Guyana Times - Monday, August 18, 2025

President, Brazil’s Roraima Governor, RCCI forge path for crossborder development

President Ali announces significant grant increases, puts over $200B in disposable income into citizens’ hands

"Because We Care" cash grant for students increased to $200,000 (includes new transportation grant)

Old Age Pension increased to $110,000 (including transportation grant)

Public Assistance increased to $40,000 per person

Zero-interest loans for aspiring entrepreneurs in next PPP/C term – General Secretary …“our people will not only survive, they will thrive” – says PM Phillips

US, Guyana fortify ties to safeguard borders, counter narcotics trafficking; discuss security challenges

Hinterland offices equipped with Starlink, backup Internet for real-time election results upload – GECOM

President, Brazil’s Roraima Governor, RCCI forge path for cross-border development

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday engaged members of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) and a delegation led by Antonio Denarium, Governor of Roraima, Brazil, in discussions focused on advancing collaborative opportunities for the region.

The talks centred on aligning cross-border priorities with Guyana’s national development agenda.

President Ali outlined his vision for Region Nine, pointing to strategic investments to bolster infrastructure, trade, and socio-economic growth. He emphasised Lethem’s role as a pivotal hub for cooperation with Brazil, underscoring planned improvements in road networks; air connectivity, including a municipal airport, and targeted projects in energy, agriculture, and tourism.

firmed Roraima’s commitment to binational collaboration, pledging support for joint ventures in agriculture and sustainable resource management,

as well as cultural and trade exchanges.

The engagement concluded with mutual recognition of the importance of cooperation and a

shared commitment to

the

RCCI representatives presented key proposals to boost commerce and regional integration.

These included streamlining and improving trade processes at the Lethem border, extending operating hours at

Among the initiatives highlighted were the establishment of a state-of-the-art abattoir in Lethem and new agro-processing facilities.

the Takutu Bridge crossing, and advancing the expansion of the Lethem Port Complex with upgraded access roads.

They also recommended easing cross-border movement by allowing the use of national ID cards in place of passport stamping for visits to Boa Vista.

Governor Denarium reaf-

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, August 18 – No Closure and Tuesday, August 19 – 00:55h–02:25h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, August 18 –12:35h–14:05h and Tuesday, August 19 – 13:45h–15:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions are expected during the day, interrupted by thundery showers in the midmorning and early-afternoon hours. Clear skies followed by thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 3.58 metres.

High Tide: 12:16h reaching a maximum height of 2.10 metres.

Low Tide: 06:05h reaching a minimum height of 1.15 metres.

President Ali announces significant grant increases, puts over $200B in disposable income into citizens’ hands

In what can be described as one of the most sweeping social support packages in Guyana’s history, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday night unveiled significant increases in grants and pensions that will channel more than $200 billion in disposable income directly into the hands of citizens.

Speaking before a massive crowd at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) rally in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Sunday, President Ali said the measures are aimed at easing the cost of living, stimulating local spending, and placing greater financial power directly in the hands of families.

At the heart of the announcements is a dramatic increase in the “Because We Care” cash grant, which will rise to $100,000 per child. In addition, each student will receive a new annual transportation grant of $100,000. Together, this means that every schoolchild will benefit from a minimum of $200,000 per year – a policy expected to inject $40 billion annually into households across Guyana.

A total of $11 billion was allocated in the 2025 Budget for the distribution of the grant to 205,000 children in public and private schools nationwide. This year, the “Because We Care” cash grant was increased to $50,000, coupled with the $5000 uniform allowance, giving parents a total of $55,000 per child.

“This is our minimum position,” President Ali told supporters. “We have exceeded every single thing we promised in the last five years. We don’t go back. We go forward. And as the economy grows, you can expect more benefits for your children and families.”

More support for vulnerable citizens

The President also announced a major boost in public assistance, which will increase from $22,000 to $40,000 per month per person. This expansion, Ali said, will represent an additional $19 billion annually invested in vulnerable groups.

Similarly, the country’s elderly population will see unprecedented support. The Old Age Pension will increase from $41,000 to a minimum of $60,000 monthly, complemented by a $50,000 transportation grant. This initiative, the

President explained, will see Government spending an additional $65 billion each year to support pensioners.

“Two things came up in our consultations – transportation support and increased pensions,” Ali said. “Tonight, I am pleased to tell you that we are setting aside at least $65 billion for our pensioners, plus $4 billion more for transportation support. This is real, this is calculated, and this will be delivered.”

Not empty promises

Throughout his address, President Ali underscored that these commitments are grounded in responsible economic planning, pointing to the country’s growing revenues from oil, gas, agriculture, and trade.

“Comrades, this is not empty promises or blank bullets,” he declared. “I am giving you the numbers, the costs to the economy, the budgetary implications. You can be assured your Government will implement and deliver this to you, the people of Guyana.”

Ali further emphasised that the grants and pensions are only part of a wider package that includes free education from nursery to university, expanded health care, direct housing support, business develop-

ment grants, and significant regional investments.

Transforming Lethem and Region Nine

Turning specifically to Region Nine, the President highlighted Lethem’s rapid transformation and outlined plans for the next five years. One of the key areas of focus will be land regularisation, ensuring that residents receive proper ownership documents and security of tenure.

Another priority will be the expansion of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) services in the region. These will include more efficient border trade processing, making it easier for businesses and individuals to

conduct transactions, and strengthening Guyana’s role in cross-border commerce.

The Government also intends to establish a fuel farm and refined product facility in Lethem.

According to President Ali, this investment will reduce transportation and energy costs, thereby lowering the overall cost of living for residents.

Regional trade is also set to benefit from integrated trade platforms with Brazil. These platforms will create stronger logistics links, open new markets, and foster cross-border collaboration that will transform Lethem into a hub for commerce and industry.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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US’s new war on drugs

Last week, the Trump Administration in the US initiated a bold move to counter the growing influx of drugs emanating from Colombia, Peru and Bolivar and moving to the US through the Caribbean Sea. In early June, Guyana was brought under the microscope when the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 10 individuals, including four Guyanese: Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh, Paul Daby Jr, Mark Cromwell and Randolph Duncan after they were tied to 4.4 tonnes of cocaine seized at a Region One location. The Police Supt had facilitated the transport of drugs through the region, and on several other occasions, it was revealed, even submarines were used to move the product to US and European markets.

Similar sanctions a year ago had been imposed on prominent businessman Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, his son Azruddin Mohamed, who is now the leader of the political party WIN contesting the Sept 1 elections, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mae Thomas. They were fingered as being involved in gold smuggling out of Guyana, but this included sanctioned gold from Venezuela that was smuggled from that country along the same routes as drugs shipped by the Latin American drug cartels.

The US will now be deploying some 4500 additional troops in the Southern Caribbean Sea in a new military push against the cartels. The move, which includes air and naval forces, marks one of the most significant shows of force in the Region in recent years and underscores Washington’s growing concern over the national security threat posed by transnational narcotics networks. The deployment reflects a broader shift in American counternarcotics strategy, one that increasingly treats major drug cartels not just as criminal enterprises, but as global terrorist organisations.

In February, the Trump Administration formally designated Mexico’s notorious Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua criminal syndicate as global terrorist organisations. The classification grants US agencies broader powers to target their financial networks, intercept communications, and, critically, authorise the use of military assets against them.

Speaking at a recent briefing, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that these groups – some of which operate in international waters and airspace – pose a direct threat to American lives and security. “There are designated narco-terrorist groups operating in the region, some of them utilising international airspace and international waters to transit poison into the United States, and those groups will be confronted,” he stated. “The President’s made that clear from the time he operated.”

Rubio singled out Venezuela’s so-called Cartel of the Suns (Cartel de los Soles), describing it not as a legitimate governing authority but as “a criminal organisation masquerading as a Government”.

He asserted that the Nicolás Maduro regime has effectively turned the Venezuelan state into a criminal enterprise, using its control of national territory to facilitate illicit trafficking and threaten regional stability.

“The Maduro regime is not a Government. We’ve never recognised them as such. They are a criminal enterprise that basically has taken control of the national territory of a country,” Rubio said. “By the way, they are also threatening US oil companies that are operating lawfully in Guyana. So, the President’s been very firm – anything that’s a threat to the national security of the United States, he’s going to confront.”

The Pentagon’s Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), headquartered in Miami, is expected to coordinate the mission. SOUTHCOM has a long history of counternarcotics operations in Latin America, working closely with the US Coast Guard, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and allied navies in the Caribbean and South America.

The deployment comes amid heightened tensions with Venezuela, whose government, under President Maduro, has been accused by US officials of harbouring and profiting from drug trafficking networks. In 2020, the Department of Justice indicted Maduro and several senior officials on narco-terrorism charges, alleging that they conspired with the FARC rebel group to “flood the United States with cocaine.” A bounty on Maduro was doubled to US$50 million.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has affirmed that our government “welcomes (the US strategy) because we work in collaboration with them to stop this”.

While the just-concluded International Building

and businesses, the works

Guyana offers in business

African courts may pave the way for holding social media giants to account

By Mercy MuteMi

In April 2025, the Human Rights Court in Kenya issued an unprecedented ruling that it has the jurisdiction to hear a case about harmful content on one of Meta’s platforms. The lawsuit was filed in 2022 by Abraham Meareg, the son of an Ethiopian academic who was murdered after he was doxxed and threatened on Facebook; Fisseha Tekle, an Ethiopian human rights activist, who was also doxxed and threatened on Facebook, and Katiba Institute, a Kenyan non-profit that defends constitutionalism.

They maintain that Facebook’s algorithm design and its content moderation decisions made in Kenya resulted in harm done to two of the claimants, fuelled the conflict in Ethiopia, and led to widespread human rights violations within and outside Kenya.

The content in question falls outside the protected categories of speech under Article 33 of the Constitution of Kenya and includes propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech and advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others, incitement to cause harm, and discrimination.

Key to the Kenyan case is the question whether Meta, a US-based corporation, can

financially benefit from unconstitutional content and whether there is a positive duty on the corporation to take down unconstitutional content that also violates its Community Standards.

In affirming the Kenyan court’s jurisdiction in the case, the Judge was emphatic that the Constitution of Kenya allows a Kenyan court to adjudicate over Meta’s acts or omissions regarding content posted on the Facebook platform that may impact the observance of human rights within and outside Kenya.

The Kenyan decision signals a paradigm shift towards platform liability where Judges determine liability by solely asking the question: Do platform decisions observe and uphold human rights?

The ultimate goal of the Bill of Rights, a common feature in African Constitutions, is to uphold and protect the inherent dignity of all people. Kenya’s Bill of Rights, for example, has as its sole mission to preserve the dignity of individuals and communities and to promote social justice and the realisation of the potential of all human beings. The supremacy of the Constitution also guarantees that, should there be safe harbour provisions in the laws of that country, they would not be a sufficient liability shield for

platforms if their business decisions do not ultimately uphold human rights.

That a case on algorithm amplification has passed the jurisdiction hearing stage in Kenya is a testament that human rights law and constitutionality offer an opportunity for those who have suffered harm as a result of social media content to seek redress.

Up to this point, the idea that a social media platform can be held accountable for content on its platform has been dissuaded by the blanket immunity offered under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in the US, and to a lesser extent, the principle of non-liability in the European Union, with the necessary exceptions detailed in various laws.

For example, Section 230 was one of the reasons a District Judge in California cited in her ruling to dismiss a case filed by Myanmar refugees in a similar claim that Meta had failed to curb hate speech that fuelled the Rohingya genocide.

The aspiration for platform accountability was further dampened by the US Supreme Court decision in Twitter v Taamneh, in which it ruled against plaintiffs who sought to establish that social media platforms carry responsibility for content posted on them.

The immunity offered to platforms has come at a high cost, especially for victims of harm in places where platforms do not have physical offices.

This is why a decision like the one by the Kenyan courts is a welcome development; it restores hope that victims of platform harm have an alternative route to recourse, one that refocuses human rights into the core of the discussion on platform accountability.

The justification for safe harbour provisions like Section 230 has always been to protect “nascent” technologies from being smothered by the multiplicity of suits. However, by now, the dominant social media platforms are neither nascent nor in need of protection. They have both the monetary and technical wherewithal to prioritise people over profits, but choose not to.

As the Kenyan cases cascade through the judicial process, there is cautious optimism that constitutional and human rights law that has taken root in African countries can offer a necessary reprieve for platform arrogance. (Al Jazeera) (Mercy Mutemi is a digital civil rights attorney based in Nairobi, and managing partner at Nzili & Sumbi Advocates. She also represents Fisseha Tekle in the case outlined in the article.)

President Ali set for 2nd term

Dear Editor, General and Regional Elections scheduled for September 1 are now just two weeks away. Guyana’s sleep-deprived President is set for a second term. Constitutionally, he is restricted to two terms. Future Presidents will speak of him with admiration and respect, but, deep down, they may not have fondness for him. His level of dedication to duty and the blistering pace he has set will be difficult to match – a hard act to follow – and that will cause them to feel an uncomfortable pressure to measure up. Of course, that would not be President Irfaan Ali’s fault.

In 1970, Alvin Toffler made big waves with his book “Future Shock”. It became an international bestseller. The central thesis of the book is that the rate of change is accelerating to the point where people become disoriented and have difficulty coping with it, hence

the term “future shock” –the future came too quickly. Considering the dizzying rate of change and development in oil-rich Guyana, could Guyanese experience future shock?

President Ali is at ease meeting and mingling with all strata of society. The smiles and bonhomie are genuine. He enjoys it. Indeed, he thrives on it. At the same time, there is something hidden, unseen. He is actually on a spiritual journey. Aren’t we all? In his second term – when some might think that he can and will do as he pleases – there might be some surprises and subtle changes. Outwardly, he will be just as active, but there will be a degree of inner detachment. Paradoxically, in his second term, we might see a quiet and reflective demeanour, self-deprecation, restraint and even more humility; in short, a mellowing. The tree laden with fruits bends low.

First Lady Arya Ali must also be commended; for her noble and outstanding work in beautification projects and for her compassionate, humanitarian initiatives. She is the President’s equal. Circling back, sleep deprivation is a real thing and it can have deleterious effects on health and well-being. The President is also a human being. He cannot do it all. In his second term, he should delegate more. He has earned it. At this time, his Ministers are (or ought to be) quite capable and experienced.

Am I too partial to President Ali? Perhaps I should nitpick and find something – no matter how trivial and petty – in the interest of ‘balance’. Let me cast around. Ah! Here it is: Excellency, in your second term, please retire the colourful socks.

Yours sincerely, Sieyf Shahabuddeen

Our best years ahead of us with PPP poised to win 2nd term

Dear Editor,

Given the enormous successes of the President Ali Administration in his first term, Guyana is poised to have its best years ahead of us when the PPP assumes a second term. There was a pace of dizzying development in the past five years. It was hard to keep up with all the ceremonies of new schools being opened up; hospitals and refurbished clinics opening up; bridges dedicated; the new Demerara Bridge opening up soon; commissioning of new wells and water treatment plants; agriculture lands being opened up; new drainage and irrigation projects completed; new pump stations commissioned; thousands of house lots given out; low-income housing made available; forgiveness of student loans which kept tens of thousands of dollars in students’ pockets; free GOAL and UG scholarships which kept hundreds of thousands of dollars in families’ pockets; widespread technical and vocational and skills training across the country leading to higher paying jobs; steel and cement subsidies; small business grants given out; ongoing salary increases for Government workers; modest increases in Old Age Pensions and Public Assistance; cash grants for everyone over 18 and for all schoolchildren putting thousands of dollars in our pockets, etc.

People of Guyana, which other Caricom country is doing these kinds of things? As the Pastor would say in

church, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it would surprise you what the Lord has done.” We must give praise and thanks where praise is due; we must not be ungrateful. Our country is blessed and the most resourced in Caricom. I find some people have fixed mindsets of negativity, and they like to whine. They see the glass as half empty, not half full. If you say the Government build thousands of roads, they retort “You can’t eat roads.” We need both infrastructure and higher incomes and benefits.

Guyana is in the “takeoff” stage of development. In the model of economic development by economist Rostow, the "take-off" stage is characterised by rapid and sustained economic growth, driven by industrialisation and the emergence of new industries. This stage follows the "preconditions for take-off" and is marked by a significant increase in investment, leading to self-sustaining growth. The PPP Administration has accomplished most of what it said it would do in the first term. I believe all the projects announced by President Ali will get done in the second term. We must keep the momentum going. We can’t stop the progress. We did that in 2015 and regretted it bitterly. It took a “no confidence” motion and crossover voters returning to the PPP in 2020 to end the dismal rule of the PNC, which tried to rig the election in full view of the world.

Lies and deception taken too far

Dear Editor, It is an undeniable fact that many people make false claims on a daily basis in the political arena to persuade voters at election time to vote for or against a political party. In Guyana, it is now election season and many social media ‘influencers’ and so-called journalists are having a field day peddling lies, deceptions and often defamatory statements in their quest to thwart the re-election of the PPP/C to the seat of government. They missed the real criminal in the room.

In recent times, two infamous characters come to mind: Rickford Burke and Melissa Atwell, who have both been slapped with libel suits. What these two have in common is the fact that they have been relentless in vehemently attacking and making false and spurious allegations against the PPP/C Government and its ministers.

Now that the country is back on track, I believe the PPP will consider all the criticism and advice given by the public for greater accountability and quality, and develop models to accelerate our purchasing power of all citizens through structured, sustained approaches. They will look at Old Age Pensions, fix the NIS contribution problems, enhance Public Assistance support, and address the problems of people in the lower income bracket. I trust the PPP more to get all these things done. They are the incumbent Government with wide experience and a large talent pool to make things happen. There will not need to be a learning curve. They will not have to say, like some people say, “very soon”, “very shortly.” The PPP will hit the ground running on September 2nd.

Some people like to vent their frustration and make rash judgments based on a single thing that bugs them. The wiser people look at all the factors, all the variables then decide that despite something the Government did that irritated me, we have to give the Government credit for all their abundance of accomplishments. There are more positives than negatives, and the positives are all around for you to see! Someone said the PPP at its worst would still be better than the PNC at its best. Our best years are ahead of us!

Yours sincerely,

Dr Jerry Jailall

The ‘facts’ they presented cannot be verified and are mere hearsay and regurgitations which they believed if they repeat often enough will transform into truth. Political Goebbelism has been one of the most used and abused tactic used by the PNC and its cohorts. It has been said that, ‘Statements of fools appear to be authentic when other fools repeat them frequently’. Every year, these lies and deceptive statements have been the basis of their electioneering, not what achievements they have delivered to this country and its people. They are now joined by a ‘journalist’.

However, in 2025, these lies and deception have been taken to unprecedented heights when a well-choreographed interview by Travis Chase was mysteriously leaked on social media. In this interview, as is the norm, the statements made by the person interviewed, Azeem Baksh, were not verified at any time and seem to have been accepted ‘hook, line and sinker’ at face value.

Any true and credible journalist would know that if someone gives you information, then that has to be verified by producing some form of evidence (documents, videos, electronic messages, etc.) The interview was done on March 25, 2025 and ‘released’ for public consumption on 12th August by no other than Melissa “Melly Mel” Atwell. If this ‘leak’ was not deliberate, then it will snow in Guyana this Christmas.

Travis Chase had more than ample time to verify those criminally libelous statements made by Baksh, but did not do so. There was no need. His type of journalism does not thrive on hard evidence but juicy propaganda which will be rapaciously consumed by the gullible in society.

It is difficult to accept that the contents of the video were not intended for the public giving the timing of that interview. It’s election season. If Baksh was so concerned about his safety, then it is a big question why he did not make a report to the Police. He could have done a personal video and give it to someone confidential for release if he is harmed or killed, but he did not do so. Why go to someone who is anti-PPP and has a close link to Melissa Atwell?

In his interview, Baksh did not only attack and disparage the President and Minister Bharrat, but he attacked the President’s mother, who is in her seventies, a devout Muslim, who is retired after an illustrious career as an educator. Was Baksh so blinded by greed and animosity that even such a great woman cannot be spared from his wrath? How can a credible journalist allow this senseless attack?

Who would believe that the President’s mother would actually be the ‘collector’ for corrupt deals? This is grossly absurd and ridiculous. Chase should have realised that such statements should never have been recorded, much less made available. What threat does the President’s mother pose to Baksh? There were no threats from either the Minister or the President as well. But the political implications are clear. Was this interviewed done by political direction? These unfounded attacks should be condemned by all credible human rights organisations and media houses. Baksh’s apology can only be deemed hypocritical and signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement cannot and will not absolve him from the grievous damage done to the image of all parties involved, especially the mother of the President.

He should have limited his interview to who allegedly caused his ‘troubles’, in this case Satnarine Sahadeo and what he can verify by hard evidence. I do feel that the parties involved in this ‘interview’ should face the full brunt of the law.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Changing from customary units to metric units

Use the chart below to help you convert customary units to metric units. The values may not be exact in all cases but approximations. Milk and fruit juices sometimes include labels that express their liquid volume in fluid ounces. 1 fluid ounce = 29.574 millilitres.

Example:

6 yards = how many millimetres?

Step 1: Find yards on the chart above:

1 yard = 0.914 metre

Step 2: Multiply 6 x 0.914 = 5.484m.

Step 3: Multiply the number of metres x 1000 to find millimetres: 5.484 x 1000 = 5484

So 6 yards = 5484mm

Exercises: Calculate

1) 6ft = ______m

2) 0.5gal = ____ _l

3) 1200lb = ______kg

4) 100yd = _____m

5) 200oz = ____ g

6) 450m = _________ km

Choose a season and imagine what you’d see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. Fall might include leaves of many colours, falling leaves, cold winds blowing, sunlight changing, leaves crunching underfoot, campfire smoke, pumpkin pie, apples, etc. Organise these observations into a poem, inviting the reader to guess what the subject is at the end. (Adapted from startwithabook.org)

MyAteDoggy My Homework

By Dave Crawley

CONTINUED FROM SATURDAY

“He wore a doggy apron

As he cooked a notebook stew. He barked when I objected. There was nothing I could do.”

“Did he wear a doggy chef hat?” She asked me with a scowl.

“He did,” I said. “And taking it Would only make him growl.”

My teacher frowned, but then I said As quickly as I could, “He covered it with ketchup, And he said it tasted good.”

“A talking dog who likes to cook?” My teacher had a fit. She sent me to the office, And that is where I sit. I guess I made a big mistake In telling her all that. ’Cause I don’t have a doggy. It was eaten by my cat.

Step 1: Brainstorm a list of images or ideas that you associate with the word holiday. What comes to mind when you hear the word – a vacation, special tradition, or Billie Holiday?

Step 2: Write a scene or story inspired by your associations.

WORD SEARCH

US, Guyana fortify ties to safeguard borders, counter narcotics trafficking; discuss security challenges

The United States and Guyana are advancing their security partnership as both nations work together to strengthen territorial integrity, combat illicit narcotics trafficking, and confront key national security challenges.

port, training, and operational cooperation.

Guyana’s national security leadership also held follow-up talks with Joseph M Humire, the newly-appointed US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Homeland Defence and Hemispheric

and strategic defence domains.

This first engagement with Humire reinforced the US’s role as a key ally in Guyana’s security development. It also opened new pathways for collaboration as both countries confront shared challenges across

This week, staff members from several US congressional committees met with Guyanese civilian and military leaders to reinforce this cooperation, underscoring Washington’s commitment to a safer, more secure, and prosperous region.

During their visit, the delegation toured the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard headquarters, where they witnessed first-hand the country’s enhanced capacity to monitor its vast coastline through maritime radar and advanced analysis tools.

The collaboration comes at a time when regional security dynamics are rapidly evolving, with threats such as transnational crime, narco-trafficking, and territorial disputes placing increased demands on small States. The US has consistently positioned itself as a partner in strengthening Guyana’s defence capabilities, offering technical sup-

Affairs. The meeting marked Humire’s first official engagement with Guyana since assuming office, building on a series of recent high-level exchanges between Georgetown and Washington.

National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia; Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan and Colonel Sheldon Howell, Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, led the local delegation. They were joined by US officials from the Security Cooperation Office in Georgetown.

Gouveia reaffirmed the shared democratic values, stability, and security interests that anchor the Guyana-US partnership. Brigadier Khan highlighted recent joint initiatives in military collaboration, including maritime domain awareness and operational readiness, while Colonel Howell underscored the opportunities to deepen cooperation across intelligence

the Western Hemisphere, from safeguarding critical infrastructure to countering the destabilising influence of illicit networks.

Joint pact

Back in March, Guyana and the US further strengthened security cooperation with the signing of a new agreement that also focuses on countering narcotics trafficking and transnational organised crime in the Region.

This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at State House in Georgetown.

Secretary Rubio and his delegation had engaged in bilateral talks with the Guyana Government led by President Dr Irfaan Ali, as part of a three-nation Caribbean tour that lasted for two days.

Under this newly-inked security coopera-

tion mechanism, Guyana and the United States will strengthen information sharing, synthetic drug detection, transnational organised crime investigations and prosecutions, and military-to-military cooperation.

In brief remarks at a joint press conference after the signing, President Ali affirmed that the US stood as Guyana’s trusted partner – a relationship that is rooted in shared values, mutual trust, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the principles of international order.

“The United States is our trusted partner as we continue to build a stable, secure and democratic society here. This visit has allowed us to consolidate our bilateral agenda; defining policies and outlining clear intentions in areas of security, trade, energy, in-

vestments, infrastructure, democracy, regional peace and stability, human capital deployment and development,” he stated at the time.

President Ali further underscored that the joint commitment between the two countries to enhance collaboration in combating transnational crime also includes tackling narco- and human trafficking, money laundering, and all forms of smuggling.

Address existing gaps

Guyana, the President noted, has also “reassured our partner that we will continue to ensure all international and local labour laws are adhered to in the hiring of regional and international labour. Furthermore, with our expanding healthcare system and critical shortage of human capital, we will explore areas of collaboration

to address existing gaps.”

Additionally, through bilateral discussions with President Ali and Rubio, key regional infrastructure projects for development have been identified as potential areas for investment. Guyana and the US have also committed to working closely on the deployment of Guyana’s energy potential to ensure greater integration, value creation, and regional energy security.

Food security and enhanced trade through joint initiatives to remove obstacles and expand existing areas of interest were also discussed.

“I am confident that the outcome of this visit has further aligned our policy agendas, shared commitment, and collaboration, which will bring enormous benefits to our two countries and the region,” the Guyanese Leader posited.

Standing…

…for something

Alastair Campbell’s in a class by himself as a “podcaster”. As former British PM Tony Blair’s spokesman, press secretary and director of communications and strategy – guiding his boss to three terms at #10 Downing – he’s a veritable Man for All Seasons in this season of a changing world order. He keeps his hand in by advising several “progressive” governments in Europe and Eurasia. Not surprisingly, his podcast – The Rest Is Politics: Leading with Alastair Campbell – has roped in a veritable “Who’s who” in politics in front of his mic.

As such, it was a sign of our new rising place in the world when he invited Pres Ali as the leader of “The Fastest Growing Economy in the World” to pick his brains on the big questions of the day. Prezzie was the first leader in South America to be selected. Quite a feather in the cap of the young president vying for a second term as head of our fair republic!! The exercise – and we can see it as such – provided a good opportunity to gauge how the president could handle himself with extemporaneous questions from such an experienced insider. All your Eyewitness can say is Prezzie handled himself with such aplomb that he literally knocked the podcaster’s socks off!!

Your Eyewitness was quite intrigued by Prezzie’s answers on what gotta be the most pressing issue of our age in international politics – the state of multilateralism in dealing with global disagreements between States. The UN, and its various organs, of course, was supposed to’ve been the exemplars in maintaining the comity of nations – but, as Prezzie pointed out through concrete examples, hadn’t been able to fulfil its mandate.

Prezzie’s examples were three flashpoints – in Ukraine, Gaza & Haiti. He firmly supported the right of Ukraine to defend itself against the 2022 Russian invasion and pushed for Russia’s withdrawal. In this, he was being consistent with our stance against Venezuelan bullyism trying to annex Essequibo through historical claims. This was the identical strategy of Russia – which they’d already used to invade and forcibly take over Crimea from Ukraine in 2015. That shows that unless multilateral approaches are supported, bullies will always throw their weight around.

The second was the ongoing Gaza genocide – and Prezzie reiterated our long-held position that a “two-state” solution was the only viable one. Sadly, even though the UNGA had voted overwhelmingly to support this, Israel’s been allowed to get away with genocide because of its friends on the UN Security Council standing ready to veto the authorisation of force to stop it! Prezzie also called for an expansion of the UNSC.

Quite a bravura performance which could never be replicated by his opponents on the hustings!!

…on threats

With the PPP running through the elections like an unstoppable juggernaut, PNC and LOO Norton’s getting desperate – with good reasons. But rather than displaying any kind of political creativity in his strategy, he’s fallen back on his trademark truculence that earned him his position with the PNC kingmakers. They’ve got no respect for him as a leader – simply as a thug who could speak the “only” language leaders like Hoyte claimed the PPP understood – force!!

So after witnessing diminishing crowds at his meetings in erstwhile strongholds – in comparison to the PPP’s energetic red tsunamis – Norton invoked the incredulous rhubarb about PPP rigging the 2020 elections and warned ominously: “Whatever happen after you rig, it will be your responsibility because we have already decided we had enough of your garbage.” That is a none-too-subtle warning to unleash violence – on grounds he, Norton –would decide!!

He was echoing his instigator Hinds, who promised “no peace in the valley” since the Opposition’s “ready to do battle.” Neanderthals!!

…on brain power

Your Eyewitness has been bombarded with warnings about the fate of alternative sources of energy being dependent on battery storage capacity – in which lithium plays a big role!!

Now he’s learnt we need lithium to hold off Alzheimer’s!!

Nazar "Shell" Mohamed deflects, fails to answer whether he visited Venezuelan Embassy – Jagdeo

General Secretary of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, has called out United States-sanctioned businessman Nazar "Shell" Mohamed, for failing to confirm whether he visited the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown to obtain a visa.

"Nazar Mohamed did not answer the yes-or-no question of whether he visited the Venezuelan Embassy," Jagdeo said in a brief statement on Sunday in response to the sanctioned businessman.

Nazar and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, the latter who founded the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party and is contesting the September 1 elections as the presidential candidate, have been sanctioned, along with several of their businesses, by the US over gold smuggling and public corruption.

Last week, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd had expressed concerns over "the Mohameds’" frequent visits to the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown.

Todd said on Tuesday that he had previously summoned the Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Perez Silva, to a meeting on the issue, and the diplomat indicated that "the Mohameds visited the Embassy to apply for visas to go to Venezuela, specifically Caracas" – something which the Minister said was

alarming in light of recent concerns raised by at least two US Congress members over what they had described as Venezuela’s attempt to influence internal affairs in Guyana, specifically through Mohamed.

Congress members Carlos Gimenez and María Elvira Salazar called Azruddin Mohamed “Maduro’s puppet” earlier this year, an accusation the Guyanese businessman has refuted.

Moreover, Azruddin Mohamed has also denied visiting the Venezuelan Embassy, but Jagdeo, who is also Guyana's current Vice President, subsequently said that there is video evidence of Nazar Mohamed going to the embassy. At his weekly press conference on Thursday last, he even challenged the Mohameds to prove his claims wrong, saying he was even willing to put his political career on the line.

In an article published by the Stabroek News on Sunday, however, Nazar Mohamed refused to answer whether he did in fact visit the Venezuelan Embassy here and was quoted as saying, "the allegations are just so totally foolish and absurd". The sanctioned businessman also claimed that the allegations were made to paint his son in a bad light.

But in response, Jagdeo said on Sunday that instead of clearing the air on whether or not he visited the Embassy to get a Venezuelan visa, the senior Mohamed "...engaged in semantics and deflection by shifting focus to what he described as a political smear campaign against his son. He frames the issue as allegations, as a tactic, by the PPP/C to discredit Azruddin Mohamed and his We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) movement, but gave no direct confirmation or denial about his visit to the Venezuelan Embassy."

According to Jagdeo, "In fact, he goes as far telling the Stabroek News: "I’m not going to answer that." So, to put it plainly: He did not say yes or no; he avoided the question. He does not address the factual question of whether he

himself visited the Venezuelan Embassy."

Venezuela link

Meanwhile, in light of reports linking the Mohameds to Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro's regime and the ongoing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, Jagdeo told reporters at his press conference last Thursday that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) would move to thoroughly investigate and question both Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed after the upcoming elections on these allegations.

The Vice President had explained that state agencies should “put things on pause until after the elections and then thoroughly investigate these claims”, adding that if investigators “find them credible, they charge.”

He linked the timing to national sensitivities, noting, “This is our territorial integrity and sovereignty at stake”. According to Jagdeo, there is “evidence” that Nazar Mohamed visited the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown, and he alleged the visits were not a one-off occurrence. “Why would people want to go for a Venezuelan visa at this time?” he asked, calling on the family to publicly deny the visit or explain its purpose.

The Vice President believes that the Mohameds might be looking for an exit strategy after their controversial visit to Barbados – in what has since been widely speculated as a meeting with US prosecutors – failed.

“They claimed they were in Barbados for a vacation; every single Guyanese knows differently…there is only reason for meeting prosecutors – it’s to work out a plea bargain. Apparently, that did not go well… Since then, they have been looking for an exit strategy,” he had stated.

In fact, Jagdeo reminded that there was no extradition treaty between Venezuela and the US.

Sanctions

The US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned the Mohameds and

their businesses for smuggling 10,000 kilograms (kg) of gold and avoiding the payment of more than US$50 million in duty taxes. Additionally, Azruddin Mohamed is charged locally with tax evasion for amounts totalling some $900 million.

While the US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole D Theriot has warned of consequences for the strong US-Guyana relations if an OFAC-sanctioned person enters Parliament, President Dr Irfaan Ali has also cautioned that Azruddin Mohamed is a risk and a threat to Guyana’s financial stability, sovereignty and diplomacy. Already, at least three local commercial banks have cancelled the personal accounts of individuals on the candidates lists of WIN.

Zero-interest loans for aspiring entrepreneurs in next PPP/C term – General Secretary

…“our people will not only survive, they will thrive” says PM Phillips

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has announced a bold initiative to further support economic empowerment in Guyana, promising zero-interest loans for aspiring entrepreneurs during its next term in office.

This commitment, delivered by General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo during a rally in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

on Sunday, formed part of a broader vision for deepening development, particularly in hinterland and Amerindian communities.

“The communities are changing. We're getting better education and health, better roads, more support for agriculture. And so, we've made it clear now we have to support the income-generating activities in these communities. But

what are we going to do so that you can have a better life, every one of you and your children? ”

“In the next term, anyone who wants to start a small business or a medium-scale business will get a loan at zero interest rates so you can start small businesses. The women and young people in your community will get special grants to start small projects so that they, too, can do well, they

can generate income in their communities,” the General Secretary announced.

Addressing the considerable gathering of residents, Jagdeo highlighted the PPP’s historical record of advancing Indigenous rights, pointing to the passage of the Amerindian Act, the resumption of the land titling programme—resulting in 16 per cent of Guyana’s territory now being in Amerindian hands—and the creation of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

He also underscored the Government’s efforts in expanding scholarships, improving education access, and integrating Indigenous youth

into key professions, including medicine, teaching, and the military.

Reflecting on the five years of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, Jagdeo accused the former government of neglecting Amerindian communities and failing to deliver on its promises. In contrast, he pointed to the PPP/C’s record since its return to office in 2020, citing $14 billion in support channelled through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), $11.7 billion from the Amerindian Development Fund, 4000 scholarships awarded, and 36,000 solar panels distributed to hinterland villages.

Each of the 214 Amerindian communities, he said, had also received equipment to boost local development.

Jagdeo stressed that as substantial as these achievements have been, much more remains to be done, particularly to improve livelihoods at the family and household level. To this end, he added, support will also extend to home construction and improvement, cash and business grants, and enhanced assistance for farmers, including access to fertiliser, planting material, and food processing facilities.

“We're going to ensure that anyone who wants to build a house can get a grant to build a house – or those who need to improve their homes, that they too can get a grant to improve their homes in all the villages. The cash grant will continue. The business grant will continue. The $100,000, as you heard from Mark Phillips, more and more people will get those... We will make sure that your villages, the farmers, get full support. We'll build factory shelves so you can process more of your food”.

“We'll make sure that more equipment, fertiliser, pesticides, planting material for the farmers so that people can have a better life. In terms of education, we want everyone to study. All of our young people to have the best quality education in the world without leaving their villages,” he declared.

Our people must thrive

Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips fired up the large crowd in Region Nine on Saturday night, declaring that

the PPP/C has delivered on its promises and is ready to do even more for Guyana over the next five years.

Addressing the massive rally in Lethem, the Prime Minister described the event as a show of unity, strength, and support for development, sovereignty, and the vision of “One Guyana”. He said the turnout in Rupununi was proof that the “red army” of supporters had grown into a “red tsunami” sweeping across every corner of the country.

Phillips reminded residents that the PPP/C’s return to office in August 2020 was marked by a commitment to deliver five years of development—and that those promises had been kept. He pointed to tangible projects in the region, including the commissioning of four to five brand new concrete bridges, the Moco Moco and Kumu mini-hydropower projects, the rehabilitation of transmission lines, and the establishment of a solar farm in Lethem.

“Electricity is here for you— compliments of the PPP/C Government,” he told residents, noting that the distribution system is being expanded to ensure every household in Region Nine is connected. “This is what we believe in: power to the people.”

The Prime Minister also recalled the Government’s relief and welfare measures, the Government’s support for agriculture during floods and droughts, eye-care subsidies, and annual increases in public servants’ salaries totalling 46 per cent over five years.

“Comrades, promises made, promises delivered,” he declared, stressing that the PPP/C Government not only builds schools, roads, and health centres, but also ensures citizens share directly in the nation’s prosperity.

Looking ahead to the September 1st elections, Phillips urged residents to remain focused, share the Government’s vision with their families and neighbours, and secure another five years for President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C team.

“Better is already here, and you are enjoying it,” the Prime Minister said. “Under the PPP/C Government, Guyana will continue to develop, and our people will not only survive—they will thrive.”

MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2025|

Hinterland offices equipped with Starlink, backup Internet for real-time election results upload – GECOM

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is capitalising on the introduction of Starlink internet to Guyana to enhance connectivity at its hinterland offices as the elections body gets ready to introduce the real-time uploading and display of election results on the GECOM website following the close of polls for the September 1 General and Regional Elections.

This was revealed by Deputy Chief Elections Officer Aneal Giddings during a media engagement at the Regency Suites on Saturday.

Given the challenges with reliable Internet in Guyana, particularly in hinterland regions, concerns have arisen about the reliability of the incremental uploading of Statement of Polls (SoPs) immediate-

ly as they are being tabulated. However, Giddings assured that GECOM has been assessing the situation and implementing measures to address it.

“Our technical teams have done a risk analysis for all of the offices, and I must say that I think we’ve evolved a little with the introduction of Starlink in-

ternet. All of our hinterland offices have that. It has proven to be more or less reliable. We are also exploring the option of backup Internet devices so that if there is a failure of the Internet on the day or at the time, we should be able to recuperate,” Giddings explained.

In an upgrade to what

obtained at previous elections, where voters had to wait for slow and intermittent result updates, this GRE will see each individual SoP uploaded in real time to the GECOM website as each district’s Returning Officer (RO) or Supernumerary RO (SRO) tabulates them.

According to Giddings, the elections body has also explored a number of other options, to ensure the fast output of intermittent results even as the country waits for the overall official results and GECOM declaration.

“There are some other mechanisms in place, that for security reasons I wouldn’t reveal here – that is intended to protect, secure and ensure the reliability and efficiency of our system. We don’t have a perfect system, but I do think we are going to try our very best and leave no stone unturned in ensuring that this remains considering its importance,” Giddings related.

Six political parties will be contesting the GRE –the current ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C); the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU);

Alliance For Change (AFC); We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) and the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP).

A total of 2970 polling stations are scheduled to be established in the var -

ious regions across the country to allow voters to exercise their franchise. Each polling station will be managed by a Presiding Officer (PO), who will count the ballots at the polling station.

The election results at the polling station are then recorded on the SoP, a copy of which is submitted to the Deputy ROs (DRO) and Supernumerary DROs (SDRO), who will then transmit the SoPs to the RO and Supernumerary ROs (SRO). All of the SoPs from across a voting district are then tabulated by the RO or SRO. The RO will be assisted by a data entry clerk, who will input

the numbers into a tabulation sheet. The tabulation will be taking place on site at the RO’s office in the region, and will be observed by election agents of each party in addition to international and local observers. Once the tabulation is completed, the RO is empowered to make a results declaration for their region.

Young jockey dies on track at Guyana Cup

Ayoung jockey was tragically killed while racing on the track at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) during the Guyana Cup horse race meet on Sunday.

Kishawn Pereira, 19, was riding Blinding Light in the H Class race over a distance of seven furlongs when the animal reportedly slipped and fell throwing him to the ground, with another horse, American Traveller, at its heels.

American Traveller was being ridden by Jockey Bharrat Ramnarine, who was apparently unable to move the animal away from Pereira, who had fallen to the ground.

The incident happened between the third and fourth furlong poles, during the pen-

ultimate race, where nine horses took the starting gate, but by the fifth furlong pole, three riders, including Pereira, were down, with Pereira’s fall being fatal.

Since the incident, some racing fans are calling for

a full investigation, with some complaining about the state of the track, while others voiced concerns over the lighting conditions.

Despite the distressing event, organisers decided to allow the last race to be run.

Young family perishes in Lethem crash

Adevastating road accident at Pirara, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), on Sunday claimed the lives of a young family of three: a man, his wife, and their infant daughter, after the motorcycle they were travelling on reportedly collided with a minibus.

The deceased have been identified as Jagnarine Stephen of Yakarinta Village; his wife, Keyra, originally from the South Rupununi; and their baby daughter, Laurel. The couple, who had been married for just two years, lost their lives alongside their child in the tragic collision.

The accident has left the community in deep mourning, with relatives and friends struggling to come to terms with the sudden and heartbreaking loss.

Local authorities have since launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

The tragedy comes just one day after another family of three perished in a road accident along the LindenSoesdyke Highway.

In that accident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, 26-year-old Shelly Joseph, a mother of two; Keiron Wells, a welder; and seven-yearold Meranzo Campbell were killed when the car they were travelling in slammed into a parked lorry.

The vehicle was being driven by Mario Campbell, the father of the deceased child, who survived but remains hospitalised in critical condition at the Mackenzie Hospital. Investigators believe thick fog severely reduced visibility along the highway at the time of the collision.

Reports indicate that the group had travelled to Linden to pick up young Meranzo, who had been vacationing with his grandmother. The accident occurred around 01:00h as they were returning home.

Police discover nearly 685 grams of marijuana at Parika Façade farm

Anti-Crime Patrol ranks in Regional Police Division Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) on Friday uncovered 684.8 grams of marijuana during a cordon-and-search exercise at an unattended chicken farm at Parika Façade, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). The exercise, which lasted from 13:00 to 15:30h, saw ranks combing a storeroom and the area surrounding the chicken coop. Nothing illegal was initially found. However, ranks later noticed a track running alongside a drain measuring about seven

NRSC Chairman concerned weak prosecutions undermining road safety enforcement

National Road Safety Council (NRSC) Chairman Earl Lambert has raised concerns that while the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has intensified enforcement against reckless drivers, many offenders continue to escape with light penalties owing to weak prosecution in the courts.

At the time, he was speaking on a recent episode of the Road Safety and You programme,

“The prosecution is one of the issues, because if you don’t have strong prosecutors – many times people commit a crime and they get away with it because they lapse in prosecution. I remember in my time, we had, and I’m talking about the 70s, 80s, we had some strong prosecutors. If a prosecutor tells you that you are getting three or six months [in prison], believe it…”, he said.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Carl Pedro, who is attached to the Brickdam Police Station’s traffic department, noted that drivers often return to the roads despite being repeat offenders.

feet in width

The ranks followed the track for approximately 15 minutes before stumbling upon a zinc sheet that covered a grey tarpaulin. Underneath, they discovered a green salt bag containing three bulky parcels of suspected cannabis.

A black plastic bag, located about three feet away, contained two more bulky parcels of the drug.

The parcels were taken to the Leonora Police Station, where they were weighed and confirmed to amount to 684.8 grams.

No arrests were made. Investigations are ongoing.

“Once we charge you, we make records, because that’s what we do – we keep records. Once we take you before the court, the court will also have records. We charge you one time, then you appear for the second time before the same Magistrate… the Magistrate will be famil-

iar with your face, and then the prosecution will raise it and tell the Magistrate this driver was before this very court for the same offence,” the officer explained.

While Magistrates have the power to impose stronger penalties, the officer suggested that outcomes often depend on the strength of prosecution.

“Probably the Magistrate or the court was lenient with you for the first time, you come again for the second time, and the third time, they may not be lenient with you. And for more serious offences, like careless and dangerous drivers, they take the demerit points, and you may be disqualified. Your licence may be suspended for a period of six months,” he said.

The officer cited a recent example where a driver, previously before the court for dangerous driving, had his licence suspended for six months after being involved in another accident.

However, there remains frustration that some offenders continue to slip through the net. Lambert recalled a recent incident where a driver was caught on video ignoring traffic ranks’ directions but was granted bail of just $75,000.

“I would have said that, I mean, the blame would go to the Magistrate. But I don’t think the Magistrate alone

should be blamed because… if you don’t have strong prosecutors, many times people commit a crime and they get away with it because they lapse in prosecution,” he stressed.

The Government has been working to improve the quality of police prosecution through several reforms. Just a few months ago, the Attorney General’s Chambers announced significant progress had been made to enhance prosecutorial efficiency.

Over 75 Bachelor of Laws (LLB) graduates were trained under a special prosecutors’ programme and are now part of the state’s prosecutorial system, working alongside Police Officers in Magistrates’ Courts across the country.

Legislative changes have also been introduced to accelerate criminal trials, including the abolition of preliminary inquiries, which have been replaced with paper committals. This move is expected to give Magistrates more time to focus on handling trials.

Additional measures include specialised training for Police Prosecutors in collaboration with the School of the Nations, as well as law enforcement bodies such as SOCU and the GRA hiring their own lawyers to manage prosecutions instead of depending solely on the Police.

Pres Ali announces significant grant increases...

Agriculture remains central to the development agenda, and Dr Ali pledged heavy support for the livestock and agro-processing industries. This will include the construction of an abattoir and cold storage facilities, ensuring that farmers can add value to their products and reduce spoilage while accessing larger markets.

Further, tourism is another key sector targeted for growth. The Government plans to heavily invest in tourism development across the Rupununi, including training for hospitali-

ty workers, new incentive schemes for investors, and upgraded infrastructure to make the region more accessible to both domestic and international visitors.

“Lethem is transforming at an unimaginable pace,” Ali said. “We are working to make this region a hub for logistics, trade, agriculture, and tourism. The opportunities here are immense, and we are investing to ensure the people of Region Nine share directly in the prosperity of Guyana,” he stated.

President Ali reminded residents that in the last five years alone, Government in-

vestment in the region has exceeded $67 billion, with more than $150 million spent on scholarships.

Region Nine now boasts the highest per-capita enrolment in nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and patient care training programmes nationwide.

“This shows that once you are given the opportunity, you will make use of it,” Ali said. “And that is what our government is about –creating opportunities so that every Guyanese, regardless of where they live, can build a better life.”

Building Expo 2025 showcases Guyana’s evolving tech, construction businesses

It was hard to find a booth that was empty at the International Building Expo 2025, as local and international companies showcased their products and services during the four-day event. Guyana Times spoke with some of the exhibitors to learn more about what they are offering.

Several businesses are capitalising on the trend toward smarter, more convenient living. One such company is Intellitechgy, which specialises in lighting and home automation systems.

Jasmine Jadunath, a representative of the company, highlighted the innovations that it has in store for the Guyanese population.

“We do lighting and home automation... We can make our lights wireless as well as wired,” she explained. Beyond lighting, Intellitechgy’s system can manage shades on a schedule.

When asked why such systems are important for energy savings, Jasmine noted the efficiency of LED technology.

“Well, because it does

save you a lot of energy. Let’s just say you fall asleep with the TV on every day, or you forget to turn off the lights. Our system removes that human error, saving both energy and money.”

According to Jadunath, the response from expo visitors was overwhelmingly

specific needs of a client.

On the construction side, Kelroy Williams, an official of Pacific Leopard International Trading, highlighted the work of three companies showcased at their booth.

“Pacific Leopard International Trading is

positive.

“People are amazed at how easy it is to integrate this system into their daily lives,” Jadunath said. She explained that pricing is customised, based on the

a quarrying company; we mine aggregates at our site in Omai, Region Seven, and transport them to stockpiles at Rockstone, Linden, and Georgetown. Pacarima Building Supplies manu-

factures concrete blocks and pavers, and Atlantic Leopard Development is a marine transportation company that also designs and builds barges,” he related.

He stressed the relevance of their businesses to Guyana’s booming construction sector. “The company was recently established in May 2022 with the intention of filling the gap in the construction market, supplying reliable construction materials to contractors and suppliers.”

The expo offered an important platform for visibility and networking. Williams shared, “A lot of people, especially the small man, don’t really know us. The expo increased our visibility. I had the chance to engage with multiple investors, including those involved in building the new airport and some from Colombia. It’s been great exposure for our companies, especially since we’re new.”

The expo, which ran from August 14 to 17 under the theme “The Road to Success: Guyana 2030 and Beyond”,

Police warn minibus operators against fare gouging, overloading

As Police traffic ranks continue to confront minibus operators accused of exploiting passengers during peak hours and engaging in dangerous overloading, commuters are being urged to speak out against such unlawful practices in the public transportation system.

On a recent episode of the Road Safety and You television programme, Sergeant Carl Pedro of Brickdam Police Station’s traffic department, admitted that minibus exploitation has become a persistent issue, particularly in the afternoons.

“We are aware of it. But I must say, it’s not all of the minibuses, it’s some of the minibuses. Because if the commuters, they go into the bus park where the line buses are, those buses charge the exact amount that they are required to pay. However, we have the problem with these buses that we call ‘the hot

plate buses’,” he said.

“They come to the front of the line, and they take all passengers out during the rush-hour period. That’s from 4.30 onwards. That’s when they charge a higher amount. So, what we do now, in the afternoon, myself or my inspector, DeViro, we would go to the park. When the buses are loaded, we will have a word with the passengers. We will ask them to note what the fare is. We will tell them, this is the fare, this is what you are supposed to pay. If these drivers or conductors insist, you go to the nearest police station, or when you are on the minibus park, you point out the drivers and we will take it from there.”

According to the Sergeant, while not every bus operator engages in the practice, commuters are strongly encouraged to seek out legitimate operators.

The Traffic Department has already started targeting

the parks where these buses operate.

Pedro also used the programme to remind the public about passenger limits.

“If a vehicle is registered to carry 15 or 14, that is the amount that it should be carrying. And if you, as a passenger, are paying a fare, that means that you must be able to sit comfortably until you reach your destination. If you enter a minibus and the conductor, whether it’s a conductor or a tout, asks you to just, as the term they use, ‘small up yourself’. Just let them know, no, you will not, you are paying your fare, your full fare, and you must be able to sit properly. In these minibuses, there are three seats, so three should be there,” he said.

Meanwhile, National Road Safety Council (NRSC) Chairman Earl Lambert made it clear that all passengers, regardless of size or appearance, are entitled to

transportation once they pay the correct fare.

“And for those big-sized people who they refuse to carry, you can take the number and you can report it also, because you are entitled as a passenger to travel. So, if they feel by carrying you, it will lessen the amount of passengers that they should carry, meaning four in the seat instead of the three, you can report it. Because they have, by law, the right to carry you,” he stated.

He cautioned minibus drivers who use what he described as the “bully system” to take advantage of commuters. The issue of reckless and exploitative practices in the minibus sector has long been a sore point for passengers, many of whom rely on public transportation daily. Police say enforcement will continue and are urging commuters to play their part by reporting violators.

featured over 380 booths –including a dedicated equipment zone – and exhibitors from more than 10 countries.

International participants represented na-

tions such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Brazil and Suriname, alongside a strong contingent of local businesses in the construction and building sector.

Unidentified pedestrian killed in late-night crash near Russian Embassy

An unidentified man was killed late Friday night after being struck by a motor car along the Rupert Craig Highway, in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy.

The accident occurred around 23:30h on Friday, and involved motor car PXX 8048, owned and driven by 26-year-old Christopher McPherson of Georgetown, Police say.

According to investigators, McPherson was proceeding east along the southern drive lane of the highway at a fast rate when the pedestrian suddenly ran across the roadway from the northern side to the southern side. The man ended up directly in the vehicle’s path.

McPherson reportedly swerved north in an attempt to avoid a collision, but was unable to stop in time. The

front of his car struck the pedestrian. Part of his body became trapped beneath the vehicle, and he sustained severe injuries to his head and body.

Emergency services were called to the scene. On arrival, the doctor attached to the ambulance service examined the victim and pronounced him dead on the spot.

His name and address remain unknown at this time, but he has been described as a male of African descent. Following the accident, a Notice of Intended Prosecution was prepared and served on McPherson. A breathalyser test was administered and showed no trace of alcohol in his system. The driver has since been taken into custody and is assisting Police with the ongoing investigation.

Cayman Islands Coast Guard seize 1500 pounds of marijuana

Jamaica celebrates birthday of National Hero Marcus Garvey

The Cayman Islands Coast Guard (CICG) intercepted a suspicious canoe last week, discovering 1,500 pounds of marijuana on board.

According to police, the vessel was spotted early Thursday during a routine patrol. The CICG, assisted by a police helicopter, stopped the canoe, which had four men aboard suspected of engaging in illegal maritime activity. The men were taken into custody on suspicion of illegal entry into the Cayman Islands, possession of controlled drugs, and importation of controlled drugs.

JCICG officers confiscated both the canoe and its illicit cargo before handing the suspects over to local police for further investigation.

(CNW News)

Haiti declares 3-month state of emergency

Haiti’s government has declared a three-month state of emergency across the West, Artibonite and Center departments as gang violence intensifies, devastating the nation’s agricultural heartland.

The move follows the appointment of a new interim police chief, Vladimir Paraison, tasked with restoring security alongside a U.N.-backed multinational mission.

amaica and the diaspora are commemorating the birthday of its first National Hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a visionary leader whose activism and teachings profoundly shaped the PanAfrican movement and championed empowerment for the black community.

napped in the Artibonite and Central departments and nearby areas.

The measure aims “to continue the fight against insecurity and respond to the agricultural and food crisis,” according to a government statement.

The United Nations’ human rights office noted that from October 2024 to the end of June 2025, more than 1,000 people have been killed, more than 200 injured and 620 kid-

The region — known as Haiti’s rice basket — has been under attack in recent years, with gangs killing farmers or forcing them to abandon their fields as they raze nearby communities.

Gang violence also has displaced more than 239,000 people in Haiti’s central region, according to the U.N.

The changes come as Laurent Saint-Cyr, a wealthy businessman, takes over as president of Haiti’s transitional presidential council, which is charged with holding elections by February 2026.

(Excerpt from Haitian Times)

B’dos prison officer arrested; reportedly caught on camera smuggling drugs into prison

Ayoung prison officer is in Barbados police custody assisting with the investigation into the smuggling of drugs inside the St Philip penal institution for an inmate on remand for two murders.

Sources told the Sunday Sun that bags of snacks, including brownies which were laced with marijuana, as well as bags of weed, were delivered to the cell

of the 28-year-old inmate, who was allegedly involved in two high-profile shooting deaths, in separate incidents last year.

Sources said the delivery was caught on the prison’s high-tech cameras and, as a result, a prison officer who has about one year’s service was taken into police custody last Thursday.

It was revealed that a

payment of $400 was made by a woman to have the contraband delivered to the prison.

The incident has prompted a high-level internal investigation at the Dodds, St Philip prison.

The Sunday Sun was unable to reach Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams, who has ministerial responsibility for the prison. (Nation News)

Thousands without power as Hurricane Erin brings heavy rain to Puerto Rico

Nearly 155,000 utility customers are without power in Puerto Rico as Category 3 Hurricane Erin batters the Caribbean, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

“The adverse weather has caused multiple interruptions across the island,” Luma Energy, a power company in Puerto Rico, said on X. “Our teams continue to work to address each situation as quickly and safely as possible.”

Meanwhile, two divers who were swept away by dangerous surf near St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands had to be rescued by local crews on Sunday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Video of the rescue by St.

Croix Rescue Chief Jason Henry showed the divers being pulled onto a boat.

And on the island of Sint Maarten, video showed palm trees swaying in strong winds Saturday.

Erin has been fluctuating in intensity over the past several days, and the now-Category 3 storm is expected to strengthen yet again.

Rain bands in Erin’s expanding quadrants raked Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands late Aug. 16, with heavy rain and tropical storm force wind gusts of 40 – 50 mph, prompting flash flood warnings in some locations. The National Weather Service warned up to 8 inches of rain was possible.

As of 2 p.m. Sunday, Erin was 235 miles north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto

Rico, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. It is moving west-northwest at around 13 mph.

Outer bands continue to sweep over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with up to 6 inches likely in some areas, will be possible and could lead to flash flooding or mudslides.

At a news briefing Sunday morning, Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón advised residents to stay home if possible.

Video circulating on X showed heavy rain falling in Cidra in central Puerto Rico on Sunday. Other videos posted to social media showed trees swaying in the wind and storm waves on the island.(Source: NBC News, USA Today)

In an Instagram post, Prime Minister Andrew Holness praised Garvey’s lasting impact, saying, “His teachings and actions ignited a powerful sense of self-worth and cultural pride, motivating countless individuals to embrace their roots and face challenges with resilience.” He added, “As we commemorate Marcus Garvey’s life and his contributions, let us recommit ourselves to upholding his ideals of unity, heritage, and self-reliance.”

Born on August 17, 1887, in St. Ann, Jamaica, Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and advocated for economic independence, education, and the global unification of people of African descent. His call for black empowerment and pride resonated far beyond Jamaica, inspiring the Pan-African movement and influencing civil rights leaders around the world.

In January, Garvey received a posthumous pardon from former U.S. President Joe Biden, announced on the final day of Biden’s presidency. The

pardon corrects the injustice of Garvey’s 1923 conviction for mail fraud, widely regarded as politically motivated and marred by prosecutorial misconduct.

Garvey was convicted for allegedly fraudulently advertising shares in his Black Star Line company and sentenced to five years in prison. While President Calvin Coolidge commuted his sentence in 1927, Garvey was immediately deported to Jamaica, where he spent the rest of his life advocating for the Black community and PanAfricanism until his death in 1940.

In his statement,

President Biden emphasized Garvey’s global impact, noting that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described him as “the first man of color in the history of the United States to lead and develop a mass movement.” The pardon acknowledges Garvey’s enduring legacy and seeks to restore his reputation, which had been tarnished by the unjust conviction. Holness encouraged Jamaicans to reflect on Garvey’s life and teachings, stressing that his principles of unity, cultural pride, and self-reliance remain as relevant today as they were during his lifetime. (CNW News)

T&T: Apparent bystander killed during fight over parking spot at doubles stand

Aprison officer who got into a fight over a parking spot near a Cunupia doubles vendor ended up killing an innocent 65-year-old woman.

The dead woman has been identified as Susan Madrano St Louis, from Railway Road, Enterprise.

Police reports said at about 8.25 am on August 16, police were on patrol in the Cunupia district when they got a report of a shooting at Sauce Doubles on the Southern Main Road and Robert Trace, Cunupia.

First responders saw a woman, later identified as St Louis, lying on the pavement in a pool of blood. She was being attended to by people on the street.

The woman was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope where she was declared dead at about 8.40 am.

Shortly after, the pris-

on officer went to the hospital and reportedly told police that he was at the doubles vendor when he got into an altercation with the driver and occupants of another car.

The men took out knives during the altercation and the prison officer was stabbed.

The prison officer, who has a licensed gun, fired three shots. The men then

ran off, leaving their vehicle behind.

Another man, whom police identified as a truck driver for Kiss Baking Company, was also wounded in the incident. He was also taken to hospital for treatment.

Police arrested the prison officer and took possession of his pistol, 12 rounds of .9mm ammunition, along with his Firearm User’s Licence.

(Source: Newsday)

Around the World

3 people killed, 8 wounded in Brooklyn lounge shooting, Police say

Three people were killed and eight others wounded when multiple gunmen opened fire inside a crowded Brooklyn hookah lounge and restaurant early on Sunday morning, according to authorities.

Police officers responded to reports of a shooting inside the Taste of the City lounge in Crown Heights just before 3.30am, New York police department (NYPD) commissioner, Jessica Tisch, said at a press briefing later on Sunday.

Citing a preliminary, ongoing investigation, Tisch said it appeared the shooting stemmed from gang violence.

The three people who were killed were all men and were all pronounced dead at the scene. They were ages 19, 27 and 35, police said.

Attributing the information to friends, the New

York Daily News identified one of those slain as 35-year-old Jamel Andre Childs. Childs was killed while trying to stop a fight that preceded the shooting, the Daily News reported.

Of 11 victims, Tisch added, eight were men and three were women. Their known ages ranged from 27 to 61.

The eight wounded victims – five men and three women – were taken to local hospitals with what police said were non-life threatening injuries.

Tisch said there were at least four different shooters who fired dozens of rounds in the lounge, striking numerous bystanders. She also said officers had collected at least 42 shell casings inside the lounge that came from 9mm and .45-caliber guns.

Officers had recovered one gun near the scene of the shooting, and they were trying to determine whether

it was connected to the case, Tisch said. Investigators did not immediately name any suspects or announce arrests.

Taste of the City Lounge, located less than a half mile from the historic Brooklyn Museum serves American and Caribbean plates with a full bar, hookah and DJs.

The business opened three years earlier and was the scene of another shooting in November 2024. That earlier case was non-fatal.

The typically Jewish and West Indian area where the shooting occurred has been undergoing rapid gentrification in recent years.

As of Sunday, there had been more than 270 mass shootings in the US this year – or 1.18 a day, according to the nonpartisan Gun Violence Archive. The online resource defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more victims are wounded or killed. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Spain battles 20 big wildfires, deploys 500 more

soldiers in searing heat

Spain has deployed a further 500 soldiers from the military emergency unit to support firefighting operations as it battles 20 major wildfires across the country during a heatwave that began last week.

“There are still some challenging days ahead, and unfortunately, the weather is not on our side,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at a news conference on Sunday in Ourense, one of the most affected areas, in northwestern Spain.

He announced an increase in military reinforcements, bringing the total number of soldiers deployed across Spain to 1,900.

Firefighters are tackling 12 major wildfires in the northwestern region of Galicia alone, all of them near the city of Ourense, the head of the Galician regional government Alfonso Rueda also said during the news conference.

“Homes are still under threat, so we have lockdowns in place and are carrying out evacuations,” Rueda said.

The announcements came as authorities awaited the arrival of promised aircraft reinforcements from other European countries.

National rail operator Renfe said it suspended Madrid-Galicia high-speed train services scheduled for Sunday due to the fires.

Galician authorities advised people to wear face masks and limit their time spent outdoors to avoid inhaling smoke and ash.

Southern Europe is experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in two decades with Spain among the hardest-hit countries.

In the past week alone, fires there have killed three people and burned more than 1,150sq km (445sq miles) while neighbouring Portugal also battles widespread blazes.

Temperatures are expected to reach up to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas on Sunday, Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Putin agreed to ‘robust’ security guarantees for Ukraine, says US envoy

Donald Trump’s special envoy said Russia had agreed to allow the US and Europe to give Ukraine “robust” security guarantees as part of a potential peace deal.

Steve Witkoff told CNN it was agreed at the Alaska summit that the US and Europe could “effectively offer Article 5-like language to cover a security guarantee”, referring to Nato’s principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all.

Putin has long opposed Ukraine joining Nato, and Witkoff said the arrangement could be an alternative if the Ukrainians “can live with it”.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky described the US’s security guarantee offer as “historic” ahead of talks with Trump and European leaders on Monday.

Speaking ahead of his visit to Washington DC, Zelensky said any guarantee “must really be very practical, delivering protection on land, in the air, and at sea, and must be developed with Europe’s participation”.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Israelis stage nationwide protests to demand end to Gaza war, release of hostages; Hamas rejects Israel’s Gaza relocation plan

Thousands of Israelis took part in a nationwide strike on Sunday in support of families of hostages held in Gaza, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement with Hamas to end the war and release the remaining captives.

Demonstrators waved Israeli flags and carried photos of hostages as whistles, horns, and drums echoed at rallies across the country, while some protesters blocked streets and highways, including the main route between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

“Today, everything stops to remember the highest value: the sanctity of life,”, Anat Angrest, the mother of hostage Matan Angrest, told reporters at a public square in Tel Aviv.

Among those who met with families of hostages in Tel Aviv was Israeli Hollywood actress Gal Gadot, known for her role as Wonder Woman and starring in the Fast & the Furious franchise.

A major rally was scheduled to take place in Tel Aviv in the evening.

Israeli police said that 38 demonstrators had been detained by 2 p.m. (11 a.m. GMT) Some protesters blocking roads scuffled with police, and were carried away by officers.

Demonstrations across

the country were briefly halted around 4 p.m. local time when air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and elsewhere, warning of an incoming missile fired from Yemen.

The missile was intercepted without incident.

This comes as

Palestinian militant group

Hamas said, also on Sunday, that Israel’s plan to relocate residents from Gaza City constitutes a “new wave of genocide and displacement” for hundreds of thousands of residents in the area.

The Hamas group has said too that the planned deployment of tents and other shelter equipment by Israel into southern Gaza was a “blatant deception”.

The Israeli military has said it is preparing to pro-

vide tents and other equipment starting from Sunday ahead of its plan to relocate residents from combat zones to the south of the enclave “to ensure their safety”.

Hamas said in a statement that the deployment of tents under the guise of humanitarian purposes is a blatant deception intended to “cover up a brutal crime that the occupation forces prepare to execute”.

Israel said earlier this month that it intended to launch a new offensive to seize control of northern Gaza City, the enclave’s largest urban centre. The plan has raised international alarm over the fate of the demolished strip, which is home to about 2.2 million people. (Source: Reuters)

Melania Trump writes private letter to Putin

Melania Trump has sent a private letter to Vladimir Putin about the plight of abducted Ukrainian children, it has been revealed.

The note was hand-delivered to the Russian leader by her husband, Donald Trump, as the two sat down for peace talks in Alaska on Friday night.

While the specific contents of the letter have not been made public and Mrs Trump was not on the trip, two White House officials told Reuters that she had written a message for Putin.

Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children has been one of the most important issues for Ukraine since the war began.

It is not clear exactly how many children are still missing but a report from the Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank, said nearly 19,500 children had been deported to Russia. (Excerpt from The Telegraph)

SUDOKU

If you stretch beyond your means, domestic issues will develop. Change begins with you, so don’t let anyone alter your plans. Anger serves no purpose; remain calm and in control.

Keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself for now. Observation is your best friend and will show you the way forward if you are patient. Trust your judgment.

Take time to research the possibilities, and you’ll discover that you have more options than you initially thought. It’s time to live life your way. Happiness is your responsibility.

Too much of anything will cause a problem. Rethink your strategy, eliminate what you do not need and carry on with confidence. Establish guidelines to ensure your plans unfold smoothly.

Choose how you use your assets to get ahead. Reach out to people who share your concerns. A change will lead to new connections. Let experience be your guide in situations that reveal both promise and obstacles.

Be aware of a change in your expenses. It’s best not to ignore what’s happening around you. Be generous with your time, and opportunities will come your way.

Attend a seminar or research a hobby that interests you. Discovery plays a crucial role in shaping your future. Don’t let temptation take hold or indulgence get the better of you.

It’s what you accomplish that counts. Be open and objective when dealing with outside influences. Emotions, money and agreements will clash if honesty and discipline aren’t prevalent.

Take control, state facts and offer solutions, and you will become the person everyone else looks to for help. Live up to your promises, do the best job possible and enjoy the rewards.

Those who embrace beliefs that oppose yours will draw your attention, which can be eye-opening as well as disappointing. Keep an open mind, but don’t hesitate to state the facts when you don’t agree with someone.

Say what’s on your mind. Negotiate until you get what you want, and don’t take anything or anyone for granted. A change at home appears promising and is likely to lead to improved relationships.

Emotional matters will require discipline and restraint. Patience and timing are crucial if you want to emerge victorious. Love and romance, along with personal gains, are prevalent.

Colin Munro enjoyed a triumphant return to the Trinbago Knight Riders, scoring a record-breaking century in his first game back with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) team he had repre-

Jyd Goolie 1-0-11-0

sented for seven years until 2022. He smashed 120 off 57 balls – no TKR batter has made more – to set up a total of 231, which paved the way to a 12-run victory over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Munro, who has retired

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (T: 232 runs from 20 ovs)

Kyle Mayers c Carty b Usman Tariq 32

Andre Fletcher † b Hosein 41 Rilee Rossouw c Pollard b Usman Tariq 38

Mikyle Louis st †Pooran b Usman Tariq 7

Jason Holder (c) b Mohammad Amir 44

Jyd Goolie b Usman Tariq 0 Alick Athanaze c Hales b Narine 1

Dominic Drakes not out 20

Naseem Shah not out 17

Extras (lb 7, nb 1, w 11) 19

Total 20 Ov (RR: 10.95) 219/7

Did not bat: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Waqar Salamkheil Fall of wickets: 1-80 (Kyle Mayers, 7.3 ov), 2-82 (Andre Fletcher, 8.1 ov), 3-95 (Mikyle Louis, 9.6 ov), 4-152 (Rilee Rossouw, 15.1 ov), 5-152 (Jyd Goolie, 15.3 ov), 6-165 (Alick Athanaze, 16.1 ov), 7-189 (Jason Holder, 18.6 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Akeal Hosein 4-0-25-1 Mohammad Amir 4-0-51-1 Sunil Narine 4-0-32-1

from international cricket but continues to be a force in T20 leagues the world over, made his first T20 century in four years, and celebrated it by tossing his bat and punching the air with both fists. He was last seen in the CPL two years ago, playing for the St Lucia Kings, and practically matched the work he did in six games for them (172 runs) with just one innings here.

Munro was at his attacking best, hitting 14 fours and six sixes which constituted over 60 per cent of TKR’s 33 boundaries. His opening partner Alex Hales gave him good support with 47 off 27 balls. The start they got – 77 runs in the powerplay, and the hundred up in 47 balls

overs. But once their partnership was broken, so was the rhythm of the chase. TKR used their spinners to good effect, with Akeal Hosein picking up 1 for 25 in his four overs, and Usman Tariq landing crucial blows, in particular breaking a rampaging first-wicket stand, and finishing with 4 for 33.

to

Patriots Captain Jason Holder fought with 44 off 22 balls despite wickets falling around him. His side was left to score 43 runs off the last over, which eventually

Patriots made a good go of the chase, with Kyle Mayers and Andre Fletcher hammering 80 runs in less than eight

went for 30. Terrance

by giving a single to Dominic Drakes, before Naseem Shah hit a six. Five

wides

Munro replaced Hinds, and started with a beamer. Naseem then got 4, 6, 1, and Drakes finished with another six. Patriots nearly chased 232 down. (ESPNcricinfo)

In the dark at Rising Sun Turf Club,

Dataman stole victory to win the Guyana Cup 2025. The Master Z Racing Stables horse won the onemile race, which had a cash payout of $20 million.

Defending champion Olympic Kremlin was not able to face the dark and the jockey was unseated in what was a high-risk race.

Anthem King finished second followed by Ritorna Vincentori and Stat in that order.

After a delayed start owing to early-morning showers across the Ancient County, J’s Racing opened the Guyana Cup with a clinical win in the J/K/L Maidens. It was Three D Movie who put on a clinic.

Race three saw Top Gun running away with the First Time Starter.

Sea Bird ran second while Hayley finished third.

The H Class race was one filled with drama as three jockeys were unseated. American Traveller took down Blinding Lights for the finish while Amicable Kate ran third.

In the fourth race, Emotional Damage emerged as victor while Angry Bird ran in second and Sexy Eyes ran third.

Race five was the Juvenile Stakes, which was won by Nice Time. All the Time settled for second while Head of the Class finished third.

It was an international dash of note in race six which saw Moonlight Dancer dancing to victory. She’s So In Charge finished second while Miracle Queen came in third. In the 1600-metre

– J’s Racing Stables claim 4 wins

Derby, J’s Racing Stables registered a third win at that point of the day with Spank Me claiming a spanking win in the Sir Balaji Derby. Ruff Time rode in second while I Will Have Another came in third.

In the Sprint Classic, J’s continued the purple patch, chalking up his fourth win of the day. Regal Man this time and he was supreme to finish, topping One Sharp Cookie (second) and favourite John Bull in the 1100-metre race. Companhiero Leal rode in fourth.

The race was sponsored by Jumbo Jet; Jumbo Jet Autospares; XCMG; Sinotruk; AJM Enterprise; AAZ Rentals; NM Security; Ministry of

Junior Lady Jags keep it perfect in CFU Challenge Series

Guyana’s national under-14 girls’ team romped to their second win of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Girls’ Challenge Series, this time defeating Turks and Caicos.

At the Larry Gomes Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago, Head Coach Nichola Argyle opted for a starting XI of Captain Sabana Simon, goalkeeper Shantelle Jobe, Andrea Adrian, Thais Charles, Leandra Henrito, Teairra Martin, Kira Chor, Leah Rodrigues, Lehiana Benjamin, Shemia Hing, and Breanna Henry.

The contest started relatively quiet, with both sides creating chances that unfortunately went a-begging. However, the Junior Lady Jags eventually broke the ice in the 24th minute, through a Kira Chor strike. Chor capitalised on a set piece, coming in from the corner and instantly redirecting the ball into the corner of the net.

The second strike came not too long after, in the 33rd minute , as Benjamin extended her goal tally to two in as many games in the competition.

Benjamin had the benefit of a breakaway run after a pristine pass from Chor, going on to beat the last defender and subsequently the keeper, chipping the ball into the net for the goal.

Culture, Youth & Sports; J’s Group of Companies; Peter Lewis Construction Services; ACS Mohamed’s Excavating Construction Inc; International Import & Supplies; HKC & Knight Industries Guyana Inc; Forrester’s Lumber & Building Complex; Avinash Scrap Metal & Services Inc; KP Jagdeo

General Contractor; VALS Construction; Japarts Aronco; I &R Bacchus Trucking Service; Gift Scent; BM Soat Auto Spares; D Saw Mechanical Workshop; JS Engineering; Chung’s Global Inc; S Jagmohan Construction & General Supplies Inc; El Dorado Trading; Shi-Oil; Garen Club Neutraal; BK International; K & S Peetum Construction Services; Keystone Industries; Big G Lumberyard & Sawmill Enterprise; ProBuild Construction; Diamond Construction; Well Built Inc; Romel Mackenzie; Khemraj Nauth Inc; Balwant Mahadeo; De Emperor Trucking Service; Jaisingh’s Equipment Rental; Kelly Benjamin; Jagdesh Suenarine; Home Design; Uncle Pipe; DC Construction

Services; Yellow Mine Hydraulic Supplies; Zeebo & Sons Construction; GV Construction; Wazim & Sons Infrastructure Inc; S Lallchan Spare Parts Guyana; Chandrasheikar Citron Inc; Basheir & Sons Construction Inc; T & A Construction; Rising Sun Turf Club; Poonai’s Pharmacy; BM Soat Auto Sales; Prem’s Electrical; S & L Trucking Service; K &S Mining; Power Rock Aggregates; Black Jaguar Investment Group Inc; GAICO; RD Trucking, S Caimraj Construction Service; SVC Inc; Sawh Voltcomm Construction; Ramchand’s Auto Body Shop & Wrecker Service; S Triple J’s Enterprise; R&S Construction; Prem’s Grocery & Beer Garden; Skip Bin Rental; and Benchmark Construction.

After an absence of four years, Two-day First-Division cricket returned to the Ancient County of Berbice. The powerful Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour team made an immediate impact in the tournament by crushing the Berbice Police team by an innings and 179 runs in the opening round.

Playing at the Area H Ground in blistering heat, the lawmen won the toss and elected to bat first. The home team opened their bowling with national under-15 fast bowler Raffel Mckenzie and left-arm spinner Keith Simpson. Mckenzie was replaced by national off-spinner Junior Sinclair after two overs, who, together with the talented Simpson, spun webs around the lawmen, bowling them out for a meagre 33. Simpson took five for 13 from six impressive overs while Sinclair took 4 for 11. Sinclair and national under-17 batsman Romesh Bharrat then added 92 for the first wicket for the home team before Bharrat was caught at deep square leg off the bowling of C Mitchell for 35. Former national youth cricketer Javed Karim, playing his first match with his new club, was then dismissed for 15 for 145 for 2. National youth cricketer Matthew Pottaya then joined the aggressive Sinclair and they added a brisk 156 for the third wicket. Sinclair was unbeaten on 201, with 13 attractive boundaries and 15 sixes off 115 balls. Pottaya was unbeaten on a solid 45 when the declaration was

made by RHT NAMILCO

Thunderbolt Flour Captain Clinton Pestano at 301 for 2..Bowling for the Police team, Mitchell took 1 for 64 and K Mentore 1 for 20. Facing a deficit of 268 runs on first innings, Police fared a little better in their second innings as Simpson took five wickets for 20 runs to end with match figures of 10 for 33. Police were bowled out for 89, with only veteran Philbert Wilburg and I Burton offering any resistance. Wilburg, who was recently promoted to the position of Inspector, scored an unbeaten 31 with two sixes and three boundaries. Burton chipped in

with 24, including two sixes. National selectee Sylus Tyndall supported Simpson with 3 for 20 in a very hostile spell of fast bowling while left-arm pacer Karim ended with two for 20. Play in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) twoday First-Division tournament is divided into two zones – Zone A and Zone B. Zone A consists of West Berbice, Blairmont, Rose Hall Canje, Young Warriors and Tucber Park while Zone B involves Police, Albion, Port Mourant, Skeldon and Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour. The two top teams in each zone would advance to the semi-finals.