’s domestic tourism sector is fostering a more inclusive economy.
In 2024, the Ministry of Tourism, through the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), began actively addressing financial barriers to local travel. Initiatives such as the “passport initiative,” which featured 40 discounted experiences across diverse regions, are not only innovative but essential. By introducing price-conscious options and diversifying offerings, the GTA has empowered more Guyanese, across income levels, to explore beyond their communities.
Tour prices remain a factor. While high-end rainforest expeditions and customised tours can run into thousands of US dollars, the availability of lower-cost experiences is helping to ensure that domestic tourism is not confined to the elite. Ongoing efforts to expand affordable travel options will be crucial in maintaining momentum and broadening the base of local tourism participants.
The pivot toward domestic tourism also aligns with broader global trends that emphasise sustainability, localism, and cultural preservation. By strengthening the domestic market, Guyana reduces its vulnerability to external shocks such as global travel restrictions or economic downturns. A strong internal tourism framework supports economic resilience and also encourages environmental stewardship and cultural pride.
The transformation in Guyana’s travel culture did not happen overnight. It has been the result of persistent efforts by Government Ministries, tour operators, community leaders, and local entrepreneurs. What is now evident is that tourism is no longer viewed solely as a luxury or an industry for outsiders. It is becoming a shared national enterprise, one that invites every citizen to be a tourist in their own land, a partner in sustainable development, and a storyteller of Guyana’s untold wonders.
The road ahead calls for continued investment in infrastructure, affordable transportation, and digital marketing to support this growth.
In this evolving narrative of Guyanese travel, the destinations are many.
Fast and furious, Jamaican style
By LLoyd B Smith
Even though Jamaica has been experiencing a welcomed decrease in the number of murders being committed in our island home, it is as if there is an inexplicable fixation with the Grim Reaper.
There was an appreciable reduction in road fatalities at the end of the first half of 2025, but a recent surge has put the nation on a deadly trajectory, with the likelihood that the country will exceed the 400-fatality mark. Interestingly, there were 365 fatalities last year. In the meantime, the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) has revealed that between January 1 and July 23 this year, a total of 219 people have died in 190 fatal crashes.
It is not surprising that of that number, 186 males died as against 33 females. The sad truth is that the Jamaican male of the specie remains the most endangered among us, as it is with murders and Police shootings. And what is even more alarming is that most of these victims are young men. This frightening scenario speaks to the fact that there is a national crisis as far as our males are concerned.
These days, every time I hear or read comments emanating from Dr Lucien Jones, the Vice Chairman of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), my initial reaction is, “Here we go again!” Yet another exercise of verbiage in futility. Not that the goodly gentleman, who is well intentioned, is to be blamed for this frightening scenario, but one gets the distinct impression that not enough is being done to deal with what is fast becoming a national pandem-
ic.
What is further exacerbating is that the Chairman of the NRSC is none other than the Prime Minister, Andrew Michael Holness! What this means is that this vexing issue should be treated as a national emergency, in the same way that the Government has tackled the matter of crime, especially homicides. But one gets the impression that this may not necessarily be a politically-beneficial project at this time to pursue. However, all well-thinking and concerned Jamaicans should call on the Prime Minister to pay more attention to this pressing issue, which so far has only been given lip service.
For starters, several of these road fatalities involve motorcyclists, most of whom do not wear helmets (which is mandatory) or any other form of protective gear. Some time ago, the Prime Minister reportedly indicated that as a policy initiative, helmets would be distributed to motorcyclists as a precautionary measure. What became of that project, and why is it that the police have not vigorously enforced the law with respect to the wearing of helmets?
In the meantime, it would appear that many of our motorists, especially young drivers, have been “auditioning” for a role in the popular movie series The Fast and the Furious. As has been stated repeatedly by the Police and the NRSC, speeding remains the leading cause of road crashes. Of course, one of the underlying factors in speeding is that many drivers operate their vehicles under the influence of excessive alcohol intake or ganja smoking. To what extent is the breathalyser test being
administered or the detecting of ganja smoking? We see speed cops on the roads, but we are convinced that in many instances this is more of a money-making exercise based on the so-called “write or lef’” practice.
Then there remains the troubling issue of people buying licences. This corrupt practice continues unabated, with no meaningful interventions to date by the State. Many people who are purchasing a vehicle for the first time are said to do so even before they go through the legal and required process of getting a driver’s licence. This situation becomes even more horrifying when one considers that many operators of motor vehicles on our roads cannot read or write, which means they would not have studied the Road Code, which is required reading as part of the preparation to operate a vehicle on the road.
Another contributing factor to the mayhem on our roads is the fact that there are so many people “hustling” with vehicles to transport passengers, and some of them are not doing so legitimately. In many instances, the operators of these vehicles have to make a certain amount of money daily in order to have enough to pay their loan for the purchase of said vehicle or give to the owner of the vehicle. This creates a “run jostle” situation, which explains why there is so much indecent haste on our roads, especially during peak hours.
In all of this, successive Governments have failed to come up with the necessary legislation and policies that can effectively help to decrease the amount of carnage on our roads. Luckily for the Prime Minister, he
goes everywhere fully escorted and protected. But, sir, for the rest of us, it is a nightmare out there! Indeed, if a law-abiding motorist plays by the rules, he or she is likely to be verbally abused or run off the road by irascible, impatient drivers who seem to think they are on a racetrack. The truth is many Jamaican drivers have a get-out-ofmy-way mentality. Also, with the latest model vehicles built to go fast, drivers seem to become possessed by the “speed demon” when they get behind the wheel. Needless to say, they are not equipped with the skills of a Hollywood stuntman or trained as a motor racing driver to control a vehicle travelling at high speeds. Unfortunately, too, there are many drivers who are overwhelmed by the fact that they now own a “crissas” (including scammers and other “hurry-come-up” individuals) and get carried away once they get behind the wheel. These people are usually referred to in Jamaican parlance as “never see come see” (go figure).
Of course, the perennial horrible and unsafe state of so many of our roads is yet another contributing factor to this ongoing horror story. When all is said and done, a great deal needs to be undertaken to put a dent (no pun intended) in the tide of carnage on our roads. This is a national crisis and the buck stops at Jamaica House. (Jamaica Observer) (Lloyd B Smith has been involved in Jamaican media for the past 49 years. He has also served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He hails from western Jamaica where he is popularly known as the Governor.)
Dancers performing the cancan in front of the Moulin Rouge to cheer passing cyclists during the final stage of the Tour de France
(Photograph: Pierre Suu/Getty Images)
When will Azruddin Mohamed wake up?
Dear Editor, I read the flippant and quite foolish response from US sanctioned leader for We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), declaring confidence that ‘those sanctions’ will be lifted and that the Donald Trump administration will work with him should he assume the presidency.
First, let me address the implications of ‘those sanctions,’ as I am puzzled that I am not getting authentic and well-researched information on this prolonged Mohamed saga. Even the press is amiss, and it is time some level of reality dawn on all Guyanese. A few times I did attempt to address the issue, but it seems as though our local press is giving the impression of a fear of what is the true situation, or maybe there is a lack of knowledge, and a lassitude
in pursuing the finer details.
First, a revisit shows that “The United States is imposing sanctions today (June 11, 2024) on Nazar Mohamed, his son, Azruddin Mohamed, their company, Mohamed’s Enterprise, and Mae Thomas, the former Permanent Secretary to Guyana’s Minister of Home Affairs and current Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, for their roles in public corruption in Guyana. We are also designating two entities, Hadi’s World and Team Mohamed’s Racing Team, for being owned or controlled by Mohamed’s Enterprise and Azruddin, respectively.”
This report can be accessed quite readily and what is being downplayed by most reporters and analysts is the ‘magnitude’ of the ‘reasons’ for these various sanctions. The
astronomical amount in money is shocking. Added to this is the nature of the crimes. I am talking about public corruption, such as bribery, tax evasion, and smuggling, all of which fetch significant penalties. Get this: “Convictions can lead to substantial fines and lengthy prison sentences, with the maximum penalty being imprisonment for up to 14 years.”
So, all ‘out of the blue’, I am reading that “Mohamed is confident that the US will lift sanctions if elected president.” He, Mohamed, his supporters and the press at large all have access to what is currently obtaining regarding who are on the US list and what prohibitions inhere in these sanctions, since sanctions themselves are well-categorised.
Let me illustrate please,
and again, I am just alerting the public on this ‘categorised sanctioning’ and its implications.
Editor, there is the ‘Diplomatic Sanctions’ pertaining to political measures that demonstrate disapproval without resorting to economic or military action. Examples include: Reduced diplomatic ties: Downgrading diplomatic relations; Travel bans; Restricting travel of certain individuals or groups; Expulsion of diplomats: Reducing embassy staff or expelling diplomats. Mind you, Travel Sanctions prevent individuals from entering or transiting through a country. These can be part of broader diplomatic sanctions or imposed independently. I have one word for all and sundry, it is that this guy is already ‘boxed in.’ I recall at one time,
Mohamed saying that his business was sanctioned and not ‘he’ himself. This is so silly an utterance. I close on this note regarding Mohamed’s statement that the “Donald Trump administration will work with him should he assume the presidency.” This is like ‘well, well.’ How simplistic can a man and his people be, if he really has any.
Readers, it is well established that the US government generally does not engage in official dealings or transactions with individuals or entities that have been sanctioned. Get that!
This translates to the fact and practice that these sanctioned people and entities are on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List and the individuals and entities, known as SDNs, will have had their assets blocked. Also, and ‘get this’ too, it is that U.S. persons are prohibited from dealing with them. Hopefully, The Mohameds will get their act together lest they be ‘lassoed’ with extradition orders. Is this possible? Read please: The US has an extradition treaty with Guyana. Specifically, the 1931 Extradition Treaty between the United States and the United Kingdom is applicable to the United States and Guyana. This means that the US can request the extradition of individuals from Guyana, and vice versa, under the terms of this treaty.” I will let the involved parties read about the crimes that can lead to extradition orders.
Yours truly, Ray Anderson
Balancing development with minimal risks
Dear Editor, Guyana’s pathway to being a recognized global force is truly up and running. This news is great that “Region Eight residents (will) see (a) 30% reduction in electricity tariff …” because of their new solar farm. Worth some $362.4 million, this solar farm in Mahdia, is in synchrony with how things should be done, when it comes to proper power generation, even amidst Guyana’s oil boom.
Readers worldwide know that any Low Carbon Development Strategy is crucial globally because it enables economic growth, while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. This approach offers
Understanding wealth: accounting, economic and social perspectives
Dear Editor,
In recent public discourse, confusion has arisen around the concept of wealth—particularly in distinguishing between accounting, economic, and social definitions.
I therefore wish to clarify these distinctions and contextualize a recent statement made by President Irfaan Ali of Guyana.
President Irfaan Ali stated:
“We have seen around us countries that made the mistake of treating oil, of treating natural resources, revenue as wealth… Revenue generated from natural resources must be invested to create wealth.”
Accounting Perspective:
In accounting terms, wealth is typically defined as net assets. This is calculated using the formula: Assets – Liabilities = Net Assets.
Assets are considered resources that can be used to generate future economic benefits. Financial ratios such as the asset turnover ratio are used to measure how efficiently firms utilize their assets to generate revenue.
Economic Perspective:
From an economic standpoint, wealth is defined by
value creation. This refers to the process of using resources to produce goods, services, and innovations that contribute to economic growth. Wealth creation in this context is dynamic and focuses on how effectively assets are deployed to generate new value over time.
Social Perspective:
Socially, wealth is associated with quality of life and collective well-being. It encompasses access to education, healthcare, social equity, and community resilience. In this view, wealth is not merely about ownership or production, but about how resources improve lives and foster sustainable development.
President Ali’s remarks highlight the importance of understanding wealth beyond its accounting definition. His emphasis on investing resource revenues to create wealth aligns with both economic and social interpretations—focusing on long-term value creation and societal advancement. Clarifying these distinctions is essential for informed public debate and effective policy-making.
Sincerely,
Joel Bhagwandin
the recommended pathway to sustainable development, improved energy security, and enhanced environmental protection. It also fosters opportunities for innovation, job creation, and a more resilient economy.
According to President Irfaan Ali, these residents of Mahdia and Campbelltown, currently receiving electricity from the Mahdia Power & Light Company Inc. will now benefit from this venture, and similar benefits will be extended to other hinterland and riverine communities, through this kind of implementation of integrated renewable energy systems. The present re-
alization forms part of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Government’s broader commitment to expand clean energy across Guyana. Add to this, and in the words of Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, the solar farm’s economic and environmental benefits are massive, as the project is expected to reduce diesel consumption by approximately 309,681 litres per year, and thus saving about $80.5 million. Plus, this will cut carbon dioxide emissions by over 672,000 kilograms annually.
I ask that we all bear in mind that similar solar PV installations have already been completed in Lethem
WGEC commends MHSSS and Police for swift action in recent sexual assault
Dear Editor,
The Women and Gender Equality Commission wishes to commend the Ministry of Human Services and the Guyana Police Force for their swift response to the alleged public rape of a young woman that was recently shared on social media. The immediate closing of the bar, the arrest and charging of the disc jockey and an associate in addition to the issuance of an arrest warrant for the alleged perpetrator are the sort of actions the Commission would like to see for all such unfortunate incidents.
The Commission would also like to make the following recommendations:
The Bar owner should have his license to operate immediately revoked. Bar operators have a responsibility to ensure their patrons drink responsibly and to cut them off if they are unable to do so themselves.
The patrons present at
incident
the time of the incident also have a responsibility to report such incidents and not record for mere titillation. For in doing so they have become accessories and equally responsible for the crime and should be charged. Our society has a duty to protect the weaker members and to see patrons electing to video and encourage such a violation was heart-breaking. Each of us should possess a responsibility to do and uphold what is right and condemn what is wrong particularly in incidents involving violence more so against women and girls. This Commission remains committed to engage on the many factors that underpin the lack of confidence in the response mechanisms to gender-based violence especially those who have sworn to serve and protect us all.
Sincerely,
Women and Gender Equality Commission
and Bartica, and additional projects are planned for Wakenaam, Leguaan, and other communities. The net effect is that these combined efforts are expected to increase Guyana’s solar energy capacity to more than 39 MW by 2025.
Putting this in the common man’s everyday language, 1 megawatt (MW) can power roughly 1,000 households. Therefore, 39 MW could potentially power around 39,000 households. And if we are bothered, I remind nay-sayers that Conservation International has hailed the country’s LCDS 2030 as a model for nature and development, highlighting Guyana's commitment to protecting
biodiversity and valuing ecosystem services. The strategy has also achieved several "world-firsts" in payments for forest climate services, including the world's first jurisdictional carbon credits under the ART-TREES standard and the largest forest carbon credit sale in the voluntary carbon market.
My recent check showed that eight countries are net zero-Bhutan, the Comoros, Gabon, Guyana, Madagascar, Niue, Panama, and Suriname. So, Guyana is right up there as steps are always taken to massively reduce carbon emissions.
Yours truly, HB Singh
Understanding Variable Expressions
Sometimes you want to solve a problem to find an unknown number. The unknown number is called a variable. Variables are usually expressed as letters. Variables are used with numbers and symbols in algebra, a kind of Maths used to find the value of unknowns. An algebraic expression is a group of letters, numbers and operations.
Examples:
When you have a variable in a multiplication expression, you do not need to use the x symbol. So 12 x y is usually written 12y. The 12 is called a coefficient, which is a number that multiplies a variable.
Exercises: Express by writing each expression in word form
Trees are good for the planet. Protecting trees protects all these benefits and more: oxygen to breathe, cleaner air, carbon dioxide absorption, animal habitats, delicious foods, shade, and improved physical and mental health for humans.
We all need to take care of trees and treat them like celebrities, and educate others about tree benefits, and ways they can protect and save trees.
A Children’s Story
By Paula Bohince
Questions to guide exploration and experiments
1. How and why are trees important to us and our communities?
2. What effects do trees have on people?
3. How can people help trees?
4. Where are trees most needed and why?
5. How can we inspire others to appreciate and enjoy trees? (Adapted from startwithabook.org)
Again, an ousted child or orphan happens onto a den. It happens then. Invitation by faun or badger to rest from mayhem, undress to white ruffle. Where the tea in its tin gets shook into tarnished teapot fetched from on tiptoe in an off-kilter kitchen. Cakes with cream and jam are presented (please, delicious, yes, thank you). Manners are everything. Woolens dry before the fire’s cauldron. This is the slumber where nothing happens. The creature-wife wears an apron, the meek husband glasses. This is the pause in the plot where I’ve lifelong returned. Whenever I bend to the cat, asking, How can I help? I’m in it, intuiting her needs with gentleness. I tell this story. My therapist says, Like a parent. The rain’s changing dramatically to snow, making the threshold impassable. Weft of fur in my pocket, I spy speckled beans and cider, thick brown bread and yellowest butter. Mice are sleeping on extra slices, the ladybugs in matchbooks. It’s blizzarding and will for days. I can smile, nod, offer simple phrases and am treated by strangers as innocent. The safest I’ve ever been. The room’s foggy with kettle steam, the pages damp as I turn and turn, reading in peace on a loveseat that at night becomes my bed.
Maybe This Time
Norton
claims “large percentage of Guyanese is illiterate” and cannot “read things”
Notwithstanding, Guyana recording some of the country’s lowest scores in the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) during the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) time in Government from 2015 to 2020, presidential candidate for the party is touting that the APNU is the only party that could solve an illiteracy problem in the country if elected come the September 1 General and Regional Elections (GRE).
Norton made this grand promise on Saturday as he addressed supporters and rallied support for the party at a public meeting in Bagotville on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD). According to Norton, if elected to Government the APNU would implement a “National Literacy Programme” to increase the proficiency level of Guyanese.
“If you have a population in which a large per centage is illiterate, how are you going to digitalise, how are they going to read things,” Norton said.
“As a Government, one of the first tasks we will undertake is a national literacy programme so that we can train a lot of those persons who cannot read and write. We’re saying to you that we want to go back to the base of the society and train our people right up until we have a literate functioning society.”
However, Norton’s assessment failed to take into
account continuously increasing performance of Guyanese learners at successive national exams, as well as cases of dismal performances during the APNU tenure.
In a historic milestone for Guyana, students who sat the 2025 NGSA recorded significant improvements across all subject areas, marking the country’s best NGSA performance to date, with the overall pass rate increasing to 63 per cent from 49 per cent the previous year, and all four of the subjects seeing more than 50 per cent passes. In English Language, which is based on literacy, students recorded 69.25 per cent passes when compared to 66.79 per cent last year. In Mathematics, traditionally one of the more challenging subjects, also showed encouraging progress with an all-time high. For the first time in the country’s history, more than half of the students—55.51 per cent—passed the exam. This marked an over 16 per centage point increase over the 39.40 per cent pass rate that the pupils achieved in 2020 when the APNU left office. Moreover, it was under the APNU that Guyana achieves a dismal ten year low 13.85 per centage in Mathematics at the NGSA, which occurred in 2016. That year the Science pass rate also dropped to 27.55 per cent, while passes in English Language dropped to 41.62 per cent.
Since the People’s Progressive Party
Civic (PPP/C) return to Government, passes in the NGSA Language have consistently remained in the 60s, recording a 15 year high this year with a pass rate of 69.25 per cent.
Meanwhile Social Studies has also remained in the high 50s and over the past five years peaking at 64.7 per cent in 2025. Under APNU tenure the Social Studies score progressively dropped hitting 39 per cent in 2019, before rebounding to 53 per cent in 2020. Science has also consistently progressed in consecutive years since 2021 and peaked at 63.7 per cent at this year’s Assessment.
Aside from increasing performances at the NGSA, Guyanese learners have also been excelling on the regional scene where Guyana continues to cop major awards at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) annual Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).
In 2020 secured a total of seven regional awards across CSEC and CAPE in 2020, at CSEC Guyana won Most Outstanding Overall Candidate, Most Outstanding Candidate in Sciences, Most Outstanding Candidate in Business Education, Most Outstanding in Technical and Vocational Education, and Most Outstanding Performance in Principles of Accounts (ACCA award),
while Queen’s College was presented with the CSEC School of the Year award.
For that same year at CAPE, Guyana also won the Most Outstanding Overall Candidate, Most Outstanding Candidate in Natural Sciences, and CAPE School of the Year. For the 2021 sitting Guyana achieved Overall Most Outstanding Performance in CSEC, Most Outstanding Performance in Business Education, Most Outstanding Performance in Technical and Vocational Education, Most Outstanding Performance in Humanities and Accounting ACCA Awards (CSEC level). At CAPE the country walked away with the Overall Outstanding Achievement in CAPE, third place in the ACCA CAPE Accounting Award and Most Outstanding Candidate in CAPE History while Queen’s College was again
named the CSEC and CAPE School of the Year. For the 2022 sitting Guyana secured another seven regional top awards across CSEC and CAPE. In CSEC Guyana won Most Outstanding Overall Performer, Most Outstanding Performance in Technical & Vocational Education; Most Outstanding Performance in Business Studies, Most Outstanding in Humanities, Most Outstanding Performance in Sciences, and Anna Regina Secondary was named the CSEC School of the Year 2022.
For that year in CAPE Guyana won the Most Outstanding Overall Performer at CAPE, Most Outstanding Candidate in Natural Sciences and the Saraswati Vidya Niketan School was awarded CAPE School of the Year 2022.
For the 2023 sitting Guyanese students and schools won eight region-
al awards across CSEC and CAPE. At CSEC Guyana was awarded Most Outstanding Overall Candidate in CSEC, Most Outstanding Performance in Technical/ Vocational Education, Most Outstanding Candidate in Business Education, Most Outstanding Candidate in Humanities, Most Outstanding Candidate in Sciences and Anna Regina Secondary School was named CSEC School of the Year 2023. At CAPE Guyana won Most Outstanding Overall Candidate in CAPE, Most Outstanding Candidate in Business Studies, and QC was CAPE School of the Year 2023.
For 2024, Guyanese students and institutions earned eight major regional awards in CSEC and CAPE. This included Most Outstanding Overall Student in CSEC, Most Outstanding Performance in Humanities, Most Outstanding Student in Business, Most Outstanding Performance in Technical & Vocational Education and Training, Most Outstanding Student in Sciences, Most Outstanding Student in Agricultural Science (Double Award), while Anna Regina Secondary School again copped the CSEC School of the Year 2024. In CAPE, Guyana won Most Outstanding Overall Student in CAPE, Most Outstanding Student in Natural Sciences, and QC was named CAPE School of the Year 2024.
4 more Guyanese students awarded petroleum science scholarships to study in China
Four Guyanese students have been awarded full scholarships to pursue studies in Petroleum Sciences at universities in China, as part of an ongoing initiative by CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL) in collaboration with the Natural Resources Ministry. The 2025 scholarship recipients were Una Herman, Anna Jeffers, Rondel Rutherford, and Tamika Sam. They will depart for China next month, joining eight other Guyanese students who are already in the programme, now in its third year. A release from CNOOC on Monday stated that the awards were formally presented during a ceremony held at CPGL’s Headquarters at High Street, Kingston., Georgetown. The event was at-
tended by Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, and China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang.
Bharrat lauded the initiative as a model of meaningful partnership, noting its alignment with the Government’s local content policy and drive for capacity building in the oil and gas sector. “Guyana has one of the best managed Oil and Gas sectors among new producers,” he said. “We are building this sector to last, with strong emphasis on ensuring our people are trained and equipped to lead it.”
Ambassador Yang Yang underscored the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Guyana and China. She applauded CPGL’s continued investment in local development and noted ongoing
training initiatives in a range of sectors, including agriculture, health, engineering and artificial intelligence (AI). She highlighted that Chinese com-
panies are playing a key role in Guyana’s growth, particularly in infrastructure, IT, and natural resource development.
The students were selected through a competitive process overseen by a joint panel of experts from the Ministry and CPGL. CPGL President,
Lian Jihong, congratulated the awardees and encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunity. “This scholarship will not only transform your individual lives, but will also positively impact your families and communities,” he said. Mr Lian reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to supporting education as a pillar of its operations in all host countries. “In Guyana, we aim to create a lasting social impact, and this initiative is part of that mission.”
This marks the third cohort of Guyanese students benefiting from the programme, aimed at ensuring that the development of the country’s oil resources is supported by a skilled and knowledgeable local workforce.
Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat; China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang; CPGL President Lian Jihong and the recipients of the scholarships
2020 election fraud trial Court to visit former GECOM command centre on Wednesday
Acourt inspection of the former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Command Centre which was used during the 2020 elections is scheduled for Wednesday morning as part of the ongoing trial related to the events of that election.
The case involves several former election officials and political figures, including Carol Smith-Joseph of the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R), former Health Minister Volda Lawrence A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), ex-Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller. Together, they face 19 charges of conspiracy related to alleged fraud during the controversial vote tabulation process. All defendants are currently out on cash bail. Wednesday’s exercise will take the Magistrate, the prosecution, defence teams and the accused to the Ashmins Building at the intersection of High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, where GECOM’s command operations were conducted during the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
The goal is to revisit the physical space in order to contextualise evidence presented thus far, especially in relation to how vote counts for Region Four, the largest electoral district, were managed. Lead prosecutor Darshan Ramdhani, King’s Counsel (KC), informed the court that no interrogation or formal testimony would be conducted during the visit. Instead, participants would review the layout and identify locations of relevance to the events under investigation. He requested that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) assign a videographer to document the exercise for the court’s official record. Magistrate Faith McGusty, who is overseeing the case, agreed to the visit and noted her own recent observations of the building, stating that renovations may already be underway. She and the prosecutor both emphasised the urgency of conducting the walkthrough before any substantial alterations are made to the premises. However, Defence Attorney Eusi Anderson raised concerns over the structure of the visit and its participants. While he supported the visit in principle, he contended that the outlined protocol did not align with earlier agreements. Specifically, Anderson questioned who would be allowed to point out key areas within the building, expressing skep -
ticism about the reliability of politically affiliated witnesses and asserting that former CEO Lowenfield, though most familiar with the building, should not be expected to participate in this way, given his position as a defendant. Instead, Anderson proposed that GECOM Chairwoman, retired Justice Claudette Singh, a neutral authority in his view, would be better suited to assist in identifying relevant spaces. However, Ramdhani rejected the idea of including individuals who have not yet testified, explaining that the law governing “locus in quo” visits exclude anyone who has not already given evidence.
So far, the witnesses who have testified include Local Government Minister, Sonia Parag, Diaspora Unit Head Rosalinda Rasul, A New and United Guyana (ANUG) representative Kian Jabour, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Edgar Thomas. During the elections, Parag served as a People’ s Progressive Party / Civic (PPP/C) agent, Rasul was present on behalf of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Thomas led the police division covering the area and Jabour represented ANUG.
Magistrate McGusty ruled in favour of Ramdhani’s submission, confirming that only those who have provided testi-
mony would be allowed on site. She clarified that the accused will not be asked to give statements during the walkthrough but may communicate any observations to their legal counsel, who can then raise them before the court. Anderson also opposed to the involvement of the police in documenting the visit. He told the court that neither he nor his clients trusted the GPF to act impartially. Ramdhani objected to this blanket assertion, arguing that such statements undermine public trust in legal institutions. He referenced Rule Two, Sub-rule Five of the Legal Practitioners Act, which cautions attorneys against making unfounded allegations of corruption or bias. Anderson defended his comments, stating that he was acting in his clients’ best interest and had every right to voice such concerns.
Prosecutors maintain that the Command Centre played a central role in the alleged manipulation of Region Four’s results, particularly through the use of falsified spreadsheets and the circumvention of standard tabulation procedures. Defence Attorneys, on the other hand, insist that their clients operated within legal boundaries and merely followed the instructions they were given. Wednesday’s site visit is expected to begin at 09:30h.
The bigger picture… … and development
On the hustings, the constant refrain, of course, is on development! The “of course” being appropriate due to the fact that for centuries we’ve been used as vehicles – and worse!! – to develop the folks from up north so they could live high off the hog. That expression illustrates our condition perfectly: they ate all the choice parts (high) of the hog – while we were thrown the feet, snouts, tails, guts (tripe), etc!! So, our politicians duking it out to run our country gotta focus on ensuring we, at least, get the bare necessities to keep body and soul together.
So, what was that hullaballoo about “maintaining biodiversity” at the Convention Centre – with the launching of the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit a few weeks ago with world leaders and all?? Yet hasn’t even been mentioned on the campaign trail!! “Bio” means life so combined with “maintaining diversity” unsurprisingly means we should maintain the diversity of living things on our dear old planet!! Having global leaders commit to this goal means the diversity of living things is being threatened!!
Now, we’ve been plugging away for more than a decade on one aspect of this threat – global warming. This is gonna kill ALL living things unless we get it under control much less maintaining the three levels of diversity: species, genetic, and ecosystem. It’s rather ironic that the threat was caused by those who lived high off the hog and (hoggishly) increased their consumption patterns in all spheres of life to such heights that their energy demands led to both global warming and reducing “biodiversity”!!
Interestingly, discussions in Guyana on maintaining biodiversity kicked off back in 1989 when then Pres Hoyte agreed to create the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation!! This 371,000 hectares nature reserve proudly stands as one of the last remaining intact lowland tropical forests on the planet!! There’s been international efforts to maintain biodiversity since the 1990s – but as with so many multilateral initiatives, those who live high off the hog pushed the burden on poor countries like us!!
You’d think the solution is simple, wouldn’t you?? That the folks up north reduce their consumption a tad – while allowing us in the underdeveloped world to catch up!! But no Siree Bob!! They want to lecture us from on high (the hog!!) – along with some of their local acolytes – to insist we remain like “noble savages”!! Who aren’t seen as so noble since the folks from northern climes say we’re living in “shithole countries’!! Not much nobility in that, is there??
So Prezzie has taken a lead in steering the discourse on development while maintaining biodiversity – for which we can be the model to the world!! YES!!!
…on US and sanctions
It’s beyond irony that the Opposition parties are criticising the US Ambassador for explaining the implications for folks becoming involved with an OFAC-sanctioned individual – who decided to run for the Presidency!! They claim her clarifications violate a directive from the State Department that Ambassadors shouldn’t opine on the “fairness or integrity of an electoral process, its legitimacy, or the democratic values…(but) when appropriate, noting shared foreign policy interests”.
Now the good Ambassador wasn’t commenting on our electoral process – but elaborating on the “shared foreign policy interests” of her country and ours!!
From our standpoint losing US$50 Million in taxes from smuggled gold by the sanctioned presidential candidate is certainly in our interest to recover!! And the US, would’ve only taken action because the fraudulent practices impacted on their interests – one way or another!! Was some of the gold sourced from sanctioned Venezuelan mines?? Were they smuggled through routes traversing our Reg 1 to the US used by drug smugglers??
A hint to Beneba mek Quashi tek notice!!
…on health
The Government’s health programmes go way beyond the 12 new state-of-the-art hospitals being completed. But we gotta do our part by learning basic anatomy and physiology.
The foot, for instance, doesn’t start at the hip!!
The individuals currently on trial in connection with the alleged attempt to rig the 2020 General and Regional Elections
APNU candidate denies 2020 election rigging, but 5 years later still hiding 2020 SoPs
In a bold public statement on Saturday, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) newly-minted candidate Attorney Dexter Todd challenged critics to “bring the facts” regarding allegations of the party’s involvement in election rigging attempts in the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
This is despite his party’s continued stubborn refusal to release its own evidence of the purported “facts” – such as the Statements of Polls (SOPs) – that it won those elections. Speaking at a public meeting in Bagotville, Todd vehemently denied any wrongdoing by the APNU, regurgitating the narrative that the coalition attempted to rob Guyana of democracy in 2020 is a lie.
“They want to say that the APNU rigged the last elections—bring your facts,” Todd said to the gathering.
“The lies they have been telling you is that the APNU must account to you for robbing this country of democracy. That is a lie, that is a lie. We must be bold enough to tell them if they have the facts, bring the facts.”
Ironically, Todd’s pleas comes even as the APNU and its former coalition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC), have for over five years refused to release their SOPs, documents that they have repeatedly claimed prove their electoral victory in 2020. In the wake of the now-infamous Region Four vote tabulation led by Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, who declared inflated results in favour of APNU+AFC, the coalition insisted that Mingo’s numbers were consistent with their own SOPs. In
2020, Mingo initially reported Region Four results with 136,057 votes for APNU+AFC and 77,231 for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), figures later found to be false.
However, following international pressure and a full recount that was agreed to by People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) leader David Granger, certified results from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) revealed that the PPP/C had garnered 80,920 votes in Region Four, while APNU+AFC gained 116,941 votes. Nationally, the recount showed PPP/C securing 233,336 votes and APNU+AFC trailing with 217,920, a clear loss for the APNU+AFC by 15,416 votes.
Describing the situation in 2020, then Head of the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Bruce Golding declared that he had never seen such a “transparent effort to alter the results of an election”.
Following the official declaration for Region Four showing numbers grossly different from what was fraudulently declared by Mingo, there was public outcry for the APNU+AFC to release the SOPs in their possession to show that it contradicted the official numbers for Region Four. However, all representatives for the two parties have doggedly refused to “bring the evidence.”
Despite the official results, a Commission of Inquiry (COI) and multiple electoral fraud charges laid against Mingo and eight others, the APNU+AFC co-
alition continue to insist it was victorious, despite continuing to withhold the very SOPs it claims support that claim. Further undermining the coalition’s credibility is a damning revelation by Samuel Sandy, Region Four Vice Chairman and former APNU+AFC East Coast Campaign Manager. In a recent interview, Sandy publicly stated that he personally recorded the scores from SOPs collected in 2020 and found them to be in direct contradiction to the fraudulent figures declared by Mingo.
“In 2020, the APNU/AFC lost the election. I was the Operations Manager for the East Coast campaign. I was responsible for collecting all SOPs. And I did take it upon myself to record the scores of every SOP received,” Sandy stated on the Starting Point Podcast. “I took pictures. I kept them. I still have them. I went to the Ashmin’s Building. I listened to the numbers being tabulated. I
looked at my numbers and thought to myself, where might this be going?” Sandy recounted.
According to Sandy, he had to make a choice between doing the right thing or going along with the charade. He noted that in addition to his youth and inexperience with senior leadership, other factors that forced him to stay quiet at the time was the fact that he lived in Golden Grove, a PNC/R stronghold.
However, he claimed that he wrote to the party leader, Aubrey Norton, urging him to be honest about APNU+AFC’s loss at the last election.
“I think at that point it was more making a decision between supporting hope of our large section of society and that of personal integrity. I chose the former. And
I challenge anyone to tell me different, because like I said, I have dated, photo evidence of what I submitted, as opposed to what Mingo declared.”
“I live in Golden Grove, a stronghold of the PNC. How can I go home and say hey, I just informed them of the numbers declared, weren’t the actual numbers I shared
with the party. I have always been [scared to speak out]. But I’ve made peace with myself and I can say that now. So, it doesn’t matter where it goes,” Sandy added.
Nonetheless, APNU continues to insist it did not lose the election while offering no evidence to back its claim, and challenging that critics “bring facts.”
The ongoing fraud trial involves nine defendants, including former APNU/ AFC Health Minister Volda Lawrence, former GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, former GECOM’s Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo, and former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, all of whom are charged with conspiracy to commit electoral fraud in favour of the APNU/AFC coalition.
Prison guard jailed for smuggling ganja into Lusignan Prison
A21-year-old prison officer has been sentenced to more than three years behind bars after pleading guilty to smuggling cannabis into the Lusignan Prison.
Marlon Malcolm, of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and a serving officer at the Lusignan Prison, was arrested on July 24 and charged on Monday. The charges are introducing narcotics into prison, contrary to Section 7(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter 10:10 and
Possession of Narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5(1)(a) (i) of the same Act, relating to 124 grams of cannabis. Malcolm appeared before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Vigilance Magistrate's Court, where he pleaded guilty to the first charge but not guilty to the second. Following his guilty plea, he was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of $30,000.
The case for the second charge will continue at a later date.
Jailed: Marlon Malcolm
APNU candidate, Attorney Dexter Todd
Domestic tourism increases by 50% as Guyanese embrace more local destinations – Tourism Minister
Tourism, Industry and Commerce
Minister Oneidge Walrond, has announced that Guyana has experienced a significant growth in its domestic tourism sector.
Domestic tourism refers to travel within one’s own country and includes residents visiting destinations outside their usual environment for leisure, business or to see friends and family. Walrond shared these insights during the “Snap and Share” prize-giving ceremony held on Monday. “I'm deeply encouraged by the increase in domestic tourism. More and more Guyanese are exploring this beautiful country, which is a remarkable shift from where we were just five years ago. In fact, when surveyed in 2024, data from all tour operators revealed that the domestic market now accounts for around 50 per
cent of all travel,” she said.
According to the Minister, this trend speaks volumes about the strength
of the local tourism industry, its operators and the appeal of the tourism products developed by communities and stakeholders. “Just two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of opening Lakeview Cabins in Mainstay. At the very
launch, the hosts informed us that the cabins were fully booked for the first six weeks. That speaks volumes—not only about the appeal of the destination but also about the willingness of Guyanese to travel locally,” she noted.
“In 2020, there were doubts. Many believed Guyanese couldn’t or wouldn’t travel within our own country. But today, the narrative has changed. From Lethem to Linden, Berbice to the Essequibo Coast, people are moving.”
She also revealed that many resorts and lodges are now recording higher occupancy rates, a trend she expects will continue. “Let me say something about Mainstay/Whyaka. These cabins and lodges are community-led and community-owned. The village itself—using resources from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and oth-
er Government support— invested in developing the cabins to accommodate visitors. All of the income goes directly back into the community,” Walrond explained. She emphasised that such initiatives are critical examples of sustainable tourism.
“We're seeing more and more community-led and community-owned tourism products being developed. Women, children and
Ministry of Tourism, through the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), launched several initiatives aimed at addressing the financial barriers faced by many local tourists.
GTA Director Kamrul Baksh shared updates on those efforts last year.
“Last year, we launched a ‘passport initiative’ featuring 40 experiences at heavily discounted rates.
For the coastal regions,
try.” Additionally, the GTA has introduced several discounted specials for travelers to make tourism more accessible.
Tour prices in Guyana continue to vary based on duration, activities, and the level of luxury. For example. Tour prices in Guyana can vary depending on the duration, activities included and the level of luxury. For example, a multi-day rainforest expedition with
other community members are involved in entertaining guests and creating immersive experiences within their villages. When guests stay in cabins, they spend more time and money in the community, which leads to economic prosperity. That is the real impact of tourism.”
In 2024, in response to soaring excursion prices within Guyana, the
we’ve created new experiences in the hinterland. This diversification gives the local market more options to engage with,” he said. “The domestic market is incredibly important to us at the GTA and by extension, to the Ministry of Tourism. Tourism is not only about attracting international visitors, but also about encouraging locals to explore their own coun -
accommodation in eco-lodges and guided wildlife excursions can range from US$1500 to US$3000 per person. Shorter day tours focusing on specific activities like birdwatching or river cruises may cost between US$100 to US$300 per person. Additionally, customised or private tours may have higher price tags based on individual preferences and requirements.
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond
Surama Eco-Lodge, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) (Visit Rupununi photo)
Iwokrama River Lodge
Rupununi Savannahs (Discover Guyana photo)
Prison officers challenged to upgrade skills, mindsets
Prison officers stationed at the New Amsterdam Prison have been encouraged to enhance their individual performance through a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
The reminder came during a general inspection and quarterly muster conducted by Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, who visited the facility on Thursday. His visit formed part of the Guyana Prison Service’s (GPS) ongoing efforts to improve operational standards and reinforce the importance of professionalism among its ranks.
During the session, officers were urged to adopt a progressive mindset and to focus on self-improvement as a means of delivering more effective and efficient
service within the prison system. The Director also highlighted the critical role prison officers play in upholding the integrity and functionality of the na -
tion’s correctional institutions.
The inspection comes amid the GPS’s broader commitment to strengthening its workforce and ensuring that officers remain equipped to meet the demands of maintaining order and security in Guyana’s correctional facilities.
The recent visit also reflects the GPS’s continued efforts to enhance its human resource capacity and reaffirm the vital role prison officers play in maintaining order and security within the correctional system.
This engagement comes
shortly after the GPS, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, rolled out a Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) programme at several prison facilities nationwide. The initiative is designed to offer both inmates and staff access to five key subjects, Mathematics, English A, Social Studies, Human and Social Biology, and Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM). It forms part of a wider strategy to promote rehabilitation among inmates and support ongoing professional development for officers.
In addition, the GPS has introduced a Public Speaking and Effective Communication course specifically tailored for prison officers, reinforcing its commitment to improving staff competency and confidence.
These initiatives are part of a larger reform agenda aimed at modernising the prison system. Included in this vision are plans to upgrade recruitment standards, with revised entry requirements intended to attract more capable and well-qualified candidates to the service.
GDF ranks complete regional military exercise in French Guiana
Acontingent of officers and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has returned home following its participation in Exercise Fer de Lance 2025, a multination -
al military engagement held in French Guiana.
In a post on its social media page, the GDF stated that the exercise, which brought together regional defence forces, was de -
signed to enhance tactical proficiency, strengthen interoperability and improve joint response capabilities in key operational areas, including jungle warfare, humanitarian assistance and counter-trafficking operations. Throughout the deployment, GDF troops were exposed to a rigorous training environment that tested their endurance, leadership and coordination under realistic and high-pressure scenarios. The exercise also provided a vital platform for refining mission-critical skills and adapting to joint oper -
ations alongside regional partners within a dynamic and unfamiliar theatre.
In addition to boosting combat readiness, the exercise allowed the GDF to assess and upgrade its standard operating procedures in line with regional best practices. Officials noted that the lessons learned during the deployment will be integrated into future training programmes and mission planning, ensuring continuous improvement in operational effectiveness. According to GDF, exercise Fer de Lance 2025 also reaffirmed the GDF’s ongoing commitment to regional security cooperation and professional development across all ranks.
Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot
The director meeting with prison officers stationed at the New Amsterdam Prison
The ranks who participated in the Exercise Fer de Lance 2025, a multinational military engagement held in French Guiana (GDF photos)
Community outreach: From clean-up campaigns in Region Nine to road safety education and townhall-style engagements across the coast, Police Divisions continue to strengthen ties with citizens through outreaches
Countdown to Emancipation 2025: Teams from across Regional Police Division 4 'C' proudly display their culinary creations at the 2025 Cook-Up Competition held at the Divisional Headquarters in Cove and John. The event, featuring 10 departments, fostered camaraderie and unity days ahead of Guyana’s Emancipation celebrations (GPF photos)
Guyana launches national policy to boost early childhood development
With the aim of improving care, development and learning outcomes for children aged zero to three, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, through its Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), in collaboration with UNICEF and the Government of Canada, has launched Guyana’s first National Integrated Early Childhood Development (NIECD) Policy and accompanying guidelines.
Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, speaking on Monday during the launching at the Herdmanston Lodge said that, the policy was born from months of dedicated work and consultations, ensuring that it is comprehensive, progressive and all-encompassing.
According to her, “This policy places children at its centre. Early childhood development is extremely sig-
nificant in the lives of children,” she stated, adding that it allows children “to assess their developmental milestones and provides a vantage point to evaluate their emotional stability and overall well-being.”
She highlighted that from a very early stage, children who require additional care or intervention can be identified—often with the help of not just their parents, but also experts—to ensure they enjoy a better quality of life.
While the policy itself is vital, the Minister emphasised the importance of a clear framework to ensure its goals are effectively realised. To this end, the Ministry has established a series of targeted objectives for the policy.
According to Persaud, “The targets involve pregnant and breastfeeding women who understand what early childhood development is—to promote
healthy births and children. We want every child aged zero to three years to experience good health, adequate nutrition, safety, security, responsive caregiving, and opportunities for early learning.” To help achieve these goals, the CPA has already trained a number of Early Childhood Development (ECD) Practitioners and supported the transformation of day-care centres into centres of excellence through the provision of grants.
Childhood facilities
So far, the Ministry has registered 400 early childhood facilities and officially licensed 365 of them.
Importantly, the NIECD policy aligns with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, reinforcing Guyana’s commitment to advancing the rights and development of all children. Further,
Persaud highlighted the significance of national collaboration in developing programmes and policies aimed at improving the
must ensure that there is always a robust partnership among the Ministries of Health, Education, Local Government and Human
Suriname.
The NIECD policy outlines a coordinated and inclusive strategy for delivering high-quality early
lives of Guyana’s children.
“What is important in all of this is our national collaboration—our stakeholders and our partnerships that were pivotal to the success of the implementation of the policy and its guidelines. We
Services,” she underscored. Meanwhile, Canada has been a source of support since 2021 in to create safer and nurturing environments for young children in Guyana through its $3 million partnership with UNICEF Guyana &
childhood services that promote the health, well-being and development of young children. It aims to foster lifelong learning and ensure every child is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.
Venezuelan woman walks free after businessman offers no evidence in B&E case …welder
on bail for unlawful possession of suspected stolen goods
Two individuals were charged in unrelated matters stemming from recent police operations on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) with one case dismissed and the other resulting in bail. Yusmelis Solis, a 23-yearold Venezuelan woman and nail technician residing at Phase One, Good Hope, ECD was arrested on July 22 and charged two days later with the offence of break-and-enter-and-larceny. The charge, laid under Section 229(a) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 08:01, alleged that Solis unlawfully entered the home of 43-year-
old businessman Vickram Singh of Mon Repos North, ECD, between July 19 and 20, and stole items valued at $3.5 million and US$2,850. Solis ap-
peared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on Monday before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs and with the assistance of an interpreter, she pleaded not guilty. However, after the virtual complainant, who is a businessman, informed the court that he would not proceed with the matter, the charge was dismissed.
Unlawful possession
In a separate case, 33-year-old welder Dinish Deonarine, known as ‘Anil’, of Good Hope, ECD, was arrested on July 23 following a police operation targeting stolen items and contraband. According to police reports, ranks conducted a ‘cordon and search’ operation at Deonarine’s residence, where they recovered several suspected stolen items. These includ-
Some of the items Police believed were stolen
ed six vehicle batteries; three water pumps; two pressure washers; three solar lights and two Toyota Allion vehicle grilles.
Deonarine was charged with unlawful possession, contrary to Section 94(1)(c) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:02. He appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on Monday before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce, where he pleaded not guilty. He was released on $30,000, and the matter was adjourned to September 18.
Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud along with officials from Canada and UNICEF among others
Yusmelis Solis
Charged: Dinish Deonarine
"Snap and Share" competition 2025 Akawaio woman cops $500K top prize
Atender moment frozen in time, a photograph of a toddler, full of innocence and wonder, has touched the hearts of thousands across the nation. Captured by Jasia Cornelius, the image took top honours in this year’s ‘Snap and Share’ photography competition. The winning photo, which depicts a one-year-old Akawaio child standing in an open field in Omenaik Village, Imbaimadai (Region Seven), received the highest number of likes among the 59 shortlisted entries. Cornelius was awarded a $500,000 cash prize, a DSLR camera valued at $400,000, courtesy of the Ministry and a weekend for two at Karanambu Lodge, courtesy of Karanambu.
At the prize-giving ceremony held on Monday, Cornelius shared the story behind the image. “This one time I went in the sa-
vannahs with my one-yearold niece and I wanted to capture that moment. I took that picture. I didn’t know that simple photo would bring me here. I am grateful today that I was selected.”
This year’s competition stood out as the largest edition since its launch by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce in 2021. With a record-breaking 1,600 applicants, the event reached new heights— now offering a $500,000 grand prize, thanks to increased sponsorship.
Launched as part of Guyana’s Independence Anniversary celebrations, the competition invites locals to capture and showcase the nation’s rich cultural and natural beauty. Submitted images are uploaded to the Ministry’s platform, where the public can vote for their favourites.
Speaking at the event,
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond, highlighted the competition's significant growth and its role in promoting national pride and tourism. “This year, images from the competition garnered a staggering 60.8 million views globally, with the majority coming from Guyana, the United States (US), Canada, Suriname and Brazil. We also saw nearly 400,000 reactions. This means people were actually engaging—with likes, shares and comments. These are not just statistics; they represent global exposure for our destination and communities. Images are powerful.”
She went on to share some of the standout entries that helped boost Guyana’s visibility. “The photo of petting a capybara, which you can do at a ranch—I’ve done it myself—received over
220,000 views. Another image showing the making of cassava bread in Aruwa garnered nearly 200,000 views. These are real impressions, real potential visitors, and real economic opportunities for those communities.”
Strengthening tourism sector Walrond emphasised the importance of marketing Guyana’s tourism potential through initiatives like ‘Snap and Share’.
“One of the major components of attracting visitors—and you’ve all seen the uptick in tourism and the activity around that growth—is effective marketing. When we were looking for innovative ways to market Guyana, this initiative stood out. You are the ones taking the photos. You are the ones building the network.”
She also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to strengthening the tourism sector through ongoing investment in marketing, training, product development, infrastructure and community-owned and led initiatives.
“We want to ensure that communities and everyday citizens benefit directly from our growing tourism industry,” she said, noting that more than 65 tourism products have been introduced to the travel marketplace over the past five years—many from regions that had never previously hosted tourists.
With more areas becoming accessible, she announced that an adventure tourism analysis is currently underway to help develop and package new experiences across the country. As the grand prize winner, Jasia Cornelius earned not only
national recognition but also a significant reward for her impactful visual storytelling.
The second-place winner received $300,000 in cash—an amount that actually surpasses last year’s top prize—along with a trip to Kaieteur Falls, courtesy of Evergreen Adventures. The
third-place winner walked away with $150,000 in cash and an exciting ATV tour, courtesy of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).
For fourth place, the winner was awarded $100,000 and a sunset tour, also sponsored by the GTA. The fifth-place winner received $75,000 in cash and a sunset tour for four people, allowing the
winner to treat an entire group, courtesy of Offroad Experience. In sixth place, the winner was awarded $30,000 in cash along with a restaurant voucher valued at $30,000 from Car Lodge— enough to enjoy a truly luxurious dinner. Those who placed seventh through tenth each received $30,000 in cash, which again, is more than what the top winner received in the competition’s early years. Participants who placed between eleventh and thirtieth received $25,000 in cash. A special “People’s Choice” award was also introduced this year, recognising the entry that garnered the most engagement from the public.
Visually-impaired youth gain life skills at GCOPD Day Camp backed by ExxonMobil
The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), in partnership with the Region Six Education Department and with support from ExxonMobil Guyana and the Board of Industrial Training, on Friday hosted the closing ceremony for its Independent Living Skills Day Camp for children who are blind or visually impaired. The ceremony marked the conclusion of a three-day camp held at the Empower Guyana Building in Palmira, Region Six, where 20 children participated in a range of interactive and skill-building activities aimed at promoting independence and social inclusion. Delivering remarks at the closing
event were ExxonMobil Guyana’s Community Relations Advisor, Lasawhna Prescott; GCOPD Programme Manager, Ganesh Singh; Special Education Needs (SEN) Officer for Region Six, Hulda Fraser; and GCOPD Programme Officer, Rosemarie Ramitt. Providing a summary of the camp’s activities, Ms Ramitt noted that the initiative aimed to equip blind and visually impaired children with essential independent living skills through practical and inclusive sessions. The programme featured training in kitchen use with adapted techniques and talking devices, a day of sports including blind cricket, blind football, and goalball, as well as modules on public
speaking, social etiquette, and assistive technologies. In his address, Singh emphasised the importance of teaching children with visual impairments essential life skills during their formative years, noting that this training lays the foundation for greater independence and confidence. He also highlighted the broader impact of the ExxonMobil Guyanafunded Orientation and Mobility Programme, through which GCOPD has reached approximately 700 blind and visually impaired individuals, including children, since its inception.
“These initiatives are not just about learning to use a white cane or a smartphone with text-to-speech software. They are about ensuring equal opportuni-
ties and fostering a society where inclusion is the norm, not the exception,” Singh stated. Fraser underscored the role of the SEN Unit within the Region Six Department of Education in supporting children with disabilities. She commended the collaborative approach taken in executing the camp, and affirmed
the department’s continued support for inclusive education and skills training. Meanwhile, ExxonMobil Guyana representative Lasawhna Prescott lauded the GCOPD for its consistent efforts to deliver impactful programmes that meet the goals of inclusivity and empowerment. “For people living with visual
impairments, having access to resources, information and support that encourage inclusion can truly change lives,” she said. Prescott also expressed gratitude to the trainers, the Ministry of Education, and the Board of Industrial Training for their contributions to the initiative, which she described as an example of “inclusion at every level.”
The Independent Living Skills Day Camp forms part of GCOPD’s Orientation and Mobility training programme, funded by ExxonMobil Guyana. The programme is designed to empower blind and visually impaired persons across Guyana by providing them with practical tools and skills to navigate their environments independently.
Winner Jasia Cornelius being awarded by Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond
The winning photo
Norton slammed for “false claims” on health care
Opposition leader, Aubrey Norton has come in for criticism after he claimed that there has been little to no improvement in the nation’s healthcare system over the past five years. The Department of Public Information (DPI) has since strongly refuted recent statements made by Norton regarding the state of Guyana’s public health infrastructure, describing them as “false claims” that ignore substantial progress made under the current administration. Speaking at a public meeting in Bagotville on Saturday, Norton alleged that there has been little to no improvement in the sector. However, a
DPI report has countered this assertion with a detailed overview of multi-billion-dollar investments and tangible results achieved in the sector since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) returned to office in 2020.
According to the report, the Government has overseen unprecedented advancements in both infrastructure and human resource capacity within the health sector. Among the key developments is the commissioning of the $6.6 billion Diamond Regional Hospital, a project conceptualised and realised by the current administration. Additionally, six new regional hospitals—cost-
ing approximately $38 billion—have been completed, all equipped with modern diagnostic services and staffed by trained personnel. Major facilities such as the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Lethem Regional Hospital, and Diamond Regional Hospital now offer services through mammogram machines, CT scanners, MRI machines, and operating theatres. Further investments have enabled mammogram machines to be installed at Suddie, New Amsterdam, and Linden hospitals—expanding breast cancer screening services to Regions Two, Six, and Ten, respectively. In total 400 health facilities
were upgraded at a cost of $12.5 billion; 26 new health centres have been completed; two new nursing schools are under construction with an investment of $1.9 billion; three simulation centres are being built at a cost of $650 million. The report also highlighted major strides in human resource development, with 2024 seeing the largest graduating class from the Georgetown School of Nursing. Over 200 doctors have undergone specialisation training, and more than 100 new doctors are employed in the sector, with another 100 set to join in 2025. Additionally 390 community health workers have been deployed across the country; A recruitment drive is underway to employ over 6,000 health workers over the next three to five years. In terms of medical transportation, the Government has invested in 41 road ambulanc-
es; 64 all-terrain vehicles; 25 water transport units and other vehicles supporting emergency and routine health services. These enhancements have helped to maintain less than one per cent downtime for patient transport, backed by over $2.1 billion in medical evacuation spending. According to the DPI report, direct financial support to patients has also been a key focus, including $4.2 billion in cash payments for critical health services such as dialysis and cardiac care; $7.5 billion in vouchers for eye, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and non-communicable disease screenings and $1.6 billion in grants for newborn care. The DPI report noted that during A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) time in office, the health sector was plagued by underfunding and mismanagement, including the widely criti-
cised $1.6 billion Sussex Street drug bond rental scandal and widespread drug shortages that led to protests by healthcare workers. Saturday’s remarks at Bagotville were not the first time Norton repeated these claims. At the APNU campaign launch on July 6, he similarly alleged a lack of infrastructure development—despite the coalition Government’s failure to build a single major hospital during its tenure. In contrast, the current administration has focused on expanding access to healthcare in remote areas while upskilling and incentivising health professionals to deliver quality care.
“The Government remains committed to delivering equitable and modern healthcare services to all Guyanese,” the DPI stated, calling on political leaders to refrain from misleading the public.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar re-elected UNC leader unopposed
Kamla PersadBissessar has created political history once again, winning her fourth consecutive internal leadership election since 2010 and doing so unopposed. The nomination-only victory comes just 90 days after she led the United National Congress (UNC) to a landslide win in the April 28 General Election, returning the party to government with a commanding majority.
With no challengers stepping forward, PersadBissessar was officially declared re-elected on nomination day, effectively ending the party’s internal electoral process before ballots were even printed for the August 17 poll.
Scores of UNC supporters gathered at the party’s Mulchan Seuchan Road, Chaguanas headquarters on Saturday to witness the moment. Cheers erupted as veteran attorney and chair of the Election Management Committee (EMC), Ramesh PersadMaharaj, made the formal
declaration shortly after the 4 pm nomination deadline.
“We confirm that as of 4 pm today, there is no other candidate for the post of political leader of the United National Congress,” Persad-Maharaj announced, as supporters clapped in celebration.
Quoting the party’s revised election rules, he added: “In the event that only one candidate is valiantly nominated, the committee shall announce that candidate as duly elected unopposed to the office of political leader and formally end this election process.”
Clad in traditional African attire ahead of Emancipation Day, PersadBissessar took the podium to thank her supporters and reflect on her 15-year journey at the helm of the UNC. She first contested the party’s leadership in 2010, defeating founding leader Basdeo Panday in what she described as a “revolutionary moment.”
Since then, she has never lost an internal lead-
ership contest—defeating Dr Roodal Moonilal and Vasant Bharath in 2015, and Bharath again in 2020. Despite losing general elections in 2015 and 2020, she retained the support of the party’s base and has now secured a renewed mandate following the UNC’s return to power in April.
“From the moment you entrusted me with leadership, I vowed that internal,
local and national elections will always be called when they are constitutionally due. I have kept that word to you and to the people of our land. And as always, I treat an internal election as a contest of purpose, not of personalities.”
She credited her administration’s past achievements in government and pledged to govern with bold, compassionate lead-
ership during the party’s new term in office.
“We won government. As you know, we inherited the dire socioeconomic mess, hard times for our citizens, escalated crime wave, organised crime networks, and a stunted economy.”
“This administration, now governing with a special majority, must display disciplined leadership, principled policy, credible plan to rescue and rebuild our beloved land.”
Speaking directly to those calling for her to step aside, Persad-Bissessar signalled that succession planning was in place, but her leadership would continue for now.
“To those who ask, after 15 years, is it time to move on? Well, the electorate answered three months ago. It is time to move forward together.”
“I offer you continuity of purpose, with renewal as a method—new faces elevated, new structures empowered, new ideas incubated and totally committed
to victory under tried and tested leadership. I pledge you deeper internal democracy, wider candidacies and deliberate mentorship. So, the baton is not placed. The baton is not dropped. This is my contract with you. The baton will be passed when that time comes, but it’s not today.”
Getting emotional, she offered a message of gratitude and enduring commitment to the UNC faithful:
“Half of my heart belongs to you and the other half I gift to you again… You have had leaders before me. You will have leaders after me. But you will never, ever have a leader who loves you as much as I do.”
Calling on the party and its supporters to remain unified and purpose-driven, she added: “Let us always bring light where there is darkness. And let us commit together to rebuild and restore Trinidad and Tobago. That is the mandate you have given the UNC. And we will honour that mandate.” (T&T Guardian)
The $6.6B Diamond Regional Hospital, which was commissioned in June
Prime Minister of T&T Kamla Persad-Bissessar has been reelected as the leader of the United National Congress (UNC) unopposed
GYSBI renews commitment to Joshua House Children’s Centre
Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI), has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting vulnerable children through the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Joshua House Children’s Centre. This renewal forms part of First Lady, Arya Ali’s ‘Adoptan-Orphanage’ Initiative, a national programme aimed at improving the lives of children in institutional care across Guyana.
The official signing took place on Friday last at State House, with GYSBI’s Public Relations Manager, Gomatie Gangadin, representing the company.
Since the programme’s launch in 2021, GYSBI has
supported Joshua House Children’s Centre by providing direct financial sponsorship, facility upgrades, utility payments, staff salary assistance and recreational activities for the children. The partnership has contributed meaningfully to creating a safe, nurturing environment where children can thrive.
“Supporting Joshua House goes beyond financial contributions for GYSBI. We see it as an investment in the lives and futures of vulnerable children. We believe in the potential of every child and are proud to stand with them, year after year,” Gangadin said. This ongoing relation-
ship also reflects GYSBI’s commitment to building stronger, more compassionate communities through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In a tangible example of this impact, two young men who were raised at Joshua House and have now outgrown the home, are full-time employees at GYSBI working in the Maintenance and Operations Department, respectively.
As the Adopt-anOrphanage Initiative enters its fourth phase, Joshua House is one of 11 children’s homes across the country set to benefit from renewed sponsorship over the next 12 months.
CDB reaffirms leadership in climate adaptation through regional workshop
The Caribbean Development Bank has marked another milestone in advancing climate resilience and regional collaboration. The Bank recently led a dynamic workshop to equip 30 participants from across 11 Caribbean countries with the knowledge and tools to transform bold climate adaptation ideas into fundable, high-impact projects.
In a release on Monday the CDB said held May 27–30, 2025, in San Pedro, Belize, the “Developing Practical Skills to Build Bankable Climate Change Adaptation Projects in the Caribbean” workshop was hosted in partnership with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT).
The four-day event brought together National and Regional Implementing Entities and Designated Authorities to strengthen their capacity to design adaptation projects aligned with nationally determined contributions and global funding requirements.
Dr. Nesha BeharryBorg, Project Coordinator
in CDB’s Environmental Sustainability Unit (ESU), represented the Bank at the event and emphasised its role in advancing the region’s role in climate finance and resilience-building efforts, stating, “This workshop reinforces CDB’s commitment to helping Borrowing Member Countries access global climate finance and implement solutions that protect lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems.”
CDB plays a pivotal role in enabling countries to access the Adaptation Fund, a global financing mechanism that supports climate adaptation in developing nations under the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement.
According to the release, during the event, Dr BeharryBorg was joined by Derek Gibbs, Climate Finance Specialist in CDB’s ESU, to lead technical sessions on the Adaptation Fund’s project cycle, accreditation process, fiduciary standards, and proposal development. Participants engaged in peerto-peer learning and handson exercises to sharpen their project concepts.
Garth Simon, Monitoring and Evaluation Associate
30 dead in Beijing following heavy rain – Xinhua reports
Tand Project Technical Officer, Department of Environment, Ministry of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation, and the Environment, Antigua and Barbuda, explained the significance of the workshop in regional resilience efforts by saying, "As someone living in a Small Island Developing State, I have seen firsthand how urgent and complex the climate crisis is for our region. This workshop was invaluable in equipping us with the tools to turn our ideas into fundable, high-impact climate projects because access to climate finance isn’t something we want, but a necessity.”
The Bank also shared key lessons from its Building Resilience for Adaptation to Climate Change and Climate Variability in Agriculture in Saint Lucia (BRACCVAS) project to showcase approaches to stakeholder engagement, adaptive planning, and long-term sustainability—insights that will guide future proposals.
A highlight of the workshop was a field visit to Sarteneja Village in northern Belize, where participants saw how Adaptation Fund investments are supporting fire management and protecting vulnerable coastal communities. Following the event, participants were encouraged to further develop and submit proposals for potential financing from the Adaptation Fund and implementation by the Bank.
First accredited to the Adaptation Fund in 2016 and re-accredited in March 2023, CDB continues to lead as a key facilitator and knowledge partner in the region. In the face of growing climate risks, the Bank remains at the forefront of expanding access to climate finance, translating strong ideas into scalable, sustainable projects that drive lasting impact across the Caribbean.
hirty persons were killed in Beijing as of midnight on Monday as rain hit the Chinese capital, the official Xinhua news agency reported today. The fatalities were reported in Beijing's mountainous northern districts, with 28 in Miyun and two in Yanqing. State media did not specify when or how the deaths occurred.
Heavy rain started over the weekend and intensified around Beijing and surrounding provinces on Monday, with the capital getting rainfall of up to 543.4 mm (21.4 inches) in its northern districts, Xinhua said.
Beijing also relocated 80,322 residents as the rain hit, Xinhua reported. Roads and communication infrastructure were dam -
aged, and 136 villages were left without power as of midnight Monday.
Late on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered "all-out" search and rescue efforts to minimise casualties.
Beijing issued its highest-level rain and flood alerts on Monday, advising residents to not leave their homes. (Reuters)
A drone view shows flooded farmlands next to the overflowing Chao River, following heavy rainfall in Miyun district of Beijing, China, July 28, 2025 (Reuters/Florence Lo photo)
Some of the persons who participated in the CDB workshop
Regional
Caribbean seeks stronger Africa trade as traditional routes waver
Caribbean nations are looking to "decisively" broaden opportunities for trade with Africa, the Secretary General of its regional bloc said on Monday, in view of looming uncertainty with its more traditional trade partners.
Stronger trade ties with Africa would signal a key economic shift in a region that relies heavily on trade with the United States, Canada and Europe, in a period of growing protectionism.
In April, Washington imposed a baseline 10 per cent tariff on nearly all its trade partners. It has been levying its power to influence domestic Caribbean policies on issues such as Cuban medical services and citizen-by-investment programmes.
"We must decisively open the door to greater trade between our regions," Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett said at the opening of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum in Grenada.
"Caricom trade with the Continent must grow beyond the current levels of
less than three per cent of our overall trade, particularly with the uncertainty that currently looms over trade with traditional partners."
The US is Caricom's largest trading partner, according to latest data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).
The US bought a quarter of the bloc's US$38.8 billion in exports shipped throughout 2023, according to OEC data, and sold 39 per cent of the US$43.4 billion worth of goods imported into the region.
Caribbean nations remain particularly vulnerable to global economic shocks such as inflation and pandemics, due to their reliance on tourism, imported food and fuel, and their exposure to climate-related disasters.
Barnett said the region has already collaborated with Africa on so-far unsuccessful campaigns for slavery reparations from former colonisers and for compensation from rich nations for climate change, which disproportionately affects small island states.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Gunmen kill 17 in mass shooting at Ecuador bar
Gunmen killed at least 17 persons and injured 11 more in an attack on a bar in Ecuador's coastal Guayas
province, the country's attorney general's office said on Monday, saying it was investigating the incident.
The office said more
than 40 pieces of ballistic evidence were recovered at the scene. Images shared by local media showed bodies lying on the ground, some covered by white sheets.
Sunday's attack took place in the town of El Empalme, some 160 kilometres (100 miles) north from the city of Guayaquil, considered among the most dangerous areas in Ecuador as organised criminal groups battle for control of key drug-smuggling routes.
Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa at the start of last year declared an "internal armed conflict", but despite state measures, violence has escalated notably in Guayas.
Though Noboa has touted a 15 per cent decline in violent deaths last year, according to the Interior Ministry the number again surged 47 per cent year-onyear in the first six months of 2025, hitting 4619.
Last month, Ecuador's national assembly approved a reform that grants the Government more legal powers to confront armed groups and dismantle the drug-trafficking networks that fuel their enterprises.
(Reuters)
Ex-Colombian President guilty of abuse of process, bribery of a public official
AJudge on Monday found former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe guilty of abuse of process and bribery of a public official in a years-long witness-tampering case, making the rightwing politician the country's first ex-President ever convicted at trial.
Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia read her decision aloud to the court. She found Uribe not guilty of a third charge, bribery.
The ruling, which Uribe is expected to appeal, is the latest decision in a hugely-politicised case that has run for some 13 years.
Uribe, 73, and his supporters say the process is a persecution and that he is innocent. His detractors have celebrated it as the deserved downfall for a man who has been repeatedly accused of close relationships with violent right-wing paramilitaries,
Jamaican
but never convicted of any crime.
Each charge carries a jail sentence of between six and 12 years. Heredia is expected to sentence Uribe in a later hearing.
"Justice does not kneel before power," Heredia told the court on Monday morning, before spending about nine hours reading her decision. "It is at the service
of the Colombian people".
"We want to say to Colombia that justice has arrived," she said, adding that her full decision is some 1000 pages long.
Uribe and one of his lawyers, Jaime Granados, joined the hearing via video link, while another lawyer, Jaime Lombana, appeared in person. (Excerpt from Reuters)
conjoined twins depart for Saudi Arabia ahead of life-changing surgery
Conjoined twins, Azaria and Azora Elson, have departed Jamaica for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where they are scheduled to undergo life-changing separation surgery.
The 20-month-old toddlers, their mother, Iesha McMurray, and a team of medical professionals departed the island on a medevac flight from the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston on Sunday.
They are expected to arrive in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday following a brief stopover in the United Kingdom.
The arrangement was made possible through the intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, which facilitated dialogue between the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), where the twins were receiving care, and officials of the Government of
Digicel has returned to the international bond market with a near US$2 billion offer as part of a major new effort to refinance existing debt.
In a move that has been assigned a ‘B’ (highly speculative) rating from Fitch, the telecommunications group is also seeking to secure a US$750-million term loan and to access US$200 million in credit facilities.
Digicel’s offerings of se-
Saudi Arabia. Portfolio Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith; Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Dr Waleed bin Abdulrahman Alhamoudi, and the children’s father, Odane Elson, were among those present at NMIA to see off the twins and their medical team. Azaria and Azora are Omphalopagus conjoined twins — joined at the abdomen — a rare congenital condition occurring in approximately one in every 50,000 to 150,000 live births worldwide.
nior secured notes and senior unsecured notes and the proposed new credit facilities do not relate to the company’s operations in Barbados.
The debt offer was announced on July 23. It is comprised of US$1.5 billion of senior secured notes due 2032 to be co-issued by Digicel International Finance Limited (DIFL) and DIFL US LLC and US$415 million of senior unsecured notes due 2033
(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
to be co-issued by Digicel MidCo Limited (DML), the indirect parent of DIFL, and DIFL US II LLC. It was also announced that DIFL is seeking to enter into a new credit facility consisting of new “seven-year first lien senior secured term loans” of US$750 million and “a new five-year first lien senior secured revolving credit facility” of US$200 million. (Excerpt from Nations News)
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith (second right), and Saudi Ambassador, Dr Waleed bin Abdulrahman Alhamoudi (right), observe as a flight crew prepares conjoined twins, Azora and Azaria Elson, to board a medevac airplane at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Sunday (Rudranath Fraser photo)
Caricom Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett on the day of the summit between the leaders of the EU and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), in Brussels, Belgium, July 17, 2023 (Reuters/Johanna Geron photo)
Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in Bogota, Colombia, June 8, 2025 (Reuters/Luisa Gonzalez photo)
Around the World OIL NEWS
Oil climbs on EU trade deal, potential US-China tariff truce extension
OGaza experiencing “real starvation” – Trump
There is "real starvation" in Gaza, United States President Donald Trump has said, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted there was no such thing.
Asked if he agreed with Netanyahu that it was a "bold-faced lie" to say Israel was fuelling hunger in Gaza, the US President replied: "I don't know... those children look very hungry... that's real starvation stuff."
His comments came after the United Nations' humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said "vast amounts" of food were needed to stave off starvation.
Tom Fletcher told the BBC he welcomed Israel's measures over the weekend to allow more aid into Gaza in the form of airdrops, and military pauses to allow food convoys to reach people.
il extended gains on Tuesday, lifted by hopes of improved economic activity after the US-EU trade deal, a potential US-China tariff truce and President Donald Trump's shorter deadline for Russia to end the Ukraine war.
Brent crude futures were up 24 cents, or 0.34 per cent, to US$70.28 a barrel by 00:00 GMT, while West Texas Intermediate crude was at US$66.93 a barrel, up 22 cents, or 0.33 per cent.
Both contracts settled more than two per cent higher in the previous session, and Brent touched its highest level since July 18 on Monday.
The trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, while imposing a 15 per cent import tariff on most EU goods, sidestepped a full-blown trade war between the two major allies that would have rippled across nearly a third of global trade and dimmed the outlook for fuel demand.
Oil prices were also supported by news of a possible extension of the trade truce between the US and China, with top economic officials from both countries having met in Stockholm on Monday for more than five hours of talks. The discussions are expected to resume today.
Meanwhile, Trump set a new deadline on Monday of "10 or 12 days" for Russia to make progress towards ending the war in Ukraine or face sanctions. Trump has threatened sanctions on both Russia and buyers of its exports unless progress is made.
"Trump's comments reignited fears that Russia's oil flows would be impacted," ANZ senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes wrote in a note.
"This also comes on the back of the latest sanctions package by the EU against Russia, including a lower price cap on the country's crude and the import of refined products made from Moscow's oil in other countries," Hynes added. (Reuters)
Ceasefire takes effect between Thailand and Cambodia after 5-day border battle
Aceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand came into effect at midnight (1700 GMT) on Monday, hours after they agreed to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade following five days of intense fighting that displaced over 300,000 people.
After efforts by Malaysia, chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, the United States and China to bring both sides to the table, the two countries' leaders agreed during talks in Putrajaya to end hostilities, resume direct communications and create a mechanism to implement the ceasefire.
"This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security," Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim earlier told a press conference, flanked by the Thai and Cambodian leaders, following more than two hours of talks at his residence in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
At least 38 persons, mostly civilians, have been killed in clashes in multiple locations along the 800-kilometre (500-mile) border since fighting between the two Southeast Asian neighbours erupted on July 24.(Excerpt from Reuters)
Speaking during a meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, Trump said: "Nobody's done anything great over there. The whole place is a mess... I told Israel maybe they have to do it a different way."
But he said what had been delivered so far was just "a drop in the ocean" of what was required.
"It's the beginning, but the next few days are really make or break. We need to deliver at a much, much greater scale. We need vast amounts of aid going in, much faster," he told
BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Israel said 120 lorry loads were collected from crossings on Sunday during the first daily 10-hour "tactical pause" in military operations, and that Jordan and the United Arab Emirates airdropped 28 packages of food.
Hours after Fletcher spoke, the territory's Hamas-run Health Ministry said another 14 persons had died as a result of malnutrition over the past 24 hours. (Excerpt from BBC News)
US, China hold new talks on tariff truce, easing path for Trump-Xi meeting
Top United States and Chinese economic officials met in Stockholm on Monday for more than five hours of talks aimed at resolving longstanding economic disputes at the centre of a trade war between the world's top two economies, seeking to extend a truce by
Putin
three months.
US Treasury Chief Scott Bessent was part of a US negotiating team that arrived at Rosenbad, the Swedish Prime Minister's office in central Stockholm, in the early afternoon. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng was also seen at the venue on video footage.
must
agree
United States
President Donald Trump has presented a new, shorter deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire over the war in Ukraine of "10 or 12 days" from Monday.
The US President said there was "no reason" in waiting any longer as no progress towards peace had been made.
Two weeks ago, Trump said President Vladimir
China is facing an August 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with President Donald Trump's Administration, after Beijing and Washington reached preliminary deals in May and June to end weeks of escalating tit-fortat tariffs and a cut-off of rare earth minerals.
Negotiators from the two sides were seen exiting the office around 20:00h (1800 GMT) and did not stop to speak with reporters. The discussions are expected to resume today. (Excerpt from Reuters)
to Ukraine ceasefire
in 10 or 12 days, says Trump
Putin had 50 days to end the war or Russia would face severe tariffs.
Speaking at a news conference in Scotland, Trump said he would confirm the new deadline on Monday or Tuesday, but reiterated the threat to impose sanctions and secondary tariffs on Moscow.
Earlier in July he said those would amount to 100 per cent tax imposed on any country that trades with Russia.
France and Germany lead downbeat EU response to US trade deal
Leaders from Europe's two largest economies have led a chorus of gloomy reactions to the trade deal struck between European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the agreement would "substantially damage" his nation's finances, while French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said it was tantamount to "submission".
The reaction has been downbeat across the bloc –though several capitals acknowledged signing an uneven deal was worth it in order to avert an all-out trade war.
It will see a 15 per cent tariff on most EU exports to the US – half the rate threatened by Trump – in return for Europe buying more American energy and slashing taxes on some imports.
Following private talks at Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland, von der Leyen described the agreement as a "huge deal", while Trump said it would bring the US and EU "closer together".
The deal will require the approval of all 27 members of the EU, each of which has differing interests and levels of reliance on the export of goods to the US. (Excerpt from BBC News)
This would make the goods so expensive that US businesses would likely choose to buy them cheaper from elsewhere, resulting in lost revenue for both Russia and the country that trades with it.
Speaking after a meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, Trump again expressed his disapproval at Putin's actions in
Ukraine, where war rages on three and a half years into Russia's full-scale invasion.
While he refused to say whether he felt Putin had been "lying" to him, Trump highlighted the contrast between the Russian President's rhetoric during their one-on-one conversations and the missiles "lobbed" on Ukrainian cities on a near-nightly basis.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
At least 3 shot in Manhattan skyscraper; suspect “neutralised”
Aperson who opened fire inside a midtown Manhattan skyscraper housing the National Football League headquarters and offices of several major financial institutions, including hedge fund giant Blackstone, has been "neutralised", the New York City Police Commissioner said.
Police did not immediately make details of the shooting public, but a law enforcement source told Reuters at least one New York Police Department officer and two civilians were struck by gunfire and that the suspect was
believed to be dead.
The source said the information was preliminary, and the condition or extent of injuries sustained by the Police Officer and two others was not immediately known.
The New York Post newspaper, citing unnamed police sources, reported that a gunman wearing a bullet-resistant vest and carrying an AR-style rifle had opened fire inside the Park Avenue skyscraper, wounding a Police Officer and a bystander. The Post reported they were in critical condition.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said most of the UN's food lorries were looted by desperately hungry Palestinians after entering Gaza on Sunday [Reuters]
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks as he takes part in mediation talks on the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict, between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, in Putrajaya, Malaysia, July 28, 2025 (Mohd Rasfan/Pool via Reuters)
It's up to you to take the lead in the conversation if you want to have a significant impact on how things unfold. Refuse to let emotions interfere with what's important to you.
Be careful what you share with associates. Personal information can put you in a vulnerable spot if you are too revealing. The best change you can make is in how you approach your responsibilities.
Learn from experience, and it will help you avoid confusion and uncertainty. Discipline and hard work will pave the way to a brighter future.
Overreacting will cost you. When in doubt, sit tight, say little, observe and consider how to utilize your energy to move forward. Do as much work as you can on your own to save money.
Take the initiative, explain your intentions and act with clarity and precision. A friendly gesture or kind word will help you get the response you need to advance.
A change may entice you, but first, ensure you have the necessary funds, time and energy to accommodate what's required to achieve your goal. Not everyone will play fair. Take the safe route.
Avoid excess and indulgent behavior, as well as taking on responsibilities that don't belong to you. Map out your schedule and stick to it. Choose self-improvement over criticizing others.
Look for an opportunity to discover what others have to offer that you can incorporate into your plans. Scrutiny is necessary to avoid mistakes. Watch, transform and conclude.
Refuse to let the little things upset you or hold you back. Embrace what life has to offer; apply your skills, and the impact you have will help you move in a positive direction.
Stop pondering over what to do next; do what's necessary and keep moving. The point is to stay busy and avoid criticism. It's up to you to build your opportunities on solid ground.
Share your thoughts and feelings with those who affect your life emotionally or financially. A change will provide a unique blend of learning and financial assistance.
Seek out opportunities, and you can find them today. Put your energy and discipline behind your dreams, and you'll discover something or someone that extends your vision. Avoid taking physical risks.
ARCHIE
RHTY&SC Bakewell/Busta Cricket Academy 2025…
of the Academy
Cricket manager of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), Robby Kissoonlall has stated that the 35th annual RHTY&SC Bakewell/Busta Cricket Academy was the most successful in the history of the club.
Kissoonlall noted that the cricket management committee was very pleased with the hard work, discipline and dedication of the large pool of young cricketers and the coaching staff of four.
The Academy started on Monday, July 14 and ended on Friday, July 25 at the Area H Ground With Level
Three Coach Winston Smith being the cricket director. He was ably assisted by Floyd Benjamin, Ryan Algu and Leslie Solomon. West Indies players Kevlon Anderson, Shemaine Campbell, Shabika Gajnabi and Sheneta Grimmond, along with nation-
al player Clinton Pestano, also dropped in at the camp and closing ceremony.
Club Secretary Hilbert Foster disclosed that special emphasis was placed on improving the batting, bowling and fielding skills of each participant along with their physical fitness. Indoor sessions were also held to increase the cricketing knowledge of the players on a wide range of topics including the history of cricket, fielding positions, captaincy, laws of cricket, and structure of West Indies cricket. The youths were also exposed to special lectures on topics such as peer pressure, public speaking, importance of education, personal hygiene, drug abuse, importance of discipline and choosing friends. The students were also involved in several quiz competitions where the youths received a wide range of prizes, including cricket gear and
uniforms when they provided the correct answers.
Foster expressed thanks to the official sponsors of the academy – Bakewell and the Guyana Beverage Company.
Head Coach Winston Smith stated that he was very impressed with the overall discipline of the cricketers and expressed his confidence that the RHTY&SC would continue to produce players of the highest standard.
The RHTY&SC cricket academy was first hosted in July 1991 and to date, it has produced more than 128 players for Berbice. Seventyfive have gone on to represent Guyana while 14 have played for the West Indies or the United States. They include Esuan Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Dominic Rikhi, Akshay Homraj, Shemaine Campbell, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi,
England 1-1 Spain: Lionesses retain title with dramatic penalty victory
England cemented their place in history with a stunning penalty-shootout victory over Spain to retain their European title at Euro 2025.
Chloe Kelly, who scored the iconic winner at Wembley in the final of Euro 2022, was the hero again as she converted the decisive spot-kick to seal victory after Spain had missed three in a row, with Hannah Hampton saving two of them.
It is the first time an England team have won a major trophy on foreign soil and seals manager Sarina Wiegman's status as one of the world's greatest with her third successive European title – achieved with two countries.
The Lionesses also became the first side to win a single-legged Euros final having been behind at halftime, proving they are the ultimate comeback queens.
They looked down and out when they trailed for a fourth time at Euro 2025, having conceded first in all three knockout matches –but they would not allow their story to end in such a feeble manner.
Mariona Caldentey's first-half header had put Spain in control, but it did
little to dampen England's unwavering belief and they refused to be beaten.
Substitute Kelly's introduction changed things when she came on for a struggling Lauren James, named in the starting XI by Wiegman despite doubts over an ankle injury in the build-up.
Kelly's whipped cross picked out Alessia Russo, who headed the ball into the far corner to make it 1-1.
The Lionesses then dug deep, putting in endless blocks and playing for a shootout, knowing they had what it took to deliver under pressure and complete the greatest achievement by an England team.
Having been second best in Sydney, England were seeking redemption for their World Cup final defeat and knew they faced the toughest of tests.
They have done things the hard way throughout the tournament – bouncing back from an opening defeat by France, coming from 2-0 down to beat Sweden in a penalty shootout and leaving it until the last minute to net a winner in extra time against Italy in the semi-final.
But despite demonstrat-
ing their comeback ability, few would have given them much of a chance at halftime when Wiegman's gamble on James backfired and Spain were cruising.
Goalkeeper Hampton had to make several key saves, before Kelly's introduction helped kick England into action and Russo scored her first goal of the knockout stages.
It has been a theme of this tournament – that England's resilience was beyond anything shown by anyone else. They know how to win, they had proven it before and that was all they needed to turn to in the toughest moments.
Wiegman, the composer, the coolest woman in the stadium, made the right changes when it was clear Plan A had gone askew, another theme of the tournament.
And Kelly, who has enjoyed the limelight in this generation of Lionesses, ensured she had another key contribution in the final.
There was never any doubt when she fired the ball past goalkeeper Cata Coll, then ran into the corner by the England fans to celebrate – her shirt not whirling around her head this time, but held tightly by her teammates. (BBC Sports)
Participants of the 2025 academy pose with club officials, coaches and sponsors
Neil Williams, Shawn Grant, Abel Fudadin, Khemraj Mahadeo, Erva Giddings, Clinton Pestano, Delbert Hicks, Shawn Perriera, Junior Williams, Slyus Tyndall and Plaffina Millington. The highly-successful club has also won five Guyana Cricket Board Club of the Year awards and also recently won the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Club of the Year award for the 10th time. The cricket teams since 1992 have also won a record 126 cricket titles at all levels, including three national championships. Additionally, National Under-15 pacer Rafael McKenzie was named by the coaches as the Cricketer of the Academy for his discipline and dedication. McKenzie carried home a total of $300,000 in prizes including an e-bike, West Indies King Jewellery cricket medallion, electronic tablet, household and kitchen items, designer clothing/ watch and cricket gear. The runner-up cricketer awardee was national Under-13 play-
er Leon Reddy who received about $150,000 worth of prizes. The other awardees included:
Best Under-11 player Devish Raghoo
Best Under-13 player Randy Williams
Best Under-15 player Jayden Ganpat
Best Under-17 player
Tameshwar Deonandan
Best Under-19 player Romesh Bharrat
Most Discipled player Munesh Rampersaud
Most Improved Jonathan Hicks and Junior Babb
Most promising: Matthew Perreira and Akash Sooklall
Most Committed: Matthew Pottaya
Best Informed Student: Dharvish Narine
Worker of the academy: Ronaldo
Six players received financial prizes from Shemaine Campbell for having a positive mindset at the academy while another 15 players received gifts that acknowl-
edged their potential for the future. The RHTY&SC also honoured its four members who recently represented Guyana at this year’s West Indies Under-19 female tournament and a total of 12 persons who made the academy a success. Each academy participant also received an educational package and a food hamper. A combined $1.8 million worth of prizes and gifts was distributed. The management of the RHTY&SC wished to express gratitude to all of the sponsors who made the academy a success, especially Bakewell; Busta; the National Assembly; Beacon’s Café; SD and L Accounting; Carol Trim Construction; Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain; Channizam Agro Chemicals; Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton; Water Minister Collin Croal; Fazil Jafferally, MP; GNNL; DeSinco Trading; The Gift Centre; HA Snacks; V Net Communications, and Colin Elcock among others.
West Indies fined for slow overrate in 4th T20I against Australia
West Indies have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee for being two overs short after time allowances were taken into consideration during the fourth T20 International (T20I) against Australia on July 26 in St Kitts.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the International Cricket Council (ICC)Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
Captain Shai Hope accepted the sanction proposed by the ICC match officials, avoiding the need for a formal hearing.
West Indies are yet to register a win on Australia's current inbound tour, having suffered a 3-0 defeat in the Test series and now trailing
4-0 in the T20I leg.
The T20Is have been high-scoring encounters, with Australia successfully chasing down targets in excess of 200 in each of the last two games.
The hosts were undone by a Tim David blitz in the third match, with the batter smashing the fastest T20I century by an Australian.
West Indies put up a stronger showing in the fourth T20I, but fifties from Josh Inglis and Cameron Green, along with a quickfire 47 from Glenn Maxwell, helped Australia seal the win in the final over. They looked to finish the series on a high when the two sides met again on July 28 at the same venue.
West Indies breached the ICC Code of Conduct
Guinness “Greatest of the Streets”…
Austin guides Ballers Empire to West Dem title
allers Empire triumphed over the weekend to become the new champions of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West Demerara Zone. Watched by scores of avid fans from West Demerara at the Pouderoyen on the West Ballers the better of Jetty Gunners, 5-2, in a hot-
Bevney Marks was the first to find the back of the net, handing Ballers 1-0 lead
fourth minute. Ravin Naughton extended their lead to 2 in the ninth minute while Solomon Austin made it a 3-0 affair
in the 13th.
In crunch time, when a goal was now worth two, Jetty Gunners attempted a comeback with Jermaine Beckles finding the back of the net for a Guinness goal in the 28th minute, bringing the scoreline to 3-2. Needing one more strike to get ahead of their opponents, Jetty Gunners were not prepared for what Austin unleased, finding the back of the net for a Guinness goal in the 30th minute that would extend the lead to 5.
In the third-place playoff between Wash Bay Boys and Pouderoyen Brothers, the former got the better of Pouderoyen 2-1 on penalty kicks after being tied 1-all at the end of regulation time.
Over in the plate final, Cayenne Massive overcame Unstoppable Force 3-0 to cop an $80,000 plate prize.
The champions, Ballers Empire carted off a $500,000
grand prize while Jetty Gunners had to settle for a $400,000 second-place prize.
Third-place finishers, Wash Bay Boys pocketed $300,000 while Pouderoyen Brothers pocketed $150,000.
33 karatekas successful at Shotokan Karate grading exams
Thirty-three karatekas were successful when the Association-do Shotokan Karate (Guyana)
held its second grading for the year for Berbice students at the Albion Dojo, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on Sunday.
Three students moved from 10 Kyu (white belt) to 8 Kyu (yellow belt) and two from 8 Kyu to 7 Kyu (orange belt).
Additionally, four students moved from 7 Kyu to 6 Kyu (green belt) and another four from 7 Kyu to 5 Kyu (blue belt).
Six green belts were also promoted, going to 5 Kyu and four from blue belt to 4 Kyu (purple); four students were promoted from 4 Kyu to 3 Kyu (brown belt) and two from brown to second Dan.
Three other students moved up the rankings from
Khouri spearheaded the exams, with the assistance
Hazrat Ali, 6th Dan.
Those promoted from 10 Kyu to 8 Kyu are Shaquad Pollard, Saniya Pollard, and Daniel Shariff.
Those who were promoted from 8 Kyu to 7 Kyu are Michael Subbamani, Shane Dillon, and Amaya Williams.
Ky-Lee Castello, Nathan Sellochan, Neera Permand and Abdur Pooran were promoted from 7 Kyu to 6 Kyu while Anisha Ali, Manisha Narain, Disha Bissessar and Hiya Harripersaud were promoted from 7 Kyu to 5 Kyu.
Nikhel Rambeer, Chad Gupta, Shaniya Narain, Ranaldo Toolsie, Morvin Sookdeo and Omai Lyte were promoted from 6 Kyu to 5 Kyu.
Meanwhile, Javier DeFreitas, Muzzammil
Rafeek, Fahima Haniff, and Aaliyah Persaud were promoted from 5 Kyu to 4 Kyu while Ejaaz Ali, Alijandro Persaud, and Ridwan Elemoodeen moved from 4 Kyu to 3 Kyu.
Obtaining a second Dan brown belt were Ariana Anamayah and Seraphina Anamayah. The new
first Dan brown belts are Noorisha Harrinarine, Aaron Anamayah, and Nathaniel Supaul.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, five students from the Albion Dojo were promoted in Georgetown; Seenarine Moonsammy, Basdeo Bissessar, Pretti Sukdeo and Ethian Anamayahall
becoming first Dan black belts while Andy-Sam Reddy was promoted to a fourth Dan black belt. Chief Instructor Khouri encouraged the karatekas to continue training, noting that it was not until one s first level black belt is acquired that the training really starts. (G4)
Windies U19 Women hold 1-0 series lead over USA
At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground on Saturday, the West Indies Under-19 Women took a 1-0 lead in their five-match Youth T20 International (T20I) series against the USA Under-19 Women, thanks to a strong bowling performance.
The Americans were held to just 66-9 in their 20 overs by West Indies, who had won the toss and
The West Indies then took 15.4 overs to reach 67-5 and secure a victory by five wickets. Cumberbatch completed an excellent all-round performance with a top score of 26 off 26 balls. In the second T20I, bad weather conditions forced a no-result after USA batted first and made 130 for 5 in their 20 overs. The third T20 International will take place on July 29, 2025.
decided to bowl first. The West Indians' domination with the ball was further enhanced by the fact that only two USA batters, Aditi Kumar (10) and Maahi Madhavan (15), reached double figures. Pacer Amrita Ramtahal got 2-18 from her four overs, while spinners Naijanni Cumberbatch and Captain Samara Ramnath took 4-12 and 3-12 from four overs, respectively.
brown belt second Dan to first Dan. Seventh Dan Chief Instructor Shihan Amir
of Seventh Dan instructor Clinton Moriah and Sensei
Ballers Empire will join the other Zone winners in the National Championships in a matter of months.
Ballers Empire celebrate their Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” victory
A glimpse of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West Demerara final
Naijanni Cumberbatch
A look at the Karatekas who went through exams on Sunday
Snippets from the Association-do Shotokan Karate exams on Sunday
…limited
Rtickets go on sale today
number of tickets to go on sale in Berbice, Essequibo soon
epublic Bank
Caribbean Premier League (CPL) fever will finally hit Guyana today when the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) box office opens its doors for ticket sales.
Tickets for the local franchise’s home games, which span Saturday, September 6 to Sunday, September 14 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), will go on sale today, Tuesday, July 29 from 08:00h at the 233234 Camp Street, Georgetown box office. A limited number of tickets are also set to go on sale soon in Berbice and along the Essequibo Coast.
The Amazon Warriors are playing host to all other CPL franchises in what promises to be a thrilling week of worldclass T20 cricket on home turf. Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early as excitement builds for what is sure to be a blockbuster CPL season
in Guyana.
The Warriors have already announced the retention of the ever-green Imran Tahir and the versatile Moeen Ali along with Guyanese superstars Romario Shepherd, Shimron Hetmyer, and Gudakesh Motie.
In addition to the five men’s group stage matches, there are double-headers with the Massy Women’s CPL included on the tickets to give fans even better value,
the CPL has revealed.
The box office will be opened from 08:00h to 16:00h from Monday to Friday, and from 09:00h to 13:00h on Saturdays.
While tickets for the league phase of the competition go on sale today, tickets for the Republic Bank CPL play-offs and final which will be hosted in Guyana for a fourth consecutive year, will go on sale on Tuesday, August 12.
Mahdia romp to Essequibo zone title in Kares One Guyana T10
Emotions ran high and the tension was palpable as Mahdia (Movements Family) triumphed over the star-studded Avinash All-Stars in a nail-biting final to claim the Essequibo zone title of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast.
Under the lights of the Anna Regina Ground, Mahdia held their nerve to secure the $300,000 zone prize, while Avinash All-Stars had to settle for the runners-up prize of $100,000.
The bigger picture is that Mahdia have qualified for the national playoffs.
After setting a target of 112-9, Mahdia's bowlers showcased remarkable discipline to restrict Avinash All-Stars to 104-5. This was
no small feat, especially with West Indies firepower in the opposition ranks.
Barbadian import Kyle Mayers unleashed an unbeaten 53 off just 25 balls, featuring four fours and four sixes, while fellow countryman Marlon Goodman added 25.
However, the Mahdia attack, spearheaded by Captain Raydon Austin's excellent 2-11 from two overs, proved too much to overcome.
Earlier, in Mahdia's innings, despite the efforts of Ronsford Beaton (2-23) and Ameer Mohamed (2-24), who bowled well to contain the scoring, a counter-attacking 40 from just 16 balls (1x4, 5x6s) provided the crucial impetus to reach a competitive total.
In the semi-finals, Avinash All-Stars made light work of Aurora Knight Riders, restricting them to
The day's cricketing extravaganza will kick off at 13:30h with a female exhibition match, followed by semi-final one and two, before the grand final, scheduled to begin at 19:30h.
The stakes are considerably higher in the national final, with teams vying for a massive $1.7 million grand prize.
The national runners-up won't go home empty-handed, pocketing $700,000 along with a trophy and medals, while even the losing semi-finalists will be rewarded with $300,000 each.
Individual brilliance won’t go unnoticed either, with a host of prizes up for grabs, including MVP ($150,000 + motorcycle), Most Runs ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Most Wickets ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Man-of-theNational Final ($75,000 + trophy + TV), Highest Strike Rate ($35,000), and Best Economy ($35,000).
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has garnered support from: Kares Engineering Inc; the Office of the President; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; KFC Guyana; Star Rentals; Banks DIH; Enet; Guyana Lottery Company; Regal Stationery and Computer Centre; Impressions; Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal; Shawn’s Mini Mart; Giftland Group of Companies; Kris Jagdeo Construction Company; Montra Restaurant & Lounge; Windsor Estates; The New Doctor’s Clinic; GuyOil; ANSA McAL; SuperBet Guyana; Digital Technology; Camille’s Academy; Navin and Sons Construction; Demerara Mutual Life Insurance; Continental Transportation, and Environmental & Technical Solutions.
Tickets will be on sale for the following matches:
Date Time Teams
Sat 6 Sept 2pm GAW Women vs TKR Women
Sat 6 Sept 7pm Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders
Sun 7 Sept 3pm GAW women vs BR Women Sun 7 Sept 8pm Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Wed 10 Sept 2pm TKR Women vs BR women
Wed 10 Sept 7pm Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Antigua & Barbuda Falcons
Sat 13 Sept 11am Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Saint Lucia Kings Sat 13 Sept 4pm TKR Women vs GAW Women Sun 14 Sept 2pm BR Women vs GAW Women Sun 14 Sept 7pm Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Barbados Royals
Tigers, Santos, Police FC resume campaigns with wins Elite League…
On the 26th of July, Season VII of the Elite League resumed at the Guyana Football Federation’s National Training Centre in Providence as Lake Mainstay Goldstars' woes continued and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Football Club returned on a winning note.
Santos FC took on a struggling Goldstars team in the first encounter of the evening. Goldstars held firm for the first 20 minutes of the game, playing solid defensive football. Troy Andrews struck in the 23rd minute of the game, opening the floodgates, as from that moment on, it was oneway traffic for Santos FC. Malcolm Hendricks' double strike in the 35th and 36th minutes put Santos up 3. Candel Hazel netted just before the half and the score was 4-0 at the halftime interval. Ravi Coates and Ian Daniela joined the party and put Santos FC in a commanding 6-0 position.
able 12-0 victory for Santos FC.
Later that night, Police FC defeated Monedderlust FC 5-0 with ease as well. In order to give GPF FC the momentum they needed in their decisive 5-1 vic-
Andrews’ form continued as he netted in the 60th and 64th minutes to complete his hat-trick. A brace from Tyrell Henry and goals from Randy Roberts and Antwan Samuel made it a comfort-
tory over Monedderlust FC, centre forward Neron Barrow was in unstoppable form. He scored early in the sixth minute and again in the 20th. Police FC also had goals from Adrian Aaron,
Bevney McGarrell, and Ryan Hackett. Then on Sunday night, Western Tigers played against Fruta Conquerors. The Tigers got off to a good start playing some slick football and were rewarded in the 16th minute via Stephon Reynolds's goal. Lennox Young would double the Tigers’ advantage just before halftime. Rondell Peters' 53rd-minute goal put a seal on the game as Western Tigers completed a 3-0 victory. In the second game of Sunday evening, Den Amstel and Ann's Grove United engaged in a furious duel. As both teams attempted to break the deadlock, they played to a standstill throughout the first half. The game was back and forth as the second half started, but Manuel Solomon gave Den Amstel the lead in the 89th minute. Travis Williams scored a spectacular equaliser in the 93rd minute to give Ann's Grove United a vital point in the closing seconds of the game, when it appeared that everything was gone. Elite League action will continue this weekend.
Neron Barrow scored a brace for Police FC
Troy Andrews scored a hat-trick for Santos FC
Kyle Mayers on the attack for Avinash All-Stars
