The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, August 13 –03:55h–05:25h and Thursday, August 14 – 03:55h–05:25h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, August 13 –06:55h–08:25h and Thursday, August 14 – 07:40h–09:10h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers with intermittent sunshine are expected during the day and cloudy skies with sporadic showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 2.23 metres.
High Tide: 07:12h and 19:31h reaching maximum heights of 2.74 metres and 2.70 metres.
Low Tide: 13:06h reaching a minimum height of 0.53 metre.
“You're going to see a changed Guyana” – Jagdeo on development trajectory for next 5 years …says, “When you vote for PPP/C, you’re voting for a trustworthy party”
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has assured Guyanese that they can look forward to a “changed Guyana” as his party continues to deliver on its promises in a second term in office, emphasising the PPP/C’s track record of keeping its commitments makes it the only viable choice for the upcoming September 1 General and Regional Elections (GRE).
Speaking at a public meeting on Tuesday at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, Jagdeo, who is also Guyana’s Vice President (VP), revealed a number of additional measures, including the transportation grant that will be given for each child. He noted that voters can trust the PPP/C’s promise given the party’s track record of keeping their word on past promises.
“When you vote for PPP/C in this election, you are voting for a party that has demonstrated that it is trustworthy, and trust is the biggest thing that a political party can claim. That’s your currency. If nobody trusts you to do what you say you can, they will never support you,” he declared to an enthusiastic crowd.
Jagdeo pointed to his Government’s achievements over the last five years while sharing several of the party’s ambitious plans to continue transforming communities across the country over the next five years should the party be re-elected to another term.
“Everything we promised in 2020 we work to deliver, and in 2030 when we come to campaign, we want to say we delivered all the things that I'm speaking about here tonight. You are going to see a changed Guyana,” Jagdeo said.
Agenda for national development
He also outlined a broad agenda for national development that includes expanding small business support, building more infrastructure, improving public spaces, and lowering taxes. He noted that the Government has already mobilised around 5000 local contractors to construct concrete roads in various communities and pledged to double that number to 10,000 in the next term.
“In Linden alone, 700 people have already secured contracts totalling $11 billion,” he said. “On the east coast in Berbice, in the Amerindian communities, everywhere people are benefiting from contracts.”
Further outlining the PPP/ C’s vision, VP Jagdeo said the party intends to construct concrete drains, install lights in playgrounds and streets, set up security cameras, and improve garbage collection across all communities.
He also stressed that housing improvements and support for low-income families will be a priority, alongside better-paying jobs and sustained assistance for key sectors, including rice farming, sugar, mining, and fishing industries. He contrasted this with what he described as failures by the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) during that par-
ty’s time in Government from 2015 to 2020.
“We wouldn't do what APNU did to the rice farmers and the sugar workers and the gold miners when they put a tonne of taxes on them and caused them to lose jobs,” he stated. "You can't trust APNU. They betrayed you, including their own supporters, in 2015.”
In support of working-class Guyanese, he pointed to significant tax reforms introduced under the PPP/C, including the doubling of the income tax threshold from $65,000 in 2020 to $130,000 now, tax cuts that see persons with overtime and second jobs now benefiting from $50,000 each in tax-free income monthly, and the $10,000 tax credit per child.
Looking ahead, he pledged the establishment of a development bank to offer zero-interest loans for small businesses, as well as more accessible land for farming and further tax reductions, including on vehicles and outboard motors for riverine residents.
“We are working to ensure every Guyanese, young and old, finds a home in the PPP/C. We
are for all our people,” Jagdeo said.
Create wealth before distributing it
Meanwhile, on Monday, while speaking on the “Starting Point” podcast, Jagdeo said that wealth must first be created before it can be fairly distributed, warning that oil alone is not a sustainable foundation for Guyana’s long-term future.
He highlighted that the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has always been careful and deliberate about economic policies – unlike the Peoples National Congressled A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
“From the beginning, when we resumed office in 1992, we had to focus first on re-establishing a sustainable macroeconomic environment,” Jagdeo explained, noting that “when you’re using 153 percent of revenue to service debt, or your debt is nine times the size of the economy as it was back then, there is no sustainability.”
Jagdeo, who served as Minister of Finance from 1995 to 1999 and then as President
from 1999 to 2011, emphasised that even before oil and gas, the PPP/C demonstrated its ability to carefully manage the economy.
“We managed, even before oil and gas, to restore our country to viability and solvency. We were using less than 10 per cent of revenue to service debt in 2015, when we lost power. And also, the debt had come down from nine times the size of the economy to 45 per cent of GDP, which is one of the lowest figures in the world. And at the same time, we started tackling the essential things of rebuilding, although we’re tackling the macroeconomy – schools, roads, hospitals, sea defences, you know, making sure higher wages were paid to the public service. So, it’s a package.” He outlined.
According to Jagdeo, the Government has to plan for an economy that is not only reliant on oil and gas revenue, and the PPP/C is the only party that has demonstrated its ability to do this.
“No other party talks about this. They’re only talking about oil revenue,” he posited.
A section of the crowd at the Mahaica public meeting on Tuesday evening
Guyana’s tourism sector has entered an unprecedented chapter of growth and recognition on the global stage, with the latest visitor arrivals demonstrating the nation’s accelerating appeal to both regional and international markets. The period from January to July 2025 has delivered record-breaking results, reflecting a combination of strategic planning, market diversification and industry stakeholders’ promotion to position Guyana as a premier destination.
From January to July this year, 242,655 visitors crossed the country’s borders, an 18 per cent increase compared to the 205,646 recorded during the same period in 2024. This is a signal of sustained momentum across all seven months, with growth outpacing the regional average and underscoring the effectiveness of policies aimed at expanding the country’s tourism footprint.
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) remains the principal gateway, welcoming 168,582 visitors in the first seven months of the year. The Eugene F Correia International Airport (EFCIA) followed with 63,250 arrivals, while the Lethem and Moleson Creek ports of entry recorded 4483 and 6340 arrivals, respectively. Such distribution of entry points demonstrates a maturing and more geographically balanced tourism sector, with benefits extending beyond the capital to regional hubs.
The United States continues to lead as Guyana’s largest source market, contributing 41 per cent of total arrivals, followed by significant shares from the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, and Latin America. This diversity of markets is both a strength and a safeguard, insulating the sector from over-dependence on any single region and fostering resilience against global economic fluctuations.
The performance seems to be driven by multiple factors converging at the right moment. Enhanced air connectivity, including increased flight frequencies and expanded routes, has improved access. Targeted marketing campaigns in key source markets have elevated Guyana’s profile, while the resurgence of diaspora travel has brought returning visitors eager to reconnect with heritage and family. Beyond that, the hosting of cultural festivals and sporting tournaments, the biggest being the Caribbean Premier League, and the launch of new tourism products, from eco-adventures in pristine hinterlands to high-end hospitality offerings, have diversified the visitor experience.
A month-by-month analysis shows robust and consistent growth. January’s arrivals rose by 22.8 per cent over last year, April marked the strongest monthly gain at 28.6 per cent, and other months posted double-digit increases, including May at 17.6 per cent, June at 15.2 per cent, and July at 16.7 per cent. Such sustained performance speaks to a structural shift rather than a one-off spike, indicating that Guyana is successfully converting awareness into actual visitation.
This upswing in visitor arrivals forms part of an even broader expansion in overall passenger traffic. Between January and June 2025, more than one million passengers passed through CJIA alone, matching the total arrivals through all ports of entry for the entirety of the previous year. Such statistics point to both tourism growth and increased mobility in business, trade, and family travel, reflecting a more dynamic national economy.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond has rightly framed these results as a direct outcome of coordinated, strategic efforts to elevate the tourism sector. By promoting certified tourism businesses, deepening partnerships, and broadening the product base, the Government and its partners are laying the groundwork for tourism to stand as a major contributor to the national GDP.
What is emerging is a redefinition of Guyana’s tourism identity. The country is increasingly recognised for its authenticity, offering visitors untouched natural landscapes, vibrant cultural traditions, and genuine human connection.
This momentum, however, is not self-sustaining without continued focus. Continued investment in infrastructure must keep pace with rising arrivals, from airport facilities to road networks and telecommunications. Workforce development is equally critical, ensuring that service standards remain high and that employment opportunities in tourism translate into long-term careers for Guyanese citizens.
The record-breaking visitor arrivals for 2025 are therefore a demonstration of a clear vision, collaborative execution, and the inherent attractiveness of Guyana’s tourism proposition. With strategic continuity, the sector can deliver more than short-term economic gains but sustained prosperity.
Guyana’s tourism story is still in its early chapters, but the narrative is unfolding with remarkable promise.
The so-called "Good Life", packaged under a new name
Dear Editor,
The Coalition came to power on the backs of the three Indians, Charandass, Ramjattan and Nagamootoo; these were the guys who did the hard work for the PNC to get another shot in office and power. Those three individuals lied to the Indians in the PPP/C strongholds to grab their votes so that they could have eked out a win for the party; they were pivotal to the PNC getting back into Government and total control of this country. That coalition came in under a strategy of lies of a "good life" and major promises of mighty good things to come.
In reality, those promises turned out to be a humorous and malicious deception and a nightmare for all of us, due to the plain fact that soon after the PNC got into power, the people and the promises they made to them soon evaporated into thin air, and the old Black Supremacist ideas of the party took precedence. In addition, they lavished on themselves the largesse of our country, where friends, families and favourites of the party benefited greatly while the masses out there suffered immensely. The general Guyanese public, who thought that the PNC had changed, were shocked into silence at the drastic turnaround in their
fortunes.
Now, change eventually came to this country in a no-confidence vote by one of the Indians in the coalition; it toppled the PNC-led coalition and restored democracy to Guyana. The PPP/C was returned to office and immediately went to work, building and transforming the nation to modern respectability.
Now, we are back into another election campaign season, and again there are a plethora of parties, bearing gifts to the nation of another "Good Life" to come. The PNC, for their part, is at it again with a rebranded good life package, most of which carries unrealistic giveaways, such as a $1M monthly allowance to all Guyanese.
The sanctioned Presidential hopeful, who is another Indian, PNC Decoy, is also offering a grandiose package, which he hopes might gain the attention of a stupefied audience. His figures supersede what Guyana gains from an annual income of oil; what a fantastic proposal! But I can tell him that his fairytale plans would not gain traction among normal civilised Guyanese, nor are we Pavlov's dogs, lest he run away with that thought. We would not be fooled by an-
other "delusional Indian", as was the case in the first coalition. If Mohamed thinks that somehow his ethnicity could give him an unfair advantage in this Presidential run, then I would advise him to think again.
But far removed from the rush for Presidential office is the solid fact that the opposition wants to get its filthy hands on this nation's sovereign wealth; the oil money is a great incentive to becoming a Presidential hopeful. The naked truth is, the combined opposition want to rule our Guyana World with no track record and no economic sense that we can rely on. In this regard, there is no valid reason for us to hold any faith in them. The 20152020 experiment is fresh on our minds; that hypothesis very nearly killed us.
So, be it known, Guyanese will not be fooled by (a) the newly formed 2025 secret coalition of sorts, nor (b) Azruddin Mohamed's fantasy packages; they are all the same people. They are cut from the same cloth, saddled with one common aim, that is, to get the progressive PPP/C Party out of office so that they can achieve all their own narrow selfish goals. Make no mistake, Aubrey Norton has no track record in governance from which he can draw,
and the same can be said of Azruddin Mohamed.
In Mohamed's case, he is out to save his sorry behind from sanctions, and in his evil quest, a fling at political office might just do the trick. Mohamed's actions mirror that of Maduro, who brought an entire country down with him; the visible signs of sanctions are all around us with the thousands of Venezuelans who fled their country all because of a crippling sanction.
You may ask yourself the question, what would become of Guyana should Azruddin get into office? And the answer is our beloved country would go down with him. A sanction is not an ordinary matter that can easily be glossed over; it is a crippling and insuperable situation that all of us will have to face.
I must hasten to a close, so I would issue a stern warning to my fellow Guyanese: do not allow our country to go under with a sanctioned individual the likes of an Azruddin Mohamed. At this juncture of our development, we cannot afford to squander our gains with another experiment. Guyana, we must say, is focused with the PPP/C!
Yours Respectfully, Neil Adams
A teacher engages students at the new over $25M nursery school at St Deny’s Tapakuma Lake, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), which was commissioned on Tuesday (Education Ministry photos)
Woman stabbed to death by ex-husband
…“I now fix she deh” – suspect tells woman’s new partner
Bibi Shazida Hanif, 45, of Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, was brutally murdered in her home on Tuesday.
Hanif, a cleaner employed with Rapid Oil Field at Halliburton, was found lying in a pool of blood next to her bed with multiple stab wounds to her back. The gruesome discovery was made shortly after 05:00h, just minutes after she had reportedly called her current partner to arrange a ride to work.
According to investigators, Hanif contacted
her partner, a 44-year-old Trinidadian national and Rapid Oil Field Inspector, Hayden Xavier, at around 04:44h, explaining that she was running late and asking him to pick her up from her home. Xavier told Police he was already on his way to pick her up, and while crossing the Demerara Harbour Bridge, he tried calling Hanif back, but the phone was answered by another man. He claims the voice on the other end identified himself as 53-year-old Martin True, Hanif’s ex-husband, who chillingly said, “I now fix she deh.”
Alarmed, Xavier immediately alerted the Vreed-en-Hoop Police
Station before heading to Hanif’s residence. When Police arrived, they found
her motionless body. She was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. Her remains were later taken to Ezekiel Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination.
Reports are that by 08:30h, acting on intelligence, Police intercepted motorcar PZZ 3660 during a stop-and-search exercise at No. 66 Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. The driver, a 29-yearold of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, was accompanied by a passenger later identified as Martin True.
True, who resides at Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, was arrested, cautioned, and placed in custody at the Springlands Police Station.
Police said Hanif had been living alone at the Samaroo Dam property after moving out of Xavier’s home in Providence about two weeks ago. Her 18-year-old son, with whom she shared the house, was visiting his father in Berbice at the time of the killing.
Investigations into the murder are ongoing.
APNU+AFC chose political manipulation instead of reforms
Dear Editor,
In Monday's edition of Stabroek News, quoting extensively from the Alliance For Change’s David Patterson, there is a calculated and dishonest attempt to portray Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo as the arbiter of police promotions.
This is a blatant falsehood. The Constitution is clear in that promotions within the Guyana Police Force are the responsibility of the Commissioner of Police and the Police Service Commission.
The Vice President, speaking on behalf of the Government, rightly brought national attention to the concerns expressed by officers who served with loyalty and distinction and believe they were deliberately denied advancement.
To claim that Dr Jagdeo “presided over” promotions is pure political mis-
chief intended to distract from the truth. It was the APNU+AFC who systematically undermined morale, stalled promotions, and stripped away the Joint Services bonus.
The PPP/C Government, under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali, has taken decisive action to address these concerns.
The promotions policy is clear and merit-based in that constables with five to seven years of clean service advance to Corporal, while those with eight to ten years to Sergeant, and officers with over twenty years to Inspector.
This rewards longevity, discipline, and performance while opening career pathways that were deliberately blocked by the former administration.
Our reforms go far beyond promotions. Salary inequities among the low-
All legal options are being considered
Dear Editor,
I am aware of a recent interview in which Mr Junior Baksh has made false and damaging allegations about my past business dealings. Mr Baksh worked as my gold-buying agent several years ago, but our association ended over concerns about his unethical business practices. I categorically deny all of the allegations made in the interview. I have always conducted my busi -
ness in strict compliance with the laws of Guyana. The timing of these unfounded claims is suspicious and raises serious questions about the motives behind their release. All legal options are being considered, including proceedings against Mr Baksh and any individuals who may have influenced or facilitated these statements.
Warmest regards, Tamesh Jagmohan
er ranks have been corrected, ensuring that those who carry the greatest operational burdens are compensated fairly. The Joint Services bonus, callously removed by the APNU+AFC, has been restored as part of a deliberate policy to rebuild morale and respect within the force.
The Government has
also made record investments in modern policing through new patrol vehicles, the rollout of body cameras for accountability, expansion of the Safe City project for enhanced surveillance, and the introduction of advanced forensic and communications equipment. These are supported by continuous training programmes and
technical upgrades, ensuring that the Guyana Police Force is equipped, prepared, and capable of meeting the demands of modern law enforcement.
The APNU+AFC had every opportunity to deliver these reforms but chose neglect and political manipulation instead. The PPP/C Administration is uplifting
the GPF into a motivated, respected, and professional institution capable of delivering law and order to every citizen and free from the partisan interference.
Yours Sincerely, Kwame Mc Coy Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister
Bibi Shazida Hanif and the suspect, Martin True
Sometimes you want to find a figure’s area, or the number of units it would take to fill it. Those units are called square centimetres, metres, or kilometres in metric units or square inches, feet, yards or miles in customary units.
Remember
Be careful! A square metre does not equal 100 square cm or a square foot, 12 square inches. A square metre equals 1 metre (100 cm) x 1 metre (100 cm) = 1m2 (10,000 cm) and a square foot = 144 inches.
Examples:
To find the area of a triangle, multiply its length (also called its base) x its height x 1/2
Find the figure’s Multiply 7 x 5 x
To find the area of a rectangle or a square, multiply the length x the width. In a rectangle and a square, both lengths and both widths are the same, but use only one of each when you multiply.
Exercises: Convert
1) What is the area of a square with 5m sides?
2) Which has a greater area, an 8-cm square or a rectangle with sides of 10 cm and 5 cm?
3) Which has a greater area, a 17-cm square or an equilateral triangle with sides of 7 cm?
4) A triangle has sides of 4 metres. What is its area?
5) What is the area of a rectangle with sides of 10 cm and 40 cm?
Make the sounds of a rainstorm using your hands and feet.
• Rub hands together (wind)
• Snap fingers (sprinkling rain)
• Clap hands (heavier rain)
• Slap thighs (pouring rain)
• Stomp feet and continue slapping thighs (thunder and heavy rain)
• Slap thighs (thunder stopped)
• Clap hands (rain is slowing)
• Snap fingers (rain is down to a sprinkle)
• Rub hands (Sun is coming out and a fresh breeze is blowing)
• Hands on lap (silence after a storm) (Adapted from startwithabook.org) Area
By Kevin young
Once, in winter, I was blessed by lightning, the plane sudden struck – the boom of it, the cabin lit up & then the air made metal in my mouth. It’s true, you can look it up –we had circled like hell, trying to land a good while— once even descended through clouds of snow, earthbound, only to rise again the last moment when a plane already sat there, blinking, on our white runway. Exiled back to the sky, we orbited the airport untethered & impatient. So when lightning threaded us through, we all knew— wrong it turns out, yet one day true enough, perhaps soon— we’d be done. You should know that after you ready to meet the far, stony shore, it is not hope but the strange fire of forgiveness that flares & fights
Ripped from the Headlines
Write a scene or story inspired by one of these recent bizarre stories in the news.
US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed applies for Venezuelan visa – Foreign Minister …says
Just over a month after two United States (US) Congress members, Carlos Gimenez and María Elvira Salazar described local businessman and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party leader Azruddin Mohamed as “Maduro’s puppet,” Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Perez Silva, has confirmed that Mohamed has applied for a Venezuelan visa. The revelation was made by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd, who disclosed that Mohamed, along with other members of his family, have been making frequent visits to the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown. Guyana and Venezuela are currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awaiting oral hearing on the high-profile border controversy concerning the validity of the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899, which established the boundary between the two countries.
According to Minister
Todd, the matter is of “grave concern” to the Government of Guyana given the allegations made by US Congresspersons Carlos Gimenez and María Elvira Salazar linking the Mohameds to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
“I’m encouraged to inform you that only recently we found out that the Mohameds have been
frequently visiting the Venezuelan Embassy here in Georgetown. Now, you can recall that we’ve had Congressmen in the United States of America who have been very vocal in connecting the Mohameds to Nicolás Maduro and his regime, particularly as it relates to smuggling and the sanctions that have been placed on Venezuela, gold smuggling that is, and mon-
Berbice motorcyclist dies after slamming into pig
A27-year-old motorcyclist, Daniel Gaindalall of Block 4, Tain, Corentyne, Berbice, is now dead after reportedly hitting a pig on the Corentyne Highway, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), on Monday afternoon.
The animal was reportedly crossing the highway when the motorcycle slammed into it, causing the rider to fall.
Reports are that the incident occurred shortly before 17:00h on Monday at Alness Village, Corentyne.
Gaindalall, who worked as a labourer in the rice industry, had gone to the Black Bush Polder to visit relatives.
According to his 47-yearold reputed wife, Janet Naidoo, he would have been on his way home when he crashed into the animal.
When this publica-
tion visited the scene on Tuesday, the dead animal was lying on the parapet, and parts of the motorcycle were also scattered on the roadway.
Naidoo said her reputed husband died at the Port Mourant Hospital, where he was taken after the crash.
“By 4:30 I called him and asked him if he was ready to come home now, and he said that he was now about to leave to come home. So 5 o’clock was gone and I was still waiting to see if he was coming, and then my phone rang, and then my daughter called and said that he got into an accident by Alness Village and they rushed him to the Port Mourant Hospital. When I went there, he was panting for breath, and about 10 minutes later the doctor pronounced him dead,” Naidoo said.
According to the woman,
her reputed husband was wearing a safety helmet at the time of the accident.
She added that the family has been able to find the owner of the animal. Animals roaming the Corentyne Highway is a daily occurrence, and on many occasions they impede the flow of traffic.
“I think everybody should be very careful and take care of the animals that they are mining because although that happened yesterday, we still passed there today [Tuesday] and saw a lot of pigs on the road. I know they must have heard that a pig was on the road and caused the accident, and still they have their pigs all over,” the grieving woman said, adding, “They have to do something about it because he would normally go out on the road anytime with his bike, and something like this never happened. If that pig was not going across the road, you would not have had an accident. If you are minding animals, you have to keep them in your yard or have them secured somewhere. Nobody owns the pig because they know what will happen if they come forward and own the pig; it would be a different story because of what their pig is doing on the road... But I lost a husband.”
The couple had been together for eight years and had no children. Gaindalall was the eldest of three surviving siblings.
ey laundering,” Todd disclosed during an interview by the Department of Public Information (DPI).
“That is of concern to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Government of Guyana and of course it will be of grave concern to the people of Guyana because we see that as a move that connects what the Congressmen in the United States have been saying with the action of the Mohameds here,” he explained.
Todd confirmed that he summoned Ambassador Perez Silva to a meeting, during which the ambassador admitted that the Mohameds had applied for visas to travel to Caracas. “We can now follow a pattern that has been evolving,” the Minister said, warning that such developments could pose a threat to Guyana’s sovereignty, especially in the lead-up to the
country’s regional and national elections.
Against this backdrop, he cautioned that foreign interference in electoral processes is a documented risk, noting that Venezuela could potentially use “any option available” to disrupt Guyana’s democracy. “If it is clear that the Mohameds are close to Nicolás Maduro and his regime, that can pose a serious threat to our sovereignty, and it can also affect our relations with the United States and our traditional partners,” Todd stressed.
The Foreign Minister underscored the need for vigilance, warning that any association between sanctioned individuals and foreign Governments accused of undermining democratic institutions must be treated as a national security issue. “We cannot rule out attempts by Venezuela to derail our electoral process,” he said.
On June 30, US Congressman Gimenez had also raised concerns over what he describes as Venezuela’s attempt to influence internal affairs in Guyana, specifically through a controversial figure. Gimenez stated: “In the US Congress we are alarmed by the regime in Venezuela’s attempt to undermine Guyana through its pro-Maduro puppet candidate Azruddin Mohamed, who is sanctioned by OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control).”
Over the last five years, Maduro has launched a series of initiatives against
Guyana in pursuit of its annexation of Essequibo including a fake election of a governor and “representatives” to the National Assembly for the region.
Subsequently, US Congresswoman Salazar has already cautioned that “We remain deeply concerned about efforts to undermine democracy in Guyana. As a strategic ally of the United States, Guyana deserves leaders who respect democratic values. Individuals sanctioned for illicit activities must not be allowed to jeopardise this vital relationship.” Venezuela currently does not have an active extradition treaty with the US. Historically, the country has considered extradition requests on a caseby-case basis, weighing factors such as reciprocity and the interests of justice. However, this approach is not governed by a formal, treaty-based framework.
President Irfaan Ali had previously explained that the US-sanctioned businessman is a risk and a threat to Guyana’s financial stability, sovereignty and diplomacy.
At least three local banks have cancelled the personal accounts of individuals on the candidates lists of WIN. Meanwhile, in addition to the US sanctions for smuggling 10,000 kilograms (kg) of gold and avoiding the payment of more than US$50 million in duty taxes Mohamed is charged locally with tax evasion for amounts totalling some $900 million.
Dead: Daniel Gaindalall Grieving reputed wife, Janet Naidoo
From left: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Nazar "Shell" Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed
Cracking down… …on gold smuggling
As the campaign heats up – albeit not quite to fever pitch as yet – some issues have been thrown up by circumstances that have little or nothing to do with the intentions of the political players. Take gold. For an industry that historically was the first to develop mining in our country in the 1890s and led to the institution of the legendary “pork-knockers”, you’d think it would’ve attracted much greater attention! While your Eyewitness ain’t too sure about the numbers right now – 10,000 was mentioned – at one time there were at least 50,000 of this hardy species knocking about in our jungles and mountains.
Even 10,000 is a whole lotta votes – and should end up producing a whole lotta gold! Yet last year, only 435,000 oz, or 13.5 tonnes, were declared to the Gold Board!! What’s going on?? Well, from what one mid-level player in the industry claims in a “he seh; she seh”, sing-like-acanary interview – evidently made some time ago with one of our notable muckrakers – the answer is “smuggling”!! But it seems to your Eyewitness that this is just another instance of there being “no honour among thieves”, and this is part of a disinformation scheme by that fella who was sanctioned for smuggling 20 tonnes of gold out of the country and not paying the US$50M taxes to the GRA!!
The person the interview focused on is the largest competitor of Sanction Man in the gold business – and one he’d long insisted had ratted him out to the Yanks to earn him his OFAC sanction!! Now the interview was released even though the Singing Gold Canary (pun intended!) said it wasn’t to be done unless he were dead or gave permission. Well, we know he ain’t dead, and since the person who released it – another muckraker par excellence! – said it was given to her by Sanction Man, it gotta mean Canary gave it to him!! The Canary threw out a boatload of red herrings clearly intended to steer the Yanks towards not only sanctioning Sanction Man’s competition – but also impugning the character of a number of persons in Government!! Clearly, hell hath no fury like a gold smuggler scorned!!
In the meantime, VP Jagdeo had some time ago mentioned the formation of a high-level task force to tighten and enforce the laws against gold smuggling. A Government can’t act on “he seh; dem seh”! He just reiterated that one of the priorities of the PPP’s new Administration after Sep 1st gonna be cracking down on gold smuggling.
Bleeds us of billions in taxes and, not so incidentally, attracts OFAC sanctions that are a black mark against our country.
…on Venezuela
We all know Pres Trump doubled the bounty on Mad Maduro’s head from US$25M to US$50M for information leading to his capture for smuggling coke and fentanyl into the US! Some wondered if the information was provided, how would the US “capture” him?? Your Eyewitness thinks the reward’s just a ploy to induce some insider to capture and hand over the madman!!
In the meantime, Mad Maduro’s Government just filed a “rejoinder” to our submissions on his concocted “Border Controversy” to the ICJ. Most arrogantly for a man who swears on the value of the UN – the rejoinder tells the ICJ to “screw itself”!! It reiterated his Government’s absolute REJECTION of the ICJ’s jurisdiction – even though that jurisdiction’s based on the Geneva Agreement, which Venezuela agrees governs the resolution of the controversy!! But then again, we’re dealing with a madman!!
Anyhow, as our Government responded, Venezuela’s rejoinder ends all submissions – and the ICJ’s gonna now issue their judgement!! Our case is a slam dunk, and Mad Maduro will just have to deal with that!!
…on Guyanese?
The UK just added Guyana to its “deport now, appeal later” list of countries where that rule will be applied to their immigrants in Britain who commit crimes. And they want us to treat them favourably because of “old ties”??
President Ali holds talks with US Cabinet
Secretaries on trade, security,
infrastructure
President Irfaan Ali engaged in virtual discussions with United States (US)
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, focusing on
strengthening bilateral cooperation across several strategic sectors.
The high-level talks
given that, I think we have approached this matter differently… Now, unlike with some other countries which I think take a harder line, they understood that the [Guyana’s] surplus is as a result of the oil export, not any unfair currency practices or protective barriers in Guyana that have led to that situation which they accuse other countries of,” Jagdeo told reporters at one of his press conferences.
covered key issues including trade and tariffs, food and energy security, the development of modern infrastructure, and security
partnerships. Both sides expressed a mutual interest in deepening commercial relations, with particular emphasis on potential mega investments in infrastructure and energy projects in the near future.
Joining President Ali in the discussions were Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, Guyana’s Ambassador to Mexico and Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington, Zulfikar Ally, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan; National Security Adviser Captain Gerry Gouveia, and Director of the National Intelligence Agency Colonel Sheldon Howard.
The dialogue reflects ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation between Guyana and the US, particularly as the country pursues economic growth and regional security objectives.
Earlier this month, the White House revealed that the 38 per cent reciprocal tariff announced for Guyana in April has been reduced to 15 per cent.
Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said subsequently that discussions are still ongoing, with hopes of further reducing the tariff to 10 per cent.
According to Jagdeo, the US authorities understand that the trade surplus between the two countries is largely from oil exports.
“They know that it’s almost entirely from the export of oil into the US. So
Jagdeo had said that Guyana was still hopeful for a further adjustment.
“We’re still engaged in talks and discussions, and we hope upon the completion of those discussions that we can get back down to the 10 per cent. But we’re pleased that there was a downward adjustment,” Jagdeo had said.
Back in April, Guyana had been included on a list of countries facing reciprocal tariffs from the US, a measure that, once implemented, could have seen the cost of doing business increase and had resulted in the Government of Guyana reaching out to its partners in the US, seeking answers.
According to a chart US President Donald Trump read from, Guyana had a 38 per cent reciprocal tariff rate applied to its exports to the US in response to the 76 per cent tariff that Guyana was listed as imposing on US products.
However, the US then put a 90-day pause on these tariffs.
In May, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, and a team from Guyana met with the US Trade Representative, Ambassador Jameson Greer, to discuss the tariff. At the time, Jagdeo had revealed that the meeting focused on explaining the economic context of the surplus, including the nascent nature of Guyana’s oil and gas industry and the dominant role US companies play in its development.
President Irfaan Ali meeting virtually for discussions with the United States of America Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and the Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum. President Ali was joined by Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, Guyana’s Ambassador to Mexico and Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington
Zulfikar Ally, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, National Security Adviser Captain Gerry Gouveia, and Director of the National Intelligence Agency Colonel Sheldon Howard
Cartels threaten CANU head after major drug busts
…local, int’l law enforcement on alert
Director of CANU, James Singh
Local law enforcement officials and international partners have been alerted to a threat against the life of Director of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh. Based on information received, the threats may have originated from major drug cartels within South America and the
Colombian networks. “We will continue to monitor the situation with the hope that the issue does not escalate… but at the same time, we will be extremely careful,” Singh added. Over the years, drug traffickers have been exploiting the rivers and jungles of South America by transporting large quantities of cocaine from Colombia and
Caribbean whose consignments were either intercepted or are being targeted. Since returning to the helm of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Singh’s leadership has resulted in the dismantling of drug trades in and out of Guyana – something that the alleged drugs cartels are not pleased with. In an invited comment, Singh related that a threat on his life is also one on the Unit and ultimately the country.
“We have been receiving text messages and voice messages from several foreign numbers… as such, we will not take these threats lightly and the Unit has already informed our stakeholders – the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) along with our international partners… This is not a threat against me but by extension, the Unit and the country as a whole.”
He added that the numbers are being tracked and the law enforcement authorities have some knowledge from where the numbers originated. Guyana Times understands that the numbers may have been registered with Venezuelan and
Venezuela through Guyana and Suriname.
It was reported that Guyana has been the focus of major United States (US) law enforcement operations in the last few years that were done in partnership with Guyanese authorities and resulted in several multi-tonne seizures of cocaine.
Only in March this year, a cargo vessel originating in Guyana was discovered by Police in the waters of Trinidad and Tobago with approximately 182 kilograms (kg) of cocaine. Cocaine packages stamped with the Toyota logo, a known trademark of the Sinaloa Cartel, were found on board the cargo vessel. Further, some 2370 kg (5000lbs) of cocaine in a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) approximately 150 miles off the coast of Guyana on March 21, 2024. Then in August last year, Guyanese authorities, with support from the DEA and Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), unearthed some 4.4 tonnes of cocaine with a street value of some €176 million (GY$40.7 billion) hidden in several bunkers near an illegal air-
strip at Matthews Ridge, Region One, which shares a border with Venezuela.
Meanwhile, only recently, Senior Superintendent of Police Himnauth Sawh was among four Guyanese nationals who had been sanctioned by the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for drug trafficking.
Also sanctioned were Paul Daby Jr, Randolph Duncan, called Rudolph Duncan and Mark Cromwell, called “Demon” and “Diamond,” a former Police Officer.
In addition, two Colombians, Yeison Andres Sanchez Vallejo and Manuel Salazar Gutierrez, were on the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List. These sanctions were im-
posed under an Executive Order issued back in December 2021 [ILLICITDRUGS-EO14059] titled: Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved
in the Global Illicit Drug Trade.
At the time of that drug bust on August 31, 2024 at Matthew’s Ridge, Senior Superintendent Sawh was serving as the Police Commander for Region One. He was subsequently removed from that post and assigned to the GPF Transport Workshop.
The narco-submarine found with the cocaine off the shore of Guyana in March 2024
The cocaine found in bunkers at Matthew’s Ridge in August 2024
“Beautiful, purpose-built facility for your children” – Minister on 1st nursery school at Mashabo
The riverine Indigenous village of Mashabo, located in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), on Tuesday celebrated the com-
missioning of its first-ever nursery school, giving its youngest learners their own dedicated, child-friendly space for the first time. This
school, which was constructed at a cost of $23,751,960, will have two teachers with a total enrolment of 35 students and also employs four
part-time workers and two Government-sourced 10-day service workers.
Speaking at the commissioning, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said that the Mashabo Nursery School is one of 67 nursery schools constructed across Guyana in the last three and a half years – the most ever built in a single five-year term.
This achievement, she stressed, is even more significant given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Government’s first two years in office.
Manickchand pointed out that the new Mashabo Nursery School is a far cry from the makeshift spaces that once housed the village’s youngest learners. She
purpose-built facility with the right space for your children. This also means that the primary school now has more room for its pupils, so all children in Mashabo benefit from this building,” Minister Manickchand said.
Manickchand also highlighted other ongoing developments in the community, including the establishment of an information and communications technology (ICT) hub, ecotourism projects, fish-farming ventures, and teacher-training programmes. She reaffirmed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is committed to ensuring that essential services reach even the most remote communities.
thanked the Ministry of Education for the new school while echoing the Minister’s sentiments, describing the school’s commissioning as “opening the doors to opportunity” for Mashabo’s children. “This school stands as living proof that development in Guyana is not limited to areas with large populations or bustling activity. Our Government promised that infrastructure would follow wherever people live, in the city or the quietest remote region, and today, that promise is fulfilled,” Persaud stated. He added that with the new facility, nursery pupils will no longer have to share space in the primary school,
said this is not an old kitchen converted into a classroom, nor a rented building, but a beautiful, purpose-built facility designed with the right space for nursery children.
The Minister explained that having a dedicated nursery school means pupils now have an environment that is more suitable for their learning and development. She further noted that the shift has also freed up space in the Mashabo Primary School, creating a better environment for primary students as well. According to her, this one investment benefits all the children of Mashabo from nursery through to primary by providing proper classrooms, reducing overcrowding, and ensuring that every age group has an appropriate place to learn.
“Now you have a brandnew nursery school... not an old kitchen converted into a classroom, not a rented building but a beautiful,
“The PPP/C knows where you are, and we make sure whatever service is available, you will get, whether you are in the heart of the city, up a mountain, down a riverbank, or here in Mashabo,” she asserted.
She further reminded residents of the Administration’s track record in keeping its education promises, such as restoring and increasing the “Because We Care” cash grant to $55,000 per child, providing free textbooks, and expanding the school feeding programme to include breakfast. She contrasted this with the previous Government’s removal of the grant in 2015, stressing that the PPP/C has delivered on every education-related commitment it made.
“Opening the doors to opportunity” Assistant Chief Education Officer (CEO) for Nursery, Devindra Persaud,
allowing for more suitable learning environments for both age groups. Meanwhile, Toshao of Mashabo, Henry Hendricks, expressed his gratitude and happiness at the commissioning of the village’s first nursery school. He said the facility marks a significant step forward for the community, as it will provide the youngest learners with a proper environment to start their education.
Hendricks noted that having such an investment in Mashabo shows the value placed on the village’s development and its children’s future. The commissioning ceremony was also attended by Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Regional Education Officer (REO) Shondelle Hercules, teachers and residents, all of whom hailed the new school as a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to equitable access to education.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand engaging students at the Mashabo Nursery School
Residents at the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday
Ramsammy’s Ruminations
With shifting political affiliations, will Disciplined Services abandon the PNC?
Members of the disciplined services have historically voted strongly for the PNC or for a PNC-led coalition like APNU/ AFC. In the era of dictatorship and rigged elections (19681992), when all elections (1968, 1973, 1980, 1985) were as “crooked as barbed wire”, the members of the disciplined services were made part of the rigging machinery. The Guyana Defence Force was utilised by the PNC to seize ballot boxes, and they were in charge of bringing the boxes to the GDF headquarters, where the fake count occurred. The police force was used to intimidate and harass the opponents of the dictatorship. In short, the disciplined services were used to enforce the policy of party paramountcy. The stranglehold the PNC had over the disciplined services before the 1992 elections was sustained in subsequent free and fair elections. No one can dispute that the PNC had overwhelming support from the disciplined services in the era of free and fair elections since 1992.
But the PNC stranglehold on the votes from disciplined services presently for Elections 2025 appears shaky at best. Will the PNC-led APNU preserve their usual stranglehold on the votes that will be cast by the members of the disciplined services for Elections 2025? Will the PPP finally earn the support from members of the disciplined services? It appears that the AFC has lost support from all sectors in the country and that Ramjattan’s curse that the AFC will be dead meat once they join the PNC has ruined the AFC. Since joining the PNC on Valentine’s Day in 2015, the AFC has been reeling and has been on life support since 2020. It appears that the other parties have not shown up to the match.
The PNC has in a large part relied on preaching the “kith and kin” message to the members of the disciplined services. The consistent “kith and kin” call on the members of the disciplined services by the PNC has been a blatant racist message. Given that the disciplined services have historically been dominated by Afro-Guyanese, the PNC preached race. But the race-based stranglehold that the PNC sustained for decades over the disciplined services has weakened considerably. In 2025, the disciplined services has its greatest-ever diversity. While Afro-Guyanese continue to dominate in the disciplined services, meaningful diversity has been achieved, with the highest-ever numbers of Amerindians and Indo-Guyanese in the disciplined services today. Thus, the “kith and kin” solicitation is stale and sterile. The PNC are the only ones in the country that seem not to recognise this stark reality.
Then there is the “TRUST” equation. One of the most popular policy decisions relating to the disciplined services during Bharat Jagdeo’s presidency was the one-month, tax-free salary bonus, the so-called “Christmas Bonus”. This policy was introduced in 2008 by President Bharat Jagdeo and preserved in the 2011-2015 PPP Government under President Donald Ramotar. In 2015, the PNC-led APNU/AFC Government terminated the one-month bonus for the disciplined services. This really hurt the members of the disciplined services, particularly since they had always voted overwhelmingly for the PNC or any PNC-led coalition. The irony that the PPP, which had never enjoyed any meaningful electoral support from members of the disciplined services, had seen it fit to reward the disciplined services with an annual bonus had not escaped the members of the disciplined services. The PNC, which enjoyed overwhelming electoral support from the disciplined services, by taking away this benefit forced the disciplined services to re-examine the question of “trust”.
The PNC had also promised public servants dramatic pay increases in 2015 within the first 100 days of a PNC-led Government, promising that the disciplined services and public servants would be granted an immediate 20 per cent salary increase. The dramatic pay increases promised during Elections 2015 never materialised, not within the first 100 days nor in the five years of the David Granger-led APNU/ AFC Government. But that Government had the audacity to grant themselves 50 per cent to 100 per cent pay and benefit increases. The members of the disciplined services felt betrayed by the PNC. That disappointment intensified the loss of “trust” in the PNC which the disciplined services always maintained.
In contrast to the loss of “trust” in the PNC, the members of the disciplined services were more inclined to re-examine how they perceived the PPP’s leadership. Having heaped praise on Bharat Jagdeo’s and Donald Ramotar’s PPP Governments for sustaining the one-month bonus, they also recognised the efforts of Irfaan Ali’s PPP Government in accelerating pay increases. With other benefits that have accrued to the members of the disciplined services through investments made by previous PPP Governments and now accelerated under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali, there is evidence that the members of the disciplined services are perhaps at a stage where their “trust” in the PPP is now at the highest level ever.
The largest-ever mass promotion in any police force in the commonwealth just occurred in Guyana. President Irfaan Ali announced just two weeks ago a new policy relating to salaries and promotion among the men and women of the disciplined services. President Ali announced that cops with a good record who have been corporals for 8-10 years will now be moved to the highest level of the corporal salary scale; constables with service between 5 and 7 years will be promoted to lance corporal at the highest level of the scale; cops with 10-13 years of service will be promoted to sergeant at the middle of the scale; and cops with 13-15 years of service will be promoted to sergeant at the highest level of the scale. Those who are in the service for 20 or more years will be adjusted to inspector level.
The big question, therefore, with Elections 2025 days away, is where will the votes of the disciplined services go? While the PNC is desperately clinging on to its “kith and kin” message, the PPP is confident of more support from the disciplined services.
Fire Service grows from 5 to 22 stations
…each fire tender carries 450 gallons of water, lasts only 2–3 minutes – Fire Chief
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has embarked on an unprecedented expansion of its operations, growing from just five stations nationwide in earlier years to 22 fully operational facilities today, with six more currently under construction, Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham has revealed. He made this revelation during a recent televised “Safeguarding the Nation” programme.
“In years gone by, there were just about five fire stations in the country. To date, the Guyana Fire Service is operating operationally out of 22 fire stations,” Wickham said during a recent programme appearance, adding that the expansion has been designed to ensure faster response times and wider coverage in all regions of the country. The construction drive has already delivered completed fire stations at Charity and Diamond, with ongoing works at Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast, on the East bank of Demerara (EBD) and at Mahaicony on the east coast of the Demerara.
“This generally is meant for us to reach in a timely manner to those persons who may be in distress,” he explained.
Wickham said the transformation is backed by significant Government investment aimed at modernising infrastructure, improving equipment and upgrading the living and working conditions of firefighters. “The Government of Guyana over the years would have expended lots of monies and recently to the tune of $9 billion to equip the Guyana Fire Service with fire tenders, firefighting equipment and even infrastructurally to ensure that we have environment where firefighters would live, stay and work out of that is more accommodative for them to work,” the Chief Fire Officer stated. One of the key components of this upgrade has been strengthening rural emergency coverage. Wickham said 40 pickup-type fire tenders have been deployed to serve communities outside of urban centres, particularly in areas where access by large trucks is challenging.
“We would have invested in those areas, rural areas, 40 pickup types, fire tenders to lend support to those persons who may be in distress. That there would ensure that we render the assistance needed to the members of our country when and if the need arises,” he noted.
According to Wickham, these smaller tenders give the Fire Service greater flexibility to reach emergencies in hinterland, riverine, and agricultural districts where poor road conditions, narrow streets, or long travel distances can delay traditional fire trucks. Beyond infrastructure and vehicles, Wickham said the service has been placing greater emphasis on prevention, public awareness and training, pointing to lessons learned from tragedies such as the Mahdia and Christchurch fires.
“We would have, from that exercise there and that trauma, put in place a whole set of structures to ensure that we do not have those kinds of re-
occurrences,” he said. Those structures include increased inspections of schools and dormitories, the training of dorm leaders in fire safety management, regular evacuation drills and community outreach programmes in marketplaces, shopping malls, hospitals, and schools. “We have also been engaging members in our communities… so that we can prevent reoccurrences of such types. Guyana cannot afford to have the same level of trauma or suffering of our citizens like we have had in Madia,” Wickham stressed. He also urged the public to play its part in ensuring that firefighters can carry out their duties effectively. Among the challenges he highlighted were motorists failing to yield to sirens, construction materials obstructing roads, homes with heavy grills that delay entry, and incidents of damaged firefighting equipment.
“The first thing that members of the public contribute to making our jobs harder is by not adhering to the fire service’s siren… It is important for persons to adhere to the siren, go to the off side of the road in order to allow us to have access to those persons who might be in distress,” Wickham appealed.
He also warned against prank calls, which he said have been increasing and waste valuable resources. “Consider the waste of resources that it takes to go to a call when there is eventually no need for that appliance or those appliances to be there,” he said, add-
ing that such diversions could prevent the Fire Service from reaching genuine emergencies in time.
450 gallons of water
Meanwhile, Wickham clarified that fire tenders are always fully equipped with water when responding to emergencies. He stated that each fire tender carries approximately 450 gallons of water. With proper management during active firefighting, this supply typically lasts only about two to three minutes.
Because of this limited onboard capacity, firefighters rely heavily on external water sources such as hydrants, canals, or nearby bodies of water to sustain operations during larger or prolonged fires. Two years ago, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces President Irfaan Ali had asserted that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) play a role in the development of emergency mapping services.
President Ali had contended that, “in every region, I am tired with the fire tender turn up and they don’t know where the drain is, they don’t know
where the trenches are… Is there a cluster map? How do we develop a cluster map for every region, and then a cluster map for different communities?”
“For example, GroveDiamond is a massive urban settlement, where is the cluster map that points out exactly where a trench is, where a drain is, where water source is? And then where is there a water source that we can keep all the time, that we can just go to and use and we mark it off?”
“We have to develop what we call emergency mapping services for our country… The President has said the GDF can work along with other agencies, such as the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), or even the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), “to have a full understanding of what they’re doing, and develop strategy maps”.
“The Guyana Defence Force must know where assets are; where the national assets are…and not, in a case of emergency, we’re looking to see who has a ladder and who has a hammer…”
Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham during the “Safeguarding Our Nation” programme
Guyana urges UN Security Council to intensify efforts against Israel’s Gaza takeover
…calls for a permanent ceasefire
Guyana has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to urgently intensify efforts to stop Israel’s planned takeover of Gaza City and to work towards a permanent ceasefire in the region. The appeal came from Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, during the Council’s 9975th meeting on the Middle East and the Palestinian question on August 10, 2025.
In her address, Rodrigues-Birkett condemned the Israeli Security Cabinet’s decision to occupy Gaza City by October 7, 2025, a move she warned would forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and severely undermine the two-state solution. She urged Israel to
reverse what she described as a “reprehensible” decision and highlighted the broader pattern of actions in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem that violate international law and threaten global peace and security.
The Guyanese envoy noted that Israel has a record of publicly announcing decisions that, if implemented, breach international law, referencing previous instances involving the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). She stressed that the latest move to fully control Gaza is another chapter in decades of violence and dispossession faced by Palestinians since the 1947 decision to establish
the Israeli state – a history marked by the Nakba and ongoing occupation.
“We, the Security Council, must respond to the fact that over sixty-one thousand Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, and this number increases every single day. In an unfortunate move, Israel has now announced its intention to intensify its military operations in Gaza. With the scale of destruction that has taken place already in Gaza, there are hardly any buildings left to target. Therefore, let us be clear about the objective of intensifying military operations in the Strip and what it would mean for Palestinians who have, to this point, managed to defy the odds and remain alive, humiliated and persecuted as they are,” Rodrigues-
Birkett said.
While condemning the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by Hamas and other armed groups, RodriguesBirkett maintained that “nothing – absolutely nothing – justifies the collective punishment” Israel has inflicted on Gaza over the past two years. She challenged Member States to ask themselves why Israel acts in defiance of international law, why such actions are not met with a united and forceful Council response, and whether any nation would tolerate such treatment of its own citizens.
Citing the International Court of Justice’s clear position on the illegality of any annexation of Palestinian
territory, she urged the Security Council to step up pressure on Israel to withdraw completely to pre1967 borders. Guyana also pressed for immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire measures, an end to violence against civilians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and unimpeded humanitarian access across Gaza.
“The Council must act in the face of all that is taking place in Gaza, and now in response to Israel’s annexation plans. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was clear in its pronouncements regarding the illegality of any annexation of Palestinian territory by Israel. We must in-
tensify our efforts to ensure Israel completely evacuates the Palestinian territory and withdraws to the pre1967 lines, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ. Guyana also urges that this Council act collectively to achieve an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to end the violence against civilians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” she added.
Further, the Permanent Representative criticised Israel’s humanitarian aid plans, saying they were inadequate, dangerous, and limited in scope. She insisted the Security Council must demand that UN agencies and humanitarian partners be granted safe and unhindered access to deliver large-scale relief. Rodrigues-Birkett also called on all UN member states to ensure they are not indirectly supporting the war effort in Gaza or contributing to what she described as attempts to annihilate the Palestinian people.
Linden man fined $35,000 for assaulting ex-girlfriend
ALinden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) man was on Tuesday ordered to pay a $35,000 fine after admitting to assaulting his former partner during a confrontation at the Kingston Seawall, Georgetown.
Devon Reid, an operator of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to the charge. The incident occurred on August 10 and involved Orpha Persaud.
Reid initially pleaded guilty but sought to explain his version of events. He told the court that he and Persaud, who were in a relationship at the time, became embroiled in an argument over a domestic matter. The disagreement, he said, escalated into a “scramble” when his ex-girlfriend grabbed his jersey and he grabbed hers in return. He maintained that there was no physical assault, only an exchange of words. Persaud however, gave a different account. She said she had been sitting in the front passenger seat of a car at the seawall with her children when Reid approached and demanded $60,000. After she refused, he allegedly reached into the vehicle, attempted to take her phone, and pulled
her out.
“He started to slap and cuff me in my face,” Persaud told the court. She claimed that after bystanders, including her brother intervened, she told Reid the relationship was over and asked him to move out of her home. Persaud alleged that Reid then grabbed her again and assaulted her on the seawall.
The prosecution’s case supported her account, stating that Reid had slapped and cuffed her during the incident. Reid continued to deny striking her, claiming that if she was hit, it may have happened accidentally while others were trying to separate them. Persaud also told the court that the pair had jointly purchased a
car, to which she contributed $500,000 as a down payment. While the vehicle was initially registered in both their names, she later discovered it had been transferred solely into his name. She said she had requested a refund, and his employer had promised to repay her on Tuesday if she agreed to withdraw the matter. She then indicated she did not wish to proceed with the case.
Magistrate Azore nonetheless asked Reid whether he was willing to have no further contact with Persaud. He agreed, and the prosecutor confirmed he had no previous convictions. Reid was fined $35,000 and ordered to stay away from Persaud.
Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Devon Reid
8 Guyanese graduate from SBM
Offshore engineers’ programme
…welcomes 9 trainees to the Whiptail Project
The second cohort and third incoming batch of graduate engineers, along with the general manager and representatives from SBM
Eight graduates, now part of the second cohort of graduate engineers from SBM Offshore Guyana, have successfully completed the company’s intensive training programme.
The graduates were formally recognised during a ceremony hosted by SBM Offshore Guyana last week.
According to SBM Offshore, these engineers
underwent an extensive 18-month programme, during which they were carefully assessed at the company’s international locations to determine their final placements within lo -
GPHC, GOLI Mission save 18 children with lifesaving heart surgeries
Following a collaboration between the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and Gift of Life International (GOLI), the second paediatric cardiac mission for 2025 was successfully completed from August 4 to 8, bringing renewed hope and advanced cardiac care to 18 Guyanese children living with life-threatening heart conditions.
This initiative brought together local medical professionals and a 25-member international team led by Dr Rodrigo Soto to perform two types of lifesaving procedures: paediatric cardiac catheterisation and
open-heart surgery. Over the course of the mission, the teams completed 10 cardiac catheterisations and six open-heart surgeries, directly benefiting 16 young patients with congenital heart disease.
In addition to the surgical procedures, the team also conducted paediatric cardiology screenings for 80 patients – identifying those requiring urgent intervention, those in need of future treatment, and reassuring others whose conditions did not require further procedures.
To date, 13 of the 16 children who underwent surgery have been safely discharged, with the remaining
three expected to return home in the coming days.
“The GOLI–GPHC partnership continues to transform lives while building local expertise,” Head of the Paediatric Department, Dr Sara Singh said.
“Our shared commitment is to ensure that every child in Guyana with a heart condition has access to the care they need, right here at home.”
The GOLI team is scheduled to return to Guyana for its third and final mission of the year from December 6 to 16, 2025, continuing its life-saving work and expanding opportunities for children to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
cal operations. –This experience provided valuable insights into the operational life cycle of a vessel – from design to construction and operation.
Meanwhile, the third incoming batch of trainees, comprising nine Guyanese, was warmly welcomed to the programme and commended for reaching this
significant milestone. They are scheduled to begin their next chapter working on the Whiptail project.
During opening remarks, Shaun Prince, Human Resources Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana, described the programme as highly beneficial.
“This programme offers more than just career growth; it is an opportunity to dream big and deliver boldly. With world-class training and international exposure in countries such as Singapore and the Netherlands, our graduate engineers are positioned to make lasting contributions to the oil and gas sector as distinguished professionals and future leaders,” Prince stated.
General Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana, Martin Cheong, also commended the graduates.
“Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this remarkable milestone. Today, we celebrate not just your achievements but the bright futures ahead of you,” he said, adding,
“As you step into the professional world, remember that you are more than engineers – you are innovators, problem solvers, and key contributors to the future of this country.”
Graduate Johanan Dolphin offered brief words of encouragement to the new engineers, challenging them to take advantage of the opportunity before them.
“SBM has been number one in the FPSO business for decades... the only way we can remain number one is if people accept the training, learn, and carry on the mantle,” he stated. “You and I are in the best position to learn from the best and brightest and also become the best and brightest so that SBM can remain number one.”
The Graduate Engineers’ Programme was established to target and train young Guyanese engineers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to advance their careers in the oil and gas industry, particularly within SBM Offshore’s operations.
Offshore Guyana
Members of the medical team
Police must rebuild trust, improve accountability – Jagdeo
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) must urgently rebuild public trust and strengthen accountability, says Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who also criticised the organisation for failing to highlight its many untold success stories. Speaking during an episode of the Starting Point podcast on Tuesday, Jagdeo said there are two main issues surrounding the GPF: a perception problem and an accountability issue. These, the VP argues, overshadow the many successes of the GPF.
“When we look at the statistics on solving crime in Guyana, we’ve done an excellent job. The training and the tools available to the Police Force to do their job, investigative work, has grown immensely. They don’t speak enough of that success. Because the Police Force doesn’t hold a press conference. And that is an accountability issue. I believe that they’ve had bad press on some things and they’re worried that they’ll go to a press conference and
$23.3M
those issues will dominate,” Jagdeo explained. “But they need to talk about the enormous success they’ve had in these five years across the country in solving crime and bringing perpetrators to justice and keeping our people safe. And there have been many, many successes. And we have a lot of great police officers who’ve done good work, hard work and
sometimes unrecognised work,” he added.
In fact, Jagdeo revealed that the success of the GPF rivals other policing organisations in the Caribbean. He revealed that “I was talking to someone from Trinidad and Tobago, a Guyanese who came home and he said, our Police Force here is like the FBI to the Trinidad Police Force…in terms of
solving crime and tackling the level of crime. But that doesn’t get spoken about.”
Nonetheless, the VP admitted that the GPF needs to strengthen accountability.
“The accountability problem, they have a few of these issues and these overshadow everything else…and often the Government gets blamed for it.” For example, he referred to the Adrianna Younge case. “When someone lied about seeing that child leaving…and that caused a whole deal of problem. They should have come out immediately and said, ‘this is not true. It’s not true’. They come up with all sorts of rigmarole and then people started not trusting them,” Jagdeo said.
Meanwhile, the VP noted that another issue surrounds police officers’ conduct on the roadways. While acknowledging that a lot of citizens disobey road regulations, he noted that road users too are often subjected to unnecessary harassment by police officers. “A lot of madness takes place on the road. But they, in some cas-
es, the police contribute to this and we need greater accountability,” Jagdeo said.
To address this matter in particular, the VP pointed to the significant investments being made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration in electronic traffic management through speed cameras and e-ticketing.
But the bottom-line, ac-
cording to Jagdeo, is that the GPF must “openly confront the issues where people lack trust in them”.
Just last month, the VP had posited that the GPF needs to do more to keep the public informed on various issues in the security sector.
“Because we get blamed for any incompetence…,” Jagdeo had contended.
nursery school commissioned in Tapakuma Village
Tapakuma Village, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) on Tuesday celebrated the commissioning of its first-ever nursery school — a modern, purpose-built facility that will replace the cramped classroom space previously shared with the primary school. The school, which cost $25,377,804, has three trained teachers, four Government 10-day workers and has 17 students enrolled.
Delivering the feature address, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said the new school marks another step towards achieving universal access to nursery education in Guyana. She explained that, historically, nursery education had not been a national prior-
ity, and it was only in the 2000s that Guyana met the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of achieving universal primary education. “We’ve always struggled with access to nursery education because of the age of the children and the distance from home to school... If a nursery school is far away, it becomes inaccessible. But in the last three and a half years even with two of those years under severe COVID-19 restrictions we have built 67 nursery schools across Guyana.” Minister said.
The new Tapakuma Lake Nursery School she said, was designed to accommodate 17 children, a number that some may consider too small for such an investment.
“Many would have considered it unworthy of a separate school, but to us, each child counts. We are at the stage where we are
building schools for 17 children, and that tells you we are very close to universal access,” she stressed.
The also pointed out that the previous arrangement that is housing nursery pupils in a shared primary school classroom led to overcrowding and compromised the learning space for both groups. “Now, these children have their own building, designed to meet our standards for space, play areas, and academic needs,” she said. She also reflected on the challenges faced during the pandemic, when schools were closed and communities locked down to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“The country was unprepared, as were many others and we got vaccines months after developed countries did. Yet, despite those setbacks, we built dozens of nurs-
ery schools in remote areas whether on mountaintops, the back of a lake, in a valley, or in Georgetown,” she explained. Manickchand credited the new school to strong collaboration between the Government and local leaders. She said the project was one of the requests brought forward by Tapakuma’s Toshao at the annual National Toshaos Council Conference.
“Your Toshao came and represented you. Today, that request has been fulfilled and this building will serve hundreds of children
for years to come,” she added. She further underscored that nursery education is not compulsory in Guyana, but expanding access remains a priority to ensure that every child, regardless of location, has the opportunity to start early learning in an environment built for their development. Also attending were Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, the village leader, Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO) Devindra Persaud and other regional officials.
Good Hope man remanded on robbery charge
A24-year-old man of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Monday remanded to prison after being charged with robbery with violence.
Ameer Bacchus, called “Pikachu”, was arrested on August 10 by a rank from the Beterverwagting Police Station, ECD, and charged with the offence, which is contrary to Section 222(a) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.
Police allege that Bacchus committed the robbery on April 1 at Martyrs’ Ville Squatting Area, Mon Repos, ECD, where 56-yearold carpenter Ravendra Persaud of Mon Repos was attacked.
Bacchus
Bacchus appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court Two before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs, where the charge was read to him. He pleaded not guilty. Bail was refused, and he was remanded to prison. The case was adjourned to September 17.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken
Ameer
A teacher engaging students at the new Tapakuma Village, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam)
Oil prices dip as market awaits EIA report
Oil prices dipped on Tuesday as traders awaited an inventory report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) and began looking toward declining demand at the end of the summer driving season in early September.
Brent crude futures settled at US$66.12 a barrel, down 51 cents, or 0.77 per cent. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures finished at US$63.17, down 79 cents, or 1.24 per cent.
"It really is seasonal factors," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital. "We're not getting any lift from the stock market, and the inflation report was positive and points to a rate cut."
US consumer prices increased in July as tariff-induced rising costs for imported goods helped to drive the strongest gain in six months for one measure of underlying inflation.
Kilduff said demand for diesel, which has driven oil demand, appeared to be flagging. Inventory reports from the American Petroleum Institute and EIA on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, may show signs of falling demand.
Outlooks issued by OPEC and the EIA pointed to increased production this year, but both expect US output to decline in 2026 while other regions of the globe will increase oil and natural gas production.
OPEC's monthly report on Tuesday said global oil demand will rise by 1.38 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2026, up 100,000 bpd from the previous forecast. Its 2025 projection was left unchanged. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Trinidad PM to Sign ExxonMobil UltraDeepwater Deal Today
Trinidad’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will this afternoon sign a Production Sharing Contract with ExxonMobil Trinidad and Tobago Deepwater Ltd. for Block TTUD1 – marking the company’s return to local waters after more than two decades.
The ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, takes place from 13:30h to 14:30h at the Prime Minister’s Residence and Diplomatic Centre in Port of Spain.
Speaking at her Monday night forum in Couva, Persad-Bissessar said it would be the first time since 2003 that ExxonMobil has re-entered the country, this time to explore a newly defined ultra-deep-wa -
Israel bombs Gaza City as UK, allies demand action against “unfolding famine”
Gaza City has come under intense air attack, the territory's Hamasrun civil defence agency has said, as Israeli forces prepare to occupy the city.
Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman, said the residential areas of Zeitoun and Sabra had for three days been hit by bombs and drone strikes that "cause massive destruction to civilian homes", with residents unable to recover the dead and injured.
Meanwhile, the UK, EU, Australia, Canada and Japan issued a statement saying, "Famine is unfolding in front of our eyes," and urged action to "reverse starvation".
They demanded "immedi-
ate, permanent and concrete steps" to facilitate the entry of aid to Gaza. Israel denies there is starvation in Gaza.
It has accused UN agencies of not picking up aid at the borders and delivering it.
The joint statement also
demanded an end to the use of lethal force near aid distribution sites and lorry convoys, where the UN says more than 1300 Palestinians have been killed, mostly by the Israeli military.
Separately, the World
Health Organisation on Tuesday appealed to Israel to let it stock medical supplies to deal with a "catastrophic" health situation before it seizes control of Gaza City.
"We all hear about 'more humanitarian supplies are allowed in' – well, it's not happening yet, or it's happening at way too low a pace," said Rik Peeperkorn, the agency's representative in the Palestinian territories.
"We want to quickly stock up hospitals," he added. "We currently cannot do that. We need to be able to get all essential medicines and medical supplies in."
(Excerpt from BBC)
Russia tries to make sudden advance in Ukraine before Trump-Putin summit
Russian forces have made a sudden thrust into eastern Ukraine near the coal mining town of Dobropillia, a move that may be an attempt to increase the pressure on Kyiv to give up land as the US and Russian Presidents prepare to meet.
Ukraine's authoritative DeepState war map showed on Tuesday that Russian forces had advanced by at least 10 kilometres (km) north in two prongs in recent days, part of their drive to take full control of Ukraine's Donetsk region.
The advance is one of the most dramatic in the last year, although military analysts said the Russians were using small groups of soldiers to try to establish foot-
ter zone known as UD-1 –about 2000 to 3000 metres deep and seven blocks off the east coast.
“This represents a significant new frontier that can supply our energy and petrochemical plants, create good jobs, and strengthen our foreign exchange reserves,” she told supporters.
The Prime Minister said the first phase will see ExxonMobil spend US$42.5 million, with development costs projected between US$16.4 billion and US$21.7 billion if commercial quantities of hydrocarbons are found.
“The message of this signing is that Trinidad and Tobago is open for business, and investor confidence has returned,” she said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
A still image, taken from footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry, shows what it said to be a Russian soldier raising a flag following the capture of Ukraine's Yablunivka (Yablonovka) settlement in the Donetsk region in the course of Russia-Ukraine military conflict, in this image from video released August 12, 2025 (Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS)
holds and that it was uncertain if they could maintain their positions in the face of a Ukrainian pushback.
DeepState said the Russians had surged forward
near three villages on a section of the frontline associated with the Ukrainian towns of Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk, which Moscow is trying to encircle by exploit-
ing Kyiv's lack of manpower.
"The situation is quite chaotic, as the enemy, having found gaps in the defence, is infiltrating deeper, trying to quickly consolidate and accumulate forces for further advancement," DeepState said on its Telegram channel.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss a possible deal to end the war in Ukraine when they meet in Alaska on Friday. Unconfirmed media reports say Putin has told Trump he wants Ukraine to hand over the part of the Donetsk region that Russia does not control. (Excerpt from Reuters)
The Dominican Republic expelling
30,000 Haitians per month
The Dominican Republic says it has deported 30,000 Haitians on average every month since last October, when the Government toughened its stance against migrants from its poor, violence-torn neighbour.
Dominican Republic
President Luis Abinader has championed a MAGAstyle hard line on migration since coming to power in 2020, with mass expulsions of Haitians and the construction of a wall that so far stretches across more than half the border the countries share on the island of Hispaniola.
Raids and expulsions have skyrocketed even as
the Government has halted the issuing of visas and reinforced the military presence at the frontier.
On August 5, the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) said it had expelled 31,462 people to Haiti in July and has
maintained “an average of over 30,000 monthly deportations – some 300,000 in total – from October to July.
In April, the Caribbean country launched a series of raids on public health facilities, arresting preg -
nant women, new mothers, and children in a crackdown denounced by the United Nations.
Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, is riddled with poverty and gang violence against a backdrop of political instability.
More than a million people have been displaced as the violence has soared in recent months.
Many migrants from Haiti, a Creole- and French-speaking nation of some 11 million people of mainly African descent, are fleeing violent gangs that control much of Port-au-Prince, the capital. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
Destruction following the Israeli attack on Zeitoun on 8 August
President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader
Emotional excess is apparent. Pay attention, demonstrate discipline in all that you do and look for subtle solutions to unusual situations. Know when to say no and move on.
Go about your business, finish what you start and avoid conversations that lead to ridicule or resentment. Redefining what you want to do next will point you in a positive direction.
Reach out to special-interest groups and networking institutions that can guide you on your journey. Learn as you go and take on whatever excites you. A positive attitude will lead to new opportunities.
Take a closer look at situations that can influence your status, direction or relationships with associates. Keeping the peace is in your best interest. Choose to be creative, innovative and disciplined.
You have the intelligence and ingenuity to make your life better, but first, you must put aside your emotional baggage and get rid of what's weighing you down. Embrace positive change.
An adjustment to how you handle your money and work responsibilities will reinforce the qualities that separate you from anyone trying to compete with you. Take the high road, and success will follow.
Set aside your differences and listen to what others have to say. Look at the big picture and recognize what's in it for you, then address what's necessary for you to participate.
Make your actions count. Refuse to get caught in a verbal battle when it's what you do that makes a difference. Follow your heart and pursue your dreams.
Look around you and consider the upgrades you want to make to your surroundings. Set a budget and stick to it to avoid unwanted stress and debt. Be smart with your money and protect yourself against illness and injury.
You may want to rethink your subscriptions, expenditures and investments. Consider your options. Address problems and offer alternatives to anyone infringing on your kindness.
Your fast-paced attitude and actions will lead to friction if they aren't in sync. Be aware of all aspects of a situation. Be in control and make changes to protect yourself from anyone taking advantage of you.
Take a midweek break and do something that makes you happy. Personal improvements, spending time with someone you love or visiting a place that brings you peace or closure can be uplifting.
ARCHIE
Dewald Brevis scored South Africa's highest individual T20I score, their second-fastest T20I hundred off 41 balls and became the youngest South African to hit a century in this format as they put on their best score against Australia to square the series at 1-1 in Darwin with the decider to come in Cairns on
es, and all but single-handedly built South Africa's total. Brevis, who was dropped on 56, scored 91 of the 126 in a fourth-wicket partnership with Tristan Stubbs.
Four of Australia's five bowlers conceded at 11 runs an over or more, with Ben Dwarshuis the exception. His four overs cost just 24 runs, but it was not enough to keep South Africa to a reachable total, despite their strength
This was the first time in nine matches that Australia had lost batting second, ending a record run of nine wins in a row, and the first time they had lost to South Africa in seven meetings. They would have required the highest successful chase in Australia to avoid that. There were moments when Australia were threatening, most notably at 104 for 3 in the 10th over, but were always behind the required run rate. Tim David's half-century was the only individual score over 26. Teenage left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka and all-rounder Corbin Bosch were the most successful of the wicket-takers and finished with three apiece. South Africa's 53-run win was their biggest margin victory over Australia.
holds the South African domestic record for the highest T20 score of 162, put on a mesmerising display in only his ninth T20I. He hit 12 fours and eight sixes for a total of 96 runs in boundaries and was excellent down the ground. More than half of his runs – 66 – were scored in the “V”, including six six-
Brevis takes down Maxwell and then gets to hundred Brevis led South Africa's recovery from 57 for 3 in the seventh over. He was on 12 off eight balls when Lhuandre Pretorius walked down the pitch and was stumped off Glenn Maxwell but had already sent the offspinner over long-on. Much more was to come. Brevis made his way to 44 off 24 balls by the time Maxwell was brought back on in the 12th over. South Africa were 99 for 3; Brevis' partnership with Stubbs had grown to 42, and he was dominating proceedings, but then he really stepped it up.
Stubbs gave him a strike after the first ball, and Brevis brought up his fifty when he swung Maxwell over long-on for his fifth six. He barely had time to raise his bat before he lined up a Maxwell full toss and smashed it over cow corner for six more. Maxwell pulled the length back for his
125* sets up series-levelling victory
next ball, and Brevis tried to force it for another six but miscued. Substitute fielder Matt Kuhnemann, on the field for David, was a long way off the rope at long-on and couldn't hold the catch above his head.
Brevis still hadn't had enough. He sent the next ball over long-on again for a third six in the over. In four balls,
Brevis on 56, with the latter proving costly, but South Africa just about learnt from their mistakes in the first match, where they dropped four. Pretorius had the first opportunity when Travis Head could not clear deep midwicket off Aiden Markram, and he judged the catch well on the rope.
Two overs later, Cameron
Brevis moved from 44 to 66, and Maxwell's over cost 24 runs. In total, it took Brevis just 16 deliveries to go from fifty to a hundred. He brought it up off Dwarshuis, who he swivel-pulled for four in the 15th over, which also gave Brevis plenty of time to add to his tally.
Australia limits damage
At 179 for 3 after 16 overs, South Africa were in sight of a score in excess of 220, but Australia dragged them back a touch. Stubbs was a minor partner in the fourth-wicket stand with Brevis and keen to get going. He reverse-swept Adam Zampa for his third four but then sliced him to backward point, where Kuhnemann took a simple catch. In the next over, Rassie van der Dussen holed out off Dwarshuis, whose back-of-alength deliveries made him the pick of the bowlers. In the over after that, Bosch was castled by a Josh Hazlewood full toss that he tried to send into the stands but dismantled his middle stump. South Africa lost three wickets for 14 runs in 13 balls and had to rely on a strong finish from Brevis in the last 10 balls. They added 21 runs to finish two short of 220.
South Africa's improved catching display Australia put down two chances, Pretorius on 1 and
Green sent Maphaka for back-to-back fours and was looking for a hat-trick. He pulled Maphaka to midwicket, where Nqabayomzi Peter dived forward to pluck the ball off the ground but lost his grip as he started to celebrate. The catch was checked by the third umpire, who determined it was taken cleanly and Peter was in control.
Stubbs is earning a reputation he will not like after he squandered a second chance in as many matches. He was at deep square leg when David toe-ended Lungi Ngidi to him but, despite making good ground, could not hold on. David was on 18, and he was also dropped by Stubbs in the first match, on 56. However, Stubbs made up for it when he got under a Mitchell Marsh skier off Bosch and pouched it safely at long-on. Brevis took another impressive catch when he ran to his left at deep midwicket as Maxwell mistimed a slower ball and was dismissed for 16.
David delivers again, but Rabada halts him
David was injured when he landed heavily on his right shoulder as he unsuccessfully attempted to stop a Brevis drive from going for four and was unable to field for the latter part of South Africa's innings. However, he had few
problems swinging the bat. His first runs came unconvincingly when he gloved Maphaka to fine leg for four, but he middled the next two balls and sent them both for boundaries.
David brought up a third fifty-plus score in four innings and a second successive one in the series, headlined by his second six, which went all the way out of the ground. It was against leg spinner Peter, whose third ball David hit into the crowd, that David launched the ball over deep midwicket and over the stadium's roof.
David put Australia in a promising position at 104 for 3 in the 10th over but was caught at cover off Rabada in the moment that turned the game South Africa's way.
Dewald Brevis set a new South Africa record in a thrilling display
Kwena Maphaka celebrates after removing Cameron Green
South Africa levels up the series
Tim David celebrates after reaching his half-century
Ramlall sisters lead Guyana to 2-0 sweep over Suriname
The Georgetown Women's Basketball Classic marked a triumphant return for senior women's international basketball in Guyana, as the home team secured a 2-0 series sweep over Suriname.
Central to Guyana’s success were the Ramlall sisters, whose offensive firepower proved too much for the visitors – even in the face of a stellar individual showing from Suriname’s Merliva Merica.
Playing at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Monday night, Guyana sealed the sweep with a hard-fought 65–57 victory. The Ramlall trio accounted for 59 of Guyana’s 65 points, reaffirming their status as the team’s driving force.
The matchup started evenly, with Guyana edging the first quarter 18–17. The intensity carried through to the second, and by halftime, the hosts held a slim 36–34 advantage. Guyana began to pull away in the third quarter, outscoring Suriname 18–10 as the visitors struggled to find their rhythm offensively. That third-quarter run would ultimately make the difference.
USA’s Vikings, Riverside CC provide support for “Project Cricket Gear”
The Vikings and Riverside Cricket Clubs (CC) of the United States (US) donated one pair of cricket shoes and four pairs of batting gloves to the “Project Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”, a noble initiative being conducted jointly by Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the US. The long-established cricket clubs expressed confidence in the project and are impressed with its work and reach over the years. According to the organisers, the initiative is grateful to Raj Rai, Kumar Dindyal, Sohan Bheer, Shazam Hussein, Tony, Derek and Krishna Kallicharran. Over the years, many cricketers benefitted from the project, including Kevlon Anderson, who recently made his debut for the West Indies.
The organisers further noted, “This project will continue to improve the lives of youths in every community. We are pleased to be part of the development of young cricketers in Guyana. Our aim is to keep them off the streets and get them actively involved in sports, cricket in particular.”
Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far:
$730,000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, one set of stumps, two trophies, 36 pairs of cricket shoes, 38 pairs of batting pads, 47 cricket bats, 46 pairs of batting gloves, 29 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, 14 gear bags, 13 bat rubbers, seven helmets, one fibreglass bat, one pair of floppy hats, one pair of inners, 16 boxes and four white cricket balls, 13 boxes of red cricket balls, one bat cone and twenty-eight footballs. In addition to the above, gear to the tune of in excess of $600,000 was donated by Sheikh Mohamed, former national wicketkeeper/
batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.
To date, 99 players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited directly from cash, nine gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 37 bats, four boxes, six helmets, 36 pairs of cricket shoes, 21 pairs of batting pads, 25 thigh pads, one bat grip, 40 pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicketkeeping pads and four pairs of wicketkeeping gloves with one pair of inners. Many others benefited indirectly. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree
Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, and Cold Fusion Cricket Club received thirteen coloured uniforms, while RHCCCC received six boxes of balls, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves and two sets of stumps and bails. Other beneficiaries are The Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem, youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls), male and female teams playing the traditional hardball and softball in the Upper Corentyne area, No.65 Young Titans
Ashna Ramlall led Guyana with 21 points, while sisters Arshia and Amisha chipped in 19 apiece. Despite the loss, Suriname’s Merica turned heads with a gamehigh 32 points in a valiant effort.
The series not only highlighted the individual brilliance of both teams’ stars but also signalled a promising resurgence for women’s basketball in the region.
with 30 T-Shirts, youths of Just Try Cricket Club, Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls), Shamar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Leguan Cricket Committee, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Malteenoes Sports Club (nine cricket balls each), Kendall’s Union cricket club with twelve red balls, Lower Corentyne, Corentyne Comprehensive and JC Chandisingh Secondary Schools with twelve red balls each, Thaddeus Lovell with one pair of cricket shoes, GCC, two boxes of white cricket balls, Bush Lot United Sports Club, one box of red balls, West Demerara Cricket Association, one box of white balls, Blairmont Cricket Club with one pair of batting pads, one cricket bat, one helmet and cricket balls, Tagore Memorial Secondary School and St. Cuthbert’s Mission with a box of balls and Port Mourant CC with three boxes of balls, white cricket uniforms and one bat stick.
Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country, and club leaders also assist to identify the same.
Elite League… Slingerz FC maintain top spot with another win …GDF,
UWestern Tigers also pick up victories
sual suspects, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club (FC), Slingerz and Western Tigers FC all found themselves in the winners’ circle when the seventh edition of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League continued over the weekend.
Fittingly, the defending champions were the first to bring up their win, defeating Monedderlust FC 5-1 at the National Training Centre at Providence on Saturday.
Shemar Scott got things going for GDF with a strike in the 6th minute, followed by a Makhaya Jarvis goal in the 10th. Pernell Schultz made it a 3-0 affair in the 26th, and later, a Chris Macey brace in the 49th and 85th capped off GDF’s five. However, the soldiers were unable to maintain a clean sheet, as A. Drake found Monedderlust’s consolation in the 76th.
Then on Sunday, table leaders Slingerz FC cruised past Ann’s Grove United, 5-0, at the same venue. Kemar Beckford was the marksman to watch, finding the back of the net in the 26th, 44th and 82nd minutes for a hattrick. Earlier, Romaine Brackenridge had opened the scoring for Slingerz in the 13th, while Darron Niles also added to their tally in the 61st.
The night ended with an identical victory for Western Tigers, who took on Den Amstel FC. This time around, Kevon “Showtime” Woodley, a new recruit for the West Ruimveldt-based outfit, was the one to strike the hattrick, piercing the nets in the 10th, 42nd and 45th minutes. William Europe netted in the 18th, while Stephon Reynolds
did the same in the 62nd for the win.
A look at the current Elite League points table shows last year’s runners-up, Slingerz FC, leading the charge with 31 points from 11 games played in an unbeaten run. Western Tigers trails with 27 points from 12 games, while the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC is third with 24 points from 11 games. Defending champions, GDF FC, have 19 points from 10 games, while Santos FC completes the top 5 with 16 points from 11 games.
The Elite League is expected to continue this weekend with two doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, Ann’s Grove will battle Monedderlust FC at 18:30h, while Police takes on Western Tigers at 21:00h at Providence.
Then at the National Track and Field Centre on Sunday, Slingerz FC goes head-to-head with Mainstay Gold Stars at 18:00h, while Den Amstel FC and GDF
duke it out from 21:00h.
Guyana completed a series sweep over Suriname
Derek Kalicharran accepting the tokens from Raj Rai in the presence of other club members
A glimpse of GDF’s (Green) battle with Monedderlust FC
A look at the action between Guyana (white) and Suriname
Knowing when it's time to go is a valuable trait, and if Pakistan were in any doubt their time in the Caribbean was up, West Indies quashed them and sent the visitors out of town with a comprehensive trouncing. Jayden
Seales' six-wicket haul – the joint second-best figures by a West Indian in men's One Day International (ODI) cricket – and an unbeaten hundred from Shai Hope put Pakistan to the sword in each innings. It was more than enough to secure the West Indies' first ODI series win over Pakistan in 34 years with their biggest ever win over Pakistan, scything through them for 92 having set them 295 to win.
It was a 15.2-over passage of play straddling both innings which lay at the heart of the West Indians' dominance, a stunning inversion of a script Pakistan
Seales flatten Pakistan to break WI's 34-year drought
Rizwan imme diately turned to Abrar Ahmed, so effective through the middle of the innings that he'd conced-
overs. But West Indies captain had redlined his game, turbocharging to a gear Pakistan believed he wasn't capable of achieving on this surface. He would bleed a further 18 off the mystery spinner, with Greaves bursting into life from the other end, flaying Hasan Ali for as many. Naseem Shah, trying his best to land the kind of reverse swinging yorkers that had put paid to Roston Chase earlier, could not escape Hope's wrath as he bore down on three figures, getting there with a crunching cover drive that put him third on the alltime ODI West Indian century list.
That was just the start of a 21-run over, and by the time he caressed Hasan Ali over backward point off the
ed just five off his first six
ball of the innings, 100
as he took a step out, he determined the fourth-stump line on a hard length was safe to leave on both counts. As he shouldered arms, he est clink behind him, like ice-cubes tinkling in a glass. The ball had seamed back in and kissed the off bail without even touching the stumps; it could not have ically if someone picked it up and set it on the
A punch-drunk Pakistan were already dreaming up wild scenarios for how this match could turn, and volved Babar Azam. Babar, point to Seales' perfect day as he trapped him in front gle figures to leave Pakistan
It was those 92 balls that defined the game. Pakistan may have started well, but it barely feels like it matters nesses were apparent even then, when Rizwan turned
to Hussain Talat for his first deliveries in international cricket after the Powerplay saw them constrict West Indies, only for Evin Lewis to pick him up for two sixes and break the shackles. Abrar was so accurate and menacing he often appeared on the verge of running through West Indies early, and the hosts spent much of the innings batting at a glacial pace well under four runs per over. It does not matter now. Neither does whatever happened after that fourth Pakistan wicket fell. Salman Ali Agha and Hasan Nawaz had little ambition beyond stealing a few singles each over, even if that made the ultimately Herculean task even more insurmountable as the asking rate spiked. That Pakistan had stripped
their side of full-time bowlers for superficial batting depth hardly seemed to matter. They knew they were never getting there anyway, and when the spin of Motie and Chase accounted for them in quick succession, West Indies could see the finish line.
To do the honours, they handed that baton to none other than Seales, who blew past Naseem and Hasan Ali before Abrar jogged through for a single that was never on. Chase effected a direct hit, that sharpness depriving Seales the opportunity to bag the best ever bowling figures in men's ODIs by a West Indian. For all of the young speedster's brilliance, the fact Pakistan ensured they had a final say in their own downfall felt somewhat apt. (ESPNcricinfo)
final
had come off the final seven.
West Indies celebrate winning the third One Day International
Jayden Seales of the West Indies raises the ball to the crowd
Shai Hope of West Indies celebrates his century
Justin Greaves scored 43
Precision Sports Women’s T20…
Sherica Campbell's all-round brilliance spearheaded the Hibiscus Women Cricket Club to a series-levelling victory against Guyana’s Combined Forces at the Malteenoes Sports Club in Georgetown on August 13th, 2025.
Coming off a victory in their last encounter, Combined Forces won the toss and elected to bat first. Naomi Barkoye led the batting department with a well-constructed innings of 40 from 49 balls. Tramaine Marks' 13 from 14 balls was the only other significant contribution, as Combined Forces could only muster 88 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Shanella Mohammed had figures of 3 for 36, while Campbell picked up 2 for 12 in her spell. Her impact once again would be felt as she made 36 from 46 balls in her innings. Jerveena Pollucksingh supported with 14 of 17 balls. Varuni Pitamber had an outstanding spell of 3 for 27, but it was in vain as Hibiscus Women Cricket Club reached 89 for 4 in 15.4 overs.
The third game of the five-match T20 series between Combined Forces and Hibiscus Women Cricket Club will take place on August 14th at the Malteenoes Sports Club.