Israeli-induced starvation in Gaza kills 185 in August, kills 105 on Tuesday
With less than
turnout
Jagdeo claims victory Mohamed awaits GECOM’s declaration
Norton sees slim pathway to victory
Hughes confirms AFC out of Parliament
Amanza optimistic of gaining a seat Broomes swept out of House
military kills 11 people in strike
With the tabulation of votes cast at Monday’s general and regional elections presidential candidate of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Aubrey Norton said he remains hopeful that his party’s will secure a victory attheelections.
In an address posted on theparty’sofficialFacebook page, Norton stated that the partyhadfoughtagoodfight despitelowvoterturnout.He said, “To all members and supporters of A Partnership for National Unity, as presidential candidate, I want to say thank you for supporting the APNU I believe we fought a good fight I believe that our supporters didn’t turn out in the way we expected, but in thecircumstance,Ithinkwe havedonewell.”
Despite suffering significant losses in the party’s traditional stronghold of Region 10, Norton remains hopeful. He pointed to gains in other areas, noting, “We are tabulating. Our Statements of Poll should be ready shortly We do see a path to victory once we can maintainthepresenttrendin Region 4, though we sufferedlossesinRegion10. I should also point out that
we have improved on the East Coast, in Georgetown, andintheCorentyne.”
Reaffirming his confidence, Norton urged supporters to be patient and avoidmisinformation.
“We ask you not to be carried away by rumors and falsestatementsofpolls.Let us wait on the official declaration. We will stay on top of it to ensure that there
are no irregularities. Once again, thank you We appreciate your loyalty, and wewillanalyzethesituation and strategize on how we moveforward.”
In a separate interview with News Source, Norton reiterated his belief in a possible win. “What we are seeingisthatbythetimewe finish,ifwewinRegion4,if we continue on this
trajectory, we will win,” he said. However, he admitted that any slowdown in the trendcouldapplypressureto APNU’schances.
Commenting on the
results from Linden, traditionally a strongAPNU base, Norton lamented that the region might flip due to externalinfluence,including whatheclaimedwastheuse of money to sway voters. “Unfortunately, in these elections, a lot of money played its role I think Linden might have been the victimofthemoneythatwas circulated. But such a thing isshort-lived.”
N o r t o n a l s o acknowledged a decrease in voter turnout compared to the2015and2020elections, attributing it to political fatigue and disappointment over the absence of a coalitionbetweentheAPNU
that the tabulation process remainsincomplete,making it too early to make any definitiveprojections.
“The tabulation process has not been completed. If youareaskingmetomakea projection on where we stand,Iamunabletodothat. But it doesn’t look particularly favourable for the Alliance For Change,” Hughessaid.
He also raised concerns about reports amid widespread speculation on social media claiming a Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) win, despite the incomplete tabulation in Region4.
“ F r o m w h a t I understand,tabulationisnot yetfinishedinRegion4,and yet I’m hearing talk of swearinginanewpresident. I’m not sure how that can happen if the process is not c o m p l e t e O u r representatives indicated that less than half of the boxes have been counted. What we want is accuracy and the results, and this should mean that the tabulation process has to be completed before they can makeadeclaration,”hesaid.
andAllianceForChange.
“Thelowvoterturnoutis anindicationthatpeopleare becoming tired of the political system.We need to sit down, rework it, and come again,” he said. He further explained, “A lot of people were hoping for a coalition. When we didn’t get one, some felt we couldn’t win without it Guyanese were looking forward to a coalition between the APNU and the AFC, and the lack of that moral boost led to some apathy, especially in traditionalcoalitionareas.”
Meanwhile,AllianceFor Change (AFC) presidential candidate Nigel Hughes, speaking with Kaieteur
News on Tuesday,
confirmed that the preliminary SOP results do notappearfavourableforhis party However, he stressed
Additionally, the We InvestinNationhood(WIN) Party issued a statement urging citizens to wait for GECOM’s official declaration Posting on Facebook, WIN clarified that only the GECOM holds the constitutional authority todeclareelectionsresults.
“We are aware of claims being circulated by PPPaligned outlets declaring an election victory for Irfaan Ali. Let us be clear: this is premature and misleading. The vote count is still ongoing. Only GECOM has the constitutional authority to declare results,” the party said.
WINfurtherwarnedthat spreading misinformation could create confusion
“Spreadingfakenewsatthis sensitive time undermines democracy and risks creating confusion. We call on all citizens and media to actresponsiblyandawaitthe officialdeclaration.
Until GECOM speaks, noonehaswon.Let’sprotect our democracy by standing for truth, patience, and due process.”
Continuedonpage9
With a less than 50 percent of voter turnout
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Bharrat Jagdeo said that his partyhasclinchedvictoryat Monday’selectionsandwill return to government with a larger majority than it obtainedinthe2020polls.
Although not yet confirmed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) numbers tabulated from the available Statements of Poll (SOP’s) suggestthatlessthanhalfof the 757,690 eligible voters cast their ballots In an interviewwithNewsSource, Jagdeo informed that his party was in possession of 99% of the SOP’s, the other 1% coming from tally sheets,whereSOP’sweren’t received as yet Their internal tabulation was completed about 05:00hrs onTuesday
A smiling Jagdeo said: “ W e ’ r e g o o d a t mathematics.We were good in 2020 at mathematics and we’re good at mathematics again, and it’s simple now.”
The PPP’s general secretary explained that the elections are now over and it is now just the question of mathematics, anyone who can use a calculator would knowtheresults.
He said the PPP will be going into government comfortably and with a big margin.“…nowthePPPwill go into the National Assembly with a bigger majority than it did in 2020. That’s very clear from the trend you were seeing and from the gap between our total votes and that of WIN andAPNU and all the other small parties combined
There’s a substantial differencebetweenthevotes we garnered at the elections and what they did combined,”heexplained.
Noting that they will have an increased majority in the parliament, Jagdeo saidtheyhavebeentryingto signal this to the opposition several times at his press conferenceinthepast,based ontheirpolls.
“I did say that the WIN party was going to do damage to APNU and they would do so because of a combination of things. One that there are several people in APNU or who supported APNU in the past who did not want to support APNU againandtheywerelooking for a party that is not the PPP,”hesaid.
AdmittingthatWeInvest
onhood (WIN)
benefitted from this, Jagdeo went on to accuse the party of paying out large sums of moneytopersons“toinduce peopletovoteforhim.”
“…thirdly, they were running a social media campaign based on lies whichresonatedwithalotof young voters. Voters who mightbeimpressionableand there was a large number nearly 100,000 new voters
on their list So a combination of those things led to WIN displacing APNU, as the party that is second ranked in these elections,”hehighlighted.
Jagdeosaidthatitisnow up to APNU given the strategytheyhadwhichwas that somehow they felt by collaboration with WIN,
would have caused the PPP to re-enter office as a minoritygovernment.
“ T h e y a l m o s t encouraged their supporters
over time to speak favourable things about WIN and Azruddin Mohammed. He reminded that the PPPhas pointed out that this was something that wasnotgoingtohappen,and theywerecorrect.However, he said APNU being in the wrong has to now face the consequences, “that’s why Congress Place must be a very sad place today I’m surethatanumberofpeople who were vilified by the APNU trolls (and) who left APNUandcametothePPP, they must be very happy todaybecausetheycametoa party that has won the electionsoutrightandwitha bigger majority in parliament and their party has now been reduced to
Chief of Mission of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Election Observer Mission (CEOM), Josephine Tamai has noted
the need for model legislation in the region to helpprohibittheuseofState resourcesbygovernmentsto campaignforelections.
Speaking at a press
conference at the CARICOM Headquarters at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on Tuesday, Tamai said political will is needed to introduce such legislationintheCaribbean.
“If you look at some countries, for example, Jamaica that has moved in that direction, there is a much more level playing field for running political campaignsthere,”shesaid.
According to Tamai, therewerecomplaintsofthe useofStateresourcesforthe elections campaign in Guyana. “We were told that persons were using helicopters and other things tocampaign,right,butlikeI said, once we get those documentations, then we’ll be able to report on that more.”
She said there should be a cut-off point when an election is called, that persons who are still involved in running the
countrydon’thaveaccessto these resources, because they actually belong to the peopleofthecountry
Based on a line of questions by journalists, the chief of mission noted inter alia that there will be recommendations on how the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) could actually clean the voters’list.
“Wereceivedreportsthat there is an issue of dead persons on the list… to address this we would recommend that there be a re-registration process, and the creation of entirely new list.”
O u t s i d e o f i t s recommendations, the chief of mission said lauded GECOM and the people of Guyanafortheelectionsthat were conducted peacefully According to her, the CARICOM mission observed the electoral process in Regions Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 Tamai noted that based on the mission’s preliminary findings, the elections were smoothly conducted in a peacefulenvironment.
“A total of 324 polling stations were visited… The CEOMisoftheviewthaton elections day, voters were able to exercise their
franchise in a peaceful and orderly manner without significant incident The team observed no signs of intimidation, harassment or campaigning, intended to influence or obstruct the democratic process,” she said.
T h e C A R I C O M ObserverMissionsaidatthe opening of the polls, there
adequately staffed and professionallymanned.
“The process was smoothwiththeexceptionof one polling station, which openedat6:40amduetothe late delivery of the voting compartment, all other polling stations observed opened on time While voterturn-outappearedslow for a significant portion of the day, polling staff remained focused on their duties, ensuring that all eligible voters, who presented themselves, were abletocasttheirballots,”the chiefofmissionsaid.
“The CEOM also observed that some polling stations were not located on the ground floor This presented a challenge for elderly and disabled voters, which are an important consideration for future planning,”Tamaisaid.
She urged all Guyanese toremaincalm,peacefuland patient while awaiting the officialresultsofthegeneral andregionalelections.
“ The relevant authorities must be allowed the space to carry out their duties cordially and transparently Now more than ever, Guyanese must stand together and put countryfirst.Rememberthat thestrengthofthenationlies in unity, resilience to the democraticprocess.
She noted that the team will wrap up its mission today,anddepartGuyana.A comprehensivereportonthe country’s elections will be submittedtotheCARICOM secretariatsoonafter
Meanwhile in a statement, the Guyana Bar Association’s local observer
g r o u p e x p r e s s e d
appreciation to the GECOM staff who discharged their duties on election day with professionalism and competence, to ensure free and fair elections across Guyana.
Thelocalgroupobserved preparation, opening of polls, voting, close of polls and counting at over 500 polling stations at over 105 polling places in Essequibo,
Demerara and Berbice throughouttheday
AsGECOMcommences the process leading to the declaration of results, the observer group urges patience in permitting GECOM to complete its work to deliver accurate results.
“We would like to remind members of the public that GECOM is the only body with the lawful authority to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections held on 1st September, 2025,” the groupsaid.
It added that while the process, including our observationstatus,isnotyet complete since results have not yet been declared, the preliminaryreportsreceived at the current time from its observationteamarethatthe voting process on election day was generally peaceful andthatgeneralandregional elections were observed to befree,fairandtransparent.
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
Depression is a serious medical condition with various forms of accompanying symptoms. The condition may manifestitselfasfeelingsofsadnessandmelancholy,lossof interestinlife,shatteredself-image,indecisiveness,lackof focus, short attention span, restlessness, random aches and pains,irregularsleepingpatterns,andsuicidaltendencies.
Anyonewiththeprecedingsymptoms,oracombination thereof, persisting over at least two weeks, has a reason to worryandshouldbemedicallyevaluated.
AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO)an estimated 3.8% of the population experience depression, including 5% of adults (4% among men and 6% among women), and 5 7% of adults older than 60 years Approximately 280 million people in the world are depressed; (1). Depression is about 50% more common amongwomenthanamongmen.Worldwide,morethan10% of pregnant women and women who have just given birth experience depression. (2). More than 700 000 people die duetosuicideeveryyear Suicideisthefourthleadingcause ofdeathin15–29-year-olds.
Although there are known, effective treatments for mental disorders, more than 75% of people in low- and middle-incomecountriesreceivenotreatment.(3).Barriers toeffectivecareincludealackofinvestmentinmentalhealth care,lackoftrainedhealth-careprovidersandsocialstigma associated with mental disorders. It can happen to any person,irrespectiveofage,race,gender,orcreed.Thereisno specific cause for depression. This makes the prevention muchmoredifficultastherereallyaren'tanypointers.
Several factors can be responsible including, but not necessarily limited to, environment, genetics, life events, medical conditions, and some thought-processes that can have an adverse effect on a person's reaction to certain happenings. While there is compelling evidence that depressionrunsinthefamilyandthatgeneshaveahugerole toplayinit,itisnotnecessarythatapredisposedpersonmay actuallyfallpreytothiscondition.Someindividualswitha form of the disorder, have had parents who have suffered some type of depression for several years as well. What is interesting is that it is still indeterminate whether it is the genesoralifeeventthathasbeenthecontributoryfactorin this case as the person concerned is in process of a divorce proceeding.
It is important to understand 'depression' then react and respond to the affected party accordingly. Many of us mistake a depressed state of mind of an individual to be a caseoflethargy,characterflaw,lessthanpositiveattitude,or a lack of diligence, and react with scolding and destructive criticism.Thisleadsusnowherebuttoadark,narrowalley ofdespair
Broadly speaking, depression is classified as a 'mood disorder.'Thesevereformofdepressionisknownas'major depression,' the longer-lasting, chronic form is called 'dysthymia.'Whenthetwoconditionscoexist,itisreferredto as'doubledepression'.
'Adjustment disorder' can be defined as a depressive reactiontoaspecificlifeeventsuchasapersonallossinlife. 'Bipolardisorder'isanothertypeofmooddisorderthathasa strong genetic basis. It involves alternating periods of extremedepressionandthoseofmania,qualifyingonetobe amanic-depressive.
Withdepressionhittingsomanypersons,onewondersif modernity is a double-edged sword, cutting both for and against.Whiletherehasbeennodefinitiveindicationinthis regard,itisnottoohardtosurmiseittobethecase.Everyone reactstoadversityinadifferentway Sometakeitinstride; others are consumed by it. Is the female gender more predisposedtofeelingsofdepression?Thisisaninteresting question and it has been observed now for a couple of decades that globally more women than men become depressed. It is possible that because of the tremendous responsibility placed on women for raising families in the face of all the pressures of the modern world – including extreme poverty as in Guyana – women face more of the
DearEditor,
As we await the tabulation of the election results by GECOM, several crucial questions must be answered before any results areofficiallydeclared.
1 GECOM must immediately inform the country of the exact number of Commonwealth citizens who voted in the elections.
Howlonghavethesepersons residedinthecountry?
2 GECOM must immediately inform the countryontheexactnumber ofVenezuelanswhovotedin these elections. When were they naturalized, and were these naturalizations gazettedasthe lawrequires?
3.GECOMowesittous
full transparency to provide information in no uncertain terms with regards to the dates when ID cards were issued for Commonwealth citizens and Venezuelans to votein the election Overseas voting is not permitted in Guyana'selections.Thiswas a very controversial issue in thetaintedpollsof1968and
1973.Asresponsiblecitizens and representatives of the Guyanese Republic, we ask why our electoral system, and the results should be overwhelmedandtaintedby questionable foreign intrusionofthiskind.
Respectfully, Deonarine Ramsaroop (Frm.MP) (APNUCANDIDATE)
DearEditor,
The PPP/C government has made massive strides in initiating the physical transformationofGuyana.In its next term, it faces a tougher task: transforming people'svalues,attitudesand behaviours in relation to themselves and their social andphysicalenvironment.
As is clear from its manifesto, the PPP/C recognizes the need for a civic education program to effect these changes. But whatconstitutesaneffective civic education program? What are its ingredients and how are they related to the broader physical, economic andculturallandscape?
Civic education is more thanaclassroomsubject;itis the way a people learn to imagine their lives, their opportunities, and their relations to others, that is, their belonging to a nation. We often think of civics in termsofformallessons,buta civic consciousness and culture is primarily learned through daily life experiences, through the experiences that allow peopletodream,toplan,and
to connect their personal aspirations to the wider social and physical environment in which they live.
Government has already recognized this through recent education initiatives led by the Ministry of Education, which place greater emphasis on skills, creativity, and social learning.Butciviceducation cannot remain confined to schools. It must also be learned through lived experiences supported by national initiatives, whether in tourism policy under the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, in cultural programmes, or in state media through the Department of Public Information,thatgivepeople opportunities to imagine, to explore, to share, and to enjoytheircountry
Tourism is especially important here. Ironically, it is often when international visitors arrive that locals themselves begin to see the value of their own landscapes, cultural practices and spaces, and opportunitiesforenjoyment.
highlights the beauty of our rivers, mountains, and towns, it provides an opening for domestic tourism to flourish and for citizens to develop a deeper senseofpride.
But this requires a broader vision of tourism. For too long, policy has treated tourism as almost s y n o n y m o u s w i t h ecotourism. Ecotourism is valuable, but it cannot stand alone. Citizens also need lifestyle tourism, spaces where families and friends can travel for a weekend, take and share photographic stories celebrating life and enjoying places and people in their own country This calls for investments in integrated resorts along rivers, mountain retreats, open-air cafés, and leisure spacesdesignednotonlyfor international visitors but for Guyanese families as well. Theseareplaceswherecivic pride grows through lived experience, where people learn to see themselves as
partofsomethinglargerthan their household, and where the sense of Guyana is enjoyed and becomes tangible. When combined withformalcivicseducation from primary school upward,andwithstatemedia that highlights local spaces, events, and opportunities, these lifestyle experiences become powerful tools of civic formation. They help citizens expand their thinking from self and family to community and nation.
Civic culture is not built by instruction alone. It is built when education, tourism, media, and culture worktogethertogivepeople both knowledge and opportunities to live that knowledge.
In this way, Guyana's policies, through the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Tourism, IndustryandCommerce,and the Department of Public Information, can come together to strengthen not just the economy, but also theveryspiritofcitizenship. Yourssincerely, Dr.WalterHPersaud
DearEditor,
After three months of tellingthetruthforafew,and for others, telling tales, September1sthasarrived. It is the decisive day when a dream becomes a reality and also, a nerve wrecking day when a dream may become a nightmare!
The Government has declared today as a national holiday
Even the land where dreams come true, the Land of the Braves, has declared today as a national holiday, Labor Day It is a day when Guyanesewillexercisetheir civic and civil duty to cast their votes to elect their favorite, their family and their friend, to preside over thislandofmanywatersand racesforanotherfiveyears. Willtodaybethedaythe
“triggers” of depression. However, intriguingly, suicide is more prevalent among men in Guyana. Obviously there needs to be further investigation. In Guyana, we tend to dismiss depression as just “feeling low”, but from the foregoing we can see it is much more than that. It is high timethatitbeplacedonthenationalhealthagenda.
music died, or, the earth stood still, or, where eagles dare?Todayisdefinitelythe dayofretribution,reckoning and reconciliation for the Guyanese electorate The famous comedian, Jerry Lewis, made an unreleased movie, "The Day the Clown Cried." Regardless of the individualidentifyinginany interesting introspect, one thing doesn't change, i.e., today is another day in the year 2025 and it marks the beginning of the month of September Historically, the world may choose to remember a few infamous and
unforgettable incidents whichoccurredonthe1stof September: in 1894, over 400 people died in a forest fire in Hinckley, Minnesota; in 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake wrecked Tokyo and Yokohama, killing 105,000people;in1939,the European phase of World War 11 began when Germany and Slovakia invadedPoland;in1961,the deadliest single plane crash evertoberecordedwasTWA Flight 529 taking off from Midway Airport in Chicago and killing all 78 people on board;in1983duringthe (Continuedonpage5)
DearEditor, Guyana is a nation in progress; a nation once identified as the "sleeping giant"ofSouthAmericathat has now awakened, rising withrenewedpurpose,pride, andprosperity(PPP).Under the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, led by His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali, Guyana is undergoing what canonlybetermedanational transformative renaissance in every sector, as well as societyatlarge. This renaissance is very deliberate. It is the result of solidandsoundpoliciesand inclusive and equitable governance The PPP/C
governmentwastaskedwith administering a nation with years' worth of shunted prosperity, missed opportunities, and trust in governance and leadership eroded.
But,inafewshortyears, under President Irfaan Ali's leadership, Guyana is now one of the world's fastestgrowing economies and the centerofglobalattentionnot just for oil but for the sustainable development and national spasms of growth that are being channeledintothenation.
The Ali-led government has recognised that oil acts as a springboard and not a lifeline Revenue from
DearEditor,
The election results are tricklingin,anditseemsthat the opposition is once again headedforapainfulloss.
As a member of the old PNCandnowAPNU,Ihave one question to ask our leaders How do you explain that many of your major supporters have a nearly 30
% unemployment rate - but we have a labor shortage, and the government has to gooverseastogetworkers?
The lesson learnt is, please stop using the victimhoodandracismcard. Teach, educate, motivate andupliftusplease. Thankyou, HerbertAllen
petroleum is being directed towards refurbishing the country's infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Also receiving government funding are the agriculture, tourism, technology, and manufacturing sectors. The government remains committed to its goal that every Guyanese citizen, regardlessofsocioeconomic background, shares the benefits of the nation's wealth.
Thecountryisexpanding its housing schemes, roads, bridges, and highways, which will connect the hinterlandtothecoastlandto unlock new economic potential.Investmentinvital infrastructure, including the newDemeraraRiverBridge, regionally connecting highways, and increased energy capacity, all serve a greater purpose. More than just construction, these will serveaslifelinestostimulate trade, create jobs, and unite Guyana as one people, one nation,andonedestiny
The PPP/C focuses on transforming social systems alongsideinfrastructure,too. President Ali has strongly committed to enhancing the quality of life for average
Frompage4
ColdWar,aSovietjetfighter shotdownKoreanAirLines Flight 007 a commercial aircraft,andkilledall269on board, including Lawrence McDonald; in 1985, an A m e r i c a n - F r e n c h expedition led by Robert Ballard, discovered the wreck of Titanic Meteorological Fall begins on September 1st, the day whenleaveschangeitscolor
and some may fall as the daysprogressintheAutumn Season. Will there be any correlation for Guyanese? It is a transition from Summer to Fall, bringing with it a change in the weather, the landscapes and people's routines Will this day translate to any significant shift in the political landscapeinGuyana?
For some, the gnawing summer's humidity may
begin to disappear, bringing acertainamountofgloomas the school season starts!
Soon, for some Guyanese, willthereberoomfordoom and gloom or a voom to bloom? Shortly, time will tell.Later,withthecounting of the valid votes from the ballot boxes, will the fate of somepoliticiansbesealedas theresultswillreveal?
Yoursrespectfully, JaiLall
Guyanese. The government has also focused on education, creating new training opportunities that willpermitanewgeneration to thrive in a more developed, multi-faceted economy Furthermore, healthcareisbeingexpanded through the construction of new hospitals, which will modernisehealthcareaccess to quality urban and rural hinterlandmedicalservices.
Thegovernmentalsohas the unprecedented housing drive,whichgivesthousands offamiliesthelandtitlethey so long wished for This is not just housing but also restores dignity and security and paves paths to multigenerationalwealth.
Perhapsthemoststriking aspectofthistransformation is the participation of everyone The PPP/C government is keenly aware that development has to be multi-regional and include all of Guyana, be it coastland, riverine, hinterland, or more Indigenouspeoples,whofor too long under the previous administration were sidelined in policy making, are today at the front and center of national development. The villages are being transformed through productive investment, infrastructure development, and other development programmes thatarebuilttobeculturally respectful but foster advancement.
President Ali's style of governanceisnotonethatis present in any of the other candidates; it's one that is very personal and peopleoriented, as analyzed by experts and observers. He has gone out of his way to
participate in their daily routines, hear their issues, and design solutions to their real problems; he is a president that is with the people and for the people. This leadership style and personalityhasenhancedthe situation immensely, restoring trust and
c o n f i d e n c e a n d strengthening a renewed sense of purpose among the people.
Guyana's voice is being heard, and under President Ali, the nation is being established as a respected
important international and regional issues, such as climate resilience, food s
rgy transition, which positions the nation both as a leader among small states and as a credible partner to larger economies.This balancethe government is trying to a
heights.
The narrative of Guyana is undergoing a renaissance. Guyana is now the region's epicenterofopportunity Itis a nation where children can aspire and dream of anything.Workerscanearna decent wage. Families can live well. Every citizen, irrespective of race, region, orreligion,canenvisionand actively partake in the progressthatisunfolding.
This is not only a transformationofthenow It is equally a transformation that is visionary and, therefore, long-term The transformation is a Guyana forgenerationstocome.Itis about defending newfound wealth and ensuring it is converted to lasting prosperity It is about defending that no one is left behind, and, finally, it is about securing Guyana's placeintheworld.
l development and climate responsibility demonstrates a maturing ability to navigate complex global dynamics and protect the country'snaturalpatrimony Guyana is not simply experiencing economic growth; the country is e x p
an
c i n g
formation What distinguishestransformation from growth is governance thatenvisionsandbuildsand does not merely administer ThePresidentAli-ledPPP/C government is not passively awaiting a better future; the government is actively, purposefully, and strategically crafting it through deliberate decisions and a moral duty to elevate the people of Guyana to previously unimaginable
President Ali and the PPP/C government put Guyana on the path of irreversible advancement The task ahead is gigantic, but the foundation has been laid, a foundation that we mustnowbuildon.Andthus it is that in this pursuit, one fact resonates: Guyana is no longer defined by what hindersitbutbywhatitcan, and it only 'can' under this current administration, and that is proven by a track record of action and kept promises, a track record of listening to the people, and servicetothepeople.
(Continuedonpage6)
The Guyana Human RightsAssociation (GHRA) hasraisedconcernsaboutthe accessibilityandintegrityof the 2025 General and Regional Elections, including foreign voter p a r t i c i p a t i o n a n d irregularities.
The GHRA in a statement on Tuesday noted its concerns regarding the integrity and inclusiveness of the elections The organisation said that while polling day was largely peaceful, multiple issues threatenthecredibilityofthe p r o c e s s a n d t h e constitutional right of citizenstoparticipateinfree and fair elections. Notably, in a statement on Tuesday
evening, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) issued a statement responding to the GHRA'sconcerns.
The first concern identifiedbytheGHRAwas
t h e f o r e i g n v o t e r participation citing credible reports and video evidence which show groups of alleged Bangladeshi and Indian contract workers arriving by bus at a polling stationinRegionFour
“These individuals presented Guyanese NationalIDcards.However, under the nationality field, the word Commonwealth was recorded instead of Guyanese, which is legally invalid Such registration should have been rejected under the Constitution and electorallaw,”GHRAsaid.
In relation to this concern, the organisation demanded clarification on thenumber,originandstatus of all foreign voters on the electoral register; whether
any coercion or contractual obligation influenced their participation and similar information for other nonGuyanese voters, such as Venezuelan nationals registeredtovote.
Further, GHRAsaid that there were voting irregularities, citing the arrival of voters en bloc, rather than individually It said that this is inconsistent withtheprincipleofsecrecy, individual suffrage e n s h r i n e d i n t h e Constitution.
The organisation argued that the inclusion of ineligible foreign nationals underminesthecredibilityof thevote.
“Article 59 of the Constitution of Guyana reservestherighttovotefor citizensonly Anydilutionof this right through ineligible voter participation compromises the legality and legitimacy of the electoral outcome,” GHRA said.
It stressed that given the s t a k e s , i n c l u d i n g governance over substantial oilrevenues,itisimperative thatallprocedural,legal,and constitutionalsafeguardsare rigorouslyenforced.
G H R A s t a t e d , “International observers have emphasized that elections must be credible, inclusive,andtransparent.If this standard is applied, the GHRAwould be shocked if anyobservermissionwereto declare this election credible, inclusive, and transparent without first obtaining clarification on these critical issues, particularly foreign voter p a r t i c i p a t i o n a n d accessibilityfailures.”
The body called on GECOM to provide a full and transparent account of voter eligibility verification and remedial action for accessibility failures. It then called on international and domestic observers to withhold certification of the election results until foreign voter irregularities and accessibility breaches are fully investigated and remedied.
Additionally, to the government and judiciary, GHRA said, “Uphold the constitutional right of citizens to vote by initiating thorough inquiries and ensuring corrective measureswhererequired.”
GECOM
Meanwhile, GECOM in response said that it views the contents of the GHRA statement as intended to undermine the gains made by the Commission regarding the efficient manner in which elections were conducted and to besmirchtheintegrityofthe election process with insinuationsofirregularity
In response to GHRA's concern of inclusiveness, GECOM said that the
Commission complied with the legislative requirements regarding the preparation of the Official List of Electors (OLE).
“Since January 2023, registration of electors was done throughout the year as provided for in law Several Claims and Objections exercises were conducted with the last one being directly linked to the preparation of the OLE Therefore, the issue of inclusiveness regarding the conduct of the elections can o n l y b e s e e n a s mischievous,” GECOM said.
As it relates to the foreign voters' participation, it was reminded that Bangladesh and India are both members of the Commonwealth GECOM outlined the statutory authority that provides for the registration of citizens from Commonwealth countries who are 14 years and over and living in Guyanaforoneyearormore bythequalifyingdate.
It said, “Every citizen from Commonwealth countries, not limited to the two about which the GHRA
is concerned, who meet the criteria qualify for registrationandbyextension tovoteatelectionsproviding they are registered and meet the age requirement. Once CommonwealthCitizensare registered as electors, then all of them, are entitled to vote at the said elections including the September 1, 2025elections.”
Further, GECOM reminded of its legal obligation to issue National Identification Cards to citizens of Commonwealth countries. It explained that the Commonwealth is not recorded in the field for nationality Italsonotedthat the letter “C” is recorded in that field as has been done forovertwodecades.
“It is abundantly clear that the use of the term 'foreign voters' is a connotation that persons of foreign [nationality] were covertlyinsertedasvotersin the OLE. In this regard, we take the opportunity to emphasizethateveryentryif the OLE met the statutory requirements for inclusion,” GECOMsaid.
As it relates to the concern of voting en block,
GECOM said there is absolutely no probation for or regulation concerning whether voters can arrive in groupsorindividually “This isclearlyanon-issue,”itwas stated.
Regarding the call for GECOM to provide a full and transparent account of voter eligibility and verification, GECOM stated thisispreciselywhatisdone during registration and Claims and Objections exercises, which includes the publication of Preliminary and Revised Listsofelectors.
“As must be obvious, from the foregoing, to all concerned, there can be no assumption that GECOM mighthavebeeninvolvedin somekindofdeceitfulaction to facilitate voting by citizens from Bangladesh andIndia.Wetherefore,call on the GHRA and the organisations who endorsed the document to desist from making unsubstantiated assertionswhich,intheeyes of the Commission is aimed at undermining the integrity and credibility of the yet to be concluded elections,” GECOMsaid.
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Indeed, Guyana is transformingbeforeourvery eyes. Many days I go to communities,andI'mtoldby the residents, "Things are happening so fast that if I leaveandcomebackaweek later, it's like I am in a different place," a proud result of the PPP/C government's vision, leadership, and hard work under the able guidance of PresidentIrfaanAli.
Guyana's progress is a source of great pride. It is changing,andthesechanges remarkably embody the vision and the tireless work of the PPP/C government underPresidentIrfaanAli.
Guyana's General and Regional elections are September 1, and as the peopleofGuyanaprepareto
go to the polls, the options available to them are unmistakable. Guyana has experienced unprecedented growth over the last several years and continues to transitiontowardanexciting future Under proven leadership,PresidentAlihas shown unwavering vision and determination, which has strengthened Guyana's position on the world stage. The PPP/C continues to deliver on promises and remains focused on growth, national inclusion, and ensuring dignity for all citizens.
Sustaining Guyana's current position will require the same stability and foresight that the PPP/C government has already demonstrated. Further to this, proven
leadership is critical to ensurevisionissuccessfully transformedintoresults.
These reasons are sufficient in ensuring the People's Progressive Party/Civic and President Aliaregrantedanotherterm to continue to build on ongoinginitiatives.
Guyana remains the center of international attention, and by voting on September 1, the people of Guyanahavetheopportunity toshapethenarrativeasthey seefit.
The opportunity to positively shape regional and international perception ofthenationiscoupledwith the undeniable opportunity to improve the lives of citizens, all of which continues to serve as the guidingvisionforthePPP/C.
For Guyana to continue the ongoing transition and progress,thePPP/Cmustbe provided the opportunity to leadandcontinuetogovern. President Ali continues to remind all citizens to shape the narrative on how swiftly and smoothly these transitions can be achieved. The choice is clear; to interruptthemomentumwill betogamblewiththefuture. Do not make the mistake. The answer to continued development and prosperity for all of Guyana is simple: votePresidentDr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the People's Progressive Party/Civic for anotherterm,anothertermof progress, prosperity, peace, andconsistency Regards, AlisterCharlie,MBA PPP/CCandidate
WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Reuters)-TheU.S.military killed 11 people onTuesday in a strike on a vessel from Venezuela allegedly carrying illegal narcotics, President Donald Trump said, in the first known
operation since his administration's recent deployment of warships to thesouthernCaribbean.
Trump told reporters at the White House: "We just, over the last few minutes, literally shot out a boat, a drug-carrying boat, a lot of drugsinthatboat."
"Andthere'smorewhere that came from. We have a lotofdrugspouringintoour country,cominginforalong time These came out of Venezuela,"Trumpsaid.
He later shared a video on hisTruth Social platform that appeared to show footage from overhead drones of a speedboat at sea explodingandthenonfire.
"Thestrikeresultedin11 terroristskilledinaction.No U.S. Forces were harmed in
thisstrike,"Trumpsaid.
He added that the U.S. military had identified the
Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which the U S designated a terrorist group in February He repeated allegations that Tren de Aragua is being controlled by Venezuela's President N i c o l a s M a d u r o , accusations that Caracas denies.
The Venezuelan Communications Ministry didnotimmediatelyrespond toarequestforcomment.
The Pentagon has not released specifics about the attack, including what kind of drugs were on board, the quantity, or how the strike wascarriedout.Thedecision to blow up a suspected drug vessel passing through the Caribbean,insteadofseizing the vessel and apprehending its crew, is highly unusual and evokes memories of the U.S. fight against militant groupslikealQaeda.
The United States has
deployed warships in the southernCaribbeaninrecent weeks with the aim of following through on a pledge by Trump to crack downondrugcartels.
Tuesday's strike appeared to be the first such military operation in the regiontothateffect.
Seven U S warships, along with one nuclearpowere
t attack submarine, are either in the region or expected to be there soon, carrying more than 4,500 sailors and Marines.
Impressive, I find out everything through this, the phone that Xi Jinping gave me.
While U.S. Coast Guard and Navy ships regularly operate in the Southern Caribbean, the current buildup exceeds the usual deploymentsintheregion.
In the naval force are warships, including USS SanAntonio,USSIwoJima, and USS Fort Lauderdale. Some can carry aerial assets
U.S. President Donald Trump replies to a question during an event to announce that the Space Force Command will move from Colorado to Alabama, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 2, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
like helicopters while others can also deploy Tomahawk cruisemissiles.
The U.S. military has also been flying P-8 spy planesintheregiontogather intelligence, U.S. officials have said. They have been flying over international waters Speaking to reporters, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: "These particular drugs were
probably headed toTrinidad orsomeothercountryinthe Caribbean."
"Sufficeittosaythatthe president is going to be on offense against drug cartels and drug trafficking in the UnitedStates."
Trump's singling out of Madurohasraisedalarmsin Caracas that their government might be the realtarget.
Last month, the United Statesdoubleditsrewardfor information leading to the arrest of Maduro to $50 million, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and criminalgroups.
Venezuelan officials have repeatedly said that Tren deAragua is no longer active in their country after they dismantled it during a prisonraidin2023.
More than 1
billion people arelivingwith mental health disorders, according to new data releasedbytheWorldHealth Organization (WHO), with conditions such as anxiety and depression inflicting immense human and economictolls.
While many countries have bolstered their mental health policies and program
investment and action are needed globally to scale up services to protect and promote people's mental health.
Mentalhealthconditions
such as anxiety and depression are highly prevalentinallcountriesand communities, affecting people of all ages and income levels They represent the second biggest reason for long-term disability, contributing to loss of healthy life. They driveuphealth-carecostsfor affected people and families while inflicting substantial economic losses on a global scale.
The new findings published in two reports –World mental health today and Mental Health Atlas 2024 – highlight some areas
of progress while exposing significant gaps in addressing mental health conditions worldwide. The reportsserveascriticaltools to inform national strategies and shape global dialogue ahead of the 2025 United NationsHigh-LevelMeeting
on noncommunicable diseases and promotion of mental health and wellbeing, taking place in New Yorkon25September2025.
“Transforming mental health services is one of the most pressing public health challenges,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General "Investing in mental health means investing in people, c o m m u n i t i e s , a n d economies – an investment no country can afford to neglect. Every government and every leader have a responsibility to act with urgency and to ensure that mental health care is treated not as a privilege, but as a basicrightforall.”
KeydatafromWorld mentalhealthtoday
The report shows that while prevalence of mental health disorders can vary by
s e x , w o m e n a r e disproportionately impacted
overall Anxiety and depressive disorders are the
most common types of mental health disorders among both men and women.
S
, claiming an estimated 727 000livesin2021alone.Itisa leading cause of death among young people across a
t r i e s a n d socioeconomic contexts Despite global efforts, progress in reducing suicide mortality is too low to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of a one-third reduction in suicide rates by 2030 On the current trajectory, only a 12% reduction will be achieved bythatdeadline.
The economic impact of mental health disorders is staggering While healthcarecostsaresubstantial,the indirect costs – particularly in lost productivity – are far greater Depression and anxietyalonecosttheglobal economyanestimatedUS$1 trillioneachyear
T h e s e f i n d i n g s underscore the urgent need for sustained investment, stronger prioritization, and multi-sectoral collaboration to expand access to mental health care, reduce stigma, andtackletherootcausesof
mentalhealthconditions.
Keyfindingsfromthe 2024MentalHealthAtlas
Since 2020, countries have been making significant strides in strengthening their mental healthpoliciesandplanning. Many have updated their policies, adopted rightsbased approaches, and enhanced preparedness for mental health and psychosocial support during healthemergencies.
H o w e v e r , t h i s
momentum has not translated into legal reform. Fewer countries have adopted or enforced rightsbased mental health legislation, and only 45% of countries evaluated laws in full compliance with international human rights standards.
The report reveals a concerning stagnation in mental health investment.
Median government spending on mental health remains at just 2% of total health budgets – unchanged since 2017 Disparities between countries are stark; whilehigh-incomecountries spend up to US$ 65 per person on mental health, low-income countries spend as little as US$ 0.04. The global median number of
mentalhealthworkersstands at 13 per 100 000 people, with extreme shortages in low- and middle-income countries.
R e f o r m a n d development of mental health services is progressing slowly Fewer than 10% of countries have fully transitioned to community-based care models, with most countries still in the early stages of transition Inpatient care continues to rely heavily on psychiatric hospitals, with nearly half of admissions occurring involuntarily and over20%lastinglongerthan ayear
Integration of mental health into primary care is advancing, with 71% of countries meeting at least three of five WHO criteria. However, data gaps remain; only 22 countries provided sufficient data to estimate service coverage for psychosis.
In low-income countries fewer than 10% of affected individuals receive care, compared to over 50% in higher-income nations –highlighting an urgent need to expand access and strengthenservicedelivery Encouragingly, most countries report having
functional mental health promotioninitiativessuchas e a r l y c h i l d h o o d development, school-based mental health and suicide prevention programmes. Over 80% of countries now offer mental health and psychosocial support as part of emergency responses, up from 39% in 2020 Outpatient mental health services and telehealth are becoming more available, though access remains uneven.
Globalcalltoscaleup actiononmentalhealth
While there have been some encouraging developments,thelatestdata shows that countries remain far off track to achieve the targets set in WHO's Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan. WHO calls on governments and global partners to urgently intensify efforts toward systemic transformation of mental health systems worldwide.
This includes: equitable financing of mental health services; legal and policy reform to uphold human rights; sustained investment in the mental health workforce;andexpansionof community-based, personcenteredcare.
It is one thing to lose an election,andquiteanotherto loseitbadly Thedistinction, though seemingly semantic, ispoliticaltoitsmarrow
A narrow loss allows a leader to walk away with dignity intact, to proclaim that history turned on the toss of a coin, that the c a m p a i g n w a s “competitive ” But a collapse, measured against o n e ' s o w n p a s t performances, strips away the veils. It leaves nothing but the naked verdict of the electorate,ajudgmentnotof chancebutofcharacter
In most functioning democracies there exists an unwrittenlaw,morebinding thanstatute.Whenaleaderis defeated, he or she offers to step aside. It is the leader's final service to the party, an act of accountability toward those who invested their trust. One resigns not out of vanity wounded but out of respect for the membership, and for the principle that leadership is borrowed, not owned.
But here in the Third World, where politics often resemblesakindofmedieval court, that unwritten law is
too often ignored. Leaders move not as custodians but as proprietors, convinced they have transport over the party They cling to the trappings of office with the devotion of a miser to his coins, convinced that their departure would trigger the collapseoftheheavens.
The favoured excuse, of course, is fraud. A leader who has been trounced by twenty points will insist, without evidence, that the people'swillhasbeenstolen. This fiction, once uttered, requires no proof; it thrives on the faith of the gullible and the desperation of the loyal Every irregularity, howeverminor,ismagnified into conspiracy Every rumour is recast as fact. In this way, defeat is not
d indefinitely in the collective imaginationofthefaithful.
Another stratagem is the manufacture of false hope. The defeated leader insists that “the numbers are still coming in,” and that “the recountwillshowadifferent story.”Hoursturnintodays, the defeat calcifies into permanence, yet still the
leaderoffersthepalliativeof optimism. The membership, starved for a miracle, clings to the possibility that tomorrow will undo yesterday
Contemporary politics offers further refinements to the art of denial. One is the scapegoat:blamethemedia, the electoral commission, and if needs be even the weather Blame, if need be, the voters themselves for faili
greatness when it was paraded before them
Another is the martyrdom strategy, in which the leader presentshimselfnotasloser but as victim, persecuted by hostile internal elites, betrayed by traitors within, undermined by foreign interests. In this narrative, defeat becomes a badge of honour, proof of courage againstimpossibleodds.
All these stratagems are aimed at moving attention awayfromtheshortcomings of the leaders towards others.Insodoing,theyshift the burden of failure from thecaptainatthehelmtothe storm, the crew, or even the ship itself, anything but the hand that steered it into
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Meanwhile, Amanza Walton-Desir, presidential candidate of the newly formed Forward Guyana
Movement (FGM), expressed optimism about her party's prospects of gainingaseatinParliament. Speaking with Kaieteur News, Walton-Desir praised her party's rise and the support received during the electionperiod.
“We remain optimistic, but we are incredibly proud ofwhatwehavebeenableto do in six weeks in terms of campaigning and contesting the general elections,” she said. “We outperformed in a manner that some critics didn't expect us to perform. So,wearejustoptimistic,we aregrateful.”
While FGM has not released any formal projections, Walton-Desir
confirmed that the party continues to monitor the tabulation process. “Though wedidn'thavefieldagentsin allofthestations,wearestill in the process of following the tallying of the SOPs published by GECOM,” she stated.
Efforts to contact the leader of the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) Simona Broomes provedfutileonTuesday
Demboysremembasmallboydays.Yuh fada use to carry yuh by de barba fuh get a nicesharptrim.Lineupneatneat,spickand span, ready fuh school. But soon as yuh reach,deboysinclasshada"tradition."Dem use to "welcome" yuh new haircut wid a lil tapbehindyuhhead.
Except it neva was no tap. Was one hot slapdatusetorattleyuhbrainbax.Demboys seh if is today times, people woulda call it chileabuse.Backden,wejusttekitandgrin. Lucky ting dem madness done in school now
But talkin' bout barba, it reminded dem boysofonestory
Oneelderlymanwakinbyabarbashap fushaveheheadclean.
"Howmuch,barba?"heask.
"Nothin,bai.Fuamanlikeyou,isfree," debarbaseh.
Next marnin when de barba open shap, hefindadozenmangoespondestep.
Latadatday,apriestcomeinfuhatrim.
"Howmuch,barber?"
"Nothing,Father YuhisamanofGod."
Nextmarnin,debarbafindadozenroses outside. Couple days afta, a Guyanese man comeinfuhahaircut.
"Howmuch,barba?"
"Nothin,bai.Yuhdon'thavetopay."
Next marnin when de barba open he shop,guesswahhesee?
A dozen Guyanese sittin' down pon de step,waitin'fuhfreehaircut!
Demboysseh,onlyinGuyana.
Talkhalf.Leffhalf
Donald Trump, to take the most prominent example, has made of this strategy an entire political career Helostthe2020U.S. presidential election, and lost it badly in the key battlegrounds, yet has persuaded millions that he was robbed The claim requires no evidence because it was never about evidence; it was about preserving himself in office and, failing that, in relevance. The lie, repeated often enough, becomes not fact but faith, a loyalty test separating true believers fromtheapostate.
Nor is this pathology confined to the Western hemisphere Consider Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, who outstayed both his welcome and his competence by decades, justifying each loss of legitimacy with tales of Western plots and imperial sabotage. Or the succession ofotherleaderswho,evenin the face of electoral humiliation, hint that “the numbersweremanipulated,” thereby offering their
followersareasontowaitfor a comeback that never comes.
Yet against these techniques stand forces no leader can forever resist. Parties, unlike monarchies, do not thrive on the immortality of one man They require renewal, the constant infusion of new faces, new energies, new visions When a leader refuses to step aside after defeat, the party itself ossifies. The membership growswearyofexcuses,the younger generation turns elsewhere, and the machineryofpoliticsmoves on without the selfappointed custodian at its head. The truth, unpleasant butnecessary,isthatthebest ofuslosefromtimetotime. Churchill was cast aside aftervictoryinWorldWarII, Nehru's Congress lost after decades of rule, and in the United States even the great incumbents such as Adams, Hoover, and Carter were shown the door by an electorate that preferred other options. If greatness does not exempt one from theverdictoftheballot,then
how much less should those who never demonstrated an ability to lead claim immunity?
To lose badly is to hear, in the most unmistakable terms, the voice of the people saying “enough is enough”. It is not a tragedy but a reckoning. Leaders who respect their parties, their supporters, and themselves understand that suchmomentscallforgrace, for the willingness to step intothepoliticalsunsetwith head held high. To cling to office after such a verdict is not to demonstrate strength but to confess weakness, to admit that one's only talent lies in survival. In the end, the measure of leadership is not how long one holds on buthowoneletsgo.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Whatever the manner I try to frame Elections Day, September 1, 2025, I sense some falling short of the mark. Still, the mind and circumstancesdictateeffort.
In Churchillian terms: never has so much that's promisedbeenrejectedbyso many who had so little. In the sign language of the r o a r i n g R o m a n amphitheater: a resounding thumbs down. Or, in more modern street expression: a finger in the face for the troubles. In the chants of hippies: tune-out, shutout, low turnout. In the tones of oil, what Guyana is now known globally for: who have anticipated that Guyanesewillturnouttobe such a low energy, low voltage, low watt, set of people?
I didn't. Who could have? High turndown leading to low turnout Nonetheless, a few things are now beginning to make sense. Thoughithadtowait st forMonday,September1 to end, so confirmation can then limp in on crippled wings. Social media was in disbelief. Cyberspace lost itsspeed. Myintereststarted waningawhileback,moves
ondiminishingreserves. First, those crowds weren't really crowds in the true sense of the word Those crowds were another of the cheap contraptions at whichtherulersaresogood. The opposition didn't look too rosy, with its crowd optics. All the noise meant nothing. All the forced energywasjustthat-nothing but forced energy Because when the last bus-whether volunteered or coerced or engaged-had rolled the last yard, it was one big sham.
Another scam run on Guyanese by those interested in one thing only Power How to get into power Or stay in power by anymeansfairorfoul. Ithas beenmostlyfoul. Allofthis startedtotricklein,whenthe lastballotwascast,whenthe firststatstartedtakingeffect. Second, something else was proven when Monday's dusk, then dark, took control. The diehards and those who had much to lose were the ones that mainly came out. That's expected. Throughouttheday,thecalls and questions were consistent: something is wrong; why are all these places so close to empty,
actually empty, have that abandoned look? For me, that was unexpected. How to interpret unconfirmed voter malaise, especially in theelectionsof2025?
Third, I came to this conclusion when the last station door closed. The Guyanese people didn't believe. Theystayedhome, mailed-in their disinterest. Also, they registered their disillusionment. And their fears, too, which can't be discounted. They refuse to nibble at all the cream and cheese, all the money and honey and sweet delicacies dangled before them. The great, big cornucopia of promises that drenched potentialvotersfromleftand right, and above and under, allmeantnothing. Zilch.
Fourth, I did get one small thing right. After all the campaigning and courting, the private polls andprancing,thebigpeople didn't know where they reallystood. Rememberthat piece about the law of unintended consequences? It focused on the fear factor If supporters turnout, they may have to prove, with mechanisms in place to make that possible. Since
The Ministry of Education is s e e k i n g contractors to build a new
North Georgetown
Secondary School Invitation for bids (IFB) are to open on September 23 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board(NPTAB)office.
The North Georgetown SecondarySchoolislocated onWoolfordAvenue.
Several new schools have been built while existing schools were reconstructed across the country to address overcrowding and other issues.
able to complete their secondary school education in a safe, supportive environment.”
The ministry has committed to ensuring that students in every region of Guyana have access to the tools,resources,andtrained educatorsneededtoexcel
thenumberscouldberunfor the communities, then ideas could be stirred as to who voted for whom. So, that risk wasn't taken, which resulted in the turnout being as it was. Better to stay home and claim burnout, than turnout and be accused ofbetrayal.
Fifth, I wrote repeatedly that trust (it's worth repeating -TRUST) would feature significantly, leave an impressive mark on 9/1. It was more where the voter went, and not so much the empty polling stations, vacant polling booths, untouched polling papers. Many of the politicians had liedanddeceivedandmisled the people so often, even when they were hungry and crying for help. Thus, how to believe them now? On what grounds to trust them? More rich promises that could easily be forgotten or
disowned by unprincipled menandwomenwhenallthe clamors of elections are over Why? Why? Why trust these craven, hellish characters? Theironyisthat afteralltheincentivesputon the table, people in need turned their backs. Get out ofthishouse. Getoutofmy space. Get out of my sight. Get out of my life. I would retirequietly
Sixth, there is a tragedy here. Regardless of who wins, and however that winning is sliced, the real winner is Exxon. More oil money, robust oil management, a credible oil partnership, all of those are now backburner issues for theforeseeablefuture. Have a drink on me, LordAlistair Routledge of Demerara and Essequibo. The bill can be emailed.
Finally, for one day, less than 10 minutes, in Guyana,
all the powerrestedin the hands of the people. Theyusedthatpowertokick mostly vulgar, shady untrustworthypoliticiansfor six. The conmen had it coming, and they collected inspades. Icannotthinkofa more deserving set of citizens, largely villains. They know who they are. Now,thefinger-pointingand fighting will begin, with no onelettingup,lettinggo.
Conclusion:itissaidthat votersarefickle. OnE-Day 2025, voters reaped with a sickle. The most crucial elections in Guyana turned out to be a sorrowful wake house.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
The President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB, the Bank), Mr Daniel Best, has doubled down on the institution's vision for transforming the region's creative economy through innovation, sustainable financing, and strategic investment Speakingontheevolutionof the Bank's flagship Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF), President Best highlighted the urgency of supporting Caribbean talent in building globally competitive, selfsustaining creative enterprises.
over 1,000 creatives across 17 countries, catalysed 144 new jobs, and funded 30 successful projects The Fund has also supported a special initiative in Haiti, investing USD 200,000 to empower 90 creatives through technical assistance andcapacity-building.
and educating creatives on proposal writing and financialliteracy
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that there are currently 42 secondary schools under construction acrossthecountry
The Education Ministry saidthat“theconstructionof secondaryschoolsispartofa policy to achieve universal access to secondary education across the nation, ensuringthateverystudentis
M e a n w h i l e , t h e Ministry of Education is also seeking bids for the rehabilitation of the roof to the Main Theory Classes building at the Essequibo Technical Institute, and the s u p p l y, d e l i v e r y, installation and testing of network and equipment for nursery schools in Georgetown
“CIIF is a game-changer for the region—supporting not just talent, but the systems and resources creatives need to thrive. We aremovingbeyondhandouts and designing tools that makeitpossibleforcreatives to own their future. This is about sustainable growth, not just for the industry, but for the region's identity,” sharedPresidentBest. S
Beyond the Grant: Financing Futures in the Creative Economy,” President Best highlighted several challenges faced by many Caribbean creatives and opportunities being explored by CDB. To date, CIIF has directly benefited
While CIIF offers training and grant support, President Best, emphasised the strategic importance of transitioning from grant dependency to sustainable financing models. In this regard, CDB's Board approved the Bank's firstever Trade Finance Guarantee Programme, aimed at de-risking investments into Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) involved in trade, including those in the creative sector This initiative will be followedbythelaunchofan MSME Partial Guarantee Scheme in 2026, further easing access to capital for creativeentrepreneurs
CIIF's re-capitalisation through 2027 marks a new phase focused on blended finance, receivables financing, and investment readiness. The Bank is also working to bridge the gap between creatives and financiers by training commercial loan officers to appraise intellectual property and creative assets,
President Best stated, “We're pulling out all the stops blended finance, guarantees, receivables financing It's time for creatives to receive the kind of sustainable investment they need to flourish. We're making it make sense.” The Bank's vision also includes linking climate resilience with cultural financing, recognising the economic vulnerability of major cultural events like Crop Over, Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, and Junkanoo to climate disruptions “The biggest revenue earners in our economies are tourism and culture. One weather event could devastate these sectors. The two, therefore, cannot be considered mutually exclusive,” Best noted.
CDB, through CIIF, continues to support capacity-building, mentorship, and policy development, while promoting cultural equity andrepresentation.
Through strategic partnerships and data-driven approaches, the Bank is helpingcreativesmovefrom extraction of ideas to ownership, ensuring that Caribbean talent is not only celebrated but sustainably supported.
DigicelGuyana,onTuesday,announced the successful conclusion of its summer “Punch &Win” promotion, which awarded millions in cash prizes to six fortunate customersacrossthecountry
The six-week campaign, which ran from July 17 through August 27, 2025, delivered on its promise of excitement and substantial rewards for Digicel customers, Digicel said inapressrelease.
Digicel Guyana’s Communications
Manager, Gabriella Chapman said the “Punch & Win” promotion has been an incredible success, bringing joy and lifechanging prizes directly to their customers.
“Watching our winners experience the thrill of the punch wall and walk away with substantial cash prizes has been truly rewarding. This promotion exemplifies our commitment to giving back to the communitiesweserve.”
The promotion’s unique punch wall
format created unforgettable moments for each weekly winner Thomepha Rodney from Georgetown struck gold, punching through to claim the coveted G$2 million grandprize,SunilBacchusfromMonRepos wonG$800,000,BibiGopiefromHaslington took home G$800,000, Sahadeo Nandalall fromProvidencesecuredG$800,000,Dexter Dublin from Den Amstel won G$500,000 and Dolly Benn from Linden claimed G$400,000.
Each winner expressed that their unexpected win in this promotion will improvetheirlivessignificantly Digice
congratulations to all six winners and sincereappreciationtoeverycustomerwho participated in making “Punch & Win” a resounding success The company looks forward to announcing future promotional opportunities that will continue to reward customerloyaltyandengagement
Canadian gold miner, G MiningVentures(GMIN)on Tuesday announced that it h a s r e c e i v e d t h e Environmental Permit from Guyana’s Environmental ProtectionAgency(EPA)for the 5.4 million ounces Oko WestGoldProject.
The five-year permit is valid through July 2030. It authorises the construction and operation of Oko West, which is expected to create an average of 1,270 direct permanent jobs during its lifetime.
GMIN is the 100% owner of the OkoWest gold project,whichfallsunderits main prospecting licence (PL) covering 44 square kilometers (10,890 acres), containing an estimated 5.4 million ounces of gold. The companyhadrevealedthatit expandeditslandholdingsin Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) to 71 square kilometers. The Feasibility StudyforOkoWestoutlines a long-life, low cost, and high-margin operation. The company had said that the
OkoWestprojectistargeting an average annual production of 350,000 ounces of gold over a 12.3yearminelife.
GMIN’s President & Chief Executive Officer Louis-Pierre Gignac said, “The receipt of the
Environmental Permit is a pivotal milestone that derisksOkoWestandclearsthe path toward a construction
decisionlaterthisyear.”
He added, “This achievement reflects constructive engagement with the EPA, the GovernmentofGuyana,and the communities of Region 7, and demonstrates Oko West can progress responsibly safeguarding the environment, generating employment, and delivering sustainable economic benefits.With this approval, a favorable gold price outlook, and cash flow from TZ, GMIN is wellpositioned to advance the Projectinalignmentwiththe highest environmental and social standards, creating lasting value for all stakeholders.”
Gignac had disclosed that the Oko West project is positioned to become the next major phase of growth for the company He said withgoldproductionatOko West commencing by 2027, Oko West will propel GMIN’s annual gold production beyond the 500,000ouncesmark.
Notably, this approval followsGMIN’s submission of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in November 2024. GMINsaidthatitalsomarks the culmination of a transparent, multistakeholder review process ledbytheEPA,whichbegan with the establishment of
Terms of Reference in early 2023 and was supported by nearly two years of baseline environmental and social studies.
In March 2025, GMIN began early works at Oko Westprojectwhichincluded the development of a wharf on the Cuyuni River, access roads, and construction of thepermanentcamp.
The company disclosed that approximately $190 million has already been committed or negotiated for long-lead items such as mobile and marine equipment, grinding mills, the primary crusher, and a power plant. Also, initial equipment deliveries are expected in the second half of2025,andthiswillenable GMIN to begin selfperforming earthworks on site GMIN anticipates m a k i n g a f o r m a l construction decision later thisyear
Additionally, the
Canadian firm said that the receiptoftheEnvironmental Permit underscores the strong and ongoing partnership between the c o m p a n y a n d t h e GovernmentofGuyana.The company lauded the government’s transparent regulatory environment and timely decision-making, which it credits for the Oko Westachievingmilestones.
“Guyana continues to be recognised as an attractive destination for mining investment, as reflected in the Fraser Institute’s recent Annual Survey of Mining Companies, 2024, which ranksthecountryasatop10 miningjurisdictionglobally, out of 82 jurisdictions evaluated,”GMINstated.
In addition to the EPA, GMIN extended its appreciation to other regulatory bodies including the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Ministry of Natural Resources, and all other agencies overseeing the mining sector. GMIN said t h a t t h e b o d i e s ’ professionalism and collaborative spirit help advance the project responsiblyandonschedule.
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(Jamaica Observer) The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ)hasconfirmed that all preparations are complete for the general election and local government by-electionssetforWednesday,September3.
Atotalof7,294pollingstationsat2,153locationsacross the island will be open from 7:00amto5:00pm,afterwhich the preliminary ballot count willtakeplaceinsidethepolling stations.
Director of Elections GlasspoleBrownsaidtheEOJ has finalised key arrangements, including the printing ofballotsandvoters’lists,and the distribution of ballot boxes and supplies.
“Returning officers commenced their meetings with teams on Sunday, with the final set of briefings scheduled for today,” said Brown.
In total, 190 candidates willbeontheballot,184contesting the general election and six vying in the by-elections.Fourpoliticalpartiesare participating: the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), People’s NationalParty(PNP),Jamaica Progressive Party (JPP) and the United Independents’ Congress(UIC).
Electiondaywillbemonitoredbylocalobservergroup CitizensActionforFree&Fair Elections(CAFFE)andinternational observer missions from the Organization of American States (OAS), the Caribbean Community (Caricom), and delegations fromtheBritishHighCommission, the United States Embassy, and the European Union.
The process will also be overseenbytheElectionCentre, which manages incident reports, resolutions and updates to the media, as well as the Constituted Authority, which has the power to halt
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(AL-JAZEERA) Atotalof185 people in Gaza died “due to malnutrition”inAugust,according toGaza’sMinistryofHealth,asan additional 13 people, including three children, have died in 24 hourssincethenasthecatastrophic effectsofIsraeli-inducedfaminein theenclaveworsen.
Another 105 Palestinians were also killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn, including 53 in Gaza City, according to medical sourcesspeakingtoAlJazeera.
At least two Palestinians have beenkilledinanIsraeliairstrikeon a tent sheltering displaced people west of Gaza City, according to a source at the city’s al-Shifa HospitalspeakingtoAlJazeera.
Another 12 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike on a buildinginTalal-Hawainsouthern Gaza City, sources on the ground tellAlJazeera.
Astatement issued on Tuesday saidmorethan83people,including 15 children, had died since the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a United Nations-backed global hungermonitoring system, declared last month that parts of Gaza were undergoingafull-blownfamine.
The Health Ministry also said 43,000 children below the age of five were suffering from malnutrition along with more than 55,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women. Two-thirds of pregnant women were suffering from anaemia,thehighestrateinyears,it added. Mothers and newborns are themostatriskfrommalnutrition.
The total number of hungerrelated deaths in the besieged enclave now stands at 361, including 130 children, since the start of Israel’s genocidal war on GazaonOctober7,2023.
Israel has killed at least 63,633 people in Gaza and wounded 160,914 during the war, according totheMinistryofHealth.
TheIPCdeclaredonAugust22 that 514,000 people in the Gaza Strip, close to a quarter of the enclave’s population, are experiencing famine. It expected thenumbertoriseto641,000bythe endofSeptember
The IPC made its declaration
after more than 22 months of war, during which Israeli forces have destroyed medical facilities, schools, infrastructure and bakeries; blocked the entry of aid intothebesiegedStrip;andtargeted and killed Palestinians seeking foodaid.
ThisisthefirsttimetheIPChas recorded famine outside Africa, andtheglobalgrouppredictedthat famine conditions would spread to Deir el-Balah in central Gaza and KhanYounisinthesouthbytheend ofthismonth.
AftertheIPC’sdeclaration,UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterrescalledthefaminea“man-
made disaster, a moral indictment andafailureofhumanityitself”.
Guterres said Israel had “unequivocal obligations” under international law as an occupying power to ensure food and medical suppliesenterGaza.
Humanitarian organisations havedemandedaction.Foritspart, Israel rejected the findings, saying therewasnofamineinGazadespite theIPC’soverwhelmingevidence.
At least 78 Palestinians have beenkilledinIsraeliattacksacross Gaza since dawn on Tuesday, amongthem42inGazaCityalone, medical sources told Al Jazeera. Among the killed, 20 were aid
seekers situated in central and southernGaza.
Israeli attacks are mainly, but not solely, now focused on Gaza City, the territory’s largest urban centre, as the Israeli army relentlesslybombardsitandtriesto forciblydisplaceitsresidentstothe southernpartoftheenclave.
“Civilians on the ground are bearing the brunt. There are still hundreds of thousands of families in Gaza City,” reportedAl Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum at midday from Deir el-Balah. “Theyrefusetoleavebecausethey know that there are no safe spaces in central and southern Gaza and theywouldratherstayclosetotheir communities and what’s left of theirhouses.”
Once teeming and crowded with residential buildings, Gaza City has been home to one million Palestinians, nearly half of Gaza’s population, but it is now a landscapeofrubble.
The world’s top genocide scholars formally declared that Israel’swaronGazameetsthelegal definition of genocide, marking a landmark intervention from leading experts in the field of internationallaw
The International Association of Genocide Scholars, a 500member body of academics founded in 1994, passed a resolution on Monday stating that Israel’spoliciesandactionsinGaza fulfilthedefinitionofgenocideset outinthe1948UNConventionfor the Prevention and Punishment of theCrimeofGenocide.
Erika Montano, sister of a Jesuit priest and child abuse victim who died by suicide, hugs a clergy abuse survivor, after a Bolivian court sentenced two elderly Spanish Jesuit priests to a year each in prison for concealing decades of abuse committed by fellow priest Alfonso Pedrajas, who died in 2009, in Cochabamba, Bolivia September 2, 2025
(Reuters) - A Bolivian court sentenced two elderly Spanish Jesuit priests to a year each in prison on Tuesday for concealing decadesofchildsexabusecommittedbytheir colleagueinthechurch.
The convictions of the priests, Marcos Recolons, 81, and Ramon Alaix, 83, mark Bolivia’s first successful criminal prosecutionagainsthigh-rankingmembersof the Catholic Jesuit order implicated in concealingabusecases.
Prosecutors argued that Recolons and AlaixledtheJesuitorderinBoliviawhilethe abuseoccurred.
They were aware of the allegations against a priest,Alfonso Pedrajas, but failed to report them to police, allowing him to continue contact with children, according to theprosecution.
The case came to light in 2023 with the publicationofadiarybelongingtoPedrajas, who died in 2009. In it, he wrote about abusingatleast85minorsbetween1972and 2000, many of whom were Indigenous
students on scholarships at a prominent boardingschool.
The diary entries sparked international outrage and intensified the debate over the CatholicChurch’saccountabilityinchildsex abusescandalsacrossLatinAmerica.
The judge on Tuesday ordered the defendants to serve a year in the San Sebastian prison in the city of Cochabamba, pay court costs to the state and compensate the victims.Theruling also requires them to undergopsychologicaltreatment.
In addition, prosecutors will pursue new cases against other priests named by victims duringthetrial,thejudgesaid.
Pedro Lima, a spokesperson for a Boliviansexabusesurvivors’group,saidthe one-year sentence for each priest was “not very severe” but still “makes clear that they wereresponsible.”
Hecalledtherulingahistoricmoment.
“Wewantthistobeaprecedentsothatno boy or girl in Bolivia suffers sexual abuse,” Limaadded.
Guyana continues to be haunted by the scourge of disorderly murders, a persistent stain on the nation's conscience.
Each killing not only robs families of loved ones but also chips away at public trust, safety, and stability. The brazen manner in which these acts unfold underscores a troubling pattern - murders committed not in secrecy, but often with reckless disregard for law and order
The recent murder of businessman Courtney Evans highlights this crisis. Evans was not just another statistic; he was a contributor to the economy and a figure of his community.
His death speaks volumes about the vulnerability of citizens, regardless of their status, to the violent culture that has taken root. When those who invest in and uplift communities are cut down so callously, it sends a chilling message to the entire society: no one is beyond the reach of criminality
Disorderly murder thrives where justice falters. The cycle of investigation delays, weak prosecutions, and community silence emboldens perpetrators. Guyana cannot afford complacency.
Every life taken unlawfully diminishes the promise of progress. Breaking this cycle demands stronger enforcement, swifter justice, and a collective refusal to normalise such violence.
Without decisive action, the shadow of disorderly murder will continue to darken the nation's path.
AFP - Venus Williams prolongedherstayattheUS OpenonMonday,partnering Leylah Fernandez to reach herfirstGrandSlamdoubles quarter-final in nearly a decade.
The 45-year-old American tennis icon and Fernandez, who was born three years after Williams wonthefirstofher14Grand Slam doubles titles in 1999, defeated Russia’s Ekaterina
Alexandrova and China’s ZhangShuai6-3,6-4.
It is the first time Williams has reached a GrandSlamdoublesquarterfinalsince2016.
Williamsisplayinginthe doubles after receiving a last-minute invitation from US Open organisers to play in the tournament she won twice alongside younger sisterSerena.
Williams later revealed
that retired sibling Serena was“coachingfromafar”as her big sister progressed throughthedoubles,andhad calledherearlierMonday
“She told me, gave me a peptalkandmadesuretocall me today,” Williams revealed “I was, like, ‘You’re right. I got it. I got it.’
“She’s definitely coachingfrom afar She’s so excited. She gets so nervous
watching, and she’s got the kids watching, they’re all at home, just really on our side.”
Inheron-courtinterview after the win, Venus urged SerenatoflytoNewYorkto attend her quarter-final in person.
“Ifshecame,itwouldbe a dream for both of us and we’d have her on the court coaching,” Williams joked. “We’d force her to hit, even thoughshedoesn’thitoften. It’sprobablybestshedoesn’t comebecausewe’dprobably bullyher.”
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
You have an intense nature. You probably feel things deeply and spend time lost in thought. Too much intensity can take a toll on your wellbeing.Itmightbetimeyougot outandenjoyedyourself.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Feedyourmindtoday,Taurus. While you enjoy being active and social, you do get bored quickly You'll need to give yourself a constant supply of intriguing, fresh material in ordertofeelyourbest.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
If you're trying to prove you have something valuable to offer, Gemini, think this through. You're naturally friendly and can get along withalmostanyone.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Consider putting your problem-solving skills to the testtoday Youhavearealflair forinvestigatingsituationsand figuringoutwhathappened If something comes your way that seems mysterious, deal withtheproblemdirectly
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Trynottobefooledbyothers. If you don't know a person wellandyouaren'tsureabout himorher,trustyourinstincts. Youtendtocareaboutothers, soitcanbeeasyforyoutofeel sorry for someone and bend overbackwardtohelp.
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
It can be very easy to get carried away today, Virgo. You might get caught up in someexcitement.Youneedto use your head on a day like this.Double-checkeverything andmoderateyouractivities.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Theenergyyoufeeltodaymay have you so jittery that others don't know what to do. The day'saspectscanreallybringa boostandyou'dbewisetoplan to do things so you have an avenuetospenditall.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Venturing into something completely new and different may be what you need You have a solid practical side, but the need for excitement and adventureislikelyjustasstrong
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Learning about things that interestyoumostissomething you may want to do today At work and home, there's a scheduletotendto.You'refree to learn about anything your heartdesires.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
If you meet new people today, Capricorn, be careful. Some can appear interesting because they're bold or dangerous Perhaps they do things you'd never dream of doing. While this may be intriguing, it can lead to trouble and hurt you if youaren'tcareful.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
You might have to make a choicebetweentellingthetruth and a lie. Sometimes this can beadifficultchoice,especially if you're afraid you'll hurt someone'sfeelings.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Kindheartedness is wonderful, but being taken advantage of can be a danger You really need to trust your instincts to keep this from happening. If what you hear doesn't match what you feel, trust your feeling.
DarrenBravopatrollingthelegsidefence.Withdrizzleinthe airthe14thand15thoversprovedcrucialasAlickAthanaze fellattemptingtoreverserampMohammedAmirbutserving onlytogetatoeendofthebatandgiftasimplecatchtoSunil Narineatshortthird.ThatleftthePatriotsneeding54offthe remaining30ballsbutwithFletcherstillsetandatthecrease.
Notformuchlonger.UsmanTariqpickedupthecrucial wicketasFletchermissedaswipeacrossthelinethatsawhis leg stump pegged back. He departed for 67 to leave Jason Holderwithplentytodo.
NathanEdwardreturnedinthe17thovertopickuptwo morewicketswithconsecutivedeliveriestoseethebackof Kyle Mayers and Jyd Goolie and leave Patriots needing 42 fromthelastthreeovers.
Jason Holder was caught in the deep shortly after to all butsealthePatriotsfate.MohammedAmirlimpedoffinthe penultimateoverwithasuspectedpulledgrointotarnishthe winalittlebutasixthwininsevenmatchesmarksadominant first half of the tournament for the Knight Riders as they becamethefirstteamtoqualifyfortheplay-offs.
The Williams-Fernandez pair could face top seeds Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic and American Taylor Townsend inthequarter-finals.
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams returned to competition at the end of July at the Washington Open after sixteen months away from theWTATour.
She indicated after her singles defeat that the US Openwouldlikelybeherlast tournamentoftheseason.
Scores: Trinbago Knight Riders 179 for 6 (Pollard 65, Pooran52,Holder2-25)beatStKittsandNevisPatriots167 for 6 (Fletcher 67, Lewis 42, Edward 3-30, Amir 2-29) by 12 runs.
Nicholas Pooran recorded a 38-ball 52. (CPLT20/Getty Images)
CPL - Game 19 of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) saw Trinbago Knight Riders defeat St Kitts & NevisPatriotsbeatby12runs.Thewinsees theKnightRidersheadtothetopoftheCPL table with 12 points while the Patriots sit second bottom with four points and six defeats.
Kieron Pollard made it rain sixes in Taroubaasheclearedtheropesseventimesin eightdeliveriestowardstheendoftheKnight Ridersinningsincludingfourinarowoffthe bowlingofWaqarSalamkheil.
ItwasablitzkriegfromPollardanditwas
muchneededaftertheKnightRiderslostboth of their openers cheaply in the power-play
NicholasPooranmadeacomposed52off38 balls to anchor the innings before falling to JasonHolderinthefinalover Pollardeventuallyholedouttolongoffat the end of the 19th over, his 65 off 29 balls helping his side post a competitive total of 179/6. Patriots were confident in their response, openers Evin Lewis and Andre Fletchercombiningwelltoputon96forthe firstwicketbeforeLewispulledaslowerball fromNathanEdwardintothesafehandsof
Continued on page 21
Opening batsman Romain Singh struck a pulsating, unbeaten 85 andAbdoolAzeez scored 59 not out to inspire Leguan to a commanding, nine-wicket win over Wakenaam last Saturday at St. Bedes ground, Scarborough, Ontario, CanadainthefirstJanetMonasar’smemorialT20match. Both right-handers reached the boundary on multiple occasions ensuring Leguan surpassed Wakenaam’s inadequatetotalof160alloutin19.4overs.
Thetargetwasachievedwith16ballstospareinblazing sunshine as the Monasar’s family commemorated the life of Janet Monasar, who was a die-hard supporter of softball cricketandtoLeguanWarriorscricketteamsinCanadaover the years. Janet’s sons Naresh, Andy and Bill are popular softball cricketers in Ontario along with her grandson Ravi Bodo.JanetpassedawaylastJanuaryinCanadaduetoillness age 77. Hundreds gathered to witness the on-field action as Singh andAzeez also collaborated in an unbroken, 156-run second-wicket stand after Naresh Bodo departed early for zerointheveryfirstover Singh,aformerEssequiboInter-Countyplayer,clobbered sevensixesandfivefourswhileAzeez,knownas‘Whito’in the softball fraternity, belted five sixes and was able to tuck away four boundaries. Earlier,Wakenaam took first strike at theinvitationofLeguanandtheirinningswasbuiltarounda steadyhalf-century(58)fromFouadMohamed.
The attacking right-handed Mohamed also batted with a greatdegreeofflamboyancesmashingfivesixesandsimilar number of fours. Veteran softball player Patrick Shivrattan contributed24butWakenaamlostwicketsquiteregularly Skipper and seasoned campaigners Ashtaq Mohamed (03),ShawnPersaud(07)andRofelBudhoo(11)fellcheaply as they lacked batting momentum despite Mohamed’s sporadicshow
Rajin Persaud was the most outstanding bowler for Leguanwith3-16fromhismaximumfouroverswhileAzeez proved his all-round capability by also accounted for three wicketsbutheconceded25runsoff3.3overs.
Thewinningteamreceivedatrophyandalsotherunnersupside.AzeezwasadjudgedtheMVPforhisadmirable,allround display while Singh was chosen as the best-batterand Persaud as the best-bowler. All collected a trophy each for theireffort.
The adjudicator was Chowtie, a family member of the Monasar’sfamily.
In the female exhibition, 4-over encounter, Leguan defeatedWakenaamby10wicketswithoneballunused.The twoteamswerecaptainedbyJanet’sgranddaughters:Subrina and Mel Bodo. At the post-match presentation ceremony, Andy Monasar congratulated his team for emerging victoriousandalsothankedWakenaamfortheirparticipation.
Nareshtooktheopportunitytoexpresshisgratitudetoall the players and the two umpires Prakash Singh and Robert Dias.HealsothankedprominentCricketJournalistRavendra MadholallforstreamingthegameliveonFacebook.
Naresh, a former Essequibo Cricket Board VicePresident, also reflected on his mom’s life commenting that she was in [Haven] looking on. He further mentioned that Janetwasanunwaveringsupporterofsoftballcricketandwas always overwhelmed with the cricket games played by Leguan Warriors. Janet was born in Wakenaam but met her husbandBodo(Widower)inLeguan.
Meanwhile, during the day’s activities, President of the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs Azeem Khan presentedaplaquetotheMonasar’sfamilyinrecognitionof theircommitmenttohaveamemorialmatch.
Khan, a long-serving leader of the League, made the presentation on behalf of the Commissioner of the CooperativeRepublicofGuyanainCanadaKeithGeorge. Priortothematch,anopeningprayerwasdonebyJanet’s daughter Nadira. At the conclusion, Naresh informed that eventwillbeannualastheywanttoremembertheirmomwith thesespecialcricketmatches.
BBC Sport - England werebundledoutforjust131 and thrashed by seven wickets in the first one-day international at Headingley asSouthAfricahandedouta bruising reality check to the hosts’new era of white-ball
cricket under captain Harry Brook.
Inanabjectperformance, England reached 82-2 only tobedismissedin24.3overs in their first white-ball matches since Brook began histenurebysweepingaside
WestIndiesatthestartofthe summer
The collapse started whenthecaptainwasrunout for 12 and opener Jamie Smith, the only batter to makemorethan15,followed fora48-ball54.
Jacob Bethell’s tough summer continued, Will Jacks, one of five players who were playing in the Hundred final less than 48 hours ago, chipped back a catch and Jos Buttler struggled for 15 from 24 balls.
The last seven wickets fellfor29runsin7.1oversas spinner Keshav Maharaj took4-22onapitchthatdid not turn and seamer Wiaan Mulder3-33.
Fast bowler Sonny Baker was then hit for 76 runs, including 14 boundaries, in a brutal,
seven-over introduction to international cricket - the most expensive figures by an England bowler on ODI debut
In the second over, Jofra Archer nicked off Ryan Rickeltononlyfortheballto be judged to have bounced before first slip and still would have had the lefthander lbw had England reviewedanlbwshout.Their failure to do so summed up theirday
Aiden Markram flogged 86 in 55 balls with England failing to make a breakthrough until he was
spectacularly caught by Smith with the winning line only11runsaway
The crowd cheered ironically when Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs followed with the scores levelbutRickeltonended31 not out and the Proteas won withamassive29.1oversto spare.
The three-match series continues at Lord’s on Thursday
Scores: South Africa 137 for 3 (Markram 86) beat England 131 (Smith 54, Maharaj 4-22, Mulder 3-33) bysevenwickets.
Sri Lanka pulled off a thrilling heist by a wickettoupsettheWestIndiesyesterdaytohelp level the 7-match 50 Over series played at the CoolidgeCricketGround,Antigua.
Windiescaptain,JoshuaDornehitagritty82 with five fours with support from Brendan Boodoo (28) and Johnathan Van Lange (26) whichhelpedtheWindiespost201alloutbatting first.
Vigneshwaran Akash grabbed 3-30 for Sri Lanka, who in reply pulled off a nail-biter to finishon204-9. CaptainVinmathDisarascored avital45whileCamikaHeenatiglia(30)helped to relax the pressure as the main scorers in the chasewhichalmostbackfired. TheWestIndies duoofBoodoo,whoreturnedtobagtwowickets and Zachary Carter grabbed 3-43 in a losing effort.
N E W Y O R K , (Reuters) - Second seed Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the U.S. Open semi-finals on Tuesday, demolishing Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-2 6-4onArthurAsheStadium.
Alcarazhasyettodropa set at Flushing Meadows and he had the crowd in the palm of his hand as he fired off 28 winners and never facedabreakpoint.
Lehecka is one of the few players to beat Alcaraz this season, winning in the Dohaquarter-finals,butwas outclassed this time around and could only watch helplessly as the Spaniard’s forehand winner zipped by onmatchpoint.
Alcaraz will play the winnerofthematchlateron Tuesday between 24-times major winner Novak
Djokovic and American fourthseedTaylorFritz.
Alcaraz broke in the first game, helped on his way by a pair of Lehecka double faults, and the Spaniard got the crowd going as he triumphed in a thrilling, cat-and-mouse exchange at the net in the 10th game, sending a backhand winner streaking pasttheCzech The2022championkept the momentum going in the second set, converting a break point at the net in the first game, and Lehecka became visibly agitated as hewentdownanotherbreak with a double fault in the seventhgame.
Alcaraz smiled in disbeliefashenailedaseries of precise shots to set up a break point in the seventh
game of the final set, but Leheckadugintohold.
Alcaraz let out a triumphant cheer as he prevailed in a 12-shot rally on break point in the ninth game,anddeployedhisgolf swing celebration to the delight of fellow Spaniard and2017Masterschampion Sergio Garcia, who was in attendance.
The five-times major winnerhasonlybeenbroken once so far in the tournament, where he could retake the number-one ranking from Italian Jannik Sinner
“It’s really difficult not tothinkaboutit,”hesaid.“If Ithinkaboutthenumberone spot too much then I’m going to put pressure on myself and I don’t want to dothat.”
The 2nd edition of the “Region 3 Softball Cricket Cup” which is slated for the 7th and 14th of September, has gained the support of D&S Ramdeholl Jewellery andWestSideShipping.
The manager of the Jewellery store, which is locatedinWestCentralMall, Ms.MarishaSingh,saidthat the entity is very pleased to support the tournament as part of its corporate responsibilityandwishesall theteamstheverybest.
Meanwhile,Mr LaFleur of West Side Shipping, locatedinLaGrange,echoed similar sentiments and expressed his thanks to the coordinators for reaching himtohisbusinesstobepart of the competition. He said that his entity supports the event because it brings back the very game at the grassroot level and also gets theyoungpeopleinvolvedin positivethings.
S
Ms. Thompson of RS
managemen
of both businesses, for their support and promised to make the tournament successful once more.
The competition will be played for two weekends. Week one will see teams battling to get into the regional playoffs, which is slated for 14th September at the Meten-Meer- Zorg Sports Ground The tournament will be played basedonaone-gameknock-
out format with round arm andwristbowling,andcaters for both male and female categories.
In the inaugural tournament in 2024, Hype Park Outlaw Softball Team of Parika walked away with the male championship, while the GCC Invaders Female Softball Team
claimed the female championship. Both teams willbebattlingtoretaintheir titles in the various categories.
The winning male team is guaranteed $200,000, and the female $100,000, and trophies, while cash incentives and trophies will be given to the runner-up teams,MVPs,playersofthe finals, best bowlers in an innings, most runs scored in aninnings,andtrophieswill be awarded to the player of thematchineachgame.
According to the organisers,softballcricketis the grassroots of all cricket, allowing young, local, talentedplayerstoshowcase anddeveloptheirskillsinthe game, and helping them progress to various levels of cricket.
Softball cricket at the grassroots level not only allows local players to showcase their talents but also brings people together, regardless of race, religion, social status, or political affiliations.
Supporting the two-day tournament are 3 S Legacy
Enterprise, Paint Palace, Rewind Restaurant and Lounge, Zony General Service and Auto Sales, Archie & Son Stone and Sand Supply, Khrishna Mangal&SonsSawmilland Lumber Yard, and S. Maraj ContractingServices.
Interested teams can register by sending their team’s name and captain’s number via WhatsApp to 726-1386 on or before 5th September
According to the organisers, there will be lots of side attractions for the entire family, and they are calling on all to support the tournament as it will be bringing people together throughsports.
