Guyana Times - Monday, September 22, 2025

Housing Ministry to strengthen monitoring capacity – Croal

Minister Benn to push lesser-known wood species in housing projects

– as 7 species being used at Yarrowkabra Homestead Project

Newly-appointed Minister within the Housing Ministry, Vanessa Benn, wants to see diversification in the types of local timbers being used for construction projects across the country.

Minister Benn joined her colleague, Housing Minister Collin Croal, for a familiarisation tour of several housing projects along the Linden -Soesdyke Highway on Sunday. The visit included the Silica City project, where she highlighted the impor-

tion spaces and linking the forestry sector with housing development to generate wider benefits for citizens.

According to Benn, the Housing Ministry has already been engaging with forestry experts to look at using the more exotic types of local wood instead of the traditional species such as kabukalli and greenheart.

“[We have to look at] how do we use the lesser-used wood species in the construction sector and… There's the wamara and many other spe-

tance of “greening” construc-

cies that we can use that are

beautiful, that kind of showcase the exotic woods that we have,” she noted.

The Junior Housing Minister, who has expertise in the forestry sector, explained that integrating a wider range of wood species would create new opportunities for Guyanese citizens including in the areas of joinery and community development.

“We can have the use of those [lesser-known species] and provide more employment to people within the forestry sector, people within the joinery sector and so on… The Ministry has been engaging with the Guyana

Forestry Commission, for instance, in looking at some of the other species beyond kabukalli and greenheart, I'm looking towards strengthening that…seeing how the experts at the Guyana Forestry Commission can collaborate with the engineers, the architects here and the experts here at the Ministry of Housing to be able to have a broader, better idea of the different types of wood species, the best applications in different forms. So, what's good for steps, what's good for facing and how are we able to, you know, showcase these timbers that we have in a lot

more, perhaps, fashionable way,” Minister Benn stated.

Already, one initiative under the Housing Ministry, is utilising a variety of local wood species to construct homes – the Yarrowkabra Homestead Project along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

This project, which is being executed by DuraVilla Homes Guyana Inc., will see some 200 prefabricated homes, costing $6.5 million each, constructed. Of these, 24 houses have already been completed and another 70 nearing completion.

Durable housing

During a site visit on Sunday, it was explained that more than seven species of lo-

cal woods are being used for the project. The houses are built with a concrete foundation and then a mixture of wood cladding and cement board cladding on the outside with a timber frame on the inside.

“This is various species of durable hardwoods, but they're painted because of easy maintenance,” Chief Executive Officer of DuraVilla Homes, Rafeek Khan, stated. All the prefabricated materials used both externally and internally for the construction of these houses are manufactured at the company’s factory located at Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, September 22 –03:55h–05:25h and Tuesday, September 23 – 03:55h–05:25h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, September 22 –16:50h–18:20h and Tuesday, September 23 – 17:00h–18:30h.

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 light to thundery showers in the latemorning to early-afternoon hours. Clear skies are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 16:52h reaching a maximum height of 2.70 metres.

Low Tide: 10:30h and 22:45h reaching minimum heights of 0.56 metre and 0.48 metre.

Housing Ministry to strengthen monitoring capacity – Croal

With the new People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration aiming to build some 40,000 houses over the next five years, the Ministry of Housing is looking to strengthen its monitoring capacity to ensure that quality homes are delivered to Guyanese citizens. On Sunday, the Housing Minister conducted a site visit at the highly-touted Silica City, where some 110 homes are under construction along the LindenSoesdyke Highway. While inspecting the works, Croal

site visit served as a familiarisation tour for newly-appointed Minister within the Housing Ministry, Vanessa Benn, who got a first-hand view of the works ongoing at Guyana’s first sustainable and secondary city. She too underscored the importance of ensuring quality products are delivered to citizens. “My goal is not just to monitor progress but to assist staff in overcoming challenges that may hinder quality construction. Quality does require more time, but improving efficiency within the Ministry is a key focus,”

underscored the importance of building quality homes.

“This visit is aimed at providing an update on the construction of 110 houses at Silica City. We’re focusing on various stages of construction and assessing the quality of work… As part of our mandate, the construction of houses will play a major role in terms of fulfilling our target for this period [in office]. So, it therefore means we’ll have to do some strengthening at our Project Department,” he stated.

According to Minister Croal, the Housing Ministry has been receiving a lot of feedback from existing homeowners on the quality of work done during the last term. To this end, he revealed plans to establish action sheet system that will track progress and identify issues in these construction projects.

“So, we want to ensure that quality [work] is part of what we’re delivering on …and we’ll be strengthening that aspect of the Project Department, because monitoring is very important. We don’t want when the houses are complete, then you have the beneficiaries complaining about the quality. This is something we should be picking up very early,” he posited.

Quality work takes time Meanwhile, Sunday’s

she stated.

In fact, Minister Benn explained that the Ministry is already looking at ways to make the processes there more efficient specifically through the digitisa-

tion of systems to streamline land applications and building plan approvals, thereby reducing delays and frustrations for citizens. Collaboration with other agencies, she added, will be vital to this pro-

cess. Currently, the first 110 Young Professional houses

that are under construction at Phase One of Silica City comprise of four designs with prices ranging between $27 million and $35 million. But while 70 per cent of these houses are flat structures, the demand is high for elevated homes.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Indigenous Peoples and land

It is now three decades since the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government announced in 1995 that henceforth, the month of September would be designated as “Amerindian Heritage Month” and that the Guyanese State would facilitate a series of activities annually to bring to the consciousness and weave into the rich tapestry of Guyana, the heritage of our Indigenous Peoples. Locked away in the hinterland from the plantation-colonised coastal region, it was a case of “out of sight, out of mind” to the 90 per cent of the populace resident here. But this is “no more” thanks to Amerindian Heritage Month and the increased Internet penetration facilitated by the Government that can highlight the rapid development of Amerindian communities.

Every year since 1995, Amerindian Heritage Month was given a theme, and this year it is: “Igniting Unity, Celebrating Progress, Advancing our Culture.” That “unity” we should note extends from the nine Indigenous People to the mosaic of others who comprise our “One Guyana”. Most critically, however, since the culture of Indigenous peoples is so inextricably bound up with their land, the continuation of the PPP-initiated legalisation of titles to the land they occupy is significant.

We cannot fail to point out that Amerindian land titling was subjected to extremely gratuitous attacks from members of the APNU/AFC administration. Unlike the descendants of Columbus and those they colonised and hegemonised, the Indigenous Peoples view the land they occupy as sacred since they are sustained in every way through the crops they can grow, the animals they can hunt or fish, the shelters they can build, the cotton fabric they can cover their nakedness with and the herbs from the forest that provide medicines to cure their ailments. Like most modern man, our coastlanders can learn the true meaning of “environmental consciousness” from our Indigenous Peoples, who have not been completely brainwashed – as most of us are – into believing the earth is to be raped and ravished.

The APNU/AFC Government attempted to undermine – through stratagems such as attempting to subsume Amerindian land rights under a Commission of Inquiry into “African Ancestral Land Rights” and wild claims that some Indigenous Peoples are not actually “indigenous” to Guyana, which forms the authoritative legal basis of Amerindian land rights. Unlike what is being asserted by some, the lands to which Indigenous Peoples are being given title, are not “reparations” for any past actions of the departed European powers, but an acknowledgement of their rights over land to which they are inalienably spiritually and culturally connected. The Dutch, whose rights the British assumed, never conquered but made treaties with the Indigenous Peoples.

In 1965, the first Amerindian Member of Parliament (MP), Stephen Campbell accompanied the People’s National Congress (PNC) delegation, headed by Forbes Burnham, to London to negotiate the terms of Guyana’s imminent independence. Annex C of the negotiated Independence Agreement stipulated that the independent government must provide legal ownership or rights of occupancy for Amerindians over: “areas and reservations or parts thereof where any tribe or community of Amerindians is now ordinarily resident or settled and other legal rights, such as the rights of passage, in respect of any other lands they now, by tradition or custom, de facto enjoy freedoms and permissions corresponding to rights of that nature.”

By 1976, the Amerindian Act passed by the then PNC Government to give effect to Annex C, resulted in some Amerindian villages obtaining title to their lands. But it was not until a new Amerindian Act was passed by the PPP Government in 2006 that the full meaning of Annex C was given meaning. Unlike the allusions as to when any particular Amerindian Tribe arrived in Guyana, Art 60 (1) of the Act declares simply, “An Amerindian Community may apply in writing to the Minister for a grant of State lands provided - (a) it has been in existence for at least twenty-five years; (b) at the time of the application and for the immediate preceding five years, it comprised at least one hundred and fifty persons.” Happy Amerindian Heritage Month!!

Amid the anger and hate, this is the big question: can societies still summon empathy?

By Keith Magee

Something is happening, and we see it on both sides of the Atlantic. On the surface, it is about flags, identity and political allegiance. But to me, as an American living in Britain, recent events reveal something deeper: both our societies are normalising hate ?and othering in ways that corrode not only our politics but our souls.

The something is aggressions and micro-aggressions: a coarsening of everyday encounters. I have snapshots. Recently, at a celebrated creative hub in London, I twice endured blatant bias. My guests and I – the only allBlack table in the room –were left in the dark, literally. As night fell, every other table was given a lamp except ours. When I raised it with management, I was interrupted, dismissed and told it was an oversight. A Black staff member was sent to smooth things over?. An official later told me that while they had “a different view of what happened”, they accepted that this was “how [I] experienced it” and admitted it “fell short of [their] usual standards”. My Blackness was overlooked, diminished and dismissed – while whiteness was appreciated, affirmed and celebrated, in a space that loudly markets itself as a home of “belonging”. ?The pendulum has swung back. Much more overt aggression is normalised in a way I haven’t seen in years. Recently in US airports and restaurants, I ?have been called the N-word: a word ?historically intended not ?just to insult, but to erase. These are not minor indignities. They are signs of a culture where suspicion and prej-

udice are no longer whispered but weaponised. In Colorado, three students were critically wounded after a school shooting. In Minnesota, political leaders were among those targeted in a mass attack by an assailant who compiled a sprawling “hitlist” of dozens of Democrats, though investigators noted he appeared to hold few consistent or coherent ideological beliefs. In Sweden, 10 students and staff members were killed in a tragic attack at an adult education centre in Örebro – a case in which Police confirmed “there was nothing … to suggest he had acted on ideological grounds”. Here in Britain, far-right activity and asylum seeker protests have surged, fuelled by a combination of inflammatory rhetoric and relative silence from political leaders.

What unites these threads is not ideology but a deficit of empathy. And without empathy, democracies falter.

Martin Luther King Jr warned: “Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.” Hatred, he knew, corrodes the hater as much as the hated. Love, by contrast, is the only force capable of transforming both. This is not abstract philosophy. It is lived truth.

And the message of Jesus Christ was never about defending doctrines or drawing boundaries of purity. It was a message of radical love – love that crossed lines, embraced the despised and saw the soul beyond the sin. That is the love the world is starving for today.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks made the same case in his 2015 book Not in God’s Name: “We are all children of Abraham … God is calling us, Jew, Christian and Muslim, to let go of hate and the preaching of hate, and live at

last as brothers and sisters … honouring God’s name by honouring his image, humankind.”

His challenge was theological, yes, but also civic. Societies cannot thrive if they are built on grievance. Empathy must become a public practice woven into our schools, workplaces and laws. Politicians who thrive on division should be held accountable not only for what they say but for the cultures of cruelty they foster.

Even in the US, where free speech is sacrosanct, Presidents have acknowledged, rhetorically at least, that liberty cannot mean licence. “We must love each other, show affection for each other, and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry, and violence,” the Trump White House once declared. That statement should apply to every American citizen – bar none – and to every society that claims to be democratic.

From Britain’s protests to the US’s violence, public theatre often drowns out deeper questions. The real issue is not which side shouts louder, but whether societies can still summon empathy in an age addicted to division. Free speech is vital for democracy – but without empathy and responsibility, it becomes a blunt instrument that wounds the vulnerable while shielding the powerful.

Here in Britain, empathy would mean confronting racism where it hides in plain sight: in private clubs that celebrate whiteness while ignoring Blackness, and in everyday encounters where bias is excused as banter. It would mean reshaping our politics so grievance is not weaponised but grace is prioritised.

This is not about sentimentality. Empathy is not naivety. It is an act of moral courage. It means refusing to define people solely by their worst moments. It means seeing the soul in the person across from us – even when their words wound.

I feel outraged when a waiter – or anyone – calls me the N-word because the word is meant to erase me. But I do not feel hatred. Hatred corrodes the soul. Outrage, when held rightly, becomes the fuel for truth-telling – for refusing to allow dignity to be diminished or injustice to be normalised. My hope is that even in the face of such ugliness, we can build a society where empathy does the work that hate once claimed: binding us together, not tearing us apart.

I think often of my son. He is growing up in a world more toxic than the one I inherited. He will face choices about whether to meet cruelty with cruelty or to answer it with love. What I want him to know; what I want us all to know, is that empathy is not weakness. It is strength. It is the refusal to let hate dictate who we are. In the end, it is the only inheritance worth leaving behind.

I think, too, of another child: Charlie Kirk’s son in the US. One will grow up without his father; my own will grow up watching what that boy’s father stood for. Two boys, oceans apart, but inheriting the same question: will we break the cycle of hate? My prayer is that, in different ways, both will come to know this: the only way forward, the only way to heal what is broken, is love. (The Guardian) Keith Magee is a theologian and author, and chairs the Guardian Foundation

GO-Invest to seek "Made in Guyana" goods entry into Caribbean stores

The Guyana Office for Investment (GoInvest) is paving the way for certified “Made in Guyana” goods to be marketed in Massy Caribbean stores in the future, as it revealed it is set to begin negotiations with the store for entry into regional markets.

According to a Sunday news release, Go-Invest announced that discussions are to begin for the regional integration of the “Brand Guyana gondo-

products to reach new markets in Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent, Jamaica and beyond, amplifying regional trade and creating greater economic opportunities for Guyana’s agro-processors and manufacturers, it added.

“The overwhelming response to the Brand Guyana Gondola reflects the growing recognition of our products, not just here in Guyana, but across the Caribbean,” said Dr

la” in Massy Stores across the Caribbean. The expansion will allow Guyanese

Peter Ramsaroop, Chief Investment Officer of Guyana.

“Through our strategic partnership with Massy Stores, we’re proud to support regional integration that promotes trade, strengthens our CARICOM ties and showcases Guyanese excellence on a broader scale.”

The gondola features a diverse range of high-quality, Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS)-certified products that celebrate Guyana’s culinary heritage, agricultural innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

Illustrating the diversity, the statement listed current ‘Made in Guyana’

brands such as, Dixie Punch De Creme – artisanal crème liqueurs inspired by Guyana’s rich traditions; Maliyah’s Kitchen – traditional sweets and baked goods like Salsev and Mithai; Basdeo Dynasty – pepper sauces, mango achar, spices, and seasonings; Centaur Holdings / Green Diamond Foods –cassava cassareep, cassava bread, teas, and flour mixes; East Gates Products – marinating sauces and fruit-infused condiments; Coconut Grove – Golden Crunch Coconut Biscuits made from fresh coconuts;

Housing Ministry to strengthen monitoring...

With seven contractors working, the houses are currently at various stages of completion, and according to Minister Croal, allocations have already begun with beneficiaries able to sign their Agreements of Sale soon. “This area here, where the houses are being constructed, will be totally transformed into what a modern area will look like,” the Minister noted.

Phase Two designs

In the meantime, work has already commenced on Phase Two of the Silica City project, which will target the Guyanese Diaspora including for investment opportunities. According to Croal, this phase will introduce a different type of housing to meet the needs of the target market.

“Currently, the project team is doing the design to prepare for the infrastructure work [to commence]. The design [and] the construction to take place there will be different… Those will target more of the condo-type of design,” the Minister told reporters today. In fact, he noted that interest is already buzzing from the diaspora.

“A lot of the persons from the diaspora have been expressing interest. They want to return, and of course, there is a particular type of area they’re looking

for. And so, here’s an opportunity that we’ll be able to engage them,” he added.

The Housing Minister noted that the diaspora applicants will have to undergo a similar process and meet the local criteria, that is, being of Guyanese origin and a first-time homeowner. Conceived in 2009 by then Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali, now President, Silica City will be Guyana’s first modern, sustainable city and is part of the PPP/C Government’s climate change mitigation initiatives under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030). The Government has set aside some 3800 acres of land for the new city with approximately 15,000 houses to be conducted in various phases.

Hauraruni housing development

Meanwhile, with lands

along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) and East Bank Demerara (EBD) saturated, the Government is moving housing development to the SoesdykeLinden Highway. One such project currently underway is the Hauraruni housing development – a $1.5 billion investment that includes the construction of roads and drainage systems to ensure accessible and flood-resilient housing.

Land preparation and infrastructure works are currently underway at the project site, and is divided into four lots and awarded to four different contractors.

During a visit to the site on Sunday, Minister Croal indicated that the contractors have until the end of this month to complete their respective works. With the aim to build at least 400 young professional-type houses, the Ministry

FROM PAGE

will soon be going out for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to get contractors.

“And we're not looking locally alone,” the Minister pointed out, adding “… We're going even further afield. We want to, first of all, maximise those contractors we have locally for the construction of the houses, and then bring in others who will be able to keep it at our prices…the prices set at Governmental level, through CHPA (Central Housing and Planning Authority.”

Even as the Government shifts to the SoesdykeLinden Highway for housing projects, Croal explained that his Ministry is still exploring other areas to ensure that the Government is able to fulfil is commitment. “We're currently going through inhouse to review how we'll be able to [fulfil the housing commitment]. The identification of land is an important aspect to achieve that objective… The move to the Soesdyke-Linden Highway is one such engagement. We're also looking at other areas for future development for housing, because we've reached that point in Region Four where we're saturated in terms of the housing schemes for on the East Coast and on the East Bank,” the Housing Minister stated.

Sandflour Products – cassava bread varieties and fruit wines; C&M Enterprise –cassareep and coconut oilbased personal care items; Chanzars Enterprises / Ceasars Logi – flours made from local provisions; Luke’s Manufacturing –cassava products and local fruit wines from Region 2; Marcia’s Products – traditional cassava bread, farine, and cassareep; Jofa’s Products – flavourful pepper jellies and stews; Mursia Preservable Products – seasonings and pepper-based condiments; Ashdel Enterprise – instant beef pepperpot, soups, and porridge mixes; B&R Products / Intrinsic Quality – achar, sauces, oils, and herbal blends; Genuine Products – fruit concentrates and pepper sauces from Region Six farms; KB Enterprise – green seasoning and pepper sauces; and Wardy’s Agro-Processing

Establishment – nutritious flours from local crops. GoInvest said that this milestone not only boosts visibility for Guyanese products but also strengthens consumer trust in the “Made in Guyana” certification. By expanding into Massy’s regional footprint, Brand Guyana is set to become a household name across the Caribbean, showcasing Guyanese quality, innovation, and culture to a broader audience, it explained. The announcement follows the highly successful launch of the “Brand Guyana Gondola” at Massy Mega, Turkeyen, on Saturday, September 20, 2025. At the event, guests sampled traditional delicacies, innovative snacks, flavourful condiments and health-forward products, all rooted in local ingredients and produced with care to meet GNBS quality standards.

Page Foundation

Box-and-Whisker Plots

A box-and-whisker plot allows you to look at data to tell where most of the numbers lie. Thus, this type of plot shows the medians in the data.

Example:

Your aunt had purchased some Brazil-made shoes from Home and Beyond for you and your 10 cousins for the New Year. You have noticed there are numbers on the soles of the shoes. You have arranged these numbers in order: 22, 24, 28, 32, 34, 36, 36, 38, 38, 39, 40

The lower extreme is the lowest number in your data. The upper extreme is the highest number in your data. The median of all the numbers in the data is the middle number, 36.

The lower quartile is the median of the numbers below the median: 28.

The upper quartile is the median of the numbers above the median: 38.

You have four sections on your line of data: each relates to its quartile mark, and each quartile mark relates to the median. Each quartile contains ¼ of the data.

What is the range of the lowest quartile?

Step 1: Find the lower extreme and the lower quartile: 22 and 28

Step 2: Subtract the lower extreme from the lower quartile: 28 – 22 = 7

Exercises: Solve

1) Draw a box-and-whisker plot for the data set {3, 7, 8, 5, 12, 14, 21, 13, 18}.

2) Draw a box-and-whisker plot for the data set {3, 7, 8, 5, 12, 14, 21, 15, 18, 14}.

6. Cut out a construction

7. Finally,

on

beads and feathers for added decoration.

By Elly NilaNd

Mr. Turner, a retired undertaker

Refuses to secrete any personal details But admits to wanderlust in the blood. Since retirement he’s had the freedom Of an itinerant life, but it’s sadly now a sedentary one. Graveyards, he said, are peopled with a range of cultures. I love the carvings, the small domes and temples Peppered with deities. Places of veneration. I’ve never understood people’s Uneasy awe of the figure with the scythe. Such a shame that survivors live in a labyrinth Of loss. I’ve known people fall into black holes Of depression but warmed towards some wartime Families who kept necklaces of skulls In ostentatious slumber. Time passes away young man. Death is incurable. and it’s lifelong! But it’s not such a devouring monster. At least, it’s fair: respects neither wealth nor stature. And restores a sense of perspective to life. Consider me a gardener: I dig the earth, sow the seeds,

(Adapted from artisbasic.com)

Govt targets full digitisation of services by mid-2026 – President Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that the Government will fully digitise most state services by the end of the second quarter of 2026, in what he described as a national transformation programme designed to modernise the public sector, enhance transparency, and improve efficiency. The Head of State unveiled the plan during his first press conference since being re-elected, held on Monday at the Office of the President. He said the initiative is being guided by a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), supported by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), and will cover services ranging from passport applications to patient health records.

“As you know, a few days ago I held a meeting with all the IT heads and outlined the digital transformation plan aimed at fully digitalising all Government services before the end of the second quarter in 2026,” President Ali said. “I have announced the appointment of the Chief Technology Officer, who will be support-

ed by the NDMA to manage the digitisation process and to implement a digital platform to monitor and track key performance indicators for Government agencies, ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency.”

President Ali explained that the project aims to create an integrated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system across all agencies, which will ultimately reduce bureaucracy and make Government more accessible to citizens. “This will apply across all

agencies, including the security agencies: the way in which you get a security clearance, the way in which you get your birth certificate, the way in which persons apply for a death certificate. All of these systems are actively being migrated onto a digital platform,” he said.

Online systems

He highlighted that several components of the initiative are already in place. The border control and e-gate system were launched in January, while the e-passport issu-

ance system went live in February. These upgrades, the President noted, have already improved airport security and traveller verification, bringing Guyana in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards. “The e-passport provides the Guyanese citizen with a next-generation travel document full of advanced security features and functionalities to facilitate safer and more efficient international travel,” he said. The online passport portal is also in its final stage of development and is expected to go live before the end of 2025. “We will have a decentralised system where appointments are booked online, and you will go to the nearest service centre to you,” President Ali explained.

Health services are also undergoing a digital shift. The President said the digitisation of patient records at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) began in March and is expected to be completed by mid-2026. Patient files at GPHC should be live

by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

“In addition, the Ministry of Health has launched a pilot online appointment system at the Festival City Polyclinic. This is a system under testing. As you know, we don’t want the lines that you see in the hospitals and clinics. We want to move the system into an app-based system where you have appointments, so you don’t have to waste your time or sit at these clinics for hours,” the President added.

The US$15 million One Health Project is also being rolled out to strengthen disease surveillance, upgrade laboratory systems, and build capacity in pandemic preparedness.

Digital Guyana

Beyond healthcare and security, the Government’s long-term goal is a unified digital platform giving citizens access to a wide range of services, including passports, drivers’ licences, birth and death certificates, tax filing, business

registration, housing applications, and bill payments. “Digital Guyana is our commitment to building a modern state where technology makes public service faster, faster services more accessible and more responsive,” President Ali stated.

The platform will include the AskGov Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered service, designed to provide 24/7 responses to queries, along with applications in education, healthcare and security. AI will be used to support personalised learning, assist in disease diagnosis and even enhance law enforcement capabilities. An integrated Geographic Information System (GIS) will also map and monitor infrastructure such as roads, bridges and drainage systems in real time, improving planning and emergency response. “We want digital Guyana to make life enjoyable. We want digital Guyana to make life easier, to make systems more efficient, to make systems more reliable, to make doing business easier,” the President said.

GPHC inaugurates Guyana’s 1st dedicated ECT Clinic

– major achievement for country’s mental health care

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), in collaboration with the Center for Global Health at Northwell Health (USA), on Friday officially inaugurated Guyana’s first dedicated Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Clinic.

According to the GPHC in its press release, the clinic represents a major advancement in the country’s mental health care system and offers new, life-changing treatment options for individuals with severe psychiatric conditions.

With the establishment of this clinic, the GPHC noted, it is now equipped to deliver ECT, a proven treatment for disorders such as major depressive episodes, schizophrenia, and catatonia, to patients who have not responded to conventional therapies.

Since the first procedure in September 2024, 28

patients with complex psychiatric conditions such as major depressive episodes, schizophrenia, and catatonia have been successfully treated. Outcomes have included reduced suicide risk, shorter hospital stays, and a renewed sense of hope for families who had previously exhausted all available treatment options, the release noted.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, who delivered the feature address, described the ECT clinic as a vital step in the ongoing modernisation of psychiatric services in Guyana, adding, “...there are going to be some patients who are resistant to the form of treatment that we've been giving in pharmacotherapy. You have to look at some other forms of therapy, and ECT has proven to be very effective. I think with a lot of the work that is now being done in brain research, we are understanding a lot more about

what is happening in someone's brain…”

Also speaking at the event, Dr Navindranauth Rambaran, Director of Medical and Professional Services at GPHC, said: “This is not only a clinical advancement, but also a major step forward in strengthening our mental health system. It demon -

strates what is possible when international collaboration, local leadership, and institutional commitment come together in service of our patients,”.

Dr Rambaran also outlined the capacity-building efforts that made the clinic possible: “Through this partnership, ten physicians and anaesthesiolo -

gists from GPHC received advanced training and certification in ECT... In addition, Northwell Health has generously donated two ECT machines to support the establishment of our country’s first dedicated ECT clinic.”

Other key speakers included Dr Sohag Sanghani, Director of the

Division of Interventional Psychiatry at Northwell Health, who spoke on the global significance of ECT, and Dr Timothy Morgan, Director of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health, who praised the clinic as a “major step forward in psychiatric treatment in Guyana.”

Tour guide fatally stabbed during Heritage celebrations at Annai, Reg 9

Ayoung man was fatally stabbed in the wee hours Sunday during a row at the Amerindian Heritage celebrations at Annai, Region Nine.

Dead is John Elliot, a 21-year-old tourist guide at Atta Rainforest Lodge and a resident of Surama Village, North Rupununi. The incident occurred at about 01:30h Sunday.

According to the police, Elliot was allegedly stabbed and subsequently died during a confrontation with three male suspects.

The main suspect is a 16-year-old school dropout (name withheld), along with 20-year-old Ronaldo Williams and his brother, 18-year-old Orlando Williams, all of Annai Village.

The incident was witnessed by a female police officer who was in attendance at the celebration.

The rank, who is statio-

ned at the Annai Police Station, positively identified the 16-year-old suspect as the person who stabbed Elliot to his chest and has provided a detailed statement of the inci-

Parika Backdam accident

Mother says

dent. The 16-year-old suspect, who was later found at the home of the two other suspects (Orlando and Ronaldo Williams), was arrested and escorted to the Annai Police

Station, where he was placed into custody.

The suspect, when questioned, in the presence of his mother, denied any involvement and claimed that it was one of the other suspects, 18-yearold Orlando Williams, who had stabbed the victim.

Meanwhile, at about 14:00hrs Sunday, police say the body of the deceased was examined at the Annai District Hospital, and two stab wounds were observed – one to the left side chest and to the right side rib area.

A post-mortem examination is scheduled to be performed on the remains of the deceased on Monday, September 22, 2025.

Efforts are being made to apprehend the two other suspects -18-yearold Orlando Williams and 20-year-old Ronaldo Williams.

Further investigations are ongoing.

hospitalised father unaware daughter died

Ramona Rackbar, mother of 8-yearold Supriya Khan who was killed, and wife of 32-year-old Imran Khan who was injured in the tragic Friday Parika Backdam accident, revealed to Education Minister Sonia Parag who visited on Sunday, that the father remains hospitalised and unaware that his baby girl has died. “The doctors told us not to tell him, because of the condition he is in. He thinks that she is home and she is okay,” a tearful Rackbar related to the Minister.

Ramona, at her Naamryck Koker, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) home with her 5-year-oldson, is struggling to cope with her new reality. The distraught young mother now sees a life without her daughter and one where their son would have to grow up without his big sister. Supriya Khan, a Grade Three pupil from the Parika Back Primary School, who was described as a bright, bubbly and well-loved child, died following an accident on the Parika main road, East Bank Essequibo.

Her father, 32-year-old Khan, had just picked her up from school on his electric motorcycle and was on the way home when his e-bike was hit by an overtaking motor car driven by a drunken driver. Police say the accident occurred

at about 15:05h when a motor pick-up, GAB 8162, attempted to pass the e-bike but collided with it instead, resulting in both Imran and Supriya falling onto the road surface and receiving injuries to their bodies. The driver of the vehicle reportedly took the injured father and daughter to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital, where the eightyear-old girl was pronounced dead on arrival, while her father remains hospitalised with a fractured skull. According to the police, tests show that the driver, 22-year-old Arif Alli of Parika, EBE, was highly intoxicated at the time of the accident. He remains in police custody. Minister Parag expressed her sincerest condolences to the family, assuring them that the entire Government, more so the Education Ministry, has them all in prayers.

How long…

…for Maduro??

Over the last few years, as you Dear Readers know, your Eyewitness has been paraphrasing Henry II’s exasperated cry - "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" – the treasonous Archbishop Thomas Becket!! In your Eyewitness’s case however, substitute “turbulent dictator” Mad Maduro! By now, he thought Chávez’s ex-bus driver successor would’ve been long gone – after Trump put him in his sights!! But in his second iteration, after some clearing of the (deep?) throat, Trump II is more than making up!!

Now as a Guyanese who bleeds our five colours – it’s quite a sight!! – your Eyewitness is a realist who considers Mad Maduro our existential external enemy #1!! No ifs and buts about that!! And so will EVERY Venezuelan leader be – unless they decide to abandon their claim to our Essequibo! This sword of Damocles gotta be removed from over our heads!! So Trump dispatching his armedto-the-teeth flotilla of warships in his “War Against Drugs (WAG) to take on – and your Eyewitness hopes, to take out – Mad Maduro, warmed the cockles of his heart!! Go Trump!!

Now from that same real-politik standpoint, your Eyewitness understands the US wanna to control those 300 billion barrels of oil sloshing under Mad Maduro’s Venezuelan territory. Whoever controls that oil has a head start to head off the challenge from China and India to be the #1 superpower from the next decade. China itself hasn’t been bashful in stepping up to the crease to bat for the madman economically and militarily!! They’re taking up almost 80% of their all-weather ally’s oil – and just installed a new Billion-dollar oil rig to push production just below one million bpd!! That’s a literal lifeline!! Now, no one should say the US hasn’t given Mad Maduro opportunities to come good. Didn’t Trump and Biden encourage free and fair elections only to be kicked in the teeth with Mad Maduro’s fraudulent 2018 and 2024 “re-elections”?? The US had first implemented sanctions against Venezuela back in 2006, taking on then strongman-leader Hugo Chávez’s obduracy on terrorism and drug trafficking. These were expanded to cover human and civil rights abuses in 2014. These sanctions designated state officials, including Mad Maduro and his close associates. It also limited financial transactions and placed controls on the oil and gold trade with Venezuela. The US has seen that the carrot’s never gonna work against dictators like Mad Maduro. They only understand the stick – a BIG STICK!! The US gonna have to ratchet up the pressure from taking out drug-running boats to taking out the Big Enchilada holed up in Miraflores Palace!!

Mad Maduro’s bluff and bluster against us and T&T because of our leaders’ firm support of the US must be condemned!!

…Sanction Man in Parliament

Seems that Sanction Man is going to Parliament and will be diligently following the advice of the droll comedian WC Fields, who once famously suggested: “If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.” He probably figures since it worked for him during the elections campaign to cripple PNC/APNU at the knees, by hiving off all the PNC’s scrapeheads – it’s gonna work in Parliament!!

But he should be advised that Parliament ain’t the same as parachuting himself into depressed neighbourhoods and playing Father Christmas with his ill-gotten gains!! Or wearing designer glasses and tooling around in Lambos. But who’s gonna tell him that? Doggy and Fatta?? They thought THEY were “fit for purpose” for those hallowed halls!! But maybe Sanction Man will prove the sceptics wrong.

Didn’t his father say he was “bright” because he could memorise licence plates and telephone numbers??

…onions in Guyana

Your Eyewitness just read that one enterprising farmer is having a shot at producing onions in our Dear Land of Guyana. He wonders how he’s gonna deal with that crop’s requirement for a cool climate to be “successful”. But then we were assured that we’ve been successful with that other temperate-zone crop – wheat, haven’t we??

As poles lean, GPL cautions vehicle, equipment operators

The Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) on Sunday posted a notice on its social media page to remind contractors and heavy-duty machinery operators of the importance in exercising caution when operating machinery in close proximity to

machinery damaged poles, transformers and other critical components of the electricity network.

The entity noted that the incidents not only disrupted electricity supply and inconvenienced consumers but also created significant safety hazards

structure, as well as to be aware of and obey all safety signage and barriers installed around work zones.

Not long after the post, another post showed a Mahaicony advisory of power disruption when a truck came into contact with the network, causing

GPL’s network infrastruc -

ture. According to GPL, it has recorded two separate

to the public.

GPL added that, to avoid such recurrences,

incidents in recent days at Good

Central Bank Governor upbraids US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed for misrepresentation

Governor of the Bank of Guyana (BoG), Dr Gobind Ganga, has in a statement publicly upbraided leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party and incoming Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed, for misrepresenting the facts from a recent conservation they had. Mohamed, who is currently facing sanctions from the United States (US) Government for gold smuggling, claimed over the weekend that he was advised by Dr Ganga how to go about reinstating the bank accounts of WIN members that were shut down by several local banks.

However, in a statement late Saturday night, the Central Bank clarified the content of the conversation between the Central Bank Governor and Mohamed.

“Mr Mohamed has misrepresented the facts on social media,” the BoG stated.

According to the missive, “The Governor advised Mr Mohamed to withdraw his case against the commercial banks and affiliates to seek re-evaluation of their money laundering/terrorist financing risks, which is the responsibility of the commercial banks.” In an article published on Saturday by online news entity Guyana Standards, Mohamed was quoted saying that the BoG head advised him to have his lawyer write to the various commercial banks that had closed more than 70 accounts belonging to WIN

members. It was to this report of the conversation, it is assumed, the bank clarified in its late-night statement.

Back in June 2024, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed, his father Nazar Mohamed and several of their companies including Mohamed’s Enterprise.

The sanctions are related to the evasion of taxes on gold exports, with OFAC noting that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10 thousand kilograms (kg) of gold from import and export declarations and avoided paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.

Since the imposition of the sanctions, the Guyana Government had suspended the licences of the Mohameds’ various businesses, highlighting that the US-sanctioned businessman is a risk and a threat to Guyana’s financial stability, sovereignty and diplomacy. Subsequently, several Government entities and local businesses including commercial banks have cut ties with the Mohameds.

Azruddin Mohamed subsequently launched his political party and he contested the September 1 General and Regional Elections as WIN’s Presidential

Candidate. Dozens of individuals associated with Mohamed and who appeared on the candidates lists of the WIN party also had their personal accounts cancelled by at least three local banks. Nevertheless, at the recent elections, Mohamed’s party managed to secure over 109,000 votes and has earned a place as the main parliamentary opposition after obtaining 16 seats in the National Assembly.

But even as the sanctioned Mohamed is set to take up the role as the country’s Opposition Leader, the US Government has said it will not be conducting any financial transactions with the businessman-turn politician.

Prior to the elections earlier this month, US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, had ex-

pressed concerns about Mohamed entering parliament – something which she subsequently says they will have to work around. In fact, she noted the US has worked with other OFACsanctioned individuals in other countries who are

in the National Assembly but stated that those interactions are limited since OFAC sanctions are specific to financial transactions.

“We have ways of working around it. We've done it in other countries. So, it's not a deal breaker in any way. We just wouldn't be able to engage in any financial transactions with him… So being in a discussion with Mr Mohamed about Guyana’s national security or something of that nature is very, very different from signing a contract,” Ambassador Theriot told reporters on September 3.

Miner granted

$75,000 bail

in cannabis trafficking case

Miner, Deryck Smith, 42, of Lot 11 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, was on Friday granted bail after appearing again before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in connection with a cannabis trafficking charge. Smith had initially been remanded on the allegation that on August 5, at a minibus park in Georgetown, he was found in possession of 136.7 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and is represented by Attorney-at-Law Stacy Goodings.

During Friday’s hearing, the prosecution informed the court that several statements in the matter were still outstanding, prompting the Magistrate to reassess the bail application. Taking this into consideration, Magistrate McGusty granted Smith bail in the sum of $75,000, with strict reporting conditions. He is required to report to the Brickdam Police Station on the third Friday of every month between 9:00 h to 12 noon. Smith’s Attorney, Goodings, had told the court during his first appearance that her client is a father of six children and a first-time offender. She explained that he works as a miner and had been at the market to pick up his daughter on the day in question. According to Goodings, Smith was merely in the vicinity when a commotion broke out and multiple arrests were made. She stressed that no narcotics were found on his person and argued that these circumstances constituted “special reasons” for granting bail.

At the initial hearing, the prosecution had strongly objected to bail, asserting that Smith was found with the narcotics in his hand, resisted arrest, attempted to drive away, and struck a police officer in the process. Video footage presented to the court reportedly showed Smith exiting a vehicle, evading arrest, and trying to leave the area. Magistrate McGusty had subsequently remanded him until September 12. The granting of bail on Friday allows Smith to remain free while the matter progresses, under strict supervision and monthly reporting requirements, as the court awaits the outstanding statements and further developments in the case.

President Ali lauds farmers’ embrace of technology as hydroponics advances

President Dr Irfaan Ali, on Sunday via his Facebook page, commended local farmers for embracing new opportunities in agriculture, noting their increasing use of modern technology and crop diversification to boost food production.

“Our farmers have been taking full advantage of opportunities to diversify their crops and maximise the use of technology and smart farming techniques,” the Head of State said in his post. He high-

lighted hydroponics, the soil-free cultivation method, as one such innovation now being used locally to grow lettuce, a high-value crop. Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants in nutrient-enriched water, with or without the mechanical

support of an inert medium such as sand, gravel, or perlite. It has been steadily gaining ground in Guyana as part of wider efforts to strengthen food security and position the country as a regional leader in agricultural transformation. In 2023, the National Agricultural and Research Extension Institute (NAREI), in partnership with private company Victoria Greens, launched a large-scale hydroponics project aimed at supplying local and regional markets. That facility, which incorporates talents from the Government’s Agriculture Innovative and Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP), has the capacity to produce 100,000 crops at a time.

It currently grows multiple varieties of lettuce, pak choi, and some 15 high-value herbs such as basil, thyme, and mustard, much of which is targeted at Guyana’s restaurants and hotels.

During a tour of the farm in 2023, President Ali emphasised that the venture represents more than just domestic supply.

“The intention of this facility is to build additional facilities like this one to meet the entire Caribbean needs for these crops … [we could] export from here and then the next phase is to do the modern aquaculture tanks,” he said at the time. The hydroponics system employs a nutrient film technique, where crops absorb nutrients through a

water-based solution, eliminating the need for traditional fertilisers. The controlled environment also keeps the crops pest-free, making them 100 per cent organic. These developments tie into CARICOM’s “25 by 2025” initiative, which seeks to cut the region’s more than US$5 billion annual food import bill by a quarter within the next year. With Guyana leading the charge, President Ali has repeatedly underscored the role of technology-driven farming in achieving that target. His latest remarks, coupled with ongoing projects such as Victoria Greens, reaffirm the Government’s push to make smart farming central to Guyana’s future food security.

Scenes from the CPL 2025 final

(Photos

at Guyana National Stadium

Teachers play pivotal role in shaping young minds for Guyana’s future – Natural Resources Minister

…as NAMS celebrates 50 years

Teachers have a pivotal role to play in shaping young minds for Guyana’s future. This is according to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat. His comments came on Friday as he addressed students, parents, and teachers of New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School (NAMS) on the occasion of the school's 50th anniversary.

“I am saying it as a former student of this school, a teacher myself too in the past – that there is no remuneration package that can truly be given to a teacher for the sacrifice and the work that they do… And the work that they do to ensure that each and every one of us can become somebody in our country. And that is their selfless job that they do every single day,” the Minister, himself a former student of NAMS, said in underscoring the important role teachers play in shaping the future of the country.

Speaking directly about

the anniversary celebrations, Bharrat said the fifty years is a remarkable span of time to celebrate, as it encapsulates decades of transformative experiences, countless achievements and the successes of students.

“When you think of 50 years for this institution to maintain, it's the kind of repetition that it has done over the years and achieved the results that it has achieved over the years. It means a lot. And that is why I started by saying we have a lot to celebrate.”

NAMS, often called “New Amsterdam Multilateral” or “NA Multi”, first opened its doors on September 15, 1975, originally under the name New Amsterdam Government Secondary School. At its launch, there were just 181 students and 11 teachers, and many students were transferred from Berbice High School. Over the decades, the school has grown both in size and in the range of subjects offered: from traditional aca-

demic subjects to technical and vocational disciplines. Throughout its history, NAMS has achieved significantly. Academically, the institution has produced top-performing students in both the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) in Regions Five and Six, occasionally achieving first place nationally or across the Caribbean in specific subjects.

More recently, it was recognised by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in 2024, as Guyana’s mod-

el institution for delivering the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ), standing out among nine schools for its readiness, preparation and technical-vocational education standards. In terms of importance to Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), NAMS represent a key centre of secondary and vocational education, as it offers both academic and technical/ vocational subjects. It serves many students who might otherwise have to travel far to access technical education.

NAMS’s presence in the Region helps raise educational standards, contributes skilled graduates to

the workforce, and gives local students opportunities to excel at regional and national levels. Additionally, its achievements bring recognition and pride to Region Six, reinforcing the value of investment in education in more remote or non-metropolitan areas. Its performance in Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ), in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), consistent CSEC/CAPE results, and its role in community outreach all deepen its local impact.

Minister Bharrat, while pointing out that the current batch of students has

one goal, which is to complete secondary school, said their parents are making sacrifices for them to attend the institution and be successful. Meanwhile, Former head teacher Elton “Slow Boy” Lewis, a pivotal figure in the school's history, also addressed the gathering and congratulated the current staff as he expressed profound admiration for their unwavering commitment to upholding the school's legacy.

“Let me take the opportunity to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to all who have made invaluable contributions to the development of the New Amsterdam Secondary School,” he said.

Timehri Prison inmates harvest crops under revived GPS agriculture programme

With agriculture being one of the main rehabilitation programmes offered by the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), inmates at the Timehri Prison on Friday harvested a quantity of bora and cucumbers from the prison farm. The exercise marked one of the first successful yields since the GPS formally resumed its agricultural drive earlier this year, aimed at boosting both self-sustainability within the prison system and the skills of inmates. In January, the Prison Service had announced plans to revive its long-standing agri-

culture programme, which in previous years produced significant quantities of crops and livestock. The initiative was temporarily halted in late 2024 due to security concerns, but following a comprehensive review and the strengthening of Standard Operational Procedures, the programme has been reintroduced. The new guidelines are designed to improve supervision of inmates working on prison farms and prevent future breaches. Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot, speaking at a meeting with agriculture officers on January 23, un-

derscored that all prison farmlands will now be fully utilised for large-scale farming. In addition to crop cultivation and harvesting, poultry rearing is also being expanded as part of the programme. Already, the GPS has procured thousands of broilers and layers for poultry operations at Lusignan and Mazaruni Prisons. Pork and tilapia production will also be prioritised, alongside the cultivation of high-demand crops such as pepper, fineleaf thyme, and broad-leaf thyme. The Timehri harvest of bora and cucumbers is the latest step in rolling

out this larger strategy.

To support the expansion, the 2025 national budget provided for the acquisition of new equipment, including two tractors with trailers and ploughs, as well as an excavator to aid with land preparation and drainage works. Farming operations are expected to continue at Mazaruni, Lusignan, and Timehri prisons.

Director Elliot has consistently emphasised that

the initiative forms a critical part of the Prison Service’s strategic plan, which seeks to reduce reliance on external supplies, while also offering inmates meaningful rehabilitation opportunities. “Agriculture not only provides food but also gives inmates a sense of purpose and practical skills that can help them reintegrate into society,” he stated. The Prison Service has also extended gratitude to the Ministry of

Agriculture and the Prison Service’s Agriculture Board for their ongoing technical support, which it says remains vital to ensuring the programme’s success and its broader contribution to Guyana’s agriculture sector. Friday’s harvest at Timehri is being seen as a tangible sign of progress toward these goals, with further expansions in both crop and livestock production expected in the coming months.

Agri Ministry, HMGInc to introduce Smart Agriculture training programme

The Ministry of Agriculture will collaborate with the Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc (HMGI) to introduce a Smart Agriculture training programme geared to benefit youths from Port Mourant and other areas along the Corentyne Coast. This was disclosed by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha while delivering the feature address at the Mission’s second graduation exercise on Saturday. Minister

Mustapha said in the coming months, the Ministry’s National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will develop the project which is expected to cost approximately $7 million.

“Today, Guyana is leading the agriculture and food security (agenda) in CARICOM. Our President is leading that agenda. Since he has taken up that leadership, we’ve seen as renewed interest in agriculture amongst member states. This institu-

tion has engaged my office to collaborate to develop a programme. I’ve already made a shade-house available and I’ll also instruct NAREI to work with the institution to set up a system where we can train young people and women in this area in smart agriculture practices and techniques. That project will cost $7 million,” he explained.

Ex-cop granted bail on drug charge; remains on remand for firearm offences

Former Police officer

Franz Paul was on Friday granted bail on a narcotics charge, but will remain behind bars on related firearm and ammunition charges.

Paul, 39, returned to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, where he was represented by Attorney Dominic Bess.

Bess renewed an application for bail, stressing that his client is presumed innocent until proven guilty. He argued that the cannabis allegedly seized—2,267 grams—is still unconfirmed, as laboratory results are outstanding. “The substance remains ‘suspected’ until proper testing is completed,” Bess told the court.

The prosecution objected to bail, insisting that both the cannabis and a .22 pistol with two matching rounds were found in Paul’s possession on September 9 at Vlissengen Road. The prosecutor also cautioned that the reports may take some time to be finalised. After hearing both sides, Magistrate McGusty granted Paul $300,000 bail for the narcotics charge, noting the

delay in obtaining test results. However, she refused bail on the firearm and ammunition charges, pointing to the prosecution’s claim that the weapon was found directly on his person. The matter was adjourned to October 10. Paul, who has pleaded not guilty, was first charged on September 13 and remanded to prison. His case has reignited public scrutiny, given his controversial history with the law.

In 2014, Paul was accused of shooting 16-year-old Alex Griffith in the mouth during a game of Russian roulette. That case was discharged four years later after he compensated the teen.

Then, in 2018, Paul faced charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and threatening to kill his reputed wife, Rachael Carew, though those proceedings also ended without conviction.

“As a Government we recognise the importance of education. Over the last five years, there’s been a number of skills training programmes that were introduced across the country through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

The Government has also increased the budgetary allocation to the education sector, with the 2025 allocation being $175 billion so that young people can have the opportunity to be well educated and improve their skills,” he noted. Ninety-two students graduated from the Mission with certificates in diverse vocational and skills training programmes.

Minister Benn to push...

According to Operations Manager at DuraVilla Homes, Edward Pillay, the timber panels are “…made up of various hardwoods that we use, so mainly kabukalli, shibadan and tatabu.” He added that they use mainly silverballi for the ceiling and they are exploring other hardwoods species that can be utilised.

The internal framing of the house is manufactured in four parts based on properly-calculated and precise measurements.

“So, when you fit everything together, it looks like one. You don't see the channel… All of this, we sat down and we designed with proficiency to get the work moving at a certain pace so we could meet the targets… So that has been, I think, one of the key

things with getting this whole project running and the pace that we have it running at,” Pillay stated.

Khan went on to add that, “…every piece of timber has been seasoned, air seasoned, kiln dried accordingly to meet the building code, and wood has gotten a bad name over the last several decades. People don't want to use at home, because this is not going to last. I will bet you that this house will outlast any concrete structure in the country, if, importantly, built correctly. So, we're using factory-built components, which reduces the issues of concerns of quality.”

Currently, DuraVilla Homes is producing similar prefab houses for other countries in the Caribbean.

The Yarrowkabra

Homestead Project is a major component of President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s $6 billion housing initiative, which aims to build 500 sustainable homes along the highway. The project is designed to go beyond housing, combining residential development with agricultural production and renewable energy. Shade houses and solar power systems are being introduced to support economic empowerment, with a strong focus on single mothers and women-led households.

The Ministry of Agriculture is spearheading the development of shade houses, while the Office of the Prime Minister is overseeing the installation of solar power systems.

25 arrested during motorcycle campaign on East Coast Demerara

Police ranks from the Cove and John Police Station on the

(ECD) carried out a onehour motorcycle campaign along the Nabaclis Public Road, ECD, on

Tuesday. The campaign resulted in 25 arrests, 38 charges, and 13 tickets being issued. The exercise

EBD man remanded on attempted murder charge after Stabroek Market attack

attempted murder charge, along with several other offences, in connection with two separate incidents at the Stabroek Market area earlier this month. The accused, Oswald Wayne, of 97 Section A, Block Y, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. He was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge. It is alleged that on September 10, at Stabroek Market, Wayne unlawfully and maliciously wounded Nelly Farley with intent to murder him. According to the prosecutor, Farley re-

ly objected to bail, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence as well as the critical state of the complainant. Magistrate McGusty agreed and remanded Wayne to prison until October 1, 2025, when the matter will be called again for a report on the complainant’s medical status. In addition to the attempted murder charge, Wayne was also arraigned on three separate charges stemming from another incident that occurred on September 12, 2025, at the Stabroek Market Police Outpost.

He pleaded not guilty to charges of behaving disorderly in a public place,

using abusive language to Police Lance Corporal Lynch, and assaulting the said officer while he was executing his duties. Bail was granted in the sums of $10,000, $10,000, and $15,000 respectively on those offences.

Wayne was represented by Attorney Audreanna Thompson, who told the court that her client is a father of seven children, most of whom are minors, and resides with his wife at Golden Grove. She urged the Magistrate to take his family responsibilities into account. However, despite the submissions, Chief Magistrate McGusty upheld the prosecution’s objection, ordering that Wayne remain behind bars on the attempted murder charge as the case continues.

was conducted between 17:00h and 18:00h under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent Delph, Assistant Superintendent Gobin, and seven other ranks. A total of 12 motorcycles were intercepted and lodged at the Cove and John Police Station to be examined by the Licensing and Certifying Officer.

According to the Police, the charges ranged across several traffic-related of -

fences. Two persons were arrested for driving without a licence, and two others for breach of insurance, while four were held for having unlicensed motor vehicles and another four for uninsured vehicles. There were also three cases of uncertified motor vehicles. Several riders were stopped for issues relating to identification marks. Officers reported two cases where no front identification mark was displayed, four where the front plate was obscured, and two where the rear plate was obscured. Additionally, eight cases were recorded for motorcycles being operated without reflecting mirrors, while two persons were charged for breaching the conditions of their provisional licence. The campaign also targeted road safety offences. Two riders were arrested for driving without a safety helmet, while three others were charged for carrying pillion riders who were not wearing helmets.

The exercise formed

part of the Division’s wider initiative to improve road safety along the ECD corridor by cracking down on traffic violations, particularly those involving motorcycles, which continue to contribute to serious accidents on the country’s roads. It also comes at a time when traffic law enforcement is being intensified across Guyana, with over 1,000 charges recently laid following a review of ticketing practices. Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond has stressed that stricter enforcement is necessary, warning that tickets alone are not effective if there is no follow-up to hold offenders accountable. “The safety of our citizens is everybody’s business. There will be no instance where there is anything to be hidden. We are all working on this together,” she said. Police have signalled that similar campaigns will continue in the coming weeks as part of sustained efforts to improve road safety and reduce motorcycle-related accidents.

Dr Tariq Jagnarine Fam meDicine, enDocrinology/DiabeTes

Pregnancy and PCOS

PCOS interrupts the normal menstrual cycle and makes it harder to get pregnant. Between 70 and 80 per cent of women with PCOS

levels

HEALTH TIPS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) PART 2

• Lower insulin

• Reduce heart disease and diabetes risks

Any diet that helps individuals lose weight can also help alleviate the condition. However, some diets may have advantages over others. Studies comparing diets for PCOS have found that low-carbohydrate diets are effective for both weight loss and lowering insulin levels.

A low glycemic index (low GI) diet that gets most carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps regulate the menstrual cycle better than a regular weight loss diet. A few studies have found that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least three

els normal. Too-high levels of insulin can cause the ovaries to produce more androgens, such as testosterone. Insulin resistance may also be caused by having a body mass index above the normal range. Insulin resistance can make it harder to lose weight, which is why women with PCOS often experience this issue. A diet high in refined carbohydrates, such as starchy and sugary foods, can make insulin resistance, and therefore weight loss, more difficult to control.

Food options

High-fibre vegetables, such as broccoli Lean protein, such

have fertility problems. This condition can also increase the risk of pregnancy complications.

Women with PCOS are twice as likely as women without the condition to deliver their baby prematurely. They’re also at greater risk for miscarriage, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes. However, women with PCOS can get pregnant using fertility treatments that improve ovulation. Losing weight and lowering blood sugar levels can improve their chances of having a healthy pregnancy.

Diet and lifestyle tips to treat PCOS

Treatment for PCOS usually starts with lifestyle changes like weight loss, diet, and exercise.

Losing just 5 to 10 per cent of body weight can help regulate one’s menstrual cycle and improve PCOS symptoms. Weight loss can also: Improve cholesterol

days a week can help women with PCOS lose weight. Losing weight with exercise also improves ovulation and insulin levels.

Exercise is even more beneficial when combined with a healthy diet. A diet plus exercise helps individuals lose more weight than either intervention alone, and it lowers their risk for diabetes and heart disease.

Women with PCOS are often found to have higher-than-normal insulin levels. Insulin is a hormone that’s produced in the pancreas. It helps the cells in our body turn sugar (glucose) into energy. If people don’t produce enough insulin, their blood sugar levels can rise. This can also happen if they are insulin-resistant, meaning they aren’t able to use the insulin produced effectively. If someone is insulin-resistant, their body may try to pump out high levels of insulin in an effort to keep the blood sugar lev-

as fish. Lean protein sources like tofu, chicken, and fish don’t provide fibre, but are very filling and a healthy dietary option for women with PCOS.

High-fibre foods can help combat insulin resistance by slowing down digestion and reducing the impact of sugar on the blood. This may be beneficial to women with PCOS.

• Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts

• Green and red peppers

• Beans and lentils

Almonds

Berries

• Sweet potatoes

Squash

• Pumpkin

Foods that help reduce inflammation may also be beneficial. They include: Tomatoes

• Kale Spinach

• Almonds and walnuts Olive oil

Fruits, such as blueberries and strawberries

• Fatty fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and sardines

Foods to avoid

Foods high in refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and muffins

Refined carbohydrates cause inflammation, exacerbate insulin resistance, and should be avoided or limited significantly. These include highly-processed foods, such as:

• White bread

Muffins

Breakfast pastries

• Sugary desserts –doughnut, cinnamon roll, ice cream, baked custard

Anything made with white flour

• Pasta noodles that list semolina, durum flour, or durum wheat flour as their first ingredient are high in carbohydrates and low in fibre. These should be removed from your diet.

• Sugary snacks and drinks

• Inflammatory foods, such as processed and red meats

Pastas made from bean or lentil flour instead of wheat flour are an excellent alternative.

Sugar is a carbohydrate

and should be avoided wherever possible. When reading food labels, be sure to look for sugar’s various names.

These include:

Sucrose

• High fructose corn syrup

• Dextrose

• Sugar can also lurk in drinks, such as soda and juice.

It’s a good idea to reduce or remove inflammation-causing foods, such as fries, margarine, and red or processed meats, from one’s diet as well.

PCOS can disrupt a woman’s menstrual cycle and make it harder to get

pregnant. High levels of male hormones also lead to unwanted symptoms like hair growth on the face and body. Lifestyle interventions are the first treatments doctors recommend for PCOS, and they often work well.

Weight loss can treat PCOS symptoms and improve the odds of getting pregnant. Diet and aerobic exercise are two effective ways to lose weight.

Medications are an option if lifestyle changes don’t work. Birth control pills and metformin can both restore more normal menstrual cycles and relieve PCOS symptoms.

Regional

Bahamas: 6-year-old boy dies in playground accident

Asix-year-old boy tragically died on Friday in Grand Bahama after being pinned beneath playground equipment during lunch break at his school.

The victim, identified as Vernal Zion Williams, a first grader at Caring Hands Academy, was on a swing set when the accident occurred. He was transported to the hospital in a private vehicle, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

His mother, Cardia Williams, said the school contacted emergency medical services, but was told that no ambulance was available at the time.

Ms Williams, who went to the school around noon to check on her son, recalled seeing a teacher attempting to assist a child trapped under the swing equipment. She then realized it was her son who had been injured.

“The administration called the ambulance; however, they were told that the ambulance was in Eight Mile Rock at the time,” she told a ZNS news team.

The playground at Caring Hands Academy in Grand Bahama, where six-year-old Vernal Zion Williams was fatally injured

She said that with the help of the school staff, they decided to take him to the hospital themselves.

“The doctors received him, and they assisted him as best as possible. They said his heart had stopped. And after giving him all the medication they had tried, but his heart had stopped, and he did not make it,” Ms Williams said.

Following the tragedy, the distraught mother is calling for more frequent school safety inspections and improvements in emergency response.

“Every six months—or

however often—it should be inspected,” she said. “And I really feel like we have an issue with the ambulance on this island. It would have been great if the ambulance could have come and dealt with him, instead of us having to carry him there.”

When The Tribune went to the school, the principal of Caring Hands Academy confirmed a student had been hurt on the playground, calling the incident “very sad.”

Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle said the matter remains under active investigation. (Tribune, Nassau)

BVI education officials say some parents blocking disciplinary efforts in schools

Education leaders in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) have highlighted resistance among some parents, which undermines the government’s ability to curb escalating violence and bad behaviour in schools.

Administrators are calling for urgent cooperation that is needed to keep campuses safe.

Chief Education Officer

Orlandette Crabbe has said some parents are unfortunately standing in the way of interventions that could help their children turn their lives around.

“One of the things that we find is that we meet a lot of resistance from parents,” Crabbe said. “Parents, you have to work with us. You

have to support attempts to really provide the kind of intervention that some children will need. It doesn’t mean that something is wrong with your child. I had a conversation with a parent and she said she doesn’t want us to label her child. But what we’re saying is your child has some special educational needs… and that’s okay.”

Crabbe said many students who display violent or disruptive behaviour in secondary school started struggling academically in primary school, but were not given enough support or early intervention.

Education Minister Sharie de Castro echoed the warning, saying that while the ministry has “zero tol-

erance” for serious misbehaviour, it has invested in robust intervention programmes and alternative education pathways to help troubled students get back on track.

But officials warned that none of these efforts can succeed if parents block disciplinary actions or refuse to accept professional recommendations.

Their warnings come as the leaders continue to work to stem a rise in misconduct across all secondary schools.

In just the first two months of 2025, more than 85 students were suspended for various forms of misconduct that posed a risk to themselves and their school communities. (Excerpt from BVI News)

Youth unemployment a “quiet crisis”, UWI FIC Principal warns

The head of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus has warned that the Caribbean faces a “quiet crisis” of youth unemployment, urging students to become part of the solution.

Speaking at the campus’s 2025 matriculation ceremony, Principal Professor Justin Robinson told incoming students that one in four young people across the region cannot find work, with young women bearing the heaviest burden.

“Unemployment among young females is on average 30 percent or higher, and

when they do find work, they earn 20 percent less than their male counterparts for identical jobs,” Robinson said. He described the situation as an inheritance for the new generation of students, but stressed that it should not become their legacy. “We require you to be the architects of a Caribbean transformation,” he told the record intake of 443 students.

Robinson urged the new cohort to see themselves not only as learners but as innovators and leaders who could create jobs, bridge disciplines, and confront inequality. He outlined five “missions,” in-

cluding becoming job creators, thinking globally while acting locally, and building inclusive systems that lift up disadvantaged communities.

“This is your mission,” he said. “You are not just UWI students. You are the Caribbean’s best hope for breaking cycles that have trapped us for generations.”

The remarks came as the Five Islands Campus, the newest of UWI’s five campuses, recorded its largest intake since opening in 2019, drawing students from Antigua and Barbuda and across the Eastern Caribbean. (Antigua News Room)

Argentine President Milei to meet with Trump, Netanyahu in New York

Argentine President Javier Milei will meet with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, on Tuesday as part of his trip to New York, the South American country's presidential press office reported on Saturday.

Milei, who maintains an international policy aligned with the United States and Israel, will also meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, which will be held next week in New York.

The Argentine president reaffirmed this week that his country will open its embassy in Jerusalem next year as a sign of support for Israel. Milei has also repeatedly declared his support for Trump, with whom he has already met since taking of-

fice in 2023.

Argentina, which maintains an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, is seeking support for its economic policy at a time when financial markets have suffered severe tensions following the ruling party's defeat in legislative

On Monday, Milei, Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein and Economy Minister Luis

among others, will meet with IMF Managing Director Kristalina

(Reuters)

Peru’s Gen Z protesters clash with Police in Lima

Police have fired tear gas on Gen Z protesters in Peru during protests against President Dina Boluarte’s government. Young demonstrators are demanding accountability over corruption and repression.

While the public grapples with insecurity, crime and contract killings, one young protester said, “...police intimidate and repress” the populace rather than “show up” when they call for protection.

A female shopkeeper, who was wearing a face mask, stated that Peru once had more democracy but it’s now getting less and less under the present government.

Bermuda teen arrested over shootings; 1 dead, 1 injured

A19-year-old has been arrested in connection with two gun attacks that left a woman dead and an 18-year-old injured.

The Bermuda Police Service said that the male teen was arrested in connection with the murder of Janae Minors, who was shot in her store, Beauty

Monster, near the corner of Court Street and Dundonald Street on Tuesday afternoon.

Police added that the suspect was also arrested in connection with the attempted murder of an 18-year-old man on Devon Spring Road, Devonshire, in the early hours of September 10.

The BPS added that the victim of that attack continued to recover from his injuries.

A spokesman thanked members of the public who came forward and provided information to assist, but added, “... we believe that there others we still need to hear from.” (Source: Royal Gazette)

Maduro offers to engage in direct talks with Trump envoy Grenell

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro offered to engage in direct talks with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump days after the first U.S. strike on a boat from the South American country that Trump says was carrying drug traffickers.

In a letter to Trump that was viewed by

Reuters, Maduro rejected U.S. claims that Venezuela played a big role in drug trafficking, noting that just 5% of drugs produced in Colombia are shipped through Venezuela – of which he said 70% were neutralized and destroyed by Venezuelan authorities.

"President, I hope that together we can defeat the falsehoods that have sul-

lied our relationship, which must be historic and peaceful," Maduro wrote in the letter. "These and other issues will always be open for a direct and frank conversation with your special envoy (Richard Grenell) to overcome media noise and fake news."

The White House had no immediate comment. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Around the World

IOIL NEWS

Iraq increases oil exports, sees extra revenues, state oil marketer says

raq has increased oil exports following the gradual unwinding of voluntary production cuts under an OPEC+ agreement, the country's state oil marketer SOMO said on Sunday.

Earlier this month, eight members of OPEC+ agreed to raise production from October by 137,000 barrels per day. OPEC+ has been increasing production since April after years of cuts to support the oil market.

The increase in Iraqi exports is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenues at current price levels, SOMO's director general Ali Nizar Al-Shatari told the Iraqi state news agency.

He did not specify the size of the export rise, but said that an additional 200,000 barrels per day of production would boost government coffers.

Iraq's oil exports averaged 3.38 million barrels per day in August, according to the oil ministry. SOMO expects September's average exports to range from 3.4 million to 3.45 million bpd.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said earlier this month that he hoped fellow producers would reconsider its oil export quota to better reflect its production capacity.

Iraq, OPEC's biggest overproducer, is under pressure from the group to cut output to compensate for pumping above its agreed quota. Iraq was among countries that submitted plans in April to make further oil output cuts to compensate for pumping above agreed quotas. (Reuters)

4 major Western nations recognise Palestinian State, to fury of Israel

Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal all recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday in a move borne out of frustration over the Gaza war and intended to promote a two-state solution, prompting a furious response from Israel.

The decision by four nations from the West, which has traditionally allied with Israel, aligned them with more than 140 other countries also backing Palestinians' aspiration to forge an independent homeland from the occupied territories.

Portugal’s foreign ministry made the announcement ahead of next week's United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Britain's decision carried particular symbolism given its major role in Israel's creation as a modern nation in the aftermath of World War Two.

"Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a twostate solution, the United Kingdom formally recognis-

Trump: I want my political enemies prosecuted now

Donald Trump has demanded his attorney general move quickly to prosecute his political enemies, saying the lack of charges is “killing our reputation and credibility”.

In a public outburst directed at Pam Bondi, the US president said: “We can’t delay any longer... They impeached me twice, and indicted me (five times!), over nothing. Justice must be served, now!!!”

His explicit order, issued via his Truth Social platform on Saturday, was the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration that critics said has shattered the traditional independence of the Justice Department.

It underscored Mr Trump’s commitment to pursuing retribution against those who sought to bring charges against him after his first presidential term, a defining theme of his return to power.

In the social media post, he complained about the lack of criminal charges against James Comey, the former FBI director, Adam Schiff, a Democrat senator, and Letitia James, the New York attorney general – three of the president’s regular targets.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mr Trump said: “If they’re not guilty, that’s fine. If they are guilty or if

they should be judged, they should be judged. And we have to do it now.”

Mr Trump has long accused Ms James, Mr Comey and Mr Schiff of criminal conduct without providing evidence.

Ms James brought a major civil fraud case against Mr Trump’s business empire, while Mr Schiff led the prosecution at the president’s first impeachment trial, which was based on allegations that he pressured Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election.

Mr Trump’s anger at Mr Comey, who he fired as FBI director in 2017, stemmed from the bureau’s investigation into his campaign’s contacts with Russia.

In 2023, Mr Trump was charged in criminal cases

that accused him of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election, covering up alleged affairs with hush money payments and storing state secrets at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

Mr Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in the hush money trial. The investigations into the mishandling of classified materials and attempts to overturn the election were abandoned after he was re-elected last year.

Mr Trump and other senior “Maga” figures paid tribute on Sunday to Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist whose assassination earlier this month was a signal moment in America’s fraught political atmosphere. (Excerpt from The Telegraph)

es the State of Palestine," said Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"The man-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches new depths. The Israeli government's relentless and increasing bombardment of Gaza, the offensive of recent weeks, the starvation and devastation are utterly intolerable."

Both the Israeli and US governments say recognition is a diplomatic gift for Hamas following its attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023 in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.

In the video message, Sir

Keir insisted the move, one of the most significant shifts in British foreign policy in decades, was “not a reward for Hamas”. He said: “We are clear this solution is not a reward for Hamas, because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security.”

"Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of [Hamas's] hateful vision."

However, Hamas has since declared victory for “the justice of our cause” after UK recognition of Palestine.

Mahmoud Mardaw, a senior Hamas official, claimed it represented “a victory for

Palestinian rights and the justice of our cause” and would “send a clear message” to Israel. The two-state solution refers to the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital, broadly along the lines that existed prior to the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. A state of Palestine is currently recognised by around 75% of the UN's 193 member states, but has no internationally agreed boundaries, capital or army – making recognition largely symbolic. (Source: BBC News, The Telegraph, Reuters)

Modi urges Indians to get rid of foreign products amid strained US ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a public address on Sunday asked citizens to stop using foreign-made products and instead use local ones, pushing for a self-reliant campaign when trade ties with the United States have soured.

After U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on imported Indian goods, Modi has been urging use of "Swadeshi", or made-in-India goods. His supporters have started campaigns to boycott American brands including McDonald's, Pepsi and Apple, which are hugely popular in India.

"A lot of products we use daily are foreign made, we just don't know... we will

have to get rid of them," Modi said in an address to the nation ahead of Monday's implementation of widespread consumer tax cuts.

"We should buy products that are made in India," he

added, without naming any country. India's population of 1.4 billion is a major market for American consumer goods, often purchased from U.S. online retailer Amazon.com. Over the years, the reach of U.S. brands has expanded deep into smaller towns. Modi also asked shopkeepers to focus on retailing made-in-India products, arguing that this will boost the country's economic growth. In recent weeks, many companies have increased the promotion of local goods. India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to visit Washington soon for trade talks, a trip that would take place amid efforts to ease strained bilateral ties. (Reuters)

Clashes, arrests as tens of thousands protest corruption in Philippines

Police and protesters have engaged in scattered clashes as tens of thousands of people demonstrated in the Philippine capital, Manila, angered over a corruption scandal involving flood control projects that are believed to have cost billions of dollars.

With organisers hoping to draw one of the largest turnouts at anticorruption protests, police and soldiers were put on alert on Sunday to prevent possible

outbreaks of violence.

At least 17 people who threw rocks at riot police and set fire to the tyres of a barricade were arrested, local authorities reported.

Less than an hour later, police used a water cannon on another group of masked protesters.

According to the AFP news agency, some police picked up rocks and threw them back at demonstrators.

Manila Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso said

police officers were wounded in clashes with protesters and were receiving medical treatment.

“I feel bad that we wallow in poverty and we lose our homes, our lives and our future while they rake in a big fortune from our taxes that pay for their luxury cars, foreign trips and bigger corporate transactions,” student activist Althea Trinidad told The Associated Press news agency. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

SUDOKU

Simplify your life and spend time with loved ones or pursuing your passion. Channel your energy to benefit yourself instead of helping someone else get ahead. Discipline, a solid plan and open discussions will pay off.

Put your energy where it counts. Refuse to let anyone redirect your activities or take advantage of you. Engage in physical activities that promote strength, stamina and self-confidence.

Think big, but don’t subscribe to something you cannot afford or that you don’t have the time to pursue. Balance, integrity and fair play will be the pathway to success and peace of mind.

Take time to breathe, rethink your next move and adjust plans that are farfetched or too expensive. Moving forward with restraint, common sense and knowledge of what’s possible will give you the upper hand.

Live, love and learn. Conversations will be eye-opening if you ask the right questions. Don’t brag or exaggerate, or you’ll end up taking on more than you can handle.

Don’t make a move or change a thing if you feel something is not right. Direct your energy toward self-improvement, rather than trying to change others or attempting the impossible.

Research is the best place to start when you want to make a lifestyle adjustment. Consider what sparks your interest and see what’s available in your community.

You’ll need an outlet to calm your nerves. Look for a creative way to take the edge off. Expanding your interests will tweak your imagination and encourage innovative pursuits.

Home is where the heart is, so do your best to make it as comfortable and convenient as possible. Keep track of your health and avoid high-risk environments.

Look for opportunities to expand your knowledge. Talk to experts, get up to date with the latest technology and trends, and consider how you can upgrade your skills.

Put more time and energy into your investments. A change at home that lowers your overhead or adds to your assets is favored. Don’t make a snap decision that leads to regret.

Spend more time on personal and domestic improvements. Pay attention to meaningful relationships and consider how to nurture them and ensure you are working toward similar goals.

For about 10 overs, Pakistan threatened what has become rare in recent years, a memorable cricketing contest against India, but ran out of gas against the depth of India's bowling. Still, 171 was the highest total Pakistan have ever posted batting first against India, but it ended up as all their defences against India have: in defeat, this time with seven balls to spare.

Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill crushed the total without ever looking in trouble, starting with a six first ball and adding 105 for the first wicket in just 59 balls, making sure the middle order did not have too much to do when scoring became difficult against the older ball. Gill scored 47 off 28, and Abhishek, who had dropped Sahibzada Farhan in the first over of the match, carried on to 74 off 39, and left India just 49 to get off 46 when he was dismissed.

Farhan went on to score a fifty to promise a contest, but it felt like he had to play out of his skin to get there. He was also culpable in Pakistan's slowdown, adding just 7 off 11 after reaching fifty as Pakistan went 39 legal deliveries without a boundary.

Even though the chase appeared a walk in the park, the simmering tensions between the sides rose

Abhishek smashes 74 off 39 as India ease past Pakistan

to the surface on the odd occasion. India's batters appeared to be extra mindful of reassuring each other as the players from the two sides engaged with each other for the first time in more than one-and-a-half matches. India remained the cooler of the sides: Farhan wielded his bat like a gun after reaching fifty, Abhishek blew kisses after reaching his. The celebrations were indicative of the effort taken to reach the respective milestones.

Bumrah's costliest powerplay Pakistan protected the struggling Saim Ayub from opening the innings, and it

Pakistan get over middle-overs muddle… just about Coming into this match, the only teams in this Asia Cup slower than Pakistan

worked with Fakhar Zaman getting off to a flier, after which Farhan carried on. Pakistan raced away to their best powerplay against India, scoring 55 for 1. Jasprit Bumrah bowled three overs in the first six for the third straight match, and registered his costliest T20 International (T20I) powerplay: 34 runs.

in the middle overs were Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Pakistan had gone at under a run a ball, but this time they managed to hit four sixes in overs 8-10, off Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel. The fourth six brought up Farhan's half-century.

Having done the hard work, Pakistan slumped. The slide began against Shivam Dube, whose progress as a sixth bowler through this tournament will satisfy India immensely. Dube did not provide the batters any

the infield while Gill kept finding the gaps, and all the while they made sure they stood together whenever a confrontation threatened to materialise. It eventually came to a head with Abhishek and Haris Rauf in

each other's face after Gill pulled the latter for a four. Ashraf provided Pakistan with the breakthrough with a ball that seamed in to bowl Gill immediately after he had taken treatment for cramps. Suryakumar Yadav then fell for a duck, but Abhishek kept striking the ball cleanly, taking down Abrar Ahmed, potentially Pakistan's most threatening bowler. Even though Abrar finally got his wicket, Abhishek took him for 32 off 12 balls, including four sixes.

Tilak labours through the last mile India experienced a brief slowdown similar to Pakistan's as Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma struggled to come to terms with the old ball not coming onto the bat. Samson managed just 13 off 17, but Tilak saw India through with sixes off Rauf and Afridi in the 18th and 19th overs. (ESPNcricinfo)

pace, stayed away from their swinging arc, and took out both Ayub and Farhan after they had put on 72 for the second wicket. The quality of Varun and Kuldeep then shone through, as they tied Pakistan down despite taking just one wicket between them. Faheem Ashraf's unbeaten 20 off 8 added respectability to the score, but it always looked light.

Abhishek, Gill blitz through It began looking even lighter when Abhishek hooked the first ball of the chase for a six. Gill and Abhishek laced the bowling, making full use of the new ball and whatever pace Shaheen Shah Afridi provided them. India's 69 for 0 was the best powerplay of this Asia Cup, and India's best against Pakistan. Abhishek kept clearing

Pakistan (20 ovs maximum)

Sahibzada Farhan c Yadav

b Dube 58

Fakhar Zaman c †Samson

b Pandya 15

Saim Ayub c Abhishek Sharma

b Dube 21

Hussain Talat c Varun

b Kuldeep Yadav 10

Mohammad Nawaz run out (Yadav) 21

Salman Agha (c) not out 17

Faheem Ashraf not out 20

Extras (nb 2, w 7) 9

Total 20 Ov (RR: 8.55) 171/5

Did not bat: Mohammad Haris †, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Fakhar Zaman, 2.3 ov), 2-93 (Saim Ayub, 10.3 ov), 3-110 (Hussain Talat, 13.1 ov), 4-115 (Sahibzada Farhan, 14.1 ov), 5-149 (Mohammad Nawaz, 18.3 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Hardik Pandya 3-0-29-1

Jasprit Bumrah 4-0-45-0

Varun Chakravarthy 4-0-25-0

Kuldeep Yadav 4-0-31-1

Women’s Division One League…

GDF stay flawless; Mainstay bag 1st win

The Guyana Defence Force’s Women continued their ruthless campaign in the Guyana Football Federation’s Women’s Division One League, this time with an 18-0 victory in

their most recent outing on Friday.

Sandra Johnson was, again, the leading lady for the female soldiers, sending five goals past the goalkeeper when they took on Santos

Football Club at the GFF’s National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Johnson netted in the 2nd, 10th, 14th, 24th and 30th minutes, respectively,

followed by a helmet-trick off the boots of Shanesa Cornelius in the 5th, 17th, 51st and 52nd. Braces went the way of Jalade Trim (19th, 36th); Glengie Lewis (40th, 59th) and Zuruna Ali (51st,

More than 50 horses entered for Port Mourant’s horse race meet

Hthan 50 horses were en tered for Clash at the Big Yard, which is set to run off on Sunday, September 28, at Port Mourant Turf Club.

According to organisers, entries for this race will officially be closed on Tuesday, September 23.

In addition to the usual sponsors, Fazal Habibulla has come onboard as a sponsor as he remembers his late father who passed away three years ago, on September 27. Colin Elcock is back in the horse-racing business in Guyana, and he is also onboard as a sponsor. Elcock will focus on rewarding the jockeys.

Three of the races will be for only Guyanese jockeys, and Elcock will provide financial rewards to the top four jockeys.

In addition to Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, AJM Enterprise, J’s Supermarket, Two Brothers Gas Station and T&R Construction, Big G, Armco Construction, and Buski Construction, K Haniff Construction and OBL are among the other sponsors for Clash at the Big Yard.

More than $10 million in cash and prizes will be up for grabs, with eight races on the provisional programme.

The feature race will be contested by horses four years old and over, open class, at a distance of 1600 metres. Of the $4 million overall purse, the winner will walk away with $2,000,000.

The other races on the provisional card include the three-year-old imported open to F Class, G Class and Lower and Open to F Class WI, non-winners bred in Guyana, H Class winner of two races & Lower and open to three-year-old WI bred horses in Guyana, Guyana bred two-year-old maidens, J3 & Lower Open to

Guyana horse racing rules. Horses for the meet can be entered via Fazal Habibulla on 611-1141, Dennis Deroop on 640-6396, Jagdeo’s office at Number One Road

to Jagdeo Racing Stables, a stable that has been quiet in recent times. The Corentyne-based owner, who recently imported new horses for the Guyana Cup,

will be hoping that familiar

But the competition will be fierce, with J’s Racing Stables, Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, Simply Royal Racing Stables, and Slingerz Racing Stables all set to renew their rivalries in what promises to be an exciting day of racing.

58th) while Glendy Lewis (7th), Abioce Heywood (48th) and Patsy Walker (51st) also found the back of the net for GDF. That game was followed by another lopsided, high-scoring encounter, in which Mainstay Goldstar FC rebounded from an opening loss to defeat Ann’s Grove United’s Women 10-0.

Sanika Fredericks opened the scoring for Mainstay in the fifth minute while Leisha Fredericks extended their tally to 3-0 in the 9th and 11th minutes.

It was then that Ashley Cozier put on a show, netting in the 14th, 15th, 29th,

BCB 2-Day 1st-Division Tournament…

45th and 48th minutes. Kacy Thomas (30th+2) and Ruth Wilson (57th) also added their names to the scoresheet as Mainstay secured their first three points of the tournament.

The Women’s Division One League continues this Wednesday, September 24 with another double-header at the same venue. At 18:00h, Fruta Conquerors will take on the unbeaten Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC while at 19:30h, Monedderlust FC battle Rivers’ View FC.

The teams in the Women’s Division One League are competing for a $1 million grand prize.

RHT NAMILCO clinch semi-final spot after crushing Skeldon

The strong Rose Hall Town (RHT) NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour FirstDivision Team have advanced to the semi-finals of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-organised two-day competition.

They crushed the Skeldon Community Centre Cricket Club by an innings and 75 runs in a fourth-round match at the Skeldon Ground, to advance as the runners-up in Zone B. In glorious weather, the home team won the toss and elected to bat, despite the presence of preparation moisture on the pitch. Their openers A Ali and D Reynolds gave them a slow but steady start by adding 18 runs from 14 overs before Reynolds was bowled by impressive left-arm spinner Keith Simpson. The introduction of West Indies off-spinner Kevin Sinclair created problems for the home team as he extracted great spin and bowled from the pitch.

Sinclair took five wickets for 11 runs from nine overs while Simpson took four wickets for six runs from nine overs. Jeremy Sandia took one wicket for five runs as the home team were bowled out for a meagre 35 from 33 overs.

Kevin Sinclair and

Romesh Bharrat added 40 for the first wicket for the visitors before left-arm spinner N Mathura got one to bounce sharply to dismiss Sinclair for 30.

National player Junior Sinclair then blasted the Skeldon bowling attack to all parts of the ground during an innings of 73 runs which included seven huge sixes and five fours. The visitors reached 160 for four before declaring with a first-innings advance of 125 runs. Sinclair and Bharrat supported with 30 and 35 runs respectively while Matthew Pottaya chipped in with 18.

The best bowler for Skeldon was A Ali with three wickets for 47 runs from eight overs.

Facing a first-innings deficit of 125 runs, Skeldon were bowled out for 50 runs in their second innings as only S Rasheed offered resistance with 15. Former national pacer Clinton Pestano, in a fiery spell of fast bowling, took four wickets for eight runs. Pottaya, with two for 10, and Kelvin Sinclair (two for 15) also bowled well while Sandia and Simpson took a wicket apiece as Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt won by an innings and 75 runs.

The Clinton Pestano-

led NAMILCO Thunderbolt

Flour team finished as the runners-up in Zone B and now await the results from Zone A which includes Blairmont, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje and West Berbice. Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour recorded out- right victories versus

Police, Port Mourant and Skeldon, but went down by nine wickets against arch-rivals Albion. Junior Sinclair has been their leading batsman so far with 301 runs at average of 75.25 while left-arm spinner Simpson is the lead - ing

with 28 wickets at an average of 6.10. The match versus Skeldon also saw the team welcoming back wicketkeeper Chanderpaul Govindan, after an absence of two years owing to his studies in Canada.

with twists and momentum shifts, both teams had their moments under the lights, but it was the seasoned TKR unit who held their nerve in the dying stages. Led by flashes of brilliance from Kieron Pollard and a composed finish from Akeal Hosein, the Knight Riders overcame the Warriors by three wickets to capture their record-extending, fifth CPL cham-

Guyana

Amazon Warriors won the toss and surprisingly opted to bat first, but Trinbago Knight Riders executed their short-ball plan to perfection to make the early, much-needed breakthrough.

Andre Russell was the one to strike early, removing the in-form Quentin Sampson for a duck. Ben McDermott counter-attacked with an aggressive knock, racing to 28 from 17 deliveries, but his innings was cut short when Saurabh Netravalkar had him caught by Colin Munro on the deep square-leg boundary. At the end of the power play, the Warriors found themselves on 41 for 2.

Hosein struck a crucial blow for Trinbago Knight Riders, delivering a superb ball that clipped the top of off stump to send back Shai Hope. The Warriors talisman never found his rhythm, labouring for 12 from 19 before his resistance ended. With Hope s dismissal, the Warriors lost their anchor, and the pressure only mounted. Trinbago s bowlers tightened the screws with relentless accuracy, refusing to give away easy runs. Sunil Narine was at his miserly best, even sending down a maiden over in the 10th. At the halfway mark, the Amazon Warriors had crawled to 57 for 3, struggling to build momentum against a disciplined attack.

Usman Tariq soon joined the party, finding his rhythm

and knocking over Moeen Ali for a scratchy 10 off 14 deliveries. The pressure continued to mount on the Warriors as Hosein struck again, this time removing Shimron Hetmyer for just 4. With two of their senior batters back in the pavilion cheaply, Guyana Amazon Warriors were left reeling. Struggling to break free from TKR s stranglehold, they huffed and puffed their way to 84 for 5 after 15 overs. It was left to Dwaine Pretorius and Iftikhar Ahmed to steady the innings, as the pair began cautiously building a much-needed partnership.

The stand eventually came to an end when Pretorius miscued one straight to long-off, de parting for a lively 25 from 18 balls. With the innings entering its final phase, the Warriors were still searching for momen tum, but Ahmed kept them afloat with a de termined knock.

allotted 20 overs, a total that looked competitive but far from commanding. With a modest total on the board, the Amazon Warriors knew they needed early breakthroughs to stay in the contest, and Pretorius answered the call once again.

The South African all-rounder struck in successive spells, first removing Munro for a brisk 23 off 15 balls, before delivering the big blow by dismissing TKR Captain Nicholas Pooran for just one. His double strike gave the Warriors the spark they were searching for, and at the end of the power play the Knight Riders found themselves at 45 for 2, the chase still very much in the balance.

He struck three bound aries and a clean six in his 30 from 27 deliveries before fall ing in the last over as he attempt ed to accelerate further. Romario Shepherd chipped in with a useful 13 before being run out off the final ball of the innings. In the end, the Guyana Amazon Warriors closed on 130 for 8 from their

Captain Imran Tahirtack and struck almost instantly, trapping-

en the screws on the Knight Riders. Looking to inject momentum into the chase, TKR made a tactical switch bying Narine

der, hopinging intent could shift the pressure back on the bowlers. At that stage, the Knight Riders were 62 for 3, with the contest delicately Narine provided a quick burst of

12 deliveries. The very next ball, the veteran leg-spinner struck again, removing Andre Russell for a golden duck to send the Providence crowd into a frenzy.

At 114 for 6, the Knight Riders still needed 17 runs from the final 24 balls, with the game suddenly hanging in the balance. Joseph then delivered another crucial breakthrough, prising out the anchor of the innings,

Alex Hales, who laboured to 26 off 34 balls. With tension rising, it was Hosein who held his nerve, playing a decisive cameo of 16 from just 7 deliveries to finish the job. His late flourish carried Trinbago Knight Riders to 133 for 7, sealing a dramatic victory and clinching their fifth Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League championship crown.

Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Quentin Sampson, 0.4 ov), 2-41 (Ben McDermott, 5.5 ov), 3-51 (Shai Hope, 7.1 ov), 4-59 (Moeen Ali, 10.3 ov), 5-65 (Shimron Hetmyer, 11.6 ov), 6-108 (Dwaine Pretorius, 17.1 ov), 7-130 (Iftikhar Ahmed, 19.5 ov), 8-130 (Romario Shepherd, 19.6 ov)

Andre Russell 3-0-18-1

Akeal Hosein 4-0-26-2

Sunil Narine 4-1-30-0

Saurabh Netravalkar 4-0-25-3

Kieron Pollard 1-0-10-0