Guyana Times -Saturday, July 15, 2023

“System of democratic

made more secure”

Global shortage of nurses Pres Ali pitches solution for Guyana, Canada to work together

Amid the global shortage of nurses, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday night pitched a solution which can see Guyana and Canada working together to provide human resource assets needed to address the deficits in healthcare sectors around the world.

The Head of State declared that healthcare is an extremely competitive field right now. He said more attractive markets are attracting an already limited global pool of nurses, and this issue is also affecting the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

“Within Caricom, the more attractive markets would pull from within the system, leaving further deficit in some countries…,” President Ali explained. However, he said Guyana and Canada, as development partners, can work together to address this growing problem.

“It is very important for us, as development partners in this region, to examine the human resource constraint that we face. And we’re a part of

many different organisations; we’re a family in the Commonwealth Group of Countries. You play an important role in Caricom and you will understand that the human resource deficit, the important areas that ensure social justice from the level of service that a country can give to its people, is an important area…so whilst we speak about our joint approach on the big issues like energy, food and climate change… it is important…that we take a joint approach in terms of the human resource deficit, and see how we can work out a common agenda which we can build a system that can support the requirements of both countries and our region as

a whole,” Ali expressed.

Against this backdrop, he highlighted that many local healthcare workers are doing specialised training and studies at various institutions in Canada, whether through distance learning, face-to-face contact, or through trainers coming to Guyana. As such, President Ali made a pitch to position Guyana as a key destination for the provision of human resources for the healthcare sector.

“I want to position Guyana as an important destination for the provision of regional human resource assets to meet the skill deficit of countries around the region. And here is where I think there is tremendous opportunity

for Canada and Guyana, in which we are building the infrastructure for training institutions to train for global needs.”

President Ali went on to encourage Canadianaccredited institutions to establish their footprints in Guyana. “For the training of nurses to meet your own demand; for the training of medical technicians to meet your own demand, and also to meet the regional demand. This, in turn,” Ali said, “will also benefit Guyana.”

He noted, too, that his Government will push to have its training centres for nurses to be accredited by Canadian standards.

“We’re going to be opening up discussion with our development partners in having our nursing institutions and other institutions accredited by your standard. I believe that if our nurses are good enough to be recruited from the training they received right here within Caricom, we're good enough to sell that service to train them to the rest of the world. And that is a business opportunity that we’re working on to create in Guyana, an avenue for global training and global education,” he disclosed.

Double Shifts President Ali had previously disclosed that there is a shortage of nurses in the hundreds at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) alone – forcing some of these healthcare workers to double up on shifts. In order to ad-

dress this matter in the short-term, Guyana has turned to Cuba for help. The President told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday that he has already spoken to the Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Jorge Francisco Soberón Luis, on the possibility of that country send-

aimed at recruiting more nurses, the Head of State said, it has reached out to Cuba for immediate relief. “…to see if we can get Cuban nurses to come into the system now to help to fill that gap, because of the tremendous shortage that we have,” he explained.

President Ali has said

ing nurses to Guyana to help fill the gap.

“One of the main issues facing the region now is the outward movement of our nurses and health workers,” President Ali declared during the press conference. “I met with a number of nurses at Georgetown Hospital, and they were so happy for the work they’re doing that some of them are doubling up on shifts because of the shortage. When I spoke to the administration of Georgetown Public Hospital, they now have hundreds of nurses short of their full complement…,” he explained.

While Government has embarked on a number of training programmes

that, currently, there are more than 1200 Guyanese registered in nursing programmes nationally. He also noted that Government has been ramping up its training programmes in order to expand and improve its human resource assets in the healthcare sector. He said that, at the GPHC, there are 16 post graduate programmes, and this year another will be added to specialise more doctors in the field of neurology. Additionally, he said there are plans to increase the training for various categories of doctors, including surgeons, gynecologists and paediatricians.

TURN TO PAGE 10

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, July 15 – 03:00h

– 04:30h and Sunday, July 16 – 03:30h – 05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, July 15 – 15:25h

– 16:55h and Sunday, July 16 – 16:10h – 17:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies and thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-Easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 15:01h reaching a maximum height of 2.25 metres.

Low Tide: 08:33h and 20:45h reaching minimum heights of 0.83 metre and 0.96 metre.

Decades-old problem resolved as Vergenoegen residents begin

other cases

Croal to engage the residents and get the process started. Despite encountering a number of legal hurdles, the matter was sorted out.

“This is part of our Government’s commitment to ensuring that we improve the standard of living, give you better conditions under which you live and ensure that there is empowerment at every level,” Ali told the residents on Friday.

He also assured that the necessary investments will be made to improve the community’s infrastructure, noting that some contracts have been awarded in this regard.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

Adecades-old problem has been resolved as residents of Acme Housing Scheme and the Railway Embankment (Parcel 137) in Vergenoegen, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), began to receive their land titles.

A simple handing over ceremony on Friday saw 47 titles being distributed to residents, who had engaged with President Dr Irfaan Ali last month on the issue.

President Ali, who was present at the distribution exercise, explained that 150 lots were identified for regularisation and 94 have been verified and processed for land titles.

“I want to assure you that every single lot will be regularised and the [other] titles will be ready in the coming days,” the Head of State assured.

However, he said 13 lots currently have disputes and there are 17 where the owners are currently overseas.

Meanwhile, President Ali underscored the importance

of residents finally receiving their titles, after as long as 49 years.

“Today, we are resolving a 49-year-old problem in this community,” he remarked.

“We know how important the title is to you so that you can have access to loans, you can have legitimate ownership of your land, many of you would have spoken to me to say you want to do legal documents in terms of wills and all of these things, so all of these things can be resolved.”

A group of residents had last month raised with President Ali the fact that are looking to move away from the co-op society structure that was in place and wanted individual titles for their lands.

This prompted Housing and Water Minister Collin

Operation Clear Up Meanwhile, both President Ali and Minister Croal announced that similar interventions will be made in other communities under “Operation Clear Up” to ensure residents receive titles for their lands.

President Ali said titles will soon be distributed to residents of Blueberry Hill, Linden, Region 10; Bath in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) and; Lima Sands, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Minister Croal, meanwhile, said over the next two months, at least 139 persons in Region Three will receive certificates of title. These include for areas such as Philadelphia Railway Embankment, Barnwell, and Planation De Willem. (G11)

to receive land titles …some lots in dispute; owners overseas in

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Opportunities of globalisation

For an economy like ours, there is not much we can do about globalisation, just as we could not when it started its present literal iteration after Columbus stumbled across the Americas and Europe realized the world was not flat but was in fact a globe. We were there at the beginning when the plantations of the Dutch and then the English were created through slave labour to supply agricultural products for Europe. As our lands in the “new world” became populated, ‘free trade” replaced the mercantilist policies of the imperial powers and became driven by comparative advantages in production of goods and services.

There was an ebb-and-flow between protectionism and free trade over the years, but, in the late 20th century, free trade accelerated to unbelievable levels during the communication and transportation revolutions. The world truly became a village, as each country attempted to move up the value chain in its productive capacity, so as to deliver improved standards of living to its citizens. In Guyana, however, the PNC regime, after independence, embarked on what turned out to be a detour and frolic as far as following that path of development. Rather than diversifying outside the plantation economy in a strategic fashion, by picking products that it could export at an advantage and earn foreign exchange to purchase those items for which it did not have an advantage, it chose an autarkic strategy, that was bound to fail because of our extremely small and underdeveloped markets. Burnham’s policies, compared to Lee Kwan Yew’s for Singapore, which became independent around the same time as we, is an object lesson in the importance of strategic decisions in the development of former colonies.

In the latter part of the 20th century, the Far Eastern Tigers replicated Singapore’s success, and demonstrated that the export-driven strategy was transferable. Yet, in Guyana, we continued attempting to improve efficiencies in agricultural products like sugar, in which we neither had a comparative advantage (as say, Brazil) nor did they platform us into new vistas of production that delivered such advantages. This is not to say that such production must be abandoned with no consideration of the social impact, but that those social considerations would be better addressed by moving Guyana into higher valueadded products.

Presently, we have also taken the lead within the region for food security, and made a commitment to reduce Caricom’s US$6 billion food bill by 25% by 2025. Now, while this is a good strategic choice in one area where we do have a comparative advantage – land/agriculture – by coupling it with new crops like soya and corn and rearing cattle, this is necessary but not sufficient to take full advantage of globalization and move up the development scale. For this to occur, we must, at each stage, use the technology that we have mastered and move to a higher level. By focusing only on agriculture, we will inevitably reach a point of diminishing returns and stagnating horizons.

As such, our burgeoning oil industry offers us a platform for moving us strategically into a higher quantum level of development. Take, for instance, the gas-toshore project on which the Government has embarked, and which has been severely criticized by some elements putatively on “environmental” grounds. This initiative offers us the opportunity to develop manufacturing skills and expertise by Guyanese to an intermediate level – such as manufacturing urea from Natural Gas, which has been tried and trusted for a hundred years, so there is not much risk involved. Within a few years, before our oil has run out, we should control a bulging Natural Resource Fund (NRF) that can then facilitate us moving to a higher level of production and continue onwards and upwards on a virtuous cycle.

Globalisation had stumbled because of supply-chain issues precipitating the COVID-19 pandemic, and then the Ukraine war had exposed its downside, but it will be resolved to continue its inexorable march. We have no choice but to exploit its opportunities.

Norton really has no excuse for media exclusion

Dear Editor,

As a result of the conspicuous and striking silence from the so-called bastions of press freedom in Guyana, it has become imperative to share this perspective on press conferences hosted by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, and generally by the PNC-led APNU.

One can only conclude that the political Opposition is opportunistically operating under COVID-19 restrictions in an effort to confine the media’s functioning and to shut out reporters from Congress Place. Norton and other leaders are seen across the country shaking hands in communities, mixing openly with patrons. Even Norton can be seen at an infamous watering hole in the city, among the crowd without personal protective equipment.

Nearly two months ago, the World Health Organization stated that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency. Long before the WHO announcement, the Guyana Government, like all other Governments around the world, rolled back restrictions that limited gatherings. Essentially, Norton really has no excuse for media exclusion.

To its credit, the Government -- inclusive of the President, who is

afforded the highest level of security and protection in our country in the face of health and other risks -- has hosted face-to-face press conferences, including one this week. Surprisingly, the AFC, which persisted in a manner similar to its Opposition counterpart for several months, by shutting out the media from in-person press conferences, recently departed from this practice and opted to invite the media to attend a presser at the party’s headquarters.

So then, why has Norton’s PNC continued with the bizarre policy of hosting virtual press conferences, as opposed to face-to-face interactions with the media?

The party is seeking to maintain an iron fist on who gets to pose questions to the Opposition Leader, and when those questions are fielded.

Not having the media physically present offers Norton protection from the prying eyes and ears of journalists. For instance, a reporter asking a tough question may find her audio being muted by the moderator at the behest of the ‘Comrade Leader’, to borrow Adam Harris’s salute, thereby allowing the moderator to cloak censorship as a technological failure or the poor audio.

At a recent press conference, Norton looked ill-prepared to answer questions on oil and gas. The reporter’s audio suddenly dropped. Then there was one reporter who asked Norton a question about the PPP/C gaining more seats in Georgetown at the Local Government Elections. As if it was instinct that overcame Norton, he expressed that he could not have heard the question, while simultaneously seeking help to answer the very question

by consulting with his fellow comrades seated next to him.

Continuing the media lockout from Congress Place exposes an inherent weakness by Norton to face the music as it were, and be accountable to this nation.

I await the party’s next press conference to glean whether the media lockout at Congress Place continues.

Yours truly, Brian Azore

Garbage disposal issues in New Amsterdam

Dear Editor, Without hesitation, I must state that what we vote for is what we get! It is quite clear that the residents of NA, who voted for the APNU/AFC because of whatever loyalties or reasons, were selfish to allow the Council to be headed by that political party once again. Let us not forget that the PPP/C has made inroads for the township of New Amsterdam. I grew up in New Amsterdam, but I no longer reside there; however, every single time I visit home, the stench of the town's more particularly forgotten area, that is

Strand/Smythtown, is always one that makes me want to barf! That makes me ashamed and sad to know that the Council is not doing its job when it comes to that area.

Quite recently, someone or a few persons dumped an old sofa along with other items between Charles Place and Pilot Street on Strand Road. I have posted this on social media, calling for the authorities to get it removed. This is a hazard to both residents and patients of the clinic situated where the old emergency unit was!

The first batch of graduates from the In-Service Teachers Dance Course. The 11 teachers are from nursery, primary and secondary schools in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) (Education Ministry photo)

Mohameds challenge Reuters to produce evidence to support allegations

…say “disappointing” Reuters permit itself to be tool of misinformation

Businessmen Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed – father and son – have responded to a Reuters report, “U.S. probing Exxon contractor in Guyana for smuggling drugs, gold”, which insinuates that the business moguls are facing a criminal investigation and possible US sanctions.

Published on Friday, the report outlines that US Government officials have repeatedly warned ExxonMobil to avoid doing business with the duo. However, it noted that the Texas-based oil giant ignored the advice, which was delivered during meetings in late 2021 and early 2022, and cut a deal to build a US$300 million onshore logistics base with a consortium that included the two Guyanese businessmen. “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.” In a statement today, however, the Mohameds have since challenged Reuters to produce evidence to support its allegations. “The Mohameds reject the purported sources referred to in the defamatory report and the reckless use of sources as the basis of the entire report,” the statement reads.

See full statement issued by the Mohameds: Mohameds challenge Reuters to produce evidence to support allegations made in report – vile diabolical hatchet job

The Mohameds take note of a special Reuters report titled “US Probing Exxon Contractor in Guyana for Smuggling

Garbage disposal issues...

Interestingly to note, I was informed by a staff of the current mayor's office, after calling them and giving this complaint, that the site would be cleared of whatever was dumped, and that the mayor is responsible for that constituency.

I said, “Great!” Two days later and nothing was removed! I asked the staff on the phone why is it we have to deal with illegal dumping as residents, and the answer was: people pay those that are drug and alcohol abusers to dump things illegally. The staff even went on to say we should take pictures. How does one take

FROM PAGE 4

pictures if these things are occurring in the wee hours of the morning?

Why is it that the Council cannot offer efficient garbage collection?

Why is it that the Council cannot do educational outreaches on days that there is no garbage collection?

Why are we paying rates and taxes? Why must we wait 48+ hours to get a lot cleaned?

The New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council needs to serve the citizens, and not just their pockets, to pomp a scene all around!

Best wishes,

Tanya Katrina Mohabir

Drugs, Gold” dated July 14, 2023. The report printed by Reuters is defamatory of the character and reputation of Mr. Nazar Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed. A cursory reading of the report reveals that it is a repetition and regurgitation of the now widely accepted discredited Bram Ebus report pub-

lished on September 14, 2020. The report is premised and riddled with unverified and unsubstantiated assertions that the Mohameds are the subjects of investigations by “…the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland

Security, and other US agencies on the suspicion of smuggling Colombian cocaine and illegally mined Venezuelan gold to the United States, Europe, and the Middle East…” and for “…laundering money for drug traffickers and criminals, including sanctioned Russian nationals operating in the region…” The Mohameds reject the purported sources referred to in the defamatory report and the reckless use of sources as the basis of the entire report. The Mohameds categorically deny that they are the subject of any investigations by any US authorities. In response to a request by Reuters to respond to these baseless allegations, the Mohameds not only specifically denied these allegations but challenged Reuters to produce any evidence to support the allegations made in the report. The article revealed that Reuters failed to do so.

The Mohameds repeat and maintain their challenge to Reuters to produce any information to support that

these allegations are of any substance. The Mohameds are surprised and astonished that such a seemingly reputable international news agency would publish such allegations that are devoid of any substance.

It is disappointing that Reuters would permit itself to be the tool of misinformation and an agent of the detractors of the Mohameds’.

The Mohameds consider this report a most vile diabolical sloppy hatchet job, published with the primary intention to create the appearance that the Mohameds are in a position of conflict with the US law enforcement agencies. The tone, tenor, and content of the report clearly aim to lower the Mohameds’ estimation in the eyes of Guyanese, the international community, and to destroy their business relations, integrity, and credentials. In conclusion, we remain fully committed to upholding the law and conducting our business operations with the highest standards of legitimacy and integrity.

Businessmen Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed

Page Foundation

Adding with Negative numbers

When you add a positive number and a negative number, compare the numbers as if they do not have positive and negative signs. If the positive number is larger, just subtract. You identify them by adding a minus sign to the front of a number. So – 1 is 1 less than 0. – 35.5 is 35.5 less than 0.

If the negative number is greater, ignore the minus sign for the time being. Subtract the smaller number from the greater. Then put a minus sign in front of the difference.

When adding two negative numbers, ignore the minus sign and add. Then write a minus sign in front of the total.

Exercises: Solve

BY WORDSWORTH MCANDREW

Ol’ woman wid de wrinkled skin,

Leh de ol’ higue wuk begin.

Put on you fiery disguise,

Ol’ woman wid de weary eyes

Shed you swizzly skin.

Ball o’ fire, raise up high

Raise up till you touch de sky.

Land ‘pon top somebody roof

Tr’ipse in through de keyhole - poof!

Open you ol’ higue eye.

Find de baby where ‘e lie

Change back faster than de eye.

Find de baby, lif de sheet,

Mek de puncture wid you teet’,

Suck de baby dry.

Before ‘e wake an’ start to cry

Change back fast, an’ out you fly.

Find de goobie wid you skin

Mek de semidodge, then - in!

Grin you ol’ higue grin.

In you dutty powder gown

Next day schoolchildren flock you round.

“Ol’ higue, ol’ higue!” dey hollerin’ out

Tek it easy, hold you mout’

Doan leh dem find you out.

Dey gwine mark up wid a chalk Everywhere wheh you got to walk

You bridge, you door, you jealousie But cross de marks an’ leh dem see Else dey might spread de talk.

Next night you gone out jus’ de same, Wrap up in you ball o’ flame, To find an’ suck another child, But tikkay! Rumour spreading wild. An’ people know you name.

Fly across dis window sill, Why dis baby lyin’ so still?

Lif’ de sheet like how you does do, Oh God! Dis baby nightgown blue! Run fo’ de window sill!

Woman you gwine run or not?

Journalling gives kids the opportunity to use drawing and writing together to show their observations, document their discoveries, pose questions, note their ideas, and learn to see and hear more. Keeping a Weather Journal is a great way to get exploring and record responses to and reflections about science and the natural world — and keep track of what they’re learning. Get started on your journals with information that will help you keep track of what you wonder, identify weather phenomena, and provide them with some of the words they’ll need to record their observations.

Supplies

• Blank spiral notebook or sketchbook (or fold 10 sheets of paper in half and staple along the fold to create a booklet)

• Weather Wonders journal cover (optional)

• Writing tools

• Drawing materials

Know that your journals can look however they want them to look! Kids can freely draw, write, or add photographs. It can be a place to brainstorm, keep notes and vocabulary words, make lists, sketch, or write poems. It is fir this t is to write and draw their observations, thoughts, questions, and ideas, and as Weather Wonder, they will have a chance to make all kinds of observations and explore things that grab their curiosity. (startwithabook.org)

Doan mind de rice near to de cot.

De smell o’ asafoetida

Like um tek effect ‘pon you.

You wan’ get kyetch or what?

But now is too late for advice, ‘Cause you done start to count de rice

An’ if you only drop one grain

You must begin it all again.

But you gwine count in vain.

Whuh ah tell you?

Day done, light an’ rice still mountin’

Till dey wake an’ kyetch you countin’

An’ pick up de big fat cabbage broom

An’ beat you all around de room.

Is now you should start countin’

Whaxen! Whaxen! Whaxen! Plai!

You gwine pay fo’ you sins befo’ you die.

Lash she all across she head

You suck me baby till um dead?

Whaxen! Whaxen! Plai!

You feel de manicole ‘cross you hip?

Beat she till blood start to drip.

“Ow me God! You bruk me hip!

Done now, nuh? All you done!”

Is whuh you sayin’ deh, you witch? Done? Look, allyou beat de bitch. Whaxen! Whaxen! Pladai! Plai! Die, you witch you. Die. Whaxen! Whaxen! Plai!

WORD SEARCH

Step

Remove the + sign and brackets. Step 2: Do the maths. 7 – 5 = 2

Write a minus sign in front of the difference. So

: Ignore the negative signs and add: 2 +

: Write a minus sign in front of the total. So

Local Content enforcement Fines to be imposed as LCS clamps down on companies breaching law

…field visits ongoing to ensure compliance

Recognising that within Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas industry there may be companies operating in defiance of local content stipulations, the Local Content Secretariat (LCS) has embarked on an initiative aimed at identifying, penalising, and in some cases helping, those firms.

LCS Director Martin Pertab told <<Guyana Times>> that the exercise commenced this week, and, so far, one company has been visited by the Secretariat’s Compliance Unit, which is currently staffed with four personnel.

Pertab assured that, where applicable, defaulting companies would be penalised via fines, as outlined in the Local Content Act, and in some cases, the LCS would work with them to bring them up to compliance.

The LCS Compliance Unit is, among other things, aiming to find firms that are failing or struggling to implement their Local Annual Content Plans, or local firms that are “fronting” for foreign entities.

For example, Pertab noted that, upon applying for their Local Content

Certificate, some companies may prove that they have the required staff ratio, but would subsequently default on this.

To qualify as a local company, a firm must be 51 per cent owned by a Guyanese national, while its management team must comprise 75 per cent Guyanese. Additionally, its overall staff complement must be 90 per cent locals.

According to Pertab, during the site visits, the Compliance Unit would want to see “evidence that Guyanese are actually making the decisions…”

He also noted that “if there is any change to the ratio, and they don’t inform us, then they’re in breach of the Local Content Law.”

He warned that there are in place provisions by which defaulting companies can be fined.

On the other hand, he said companies that are experiencing challenges in implementing their Local Content Annual Plans would receive support in reaching their targets. “We wanna work closely with them to help ensure compliance. That’s the idea behind us having these site visits,” Pertab said.

The Local Content Act

states that contractors, sub-contractors and licensees operating in Guyana’s petroleum sector must submit a Local Content Annual Plan, outlining in detail their procurement, employment, and capacity development plans for the reporting year.

Meanwhile, there are over 800 companies that have been issued with a Local Content Certificate, and Pertab has admitted that the Unit would not be able to visit all of them. For this year, the goal is to target the Tier One companies, which amount to about 30. He said the Unit would be targeting companies that have a sizeable number of contracts, and those where joint ventures are in place.

The ultimate goal of the initiative, Pertab emphasised, is to “tackle rent-seeking, and ensure that the information submitted to the Secretariat by businesses and companies is accurate and a true reflection of the beneficial ownership, management, and employment structure of the entity.”

Mobile App

Meanwhile, the LCS will be launching a mobile application to provide Guyanese

businesses and companies with realtime access to information related to procurement and other opportunities in the industry. According to Pertab, this would help address the issue of “information asymmetry” in the oil and gas industry.

“From their phones, businesses and companies registered with the Secretariat could log into the application, check for updates, and even contact contractors and sub-contractors operating within the industry,” he detailed. Moreover, he said the LCS is working on developing a Five-Year Strategic Plan, with assistance from the World Bank. “The Strategic Plan will guide the Secretariat in achieving its mandate as set out in the Act, and shall include institutional arrangements, specific activities, proposed programmes, timelines and targets required to ensure that the Secretariat’s functions are met over the five-year period,” Pertab explained.

Revision & Sensitisation

Work has also commenced on drafting a revised Local Content Act, focusing on key lessons learned since

the operationalisation of the LCS. Pertab said the objective is to ensure the continued prioritisation of Guyanese companies and individuals in supplying goods and services to the oil and gas industry.

Moreover, in keeping with its mandate stipulated in the Local Content Act, the Secretariat would be launching its public sensitisation campaign aimed at increasing public awareness of both the Act and its purpose, as well as the Secretariat and its functions. The commencement of this exercise would coincide with the publication of the draft legislation for comments/feedback. Therefore, the feedback generated from this exercise would not only help to broaden the understanding of the effectiveness

of the Local Content Act, but would provide valuable insights into the proposed draft legislation.

Currently, the Local Content Act lists 40 different services that oil and gas companies and their sub-contractors must procure from Guyanese companies. For instance, these companies must procure from Guyanese companies 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent of janitorial services, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent of pest control services; 100 per cent of local insurance services; 75 per cent of local supply of food; and 90 per cent of local accounting services.

These are just a few of the services highlighted in the first schedule of the Local Content Act. The Local Content Act mandates penalties for oil and gas companies and their sub-contractors who fail to meet the minimum targets of the legislation, as well as those who are in breach of the Act. These fines range from as low as $5 million to as high as $50 million.

The local private sector has since lobbied for an increase and expansion to this list of services. (G11)

Head of the Local Content Secretariat, Martin Pertab

Andrew Morgan jailed for 4 years over cocaine found in his home …says he was “set up by someone”

Officer that, due to his prolonged incarceration, she had been forced to put her studies and career on hold. Further, she shared that she fears for her father’s life, because he suffers from longterm COVID-19 syndrome as well as kidney and liver problems. It was noted in the probation report that Morgan is being kept on lockdown while in prison, causing him to suffer blackouts.

sibility of imposing the minimum sentence on his client, which is three years.

A53-year-old pilot, Michael Andrew Morgan, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of trafficking seven pounds of cocaine at his residence at Ixora Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD)

Morgan had the custodial sentence along with a fine of $4,917,000 -- three times the street value of the narcotic — imposed on him by Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

At Morgan’s sentencing hearing on Friday, a Probation Officer told the court that during an interview with Morgan, the convict had maintained his innocence, had stated that the drugs were not found at his home, and that he had been “set up” by someone. It is unclear whether he had disclosed that person’s name to the Probation Officer, but a name was not disclosed in court.

One of Morgan’s daughters have told the Probation

During a meeting with the Probation Officer, prison officials intimated that Morgan is a peaceful, compliant, and cooperative inmate, who is always interested in educational activities. Prison officials have made no mention of Morgan suffering from any sickness.

According to the probation report, Morgan completed his secondary education at Queen’s College, and has a degree in aeronautical science from a United States university. He is also a certified pilot. Prior to his incarceration, he was an auto dealer.

For his part, Morgan’s Attorney-at-Law, Glen Hanoman, has requested that the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) return the driver’s licence of Morgan’s daughter, along with the passport and identification card that were seized during the search on Morgan’s premises. “They have nothing to do with the case,” counsel has argued.

In reply, the CANU Prosecutor, Attorney-at-Law Thalia Thompson, assured that there would be no difficulty in returning the woman’s property.

Magistrate Scarce, in his sentencing remarks, pointed out that Hanoman had asked the court to explore the pos-

But, in denying that request, the Magistrate noted that no special reasons were advanced for the court to consider doing such. In passing sentence, he said, consideration was taken of a number of factors, among which were the commercial quantity of the cocaine involved and the serious nature and prevalence of the offence.

Making it… …to the top??

Well…how about that - the World Bank just baptized us as a “High Income Country”!!! We’re now in the big leagues, baby…as far as “income” is concerned. We’re rubbing shoulders with the US, UK, Canada, and such like. Countries in this league are supposed to have a Gross National Income (GNI) per person/capita of over US$13,846!! A couple of decades ago, we were a “Highly Indebted Poor Country” (HIPC), and a fellow Caricom leader refused to take advice from us, since we were “running around with a begging bowl”!!

Now, all of us know this is all due to Exxon now pumping oil to the tune of some US$12 billion per annum. For the GNI per capita, the World Bank merely divides those total revenues – plus what our other industries earn - and divide it by our population, which ain’t even a million!! But right away we can see the problem with that measurement: - we only get 14.5% of those oil revenues. Which ain’t exactly chicken feed, but even if it were distributed into each Guyanese pockets – which it ain’t - it ain’t giving us no annual income of US$13,846 and up!!

And that’s the irony, innit?? Cause, as far as most of us are concerned, nothing much has changed, has it?? Sure, we know that a change is coming – but it ain’t here as yet. In the meantime, the new classification as a High-Income Country has some serious implications for us. The first being the interests on loans for our development is gonna be higher. And certainly, NO debt write-offs for us, like when we had that begging bowl!!

According to the Magistrate, the trafficking of illicit drugs is a scourge on society, and thus a message needs to be sent to deter persons who might be inclined to commit such crimes. He, however, expressed concern that

Morgan will not get the kind of rehabilitation needed, since he is on lockdown. In the end, Morgan was imprisoned and fined. The offender was given full credit for time spent in pretrial custody. He had made his initial court appearance on June 29, 2022, and was remanded to prison. He was never admitted to bail. Bail applications made on his behalf before Magistrate Scarce and High Court Judge Gino Persaud were all denied.

It was reported that on the day in question, June 27, 2022, CANU officers acting on intelligence conducted a narcotics operation at Morgan’s home, thus resulting in the discovery of a quantity of cocaine, 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, one .32 Taurus firearm, along with one magazine and 25 matching rounds of .32 ammunition. Morgan was arrested, and escorted to CANU Headquarters along with the firearm, ammunition, and cocaine. He was later charged.

Michael Andrew Morgan and his brother Peter Morgan have been under the CANU radar for more than two decades. In fact, Peter Morgan was deported from the United States back in 2015 after serving his time in prison on trafficking in narcotics charges. He was arrested for conspiring to import, possess and distribute five kilograms of cocaine between December 2001 and August 2003 in the US. (G1)

Now, you may ask, dear reader, why we gotta borrow when we have oil money coming in. And the answer is it’s to ensure that each of our income does get up there for us to really rub shoulders with the rich and famous, our country as a whole must be developed as fast as possible!! And that doesn’t mean pouring money directly from the oil revenues into our pockets, as some are pushing. We know that most of that will go into consumer goods – iPhones, anyone?and when the oil runs out, we’ll be left sucking seed!! We need businesses that’ll provide high paying jobs for us, and those businesses need infrastructure to relocate or to start up here - like in the agro-business the Government’s pushing.

When Lee Kwan Yu was developing Singapore from the backward colony it originally was into the REAL HighIncome Country it is today, he recounted in his book – from “Third World to First” – how he FOUGHT being classified as even a “Middle Income Country”!!

We should also not emphasise this “fake news!!”

…right for Haiti?

Yes…we should all cry for Haiti. The people of this pioneering land for liberty for all of us Caribbean peoples have known no peace for all the 200+ years Haiti’s been in existence. If it’s not natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes and mudslides, it’s been the inability of its leaders to institute a governance structure that brings stability – aside from brutal dictatorships like the Duvaliers. The latest escalation followed the assassination of President Moise in July 2021. Now more than 80% of the capital is controlled by gangs; 840 persons were killed from January to March, and another 600 in April alone.

One of Blinken’s goals at the Caricom HoG meeting earlier this month was to persuade the organization to become more involved in brokering a solution. So, now former PMs of Jamaica, Bahamas and St Lucia - Bruce Golding, Perry Christie, and Dr Kenny Anthony – are leading an “Eminent Leaders Group” to the island.

What’s really needed is a kick-ass force to put down the gangs. GDF anyone??

…real?

In another sanctimonious letter, Hamilton Green knocked Pres Ali, and said, “My Mentor would say it is pellucidly clear …blah, blah, blah.” Burnham would’ve never said “pellucidly clear” since that’s a tautology!! Saying the same thing twice!! Clearly, clearly!!

Jailed: Michael Andrew Morgan appeared in court via Zoom from the prison on Friday

The bricks of cocaine that were found at Andrew Morgan’s home

Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce

“System of democratic Govt made more secure” – Pres Ali on new JSC

The Judicial Service Commission’s (JSC) new members were sworn in on Friday by President Dr Irfaan Ali, who disclosed his belief that their appointment will now alleviate some of the burden on Guyana’s Judiciary.

The newly appointed members are: Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards; Chief Justice Roxane George; Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Manniram Prashad; former Chancellor, Justice Carl Singh and Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, Justice Beasraj Singh Roy.

The JSC is a constitutional body established under Article 198 of the Constitution of Guyana that handles matters related to appointments, discipline, removal and promotion of judicial officers.

President Ali congratulated the new members on their three-year appointment and shared his hope for them to ease the burden on the court system that has been experiencing an immense caseload for some time now.

“Our judicial system is not without its challenges. We’re woefully short of a full cabinet of Judges and Magistrates. This naturally has placed a greater burden on the existing pool of judicial officers,” Ali said. “Now that the JSC is placed, it is anticipated that some of those burdens will be lifted and thereby allow for the smoother turning of the wheels of justice.”

The JSC, the President remarked, is a symbol of a secure democratic Government, independent of coercion from the Executive or Legislative arms.

“The JSC shall not be subject to the direc -

tion or control of any other person or authority. My Government shall respect the independence of the Judiciary,” Ali said.

“I assure you, the members of the JSC and by extension, the Judiciary, of our continued support in the implementation of your budget—importantly, in ensuring that we invest in the right technology systems, and put in place the infrastructure that would allow the smooth, efficient, transparent, reliable functioning of the Judiciary,” Ali said

Modernisation

Meanwhile, the President advised the Commission to guard the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judicial system as the country continues to undergo massive transformation.

“This process of modernisation that our country is going through

requires not only the legislative arm of Government to work assiduously on the modernisation of legislation and laws, but the Judiciary also to be working at a pace that is consistent with the changes and transformation that is tak -

ing place in our country,” Ali said.

“For this to be done, you need the right complement of human resources, infrastructure, technology, right system, [and] importantly, you also need to ensure that those who are

tasked with the responsibility of the Judiciary too fulfil their responsibility…and ensure that the efficiency of the system is complemented by the efficiency of their individual actions,” Ali said.

President Ali stated

that with the right combination of effort, diligence, commitment, responsibility and investment, Guyana’s Judiciary can be second to none in the Region.

In accordance with Article 198 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c), Justice CummingsEdwards, Justice George and PSC’s Prashant were appointed as ex officio members of the JSC, while Justice Singh was appointed after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, and Justice Roy was appointed after consultations with several bodies representing lawyers in Guyana.

On Thursday, Prashad, Maurice Gajadhar, Melcita Bovell, Chandrawati Ramson, Mohandatt Goolsarran and Janice Bowen were sworn in by President Ali as new members of the PSC. Prashad, who was later appointed PSC Chairman, also serves as a member on both the JSC and the Police Service Commission.

There has been no JSC since 2017 as the last Commission was appointed by former President Donald Ramotar in September 2014.

Newly-appointed members of the JSC: Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Chief Justice Roxane George; Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Manniram Prashad; former Chancellor, Justice Carl Singh; and Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, Justice Beasraj Singh Roy stand alongside President Dr Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister Mark Phillips; Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira, and Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack

Invest in Guyana’s construction, pharmaceutical & agri industries – Pres Ali to Canadian businesses

…asks Tim Hortons to extend franchise into South America …as 2 new airlines apply to fly Guyana-Canada route

With Guyana on the cusp of massive socio-economic transformation, Canadian businesses are being encouraged to explore the vast amount of investment opportunities on local shores, which President Dr Irfaan Ali has assured will bring tremendous benefits to any investor.

“We’d…like to encourage more Canadian companies to explore investment opportunities, not only in the mining sector but in areas such construction industry, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and agriculture. These are all areas that we are aware Canada has great private sector operatives who can benefit from the transformation and development that Guyana is going through and who can bring their technology and their skillset to help us as we move forward,” the Head of State urged a room full of stakeholders during a Canada Day reception on Thursday.

President Ali also urged the local and regional private sector to take advantage of opportunities that exist in Canada, referencing the Caribbean-Canada Trade Agreement, known as

CARIBCAN, which, among other things, allows for the preferential trade of products from the Caribbean into Canada.

Canada has obtained approval from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to extend the agreement until December 2033.

“I want to take this opportunity to urge my own Foreign Ministry to do more work on educating and in-

forming the private sector of these agreements… because these agreements bring tremendous potential and opportunity for our local private sector to benefit in the Canadian market.”

Tim Hortons

Meanwhile, President Ali also called on Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Mark Berman for assistance in getting the

popular coffeehouse franchise, Tim Hortons to come to South America.

“I believe that the Canadian High Commissioner has to do some more work to ensure the franchise holder extend their franchise into South America…I’ve inquired about this franchise’s presence in Guyana and I was told that there are at least three applications for the franchise to come to Guyana but the franchise has not made a corporate decision as yet as to whether they’re extending into South America,” he explained.

Tim Hortons is a Canadian multinational coffeehouse and restaurant chain, with 5352 restaurants in 15 countries, as of June 30, 2022.

Already, popular US coffeehouse Starbucks has established its presence in Guyana, opening its first store in April and it is already working on expanding to other locations across the country.

Airlines

On the matter of better connectivity between the two countries, President Ali noted that works are continuing but there are some challenges.

He disclosed that the Canadian High Commissioner and his

team are working “overtime” to ensure more direct flights between Guyana and Canada.

But he noted that “many of the major airlines today are short on assets.”

“…the production line is not nowhere near what the demand is and the industry today, and if that is not enough, for the first time in a very long time, the industry is facing a human resource challenge in the shortage of pilots,” Ali explained.

According to Transport Canada, in a typical pre-pandemic year, roughly 1100 pilot licences were issued. When complemented by foreign-trained pilots, that was generally more than enough to satisfy the needs of carriers as large as WestJet and Air Canada, all the way down to regional, charter and cargo airlines.

But as demand for flying collapsed in 2020, so did the number of new pilots getting their paperwork.

Government data shows less than 500 licences were awarded in 2020, a figure that fell to less than 300 in 2021 and just 238 last year.

In fact, a 2018 report by the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace said that a third of flight operators in this country at that time cited pilots as their biggest skills shortage. The report said the need for experienced pilots is beginning to outpace the available national supply, and projected the industry will need an additional 7300 pilots by 2025.

Nevertheless, President Ali said in the last seven months, Guyana has received two proposals for additional flights, though not direct, between Guyana and Canada.

“…and those proposals are being actively finalised now,” he said.

Dominican Republicbased airline SkyCana this year introduced flights from Guyana to Canada, via the Dominican Republic. (G11)

4 Guyanese awarded scholarships to study Petroleum Sciences in China

a programme to award 10 such scholarships

will commence

studies in China for the 2023-2024 academic year. Two more students will be selected annually over the next three years.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman, and President Dr Irfaan Ali

CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL) on Friday awarded scholarships to four Guyanese students to study Petroleum Sciences in China. The initiative is part of

over the next three years. The first four scholars, Nechemiyah Levans, Aria Matthews, Ishika Singh and Nazeela Williams

The 2023 scholarship awardees: From left, Ishika Singh, Aria Matthews, Nazeela Williams and Nechemiyah Levans

GPF working to better Policecommunity interactions – Hicken

directed.

Very often, persons would document their engagements with officers on the ground – a majority of which are unpleasant.

According to Hicken, the intention is to create a conducive atmosphere where members of the public can interact with the Police without conflict. Simultaneously, ranks will be working under better conditions with plans to enhance existing infrastructure.

will be placed on youth development, covering facets such as prevention, detection and counselling. All regions will also be equipped to tackle crime and other reports within the communi-

ties independently.

“We’re going to have all of the divisional commands self-sufficient. They’re not going to ask for Headquarters to augment them in the case of

any emergency. We have commenced a process of decentralising construction, transport, daycare, SWAT, canine…That will complement what they have in the regions.” (G12)

Pres Ali pitches solution for...

Amid complaints from members of the public regarding their interactions with ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), sweeping changes will be made in a bid to enhance this relationship.

Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken divulged during an event on Thursday that the Force is making strides to improve the quality of service to the public, and to ensure seamless interactions with people.

Recognising that there has been issues at the lower level, he indicated that the performance thresh-

old to pass the Force’s entrance examination will be increased.

“We have been bombarded with reports whenever members of the public have interactions with the Police at a lower level. So, we did some internal analysis. We now have an Academy; we’ve adjusted the entrance exam where the pass mark will increase. The type of exam you will be doing now to come into the Force is just above the CXC level. We’re preparing you for that level of entrance because all the courses there after will be accredited coming out of the Academy,” the Top Cop

“From our research, it tells us that whenever you’re comfortable, the ability or the rate of your performance will automatically increase based on the conduciveness and tools provided to you. We’re doing just that.”

The Top Cop called on ranks to undergo yearly introspection and remain professional. He recognised that one of the biggest negatives has been inability to serve the public.

Hicken urged, “Every year, you need to do introspection, rededication and focus on serving the public and you’re going to stymie most of the challenges we’re getting. The negatives coming to the Force is about inability to serve the public. Please remain professional.”

Going forward, attention

Overseas-based Guyanese charged for smuggling singing birds

Guyanese businessman Nazir Khan, who resides overseas, is accused of illegally exporting Towa-Towa birds. He was on Friday arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond-Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts on an allegation detailing that on June 19, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, he exported live animals; that is to say, five Towa-Towa birds (Sporophila angolensis) by land without a licence/permit, contrary to section 27 (1) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.

Khan was represented by Attorney-at-Law Bernard Da Silva, who asked the magistrate to strike out the charge on the basis that it is bad in law. In so doing, he sub-

mitted that the section of the statute under which his client is charged does not relate to the particulars of the charge.

Accordingly, Magistrate Scarce informed Khan that he would not be allowed to enter a plea to the charge, the prosecution was given two weeks to respond to Da Silva’s argument, and the case was set for recall on August 2, for the magistrate to rule on the issue. Khan, meanwhile, has been placed on bail.

Reports indicate that Khan had been charged with a similar offence in 2014, but that charge had been dismissed after the court had ruled that the section of the law under which the charge was filed does not cover the TowaTowa species.

Reports are that on June 13, 2014, Khan was

Specifically for nurses, the Head of State spoke of the recently-launched hybrid nursing programme which is intended to increase the training of nurses from 150-200 per year to between 1000-1500 per year. President Ali also mentioned plans to offer specialised training for nurses through a post-graduate programme. He also spoke about the need to train more trauma nurses.

“…that is why we’re moving massively on this training programme for nurses and bringing more nurses in the system, be-

cause there’s shortage in Canada, UK, Europe, US… so the whole world now is on an active drive of recruiting nurses all over,” President Ali expressed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented that there is a global shortage of health workers, in particular nurses and midwives, who represent more than 50 per cent of the current shortage of health workers. For all countries to reach Sustainable Development Goal 3 on health and wellbeing, WHO estimates that the world would need an

additional 9 million nurses and midwives by the year 2030.

“Nurses and midwives are central to primary healthcare, and are often the first and sometimes the only health professional that people see; and the quality of their initial assessment, care and treatment is vital,” the WHO outlined.

Meanwhile, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has said the worldwide shortage of nurses should be treated as a global health emergency.

(G11)

an outgoing passenger at the CJIA, destined for the USA, when 22 small singing birds were found in hair curlers in his hand luggage. Khan had told the court then that he was unaware that he had to get a permit to transport the birds. He had apologised, and had said that the birds were for his personal amusement.

Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken

Nazir Khan

“A force to be reckoned with” – Ashton

Remembered as an outstanding figure who fought for the rights of the working class, tributes poured in as final goodbyes were said to politician and Attorneyat-Law Ashton Chase on Friday. His invaluable contributions to Guyana were reflected upon during a funeral service at Parliament Buildings, attended by President Irfaan Ali, Government Ministers, the Diplomatic Corp, members of the Judiciary, and other officials.

Prior to this, his procession stopped briefly at Freedom House for persons to pay their respects. The final bout of the proceedings led to Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, for cremation.

Chase is regarded as the father of labour and industrial relations law in Guyana, having served as a trade unionist alongside towering figures like Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. He was a politician, a barrister-at-law, an attorney-at-law, as well as a prolific author.

President Irfaan Ali shared that Chase was on the frontlines of protecting the rights of the working class, and stood up against injustice. While his life straddled many spheres, his passion was pronounced in law, labour and the liberation of Guyana.

The Head of State highlighted, “He was a man who stood up for justice, and offered his service whenever there was injustice…I am firm in my belief that he is one of the most outstanding individuals that our country has produced. Not only was he a great man, but importantly, he was a good man. He was not after fame, but preferred working in service to the working class

of this country. He was good because he served the workers of Guyana and did so with selfless dedication.

“He was a force to be reckoned with. He was known for his preciseness, his deliberate language and well-prepared arguments…He was insightful.”

Contributions Ashton Alton Chase was born July 18, 1926, on Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust, to an impoverished family but his grandmother was the beacon of his support. She introduced him to trade unionism at an early age. He attended Alleyne’s High School on Regent Street.

At 17, he began working at the British Guiana Labour Union and later achieved his senior Cambridge Certificate, gaining admission as an external student at London University. He would then secure an intermediate Bachelor of Laws degree privately.

After serving at the BGLU in various positions, he secured a

The procession at Freedom House on Robb Street

Relatives of the late Ashton Chase, OE, SC,

President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Mark Phillips piloting the mortuary cot bearing the body of the late Ashton Chase, OE, SC, after the funeral service

Ashton Chase, OE, SC

Ashton Chase, OE, SC bidden final goodbyes

British Trade Union Congress scholarship in 1948 that allowed him to study economics at Ruskin College, Oxford, and trade unionism in London.

Chase founded the Political Affairs Committee alongside Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan and Jocelyn Hubbard in 1946. The PAC was the precursor to the formation of the People’s Progressive Party in 1950.

Taking a victory at the 1953 elections, he served as the first Labour Minister of British Guiana. After the British suspended the Constitution, Chase left for England to pursue law. After graduating with honours, he was admitted to the Bar in 1957.

Upon returning, he began to establish his practice, focusing on labour law. In 1961, he was appointed President of the Senate by the PPP and later served as a Member of Parliament.

Throughout his long-spanning career, Chase served as President of the National Association for Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), co-founder of the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic, President of the Guyana Bar Association and Chairman of the Legal Education of the West Indies – the only Guyanese to serve in that capacity.

He was a senior counsel, an author and a recipient of the Order of Excellence.

In paying his tribute, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves labelled Chase as a Guyanese icon.

“This revolutionary personality, this man from the bowels of the people of Guyana, a socialist, a man who was dedicated to the poor and the work-

ing people, his partnership with Cheddi Jagan and all the people in the People’s Progressive Party. Ashton Chase accomplished so much to uplift the working people and the peasantry. He has been an example to me.”

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran voiced that Chase played a pioneering role in the Guyana of today.

“The Guyana which we live today has been shaped substantially by the efforts of Ashton Chase.”

Meanwhile, Attorney General, Senior Counsel Anil Nandlall also expressed, “He lived to see the party he helped form start the process of ultimate achievement of the original goal of both the PAC and the PPP…In the end, he saw that the race was not for the swift but for those who can endure the most.”

He was remembered for being a voice for the working class, standing at the helm of the sugar belt to support workers. Chase piloted the Labour Amendment Bill in 1953 at a time when workers were struggling in the sugar industry.

Former Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul shared, “He did not lose sight of the working people, he educated himself though he was from a poor and humble background…Ashton struggled along the bargaining table, in negotiations, arbitrations and then after, in the court of law. Whatever sugar workers achieved, whatever improvement they had, it was as a result of the struggles of Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan, Ashton Chase and Boysie Ramkarran.”

(G12)

Government Ministers, Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards and former House Speaker Ralph Ramkarran in attendance

SC, including his daughter, Pauline Chase

Child and Youth Health Programme

Health Ministry aims to screen 27,000 nursery-aged students this year

…Guyana receives testing equipment from Mount Sinai, Hess

there are any problems, it will allow the Ministry to address them at an early age to prevent any longterm health conditions.

"We have established a set of measures to be implemented at the nursery level which will include visual, hearing, dental and physical check-ups to address any conditions and prevent long-term issues," Anthony said.

He added, “This is a programme that we have developed with Mount Sinai. We recognise that if we’re going to have good preven-

tative health in Guyana, that this would have to start at the level of the schools. We have developed this comprehensive programme that we will start rolling out at the nursery level but eventually, it will be nursery, primary and secondary.”

Minister Anthony extended appreciation to Mount Sinai Health Systems and Hess for the equipment which he said will help the staff to commence screening effectively in all regions.

Meanwhile, Mount

Sinai Country Director, Josuè Alcàntara, said both organisations are pleased to support the Ministry of Health for the needed screening in schools across Guyana.

“We’re happy to be providing these supplies as part of our continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health with the view of providing these very needed screenings for the children and youth of Guyana.”

By the new school term in September, the programme will be implemented. (G12)

The Health Ministry on Friday received a quantity of testing equipment and other medical materials as part of a consultancy facilitation between Mount Sinai Health Systems and Hess Cooperation, which will prove useful for the Comprehensive Child and Youth Health Programme (CYHP).

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Director of Primary Health Care, Dr Ertenisa Hamilton received the donation.

The school health pro-

gramme, which is slated for rollout in the coming weeks, will facilitate oral health, hearing and vision screening for children and adolescents in schools.

Intended to improve the health of school children aged 5-17, the Health Ministry has collaborated with the Education Ministry to launch this initiative among children entering the nursery level. The Ministry aims to screen at least 27,000 nursery-level children by the ending of the year.

The Primary Health

Care Director informed, “Very shortly, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education will be providing services for all children who will be entering nursery school. These items will be used for all of the screening that will be done on the students as they enter school.”

During his remarks, Dr Anthony said that a comprehensive programme will be rolled out at the nursery level, ensuring that every child gets at least one checkup. This data will be entered into a chart and if

Be wary of bag storage, visa photo vendors – US Embassy

Applicants visiting the US Embassy are urged to exercise caution when approached by bag storage and visa photo vendors operating outside its Duke Street, Georgetown building and surrounding areas. “The Embassy has no affiliation with these vendors. If you choose to leave your belongings with a third-party, you do so at your own risk,” the Embassy posted on its Facebook page. “The safest practice is to leave all prohibited items and large bags at home and come to the Embassy with just your application documents and a small purse/ wallet. You should also consider the cost of taking

a visa photo at a photo studio versus a mobile unit in advance,” the Embassy suggested. The Embassy reminded that the list of prohibited items can be

viewed at: https://gy.usembassy.gov/u-s…/passports/ prohibited-items/. Being prepared will help expedite your entry into the Embassy.

4 Guyanese awarded scholarships...

President of the company, Liu Xiaoxiang declared that the project demonstrates CPGL’s strong commitment to the people of Guyana by developing local content and by building local capacity through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs. He disclosed that Education is a key pillar among their CSR initiatives and that CPGL has engaged in various CSR programs in the field of education in the last several years.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, Ambassador of China to Guyana Her Excellency Madame Guo Haiyan were part of a signing ceremony.

The Ambassador de-

scribed the initiative as an example of bilateral cooperation that was led by the commercial sector and declared that it was a good example of a Chinese company giving back to the community, something which her Embassy encourages.

Bharrat, welcomed the initiative as a significant contribution to developing the capacity of Guyana’s petroleum sector and stated that his Ministry was pleased to collaborate with CPGL in the process of selection and postgraduate allocation of the graduates. He lauded CPGL for its commitment to the development of Guyana and to the Education sector in particular.

The pointed out that the

scholarship awards filled a gap in the provision of tertiary education in the oil and gas sector. CPGL will fully fund the costs of education, transportation, and living expenses for each student. Upon completion of studies, they would be required to work with either the Ministry or with CPGL for a period of five years.

The scholars were selected after public advertisement by a joint panel comprising personnel from the CPGL and the Ministry of Natural Resources. They all thanked CPGL and the Ministry of Natural Resources for the opportunity presented which they pledged to pursue diligently.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Director of Primary Health Care Dr Ertenisa Hamilton receiving the donations from Hess and Mount Sinai

Pregnant woman, child among 6 homeless after Wismar fire

Afire on Tuesday eve -

ning in Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has left a family of six, including a pregnant woman and a child, without a home.

Reports are that the fire started at about 22:30h at Lot 21 Gardenia Street, Linden.

Lovern Jacks, one of the occupants of the home, said she received the news while at work. Fortunately, nobody was inside the house at the time. Despite the efforts of family members, neighbours, and firefight -

ers to save the three-bedroom concrete home, everything was lost.

Jacks expressed her distress, saying, "We lost everything. The house was fully furnished with valuable items like furniture, freezers, a fridge, and beds. We estimate the loss to be in millions of dollars."

The family said they had recently spent over $2 million renovating the house, making the situation even more heartbreaking.

While not fully confirmed, authorities suspect arson as the cause of the fire and are currently in -

vestigating.

In the meantime, the family is seeking temporary shelter with relatives. Jacks shared the challenges they now face, explaining, "It's really tough right now. One of the girls is pregnant, and all their clothes and belongings were destroyed.”

The family had lived in the house for nearly three decades, making the loss even more devastating. The community is rallying behind them, offering support and assistance as they navigate this difficult period. (G9)

Kitty man remanded for fatally stabbing neighbour

dress. They had had an ongoing feud which had seen them constantly assaulting each other. On the day in question, they had been engaged in a heated argument, and that had led to a scuffle. Moses had then allegedly attacked Williams with a knife, and had stabbed him several times.

Aman charged with murdering his neighbour has been remanded to prison after his arraignment before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on Thursday.

George Moses of Lot 18 Lamaha Street, Newtown, Kitty, Georgetown was not required to plead to the in-

dictable charge which stated that he murdered Anthony Williams on April 10. The killing allegedly occurred at Moses’s residence.

The prosecution’s short facts detailed that the two men had been known to each other, since they had resided at a two-storey apartment at the Lamaha Street ad-

After stabbing Williams, Moses had reportedly thrown the weapon into a nearby canal. At this point, a Policeman had intervened, and had cautioned and arrested Moses and called 911. Once medical personnel arrived, Williams was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), but he unfortunately died a short while after.

Murder accused George Moses will return to court on July 31.(G1)

The house that was destroyed by fire in Wismar, Linden (NCN Linden photo)

$9M recreational facility to provide safe space for Enmore residents

and moderate-income earners.

This forms part of the Ministry’s aggressive home ownership agenda in which they intend on allocating 50,000 house lots by 2025. Thus far, they have distributed over 23,000.

Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves had shared that these housing schemes are in a prime location since a new commercial zone is in the pipeline for Enmore.

In the coming weeks, work will commence to upgrade the Enmore Pasture (South) Recreational Facility, East Coast Demerara (ECD), aimed towards providing a safe space for families and residents to spend their leisure time.

During a visit in March, Minister within the Housing and Water

Ministry, Susan Rodrigues had been asked by residents to make representation to have the community facility rehabilitated, after which she committed to intervene. At a recent walkthrough of the facility with community representatives and an engineer, Minister Rodrigues outlined the plans to upgrade the facility.

The works to be under-

taken will include the construction of a 175 feet chain link fence, land clearing of 1.5 acres and sand filling of 1.5 acres.

The $9 million contract to complete this rehabilitation was earlier awarded to Amazon Planx.

Rodrigues noted that this facility will add to the overall well-being in the area, as it seeks to provide

a safe space for extracurricular activities for families and their children.

She added that while the Ministry focuses on building communities, an essential part of this is ensuring that communities are furnished with facilities that aid the social wellbeing of citizens.

This marks a continuation of the work that the

Housing Ministry has been engaging in to improve the living standards for residents of Enmore and ECD at large.

During the launch of the second edition of the “Dream Realised” housing allocation exercise on Monday, the Ministry distributed lots along Good Hope and Two Friends Village to about 800 low

Infrastructural development work to convert land previously utilised by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) into the Enmore Industrial site began in March. This industrial zone is expected to accommodate several factories and fabrication facilities, and create close to 1000 jobs.

Meanwhile in May, some 22 Enmore Grass Field residents had received their Certificates of Title, less than a week after processing of their ownership documents had commenced.

Public, private sector coordination key to advancing trade – Todd

tional markets, an endeavour that the Government is committed to supporting as this is geared towards accessing new markets for local products.

Todd remarked that increased and focused engagement with the private sector can contribute to strengthening Guyana’s international trade policy as the country continues to undergo immense economic development.

He, however, cautioned that there is need for Guyanese businesses to comply with any regional procedures and processes, and also work to strengthen their internal capacities to be competitive at the global stage.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd on Wednesday called for increased coordination between public and private sector stakeholders as they seek to advance Guyana’s trade performance in regional and international markets.

The Minister made this remark during a Meeting of the National Advisory Committee on External Negotiations (NACEN) at the Arthur Chung

Convention Centre (ACCC).

Todd emphasised that the Government is ready and committed to give policy direction and support to increase public-private sector partnership, while observing Guyana’s obligations under the Caricom Single Market & Economy (CSME) and other trade agreements.

He noted that there is unlimited capacity for the private sector in Guyana to expand its operations beyond the national borders and into regional and interna-

The NACEN forms part of the country’s consultative mechanism on national trade policy and its mandate includes discussing and advising on current trade issues relating to regional and international trade.

The Committee is composed of key Government Ministries and agencies with trade-related mandates as well as private sector and civil society organisations with interest in trade.

The NACEN meeting on Wednesday included discussions on the outcomes

from the Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED); the implementation status of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom; and

updates on Guyana’s participation in the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Multilateral Agenda.

The meeting also covered an update on the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Agrifood Agenda, as well as interest in new markets by some stakeholders, progress

in the development of the Caricom Industrial Policy and the establishment of Caricom Local Content Regime Open-Ended Working Group which was mandated by Caricom Heads of Government to discuss the regional local content regime.

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, outlining the plan for an upgraded Enmore Pasture recreational facility

Participants of the NACEN meeting

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, during the NACEN meeting

CIOG schools secure 100% passes at NGSA 2023

The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, and its schools, Al-Ghazali Islamic Academy in Georgetown and Meten-Meer-Zorg

Islamic Academy at West Coast Demerara, have once again recorded passes in the top 200 at the exams.

In a release on Friday, CIOG said both schools have attained 100 per cent passes at the NGSA.

The pupils, who sat the NGSA attained senior secondary schools in Georgetown and its environs.

This year eight orphans and vulnerable children, who are currently benefitting from CIOG’s Orphan and Vulnerable Children Programme, wrote the NGSA exams and all were successful, including three students who secured spots in the top 150, the release said.

“The schools run

by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana continue to deliver education at the highest level. The NGSA results for 2023 is evidence of this. It would be remiss to not acknowledge the assistance CIOG received from the

Rupununi cowboy fatally shot at ranch

victim's employer visited the Aishalton Police Station and made a report.

In the rancher's account of the events leading to the discovery of Phillips's body, he stated that during a routine visit to his property on July 5, he noticed that several cows were missing from his herd.

Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Education. Their distribution of “We Care” cash grants for school uniforms, among other donations, are a direct out-

come of the results our learners achieved,” CIOG said in the release.

It noted that the organisation wished to express its “profound gratitude and sincere thanks to the Ministry of Education, kind sponsors and donors who continue to support the education of the future of our country. It is not only impressive that these pupils have excelled but that their experience at CIOG was one that made them able to fulfil their dreams and realise their full potential.”

CIOG said it is of the view that investment in children’s education is the best investment and no child should be left behind because of poverty.

More record temperatures expected in Europe heatwave

Much of southern Europe is baking in extreme heat, with Greece seeing temperatures of 40C (104F) or more.

The Acropolis, the country's most popular tourist attraction, was closed during the hottest hours of the day to protect visitors.

Potentially record temperatures are expected next week as another heatwave approaches.

The lifeless body of Louis Phillips, a 24-year-old cowboy from Parikwarnawa village in Central Rupununi, Region Nine, was discovered on Sunday with a gunshot wound to the head.

The incident reportedly took place at a privately-owned ranch located approximately 10 miles northwest of Aishalton, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).

The shooting is believed to be execution-style. The

Concerned about their whereabouts, he entrusted Phillips with the task of locating them. However, when he returned to the ranch on July 6 around 18:30h, Phillips informed him that the cows had not yet been found. The rancher said he then left Phillips at the ranch and returned to his home in Aishalton village.

However, on Saturday, around 18:00h, the rancher said he returned to the ranch and was shocked to find Phillips's lifeless body lying in a hammock inside the kitchen. The rancher said he immediately proceeded to the Aishalton Police Station to report the incident.

Following the report, the Police launched an investigation. (G9)

The European Space Agency (ESA) says Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland may see extreme conditions.

The ESA monitors land and sea temperatures via its satellites.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe was 48.8C in Sicily in August 2021.

There are also fears in Greece of a greater risk of wildfires, especially in areas with high winds. It suffered major wildfires in 2021 in another exceptional heatwave.

In Croatia, fires broke out on Thursday, burning houses and cars in at least one village, Grebastica, on the Dalmatian coast. Officials told Croatian TV on Friday morning that the fire had been brought under control.

High temperatures have

also been reaching into central parts of Europe, with Germany and Poland among countries affected.

Czechia's meteorological office issued a warning that temperatures at the weekend could go above 38C, which is exceptionally high for the country.

Meanwhile in the UK, heavy showers and gusty winds are expected in parts of England today.

Meteorologists quoted by PA suggested this was because the southern shift of the jet stream which was fuelling the hot weather in Europe, was also drawing low-pressure systems into the UK, bringing unsettled and cooler weather. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Dead: Louis Phillips

Volunteers from the Hellenic Red Cross handing out water bottles

Regional Venezuelan diplomat jailed in Kenya for 20 years for envoy's murder

AKenyan court on Friday sentenced a former top Venezuelan diplomat to 20 years in jail over the 2012 murder of the Latin American nation's acting ambassador at her home in an upmarket Nairobi neighbourhood.

Dwight Sagaray, who was the first secretary at the embassy, was convicted, along with three Kenyan nationals, in January this year of killing Olga Fonseca.

Judge Roselyn Korir sentenced all four men to 20 years in jail. The term starts from January.

Sagaray could be tried for the murder because he was stripped of diplomatic immunity following the crime, the court ruled in January.

Fonseca was found strangled in her bedroom less than two weeks into her posting to Nairobi, which followed the abrupt departure of the previous ambassador after he was accused by his domestic staff of sex-

ual harassment.

Sagaray, who had been heading the mission before the arrival of Fonseca, was angered by her presence, as he wanted to continue overseeing the embassy, the court found in January.

A fifth accused person,

Northern Mexico bakes as residents try to beat scorching heat

Construction worker Brian Larreta's job is tough any day of the year, but scorching temperatures this month in northern Mexico have made it a dangerous feat.

In Mexicali, a city of over a million people on Mexico's northern border across from California, temperatures soared to 50 Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) this week, forcing many residents to stay inside and keeping volunteers and authorities busy trying to help those who can't.

"Sometimes, when you've been in the heat for a while you get dizzy," Larreta, 25, said on a break from shovel-

ing cement in a parking lot under the blazing sun.

"I have seen colleagues who, in the afternoon, when they’re just about to check out from work, suddenly get dizzy or fall down, faint," Larreta added.

A deadly heat wave spiked temperatures across Mexico in June, but while recent weeks have brought relief to more southern regions, the country's heat-accustomed northern states have continued to bake in abnormally high temperatures.

Heat waves have historically hit Mexico in April and May, according to data from the Autonomous National

University of Mexico

(UNAM). This year, experts said the heat wave was worsened by drought.

The local government, along with religious groups, took to the streets to offer homeless people shelter, water, and rehydration salt packets to avoid heat strokes.

Aaron Gomez, who manages a shelter set up by the government to offer refuge from the heat, said they had assisted over 1500 mostly homeless people with hydration and other services, including the option to stay in a shaded area with fans and cots. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Coca price crash contributing to Colombian food insecurity, UN says

Kipng'eno Kirui Chelogoi, was acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence linking him to the other suspects or the crime scene, Korir said.

Another suspect was still at large. The court said his arrest warrant should remain in force. (Reuters)

Cuba vows to take part 'very constructively' in EU summit with Latin America, Caribbean

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel promised on Friday his country would take part "very constructively" in a European Union summit next week with Latin America and the Caribbean, just days after the EU's Parliament called for sanctions against him.

Diaz-Canel met his Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Friday and will also visit the country's Parliament. He will then head to Brussels, which on Monday is hosting the first summit in eight years of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Cuba said on Monday it wanted stronger ties with Europe but criticised the EU's approach to the sum-

mit as manipulative and opaque. Two days later, the European Parliament passed a resolution strongly criticising Cuba's human rights record.

"This visit (to Portugal) is taking place in the context of the EU-CELAC summit... in which Cuba will participate actively and very constructively," Diaz-Canel told reporters in Lisbon.

Standing next to him, Rebelo de Sousa said he hoped the summit would be successful, adding Portugal wanted to strengthen its ties with the Caribbean island. The EU remains Cuba's top trade partner.

The EU parliament resolution called for sanctions against Diaz-Canel and other top officials, and suggested that "autocratic regimes should not participate in

such summits".

Cuba condemned this, saying the parliament lacked the authority to judge the country, and questioning the bloc's objectives in re-launching the regional ties.

In July 2021, thousands of Cubans took to the streets in anti-Government protests, the largest since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution. The Communist Government then imprisoned hundreds of activists, drawing condemnation from both the EU and the United States.

The Cuban Government says the United States helped incite the unrest and accuses those jailed of committing crimes ranging from vandalism to assault and sedition. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Acrash in the price of coca, the chief ingredient in cocaine, is contributing to food insecurity in Colombia and causing displacement, as people leave areas that depend on the illicit crop, according to an internal United Nations presentation seen by Reuters.

Historically coca crops have provided better incomes than legal alternatives for thousands of rural Colombian families, with drug-trafficking groups often footing the costs of transport, fertilisers and other supplies. Now coca-growing farm-

ers have no buyers for the leaves or coca base leading to economic hardship amid high inflation, according to an internal presentation from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

"There is no cash to buy food and the inflation of (food prices) is rising," the presentation, dated June, said.

The WFP confirmed the document's provenance.

Oversupply of coca - including more productive plants and record crops - is contributing to the crash, along with slow growth of trafficking routes and new coca cultivation in

Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, the presentation said.

Other reasons for falling coca prices include territorial disputes between trafficking groups and imports of synthetic opioid fentanyl to the United States, a major cocaine consumer, it added.

Some 400,000 families nationwide rely on income connected to coca cultivation, the presentation said, adding coca markets have been paralyzed in Colombian provinces, including Narino, Putumayo and Norte de Santander for between three months to a year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Guatemala prosecutor denies aiming to interfere with elections

Guatemala’s public prosecutor’s office has said it would continue an investigation into the progressive Movimiento Semilla, or Seed Movement, after a controversial decision to suspend the party in advance of the presidential run-off election.

In a statement on Friday, the prosecu-

UN Security Council urges security help for Haiti to fight gangs

The UN Security Council on Friday encouraged countries to provide security support to Haiti, including through the deployment of a specialised force, which was last year requested by Haiti's Government to combat gang violence.

UN chief Antonio Guterres backed Haiti, proposing last year that one or more states send a "rapid action force" to support the Caribbean country as

it struggles to combat violent gangs that have largely overrun the capital Portau-Prince.

While there has been broad support for a rapid action force with several countries expressing interest in contributing, none has volunteered to lead a deployment, diplomats say.

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Friday to renew for another 12-months the mandate for a UN political mission

in Haiti. The resolution also backed the called for security support for the Haitian police.

The 15-member council "encourages Member States, including countries in the region, to provide security support to the Haitian National Police ... including through the deployment of a specialised force."

It also asked Guterres to submit a report to the council within 30 days, in consultation with Haiti, outlining

the full range of UN support options including "support for a non-UN multinational force, or a possible peacekeeping operation."

Countries have been wary of supporting the unelected administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has said fair elections cannot be held under the current insecurity. Haiti has been without any elected representatives since January. (Excerpt from Reuters)

tor’s office denied accusations that its actions were aimed at derailing the Seed Movement’s prospects as it competes in the final round of voting.

“The actions of the Public Ministry are not intended to interfere with the date of the second round of elections nor to disqualify the participation of any candidate, as has been alleged by some disinformation campaigns,” it said.

Nevertheless, the top prosecutor has faced an outpouring of criticism since it announced on Wednesday that a court had granted its request to suspend the Seed Movement, amid an investigation into alleged fraud among the party’s registered members.

That decision was quickly reversed on Thursday, after the Seed Movement appealed to Guatemala’s Constitutional Court.

Its candidate, Bernardo Arevalo, and former First Lady Sandra Torres are set

to go head to head in a runoff on August 20. Torres paused her campaign on Thursday in solidarity with the Seed Movement, calling for an even playing field going into the final vote.

The election had already sparked criticism over the disqualification of several opposition candidates in the campaign stage.

For his part, Arevalo has pledged to push back against the effort to suspend his political party, which campaigned on an anti-corruption platform.

Earlier this week, the United States, the European Union and other countries warned that the Seed Movement’s suspension would represent a threat to democracy.

The US Department of State on Thursday voiced concerns about efforts to revoke the legal status of the Seed Movement, calling for respecting the will of the people. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A Kenyan Police officer arriving at the residence of Venezuelan embassy's slain charge d'affaires Olga Fonseca at the Runda neighbourhood in Kenya's capital Nairobi July 27, 2012

Around The World OIL NEWS

Oil prices fall on profit-taking, still record weekly gain

Oil prices fell more than a dollar a barrel on Friday as the dollar strengthened and oil traders booked profits from a strong rally, with crude benchmarks recording their third-straight weekly gain.

Brent crude futures settled at US$79.87 per barrel, down US$1.49, or 1.8%, while the US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell US$1.47, or 1.9%, to settle at US$75.42 a barrel.

"It just appears to be some profit taking, with some demand concerns coming back to the front and centre as the dollar rebounds," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital.

The US dollar index edged higher after hitting a 15-month low during the session, as investors consolidated ahead of the weekend. A stronger greenback reduces oil demand, making crude more expensive for investors holding other currencies.

Next week, however, the rally could resume as easing inflation, plans to refill the US strategic reserve, supply cuts and disruptions could support the market, said Rob Haworth, senior investment strategist at US Bank Wealth Management.

"While oil prices are likely slightly overbought in the very near term, touching the highest levels since early May, the bias appears to be for a grind higher," Haworth said.

Oil prices gained nearly 2% on a weekly basis, after supply disruptions in Libya and Nigeria heightened concerns that the markets will tighten in coming months.

Several oilfields in Libya were shut down on Thursday because of a local tribe's protest against the kidnapping of a former Minister. Separately, Shell suspended loadings of Nigeria's Forcados crude oil owing to a potential leak at a terminal.

The Libya disruption is halting an estimated 370,000 barrels per day (bpd) while the loss from the Nigerian outage is pegged at 225,000 bpd, said PVM analyst John Evans.

Russian oil exports have also decreased significantly and, if this trend continues next week, it would probably drive prices up further since Russian oil exports are set to be reduced by 500,000 bpd in August, added Commerzbank analysts. (Reuters)

Russia's Putin snubs Prigozhin, Biden jokes about poison

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Wagner mercenaries the opportunity to keep fighting at a meeting just days after their failed mutiny but suggested Yevgeny Prigozhin be moved aside in favour of a different commander, the Kommersant newspaper said.

Putin initially said he would crush the June 2324 mutiny, comparing it to the wartime turmoil that ushered in the revolutions of 1917, but hours later a deal was clinched to allow Prigozhin and some of his fighters to go to Belarus.

Mystery surrounds the fate of that deal as well as the future of Wagner, one of the world's most battle-hardened mercenary forces, and Prigozhin, a former convict who rose to become known as "Putin's

chef" and Russia's most powerful mercenary.

The Kremlin said on Monday that Putin had held talks with Wagner commanders and Prigozhin at a meeting on June 29, five days after the mutiny. The mercenaries, the Kremlin said, reaffirmed

their loyalty to Putin.

But Kommersant, one of Russia's top newspapers, published Putin's remarks to its most experienced Kremlin correspondent, Andrei Kolesnikov, which suggested the future of Prigozhin

and Wagner was in doubt.

"But Wagner does not exist," Putin told Kommersant when asked if it would be preserved as a fighting unit. "There is no law on private military organisations. It just doesn't exist."

Asked about Putin's remark, the Kremlin said on Friday that there was no legal entity named Wagner and the legal status of such companies was a complicated one which needed consideration.

US President Joe Biden on Thursday said the United States was unsure where Prigozhin was but joked that the mercenary chief could be poisoned.

"If I were he, I’d be careful what I ate. I’d be keeping my eye on my menu," Biden said, according to White House transcript. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China invites global investors for rare meeting as economy sputters

China's financial regulators have invited some of the world's biggest investors to a rare symposium next week, three sources said, seeking to encourage foreigners to keep investing in the world's second-largest economy despite its recent weakness and rising geopolitical tensions.

The meeting in Beijing next Friday will focus on the current conditions of US dollar-denominated investment firms in China and the main challenges facing them, according to the sources who have direct knowledge of the matter and invitation documents

reviewed by Reuters. The gathering comes at a time when global investors and banks are warning that confidence is waning in China's economic outlook.

The country's post-pandemic recovery is quickly losing steam and Sino-US relations are at a low over national security issues -- including Taiwan, US export bans on advanced technologies and China's state-led industrial policies.

Such a meeting, with a clear agenda to discuss challenges facing global fund managers investing in China, is rare, the three sources said, and reflected

Biden forgives US$39 billion in US student debt using programme tweak

US President Joe Biden's Administration will cancel US$39 billion in student debt for more than 804,000 borrowers, the Education Department said on Friday, describing the relief as the result of a "fix" to income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.

Borrowers will be eligible for forgiveness if they have made either 20 or 25 years of monthly IDR payments, the department said. The IDR programme caps payment requirements for lower-income borrowers and forgives their remaining balance after a set number of years.

The department said the relief addresses what it described as "historical inaccuracies" in the count of payments that qualify toward forgiveness under IDR plans.

A sign calling for student loan debt relief is seen in front of the Supreme Court as the justices are scheduled to hear oral arguments in two cases involving President Joe Biden's bid to reinstate his plan

"For far too long, borrowers fell through the cracks of a broken system that failed to keep accurate track of their progress towards forgiveness," Secretary of

Education Miguel Cardona said.

Biden has said he will pursue new measures to provide student loan relief to Americans after the

Supreme Court blocked his plan to cancel hundreds of billions of dollars in debt.

The Education Department has launched a regulatory "rulemaking" process to pursue his US$430 billion loan relief plan. That process is expected to take months.

Friday's relatively smaller relief falls under a separate, payment count adjustment programme that the Biden Administration announced in April last year, the department said.

In a statement, Vice President Kamala Harris said the Administration "will continue to fight to make sure Americans can access high-quality postsecondary education without taking on the burden of unmanageable student loan debt." (Reuters)

Beijing's keenness to shore up confidence among foreign investors.

Large foreign and domestic fund managers such as private equity (PE) firms, known as general partners (GPs), and their investors or limited partners (LPs) including sovereign wealth funds and pension funds are expected to join the meeting, said the sources.

They also will be encouraged to provide suggestions to help address challenges facing their businesses in China and share their outlook on the economy, according to the sources and documents. All three sources spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak with the media. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu declares state of emergency over food

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency to tackle rising food prices and shortages.

Some of the initiatives include using money saved by the recent removal of a fuel subsidy to provide fertiliser and grain to farmers.

Protection is also to be increased for farmers, many of whom have abandoned their land after becoming the target of gangs that kidnap for ransom.

Poorer households are to be helped too with US$10 (£8) a month for six months.

“I assure all Nigerians that no-one will be left behind in these strategic interventions,” said Tinubu, who took office in May.

A UN report in January projected that 25 million Nigerians were at high risk of food insecurity this yearmeaning they would not be able to afford enough nutritious food every day.

Concerns about food insecurity have been longstanding in Nigeria -

Africa’s most-populous country, which has also been battling widespread insecurity for several years.

More than 350 farmers were kidnapped or killed in the 12 months up to June 2022 alone, according to a Nigerian security tracking website.

Many of these attacks have taken place in the north of the country.

But new security measures would mean farmers could return to the farmlands “without fear of attacks”, Government adviser Dele Alake said.

No further details were given about how the Government intends to tackle the notorious organised criminal gangs, whose members are referred to as bandits.

All matters relating to essential food and water will now to be the responsibility of the National Security Council, which is made up of the country’s security chiefs and headed by the President. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking to reporters of state television in Moscow, Russia July 13, 2023

to cancel billions of dollars in student debt in Washington, US, February 28, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Look for alternatives if you are facing property, family or legal issues. Act on your own behalf instead of trusting someone else to do your work. Change begins with you, so start the ball rolling.

(March 21-April 19)

Be realistic when making decisions. Research and practicality will guide you to victory. Stay on course and refuse to let someone with pie-in-the-sky ideas dictate what you do next.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Stop dreaming and start acting. What you do will affect how you feel about yourself and how others treat you. Live within your means and honor your promises. Home improvements will set the mood for romance.

Stretch your imagination and see what you discover. Take advantage of your resources and call on those who never disappoint you. An offer that sounds too good to be true will have hidden costs.

(June 21-July 22)

Stick to the facts. Giving others a truthful picture of what's happening in your life will be the way to go. Criticizing others will cause friction. Romance is favored.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Stop talking and start getting things done. It's hard to please everyone, but first and foremost, you must satisfy yourself. Follow your heart and be a trailblazer.

You'll get back what you dish out. Make strategic moves that complement your plans and bring you closer to that picture-perfect life in your dreams. Draw on your intelligence. Good deeds will pay off.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Keep moving forward. Overthinking a situation will lead to uncertainty. Pay attention to where your money goes, and you'll devise a plan that encourages you to save money and spend less.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Make decisions before someone makes them for you. Hiding from the truth won't solve problems. Discipline will be necessary if you want to make your life better. Choose peace over discord.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Breathe deeply, count your blessings and be grateful for what you have. Investments look promising, and building equity is favored. Make a positive change to your living arrangements.

Sit tight and wait for things to settle down. If you act in haste, something will backfire, leaving you vulnerable. Focus on yourself, your responsibilities and getting along with the people you love.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Focus on what you want to achieve, and you'll meet your objective with time to relax and enjoy the company of a loved one. Hosting an event or starting a creative endeavor will lead to new opportunities.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Major League Cricket in the USA…

Texas Super Kings kickstart campaign with emphatic win

The Texas Super Kings (TSK) have brushed aside the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) in the first ever Major League Cricket game played in Dallas on Thursday, July 13.

TSK first made 181 following fifties from Devon Conway and David Miller, and then bowled LAKR out for just 112, despite a fighting fifty from Andre Russell.

Opting to bowl first in the tournament opener, LAKR made a good start, despite Conway finding the boundary thrice in the first over. It wasn't a happy return to yellow for birthday boy Faf du Plessis, as the veteran hit his first ball to extra cover to depart for a duck.

Lahiru Milantha, who took time to get into his groove, targetted Russell for a six and a four, and Conway closed out the same over with another boundary as TSK fetched 15 runs to boost the run rate.

Ali Khan then ensured Milantha didn't kick on to get a big one, but Super Kings did explode post the powerplay.

Playing for the Super Kings for the first time, Miller cut loose, after batting on 6 off 9 at one stage. A couple of pull shots fetched him boundaries against Corne Dry, and he picked a googly off Adam Zampa to send it over long on. Another six, this time off Ali Khan, followed by one more off Russell, helped him almost catch up with Conway.

The opener brought up the first half-century of this Major League Cricket (MLC) with a six, but was dismissed next ball. Miller also brought up his half-century in the following over, to set a platform for Super Kings to capitalise on.

While Lockie Ferguson halted Miller's charge, Super Kings had two familiar faces step up for them at the death. Mitchell Santner and Dwayne Bravo combined to clear the ropes four times at the death, to power their side past the 180-run mark.

That proved to be too much, especially after the kind of start Knight Riders made to the chase. Rusty Theron might be touching 38, but he showcased his worth very early in the second innings, as Martin Guptill mistimed one to fall for a duck and Rilee Rossouw chopped one back onto his stumps.

LAKR lost two wickets in the first over. While the likes of Jaskaran Malhotra

and Russell came out swinging, TSK kept striking at the other end to reduce LAKR to 20/4.

We have seen Russell put up a one-man show for the Knight Riders in the IPL several times, and it was no different in the United States. Malhotra briefly entertained by hammering a few boundaries in the powerplay, but the extra pace of Gerald Coetzee was too much for him to handle.

By the end of the powerplay, Russell had already smashed three sixes and raced to 31 off just 10 balls. He added 47 for the sixth wicket with Sunil Narine, to lead LAKR's recovery. Run rate didn't prove to be a real issue at the halfway mark, as LAKR already had 96 on the board. Had that partnership

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Ali Khan 4-0-40-2

Lockie Ferguson 4-0-23-2

Andre Russell 3-0-37-0

Corné Dry 2-0-22-0

Sunil Narine 4-0-29-1

Adam Zampa 3-0-29-1

Los Angeles Knight Riders (T: 182 runs from 20 ovs)

Martin Guptill c Bravo b Theron 0

CWI Rising Stars Regional U17 tournament… Van Lange to lead Guyana Under-17 team

Demerara skipper

Jonathan Van Lange will lead a strong 14man squad as the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) announced their team for the upcoming Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Regional Under-17 Two-Day and 50-Overs tournament.

Van Lange, who struck a majestic 158 in the GCB Under-17 Inter-County tournament a few days ago, will have tons of talent within his ranks. Vikash Wilson, the Under-17 InterCounty MVP, Vice-Captain Matthew Pottaya, opener Rampersaud Ramnauth, Sanjay Algoo, Nicholas Shiopersaud and other top-performers will aim to continue their form on the Regional stage.

Guyana also named the likes of Dave Mohabir, Stephon Sankar and Harold De Mattos, three standout

players from the inter-county, in their standby bunch, further adding to the vast talent onboard.

The CWI youth tournament will bowl off in Trinidad and Tobago from August 9, and will feature some of the West Indies' future stars.

The National Under-17 team, which will be coached by Quasen Nedd and managed by Neil Rudder, will commence encampment from July 22nd at the GCB LBI facility.

Guyana U17 Team:

1.Johnathan Van Lange. Captain

2.Rampersaud Ramnauth

3.Kevin Kisten

4.Vikash Wilkinson

5.Romeo Deonarine

6.Ari Afrizal Kadir

7.Nityanand Mathura

8.Sanjay Algoo

11.Nicholas

12.Salim Khan

13.Bruce Vincent

14.Darwin

Unmukt Chand b Coetzee 4

Rilee Rossouw b Theron 4

Nitish Kumar c Santner b Savage 0

Jaskaran Malhotra †b Coetzee 22

Andre Russell c †Conway b Bravo 55

Sunil Narine (c)c Bravo b

Mohammad Mohsin 15

Corné Dry b Mohammad Mohsin 0

Adam Zampa b

Mohammad Mohsin 3

Lockie Ferguson b

Mohammad Mohsin 1

Ali Khan not out 1

Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 3) 7

TOTAL 14 Ov (RR: 8.00) 112

Fall of wickets: 1-0

(Martin Guptill, 0.3 ov), 2-4

(Rilee Rossouw, 0.6 ov), 3-7

(Nitish Kumar, 1.6 ov), 4-20

(Unmukt Chand, 3.1 ov), 5-56

(Jaskaran Malhotra, 5.2 ov), 6-103

(Sunil Narine, 11.1 ov), 7-103

(Corné Dry, 11.3 ov), 8-109

(Andre Russell, 12.4 ov), 9-111

(Adam Zampa, 13.1 ov), 10-112

(Lockie Ferguson, 13.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Rusty Theron 2-0-16-2

Calvin Savage 2-0-25-1

Gerald Coetzee 2-0-22-2

Mitchell Santner 3-0-28-0

Dwayne Bravo 2-0-10-1

Mohammad Mohsin 3-0-8-4

carried on for another couple of overs, panic could have set in the TSK camp. However, Mohammad Mohsin turned the game on its head with a double-wicket over. He bowled two googlies to dismiss Narine and Corne Dry, and from thereon, Knight Riders needed a miracle from their star man Russell to get over the line. That obviously didn't happen, as Bravo managed to eke out an outside edge to have Russell depart for 55, before Mohsin shattered the stumps a couple of times in his next over to put an end to LAKR's misery. (cricbuzz)

FROM PAGE 23 ►

Barbados Royals add...

Barbados Royals: Rovman Powell, Jason

Holder, Kyle Mayers, Maheesh Theekshana, Rassie van der Dussen, Alick

Athanaze, Obed McCoy, Kevin Wickham, Roelof

van der Merwe, Akeem

Jordan, Rahkeem Cornwall, Donovan Ferreira, Justin

Greaves, Joshua Bishop, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo

Clarke, Ramon Simmonds

St Kitts & Nevis

Patriots: Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher, Sherfane

Rutherford, Dominic Drakes, Sheldon Cottrell, George

Linde, Yannic Cariah, Oshane Thomas, Corbin

Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Jyd

Goolie, Izharulhaq Naveed, Kofi James, Joshua da Silva, Ashmead Nedd, Johann

Layne, Tristan Stubbs

St Lucia Kings: Faf du

Plessis, Johnson Charles, Dasun Shanaka, Alzarri

Joseph, Roston Chase, Jair

McAllister, Sikandar Raza, Peter Hatzoglou, Bhanuka

Rajapaksa, Roshon Primus, Jeavor Royal, Sadrack

Descarte, Khary Pierre, Leonardo Julien, Matthew Forde, Kimani Melius, McKenny Clarke

Guyana Amazon

Warriors: Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Azam Khan, Shai Hope, Gudakesh Motie, Dwaine Pretorius, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Keemo Paul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Ronsford Beaton, Matthew Nandu, Junior

Sinclair, Saim Ayub

Jamaica Tallawahs: Imad Wasim, Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Mohammad Amir, Naveen-ul-Haq, Chris Green, Jermaine Blackwood, Shamarh Brooks, Hayden Walsh

Jr, Raymon Reifer, Amir Jangoo, Steven Taylor, Shamar Springer, Nicholson Gordon, Kirk McKenzie, Joshua James, Ben Cutting.

Cricket takes centre stage in the USA

Bravo removed Andre Russell

Matthew Pottoya will be the vice-captain

Flying Ace cycle race set for July 30 in Berbice

Cycling Coach Randolph Roberts and the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) of Berbice will host a 50-mile road race on the Corentyne roadways from 09:00hrs on Sunday, July 30.

This race meet is open to all cyclists countrywide.

There will be a number of categories on show, with the main party set to pedal off from Skeldon, proceed to Rose Hall Town, and return to the starting point for the finish. Females will start at Rose Hall Town and proceed to Skeldon for their finish.

Prizes will be awarded to the first six finishers, first three juniors, the first

three veterans (O-40yrs), the first three juveniles, and the first three females.

Cyclists are reminded that they must participate in the colours of their respective clubs. Those interested in participating are asked to contact coordinator Randolph Roberts.

Prize Structure:

Open Category

1st - $45,000

2nd - $35,000

3rd - $30,000

4th - $25,000

5th - $20,000

6th - $18,000

Juniors Category

1st - $25,000

Guyana U15 boys intensify Concacaf preparation

players as one team.

The fourth edition of the Concacaf U15 Championships will take place between August 6-13, 2023, and will include the participation of 42 boys’ U15 teams, 40 from Concacaf, and two guest nations from the Asian Football Confederation.

The competition will continue to be played in a threeLeague format (A, B, and C), starting with group stage play and followed by a knockout stage.

Head Coach of the Guyana U15 team, Devon Winter

TheGuyana Under-15 team has intensified training as the Concacaf U-15 Championships loom. The youngsters had been engaged in training for four weeks, but due to academics, that training had had to be minimised.

As they prepare for the Concacaf Championships, which start on August 6 in Curacao and the Dominican Republic, Head Coach Devon Winter has expressed his high expectations.

“The expectations, of course, have always been high. From experience, I think the boys are very talented, and (we) are just monitoring how we train, and (ensure) we don’t overload the training, so we can peak at the tournament,” he said.

The youth tournaments played in Guyana have helped in selection of the team. The boys are coming with technical ability, and thus the selectors can mainly focus on rejuvenating all the

The 42 participating teams have been distributed into the Leagues based on the Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Ranking as at February 2023, which is as follows (listed in alphabetical order per League):

League A: 16 teams (14 highest ranked and two guest nations): Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States.

League B: 16 teams (next highest ranked teams): Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Suriname.

League C: 10 teams (lowest ranked teams): Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, French Guiana, Montserrat, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Turks & Caicos Islands, and US Virgin Islands.

Goalkeepers in practice session

All League A matches will take place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, while Willemstad, Curaçao, will play host to Leagues B and

C. The last edition of the Concacaf Boys’ U15 Championship took place in 2019 at the IMG Academy

in Bradenton, Florida. The 2021 edition of the competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

YBG to host Summer Camp from July 17 to August 8

Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) will

be hosting a Summer Basketball Camp for boys and girls at the Marian Academy Court. This camp would be held from July 17 to August 8, and sessions would be facilitated by Coach Leona.

Sessions will be held from Monday to Saturday, with action lasting from 13:00hrs to 16:30hrs. The time would be divided into sessions, with Beginners 7-11 years starting off the sessions and going for an hour, from 13:00 hrs to 14:00hrs. The Girls and Intermediate 1216 years will be engaged from 14:00hrs to 15:00hrs, and the Boys will conclude the action daily with the

Advanced U18 Boys partaking in sessions for an hour and a half, commencing from 15:00 hrs and concluding at 16:30 hrs.

The fee for registration will be $6000, including

2nd - $20,000

3rd - $18,000

Veterans Over40 Category

1st - $15,000

2nd - $14,000

3rd - $12,000

Juveniles Category 1st - $20,000 2nd - $15,000

3rd - $13,000

Females Category 1st - $15,000 2nd - $14,000

- $12,000

camp fee and equipment to be used.

Participants are kindly asked to bring a towel, their own water bottle, and a change of shirt and slippers.

Five cars from Balram/Team Trans Pacific at Drag Wars 2.0

Balram Ramdeo, the Principal of Balram Auto Mechanic, is confident that he will reclaim the title of 'Best Mechanic' at the upcoming Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) Drag Wars 2.0. The event will be held at the South Dakota Drag Strip, and will feature drivers from at least three countries competing for top honours and bragging rights.

In an interview with the media, Ramdeo revealed that his camp, in partnership with Team Trans Pacific Motor Spares & Auto Sales, will be entering no less than

five cars in the competition, which speeds off on July 30th at the 1320-foot drag strip at Timehri, EBD. Ramdeo is boldly predicting that his vehicles will dominate their respective classes. His garage boasts a formidable lineup of 100% locally built cars, including an unlimited class Alteeza powered by a 2Jz engine, which he will personally drive.

The Principal of Team Trans Pacific, Krishna Ramsewack, will be driving a 2Jz Toyota Verossa, while Romeo Singh will be in control of a 5e Toyota Glanza. Anil Singh will be behind

the wheel of a 2zz Allex, and Bunty Ramdeo will pilot a Mark II 1Jz.

Ramdeo is optimistic of a competitive and thrilling outing in which there are no hiccups. In previous drag meets, Balram had been plagued with mechanical issues, preventing the 2Jz machines from unleashing their true power. However, Ramdeo assured that this will not be the case in the upcoming meet later this month.

He predicted that Team Guyana would successfully defend their territory against tough competition

Balram Ramdeo, the Principal of Balram Auto Mechanic, is confident he would reclaim the title of 'Best Mechanic' at the upcoming GMR&SC racing event

from Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname, above all else.

Tickets for the event are priced at $2,500 for adults

and $1,000 for children, offering fans an opportunity to witness the exciting racing action.

apartment which has 3 rooms. Mortgage can be arranged. Land size 37 feet by 137 feet in length. Building 30 by 100 feet. Contact Pete’s Real Estate at Lot 2 George Street, W/ Rust, 223-6218, 656-5544 or 6237805.

Vacancy for a house cleaner at a private house in Herstelling EBD. One female between the ages of 35 – 45 years, from the hours of 9 am – 3 pm, 6 days per week. Days and hours are negotiable. Kindly contact 592-673-5300.

Glimpse of the exercises in the camp

The Flying Ace Cycle Race is open to cyclists throughout Guyana

WI vs India 2023: Test 1 of 2…

WEST INDIES LOSE IN THREE DAYS

-as Ashwin registers record figures

India have begun their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign for 2023-25 in style, registering a victory by an innings and 141 runs against the West Indies in the first Test in Dominica.

Having posted a sizeable 415/5 declared, which gave them a 271-run lead, India bowled West Indies out for 130 in their second innings on Friday, to wrap things up inside three days.

Ravi Ashwin was the star of the show, pocketing 7 for 71 in the second innings as he bagged his eighth 10-wicket haul to equal Anil Kumble. Ashwin's figures in the second essay were also his best performance in an overseas Test, as was his match haul of 12 for 131.

After only four overs of pace, India opted to bowl the et, getting the West Indies captain to edge to Ajinkya Rahane at first slip.

Jermaine Blackwood edged a Jadeja delivery, but the ball landed short of third slip. Reifer and Blackwood were unbeaten at the end of the second session, but they fell in quick succession at

the start of the final session, leaving West Indies in deep trouble.

A sharp delivery that turned into Blackwood trapped him in front, and he also cost West Indies a review. Reifer also took a review with him, after missing a flick off Jadeja to be out lbw. India also lost a review for a caught-behind decision against Joshua Da Silva in a Jadeja over.

Meanwhile, Alick Athanaze was oozing class with his shot-making, scoring boundaries off Ashwin after having earlier been dropped by Yashavi Jaiswal at short leg.

Rohit Sharma decided to bring Mohammed Siraj back into the attack, and he struck immediately, trapping Da Silva plumb

tack, each scoring a six off Ashwin as they took West Indies past the 100 mark. But Joseph fell in his attempt to clear the fence again, giving Ashwin his fourth wicket.

boundaries off Siraj, and then swept Ashwin fine for a boundary. But the offspinner hit back by ending a promising innings, getting Athanaze caught at short leg off an inside edge.

Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder decided to counter-at-

Ashwin bagged his second five-for in the game when he had Rahkeem Cornwall caught at short leg, and followed it with by having Kemar Roach bowled. The match got into extra time with just a wicket remaining in the West Indian innings, and Jomel Warrican decided to have some fun as he struck a few boundaries to frustrate India. He was eventually out to Ashwin as he attempted

a reverse sweep, and India

Earlier, an innings that lasted across three days and 387 deliveries finally came to ed for a well-made 171. But India's superiority

ed the lead, thanks to Kohli's patient Jaiswal played some confident shots as he became the youngest Indian debutant to reach 150, and even struck a Jomel Warrican delivery down the ground for the first six of his career. But his fine knock came to an end when he edged to the 'keeper as he attempted to punch a Joseph delivery through

Barbados Royals add reinforcement to squad for CPL 2023

Laurie Evans has joined the Barbados Royals for the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League. Evans replaces Rassie van der Dussen, who is no longer available due to international commitments.

An English top order batter, Evans has extensive experience playing in T20 leagues around the world, and has also played at the CPL with the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Evans has scored close to 6000 runs in T20 cricket, which include three hundreds and 38 fifties.

The Royals have also

confirmed that Afghanistan

leg spinner Qais Ahmad will be a temporary replacement for Maheesh Theekshana, who will be at the Asia Cup for the first part of the tournament.

The 2023 season of the CPL will be played across five countries in the Caribbean from August 16 to September 24. For the third consecutive year, the CPL will overlap with the Hundred, the 100-balls-a-side competition in England that runs from August 1 to August 27 this year. The finals will be played in Guyana for a second successive year.

cover. Rahane had a short stay, as he was caught at cover off Roach. While the wickets fell around him, Kohli got to a 147-ball fifty, and continued to keep the Windies bowlers at bay. Jadeja, who came out to bat at No.6, pulled a short ball from Athanaze for a six. Kohli then struck a boundary each off Athanaze and Brathwaite, and the West Indian debutant was also hit for a four by Jadeja, who put away a short delivery.

Kohli played his trademark cover drive off Reifer to get his fifth four as India went into lunch with their lead reaching 250.

The second session started with Roach finding the outside edge of Kohli's bat in the first over. The ball was headed straight to Cornwall at first slip, but 'keeper Da Silva intercepted it, his diving attempt resulting only in the catch being put down.

This was the second reprieve for Kohli, who in the first session had been

put down at short cover by Brathwaite off Warrican. But Cornwall, who was allowed to resume bowling from the second session (having been off the field for the majority of Day 2 due to a chest infection), had Kohli caught at leg slip with a delivery that had extra bounce.

With debutant Kishan taking a while to get off the mark, Jadeja struck a couple of boundaries to stretch the lead. Kishan finally got his first Test run off the 20th ball he faced, when he took a single off Joseph.

India declared their innings immediately after that, and didn't take long to skittle West Indies out for a second time. India took early ascendancy in the Test, with Ashwin's five-for and Jadeja's three bowling the hosts out for 150 on Day 1.

A record knock from Jaiswal followed, with Rohit Sharma and Kohli also getting among the runs. Barring Athanaze, who top-scored for the hosts in both innings, West Indies lacked application and skill to counter the Indian spinners, and they suffered a heavy defeat. The next Test bowls off on July 20 in Trinidad. (cricbuzz)

SCOREBOARD

India 1st Innings

Yashasvi Jaiswal c

†Da Silva b Joseph 171

Rohit Sharma (c)c

†Da Silva b Athanaze 103

Shubman Gill c Athanaze

b Warrican 6

Virat Kohli c Athanaze b Cornwall 76

Ajinkya Rahane c Blackwood b Roach 3

Ravindra Jadeja not out 37

Ishan Kishan † not out 1

Extras (b 8, lb 11, w 5) 24

TOTAL 152.2 Ov (RR: 2.76) 421/5d

Fall of wickets: 1-229 (Rohit Sharma, 75.4 ov), 2-240 (Shubman Gill, 78.5 ov), 3-350 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 125.6 ov), 4-356 (Ajinkya Rahane, 129.1 ov), 5-405 (Virat Kohli, 145.2 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Kemar Roach 24-6-50-1

Alzarri Joseph 18.2-2-80-1

Rahkeem Cornwall 16-5-32-1

Jomel Warrican 45-4-106-1

Jason Holder 18-5-40-0

Kraigg Brathwaite 9-0-21-0

Alick Athanaze 16-2-53-1

Raymon Reifer 4-0-16-0

Jermaine Blackwood 2-0-4-0

West Indies 2nd Innings

Kraigg Brathwaite (c)

c Rahane b Ashwin 7

Tagenarine Chanderpaul lbw b Jadeja 7

Raymon Reifer lbw b Jadeja 11

Jermaine Blackwood lbw b Ashwin 5

Alick Athanaze c Jaiswal b Ashwin 28

Joshua Da Silva † lbw

b Mohammed Siraj 13

Jason Holder not out 20

Alzarri Joseph c

Shubman Gill b Ashwin 13

Rahkeem Cornwall c

Shubman Gill b Ashwin 4

Kemar Roach b Ashwin

36.2 ov), 7-100 (Alzarri Joseph, 42.3 ov), 8-108 (Rahkeem Cornwall, 46.1 ov), 9-108 (Kemar Roach, 46.4 ov), 10-130 (Jomel Warrican, 50.3 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammed Siraj 6-1-16-1

Jaydev Unadkat 2-1-1-0 Ravichandran Ashwin 21.3-7-71-7

Ravindra Jadeja 21-5-38-2

Men's CPL squads Trinbago Knight Riders: Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Rilee Rossouw, Akeal Hosein,

Noor Ahmad, Martin Guptill, Jayden Seales, Matheesha Pathirana, Mark Deyal, Chadwick Walton, Terrance Hinds, Kadeem Alleyne, Jaden Carmichael

Jaiswal slammed 171 on debut

Joseph picked up the wicket of debutant Jaiswal

Virat Kohli missed out on a century

Ashwin claimed 12 wickets in the match