Guyana Times -Thursday, September 21, 2023

Guyana still suffering effects of APNU/ AFC’s AML/CFT mismanagement – AG

Many of the financial constraints that Guyanese still face in the financial sector are as a result of the years of progress lost whenever the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) held a majority in the National Assembly.

This was according to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, during a recently-broadcasted interview. He explained that the financial systems in the Region were intercon-

nected and what happened in Guyana had an effect on other countries’ Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) efforts.

Nandlall recalled that during the previous period of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, the then Opposition APNU/AFC had refused to support the Government in passing the necessary AML/CFT amendments to avoid sanctions.

This was so even though representatives from var-

ious regional organisations pleaded with the then Opposition to help pass the bills, which were not supposed to be political but rather a fulfilment of Guyana’s international obligations.

“I had the obligation of flying around the Region to explain this thing, including to go to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force [CFATF] conferences to report on Guyana’s inability to pass these laws. And to give the reason why,” Nandlall recalled.

“You know what the people told me? They are not concerned with which political party and why that political party refuses to pass the law. Guyana is being judged and Guyana’s Parliament refused to pass the law. So, Guyana will be sanctioned. And sanctioned we were.”

Nandlall emphasised that Guyana must never forget what the APNU/ AFC have done, in or out of Government, to delay progress on the AML/CFT structure. He noted that APNU/AFC voted down

at least three AML/CFT amendments brought to the National Assembly.

“Up to now, we are still working to dismantle some of the obstacles and hardships that were imposed as part of the regime of sanctions. And we’ve not been able to complete that process. That is why ordinary Guyanese listening to me are still going through a very difficult time if they wish to conduct straightforward transactions at commercial banks across the country.

“Including the opening of an account. Including the transferal of money from one account to another account. They go through a lot of rigorous processes. And a host of unnecessary information are requested of them. All of this, the Opposition must take responsibility for,” the AG said.

The CFATF only recently completed its onsite visit and assessment of Guyana’s AML/CFT framework and has since applauded the steps Guyana has taken to fix the framework.

According to a statement from the Legal Affairs Ministry, the CFATF team completed its onsite visit and assessment of Guyana’s compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations and Methodology on Friday last.

During this visit, they interviewed and examined a number of Government Ministries, law enforcement agencies, State agencies, financial institutions, as well as Private Sector and professional organisations.

The Ministry explained that following the assessment, the CFATF team found that Guyana, as a jurisdiction, had made satisfactory progress and was praised during the exercise. According to the Ministry, the CFATF team lead Avelon Perry and her team presented a summary of their initial findings to the Attorney General and the AML/CFT National Coordination Committee.

Meanwhile, final discussions with regard to the 4th Round Mutual Evaluation of Guyana is expected to be concluded in May/ June 2024 at the CFATF Plenary, which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago.

Additionally, a preliminary Mutual Evaluation report will be sent for Guyana’s review and input within the next six weeks after the completion of the onsite visit. It was explained that upon that review, and the conclusion of those engagements, a final evaluation report will be completed and submitted to the plenary.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, September 21 – no retraction and Friday, September 22 –09:30h-11:00h and 22:00h-23:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, September 21 –07:35h-09:05h and Friday, September 22 – 08:30h-10:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers and sunshine are expected during the day, with light to thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to Southerly between 0.89 metre and 3.58 metres.

High Tide: 08:10h and 20:23h reaching maximum heights of 2.37 metres and 2.41 metres.

Low Tide: 13:56h reaching a minimum height of 0.91 metre.

Oil blocks auction

Guyana tells UN General Assembly of

Venezuela’s attempts to infringe on Guyana’s sovereign right to auction its oil blocks were on Wednesday brought by President Dr Irfaan Ali to the attention of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where world leaders are gathered in New York for the 78th session.

During his presentation at the UNGA, President Ali noted that Venezuela’s spurious threats date back over fifty years. He noted that Venezuela’s threats continue despite the intertwining years, and that the Spanishspeaking country’s latest antics have been threatening Guyana over its work in the oil blocks.

“When I addressed the Organization of American States last Friday, I recalled to that hemispheric body how Guyana was excluded from the OAS for 25 years from its birth as a nation on account of a spurious territorial claim to two-thirds of our homeland by Venezuela. But justice prevailed, and Guyana was ultimately admitted.

“It is sad, however, that fifty-seven years after Guyana’s Independence, we remain threatened. Just last night, Guyana received a very threatening message from Venezuela. It came in the form of a communique attacking Guyana for putting certain oil blocks in our sovereign waters up for bid,” President Ali further said.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

According to the President, Guyana considers this a threat to regional and international peace and security, as well as to Guyana’s

investment partners.

President Ali also demanded before the world leaders that Venezuela honour its obligation under the Charter to pursue only peaceful means to settle any disputes it may have with Guyana.

Ali noted the importance of allowing the Court to decide, which would ensure that the resolution reached is peaceful, equitable, and in accordance with international law. For his part, the President assured that Guyana would spare no effort in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Venezuela’s efforts to undermine our freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity are today before the International Court of Justice, as decided by the UN Secretary General under the

Geneva Agreement of 1966.

The International Court of Justice’s (ICJ’s) jurisdiction in the matter has been twice affirmed by the Court,” President Ali explained. “We are confident that Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will also be affirmed when the Court issues its final judgement. I express appreciation to every member of the international community that has continued to support Guyana’s efforts to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Historic auction

Last week, Guyana concluded the bid round of its historic oil blocks’ auction, receiving 14 offers for bid blocks offshore. A total of 14 blocks were up for auction. On Tuesday, however, Venezuela issued a commu-

nique in which it protested against this oil blocks’ auction, even though all the blocks are in Guyana’s sovereign territory.

In its communique, Venezuela said: “Guyana does not have sovereign rights over these maritime areas, and consequently any action within their limits. It is a violation of International Law, as long as they are not carried out through an agreement with Venezuela.”

Venezuela further said that “any illicit and arbitrary concession that Guyana grants, has granted, or intends to grant in the areas in question is unacceptable and violates its sovereign rights, and warns that these actions do not generate any type of rights to third parties who participate in said process.”

…Pres Ali assures Guyana will spare no effort to defend territorial integrity …as Venezuela now accuses US of "aggression"

Venezuela’s intimidation

President Dr Irfaan Ali with US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian A Nichols and US Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Editor: Tusika Martin

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STEM Guyana

An all-girl team is representing Guyana at this year’s First Global Robotics Challenge (FGC) in Singapore. This is significant as this highlights the important role that girls are playing in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Guyana.

In today’s globalised world, the fact that our girls are excelling in this area is momentous; as much of the future job growth will be in STEM.

As we have said in a previous editorial, the success of the STEM Guyana team over the years is an example of what our young people could achieve once they are provided with the necessary opportunities. Years of success of the team have now led to the expansion of the programme across Guyana as was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali some time ago.

The way the Guyana team has performed over the years has shown what can be done once persons are able to band together and more importantly, represent their country well at such a high-level competition.

The success of Guyana’s team over the past four years is a perfect example of Guyanese ingenuity and creativity. It shows that in spite of the many challenges at home and the sometimes-negative perceptions persons usually have of Guyanese, our young people can still rise to the challenge and be counted among some of the leaders in the various fields. For Guyana, over the years, to compete against over 180 countries, which have much experience in the field, is a tremendous achievement and has served as a motivation to others who have an interest in the so-called STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Certainly, the investments made over the years in improving performances in STEM subjects are beginning to show results.

The importance of focusing on STEM education could never be overemphasised due to their importance to national development. Our leaders, from both past and current administrations, have recognised the need to create more opportunities for our young people to further their studies in STEM subjects.

Every student who has a desire to further their studies in STEM subjects should be afforded the opportunity to do so. We feel that once the necessary facilities are provided, such as labs etc, more young people will be drawn to these areas of study.

Additionally, more students should be encouraged to focus on STEM subjects to advance their chances in the job market. This is necessary as it will help them to become innovative. It will also help them to be equipped with the necessary skills to contribute to national development. Some persons see STEM as “hard subjects”. When one looks at the number of students graduating from the university, it is evident that more students are gravitating to the social sciences. However, if this trend continues, we would continue to see graduates coming out of the university for whom the job market would be severely limited.

While there is need for qualified persons in the arts and humanities and other fields, there is also a need for experts in science and technology; hence, more attention should be provided to encourage children who are gifted in science and technology to explore their passions. In essence, considering the national needs of the country, STEM is seen as sustainable. If students undertake STEM subjects, they can be assured of job opportunities, not only here in Guyana, but in many other countries.

The excellent performance of the STEM Guyana team over the years should be celebrated and like the previous years we support the team as they complete in Singapore this October.

The West’s climate crisis is bad news for the Global South too

By Rizwan BasiR

The global investment and lending systems are on the verge of a climate-centric metamorphosis as the consequences of global warming on economies around the world become impossible to overlook.

That change should be good news, but it is the economically-challenged Global South that could bear the heaviest burden of this shift.

Before 2021, climate change was primarily regarded as a concern that disproportionately affected the Global South. International financial institutions and advanced economies directed significant amounts of their finance earmarked for climate-related mitigation and investments towards vulnerable areas to enhance their ability to adapt.

However, the past two years have brought about a radical shift. The year 2023, specifically, has witnessed an unprecedented surge in dramatic climate change effects across North America, Europe, the Middle East and East Asia. Prolonged heatwaves, floods, raging wildfires and devastating hurricanes have struck these wealthier regions, leaving them bewildered.

Against this backdrop, it should surprise no one if richer nations redirect financing that was previously allocated for the Global South’s adaptation efforts, channelling it instead towards domestic recovery efforts.

The shift is already noticeable in mechanisms like multilateral climate funds, as highlighted recently by the struggles of the Green

Climate Fund (GCF) in securing pledges from rich countries for its upcoming funding cycle. Remember, there are only limited dedicated sources of climate financing to begin with.

And while accessing funding from such platforms is exceedingly challenging, they play a crucial role and may be the only lifeline for many vulnerable regions. If these funds run dry, the Global South will have no doors left to knock on. The Loss and Damage (L&D) Fund, established just last year, might also fall prey to this changing landscape. To some degree, it already has.

The fund doesn’t yet have enough commitments, let alone necessary capital, to address climate change. Additionally, it regularly encounters dismissive comments from rich countries concerning contributions. The United States, in particular, remains opposed to the idea of holding historical emitters responsible for the current climate landscape, or compensating countries affected by disasters.

COP28 is expected to include the operationalisation of the L&D fund on its agenda. It will be intriguing to witness how delegates will navigate the challenge of operationalising a fund that’s nearly empty.

Another implication of the climate-driven transformation of financial systems, which could have the most significant impact on the Global South, relates to concessional elements within global debt.

For institutional lenders like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, climate exposures are becoming increas-

ingly evident through an elevated probability of loans that borrowers are not able to repay due to hardships.

Such challenges stem from borrowers facing recurring climate-induced disasters or depreciation of their existing assets caused by the escalation of global inflation, which itself may be driven by climate change.

Lenders face a quandary. On the one hand, their core mandate is to provide financial assistance to countries in need. However, they must also exercise caution when extending loans to countries that may be unable to repay them.

Consequently, as a delicate balancing act, institutions are now moving away from the concessional nature of debt instruments, relinquishing their prior leniency.

Pakistan serves as a notable example.

Last year’s floods plunged the country into poly-crises, pushing it dangerously close to a sovereign debt default. Ultimately, the economic collapse was averted through the approval of a US$3 billion loan program by the IMF.

One would expect that the IMF would provide this amount on favourable terms to help alleviate Pakistan’s economic woes. However, the reality is quite the opposite.

Reforms tied to the bailout package have resulted in a surge in annual inflation in Pakistan, reaching a historic high of 38 per cent in May. Interest rates have also climbed, and the Pakistani rupee has reached unprecedented lows, with a 6.2 per cent decline against the US

dollar last month. Climate-vulnerable African nations present other cases in point. According to the IMF’s own assessment, 13 African countries are currently teetering on the edge of climate and debt distress. Drought-stricken Zambia and, more recently, flood-prone Ghana have already defaulted on their debt payments.

The prospect of debt pardoning, a plea the debt-burdened Global South fervently advocates for, is not one that lenders like. The climate has changed, not the tenets of capitalism.

“We want to pay,’’ said Kenyan President William Ruto during the New Global Financial Pact Summit in June. ‘’But we need a new financial model,’’ he argued. “The current financial architecture is unfair, punitive and inequitable.’’

To be sure, the Global South will need to depend on its internal resources for the most part to drive climate investments. These countries must look to break free from the relentless cycle of debt and climate crises.

Yet, to accomplish this, they need a financial system founded not on the principle of survival of the fittest, but rather on equitable opportunities for all.

Mere sympathy from the rich will no longer suffice. What the Global South needs, and rightfully deserves, is systemised empathy. (Jamaica Observer) (Rizwan Basir is a sociologist and climate finance specialist, Climate Resourcing Coordination Center, Pakistan)

Grade Four teachers from Regions Four, Five and Six during a robotics training as the Education Ministry expands the STEM programme in schools (Education Ministry photo)

City Constable flees after allegedly shooting co-worker, visitor

Police are on the hunt for a City Constable who allegedly used his service weapon to shoot his coworker and a visitor on Tuesday evening at the Bourda City Constabulary Outpost.

Jammanie Saul, a 48-year-old female Lance Corporal attached to the City Constabulary, received one gunshot wound to her left hand, and Miguel Wilson, a 50-year-old overseas-based Guyanese of Section 'C' Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, received one gunshot wound to his left thigh.

The shooting was committed by a 50-year-old City Constable at about 19:15h.

Information from the Guyana Police Force disclosed that Saul and the suspect are co-workers, and

were both on duty at the Bourda City Constabulary Outpost. Overseas-based Wilson visited Saul at her workplace, and the two then sat next to each other chatting, much to the annoyance of the suspect.

The suspect, who was

armed with the service weapon - a .38 revolver with six live rounds - reportedly became furious at seeing the duo together, and so pointed his firearm in the direction of both victims and fired three shots.

Saul and Wilson fell to the ground, while the suspect fled the scene with the service weapon. The two injured persons were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public-spirited citizens, and were admitted as patients at the medical facility.

Police have said that CCTV footage from the area would be reviewed by investigators. According to the Police, checks were made for the suspect at his West Ruimveldt address, but he is yet to be located. Investigations are ongoing. (G12)

Intel operation leads Police to AK-47 assault rifle, magazine

rifle with the serial number filed out, and one magazine wrapped in a white tarpaulin. Scipio and Vanderstoop were both questioned as to whether they had a licence to carry the firearm, and they remained silent.

They were both told of the offence, cautioned, arrested, and escorted to the Diamond Police Station,

where the firearm and magazine were dusted for fingerprints.

The firearm and magazine were marked, placed in a firearms box, and lodged at the station to be examined.

The two suspects have been placed in custody pending further investigation and charges. (G12)

The AK-47 assault rifle found during the operation

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force on Tuesday conducted an intelligence-led operation at Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, that resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 assault rifle with a magazine.

Conducted between 19:30h and 20:30h on Tuesday by detectives of the Criminal Investigation Department, Special Branch and Regional Division 4B, the operation has resulted in two men being arrested.

The Police team first went to the home of Elroy Scipio, a 47-year-old construction worker who lives at Grove Housing Scheme, who, when he was contacted and informed of the presence of the ranks, invited them inside, where they made contact with Michael Vanderstoop, a 36-yearold construction worker also from Grove Housing Scheme.

Police then searched the house and found the AK-47

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

Lance Corporal Jammanie Saul

Test Questions

BY SYLVIA PLATH

First, are you our sort of a person? Do you wear A glass eye, false teeth or a crutch, A brace or a hook, Rubber breasts or a rubber crotch, Stitches to show something’s missing? No, no? Then How can we give you a thing?

Stop crying.

Open your hand. Empty? Empty. Here is a hand To fill it and willing To bring teacups and roll away headaches And do whatever you tell it. Will you marry it?

It is guaranteed

To thumb shut your eyes at the end And dissolve of sorrow. We make new stock from the salt. I notice you are stark naked. How about this suit—— Black and stiff, but not a bad fit. Will you marry it?

In this fun and easy force and motion science experiment for kids, we’re going to see if a lighter weight can lift a heavier weight.

Materials:

24 inches of string

Button

Small stone that is slightly heavier than your button

Spool with or without thread

Instructions:

Thread the string through the spool.

Tie the stone securely to one

end and the button to the other end. Hold the spool above your head with one hand. Make sure the spool is straight up and down with the stone on the bottom end of the spool. With your other hand, hold the string just above the stone and start swinging the button around. Spin the button quickly and then let go of the string while continuing to hold onto the spool. Keep swinging the button and the centrifugal force should lift the heavier stone.

How it works:

The spinning button on top of

the spool tries to travel away from the end of the spool, but the heavier stone on the other end of the string is holding it back so that it moves in a circle. The more you twist the spool, the faster the button spins around. When the pull of the spinning button is stronger than the downward pull of gravity on the hanging stone, the lighter button on top lifts the heavier hanging stone.

Make this a science project: Try a straw instead of a spool. Try spinning different objects. Try heavier items .(sciencefun.org)

It is waterproof, shatterproof, proof Against fire and bombs through the roof. Believe me, they’ll bury you in it. Now your head, excuse me, is empty. I have the ticket for that. Come here, sweetie, out of the closet. Well, what do you think of that? Naked as paper to start But in twenty-five years she’ll be silver, In fifty, gold. A living doll, everywhere you look. It can sew, it can cook, It can talk, talk, talk. It works, there is nothing wrong with it. You have a hole, it’s a poultice. You have an eye, it’s an image. My boy, it’s your last resort. Will you marry it, marry it, marry it.

WORD SEARCH

We're not asking for palaces built by our blood but justice – Pres Ali to snotty British talk show host

…Good Morning Britain host criticised for ‘vile’ treatment of Guyana’s President

British television presenter Richard Madeley has been on the receiving end of criticism for his vile and condescending reaction during an interview with President Dr Irfaan Ali on the issue of reparations for slavery.

President Ali appeared on Wednesday’s edition of the ‘Good Morning Britain’ show, hosted by Madeley and another host, Susanna Reid. Coming down to the tail end of the near 10-minute-long interview, Madeley got visibly hypered and slammed his hands down on a desk, asking the Guyanese Leader in a very condescending tone whether Guyana wants a palace as a gesture from the British Royal Family.

In response, President Ali said, “Well, no, we don’t want the British to hand over a palace that we built… If you go to many of the palaces in Britain, you’ll see the lovely greenheart wood from Guyana. You will see the sweat, tears and blood of the slaves who were exploited, and the revenue that was earned from the exploitation. So, we’re not asking for a palace; we’re asking for justice and a fair form of justice to the ancestors, and [for] the greatest injustice that has ever been done…

“We’re not asking for a palace. You can enjoy the palace, and when we visit you, we’ll also enjoy [it].”

At the beginning of the interview, Madeley questioned why current generations should carry the burden of their European slave trader ancestors to pay reparations and apologise for slavery.

Insisting that it is no

burden, the Head of State reminded that those very persons are beneficiaries of the wealth gained from the slave trade, which he described as the greatest injustice to humankind.

“You are one of the beneficiaries of that slave trade, so this is not a burden. You should be concerned and you should pay, because you today still benefiting from the greatest indignity to the human being, and that is the slave trade. And not only did you benefit during the slave trade, and your country develop, but look at what it cost the developing world. During slavery, resources were used to build your country, build up your capacity. You were able to then become competitive, you were able to invest in mechanization, and developing countries like ours were left behind. So, you should be very concerned, because you are prime beneficiaries of exploits of slavery,” the President contended. He further told the British talk show hosts that

the payout of reparations can be easily calculated based on the extraction of wealth from former British colonies and the time value of money. He also mentioned the fact that there is multiple literature on how these calculations should be done.

However, the Guyanese Leader pointed out that it is not only about the value of the payout, but the losses that have impacted every sphere of the lives of those enslaved, as well as their descendants, who are still feeling the effects of the slave trade.

“[It’s] the loss of time; it is the loss of competitiveness; it is the loss of human dignity; it is the loss to our education system; it is the culture that we lost; it is all of this indignity that surrounded slavery that we must consider,” he posited.

President Ali went on to say, “This year, in Guyana, we commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Demerara Rebellion, and it took 200 years to get an apology from

one of the families. (I don’t believe that you’d want us to wait another) 200 years for reparative justice and for us to take this conversation forward. Caricom would’ve set out a 10-point plan on what should constitute reparative justice and what should constitute reparation. The calculation goes into billions for the region.”

The apology that the Guyanese Leader was referring to came from Charles Gladstone, a descendent of John Gladstone, whose family benefitted from African enslavement and indentureship on the Demerara and other plantations owned by the Gladstone patriarch. On August 25, Charles officially apologised for slavery and indentureship in Guyana.

The Gladstone heir further revealed that his family has been helping to fund some work for the Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery at the University College of London for the past two years, and are committed to this for five

years. He said they are also funding other British cultural projects that seek to highlight the horrors faced by slavery.

“Vile” and “condescending”

Meanwhile, during Wednesday’s breakfast talk show, President Ali shut down Madeley’s attempt to trivialise slavery by comparing it to the fact that many nations owe their existence and prosperity to crimes in the past.

But according to the Guyanese Head of State, “I think you’re doing a great injustice to compare slavery with any of the other historical facts that you’re mentioning… It brings great injustice to the indignity that slavery brought to the people… We’re not going to tolerate the injustice that occurred during slavery to be compared with any other system. Slavery, we all agree, was the greatest injustice that was ever done to human beings. So, we should not even try to compare this to any other system. There is no other system that has created greater injustice and indignity to humankind than slavery.”

Several persons took to twitter to condemn Madeley’s

actions during the interview, not only for his questions, but the “vile” and “condescending” manner in which he asked them, as well as the act of slamming his hand on the table and laughing over Ali’s response to his ‘palace gesture’ remark.

According to British The Independent online newspaper, award-winning musician and film score composer Nitin Sawhney wrote on X/Twitter: “Madeley really is an arrogant, ignorant, patronising piece of work, isn’t he? He addressed a president with mocking laughter and aggressive table thumping in response to a request for Britain’s historical exploitation of slave labour to be acknowledged.”

@L_A_D_J added:

“Richard Madeley, a breakfast news show host, talking down to and mocking the PRESIDENT of another country with a pompous fake laugh. The f***ing disrespect and entitlement is insane.”

Meanwhile, @ TerrelleGraham wrote: “Who does Richard Madeley think he is? Slamming his hand down on the desk and talking to the president of Guyana in such a rude and disrespectful manner. The subject matter of this discussion makes his behaviour even worse.” (G8)

President Dr Irfaan Ali’s appearance on the Good Morning Britain talk show with hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid

2 fined $220,000 for drunk driving

Two men have been fined for drunk driving when they appeared in separate courts earlier this week.

Navindra Manbodh, a 26-year-old resident of Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was arrested over the weekend and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, contrary to Section 39 A (1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act.

Before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrates’ Courts on Monday, Manbodh pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $150,000.

And 31-year-old Rajendra Mohan of 191 Fifth Street Foulis, Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) pleaded guilty to a DUI charge when he appeared before Magistrate Christel Lambert at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court and was fined $70,000 with an alternative of three weeks in prison.

Tough new drunk driving laws are in effect as the Government aims to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road and reduce the deaths and injuries they cause. Driving while above the prescribed alcohol limit attracts a charge for the offence of DUI, which carries a fine and jail time. Persons can be charged for this traffic violation if, when tested, their blood alcohol con-

tent is found to exceed the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, and their blood alcohol concentration exceeds 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Meanwhile, the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2022 has introduced harsher penalties for those caught driving under the influence of alco-

hol. The penalty for driving while over the alcohol limit has been changed from a fine of $7500 to a fine of $200,000, and the sentence has been increased from 12 months to 24 months.

Additionally, the penalty for driving under the influence and losing control of your vehicle has been increased from $30,000 to $60,000 fine and 12 months’ imprisonment to now $200,000 fine for first-time offenders and $300,000 for second-time offenders. A 12-month suspension of licence has also been provided for persons convicted of DUI offences.

Meanwhile, a new subsection of the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act 2022 provides that a bar owner shall not permit any drunkenness on his premises, nor sell, give, or barter; or allow another person to sell, give, or barter intoxicating liquor to a drunken person within the premises. There has been an increase in the fines for breaches of these obligations

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has launched countrywide campaigns aimed at encouraging motorists to practise safe road use. At such campaigns, drivers are lectured on the road safety theme “Arrive Alive, Stop Speeding, Don’t Drink & Drive”; obeying traffic officials, signs and functions of the traffic light; adherence to the speed limits, and maintenance of motor vehicles.

They are also advised against using handheld devices while driving, and driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Drivers are also advised to ensure that their driver’s licence and other documents are up to date before using a motor vehicle.

Police statistics show that driving under the influence of alcohol and excessive speeding are the leading causes of accidents in Guyana. (G1)

Rattling sabres…

…in the West

The Venezies are up to their old bellicose tricks…rattling sabres on our western borders and threatening to rain all sorts of fire and brimstone on us. This time – even as the World Court’s about to pronounce on the border controversy concocted by Venezuela – Maduro has objected to our government’s latest round of invitation for bids to explore for oil off our shores!! When will these Venezies get with the programme?? Haven’t they learnt the lesson: that being a puppet to colonial interests back in the 60s, to raise their border controversy, hasn’t earned them any benefits in the long run?? They gotta look at the bigger picture!!

Back then, the US was concerned that Cheddi would’ve taken BG into the communist orbit – like Castro with Cuba – during the raging Cold War. And they used the Venezies to claim two-thirds of our territory as one prong to hold in reserve in case the Brits gave Cheddi independence. The Brits, however, felt Cheddi’s bark was worse than his bite!! Anyhow, since 1962, when they brought the matter before the US, the Venezies have been screaming bloody murder that they wuz robbed at the 1899 Arbitral Award that settled our borders. Even though their reps had signed along the dotted line!!

Back in 1966 - when we got independence - the Venezies actually invaded us and seized our half of Ankoko Island, which they still hold. We had a tripartite (with the Brits as a signatory) Geneva Agreement on how to proceed, but they skirted the terms. In the seventies, they blocked the PNC Government from getting a World Bank loan when he used a windfall from sugar to start a hydroelectric power generating plant on the Mazaruni River!! By the terms of the Geneva Agreement, we took the matter to the UN Secretary General’s Office to propose a settlement procedure – and they suggested the World Court.

Even though the Venezies had signed once again on the dotted line, they refused to accept the World Court’s jurisdiction – after having been dragged kicking and screaming to respond. The irony, of course, is that the US had reversed their stance on them – proving that there are no besties in politics!! The rule – as your Eyewitness has been emphasising forever – is there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies in politics – just permanent interests!!

And if Maduro and the Venezies have a modicum of good sense, they should quit beating up on a next-door smaller state!! Back in the day, Burnham had complained to the multilateral agencies to stymie their aspirations to be a Third World leader!!

Your Eyewitness is very happy that Exxon’s one of the latest bidders. Let’s see if Maduro will poke them in the eye!!

…in the north

Well, this month end – actually, the 27th and 28th – we’ll see sparks flying in Washington when a PNC front group hosts a “Conference on Guyana”. Now, you know what’s gonna be going down!! We had a preview when President Ali met the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) on his trip to Washington - in which Congressman and Democratic House Congressional Leader Hakeem Jeffries participated. Jeffries insisted he told Pres Ali that he gotta get with the PNC’s programme for African Guyanese!! He arranged for the Opposition to also come up to Washington next week.

What was notable, however, was the CBC didn’t mention Jeffries’ desiderata!! The point being that the US would prefer not to deliver a smoking gun to its critics - on interfering in the domestic affairs of independent states!! Pres Ali, of course, had outlined in great detail its development programme, including specific outreaches to African Guyanese!!

Anyhow, Jeffries gonna be delivering the feature address at the Washington meet. Let’s see if he’ll buck Biden’s agenda again!!

…across oceans

Canada’s Trudeau’s bucking for a fight with India. But India’s showing no sign of backing away from defending its state integrity from secessionists!! The Brits split them in 1947, and the cry is now, “Never again”!!

Navindra Manbodh Rajendra Mohan

Guyana’s oil blocks auction

US, OAS condemn Venezuela’s intimidation tactics

…Venezuela’s attempts to infringe on Guyana “unacceptable”

Venezuela’s attempts to intimidate Guyana following last week’s oil blocks’ auction continue to attract criticism, with the United States (US), Organization of American States (OAS), the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government and Opposition denouncing the Spanish-speaking country.

This follows the communique Venezuela had issued on Tuesday, in which it protested against Guyana’s efforts to auction its oil blocks, even though all the blocks are in Guyana’s sovereign territory.

On Wednesday, Organization of American States (OAS) General Secretary Luis Almagro denounced Venezuela’s utterances from his twitter account. Almagro made it clear that intimidatory tactics seeking to undermine the principles of good neighbourliness have no place in diplomacy.

Further, Almagro affirmed Guyana’s right to welcome investors, and noted that Guyana must preserve its territorial integrity and security. This, according to Almagro, must be done at the International Court of Justice, where Guyana currently has a case against Venezuela.

“We vehemently decry intimidatory tactics that seek to undermine the principle of "good neighborliness." We recognize the right of Guyana to welcome investors. Guyana must preserve its territorial integrity & security by addressing its

case with Venezuela at the ICJ,” Almagro said.

A statement was also released by United States (US) Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian A. Nichols. In that statement, Nichols made it clear that the US views any efforts by Venezuela to infringe on Guyana’s sovereignty as unacceptable.

“The U.S. supports Guyana’s sovereign right to develop its own natural resources. Efforts to infringe upon Guyana’s sovereignty are unacceptable. We call on Venezuela to respect international law, including the 1899 arbitral award & the ongoing ICJ process between Guyana & Venezuela,” he said.

Govt & Opposition

The state’s position was also reinforced by a statement released by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

Government. According to that statement, Guyana considers Venezuela’s latest utterances a threat not only to Guyana, but to regional and international peace and security.

“Guyana has no doubt that under international law the waters in question form part of its Exclusive Economic Zone, where Guyana alone enjoys sovereign rights over the resources in the sea and beneath the seabed.

“If Venezuela disputes this, then it is obliged by the United Nations Charter and the Charter of the OAS to employ only peaceful means to seek a resolution. Both Charters prohibit the threat or use of force against another State,” the Government statement said.

Additionally, Venezuela’s communique is considered a threat to all of Guyana’s current and potential investment partners. It was pointed out that under international law, Guyana

- US

Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) parliamentary Opposition, who threw their support behind the Government’s denunciation of Venezuela. The Opposition affirmed Guyana’s right to pursue economic activities in its sovereign territory without Venezuelan attempts to undermine that sovereignty.

“The APNU+AFC

ly dispose of maritime territory that has not yet been delimited. Venezuela will assert its legitimate rights forever. The sun of Venezuela is born in Essequibo,” Gil said.

is entitled to the resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone. Venezuela has therefore been urged to approach the right, peaceful channels if it has any grievances with Guyana’s management of its own resources.

“Guyana therefore implores Venezuela to honor its obligation to pursue only peaceful means to settle any dispute it may have with Guyana, including adjudication before the International Court of Justice, where Guyana has sought confirmation of the land boundary between the two States.

“Allowing the Court to decide any other dispute between the parties would ensure a resolution that is peaceful, equitable, and in accordance with international law,” the statement from the Government further said. A statement was also forthcoming from Opposition Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir on behalf of the A

Parliamentary Opposition supports the position taken by the Government of Guyana in response to the latest attempt by Venezuela to undermine our sovereignty and territorial integrity. We affirm that it is the right of the Government of Guyana to pursue economic activities in any portion of its sovereign territory, or any appurtenant maritime territories, for the benefit of the people of Guyana,” the statement from the Opposition further said.

Venezuela response

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil issued a statement on Twitter responding to Almagro. In it, Gil doubles down on Venezuela’s claims against Guyana’s oil blocks’ auction. According to Gil, Venezuela will continue to contest Guyana’s auctioning off of its oil blocks. He further accused Almagro of joining a “clique” to attack Venezuela.

“Guyana violates the Geneva Agreement and its own sovereignty to make offerings to transnational interests. We will not allow Guyana to unilateral-

Guyana currently has a case against Venezuela before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Both Guyana and Venezuela had presented submissions on this matter before the World Court in November 2022.

Guyana’s legal team is headed by Co-Agent and Counsel Sir Shridath Ramphal, and includes a member of the Bars of the United States Supreme Court and the District of Columbia, Paul S Reichler; and Professor Emeritus of the University Paris Nanterre, former Chairman of the International Law Commission and member of the Institute de Droit International, Alain Pellet.

Among other things, Guyana is asking the ICJ to adjudge and declare that the 1899 Award is valid and binding upon Guyana and Venezuela; that Venezuela is internationally responsible for violations of Guyana’s sovereignty and sovereign rights; and for all injuries suffered by Guyana as a consequence.

Venezuela is laying claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass in Essequibo. The Spanish-speaking country is also claiming a portion of Guyana’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in which more than eleven billion barrels of proven reserves are estimated to exist.

OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil

US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A Nichols

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana bemoans failure to meet US$100B per year pledge to fight climate change

President Dr Irfaan Ali has again called out developed countries over their failure to fulfil the US$100 billion per year pledge to assist developing nations’ fight against climate change.

The Head of State was at the time addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. This year’s UNGA is being held under the theme: “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.”

According to President Ali, this theme recognises the need for a collective reset of global relationships, which he noted can aid in confronting the most pressing challenges of this era, including climate change, the energy and food crises as well as achieving sustainable development.

The Guyanese Leader is convinced that multilateralism remained the most effective approach to address these challenges, foremost of which is climate change.

“We are all experiencing its devastating effects. The difference, however, is our capacity to respond. It is well established that those bearing

the brunt of the climate phenomena have made no contribution to the current crisis.

Small Island Developing and low-lying coastal States like Guyana are among the hardest hit and require adequate financing to address the attendant effects. The commitments by developed countries, including the pledge of US$100 billion per year, remain unfulfilled. How much longer must developing countries wait for these commitments to be fully delivered,” the President questioned.

Ali informed the General Assembly that despite being at net zero emissions, Guyana continues to pursue growth premised in a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030).

“Our goal is to ensure that our resources are utilised sustainably to foster inclusive and equitable development for our people. As a country with the second highest forest cover per capita in the world, we know the importance of forests in mitigating the effects of climate change at the global level,” the Head of State stressed.

In fact, he pointed out that advocacy in this regard has resulted in Guyana being issued 33.4 million tons of ARTcertified carbon credits – the first jurisdictional scale pro-

gramme in the world. Guyana has since entered into a US$750 million deal with United States energy major Hess Corporation, for the sale of the high-quality carbon credits during the period 2016 to 2030.

The Guyana Government has committed to inject 15 per cent of all proceeds from this carbon credits deal directly to Indigenous villages to finance their development. Monies have already been disbursed to benefiting communities.

According to the Head of State, Guyana is committed to a clean energy transition and is aiming for over 80 per cent reliance on renewable energy by 2030.

“Technology, capacity and financing are key for developing countries to build the relevant energy mix and the share of renewable energy needed. Guyana is using revenue from oil and gas resources to finance its transition to renewable energy, notwithstanding our already globally-recognised net=zero status,” he stated.

The Guyanese Leader went on to talk about a just, affordable and equitable transition.

He noted that more than 90 countries have committed to net zero emissions. To achieve this, the IEA estimates that by 2050 more than 85 per cent of buildings

must be zero carbon ready, more than 90 per cent heavy industrial production must be low emissions and almost 70 per cent of electricity will have to come from solar photovoltaic. Based on these targets, renewable share in the generation of electricity will have to increase from 29 per cent in 2020 to 88 per cent by 2050. Meanwhile to remove carbon from the atmosphere, the world will need to simultaneously halt deforestation and increase tree cover gain two times faster by 2030.

This means that by 2050, some 7.6 gigatons of Co2 will have to be captured and stored compared to 0.4 gigatons in 2020. According to McKinsey and Company, it would cost US$375 trillion in cumulative spending on physical assets to transition to net zero by 2050.

“The question is: under these circumstances how realistic is the transition path to net zero? It is clear that the global ambition of net zero by 2050 is not currently realistic, given the cost of transition and the financing commitments thus far. I say all of this not to reduce ambition but for us to honestly and frankly direct our energies to a more balanced approach towards net zero in a realistic environment. My country, Guyana, is

blessed with the best of both worlds, that is, the ability to lead on climate change and the use of our expansive oil and gas reserves to contribute to the advancement and development of our country and region,” the President asserted.

According to Ali, COP 28 will not achieve the desired objectives of definitively putting the planet on a net zero trajectory, if these current realities continue to be ignored. He contends that net zero by 2050 as a target could only be achieved by a combination of measures that include: a cut in fossil fuel production; incentivising the introduction of renewables at scale; exploring advances in technology in using carbon capture and storage; cutting deforestation and land degradation, and introducing measures to curb the demand for energy.

“As custodians of a rainforest the size of England and Scotland combined, we are of the view that the lack of financing for standing forests suggests they are worth more dead than alive. That is why we support the expansion of financial mechanisms that appropriately value the environmental services provided by forests including through the carbon market,” the Guyanese leader stated. (G8)

President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday

Govt demands $2.1M in repair costs from speeding driver

…failure to comply within 14 days would result in legal proceedings

to yourself and passengers, namely Fulisa Burnette and Phillip Jeffery, both of whom were rendered unconscious resulting from the impact of the collision,” Attorney General Anil Nandlall informed the driver in the letter.

Troy Humphrey, the driver responsible for damaging the new roundabout at the intersection of the Eccles to Mandela Four-Lane Road and Dumpsite Road on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) during an accident last week, would have to repay $2.1 million for repairs.

Due to alleged reckless driving on the part of the driver, the accident occurred less than two weeks after the roundabout was commissioned by President Dr Irfaan Ali.

Through the Attorney General’s Chambers, a letter has been dispatched to

the driver on Wednesday, informing him that he has 14 days to repay the $2.1 million that was spent to fix the damages.

At 21:40h on September 15, motor vehicle PAB 805, owned and driven by Humphrey of Norton Street, Georgetown, collided with the roundabout.

Reports from the Guyana Police Force’s investigation, including video footage of the accident, disclosed that the driver had been operating the vehicle recklessly, dangerously, negligently and at a fast rate of speed whilst proceeding south on the eastern carriageway of

the Eccles to Mandela four Lane Road.

As per the Police investigation, upon approaching the intersection, where a roundabout and road markings are visibly placed to regulate the movement of traffic, Humphrey failed to stop or apply any brakes whatsoever; he continued further south and collided into the roundabout.

“As a result of your reckless, dangerous and negligent driving, as well as your complete disregard for other road users, you caused damage to the Water Fountain and other parts of the Roundabout, and injuries

Consequently, the Guyana Government expended money to effect emergency repair works to the damages caused, which amounted to $2.1 million. These efforts included mobilisation and demobilisation; demolition of damaged sections and removal of debris from the site; replacement of stone pavers, repairs to the fountain rails inclusive of tiling; supply and installation of stone tiles to fountain exterior and mosaic tiles to fountain interior; draining of fountain, degreasing of fountain; cleaning of fountain of oil and other contaminants; replacement of jet, pump repairs and electrical works; replacement of fountain light; replacement of filter materials due to contamination; the supply of distilled water to fill the fountain, and pressure washing and clearing of the site.

The AG has outlined that failure to honour the payment obligation in 14 days would result in legal proceedings being instituted

against the driver for recovery of the aforesaid sum as special damages, along with general damages, interests and costs.

This measure will be in addition to the institution of all relevant criminal charges disclosed, resulting from investigations conducted by the Guyana Police Force.

As part of a myriad of measures to address the wanton recklessness and negligence by road users, the resultant carnage and destruction of public property, the State, including pub-

lic corporations and statutory authorities, has pledged to aggressively recover compensation for damages and destruction to public property.

“A similar approach will be adopted in relation to the destruction and damage to public property by whatever cause. Billions of dollars are spent annually to repair and reconstruct public property damaged and destroyed by unlawful and/or highly irresponsible conduct,” the Attorney General added in a statement. (G12)

The damaged motor car along with visibly destroyed sections of the roundabout

Emergency repair works were done to restore the new structure

Chief Justice, Attorney General guide new Attorneys on right path

Reminding that they are responsible for ensuring the rule of law is upheld, and that they must serve with excellence, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC, has welcomed to the local Bar three young women who recently graduated from the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS).

The applications of Rea Harris, 23, Mohanie Sudama, 24, and Shania Persaud for admission to the Guyana Bar were presented by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, on Wednesday at the High Court in Georgetown.

Shortly after their call to the Bar, Justice George congratulated them and lent some advice. She expressed that she was extremely pleased to preside over the

Bar admission of Harris and Persaud, who are former students of her alma mater, The Bishops’ High School.

The Chief Justice told the trio that they now belong to

Businesswoman charged with fraudulent misappropriation

September 18, with fraudulent misappropriation.

She is accused of misappropriating money she received from David Sugrim between July 1 and October 30, 2022. Sugrim is a 42-year-old businessman of Golden Grove, EBD. The crime was allegedly committed at Lot 1081 Section B, Block X, Diamond, EBD.

a very noble profession, and if they uphold the pledge they took, they would have a long and prosperous career.

She urged them to maintain the principles of honesty and integrity, and to ensure that they do pro bono work. On this note, she told them that they must be able to tell their clients when they do not have a case.

Prize for Best Overall Performance – Academic and Extracurricular Activities – and the Book Specialists Prize for Second Outstanding Year II Student.

urged Harris to maintain this trajectory of success.

Impact jurisprudence

She said to her, “You have been a high-achiever throughout your student life. It is evident that you are committed to the very hard work that success entails. With your track record, you will no doubt impact the jurisprudence of Guyana and the region.”

Nandlall has said the lawyers are entering the legal field at a pivotal and exciting time, as Guyana's legal and legislative environment is undergoing profound changes. While the legal profession protects the citizenry from all kinds of excesses, Nandlall stressed, those who need it most cannot afford it. As such, he told the trio, “Not every case must require payment.”

He said that without laws society would be use-

unwavering support. In her address to the court, Harris vowed to conduct herself with honesty and integrity, and to discharge her duties to the best of her ability.

Sudama promised to assist and advocate for those who cannot afford access to legal services; while Persaud has promised to make an “indelible impression” and not to become complacent.

She believes that anything can be achieved with the right mindset and work ethic.

While Persaud and Sudama will begin their careers at the Attorney General’s Chambers, Harris heads into private practise at the law firm of Gunraj & Co.

All of them did their law school in-service training at the Attorney General’s Chambers. Like Harris, Sudama and Persaud also read for their undergraduate

Having been detained on January 6, Sabrina Prettypaul, a 37-year-old businesswoman who resides at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), has been charged on Monday,

These charges follow some eight months of investigation, and when they were read to the defendant by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts, Prettypaul entering a not-guilty plea and was placed on $100,000 bail.

The cases will continue on October 19. (G1)

With a huge smile on her face, she reminded the young ladies that they now have the privilege of being called “counsel”, but advised them that this privilege comes with numerous responsibilities. “You have to be respectful to your colleagues, to the court, and always be on time,” she advised.

Harris was named valedictorian of the HWLS graduating class of 2023.

Apart from being named the law school’s best graduating student, she also copped the Mediation Board of Trinidad and Tobago Prize for Excellence in Mediation Studies, the Book Specialists

Harris completed her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Guyana (UG), attaining a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.8 on a 4.0 GPA Scale, and was named the Law Department's best graduating student in 2021. For this stellar accomplishment, she was presented with the Pro Chancellor’s Award by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, among other special prizes.

The Chief Justice has

less, and as a result, attorneys play a special role in society. “It is the lawyer that has to conceive the laws and regulate frameworks that will make all advancements possible. The lawyer has to ensure that the God-given right of freedom and liberty is enjoyed by all of God’s creations,” the Attorney General emphasised.

The newly-admitted lawyers all showed appreciation to their parents, relatives, and friends for their

law degree at UG. Harris, Persaud, and Sudama had been enrolled in the law school’s two-year Legal Education Certificate (LEC) programme — the final academic qualification to practise as an Attorneyat-Law in the Anglophone Caribbean.

Over the next few weeks, High Court Judges will preside over Bar calls for several Guyanese who graduated from the Trinidad-based institution on Saturday last.

Sabrina Prettypaul

Newly-admitted Attorney-at-Law Rea Harris is flanked by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC, and Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

Newly-admitted Attorney-at-Law Mohanie Sudama (second from right) standing with family members on the High Court’s corridor

Newly-admitted Attorneyat-Law Shania Persaud

Disciplinary action for persons who send students home for hairstyles – Minister

…water breaks, comfortable teachers’ dress code supported amid hot conditions

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

on Tuesday sent out a stern message that any person who sends a student home because of their hairstyle will face disciplinary action.

“Children are not to be sent home for any breach or perceived breach of any school’s hairstyle rule. And any person so doing (sending children home) will face disciplinary proceedings,” she posted on social media page Facebook.

This stance came amid reports that a female student from the South Ruimveldt Secondary School was sent home because of her hairstyle. The child was reportedly told to change her hairstyle before returning to the institution.

Later on Tuesday, the Minister told media operatives on the sidelines of an event, “We’re not saying that schools can’t have hairstyle rules. We are saying schools cannot send children home for any perceived breach of hairstyle rules. When you send them home, the kids are vulnerable on the road, they are unsupervised at home, and missing instructional time. We hold firmly to that.”

In January, the Education Ministry had announced a new hair policy in which students across the school system were not to be sent home or denied entry to school, as had previously been practised, owing to strict hair guide-

lines.

The Ministry had informed headteachers, “In keeping with the guidelines provided in the Ministry of Education’s Manual of Guidelines for the Maintenance of Order and Discipline in Schools, learners must not be sent home, or suspended, denied entry to school, or access to teaching and learning, sent to the Department of Education, administered corporal punishment or any other forms of punishment, for having a hairstyle that is perceived to be a breach of the school’s rule.”

Sending children home for such, she added, is in breach of this circular. Where guidelines are breached, the school is required to invite the parents and find a resolution.

“The teacher will be called upon to show cause as to why they should not be disciplined in accordance with the rules of the Teaching Service Commission.”

When the policy was implemented, headteachers had been reminded that their main priority is to ensure that all learners are in school, and are being taught with an aim of reducing learning loss. In any instance where a learner is deemed to have an inappropriate hairstyle, the school must invite the parent or guardian to discuss the perceived infraction.

This change came about after several con-

cerns were raised after the Ministry had facilitated a relaxation of hair rules for International Women’s Day last year. Persons had highlighted that some of their rights were infringed due to stringent requirements. Education Minister Priya Manickchand had sought to address the issue with a national survey. Thousands of persons had responded, sharing their input on expectations, and offering suggestions. More such conversations continued on the said topic.

At that time, the Minister had said that it was a dynamic issue, and a relaxation of rules would not affect the curriculum or retention of knowledge in students. She had added that school rules should not hurt learners.

Hair rules at each school had varied, and while the contention was that some schools should formulate their own rules, another cross-section of persons had wanted the Ministry to regulate the requirements.

Comfortable environment

Meanwhile, the Education Minister has addressed complaints of children being disallowed from drinking water in class, highlighting the increased temperatures due to climate change. However, it must be done in a controlled way to prevent distractions, such as timed water and washroom breaks.

Guyana tells UN General Assembly...

Condemnation of Venezuela has since flowed from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition, Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Luis Almagro, and US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian A. Nichols.

In fact, Caracas was not happy with the US’ “interfering position” on the matter, and in a second statement on Wednesday, the Nicolás Maduro Government rejected “…the opportunist and interventionist position expressed by the Department of State of the United States of America in relation to the claims of the Guyanese government, under the tutelage of the ExxonMobil company, which aspires to ignore the legitimate rights of the Venezuelan people over its territory.”

It added that the US is trying to “…justify this new attempt to strip Venezuela of its legitimate historical rights and, in turn, encourage a dangerous escalation of a controversy that has been addressed for years through diplomatic and peaceful mechanisms.”

Venezuela, in the statement, said it is alerting the international community of the US intentions to create, in our Peace Zone of Latin America and the Caribbean, a military base in Guyana, to turn that country into the spearhead of an aggression operation against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which would put the peace and stability of the entire region at risk.

“The People and the Government of Venezuela, united in defense of the Homeland, will not give in or be intimidated by pressure, blackmail, or threats when it comes to defending the sacred homeland,” the missive further detailed.

“We don’t know where that rule came from. I see people are saying this is a rule. It is very, very hot. The country is very hot. The world has heated up because of climate change

and all kinds of other issues… Children have to be allowed to drink water. They must be allowed to go to the washroom. We can’t have a free-for-all in the class, so a teacher has to

control her class.”

The same applies to teachers who are asked to wear blazers in the current humid conditions. Recently, there was an instance of a headteacher sending home a teacher for wearing short sleeves.

The Minister outlined, “Within reason, I don’t see why a teacher can’t come in a sleeveless dress… Teachers teaching all day do not need to be in jackets and turtlenecks. They can come in clothes comfortable to them. Everything has to have reason. You can’t come in short pants fit for a beach to teach the children. My hope for this education system is that we behave in a way that is practical, that will bring results in.” (G12)

FROM PAGE 3

Venezuela is laying claim to more than twothirds of Guyana’s landmass in Essequibo. The Spanish-speaking country is also claiming a portion of Guyana’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in which more than eleven billion barrels of proven reserves are estimated to exist.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the General Assembly, President Ali on Wednesday met with the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, during which they discussed a number of critical issues, including recent developments concerning the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, including the upcoming case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The US delegation included the US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs and other officials also attended that meeting.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Govt aiming to drive more investments with upcoming Agri-Expo – Mustapha

ies and investors have also registered and will be participating in this year’s event.

It is anticipated that this expo will be bigger than the previous ones, given the successes of the previous Agri Investment Forums and Expos that were held in Guyana and Trinidad.

Government is preparing for another AgriInvestment Forum and Expo next month, and one of the key goals in this 2023 edition is to connect investors with areas in which there is potential for success, thereby expanding the sector further to achieve Vision 25 by 2025.

The Agri-Investment Forum and Expo will be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC) during the period October 20-22, under the theme “Achieving Vision 25 by 2025”. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Tuesday visited the ACCC to conduct a site visit, prior to which he met with members

of the Expo’s Planning and Coordinating Committee to get a status report on several critical areas, such as registration, participation, finances, and logistics.

“This thing is to ensure that we drive investment. We encourage people to get on board. For example, this agro-processing industry, we are encouraging that. Last Friday, we commissioned an agro-processing facility in Charity. At the end of this year, we might have about 13 of those facilities,” he disclosed.

A number of Heads of State within the Caricom region are expected to attend the event, and the Minister said several corporate bod-

Last month, Agriculture Minister Mustapha had indicated that interest from foreign companies is high in available opportunities in Guyana’s agriculture sector. He had noted the importance of Guyana finding the right balance of evolving its agriculture sector in line with global norms while also nurturing the unique strengths of Guyana’s traditional agriculture.

This is the third Agri Investment Forum and Expo. The previous two editions were both held last year, one in Guyana and the other in Trinidad. During the first agri expo in May 2022, a number of regional agencies participated in round-table discussions following the opening of the event;

donor agencies worked directly with Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries to discuss their options and interests; and among the regional leaders who travelled to Guyana for the three-day event

were the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Other Caricom leaders who attended the Agri Forum and Expo included

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne; Prime Minister of Belize, Johnny Briceno; Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit; and Premier of Montserrat, Joseph Easton

Taylor-Farrell. Moreover, Deputy Prime Minister of Bahamas, Chester Cooper, and Agriculture Ministers from around the region had attended the event. (G12)

Family narrowly escapes as car bursts into flames in Berbice

Afamily of three on Wednesday escaped without injury after their vehicle abruptly burst into flames at Lancaster Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Dinesh Chotkoe, the 45-year-old driver, his wife Wandana Karransingh and their 11-year-old daughter were the occupants of the vehicle. They hail from Nickerie, Suriname, and were returning to their country after visiting Guyana. Chotkoe was op-

The car was badly burnt and suffered extensive damage

erating the dark blue Noah motor vehicle, 7428, when, at about 08:30h, eyewitnesses recounted, while the vehicle was in the vicinity of

Lancaster Village, travelling along the public road in an eastern direction, it caught afire.

CONTINUES ON

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha conducting a site visit during which logistics and other components of the Expo were discussed

Some of the booths set aside for the Agri-Expo

Vegetable growers, extensionists trained to improve food safety practices

US Agency for International Development (USAID).

This training initiative aims to promote understanding of the Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule in order to increase competitiveness and the technical capacity of food safety professionals to comply with the requirements of the US’ FSMA.

Some 25 vegetable growers and extensionists are participating in a series of indoor and outdoor training exercises to prepare them to meet the requirements that would allow them to export fresh fruits and vegetables to the United States (US).

This three-day Grower Trainer Workshop is being hosted by the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) with support from the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) programme, and funded by the

During the opening ceremony of this training session on Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha welcomed the exercise, which seeks to enhance the technical abilities of agricultural producers, and acknowledged that the development of Guyana’s food safety system is an ongoing process.

“Guyana’s national policies are aligned with the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom’s) Vision 25 by 2025, and as the lead for agriculture in Caricom, has been on the fast track to replacing imported food and being a major regional exporter of food. As such, we have no option but to rapidly improve our food control systems to fully meet regional and international standards,”

Mustapha said.

He further stated that while the Government is steadfast in its efforts to ramp up production of several priority commodities, among which are fruits and vegetables, the ultimate goal is to reduce the country’s dependence on extra-regional imports while creating an environment for local exporters to be able to access international markets.

“As of half-year (2023), Guyana’s other crops sub-sector grew by 9.4 per cent. In 2022 Guyana ex -

ported to the US a quantity of fruits, vegetables and agro-processed products totalling 673,985 kg, with the total exports for the first half of 2023 increasing to 744,424kg,” Mustapha said. “There has been an increasing demand for primary products and agro-processed products such as coconut and coconut water, fresh and frozen fruits, pineapples, mangoes, achar, and pepper among several other commodities,” he added.

The training, which concludes on Friday, is be-

ing facilitated by professionals from Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, and other staff from IICA’s Guyana Office.

In recent months, Guyana has been seeing increased interest in the export of agricultural products to other countries, not just to the US. In April, Minister Mustapha had disclosed that there was considerable interest from Caricom members – Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda – to import fresh produce from Guyana. As

such, efforts were intensified to address the issue of non-tariff barriers to trade to allow Guyanese products to enter regional markets.

Meanwhile, according to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Guyana is also seeing interest from the United Kingdom (UK) in importing fruits. British High Commissioner Jane Miller had expressed that it would be beneficial for small scale local producers to form joint ventures and capitalise on economies of scale. (G13)

Core Home Support and Home Improvement Subsidy app launched

The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), under the purview of the Housing and Water Ministry, on Wednesday launched the Core Home Support and Home Improvement Subsidy mobile app to allow persons to easily monitor the status of their applications.

Now available on Google Play Store and Apple store, the app gives applicants access to real-time updates on when they would receive the keys to their core homes or materials to enhance their homes. Designed by local technology company V75 Inc., this new addition to the home ownership process includes a central database with all key information, as well as a staff portal through which relevant personnel can manage applications.

V75 Inc. Director and Development Officer, Asa Brouet, further highlighted

the app’s offerings during its launch at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC).

“There is a central repository for quick, easy, secure access to your applicant data. Timely notifications your way. So here, you can access your information at any time. You don't need to take time off your busy schedule in order to just view where your application is,” Brouet said.

“We then have schedule management for visitation. You will know immediately when your next visit is, what is needed, and be able to track whether you need to talk with your contractors or you need to sign a document. That will all be available for you on your application, and many more [aspects],” Brouet said.

Minister within the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, noted that the app, for one, seeks to reduce the anxiety, particularly ex-

perienced by older beneficiaries, by reassuring them that their application is being continuously addressed.

It further forms part of the Ministry’s larger plan to enhance the home ownership process through increased digitisation.

“It represents another installment of the move by our Government towards e-governance, so transferring towards digitisation and ensuring that we use every technology available to us to deliver efficient service to the people of our country,” Rodrigues said.

“It also improves transparency and accountability, so you have full access to your information. Everything has been uploaded to a system that you can check and verify.” Rodrigues added. This Core Home Support initiative forms part of the Inter-American Development Bank-funded

Family narrowly escapes...

Simon Gray of Liverpool Village was driving behind the vehicle at the time when he saw what appeared to be fire under the car. Gray said he drove up alongside the vehicle and informed the driver, who stopped and exited the vehicle. His wife

and daughter also exited, and less than a minute later, the vehicle went up in flames.

Chotkoe was interviewed by ranks of the Whim Police Station, and he related that he arrived in Guyana with his wife

FROM PAGE 24►

and daughter on September 8. He said they were travelling from Georgetown heading home to Suriname when the incident occurred.

The Fire Service was summoned to the scene, and the fire was put out. No injuries were reported. (G12)

Adequate and Affordable Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP), which aims to help low-income vulnerable Guyanese in poor living conditions.

The other aspect is

the Home Improvement Subsidy which enables persons in the target boundaries to receive up to $500,000 in materials to upgrade their homes. The boundary currently encompasses the La Parfaite Harmonie

Housing Development in Region Three; Georgetown to Grove on the East Bank of Demerara in Region Four; and Georgetown to La Bonne Intention and nineteen other select communities on the East Coast of Demerara in Region Four.

Thus far, the Ministry has built 73 core homes and disbursed just under 500 home improvement subsidies.

IDB Resident Representative Lorena Solórzano Salazar reaffirmed the IDB’s continuous support towards not just aiding with the physical infrastructure of these homes, but also increasing the sustainability of the home ownership process.

“This adds a new chapter to that relationship. It plays a crucial role in crossing from some processes that are manual to using technology and the local capacity that we have in the country related to the digital side in management and implementation,” Salazar said.

During Wednesday’s launch, five families were also presented the keys to their new core homes, after being notified via the app that the keys were available; while another six beneficiaries for the Home Improvement Subsidy were notified that delivery of construction materials is slated for today.

Agriculture Minister

Zulfikar Mustapha

Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) programme conducted the training for Guyanese

Snapshot of the Core Home Support and Home Improvement Subsidy mobile app

Regional Venezuela sends 11,000 troops to retake prison

Venezuela has sent 11,000 troops to regain control of one of its biggest prisons that had been overrun by a powerful criminal gang.

The Tocoron prison, in the north of the country, was under the control of the Tren de Aragua mega-gang for years.

Members were able to roam freely around the prison, which had hotel-like facilities including a pool, nightclub and a mini zoo, local media reported.

Officials said the 6000 inmates would be transferred to other prisons.

Many free residents were living inside the prison alongside sentenced inmates. After authorities announced that prisoners would be relocated, some relatives cried outside, unsure where they would go next.

“I am waiting to hear where they are taking my

husband... I was living in there, but they kicked us out,” Gladys Hernandez told AFP news agency.

It reported that Journalists saw security guards carrying motorcycles, televisions and microwaves from the jail.

In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, the Venezuelan Interior Ministry congratulated officers for regaining the prison and dismantling “a centre of conspiracy and

T&T’s heatwave continues: Warning in effect for 9 more days

With a scorching temperature of 35.1°C on Tuesday afternoon at Piarco, Trinidad recorded one of the hottest temperatures since October 2020. It was the third time Piarco had surpassed 35.0°C for 2023, with the hottest day this year recorded just two days prior, on Sunday, with a maximum high of 35.4°C.

crime”.

The leader of the Tren de Aragua gang, Hector Guerrero Flores, was serving a 17-year sentence inside the prison for murder and drug trafficking.

However, he was so powerful that he reportedly used to come and go freely from the prison before becoming a full-time inmate, according to Carlos Nieto, from a coordinator with A Window to Freedom.

(BBC News)

Haitian gangs call for armed overthrow of PM Henry as chaos escalates

Haiti’s most powerful gang leader called for the armed overthrow of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, urging Haitians to take to the streets against the unelected government in the latest escalation of a country undergoing humanitarian crisis.

Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, a former Police Officer who now heads a powerful coalition of gangs that controls large parts of Port-au-Prince, led his group of armed men on a march through the capital on Tuesday, blocking roads and banging drums.

“We are launching the

fight to overturn Ariel Henry’s Government in any way,” gang leader Cherizier told Reuters. “Our fight will be with weapons.”

He added that “demonstrations in all working-class neighbourhoods” would take place daily against Henry’s Government, which he said had no legitimacy.

Haitian gangs, which frequently engage Police in gun battles and profit from activities such as extortion and drug trafficking, have grown in strength since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

The assassination created a power vacuum, with Prime Minister Henry gov-

erning on an interim basis since. Henry has pledged to hold elections once security is re-established, and has called for international help in fighting the gangs.

“The international community cannot continue to do this in Haiti,” Cherizier said. “If the international community has nothing to do with (Moise’s) death, they must not support Ariel Henry.”

The threat from Cherizier comes as Kenya assesses leading a multinational United Nationsbacked force to help Haiti’s under-gunned Police fight the gangs. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Biden, Brazil’s Lula focus on dangers to democracy, aim to advance workers’ rights

US President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, underscoring their shared commitment to shoring up democracy, launched an initiative on Wednesday to advance the rights of working people, a key focus for both leaders.

Biden and Lula, speaking before a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the high-level United Nations General Assembly, highlighted the importance of decent jobs, good wages and ensuring that workers benefit from the digital and green energy transitions underway broadly in

society.

“The two largest democracies in the Western Hemisphere are standing up for human rights around the world and the hemisphere, and that includes workers’ rights,” Biden told Lula.

“Let me be clear, whether it’s the autoworkers union or any other union worker, record corporation profits should mean record contracts for union workers,” Biden said at a separate event launching the new initiative.

His comments came on the sixth day of a strike by 12,700 United Auto Workers members against

Meanwhile, in Tobago, Crown Point recorded its second hottest day for the year on Tuesday, with a maximum high of 33.3°C.

Since September 9, Crown Point has recorded maximum high temperatures above 32°C, meaning temperatures have been in the top 10 per cent of maximum temperatures recorded on the island since the 1970s.

Similarly, since September 12, Piarco has recorded maximum temperatures above 33.6°C, ranking in the top 10th percentile of temperatures in Trinidad.

On September 15, T&T was placed under a yellow-level Hot Spell Warning from the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS), which remains in effect until

September 29.

They explain, “There is a high (80 per cent) probability that temperatures near 34.0°C or greater are expected to continue roughly over the next two weeks across Trinidad. Warm-tohot conditions near 32.5°C or greater are expected to occur across Tobago.”

The Met Office added that in cities, urban and built-up areas, the maximum temperatures are expected to be high (near to or greater than 34.0°C), and feel-like tempera -

tures, or the heat index, mainly when the winds are calm to light, will likely to range between 34.0°C and 44.0°C. The hottest time of the day is between 10:00h-16:00h (10 am to 4 pm).

High temperatures can be hazardous to health, especially to the elderly, sick adults, and young children. According to the Met Office, a proactive approach should be adopted to lessen the effects of hot spell conditions. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Mexican railway operator suspends routes amid migrant deaths

Acompany which operates some of Mexico’s railways has suspended 60 of its routes after a surge of migrants hitching rides on freight trains.

Ferromex said services would be halted on the trains travelling towards Mexico’s border with the US, in order to “avoid accidents or loss of life”.

It added that the number of migrants trying to hitch rides on its freight trains was “unprecedented”.

operator, Ferromex, said in a statement published [in Spanish] on Tuesday that there had been “half a dozen cases of injuries or death in recent days”.

The network of freight trains is referred to by migrants as La Bestia (The Beast) and many risk jumping on board to speed up their 3000km-journey (1860 miles) from Mexico’s southern to its northern border.

extort migrants.

Ferromex said more than 1500 people had gathered on top of a train and inside a train depot in Torreón, from where freight services depart for a number of Mexican cities on the US border.

Ford, General Motors and Chrysler parent Stellantis , who are demanding better pay and benefits.

Biden said the USBrazil Partnership for Workers’ Rights would start as a bilateral initiative, but that other nations and organisations were welcome to join.

Lula, warning that democracies were under threat around the world, said it was critical to shore up workers’ rights, and said the new initiative would help “arouse hope” for working families while deepening ties between the two countries.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Hundreds of thousands clamber onto the roofs and cling to the sides each year.

Grupo México, which owns Mexico’s biggest rail

As the wagons are usually filled with freight, most ride on the train roof or hang from its sides.

If they fall, they risk losing life and limb. The trains are also targeted by gangs who rob, rape and

The company said hundreds more had gathered at other key points of the railroad, with more than 1000 on the roofs of wagons on the route between Chihuahua and Ciudad Juárez.

Ferromex said families with children were among those boarding their freight trains.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Body, severed head found in Kingston

The body of a man with his head severed was found by Police on Barnes Avenue in Kingston 13, Jamaica Wednesday morning.

The body was still unidentified up to press time Wednesday evening, Police said.

It was reported that around 9:20h, Police, acting on information, went to

the location where the body was found wrapped in a white tarpaulin.

Its head was severed and placed beside it, also on a piece of white tarpaulin.

The body, the Police said, was clad in black and blue checkered underpants, barefooted, about five feet eight inches tall, appearing to be in its early 30s and of a medium build.

It sported a cornrow hairstyle and had its hands bound in front of it with a black electrical cord.

The scene was processed, and the body removed to the Kingston Public Hospital, where it was confirmed dead. It was later transported to the morgue pending a post-mortem examination. (Jamaica Observer)

Some relatives of inmates cried when they were told the prisoners would be relocated

Zezellin Thomas uses a fan to keep cool during a rally hosted by the Estate Police Association of T&T at Woodford Square, Portof-Spain

Around the World OIL NEWS

“Stop the war” and Zelenskiy need not speak, UN Security Council chair tells Russia

Oil jumps as crude inventories draw

Crude oil prices moved higher on Wednesday after the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported an inventory decline of 2.1 million barrels for the week to September 15.

That compared with a build of some four million barrels for the previous week.

Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute (API) estimated crude oil stocks in the United States had fallen yet again, by 5.25 million barrels, in the week to September 15. That was twice the draw analysts had expected the API to report.

As oil prices took a pause from their recent rally amid a profit-taking wave, the EIA also reported inventory draws in fuels.

In gasoline, the EIA estimated an inventory decline of 800,000 barrels for the week to September 15, with production averaging 9.7 million barrels daily.

This compared with an inventory build of 5.6 million barrels for the previous week, when production stood at an average 9.2 million bpd.

In middle distillates, the EIA reported an inventory draw of 2.9 million barrels for the week to September 15, with production averaging 4.8 million barrels daily.

This compared with an inventory increase of 3.9 million barrels for the previous week, when middle distillate production averaged 5 million barrels daily.

Prices, meanwhile, remain elevated despite the recent dip. US crude in particular has become so expensive demand for it from Asia and Europe is on the decline. This does not mean lower retail fuel prices for US drivers, however.

Bloomberg pointed out in a report on price developments that “the price jump will inevitably filter through to higher gasoline and fuel costs in the US and beyond, threatening to quicken the pace of inflation everywhere”, even as more US oil stayed at home.

Meanwhile, all eyes are once again on the Federal Reserve, which Wednesday concluded its latest two-day session of monetary policy discussions. The oil price jump could change its mind about interest rates, which the Fed had indicated it was about to abandon.

Yet as higher oil prices feed higher inflation, the Fed might return to hikes to arrest the upward price move. (Oilprice.com)

UK PM delays petrol car ban in major shift on green policies

United Kingdom

Prime Minister

Rishi Sunak has delayed a ban on new petrol and diesel cars in a major change to the Government's approach to achieving net zero by 2050.

The Prime Minister announced exemptions and delays to several key green policies, alongside a 50 per cent increase in cash incentives to replace gas boilers.

The Government could not impose "unacceptable costs" linked to reducing emissions on British families, he said.

Sunak denied he was "watering down" the Government's net zero commitments.

There has been criticism of the changes from Labour, business leaders and from within Sunak's own party. But many Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs) have come out in favour Sunak's

It was to be Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy's first in- person appearance at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Moscow's invasion of his country when Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia objected to him taking the floor at the start of the meeting.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, serving as president of the tense session, responded with a gibe at Moscow, which has long said the invasion does not amount to a war but was a mere "special military operation".

"I want to assure our Russian colleagues and everyone here that this is not a special operation by the Albanian presidency," Rama, known for a piercing sense of humour, said to muted laughter across the room.

"There is a solution for this," Rama continued, addressing Nebenzia directly: "If you agree, you stop the war and President Zelenskiy will not take the floor."

Nebenzia did not agree. He went on to say the session was a show and criticized Rama for what he said was making politically-charged statements rather than acting as a neutral guardian of procedure.

After the session, Zelenskiy thanked Rama on social media, saying the Albanian, who is both an artist and former basketball player, "showed the world how to correctly handle Russia, its lies, and its hypocrisy".

In seeking to justify its invasion, Moscow has said Ukraine's ambitions to integrate with the West – including NATO – pose a threat to Russia's national security, an

assertion that Kyiv and its allies deny as a baseless pretext to attack.

When given the floor after the back-and-forth, Zelenskiy asked Russia be stripped of its

veto right as one of five permanent members of the postWorld War Two UN Security Council as punishment for attacking Ukraine.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Canada gathers allies as tensions rise with India over Sikh leader's murder

Canada this week divulged it had intelligence possibly linking Indian Government agents to the murder of a separatist Sikh leader, the kind of news that usually sparks uproar among democratic allies. Not this time.

India is being courted by the United States and others as a counterweight to China, and Trudeau's rare attack just days after New Delhi hosted a G20 Summit is putting Western nations in an awkward position.

"India is important in

Western calculations for balancing China, and Canada is not," said Stephanie Carvin, a professor of international relations at Ottawa's Carleton University.

"This really does put Canada offside among all other Western countries," she said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that Canada was "actively pursuing credible allegations" that Indian agents had potentially been involved in the murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

At that point Ottawa had already been discussing the matter with key allies such as the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance, which also includes the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

The results so far have been muted. Britain refused to publicly criticise India and said bilateral trade talks will continue as planned. Indeed, a statement from Foreign Secretary James Cleverly about the affair did not mention India by name.

White House national se-

curity adviser John Kirby said the United States was "deeply concerned" and encouraged Indian officials to cooperate in any investigation. India rejects the idea it was involved in the murder.

The Washington Post reported Trudeau had pushed for a joint statement condemning India at last week's Group of 20 summit in New Delhi and was turned down by the United States and others.

Meanwhile, India has warned its citizens in Canada to exercise caution.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

new direction, alongside some in the car industry.

The changes come as Sunak seeks to create dividing lines with opposition parties ahead of a general election, expected next year.

Framing the changes as "pragmatic and proportionate", the Prime Minister has unpicked several of Boris Johnson's key policies, many of them launched when Sunak was serving as Chancellor.

And the political choices outlined in his speech preview more announcements later this autumn, as Sunak promised he would set out "a series of long-term decisions".

In a speech from Downing Street on Wednesday, Sunak said moving too fast on green policies "risks losing the consent of the British people".

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Armenia protesters demand PM resign after Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire

and now the final collapse of Karabakh’s Armenian authorities.

Opposition politicians gave speeches from a stage denouncing Pashinyan, who took power in a 2018 revolution during which he addressed rallies on the same square, while some protesters threw bottles and stones at his office and scuffled with Police.

“Russia washed its hands in Artsakh, our authorities have renounced Artsakh,” Opposition politician Avetik Chalabyan told the crowd, using the Armenian name for Karabakh.

ment procedure against the Prime Minister.

Azerbaijan on Wednesday announced it had halted its offensive, which it described as a “counter-terrorism operation”, after Armenian separatist forces in NagornoKarabakh agreed to a ceasefire whose terms signalled the area would return to Baku’s control.

Azerbaijan said that it wanted a “smooth reintegration process” for Karabakh’s Armenians and rejected accusations that it wanted to “ethnically cleanse” the region.

Thousands of protesters have gathered in the Armenian capital to denounce the Government’s perceived failure to support Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh, after the breakaway region was forced into surrender by

Azerbaijan.

The protesters gathered on Wednesday at Republic Square, in the heart of Yerevan, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who presided over the defeat to Azerbaijan in a 2020 war

“The enemy is at our doorstep. We must change authorities to change national policy,” he added.

Lawmaker Ishkhan Saghatelyan called on parliamentary Opposition forces to launch an impeach-

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev that his nation “restored its sovereignty” by waging an offensive against Armenian-backed separatists on its territory and signalled a possible future peace treaty with Yerevan.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses the United Nations Security Council during a ministerial level meeting of the Security Council on the crisis in Ukraine at UN headquarters in New York, September 20, 2023 (Reuters/Mike Segar photo)

Opposition Leaders and protesters accuse the Armenian Prime Minister of failing to protect Karabakh's Armenian population [Irakli Gedenidze/Reuters]

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Don’t be reluctant to use your skills, knowledge and experience to get your way. Fear is the enemy; believe and trust in your ability to make yourself heard. Nurture a meaningful relationship.

(March 21-April 19)

Don’t make promises you can’t keep or let temptation lead you astray. Use experience and intelligence as you decide your next move. Getting out with peers is recommended.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Observe rather than react. Emotions will surface and could put you an awkward position. Limit what information you share, and stick close to home. Put yourself first.

Keep your emotions out of the workplace. Don’t make promises you can’t keep or let temptation lead you down a slippery slope. You’ve got plenty to offer if you use your skills creatively.

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Be a good listener and offer people thoughtful suggestions, not cash. Adjust your living conditions to make your life easier. If you build a stronger connection with peers, doors will open.

Emotions are high, and someone will judge your actions. Think each step through and forge ahead with precision and attention to detail. Be yourself and do things your way.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Don’t be lazy; take the plunge and make things happen. Rub elbows with people who can help you push your objective forward. Spread a positive attitude and make a good impression.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

You’ll find it challenging to divide your time between work and play. Neglecting someone close to you will trigger an unexpected response. A heartto-heart talk may be called for.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

What you do will have a greater impact more than what you say. Dedicate time to tidying up loose ends and honoring your promises to avoid looking bad or sending the wrong message.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

A change at home will be worth the cost involved. Don’t argue over trivialities when compromise will help keep the peace and give you more leeway regarding something that truly matters to you.

Refuse to let what others do bother you. Don’t feel obligated to tag along or change your plans. Maintaining a positive attitude will help you make a valuable contact. Follow your heart.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Check your ego at the door and maintain your integrity. Be a good listener and observer, and recognize when someone makes false claims. Trust your instincts and resist temptation.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

CWI’s CG United Super50 Cup bowls off on October 17

…in new 8-team league format

Cricket West Indies

(CWI) have announced the match schedule and venues for the CG United Super50 Cup 2023. The region’s premier List A 50over tournament will bowl off on Tuesday, 17 October, and conclude on Saturday, 11 November, in Trinidad with a new eight-team league format, followed by semi-finals and finals to determine the champions.

The event will feature 31 matches, to be played at three venues: the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA), the Queen’s Park Oval (QPO) and the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Ground of the University of the West Indies’ Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC) at the St. Augustine Campus.

All 13 matches at the Brian Lara Academy, including the semi-finals and final, will be televised live on ESPN Caribbean, with 12 of those matches being day/night games.

This year’s CG United Super50 Cup will feature a new eight-team league, with each of the teams facing each other once. The top four in the league will qualify for the “final four”. First place will play fourth place, with second place playing third place in the two semi-finals which are slated for BLCA on Wednesday, 8 November, and Thursday, 9 November.

The final will be at the same venue on Saturday, 11 November, where the winners would become CG United Super50 Cup Champions and

lift the Sir Clive Lloyd Trophy.

The West Indies Academy and Combined Campuses & Colleges (CCC) will again join the traditional six franchises – defending champions Jamaica Scorpions, Barbados Pride, Guyana Harpy Eagles, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, and Windward Islands Volcanoes.

Home side Trinidad & Tobago Red Force open this year’s tournament when they take on the CCC at the Queen’s Park Oval on 17 October at 9am. Later that day, the Guyana Harpy Eagles face Windward Islands Volcanoes at BLCA at 1pm in the first televised contest.

Miles Bascombe, CWI’s Director of Cricket, has said: “This is a crucial stage in our planning, as we look to build towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. We see the upcoming CG United Super50 Cup as the perfect platform to establish and incentivise a West Indies brand of play in the 50-over format, and for the emergence of new talent. The introduction of the round-robin format will provide players with more ‘playing time’ in the middle as well as a balanced way of gauging individual and team performances.

“We are pleased to again have CCC and the West Indies Academy participating at the senior level, as they join the other six franchise teams as we look to widen the pool of players.” Dominic Warne, CWI’s Commercial Director, has said: “The move to an eight-team league in the CG

United Super50 Cup provides fans with an exciting tournament schedule, with 31 matches scheduled in 26 days. Every game will be available, from first ball to last, either live on ESPN Caribbean or streamed live on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel. The new windiescricket.com Live Match Centre will also give fans full match analysis plus live ball-by-ball scoring and commentary for all 31 matches, giving the widest access and coverage to the CG United Super50 Cup than ever before.

“We again welcome and thank our title sponsor and CWI Official insurance partners, CG United, for their fifth consecutive year of support, which provides significant investment in cricket throughout the West Indies.”

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE

Venues: Queen’s Park Oval

(QPO); Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA); UWI SPEC Matches in bold are to be televised exclusively live on ESPN Caribbean. All other matches will be streamed live on the Windiescricket YouTube channel.

October 17: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force vs CCC at QPO – 9am

October 17: Guyana

Harpy Eagles vs Windward Islands Volcanoes at BLCA –1pm

October 18: Leeward

Islands Hurricanes vs Jamaica Scorpions at BLCA – 1pm

October 19: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force vs Windward Islands Volcanoes at QPO – 9am

October 19: CCC vs West Indies Academy at BLCA –1pm

October 20: Barbados

Pride vs Jamaica Scorpions at UWI SPEC – 9am

October 21: Leeward

Islands Hurricanes vs West Indies Academy at QPO – 9am

October 21: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force vs Guyana

Harpy Eagles at BLCA – 1pm

October 22: Windward

Islands Volcanoes vs CCC at UWI SPEC – 9am

October 23: Guyana

Harpy Eagles vs Leeward

Islands Hurricanes at QPO –9am

October 23: Barbados

Pride vs West Indies Academy at UWI SPEC – 9am

October 25: Windward

Islands Volcanoes vs Barbados

Pride at BLCA - 9am

October 25: West Indies Academy vs Jamaica

Scorpions at QPO – 9am

October 25: Guyana

Harpy Eagles vs CCC at UWI SPEC – 9am

October 26: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes at BLCA –

1pm

October 27: Jamaica

Scorpions vs CCC at UWI SPEC – 9am

October 28: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force vs West Indies Academy at QPO – 9am

October 29: Barbados

Pride vs Guyana Harpy Eagles at UWI SPEC – 9am

October 29: Jamaica

Scorpions vs Windward Islands Volcanoes at BLCA –1pm

October 31: Windward Islands Volcanoes vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes at QPO –9am

October 31: CCC vs Barbados Pride at UWI SPEC – 9am

November 1: West Indies Academy vs Guyana Harpy Eagles at UWI SPEC – 9am

November 2: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force vs Jamaica

Scorpions at QPO – 9am

November 2: Leeward Islands Hurricanes vs Barbados Pride at BLCA –1pm

November 3: West Indies Academy vs Windward Islands Volcanoes at UWI SPEC –9am

November 4: CCC vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes at QPO – 9am

November 4: Jamaica

Scorpions vs Guyana Harpy Eagles at BLCA – 1pm

November 5: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force vs Barbados Pride at BLCA – 1pm

November 8: Semi-Final

1 at BLCA – 1pm

November 9: Semi-Final 2 at BLCA – 1pm

November 11: Final at BLCA – 1pm

Respects paid to fallen former national cricketer Fazil ‘Terminator’ Sattaur

The local cricketing fraternity has been plunged into a state of mourning at the news, received earlier this week, of the passing of former Berbice and national cricketer Fazil ‘Terminator’ Sattaur, who passed away in Canada.

Several stakeholders in the sport have reflected on Sattaur’s contributions while offering condolences. Below are some of the responses.

Guyana Cricket Board

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is saddened at the passing of former Berbice and national cricketer (Junior and Senior) Fazil ‘Terminator’ Sattaur.

Sattaur, who was born in Albion, Corentyne, died on Monday, September 18 in Canada.

The former aggressive opening batsmen got the name

‘Terminator’ because of his fearless style of batting. He also played first-division cricket for Albion Cricket Club and

Everest Cricket Club, and for Berbice at both the junior and senior levels.

The ‘Terminator’ fell just

short of a first-class century, scoring 94 in the 1989 Jones Cup match between Berbice and Demerara, which was at the time recognized as FirstClass Cricket.

Sattaur later migrated to Canada, where he played three One-Day Internationals for Canada during the ICC World Cup in 2003, which was played in South Africa.

Albion Community Centre Cricket Club

The Albion Community Centre Cricket Club is deeply saddened (at) the death of Fazil Sattaur.

Sattaur, a former Albion, Berbice and Guyana batsman, who also represented the Everest Cricket Club in local first division cricket in Georgetown, died last Monday in Canada after a period of illness.

He also represented Canada at the ODI level.

“The news of Fazil Sattaur's death is very sad, and we at the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club would like to express our sincere condolences to his family" said Vemen Walter, President of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club.

"Sats, as he is known by his club mates, has served Albion's cricket with distinction in the 80s and early 90s before migrating to Canada. Whenever he visited Guyana, it was a must for him to be at the Club, and he was always willing to impart his knowledge to the young cricketers" Walter also disclosed. Walter further stated, "Sats was a very humble person who gives a 100 per cent in everything he does. He always had his Club at heart.

I remember when I first start-

ed managing the Albion first division team as a teenager, he was the Club's captain, and although he was a national cricketer at the time, the respect and support he provided to me was admirable.

“Albion has lost a great son. Although death is inevitable, it is never easy to lose a loved one; however, we must console ourselves that God knows the best, and readjust our minds to embrace such situation. We pray that God will grant comfort to the bereaved family during this very difficult period, and may the soul of our dear brother and friend RIP."

Two of Sattaur's younger brothers, Rafi Sattaur and Abdool "Birdy" Sattaur Samad, also represented the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, with Rafi also being a former Albion captain at the first division level.

The Jamaica Scorpions are defending champions in the Regional Super50 tournament

In the photo, ACCCC President Vemen Walter (left) and the late Fazal Sattaur (right) having a discourse at the Albion Community Centre Ground during Sattaur's last visit to Guyana

GBA rewards boxers, coaches for recent stellar performances

I’m extremely happy with what we’ve been doing at the level of the school boys and juniors. As a matter of fact, it would’ve been just two weeks after we concluded the tournament that we would’ve had another local under-16 competition. So, I’m heartened by what I’m seeing, and I’m heartened to know that we have a special crop of young boxers coming on board.”

GBA Technical Director Terrence Poole, MS, opined that the Association’s move could potentially attract persons to the sport, and motivate those already involved.

“This here I think is one of the motivation which is able to attract more youths, even females now, into boxing; because we have Akeilah Vancouten who would’ve gotten the best boxer for the females at the Schoolboys/Junior Championships, and I think that should be an encouragement for younger ladies to get involved,” Poole opined.

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has handsomely rewarded five boxers and six coaches in recognition of their performances in the ring over the past few months.

At a simple ceremony hosted at the Mirage Banquet Hall at Albert Street in Georgetown on Wednesday, Coaches

Francisco Roldan, Sebert Blake, Terrence Poole M.S., Gregory Cort, Clifton Moore and Lennox Daniels were hailed for their work with boxers on the youth, junior and senior levels. And

best youth, junior and female boxers: Shakquain James, Tiquan Sampson and Akeilah Vancouten respectively, were celebrated for their performance at this year’s Caribbean School Boys and Juniors Championships.

Desmond Amsterdam and Keevin Allicock also received monetary rewards for returning respective gold and bronze medal performances at the AMBC Continental Championships.

In brief remarks, GBA President Steve Ninvalle

expressed satisfaction with the athletes’ performances this year. He said: “Our association thought it fit to recognize the contributions being made during the last Caribbean School Boys and Juniors tournament.

It would’ve been the fifth time that we would have retained -- not the fifth time that we won, but the fifth time that we retained -- the Caribbean Schools Boys and Juniors title.”

The GBA President added about his pugilists’ performances, “It’s a gradual progression we’re seeing.

Addressing the topic of motivation, the renowned coach said, “So, from today, when other boxers would’ve seen the recognition of these boxers who did well, they’re getting a little contribution toward them. That would encourage them to want to come to the gym more often, want to get involved, and want to stay in boxing. This ceremony, maybe a simple ceremony it is, but is very significant to the development of boxing in Guyana and internationally.”

On the heels of their recent successes, the likes of Amsterdam and Allicock, steered by Coaches Roldan and Poole, will be looking to make their mark at the Pan Am Games next, scheduled for October. (Jemima Holmes)

CONCACAF Road to W Gold Cup…

Lady Jags suffer opening loss to Antigua

Amidst the excitement of the Caribbean Premier League being played locally, Digicel Guyana has made dreams come true for a group of 25 young cricket enthusiasts aged between 7 and 17 when they organised a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these budding athletes to meet and interact with international cricket players.

This heartwarming initiative has left an indelible impression on these young cricketers, inspiring each to aim for the stars in their cricketing journey.

On Tuesday, September 19th, the young cricket hopefuls from Herstelling B Sports Club gathered at the Everest Cricket Ground, where a most pleasant and unforgettable surprise confronted them: they were able to meet and interact with players of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team.

During this exclusive encounter, the young athletes had the privilege of shaking hands with their idols, capturing cherished photos, and engaging in meaningful conversations about cricket as a profession. The international cricket stars generously shared their experiences and insights, and offered valuable words of advice to the budding cricketers.

Some of Guyana’s very own star players, namely

Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Shimron Hetmyer, Kevlon Anderson and Ronsford Beaton, offered tips on how they made it to where they are today.

The players encouraged the youths to remain disciplined and focused on their goals, have confidence in themselves, practise to perfect their skills, and one day they can make it internationally.

For those 25 boys, it was an inspirational moment that would undoubtedly be unforgettable as they embark on their cricketing journey.

Gabriella Chapman, Communications Manager of Digicel, said the boys left the venue with renewed motivation, greater confidence, and a deeper understanding of the possibilities within the world of cricket.

“For many, this experi-

ence was not only inspirational, but also a catalyst for their personal growth as aspiring cricketers. As Digicel continues to support initiatives that empower and inspire the youth, this small gesture will remain a shining example of our commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of young athletes, as we firmly believe youths can be empowered through education and through sports,” she said.

“We believe that moments like these can ignite dreams and propel young athletes towards a brighter future in the sport they love,” she added.

This initiative is organised annually by Digicel, affording youths from different communities the company serves the opportunity to meet with players they idolise and are inspired by.

Guyana’s senior women’s national football team the Lady Jags got their ‘Road to CONCACAF W Gold Cup’ off to a less than stellar start, suffering a 2-1 loss to Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday afternoon.

Recently appointed Head Coach Omar Khan opted to kick-start the campaign with a starting XI that read: Goal keeper and Captain Chante Sandiford, Anya Tribune, Savannah Mordesir-Singh, Brianne Desa, Rylee Traicoff, Sandra Johnson, Samantha Banfield, Stefani Kouzas, Dylanna Makarowski, Jalade Trim and Otesha Charles.

Playing at the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Technical Center, Guyana experienced an early setback when Antigua’s Gabrielle

De Suza registered the first strike in just the 13th minute, to hand the home team the lead.

With Sandiford working overtime, Guyana managed to keep Antigua quiet for the remainder of the half. However, De Suza was not to be denied finding the back of the net again, in the 51st, for the 2-0 advantage.

The Lady Jags managed to pull one back in the 62nd when an infraction in the box allowed them a penalty opportunity. It was successfully converted by Brianne Desa, but the Lady Jags had trouble in trying to find the equalizer.

The Lady Jags now move on to Bridgetown, Barbados, where they are slated to take on Dominica on Sunday, September 24th, in a ‘home game’.

Guyana has been drawn in Group A of the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup qualifier, alongside Antigua, Suriname and Dominica. The top finisher in the group will secure a place on the CONCACAF W Gold Cup preliminaries next year.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle making a presentation to Coach Terrence Poole

GBA President Steve Ninvalle making a presentation to Caribbean Schoolboys’ overall best boxer Shakquain James

Reigning Sportsman of the Year, Desmond Amsterdam, received his reward from GBA President Steve Ninvalle

A glimpse of the action between the teams representing Guyana and Antigua

25 aspiring teenage cricketers meet GAW players, compliments of Digicel Guyana

TKR secures spot in CPL 2023 final

…GAW to face Tallawahs on Friday

Led by Chadwick Walton’s responsible innings, the Trinbago Knight Riders have defeated Guyana Amazon Warriors by seven wickets to reach the final of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League.

Warriors will now have one more chance to reach the final of the 2023 CPL when they meet Jamaica Tallawahs on Friday at Providence.

Warriors posted 166-7 in 20 overs, and TKR reached 167-3 in 18.1 overs, thanks to the heroics of Chadwick Walton, who scored an unbeaten 80 from 57 balls in an innings laced with six fours and four sixes.

In the chase, TKR openers Mark Deyal and Chadwick Walton were off to a flying start, taking TKR to

56-1 in six overs before Deyal became the first man dismissed - for 15 from 11 balls - when he was trapped at the crease by the impressive Imran Tahir with the score at 41-1.

Walton and Pooran, in particular, played an array of shots to delight the packed Providence Stadium on a mid-week. At the half-way stage, TKR were 80-1 and sitting pretty, with Walton set on 33 and Pooran getting into his groove on 23. Pooran and Walton surpassed their 50-run stand in 40 balls, but some brilliance from Saim Ayub saw the wicket of Pooran falling for 33 from 24 balls, the left-handed Pooran having struck two fours and two sixes in his innings.

Walton then struck Tahir over his head as TKR reached 100 inside 13 overs.

Captain Kieron Pollard then struck Motie for a six and a four in the 14th over to further strengthen the TKR position.

Walton reached his 10th CPL fifty from 44 balls in an important knock that held the TKR innings together.

Having struggled for the most part of his innings, Walton was put down on 50 by Shimron Hetmyer at the mid-wicket boundary, and he then took Motie down for 18 runs in the 17th over to rub salt in the wounds of the

Warriors.

Captain Pollard, who made 23 from 15 balls, supported Walton in a 66-run partnership.

Pretorius was the pick of the Warriors bowlers with 2-36 in four overs.

Earlier, TKR won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Romario Shepherd replaced Ronsford Beaton in the Warriors XI. Dwayne Bravo was among the big names returning, while Sunil Narine missed out due to illness.

It was a cautious start

from the Warriors, as Ali Khan and Andre Russell hit the pitch hard. Saim Ayub broke the shackles with a six over mid-wicket off Russell.

In the eventful powerplay, Smith was dropped on 10 as Terrance Hinds and Chadick Walton collided to make a mess of a simple catch.

At the powerplay, Warriors were 42-0. After 6.5 overs, Warriors breached the 50-run mark. Smith made 15 from 18 balls before he was caught at mid-wicket of Akeal Hosein at 53-1.

Wrist-spinner Waqar Salamkheil then varied his pace and got the better of last match centurion Shai Hope, whom he took down for two. Hope was caught at long-on when the score was at 62-2

in 8.2 overs. Warriors were 69-2 after 10 overs with Ayub standing tall on 42 not out.

Salamkheil, who continued to mesmerise the Warriors batsmen, denied Ayub his fourth fifty of the

season – Ayub being bowled for 49 from 39 balls when the score was at 90-3 from 12.5 overs.

Shimron Hetmyer partnered Azam Khan, and the duo were looking for a strong finish. However, the champion Bravo was sharp in the field, and he hit the stumps to remove Hetmyer for a duck. Warriors were then 91-4 after 13.2 overs.

Khan struck a huge 100-metre six as Warriors reached 100 inside 15 overs, but Hinds returned and found the outside edge of Khan’s bat to remove him for 36 from 27 balls, which included three fours and one six in his breezy innings.

TKR kept it so tight that after 16 overs, Warriors were 116-5. Dwaine Pretorius struck 15, but he played one shot too many and was cleaned up by Ali Khan with the score at 136-5 in 17.5 overs.

Shepherd contributed 16 runs from six balls, but it was Gudakesh Motie who took Warriors past 150. Motie took Ali Khan for 18 runs in the final over, as Warriors posted 166-7 in 20 overs. Salamkheil had 2-28 and Hinds had 2-32.

The CPL will continue tomorrow, Friday September 22, with the second Qualifier being played at Providence from 19:00h.

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Amazon Warriors (20 ovs maximum)

Saim Ayub

b Waqar Salamkheil 49

Odean Smith c Carty

b Hosein 15

Shai Hope c Walton

b Waqar Salamkheil 2

Azam Khan †c †Pooran

b Hinds 36

Shimron Hetmyer run out (Bravo) 0

Dwaine Pretorius

b Ali Khan 15

Romario Shepherd c †Pooran

b Hinds 16

Kevlon Anderson not out 2

Gudakesh Motie not out 19

Extras (lb 1, w 11) 12

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.30) 166/7

Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Odean Smith, 6.6 ov), 2-62 (Shai Hope, 8.2 ov), 3-90 (Saim Ayub, 12.5 ov), 4-91 (Shimron Hetmyer, 13.2 ov), 5-116 (Azam Khan, 15.6 ov), 6-135 (Dwaine Pretorius, 17.5 ov), 7-147 (Romario Shepherd, 18.4 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Andre Russell 2-0-17-0

Ali Khan 4-0-38-1

Akeal Hosein 3-0-28-1

Terrance Hinds 4-0-32-2

Dwayne Bravo 3-0-22-0

Waqar Salamkheil 4-0-28-2

Trinbago Knight Riders (T: 167 runs from 20 ovs)

Chadwick Walton not out 80

Mark Deyal lbw

b Imran Tahir 15

Nicholas Pooran †c Saim Ayub

b Pretorius 33 Kieron Pollard (c)

b Pretorius 23

Andre Russell not out 1 Extras (lb 3, w 10) 15

Total 167-3

(18.1) RR (9.19)

Fall of wickets: 1-41 (Mark Deyal, 4.1 ov), 2-92 (Nicholas Pooran, 10.6 ov), 3-158 (Kieron Pollard, 17.2 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Dwaine Pretorius 4-0-36-2

Romario Shepherd 3-0-20-0

Shamar Joseph 4-0-39-0

Imran Tahir 3.1-0-30-1

Gudakesh Motie 4-0-39-0

Fans were out in their numbers on a Wednesday

Saim Ayub continued his rich vein of form

Terrance Hinds and Chadwick Walton collided

Imran Tahir celebrating the wicket of Mark Deyal

Nicholas Pooran delighted the crowd with his strokeplay

Azam Khan struck some big shots in his innings