Capitalise on, pass down opportunities from Guyana’s rapid development
President, Dr Irfaan Ali underscored the importance of public–private sector
of
during an
with members of the private sector.
He told representatives from the various Chambers of Commerce, the Manufacturing Association, the Private Sector Commission, and other stakeholders, that in his second term, his government is committed to guiding Guyana from its current state into a future defined by sustainable economic growth. The President urged the business community to take full advantage of opportunities in agriculture, aquaculture, exports, housing, enhanced health services, tourism, and other key sectors.
He stressed that these opportunities should not be limited to their businesses alone, but should extend to their employees and other stakeholders. Such an approach, he said, would enable the creation and fair distribution of wealth, benefitting Guyanese at all levels of society (Office of the President)
Gov’t invites public to witness opening of historic Demerara River Bridge –– structure to be opened to vehicular traffic immediately after ceremony
–– President Ali tells private sector; emphasises the business community’s role in nation’s progress Guyana’s parliament will reconvene within the constitutional timeframe
President Ali named among TIME100 Next 2025 world’s most influential rising stars
Gov’t invites public to witness opening of historic Demerara River Bridge
–– structure to be opened to vehicular traffic immediately after ceremony
PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali will, on Sunday, commission Guyana’s new US$260 million Demerara River Bridge, which was built by the China Railway Construction Corporation Limited.
In a post on its official Facebook page, the Ministry of Public Works said President Ali decided on October 5, 2025 as the date for the commissioning.
A grand opening ceremony will be held at the abutment of the eastern end of the 3km long concrete, high-span bridge.
“Members of the public will be invited to witness the commissioning of this transformative and landmark project undertaken by the Irfaan Ali-led administration,” the Public Works Ministry said, adding: “All are welcomed to walk across the bridge with President Ali and the Cabinet, after which the bridge will be immediately opened to vehicular traffic.”
The much-anticipated superstructure is constructed to facilitate the continuous flow of vessel and vehicle traffic, which
will boost the transportation of products and services throughout the nation, drastically cut down on travel time and improve connectivity between Regions Three and Four.
The 2.6-kilometre, four-lane, cable-stayed bridge represents a major leap forward in Guyana’s transport network.
Designed to last 100 years, the toll-free structure will allow vehicles of all sizes to travel at up to 80 kilometres per hour, serving more than 50,000 commuters daily. This is projected to generate annual savings of approximately $3.5 billion.
In a nod to national identity, the bridge’s twin towers (P-34, south) have been crowned with a design inspired by the Cacique Crown of Honour (C.C.H.), Guyana’s second-highest national award.
Once illuminated, the crowns will stand as cultural markers of pride, blending heritage with modern engineering and etching a distinctive symbol into the skyline.
Load testing conduct-
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali will, on Sunday, commission Guyana’s new US$260 million Demerara River Bridge, which was built by the China Railway Construction Corporation Limited ed last week confirmed that the bridge possesses satisfactory stiffness and ample reserve load-carrying capacity, ensuring durability and safety for decades to come.
President Ali is expected to reaffirm the significance of the project as part of his government’s commitment to modernising Guyana’s infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and supporting national development.
President Ali named among TIME100 Next 2025 world’s most influential rising stars
PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has been named one of the world’s most influential rising stars in Time’s Magazine 2025 TIME100 Next list, which spotlights pioneers, leaders, titans, artists, innovators and icons shaping the future.
TIME editor-at-large and president of Eurasia Group, Ian Bremmer, described President Ali’s inclusion as a recognition of both Guyana’s rapid economic ascent and the delicate geopolitical challenges it faces.
“In recent years, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has contended with news, extraordinarily good and bad. On the positive side, this country of over 800,000 people has one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, thanks to a discovery of offshore oil that has produced $7.5 billion from sales and royalties since 2019. On the negative, Guyana lives next door to Venezuela, which claims part of that oil-rich territory despite its international recognition as a part of Guyana,” Bremmer wrote.
President Ali was re-elected to a second term in September 2025, with voters endorsing his administration’s use of the oil windfall
to transform national infrastructure—building roads, schools, and hospitals.
Looking ahead, he has pledged to diversify the economy, reducing dependence on oil while navigating regional security challenges.
“The strong mandate he just won from Guyana’s voters signals how much he’s already accomplished,” Bremmer noted, adding that Ali’s diplomatic skill will be critical to keeping tensions with Venezuela at a simmer.
Guyana’s financial system gets timely boost in security, transparency
–– as President Ali announces nine ‘forex’ policy measures
PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced a series of immediate policy measures to strengthen foreign exchange management and protect Guyana’s financial system, as the country faces unprecedented demand for U.S. dollars and a surge in credit card transactions.
During an engagement with the heads of commercial banks and regulatory agencies on Tuesday, President Ali revealed that credit card clearances alone had skyrocketed.
“In 2023, total credit card clearance was about US$91.3 million. In 2024, it was US$347.5 million. And to date [in 2025], it is almost US$252 million and you don’t even have Christmas clearances yet. That growth is extraordinary,” the President said.
Dr. Ali said the government will ensure that such financial trends do not compromise the country’s economic stability or create opportunities for capital flight.
The new measures which will be enforced with immediate effect are as follows:
1. Invoices required for forex requests: Any request for foreign exchange at commercial banks must be accompanied by a copy of the commercial invoice.
2. Verification upon arrival: Importers will be required to submit the invoice and bill of lading to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and their bank once goods arrive, to verify that items were indeed brought into Guyana.
“This is an effort to monitor and ensure that we have enough foreign currency in the market. Of course, we’re in a position where we can clear the foreign currency, but we have to also protect Guyana’s interest, so the government, with immediate effect, will be implementing a series of policy measures,” the President said. Ali stressed that the government must ensure that such financial trends do not compromise the country’s economic stability or create opportunities for capital flight.
3. Conditional access to future forex: If customers fail to submit verified documents, their subsequent requests for foreign exchange will not be processed.
4. Central Bank Clearing Window: Commercial banks will submit invoices and bills of lading to the Bank of Guyana for further verification through a newly established single-window system.
5. Credit Card Restrictions: Personal credit cards must not be used to settle business obligations.
6. Penalties for inflated invoicing and capital flight: Entities involved in over-invoicing, property transactions, or related-party transfers designed to move capital offshore will face penalties.
7. Declaration of currency sources: Persons leaving Guyana with foreign currency must declare the source, whether from banks or cambios, to enhance transparency.
8. Local bank accounts for oil & gas com-
panies: All entities registered under the Local Content Law must maintain a local bank account into which foreign currency earnings are remitted.
9. Central Bank Clearinghouse: A single-window post-clearing system will reconcile transactions among the GRA, commercial banks, and the Bank of Guyana before new forex requests are facilitated.
TRANSPARENCY AND
ENFORCEMENT
President Ali said that these measures are designed to close loopholes and eliminate duplication, adding that: “This will take away all the accusations and bring parity in the system.”
The President further cautioned against shell companies and related-party invoicing schemes used to disguise capital flight.
He added that the Central Bank and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will coordinate closely
with commercial banks to ensure compliance and identify breaches. Tuesday’s engagement stressed the importance of safeguarding foreign currency use to prevent misappropriation and ensure compliance with regulations.
The engagement was welcomed with commitments from all stakeholders present to work together to implement and monitor the measures.
Guyana’s parliament will reconvene within the constitutional timeframe
–– President Ali
THE Parliament of Guyana will reconvene within the constitutional timeframe, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said.
During an interview with journalist Kiana Wilburg, the Head of State, on Tuesday, reminded of the country’s statutes which outline in concrete terms that the National Assembly shall meet
for the first time after a general election within a set period, which is three months, as prescribed by the constitution or by law.
This is stated in Article 69 (1) of the country’s constitution.
“Guyana can trust the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, and you know that we will operate within the
Constitution, and that is what we are doing. The Constitution gives me a timeframe…I can assure you and Guyana that it will be reconvened within the constitutional timeframe,” the President said.
In accordance with Article 70 (2) of the Constitution, Proclamation No.1 of 2025, President Ali had officially dissolved the 12th Parliament of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on July 3. Additionally, he
signed a proclamation which dissolved the Regional Democratic Councils, in accordance with Article 73 (2) of the Constitution.
This places the constitutional timeframe to November. The Head of State stressed that the (PPP/C) government will remain transparent and will follow the nation’s laws.
In the 2025 election, the PPP/C increased its seats from 33 in 2020 to
36, thereby widening the majority in parliament.
The new opposition configuration reflects a significant political shift with new comer We invest in Nationhood (WIN) emerging as the main opposition, displacing the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
WIN gained 16 seats, while APNU gained 12 seats, and Forward Guyana Movement (FGM)
gained one seat. The National Assembly comprises a total of 65 seats, allocated based on geographical constituencies using the Hare quota system.
Last month, President Ali unveiled the PPP/C’s blend of experience and youthful energy with a 25-member cabinet and 11 parliamentary representatives.
The other parties too have since named their parliamentary picks.
Berbice man sentenced to seven and a half years for fatal attack
SENTENCING has been concluded for 25-year-old Berbice construction worker Trevor Rajmangal, also known as “Two Star,” following his guilty plea to a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of 36-year-old Mohamed Abdul Ali, also called “Mice” or “Ryan.”
The fatal incident occurred between March 18 and 19, 2023, at West Canefield, East Canje, Berbice.
Justice Peter Hugh, presiding at the High Court in Berbice, had initially postponed sentencing to allow for the submission of several reports, including a probation report outlining Rajmangal’s background, a victim impact statement and a statement in mitigation from the defence team.
The sentencing hearing was adjourned until September 29, 2025, during which the court carefully weighed both aggravating and mitigating factors before arriving at a final sentence of seven years and six months.
Rajmangal was initially indicted for the capital offence of murder, but pleaded not
guilty. He subsequently admitted to the lesser charge of manslaughter, which was accepted by State Prosecutor Cicelia Corbin.
At the time of the incident, Rajmangal resided at Strand and Matthew Allen Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice, while the victim lived at Reliance, East Canje, Berbice.
Agreed facts presented in court revealed that on the evening of March 18, 2023, Rajmangal and several friends were playing pool and imbibing at a shop on Bissessar Street in West Canefield. At approximately 9:30 p.m., Ali entered the shop and a verbal altercation ensued between him and Rajmangal. Ali subsequently left the shop, but the argument continued
outside.
Rajmangal reportedly pushed a pool stick through the shop grill in an attempt to strike Ali and then picked up a Vita Malt bottle.
The convict threw the bottle at Ali as he was climbing over the gate of an abandoned lot near the shop, striking him and causing him to fall to the ground. Rajmangal then returned to the shop, later leaving for his home.
Ali’s body was discovered the following morning, March 19, at 6:45 a.m., lying motionless on the grass parapet on Bissessar Street. The police were summoned, and Ali was taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination conducted by government pathologist Dr Bridgemohan on March 21, 2023, revealed severe injuries, including left occipital scalp bruising, a 4 cm circular depressed fracture to the left occipital bone, and fractures of the first and second cervical vertebrae.
The cause of death was determined to be shock and haemorrhage due to a fractured skull.
Rajmangal was arrested on March 21, 2023, and placed in custody at the Reliance Police Station. During a video and audio interview on March 22, 2023, at the Central Police Station, he admitted to throwing the bottle that struck Ali. He also demonstrated to police officers how the incident had occurred at the scene.
Prosecutor Corbin urged the court to consider several aggravating factors. Among these was the seriousness of the offence.
According to her, Ali, aged 36, was unarmed and in a defenceless position when struck by the bottle, highlighting the disproportionate nature of Rajmangal’s actions. She submitted that the use of a glass bottle as a projectile contributed directly to Ali’s fatal injuries.
The state also emphasised the impact of Ali’s death on his family. For example, his sister discovered his body at the scene and continues to grieve and experience trauma from the loss.
Additionally, the state argued that sentencing should serve as a deterrent to others, stressing that violent killings cannot be tolerated in society.
The court was urged to consider the implementation of anger management and other skill-based courses by the Guyana Prison Service as part of Rajmangal’s rehabilitation.
Defence counsel Kevin Morgan highlighted a range of mitigating factors. He said there was no evidence of preparation or premeditation, and Rajmangal had cooperated fully with police at the earliest opportunity, thereby demonstrating honesty, despite having committed a legal wrong.
Morgan noted that this incident was isolated, stemming from a verbal altercation initiated by Ali, who reportedly provoked the conflict in the shop.
According to him, no dangerous weapon had been introduced other than the bottle used in the moment. Rajmangal’s youth, good character, and lack of prior convictions were also considered.
The defence attorney pointed out that his client had expressed remorse both to police and in court, and that the incident did not reflect a pattern of violent behaviour.
Additionally, he pointed out that the offender had been subjected to verbal and physical bullying by the deceased. As such, Morgan invited the court to weigh these factors in view of the aims of sentencing, including deterrence, reform, and rehabilitation.
Justice Hugh adopted a structured approach in determining Rajmangal’s sentence. The starting point for manslaughter in similar cases was considered to be 15 years.
As a result of his early plea, a one-third reduction brought the term to 10 years. Further deductions included one year and six months for time spent on remand and an additional year for expressions of remorse and the fact that he did not waste judicial time. This calculation resulted in a final sentence of seven years and six months.
Trevor Rajmangal
Mohamed Abdul Ali
Justice Peter Hugh
UN Security Council approves new ‘suppression force’ for Haiti amid spiralling gang violence
THE UN Security Council, on Tuesday, authorised a new multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti to replace the Kenyan-led security support mission, amid escalating gang violence, widespread rights abuses and a humanitarian emergency affecting all aspects of life in the island nation.
The resolution – copenned by Panama and the United States, and backed by dozens of countries in the region and beyond – was adopted by a vote of 12 in favour, with three abstentions from China, Pakistan, and Russia.
Under an initial 12-month mandate, the GSF will work in close coordination with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces to conduct intelligence-led operations to neutralise gangs, provide security for critical infrastructure, and support humanitarian access.
The 5,550-strong force will also protect vulnerable groups, support reintegration of former fighters and help strengthen Haitian institutions.
The Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, authorised by the Security Council in October 2023, faced chronic underfunding, insufficient personnel, and limited operational capacity, making it difficult to contain gangs that now control large parts of the capital, Port-auPrince.
While the MSS enabled the HNP to regain access to some areas and infrastructure, it struggled to match the scale of the crisis. Kenya, which led the MSS, also backed the new mechanism.
Haiti is facing nearly 1.3 million internally displaced people, rising kidnappings, widespread sexual violence, and gangs that control large areas of the capital.
HAITI IS NOT ALONE
Introducing the text in the Council, Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba of Panama emphasised the urgency of international support.
“Since last year, this Council has requested the Secretary-General to put forward recommendations to address the multidimensional crisis in Haiti ... Haiti is facing an unprecedented, multi-dimensional crisis that requires our decisive attention,” he said.
Security Council members vote on a draft resolution concerning a new gang-suppression force in Haiti (UN Photo/Loey Felipe)
He urged all Security Council members to support the initiative, stating that doing so would “send a clear message to Haiti – you are not on your own.”
UN SUPPORT OFFICE IN HAITI
The resolution also tasks the Secretary-General to establish a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide logistical and operational
support to the GSF, HNP and Haitian armed forces, including rations, medical care, transportation, strategic communications and troop rotation.
UNSOH will also support the Organization of American States’ SECURE-Haiti project and ensure compliance with international human rights standards.
A FORCE AGAINST
form the MSS mission to the new Gang Suppression Force, a mission five times the size of its predecessor and with a strengthened mandate to go after the gangs,” he noted.
“The international community is sharing the burden and living up to its promise to help Haiti turn the tide. It offers Haiti the chance to assume responsibility for its own security.”
HAITIAN GOVERNMENT
ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE
GANGS
The United States, a sponsor of the resolution, highlighted the scale of the new mission.
Ambassador Mike Waltz said that the MSS mission lacked the scale, scope and resources needed to take the fight to the gangs and restore a baseline of security in Haiti.
“Today’s vote sets that right. With this vote to trans-
The Council stressed that Haiti’s government retains “primary responsibility” for national security and governance reform, including tackling corruption, illegal arms flows and the recruitment of children by gangs.
The GSF is intended to support Haitian authorities while creating conditions for the country to gradually assume full security responsibility.
DECISIVE
TURNING POINT
The decision to transform the MSS mission to the GSF marked “a decisive turning point” in one of the most serious challenges in Haiti’s already turbulent history, the country’s ambassador said after the vote.
While the Multinational Security Support mission has been “a valuable support and a strong signal of international solidarity”, Ambassador Pierre Ericq Pierre stressed: “But the reality on the ground has reminded us that the scale and sophistication of the threat far exceeds the mandate initially granted to this mission.”
As the Security Council granted a stronger, more offensive and more operational mandate, “it is giving the international community the means to respond to the gravity of the situation in Haiti,” he added. (UN News)
Nine-Point Policy Framework
PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali’s announcement of new foreign-exchange controls marks a significant change in Guyana’s method of handling its oil-driven economic growth.
The nine-point policy framework, revealed during talks with commercial bank leaders, is a necessary response to intense financial pressures.
The numbers behind these actions are impressive. Credit card clearances jumped from US$91.3 million in 2023 to US$347.5 million in 2024, with 2025 figures already nearing US$252 million by September, not counting the usual holiday spending spike.
This rapid increase reflects Guyana’s new wealth from oil and an economic expansion averaging 47 percent each year since 2022. However, it also points to possible weaknesses in the financial system that could lead to capital flight and economic instability.
The President’s statement that “we have
to protect Guyana’s interests” while ensuring the country can meet foreign currency demands shows a challenging balancing act.
With inflation at 4.1 percent as of August 2025 and the Guyanese dollar holding steady around G$209 to the US dollar, the economic basics seem solid. But there are underlying pressures that warrant government action.
The new measures, which include requiring commercial invoices for forex requests and limiting personal credit cards for business uses, take a thorough approach to closing regulatory gaps.
The demand for local bank accounts from oil and gas companies registered under the Local Content Law and the creation of a Central Bank clearinghouse system specifically target areas at high risk for capital flight.
These initiatives connect with broader economic goals, as Guyana’s current account surplus hit 24.5 percent of GDP in
2024, boosted by increased oil exports. However, these policies raise valid concerns about the regulatory burden and how they might affect business efficiency.
The requirement for importers to provide invoices and bills of lading to both the Guyana Revenue Authority and their banks, along with conditional access to future forex based on document checks, is a policy that needs to be examined and implemented carefully to ensure there are no bureaucratic delays that hinder the very economic activity these measures aim to protect.
President Ali’s warning against “over-invoicing because of related party transactions” and threats of “relevant action” against companies that do not comply indicate a more aggressive regulatory approach.
While such measures are necessary to prevent misuse, they must be clear and consistent to avoid uncertainty that could push away genuine foreign investment—the key
to Guyana’s ongoing development.
The timing of these measures, as Guyana’s external position is seen as “stronger than the level implied by fundamentals and desirable policies,” with gross international reserves over US$1 billion, suggests a forward-thinking rather than a reactive strategy.
This proactive method deserves recognition for showing fiscal responsibility during prosperous times instead of only responding to crises.
In the end, President Ali’s forex measures represent a calculated risk. The hope is that stricter financial oversight will hold economic stability while not hindering growth.
Success will rely on how well these policies are implemented, the clarity of regulations, and the government’s ability to keep business confidence while maintaining necessary financial discipline.
2025 election in Guyana: Changing voters dynamics, the decline of racialism
Dear Editor,
THE recently concluded 2025 General and Regional Election in Guyana has marked a historic milestone in our country’s political evolution.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) unsurprisingly secured a decisive and expanded victory. Not only that, but they also made unprecedented inroads into regions traditionally aligned to the opposition.
This shift in the electorate signals the potential weakening of the deeply entrenched and abused ethnic voting patterns that have long defined the Guyanese political arena. In a country historically divided between Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese political allegiances, the results of the 2025 election hints at an emerging national consciousness rooted in performance, policy, and inclusivity.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on September 6, 2025, made its official declaration on the 2025 elections. From that declaration, the PPP/C emerged victorious securing 242,498 votes.
The PPP/C significantly outpaced both APNU with 109,066 and WIN 77,998 votes. This led the PPP/C into a landslide victory and earned them 36 seats out of 65 seats in the parliament (three more than the previous term). The results too have shown notable change in Guyana’s political map.
One of the most striking observations of those results was the PPP/C’s victory in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) which is the largest populated region, home to the capital, Georgetown and long considered a stronghold of the PNC.
The PPP/C outpolled all its rivals in this once impenetrable region for the first time in Guyana’s post-independence history, securing over 87,000 votes. This victory represents more than a numerical success, it represents a symbolic breakthrough in the heart of the political and cultural opposition to the PPP/C. Historically, Guyanese politics have mirrored the country’s ethnic composition. The PPP/C has been largely supported by Indo-Guyanese while the PNC garnered its support from Afro-Guyanese. However, the
recent election results highlighted a significant departure from this rigid divide.
The PPP/C winning majority votes as a single party in Region Four, an urban, Afro-Guyanese majority constituency, was emblematic of this shift. Voters in Georgetown and surrounding areas, previously loyal to the PNC gravitated towards the PPP/C.
Factors contributing to this included dissatisfaction with the opposition, the emergence of the unpredictable WIN party and the PPP/C’s effective messaging focused on inclusive economic development and national unity.
The PPP/C also managed to deepen its dominance in its traditional strongholds like Regions Two, Three, Five and Six while increasing its outreach in the Indigenous regions like Regions One, Seven and Nine. PPP/C notably increased its vote count in Region Nine by more than 2,000 votes compared to the 2020 election results.
We must also pay close attention to the WIN support in the hinterland communities; this is likely to disrupt the binary power
structure and further signals a shift towards multi-ethnic political alignments.
One of the key takeaways from the 2025 elections is the growing importance of issue-based politics over ethnic loyalty. The PPP/C’s campaign was not built on ethnic appeals but rather on developmental promises including infrastructural upgrades across all regions, expansion of social services, education, and healthcare.
The PPP/C’s policies of the last five years and those in its 2025-2030 manifesto appeared to have resonated across demographic lines.
The PPP/C’s message of progress and shared prosperity appealed not only to its traditional voters but also to voters across all ethnic and geographic lines.
The PPP/C’s ability to outperform both the traditional opposition and the new contender in many areas speaks largely about its broadening voter base.
The PPP/C’s ability to emerge victorious
Incredible ignorance [Part III]: Sharma Solomon
HOW are the people in Region 10 reacting to the patent foolishness, comical statement, and incredible ignorance of Sharma Solomon from Linden who will now represent Region 10 in Parliament on behalf of APNU?
There is no question that when you look at both the asininity and comicality coming out of the APNU world, this party will become an object of scorn and derision as the years go by.
If they maintain the incredible nonsense they have been spouting since the 2025 election results, the PNC will just wither away and die before 2030.
A handful keeping the faith in 2030 will contest the election, but my prediction is that the PPP and maybe three other parties will cause the complete disappearance of the PNC from the electoral scene in 2030.
It has been non-stop comedy by the PNC since the Adriana Younge tragedy. Dexter Todd started the circus by pointing to a group of secret investigators in Guyana, researching the death of Ms.
Younge. They that cannot be known to the nation and obviously cannot reveal their identity to the police and eyewitnesses because then their identities will be known. I can only assume that when these investigators engage the police, they will have to wear bags over their faces.
Todd was at it again when acting on behalf of the PNC leader, Aubrey Norton, signalled his attention to sue businessman, Ameir Ahmad for libel over the following words published by Ahmad that went like this: “People don’t know but me and Norton are alright.”
I point to my Monday and Tuesday columns in which I highlighted unbelievable stupidities by Norton and David Hinds about election rigging in 2025.
Let’s turn to Sharma Solomon. This is the man who as Mayor emulated his leader, Aubrey Norton and refused to shake the hand of the President. That silly, moronic display of misplaced bravado cost both Norton and Solomon dearly. Embarrassed at their asinine puerilities,
Region 10 rejected both Norton and Solomon who are sons of Linden.
In a recent interview, Solomon said that the 2025 election brought no harm to the APNU. In 2020, APNU (with AFC) got 19,169 votes. In 2025, APNU got 5,334 ballots. Linden has been a bastion of PNCism since the past 100 years, wining every election in Region 10 from 1957 to 2020.
According to Canadian researcher, Ron Cheong, APNU did not secure any polling division while WIN got 35 and PPP seven. Yet amidst this devastation, Solomon said there was no damage to the PNC.
But this is only part of the colossal nonsense Solomon displayed. In the interview, he was in overdrive mode about the failure of the PPP to overtake the PNC in Linden.
This is unlimited ignorance. The point is that the PNC was damaged beyond recognition in Linden. Whether it was by the PPP, PRC, PXC, PZC, or whatever P you want to use, it was decapitated in Linden.
What is shameful and this is what makes Sol -
omon look stupid, is that the PNC was derailed in Region 10 by a party led by an Indian Muslim man who formed his entity three months before the election and a leader that can hardly express himself properly.
It is in this context, Solomon’s statement is repugnant nonsense. In Region 10, WIN got 10,458 ballots, double the take of the PNC. This is in the traditional stronghold of the PNC.
For all his dismissal of the PPP being unable to displace the PNC in Region 10, the PNC got a mere 1,000 votes more than the PPP which picked up 4,260. Against these graphic statistics, Solomon
says no harm came to the PNC in the 2025 election.
Solomon told his interviewer that despite the heavy state spending and restriction by the state media the PPP did not win Region 10. Solomon went on and on about the inability of the PPP to defeat the PNC in Region 10. If you come from another planet, and you watch or listen to Solomon, you would think that it was a two-way contest and the PPP lost.
Solomon quietly evaded any discussion of what WIN did to the PNC in Region 10. Solomon avoided having to talk about a newcomer that will now be in charge of the Region 10 Council that was in the hands of the PNC since
Independence. This man failed to tell the nation why an absurdity like Azruddin Mohamed and an absurdity like WIN dislodged the PNC in Region 10.
Can one interpret the incredible nonsense of Solomon as an insult to the African population in general and Africans in Region 10? The answer is a resounding yes.
With people like Norton, Hinds and Solomon, APNU will die sooner than later.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
2025 election in Guyana: Changing ...
in non-traditional areas and the general shift away from the racially polarised voting patterns raise important questions about the future of racialism in Guyana.
For decades, the politics in Guyana has been heavily racialised, with voting largely reflecting ethnic identities rather than policy preferences. This is what the PNC heavily capitalised and relied on in all the elections. However, the results of the recent elections suggest that this may be changing.
There are several indicators that support the view of the emergence of a new and changing dynamics of voting in Guyana.
Firstly, cross-ethnic voting, the PPP/C’s victory in Region Four was only possible by Afro-Guyanese votes. This shows an increasing percentage of the population willing to vote across ethnic lines when presented with competent governance and inclusiveness. The second indicator is multi-ethnic platforms. While the PPP/C remains the largest
multi-ethnic party in Guyana the emergence of WIN suggests that the political system is opening to more non-ethnic party identities. Therefore, as more voters gravitate to such parties, racialism in politics is more than likely to lose its centrality.
Thirdly, inclusive policy implementation nationwide. The PPP/C has always believed in national development and inclusiveness. It’s efforts to include Indigenous communities in its national developmental agenda through infrastructure, education, healthcare, tourism, and environmental programmes further dismantles the perception of ethnic favouritism. The fulfilling of these promises and commitments is building trust across all communities, and it is solidifying the foundation of a new political transformation.
Lastly, an important indicator is youth engagement and social media. Young voters exposed to social media are less likely to subscribe to ethnic-biased political affilia -
tion. Their exposure gives access to global ideas and connected to information on digital platforms that fosters a preference for accountability, transparency, and tangible development. These are all values that transcends ethnicity and race.
The 2025 elections provided a ray of hope for a more inclusive political future for Guyana. However, entrenched ethnic narratives do not disappear overnight especially in a society like ours where there are persons and organisations that continue to propagate race talks and feed off it daily.
Political rhetoric, historical grievances, and community level biases will continue to influence how parties are perceived. The opposition’s sharp decline was mainly due to it clinging to identity politics and racial biases for decades, and if it continues to hold on to this then it will definitely struggle to regain the support it once had.
The elections of 2025 undoubtedly mark a
From page 6
turning point in the nation’s political journey. It underscores a shift away from the rigid ethnic allegiances towards a more inclusive and performance-based politics. And with a more fluid voter base, political parties may need to compete on performance and policies rather than race.
While this evolution is far from complete, it nevertheless represents meaningful progress in a society long divided by race. This trajectory can continue steadily with responsive governance, inclusive policies, and commitment to equity.
Upon this realisation, Guyana may finally transcend its past of ethnic polarisation and build a more unified and democratic future, a future that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has been advocating for since its birth in 1950.
Yours respectfully, Shivesh Persaud
Guyana actively engaging Middle Eastern partners to advance biodiversity services
–– President Ali
GUYANA is actively engaging its Middle Eastern partners including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar to explore opportunities in biodiversity services, as the country positions itself at the forefront of global environmental markets.
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali made this disclosure on Tuesday during a broadcast interview following several engagements on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) in New York last week.
“…The Middle [Eastern countries] are also setting up a market-based mechanism, a payment mechanism for biodiversity services. So, we are already engaging with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, some of the partners, as to how Guyana, how we can pursue the opportunities in biodiversity services, especially given the fact that they have already advanced a payment system, a payment mechanism for biodi-
versity services,” President Ali said.
Recently, Guyana hosted the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit in July 2025 that brought together over 140 countries and institutions. The resulting Georgetown Declaration called for biodiversity to be treated as a global public good, fully integrated into climate strategies and financial frameworks.
The country has been championing environmental stewardship for decades. Its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) has been viewed as a leading frame-
work to conserve its forest, while driving economic development.
“When we are attending these meetings in terms of climate and biodiversity, we are not attending these meetings as participants. We’re attending these meetings with the world and all stakeholders, recognising that Guyana is providing great leadership on these issues, and it is coming at a time also, you know, when there must be a balance in the conversation, because energy, for example, and this was a big debate we had among bilateral partners and
all stakeholders,” the President added.
Over the decades, the LCDS has evolved from a pioneering 2009 framework to the current LCDS 2030, which aims to align domestic development with global climate and biodiversity goals making Guyana a notable example for other nations.
While being an oil producing nation, Guyana has made multiple efforts to remain focused on forest conservation, environmental preservation and carbon neutrality through the LCDS, boasting world-renowned success in maintaining over 95 per cent of its tropical forest and earning from same through carbon credits.
“This is part of that economic diversification. This is part of building out our economy so on forest, climate change, biodiversity, we are not a listener. We listen all the time, but we are a leader. And the world recognises Guyana as the foremost leader in this sphere,”
President Ali said.
During July’s summit, President Ali had outlined
five pillars of the alliance, first to advance the global goal of conserving at least 30 per cent of land and oceans by 2030; secondly to embed biodiversity in national and corporate planning through measurable indicators.
Its third pillar will be focusing on unlocking innovative finance, including biodiversity credits, green bonds and debt for nature swaps.
Fourthly, the empowerment of Indigenous Peoples and local communities is crucial, alongside the establishment of institutionalised monitoring and transparency mechanisms, such as the Global Biodiversity Product and the Gross Biodiversity Power Index.
Building on the goals outlined in the summits and discussion held on the sidelines of the UN, President Ali said too that Guyana is defining its position as it prepares to join leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly known as COP30 set for November in Belem, Brazil.
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and Adel al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York (Office of the President photos)
‘Agriculture is an engine of a resilient future for Guyana’
–– President Ali says as Agriculture Month begins
The full text of a statement from President, Dr. Irfaan Ali on the commencement of Agriculture Month:
“EACH year, the month of October is designated as Agriculture Month and is dedicated towards celebrating the farmers, fishers, processors, and entrepreneurs whose efforts feed our nation and propel our economy. This annual celebration is not only a tribute to their hard work but also a reminder of agriculture’s enduring place in our national story. Agriculture has always been the backbone of Guyana’s economy. It is our oldest industry, a provider of livelihoods for thousands of families, and the foundation of food and nutrition security.
Today, however, we must strive to make it much more. Agriculture must evolve into a sector that bears the imprimatur of innovation, technology, and opportunity—driving down
poverty, closing the gap of inequality, and building a more diversified and resilient economy.
In pursuit of this objective, Guyana is modernising its agri-food systems to guarantee cheaper, reliable, stable, and nutritious food for every household. At the same time, we are building enough surpluses to secure Guyana’s role as a major contributor to Caribbean food security. That is why the government is driving bold action to transform and make our agri-food systems more competitive and sustainable, while improving livelihoods.
This vision is being translated into concrete actions on the ground. We are expanding the production of priority commodities, supporting diversification into new crops, livestock, and aquaculture, and ensuring that every farmer has the tools and resources needed to produce food. From rice to corn, soya to livestock, aquaculture to agro-processing, we are scaling up
production and opening new markets at home, in the Caribbean, and beyond.
Infrastructure is central to this transformation. We are building farm-to-market roads, modern storage facilities, upgraded ports, and stronger transport linkages, ensuring every producer, whether in the hinterland or on the coast, can move goods quickly, safely, and
developed to boost production of poultry, beef, and dairy. Affordable financing is being rolled out, while training programmes equip farmers with the skills to improve animal health, prevent diseases, and increase clean milk production. By 2030, these initiatives will position livestock as a major driver of growth, innovation, and food security.
Women and young people must be central to agricultural transformation. That is why we are expanding financing, training, and innovation programmes for women-led and youth-led agribusinesses. By unlocking their potential, we are investing in their entrepreneurship and long-term prosperity.
competitively to regional and global markets.
We are also modernising agriculture with digital extension services, precision farming, and climate-smart practices. These tools will help producers increase yields, cut costs, reduce risks, and embed sustainability into every stage of production.
In livestock, we are investing heavily in the future. Tunnel ventilation pens, hatcheries, genetic improvements, artificial insemination, abattoirs, and processing plants are being
We are also expanding aquaculture and cage farming. New vessel monitoring systems and sustainable fishing practices will diversify income streams, particularly for coastal and hinterland communities, while safeguarding marine resources for future generations.
At the heart of our efforts is value addition. The Regional Food Hub will soon be completed, strengthening trade logistics and agro-processing. This means more jobs, more exports, and more value retained in our economy. From fresh produce to processed goods, Guyana will not only feed itself but also supply the region with high-quality, affordable, and competitive food products.
Equally important is our commitment to inclusion.
This spirit of inclusion lies at the heart of Agriculture Month 2025, for progress is meaningful only when it uplifts everyone. Let this month, October 2025, therefore be not just about achievements in production, but about reaffirming our collective commitment to build a sector where every stakeholder has a place and a partner in government.
“Let it be a reaffirmation of our pledge and promise that every farmer, fisher, processor, and entrepreneur has a partner in our government.
Together, we will build a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural sector that meets the demand for affordable food, nourishes our people, uplifts our communities, and secures Guyana’s place as a regional leader in food production.”
Gov’t seeks partners to deliver affordable Housing transformation
THE government, through the Ministry of Housing and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), invited contractors, consortia and individuals to submit Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the construction of housing units across all Administrative Regions.
The housing models to be built include:
Low Income Units (650 sq. ft, two bedrooms, toilet and bath, ceiling, tiles, kitchen cupboard).
Moderate Income Units (800 sq. ft, two bedrooms, toilet and bath, ceiling, tiles, kitchen cupboard).
Middle Income Units (1200 sq. ft, three bedrooms, toilet and bath, ceiling, tiles, kitchen cupboard).
High Income Units
(1800 sq. ft, three bedrooms, toilet and bath, ceiling, tiles, kitchen cupboard).
Young Professional Units (2200 sq. ft, three bedrooms, toilet, ceiling, tiles, kitchen cupboards, hot and cold facilities).
Interested applicants must submit a signed and stamped statement of interest, indicating their specific regions of preference, along with their name, address, contact details, and, where applicable, website information.
Submissions must include certified copies of business registration, GRA and VAT certificates, audited financial statements for 2024, a statement on litigation in the past two years, a list of similar projects completed, details of construc-
tion equipment available, and information on the qualifications and experience of personnel, along with an organisational structure.
Additionally, applicants must submit a statement on proposed financing and financial capacity, a work methodology and programme, detailed cost estimates, construction drawings (site, floor, foundation, plumbing, electrical, elevations, 3D models, and structural engineering), and specifications for construction materials, methods, and techniques, including foreign options where relevant.
All Expressions of Interest must be submitted to the Chairman of the CH&PA Board at 41 Brickdam and United Nations Place, Georgetown, Region Four,
by 15:00 hours on October 24, 2025.
For clarification or additional information, interested parties may contact the CH&PA Projects Department between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours, from Monday to Friday, at telephone numbers 227-8886 or 226-1809.
Please note that the Ministry of Housing, Cen-
tral Housing and Planning Authority, reserves the right to accept or reject any or all EoIs without providing any reason. (DPI)
President Ali calls for open dialogue on growing US naval presence in the Caribbean
PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has urged regional leaders to approach the growing presence of US naval assets in the Caribbean with “eyes wide open,” emphasising the need for mature and open discussions on security matters affecting the region.
Speaking during an interview with journalist Kiana Wilburg, President Ali said that while some Caribbean leaders may view the US military buildup positively, Guyana recognises that the situation requires careful examination.
“The zone of peace is not only about threats to borders. It’s also about threats that we are now seeing,” he said, noting concerns such as drug trafficking, illegal migration, and the use of international waterways for transshipment.
The president stressed that Guyana has consistently promoted the region as a zone of peace and has responded to threats with diplomacy and truth rather than hostility.
“Every single day, the Venezuelan government attacks me personally, attacks this country. They say the worst things about us. But we have never responded in a hostile way. We responded with facts and truth,” he said, underscoring the nation’s commitment to measured and principled diplomacy.
President Ali emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing and collaborative discussions among regional partners to understand the implications of military movements fully.
“What is needed is a meeting of minds, a meeting to share intelligence and to share information, so a fuller understanding of what is at stake here for all of us,” he said.
Through open dialogue, transparency, and regional co-operation, President Ali stated that Caribbean nations can collectively safeguard peace and stability while addressing emerging security challenges. (DPI)
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali
Jordan’s rice advice ‘reckless’, rooted in coalition ‘neglect’ – Mustapha
–– says APNU+AFC left farmers to fend for themselves, now seeks political mileage
AGRICULTURE Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, has slammed former Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s recent comment on the rice industry, saying it reeks of recklessness and disregard for the thousands of families who depend on the industry.
Mustapha, in a letter on Tuesday, said Jordan’s recommendation that smaller farmers should walk away from rice production is not only misguided, but also a stark reminder of the APNU+AFC Coalition’s record
of neglect during its time in office.
“Between 2015 and 2020…rice farmers faced blatant neglect. The former President and coalition administration repeatedly told farmers that “rice is a private business”, leaving them to struggle without meaningful government support.
“When Panama failed to pay for rice supplied under the coalition government, farmers and millers were left to fend for themselves, with no intervention or assistance from the very government
Natural Resources Ministry denounces distorted KN report on cash transfers
The following is the full text of a statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources:
“THE Ministry of Natural Resources wishes to clarify a most devious publication in the September 30 edition of the Kaieteur News headlined: “Oil cash handouts will leave Guyana poorer” -Minister Bharrat.
Unsurprisingly, the news agency misrepresented and twisted the intention of the minister’s comments regarding the government’s approach to cash transfers during an interview on a local podcast, Starting Point.
The minister noted that cash transfers are typically a failed model since there are numerous examples around the world which show that sole dependence on this measure results in poor outcomes, as it is unsustainable, given volatile market forces and the irrefutable fact that oil does not last forever.
Specifically, around 48 minutes into the interview, the minister clarified his position that “...it has been a failed model among countries around the world if that is the only way we intend to spend oil revenue. But Guyanese would have benefited already from direct cash transfers.”
The minister even made it a point to note early on in the interview that the approach of the government has been to subsidise massive costs pertaining to social development and welfare.
This includes the removal of tuition of tertiary education fees, support for parents with newborns and cash grants which cover uniforms and school supplies.
That Kaieteur News would include the minister’s clarification in the second paragraph of its story, but still proceed to blast a headline with a twisted line of reporting is explicit proof that journalistic ethics have become alien to this propaganda outfit.
The ministry unreservedly condemns this putrid piece of reporting, which aims to misinform the public and besmirch the integrity of the government’s strategy for prudent oil sector management.
“The Ministry of Natural Resources also takes this moment to reiterate its support for the minister’s position which is summed up as follows: cash transfers are not the only or the most important mechanism in the government’s arsenal to transfer oil sector benefits; and secondly, total dependence on cash transfers, and to encourage massive grants at this time, is a recipe for harm to our productive sectors.”
that Mr. Jordan was a part of,” Mustapha said.
On the contrary, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has laid out a comprehensive plan to expand and modernise the industry when the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) got into government back in 2020.
This includes increasing national storage capacity to stockpile up to five million tonnes of rice, investing in high-yield varieties to keep Guyana competitive in global markets, and introducing diversification initiatives such as cage crab farming to strengthen farmers’ cash flow.
“This is a far cry from Mr. Jordan’s proposal to push small farmers out of
the industry and effectively abandon them. His comments ignore the fact that rice is not only a commercial product but also a cornerstone of Guyana’s rural economy, food security, and national identity,” Mustapha emphasised.
He argued that the APNU+AFC had their chance to prove themselves to farmers and failed, and today their leadership is trying to score political points off the very industry they once abandoned.
“The PPP/C Government will not abandon rice farmers. Instead, it is investing in infrastructure, research, and diversification to ensure that Guyana’s rice industry emerges stronger and more
resilient in the face of global challenges.
“Mr. Jordan and his coalition colleagues had their chance and chose neglect.
Today, they stand exposed as opportunists attempting to politicise the very sector they once abandoned,” Mustapha said.
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha and former Finance Minister under APNU+AFC, Winston Jordan
Multiple safeguards ensure transparency in use of Natural Resource Fund —Minister
MINISTER of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, has assured citizens that Guyana’s oil revenues are protected by multiple layers of oversight, stressing that funds from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) cannot be accessed without parliamentary approval.
Appearing recently on the Starting Point podcast, Bharrat said that the former legislation governing the fund—passed under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) after its no-confidence motion defeat—was repealed in 2021 and replaced with stronger measures.
“The old bill didn’t make sense because it was passed by the APNU+AFC after they were defeated by a no-confidence motion, and gave the finance minister all the power to use the [NRF] account,” the
minister said, adding: “We repealed it and passed a bill with stronger measures and better control, with proper oversight. And we did that just over a year after we got into government.”
Outlining the safeguards, Bharrat stated: “That Act will show you that there are only two ways in which money can flow out of the Natural Resource Fund. The revenue in this fund is not in a bank sitting somewhere in Guyana, because there is a misconception that the government has access to this money. It doesn’t work like that. It is in a reserve bank in the USA, and the only way money can flow out of that account is if you
Bharrat affirms
have approval from the National Assembly—you must have approval from Parliament.”
According to the minister, the first mechanism is through the national budget.
He said: “It [the budget] is debated for an entire week, during which ministers are cross-examined and questions are asked in Parliament. Then you have the Auditor General, who will check on expenses. Then you have the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, which also checks on these expenses. So, there are many layers of safeguards to ensure transparency and accountability.”
The second, he noted, applies in the case of a national disaster, explaining: “The second way in which money can flow out of that account is if there is a natural disaster of national proportion, and we need revenue to restore our people to where they were before. And again, it must have parliamentary approval.”
Bharrat emphasised that revenues from the oil and gas industry are already benefitting citizens across Guyana.
He said: “Managing the sector and ensuring that the revenue that flows
from it trickles down to the people is important. And we have seen that. Everywhere you look in the country, there is a concrete road, there is a new highway being built, there is a new bridge being built. There is something being done in all parts of Guyana. And it is not only in Region Four; it is the same in the hinterland communities.”
The Natural Resource Fund was established by the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021, to manage the natural resource wealth of Guyana for the present and future benefit of the people, and for the sustainable development of the country.
The objectives of the NRF are to: ensure that volatility in natural resource revenues do not lead to volatile public spending; ensure that natural resource revenues do not lead to a loss of economic competitiveness; fairly transfer natural resource wealth across generations to ensure that future generations benefit from natural resource wealth; and use natural resource wealth to finance national development priorities, including any initiative aimed at realising an inclusive green economy.
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, speaks on the Starting Point podcast
Scientists make embryos from human skin DNA for first time
US scientists have, for the first time, made early-stage human embryos by manipulating DNA taken from people's skin cells and then fertilising it with sperm.
The technique could overcome infertility due to old age or disease, by using almost any cell in the body as the starting point for life.
It could even allow same-sex couples to have a genetically related child.
The method requires significant refinement - which could take a decade - before a fertility clinic could even consider using it.
Experts said it was an impressive breakthrough, but there needed to be an open discussion with the public about what science was making possible.
Reproduction used to be a simple story of man's sperm meets woman's egg. They fuse to make an embryo, and nine months later a baby is born.
Now scientists are changing the rules. This latest experiment starts with human skin.
The Oregon Health and Science University research team's technique takes the nucleus – which houses a copy of the entire genetic code needed to build the body – out of a skin cell.
This is then placed inside a donor egg that has been stripped of its genetic instructions.
So far, the technique is like the one used to create Dolly the Sheep – the world's first cloned mammal – born back in 1996.
However, this egg is not ready to be fertilised by sperm as it already contains a full suite of chromosomes.
You inherit 23 of these bundles of DNA from each of your parents for a total of 46, which the egg already has.
So, the next stage is to persuade the egg to discard half of its chro-
mosomes in a process the researchers have termed "mitomeiosis" (the word is a fusion of mitosis and meiosis, the two ways cells divide).
The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, showed 82 functional eggs were made. These were fertilised with sperm and some progressed onto the early stages of embryos development. None were developed beyond the six-day-stage.
"We achieved something that was thought to be impossible," said Prof Shoukhrat Mitalipov, the director of the Oregon Health and Science University's centre for embryonic cell and gene therapy.
The technique is far from polished as the egg randomly chooses which chromosomes to discard. It needs to end up with one of each of the 23 types to prevent disease, but ends up with two of some and none of others.
There is also a poor success rate (around 9%) and the chromosomes miss an important process where they rearrange their DNA, called crossing over.
Prof Mitalipov, a world-renowned pioneer in the field, told me: "We have to perfect it.
"Eventually, I think that's where the future will go because there are more and more patients that cannot have children."
This technology is part of a growing field aiming to make sperm and eggs outside of the body, known as in vitro gametogenesis.
The approach is still at the level of scientific discovery rather than clinical use, but the vision is to help couples who cannot benefit from IVF (in vitro fertilisation) because they don't have the sperm or eggs to use.
It could help older women who no longer have viable eggs,
men who don't produce enough sperm or people whose cancer treatment has left them infertile.
The field also rewrites the rules of parenthood. The technique described today does not have to use a woman's skin cells - it could also use a man's.
That opens the door to same-sex couples having children that are genetically related to both partners. For example, in a male samesex couple, one man's skin could be used to make the egg and a male partner's sperm used to fertilise it.
"In addition to offering hope for millions of people with infertility due to lack of eggs or sperm, this method would allow for the possibility of same-sex couples to have a child genetically related to both partners," said Prof Paula Amato, from Oregon Health and Science University.
BUILD PUBLIC TRUST
Roger Sturmey, a professor of reproductive medicine at the University of Hull, said the science was "important" and "impressive".
He added: "At the same time, such research reinforces the importance of continued open dialogue with the public about new advances in reproductive research.
"Breakthroughs such as this impress upon us the need for robust governance, to ensure accountability and build public trust."
Prof Richard Anderson, deputy director of MRC Centre for reproductive health at the University of Edinburgh, said the ability to generate new eggs "would be a major advance".
He said: "There will be very important safety concerns but this study is a step towards helping many women have their own genetic children." (BBC)
‘China
continues to create new opportunities for the world’
- Ambassador Yang highlights nation’s rapid rise in the global arena
CHINA’S rapid rise as an economic powerhouse and a leader in global technology and innovation was highlighted by Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang, who credited the sweeping poverty reduction and decades of reform to the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Emphasising the nation’s achievements during an interview, the ambassador said that China has taken a “great leap” since the nation was founded 76 years ago.
“Since the launch of reform and opening up, the CPC has united and led the Chinese people in embarking on the new great practice of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. It has achieved the historic transformation from a country with relatively backward productive forces to the world’s second-largest economy, enabling China to catch up with the times in great strides and realise the great leap from standing up to growing prosperous,” Ambassador Yang said.
Under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Ambassador said that the CPC, united, has secured historic achieve-
ments and undergone historic transformations on all fronts, with groundbreaking and fundamental outcomes.
She said: “China has historically resolved the issue of absolute poverty that had plagued for thousands of years and achieved the First Centenary Goal. The Chinese nation has achieved the great leap from growing prosperous to becoming strong.”
Today, China is the world’s second-largest economy, the largest trader in goods, the top manufacturing country, and the
second-largest consumer market.
The country has contributed more than 30 per cent to global economic growth for over a decade and has become the major trading partner of more than 150 countries and regions, as well as the largest export destination for many developing countries.
She noted that over the past decade, China has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organisations. In the first half of 2025, proj -
ect investments under the Belt and Road Initiative reached $124 billion—already exceeding the total for all of 2024.
Ambassador Yang further noted: “A nation thrives when its science and technology thrive; a nation is strong when its science and technology are strong. The CPC has always attached great importance to scientific and technological development.”
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has vigorously implemented the innovation-driven development strategy, pro-
posed the strategic task of accelerating the building of an innovative country, and set the goal of becoming a global leader in science and technology by 2035, she said.
According to Ambassador Yang, China adheres to independent innovation, promotes development through innovation, fosters open cooperation in science and technology for the benefit of humanity, and has achieved historic milestones in scientific and technological advancement.
From China’s first Mars-exploration spacecraft Zhurong and the compl etion of the space station to the domestically developed C919 passenger jet and the Chang’e-6 lunar probe that returned samples from the far side of the moon, China is now the world’s top patent filer and the second-largest investor in research and development.
She also pointed out that China’s advancements in intelligent manufacturing have expanded global access to technologies that were once out of reach, promoting greater technological equity.
Open-source projects such as DeepSeek are helping to democratise artificial intelligence, she
said, breaking monopolies and spurring worldwide progress.
Chinese communications firms, after following in the 3G era and catching up in 4G, now lead in 5G—providing better, more affordable, and more secure network infrastructure around the globe.
“Through its innovations, China continues to create new opportunities for the world,” she stated.
Ambassador Yang firmly stated that the fundamental reason for China’s great achievements lies in the strong leadership of the CPC.
She said: “The CPC is a party that strives for the happiness of the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, as well as for the progress of humanity and a shared future for the world.
“It is the most reliable backbone of the Chinese people, always putting the people first, having the courage to carry out self-reform, and demonstrating strong leadership and governance capabilities. History has fully proven that without the CPC, there would be no new China and no great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Yang Yang
Targeted investments to combat food loss, waste, generate triple wins
- special event at FAO headquarters marks the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2025
TO mark the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), on Monday, highlighted that reducing food loss and waste generates numerous socio-economic and environmental benefits and called for targeted investments across the agrifood value chain.
"By taking action to prevent and reduce food loss and waste, we can generate triple wins: improving food security and nutrition, providing economic benefits for primary producers, businesses, and consumers, and lowering environmental and climate impacts while protecting biodiversity and reducing pollution," said QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, in a video message at a special event co-organized with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at FAO headquarters in Rome.
Qu noted that to fully realise these benefits, a diverse range of targeted investments across the value chain is necessary, particularly in low and middle-income countries, where food insecurity and malnutrition are most prevalent.
Key investment areas include: i) infrastructure development to minimise food losses; ii) innovative technologies to track and reduce food loss and waste; iii) implementation of circular economy approaches that maximise food utilization; and iv) enhancing the capacity of stakeholders to reduce food losses and waste and educating consumers to effectively reduce food waste.
Currently, an estimated 13.2 per cent of food – equivalent to 1.25 billion tonnes – is lost after harvest and before reaching retail. Additionally, in 2022, over 1 billion tonnes (19 percent) of food was wasted in households, food services, and
retail. While at the same time, an estimated 8.2 percent of the global population, or about 673 million people, experienced hunger in 2024, and 2.6 billion could not afford a healthy diet.
INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION
In his video-message, the FAO Director-General announced in addition to last year’s launch of the Food Loss App (FLAPP) the creation of Optiwaste, a digital application that facilitates the registration and analysis of food waste in schools, serving as a foundation for improving the nutritional quality of school meals and reducing food waste.
Qu also emphasized that addressing food loss and waste is a systemic challenge that requires collaboration from all sectors.
"Strong partnerships with the private sector are particularly important in unlocking the investments and strengthening the capacity needed to enable the adoption of new technologies and innovations,” he said.
“Accelerating actions to reduce food loss and waste is now a matter of urgency, and a priority, to ensure a sustainable foods-secure future for all.”
The event which marked the 6th International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste showcased concrete actions and case studies from Ethiopia, Thailand, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic that
aim to measurably reduce food loss and waste.
A panel discussion highlighted the successes achieved by public and private institutions in effectively tackling these issues.
Alongside the global event, the FAO headquarters is hosting an exhibition that brings together the organisation’s collective efforts, spotlighting work on food loss measurement and
initiatives aligned with the Science and Innovation Strategy.
The exhibition highlights advanced tools, comprehensive data, and innovative technologies that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of agrifood systems, while illustrating how FAO’s initiatives contribute to climate action and the improvement of livelihoods worldwide. (FAO)
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu delivers an address at the opening of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste Exhibition at FAO Headquarters
Minister Croal engages families in Success on land regularisation
MINISTER of Housing, Collin Croal, on Tuesday met with families occupying a government reserve at Success, East Coast Demerara, to address long-standing issues related to land ownership and the regularisation process.
tience and tolerance, the government is committed to resolving the matter.
The minister underscored that while the process requires pa -
He said: “Some of you have occupied these lands for more than 20 years. We are mandated to address squatting, and we are working. We have completed logging of squatting areas in Region Three, and will soon commence this ex-
Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, on Tuesday met with families occupying a government reserve at Success, East Coast Demerara, to address long-standing issues related to land ownership and the regularisation process
ercise in Region Four.”
The regularisation process in Success began in 2021, when the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) conducted inventory, block, and occupation surveys. Following these assessments, the final survey plan was submitted to the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) for recording, and a block title was subsequently obtained.
During a meeting today residents were shown the updated plan with the footpaths outlined, to ensure every household has access to their property.
“We first have to agree on the plan so that it can be recorded, and then move forward with the signing of the Agreements of Sale and the issuance of Titles, which will commence on Friday, October 10, 2025,” the minister announced.
The exercise forms part of the government’s broader commitment to addressing squatting, ensuring security of tenure and promoting orderly community development. (Ministry of Housing)
Verification exercises revealed that 51 lots were created in the area. Of these, 43 structures were inventoried and assigned identification numbers (SRD 1 to SRD 43). The CH&PA’s Community Development Department later verified the number of structures and occupancy in accordance with the survey plan.
Police inspectors complete senior leadership course at GPF academy
THIRTY-THREE Inspectors of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have successfully completed a two-week Senior Leadership Course, which concluded on September 29, 2025, at the GPF Academy’s Georgetown campus.
The training programme, jointly facilitated by lecturers from the University of Guyana and the Police Force, was designed to strengthen the ranks’ leadership and supervisory skills. Areas covered included report writing, information technology, financial regulations and store management, emotional intelligence, identification parades, leadership dynamics, traffic management, disciplinary procedures, and medical service.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr. Errol Watts, delivered the feature address, reminding the officers of their critical
responsibilities as supervisors within the Force.
“It is important for you as inspectors to be aware of who you supervise, what you supervise, and how you need to supervise,” Watts told the participants. “You should be aware of your surroundings and take appropriate responsibility for what goes on at your stations.”
He further urged the ranks to maintain professionalism at all times, stressing that police officers must not “cherry-pick the law” but ensure they act in accordance with it.
Congratulating the officers on their successful completion of the course, Watts encouraged them to put the knowledge gained into practice as they continue to serve the Force and the wider Guyanese society.
The Senior Leadership Course is part of the GPF’s ongoing efforts to enhance
Man shot during confrontation with security guard on Regent Street
POLICE are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Monday night (September 29, 2025) on Regent Street, Bourda, Georgetown, leaving 38-year-old Quacy Jandoo with a gunshot wound to his left thigh.
According to reports, Jandoo, an unemployed man of no fixed place of abode, was in the vicinity of Classic Styles Boutique at around 21:45 hrs when he was confronted by 38-year-old Ryan Weekes, a Supernumerary Constable attached to KGM Security Services.
Investigators were told that an argument ensued between the two men, during which Weekes discharged a round from his service pistol, striking Jandoo, who fell but managed to run into a nearby yard.
Weekes later told police that earlier that evening, while on duty at the Classic Collection building, he observed Jandoo cutting a GTT cable attached to the building with a hacksaw blade. He claimed that when he confronted Jandoo, the man pulled a cutlass from his pants waist and attacked him, prompting him to fire a single shot in self-defence.
Ranks responding to the report located Jandoo in a nearby known ‘drug block’. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was treated for the gunshot wound and admitted in a stable condition.
Police have since taken possession of the firearm. Weekes is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
capacity building and professional development within its
The training programme, jointly facilitated by lecturers from the University of Guyana and the Police Force, was designed to strengthen the ranks’ leadership and supervisory skills
Today’s Quiz: (1) How many times GAW have won the CPL title?
(2) How many times TKR have been crowned CPL Champions?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
CMC – WITH the highly anticipated Test series against India on the horizon, West Indies vice-cap-
tain Jomel Warrican has expressed quiet confidence in his team’s preparations, emphasising a focus on the
Rising Stars capture women’s
trophy.
category...
Meanwhile, Ministers of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. and Steven Jacobs, who delivered brief remarks during the interval, urged the organisers to ensure they make full use of the four new stadiums across the country which are due to be officially open later this year.
Minister Ramson also urged the tournament’s organisers and players to consider: rotating the finals around the country in order to broaden the tournament’s reach and impact.
Apart from Regal Sta-
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tionery & Computer Centre, the other main sponsors on board included Ramesh Sunich’s Trophy Stall which donated all the trophies, General Marine, Price Shopper Variety, Chung’s Global, ARD Youtuber (Danny Persaud), Crown Mining Supplies, Ansy and Amrit Furniture Store, INS Trading, Lakhram Singh Contracting Services, Rajiv Gandhi University, Blue Spring Water, Ofimak Office & Furnishings (Panama) and HL Latino America (Panama).
(Frederick Halley)
Warrican expresses quiet confidence against India
present moment and the hard work being put in on the training grounds in Ahmedabad.
The Caribbean squad has been acclimatising for the past couple of days, and Warrican, a left-arm spinner who could play a pivotal role in the subcontinental conditions, believes the intensive camp has been beneficial.
“It’s given us a lot of confidence, me as a left-arm spinner,” Warrican stated.
While he acknowledged the past success of left-arm spinners against the Indian batting line-up, he was quick to dismiss any notion of rely-
ing on history.
“It’s impressive that leftarm spinners have done well against India, but at the same time, you can’t live too much in the past. You have to be in the present and just focus on the job at hand.”
The team’s preparation has been thorough, featuring two demanding all-day sessions designed to simulate the rigours of a Test match. According to Warrican, every department is being finetuned.
“The batsmen have been doing a lot of drills, whether it be sweeping, playing off the back foot, for our
defensive or lofty shot, just backing the game plan,” he explained.
The bowlers, too, are leaving no stone unturned.
“The spinners or the pacers, or should I say the bowlers, have been hitting their lengths on target very consistently, doing a lot of spot bowling as well, and then taking that into bowling against the batsmen.”
Underpinning the intense physical work is a clear mental philosophy instilled by the coaching staff. The message is to play with freedom and enjoyment.
“The coaches have really
instilled in us to be free and back your game plans and enjoy your cricket,” Warrican shared.
“Any time you step on a field, don’t be tense. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just try and enjoy the moment and live in the moment. Just have some fun while you’re playing, but still be aware of what’s happening around you.”
Ultimately, Warrican knows that success will come down to execution on the day. The plan is simple: to adapt to conditions quickly and assess situations right off the bat.
West Indies vice-captain Jomel Warrican
‘So far, so good’ - Forde on Women’s League
NOW into its third month of action, the Women’s Division One League 2025 has thus far provided a platform for entertaining women’s competition in Guyana.
Featuring 10 teams from across the country, the League is providing playing opportunities to players from almost every region, in a quest for a $1M grand prize.
During an exclusive chat
with GFF President Wayne Forde, he highlighted some of the positive aspects of the League, noting that it has been good thus far.
“I think at the moment, we have almost 200 young women playing football every weekend, and they'll be doing this for the next five months, and then once the league is settled and the champion has emerged, then we go into the League Cup;
I think it's unprecedented. We haven't had women's football competition that would have lasted as long as this tournament will last. So, we are able to check many of the boxes that are informing our planning process,” Forde explained.
He continued to divulge, “One is that the girls are going to be getting a lot of game time, they're obviously training more often. This is
being done just when we are about to get into the CONCACAF W Championship. So, it is quite possible that many of the girls playing in the domestic space will be eligible and will stand out in the selection process when the national team gets here.
So, I believe it's a bold step. It's obviously a huge investment on the part of the GFF and we have a lot of support from FIFA in pursu-
ing this.”
“I was happy to observe from a little bit of a distance that things were going pretty well, and so far so good,” Forde declared.
Quizzed about the participation of several hinterlandbased players and teams, the GFF boss described the move as a positive step.
He reasoned, “We know the talent is there, it's always been a challenge of how we access that talent. So, the fact that we've been able to have River’s View from Bartica stepping into the tournament, Mainstay has been able to put together a good squad; they're competing, and they're doing well.
And in the Guyana Defence Force, which is arguably, maybe the strongest team in the tournament, and even the Guyana Police Force; we're seeing a lot of hinterland players participating. We are nowhere close to where I believe we need to be, to really give every young girl who has a passion for football the opportunity to play. We're nowhere close to that place, but I think we're making positive, progressive, incremental steps.”
“But I would say it's a bold statement that we're making, that we want to give every young female a chance to play football. And if there is a hinterland team or a hinterland player that has the desire, it is the role of the GFF and our members, for a matter of fact, to open up a pathway.
And while we still haven't had the involvement of the best teams, in my humble opinion, yet in the tournament, I believe that is not too far on the horizon,” the GFF President went on to share.
Forde also responded to inquiries regarding his thoughts on the tournament’s competitiveness, appreciating the efforts of smaller clubs in the competition.
The GFF President divulged to this publication, “I
think clearly the Police FC and GDF FC, are a few cuts above everyone else, and I've watched both of those teams play. For matter of fact, I was able to watch GDF when they played in Trinidad and the most striking thing that I've seen in both Police FC and GDF is they're trying to put the ball down the carpet and play football.
Even though they're dominant and they can go and go on and score many goals as they have, even when they're in that position where they're playing an opponent that is much, much weaker than them, they're still trying to play football.”
“I think it will be quite a match when they finally meet each other. Surely, the entire country and fans are waiting for that match up. The jury's a little bit out on that one.”
He said regarding the competition’s other clubs, “With regards to the other teams, I think we're seeing some decent play from some of the teams that are a little bit below those two teams.
I was happy to see that River’s View came right away and started to make a statement. It's good to see Mainstay representing for the community.
Monedderlust was a surprise for us. And I mean, it's not just this quality of play, which is the question that you asked, it is the effort that those clubs have made to put together those squads and getting them there every day.
I think by the time this competition is over, we will see the overall quality of play elevated, we will see that, and that is the reason why the league has been organised.”
The Women’s Division One League will continue today, Wednesday October 1 with a doubleheader at the GFF’s National Training Centre at Providence. At 18:00hrs, Police will take on Fruta Conquerors FC while at 19:00hrs, GDF battles Western Tigers FC.
Rutherford, Shepherd, Motie, Joseph get CWI retainers
ALL-ROUNDERS
Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd, along with spin ace Gudakesh Motie and pace king Shemar Joseph have all landed retainer contracts for Cricket West Indies.
An announcement from CWI yesterday stated that the Board of Directors has approved the recommendations for International Retainer Contracts for the 2025/26 season, which commences on October 1.
Contracts have been offered to both West Indies Men’s and Women’s players following the 2024/25 evaluation period, with selections based on performance and
projected involvement in upcoming fixtures.
This contract cycle also includes the continuation and expansion of multi-year agreements, designed to reward consistent performers, provide greater security, and strengthen CWI’s ability to retain top talent.
CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, said, “We have placed a premium on both current performance and long-term potential, while keeping a close eye on our broader strategy of building towards major global tournaments, in addition to ensuring stability for our top performers, and aligning our pathways with long-term suc-
Jangoo, Simmonds save West Indies from whitewash
FROM PAGE 31
on a sluggish Sharjah pitch offering consistent sideways movement, the regional side were vindicated by a disciplined bowling performance.
The tone was set early, with Nepal’s openers finding boundaries hard to come against accurate bowling led by skipper Akeal Hosein.
Player of the series Kushal Bhurtel managed to hit a few lusty blows in his top score of 39, as the visitors put a stranglehold on the home side’s top order, stifling the powerplay that included 20 dot balls.
The pressure told quickly after the fielding restrictions eased, with Hosein and the impressive player of the match, Ramon Simmonds, exploiting the conditions perfectly.
Simmonds, brought in as one of two changes for the must-win encounter, was the game-changer, finishing with remarkable figures of 4-15 from three overs.
His impact was immediate, triggering a catastrophic middle-order collapse for Nepal. In his first two overs, Simmonds removed the dangerous-looking Rohit Paudel for 17 and Aarif Sheikh for 6, while a mix-up saw Gulsan Jha run out for 10.
From a precarious position of 91-5 in the 15th over,
Nepal never recovered, with Simmonds mopping up the tail to bowl them out for 122.
The West Indies chase was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Openers Amir Jangoo and Ackeem Auguste extinguished any faint hopes of a Nepal fightback from the very first over, with Jangoo launching a Karan KC delivery onto the stadium roof.
The pair feasted on anything short or wayward, peppering the leg-side boundary with ease.
They raced to a 47-run power play, effectively ending the contest within the first six overs. A rare dropped chance by Paudel to reprieve Auguste on 29 was a symbol of Nepal’s deflated energy.
Jangoo was in sublime touch, and after a solid foundation, he shifted into a devastating top gear. He brought up his fifty off just 38 balls and then unleashed a brutal assault, smashing five sixes in his last nine deliveries.
The Trinidadian left-hander would finish not out on 74.
At the other end, Auguste provided the perfect foil with 41 not out, as the visitors galloped to their target with a massive 46 balls to spare, securing their first-ever ten-wicket win in T20Is.
calls for ‘immediate reset’ of West Indies cricket
CMC – In a scathing indictment of the current state of West Indies cricket, former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister and ex-CARICOM cricket committee head Dr Keith Rowley has called for a complete and immediate “reset,” labelling the team’s historic 90-run capitulation to Nepal a “disaster” that demands radical action.
Taking to social media in the wake of the humiliating defeat, Dr Rowley expressed emotions shared by millions across the Caribbean: fear, anger, and profound sadness.
He stated that the loss, coming so soon after the team’s 27 all-out collapse against Australia in July, is a “gut punch” from which the sport’s governing body cannot simply shrug off.
“I fear that someone in Cricket West Indies will try to rationalise this and find ‘positives’!” Rowley wrote, pre-empting the kind of postmatch analysis that has often followed such failures.
His solution was blunt and immediate: “My God, keep the bowlers and fire ALL the batsmen, at least for now! We want COMMITMENT and guts and grit and, of course, some talent. We must START OVER!”
The former leader placed the blame squarely on the current administrative structure, identifying the controversial “one coach, one selector” experiment as a primary cause of the team’s decline.
“Clearly, it has failed spectacularly. It must end NOW!” he declared, demanding a return to an “accountable development model which is based on performance, improvement and progress.”
Rowley warned that patience without tangible results is a “giant waste of time” and that the situation is too dire for minor adjustments.
Galatasaray beat Liverpool in Champions League clash
(BBC) - Liverpool suffered their second successive defeat as Galatasaray inflicted a Champions League loss on a thunderous night in Istanbul.
Head coach Arne Slot left talisman Mohamed Salah on the bench after Liverpool lost at Crystal Palace, but the Premier League champions failed to fire amid a constant cacophony of noise at RAMS Park. And, to add to Liverpool's misery, goalkeeper Alisson went off injured in the second half after pulling off a superb save from Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen gave Galatasaray the lead after 16 minutes when French referee Clement Turpin adjudged that Dominik Szoboszlai had fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz.
overturned following a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
to race clear on goal even before Galatasary went ahead from the spot early on.
“No scalpel will suffice here. A comprehensive RESET is called for,” he asserted, insisting on the establishment of minimum performance standards.
In his most dramatic prescription for recovery, Dr Rowley issued a clarion call to Cricket West Indies to enlist the help of the region’s most revered legends.
“Assemble a small team of successful individuals and assign them a role and some authority. Call in Lloyd, Lara, Roberts, Holding, and Ambrose to begin with and start a fishing program with a purpose,” he urged, referencing icons Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, and Curtly Ambrose.
“Given this disaster,” he concluded, “Cricket West Indies needs to CALL IN THE CAVALRY!!!”
The post ended with a stark warning to the administrators, reminding them of their ultimate accountability: “You need to talk to Caribbean people; otherwise, they will reject and eject you eventually.”
The goal came just 17 seconds after former Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez had cleared off the line from Cody Gakpo. Slot introduced Salah and Alexander Isak just after the hour in an attempt to salvage something, but it was to no avail. Liverpool thought they would get the chance to rescue a point when referee Turpin pointed to the spot after Ibrahima Konate went down, but the decision was
Liverpool analysis: Frailties surface once more to trouble Slot Liverpool once again failed to match the standards they set when strolling to the Premier League title last season as they went down to defeat in the cauldron that is this intimidating, deafening arena in Istanbul.
Slot's side were exposed at the back, with Alisson their saviour as Yilmaz was able
Liverpool currently have a soft underbelly that has been a feature of their season so far, with several of their expensive stars struggling to make an impact, despite the fact they still stand top of the Premier League.
It took a stoppage time goal from Virgil van Dijk to win their opening Champions League game against Atletico Madrid at Anfield and, while there is no cause for concern yet about their campaign, the
simple truth is that performances must improve.
Slot's decision to leave Salah on the bench did not reap dividends, while £116m Florian Wirtz was once again anonymous.
This was a very bad night for Liverpool, capping a disappointing few days, with injury concerns over their outstanding keeper Alisson, as well as Hugo Ekitike, who went off in the second half.
Slot and Liverpool will hope for much better when they visit Chelsea on Saturday evening.
Demerara dethrone Essequibo
By Sean Devers
SKIPPER Lomar
Seecharran led from the front as Demerara crushed the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) X1 by 180 runs yesterday to finish the GCB 40-over U-13 Cricket Tournament as the only unbeaten team to this year’s title.
Scores: Dem 232-3 in 40 overs, GCB X1 52 all out in 23.2 overs.
Yesterday, at Lusignan, Seecharran, who plays for the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in club cricket, followed his 144 against defending champions Essequibo in the last round with a carefully constructed 55 from
53 balls with six fours and a six to take his runs tally to 218 runs. Seecharran shared in a 98-run opening partnership with Nathaniel Ramkhelawan who struck four fours and a six in his patient 67-ball 64 before Seecharran was trapped LBW by Daniel Johnson. Andrew Narine removed Ajay Kissoon (8) before Aaron DaCosta bowled Ramkhelawan as two wickets fell at 151 but that was the last success for the GCB’s X1 as they chased leather in sweltering heat for the rest of the innings.
Afraz Khan reached the boundary thrice in his unbeaten 52 while Deshawn Ramnauth finished on 25 not
out with two fours as they added 91 in an unbroken fourth wicket partnership. The GCB’s X1 suffered their third consecutive defeat as Afridi Khan who reached the boundary twice in his 11 and Johnson who made 10 reached double figures.
Deshawn Ramnauth captured 5-5 and got support from Jasani Craig who took 3-8. At LBI, Essequibo chasing 52 for their second win, finished on 52-5 from 19 overs as only Timothy Ramdat (17) reached double figures as Brandon Grimmond took 2-12
Earlier, only Solomon Hercules, undefeated on 13 offered a fight to Marus
Thomas who took 6-14 and Justin Henry who took 2-16. Berbice slumped from 24-1 to 24-8 before Solomon’s 13 with two fours took them to 50 as five batters fell for ducks.
At the presentation, Seecharran who scored the most runs and the first century in the three-year history of the U-13 Inter-County received the MVP Award.
The left-handed Seecharran, has already represented Guyana at U-15 and U-17 levels and ended as the leading wicket-taker with eight wickets.
Ramnauth and Adrian Emannuel had eight wickets each.
Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister and ex-CARICOM cricket committee head Dr Keith Rowley.
Victor Osimhen celebrates after putting Galatasaray ahead from the penalty spot against Liverpool in the Champions League game in Istanbul
Rising Stars capture women’s category in inaugural Unification softball
RISING Stars rose to the challenge to emerge winners of the women’s category when the inaugural One Guyana Unification Cup softball tournament, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL), in conjunction with title sponsors Regal
Stationery & Computer Centre, ended at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda on Sunday.
The win earned the girls from Parika, East Bank, Essequibo $400, 000 and the Trophy Stall sponsored trophy while the runners-up Number
Jangoo, Simmonds save West Indies from whitewash
– A revitalised West
delivered a crushing ten-wicket victory over Nepal in the final T20I, preventing a historic whitewash and showcasing the potent talent within their ranks.
Despite the emphatic na-
ture of the win, the result does little to overshadow Nepal’s landmark achievement in securing their first-ever series win against a full member nation after claiming the series 2-1.
Choosing to bowl first TURN TO PAGE 29
64 Knight Riders had to settle for $100,000 and a trophy.
The original prize money of $300,000 was increased through the generosity of New York-based Guyanese Reshma Mathura.
Led by fine unbeaten half-centuries from Ackeela
Stephen who’s 67 was decorated with four fours and six sixes and Vena Garraway, who struck four fours and an equal number of sixes in 57, Rising Stars reached a challenging 193 for three in their allotted 15 overs.
In reply, the Berbicians
were restricted to 152 for three in their 15 despite 57 from the consistent Tina Ganie and 47 from skipper Jenefa Kewley.
Linda Stephen of Rising Stars, the lone centurion (101 not out on the opening day), took home the Most Valuable
Player (MVP) prize of the category – one living room suite and a bicycle, compliments of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport while her cousin Ackeela Stephen was named Player of the final and was awarded with a TURN TO PAGE 27
Barrow scores 10 goals as Police plunder Mainstay Goldstar
THE Guyana Police Force football club effected one of their largest victory margins in the Elite League’s history, a 26-nil rout of Essequibo’s Mainstay Goldstar.
The drubbing took place on Monday at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre.
Police had 12 different scorers in the match-up, but it was Neron Barrow who eclipsed them all with 10 goals of his own.
He singlehandedly dominated the flow of play, taking four minutes before recording his first goal and scoring his 10th in the 67th minute to ensure one of the GPF’s most comprehensive victory.
Jemar Harrigan also recorded a hat-trick with doubles for Daren Benjamin, Troyston Louisy and Adrian Aaron.
The other goal scorers were Simeon Moore, Antonio McArthur, Jadem Thom, Dorwin George, Sealon Sue, Devon Padmore and Carl Griffith.
Meanwhile, in another clash on the night, Monedderlust and Santos FC played to a stalemate with the contest ending 1-1.
The league continues this weekend with double headers on both days: on Saturday Ann’s Grove will meet Mainstay Gold Star and then Monedderlust will clash with Slingerz. While on Sunday, Fruta conquerors will tackle Den Amstel and Santos will take on the Guyana Defence Force.
CMC
Indies outfit
The successful GPF FC squad
The victorious Rising Stars players pose with their winnings (Newsroom picture)
Cricket enthusiast Elizabeth Sunich hands over the Player of the Final trophy to Ackeela Stephen
File picture: Amir Jangoo played a match-winning fifty • Randy Brooks
