Guyana Times - Friday, August 29, 2025

surveyors sworn in Jason Carter to lead Carter Center’s election mission in Guyana

“remarkable

100 single-parent homes to be transformed into farmsteads at St Cuthbert’s Mission Better roads, lights, rising property values under PPP/C plan – PM Phillips tells Sophia residents

man arrested after Police seize over 1kg of ganja

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 29 – 03:55h–05:25h and Saturday, August 30 –20:55h–22:25h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 29 – 07:20h–08:50h and Saturday, August 30 –07:55h–09:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Rain and occasional thundery showers are expected during the day, and rain showers followed by mist and fog are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 07:54h and 08:06h reaching a maximum height of 2.42 metres.

Low Tide: 13:42h reaching a minimum height of 0.85 metre.

New Demerara Harbour Bridge completed

…a “remarkable accomplishment”, says Pres Ali

The highly anticipated US$262 million new Demerara River Bridge is scheduled to be commissioned in early September, according to President Irfaan Ali, as he joined officials early Thursday morning to witness the final pour of cement to fully connect the four-lane structure.

Just after 02:00h, the Head of State gave the instructions for the final set of concrete to be poured to finally connect the eastern and western sides of the new bridge.

According to President Ali, this milestone event brings the bridge closer to completion.

“So, the bridge is structurally going to be completed,” he noted, adding that

after the final concrete pour, the paving work will be completed.

“There is one section of the entrance on the east end that will be completed. And of course, we had some modifications of the design, putting in a collector’s lane for better traffic management and traffic flow. So that is being completed. So, I would say very early in September, we will be driving on and off of the bridge,” the Head of State said.

To support the new four-lane high-span cable-stayed bridge, access roads are being constructed at both ends of the bridge, which lands at Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara and at La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara. On the eastern end, a four-lane road is being built out to take the bridge traffic directly onto the Heroes Highway, where a roundabout is currently under construction.

According to the President, these roadworks are nearing completion.

“They’re almost completed. There's only one section [on the eastern side], and that is because the bridge was under construction for safety reasons. That section, by tomorrow [or] in the next 48 hours, will be up to the level for paving, and then that section will be completed. The other section on the

[western] side, you know, we had existing structures that were supporting the construction of the bridge. That is now removed so that the collector’s lane is now being completed,” Ali stated.

Productive time

The new Demerara River bridge is a 2.65-kilometre (km) four-lane cable-stayed structure with a 50-metre (m) fixed-high span to cater for the free and uninterrupted flow of vessels, thus allowing for the free flow of vehicular traffic with travellers enjoying toll-free crossings.

With the new bridge, the incumbent President explained, there would not only be a significant reduction in traffic congestion and travel time but also added productive and social value.

“The bridge is going to give you more productive time, so productivity will increase, manhours will increase, there will be less

stress on families… schoolchildren, they normally leave an hour [to] an hour and a half earlier to get past the traffic, to get to school in the morning and then get home late in the evening. So, there are a lot of social benefits, more family time, more community time, and more productive time. All of that adds to the value creation of the bridge.”

“We're here to celebrate. We're here to move forward. I'm very, very proud of our guys. Listen, I put a lot of pressure on these guys. I'm proud of this team, and I'm sure that they will ensure that everything is as we wanted it to be – bright and beautiful.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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

Empowerment rather than dependency

The announcement of an initiative at St Cuthbert’s Mission to empower vulnerable families while simultaneously strengthening rural economies comes at a critical juncture in Guyana’s ongoing efforts.

President Dr Irfaan Ali’s plan to convert 100 single-parent-led households into productive farmsteads represents a policy vision designed to foster economic resilience, enhance family stability, and build long-term community self-reliance.

At its core, the initiative recognises the challenges faced by singleparent households, many of which fight to balance income generation with caregiving responsibilities. By introducing farmsteads directly into the household environment, the programme removes one of the most persistent barriers to economic participation: accessibility. With shade houses erected behind homes, residents will be able to cultivate highvalue crops such as sweet peppers, enabling them to engage in incomegenerating activities without sacrificing their parental obligations. This design is not only practical but also profoundly strategic, as it aligns economic opportunity with family life rather than competing against it.

A central feature of the plan is the elimination of logistical obstacles that have traditionally hindered small-scale farmers. By ensuring that the Guyana Marketing Corporation purchases produce directly in the village, the Government is effectively bridging the gap between cultivation and market access. The removal of transportation costs is a decisive step in ensuring profitability. This mechanism provides households with both the certainty of a buyer and the security of stable earnings, factors that are indispensable for building financial independence.

What emerges from this policy is a vision of empowerment rather than dependency. It offers residents the tools, infrastructure, and guaranteed markets they need to succeed while allowing them to retain full agency over their livelihoods. Such an approach underscores the philosophy that true development is not about providing handouts but about creating the conditions for people to uplift themselves.

The programme’s broader consequences extend well beyond agriculture. As President Ali outlined, parallel opportunities are being created through small business grants, with particular emphasis on youth-led enterprises. The availability of interest-free financing for ventures such as honey production, agro-processing, or eco-tourism signals a deliberate attempt to diversify income streams and prevent overreliance on any single sector. This multidimensional strategy reflects an understanding that resilient communities require diverse economic foundations.

Equally important is the call for collaboration among young people to undertake larger projects, such as off-road tourism experiences. By encouraging collective action, the initiative fosters teamwork and shared responsibility while exposing youth to the benefits of scaling operations. The prospect of duty-free concessions and co-investment further reduces barriers to entry, making entrepreneurship a realistic pathway for many who may otherwise lack access to capital.

Tourism development, as envisioned in the President’s remarks, holds particular promise for St Cuthbert’s Mission. The community’s natural environment, cultural heritage, and riverine landscape present unique opportunities to craft eco-friendly experiences that resonate with both local and international visitors. Activities such as night fishing, river cruises, and camping experiences will generate income as well as preserve and showcase indigenous traditions in a sustainable manner. The emphasis on ecotourism ensures that development proceeds without undermining the very resources upon which it depends.

For families, the cumulative effect of these initiatives is potentially transformative. Stable and diversified incomes can reduce financial stress, improve access to education and healthcare, and create an environment where children grow up with stronger prospects. The model recognises that economic empowerment at the household level has ripple effects that extend to community cohesion, reduced poverty, and enhanced social stability.

Moreover, the emphasis on self-sufficiency is particularly timely in a world where economic shocks and global uncertainties have highlighted the importance of local resilience. By building capacity within communities like St Cuthbert’s Mission, Guyana is positioning itself to withstand external challenges while ensuring that growth is inclusive.

The initiative also reflects a broader philosophy of governance, one that sees rural and indigenous communities not as peripheral beneficiaries but as central contributors to the nation’s progress. Such recognition is vital in fostering a sense of inclusion and national unity, particularly in a diverse society where equitable development remains a central aspiration.

In the final analysis, the plan for St Cuthbert’s Mission stands as an example of policy innovation rooted in pragmatism and empathy. By aligning agricultural development, small business support, and tourism opportunities within a coherent framework, this initiative has the potential to reshape lives and redefine community growth.

Wilfully deceitful statement by Panday

Dear Editor,

Whether you are a political leader aspiring for higher offices in Government or a religious leader aspiring to change the lives of your followers, there are certain leadership qualities which are common. Among these are integrity and honesty. Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, and this means doing the right thing, even when difficult, and is fundamental for building trust and credibility.

I have had the opportunity to listen to a man who is a religious leader and is now an aspiring political leader. That man is Vishnu Panday and is now a candidate for the WIN political party after his contract with GuySuCo was not renewed due to job performance issues. This man worked in various capacities with GuySuCo, but of noteworthy was his role as General Manager and Agriculture Director. In a recently published letter, it was seen that he was dismissed from his post as General Manager for “serious misconduct”, and at the end of 2024, his contract as Agriculture Director was not renewed due to poor performance, nor was the contract of his loyal sidekick, Dwarka Bahadur. Recently, at a WIN meeting at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, he made a wilful and highly deceptive statement meant to dupe the handful of attendees.

This pundit/political aspirant boldly lied that the Rose Hall Factory was never fully rehabilitated, and he claimed that the former technical director, Dwarka Bahadur, can confirm that all that was done to the factory was to “change some zinc, paint around the place, spruce up one or two fine things and do one or two things on the carrier…the factory was always there; it was not decommissioned…all they did was change the oil and get it going.” This is unbelievable, absurd and totally misleading and meant to deceive the public, and Dwarka Bahadur knows this better than anyone else.

In September 2020 the Rose Hall Factory was a total wreck, and as the for-

mer General Manager, Aaron Dukhia, stated, “it was panoramic destruction”. Firstly, let me educate Panday and Dwarka about the state of the factory. The complete structure of the factory was in disrepair, and the machinery and equipment were exposed to the elements of the weather; there was rust and decay all over, and there was lush vegetation and vines wrapped around every piece; only Tarzan was missing. Let me outline a few of the major rehabilitative works done from 2020 to 2023. The entire roof was replaced and structures reinforced; the entire cane gantry had to be rehabilitated; the entire cane carrier had to be replaced (not one or two fine things as Panday stated); all motors and pumps were replaced; two of the six boilers were re-tubed as a start; pans were re-tubed and replaced; mill rolls were replaced and changed; five crystallisers were repaired; the body of the clarifier was redone; a new water management system was installed; a new mill desk master control was installed; a new generating set was installed; and the existing 1-megawatt generating set was given a major overhaul. It was not your car where just an oil change is needed, Panday. This factory was down for three years, so it is most inconceivable that it needed just “one or two fine things and an oil change”. No wonder Panday and his sidekick, Bahadur, were kicked out of GuySuCo. Good riddance, all in GuySuCo will unanimously agree.

Furthermore, Panday should be fully cognisant of the dire state of the cultivation, its waterways and its bridges and other infrastructure. This is in addition to the punt fleet, the tractors and other machinery and equipment, which were all beyond salvage. Not to mention those which were syphoned off during the SPU tenure. Panday must know that the rehabilitation of the cane field cannot be done overnight. This is not Jack and the Beanstalk. The overgrown canes had to be raked, burnt and removed; the land had to be prepared, drains dug and the entire works.

Waterways had to be cleaned and excavated, bridges repaired and rehabilitated, and the punt fleet had to be replaced with new ones. In addition, tractors, machinery and equipment had to be borrowed from other estates, but many were bought. This was the high point of the COVID-19 period, and procurement of critical spares took a long time. Panday should understand that GuySuCo did not benefit from the works of Mandrake, the Magician.

Then there was an acute labour shortage, both skilled and unskilled, which presented another huge challenge and which still exists to this day. The dismissed workers simply cannot hibernate for three years plus. They had to find sustenance for their families; some moved to other jobs, and some migrated. The human capital at Rose Hall Estate suffered the most. Whilst machinery and equipment can be replaced, labour replacement is not that simple. In the factory, people were employed as porters/cleaners and had to be trained on the job, and it was these same people who were instrumental in providing most of the labour required to rehabilitate the factory. I must compliment the Factory Manager, Vikram Seepersaud, and his team for achieving mission impossible, and of course the Human Resources Manager, Pawan Baldeo. There are others who made their invaluable contributions, like Bishan Dhanpat, Aaron Dukhia and Vijay Gobardhan. The current crop of sugar professionals, such as Nazir Succoor, Threbhowan Shiwprasad and Ravindra Persaud, signals a bright future for GuySuCo.

Today, the Estate is gearing towards mechanisation of the fields to enable the increased use of mechanical cane harvesters to bridge the labour gap and increase production and productivity. But this is a whole new discussion.

Finally, lies and deceit do not befit a leader, whether it's politics or religion.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

PPP/C’s manifesto: the only roadmap to economic prosperity & progress

Dear Editor,

As we head into the 2025 General and Regional Elections, several contesting political parties have released their manifestos with varying promises to the electorate. However, in the realm of political decision-making, a serious party’s election manifesto is more than just a policy document; it is a declaration of a party’s intent in Government, a covenant between the Government and its people. Guyana is ranked as the world’s fastest-growing economy, primarily due to its prolific oil discoveries. Therefore, the need for a coherent, sustainable, and inclusive developmental blueprint has never been greater. Amid the competing political parties and their agendas, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic is the only one that has presented a manifesto that by far distinguishes itself through its pragmatism, economic foresight, and social inclusivity.

The 65-page document that was presented by the PPP/C offers the most economically viable and politically responsible roadmap for Guyana’s continued development. It outlines a diversified economic framework, robust infrastructural investments, strategic use of oil revenues and governance reforms. On the other hand, the opposition parties have presented manifestos lacking economic foresight, incoherent and filled with populist alternatives.

The PPP/C’s manifesto exhibits a deep understanding of the risks associated with the “resource curse”. While acknowledging the transformative power of Guyana’s oil wealth, the party’s strategic thinking emphasises the need for multipronged approaches across sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, services, and mining. The approach mitigates the vulnerabilities of oil price fluctuation and global market instability.

The document also speaks about a vast industrialisation agenda. In this agenda the PPP/C has included the development of industrial estates in Region 3 and Region 6 with facilities for petrochemicals, LPG, fertiliser production, etc. These projects form part of the vision of an integrated economic ecosystem aimed at self-sufficiency and the capacity for regional exports.

One of the key cornerstones of PPP/C’s strategic approach to economic growth and stability is sustainable agriculture. Looking at their policies for the past 5 years and their

projections for the next 5 years, it is clear that their intention is to transform Guyana into the often-mentioned ‘Caribbean’s breadbasket’. By bringing over 100,000 acres of land into cultivation, creating new agro-processing hubs, constructing more farm-tomarket roads and improving drainage and irrigation systems, it is clear that the PPP/C’s plan is an actionable one and not just a rhetorical flourish. The goal is to increase food production, reducing import dependence and creating thousands of jobs.

The mining sector too will undergo significant transformation and modernisation under the PPP/C. By proposing responsible and safe gold mining expansion, resuscitation of the bauxite industry, new geological surveys, and incentives for small- and medium-scale miners, we will not only unlock Guyana’s untapped mineral wealth but also promote a sustainable structural transformation of the sector unlike the theoretical pipe dreams of other parties.

In the manifesto, the PPP/C has placed education at the heart of its developmental agenda. Reaffirming free tertiary education at the University of Guyana, expansion of the GOAL scholarship programme, subsidising the cost of up to 8 CSEC and CAPE subjects, and the over 100 new schools equipped with modern amenities, smart labs, ICT tools, and welltrained teachers, beckon a bright future for Guyanese. Teachers’ salary reform, the introduction of a coding curriculum, and AI-driven learning all form part of enhancing the sector’s viability. These are evidently not cosmetic changes; these changes are strategically designed to bridge the digital gap and equip young Guyanese for the emerging and growing economy.

As it relates to health, the PPP/C envisions a world-class health care system catering for its growing population and demands. Pledging to deliver 12 state-of-the-art and modern regional hospitals (some already operational), new health centres, telemedicine hubs, AI diagnostics, a modernised national ambulance system, and electronic health records all underscore a careful shift towards precision healthcare. Long-term investments and planning for sustainable healthcare delivery like these are clearly absent from all the opposing party’s manifestos. The PPP/C’s approach, in contrast, improves both life expectancy and human pro-

ductivity significantly.

On the note of social welfare and cost of living, the PPP/C, evident in the past 5 years and in their plans for the next 5 years, is aligning the country for poverty alleviation and social equity. Reintroduction of the Because We Care cash grant to school students and pledging to raise it to $100,000; doubling old age pension from $20,500 to $41,000 and pledging to raise this to $60,000 monthly with a yearly transportation grant to be introduced along with the continuation of the water and electricity subsidy; increasing of the Public Assistance for vulnerable households to $40,000 monthly; yearly (possibly multi-year) cash transfers to all citizens –all of these initiatives show that the PPP/C is the only party focusing on strategic economic inclusions for all. It is important to note too that all the measures, after careful economic evaluation, will be supported by NO NEW TAXES, a stance that is politically sound and fiscally responsible. Additionally, there will be a reduction in income and corporate taxes, increasing wages and salaries for public servants and other measures to ensure more money remains with the population.

Why the PPP/C’s plan and not the alternatives?

The opposition parties, including the AFC, WIN, FGM, ALP and the APNU especially, have all proposed an economic model centred on mass cash transfers, free utilities, and increased Government employment. However, while these are attractive on paper, such a model is not economically viable without a strong revenue base. These parties too have not provided any detailed outline on how they will manage the growing oil and nonoil economy. It is clear that these parties are just after the wealth and not the interest of moving our country upwards along democratic and economically sustainable lines.

These political parties are trafficking hollow promises to Guyanese, crafted without feasibility, fiscal grounding, or longterm vision. This does not demonstrate leadership but pure opportunism. When manifestos become little more than populist bait and detached from economic reality or institutional capacity, they cease to serve the people and only serve a single intent, which is to seize power by deception.

These parties and their leaders have a history of peddling unsustainable giveaways, offering sim-

plistic solutions to complex national issues and relying solely on emotions over evidence. These are not policies but mere political bribes disguised as care and compassion. Their intent is not about national development but personal enrichment, control of state resources and institutions, and the manipulation of public trust.

History has shown that Governments formed on the backs of empty promises quickly disintegrate. Look at the 2015-2019 period under the then APNU+AFC coalition Government. There was vast mismanagement of funds, stalled national progress and blatant corruption, nepotism and authoritarianism were evident. Their tenure was marked not by nation building, but by scandals, deficits, and a legacy of lost opportunities.

In a functioning democracy, leadership must be measured not by how loudly it promises but by how credibly it delivers. A party without a coherent plan relying only on theatrical pledges and fiscal recklessness reveals its true motive. That motive is power at any cost, wealth not for the many, but for a few.

Guyana currently stands on the cusp of a historic transformation. In order for us to achieve this, the country must be guided by policy coherence, economic discipline, and inclusive governance and not by populism and short-term gratification.

Therefore, after a look at the different manifestos, it is the PPP/C’s manifesto that rises above the challenge and its rivals. It presents a resilient strategy rooted in diversification, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and transparency. It offers both the compass and the map for national development, as it has done over the years. This is crafted by experience, sharpened by consultation, and driven by a moral imperative to uplift every Guyanese citizen.

In the upcoming elections where the stakes are generational, the PPP/C emerges not just as the only political choice and most sensible option available but as an economic necessity for the future of Guyana. Where others promise, the PPP/C plans. Where others gesture, the PPP/C invests. Where others polarise, the PPP/C unifies around an inclusive vision of prosperity, progress and peace where no one is left behind.

Yours sincerely, Shivesh

Persaud

A vote for WIN is voting in vain

Dear Editor, "Clean hands" has its legal implications for We Invest in Nationhood (WIN). "Tigers don't change their stripes," meaning it's highly unlikely that a person will alter their personality, character or nature. This new party has been accused of paying people to attend their meetings and wear their paraphernalia. One person has been charged for being physically abusive to a woman when she attempted to collect her promised $50,000 but received less. This bitter experience confirms that WIN are not to be trusted and will not keep any promises they are making. Once bitten, twice shy. A vote for WIN is voting in vain.

“Come clean” has its complications for movie boy Azruddin Mohamed, modelling with his shades to shelter his suspicious eyes. "A leopard can't change its spots." It suggests that ingrained behaviours and personality traits are inherent and difficult, if not impossible, to alter. When a dog is accustomed to sucking eggs, eating ducks and running after chicks, he does not stop. Fanatic boy cannot abstain from famous cars, fashionable clothes, and fancy lifestyles and fantasises about political dreams! Old habits die hard. Such a person lacks the common touch and is not in the same league as Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

When you plant lemon, do not expect to reap lychee.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury, on June 11, 2024, announced the imposition of sanctions against the Mohamed family, specifically targeting Nazar Mohamed, his son Azruddin

Mohamed, and their businesses, namely Mohamed’s Enterprise, Hadi’s World and Team Mohamed’s Racing. These sanctions were connected to gold smuggling and corruption. Guyanese will not advocate any illegal activity and will not support its source of origin.

The US Ambassador to Guyana clarified the air on sanctions imposed on the Mohameds. “Anytime a US Department of the Treasury, OFAC-sanctioned individual has the potential to become a member of government, that is concerning for us. “It is problematic in multiple ways,” Theriot said. Guyana is a law-abiding nation and sits on the UN Security Council. Guyana cannot jeopardise OFAC laws.

The name of the new kid in town was associated with the shooting of “Paper Shorts” Fagundes outside Palm Court in March 2021. He has been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department’s Office for Foreign Assets Control for allegedly evading more than US$50 million in taxes payable to GRA on the export of 10,000 kilos of gold. “Today’s action underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who seek to exploit Guyana’s gold sector for personal gain,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. He is also facing tax evasion and false declaration on his luxury vehicle. Such a guy is the worst possible alternative. Guyanese will not deal with those fetching heavy baggage and will not go into the election blindfolded.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2025

one angle greater

1. Acute Triangle

Examples

The angles of triangle ABC: 50°, 60°, 70°

All angles are less than 90°

ABC is an acute triangle

2. Right Triangle

The angles of triangle DEF: 90°, 30°, 60°

One angle = 90°

DEF is a right triangle

3. Obtuse Triangle

The angles of triangle XYZ: 120°, 30°, 30°

One angle is greater than 90°

XYZ is an obtuse triangle

Practice

1. Classify the following triangles by angles:

a) 100°, 40°, 40°

b) 90°, 45°, 45°

c) 80°, 50°, 50°

2. A triangle has two angles: 35° and 65°.

a) Find the third angle.

b) Classify the triangle by angles.

3. A triangle has angles of 60°, 70°, and x

a) Find the missing angle x.

b) Classify the triangle by angles.

By Ralph Waldo EmERson

The mountain and the squirrel Had a quarrel; And the former called the latter ‘Little Prig.’ Bun replied, ‘You are doubtless very big; But all sorts of things and weather Must be taken in together, To make up a year And a sphere. And I think it no disgrace To occupy my place. If I’m not so large as you, You are not so small as I, And not half so spry. I’ll not deny you make A very pretty squirrel track; Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; If I cannot carry forests on my back, Neither can you crack a nut.’ Materials:

• Drinking cups (styrofoam, plastic or paper)

• Glue (most "low temp" craft hot glue guns work on styrofoam cups. Carpentry glue guns will melt them)

• Masking tape

• Shoe polish

• Rags

• Permanent markers Instructions:

• Glue two cups together, bottom to bottom and let dry

• tear off 4 to 5 inch lengths of masking tape and completely cover the openings at the top and bottom of the cups.

• Using 3 to 4 inch lengths of

masking tape, completely cover the outside of the cups.

• Brush shoe polish all over the masking tape covered cups and then wipe off with rags.

• Draw geometric or other designs around the top, middle and bottom of the drums with permanent markers. (Adapted from dltk-kids.com)

What do you think might make kids really happy to go to school? What are some things you think schools should do so that it could be more fun?

PPP/C plans overhaul of housing & utilities, local Government efficiency – Jagdeo

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, General Secretary (GS) of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said while the PPP/C has delivered more than 50,000 house lots and homes, the Government’s ambitious housing programme was slowed by limited local contractor capacity, adding that contractor capacity, agency responsiveness, and electricity supply are areas requiring urgent improvement in the party’s next term.

He explained that the administration’s target of more core homes and young professional houses could not be met because builders were already “stretched to the max”. With a new target of 40,000 homes over the next five years, he stressed the need to strengthen capacity within the construction sector.

Jagdeo also highlighted the need for greater accountability and efficiency among Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Town Councils. He said citizens often complained of being given the run-around at these agencies, with many basic services such as garbage collection, drainage clearance, and cemetery upkeep left undone.

“We said before – we're going to strengthen the local Government bodies and put more resources there, but they have to do the things that they are supposed to do: pick up the garbage, keep the drains clean, and cut the bush in the cemeteries and stuff like that. They don't do these things. And sometimes they sit on the money. You know the $30 million for this year; we moved from $5 million to $30 million in subvention. You know, many of the NDCs have not started their spending for the year as yet. We're already in August, and they haven't even touched a cent

of the $30 million that they got in subvention, which was supposed to be for clearing the drains and helping them to pick up the garbage and all of those things. So greater efficiency at every level of the Government [is necessary],” Jagdeo said.

Utilities

On the economic side, Jagdeo underscored the importance of expanding financial inclusion. He noted that residents in many hinterland and rural areas are unable to access banks, making digital banking solutions a critical step forward. Telecommunications, he said, must also improve,

“Remarkable accomplishment...

especially in remote regions where internet and mobile coverage remain unreliable, despite sector liberalisation.

“Something that personally I would like to see improve – we've had great growth in internet, but again in the hinterland communities – is telecommunication. We liberalised telecommunication and got more fibre optic cables in. But when I go to Lethem, I have a GTT phone; I can't use it. I can't use my GTT phone… If you have a national licence, you should be providing services. And that's why I've spoken about this; the Public Utilities Commission should have a hearing. People should, when they're paid, get a particular quality of service,”

the General Secretary explained.

Addressing electricity generation, Jagdeo noted that keeping pace with surging demand has been a persistent struggle. He blamed the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)

Administration for abandoning critical projects, including hydropower and solar initiatives, which left the PPP/C to inherit an outdated grid when it returned to office in 2020.

Since then, nearly 200 megawatts of new capacity have been added through power ships and new plants, with grid upgrades ongoing. However, Jagdeo stressed that a long-term, definitive solution is necessary to sta-

bilise supply as Guyana’s economy expands.

“We've had a tough time keeping pace with the growing demand for electricity and making the transfer. APNU did absolutely nothing; you check. Nothing on the grids, and [they] didn't buy any power plant, didn't put in any capacity that you could speak of. We put in nearly 200 megawatts of capacity through the power ships and buying new plants. We are upgrading the grid. We struggle. Hopefully, we'd be able to solve that definitively in the next term. These are some of the things – just some of them – that we would have hoped to improve,” he added.

It's an amazing time for Guyana… This is about Guyana; this is about the people. This is a remarkable accomplishment by the people, for the people, and we are very proud,” President Ali posited.

Designed to last at least 100 years, the new Demerara River Bridge has features like a bicycle and pedestrian lane and will also feature the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH), Guyana’s second-highest national award, as part of its design.

Upskilling, retooling and redeploying

This new bridge across

the Demerara River will replace the aged floating Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), which will be removed and reused to bridge other waterways across the country.

With the closure of the existing DHB and the Government’s recent removal of tolls, President Ali had previously told this newspaper that not one of the workers, including the toll booth employees, would be placed on the breadline.

“Not a single employee would lose their job. We’ll be upskilling, retooling and redeploying. There is enough space in the system for the deployment and integration of everyone. So, we have

absolutely no issue in relation to any worker being underutilised or losing their job,” he had noted.

As a matter of fact, President Ali had explained that the workers would be upskilled to take up roles in managerial positions, accounting, auditing and in the technical area as well.

“We’ll still need service personnel on the new bridge, and also with the expanded nature of the Ministries – the widened area of service and responsibility –we need more people. So, everyone will be absorbed in the system. There is absolutely no worry about that,” the Guyanese leader had assured. FROM PAGE 3

Final load testing on new Demerara River Bridge to last 24-48 hours

…over one dozen heavy-duty trucks to be used

Even with extensive testing conducted throughout the construction of the Demerara River Bridge to ensure its structural soundness in compliance with international standards, the highly anticipated structure will undergo a final post-construction load testing.

This was revealed by President Irfaan Ali in the wee hours of Thursday as he oversaw the final pour of cement to connect the eastern and western ends of the new US$262 million high-span cable-stayed bridge.

“Of course, on this high span, before the bridge is open, there will be the loading test… [That] is important on the high span, because as you know in a cable-stayed bridge, that is how they do the adjustments on the cable to ensure that everything is up to the standard,” the Head of State told reporters on the bridge.

According to Ali, however, “It's important to note that throughout the process of building this bridge, the consultants and engineers would have conducted internationally certified methods and tests to ensure the bridge meets all the struc-

tural requirements as is required.”

In fact, similar sentiments were expressed by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill as he explained that

computer will be hooked up, and in a 24-to-48-hour period, there are certain readings that will be taken to talk about the movement of the cables and all the rest

“Nobody made us do this,” he maintained. The Public Works Minister further asserted that there is no question about the structural integrity of this critical piece of infrastructure.

At the time, he pointed out that as scores gathered on the bridge to witness the historic final pour of cement, there was a crane, weighing more than 700 tonnes, parked on the structure. Moreover, the crawlers used to transport the girders onto the bridge structure fetched about 160 tonnes.

“So, anybody who has any concern about if this bridge could take 100 tonnes, 200 tonnes, or 500 tonnes, it is proven,” Edghill posited.

He too emphasised that throughout the construction process, testing was done. “…at every stage, whatever is required for testing, the materials that were used on this bridge were tested in the factories. The concrete, the mix design, every-

the final load-testing process will see the involvement of over one dozen heavy-duty trucks that will be stationary on the bridge for a particular period.

“When you talk about the load testing… there will be 16 trucks, each weighing 15 tonnes, that will be put at particular sections. A

of it to ensure everything is aligned in keeping with the design standard,” the Minister outlined to reporters. Provisions for the conduct of the final load testing, Edghill contended, were always part of the plan and are even written in the contract.

thing had to be tested,” the Minister explained.

Nevertheless, President Ali, while further reassuring Guyanese that there was no compromise on the standards during the construction phase, commended the teams working on the bridge, including the contractor, China Railway Construction (International) Limited; the supervisory consultant, Politecnica; and the local technical team.

“I'm just so emotional about these guys because I know the pressure that I've placed on them… The contractors and the consultant are here; they can tell you… Instead of 10 engineers, 20 engineers came. They doubled up on the labour that was required. This is a tremendous accomplishment, you know, anywhere in the world to have this done in a [two-year] time frame. And as I said, we have not compromised any standards. All of the standards have been kept. And the consultants are here; they will sign off on the bridge.

To join…

…or split (the vote)?

“D

on’ split the vote” is a phrase that entered our political lexicon from the beginning of our tryst with democracy!! Seeing that the early protoparties – like the League of Coloured Peoples (LCP) and the BG East Indian Association (BGEIA) – which preceded universal suffrage catered overtly to racial/sectional interests, that wasn’t surprising. Folks were expected to vote for the party that spoke up for their specific section –and happily did so!! It made sense to NOT split the votes!!

But such sectional voting didn’t find favour with the young lions who launched what they dubbed the “new politics”, where “all awee ah waan” – as “Guianese” in the promised land on a new socialist world they’d usher in!! But the people stubbornly stuck to voting along racial lines – which the leaders pretended wasn’t so!!And always derided negatively by them – even as they benefited from it!! One early Indian leader from a proto-party used the Hindi phrase “Aapan Jaat” – meaning “Your Own” – to send their message in a coded manner. Later the PNC attributed the phrase to Dr Jagan’s PPP – whose base was Indian – to his great chagrin since he’d even defied the US to declare he was communist and so HAD to see “all awee ah waan”!!

Well, in this election campaign we can gauge the status of racial voting by checking the usage of the “Don’t split the vote” call!! Aubrey Norton’s PNC has chosen to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds!! He’s calling for votes from all racial groups in the country – while following the advice of his WPA hound to advise African Guyanese NOT to split their votes!! Obviously feeling that desperate times call for desperate measures, he doesn’t seem to care that it makes him sound – and look – schizophrenic!!

The AFC just exhibited another galvanic twitch – in their drawn-out death throes – to make a feeble call in African-dominated Reg 10 to “split the vote” and give them some!! Not depending on the (faded) glory of their leader, they’re promising an “international airport”!! Sure – for when pigs get wings!! This, however, ain’t causing Norton’s schizophrenia – that’s due to PPP’s success after five years of “multiracial” inclusive development – and interestingly also to Sanction Man’s WIN.

While the PPP has hived off Afro-Guyanese who’re willing to put their shoulder to the (developmental) wheel, WIN has pulled away the Scrapeheads. They’ve done this through doling out payoffs from their ill-gotten gains – using Scrapes such as the aptly named “Doggie” and “Fatta”!!

So, with the (broken) PNC the only party preaching “don’t split the vote” – half-heartedly – it looks like these elections might sound the death-knell of “Aapan Jaat”!!

Good riddance!!

…a Bridge

Back on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the surface of the Moon, and his words, “One small step for man; one giant step for mankind” – still reverberate!! Why?? Because it set a new benchmark for achievement after more than a hundred years of the progress wrought by the Industrial Revolution!! Well, for us in Guyana, after twenty-eight years of the PPP struggling to lift Guyana out of the hole into which the PNC had plunged it – during THEIR twenty-eight plus five years – the completion of the new fixed-span suspension DHB might be a small step for the developed countries but represents one GIANT step for all Guyanese!!

Hey!! Just LOOKING at the structure – especially with it floating majestically over our bruised and battered WWIIera pontoon bridge – doesn’t it just make your heart swell with pride?? Whether we like it or not, it signals FIRST WORLD!!

Especially with the First World community of hotels, gated communities, stadiums, malls and even a medical school!!

…Granpa Carter’s legacy

President Carter returned democracy to Guyana in 1992 and helped maintain our credentials since – by acting as election observers. His grandson Jason was refused reentry by PNC during their 2020 rigging heist. But he’s baaaack!!

Jason Carter to lead Carter Center election mission in Guyana

The Carter Center’s election observers have arrived in Guyana and are undergoing training in advance of their observation of election day, tabulation, and the post-election environment.

In a release on Thursday, the Carter Center said that Jason Carter, chairperson of The Carter Center Board of Trustees and grandson of the late US President Jimmy Carter, will lead the Carter Center’s mission. He will meet with key stakeholders, including political party candidates, civil society organisations, Government officials, and other international election observer missions before observing polling, counting, and tabulation. Carter returns to Guyana after having co-led the Center’s 2020 election observation mission in the country.

“This is an important moment for Guyana’s democracy,” said Country Director Jason Calder. “The Carter Center encourages every eligible voter to make their voice heard and is hopeful that the electoral process will be a fully transparent one that reflects the will of the people.”

The Center’s core team of electoral experts arrived in late June and issued a preliminary statement summarising key observations

in the pre-election period on August 19. After the election, it will issue reports that offer an independent and impartial assessment of the electoral process.

The Carter Center is here at the invitation of the Government of Guyana. It has a longstanding commitment to Guyana and has worked in the country since 1991 to strengthen democracy, support civil society, encourage sustainable development, and reinforce the rule of law. The Carter Center is a recognised leader in the international election observation community and has conducted more than 125 election observation missions globally, including in

Guyana in 1992, 2001, 2006, 2015, and 2020.

In 2020, during the election’s results recount, the Carter Center was barred from returning to Guyana by A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) to observe the recount exercise. Despite pressure from local and international stakeholders to allow The Carter Center team to return, the David Granger Administration was resolute in its position to block the international group from observing the recount, citing the COVID-19 restrictions.

In the same vein, however, the coalition Administration was allow-

ing other personnel to fly to Guyana. In fact, they granted the other observer team permission to land in the country.

The certified results from the recount exercise supervised by GECOM and a high-level team from CARICOM eventually showed that the PPP/C in 2020 won with 233,336 votes, while the coalition garnered 217,920.

As it stands, nine individuals are currently before the court in connection with the alleged attempt to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The accused include Clairmont Mingo, former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, and his former Deputy Roxanne Myers. Also charged are former PNC/R Chairperson Volda Lawrence, PNC/R activist Carol Smith-Joseph, and former GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Michelle Miller, and Denise BabbCummings.

The election report of former CEO Lowenfield had claimed that the APNU/AFC coalition garnered 171,825 votes, while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) gained 166,343 votes. How he arrived at those figures is still unknown.

Final load testing on new Demerara...

There's a defect liability period of two years, so you know everything; all of the safeguards are there,” the Head of State stressed.

The new crossing, which is set to be commissioned in a matter of days, consists of four lanes and spans 2.6 kilometres (km), connecting Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara to La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara.

At its highest point, the bridge is 50 metres, which

means Handymax vessels can pass comfortably underneath. With a lifespan of 100 years, the bridge is expected to mitigate current traffic woes and congestion. The new crossing will operate 24/7, toll-free, and accommodate vehicles of all sizes and weights, with a maximum speed limit of 80 kmph. Its design will also feature the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH), the country’s second-highest national award.

Market opportunities, climate-resilient fund among major support for fisherfolk

Stakeholders within the local fishing industry, including boat owners and operators and their workers, as well as vendors, can look forward to continued investments in the sector under a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, according to President Irfaan Ali.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the No. 75 Village Regional Hospital in East Berbice-Corentyne on Thursday, the Head of State underscored the importance of the sector to the country’s rapidly expanding and diversifying econo-

my and committed that his Administration will continue to support workers in the industry.

“I want our fisherfolk to know that we’ve listened to them, we’ve heard them, and they deserve a life of dignity just like we’re supporting every other sector in our country,” President Ali said.

“Our fisherfolk must be supported, and they will be supported in many different ways,” he added.

This includes more opportunities for training and the introduction of technology in their practices.

“…so that they can ply their trade with greater pre-

cision; investing in that technology for them, buying into that technology for them,” he noted.

Additionally, he said stakeholders in the industry will continue to receive support with subsidised fuel and other forms of Government assistance.

“…building out their landing facility, helping them to reinvest in their boats, to reinvest in their capital, to help them to advance in the type of boats they have, so they can go to better grounds, so they can go to better opportunities,” he emphasised.

They will also bene-

fit from social programmes such as co-investment opportunities and income diversification initiatives such as the expanding of aquaculture programmes.

Fisherfolk will also be supported with greater

grants and investments in their safety and security, access to more and larger markets, and assistance with cold storage and processing facilities so they can get high value for their catches.

President Ali also out-

lined that the Government will be “co-investing with them and working out a mechanism through LCDS where they can be supported in a climate-resilient fund” that can help with climate realities they currently face.

100 single-parent homes to be transformed into farmsteads at St Cuthbert’s Mission

President Irfaan Ali has underscored a se-

ries of developmental projects for St Cuthbert’s Mission, also known as Pakuri, including a programme to assist 100 single-parent-led households to convert their homes into farmsteads – an initiative aimed at boosting the livelihoods of residents.

The Head of State made these remarks during a community outreach with residents on Thursday.

According to President Ali, several measures are being introduced to provide direct economic benefits to families.

“What we want to do is to identify 100 single-parent-led households here. And we want to work with you to convert your homes into farmsteads. And we will put shade houses behind your homes so that you can cultivate high-value crops, like sweet pepper, and crops that carry high prices on the market,” he said.

In explaining how the programme would operate, President Ali noted that logistical barriers would be removed for farmers.

“We will have a co-ordinated buying mechanism where the Guyana Marketing Corporation will come here when you're harvesting and buy your product right in the village, so you don't have that transportation cost to take your product to the market,” he said, emphasising that this approach would increase profits for the families involved.

The President also stressed the importance of not only cultivating crops but also accessing viable markets.

“But that is not all. Cultivating is one thing. It's the market,” he added, highlighting the holistic approach of the initiative.

Meanwhile, President Ali lent his perspective on supporting small businesses within the community,

particularly youth-led ventures.

“The Small Business Development Grant is aimed at helping you to get small loans, interest-free, so we can help you to develop small businesses. Whether you want to do honey production, you want to do agri-processing, or you want to do a small tourism project,” he said, pointing out the flexibility of the programme.

He encouraged young people to come together for larger tourism projects, providing an example of how the initiative could be applied.

“If the young people in this village decide that they want to come together – I'm giving you an idea here – and they want to buy eight or nine ATVs, and they want to do an offroad tourism business with those ATVs, because people want to do ATV riding in the sandpit, up on the trail, and into the forested areas

and have an experience, an ATV experience, an off-road experience. Bring that plan. We will work with you. You will get it duty-free. We will co-invest with you, help you to find the capital and invest, but we want you to do it as a group so that you can have a whole tourism experience here,” he said, encouraging teamwork and collaboration.

The President also high-

lighted other tourism opportunities the community could explore, including eco-friendly experiences along the river.

“You can have night fishing. You can have the young people in this village come and say they want to do an evening sail down the river, coming into the village and spending the night in a camping facility. So you can have a sail down the

river, dinner on the river, and a moonlight night; you come into the community, you have a camping facility, and then early in the morning you sail back and go back down the river and go back down to Georgetown or wherever you're from. That is the product we want to develop,” he explained, detailing the potential for tourism-based revenue and community development.

Better roads, lights, rising property values under PPP/C plan – PM Phillips tells Sophia residents

Prime Minister Mark Phillips has outlined a series of developmental projects for Sophia – including upgraded roads, new street lights, and expanded social services.

He made this announcement during a PPP/C public meeting at “C” Field, Sophia.

According to Prime Minister Phillips, part of these initiatives includes the installation of street lights in the Sophia community.

“We have the sports ground, and we have the lights, but we want additional street lights, and we want additional recreational spaces to be developed. Sophia will have several of these additional recreational spaces. Just imagine Sophia with more lights, more cameras, more sports facilities at your sports ground – which already has lights – and more recreational spaces. I will come and live in Sophia,” he said.

He also extended his perspective to the housing sector, stating that property values in Sophia are expected to rise in the coming years.

“I know what Sophia will be transformed into over the next five years. You notice we’re building out roads and highways... the same thing has happened in Sophia. Because of that new road in front of your home, the value of your property went up,” he added.

He emphasised that the PPP/C Government is focused on uplifting communities.

“And that is what we are all about in Government –the PPP/C Government uplifting people, promoting economic empowerment –with women and youths receiving special focus from 2025 to 2030 – increasing the value of your property,” he said.

At the meeting, the

Prime Minister recalled the struggles faced by Sophia residents in earlier years, noting that many women and their families built small homes on the land despite efforts by the then PNC Government to remove them.

He reminded us that during that period, police would often move in to break down structures and evict residents as part of a broader plan to prevent them from occupying the land.

However, he highlighted that a turning point came in 1992 when the PPP/C won the election and democracy was restored to Guyana, which he credited as the start of real change for the Sophia community.

According to the PM, it was under the PPP/C that a team was sent to engage with residents and listen to their concerns, marking the beginning of transformation in the area.

5 newly-qualified land surveyors sworn in

President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday presided over the swearing-in of five newly qualified land surveyors, urging them to uphold ethical standards as they assume their responsibilities in national development.

The new surveyors are Meshacq Richards, Kishon Dos Santos, Justin Jarvis, Troy Histick, and Tyrek Grant. A sixth candidate, Tyrese Spiers, who also successfully completed the land surveyor examinations, will be sworn in upon his return from overseas.

In his address, President Ali underscored the importance of the profession, noting that land surveying extends beyond technical work to being a foundation for national growth. He said surveyors play a critical role in areas such as infrastructure planning, environmental management, and ensuring orderly and equitable development.

Annandale man

“The integrity of your work will directly influence public perception, professional standards, and the pace of our progress,” the President told the new appointees.

He reminded the surveyors that the profession carries significant responsibility, with their decisions shaping not only projects and investments but also the broader framework of development across Guyana.

arrested

after Police seize over 1kg of ganja

Police on Wednesday arrested a 29-year-old man following the discovery of a quantity of cannabis and cash during an operation on the East Coast of Demerara.

At about 16:10h, ranks from the Vigilance Police Station and the Non-Pareil Police Outpost conducted an intelligence-led operation at the Annandale Housing

Scheme residence of Joseph Tuesday, also known as “Pablo”.

During the search, Police found a multi-coloured haversack containing two bulky plastic-wrapped parcels with leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. Several transparent Ziplock bags containing cannabis were also discovered, along with $70,880, suspected to be pro-

ceeds from the sale of the narcotic.

Tuesday was cautioned and reportedly admitted to the offence. He was then arrested and taken to the Vigilance Police Station, where the cannabis was weighed in his presence. The substance amounted to 1131 grams.

He remains in Police custody and is expected to be charged.

6th regional hospital opens in Berbice as President Ali pushes for accessible, science-driven health care across Guyana

…220 babies delivered, 100 surgeries completed at new hospitals

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is pushing for a modern health care system that is accessible to all. President Irfaan Ali says it will be worldclass and science-driven. This was disclosed when the Head of State commissioned the new Number 75 Village Regional Hospital on Thursday on the Corentyne.

According to the President, within the next five years, Guyana will boast the best healthcare system in the entire Englishspeaking Caribbean.

“We will not only match our neighbours, we will surpass them in infrastructure, in training, in digital transformation, and in patient care. We will build the best the world can offer. We will be the only country in the region with a fully integrated emergency response system, the widest telemedicine network, and a public

healthcare system that rivals primary private care anywhere in the region,” the President stated.

“Over the next five years, Guyana's health care system will be transformed

riphery of the transformation.

“It is leading it. This hospital, Number 75, proves that Berbice is at the forefront of Guyana's healthcare revolution,” Ali added.

into one that is world-class, equitable, science-driven, and patient-centred. Worldclass health care must not only be in Georgetown,” Ali said.

As it relates to Berbice, he said it will not be the pe-

Ali, who is currently seeking a second term in office at the general and with regional elections within a few days, pointed out that the country is moving boldly into advanced care.

“Complex surgeries of

the brain and heart, hip replacements, knee implants, organ transplants, and cutting-edge cancer treatment – these will no longer be luxuries to be sought overseas. We are bringing tomorrow's health to Guyana today. A sugar worker in Albion should not have to mortgage his home or send a loved one abroad for cancer treatment. A young mother in Rose Hall should not have to fly overseas for a C-section complication. Healthcare must never be one size fits all. That is why we are introducing targeted initiatives for women's health,” he declared.

The six new regional hospitals in Guyana commissioned with this vision are located at Diamond in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); Enmore in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Bath at West Coast Berbice in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice); Number 75 Village Corentyne in Region Six

(East Berbice-Corentyne); De Kinderen in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); and Lima in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

They all feature 75 inpatient beds, providing ample capacity for local demand, and are equipped with inpatient and surgical facilities and have

three full operating theatres and host a 24-hour Accident and Emergency Unit. Diagnostic and laboratory services, as well as a state-of-the-art imaging suite equipped with a CT scanner, digital X-ray machines, and ultrasound facilities, are all features of the six hospitals.

Opposition camp in “panic, disarray” days before elections – Jagdeo on APNU, WIN

With just days to go before Guyanese head to the polls, General Secretary (GS) of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, has described the Opposition camp as being in “panic and disarray”, saying that their recent rhetoric betrays an acknowledgement of looming defeat.

Speaking Thursday at his weekly press conference, Jagdeo pointed to what he described as a sudden shift in the political strategy of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and its apparent affiliate, the newly formed We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party.

“For four months, APNU never criticised WIN. Not a word. In fact, they were collaborating,” Jagdeo said, reminding supporters that the PPP/C had long warned of “a deep partnership” between the two groups.

He argued that the sud-

den emergence of harsh words between them is not ideological but tactical.

“Clearly, their calculation that WIN could help make the PPP a minority Government has now collapsed. They’ve reworked their numbers, and in panic, they are turning on each other.”

"... why didn't they say it for the past four months? Why didn't they speak about [it]? Suddenly they think Mohamed is corrupt? Why didn't they say it for four months? Why did the Mohameds not say anything about APNU on their track record?” Jagdeo, who is also Guyana’s Vice President, pointed out.

“A lot of the camp, they were [in] deep collaboration; look at how many Ministers and members of parliament. You remember Mohammed said he will be taking people from the PPP and from APNU? Look at what he

took – two Ministers of the last Government... Tabitha and Don Hastings, and then a member of parliament too... They were sharing personnel,” he declared.

The PPP/C GS, recalling the contentious 2020 elections, reminded his audience that the PPP/C had withstood “every type of assault on democracy” and prevailed. He said this time will be no different, predicting confidently – though “not arrogantly – that the governing party will win “by a handsome margin” on September 1.

Amerindian development

Further, the GS dismissed what he called a “false narrative” being pushed by the political opposition that the PPP/C Government has neglected Guyana’s Amerindian population.

According to Jagdeo, the evidence of transformation

in hinterland communities since 2020 is “visible, undeniable, and acknowledged by village leaders themselves”.

“We had 5000 Amerindians now earning directly from the treasury who were not receiving that [income] in 2020. Every one of the 216 villages has received a tractor and trailer; there are major agriculture initiatives, and thousands

of jobs have been created in hinterland projects. How can anyone deny that?” Jagdeo asked.

He pointed to a string of concrete projects, including $600 million spent on three kilometres of paved roads in Mabaruma Region One (Barima-Waini), with expansion to Hosororo; a new billion-dollar secondary school constructed in Region One, along with addition-

al schools and dormitories in Karasabai and other villages; new hospitals and upgraded facilities across the hinterland; as well as significant investments, equipment distribution and direct support for farmers.

According to Jagdeo, the pace of development in Amerindian villages under the PPP/C far surpasses what was achieved under the previous APNU+AFC Administration.

“If you go into these villages and speak with the Toshaos, you will hear it from them directly. They’ve testified about the progress at the National Toshaos Conference itself,” he stated.

Jagdeo said the party will continue to expand its investments in hinterland regions to ensure that Amerindian communities are not left behind in Guyana’s rapid economic transformation.

Days before elections Opposition Commissioners walk out of critical GECOM meeting

Days before Guyanese head to the polls to cast their ballots, the Opposition-nominated Commissioners at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Thursday walked out of a meeting, thus halting critical discussions pertinent to ensuring a fair process at the Monday, September 1 General and Regional Elections.

At the time of the walkout, the seven-member Elections Commission was discussing issues raised by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) regarding the adjustments of polling stations to allow convenience for voters.

Previously, Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud had disclosed at a recent press conference that there was a request from the party for several polling stations to be added to allow for better access for voters. He had noted that the matter would go before the Commission for review.

However, when the issue came up during Thursday’s

meeting, the Oppositionaligned Commissioners were unprepared to have the discussions.

“They were not prepared to discuss it, and they walked out of the meeting on the grounds that they were not prepared to discuss any matter concerning polling stations,” Government Commissioner Clement Rohee told Guyana Times when contacted on Thursday.

However, with the elections just mere days away, Rohee said, “We pointed out to them that if a mistake was made in relation to the breaches in the law [and] polling stations being at the convenience of the voters, either in the villages where they live or the communities where they live, then there should be reconsideration of the position [of the polling stations] to the satisfaction of the residents.”

Guyana Times understands that at least 30 polling stations along the East Coast of Demerara have large numbers of voters allocated to cast their ballots at those lo-

cations. These include polling stations at Mon Repos, Beterverwagting, Lusignan and Annandale.

In a letter the PPP/C had written to GECOM, the party expressed concerns about the inconvenience and long wait time that this could impose on the electorate and recommended that more polling stations and/or polling places be added to the existing locations or that the Commission utilise private residences for voters’ convenience.

The PPP, in the letter,

pointed out that whatever decision is taken by the Commission on this matter has to be in compliance with Section Six of the Representation of the People’s Act (ROPA), which mandates GECOM to ensure that persons vote in the village or locality in which they are residing and registered in.

Moreover, there were some objections that the PPP’s request was not made in a timely manner.

However, a senior party official insisted that the re-

quest to GECOM was made in time but added that adherence to the law was still supreme over timelines.

“Timing is one factor, but what is more important is that the law is the overriding consideration. So, irrespective of the lateness of the time, which we do not agree with… what is of fundamental concern is whether there was a breach in the law that caused the party to write, raising its concerns or objections to the location of these polling stations,” the PPP official told this newspaper on Thursday evening.

Following Thursday’s opposition walkout, the PPPnominated Commissioners at GECOM are now waiting to hear from the Elections Commission on what steps will be taken to have this matter resolved before Monday’s polling day.

During his press conference on Thursday, the PPP General Secretary was asked about the three Opposition Commissioners’ walk-out and said this action is “typ-

ical” and “not surprising” of the People’s National Congress (PNC)-appointed Commissioners.

Nevertheless, Jagdeo noted that GECOM has to ensure that it does its work, citing provisions for situations where the Commission does not have a quorum to meet.

“At the next meeting, if they’re [opposition commissioners] given the appropriate notice and they don’t show up, then the business of GECOM can continue. So, I hope that GECOM continues the work to be prepared to host the polls.”

GECOM has established some 2970 polling stations across Guyana for the September 1 elections, with a final count of 757,690 total voters registered on the Official List of Electors (OLE) as eligible to vote.

This marks an increase of 631 more polling stations than were established for the 2020 General and Regional Elections, with the OLE increasing by 14.63 per cent, or 96,692 voters.

Police conduct election preparedness training across regions …urged to report all unusual activities, enforce phone ban in polling stations

On Wednesday, senior officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) conducted a series of inspection and training sessions across Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), preparing ranks for the upcoming General and Regional Elections scheduled for Monday.

In Region Two, Regional Divisional Commander Senior Superintendent Khemraj Shivbaran, along with Deputy Commander DSP Duncan and other senior officers, led an inspection and instruction class at the Regional Police Division No. 2 Headquarters. The session brought together ranks from Aurora, Suddie, Anna Regina, and Charity Police Stations, and the Onderneeming Sand Pit and Lima Police Outposts, as well as personnel from the Regional Headquarters and Special Constabulary.

Unusual activities

During the session, ranks were instructed to report all unusual activities in accordance with the Rights of the People Act and were reminded of their responsibilities to ensure a transparent electoral process. Officers were urged

a meeting with Regional Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Khemraj Shivbaran, along with Deputy Commander DSP Duncan and other senior officers

to work closely with Deputy Returning Officers, Presiding Officers, and Balloting Officers to maintain safe and secure polling environments. Key directives emphasised that every registered voter must be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights and that election offences should be detected and prevented in line with the Representation of the People Act, Elections Observers Act, Public Order Act, Racial and Hostility Act, Police Act, Criminal Law Offences Act, and Summary Jurisdiction Act.

Meanwhile, in Region Seven, Assistant Commissioner Dion Moore, Commander of Regional Police Division No. 7, conducted a strategic training session at the Kamarang Admin

Office conference room. The session covered election operational procedures, chainof-command reporting, and maintaining law and order during the elections.

Directives shared included the distribution points for ballot boxes at the Kamarang GECOM Office and Bartica Police Headquarters. Officers were instructed to remain on high alert, promptly report incidents, enforce election laws, and uphold a secure environment at polling stations. Specific instructions highlighted the hours of voting from 06:00h to 18:00h, restrictions on unauthorised persons within 200 yards of polling sites, prohibition of alcohol sales during polling, prevention of racial or ethnic incitement, and the ban on electronic devices capable of photography inside polling stations.

Professionalism, impartiality, and vigilance

Additionally, an "Elections Preparation Training" session for Bartica Police Station ranks was held at the Zara Computer Centre (Bartica branch) on the same day. Led

by Deputy Commander W/ Supt D Handy, O/C Crime Supt R Nedd, and C/Insp K Gordon, the session educated personnel on their roles and responsibilities during the elections. Discussions focused on police functions at polling stations, voter rights,

prohibited activities, the role of presiding officers, effective communication, and the importance of remaining unarmed while on duty.

Operational scenarios were presented, allowing ranks to practise decision-making under supervision.

Assistant Commissioner Moore emphasised the critical role of the Police Force in safeguarding democracy. All ranks were reminded to uphold professionalism, impartiality, and vigilance to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful electoral process.

Govt to roll out drone technology, develop & expand healthcare programmes

President Dr Irfaan Ali announced the rollout of a nationwide dronebased blood delivery system that will significantly enhance emergency medical response across Guyana. The initiative, he said, will be implemented at scale within six months.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Number 75 Village Regional Hospital, he said that the system is designed to rapidly transport blood and other urgent medical supplies to hospitals, especially in remote and hinterland regions, reducing critical delays that often cost lives.

“We are deploying drones that will work in full co-ordination with our national blood bank. This means if a patient in Port Kaituma, Lethem, or Crabwood Creek needs emergency blood, it can be delivered in record time using drone technology.”

The project forms part of a larger digital transformation of the healthcare sector. It complements the implementation of electronic health records, AI-assisted diagnostics, and the expansion of telemedicine to 200 remote sites.

The innovative programme

is set to be one of the first of its kind in the Caribbean and puts Guyana at the forefront of tech-integrated healthcare in the region.

Meanwhile, the Government also plans to expand its maternal reproductive services for children and school health and immunisation programmes, which will now include protecting girls from cervical cancer caused by HPV.

“For persons who have lost limbs, we have already provided 105 prosthetics in the last week alone. For the elderly, we are developing home-based healthcare services using telemedicine and virtual clinics. Mobile health units will reach rural areas for screening and chronic disease care,” the President pointed out in his improved healthcare plan.

He said too that the Government does not intend to work alone and is not in competition with the private sector in the informative programme.

“We must build strong partnerships that multiply our reach and strengthen our capacity. We know that the Government alone cannot car-

ry the weight. That is why we are deepening partnerships with private healthcare providers in lab services, pharmaceuticals, dialysis surgeries, and organ transplants. In healthcare, competition is not the goal. Collaboration is. When the public and private sectors work together, the patient wins.”

“Concrete and steel alone do not save lives. Hospitals are only as good as the people who run them.

That is why we are investing in our healthcare workforce. Our doctors, nurses, specialists, and technicians, over the next five years, will recruit and train thousands, including at least 6000 nurses,” the President further declared.

He said that the University of Guyana’s medical programme will be expanded, and it will be collaborating with private medical schools and opening new nursing schools in Berbice and the Essequibo.

Ail said the local health care system is being geared to meet the needs of Caricom, as he invited those in the diaspora to take advantage of it when home on holiday.

2 toddlers fatally stabbed in Jamaica; father in custody

A22-year-old man is now in Police custo-

dy following the fatal stabbing of two young children, one of whom was his son, in Swamp, Moneague, St Ann, the Jamaica Constabulary Force has confirmed.

While his identity has not been released, it is reported that the man consumed a cup of ganja tea before allegedly carrying out the attack.

“He consumed some ganja tea and started acting hysterical and aggressive,” Acting

Senior Superintendent of Police Rohan Elliott, the commanding officer for the St Ann Division, told Observer Online.

According to reports, the incident occurred at 08:00h on Tuesday while the man was at home with his partner and the two children, aged one and three.

The mother, upon seeing what was happening, went to the Moneague Police Station and reported the incident.

The Police responded and subsequently went to the

house where the suspect was seen; however, the children were not found.

Both toddlers were found Wednesday morning in bushes close to the house, and blood stains were observed in a room of the house. He was taken into custody and is now being interrogated by the Police.

Police have confirmed that the one-year-old child was the man’s son, while the three-year-old was his stepchild. (Source: Jamaica Observer)

Bogotá court sentences

teenager who shot Colombian congressman to 7 years in prison

ABogotá court has sentenced the teenager who shot Colombian senator Miguel Uribe on June 7 to seven years in prison.

The court ruling stipulates that the minor must serve seven years of imprisonment in a specialised care centre. During the investigation, it was determined that the young man was contacted and persuaded to carry out the attack.

This is the first conviction against someone directly involved in the assassination and one of the highest penalties imposed on a juvenile.

On June 7, according to the proceedings, the teen was summoned to the Modelia neighbourhood, where, aboard a vehicle driven by Carlos Eduardo Mora González, he received a 9 mm Glock pistol from Elder José Arteaga Hernández, alias Chipi.

With the weapon in his possession, he got out of the car, walked to El Golfito Park – where Senator Miguel Uribe was participating in a political rally – and opened fire on him.

While attempting to flee, he was intercepted by the candidate’s security detail and handed over to authorities.

During the arraignment hearing, held on August 4, the minor pleaded guilty to attempted and fabricated homicide, traf -

ficking, and possession of firearms.

Although Uribe survived the attack for 64 days, he ultimately died on August 11 due to neurological complications resulting from the gunshot wounds.

Six people have been arrested so far in the senator’s murder. However, after the death of Uribe, the case was modified for four of the six arrested. They were charged with aggravated homicide, with a sentence of 35 to 50 years in prison. The sentence may increase depending on the aggravating factors.

In the case of the teenager, the charges remained unchanged because, when the senator died, the young man had already been formally charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of weapons – charges he accepted.

According to Colombian

law, the Prosecutor’s Office can only modify the legal classification of the facts before the formal indictment hearing, a stage that has already taken place in this case.

During the trial, the young man apologised. He acknowledged that he was offered 20 million pesos to commit the crime, although he claimed he never knew who the attack was aimed at.

He took on the mission even though he knew he had no escape route and that there were only two options available to him at the scene: being shot down by security forces or being captured, as ultimately happened.

Reports also state that just a month before the shooting, the teenager had declined to participate in social programmes offered to at-risk youths. (Source: The Colombian)

Mexican Senate debate ends in brawl

Atense debate in the Mexican Senate descended into a brawl between two of the chamber’s most senior politicians on Wednesday.

Senator Alejandro Moreno, of the opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), grabbed the President of the Senate, Gerardo Fernández Noroña, demanding to be allowed to

speak.

After some pushing and shoving, Moreno threw punches and a photographer who stepped in was injured. Tempers had already been running high throughout the debate about the presence of armed forces from other countries on Mexican soil.

But it was not until after the national anthem

Brazil carries out raids in crackdown on organised crime in fuel sector

Brazilian Police and tax officials carried out a series of raids early on Thursday across the country targeting multi-billion dollar money laundering and fraud schemes linked to organised crime in the fuel sector, authorities said.

Multinational energy firms have struggled for years to root out organised crime from their distribution networks in Brazil, and the federal tax revenue service said this week’s crackdown related to schemes involving more than 10 billion reais ($1.84 billion) in fuel imports and 52 billion reais in domestic fuel sales.

It said 46 billion reais in illicit financial transactions linked to the schemes had moved through fintech companies from 2020 to 2024.

“In co-ordinated actions involving the federal Police, federal revenue service and state public prosecutors’ offices, three simultaneous operations were launched in the financial and fuel sectors, involving 10 states,” Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in a post on X. Authorities served

some 350 search warrants in states across the country and sought to block more than 1 billion reais in assets during the operation, known as Hidden Carbon, the revenue service said.

Closed-end funds investigated by authorities held assets including a port terminal, four ethanol plants plus stakes in two others, a fleet of 1600 trucks, and more than 100 properties, said Andrea Chaves, the revenue service deputy secretary for oversight.

“Evidence identified by the tax authority indicates the funds were used to conceal and shield assets and suggests fund managers were aware of and contributed to the scheme,” she said. The criminal enterprises included the involvement of First Capital Command (PCC), a major organised crime gang, public prosecutors in Sao Paulo state said. Asset manager REAG Investimentos was among the targets of the warrants, according to a court decision seen by Reuters. Chemical firm GPC Quimica, owned by Dexxos Participacoes, was also named in a court document seen by Reuters. (Excerpt from Reuters)

St Lucia Police seize cocaine, cannabis, cash in major operation

In a pre-dawn operation in Castries earlier this week, Police seized substantial quantities of cocaine and cannabis, a firearm, and a large sum of cash while arresting multiple individuals.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force conducted the large-scale, multi-agency operation, targeting what authorities described as high-risk areas.

The operation led to the

seizure of significant quantities of cocaine and cannabis resin. Police also confirmed the recovery of one firearm with accompanying ammunition and electronic devices believed to hold evidential value. A large sum of cash was also confiscated.

Authorities said several individuals were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including narcotics trafficking, firearms

trafficking and violent crimes.

A simultaneous traffic enforcement initiative stopped dozens of vehicles, resulting in the issuance of multiple tickets and the impoundment of several cars. One individual was arrested during the traffic checks. Police officials have confirmed that investigations into all matters related to the operation are ongoing.

(Source: St Lucia Times)

US shoppers see order cancellations as world shuts down some American-bound shipments

Uhad been sung that Senator Moreno, angry at not having been allowed to speak during the debate, physically clashed with Fernández Noroña.

The Senate leader said he would call an emergency session to propose expelling Mr Moreno and three other opposition lawmakers who joined in the fray. (BBC News)

nited States ( US) shoppers ordering smaller goods from abroad are being met with waves of cancellation notices ahead of a key trade rule change ordered by the Trump Administration.

On Friday, the US will end the nearly century-old de minimis exemption, which allowed items worth less than $800 to be shipped to the country duty-free, or without having to pay any tariffs.

In advance of the official termination date for the exemption, many

European nations, alongside Australia, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand, have announced temporary suspensions of US-bound shipments.

In essence, the Trump Administration is now asking foreign mail carriers to act as import tax collectors on behalf of the US Government – something they are not set up to do or may be refusing to do,” said Alison Layfield, Vice President of product development at ePost Global, a California-based logistics firm.

“Why would a foreign post collect from a local business for a foreign country’s customs?” she said. “It’s not something that anyone has done before.” Private, third-party carriers that may already have tariff-collection systems in place can cost as much as four times the amount of sending an item via regular post. US small-business owners who source orders from abroad are also being affected. (Excerpt from NBC News)

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Oil settles higher as traders await Trump statement on Russia-Ukraine war

Oil prices settled higher on Thursday, bouncing off early losses after the White House said US President Donald Trump was not happy when he learned that Russia attacked Ukraine with missiles and drones overnight.

Brent crude futures settled up 57 cents, or 0.8 per cent, at $68.62 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 45 cents, or 0.7 per cent, to close at $64.60 a barrel.

Trump will make a statement on the Russia-Ukraine situation later on Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. Both oil benchmarks were down about 1 per cent earlier in the session, but turned positive after her comments.

Traders are also watching for India’s response to pressure from the US to stop buying Russian oil, after Trump doubled tariffs on imports from India to as much as 50 per cent on Wednesday.

Russian oil exports to India are set to rise in September, dealers said, defying the US pressure.

Oil prices were under pressure earlier in the session as traders braced for lower fuel demand after the US Labor Day long weekend.

Crude oil supply is also set to rise due to an OPEC+ plan to raise September output by 547,000 barrels per day.

Weaker demand and higher supply will cause oil inventories to rise, Ritterbusch and Associates said in a note.

Further pressuring oil prices, Russian crude supplies to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline have restarted after an outage caused by a Ukrainian attack in Russia last week, Hungarian oil company MOL and Slovakia’s economy Minister said on Thursday. (Source: Reuters)

Putin, Kim to join China’s Xi at military parade

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be flanked by leaders of some of the world’s most heavily sanctioned nations – Russia, North Korea, Iran and Myanmar – at a military parade next week in Beijing, in a show of solidarity against the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un will attend “Victory Day” parade on September 3 marking the end of World War Two after Japan’s formal surrender – the first time they have appeared in public alongside Xi.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also expected to be on the dais as tens of thousands of troops march through the Chinese capital, completing a quartet that Western political and economic analysts have described as the Axis of Upheaval.

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who rarely travels abroad, will

Russian missiles pound Ukraine; damage EU, British offices

Russia pounded Ukraine with deadly missiles and drone strikes early on Thursday in a sweeping attack that the US special envoy on Ukraine said undermined President Donald Trump’s peace efforts.

At least 21 people were killed in the capital, city officials said.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike, the second-largest attack since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, was Moscow’s answer to diplomatic efforts to end its war.

US special envoy Keith Kellogg commented on X: “The targets? Not soldiers and weapons but residential areas in Kyiv – blasting civilian trains, the EU & British mission council

offices, and innocent civilians.”

The European Union and Britain summoned Russian envoys to protest.

There were no reports of casualties at either site.

Zelenskyy said the strikes also damaged a Turkish enterprise and the

Azerbaijan embassy.

The strikes took place less than two weeks after Trump hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Alaska, a meeting the US president hoped would advance his peace efforts.

“Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table,” Zelenskyy said on X, calling for new sanctions on Russia. “It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war.”

Russia said its attack had hit military industrial facilities and air bases, and that Ukraine had attacked Russian targets. The Kremlin said it was still interested in pursuing peace talks.

Moscow has regularly denied targeting civilians. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US envoy says calling Lebanon reporters “animalistic” was “inappropriate”

United States (US) diplomat Tom Barrack has expressed regret for calling Lebanese Journalists “animalistic”, days after his comments stirred outrage across the Middle East.

However, in a Thursday interview with social media personality Mario Nawfal, Barrack repeated his call for Lebanese reporters to be “civilised”.

He nevertheless conceded he should have been more “tolerant” in his remarks to the reporters who shouted questions after he met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun earlier this week.

happening in the region.” Those comments sparked widespread anger, with some critics arguing that Barrack’s remarks sum up Washington’s condescending approach to the region.

It is not uncommon for reporters to shout questions at officials before or after diplomatic meetings. In the US, the practice is known as a Journalistic “spray”.

also attend, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Almost no Western leaders will be among the 26 foreign heads of state or Government attending the parade, which political analysts say will demonstrate Xi’s influence over nations intent on reshaping the Western-led global order.

A loose coalition of states bent on reshaping the Western-led global order, the “Axis of Upheaval” has sought to undermine US interests, whether over Taiwan or by blocking shipping lanes, and sought to undermine Western sanctions by providing economic lifelines to each other, the analysts say.

The only Western heads of state or Government attending the events in Beijing are Robert Fico, the prime Minister of European Union member state Slovakia, and Aleksander Vucic, the president of Serbia. (Source: Reuters)

“‘Animalistic’ was a word that I didn’t use in a derogatory manner. I’m just saying: Can we calm down? Can we find some tolerance and kindness? Let’s be civilised,” said Barrack, who serves as ambassador to Turkiye

and special envoy for Syria and Lebanon.

“But it was inappropriate to do when the media is just doing their job.”

Barrack, who is of Lebanese descent, used the podcast appearance to address the remarks he made on Tuesday, after he emerged from his meeting with Aoun at the presiden-

tial palace near Beirut.

“Please be quiet for a moment,” Barrack said, “and I want to tell you something: The moment this starts becoming chaotic – like, animalistic –we’re gone. So, you want to know what’s happening?

Act civilised, act kind, act tolerant, because this is the problem with what is

Earlier this week, Ibrahim Moussawi, a member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, slammed Barrack’s comments to Journalists, saying that they represent the “foolishness and arrogance” of the US approach to Lebanon. He also criticised the Lebanese Government for failing to take a strong stance against Barrack, including by summoning the US ambassador to Beirut.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Trump’s “Alligator Alcatraz” being emptied of immigrant detainees

The number of people at Donald Trump’s controversial immigrant detention centre “Alligator Alcatraz” has dropped by half following a Judge’s order to close much of the facility, according to border tsar Tom Homan.

US media, citing internal emails between Florida officials, report the centre could be empty within “days”.

The facility – located deep in the swampy Florida Everglades – opened in July to support the Trump Administration’s mass de-

portation drive.

It quickly drew multiple legal challenges over alleged poor conditions and environmental damage to the delicate ecosystem of the Everglades, a Unesco world heritage site.

Last week, a federal Judge issued a preliminary injunction halting expansion of the facility, and ordering its operations wound down, with all detainees to be relocated within 60 days.

In response to a question from the BBC at the White House on Thursday, Homan confirmed that the number

of detainees had fallen by half since the ruling.

He did not specify how many remained, but the complex was originally built to hold up to 3000 people.

During a press briefing at the White House on Thursday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the Administration would comply with court orders, but it would not “back down”.

“We’ve always said that we are going to continue to fight in the court of law,” she added. “We think that

it’s despicable that an activist Judge has inserted themselves in this migrant detention facility.”

While the Judge’s decision marked a blow to the Trump Administration’s deportation drive, other temporary facilities are being built in several Republicanled states.

This includes a second facility in Florida dubbed “Deportation Depot”, and another in Indiana that Homeland Security officials have named the “Speedway Slammer”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Create a space that suits your needs. Invest in yourself, your surroundings, and utilize everything you’ve physically, intellectually, and financially to build a strong foundation for the life you want to live. This will put your mind at ease and centre your confidence. Mix business with pleasure and you’ll gain momentum and allies.

Protect your home, health, and reputation. Refuse to let anyone use emotional tactics to take advantage of you. Walk away from pressure tactics or situations that have the potential to turn hostile. You’ll gain the most if you avoid emotional conflicts. Focus on home improvement and self-rejuvenation. A creative project will ease stress.

Pay attention to what others are doing, and it will boost your interest and your imagination. Take the initiative to reach out, connect, and become a part of something that excites you. Utilize your intelligence and physical abilities to garner support. How you present yourself and what you contribute physically will make a difference.

Keep your private life to yourself. The less you share, the more mysterious you’ll appear, giving you an edge when dealing with anyone trying to outdo you. Avoid indulgent people, excessive situations, and unreasonable demands. Be blunt about what you will and won’t tolerate. Take control and you’ll gain insight and respect.

Rethink your every thought, move, or interaction. Center yourself and refuse to let your emotions dictate what happens next. A state of calm will allow you to position yourself for whatever comes your way and deal with circumstances as they unfold. Be smart and make the gains that matter. Strength begins with believing in yourself.

You will make gains if you participate in something new and exciting. A little flash and charisma will carry you forward and attract those who have something to offer. High energy will take you to victory and give you the wherewithal to improve your life, current situation, or prospects. Self-improvement will pay off.

Pay attention to where your money goes. You’ll gain ground if you fish for higher positions and advancement using your imagination and insight to talk your way to the top. Don’t sit at home procrastinating when getting out and having face-to-face talks will bring the most effective results. Apply charm and pressure. Romance is favoured.

It’s not what you do or say, it’s how you turn your dreams into a reality. Push for what you want and be relentless when dealing with those who oppose you. Know what’s best for you and stick to your course of action until you’re satisfied with the results. Take responsibility and make things happen.

Stick close to home, iron out any confusion or conflict you face, and rationalize how you want to move forward. Use your voice, wisdom, and physical ability to emphasize your position and expectations, and you’ll weed out the people who are best suited to tag along on your adventure. Be true to yourself.

Consider what it takes to get to the next level. Whether you’re dealing with physical, mental, or financial challenges, understanding your attributes and how to apply them will lead to success. Assess, refine, and implement change. Expect to face opposition from someone close to you. Don’t overreact, consider suggestions, but do what’s best for you.

Money and health matters will require attention. You have plenty to gain by staying on top of what transpires instead of letting someone represent you or what you want. An emotional situation will turn into an opportunity if you are willing to take the time to sort through the debris. With clarity comes success.

Sit tight, dream on, and refuse to let someone lure you down a path that’s not in your best interest. Take note of what makes you feel good about who you are and what you do, and concentrate on manifesting your dreams into a reality. A networking event will lead to opportunities. Explore the possibilities.

IThe Hundred Eliminator on Saturday – and with the teams already inked in for that game, which will decide who takes on the Southern Brave in Sunday’s final – this top-versus-bottom clash was a chance for the home side to maintain their unbeaten record, a feat never before achieved in The Hundred, or for the Fire to find a spark from the dying embers of their campaign.

And it looked for all the world like the visitors would do just that, a disciplined bowling performance restricting an experimental Brave batting line-up to just 106 for 8. It took skipper Georgia Adams’ resolute unbeaten innings (30 off 26) to get them up to that mark,

Southern Brave make history with 100% league record

were, will have gone in at the break believing they could chalk up a statement victory.

For the home side, Danni Wyatt-Hodge (24 off 23) and Freya Kemp (18 off 19) were the only other batters to manage double figures, while Sophie Devine’s appearance at number eight showed that the Brave were looking to give some other batters time at the crease before Sunday’s high-stakes final.

A sprightly start by Sophia Dunkley and Tammy Beaumont (28 off 29) did nothing to dispel the Fire’s belief, but slowly, surely, the Brave’s superb and well-marshalled bowling attack started to turn the screw. 50 for 1 in 56 balls became 56 for 5 in 68, and the Fire had lost four wickets for six runs in

100 balls (RPB: 1.06)

of wickets: 1-5 (Maia Bouchier, 9b), 2-14 (Laura Wolvaardt, 14b), 3-53 (Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 51b), 4-56 (Freya Kemp, 56b), 5-74 (Chloe Tryon, 72b), 6-100 (Mady Villiers, 93b), 7-104 (Sophie Devine, 98b), 8-106 (Rhianna Southby, 100b) Bowling B-0s-R-W Shabnim Ismail

Matthews 20-10-16-2

Jonassen 20-9-22-1

Katie Levick 15-5-11-1

Georgia Davis 15-3-20-1 Freya Davies 10-3-14-0

In the last game of the group stage, Welsh Fire had a chance to climb to fourth in the table with a win against Southern Brave in Southampton, but defeat left them at the bottom, joining their women’s team in claiming the wooden spoon. It was Southern Brave, led by a vintage innings from Jason Roy (70 off 39), who secured fourth place in a game played largely for pride, with the top three spots already

decided.

Fire elected to field and enjoyed a dream start, reducing Brave to 10 for 2 off 14 balls. But Roy counterattacked brilliantly, twice hitting successive sixes to get into gear and reaching his fifty from just 30 balls. David Payne (2 for 17) eventually dismissed him, but contributions from Leus du Plooy (30 off 21) and a lively finish from Craig Overton and Jordan Thompson pushed the Brave to a competitive 167 for 7.

Chasing 168, Fire stumbled early as Overton took two scalps in the first five balls, including the prized Steve Smith, caught by Roy at extra cover. At 24 for 3 after the powerplay, Fire’s hopes looked slim. However, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Welsh starlet Ben Kellaway steadied the innings before launching a stunning counterattack, scoring 81 runs

13 deliveries as a slow and low pitch made strokeplay difficult. The Brave, brimming with confidence, took full toll.

lost eight wickets for 27, to lose by 29 runs.

Total 100 balls (RPB: 0.77) 77/9 Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Sophia Dunkley, 23b), 2-50 (Tammy Beaumont, 56b), 3-52 (Jess Jonassen, 60b), 4-54 (Hayley Matthews, 64b), 5-56 (Sarah Bryce, 68b), 6-73 (Georgia Elwiss, 89b), 7-74 (Georgia Davis, 91b), 8-77 (Alex Griffiths, 98b), 9-77 (Shabnim Ismail, 100b) Bowling B-0s-R-W

Lauren Bell 20-15-6-4

Tilly Corteen-Coleman 20-7-22-1

Sophie Devine 20-8-19-1

Mady Villiers 15-6-16-1

Chloe Tryon 10-4-6-0

Georgia Adams 15-9-8-1

Freya Kemp’s brilliant run-out of Georgia Elwiss, who had just hit the Fire’s first boundary for 40 balls, was the icing on the cake, and the Fire’s race was run shortly after.

Lauren Bell continued an outstanding tournament by finishing with the stunning figures of 4 for 6 off her full allocation – becoming this year’s leading wicket-taker in the process – as the Fire limped to 77 for 9, having

Meerkat Match Hero Lauren Bell said, “It’s been a really good tournament, and I feel in a good place. We bowled exceptionally as a unit; we talk about how dots are really important, and we fielded great – we are an unbelievable fielding unit.

“It’s massive to get eight from eight, and we can take that momentum into the final now. We didn’t want to slip up here, and at Lord’s on Sunday we’ll keep our plans really clear, keep doing the basics and enjoy the day.” (ESPNcricinfo)

Roy, Overton star as Southern Brave seal 4 th spot in thriller

in 39 balls and bringing the game back into balance.

With 40 overs of spin yielding just 85 runs, the Brave turned to seamers Thompson and Tymal Mills. Their disciplined yorkers and slower deliveries proved decisive as the opposition needed 36 off 20. In a nail-biting finish, Kohler-Cadmore was bowled for 84 off 46, leaving Fire seven needed off two balls. A final yorker from Thompson sealed a thrilling win for the Brave.

said, “It was great to get across the line; we haven’t quite put in the performances this year, so it’s good to finish with a win. It was about doing the basics; it swung a bit, and the way the boys finished off was great.

“The boys have been awesome; the group has been similar for the last three or four years, and it’s nice to get back together. We didn’t quite perform how we would have wanted, but that’s the

TCBO Boxing Day showdown slated for Guyana

he Caribbean fight scene is set to ignite this holiday season as the Caribbean Boxing Organisation (CBO) officially announces its first-ever regional professional boxing showcase, scheduled for Boxing Day – December 26, 2025 – in Georgetown, Guyana.

The newly-formed CBO, a collective of leading boxing promoters from across the Caribbean, aims to elevate professional combat sports

in the Region by uniting top talent, creating larger platforms, and delivering worldclass events to Caribbean fans. The organisation currently includes promoters from Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, St Maarten, The Bahamas, Jamaica, St Lucia, Grenada, and Curaçao; each bringing fighters and expertise to the table.

The Boxing Day event

will be spearheaded by Bris-O Promotions, the CBO’s Guyanese representative, and promises an electrifying night of Caribbean boxing. Fans can expect five to six high-stakes professional matchups featuring some of the Region’s most dynamic and accomplished fighters, alongside two to four exciting amateur bouts highlighting the next generation of talent.

Speaking on the upcoming event, a CBO spokesperson shared, “This event is expected to attract boxing fans from across the Caribbean and beyond, uniting the Region through sport while shining a spotlight on its elite athletes. With the combined efforts of CBO member promoters, the Boxing Day card is poised to deliver non-stop action, unforgettable mo-

WI U19 Captain Dorne targets series win against Sri Lanka

World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia in January 2026. But for Dorne, the immediate

“It’s always good to play an international side. I’ve been lucky to have had that experience before, so it’s up to me to bring some of that knowledge and help the others who wouldn’t have had

“The main goal is to win the series. Once we put together good cricket and hit our targets, I don’t see why we shouldn’t come out victo-

The squad has been ac-

climatising in Antigua for the past week, working un der head coach Rohan Nurse in a series of high-intensity sessions. According to Dorne, the camp atmosphere has been upbeat and productive, highlighting the importance of discipline and adaptabili ty.

“The mood in camp is good. The fellas are gelling together very well. There’s a lot of banter off the field, and it carries onto the field with positive energy that really drives our sessions,” he not ed.

“Cricket is a three-dimen

Joshua Dorne says his squad is ready to embrace the challenge of Sri Lanka in a seven-match Youth One-Day International (ODI) series, which bowls off on Saturday, August 30, at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

The Barbadian batter, who recently guided his coun-

er. With the inclusion of the USA teams, it was a bit more competitive. I managed to reach some of my goals there, and now I feel good about this series against Sri Lanka,” Dorne said.

The series is regarded as vital preparation for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket

Jannik

ments, and the start of an annual tradition celebrating Caribbean boxing excellence.” Fight announcements, ticket details, and broadcast information will be released in the coming weeks. Boxing fans are encouraged to follow the CBO’s official channels for updates as the Caribbean gears up for one of the most electrifying sporting events of the year.

Match Schedule

1st ODI – 30 August – Coolidge Cricket Ground

2nd ODI – 2 September – Coolidge Cricket

Richards Stadium

has defined his side’s preparations.

“We are working hard, and you can tell we really want it. For me as captain, my job is to continue to bring the group together. Once we live in harmony, nothing can stop us.”

The first four ODIs will be played at the Coolidge Cricket Ground before the series concludes with three matches at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. All games bowl off at 09:30h with free admission for fans, and will be streamed live on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel.

Efficient Sinner eases into US Open 3rd round

Defending champion

Jannik Sinner beat world number 36

Alexei Popyrin in straight sets to secure safe passage through to round three of the US Open.

The world number one, 24, had lost just four games in a dominant first-round victory over Vit Kopriva.

And Sinner produced another efficient display against Australian Popyrin, who upset Novak Djokovic in the third round of last year’s tournament but did not threaten a repeat here.

The Italian broke Popyrin’s serve early in each of the three sets and wrapped up a clinical 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium in just over two hours.

“I felt like we both didn’t serve great, but I was returning very well, especial-

ly on the second serve,” said Sinner, who progressed despite only landing 51% of his first serves in.

“I’m very happy about today. Obviously I’m aiming to improve the serve, but, about the rest, I feel quite comfortable.”

Sinner will face Denis Shapovalov, the 27th seed from Canada, in the third round.

Sinner has now won 23 matches in a row at hardcourt Grand Slams, taking in his victory at Flushing Meadows last year and two consecutive title triumphs at the Australian Open.

He was also victorious on the grass at Wimbledon in July.

Sinner’s ruthlessness was demonstrated midway through the second set when, serving at 3-2 up with

a break, he saved three break points to secure an important hold.

In the very next game, Sinner broke to love, quashing any hope of a Popyrin fightback.

There was a similar pattern at the start of set three when Popyrin failed to capitalise from 15-40 on Sinner’s serve, and the four-time Grand Slam winner again made his opponent pay with a break to love in the subsequent game.

Musetti and Rublev reach round three

Russian Andrey Rublev came through a tough fourset encounter with American Tristan Boyer to join Sinner in round three.

Boyer, ranked 113th in the world, extended the match by taking the third set

before 15th seed Rublev completed a 6-3 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-4) victory by winning a fourthset tie-break.

Rublev’s next opponent will be Coleman Wong, who backed up his history-making first-round victory against Aleksandar Kovacevic with a four-set win over Australia’s Adam Walton.

Wong’s first-round success made him the first male player from Hong Kong to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open era.

The 21-year-old qualifier will next face Rublev, who has appeared in 10 Grand Slam quarter-finals without ever reaching the last four of a major.

Elsewhere, Italian 10th seed Lorenzo Musetti was a 6-4 6-0 6-2 winner over Belgian veteran David Goffin. (BBC Sports)

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF)

National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was a hive of activ-

Northern Rangers, Camptown start campaigns with wins

Fans were treated to a doubleheader that saw Northern Rangers and Camptown Football Clubs getting the first three points of the single-round league.

ity on Wednesday night as the Georgetown Football Association (GFA), in collaboration with Champs GY, kicked off the 2025 Senior Men’s League.

In the opening game, Northern Rangers dominated North Star FC with a 3-0 victory. Alaistair Holder broke the ice in the 28th minute, giving Rangers a slim 1-0 lead at halftime.

Then, in the second seg-

ment, David Coates joined Holder on the scoresheet, finding the back of the net in the 54th minute. As North Star struggled to penetrate their opponent’s defences, Otto Jones added the cherry on top for Northern Rangers, with third goal in the 84th minute.

The second game of the evening saw Camptown FC edge past an unsuspecting Beacon FC to claim their

three points. Campbellvillebased striker Marlon Bethel struck in the 27th minute, capitalising on a set-piece buildup to net what proved to be the lone goal and match-winner. Twelve teams are competing in this year’s GFA Senior Men’s League for a

$1,000,000 grand prize and the chance to challenge for a spot in the 2026 Elite League. The second, third and fourth-place finishers will walk away with $500,000, $300,000 and $200,000 respectively.

Tantalising double-header lined up as Women’s Division 1 League continues today

The best of women’s football in Guyana will take centre stage again today as the Women’s Division One League resumes with a doubleheader at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, East Bank Demerara. Action kicks off at 18:00h. In the opening match, Den Amstel FC Women face Ann’s Grove United Women, with both sides search-

ing for their first points of the campaign. Ann’s Grove will make their league debut, while Den Amstel will be aiming to bounce back from a tough 24-0 defeat to Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Women last Friday. Despite the score-line, goalkeeper Sabrina Peters impressed with more than 10 saves and is expected to be pivotal again tonight as Den Amstel look for redemption.

The second clash at 19:30h will feature Western

Tigers Women against Fruta Conquerors Women. Fruta Conquerors are riding high after a commanding 13-0 opening-night win over Monedderlust FC, led by standout performers Dellanna Small, captain Fayon Harry, and new signing Rihanna DaCosta. Western Tigers, meanwhile, will be eager to recover from their 0-2 loss to Santos FC last week, with strikers Rayanna Harris and Marissa Frank carrying

their hopes of securing three crucial points.

As such, two mouthwatering clashes are billed for the NTC this evening.

Following tonight’s double-header, the competition continues on Friday, September 5, when Fruta Conquerors meet Den Amstel, and Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC face Western Tigers. On Friday, September 12, Ann’s Grove will battle River’s View before Lake Mainstay Goldstar take on Monedderlust. Matches begin at 18:00h and 19:30h on both dates.

The Women’s Division One League carries a $1 million grand prize, with $500,000, $300,000, and $100,000 going to the second-, third-, and fourthplace finishers, respectively. Following the league’s completion, a cup tournament will follow with $300,000, $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 on the line for the top four finishers.

Match 15 of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL)

saw defending champions Saint Lucia Kings continue their impressive start to this year’s campaign as they defeated St Kitts & Nevis Patriots by seven wickets with 18 balls remaining.

A comfortable run chase by the home team in front of a jubilant home crowd saw the Kings notch their second win against the Patriots this season. The defeat sees Jason Holder’s side remain in fifth position in the CPL table as they suffered their fifth loss in seven matches.

Tabraiz Shamsi was

named player of the match, the South African spinner claiming 2/17 for the Kings after Captain David Wiese won the toss and inserted the opposition. A score of 177/3 looked to be a challenging total but was soon vaporised by Kings’ top order.

Johnson Charles got the chase off to a blistering start with 47 off just 17 balls that included five fours and four sixes; opening partner Tim Seifert anchored the chase with a classy 68 off 45 balls, his third CPL half-century.

The two openers racked up 72 runs in the powerplay, making full use of a biscuit-coloured batting track that was conducive

Yet to

Alick Athanaze, Navin

Jyd Goolie, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Waqar Salamkheil

of wickets: 1-47 (Evin Lewis, 5.3 ov), 2-69 (Andre Fletcher, 8.1 ov), 3-140 (Kyle Mayers, 16.5 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Khary Pierre 4-0-21-0

David Wiese 4-0-37-0

Keon Gaston

3-0-49-0

Roston Chase 4-0-30-1

Tabraiz Shamsi 4-0-17-2

Oshane Thomas 1-0-22-0

St Lucia Kings (T: 178 runs from 20 ovs) Tim Seifert † b Naseem Shah 68

Johnson Charles c Mohammad Rizwan b Waqar Salamkheil 47 Ackeem Auguste c Goolie b Naseem Shah 29

Roston Chase not out 15

Tim David not out 16

Extras (lb 2, w 3) 5

Total 17 Ov (RR: 10.58) 180/3

Did not bat: David Wiese (c), Aaron Jones, Keon Gaston, Khary Pierre, Oshane Thomas, Tabraiz Shamsi

Fall of wickets: 1-85 (Johnson Charles, 6.5 ov), 2-145 (Ackeem Auguste, 12.5 ov), 3-155 (Tim Seifert, 14.4 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Kyle Mayers 2-0-23-0 Naseem Shah 4-0-35-2

Jason Holder 3-0-25-0 Navin Bidaisee 2-0-34-0 Waqar Salamkheil 4-0-39-1

Jyd Goolie 1-0-9-0

Abbas Afridi 1-0-13-0

to stroke play. Neither could quite see their side over the line, but Ackeem

Auguste (29 off 20), Roston Chase (15*) and Tim David (16*) saw the Kings canter over the finish line with three overs to spare.

It was a truly dominant performance from the Saint Lucia outfit, one that saw them continue to impress and outline that they are the team to beat in this year’s CPL.

After the match, Wiese was pleased with his side’s performance whilst still stating they have room to improve. An ominous thought for the rest of the chasing pack.

“That was a good one. I spoke at the toss about getting a complete team performance. I feel like we covered all our bases. There’s still a little room for improvement, but it was a really good performance from everyone tonight.” (CPLT20)