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U.S. Senate advances NEWS measure to curb Trump’s AIETEUR
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Friday Edition January 09, 2026 - Vol. 28 No. 02
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Venezuela war powers
‘U.S. chasing lost power by trying
yesterday, 48,161
Former President, Donald Ramotar
to own the world’ - Former President Ramotar warns of dangerous situation Thousands of demonstrators, mainly youths on Thursday protested in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas calling for the defence of national sovereignty and demanded that the U.S. government releases Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
Pensioner, suspected of wife's murder, found dead U.S. pulls plug on several UN agencies …Rubio deems them wasteful, ineffective and harmful Late evidence sparks courtroom clash in Mohameds’ extradition case
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2026
Duo arrested for possession of 21.5kg of weed at Strathspey
The cannabis found in the car's trunk. Two men were arrested for possession of 21.5 kilograms of cannabis on Thursday morning along the Strathspey Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Police said that during an operation at the said location a motorcar driven by a 35-yearold male from Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice with a 31-year-old male passenger, a construction worker from Heathburn, East Bank Berbice was intercepted at about 09:00h. “A search of the trunk of the said motor
car revealed one bulky (salt) bag containing two bulky plastic wrapped parcels, each containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis,” police reported. Both the driver and passenger were told of the offence, cautioned and arrested. They were taken to the Cove and John Police Station along with the cannabis, which was weighed, marked, sealed and lodged. Investigations are being done by police in Regional Division 4 'C'. Investigations are ongoing.
Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2026
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‘U.S. chasing lost power by trying to own the world’ - Former President Ramotar warns of dangerous situation
F
ormer President Donald Ramotar has warned that the recent United States military operation in Caracas, Venezuela will place the world in a very much more dangerous position, as countries may now take additional precautions, wondering if they could be next. Speaking during an episode of Caribbean Tea, the former head-of-state pointed to countries such as Iran and North Korea, which he believes may now be on heightened alert following the U.S. operation that led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores who were transported to the U.S and placed before the court for narco-terrorism charges. He said this would occur, “instead of trying to move towards the reduction and create a safer world many countries will now be thinking how do I protect myself from bigger countries who would like to
bully me.” Ramotar described the incident as tragic and warned that the world is heading back to a stage where “might is right” and where “the law of the jungle and where sovereignty is becoming meaningless as international laws are being destroyed and all international law and international institutions are being disregarded and undermined.” He believes the January 3 operation in Venezuela by the U.S military is a continuation of what has been unfolding for some time, as the U.S, in an effort to restore some of its lost position in trade and other areas of international life, has resorted to brute force to reinstate itself as the number one power in the world. “They want to displace China from the Caribbean. They want to replace everybody else in the Middle East. That's why they were supporting the genocide in Gaza and they continue to support it right now, as the
ethnic cleansing continues in the West Bank, in Palestine and in other areas too we see them, their idea is to get rid of any type of competition and to own as much of the world as they possibly can,” Ramotar noted. According to the former Guyanese leader, Latin America and the Caribbean, because of their geographical proximity, are now easy targets for the U.S, and Venezuela, he said, “is a big victim in this regard.” Following the military operation, President Donald Trump at a press conference disclosed plans for the U.S. to “run” Venezuela until,
Former President, Donald Ramotar “we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.” He also disclosed America's ambitious plans for the oilrich nation resources. Moreover, in response to
criticism of his initial social media post following the operation, Ramotar said, “I think people are mixing up our problems with Venezuela on the border issue and on this much more, much more dangerous situation that has developed within the world for that matter. Because I don't know if anybody isn't thinking that any country now, whatever resources they have, will try to get if they are serious about their sovereignty and their independence, will have to try to find ways and means where they can protect themselves.”
He added that there is no other way countries can protect themselves against “big powers” unless they acquire nuclear weapons. He said this could lead many heads of government to begin thinking in that direction, resulting in the proliferation of dangerous weapons worldwide. Citing Einstein, the former president said, “You can't prepare for war and expect to have peace and it's making the world a far more dangerous place for all of us because we all know that if a nuclear war ever breaks out that's the end of all of us whether we have it or not.”
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
A sequence towards the inevitable From experience we have learned that there is a certain inevitability to the manner that certain developments occur in Guyana. There is a sequence, almost like a formula, towards a conclusion that may already be in the books where such decisions are recorded. Deportees from the US is on the table, but it is one with a difference. They are not Guyanese citizens. How did the Government of Guyana get into this mess? Why is it that the government is part of such a conversation in the first place? The deportees with citizenship from other countries have no place here, and that is where any US overture or push should have started and come to a dead stop. Except that it has not, and does not give any assurance that such will be the case, i.e., where related Guyana-US talks on this issue grind to a halt, never to restart. Unfortunately, the sequence of events has begun, with the PPPC Government seemingly vested in giving whatever the US request and objectives are a full listening. The sequence follows a certain line. To begin with, there is an announcement or caption from the government usually with a picture of a grinning, hand clasping, all too pleased with himself, President Irfaan Ali. The objective is to convey the impression of highlevel, high stakes discussions on issues of state on the table. Then, he either goes off to some foreign destination, or the other side comes here, to sift through the matter. Whether he goes up into the clouds, or the dialogue goes on here, a cloud hangs over the deliberations and the outcomes of those. Next, the political opposition does its part, and calls for transparency, or pushes back as hard as it can, despite its limitations, without so much as one courteous word of response from the government. Further, depending on the nature of the issue, how controversial or disturbing it is, sections of Guyana’s small civil society cohort may lend its voice through various inputs. In the past, there have been letters to the media, and more often than not, civil society members may even come out on the streets, and let their physical presence speak as to the relevance and concerning elements of the issue that is before the country. And, finally, the PPPC Government may or may not report to the nation that this is what took place, where matters ended up, and why. More often than not, Guyanese are left in the dark, other than for the uninformative being shared. Usually, not much sense can be made of how the government could have arrived at, or agreed to, what was decided. We at this publication see this sequence in action relative to the deportees from other countries being accepted by Guyana to take up residence here. Why is the PPPC Government even opening the door a crack to have such a discussion with the US, give it a hearing? It would be healthy and constructive if the government’s leaders have the backbone to put an end to any such appeal by the US before the fifth word had been said, the one following these four fateful words -deportees from other countries. Guyana already has enough social concerns and challenges with its own deportees, so it makes no sense to open that door now being knocked upon by the US. We have seen them on the streets, out of their heads, menacing, troublesome, and generally a cause for alarm for lawabiding Guyanese. There is awareness of those who look upon Guyana’s systems and standards as ancient, and therefore fair game for exploitation. And, Guyanese never stop hearing how strapped the system is with local circumstances and pressures. We haven’t even touched the issue of illegal immigrants in Guyana, regardless of their country of origin, and there has been quiet admission that there is so much that is not known, and that more controls are needed. Yet, here it is that government releases inform the public that Guyana-US talks will focus on accepting deportees who are citizens of other countries. We say no to other countries’ deportees coming here, and that should be the position of the Guyana Government.
Friday January 09, 2026
American geostrategic interests & dissension in Guyana’s region DEAR EDITOR, The USA historically since before WW II has had a geostrategic presence in Guyana and its waters and the region to secure its national interests. Geostrategy relates to the importance of geographic location to protect a nation’s interests (economic and political). A nation conducts its foreign policy towards that area to secure its interests (access to resources, protecting trade routes, business, etc.) and even seeks to influence political outcomes that would favor its interests. American military has been known to patrol the greater Guyana area and the region to protect its overall interests and even acted decisively against regimes that threatened American business interests. So, the intervention in Venezuela should come as no surprise to political leaders and analysts
of foreign policy and international relations. Readers are reminded that President Trump has attacked Syria, Yemen, Iran, among others, and now Venezuela with more to come. The President has put a claim to Panama, Greenland, Canada, etc. and to shape Gaza and has threatened dissenting leaders in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Colombia. There are those in USA and in Guyana who feel Guyanese should ‘volunteer’ Guyana as a gift to the President since he has virtually eliminated Maduro (Venezuela)’s threat to Guyana territory and sovereignty. Critics of President Trump’s policy say it runs counter to principles of International Relations. The critics have rightly emphasized diplomacy and multilateral engagement instead of use of military force; the latter must be an
option of last resort. Can critics point to which big power since the Vienna Convention ever respect the principles of IR? Because big powers hardly ever behaved responsibly to ensure good governance, there has been many conflicts globally. In IR, “might makes right! Do as I say or else I will squeeze you”! President Trump did what any responsible major power would when it feels that its interests have been threatened – use force to remove the threat. Other Presidents did same in Latin America and Guyana in 1953, 1964, and 2015. And tomorrow if the US feels Guyana or T&T or Colombia or Nicaragua is a serious threat to its immediate interests, that threat will be erased. It is political pragmatism or ‘realpolitik’ as the great German American political theorist
Hans Morgenthau schooled political scientists. That is the nature of IR of a big power! The Soviets also acted accordingly as is Russia today except that Russia has been a weak power following the collapse of the Soviet Union and its unwise invasion of Ukraine. Make no mistake about the exercise of power by big nations! And military intervention is not always necessary. The Americans have been the best in covert operations to remove an irritant or professedly antiAmerican regime as Guyana was. It is interesting that there have hardly been any condemnations or critique or anti-American public commentary among the communist Guyanese on the US military intervention to topple the oppressive regime. A few Guyanese and regional nationalists have (Continued on page 06)
Oil Extraction in Guyana: Dependency or Development? DEAR EDITOR, I wish to respond to an article circulating under the title “Guyana: The Myth of Capitalist Resource Extraction as Development” is written with passion, but its central flaw is its retreat into what I describe as extractive fatalism, the belief that any engagement with global capital necessarily negates national development. This outlook is not only analytically weak, it is politically disabling for a country that has, in less than a decade, moved from frontier producer to one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It encourages resignation rather than strategy and nostalgia rather than institution building. The author is correct that Guyana’s economy was historically shaped by colonial extraction in sugar, bauxite, timber and gold, but it is a category error to argue that because extraction once produced underdevelopment it must always do so. The decisive question is not whether resources are extracted, but who governs the extraction, how the rents are captured, and where the
surplus is invested. The Guyanese state today is not the colonial administration of the twentieth century nor the brittle regime of the 1980s. It now operates a functioning Natural Resource Fund, has enacted procurement reform, strengthened parliamentary oversight, improved fiscal transparency, modernised revenue administration and is steadily cultivating a professional cadre of local engineers, geologists, accountants and regulators. These institutional shifts are entirely absent from the article, rendering its critique ideologically tidy but empirically hollow. The article further treats oil as though it were meant to be development itself rather than the financial instrument that makes development possible. Since first oil, Guyana has embarked on the most ambitious i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l transformation in its history, including highways, bridges, port modernisation, gas-to-energy systems, hospital expansion, housing drives and hinterland development corridors. These are not the
characteristics of an enclave economy but the material foundations of a postextractive future. To argue that oil crowds out diversification is to ignore how oil revenues are being deployed to reduce energy costs, enable agroprocessing, catalyse manufacturing and integrate remote regions into the national economy. The article relies heavily on dependency theory, a framework forged in the 1960s for societies without f i s c a l s o v e r e i g n t y, bargaining leverage or i n s t i t u t i o n a l c a p a c i t y. Guyana today negotiates production sharing agreements, insists on local content provisions, participates in global energy diplomacy, and engages multilaterals on its own terms. Development is not achieved by retreating from capital but by disciplining it, and the Guyanese state is increasingly learning to wield this authority. This is not dependency; it is statecraft. Most troubling is the refusal to credit the political agency of the post-2020 Guyanese state. The
government is portrayed as a mere transmission belt for foreign capital, yet it has expanded education funding, raised public sector wages, rolled out nationwide cash grants, strengthened social protection programmes and launched the largest public works programme in the country’s history. These are not symbolic gestures. They are the operational mechanisms by which resource rents are being converted into social capacity. Critique is necessary and vigilance is healthy, but the article mistakes suspicion for analysis and fatalism for theory. Guyana does not need lectures on the dangers of extraction; it needs pragmatic confidence in its institutions and people. Development is not the absence of foreign capital; it is the mastery of it. The task before us is not to dismantle the oil economy but to bend it towards national purpose, and that is precisely what the present government, imperfect though it may be, is attempting to do. Sincerely, Dr. Walter H. Persaud
Friday January 09, 2026
Kaieteur News
Strengthening democracy is not a talk-shopa DEAR EDITOR, It is grossly insufficient that passionate statements are made by elected politicians about maintaining democracy in Guyana. Every progressive step should be sought to ensure that Guyanese are not denied increasing opportunities to participate in the management and decision making of the State. Both main parties promised to amend the Constitution to bring about this but not much has changed. Patriotic Guyanese are justified in thinking that no meaningful amendments to strengthen democracy in Guyana will take place before the next General elections. There is no public awareness of life at the Constitutional Reform Committee. A strategy should be sought by OneNation-minded Guyanese to contest the elections within the current laws and earn the chance to be effective in the running of the country. A person cannot run for election as an individual in a Geographical area, (obvious restriction on the widest
people’s involvement). Political parties have to meet the threshold of 6 regions with minimum 13 seats, (a very tall ask for small parties). What if a simple ethical Alliance is formed among Individuals and the small parties to contest the elections under a single banner? Initially, the realistic aim should not be to get the Presidency nor to get rid of the PPP/C. Instead, the ambition should be to get the chance to Participate, Perform and Produce for the people. Guyana’s majority of fair-minded Guyanese, some vocal, but largely silent, have the power to improve Guyana for All; and must find ways to solidify the envisioned One People One Nation. There is ample evidence indicating that there are enough home –based Guyanese who are sincere in their desire to just serve the people. Surely, they can find agreeable agreements to move ahead. Come out and organize? Faiyaz Alli
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In light of corruption, President Trump should direct usage of Guyana oil revenues DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to “Trump says US oversight of Venezuela could last years” (Jan 8) in which the American President plans to c o n t r o l Ve n e z u e l a o i l revenues to end systemic c o r r u p t i o n a n d mismanagement of the e c o n o m y. G o v e r n m e n t officials used to steal revenues. Trump said the oil revenues will be used to develop Venezuela and to
eradicate poverty. Editor, it is well known that corruption has been widespread in Guyana. Both the PPP and PNC administrations have been guilty of ingrained, intensive abuse and stealing of the country’s finances. The PPP has been in charge of over US $9 billion, much of it looted. The WIN leader has exposed corruption of several Ministers, enriching themselves off the state
coffers. The bulk of the revenues comes from oil. Government officials are becoming increasingly rich while the poor cannot afford basic needs as reported in your ‘Cost of Living’ series. Poverty in Guyana, as in Ve n e z u e l a , i s a l s o widespread as oil revenues are not reaching the poor and the working class. The poverty rate is almost 50% according to the World B a n k . To e r a d i c a t e
corruption and poverty in Guyana, outside intervention similar akin to Venezuela is needed. It is in the interest of Guyanese if President Trump were to intervene and control Guyana’s oil revenues and direct its usage for the development of Guyana instead of it going into the pockets of crooked government officials. Yours truly, Nathan Barton
Water delivery is being constrained by procurement gaps Dear Editor, A review of publicly available procurement notices and project timelines in the water sector suggests that the delivery of water to households is likely to continue lagging behind official announcements. While there are active Invitations for Bids for major works such as water
treatment plants, there is limited public evidence of concluded awards, quantities, or delivery schedules for consumptioncritical items such as water meters, meter boxes, and small-diameter service pipes. This matters because these items are the practical gating factor for household
connections. Treatment capacity expansion, while necessary, does not by itself put water into homes. Without confirmed contracts
and visible mobilization for meters and service lines, new housing schemes and regularization areas remain (Continued on page 06)
Friday January 09, 2026
Kaieteur News
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Venezuela releasing ‘significant number’ of prisoners as gesture to ‘seek peace’ This image shows El Helicoide -a facility and prison owned by the Venezuelan government and used for both regular and political prisoners of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN)- in Caracas on January 8, 2026.
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela is releasing a “significant number” of citizens and foreigners from its prisons in a decision that the head of the c o u n t r y ’s l e g i s l a t u r e described Thursday as a gesture to “seek peace” less than a week after former
President Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces to face federal drugtrafficking charges in New York. Jorge Rodríguez, brother of acting President Delcy Rodríguez and head of the National Assembly, did not specify who they would be
releasing or how many people would be released. But he said the release of prisoners “is happening right now.” The Spanish government announced Thursday the release of five Spanish citizens in Caracas. While the embassy is coordinating
their return to Spain, officials have not yet specified a departure date. The Penal Forum, a human rights organization in Venezuela, said that as of Dec. 29, 2025, there were 863 people detained in Venezuela “for political reasons.” In a post on X, director of the forum, Alfredo Romero, said the liberations were “good news” in a country that’s been wracked by political turmoil in recent days.
“We will be verifying each release,” Romero wrote. “We already know of some people on their way to freedom, including foreigners.” The release of opposition figures and critics has been a longtime demand by Venezuela’s opposition and the United States government. Despite mass detentions following the tumultuous 2024 election, Venezuela’s government denies that there
are “political prisoners” and accuse those detained of plotting to destabilize Maduro’s government. “Consider this a gesture by the Bolivarian g o v er n men t, w h ich is broadly intended to seek peace,” Rodríguez said in an announcement publicized over TV. Ronal Rodríguez, a researcher at the Venezuelan Observatory at the University of Rosario in (Continued on page 16)
Water delivery is being constrained... From page 05 functionally unserved, even where land has been allocated or trunk infrastructure is in place. Based on what is currently available in the public domain, procurement in the water sector does not appear to be tightly sequenced with housing rollouts. The absence of clear award notices and regionby-region delivery plans for connection materials makes it difficult to see how large numbers of new households will be connected in the near term. This leads to a reasonable conclusion: water delivery at the household level will continue to advance slowly, regardless of headline infrastructure projects. For residents, the impact is
immediate and measurable, continued reliance on trucked or purchased water, delayed occupation of house lots, and higher household costs. These outcomes point to a governance issue, not a technical one. The question is whether procurement planning is being aligned to service delivery rather than to project announcements. Greater transparency on awarded contracts, quantities, and mobilization timelines for household-level connection materials would allow both Parliament and the public to assess whether water access is being delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner. Yours faithfully, Sherod Duncan, M.P
American geostrategic interests... From page 04 taken a principled position on non-interventionism, and they are lauded for their courage for they could be targeted for sanctions. They are motivated by ethical implications of military actions that result in major destruction and that claim lives. They understandably abhor militarism. Unlike the few nationalists that publicly voiced opposition to US intervention in Venezuela, the communists and other anti-Americans have been muted with a few making statements that are largely ‘neutral’ in sharp contrast
with voices during the 1960s thru 1989 when they railed against “the American imperialists”. The communists don’t want to lose their American visas and perks of office. Vice President Jagdeo wisely removed communism from the PPP’s constitution; that ideology got the party into trouble preventing it from assuming office for 28 years. Guyanese and others need to understand that in matters having to do with national security of USA, dissenting voices of moralists, religious figures, leaders in the region,
communists, other nationalists, and all opponents of USA are simply ignored. America comes first and why shouldn’t it! Russia and China behave the same way in their backyard. Critics of the intervention in Ve n e z u e l a h a v e t o understand the new realities of American politics and foreign policy under a President who is not bashful or restrained in projecting American superpower status and dominance of the globe and especially regionally. It is the current global realpolitik. President Trump has an America First policy and a more aggressive approach to foreign affairs than his predecessors. His decisiveness, influenced by neo-conservatives who revel at projecting and using military power abroad, is a critical factor in his national geo-strategic security decision-making. President Trump does what he feels is in America’s best interests regardless of what regional or international or spiritual players think, say, or do. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram (PhD Pol Sci)
Friday January 09, 2026
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Friday January 09, 2026
'Backing force abroad weakens Guyana's own defence’ - Norton warns Leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Chairman of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton, has warned that Guyana, as a small state, should be cautious about supporting the use of force against another country and should instead advocate for the upholding of international law. Norton made the comments during a recent engagement with journalist Enrico Woolford, where he addressed current events in Ve n e z u e l a a n d t h e i r implications for Guyana. On January 3, the United States military swooped down on neighbouring Caracas, Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who are incarcerated in the U.S. facing narco-terrorism charges. Norton reminded that Guyana relies on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hand down a ruling in its favour to establish a clear legal
position on the Guyana–Venezuela border controversy. “What is happening now is weakening international law, including international humanitarian law and that has serious implications for us, because let us not forget we don't have the military capacity to f i g h t Ve n e z u e l a , a n d Venezuela has far more military capacity than us. And therefore, as a nation we are dependent on rules govern international relations and so our interest lies in ensuring that we are in a world in which there is the rule of law and the international law governs the relations we are having,” Norton noted. He made it clear that this does not mean Guyana is sympathetic to Venezuelan President Maduro. Norton also added that he believes the issue goes beyond Maduro and has to do with Venezuela's oil. The PNCR leader noted that the task now before Guyana, amid an increasingly complex
Leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Chairman of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton multipolar global environment, is to identify where its interests lie and to push consistently for respect for international law, the rule of law, and international humanitarian law. “We have always taken the position that we oppose aggression because we ourselves are vulnerable to aggression,” he noted. Norton outlined that the situation must be viewed
from the standpoint of Guyana's status as a small state. “If you're a small state you want the law to prevail because you lack the capacity to use force, and
once you support the use of force against another state, you kind of axiomatically create the convictions for it to happen to you,” he warned. The PNCR leader stated that, given Guyana's ongoing conflict with Venezuela, there should be a strong emphasis on promoting international law. He added that, as a citizen and a political leader in a small state, PNCR will always support the upholding of international law and practices that make Guyana's situation more conducive to exist. M o r e o v e r, N o r t o n believes that Guyana's task is to clearly identify where its national interest lies. He added, “I wanna make it very clear, we see Venezuela as an adversary not an ally, but at
the same time we live in a complex world.” Norton said he does not operate on the assumption that the United States, China, or Russia would fight a war on Guyana's behalf, noting that those countries pursue their own national interests. “I don't believe at this stage it is part of their national interest to fight for us…our task is to ensure that we engage in a way, work through the diplomatic nuances to ensure that we can have the support and solidarity of those countries in confronting Venezuela,” he added. Norton further called for a special sitting of the National Assembly to safeguard Guyana's territorial integrity and avoid any path toward war or proxy conflict.
Miners urged to declare tributors …as GGMC hints at licence delays
T
he Guyana Geology and M i n e s Commission (GGMC) has issued a notice reminding all mining property holders or duly authorised representatives to submit detailed information on tributors operating on their properties. In the notice dated January 7, GGMC said the requirement is in accordance with Mining Regulation 143 (14), which obliges property
holders to provide the Commission with a list of all tributors who have entered into agreements to work on t h e i r mining
e q u i p m e n t o w n e r, t h e equipment registration n u m b e r, t h e d a t e o f commencement of the agreement, and the relevant p r o p e r t y n u m b e r. T h e
proper ties. According to the notice, the submission must include the name of the registered
commission explained that the information is necessary to facilitate the renewal of licences for registered mining equipment.
GuySuCo says unrest at Uitvlugt resolved The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) said that industrial action at the Uitvlugt Estate has been resolved and normal operations have resumed. Following engagements between management and workers, discussions were held on the matters raised, mutual understanding was reached, and employees have since returned to work, GuySuCo said in a press release. “GuySuCo welcomes the constructive approach taken by all parties and reaffirms the importance of dialogue in maintaining stable industrial relations,” the release added. According to GuySuCo, with regard to the payment of retroactive wages for debunching for the year 2025, the Corporation acknowledges the concerns
expressed by workers. “These payments were not included in December 2025 wages due to the unavailability of funds at that time. This issue was addressed during discussions with workers, and an agreement was reached on the way forward.” In relation to the movement of managerial personnel, GuySuCo has clarified that the transfer of managers and technical staff across estates is a standard and long-established practice within the sugar industry. “Such movements are undertaken on a needs basis to ensure that critical skills, experience, and competencies are deployed where they are most required to support operational efficiency and productivity.”
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Friday January 09, 2026
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The Year of Not Making Things Worst A
source with a long memory and a short fuse, a man who had witnessed the grand ideological parades of the past from a safe and skeptical distance, recently passed me a note over a worn table in a quiet Georgetown rum shop. “They used to have a plan,” he murmured, the scent of aged Demerara rum and damp concrete mingling with his words. “Forget whether it was a good one or a bad one. It was a plan. Burnham gave every year a title. A mission. The Year of Production, 1974. The Year of Agriculture, 1975. The Year of Education, 1976. It was theatrical, it was oppressive, it was often a farce—but by God, it was a declaration of intent.” He went on, “Now we have a different kind of farce. We have the Year of the Scattergun, every year. Our Budget keeps getting larger and larger each outdoing the other. Money falls from the sky like showers in May-June. But the same old problems remain” He leaned in, his voice dropping to the conspiratorial register. He said, “Before this next avalanche of budget billions buries us in fresh concrete
and bitumen, dedicate 2026 to something simple: The Year of Fixing the Obvious. Start with the roads. Everyone complains. No one connects the dots. The dots are all red, and they’re hanging over every congested junction.” He was right. The evidence is not classified; it’s in plain sight, requiring no clandestine meetings with disgruntled engineers, only a functioning set of eyes and the patience to sit in traffic on the East Coast Public Road. The government’s approach to development is a kind of grandiose civil engineering Stalinism—monolithic, topdown, and bizarrely in love with traffic lights. When the East Coast was widened, the planners, in their infinite wisdom, studded it with signalized junctions. The consideration of roundabouts—a traffic solution so elegantly simple it is ubiquitous in the very former colonial power whose infrastructure model w e o s t e n s i b l y inherited—was apparently deemed too radical, too fluid, too uncontrollable. N o w, m y s o u r c e conceded, it’s likely too late to rip out most of those lights and install roundabouts. The traffic lights have been set,
both physically and bureaucratically. But the intelligence failure is ongoing. “It’s a sensor issue,” he said, tapping the table. “Not just the electronic ones, but the sensory organs in the heads of the traffic department.” At countless junctions, late at night or in off-peak hours, lines of vehicles sit idling, belching exhaust, waiting for a preprogrammed bulb to change color while the crossing road lies empty, a ghost avenue. The installation of induction loop sensors or cameras to create an adaptive, responsive light system is not aerospace technology. It is Traffic Management 101. Its absence is a quiet scandal, a daily tax on time, fuel, and sanity paid by every commuter. But the real gold, according to my source, lies in the “natural” roundabouts Georgetown has already built and then blindly ignored. He laid out a map, not from the Ministry of Public Works, but from sheer observational logic. “Look at the Square of the Revolution,” he said, circling the Cuffy Monument with a calloused f i n g e r . “ Yo u h a v e Vlissengen, Homestretch, Croal, South Road—a spiderweb of congestion.
DEM BOYS SEH
Funeral wear and evening wear are not the same
Lehmih tell yuh ‘bout a fashion confusion dat does turn funeral parlour into catwalk and ballroom into wake. Is all ‘bout style, not just colour! Dem aks like de only difference between a sad goodbye and a sweet fête is de mood. But de fashion rules for dese two events are different. Look pon de two contending styles. Funeral Fashion: Dis one is a quiet whisper. Dem dress simple, like a plain cook-up without de meat. De cut conservative—high neck, long sleeve. De fabric? Modest. No shine. If it have a pattern, is a small, sad one dat crying quietly. De whole vibe saying, “Ah dey wid yuh in spirit,” not “Watch meh spirit wine!” The other contender is evening-Wear Fashion Oh gosh! Dis one is a loud shout! Dem gown a beg fuh attention. Cut low like how dem men used to weed yuh yard back in de day. De back out like yuh bank account after payday, an slit high like de chances of getting prompt service from a government agency. Fabric sparkling like dem diamond in de Mazaruni, hugging every curve like a long-lost relative. Is like comparing eddoes to eclairs. One is solid, sensible ground provision. De other
is sweet, fluff-up spectacle. Yuh cyan’t show up to Gran’pa Joe send-off looking like yuh ‘bout to accept a crown, an yuh cyan’t go to de Gala dress like yuh in charge of de condolences book. Like dat time with Big Aunty from down de road. Her uncle pass, an she show up at de funeral home in a gown, yes... but dis gown was a production. Fringe shaking, sequins flashing, a deep plunge in front dat look like a mining claim. One a de old auntie squint an whisper, “But wha’ dis? A funeral or a fashion show? She expecting a runway at de end of de casket?” Big Aunty get dress down so bad after, people say she left looking more mournful dan de widow! De family tell she plain, “Donna, dis is a home-going, not a comingout party!” So get yuh styles straight! One is fuh reflect. One is fuh project. As de ole people seh: “Yuh hat fuh de funeral cyan’t be de same one yuh wave in de air at de concert.” Know de difference, or end up like Big Aunty—forever famous as de woman who came to bury Caesar, but dress to seduce he ghost. Talk half. Leff half
The lights are a permanent apology for bad design. The monument is a perfect central island. The people are already creating their own anarchic bypasses behind the pavilion. Meanwhile the still fighting the fighting the geometry. They are policing a solution that is begging to be implemented.” He moved his finger north. “The Cenotaph. Another natural circulatory system, waiting for paint and signage. The road encircling St. George’s Cathedral. Same story. These aren’t proposals; they are recognitions of reality. All that’s needed is for the authorities to see what already exists and lane it.” Then he brought up the old train line between Main and Vlissengen that has been developed ostensibly as a recreational area. “A recreational area?” He snorted. “It’s a parking lot for the GRA and other agencies and businesses. It is a monument to missed opportunity. That strip is a ready-made traffic lane. Use
it to convert Lamaha Street into a proper four-lane corridor, using the trench as a median. But to do that, you’d have to tell a government agency—the GRA—to move its inspection unit. And that,” he said, finishing his rum, “requires a political will that is currently being expended on ribbon-cuttings for fourlane highways that will instantly become two-lane roads.” And here we arrived at the pattern of self-sabotage. Billions are spent widening roads to four lanes. Almost immediately, the kerbside lanes on Sheriff Street; at Grove on the East bank of Demerara; and on the East Coast train line, are surrendered to parked cars, turning the gleaming fourlane roads back into the choked, cluttered corridors they were meant to replace. It is a breathtakingly wasteful cycle. The state builds a road, then allows citizens and businesses to un-build it, lane by lane, through sheer administrative indifference.
“So, name the year,” my source said, rising to leave. “The Year of Fixing the Obvious. Before you pour another billion into a new project, fix the billion-dollar projects you just finished. Install the sensors. Paint the roundabouts that are already there. Enforce the noparking laws. Have the courage to tell the GRA to pack up and move. Stop approving businesses on main public roads.” He then slipped out into the Georgetown dusk, leaving behind the empty glass and the map of a city whose solutions are staring it in the face, waiting only for someone in charge to see them. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10 S
UTH
D TR
HAR
HK
BY G
LALL
FridayMonday JanuaryMay 09, 2026 02, 2022
H@RD TRUTHS
BY GHK LALL
Eye on Caracas I
t could be that I'm losing it. The more I read about US visions for Venezuela, the more bizarre matters become. It can't be me losing it, but somebody uptown in icy DC. Consider the free-floating picture that is US-Venezuela, and the head spins. First, it was that the US will “run” Venezuela. Is somebody nuts over there, was my first question? Apparently, someone, or some crew, of highly professional, very seasoned, mostly sensible Americans in the State Dept. plus the White House took the bull by the horns, and said, 'over our dead bodies.' What is called a tactical retreat (I think) quickly followed. The un-nutty people decided that they had to go the extra desperate mile to save the world. Or, perhaps, it was to save a president from himself. I am delighted they did. Second, when everyone thought that it was time to breathe a well-deserved sigh of relief, Batman or Tarzan,
take a pick, decided that it was time for round two in Venezuela. There is something about that place that is just plain damn irresistible. How about that 300 of legend and immortality, good people? Remember them? Those 300 Spartans who made their last ditch stand at some godforsaken place called Thermopylae, and have since been spoken with awe and shock. Close, but not close. For there is something that beats bravery any day; that's the real 300, the 21st wonder of today's world. Venezuela owns it, those 300 billion barrels of heavy crude sloshing around in Lake Maracaibo. Well, that was the good news, what they thought. Time for the bad news to takeover, and since Americans are involved, it's a hostile takeover. Ask the man and what did he say? 'We are still in charge.' In charge of two prisoners should be about the sum of it. But what else? Nonetheless, it takes a lot to keep a good man down. Plus, some folks are simply
irrepressible. And, if there is one thing that grand duke of a gentleman is, it is that he is good man. A good man given to occasional interludes of craziness, but then that's par for any golf course that caters to geriatrics. I should know. I am one (minus flights into hallucinatory territory). Third, when it was found that 'we are still in charge' was going to encounter severe turbulence, a wide detour had to be made. For the files, it was good while it lasted, and evoked memories of glory days gone by, no longer to be resurrected, other than in dreams. The latest course charted goes like this: Venezuelans are free to take charge and run their country. What generosity that was, with not one, but two concessions in one sentence. See why I like America. Move over China. I learned to my dismay that the freeing up of the Hon. Delcy Rodriguez, ('another nice lady') Vice President of Venezuela, came at with a
huge, sure-to-be-disputed price tag. Before proceeding, I wish to say two things of a personal nature. If I had called any public figure, 'a nice lady', the screams of 'male chauvinist pig' would still be ringing from Stabroek Market Square to Times Square. Some men have all the luck, get away with madness and mayhem. Just ask the Cubans over there. Second, I may yearn for the days of Nicolas Maduro, for one reason. I don't seem to have much luck, or carry any weight, with vice presidents. There is Guyana's Bharrat Jagdeo, and now there is Senora Delcy Rodriquez of Venezuela. For my own sanity, I think I will stick with my favorite vice president of all (JD Vance, not excluded) Bharrat Jagdeo. The last word out of Washington was that VP Delcy Rodriguez can take charge of Venezuela. The Americans would take charge of oil fields, oil ops, oil infrastructure rehab,
oil marketing, and oil audits. In other words, anything that has oil stamped on it, up to and including those super performing Engine Oils. I can't speak for the Venezuelans, and dare not for Senora Rodriguez. Speaking for myself, (and as an American), I think that it is the best of a bad bargain. Venezuela for Venezuelans, but Venezuelan oil treasure for the Yanks. Now 30-50 million barrels snatched. Ransom? Shakedown? Blackmail? Stay tuned. Here's one for the road.
What the US is proposing for Venezuela (they run things) and America controls the oil, the blueprint for that already exists. Welcome to Guyana and Exxon and Chevron. Meanwhile, Guyanese are allowed to think that they run Guyana. Cheerio!(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Pensioner, suspected of wife's murder, found dead Eighty-eight-year-old Michael Raymond Haralall Tamassar called 'Mike', the suspect in the murder of his wife Lackandai Tamessar, 89, of Ogle Airstrip Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was on Thursday morning found dead at Bladen Hall School Compound Living Quarters, ECD. Police in a statement said that the elderly man reportedly died between 07:00h and 09:38h. Investigations revealed that the deceased was last seen alive at about 07:00h by his son with whom he was residing. He was discovered unresponsive at about 09:38h in the living room. “Mike's body was examined by Detectives for marks of violence, but none were seen on the exposed parts. He was then escorted to the Buxton Health Centre and was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty,” police said it its statement. Tamassar's body was taken to the Memorial Gardens Mortuary where it awaits a post-mortem examination. The 88-year-old man was arrested for his wife's murder about a week ago. Police said the woman was likely murdered between December 26, 2025 about 16:00hrs and December 30, 2025 about 13:00hrs at the Ogle Airstrip Road home. Investigations are ongoing.
Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2026
PAGE 11
Kaieteur
Entertainment
Mix Master Tony Kicks Off 2026 with 'Smile' – A Free International DJ Concert
I
n a world where news cycles often focus on challenges and hardships, one Guyanese DJ is making a deliberate choice to start the new year differently, with joy, generosity, and an invitation for his community to simply smile. Tonight, Mix Master Tony, fresh off celebrating his birthday yesterday, is hosting "Smile," a free international DJ concert at Everest Cricket Club that brings together some of the Caribbean's finest DJs for an
- Setting the Tone for a Brighter Year unusual way to mark the occasion. However, those familiar with the DJ's journey understand that giving back has always been central to his philosophy. "What better way to celebrate another year of life than by creating an experience for the people who've supported me?" Tony said. "They've given me so much over the years, this is
Mix Master Tony
evening of musical celebration. But beyond the impressive lineup and highenergy entertainment, the event carries a deeper message about setting intentions for the year ahead. "We're calling this event 'Smile' because that's exactly how I want people to approach 2026," Tony explained about the concept. "Last year had its challenges for many of us, but there's something powerful about choosing joy, choosing to smile, and choosing to start fresh. This event is about giving people a reason to feel good as we begin this new chapter." For Mix Master Tony, who celebrated his birthday on January 8th, hosting a FREE event the very next day might seem like an
my birthday gift to them." Tonight's event features an extraordinary lineup that transforms Everest Cricket Club into a hub of Caribbean musical excellence. From Canada comes Dr Jay The Soca Prince, bringing his unique blend of North American energy and Caribbean roots. St Lucia's Barrie Hype will do what he does best “bring the hype”. Antigua contributes not one but two talented DJs – The Spaniard and DJ Riddim Master – while Trinidad's DJ Mazel represents the birthplace of soca itself. Guyana's own DJ talent is well-represented with Scratch Kid DJ Kev, Selector Biggs, Selector Diamond, and Selector Der joining Mix Master Tony on the decks, ensuring that local flavour remains prominent throughout the evening.
This convergence of Caribbean talent under one roof, or sky in this case,
completely free of charge is virtually unprecedented in Guyana's entertainment
landscape. What distinguishes "Smile" from typical
entertainment events is its underlying purpose. In an industry often focused on profit margins and ticket sales, Tony's decision to offer this caliber of (Continued on page 16)
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Friday January 09, 2026
Kaieteur News
Late evidence sparks courtroom clash in Mohameds' extradition case What was expected to be a routine continuation of committal proceedings in the high-profile extradition case involving father and son Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed erupted into courtroom drama on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court. The case, which revolves around charges of fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion, was put on hold after prosecutors submitted
additional evidence that had not been previously disclosed to the defence. The defence team, led by attorneys Roysdale Forde SC, Damien Da Silva, and Siand Dhurjon, strongly opposed the new evidence, which they argued could alter the course of their defence. The Mohamed family faces charges in a U.S. federal court in Miami, Florida. A 25-page
indictment, unsealed on October 2, 2025, accuses them of masterminding an extensive fraud scheme that involved gold exports, customs fraud, bribery, and evasion of millions in taxes and royalties owed to Guyana. During Tuesday's session, the prosecution's first witness, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, testified regarding the
documents she received from the U.S. as part of the extradition request. However, the defence raised concerns about gaps in her t e s t i m o n y. N o t a b l y, Roopchand-Edwards had engaged with the Minister of Home Affairs, who is not her subject minister, and was unable to properly identify a document she claimed was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Hilton Todd. This prompted
Defence attorney Siand Dhurjon
the defence to challenge the validity of the evidence presented. The following day, on Thursday, the court heard from prosecutor Terrence Williams, who revealed that the prosecution had submitted an additional statement from the Minister of Foreign Affairs via email the day before. This disclosure came as a surprise to the defence, who objected on the grounds that they had not been informed in advance and that the
submission of new evidence at this stage could affect their ability to adequately prepare their case. Dhurjon argued that this late disclosure was problematic. "We have a grave difficulty with it," he stated, emphasising that the prosecution had previously indicated that all evidence had been submitted in earlier hearings. He further argued that this new statement appeared to fill in the gaps left by Roopchand-Edwards' (Continued on page 16)
Friday January 09, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
PAGE 14
Friday January 09, 2026
BK announces reduction of airfares to Aishalton President Irfaan Ali in commissioning the new $920 million airstrip at Aishalton, Region Nine on Thursday announced that local flight operator Jags Aviation said it will reduce its airfares to the Amerindian community, come February 1, 2026. The President also informed that Jags Aviation has agreed to lower its fares to travel to Paramakatoi Village in Region Eight. The reduction in fares comes after the President made a call on Monday while commissioning the
…as $920M airstrip commissioned
President Irfaan Ali and members of the Cabinet joining residents of Aishalton in commissioning their new $920 million airstrip.
Paramakatoi airstrip, for local flight operators to lower their prices to travel to the hinterland communities. He had said that operators raised the conditions of airstrips and the maintenance to aircraft for the increase in fares. “I know I asked the Director General to convene a meeting with the local operators (and) with the
minister to discuss this issue with the price and fares and I am telling you, the people must benefit from lower cost. You are not doing them a favour you have a responsibility,” he said on Thursday. Following the President's announcement, BK Group of Companies which owns Jags (Continued on page 16)
UNDP donates $US400,000 in IT equipment to judiciary As Guyana's legal year begins next week, the justice system welcomes a donation of IT software and hardware worth US$400,000 to improve service delivery. The items were officially handed over on Thursday during a ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters on Duke Street in Georgetown. The donation forms part of a collaborative initiative under the Partnership of the Caribbean and the European Union on Justice (PACE), involving the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Legal Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. To date, the Judiciary of Guyana has benefitted from approximately US$870,000 in donations, which have contributed to strengthening the administration of justice, improving access to judicial services and supporting partner agencies in advancing their mandate through enhanced digitisation and technological upgrades. Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs,
From left, EU Ambassador, Luca Pierantoni; Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC; UNDP's Resident Representative, Kathy Thomas and UNDP's Project Analysis, Chevy Devonish Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, said the intervention comes at a critical time, as criminal justice systems across the Caribbean undergo heightened scrutiny and reform at the highest regional levels. He noted that crime is now being treated as a public health issue in the region, underscoring the need for coordinated and modern responses. In this regard, Guyana will host a regional roundtable of Caribbean Attorneys General in the coming weeks to further examine criminal justice reform under the PACE initiative.
For context, the PACE project aims to strengthen justice and security systems in the Caribbean by improving access to justice, modernising institutions, and promoting cooperation between Caribbean states and the European Union. The AG said Guyana's selection as a beneficiary aligns with the government's broader vision to modernise the administration of justice, describing the justice system as the foundation for economic growth, social stability and national development.
Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Roxanne George–Wiltshire stated that the Judiciary of Guyana continues to advance its digital transformation with the presentation of new court recording software and hardware under the PACE Justice Project. Justice George noted that the Judiciary has fully embraced technology, highlighting the implementation of a cloud-based e-litigation and case management system in the High Court and Court of Appeal since 2024. “We have 18 courts already
earmarked for installation. These systems will definitely enhance court efficiency, and adding a modern judiciary requires clear and reliable recording systems to ensure a secure official record of the court proceedings.” Underscoring the importance of the UNDP's strategic plan, Resident Representative Kathy Thomas stated that the organisation's commitment to support the strengthening of democratic governance and the rule of law is critical to their work, and it complements other aspects of economic development and environmental development, which underpins the UNDP's contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. European Union Resident Ambassador Luca Pierantoni stated that technology is critical to the digital transition, noting that while it presents new challenges, it underscores the need to continuously develop and upgrade systems. He stated that human resources are the key element, emphasising that technology is just a tool, and it is the people using it who drive progress. (DPI)
Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2026
PAGE 15
Govt. pumps $2.1 billion into subsidising rice farmers More than $480.5 million in financial assistance was distributed to 1,618 rice farmers in Region Five on Wednesday as the government continues to provide direct support to strengthen the rice industry and safeguard farmers' livelihoods, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has said. The initiative was spearheaded by Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha and fulfils a commitment made by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, ensuring rice farmers receive $300 per bag of paddy as support to offset production costs and stabilise incomes. This intervention forms part of a wider national programme, representing a total government investment of approximately $2.1 billion, aimed at sustaining rice production, enhancing food security, and reinforcing the resilience of one of Guyana's most important agricultural sectors. While addressing the gathering, Minister Mustapha said the government recognises the importance of the agriculture sector and has been making the necessary investments to support its sustainable development. “I'm happy because we are here
to fulfil another promise that was made by the PPP/C government. As a government, we recognise the importance of agriculture in our country. This sector has moved tremendously. Today, Guyana is ranked number one in the world in terms of agriculture. Out of 186 countries that were studied by an international university, Guyana ranked number one as the country with the ability to produce all seven food groups and feed its population. Rice farmers are one category that continues to contribute to Guyana's success,” he said. The minister noted that the last cycle of assistance was paid directly to the mills, but that farmers had expressed dissatisfaction with the process. “The first time we conducted an activity like this, the relief was paid directly to the millers; however, some farmers expressed dissatisfaction with that process. So, we listened and decided that this time around, we will pay the money to the farmers. Leaving out all other investments to develop the sector, such as the rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation structures, construction of drying floors,
A section of the rice farmers
maintenance of canals and dams, equipment, and so on, for the first crop of 2024, as part of the $300 per bag assistance initiative, the government contributed $1.5 billion. With this second round of assistance, we will be investing $1.9 billion because the amount of rice that we produced will be over 800,000 tonnes,” Minister Mustapha said. He further stated that while
people have been speaking negatively about the government, the investments being made have allowed production levels to increase, reaching the highest production record in the country's history. “There are some people who are going around criticizing the government and the work that the government is doing. They are only doing this for their personal and selfish agenda in an attempt to deflect from their own
criminalities. We have to be careful of the naysayers—those people who go around bad-talking the government but are not doing anything for the people of this country. The investment that this government has made in developing this industry is tremendous. In 2025, for the first time in our country's history, we moved past the 700,000-tonne mark, producing 725,000 tonnes,” he noted. He further said that while the MMA Scheme is the largest agricultural scheme in the country, its facilities were not conducive to development. This, he noted, changed when the PPP/C government took office in 2020. “This is the largest agricultural scheme in the country. When I became Minister of Agriculture, this scheme had dilapidated drainage and irrigation structures and two excavators that were inoperable. Today, we have a fleet of approximately eight machines. Hundreds of kilometres of canals and dams are being maintained,” the minister said. Similar distribution exercises are scheduled for other rice-growing regions in the coming days. (DPI)
CXC goes digital, expands access, rolls out disaster plan …as 10,000 sit January exams As more than 10,000 candidates across the Caribbean sit the January 2026 CSEC examinations, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is pressing ahead with sweeping reforms aimed at modernising assessment, strengthening disaster preparedness, and widening access for students across the region. Addressing a news conference in Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Wayne Wesley outlined key decisions and initiatives approved by CXC's Board of Governors, signalling what he described as a renewed push to “ignite the potential and shape the future” of Caribbean learners. According to a press release from CXC Dr. Wesley confirmed that the January 2026 CSEC examinations began on Monday and will run until January 29, with English B Paper 2 and Human and Social Biology Paper 2 written on Wednesday. Significantly, the exams are being administered primarily on-screen, using CXC's digital and hybrid e-assessment platforms. According to the Registrar, this marks a major milestone in the Council's push to modernise testing across the region. “It is our intention to offer all exams on-screen in the next three to five years,” Wesley said, describing the digital shift as central to improving efficiency, reliability, and access. Even as the January sitting continues, CXC is already
preparing for the traditional May–June examination period, when more than 100,000 candidates are expected to sit over 600,000 CSEC and CAPE subject entries. “The work never stops at CXC,” Wesley noted. One of the most significant announcements was the formal approval of CXC's long-standing Regional Disaster and Business Recovery Protocol, which governs how the Council responds when participating states are affected by natural or man-made disasters. The six-step protocol outlines CXC's response, beginning with immediate engagement with affected states and ministries of education, followed by stakeholder consultations, recommendations to the Board, and ongoing evaluation. The protocol is already being applied in Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Special Measures Under a disaster recovery action plan approved for Jamaica, CXC has introduced a suite of accommodations for affected students sitting the upcoming CSEC and CAPE examinations. These include flexibility in exam administration through a modified approach for schools impacted by the hurricane, extended deadlines for School-Based Assessments (SBAs) until June 15, 2026, and the waiving of late registration and SBA submission fees. Candidates who feel unprepared to sit the exams due to disruption may also seek refunds or defer to a later
Dr. Wayne Wesley, Registrar and CEO of CXC®, along with senior CXC® officials after briefing the regional media on the Council's strategic priorities and key initiatives for the 2026 sitting in 2027. Importantly, all Jamaica-based candidates will receive their results in August 2026 alongside the rest of the region. Boosting Literacy and Numeracy Across the Region Turning to CXC's core mandate, Dr. Wesley announced the approval of two major policy documents aimed at improving learning outcomes across the Caribbean. One establishes approved literacy and numeracy standards for the first three years of secondary school, while the other focuses on strengthening primary-level education through revised targets and performance benchmarks under the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA). These standards, Wesley said, are aligned with both regional priorities and international best practices. CTEC Pilot Oversubscribed Wesley also provided an update on the Caribbean Targeted Education
Certificate (CTEC), a relatively new initiative designed to offer alternative pathways for learners. Originally planned for 3,000 participants, the pilot has attracted more than double that number, with 6,453 candidates from 13 member states participating across 48 examination centres. The oversubscription, Wesley said, underscores strong regional demand for flexible and targeted certification options. In a move aimed at deepening stakeholder engagement, CXC has strengthened collaboration with the Council of Caribbean National Parent-Teacher Associations (CCNPTA). For the first time, parent-teacher representatives will have an opportunity to influence decision-making at the highest levels of the Council, a development Wesley described as critical to improving education policy outcomes. CXC is also expanding its
advocacy for inclusive education, particularly for visually impaired and print-disabled students, in line with the WIPO Marrakesh Treaty. During the 2025 examination sittings, special arrangements were made for 3,444 candidates with visual impairments and other special needs. Wesley pledged that CXC would continue refining its assessment technologies and approaches to ensure no candidate is left behind. As the region grapples with climate shocks, educational inequality, and rapid technological change, Wesley said CXC remains committed to resilience, inclusion, and quality. By modernising assessments, standing with disaster-affected states, and widening access for all learners, he said, the Council is positioning itself for what it hopes will be a “remarkable and successful” year in 2026.
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Friday January 09, 2026
Kaieteur News
Late evidence sparks courtroom clash in Mohameds...
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From page 12 testimony, claiming that the prosecution was abusing the court process by repeatedly submitting new evidence. “The proper thing to do is to seek the leave of the worship,” Dhurjon said, urging the magistrate to rule against the late submission. Additionally, the defense requested an adjournment to allow them time to evaluate the new evidence and reorganise their strategy. In response, prosecutor Williams defended the late disclosure, stating it was made out of “abundance of caution” and to ensure that all the required documents were in order for the extradition process. He explained that the new statement supported the Certificate of the Minister,
statements, and this should have been done beforehand... there will not be any further disclosure.” The magistrate made it clear that such late disclosures were unacceptable and warned the prosecution that they must adhere to proper procedures in the future. She adjourned the matter to February 5, 2025, emphasising the importance of the new statement to the defence. “One word could be crucial,” she said. Following the session, Prosecutor Williams while speaking with reporters defended the prosecution’s actions, stating, “We do what we need to do to put forward the case, and then sometimes you have to react to what occurs in court.” He added that
it was essential for legal teams to use court resources efficiently. On the other hand, Dhurjon expressed frustration with the repeated submissions of new evidence. “Yesterday, at 2 p.m., they emailed a fresh statement, a statement of none other than the Minister of Foreign Affairs. While we relish the opportunity to cross-examine him, we thought it unfair,” Dhurjon said. He noted that this was the fifth time the prosecution had submitted new statements. “The magistrate believed it was fit to permit that evidence, and she, conversely, saw it fit to give us time to take fresh instructions. Our defence will now have to be reorganised and re-coordinated.”
Venezuela releasing ‘significant number’... From page 06 Bogotá, said the government periodically releases prisoners at politically strategic moments. “The regime uses them (prisoners) like a bargaining chip,” he said, adding that he and other observers will be watching not just how many people the government releases, but also whether high-profile individuals are included or if they’re being released under a condition of house arrest. Little movement was immediately seen outside one of
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which is required by the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act. Williams downplayed the significance of the new disclosure, insisting it was a formal requirement and that further disclosures could occur if deemed necessary. “If something arises that requires further disclosure, then we would be required to disclose,” he said, adding that such practices were standard in the legal process. Magistrate Judy Latchman, while ultimately allowing the new statement to be filed, did not hold back in her criticism of the prosecution’s conduct. “This is not a game of chess,” she firmly stated. “There are no knights here, so there is no Lform jumping. You have to serve, you have to file all your
FOR RENT Commerical Properties on Regent Street & Sheriff Street. Contact Ray's Realty 627-9685
Venezuela’s most notable prisons, where a number of the detainees are held. On Wednesday, the Trump administration sought to assert its control over Venezuelan oil, seizing a pair of sanctioned tankers transporting
petroleum and announcing plans to relax some sanctions so the U.S. can oversee the sale of Venezuela’s petroleum worldwide. Both moves reflect the administration’s determina-
tion to make good on its effort to control the next steps in Venezuela through its vast oil resources after U.S. President Donald Trump pledged after the capture of Maduro that the U.S. will “run” the country.
BK announces reduction of airfares... From page 14 Aviation in a statement said its supports the president’s idea for lower local airfares. Mr. Brian Tiwari, Executive Chairman of BK Group of Companies in the statement said, “The lowering of airfares to the interior was long overdue, and that President Dr. Ali’s pragmatism, and skillful urban planner coupled with the “One Guyana” notion has inspired the nation and restored hope and confidence in the business community and the citizenry.” “Jags Aviation has already reduced the cost for flights to the interior and has asked the Managing Director of Jags Aviation, Ms. Gail Tiwari, its Manager Colonel Miguel Benjamin and Chief Pilot Mr. Carl Rodney to find ways to further lower the cost of fares to the interior,” the statement noted. President Ali, speaking about the new 2,500ft con-
crete rigid pavement airstrip, said “It will improve access to healthcare, it will improve and reduce cost of living, it will improve market access and opportunities and create better connectivity. It is an important plan in the transformation of your community, it has major economic benefit in the diversification of your economy and tourism now has a real opportunity in Aishalton.” During his address, the head of state informed residents that works are underway of constructing a terminal building at the airstrip. “I am pleased to announced today that to my right and left the artist impression of a building. You might be wondering what building is this; I am pleased to tell you that this is a building that will be constructed here so you will have a proper terminal to welcome your visitors, immigrations services, police services. So you see already this one in-
vestment is stimulating maybe another $50 million of investment in this building so that an important plan for your tourism product is satisfied,” he told residents. Speaking on the development of airstrips, the President also disclosed that shortly Expressions of Interest will be issued for the construction of a modern airport at Lethem, as well as 35 additional airstrips for the hinterland. Also noting the improved access and connectivity this airstrip will bring residents, were Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah Browne and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar. Notably, Minister Edghill mentioned that the runway is painted to international standard and equipped with 40 lights for flights landing or leaving in the nights from the community.
Mix Master Tony Kicks Off 2025 with ‘Smile’... From page 11 entertainment for free speaks to a different set of values. “When people come out tonight, I want them to leave feeling lighter, more hopeful, more connected,” Tony shared. “Music has this incredible ability to shift our perspective, to remind us of what’s possible. If we can get a few thousand people smiling together, dancing together, celebrating
together, that positive energy ripples out into how they approach the rest of their year.”The concept of “Smile” also reflects a broader cultural shift toward intentional living and mental wellness. By framing the event around a simple yet profound action, smiling, Tony is encouraging attendees to be mindful of their emotional state and to actively choose positivity.
Tonight’s event continues a pattern established by Mix Master Tony throughout his career. Last August, he hosted “Sunset Solo,” a free four-hour concert at Kingston Seawall Esplanade to celebrate 10 years in entertainment. That event drew hundreds of supporters and set a precedent for the kind of community-focused celebrations Tony envisions.
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GEA receives 7 bids for renewable energy grid study and distribution code development
T
he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has received seven bids from consultancy firms interested in determining the Renewable Energy Hosting Capacity Limits in the Distribution System of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and for the development of Distribution Codes for Guyana. The bids were opened recently
at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. The bidders hail from Colombia, Canada, Ireland, Argentina, India, Guyana, France and Germany. The GEA in its advertisement for bids said that the project would be financed by the World Bank. “The Government of Guyana has applied for financing from
Below are the companies and their bids: Ministry of Education Review of the Quality and Relevance of the Programming in the Area of Hospitality and Tourism Studies-Guyana.
the World Bank towards the costs of the Caribbean Efficient and Green-Energy Buildings Project (CEGEB Project) and intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments for consulting services under the project. The consulting services (“the Services”) will inform the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) on the distribution system requirement
from a planning and operational perspective and define the minimum technical requirements to accommodate increasing penetration levels of Distributed Energy Resource (DER),” GEA explained in its tender notice. This publication understands that the implementation period will be six months. It w as reported that G uyana, along w ith tw o
Consulting Services for Determining the Renewable Energy Hosting Capacity Limits in the Distribution System of GPL and Development of Distribution Codes for Guyana.
Supply and Delivery of One 450KW/ 563KVA Diesel Generator Set Containerized Mobile Unit with Wheels.
Jamaican appointed as chancellor of New York City public education system
Consultancy Services for Development of Strategic Governance and Operational Framework.
Guyana Energy Agency Design, Supply, Installation and Commissioning of Solar Photovoltaic System at 32 Locations in the Hinterlands.
other Caribbean countries, has signed a new World Bank loan to help increase the supply of renewable energy in public buildings. The total loan for the three countries amounts to US$$131.87 million and has three components. Guyana was provided US$30 million from the Bank.
Guyana Sugar Corporation Supply and Delivery of (2) 180-200HP 4WD Agricultural Tractors.
Supply and Delivery of Gear Box Motor and Variable Frequency Drive for Albion Crane Carrier.
NEW YORK, United States (CMC) — Bronx, N e w Yo r k B o r o u g h President Vanessa Gibson has welcomed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s appointment of Jamaican-born Kamar Samuels as chancellor of New York City public education system. Samuels, who served as superintendent for Manhattan’s District 3 and Brooklyn’s District 13, was appointed to lead the nation’s largest school district on January 1. “On behalf of our borough, we want to congratulate Kamar H Samuels on his appointment as our next chancellor of New York City Public Schools,” Gibson, the daughter of a Trinidadian father, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Wednesday. “With decades of experience as a veteran educator, school leader and public school parent, Chancellor Samuels brings a deep understanding of the public education system to this role. “His dedication to academic excellence, culturally responsive learning, and student achievement aligns with our fundamental belief that every child in New York City deserves access to a safe, inclusive and highquality education that provides pathways to goodpaying jobs and future careers,” she added. “With ouradministration investing more than $85 million in capital funding
for our borough’s schools, continuing our collaboration with the New York City Public Schools chancellor will be essential to ensure our scholars continue to have the resources and opportunities they need to excel academically,” Gibson continued. “I look forward to advancing this partnership with our new chancellor to further invest in our schools, eliminate barriers to academic success and achievement, bridge the digital divide, and equip our youth with the resources they need for a successful future,” she said. A veteran educator with more than two decades of experience and a New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) parent himself, NYCPS said Chancellor Samuels has “devoted his career to advancing student achievement, strengthening instructional practice and building schools that are safe, academically rigorous and truly integrated”. NYCPS said Samuels is focused on the core priorities that make schools successful and on engaging closely with educators, families and students. “He believes schools should reflect what makes New York City unique, embracing our rich diversity through learning experiences grounded in cultural understanding and respect,” it said. “He leads with the conviction that all children deserve schools where they feel safe and valued, are challenged academically and are prepared to thrive in college, careers and life.”
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US Senate advances measure curbing Trump’s Venezuela war powers WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate advanced a resolution on Thursday that would bar President Donald Trump from taking further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorization, paving the way for further consideration in the 100member chamber. The vote on a procedural measure to advance the war powers resolution was 52 to 47, as five of Trump’s fellow Republicans voted with every Democrat in favor of moving ahead. One Republican senator did not vote. The vote took place days after U.S. forces captured Ve n e z u e l a n P r e s i d e n t Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic military raid in Caracas on Saturday, and marked a shift in the 100member chamber. Trump’s Republicans had blocked two previous attempts to advance similar resolutions in the Senate last year, as the administration ramped up military pressure on Venezuela with attacks on boats in the southern Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
A photograph posted by U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account shows him sitting next to CIA Director John Ratcliffe as they watch the U.S. military operation in Venezuela from Trump’s Mar a Lago resort, in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 3, 2026. @realDonaldTrump/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo H o w e v e r, t h e v o t e blocking the last resolution in November was only 5149, just after top Trump advisors told lawmakers they did not plan to change the government or conduct strikes on Venezuelan territory. After Maduro’s capture, some lawmakers accused the administration of misleading Congress, including Democrats publicly and some Republicans behind the scenes. Maduro’s capture
and Trump’s rhetoric have also raised concerns that he might launch military action to capture Greenland, an Arctic island that is a territory of Denmark. “I spoke to at least two Republicans today who did not vote for this resolution previously who are thinking about it,” Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who is co-sponsoring the resolution, told a press conference on Wednesday. “I can’t guarantee you
how they vote, but at least two are thinking about it, and some of them are talking publicly about their misgivings over this,” Paul said, speaking beside Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, another leader of the resolution. Both senators are members of the Foreign Relations Committee. The five Republicans who voted on Thursday to move ahead were Paul, Susan Collins of Maine, Josh
Hawley of Missouri, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Todd Young of Indiana. Trump’s party holds a 53-47 majority in the Senate. HURDLES AHEAD Thursday’s vote setting the stage for further consideration in the Senate was a significant victory for lawmakers who have been arguing that Congress, not the president, should declare war, as spelled out in the Constitution. However, the measure faces steep hurdles before going into effect. Even if it passes the Senate, to become law, the resolution must also pass the Republican-led House of Representatives and override an expected Trump veto, which would require two-thirds majorities in both chambers. The bill’s backers have acknowledged the hurdles, but said Republicans may be wary of a possible prolonged and expensive campaign of government change in Venezuela, as the U.S. faces steep budget deficits. Trump on Wednesday said he wanted U.S. military spending to increase to $1.5 trillion from $1 trillion.
Kaine noted that U.S. forces have been striking Ve n e z u e l a n b o a t s f o r months, and mentioned Trump’s statement that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela as well as the seizures of Venezuelan oil. “This is not a surgical arrest operation by any stretch,” Kaine said. Senators who opposed the war powers resolution said Maduro’s seizure was a law enforcement operation, not a military action. Maduro faces trial in a U.S. court on drug and gun charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty. The senators also say that Trump is within his rights as commander-in-chief to launch limited military actions he feels are necessary for national security. “The purpose of this resolution is to slap the president in the face. It will do nothing that it purports to do because it can’t stop something that isn’t going on right now,” Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, the Republican chairman of the foreign relations panel, said in a Senate speech before the vote.
Israeli attack on Gaza tent kills at least three Palestinians At least 425 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since an October ceasefire came into effect, the Health Ministry says. Aljazeera - An Israeli attack on a tent in southern Gaza has killed at least three Palestinians and wounded three others, local rescuers say, as Israel continues to bomb the coastal enclave despite an October ceasefire. The Palestinian Civil Defence in Gaza said on Thursday that its teams recovered the bodies of three slain residents after the Israeli military bombed a family’s tent in the alMawasi area of Khan Younis. Three others were wounded, including one person who suffered critical injuries, the agency said in a post on Telegram. Separately, Israeli fire k i l l e d a n 11 - y e a r- o l d Palestinian girl named Hamsa Housou in northern Gaza’s Jabalia area. Her uncle, Khamis Housou, said he woke up to
screaming in the family’s building. “I saw Hamsa lying on the floor and blood coming out of her nose and mouth,” he said. The attacks come as Israel has continued its military assault on Gaza despite a United Statesbrokered ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10. At least 425 Palestinians have been killed and 1,206 others wounded in Israeli attacks since October 11, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of displaced families have been sheltering in makeshift tent camps across Gaza after their homes were destroyed in Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in the territory. Israel has refused to allow a free flow of shelter
supplies into the Gaza Strip, despite warnings from the United Nations and humanitarian groups that Palestinians are suffering amid a series of deadly winter storms. Encampments have been flooded due to heavy rainfall in recent weeks, prompting calls from Palestinians for better tents, blankets and warm clothes. Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, said this week that Palestinians in Gaza were suffering from “respiratory infections, wound complications [and] skin diseases” as a result of harsh living conditions. Babies are also “suffering from severe cold”, the group said, “all the while Israel continues to block or delay the entry of vital supplies like tents, tarpaulins, and temporary
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian families are struggling to survive in makeshift tent camps across the Gaza Strip [File: Ramadan Abed/Reuters]
housing”. Meanwhile, Israel has moved to block international aid groups, including MSF and the Norwegian Refugee Council, from operating in the Strip. Israel has revoked the operating licences of 37 aid organisations for failing to comply with new regulations that require them to provide detailed information on staff
members, funding and operations. Experts say those requirements contravene humanitarian principles and follow a longstanding Israeli government campaign to vilify and ultimately impede the work of aid groups providing assistance to Palestinians. On Thursday, the Reuters news agency reported that
MSF, Medecins du Monde Suisse and the Danish Refugee Council said the Israeli authorities refused to allow their international staff to enter Gaza this week. The targeted groups have said they will be forced to stop providing key services, including healthcare, in Gaza as a result of Israel’s ban, putting Palestinian lives at risk.
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U.S. pulls plug on several UN agencies …Rubio deems them wasteful, ineffective, or harmful organizations …UN Secretary-General says will continue to carry out mandate with determination WASHINGTON (AP) — T h e T r u m p administration will withdraw from dozens of international organizations, including the U.N.'s population agency and the U.N. treaty that establishes international climate negotiations, as the U.S. further retreats from global cooperation. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order suspending U.S. support for 66 organizations, agencies, and commissions, following his administration's review of participation in and funding for all international organizations, including those affiliated with the United Nations, according to a White House release. Many of the targets are U.N.-related agencies, commissions and advisory panels that focus on climate, labor, migration and other issues the Trump administration has categorized as catering to diversity and “woke” initiatives. Other non-U.N. organizations on the list include the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the Global Counterterrorism Forum. “ T h e T r u m p Administration has found these institutions to be redundant in their scope, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful, poorly run, captured by the interests of actors advancing their own agendas contrary to our own, or a threat to our nation's sovereignty, freedoms, and g e n e r a l p r o s p e r i t y, ” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. Trump's decision to w i t h d r a w f r o m organizations that foster cooperation among nations to address global challenges comes as his administration has launched military efforts or issued threats that have rattled allies and adversaries alike, including capturing autocratic Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and indicating an intention to take over Greenland. US builds on pattern of exiting global agencies The administration previously suspended support for agencies like the World Health Organization,
The symbol of the United Nations is displayed outside the Secretariat Building, Feb. 28, 2022, at United Nations Headquarters. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA, the U.N. Human Rights Council and the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO. It has taken a larger, à la carte approach to paying dues to the world b o d y, p i c k i n g w h i c h operations and agencies it believes align with Trump's agenda and those that no longer serve U.S. interests. “I think what we're seeing is the crystallization of the U.S. approach to multilateralism, which is 'my way or the highway,'” said Daniel Forti, head of U.N. affairs at the International Crisis Group. “It's a very clear vision of wanting international cooperation on Washington's own terms.” It has marked a major shift from how previous administrations — both Republican and Democratic — have dealt with the U.N., and it has forced the world body, already undergoing its own internal reckoning, to respond with a series of staffing and program cuts. Many independent nongovernmental agencies — some that work with the United Nations — have cited many project closures because of the U.S. administration's decision last year to slash foreign assistance through the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID. Despite the massive shift, Trump administration officials say they see the potential of the U.N. and want to instead focus taxpayer money on expanding American influence in many of the standard-setting U.N. initiatives where there is
competition with China, like the International Telecommunications Union, the International Maritime O rg a n i z a t i o n a n d t h e International Labor Organization. The latest global organizations the US is departing The withdrawal from the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, or UNFCCC, is the latest effort by Trump and his allies to distance the U.S. from international organizations focused on climate and addressing climate change. UNFCCC, the 1992 agreement between 198 countries to financially support climate change activities in developing countries, is the underlying treaty for the landmark Paris climate agreement. Trump — who calls climate change a hoax — withdrew from that agreement soon after reclaiming the White House. Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Adviser, said being the only country in the world not part of the treaty is “shortsighted, embarrassing, and a foolish decision.” “This Administration is forfeiting our country's ability to influence trillions of dollars in investments, policies, and decisions that would have advanced our economy and protected us from costly disasters wreaking havoc on our country,” McCarthy, who co-chairs America Is All In, a coalition of climateconcerned U.S. states and cities, said in a statement. Mainstream scientists say climate change is behind
increasing instances of deadly and costly extreme weather, including flooding, droughts, wildfires, intense rainfall events and dangerous heat. The U.S. withdrawal could hinder global efforts to curb greenhouse gases because it “gives other nations the excuse to delay their own actions and commitments,” said Stanford University climate scientist Rob Jackson, who chairs the Global Carbon Project, a group of scientists that tracks countries' carbon dioxide emissions. It will also be difficult to achieve meaningful progress on climate change without cooperation from the U.S., one of the world's largest emitters and economies, experts said. The U.N. Population Fund, the agency providing sexual and reproductive health worldwide, has long been a lightning rod for Republican opposition, and Trump cut funding for it during his first term. He and other GOP officials have accused the agency of
participating in “coercive abortion practices” in countries like China. When President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, he restored funding for the agency. A State Department review conducted the following year found no evidence to support GOP claims. Other organizations and agencies that the U.S. will quit include the Carbon Free Energy Compact, the United Nations University, the International Cotton Advisory Committee, the I n t e r n a t i o n a l Tr o p i c a l Timber Organization, the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, the Pan-
American Institute for Geography and History, the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, and the International Lead and Zinc Study Group. Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) in a post on X on Thursday said that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “regrets the announcement regarding the United States' decision to withdraw from a number of United Nations entities.” Notwithstanding, the UN Chief said that the UN has a responsibility “to deliver for those who depend on us. We will continue to carry out our m a n d a t e s w i t h determination.”
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Harpy Eagles clock first training session of 2026 The Guyana Harpy Eagles conducted their first training session yesterday at the National Track & Field Facility, Leonora, with preparations for this 2026/27 season already hitting the ground running. With the schedule for the Men’s season not yet confirmed, players and franchise alike will kick start their year with daily/weekly sessions geared towards ensuring that form and
fitness are among the key areas of non-stop work. The Guyana Harpy Eagles got their 2026 off to a positive start by virtue of an outdoor session yesterday, which revolved mostly around testing the cardio and core form of the players, who carried out the various runs on the synthetic surface of the facility. Players ran the traditional Beep Test, while shuttles and other full-body physical tests were
The Guyana Harpy Eagles clocked in their first official training session of the new year yesterday at the National Track & Field Facility, Leonora.
conducted under the expert eyes of Head Coach Ryan Hercules and Assistant Coach Garvin Nedd. Following the break from the 2025/26 season, teams Caribbean-wide had a bit of time off following a busy 2025 and will now look to regain their playing form while increasing their conditioning ahead of what should be another competitive season of Regional cricket. Guyana will be looking to use 2026 as a year to fully embrace the tons of new talent which they have identified over the last year. Given the uncertainty of
Friday January 09, 2026 ARIES You'll find that things are slipping nicely into place for you today, Aries. Your persuasive manner and gentle nudges are just enough to get people where you want them. TAURUS When faced with ten entrees on the menu, it might be hard for you to choose just one. Feel free to order two or more, Ta u r u s . D o n ' t l e t indecisiveness slow you down. At the same time. GEMINIS Your dreams won't come true unless you believe in and act on them, Gemini. No one else is going to do it for you. Unless you have a fairy godmother, you need to take matters into your own hands. CANCER If people hassle you or give you a hard time about your appearance today, pay them no mind, Cancer. You have the right to live your life any way you want to. LEO Reach for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, Leo. It's closer than you think. Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach, and there are huge forces at work helping you achieve your goals. VIRGO Today is your day to dream and dream big, Virgo. Think about what it is that you want most out of life. Aim your arrow to the stars and pull back your bow as far as possible. There's no limit to how far you can go.
LIBRA Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra. There's an incredible opportunity opening up for you in which you can make great strides in a creative realm. Follow the music. SCORPIO Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Scorpio, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring more magic into your life. SAGITTARIUS Today is an excellent day for you, one in which you'll find a great deal of strength in your emotions, Sagittarius. Trust that your instincts are serving you well. CAPRICORN Things might get a bit confusing for you today, Capricorn. Don't feel like you need to make sense of it all. In fact, this task may be impossible. Just be yourself. Let your creative nature shine through. AQUARIUS Mix your reality with a bit of fantasy today, Aquarius. Allow your feet to come off the ground for a little while. Give yourself a rest. Take some time to meditate and clear your mind of your daily worries. PISCES Let yourself go into high creative mode and drift into a whole other world, Pisces. Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through any sort of artistic endeavor. Dream as big as your mind allows.
franchises to maintain a busy training schedule, as to ensure that all boxes are ticked ahead of any confirmed starts to the new season.
dates for a number of Regional events such as the Men’s Super50 or the Breakout League; it is essential for teams not only the Eagles but other
Walker notes a correction to Colin Croft’s... From page 24 Under19 team selected was in 1970 and they toured the United Kingdom. Duthnauth Ramkessoon was Captain and the squad consisted Richard Gabriel, Nirmal Nanan, S. Sahadeo, Jeffrey Mordacai, Hubert Chang, Sydney Matthews, Gopie Besmonie, Kennedy Ve n k a s a m m y, M a r t i a l Francis, William Bourne, David Murray with Vice Captain as Winsloy Ashby, Richard Straker and Larry Gomes with Wesley Hall as the Manager. The next West Indies Under19 team selected was in 1973 that engaged the touring Australia test team in a three day fixture at the Kensington Oval. The 1973 West Indies Under19 team was Lochart Sebastien, Richard Craig, Faoud Bacchus, Nigel Johnson, Jeffrey Mordacai, Martial Francis, Carlton Baugh Senior, (Wkt) Hugh Gore, Captain Michael Holding, Rangy Nanan and Imtias Ally. The third West Indies Under19 selected was July 1974 that toured the United Kingdom. The 1974 team was Colin Murray Captain, Arnold Oliver, Jaichand K a n h a i , F r a n k Williams, Babu Sankar, Radhray Solomon, Timur Mohamed, Richard Austin, Hilton Gordon, Jeffrey Dujon Wkt, Wayne Daniel, Tyrone Knight, Emmersn Trotman Vice Captain, Lockhart Sebastien and Victor Eddy. Walker concluded by stating, “Editor I could be
team the iconic former We s t I n d i e s p a c e r represented.”
wrong but I am still trying to figure which We s t I n d i e s U n d e r 1 9
Berbice River Bridge Closure to Road Traffic Friday January 09, 2025
For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 08:40hrs Saturday January 10, 2025
For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 09:30hrs For Ocean Going Vessels opening last 1-1½ hrs DATE: 01/08/2026
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A question for Gauff drags US into United Cup semis as the International Cricket Council Swiatek also wins AFP - Coco Gauff pulled off double duty to drag defending champions the United States into the United Cup semi-finals on Wednesday while world number two Iga Swiatek did her bit for Poland. Fourth-ranked Gauff, who suffered a surprise defeat last time out, put the United States on their way in their quarter-final against Greece with a 6-3, 6-2 win over former world number three Maria Sakkari in Perth. S t e f a n o s Ts i t s i p a s brought Greece level by defeating struggling Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-5. In the deciding mixed doubles, Gauff teamed up with Christian Harrison to battle past Tsitsipas and Sakkari 4-6, 6-4, 10-8.
The 21-year-old Gauff struggled with her serve as she suffered her first-ever defeat at the United Cup on Monday when she was stunned by Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. “Definitely a much better match today,” Gauff said after making light work of Sakkari. “Last match, I just tried to erase it. That’s the beauty of this tournament. “So definitely happy to give my team the lead today.” Six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek beat 97th-ranked Suzan Lamens 6-3, 6-2 in the tie against the Netherlands in Sydney. Hubert Hurkacz, on his way back after being out for seven months following
knee surgery, defeated Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) as Poland sealed their last-eight spot. Poland will play hosts Australia, with the winner facing the United States for a place in Sunday’s final. In Perth, Switzerland’a Belinda Bencic beat Solana Sierra 6-2, 6-2 but a 7-5, 6-4 loss by Stan Wawrinka to Sebastian Baez sent the tie into a mixed doubles decider. The Swiss finished off the win with Bencic and Jakub Paul clinching the winning point over Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi 6-3, 6-3. The mixed-team United Cup features 18 teams and serves as a build-up towards the Australian Open, which starts on January 18.
Statistician Charwayne Walker has a question for the International Cricket Council (ICC) concerning one of Guyana’s outstanding cricketers of the not too distant past. Wa l k e r n o t e d t h a t , former Guyana and West I n d i e s p l a y e r, R o g e r Harper’s, has a unique One Day International (ODI) career bowling feat. He informed that the f o r m e r We s t I n d i e s allrounder, Roger Andrew Harper, is probably the only bowler that started his One Day International career and finished with the identical bowling figures. Wa l k e r s t a t e d , t h e Guyanese offspinner, who featured in 105 ODI’s and 26 list A matches for the West Indies. Harper made his One
Roger Harper
Day International debut on October 13, 1983 against India at the Sher-I-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar. On debut, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) legend took 3 for 34 from 9 overs with one maiden. Walker informs, in his final and 105th ODI against Sri Lanka at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Harper finished his
ODI career with 3 for 34 from 9.3 overs, the identical figures he had on debut against India in 1983. As a result, Walker asks, “The million-dollar question cricket fans and I are asking is whether this unique feat by Harper has ever occurred before, could the International Cricket Council shed some light on this.”
Walker notes a correction to Colin Croft’s tribute to Andy Moore Statistician Charwayne Walker has observed a slight discrepancy in a recent piece by former Guyana and West Indies cricketer Colin Croft as he paid tribute to Andy Moore. Walker informed that the piece stated that Croft represented Guyana and West Indies Under19 cricket teams by 1971-1972, but however, the records are showing that there were no West Indies Under19 teams
selected in 1971 and 1972. Walker informs, that from the record, Colin Croft represented Guyana at the regional Under19 level in 1970 Benson and Hedges under the captaincy of Errol Jackman when the land of many waters hosted the championship. The Statistician informed that the following year, 1971, he toured Jamaica with the Sydney
Matthews led Guyana Benson and Hedges team for the regional Under19 tournament. The next year, 1972, young England toured the Caribbean in August but only played matches against regional Under19 teams Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica, but no West Indies Under19 team was selected. The first West Indies (Continued on page 23)
2026 CWI Women’s T20 Blaze…
Fixtures released as Caribbean Ladies prepare for battle Cricket West Indies (CWI) released the full fixture ahead of next Tuesday’s start to t h e 2 0 2 6 Wo m e n ’s B l a z e T 2 0 Championships hosted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the Arnos Vale Ground. Defending champs Guyana have been hard at work over the past few days, putting in tons of training and practice as they look to get themselves in tip-top shape, ahead of one of the tougher challenges yet; fending off a host of other highly-talented Caribbean teams as they look to keep their title intact. With a star-studded squad in the wings, Guyana will be keen on utilizing the remaining days at home before they wing out to St. Vincent where they will be looking to get quickly acclimatized ahead of their first match and the first of the tournament; versus Windward Islands. The basis of this year’s tourney will see
teams featuring in the 6 round triple-header, with games being played from 9:30h, 14:30h and 19:00h respectively throughout each designated day of action. Round 1 which bowls off on Tuesday January 13th, will see Guyana and the Windwards locking horns from 9:30h, essentially opening this season’s activities. The second match features Jamaica and Leeward Island commencing their battle from 14:30h; with Trinidad & Tobago squaring off against the Bajans in the final match of the opening round; under lights from 19:00h. Teams will then have a day off with Round 2 restarting on January 15, to which all roads lead to January 23rd, which is designated as the 6th and final round of the Blaze T20 competition; which will be followed shortly after with the 2026 Women’s Super50 Cup.
Friday January 09, 2026
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Australia get over the line in Sydney for 4-1 Ashes triumph SYDNEY, (Reuters) Australia had a few nervous moments but safely chased down their 160-run victory target before tea on the final day of the fifth Ashes test against England on Thursday for a five-wicket victory and a 4-1 series triumph. Seamer Josh Tongue led England’s battling rearguard with 3-42 but Alex Carey got Australia across the line with
a four through the covers in mid-afternoon in the company of Cameron Green. “We’ve played so well as a team,” said Steve Smith, who was standing in for Pat Cummins as Australia captain for the fourth time in the series. “ We ’ v e h a d s o m e incredible individual performances but ... everyone else just stood up at
England’s Josh Tongue celebrates with Ben Stokes after taking the wicket of Australia’s Jake Weatherald. (REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
different moments. I think that’s what makes a really good team. We won those big moments throughout the series.” England will take credit for making a game of it and not being ground into the Sydney dirt as previous tourists have in end-of-series dead rubbers at the famous old ground. Without the bowling of injured captain Ben Stokes, however, defending 160 was always going to be an uphill challenge on a good wicket which allowed day-five action for the second time in the series. A u s t r a l i a ’s o p e n e r s managed to get the target under 100 runs before Man of the Match Travis Head, whose third century of the series underpinned his team’s first-innings 567, ballooned a shot to midwicket off Tongue for 29. J a k e We a t h e r a l d followed for 34, again c a u g h t o f f To n g u e ’s bowling, to bring up lunch with Australia 89 runs from their goal. It was 15 years and a day since England won the final test of the 2010-11 series at the same ground by an innings and 83 runs — the last time they won an Ashes series Down Under. Khawaja made his debut in that match and got his chance for one final innings before retirement when Smith was bowled through
Real Madrid beat Atletico to reach Spanish Super Cup final BBC Sport - Federico Valverde scored a stunning early free-kick as Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid to set up a Clasico meeting with Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Rodrygo doubled Real’s lead in the 55th minute before Alexander Sorloth pulled a goal back for Atletico, but it was the 13-time Super Cup winners who prevailed to reach Sunday’s final (19:00 GMT). Thursday’s semi-final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was only 77 seconds old when Los Blancos captain Valverde sent a 30-yard free-kick fizzing past Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak into the top corner. Rodrygo doubled Real’s lead 10 minutes into the second half with a cute finish past Oblak, though his excellent first touch to control a Valverde pass before accelerating away from defender Robin Le Normand was the highlight. Sorloth rose above Raul Asencio at the back post to head home and halve the deficit with more than half an hour still to play, but that was the only one of Atletico’s 22
attempts to be converted. The Norwegian striker somehow headed wide late in the first half when Conor Gallagher found him with an inch-perfect delivery, before Julian Alvarez - goalless in his last eight La Liga outings - snatched a shot wide deep into second-half injury-time. Xabi Alonso’s side - without the injured Kylian Mbappe - had to sweat for the win. Rodrygo and Vincius Junior - the latter without a goal in 16 games - had opportunities to score in both halves, but Los Blancos were holding on by the end. Their reward for doing so is the chance to win the second Clasico of the season, after they defeated Barcelona 2-1 at the Bernabeu in October. Hansi Flick’s side reached the final by thrashing Athletic Club 5-0 in the first semifinal on Wednesday. The Spanish Super Cup is taking place in Jeddah after Saudi Arabia and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) extended a deal to play the tournament in the country until 2029.
Australia’s Steve Smith and Pat Cummins celebrate on the podium with teammates as they pose for a photograph with the trophy after winning the series. (REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) the gate by the spin of Will Jacks for 12 soon after lunch. The England players formed a cordon to welcome Khawaja to the crease but Tongue’s bowling was less friendly and the lefthander played on for six after facing seven balls. “I was trying to act cool, but the whole test match I found it really hard to control my emotions,” the 39-yearold admitted. Labuschagne had been dropped on 20 off Tongue when Bethell failed to hold onto the ball despite an acrobatic leap at backward point. He was unable to make the most of his reprieve, however, running himself out for 37 with 39 runs still required for victory. Carey, who made 16 not out, and Green, who finished unbeaten on 22, nearly reprised Labuschagne’s exit with a classic mix-up after an overthrow but eventually made their ground to secure the victory. “It’s a tough one to take knowing that we can play better than that,” said Stokes, who exhorted his players from the slips on
Thursday. “But I’ve got to give full credit to (Australia), they’ve been just incredible for five test matches.” STARC STRIKES AGAIN TO HURT ENGLAND England had resumed on 302-8 but Mitchell Starc struck a major blow to their hopes of setting Australia a testing target when he had Bethell caught behind for 154. B e t h e l l ’s s u p e r b maiden test century offered plenty of promise for the future and was essentially the difference between an innings defeat for England and Australia batting again. Starc (3-72) returned to remove Tongue for six to end the innings on 342, the leftarm quick later awarded Player of the Series honours for his tally of 31 wickets over the five tests. “The body is still holding together and this is a great group to be a part of,” the 35year-old said. “I am a little tired but got the job done.” In Sydney, Australia were again that bit superior in every department, as they were when wins in Perth,
Brisbane and Adelaide secured possession of the Ashes urn for another 18 months in just 11 days. England won a lottery of a fourth test in Melbourne — their first win in Australia since Sydney in 2011 — but the future of the “Bazball” style of play must be in doubt after a tour that started with high hopes ended in a 41 loss. “We’ve not won the big series that we want to be winning,” said Stokes. “When a trend is happening on a consistent basis ... that’s when you do need to go back and look at the drawing board and make some adjustments.” D e s p i t e E n g l a n d ’s woes, the Ashes remain as popular as ever with the 211,032 fans through the gates over the five days in Sydney, the most ever for a test match at the ground. Scores: Australia 567 (Head 163, Smith 138, Tongue 3-97) and 161 for 5 (Labuschagne 37, Weatherald 34, Tongue 3-42) beat England 384 (Root 160, Neser 4-60) and 342 (Bethell 154, Webster 3-64, Starc 372) by five wickets.
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Friday January 09, 2026
Guyana’s Jockeys step onto the world stage as International Licensing Process begins in Barbados
From Right is Robert Pierce, Jockey’s Yovin Kissoonchand, Colin Ross and Ronaldo Appadu with Richard Dean at left.
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uyana’s horseracing industry reached a historic milestone this week as three of the country’s top jockeys successfully completed the first major step toward obtaining their international jockey licences in Barbados, opening the door for Guyanese riders to compete on tracks around the world. Leading the group is 2025 Champion Jockey
Yo v i n K i s s o o n c h a n d , alongside former champion jockeys Colin Ross and Ronaldo Appadu. All three jockeys successfully passed their physical riding examinations in Barbados, a critical requirement in the international licensing process. The licensing process is currently being overseen by respected racing
a d m i n i s t r a t o r Vi c t o r Cheeseman, with internationally recognised horseman Robert Malcolm Peirce playing a pivotal role in guiding and facilitating the programme. While further assessments, training modules, and administrative procedures are still ongoing, officials confirmed that the full licensing process is expected to be completed by
the end of this week, placing Guyana’s young riders firmly on an international pathway. A L o n g - Aw a i t e d Breakthrough for Guyana’s Racing Youth For years, Guyanese jockeys have shown natural talent, discipline, and competitiveness at home, yet opportunities to ride abroad remained limited due to licensing barriers. That reality is now changing. “This is something we have waited a long time for,” said one official close to the process. “Once completed, these jockeys will be eligible to ride not just in Barbados, but across the Caribbean and internationally.” The move mirrors the path taken by Barbadian jockeys, many of whom now ride successfully in North America, the United Kingdom, and across the Caribbean, building a global reputation believed to have begun with similar licensing initiatives decades ago. Now, that same door has opened for Guyana. Jockeys Express Gratitude for a LifeChanging Opportunity Speaking following their physical examinations, the jockeys expressed heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity. “This is a dream come t r u e , ” s a i d Yo v i n Kissoonchand, Guyana’s current champion rider. “We have worked our entire lives for a chance like this. We are thankful to everyone who believed in us and helped make this possible.” Former champion Colin Ross echoed a similar sentiment: “For years we hoped something like this would happen. To finally see it happening means everything to us and to the younger jockeys coming up.” Ronaldo Appadu added that the opportunity was about more than personal success. “This isn’t just for us. It’s for the next generation of jockeys in Guyana who now know that international racing is within reach.” All three riders extended special thanks to the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC), their trainers, and particularly
Jockey’s from right; Yovin Kissoonchand, Colin Ross, and Ronaldo Appadu. Robert Malcolm Peirce, whose guidance and international experience proved instrumental in advancing the process. Robert Malcolm Peirce, SCM, A Lifetime Dedicated to Youth and Racing Widely respected throughout the Caribbean, Robert Malcolm Peirce, SCM, brings decades of experience to Guyana’s racing development. Mr. Peirce was awarded the Service to Community Medal (SCM) by the Government of Barbados in 2018, recognising his lifelong dedication to youth development, community service, special-needs programmes, and horseracing. During a period when Barbados honoured citizens under the Crown, the SCM stood as one of the country’s most respected national awards for service. Beyond community work, Peirce is also celebrated for his contributions to racing, having played key roles in: Developing young jockeys and stable staff Supporting underprivileged and special-needs youth through equine programmes Advising racing bodies and stables across the Caribbean Being associated with major regional racing victories and championship campaigns His involvement in Guyana marks a significant step forward for the sport locally. Now serving as a consultant to the Jumbo Jet
Racing Stable and working closely with the JJTRC, Peirce has brought international best practices, structure, and mentorship to the local scene. JJTRC Moves Quickly To w a r d L o n g - Te r m Development The JJTRC wasted no time in engaging Mr. Peirce’s expertise. Late last year, the committee released a statement indicating plans for a formal jockey school in Guyana, an initiative now gaining momentum with the international licensing of local riders. “This is exactly the kind of progress we envisioned,” a JJTRC representative stated. “Licensing jockeys internationally, developing training programmes, and raising standards are all part of our long-term vision for Guyanese racing.” With three jockeys now on the verge of becoming internationally licensed, Guyana’s horse-racing industry has taken a decisive step forward, one that not only elevates individual careers but strengthens the country’s standing across the Caribbean racing landscape. As Barbados once did, Guyana is now laying the foundation for its jockeys to compete globally, tell their stories abroad, and return home with experience that will further lift the sport locally. For many within the industry, this moment represents more than progress, it represents hope, opportunity, and a future finally within reach.
Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2026
PAGE 27
Khawaja ‘grateful’ after Test goodbye despite imperfect fairy-tale finish just finally relax.” He can relax having completed a fine career for Australia that will appreciated more in retirement than it was perhaps in the moment. He finishes as one of only 16 Australians to score
Usman Khawaja walks off for the final time in Tests. (Cricwick) ESPNcricinfo - Usman Khawaja was asked ahead of his 88th and final Test what a fairytale finish would look like. “I think the fairytale’s already done,” he said. “I don’t think it matters how many runs I score.” The words were prophetic. The stage was set for his final act in Test cricket to be unbeaten in a winning chase and it wasn’t to be, after he chopped Josh Tongue on for 6 before Australia eventually got over the line by five wickets to seal a 4-1 Ashes series triumph. But Khawaja was able to t a k e o n e f i n a l b o w. England’s team gave him a guard of honour as he walked to the crease in honour of his 88 Tests of service to his country and the game at large, with Khawaja shaking England captain Ben Stokes’ hand in gratitude. Upon his dismissal, he removed his helmets and gloves, raised his bat and soaked in the standing ovation from the day five SCG crowd of 25,847, and then had one final symbolic moment. As Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer, he dropped to his knees for a Sajdah - a part of the Muslim prayer ritual - next to the sign painted on the outfield that read “Thanks Uzzy #419”. “As much as I wanted to go out there and score runs and hit the winning runs, I’m just grateful for one last final win and celebrate with my
team-mates,” Khawaja told Fox Cricket after the game. Khawaja admitted the emotions of the week had affected his performance. He has prided himself on process throughout his career and has remained a picture of calm, particularly across the last four years when he has been a bedrock of Australia’s batting at the top of the order. But he battled his emotions all week and it reflected in two skittish innings of 17 and 6. “I’ve got to be honest, It was very tough,” Khawaja said. “I was trying to act cool, but the whole Test match, I found it really hard to control my emotions. I prided myself on being able to control my emotion my whole career. I haven’t given away too much of the opposition or to anyone. I found it really hard to concentrate a lot. “Even in the first innings, I found it hard to get into rhythm. And even today, my whole career, particularly the last end of the career has been built on process, process, process. It’s just so hard to go out there and concentrate. But look, I’m glad we got the win, got over the line, and it’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. Being able to finish here at the SCG. Everyone’s been so great. I’m so grateful to have the career I’ve had, and I can
6000 Test runs and make 16 Test centuries. Among the ten Australians to have scored 3000 runs or more opening the b a t t i n g , o n l y B ob Simpson, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer did so at a better average than his
48.05. His stand-in skipper and long-time team-mate Steven Smith paid tribute to him at the post-match presentation. “He’s had a wonderful career,” Smith said. “It’s been great to be alongside him for all of it. I
played in his debut Test match here, 15 years ago. And he’s just grown as a human and as a player. It’s been great to play alongside of him for a long time, and he’s certainly going to be missed in that dressing room.
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Harpy Eagles clock first training session of 2026
The Guyana Harpy Eagles clocked in their first official training session of the new year yesterday at the National Track & Field Facility, Leonora.
Real Madrid beat Atletico to reach Spanish Super Cup final
Coco Gauff and Christian Harrison celebrate defeating Greece’s Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas. (Colin Murty/AFP/AFP)
Gauff drags US into United Cup semis as Swiatek also wins
Rodrygo scored his third goal of the season in all competitions. (Getty Images)
Guyana’s Jockeys step onto the world stage as International Licensing Process begins in Barbados Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.