Guyana Times -Friday, July 28, 2023

Exercise Tradewinds 2023

Transnational coordination needed to combat organised crime, threats, disasters – PM

…Guyana signs onto US Southern Command

Human

Rights Initiative

creased cooperation through the participation of intergovernmental organizations: Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Regional Security System (RSS), the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management (CDEMA).

Capacity-building of military personnel must account for transnational coordination, should countries seek to efficiently target criminal activities in a changing world of cross-border linkages.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips on Thursday took this position at the closing ceremony of the Exercise Tradewinds 2023, when he outlined that terrorism, cyber threats, and organized criminal activities have transcended borders, and countries must plan and put in place adequate defense strategies.

“In today's world, particularly with the advent of technology, many threats no longer recognize borders;

which therefore begs the need for collaborative efforts between nations to address security challenges that transcend boundaries…Our interconnectedness, particularly within the Caricom region, therefore means that the safety of our people is intricately linked, so addressing these matters as a collective becomes paramount,” he said

In 2022, Caricom identified four areas as common areas of interest, namely: firearms trafficking, cybersecurity, trafficking in persons, and maritime security. This brought forward commitments to strengthen relationships at the level of the regional bloc. The Prime Minister also

zeroed in on the importance of disaster relief efforts, with exacerbated effects of global warming and climate change challenging the stability of countries.

Exercise Tradewinds 2023 successfully wrapped up in Guyana with over 1,500 ranks benefitting from areas of training. This year, heightened focus was placed on human rights’ awareness.

Sponsored by the US Southern Command and hosted by the Guyana Defence Force, Tradewinds is a complex, multi-faceted military exercise spanning two weeks. It brings Caribbean security forces together to improve critical skillsets, and fosters in-

This year's Tradewinds exercise brought together participants from 21 nations to train in multiple domains. Service members honed their jungle warfare skills, learned to conduct maritime interdiction, improved their marksmanship, and practised crowd control techniques.

The closing ceremony was attended by Bermuda Governor Rena Lalgie and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, as well as senior ranks of the Joint Services and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, has said the remarkable display of cooperation and resilience was noteworthy. There was an extraordinary demonstration of teamwork, professionalism and camarade-

rie, all in efforts at building a safer and more secure region. He highlighted that with rising challenges of climate change and other threats, there is need for transnational cooperation, and Exercise Tradewinds has solidified the goal of working together.

“This region, the Western Hemisphere, has abundant resources, including oil, precious met-

als, pristine rainforests, and freshwater. This makes us a focal point in global strategy, as well as an ideal destination for the knowns and unknowns. Moreso, the advent of climate change continues to be a serious threat to these very resources. The road ahead will therefore require us to continue working together,” Brigadier Khan disclosed.

GDF ranks at the closing ceremony of Tradewinds 2023 (GDF photo)

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 28 – No closure.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, July 28 – 12:10h-13:40h and Saturday, July 29 – 13:25h-14:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Light to thundery showers are expected during the day, with sunny conditions in the late afternoon hours. Clear skies and thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 12:36h reaching a maximum height of 2.22 metres.

Low Tide: 06:01h and 18:26h reaching minimum heights of 0.88 metre and 1.01 metres.

Fossil fuel of the future should come from countries like Guyana – VP

With the Group of 20 (G20) major economies having met in India and failed to reach consensus on critical climate matters, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has said he is not too optimistic about the outcome of the upcoming COP28, as he maintained his position that fossil fuel of the future should come from developing countries like Guyana.

The G20 bloc of wealthy economies, having met several days ago, failed to reach a consensus on phasing down fossil fuels, after objections by some producer nations. They also failed to reach consensus on mobilising US$100 billion per year for climate action in developing economies from 20202025. Reports are that the G20 member countries together account for over three-quarters of global emissions and gross domestic product.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo said he fears that the same issues that characterised the G20 meeting would take place at COP28, to be held in the United Arab Emirates from November 30 to December 12.

“…where you’ll have a confrontation between those who believe that you don’t need to phase down fossil fuel production at this stage, because there is a global demand for fossil fuel and it’s growing, and those who believe that you have to not just phase it down, but phase it out…,” he said. “If that continues and that debate is taken to the next COP in that manner, it will fail,” he predicted.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

President Dr Irfaan Ali is slated to deliver an address at COP28, and according to VP Jagdeo, Ali’s speech will be comprehensive.

“It’s a combination of reducing fossil fuel production, increasing the output of renewable, and then addressing deforestation and then new technology…If we go in with that mindset, ‘Let’s explore the broad spectrum of solutions’, I think we can come out with some agreement… but if it goes in the same manner (as G20 meeting), it will be a failure,” Jagdeo predicted.

“I’m not very optimistic, but we’re going there to try to push, hopefully to ensure we have a bigger search outside of shutting down versus continuation, that there is a bigger search for solutions with more ideas on the table,” he disclosed.

Fossil fuel of the future

The Guyana Government has long posited that fossil fuel would still be needed in the future, and according to VP Jagdeo, this should come from developing countries.

“The fossil fuel of the future should come from countries that need the production to enhance not just the welfare of their people, but also to fund their adaptation needs…,” he posited.

“When the Secretary General of the United Nations says, ‘No new investment in fossil fuel’, he is effectively saying, ‘Preserve not just the entire future of all fossil fuel production for the existing countries:

outcome of G20 meeting

bounded by 5% in 2021, as compared with the 4.5% fall in 2020, according to the World Energy and Consumption Yearbook for 2021. Further, he outlined that the global primary energy consumption for 2021 is recorded at 176,431 terawatt hours, with the four main sources of power consumed being oil at 29%, coal at 24%, natural gas at 22% and hydropower at 6%.

Funding

Norway, Russia, the United States, Saudia Arabia, but also preserve future growth of fossil fuel output for those countries. So, nothing for you in the developing world…’”, he explained.

“And we find that essentially unjust and unfair to the many developing countries in Africa, here in this region, and many other parts of the world, who are trying to take their people out of poverty,” Jagdeo asserted.

In fact, he reasoned that Guyana, “even at maximum peak [oil] production, we will still be a carbon negative; not just a carbon neutral, but a carbon negative country.” As such, he said, it is “unreasonable to expect Guyana to limit its production, when…the developed world, they’re refusing to cut their production. In fact, they’re increasing their output of fossil fuel…and they’re the ones who’ve used up most of their carbon allowance…”

At a regional energy conference earlier this year, President Ali had pointed out that the global energy consumption re-

Meanwhile, on the issue of funding, Jagdeo lamented that the developed world is not fulfilling its basic promise to set aside US$100 billion per year for climate action. In fact, he said he had raised the issue with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his recent visit to Guyana.

“They have all of these fancy accounting now to show that they’re doing almost 75 per cent of it…but when you check it really, majority of it is loans to countries that cannot afford, because their fiscal interests cannot afford to take more loans…

“I raised this in the discussion with Secretary of State Blinken at State House.

I said, ‘It’s not just the funding, but addressing the institutions that intermediate the funds, because a lot of them are not fit for purpose, and they’re slow between the availability of funds and their delivery is unbelievably…’.”

President Ali had previously explained that there is a regional target to achieve a total of 47 per cent renewable energy by 2027; but, to date, only 11.5 per cent has been at-

tained. Highlighting that the region is far behind its set target, President Ali also pointed out that the only known available financing to achieve this target is with the Caribbean Development Bank, which has a loan portfolio of US$1.4 billion. According to President Ali, a minimum of US$11 billion is needed to achieve just the fundamentals of target. In this regard, he had contended “We can safely say that, in this region, fossil fuel and natural gas has a long future ahead of us.” Nevertheless, he had said Governments have to be nimble, flexible, and innovative when it comes to their responsibilities in regard to energy security and creating a greener economy. He used as an example Guyana’s move to sell its carbon credits, referencing the recent deal with Hess Corporation within which a minimum of US$750 million up to 2030 will be paid to Guyana. This money, among other things, will be used to achieve the objects set out in the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo has urged the local critics that continue to argue that Guyana is not doing enough in its fight against climate change to take a look at the situation in the global context.

“Whilst some people here believe that we’re not doing enough to abate this potential global disaster, the countries that matter, that generate most of the emissions, they’re not taking the tough decisions…” he said. (G11)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

…not optimistic about COP28 …disappointed with

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Emancipation and Guyana’s society

Next week Tuesday, Guyana and many parts of the world will be celebrating the 185th anniversary of Emancipation. It was a long and difficult road to freedom for the slaves who were forced into bondage and made to endure inhumane conditions. They were resilient even in the face of unimaginable atrocities unleashed upon them.

In the end, freedom came with the expectation that the mental and economic shackles will be banished forever. Unfortunately, they have not and race had been infused, thereby creating many difficulties for humanity in general.

Emancipation Day serves to remind us that this nation was founded on slavery, the paradigmatic instance of human inequality. Settlement by the Europeans of what is now known as Guyana started in the second decade of the 17th century, when the Dutch enslaved some of the Indigenous peoples they encountered along the Pomeroon and Essequibo Rivers.

As with the Spanish who preceded them in other parts of the “New World”, they soon switched to importing slaves from West Africa to fill the labour demands of the plantation economy they were developing. Ironically, the Indigenous Peoples were now hired to recapture slaves who escaped into the jungles in their quest for freedom.

Dutch plantations soon spread to the Berbice and Demerara Rivers, and it was not until the fertility of those soils was exhausted, almost two centuries later, that the critical decision to move to the coast was made. While this may be of surprise to some, given the present nature of our settlement patterns, it must be understood that the Guyana coastland, then and now, is at least 5 to 6 feet below sea level at high tide.

The land was inundated with salt water, and, over the millennia, had been formed from sedimentation of the silt brought thousands of miles away from the discharge of the Amazon River. The Guyana coastland was actually uninhabitable mangrove swamps, which had to be drained and “empoldered” to accommodate plantations.

It was a matter of fortuity that the Dutch had vast experience in effectuating exactly such land rehabilitation from waterlogged soils back in their homeland, utilising a combination of dykes/dams and digging ditches/canals. While the labour in the Netherlands was supplied by the Dutch inhabitants, in Guyana, African slaves were dragooned to perform that mammoth task.

Cuffy’s 1763 Rebellion should remind us that in the second half of the 18th century, most plantations were still “up river”. By the time the British finally took possession of the three colonies of Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara in 1814, after those colonies had changed hands several times between the British, the French and the Dutch from 1796, most plantations had moved to the coast.

Therefore, when the 82,000 African slaves were finally freed in 1838 after their 4-year “Apprenticeship”, the “movement off the plantations” was confined to the coast, and this is where the “village movement” took hold.

Unquestionably, Emancipation was a seismic event in Guyana in more ways than one. Notably, it was a decision based on economics rather than on the “humanitarian” impulses of the British, as has been touted by their historians. This circumstance had long-lasting repercussions in the freed African population.

Britain wanted to move from mercantilism to “free trade”, to open up new markets for her manufactured goods; but equalising the duties on sugar from other producers, such as Brazil and Cuba which still practised slavery, meant the West Indian planters would face tremendous pressures after they would have lost their price advantage for the British market. After the British Government compensated the planters for losing their “slave property” (but did not compensate the “property”), many of them abandoned their plantations and left Guyana.

The remaining planters feared the freed slaves would decamp the plantations after Emancipation, and hedged their bets by importing Portuguese indentured labour from the impoverished island of Madeira and freed African slaves from the smaller West Indian islands such as Barbados. In the latter locales, there was no alternative source of employment, and the Guyanese wages were comparably higher, even as local African workers started to move off the plantations.

These locals successfully struck for higher wages in 1842, but this only increased the rate of abandonment of plantations; and in 1847, when they struck again, the planters held off their challenge. The Portuguese, West Indians, Africans (seized from slave traders) and Indian indentureds provided the labour, and by the following year, most Africans had moved off the plantations.

Guyana had become a “plural society” after Emancipation, with all the challenges that implied.

By Simon JenkinS

The recent collapse of the RussiaUkraine grain deal spells disaster for millions. The year-old deal has allowed 1,000 ships to export food products from Ukraine by sea, including 80% of the grain going to the World Food Programme. The biggest recipients of Ukrainian grain have been China, Spain, Turkey and Italy, but 57% of it went to 14 countries currently defined as most threatened with starvation, including Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen and the war-hit Horn of Africa.

Russia has stopped Ukraine’s food exports through the Black Sea, citing multitudinous western sanctions imposed on its own trade. Although these do not include farm products, Vladimir Putin says that if sanctions imposed since the 2022 deal are rescinded, he will resume the deal. Meanwhile, he is telling African leaders at his summit in St Petersburg this week that he will replace Ukraine’s grain with his own. This is unlikely to happen; nor can the EU realistically replace sea transport with land transport. Poland has already balked at allowing passage for fear of damage to its own grain market.

Everything Putin says may be lies. The Kremlin is a monument of mendacity and its recent bombing of Odesa’s grain warehouses is an obscenity. Destroying food has nothing to do with the ground war in Ukraine, any more than does sinking grain tankers trying to run the gauntlet to Turkey. But the fact remains that grain is not getting out to those who most need it. These are people who have nothing to do with this war and are distant victims of its escalation by the west through the toughest trade sanctions ever imposed on a big and complex modern economy.

Common philanthropy demands that Putin’s offer be put to the test. Sometimes, deals must be done with

the devil. Western sanctions have been wholly ineffective in influencing the course or possible outcome of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is hard to discern how far they have even harmed Russia’s civilian population, while they have imposed a high price on European energy users through Russia’s wholly predictable retaliatory sanctions. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development even reckons the Russian economy will next year return from shrinkage to expansion. It is already calculated, by the IMF, to have a growth rate that exceeds the UK’s. The west is thus trapped into continuing a failed policy for no other reason than that pride forbids it to stop. Meanwhile, those most affected – global consumers of Ukraine’s food exports – must suffer. This cannot be right.

I have asked for, but failed in all attempts to find, evidence that the UK government – or, I assume, any western government – did any forecast of the consequences of sanctions before imposing them. Elementary economics should have predicted that Russia’s huge dollar reserves, reputedly about $650bn, would protect its economy from severe damage. Predictable too was the impact of retaliatory sanctions on European energy and food prices. Was this never discussed? It would have been far better to concentrate all resources on aiding Ukraine on the battlefield. The modern economic sanction is a weapon not unlike America’s A-bomb in the film Oppenheimer: its rhetoric, its potency and its capacity to cause harm so exhilarates its creators that there is little thought given to its practical consequences or moral implications. It becomes an article of faith as much as a weapon of war – and as such unchallengeable.

Henry Kissinger and many diplomats before him argued that sound foreign policy often involves painful choices between competing evils. This

is as true today as it was during the cold war. Backstairs understandings must be reached and channels must be kept open. Just now the world is grappling with climate crisis. But how seriously? It should surely mean persuading China to reduce its voluminous carbon emissions and to continue exporting metals vital to the green economy. What is the point of the west waging a low-intensity trade war against Beijing, with added vilification? Is a marginal risk to British security really more important than global heating? Likewise, abhorrence of Putin in Ukraine should not stall all dealings with Russia whatever the collateral cost.

Philosophers may be able to invent some algorithm that balances good and evil consequences in a country’s relations with the outside world. When Britain joined the Afghan and Iraq wars, such an algorithm might have avoided the mix of self-righteousness, neo-colonialism and military glamour that drove policy at the time. Hundreds of thousands died as a result. The diplomacy of those wars was barely an advance on that preceding the first world war.

The deaths now being suffered in Ukraine are Putin’s direct responsibility. If hundreds of thousands more die elsewhere, he must also share the blame, but the root cause of much misery will be the western sanctions that he regards as justification for so many malign actions. It must be worth pulling every possible lever to get him to relent – even if it bruises the west’s faith in its most beloved weapon of aggression, the economic sanction. (The Guardian)

(Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist, author and BBC broadcaster. His recent books include England’s Hundred Best Views, and Mission Accomplished? The Crisis of International Intervention)

Top Cop Clifton Hicken along with a team from the Guyana Police Force visited the newly-erected Respect The Road billboards 'Respect the Road' which carry a reminder from the Top Cop that reads: “Let us embrace the responsibility and be the change we want to see on our roads. Together we can make our streets safer, save lives and protect our communities” (GPF photos)

Even in the heat of war, there must be dialogue. To save lives, a new grain deal with Putin must be struck

Charity Market fire

Govt hopes to build new & modern facility on 15 acres of land

“I spoke with one gentleman who had 17 acres of land there. He wanted to sell, and I told the Regional Chair to follow up with him, but I don’t know what’s happening… apparently that’s very far away, and we don’t wanna take people too far away from the centre…,” Jagdeo explained.

It has been reported that the fire which erupted at the Charity Market on the evening of July 6 originated from an electrical meter in the market. Three firemen were injured whilst battling the blaze.

The Charity Market fire came months after the Parika Market Centre had

been completely destroyed on February 10 by a raging inferno that devastated its structure with millions of dollars in goods inside. The Fire Service had disclosed that residue from a welding torch came into contact with nearby combustible materials, leading to that horrific fire. (G11)

Some three weeks after fire had devastated the Charity Market in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Government is looking to acquire 15 acres of land to rebuild the facility into a more modern setup.

Government has already committed to rebuilding a shed in the area for the vendors to resume plying their trade, but Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said there are much bigger plans in store.

“Even if you look at the part that’s burnt out, it would not facilitate the growth of a modern market;

It’s a narrow strip of land…

Whilst there may be a commitment to rebuild the

shed there, I spoke with some of the vendors and I said we should do something major now, we should shift to a market of the future with modern facilities,”

Jagdeo told a press conference.

However, he said, consultations would have to be done with the vendors, since some may not be keen on relocating.

“…because if they don’t wanna move, then no use you move the market. We’ve

had that experience before…,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Vice President has already instructed Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal to identify some 15 acres of land near a new housing scheme that is being developed at Charity.

Moreover, Jagdeo said he was in discussion with a man from the area who has a sizeable plot of land in the area which he is willing to sell.

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2023

Page Foundation

Solving equations by addition and subtraction

You have learnt about the Equality Properties of Addition and Subtraction, which say that if you add or subtract a number to one side of an equation, you must add or subtract the same number to the other side of the equation. This rule is important when you are trying to solve equations that use addition and subtraction.

Example

Problem: x – 17 = 51. Find x

Can you add 17 to the left side of the equation to leave x by itself? You can do that, but you also have to add 17 to the right side of the equation.

Step 1: Add the same number to both sides of the equation. x = 51 + 17

Step 2: Add 51 + 17 = 68. So x = 68

Problem: y + 10 = 22. Find y

This time, you can subtract 10 from the left side of the equation to leave y by itself? But you also have to subtract 10 from the right side of the equation, too.

Step 1: Subtract the same number to both sides of the equation. y = 22 – 10

Step 2: Subtract 22 – 10 = 12. So y = 12

Exercises: Solve

– 8 = m

BY EDGAR ALLAN POE

It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea, But we loved with a love that was more than love— I and my Annabel Lee— With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago, In this kingdom by the sea, A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling My beautiful Annabel Lee; So that her highborn kinsmen came And bore her away from me, To shut her up in a sepulchre In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in Heaven, Went envying her and me— Yes!—that was the reason (as all men know, In this kingdom by the sea) That the wind came out of the cloud by night, Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love it was stronger by far than the love Of those who were older than we—

Of many far wiser than we— And neither the angels in Heaven above Nor the demons down under the sea Can ever dissever my soul from the soul

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride, In her sepulchre there by the sea— In her tomb by the sounding sea.

WORD SEARCH

DHB reopens, retractor span successfully installed

…water taxis at secondary locations discontinued on Thursday night

Following the successful installation of the newly-built Retractor Span Nine, the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) on Thursday reopened six hours before the three-day timeline for repair works expired.

Initially set to be closed until 23:59h on Thursday, the Bridge reopened at 18:00h, after the completion of minor fine-tuning.

“We have completed our task and we’ll be opening the Bridge six hours ahead of schedule. So as much as we gained that advantage on the first day, the men did not [slowly] approach it. They kept the same momentum and we were able to maintain that time,” Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said, during an update earlier on Thursday.

An 18-tonne weight restriction will remain in place for laden vehicles, following this reopening.

At approximately 19:00h on Thursday, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, along with the Public Works Ministers and several other officials visited the

bridge.

Speaking with the media, the Prime Minister, who is performing the duties of the president, said, “We had no incidents, and no injuries, and that speaks to the fact that we were able to communicate effectively to the people of Guyana, and the people responded. We had an orderly situation as we endured the disruption to do what is necessary in order to have this bridge in working or-

der again.”

Public Works Minister Edghill commended all the agencies, contractors and staff that were involved, pointing out that executing the arduous task in such a short time was possible owing to teamwork.

“This did not just happen by accident. It took planning, partnership, and the support and cooperation of a lot of people. As the Minister responsible, I deeply appreciate the role

that every member of the team and every stakeholder played in getting this done,” the Public Works Minister said.

Similar sentiments were shared by Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar.

General Manager of the DHB, Wayne Watson, also lauded the hard work of all the agencies involved and assured that the works completed have rendered the bridge structurally safe and sound.

The new $1.2 billion span was built by Industrial Fabrications Inc (InFab), a local company which assisted the DHB team with the installation, starting from the wee hours of Tuesday, immediately upon the closure of the bridge.

On Wednesday afternoon, the new retractor was already in place and the plates (decks) were installed, while a cable

wheel to hold the hydraulic lines as well as the electrical cabin to control the hydraulics and the two towers were positioned as well.

At that time, the two arms to lift the rack when the bridge retracts were yet to be completed before testing of the bridge followed.

On Thursday, final cleaning wrapped up at about 14:00h.

The bridge management had also utilised the closure to facilitate other maintenance works on Spans 10 to 29, Spans 30 to 38 and Spans 39 to 61, which would have required closure at a later time.

Water taxis

During this threeday closure, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) facilitated the 24hour operation of water taxis to transport people.

In addition to the regular Stabroek to Vreed-en-Hoop crossing, two temporary terminals were set up from Grove, East Bank Demerara to Wales, West Bank Demerara, and at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Reportedly, 78 passenger boats were dispatched to support this massive effort at the two secondary locations.

However, with the early reopening of the Bridge to vehicular and passenger service, MARAD on Thursday announced that the water taxi service at the DHB would terminate at 18:00h.

Meanwhile, the water taxi services between Grove and Wales continued until 20:00h, while service between Stabroek and Vreed-en-Hoop remained uninterrupted throughout the night, with the water taxis at this location positioned to resume regular operations of 05:30h to 20:00h today.

The team who worked on Span Nine installation and repair works

Water taxi in operation during DHB closure

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, staff of MARAD, T&HD and members of the Guyana Police Force following the press briefing at the DHB (DPI photo)

CCJ denies ex-GDF soldiers’ application to appeal murder conviction

alty, while Greenidge had also sought permission to appeal his conviction altogether.

Greenidge posited that the evidence against him consisted solely of the contents of his caution statement, which did not disclose any prior plan to murder or participate in the murder of Ramdass.

assist the deceased when he was in distress, or otherwise to disassociate himself from participating in the crime.

Regarding constitutionality of the death penalty, the Court also found that Harte and Greenidge faced no threat of execution, so the arguments raised on this issue were solely academic in nature.

ings clause, and naturally, if there is any variance between those views and the reasoning of the Court of Appeal, the views of the CCJ must prevail.

Harte and Greenidge also contended that the Court of Appeal did not adhere to the proper sentencing methodology in vacating the death penalty and imposing life sentences with tariffs.

Brave new...

…agri vistas

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Thursday denied special leave applications made by two former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard ranks who in 2013 were found guilty of robbing and murdering a civilian.

Coast Guard ranks Sherwyn Harte, Deon Greenidge and Devon Gordon were sentenced to death by Justice Franklyn Holder in 2013 after being found guilty of throwing overboard gold miner Dwieve Kant Ramdass of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), following their having robbed him of $17 million.

While the Court of Appeal upheld the convictions in 2022, the original death sentences were vacated and replaced by life sentences, with tariffs requiring the men to serve 18 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

Harte and Greenidge had both sought leave to appeal the sentence imposed on them by the Court of Appeal, and to challenge the constitutionality of the death pen-

In a judgment authored by Justice Winston Anderson and delivered by Justice Adrian Saunders, the CCJ dismissed Greenidge’s individual appeal, stating that he did not establish any realistic possibility that there had been a miscarriage of justice.

“There was ample evidence in the caution statement and the circumstantial evidence on which a jury, properly directed, could have reached the conclusion that Greenidge was party to the joint enterprise to rob and murder the deceased,” Justice Sanders said.

The Court also noted that there was no evidence of any attempt by Greenidge to

“The Court reaffirmed its decision…that it will only hear academic appearances in specified exceptional circumstances. The current application did not fall under those exceptional circumstances,” Justice Saunders

“In the present case, the offenders were members of the Guyana Defence Force who robbed and murdered an innocent citizen. There is no ground for regarding a sentence imposed as exces-

We’ve been warned so many times about the dreaded “Dutch Disease” after we (OK, OK, foreign oil companies!) struck oil that your Eyewitness swears it must be related to those even more dreaded dead “Dutchmen”, who’ve been haunting us for hundreds of years. And, in a way, they ARE related. “Dutch Disease” refers to the fate of the Netherlands in the ‘70s, after they discovered offshore oil. They promptly neglected their traditional products as oil revenues flowed into their coffers, and duly ran into some deep sh*t when the oil ran out! Their ‘traditional’ products were heavily agricultural. Gouda Cheese anyone??

Interestingly enough, our Dutchmen of yore - whom folks insist are lurking behind silk cotton trees to do us in –were the ones who brought agriculture (sugar cane, coffee, cotton and tobacco) to Guyana. And your Eyewitness’s fear is that now oil - and presumably the money - is flowing (not that we’ll see much in OUR pockets!), we might follow in the footsteps of the Modern Dutch and neglect our agriculture. So that when the oil runs out - in 30 years? - we’ll be left high, dry and poverty-stricken.

said.

Harte and Greenidge also took issue with some of the reasoning of the Court of Appeal regarding the death penalty being a “saved law” from the colonial era. The three ex-GDF officers had been convicted under the unamended Section 100 of the Criminal Law Offences Act (CLOA). The CCJ reminded that it had indicated clear views on the issue of the sav-

sive, or so manifestly outside the mainstream of sentences,” Justice Saunders said. Additionally, Justice Saunders pointed out that the Court of Appeal had imposed the minimum sentence mandated under the CLOA, and therefore the applicants had no basis for complaint.

As such, the applications for special leave were dismissed with no orders as to costs.

Now, you’d hope our powers-that-be would be kinda in a “forewarned is forearmed” mode, no? Well, they’re certainly “talking the talk”, so maybe it’s time we scratch beneath the surface to find out if it’s just a “gyaaf”. Let’s start with sugar. The Government – which owns GuySuCo – is pumping in a whole lotta dough to keep the industry going, but the going’s been real tough!! We heard that Rose Hall was fired up for the coming “big crop” – so let’s see if this will get things back on track.

On our second big crop - rice - this has been really doing well - with us shipping over 600,000 tonnes abroad and bringing in foreign exchange and stuff. But we gotta be careful that we ensure our farmers get paid – not like that Panamanian Market that Naga brought in! We gotta find viable new markets by using our embassies like the developed countries do - to sell locally-produced goods! With India just cutting off rice exports, this should be easier!

Your Eyewitness is excited about new mass-produced crops like soya and corn in the Intermediate Savannahs for the “25-by-25” Initiative. But what about all the land we got on the coast? For instance, some years ago, the PPP Govt unfurled a “5-P” agri program for export - especially to the diaspora markets. Pineapples, pumpkins, peppers, passionfruit and Papaw. What happened? Isn’t there room for expansion? Your Eyewitness certainly thinks so!

And how about mangoes - your Eyewitness’s favourite fruit? Isn’t it time we have orchards to supply consistent quality and quantity?

…education??

Now that our little darlings are enjoying their “August holidays” of never-ending sunlit days, maybe it’s time we revisit the premises of our schooling, in the first place. Let’s cast our eyes back on the “Common Entrance”, now dubbed the NGSA - which we picked up from the British. Seems we’ve missed the entire point of their change in 1948 from the original model in 1904. The exams would now signal which students might be more suited for specific types of education in a new “Tripartite System”.

The high flyers would continue with academic pursuits in their elite grammar schools, and the others would be sent to less competitive “secondary modern schools” or (for those considered below par) to trade-oriented technical schools. But we’ve retained the elite grammar schools – Queen’s and Bishops’ - for the top 1% and left the others to flounder in the other secondary schools.

But what about the technical/agri-schools? Seems we’ve kept the British snobbery about “academics” and scorned the last.

…morals?

Your Eyewitness thinks the former minister - who’s been charged for “indecent exposure” after he exposed his genitals to an outraged family when gratuitously returning to take a second leak – missed the point about “letting it all hang out”!!

Justice Adrian Saunders of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

Convicted killers Sherwyn Harte, Devon Gordon and Deon Greenidge

Chinese Landing issue

Govt respects IACHR decision; to send team to meet with residents – VP …reminds that Govt has to respect CCJ ruling

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has said the Guyana Government would respect the decision of the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on the Chinese Landing issue. He noted that a team would soon be sent into the Region One (Barima-Waini) community to meet with residents there.

On July 21, the IACHR issued Resolution 41/2023, through which it granted precautionary measures in favour of members of the Indigenous Carib Community of Chinese Landing, who it said are currently at “serious, urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm to their human rights”.

According to a statement from the Organization of American States (OAS), a “petition indicates that the members of the Indigenous Carib Community of Chinese Landing are facing threats, harassment, and acts of violence in the context of their opposition to mining activities in their lands.

“The representatives alleged repetitive incidents of threats and harassment, which would occur "daily", or "regularly"; informed on acts

against persons in particular vulnerability, such as aggression to a young man, attempted rape of a minor, and threat with a knife against an elder person; as well as the extensive use of firearms, with firing incidents.

“The beneficiaries have also received collective death threats, reportedly perpetrated by mine workers. For example, the toshao, who is the leader of the community, was allegedly warned that if the village wins its lands back, the miners would not leave easily and people would die.”

GGMC/CCJ ruling

Reports are that at the centre of this issue is a mining permit that was granted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to a miner/company to operate within the boundaries of the village’s titled land, sometime in the 1990s. However, the village has been up in arms over this approval, which they said did not have the consent of the Village Council.

When the GGMC had taken steps to issue a Cease Work Order (CWO) to the miner/company, however, the case had been taken to the High Court, which has

ruled in favour of the miner/ company. The High Court decision was subsequently overturned by the Court of Appeal. However, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) reversed this in 2017.

At a press conference on Thursday, VP Jagdeo reminded that Government had taken steps to deal with the issue, but it has to respect the ruling of the CCJ. In addition to that miner/ company, Jagdeo said, the village was granted permission to conduct mining activities, and there are also illegal mining activities ongoing in the area.

Nevertheless, he said, the Government would respect the ruling of the IACHR, and would be sending a team to the area to conduct such assessments.

“We intend to respect the ruling of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. So, we are going to once again send in another team to visit the area, and that would be a multifaceted team, dealing with environment, social issues, mining rights, everything, to meet with the community and then prepare our report, which we will then submit to the IACHR.

File photo: A photo taken in Chinese Landing in 2022

100 migrant students benefit from “Big Sister” mentoring programme

As part of the Education Ministry’s efforts to integrate migrant children into the education system, the Welfare Unit of that Ministry, in collaboration with the Disaster Risk Prevention and Migrant Unit and UNICEF, hosted a “Big Sister” mentoring programme.

In a release, the Ministry said the programme, which commenced on July 10, will end today. It is aimed at helping adolescent girls to navigate the challenges facing them as they commence

living in a new country. Although the programme was intended to target young

girls, a number of adolescent males showed interest in the programme and participat-

ed. Over the last few weeks, some 100 migrant stu-

dents from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica) have benefitted from the programme, which helped them to learn English. The students also engaged in arts and craft, and were introduced to Guyanese culture through food, games, and socializing.

Chief Schools' Welfare Officer Vickram Mohabir has said the goal is to ensure that migrant children complete secondary school. Further, he expressed grati-

tude to the teachers and students who participated in the programme, and noted that there are plans to roll out a Big Brother Programme which would target adolescent boys.

The programme also saw Her Excellency First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali showing her support by donating personal care hampers to the young girls.

The second round of the programme is scheduled to commence on August 15 at the Leonora Secondary School.

Migrant workers can fill gaps in local workforce - GCCI VP …necessary

for full realisation of Guyana’s growth potential

Rambarran said.

“Migrants that are well skilled are able to participate in the local economy and simultaneously train one or perhaps a cadre of individuals, who then themselves become highly productive, or who are able to operate with a degree of dexterity in a particular area,” Rambarran said.

This has the long-term effect of furthering the level of competitiveness at both the local and international scales, he noted.

strengthen capacity-building, the Labour Ministry is also actively working to expand its administration, particularly in regard to language translators,

to improve their ability to conduct thorough investigations into the working conditions of migrants.

“Currently, we’re focusing on establishing more of-

fices in all regions, thereby making it easier for the general population to access your services,” Williams added.

As Guyana’s development continues on the rise, foreign nationals looking to migrate into the country can bridge the immediate skills and labour gaps that prevail.

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) on Thursday hosted a webinar on employment opportunities and barriers faced by migrants looking to enter the Guyanese workforce. In his remarks, Richard Rambarran, Senior Vice President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), shared that migrant workers can fill gaps in the local workforce, and locals can benefit from the opportunity afforded by means of skills transfer exercises.

“For a Private Sector enterprise, that reduces the search costs for a worker, (and) helps to have increased productivity and output over an immediate term, as opposed to having to train an individual and have them accelerate along the learning curve,”

With the Government’s aggressive infrastructural agenda underway, Rambarran explained, employment opportunities are guaranteed to exist in the construction and engineering subsectors.

However, the tourism subsector can also see much to gain from external expertise.

“Where we are projected to go in Guyana with our business tourism influx, and then pleasure tourism as the country begins to gain more international spotlight, I believe that tourism has become a very important sector for absorbing migrant workers, particularly those who have experience in the Caribbean as well as in the Latin American region,” Rambarran said.

He explained that migrant workers do, however, face several challenges within the Guyanese labour market. Those come in the form of language barriers; rising cost of living resulting in housing difficulties, and a prevalence of abuse of workers within the informal sector.

“We must be cognisant of the barriers that exist for ease of integration and work actively to address them. I think we can work active-

ly to address them through a comprehensive migration policy, reform of our labour laws into a modern, updated and comprehensive piece of legislation that reflects where we are anticipated to go, and accede to some of the international conventions which we have not yet acceded to,” Rambarran said.

Labour legislation

Legal Officer within the Labour Ministry, Alyea Williams, noted that the legal framework for labour operations in the country does take into account protection of migrants through the Constitution of Guyana, labour legislation, and international conventions.

“We are currently aiming towards the development of a comprehensive Labour Migration Policy which would have us more involved in the regularisation process of migrant workers. We’re also in the process of conducting a comprehensive review on amendments of labour laws to better serve the interests of all workers in Guyana,” Williams said.

Recognising the need to

Senior Vice President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Richard Rambarran

Legal Officer within the Labour Ministry, Alyea Williams

15-year-old nabbed with ganja

A15-year-old lad has been arrested by Police at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) after he was found with 45 grams of marijuana concealed in Ziploc bags.

At about 17:30h on Wednesday, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and two ranks on mobile patrol near Agriculture Road, Mon Repos, ECD saw the teen-

ager walking towards a garbage bin, and they conducted a search on the lad’s person.

Three small plastic bags were found in his hands.

A search was conducted in the bin, and a black plastic bag containing 16 such bags, each containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis, was found.

The teenager was told

of the offence committed, but remained silent. He was arrested, but was later released into his parents’ care.

The contents of the three bags that were in the teen’s hands were weighed, and amounted to 10 grams, while the contents of the 16 other bags were weighed and amounted to 35 grams.

Investigations are ongoing. (G12)

The marijuana that was found in the teen’s possession

Pres Ali attends opening of FISU World University Games in Sichuan

President Dr Irfaan

Ali has attended the opening ceremony of the 31st FISU World

University Games 2023 –one of the largest sporting events globally, and one that is aimed at uniting athletes.

Ali also met with the six University of Guyana athletes who are representing Guyana at the Games. The table tennis players are Elishaba Johnson and Niran Bissu, while the track and field athletes are Shimar Velloza, Malinda Williams, Nolex Holder and Leoni Adams. Further, he made a financial contribution to the athletes.

This is the first time Guyana is participating in those Games.

Ali was given a grand welcome by Government officials of Chengdu - the largest city in Sichuan, and the sixth largest in China.

His participation comes on the heels of a Private Sector delegation that is currently in China for one week, during which Ali will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Government officials.

This is President Ali’s first official visit to China, and he is accompanied by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd. The FISU World University Games bring together athletes from around the world to contest

in archery, artistic gymnastics, athletics, badminton, basketball, diving, fencing, judo, rhythmic gymnastics, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, water polo and wushu.

Word it that participants from over 170 countries and regions have already trickled into China for the 12-day sporting event. The biennial World University Games, formerly known as the Universiade, began in 1959 and was last held in Naples.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who also attended the opening ceremony, was slated to host bilateral engagements with visiting leaders. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Burundi President

Evariste Ndayishimiye,

Georgian

was also facilitated.

Government has been aiming to realise a new regional and urban development shift sparked by building 700 homes at Palmyra, with supplementary infrastructural works totalling some $10 billion. This urban hub would be established to international standards in which a stadium, hotel, malls and massive private gated communities are to be developed.

The other major project

Development Strategy (LCDS); the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; and Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which speaks to building sustainable cities and communities.

As at 2022, China had an urbanization rate of 64 per cent, and was expected to reach 75-80 per cent by 2035. Simultaneously, Guyana is seeking to strengthen its international agenda through diploma-

two countries straddled almost all areas of national development, including agriculture, culture, defence cooperation, education, health, information communication technology, infrastructural development, private investment, security, sport, trade, and transportation.

Trade between Guyana and China has been increasing over the past few years, and at the end of 2022, bilateral trade in goods had jumped to

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, and Fiji

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka are among those in attendance.

Urban Planning

President Ali also visited Oriental Pearl Radio and Television Tower in Shanghai, where his delegation was given a guided tour of the massive 1,536foot structure that creates a picture of 'twin dragons playing with pearls.’

Visiting the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, a guided tour of the six-storey building which displays Shanghai's urban planning and development,

is Silica City, Guyana’s first smart urban centre, which is intended to be a smart city powered by renewable energy and developed with the Administration’s revised Low Carbon

cy, and this visit will further strengthen ties with China - one of the country’s major bilateral partners.

When his visit to China was announced, Ali shared that cooperation been the

US$1.88 billion. In May, China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, acknowledged that there is scope for even greater relations between the two countries. (G12)

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani,

Six athletes from the University of Guyana who are representing Guyana at the World University Games in Chengdu, China

President Irfaan Ali being welcomed as he arrived in Chengdu

The Guyanese Head of State touring the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall with other officials

The Miss Emancipation Queen pageant is here again, and seven phenomenal beauties are vying for the coveted crown.

The pageant is set for Saturday, August 5, at the National Cultural Centre, where the delegates will take the stage to compete in several segments, including a STEM project.

Pageant Director Gabriel Atherley, a former Miss Emancipation Queen herself, told this publication that all systems are in place for the exciting event. She said

that prizes have already been secured for the delegates, and the Queen would have to choose between accepting a medical scholarship to the Georgetown American University or a cash voucher. Additionally, the Queen would receive a trip for two to Kaieteur Falls, sponsored by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

The pageant’s first runner-up would get to go on an Essequibo Day Tour also sponsored by the GTA, while the second runner-up would be awarded an Elite Kayaking Day Tour, again sponsored by the GTA.

Winners would receive additional prizes from various sponsors. The winner of the Best Smile Prize would be rewarded with a free cleaning, polishing, and teeth-whitening service from Smile Guyana Dental Services, while the winner of the People’s Choice category would be receiving a free photoshoot by Terrence Thompson Photography.

The most glamorous part of the competition is expected to be the evening gown segment, where each of the delegates would get the opportunity to showcase what they determine to be African royal evening wear.

Occupation: Educator

Education: Associate Degree in Biology

Occupation: Administrative Assistant at Food for the Poor Guyana Inc.

Education: Diploma in General Psychology; Diploma in Forensic Psychology; Pursuing a Bachelor's in Psychology

Occupation: Survey Technician

Education: Technical diploma in Land Surveying, pursuing an Associate Degree in Mining Engineering

Occupation: Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst at Forestry

Education: University of Guyana Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies

Occupation: Student

Education: Cape Unit 1 & Pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics

Get ready for a sizzling summer show as Guyana turns up the heat with an electrifying showcase of dancehall music.

The promoter of this show is Elite Productions, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to empowering and educating children across Guyana. The highly anticipated event will feature three of the hottest names in the genre: Demarco, Gaza Slim, and Pamputtae, promising an unforgettable night of thrilling performances on August 5th, 2023.

Behind chart-topping hits like "I Love My Life" and "Puppy Tail," Jamaican dancehall artiste Demarco brings his captivating charisma and distinctive style to the stage, and promises to have everyone on their feet and moving to the rhythm.

Joining Demarco is Gaza Slim, renowned for her soulful vocals and impressive range. Best known for her collaborations with the legendary Vybz Kartel, Gaza

Occupation: Journalist

Education: Pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication

Occupation: Document Controller & Quality Auditor

Education: Pursing Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management

Slim's performance is set to be a truly mesmerizing experience for all those in attendance.

Completing the lineup is Pumpatte, a rising star in the genre known for her sassy lyrics and dynamic stage presence. With hit singles like "I Don't Care," Pumpatte's performance promises to bring fresh and powerful female energy to the summer show.

The summer show, held at the National Park in Georgetown, promises to offer attendees an unforgettable night of dancehall music, showcasing the incredible talents of Demarco, Pumpatte, and Gaza Slim.

Tickets for the summer show are available now at White Castle Fish Shop; Raj Jewelry - Giftland Mall & Movie Town; Hard Rock Cabs - 110 Prospect Park -EBD and NBTV Channel 9.

Wearable technology glucose monitoring soon – NCD Director

In the coming months, the Health Ministry is planning to introduce a programme that focuses on continuous glucose monitors testing, whereby, through wearable technology, diabetic patients are able to easily track their blood sugar levels over time.

Director of the NonCommunicable Diseases Unit, Dr Lachmie Lall, made this announcement on Wednesday during a Farm Day activity for children and young adolescents living with Type One diabetes.

“The Ministry of Health is here to support life as a Type 1 Diabetic, and in the coming months, we will be rolling out the continuous glucose monitors testing programme. Currently, we’re in the process of exploring this, and if it’s the best possible option for the children, we’ll start with this small cohort of patients and see how they manage,” Dr Lall has said.

Hosted by the Health Ministry’s Chronic Diseases Unit in collaboration with the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), this firstof-its-kind Farm Day activity engaged some 40 participants in tours of the GSA and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

The Health Ministry also used this opportunity to raise awareness and educate participants on management of Type One diabetes.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Advisor to the Health Minister, has assured participants of the Health Ministry’s constant efforts

to keep up with the technological advances that are being made for the treatment and management of diabetes.

“We want to make sure that we use all technologies available. Sometimes it’s ahead of our capacity to do so, but as soon as it is possible, Guyana today wants to make sure that every technology, every treatment, and every technique will be utilised. We don’t want to be a country that is 10 years behind developed countries,” Dr Ramsammy said.

Dr Ramsammy emphasised that Guyana would not allow resource constraints to

delay the introduction of effective technology and treatment, whether for prevention or for management of diabetes.

The Health Ministry commissioned its first Diabetes Comprehensive Care Centre at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara in April 2023.

The $65 million facility, which aims to provide enhanced care for diabetic patients, provides services that include eye and cardiovascular screening, diabetic wound care, radiology services, dietary counselling, mental health counselling, physiotherapy, and rehabil-

Transnational coordination...

authorities.

And Commander of the US Southern Command, Army General Laura Richardson, shared that this year's exercise was the most complex in the 38-year history of Tradewinds.

“Transnational criminal organizations, maligned state actors, cybercrime, environmental climate change, and irregular migration continue to grow in scope and intensity, posing a significant challenge to the national security for all of us in the Western Hemisphere…

Multinational partnerships formed and strengthened through all the main exercises, such as Tradewinds, enhance our ability to confront global security threats and deter maligned actors. The magnitude of these cross-cutting challenges is a call to action, and it requires each of us to work together to confront these threats,” General Laura Richardson has said.

Human Rights United States

Ambassador Sarah-Ann lynch noted that women, peace, and security training introduced this year highlights the importance of gender considerations in military and Police operations.

She also lauded the Guyana Defence Force on its signing of the US Southern Command Human Rights Initiative (HRI) on Thursday.

The HRI was established in 1997 to bring together military, public security, Government and civil society representatives from across the hemisphere with the aim of developing comprehensive and effective human rights programmes for defense and security forces. It focuses on four crucial areas: doctrine, education and training, internal control systems, and cooperation with civilian

FROM PAGE 2

“I commend your commitment to human rights, and I hope signing on to the Human Rights Initiative will continue to promote security cooperation in this very important area. As Guyana continues to undergo an amazing economic transformation, Tradewinds 2023 highlights yet again the importance of security and stability in long-term development,” Ambassador Lynch voiced.

Prime Minister Phillips added in this regard, “Our security forces must work hand-in-hand with civil society, human rights organizations, and independent oversight bodies to ensure that allegations of human rights’ violations are thoroughly investigated and addressed. You must uphold human rights principles.”

Barbados will serve as the host country for the next Tradewinds Exercise.

(G12)

itation services.

Dr Ramsammy has said there are 79 children with Type 1 diabetes who have been registered within the Diabetic Registry. Parents of diabetic children who are

not yet registered are encouraged to visit the nearest health centre to be enrolled.

In attendance at this Farm Day activity were GSA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gavin Ramnarine;

Guyana Diabetic Association (GDA) President Glynis Beaton; Technical Officer of Diabetes, Dr. Nandishaw Ramsingh, and other GSA and Health Ministry staff members.

Non-Communicable Diseases Unit Director, Dr Lachmie Lall

Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Advisor to the Health Minister

Participants tour GSA and NAREI during Farm Day activity

Rosignol NDC to address road vending, traffic congestion

…as vendors take over pavement

The Neighbourhood

Democratic Council responsible for the village of Rosignol on the West Coast of Berbice in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has said it would be going after those who have taken up sections of the pavement for the purpose of vending, and would also ad-

fic congestion caused by those who have placed their stalls along the carriageway.

Rosignol is the commercial hub of Region Five, but vendors have, over the years, occupied the pavement, thus forcing pedestrians to use the public road. This in itself has posed a problem for vehicle

sions find themselves in problems with Police traffic officers.

Additionally, in the same area but on the opposite side of the road, some vendors have placed their stalls on the carriageway, where they sell fruits, clothing and kitchen utensils, among other things, including meat.

Newly-elected Chairman of the Rosignol-Zee Lust NDC, Winston Heralall, has said the NDC is currently powerless to take action; the new council has only recently been installed. However, the NDC will soon be sending notices to the pavement and carriageway vendors.

where we were able to put together the various sub-committees that will be working,” he explained. Those committees, he said, are the Finance, Works, Market; Culture, Youth and Sport; Welfare, and Agriculture.

The issue of vending on the pavement is an old issue, dating bake more than two decades. In fact, early in his presidency, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, as Head of State, was asked to address the issue, and after meeting with residents, had instructed the then Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj to have the Police address the issue. However, pavement vending is now becoming more pronounced at Rosignol.

dress issues related to traf-

operators, who on many occa-

“Now, as the Chairman, we are now putting systems in place, because as of Tuesday we had a special meeting

These committees will be expected to engage residents and address their issues of concern.

“As it relates to the mar-

ket, it is an eyesore to everyone,” he said.

According to Heralall, the new Council would be engaging the Police to address the congestion being posed by pavement vending.

“It is unsafe where pedestrians now have to walk in the pathway of vehicles. We also have to look at vehicles, including cars, parking on the pavement too,” he said.

from

General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has made it clear that persons who donate to the organisation should not expect to get a free pass if they commit any wrongdoing; nor should they expect to get any special privileges from the Government.

He made this known at a

press conference on Thursday, whilst responding to a question regarding whether the PPP had ever received donations from the Mohameds: businessmen Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed, whom a Reuters article recently implicated, without evidence, in illegal activities.

“Even if they had given money in the past, it’s not

of a magnitude that is different from many others… and it doesn’t buy them special privileges from the PPP Government or the party,” Jagdeo, the country’s Vice President, emphasised.

Asked whether, in light of the report, the PPP would accept donations from the Mohameds in the future, Jagdeo explained that right

now the party is not soliciting funds. However, he made it clear that, at this stage, the Reuters report is just a “story”, and that the Government has not been notified officially of any investigation of the Guyanese businessmen. The Vice President went on to make it clear that anyone who donates to the party should not expect special privileges.

“Let me make it clear, so if anyone donates to the PPP with the hope that they can do…I’m speaking about anyone with the hope that they can do something illegal and then bypass the system or get a free pass, they’re sadly mistaken…So, I don’t see any donation that comes into the PPP as linked to anything that is done at the Government level,” Jagdeo said.

The Reuters report, “U.S. probing Exxon contractor in Guyana for smuggling drugs, gold”, had noted that ExxonMobil ignored the US Government’s advice to not do business with the Mohameds. This advice, according to the report, was delivered during meetings in late 2021 and early 2022.

“Now, U.S. officials are considering imposing sanctions on the Mohameds, according to four of the sources and two additional people familiar with the matter. That could require Exxon to sever its business relationship with any sanctioned individuals or companies,” the

report stated.

The report further alleges that the businessmen “are being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security, and other U.S. agencies, on suspicions of smuggling Colombian cocaine and illegally mined Venezuelan gold to the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, according to the five sources with knowledge of the probe.

The Mohameds are also suspected of laundering money for drug traffickers and criminals, including sanctioned Russian nationals operating in the region, according to one of the intelligence reports.

The Mohameds have since issued a statement challenging the global news agency to produce its evidence to substantiate those claims.

Bibi Waheeda Hamid is the constituency councillor with responsibility for the area. She told this publication that persons vending on the carriageway would have to vacate the area.

“The road is so congested that sometimes you are scared when you go there,” she said. The community has a Gazetted market but it is being used by vendors only on Saturdays. (G4)

– Jagdeo

Campaign financing

Meanwhile, it was only in May this year that Jagdeo had renewed Government’s commitment to implementing campaign financing laws, but had expressed fears of victimisation through publicizing the names of donors.

The Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the March 2020 General and Regional Elections had found that “there is a lack of transparency and accountability regarding political parties and campaign financing. Political parties have historically raised funds without any limitations regarding the source or amount of donation, and with very little obligation to disclose election expenses. There is a strong need for such legislation, as there is a perception that persons and/or corporations who give large donations stand to gain political favours.” (G11)

Govt respects IACHR decision...

“We ourselves are very concerned, the community is our primary concern. We believe that any transgressions there of a social, environmental, mining nature should be penalised heavily…but it’s very complicated…every time the Toshao and others come to speak to us, you have another group from the village that will come and say they don’t agree with it, they support the miner, and all sorts of things.”

Jagdeo said hopefully, one meeting with the entire village can help solve the issue.

He acknowledged that there are problems affecting the community but noted that an assessment will need to be done separate fact from fiction.

“There are a lot of public relations surrounding some aspects of this issue that I don’t agree with…we have to check it on the ground first, address the real concerns and the real issues and separate it out from the fiction.”

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the OAS, whose mandate stems

FROM PAGE 9

from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The InterAmerican Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) had in May last year written the Government of Guyana regarding the issue in Chinese Landing. (G11)

Donors should not expect “free pass” or “special privileges”

Govt

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

GTA establishes 1st training facility

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has established its first training facility to facilitate various types of training for operators within Guyana’s tourism sector.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), GTA’s Manager of Training and Licensing, Tamika Inglis, noted that the agency offers more than 20 areas of training.

“We thought it was necessary that we have our own training room, so we put forward that plan and it has come to fruition, and we are pretty much excited about

that. It would definitely cut our overhead cost as well as give us the opportunity to have more training done,” Inglis explained.

She added that the facility has been in the making for some time, as the outsourcing of venues to host training has been quite costly.

According to Inglis, the GTA prioritises training based on an assessment of the needs of the industry.

“So far, we would have been able to train 1300 persons to date, and…training covers mixology, first aid and CPR, delivering quality service, introduction to

tourism, tour guiding, and birding. We have a whole list of training that we try to cover to build the capacity of the industry,” she ex-

plained.

Currently, persons who benefit from the training are already operating in the industry. However, because

several hotels are slated to begin operating in the future, the interest is growing.

“Persons calling us every day asking for training in different areas; even areas that we don’t offer, like waitressing. What we are trying to do now, when these requests come, we see how best we could provide the training,” she added.

The GTA is also planning to develop a human resource database for the tourism industry, especially for the hotels that would begin operating in Guyana.

“We do have plans to develop…a human resource database for tourism, where

we’re not only training persons that are already in the industry and working in the industry, but persons who have a desire to enter the industry. And as you know, we have a whole host of hotels coming on board. So, what we want to do is be able to have a pool of persons that are trained in various tourism areas or hospitality areas, so those hotels can actually pull from that pool,” she explained. 1,500 persons have been trained by the GTA in 2021, and more than 2,000 in 2022. This year’s number of persons targeted for training is 3500.

Police ranks trained on TIP law, enforcement

Several ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) benefited from a Combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP) awareness seminar on Thursday.

Following a two-day symposium last week, a decision was made by the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) of the Force to educate the appropriate ranks and officers in each Police Region on Combating TIP.

The seminar, held at the Officers’ Training Centre, was aimed at sensitising the participants about the criminal offences, related provisions and other features of the Combating of Trafficking

in Persons Act 2023.

Deputy Commissioner of Law Enforcement, Wendel Blanhum welcomed the ranks

to the event and reminded them that law enforcement officers should always strive to combat crimes such as Trafficking in Persons and other related offences. The crime chief further told the ranks that executing their duties should be done within the confines of the law to avoid being reprimanded.

Attorney-at-Law Joann Bond delivered a presentation on the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 2023 and highlighted key elements and offences within the Act that will aid officers in their functions.

She also used the opportunity to respond to ques-

tions from ranks who were intrigued by her presentation. Also present at the

event were Deputy Crime Chief, Superintendent Karl Wilson and Assistant Superintendent Jermaine

Grant, along with several ranks attached to the various courts in each Police Division.

Pixels Guyana Inc expanding monitoring cameras to ECD

Local advertising and marketing company Pixels Guyana Incorporated will soon expand its 4k advertising screen and free 24-hour monitoring camera services to the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). This was revealed by the Managing Director of Pixels, Leonard Gildarie during a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Thursday.

According to Gildarie, the company is exploring three areas along the ECD to place the cameras and screens.

“We are coming on the East Coast there very shortly [at] UG (University of Guyana) road by where the intersection along where the Railway Embankment is, but we've been told that it might not be a good idea

three areas we looking at,” Gildarie told this publication.

He added that the company has invested almost close to $10 million to have cameras placed at strategic locations across the country,

for us to use the overpass on the East Bank...one at Houston, one at the Harbour Bridge, and one at Diamond. This is for the installation of the advertising screens. These are the most modern screens that we would have brought into the country, the latest in technology and it has changed the way advertisement is being done and also in a very big way used the screen to do public service announcements," he explained.

television. The East Bank, Gildarie said, has been a very attractive location, because it leads not only to the hinterland but to the airport and to the hundreds of thousands of people who live and

were putting in these screens last year, we decided as part of our corporate responsibility/commitments as a company to the people of Guyana, that we are going to put some cameras at strategic locations along the East Bank here and people would be able to see what the traffic is like. The plan was to interrupt the screens while the screen have the ads and then we show them at specific times, what the traffic along key points was going to be like,” Gildarie told <<<Guyana Times>>>.

He explained that after a favourable response from citizens, residents of the West Coast of Demerara requested for these services to be brought to them as well, and the next step was figuring

provider and I said if I find the camera and I put it up here, could you guys give me Internet and electricity? So GPL and E-Networks...were able to use their poles and so on ... and we (Pixels) found the camera and we put up the boxes to protect the modem and they give us free electricity and free Internet,” he highlighted.

A thankful Gildarie added: "I must say that we’re highly appreciative to GPL's management.”

He added that he was confident in where the country was heading and was proud to be part of its development. "All in all, our President has asked us to invest in this country. The country is wide open and I have lots of confidence in where our country is

right now…because they're doing a four-lane extension. So, we're looking along maybe Happy Acres in the Mon Repos area there and the Ogle area, those are the

some of which include the overpass at Diamond and at the Demerara Harbour Bridge on the East Bank.

"We have received permission from the Government...

"We have taken it upon ourselves to do that in a big way, targeting domestic violence, road safety [and more]. We've also been doing a lot of stuff at the Harbour Bridge –schedules, etc.”

He added that these screens have been a major attraction to those people who are not so interested in traditional means like

work along this corridor.

He noted that while they were setting up the screens across the country, the decision came to mind to place monitoring cameras at strategic locations, "While we

out the best locations to place the cameras.

"We had to figure out a way to get it across there. We didn't have any infrastructure, I approached a utility company and an Internet

Training facility at the Guyana Tourism Authority’s Headquarters

Deputy Commissioner of Law Enforcement, Wendel Blanhum

Areas where the Pixels Guyana cameras are set up include Houston, Greater Georgetown, Vreed-En-Hoop junction, DSL junction and Sheriff Street.

Footage from some of the monitoring cameras set up by Pixels Guyana

Brazilian grain silo explosions kill at least 8; 11 injured

At least eight persons have been killed and 11 others injured in southern Brazil when a grain silo exploded at an agricultural cooperative, authorities said.

One person remained missing on Thursday, a day after the explosion at the C Vale cooperative in Palotina, a city about 600 kilometres (372 miles) west of the Parana state capital, Curitiba. Parana is one of Brazil’s top grain-producing states.

“There was an explosion in one of the silos that triggered a second and a third,” Parana fire brigade spokesman Tiago Zajac told the Agence France-Presse news agency.

Video footage distributed on social and Brazilian media showed a large column of white smoke coming from the site and Palotina residents reported feeling a tremor as windows in several homes were blown out.

C Vale, a major producer of soybeans, wheat and corn that stores grain in 125 units across five Brazilian

states and in Paraguay, confirmed in a statement that a “large-scale accident hit our central grain reception unit in Palotina”.

The company said the cause was “yet to be determined”.

Grain dust particles are highly combustible and can cause fires or explosions. The particles can be from wheat, oats, barley or other types of grain that form layers or become airborne in an enclosed space.

AMLO defends Mexico’s military after report on missing students’ case

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has spoken out in defence of the country’s armed forces, days after an independent panel accused them of being complicit in the disappearances of dozens of students nearly a decade ago.

Speaking during a news conference on Thursday, the President – widely known as AMLO – said it was untrue that

the Mexican military had hindered an investigation into the disappearances of 43 student teachers in 2014.

“It’s not true the Navy and the Army aren’t helping,” said the President, who took office in 2018 promising to clear up what has become one of the most notorious human rights cases in Mexico’s history, known as the disappearance of the Ayotzinapa 43.

“If progress has been

made, it’s precisely because of the cooperation of the Navy and the Army.”

He said 115 persons have been detained, including two generals and a former top Prosecutor, and a “pact of silence” around the crime has been broken, shedding light on events.

“What’s most important now is the search [for the missing youths],” Lopez Obrador added.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

For a grain dust explosion to occur, experts say four elements have to be present: fuel, oxygen, confinement and a source of ignition.

“I’m deeply saddened by what happened at C Vale,” Brazilian Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro wrote on the social media website X, formerly known as Twitter. “I express my condolences to the families of the victims.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T&T PM shocked over criminals in politics

Trinidad and Tobago

Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley says he is shocked that criminal conduct is no longer seen by some people as debarring them from being politicians. He was addressing the crime rate in a television interview on Thursday.

Dr Rowley said he remained prepared to work with the Opposition and other stakeholders to find ways to curb crime.

"I always make that overture."

But he said since the People’s National Movement (PNM) returned to office, the United National Congress (UNC) refuses to cooperate with them to find bipartisan solutions to crime.

Recalling that he first entered politics in 1987 as an Opposition Senator,

T&T

Dr Rowley said he never thought he would be in the political arena with people "for whom criminal conduct is not a disqualifier".

He said it has gotten to the point where certain politicians see the country's suc-

Colombian Police seize US$329M in property, bank accounts tied to stolen oil

Colombian Police have seized property and bank accounts worth 1.3 trillion pesos (US$329 million), proceeds from the sale and export of stolen crude oil, officials said on Thursday.

The national Police and Interpol have carried out seven investigations since 2016 into the theft and smuggling of oil by four criminal organisations, a Police statement said. The enterprise managed to export 975,000 barrels of crude between 2020 and 2021, it said.

Thousands of barrels of oil are stolen from Colombia's pipelines each day, often by criminal

gangs who refine it into a bootleg fuel known as pategrillo for use in making cocaine or running machinery in illegal mining.

The practice of perforating pipelines and storing oil in pools in the jungle is an environmental disaster, Reuters reported last year, after visiting clandestine refineries in Narino province.

"Businessmen and technicians are involved and the National Liberation Army (ELN) is clearly linked due to its illegal activities of hydrocarbon theft and attacks against the Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline," said independent energy analyst Katherine Casas, referring to a rebel

group that regularly bombs pipelines.

Police seized houses, apartments, boats, vehicles and four refineries earlier this week, as well as 17 bank accounts – Colombian and international – valued at 20.3 billion pesos (US$5.14 million).

To sell the stolen oil, criminal groups mixed it with legally-bought crude so it could be exported via front companies, Police said.

Colombia's majority State-owned oil company Ecopetrol was the main victim of the scheme, costing it 60 billion pesos, Police added.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Guatemalan presidential contender Torres visits Washington ahead of August run-off

Guatemalan presidential candidate

Arestaurateur was gunned down at her establishment in Hayes, Clarendon on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as 39-year-old chef Alecia LatchmanPeart, of Cornpiece district in Hayes.

Reports are that around midday, Latchman-Peart

responded to a purported patron who came to her establishment, which is connected to her home, and ordered a ‘box lunch’.

It is understood that, as Latchman-Peart prepared the serving, the purported patron pulled a firearm and opened fire hitting her.

Police who attended the scene observed Latchman-

cess as the Government's success, especially if they are in power.

Dr Rowley also said no government can be efficiently run on the basis of "rampant populism."

(Trinidad Newsday)

Sandra Torres was scheduled to meet with US officials in Washington on Thursday, her party said, ahead of a run-off vote next month that has raised international concerns over alleged interference by authorities.

Peart in a pool of blood inside the kitchen area.

Latchman-Peart was pronounced dead at hospital.

There has been an outpouring of tributes on social media to LatchmanPeart, and expressions of shock and grief over her murder, since news of her death emerged. (Jamaica Observer)

Torres' National Unity of Hope (UNE) party said the former First Lady of Guatemala is slated to discuss migration, trade and security with US State Department representatives.

The State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the meeting with Torres, who came in first in an initial round of voting last month.

She will also meet with business leaders and present campaign proposals

during a conversation with the Atlantic Council think tank that will be streamed online.

Torres' rival, Bernardo Arevalo of the Semilla party, who finished second in the vote, has not said whether he also plans to visit Washington.

President Joe Biden's Administration has raised various concerns over

Guatemala's election process, including criticising raids by authorities last week of Semilla offices.

A senior Biden Administration official previously said the United States planned to host Torres and Arevalo for talks in Washington this week to show support for free and fair elections.

(Reuters)

Chef gunned down at her restaurant in Jamaica

Video footage distributed on social and Brazilian media showed a large column of white smoke coming from the site

PM, Dr Keith Rowley

Presidential candidate for the National Unity of Hope (UNE) party, Sandra Torres holds a press conference in Guatemala City, Guatemala, in this handout photo released on July 4, 2023 (Guatemala Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza (UNE) handout via Reuters photo)

Around The World OIL NEWS

Ukrainian forces press southward, say strategic village recaptured from Russians

Oil settles above April peak on tighter supply

Oil settled higher Thursday, with Brent crude topping US$84 a barrel for the first time since April, supported by supply tightness following Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) production cuts and renewed bullishness on the outlook for Chinese demand and global growth.

Crude has posted four consecutive weekly gains on an expected tightening of supply because of output cuts by OPEC+, as well as some involuntary outages.

Brent crude settled up US$1.32, or 1.6 per cent, to US$84.35 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled up by US$1.31, or 1.7 per cent, to US$80.09.

"We see the oil market undersupplied," UBS analysts said in a report. "We retain a positive outlook and look for Brent to rise to US$85–US$90 over the coming months."

Still, oil dropped on Wednesday after data showed US crude inventories fell less than expected and the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, leaving the way open for another increase.

Risk appetite in wider financial markets is being boosted by growing expectations that central banks such as the Fed are nearing the end of policy-tightening campaigns, which would boost the outlook for global growth and energy demand.

The US economy grew by a bigger-than-expected 2.4 per cent last quarter, Government data showed Thursday, as labour market resilience supported consumer spending, while businesses boosted investment in equipment, potentially keeping a recession at bay.

"With interest rate hikes either at or near a peak amidst increasing views that a recession will be avoided, risk assets such as oil have become increasingly appealing," said Jim Ritterbusch, President of Ritterbusch and Associates in Galena, Illinois.

The European Central Bank raised interest rates for the ninth consecutive time on Thursday.

A pledge on Monday from China to boost policy support for the economy has spurred hopes of oil demand regeneration from the world's largest crude importer, Phillip Nova analyst Priyanka Sachdeva said in a note.

Coming into focus is an August 4 meeting of OPEC+ ministers to review the market. (Reuters)

Ukrainian forces pressed their counteroffensive through the Russian-occupied southeast on Thursday, capturing the village of Staromaiorske in a campaign to drive a wedge through Russian defensive positions.

The counteroffensive has focused on securing villages on the southward push and areas around the eastern city of Bakhmut, taken by Russian forces in May after months of battles. Ukrainian officials have reported slow, steady progress.

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged intensified Ukrainian attacks over the last few

days, but said they had made no headway. He told Russian television that every Ukrainian assault had been beaten back, and that Moscow's forces had inflicted significant losses on their opponents.

A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Ukraine had deployed additional Western-trained troops to at least one axis in the counteroffensive, but

had held back some. Media reports spoke of a new phase in the drive.

A video posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's Telegram channel showed Ukrainian soldiers celebrating the capture of Staromaiorske in the southeast.

"The 35th brigade and the 'Ariy' territorial defence unit have fulfilled their task and liberated the village of Staromaiorske. Glory to Ukraine!" said a soldier in the video that Reuters was unable to immediately geolocate.

The village lies to the south of a cluster of small settlements that Ukraine recaptured along the Mokri Yaly River as the counteroffensive began.

Despite gains achieved by Ukrainian troops, mostly in the northeast and far south late last year, Russia still holds about 20 per cent of Ukraine's land. (Excerpt from Reuters)

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres on Thursday pleaded for immediate radical action on climate change, saying that record-shattering July temperatures show Earth has passed from a warming phase into an “era of global boiling”.

A blistering heatwave is sweeping the northern hemisphere, including parts of Europe and the Americas, with record-high temperatures triggering devastating wildfires in countries such as Greece, Italy, and Algeria along the Mediterranean.

Speaking in New York, Guterres described the intense heat across the northern hemisphere as a “cruel summer”.

“For the entire planet, it is a disaster,” he said, noting that “short of a mini-Ice Age over the next days, July 2023 will shatter records across the board.”

“Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just

the beginning. The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived.”

According to ERA5 data from the European Unionfunded Copernicus Climate Change Service, the first three weeks of July have been the warmest threeweek period on record and the month is on track to be the hottest July and the hottest month on record.

Complete ERA5 data for July will be available and published on August 8.

The previous hottest month on record was July 2019.

With large swathes of the United States facing a record-breaking heatwave, President Joe Biden on Thursday called the soaring temperatures from climate change an “existential threat”.

“I don’t think anybody can deny the impact of climate change anymore,” he said at the White House.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Donald Trump ordered employees at his Florida resort to delete security videos as he was under investigation for retaining classified documents, US Prosecutors said on Thursday as they broadened the case against the former President and charged a second member of his staff with helping to hide documents.

US Special Counsel Jack Smith filed three new criminal counts against Trump, bringing the total to 40, and charged a maintenance worker at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, Carlos De Oliveira, with conspiracy to obstruct justice, accusing him of helping Trump to hide documents.

De Oliveira, 56, told another worker at the resort where Trump lives that "the boss" wanted security videos of the property in Florida deleted after the Justice Department subpoenaed them.

Prosecutors also charged De Oliveira with lying to the FBI during a voluntary interview, falsely claiming he had no involvement in moving boxes of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

"Never saw nothing," De Oliveira told the agents, according to the indictment.

De Oliveira's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The charges were made public hours after Trump said his Attorneys met with the Justice Department officials investigating his attempts to overturn his 2020

election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, in a sign that another set of criminal charges could come soon.

"This is nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their Department of Justice to harass President Trump and those around him," Trump's campaign said in a statement.

Trump pleaded not guilty in Miami last month to federal charges of unlawfully retaining the classified government documents after leaving office in 2021 and obstructing justice.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

President Mohamed Bazoum remained held in the presidential palace on Thursday afternoon and it was unclear who was in charge of the country after soldiers on Wednesday evening declared a military coup that sparked widespread condemnation.

France, the country's former colonial power, and the West African regional bloc ECOWAS called for Bazoum's immediate release and a return to constitutional order. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that constitutional order should be restored.

US Vice President Kamala Harris said cooperation with Niger's Government was contin-

Deadly bomb blast near Damascus Shia shrine ahead

At least six people have been killed and more than 20 wounded after a bomb exploded near a Shia Muslim shrine south of the Syrian capital Damascus a day ahead of Ashura – a day of mourning observed by Shia Muslims, according to the Interior Ministry.

The blast near the Sayeda Zeinab mausoleum, Syria’s most visited Shia pilgrimage site, was caused when a motorcycle exploded near a taxi, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday. It called it a “terrorist bombing”.

State television earlier reported that the explosion was caused by a “bomb placed in a taxi by unidenti-

fied people”.

Al Jazeera was not able to independently verify the casualty figures and the circumstances around the blast.

“We heard a huge blast and people began to run,” 39-year-old civil servant Ibrahim told AFP news agency.

“Then ambulances arrived and security forces cordoned off the area.”

He said the explosion took place “near a security building around 600 metres from the mausoleum of Sayeda Zeinab”, granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad and the daughter of Imam Ali.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

gent on its "continued commitment to democratic standards".

The US also supports taking action at the United Nations Security Council to de-escalate the situation in Niger, a spokesperson for the US UN mission said.

African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat said he had spoken on Thursday with Bazoum and that the President was "fine", Russian news agency RIA reported.

Niger's coup is the seventh in West and Central Africa since 2020 and could have grave consequences for democratic progress and the fight against an insurgency by jihadist militants in the region, where Niger is a key Western ally.

A new leader has not yet been publicly announced.

The coup was started by the presidential guard, which is drawn from the armed forces and usually protects the President and his entourage; it is headed by General Omar Tchiani.

But he was not among the soldiers who announced Bazoum's replacement on television late on Wednesday.

Aneliese Bernard, director of a US-based risk advisory group Strategic Stabilization Advisors, told Reuters uncertainty remained, and that political and security elites were still debating next steps.

Supporters of the coup ransacked and set fire to the headquarters of the ruling party in Niamey, the capital, on Thursday after the army command declared its backing for the takeover.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Niger coup widely condemned, countries urge return to order

UN chief says Earth in “era of global boiling”, calls for radical action

of Ashura

US says Trump ordered video deleted, charges 2nd employee in documents case

Former US President Donald Trump appears on classified document charges after a federal indictment at Wilkie D Ferguson Jr United States Courthouse, alongside his aide Walt Nauta and Attorneys Chris Kise and Todd Blanche in Miami, Florida, US, June 13, 2023 in a courtroom sketch (Reuters/Jane Rosenberg photo)

The Donetsk region is the site of some of the fiercest fighting in the Ukraine-Russian war [File: Sofiia Gatilova/Reuters]

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Plan something entertaining or physically challenging and give it your all. Make decisions based on your needs, not on what someone pressures you to pursue. Romance is favored.

(March 21-April 19)

Consistency will win over people you need on your side. Let your actions speak for you; the results will be your calling card. Unnecessary change is not in your best interest.

(April 20-May 20)

Don't get upset. Someone will try to supersede you, but staying composed and using intelligent tactics will be the best way to ensure you maintain your integrity and position.

(May 21-June 20)

Take the initiative, be resourceful and map out a plan before you begin your next endeavor. Preparation will put your mind at ease and make everything you do more enjoyable.

(June 21-July 22)

Be free-spirited, but on a budget. Don't give in to temptation. Use your imagination to devise a plan to give you the boost you need and the ingenuity to follow through with your goals.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Don't act hastily. Time is on your side, and opportunity is heading your way. Embrace changes that make you feel secure and confident. You can take care of your responsibilities with aplomb.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Ask an expert, and you'll find a way to conquer anything that stands in your way. Monitor spending and pay attention to detail. Stay on top of medical issues that can affect your productivity.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

You'll need leverage to reach your goal. Observe what others do and listen to what they say. Don't fear doing things differently or being controversial when involved in joint endeavors.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

A demonstrative approach to life will draw positive attention and offer you the platform you require to present your plans. The input you receive will help you decide what's feasible.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Tidy up loose ends and prepare to make your life easier. Set your sights on what you want and do whatever it takes to get it. Align yourself with unique individuals with insight into future trends.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Put more energy into going beyond the call of duty. Separate yourself from those competing with you. Set high standards and bypass anyone who isn't on board; if you snooze, you lose.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Dedication, loyalty and intelligence will lead to opportunity and positive change. Keep your eye on the ball and your feet on the ground. Focus on what you want and seize the moment.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Starc’s 4-for derails fast-paced England to give Australia the upper hand

The final match of the Ashes began in similar fashion to the first, with England hurtling along on the opening day with the bat. Harry Brook led the way with a sparkling 85, but this time they could only reach 283 in overcast, bowler-friendly conditions despite Australia shelling five catches along the way. Mitchell Starc, who hurt his shoulder at Emirates Old Trafford but gave another display of his resilience, finished with 4 for 82 to take his series tally to 19 – the best of his four overseas Ashes series – while the rest of the wickets were shared around. Pat Cummins bowled much better than 1 for 66 would suggest while there was a brace for the recalled Todd Murphy, although he was again used sparingly.

By stumps, Australia could say they’d had the better day as they negotiated 25 overs for the loss of David Warner. He and Usman Khawaja added 49 for the first wicket before Warner fell to Chris Woakes for the third time in a row, edging to second slip, having earlier survived a review by England when Stuart Broad thought he found the glove, but it was only arm.

Although the destination of the Ashes had been rubberstamped at Old Trafford, there was plenty left riding on this final Test – 3-1 or 2-2 makes very different reading. That is especially true for Australia, having held a 2-0 advantage before defeat at Headingley and all-but certainly being saved from another by the Manchester rain.

Cummins is not one to worry about what has happened in the past and he showed that by following Tim Paine’s erroneous route from 2019 of asking England to bat when, for the first time on this tour, the

coin fell in his favour.

For a while it appeared Australia might, again, fluff their lines with the ball; firstly when England’s openers reached 62 for 0 inside the opening hour and then at 184 for 3 as Brook and an injured Moeen Ali forged a rapid century partnership. But, though they again conceded runs at an eye-watering rate, enough chances were created to compensate for the missed ones.

The initial drop had come from Warner when he gave Ben Duckett a life at slip on 30 against Cummins’ first ball of the match. It was Duckett who dominated the early scoring, including a thumping drive down the ground against Josh Hazlewood as he leapt out of his crease. His spritely stay was ended with a glove down the leg side against Mitchell Marsh, although Australia needed DRS (having already burned a review for lbw against Zak Crawley) to overturn Kumar Dharmasena’s not-out decision.

Straight after drinks Cummins, who was under some scrutiny after his struggles at Old Trafford, was rewarded for an excellent opening spell when he had Crawley edging into the slips having previously beaten him three times in a row as he found good bounce from the Pavilion end. When Joe Root dragged on against Hazlewood, England were 73 for 3 and in danger of losing their way.

It should have been 78 for 4 a few moments later when Brook edged Cummins, but Alex Carey could not hold on, going one-handed to his right in front of first slip. Brook counterattacked while Moeen held firm. There was no playing for lunch by Brook as he swiped Marsh over the leg side for six then hammered Starc for two fours and a six in consecutive deliveries moments before the interval.

Brook’s half-century came from 44 balls, but he could have fallen without addition had Cummins managed a di-

rect hit at the non-striker’s end after collecting the ball in his follow-through, turning on his heels and throwing.

It was shortly after that when Moeen pulled up lame with a groin injury after running a single. Following treatment he continued his innings but was barely able to walk, let alone run, and a frenetic period of cricket ensued which included a huge mowed six over deep midwicket off Cummins and another top-edged to fine leg, as well as a ramp over the keeper, while using his bat as a crutch to limp between the wickets when he had to.

The century stand came up in 17 overs. Murphy, who had been recalled in place of Cameron Green, was introduced for the first time in the day for the 34th over. His second ball was dragged down and pulled away by Moeen, but then the next was more of a heave across the line which he missed. How much of a role he could play for the rest of the Test series was uncertain.

There was momentary calm as Brook and Ben Stokes tried to set up another partnership, but the England Captain received one of Starc’s crackerjack deliveries which straightened late and ripped back off stump as Stokes looked to play to the leg side.

Neither did Jonny Bairstow last long as he dragged on against Hazlewood and, four balls later, after another crisp straight drive brought Brook’s 11th four, his dreams of an Ashes hundred vanished when a booming edge was snaffled by Steven Smith at second slip.

England had lost 4 for 28 in 55 balls and there were visions of Australia batting before tea. However, Woakes and Mark Wood, the heroes of Headingley, added 49 with

SCOREBOARD

England 1st Innings

BATTING R B

Zak Crawley c Smith

b Cummins 22 37

Ben Duckett c †Carey

b Marsh 41 41

Moeen Ali b Murphy 34 47

Joe Root b Hazlewood 5 11

Harry Brook c Smith

b Starc 85 91

Ben Stokes (c) b Starc 3 16

Jonny Bairstow †

b Hazlewood 4 14

Chris Woakes c Head

b Starc 36 36

Mark Wood b Murphy 28 29

Stuart Broad c Head

b Starc 7 5

James Anderson not out 0 3

Extras (b 9, lb 7, nb 2) 18

TOTAL 54.4 Ov (RR: 5.17) 283

Fall of wickets: 1-62

(Ben Duckett, 11.6 ov), 2-66

(Zak Crawley, 12.4 ov), 3-73

(Joe Root, 15.3 ov), 4-184

(Moeen Ali, 33.3 ov), 5-193

(Ben Stokes, 38.3 ov), 6-208

(Jonny Bairstow, 41.6 ov), 7-212

(Harry Brook, 42.3 ov), 8-261

(Mark Wood, 51.3 ov), 9-270

(Stuart Broad, 52.5 ov), 10-283

more freewheeling strokeplay.

Woakes had been given lbw to the first ball of the final session, but DRS, asked for almost apologetically, showed a thin edge which even Woakes had not felt. Two balls later, Australia dropped another catch when Marsh spilled Woakes in the gully.

(Chris Woakes, 54.4 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mitchell Starc 14.4-1-82-4

Josh Hazlewood 13-0-54-2

Pat Cummins 13-2-66-1

Mitchell Marsh 8-0-43-1

Todd Murphy 6-0-22-2

Australia 1st Innings

BATTING R B Usman Khawaja not out 26 75

David Warner c Crawley b Woakes 24 52

Marnus Labuschagne not out 2 23

Extras (lb 9) 9

TOTAL 25 Ov (RR: 2.44) 61/1

Yet to bat: Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey †, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Todd Murphy, Josh Hazlewood

Warner, 16.5 ov)

Murphy claimed his second of the day when he cleaned up Wood, but Woakes, who was also dropped by Murphy off his own bowling, kept swinging, including a towering blow for six straight down the ground off Starc before the innings ended with a top edge to deep square leg. (ESPNcricinfo)

FIFA Women’s World Cup… Australia rocked by Nigeria as Portugal earn 1st win

Nigeria sprung a shock at the World Cup on Thursday as they fought back from a goal down to beat co-hosts Australia 3-2.

Defending champions the United States and the Netherlands battled out to a 1-1 draw in a rematch of the 2019 final, while Portugal registered their first-ever win at this level, defeating fellow debutants Vietnam 2-0.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the day’s action.

Australia stunned

Having opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland last week, Australia were left in danger of missing out on the last 16

following their second group game as Nigeria pulled off a stunning come-from-behind win in Brisbane.

The Matildas, again without injured captain and record scorer Sam Kerr, took the lead through an Emily van Egmond finish in first-half stoppage-time, but Uchenna Kanu restored parity before the break and the African side – ranked 30 places below Australia at 40th in the world –then went in front via Osinache Ohale’s 65th-minute header.

Substitute Asisat Oshoala added a third after 72 minutes, with Australia only able to reply with an Alanna Kennedy header deep in stoppage time, as Nigeria moved to the top of

Group B, joining Canada on four points.

They will aim to secure a place in the last 16 when they face already-eliminated Ireland

at the same venue on Monday, when Australia, now third, take on Canada in Melbourne looking to avoid an early exit. The second-placed team in this

group will face the winners of England’s in the next round, and vice versa.

Heavyweights share the points

In Group E, the US and the Netherlands are first and second respectively with four points apiece following an engrossing draw in Wellington.

A 17th-minute strike from Jill Roord, teed up by Victoria Pelova, put the Dutch ahead.

The United States equalised just past the hour mark when Lindsey Horan headed in Rose Lavelle’s corner and Alex Morgan later thought she had completed a turnaround, but her finish was ruled out for offside.

History for Portugal

A point behind the top two in that group are Portugal after their historic result against Vietnam in Hamilton.

Telma Encarnacao scored in the seventh minute and Francisca Nazareth in the 14th – what proved the only goals despite Francisco Neto’s team having numerous further attempts, with Joana Marchao going closest with two efforts that hit the bar in the second half.

Portugal take on the US in their final pool match in Auckland next Tuesday while Vietnam, whose campaign is confirmed as ending at the group stage after two defeats, will face the Netherlands in Dunedin.

(Sportsmax)

Mitchell Starc celebrates the dismissal of Ben Stokes

Harry Brook pulls Starc for six over fine leg

One of the scoring moments captured during the Nigeria v Australia game

“Hard work works”– GDF Head Coach on Elite League win

It was quite an impressive performance from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club against one of the better teams in the tournament on Saturday last when they defeated the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC 4-1 to lift the KFC Elite League trophy.

Backed by an animated crowd at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, the soldiers managed to make the vic tory look like a walk in the park. However, Head Coach Joseph Wilson credited the team’s hard work and sacrifices in training for the win.

“I’m so hap py and delighted for them, because I knew exactly the kind of effort they made to be successful in this tournament,” the Coach shared.

Wilson explained, “I must also say that the work that

was put in by all of us, in terms of the morning hours in the National Park, in the rain, in the afternoon in the 2 o’ clock sun at GFC, all came to fore in this tournament. It was hard work, I could assure you [of] that. It was really, really hard work.”

“We believe in the mantra that hard work works and also believe in ‘train as you play, play as you train’. So, our players are committed to training and that’s why we always execute in terms of game-time situations,” the GDF FC Head Coach af

In the entertaining final game of the fifth edition of the league, the soldiers had a 2-0 lead by the 11th minute and then 3-1 by the 29th minute, compliments of goals from Stephen McDonald and Ryan Hackett.

When quizzed about whether or not this was a part of their game plan, Wilson responded in the affirmative, highlighting that it was a tactic they want to continue working on.

The Coach revealed, “The whole league, if you check the whole league, the only team

Unleashing the Queens of the Board!

that stopped us from scoring was Western Tigers, because our game plan always is to go hard in the first 15-20 minutes of the football game and to take control of the game after that. And we have done it successfully in almost all of the games, except the Western Tigers game.

“So, it’s something that we’re building on, it’s something that we’re working on and we hope that when we go to the next level, that we’ll be able to transfer the same kind of playing ideology, the same kind of playing style, into the next

level,” Wilson went on to share. This year’s Elite League title is the second that the GDF FC have won in the tournament’s five-year history.

National Women's Chess Qualifier Tournament commences this weekend

The National Women's Chess Qualifier Tournament is scheduled to be held from July 29 to August 6, 2023, and is set to ignite the minds of women and girls passionate about chess. Proudly sponsored by Diamond Fire and General Insurance, the event will take place at the prestigious School of the Nations in Georgetown.

Designed to serve as the qualifying event for women and girls striving for the coveted title of National Women's Chess Champion, the tournament is expected to witness fierce competition as participants engage in seven rounds of classical Swiss system matches. With each player allotted 90 minutes, plus a 30-second increment, the battles will be intense as they are thrilling.

One of the main highlights of this tournament is the opportunity for the top nine players to advance to Nationals, where they will challenge the defending champion, Pooja Lam, for

the title. Lam, despite only having played chess for just three years, has already earned a women's title and represented the country at the 2022 FIDE Olympiad in Chennai, India.

Last year, participants in the National Women's Championship, faced off against former women's champion Sasha Shariff, a seasoned competitor with multiple international representations for Guyana. However, it was Lam who emerged triumphant af-

ter a thrilling match that lasted over four hours. This year, Shariff is determined to reclaim her title and will be competing in the qualifying event.

The National Championship, scheduled to be played in a round-robin format, will undoubtedly be a spectacle of skill and determination, showcasing the impressive talent that Guyana's women and girls possess in the world of chess.

With more than a dozen

women and girls already registered for the tournament, it's evident that the efforts of the Women in Chess Committee in Guyana have had a profound impact on the growth of female participation in competitive chess. The formation of the committee has resulted in an exponential increase in female players, and the or ganisers are optimistic about the large turnout for the upcoming Championship Qualifier, building upon the success of other recent tournaments. This tournament also offers a unique opportunity for girls of all ages to test their mettle against seasoned competitors, especially those slated to represent Guyana at the Youth CAC Games in Trinidad and Tobago from August 20 to August 27.

To be a part of this exhilarating journey, interested players must register online through guyanachess.gy by July 28 (today). The registration fees are set at $2000 for non-Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) members and $1000 for all GCF members, payable through MMG+.

The Federation extended its

GKC recognises 5 new International Black Belt karatekas

The Guyana Karate College (GKC), in a simple ceremony at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, on Wednesday presented a number of International Black Belt Diplomas and personalised black belts to deserving students and members of the College.

The recipients – David Hacket, Gobin Kumar, Balran Dass, Shawn Jemmott, Jayen Persaud, and young Azari Samuels –were presented with well-deserved certificates as well as customised black belts, demonstrating their proficiency and devotion to the art of karate.

Master Frank Woon-ATai, head of the GKC, em-

phasised on the significance of the International Black Belt: “This is not a club black belt, but an international one. In 1970, I went to England to train and then I realised my black belt from

Suriname is not recognised.

So, the following year I went to Japan I took off the black belt I had and I was training there with a white belt.

One month after I gained my International Black Belt

and that was in 1971, I don’t think any other Guyanese has been to Japan and earned their black belt at The Japan Karate Association.”

Woon-A-Tai congratulated the five karate practi -

tioners on their outstand - ing achievements and encouraged them to continue their journey with determination and commitment. He personally issued the symbolic belts to each awardee, symbolising the duty and honour that comes with the black belt level, with a sense of pride and appreciation.

Woon-A-Tai went on to reveal that the GKC/ International Budokan Dojo is currently 95 per cent complete and is set to host the prestigious Karate World Cup next year. The tournament is expected to draw more than 800 participants from various corners of the world to compete on the very soil of Guyana.

heartfelt gratitude to Diamond Fire and General Insurance for its generous sponsorship of this event. Additionally, the GCF would like to acknowledge School of the Nations for graciously providing the venue for the tournament. As an avid supporter of chess in Guyana, School of the Nations also facilitates the GCF's Chess Club every Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm.

The National Women's Chess Qualifier Tournament 2023 promises to be an unforgettable display of skill, passion, and camaraderie among the participants. Join us as we celebrate the exceptional women and girls shaping the future of chess in Guyana!

A look back at some of the action from the final league game between GDF FC and GPF FC

Master Frank Woon-A-Tai seated (second from left) with the Black Belt awardees in the presence of other GKC officials

Pooja Lam v Kristin Xavier at the U-16 Chess Tournament

A glimpse of the Girls’ Chess camp

Kuldeep, Jadeja rout West Indies on spin-friendly track

It took India all of 45.5 overs to dismantle West Indies and claim the opening OneDay International (ODI) by five wickets in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The win was set up by the left-arm spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, who orchestrated a spectacular collapse of 7 for 26 in 44 balls as West Indies imploded from 88 for 3 to 114 all out. Ishan Kishan – who opened the batting with Shubman Gill – then shepherded the chase and while India did lose five wickets along the way, with a target that small there was no real panic. Rohit Sharma batted only at number seven, and Virat Kohli was not even needed as the visitors reached the target with 163 balls to spare.

Sent in to bat, Shai Hope said he expected moisture on the surface to play a part, and while there was decent movement and carry early on, it was a trial by spin that ultimately did the batters in.

37 in six.

India handed Mukesh Kumar his ODI cap and he started his one-day career the same way he did in

could only manage an ungainly swipe to Sharma at mid-on.

Alick Athanaze, playing just his second ODI, came

fortably. He added a 43-run stand with Captain Hope for the fourth wicket.

ing Mukesh on the up, be fore using the extra pace of Umran Malik and collecting back-to-back fours through pulls. Hetmyer was more circumspect in his approach as West Indies reached 87 for 3 after 15 overs, and it seemed like smooth sailing was ahead.

Unfortunately for the hosts, though, that was not to be. Jadeja’s first two overs went for 20, but he soon found his lengths and that made him near-unplayable. It did not help that Hetmyer got a bit too adventurous, trying an unwarranted scoop. Jadeja landed a fullish length ball on middle and Hetmyer went well across only to be bowled behind his legs.

Tests – with a maiden. But it was Hardik Pandya, who drew first blood with a sharp back-of-a-length ball. He fol-

in and immediately looked the part. He flicked Hardik over deep square leg, a shot oozing Caribbean flair, and followed it up with a flourishing cover drive the very next ball. He then lay into Shardul Thakur, smashing him for two fours in his first over, but fell soon after to a nothing ball. A short and wide Mukesh delivery was slapped straight to backward point, with the bowler celebrating his maiden ODI wicket.

The very next over, it was Brandon King’s turn to depart, with Thakur rattling his middle stump courtesy of a wobble-seam delivery that moved sharply back in.

Shimron Hetmyer, playing his first ODI since July 2021, survived a DRS appeal for caught behind first ball, but settled in fairly com-

Jadeja then had Rovman Powell caught at first slip for 4 before a Kohli special at second slip sent back Romario Shepherd two balls later. The batter went through with an expansive drive seeing the ball pitched up, but did not quite reach the pitch of it. The outside edge flew low to the right of Kohli, who plucked a one-handed take.

Kuldeep struck with just his third ball, a wrong ‘un that spun past Dominic Drakes’ inside edge and caught him plumb in front. Yannic Cariah came and went, with Hope, all this while standing at the other end, watching in despair. He smoked Jadeja for a mammoth six over longoff, but became Kuldeep’s third victim when he missed a reverse-sweep only to be pinned in front. Kuldeep claimed his four-wicket haul

President Ali attends opening of FISU World University Games

Guyanese President

Dr Irfaan Ali landed in Chengdu, the capital of the southwest Chinese Sichuan Province, on Thursday to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st Summer FISU World University Games. President Ali is currently in China on a State visit.

The 31st Summer FISU World University Games commence today, July 28, 2023 and will conclude on August 8.

The University of Guyana’s contingent for the Games consists of six athletes and one official, who departed the Land of Many Waters on Monday last for China.

Table tennis and athletics are among the sport disciplines that the University of Guyana will be represented in. The President also made a financial contribution to the athletes.

by removing Jayden Seales. This was West Indies’ second-lowest total against India in ODIs and their joint-third-lowest at home.

Kishan set the pace quite early in the chase, with a dismissive pull behind square in the opening over. Gill got a boundary of his own in the next over, albeit off a top edge. He, however, couldn’t last long, falling to Seales, who got the out-swinger going nicely to catch Gill’s edge. It was probably the previous three balls that did Gill in as he was pushed back by some quick short-of-a-length stuff before Seales got one to go a touch fuller.

Suryakumar Yadav, whose ODI form has been a talking point, did not do himself too many favours though he did bring out the “supla”, much to the bewilderment of Seales, ramping him over fine leg for six. He crunched a sweep

against Gudakesh Motie, but tried the shot one time too many and was caught in front of the stumps. He did call for the DRS, but to no avail.

Kishan continued to collect boundaries at regular intervals. Hardik came in at number four and was dropped on one by King at first slip, but could not last long. Kishan hammered a blow straight back at Cariah, who dropped the catch, but the ball ricocheted off his hands to the non-striker’s stumps, where Hardik was found short.

Kishan reached his fifty off 44 balls, but fell trying to clear midwicket, giving Motie his second wicket. Thakur then walked in, but failed to do much damage before Sharma finally walked in and, alongside Jadeja, ensured India got over the line in the 23rd over.

(ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Brandon King b Thakur 17

Kyle Mayers c Sharma b Pandya 2

Alick Athanaze c Jadeja

b Mukesh Kumar 22

Shai Hope (c)†lbw b

Kuldeep Yadav 43

Shimron Hetmyer b Jadeja 11

Rovman Powell c

Shubman Gill b Jadeja 4

Romario Shepherd

c Kohli b Jadeja 0

Dominic Drakes lbw

b Kuldeep Yadav 3

Yannic Cariah lbw

b Kuldeep Yadav 3

Gudakesh Motie not out 0

Jayden Seales c Pandya

b Kuldeep Yadav 0

Extras (lb 1, nb 2, w 6) 9

TOTAL 23 Ov (RR: 4.95) 114

Fall of wickets: 1-7

(Kyle Mayers, 2.4 ov), 2-45

(Alick Athanaze, 7.5 ov), 3-45

(Brandon King, 8.3 ov), 4-88

(Shimron Hetmyer, 15.4 ov), 5-96

(Rovman Powell, 17.2 ov), 6-96

(Romario Shepherd, 17.4 ov), 7-99

(Dominic Drakes, 18.3 ov), 8-107

(Yannic Cariah, 20.4 ov), 9-114

(Shai Hope, 22.3 ov), 10-114

(Jayden Seales, 22.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Hardik Pandya 3-0-17-1

Mukesh Kumar 5-1-22-1

Shardul Thakur 3-1-14-1

Ravindra Jadeja 6-0-37-3

Umran Malik 3-0-17-0

Kuldeep Yadav 3-2-6-4

India (T: 115 runs from 50 ovs)

Ishan Kishan †c Powell b Motie 52

Shubman Gill c King b Seales 7

Suryakumar Yadav lbw b Motie 19

Hardik Pandya run out (Cariah) 5

Ravindra Jadeja not out 16

Shardul Thakur c Athanaze b Cariah 1

Rohit Sharma (c) not out 12

Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 3) 6

TOTAL 22.5 Ov (RR: 5.16) 118/5

Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Shubman Gill, 3.6 ov), 2-54

ov),

ov),

ov),

ov)

Kuldeep picked up 4 for 6 in three overs and Jadeja 3 for

lowed Kyle Mayers, who was looking for a release, but

West Indies will have to come good to avoid a series defeat on Saturday

Gudakesh Motie claimed two

Suryakumar Yadav had 4-6

Ishan Kishan scored a scorching fifty

President Dr Irfaan Ali meets with the team representing the University of Guyana

Regional U-19: Sandia bags 5 as Guyana complete win over T&T

Left-arm spinner Jeremy Sandia picked up 5-42 in 21 overs on day three to help Guyana’s Under-19s defeat Trinidad and Tobago Under-19s in the Regional Under-19 three-day tourna-

ment in St Vincent, by five wickets. Guyana resumed the day on 152-4 with a lead of 57.

The Guyanese declared on 176-9 after 60 overs, with a lead of 81 runs. Trinidad, batting a second time, post-

ed 155 all out in 66.3 overs. In their first innings, Trinidad posted 95-6 declared, after no play was possible on day one. Guyana ended on 75-5 in 13.4 overs.

Sandia was the star in the

second innings, after his fellow Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club team-mate Jonathan Rampersaud had claimed five wickets. The leftarm spinner ended with 5-42 in 21 overs, which included

five maidens.

Rampersaud returned in the second innings with 2-36 from 21.3 overs. Kyle Ramdoo was the best Trinidad batsman with 52 from 93 balls. Guyana cruised to victory,

chasing 75 in the final session on day three. Despite finishing in 13.5 overs, Guyana lost five wickets. Shamar Yearwood, who scored a fifty in the first innings, scored 40 from 32 balls in the second innings.

The Guyana Under-19 team made it two wins in as many matches in the three-day tourney

Jeremy Sandia