Guyana Times - Thursday, August 28, 2025

Courtyard

Hotel opens

Timehri

1st National Children’s Conference focuses on mental health, abuse prevention

Region 6 sees 63% drop in crime, 34% fall in traffic accidents

Nandlall alerts int’l observers, Police to "dangerous" Opposition election rhetoric

AC technician remanded after allegedly chopping 2 men during dispute

GPOC suspends all outbound parcels to US amid new tariff policy

Court decision tomorrow on election-delay case

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, August 28 – no retraction and Friday, August 29 – 03:55h–05:25h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, August 28 –06:45h–08:15h and Friday, August 29 – 07:20h–08:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers and afternoon sunshine are expected during the day, and cloudy skies followed by showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:18h and 19:30h reaching maximum heights of 2.54 metres and 2.52 metres.

Low Tide: 13:07h reaching a minimum height of 0.73 metre.

Orinduik Falls, Linden’s Blue Lake, 63 Beach among hotspots for All-Inclusive Resorts

…as Pres Ali reveals EoIs to be out next week for Guyana’s resort revolution

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is planning to issue Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the establishment of all-inclusive resorts at major hotspots across Guyana.

This was revealed by President Irfaan Ali, who is returning on the PPP/C ticket to seek a second term in office at the upcoming September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections. Confident of his party’s re-election, the incumbent Head of State outlined a packed agenda for the next PPP/C administration during its first six weeks in office.

Among the major initiatives to be undertaken within days of returning to Government is issuing the Expressions of Interest (EoI) for all-inclusive resorts to be constructed countrywide.

“Within the first week of the next term… we'll be launching an expression of interest for all-inclusive resorts in Guyana, and the areas that will first offer include Orinduik, Lethem, Leguan, Blue Waters [in] Linden, 63 Beach, Bartica, Stabroek wa-

ly recognised ecotourism product has positioned the country as a prime destination for such investments.

“The Marriott Bonvoy AllInclusive brand must see this as their opportunity… It is a shame that Marriott Bonvoy has not entered this market with its all-inclusive brand. You have missed out. We don't want you to miss out any longer,” he posited.

President Ali made these remarks during his address at the commissioning of the US$20 million Courtyard by

terfront, Vreed-en-Hoop waterfront and Kamana Village [in Region Eight],” Ali revealed on Wednesday.

To this end, the Guyanese leader charged the local private sector to position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities that would come, including the potential for joint ventures with international companies.

“We expect strong local and international partnership and participation in this. I expect the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce (GCCI) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to prepare themselves to build a consortium to ensure we get this done,” the Head of State noted.

In fact, President Ali challenged the global hospitality brand, Marriott International, to expand its all-inclusive resorts franchise to Guyana. He pointed out that while the Marriott have all-inclusive properties in countries like Barbados and Jamaica for their sand and beaches, they also have such resorts in the lush landscapes of Mexico and Costa Rica.

According to Ali, Guyana’s award-winning and global-

Marriott Hotel at Timehri, near the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Wednesday. He noted this hotel is critically linked to infrastructure and key investments to not only Guyana’s transformation but also its economic diversification plan, which includes pushing the local tourism industry.

"We're making Guyana fit for purpose as a major tourism destination, and we are not talking about tourism in a narrow sense. We're talking about a sector that can host conferences and conventions, a sector that can attract international events, from business summits to sports and cultural festivals, and a sector that welcomes the adventure tourist, the heritage explorer and the eco-traveller,” the Head of State posited.

President Ali further pointed out that the local private sector is already witnessing the benefits of major sporting events like the Caribbean Premier League and the Global Super League T20 tournaments.

To this end, the Guyana

Government is looking to develop the South Dakota Racing Circuit into the number one motor racing destination in the region. Plans are also afoot to build a world-class indoor arena that can host international events. Ali said the Government will be aggressively going after opportunities to bring major global events like boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), and entertainment here.

All of these will be bolstered by the construction of the modern 150,000-square-foot Terminal Two at the CJIA – the country’s main port of entry. Part of a larger vision to transform Guyana into a global aviation hub, the Guyanese leader said the new terminal will be a world-class experience, celebrating the country’s biodiversity and ecosystem, similar to airports in India’s Bangalore, the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai, and Singapore.

“I assure you the world will stop and pause as they walk through Terminal Two. Guyana is serious about transformation. Guyana is ready, ready to take its place as a destination, ready to become a transit hub, and ready to build a diversified future,” the Head of State noted. He went on to add, “We're creating an ecosystem, one that matches the dynamism of our people and the beauty of our land because if Guyana is to have a diversified economy, if we are to avoid the mistake of depending on a singular pillar, then tourism must rise. Tourism must become one of the strong, sustainable pillars that balance our development and secure our future.”

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown

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

Tourism as a catalyst for Guyana’s economic diversification

Guyana stands at the threshold of a transformative era, one in which tourism is poised to become a central pillar of national development. The Government’s announcement of plans to issue Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the establishment of allinclusive resorts across the country signals a decisive commitment to positioning Guyana as a leading destination for both leisure and business travel. This initiative reflects a broader vision of economic diversification and strategic growth, leveraging the nation’s natural assets to create sustainable opportunities for investment, employment, and cultural promotion.

The targeted rollout of resorts in major hotspots, including Orinduik, Lethem, Leguan, Blue Waters, 63 Beach, Bartica, the Stabroek and Vreed-en-Hoop waterfronts, and Kamana Village, demonstrates an effort to distribute the benefits of tourism beyond the capital and urban centres. By linking ecotourism sites, riverine communities, and coastal areas into a national network of highquality resort offerings, the Government is enabling a more inclusive model of economic development. Local communities stand to gain directly through employment, entrepreneurship, and the expansion of ancillary services such as transportation, guiding services, and cultural experiences.

Critical to the success of this initiative is the engagement of both domestic and international stakeholders. Encouraging local businesses to form consortia and enter joint ventures with global hospitality brands ensures that investment inflows are matched by local capacity-building. Partnerships with established international operators, such as the Marriott Bonvoy all-inclusive brand, are particularly strategic. Marriott’s existing presence in markets with similar ecotourism potential, including Mexico and Costa Rica, offers a blueprint for success that can be replicated in Guyana. At the same time, these partnerships introduce standards of service, management expertise, and global marketing reach that will elevate Guyana’s hospitality sector to international levels of competitiveness.

By aligning resort development with the construction of worldclass facilities, such as the proposed indoor arena, the South Dakota Racing Circuit, and upgraded sporting venues, Guyana is creating an ecosystem capable of hosting international conferences, festivals, and sporting events. These complementary investments expand the country’s tourism appeal year-round, reducing dependence on seasonal visitation and ensuring a continuous flow of foreign exchange.

Infrastructure development is another cornerstone of this strategy. The commissioning of the $20 million Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at Timehri and the planned construction of a modern Terminal Two at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport signal the Government’s commitment to improving accessibility, comfort, and connectivity. Terminal Two, in particular, is envisioned as a worldclass facility that showcases Guyana’s biodiversity and culture while facilitating seamless transit for international visitors. Such investments in infrastructure not only enhance the tourist experience but also strengthen Guyana’s position as a regional aviation hub and an entry point for business and leisure travellers.

The broader implications for the national economy are significant. Tourism, when developed strategically, functions as a multiplier, generating demand across multiple sectors, from agriculture and manufacturing to arts and entertainment. It encourages local value addition, incentivises environmental conservation, and enhances the global profile of Guyana’s unique heritage and natural assets. By reducing reliance on extractive industries, this initiative helps to build a more resilient economy capable of withstanding external shocks.

Further, positioning Guyana as a diversified tourism destination reinforces long-term sustainability. Eco-tourism, adventure travel, and cultural experiences tap into global trends favouring authentic, environmentally responsible travel. This approach ensures that economic gains are harmonised with ecological stewardship and social inclusivity, aligning development with the values and expectations of an increasingly conscientious global market.

The Government’s approach demonstrates an understanding that tourism must evolve from a peripheral sector to a central pillar of national development. By combining strategic infrastructure investments, international partnerships, and a deliberate focus on high-value, all-inclusive resorts, Guyana is creating the conditions for a tourism-led economic transformation. This initiative promises to expand the country’s economic base as well as to elevate its international standing as a destination of choice for travellers seeking both natural beauty and modern hospitality.

The newly-opened Courtyard by Marriott, Guyana’s first international airport hotel, is a six-storey, 150-room building that also accommodates five executive suites along with a range of modern amenities

Setting the record straight on oil & gas

Dear Editor, Key Insights

• The weak fiscal regime for oil originated in the PNC’s 1986 Petroleum Act, not under PPP/C.

• The 1999 Exxon licence and the 2016 PSA flowed directly from this PNC law, with APNU+AFC adding a stability clause in 2016 that froze fiscal terms.

• PPP/C could not unilaterally renegotiate without destroying Guyana’s credibility and exposing the country to massive penalties.

• Instead, PPP/C overhauled the legal framework – repealing the 1986 law with the Petroleum Activities Act (2023) and enacting the Local Content Act (2021).

• Under the new framework, future contracts guarantee stronger terms: 10 per cent royalty, 10 per cent corporate tax, 65 per cent cost recovery cap, 50/50 profit share, and 10 per cent excise on fuel imports.

• This ensures more revenues, more jobs, and stronger local participation, while protecting Guyana’s international standing.

Please permit me to correct the spate of inaccuracies propagated by Dr Vincent Adams in his missive published in the August 27, 2025, edition of the Stabroek News, with the caption “PPP/C has comprehensively failed in relation to the oil and gas industry”: Therein, Dr Adams sought to portray the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government as having betrayed Guyana on oil and gas. He repeats a long list of accusations – but each one crumbles when set against the actual legal history, the real record of governance, and the transformative actions taken since 2020.

Correcting the Fallacy: The 1999 Licence & 2016 PSA

First and foremost, let me correct a long-standing fallacy that has gone unchallenged for far too long regarding the 1999 Petroleum Prospecting License issued to ExxonMobil Guyana (formerly Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited) and the 2016 Petroleum Agreement. It is vital that the historical facts be set out clearly and accurately so the Guyanese people understand the

true origins of these agreements.

The Facts: Rooted in the 1986 PNC Law

The fallacy lies in APNU+AFC’s defence of its lopsided 2016 agreement with ExxonMobil Guyana (EMGL). Their claim was that the 2016 deal simply carried forward the same fiscal terms from the 1999 licence, issued under the PPP/C Government by the late President Janet Jagan. In that original licence, the royalty rate stood at just 1 per cent.

In 2016, APNU+AFC proudly celebrated “improving” this to 2 per cent – a mere one percentage point more – and sold it to the nation as evidence of world-class negotiating skills. To make matters worse, they inserted, at EMGL’s behest (understandably so following the Venezuela case), a sweeping stability clause. That clause effectively froze the fiscal regime and obligated the Government to compensate ExxonMobil for any future changes that might reduce its take – a move that severely limited Guyana’s flexibility in safeguarding its own interests.

What are the facts? The facts are that:

(i) The 1999 Petroleum Exploration License was issued under the authority of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act No. 3 of 1986, which was enacted under the PNC administration and assented to by the former and late President Desmond Hoyte. And most notably, this Act gave the Minister power (Section 51) to alter Guyana’s tax laws for petroleum contracts. It is under this very law that the 1999 licence to ExxonMobil was issued – long before PPP/C returned to office –and which also governed the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

For ease of reference, Section 51 (1) established the legal authority for the Modification of Tax Laws, which states:

“The Minister assigned responsibility for finance may, by order, which shall be subject to affirmative resolution of the National Assembly, direct that –(a) any or all of the written laws mentioned in subsection (2) shall not apply to, or in relation to, a licensee, or (b) Any or all of the written

laws mentioned in subsection (2) shall apply to, and in relation to, a licensee subject to such adaptations, exceptions, modifications and qualifications as may be specified in the order.

(2) The written laws referred to in subsection (1) are –(a) Income Tax Act; (b) the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act; (c) the Corporation Tax Act; and (d) the Property Tax Act.

Accordingly, the ExxonMobil 1999 licence and its extension in the 2016 PSA are both rooted in the 1986 Act. Importantly, the 2016 agreement signed under APNU+AFC included a 'stability clause' (Article 32), which prevents unilateral renegotiation by Government as referenced earlier. The PPP/C cannot tear up a binding contract without wrecking Guyana’s international credibility and investor confidence. This is not surrender – it is respect for the rule of law.

(ii) What did the PPP/C promise and deliver in relation to the “renegotiation of those contracts”?

What PPP/C promised and delivered

In order to effectively renegotiate the Petroleum Agreements and change the fiscal terms, the PPP/C Government had to embark on a complete and comprehensive overhaul of the outdated legal framework. Those reforms could not have been legally effectuated without the legislative reforms. Consequently, since assuming office in 2020, the PPP/C Government has enacted two landmark reforms:

(a) The Local Content Act (2021) – now responsible for over 6000 Guyanese jobs, 1,000+ Guyanese firms, and nearly USD $1 billion in local spending, which is poised to grow proportionately to the scaled expansion of the sector as Guyanese firms continue to build and develop their capacity and capabilities; and

(b) The Petroleum Activities Act (2023) – which repealed and replaced the 1986 Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, thereby introducing a modern legislative and regulatory regime governing the oil and gas sector.

Under the new legislative framework, all new petroleum

agreements now carry terms far superior to the 2016 PSA:

• 10 per cent royalty (up from 2 per cent)

• 10 per cent corporate tax (up from 0 per cent)

• 65 per cent cost recovery cap (down from 75 per cent)

• 50 per cent profit oil share remains

• 10 per cent excise on fuel imports

These measures shall ensure Guyana captures a significantly greater share of future petroleum revenues. The opposition pretends that tearing up the 2016 PSA is possible or wise. The truth: such reckless behaviour would expose Guyana to billions in penalties and international arbitration. PPP/C instead took the responsible path – honouring contracts while reforming the framework so that all new licences deliver much stronger benefits. That is how serious Governments govern. Dr Adams claims PPP/C abandoned oversight and endangered the environment. In fact, the PPP/C Government has strengthened the regulatory framework under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and, inter alia, substantially improved licences compared to those issued under his hand when he served as the former EPA head.

The record is clear. The outdated 1986 PNC law created the weak fiscal terms. The 1999 licence and 2016 PSA flowed from that law. The stability clause makes reckless renegotiation impossible. What PPP/C did – and no one else could –was deliver on its promise by overhauling the legal framework, introducing new fiscal terms, creating jobs, empowering local businesses, and safeguarding Guyana’s longterm interests. That is not betrayal. That is responsible leadership and governance.

Bottom line: The 1999 licence and 2016 PSA sit on a PNC-era law (1986). PPP/C changed the law and the terms once back in office – delivering stronger, Guyanafirst outcomes while protecting the country’s reputation for honouring contracts.

Yours sincerely, Joel Bhagwandin

Embracing regional progressiveness: relative to job creation for enterprise

Dear Editor,

It is important in democratic societies that voices from every corner, whether in praise or criticism, be heard, respected, and responded to with clarity, evidence, and honesty. It is in this spirit that I wish to leave a final response to Mr Sultan Mohamed’s recent letter in which he again outlined a number of concerns regarding the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government’s developmental agenda as it relates to Enterprise. While Mr Mohamed claims to “ignore all the fluff” in my previous letter, it appears that he deliberately ignored the facts. It is evidently clear that his claims, repeated, are couched in political oversimplification and, regrettably, show his selective interpretation of facts. Permit me to address those concerns.

Firstly, Mr Mohamed questions the logical basis for selecting Enmore as the site for the regional hospital, citing the growth in Enterprise. The growth which we are experiencing is not limited to Enterprise but instead the entire region and country as a whole. A regional hospital, by definition, is designed to serve multiple communities efficiently. Enmore’s location is geographically central to a cluster of growing communities, including Enterprise. This allows equitable access to health services for all communities. This location was based on logical feasibility, land availability, accessibility and existing infrastructure and not just because PPP people reside there. The Enmore Hospital was built on land already available to the previous Enmore Polyclinic that has also served the entire East Coast for many years.

The hospital is also situated alongside a major access road (Enmore Estate Road) that is being expanded right now and connects the Main East Coast Road and the Railway Embankment to the developing industrial site at the back of Enmore.

While Enterprise’s growth is commendable and largely a direct result of the PPP/C’s aggressive housing policies, it must be noted that hospital location must consider broader regional planning and not just population size. Enmore, therefore, with its close proximity to major transportation arteries and its emerging industrial zone, presented the most viable and logical option for the timely delivery and operational integration of the Enmore Regional Hospital. While there is a large land space at the back of Enterprise, those lands are now being developed for housing; therefore, it is not logical to build a hospital in no man's land at this time.

Secondly, Mr Mohamed took umbrage at the suggestion that residents of Enterprise can access opportunities being created in Enmore. He views the necessity of commuting as a burden rather than a norm in regional economic development. No Government promises jobs on every resident’s doorstep. Instead, the PPP/C Government is investing in a regional ecosystem where infrastructure, industries and enterprises are interconnected and where every resident in every community benefits from shared assets. His further assertion that “it is the Government’s fault” if residents of Enterprise are not benefiting from nearby opportunities clearly disregards the multi-agency

efforts underway to improve transportation, retraining, and job readiness. It is not an absence of opportunity but rather a need for better information flow.

On the question of the stockfeed mill, while this is a fair question, the final decision on its location is driven by technical, environmental and logistical factors and not mere political sentiments. Enterprise remains one of the many locations under consideration. Economic diversification anywhere in the world cannot happen in silos. It is highly counterproductive to argue that the development in one village somehow undermines the prospects of another. Enterprise’s legacy as an agricultural hub will surely be strengthened by regional investments that go beyond a single-site developmental agenda.

Mr Mohamed rightly notes that infrastructure alone does not equate to sustained employment but clearly overlooks the direct and indirect employment benefits such upgrades deliver. Infrastructural development creates more than temporary construction jobs; it also creates long-term value through improved access, property value, private sector investments, and encouragement of small start-up businesses. The President’s commitments at the Enterprise Rally are not mere promises but instead policy directions that are already underway and clearly show the PPP/C Government’s holistic approach to development.

Mr Mohamed once again draws a distinction between the “spanking new” Buxton Sideline Primary and what he perceives as “patchwork” at the Enterprise Primary School.

And again, the facts speak otherwise and were clearly ignored by Mr Mohamed. While the building may have been built some 60 years ago, the Ministry of Education has made consistent and phased investments in the school to improve safety, comfort, and functionality for the students and teachers. The tarmac, windows, repainting and other repairs mentioned are not cosmetic but necessary interventions to maintain the structure and standard of the school. As a former student of the Enterprise Primary School, I can say that the school is in a far better condition today than it was in my days. If it was being neglected and not maintained properly, then definitely it would have been falling apart, but thanks to the PPP/C Governments, investments have kept the building standing tall and strong despite its age. Additionally, as it relates to the building of new schools, whether in Enterprise or neighbouring communities, it is part of a demographic strategy and careful planning to reduce overcrowding and increase access. President Ali has therefore made it clear his administration’s commitment to expand the educational infrastructure across the entire East Coast Corridor.

The most contentious point repeated is Mr Mohamed’s assertion that job creation must happen within Enterprise’s borders and that anything less is baseless. This shows a narrowness and lack of knowledge of economics. Such an approach to economic development evidently ignores the fundamental realities of modern economies. The PPP/C’s policy is one of regional integration where jobs,

training, housing and services span interconnected communities, towns and regions. Therefore, no community should be an island. To argue otherwise is to deny the economic interdependence that binds Enterprise to Enmore, Buxton and beyond. If we should really take Mr Mohamed’s analogy into consideration, then soon we may have to move the mining grounds from the interior to Enterprise so that miners in Enterprise do not have to travel to those locations anymore. Mr Mohamed went on to mention the Enmore Martyrs, but clearly, he did not understand what their struggle was. Indeed, three of those five persons were from Enterprise; however, they all sacrificed their lives for workers’ rights, dignity and opportunity throughout the sugar estates in the country. They did not sacrifice their lives for one single village like Enterprise or Enmore only, and hence, honouring their legacy means building a region and a country where economic justice drives policy decisions and not geographical parochialism.

At the ending of the letter, Mr Mohamed quoted His Excellency President Irfaan Ali’s words at the Enterprise rally. Indeed, the President has committed to improving the lives of every Guyanese, and we see this every day by his wide-ranging policies. The PPP/C Government has and will continue to prioritise job creation, housing, education, health, and infrastructure not only in Enterprise but also in the entire nation.

In the last 5 years, 50,000 jobs were created, and over 39,000 scholarships were awarded to Guyanese. Mr Mohamed means to tell me no

one from Enterprise benefited from these?

Clearly, he is the one far removed from the current reality of Guyana and specifically Enterprise. Many persons in Enterprise are currently employed in Government agencies; some are benefiting from the part-time job programme; persons are also employed at the schools and health centre in Enterprise, and many have even started their own small businesses. A number of persons within Enterprise have benefited from small grants to fund start-up businesses or expand their current operations; they have also benefited from training opportunities to better manage their businesses and enhance their daily lives. Clearly, there are opportunities, and residents of Enterprise are benefiting from them.

Civic activism is a cornerstone of our democracy, and while Mr Mohamed’s advocacy for Enterprise is welcomed, we must ground our discussions in facts and fairness and not on ignorance. Our advocacy must be one with a vision that embraces regional collaboration over competition. Enterprise is NOT being ignored. Instead, it is a part of a larger plan that is already in motion and one that will bear fruit with continued partnership, patience, participation and coherence. Most definitely after September 1st, 2025, we will bear witness to many more transformational plans for our developing country under the leadership of the PPP/C.

Yours sincerely, Shivesh Persaud

To obtain a majority of parliamentary seats, a party requires a minimum of 266,211 valid votes

Dear Editor,

The 2025 elections are just five days away, with PPP/C, APNU, and WIN leading the campaign for state power and control over oil revenues. Voters are focusing on these three main parties, while smaller groups like AFC, FGM, and ALP remain at the margins. Remember, never underestimate any competitor – unexpected outcomes, like Kamala Persad Bissessar's UNC landslide win in Trinidad and Tobago, can happen.

After political rallies and meetings, each party might want to assess their chances at the 2025 election polls. If they conduct internal party polls, they will get a good idea of their standing. They might even want to calculate projected seats. How many

votes must a party get at the 2025 elections before it earns a seat? At the 2020 elections that figure was 7,082.

GECOM says that there are currently 757,690 registered voters. In 2020, the number was 661,378, indicating an increase of 96,312 voters in 2025. This should not surprise anyone. In 2015, for example, the total registered voters were 570,708, which means that there was an increase of 90,670 in 2020 from 2015. The increase in the number of registered voters in 2025 was also due to individuals in the 13-18 age group (estimated at 92,725) attaining the age of 18 and registering to vote, as well as additional people above 18 being registered. If the voter turnout rate is 70

per cent in 2025, as happened in 2020, it is estimated that 530,383 individuals (757,690 x 0.70) would take part in voting. Of this total, about 6,000 votes may be spoilt or rejected, resulting in an estimated 524,383 valid votes (530,383 - 6,000) cast. Dividing this number (524,383) by 65 seats indicates that approximately 8,067 votes are required to secure one seat. To obtain a majority of seats (33) in the 2025 elections, a party would need at least 266,211 valid votes. It is also possible, depending on specific circumstances, for a party to win a seat with fewer than the standard 8,067 votes, as had occurred in 2020.

Let us illustrate this point by reference to the 2020 election results. The PPP/C received 233,336 valid votes; when that

number was divided by the seat allocation of 7082, that gave them 32.94 seats. They were allocated initially the 32 seats. The APNU+AFC received 217,920 valid votes; when that was divided by 7082, that gave them 30.77 seats. Their initial allocation was 30 seats. The smaller (joiner) parties received 5214 valid votes, and when that number was divided by 7082,that gave them 0.74 seats. They received no initial seat. Total seats allocated initially were PPP/C 32, APNU+AFC 30, and smaller parties 0, making it a total of 62 seats.

Thus, there were 3 remaining seats to be allocated. The 3 seats were distributed according to the descending order of the parties' fractional votes: PPP/C received an additional seat with

Beware of people with “awfuliser”, naysayer mindsets unable to give the Government credit for anything

Dear Editor,

What I noticed about Guyanese is some are professional “awfulisers” and naysayers who are unable to give the Government credit for anything. This distorts their viewpoints and makes them seem to be perpetual anti-Government gripers. Normal people tend to have balance – you give credit where credit is due and give critiques where critiques are due. Everything cannot be bad and awful. On the other hand, everything is not always fine and dandy. Fairness determines that we cautiously look at the pros and cons of things – the big, full picture –then make our decision on where we stand. This is good advice as we vote on September 1 to determine which party has the history, record, and experience of performance and abundant evidence of results. Beware the political awfulisers! Awfulising is a cognitive distortion and irrational thought pattern where a person exaggerates

the negative aspects of a situation, believing it to be "awful" or "horrific" when it is merely bad in a minor way or unfortunate. Awfulisers catastrophise a situation, imagining the worst possible outcomes without any real evidence, according to psychologist Albert Ellis. There are a lot of irritants we face living in Guyana. People whine and complain all the time. Most people are not rational nor critical thinkers. People mostly operate on an emotional level. They easily take an anti-position against Governments. Everything is bad, and everything is awful, they say. That usually is not true. A friend called and asked me, 'Why is President Ali announcing so many medical training programmes in regions outside of Georgetown?' I asked him is that a complaint or a compliment. I asked him, why are Berbice people, Essequibo people or Hinterland people not deserving of equal treatment, equal access, equal opportunity and equity

as Georgetown people?

Some parties would make you think nothing has improved in Guyana and that we are not better off now than 5 years ago. Never mind we have spent a trillion-plus dollars, and there are mountains of evidence of the most accomplishments under this Government. We have never had as much development as under the Ali Administration. When you say that, people retort, “They have oil money,” as if that diminishes all the progress. This Government has accomplished the most of any administration in our history. Yet, some parties campaign that we must vote them out of office. According to these parties, everything is bad and awful, and their party is the saviour. Never mind these parties have histories of staying in power by perpetual rigging or supporting rigging when they were in the PNC. The new parties have no history or record of progress, as they were just born.

So these parties want us to ignore the thousands of roads, the many bridges, thousands of house lots given, billions of cash grants given, billions of student grants given, thousands of scholarships given through GOAL and UG, forgiveness of billions in student debts, an abundance of new schools built, several new hospitals and clinics built, thousands of new acreages under cultivation, steady increases in salaries and pensions, etc. – and they want us to believe the Government has done badly or done nothing for us! But balanced, fair-minded people will conclude that given all the factors, the progress under President Ali has been unparalleled. Nobody is saying everything is fine and dandy, but based on their record and all available evidence, Guyana is rising, and our best years are ahead of us!

Yours sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

0.94 fractional seat (6653 votes); APNU+AFC obtained an additional seat with 0.77 fractional seat (5454 votes); and smaller parties gained a seat with 0.74 fractional seat (5214 votes). The smaller parties did not meet the 7082 votes per seat

threshold in 2020 but still secured a seat using the fraction method. This situation could occur again in 2025.

Yours sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

00:00 Sign Off 06:00 Cartoons

Evening News (RB) 08:00 BBC Travel Show 08:30 HGTV

Stop Suffering 11:30 Food Network 12:00 News Break 12:05 Movie - UP (2009) 14:00 Jurassic World S2 E9 14:30 The Fairly Oddparents 15:00 How I Met Your Mother S3 E15 16:00 Indian Soaps 16:30 Shayk Faisal Lecture 17:00 Stop Suffering 17:30 The Evening News 18:30 CPL 2025 SLK vs SKNP 23:00 Modern Family S1 E11 23:30 Arrested Development S3 E13

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

Adjacent Angles

By Heidi MordHorst

“Snug as a bug in a hug,” says Gran, like she always does, and laughs down my neck with her smoky-mint breath. But I’m not just snug –squashed and I’m squeezed and I can’t quite breathe, stuck inside this hug.  She holds me tight for half a year, and I hang there, pinned, and wait for War – how Gran sticks out her chin and squints, plays her cards like a hurricane and never lets me win. Her hug ends and then I’m free! I hug back, and start the game.

Source: Squeeze (Wordsong Press, 2005)

US$20M Courtyard by Marriott Hotel opens at Timehri with plans for 75-room extension

…Bassoo Group to build Staybridge Suites Hotel on Heroes Highway

…over 100 jobs for residents from surrounding communities

The highly anticipated US$20 million Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at Timehri – the country’s first airport hotel – was commissioned Wednesday, adding 150 rooms to Guyana’s accommodation capacity, with plans already underway for an extension.

Located near the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri, the six-storey hotel accommodates a host of modern amenities for which the world-renowned United States-based Marriott brand is known.

Built by Cardinal Investments Inc on 2.5 acres of Government-leased land, it is Guyana’s first major airport hotel, which will target airline crew, diplomats, business travellers and transit guests.

According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cardinal Investments Inc. and Managing Director of the Bassoo Group, Roy Bassoo, there are already plans in place to expand the hotel to meet growing demands.

“With surging demands from airlines and travellers, we anticipate this hotel will be fully booked from its first day,” Bassoo stated, adding, “…so promising is this beginning [that] we are ready to expand… We are in advanced discussions with the Marriott team to add 75 rooms adjacent to this property.”

The businessman explained that in addition to more rooms, the extended building will also house an entertainment complex that will feature fast food restaurants, an Irish pub and rooftop bar, ATMs and potentially, a casino.

The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel was constructed in response to calls from the Irfaan Ali-led Government for the local private sector to capitalise on incentivised investment opportunities to expand the country’s hospitality sector.

New IHG hotel

Even with this brandnew hotel at the CJIA, the Basso Group continues to heed the push for added rooms in the country with the acquisition of another international hotel franchise, this time under the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

“The Bassoo Group has secured the franchise for the Staybridge Suites Hotel under the InterContinental Hotels Group.” the local businessman announced on Wednesday.

With the lease for land along the Heroes Highway already obtained to build the new 130-room hotel, Bassoo said construction will commence in early

2026.

InterContinental Hotels Group, marketed as IHG Hotels & Resorts, is a British multinational hospitality company with more than 3000 hotel properties around the world, primarily under the Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and InterContinental brands.

As a renowned local contractor with experience in the education, healthcare and security sectors, Basso has called on other Guyanese investors, both big and small, to follow in his footsteps and seize similar opportunities.

“Never before has it been so promising to do business in Guyana, where your investments are secured and protected,” he declared, while lauding President Ali for his steadfast and visionary leadership that has seen Guyana emerging as one of the world’s "hottest investment destinations".

Meanwhile, President Ali, delivering the feature address during Wednesday’s

opening, recognised Bassoo as an ultimate trailblazer in Guyana’s development. He said these investments by the Bassoo Group are reflective of not only the confidence of the local private sector in Guyana’s rapidly growing economy but also his Government’s commitment to creating the environment for domestic companies to thrive.

“The Courtyard by

to many important investments – all aimed at positioning Guyana as a regional hotspot for major events.

“By the end of this year, Guyana will boast more than 2000 world-class hotel rooms. We are not building hotels for the sake of hotels; We are building capacity. We're lifting standards. We're making Guyana fit for purpose as a major tourism destination, and we are

use of their service,” the Guyanese leader posted.

The 150-room Courtyard hotel features six executive suites, a modern gym, a bistro restaurant and bar, a banquet hall to fit 200 persons, a pool and an executive conference room.

During the construction phase, more than 50 per cent of the labour was Guyanese, while local building materials were used.

at

Jagan International Airport is a majestic structure that attests to the fact that we are doing things better and quicker in this country. But this hotel is more than that. It is a symbol of ambition, a demonstration of confidence, and a cornerstone of the bold future we are building for our people,” he stated.

2000 hotel rooms

According to the Head of State, the hotel is part of a deliberate, strategic plan and is critically linked

not talking about tourism in a narrow sense.”

“We're talking about a sector that can host conferences and conventions, a sector that can attract international events, from business summits to sports and cultural festivals, a sector that welcomes the adventure tourist, the heritage explorer and the eco-traveller… Wherever [these opportunities] are, we're going to pursue them because we have a responsibility to these investors to invest in an ecosystem that will bring people to take and make

Now with its completion, over 300 Guyanese will benefit from direct and indirect job opportunities, including more than 100 individuals from surrounding communities.

Meanwhile, to support youth employment and empowerment, the Bassoo Group has fully funded hotel hospitality internships for 10 high school graduates from both public and private secondary schools. Those students are now fulltime employees of this hotel with plans to continue this programme in the future.

Security guard remanded on manslaughter charge for stabbing co-worker

A29-year-old security guard has been remanded to prison over the fatal stabbing of her colleague, 63-year-old Paul Devonish, which occurred in Kingston, Georgetown, on August 19.

The accused, Necose Clement, of Nismes Public Road, West Bank Demerara, appeared Tuesday before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Clement was charged with manslaughter and was not required to plead since the charge is indictable.

Police investigations revealed that Devonish was stabbed last Friday during a confrontation that first stemmed from a quarrel between him and an 18-yearold co-worker. Reports indicate that Devonish had insulted another employee, prompting the teenager to intervene. In response, Devonish allegedly slapped the teen twice, escalating the dispute.

The teenager later left and went to the doctor’s quarters at New Market and Main Streets, where Clement was stationed on duty with her mother, Vanessa Jones. The teen related what had happened, and Jones reportedly advised him to remain there. She also told him that Clement would later accompany him to retrieve his lunch bag.

According to police, while Clement and the teenager were walking east along

Barrack Street, Kingston, they were confronted by Devonish, who was riding an electric bicycle. Devonish allegedly told the teen that he was lucky he did not “box off” his head. Clement then intervened, questioning why the older man was targeting the younger guard. Devonish allegedly replied by asking her whether she had come to represent the teenager.

A scuffle soon broke out between Clement and Devonish. During the tussle,

Clement reportedly pulled a knife from the pocket of her pants and stabbed Devonish in his upper left thigh.

The wounded man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Police stated that Clement threw the knife into the Lamaha Street trench, after which she returned to her worksite, collected her belongings, and proceeded to the teenager’s home. She was later arrested there.

In a video/audio-recorded interview, Clement admitted to stabbing Devonish.

Investigators have since taken multiple witness statements regarding the incident. Police also confirmed that at the time of the altercation, Devonish was off duty.

Magistrate Latchman remanded Clement to prison, and the matter has been adjourned until September 16.

Ducking… …the war on drugs

On the hustings, parties feel they can “talk fat” and make all sorts of outlandish – or even out-of-thisworld – promises! because it’s all in the future!! But is it? What about matters that are happening in the present that affect the interests of voters?? Shouldn’t they take a stand to signal they care??Take, for instance, the American flotilla of warships and troops deployed off Venezuelan waters in their renewed “War on Drugs”. This happenstance concerns the Guyanese people (the voters!) in so many ways!!

Shall we count them?? There’re the drugs themselves that are to be transshipped up north. We know from bitter experience here and abroad that some will invariably “fall off the truck” – or now plane or submarine – to then create and feed local drug habits!! That’s our sons and daughters snorting lines of cocaine and overdosing!! Then there’s the corruption and deprofessionalisation of our security apparatus and other officials who are bribed to “look the other way” – or even become involved in the “business”.

And finally there’re the geopolitical implications of choosing a side – the US that may possibly have other motives?? Well, heck, doesn’t everyone!! So do we!! Isn’t the target of the American operation the removal of Mad Maduro, who’s been waging a single-minded war against us to take over Essequibo?? Isn’t the enemy of our enemy our friend – at least in this operation since we know there ain’t no permanent friends, just permanent interests?? And survival is permanent, baby!!

So we arrive at the direct question: Why the heck haven’t the Opposition parties announced whether they support or oppose the US move?? The PPP that’s in government right now has certainly done so – right off the bat when the decision was made in Washington!! They didn’t need Secy of State Rubio’s reminder that Mad Maduro had his designs on our oil!! And this is another reason for backing the American move – the Venezuelan Border controversy!! Are the Opposition parties in agreement with T&T’s Rowley, who cussed out Kamla for following Guyana’s lead and not that hustler Ralph Gonzalves?? Is Aubrey Norton once again gonna break our historic tradition of bipartisan support against the Venezuelan wannabe conquistadors? Is Sanction Man an agent of Mad Maduro – as those US Congress persons have charged??

The bottom line is that here’s a chance for the madman on our western border to be taken out – like Panama’s Noriega by the elder President Bush – for the exact same drug-smuggling charge!! Noriega was tried and sentenced to 17 years in jail – and Panama’s been democratic and safe since!! If your Eyewitness were the PPP, he would point out this unpatriotic stance of the Opposition parties!!

Let Sept 1st also be a referendum on this issue!!

…PPP’s record

Today, the last batch of concrete’s gonna be poured to connect the eastern and western sections of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge!! And at long last, we’ll have 21st-century transportation connectivity between our two fastest-growing regions – 3 and 4!! The poet Keats said that “a thing of beauty is a joy forever”, and this suspension bridge – which functionally allows ships to traverse up and down river – IS a thing of beauty!!

In criticising the PPP infrastructural drive, the Opposition keeps screeching that “people can’t eat bridges”. Well, they’ll be able to EA a heck of a lot easier once the tens of thousands of passenger-filled vehicles –travelling to and from jobs – cut out at least three hours daily from frustration-wracked commutes!!

And if we wanna be fair, we can acknowledge that while there have been shortfalls and shortcomings, in five years the PPP’s already positively transformed Guyana in so many ways.

The DHB’s only the latest example!!

…bravado

Venezuelan Defence Minister Padrino announced a “significant” drone deployment – as well as naval patrols along the country’s Caribbean coast – in response to the presence of US warships and amphibious carriers with 4500 troops.

“No day canoe can bore punt!!”

Driver killed in collision after running stop sign on Heroes Highway

Charles Richards died on Wednesday at the intersection of the Eastern Carriageway of Heroes Highway and the Mocha Main Access Road, East Bank Demerara, after allegedly failing to obey a stop sign.

Reports are that the fatal accident occurred at about 05:30h and involved motor lorry GAH 9771, owned and driven by a 29-year-old of Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, and motorcar PAH 7906, owned and driven by 64-year-old Richards

of Lot 31 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

According to police, Richards was driving east along the Mocha Main Access Road when he failed to comply with a stop sign and stop line at the intersection. He continued east into the path of the lorry, which was proceeding south along Heroes Highway, resulting in a collision.

Richards suffered head injuries and other wounds.

Emergency Medical Technicians responded to

the scene and pronounced him dead. Both vehicles were damaged.

His body was later taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Mortuary, where it is being kept pending a post-mortem examination.

Police said a Notice of Intended Prosecution was served on the driver of the truck. A breathalyser test conducted on him showed no trace of alcohol. He remains in custody assisting investigators.

Region 6 sees 63% drop in crime, 34% fall in traffic accidents

There has been a 63 per cent decline in crime in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and also a huge reduction in traffic offences, according to the police commander of that region, Assistant Commissioner Shivpersaud Bacchus.

Addressing a gathering at the commissioning of the new Central Police Station headquarters in New Amsterdam on Tuesday, Commander Bacchus said both crime and traffic statistics showed a drastic decline.

“I am proud, standing in front of you... to say that Regional Police Division Six is celebrating a minus 34 per cent of traffic incidents and traffic accidents. It therefore means that the rank and file within the region would understand the challenge, would understand the circumstances, and would continue to perform their duty

with professionalism and accountability. Honourable Minister, we stand proud in Region Six to report that we are at 63 per cent minus in indictable and summary offences in Regional Police Division Six. It therefore tells us that our strategies employed and deployed are working,” the Commander declared.

However, Bacchus stopped short of saying what the range of the comparison was to arrive at his conclusion: whether it was the past month, the corresponding period last year or over the past decade.

Nevertheless, Home Affairs Minister Robson Benn said those statistics should not be a reason for law enforcement officers to relax.

“We should not rest on our laurels as a result of the statistics we have. We know that there are many other things which we should

intercept early before they evolve into bigger crimes or worse things. We know that there is still smuggling of stuff over the Corentyne River landing up all over the place: banana, pineapple, cheese, chicken… We need to get on top of that. And of course, [there] is still [the] planting of ganja along the Canje and Berbice Rivers,” the Minister pointed out.

Commander Bacchus, while praising the efforts of the ranks in the region, sounded a stern warning to those who may be involved in unprofessional conduct: “Policemen and Region Six would have distinguished themselves. I know, and I am cognisant of the fact [that] there are complaints of misconduct and unprofessional conduct and corruption. Corruption is a no-no for us. When you get involved in corrupt practices... you will be dealt with accordingly,” he warned.

GPOC suspends all outbound parcels to US amid new tariff policy

The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) has announced an immediate suspension of all outbound postal parcels and packages to the United States (US), effective until further notice.

lished under Executive Order 14324, requires that all international parcels, regardless of value, are now subject to US import duties. The regulation takes effect on August 29, 2025.

As a result, the GPOC will also not accept packages destined for countries whose shipments transit through the United States. This restriction affects parcels being sent to Australia, Grand Cayman, New Zealand, Turks and Caicos, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Guatemala, Honduras, and Paraguay.

The new policy, estab -

The move comes in response to the US Government’s suspension of the de minimis exemption, which previously allowed goods valued under US$800 to enter the country duty-free. GPOC will continue to process letters and documents to the US.

The GPOC has assured the public that further updates will be provided through its official communication channels.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Break free from decades of PNC stagnation – Chief Investment Officer urges Linden …says

Region 10’s “progress is

undeniable”

Chief Investment Officer and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) National Candidate, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, has issued a strong call for Region Ten (Upper DemeraraBerbice) residents to embrace change, citing the Government’s record of tangible development in the region and contrasting it with what he described as “decades of stagnation under the People’s National Congress (PNC).”

Speaking at a community gathering in Linden, Dr Ramsaroop declared that the time had come for Region 10 to break free from “the cycle of failed promises and political manipulation.” He argued that while the PNC has historically controlled the region, its leadership left communities deprived of opportunity and growth.

“For the entirety of its history, Region 10 has been under the control of the People’s National Congress (PNC). And what has it delivered? Decades of incompetence, neglect, and broken promises. The PNC’s rule in Region 10 has been defined not by development, but by stagnation, leaving residents with unfulfilled hopes and communities deprived of opportunity,” Dr Ramsaroop contended.

Yet, in spite of this resistance and neglect, President Dr Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C Government have prioritised Region 10. They have delivered tangible results, investments, projects, and commitments that directly benefit the people. Unlike the empty rhetoric of the PNC, the PPP/C consistently backs words with action…

“Never again should the people of Region 10 allow themselves to be trapped in the cycle of failed promises and political manipulation by the PNC,” he went on to state.

According to Ramsaroop, the PPP/C Government under President Irfaan Ali has

prioritised Region Ten despite political resistance. He highlighted a series of projects and investments, including the toll-free Wismar Bridge, infrastructural upgrades from Linden to Ituni and the construction of more than 50 bridges from Linden to Lethem.

“Region 10’s progress under the PPP/C is undeniable: the toll-free Wismar Bridge, the Moblissa dairy investment, infrastructural upgrades from Linden to Ituni, the corn and soya bean project, improvements to the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, internal road works in Kwakwani and other communities, the construction of over 50+ bridges from Linden to Lethem, and critical developments in healthcare and education, just to name a few. Yet, despite these achievements, growth in Region 10 continues to be persistently stifled by the PNC-led Regional Democratic Council (RDC)”.

“The choice before the people is now crystal clear: continue down the same road of failure under the PNC, or vote for genuine transformation under the PPP/C. Region 10 deserves its rightful place in Guyana’s national development story, a future of growth, prosperity, and opportunity,” he added.

At a previous engagement with residents of Linden, General Secretary (GS) of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo noted that the PPP/C has spent more money in communities across Guyana, including in Linden, which has seen many locals gaining employment through the awards of contracts, with more to come in the future.

He said, “In the last two years alone, you had $18 billion spent on building roads with 700 odd contractors from this region alone… [In the next five years] there will be new opportunities because when we start building the concrete drains

here in Linden and across the country, many more will get contracts.”

Moreover, Jagdeo told the massive gathering that in the next term, youths can look forward to better-paying jobs, education and training opportunities and improvement in the basic services like healthcare. To this end, he detailed plans to spend a whopping US$30 million on upgrading the Linden Regional Hospital into a state-of-the-art facility.

This will be further bolstered by opportunities for young people to establish their own businesses through a special development bank with zero-interest financing and other support from the next PPP/C Administration.

“We are going to tackle the cost of living to make sure that we bring down costs. We will put more money in people’s pockets. You will get more grants from the Government, the pensioners will see an increase, and everyone will see an increase,” he assured. But according to the GS, all this can only be achieved if the PPP/C not only returns to office after the upcoming polls but also wins overwhelmingly in Region 10 to continue rolling out initiatives that would benefit citizens there. “We have never won this region at the regional level, and we have had all sorts of disruption from the people who manage this region… They don’t want Region 10 to progress because they can’t then

say the PPP discriminates against you. So, they will sabotage all of our activities… So, if we want to win this region, we need to have conversations in our family,” he posited.

“This is what makes us a national party. It’s a vision of a Guyana that is united

and strong, a vision where all of our people, regardless of their race or their religion or their gender, find a home in a political party where they’re treated with respect, and they can look forward to the future. A party that will keep its word,” Jagdeo asserted.

FGM vs GECOM

Court decision tomorrow on election-delay case

Following the conclusion of submissions and presentations on Wednesday, acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh announced that he will deliver his ruling on Friday at 14:00h in the matter brought by the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Presentations closed with the attorney for the applicant, US-based Vivian Williams, replying to the arguments put forth on Tuesday by the attorney for GECOM, Arudranauth Gossai, and the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall.

However, the Attorney General accused Williams of attempting to introduce new arguments into the case.

“Chaos has overtaken us because [Mr Williams] has departed from his pleadings and has gone all over this place,” Nandalall commented.

“A lot was said this morning that was not part of the original case. [William’s] case has shifted from yesterday to this morning, and the shift has made the case even worse. Fisher [the applicant] is clearly on a fishing expedition, and the lawyer is also at sea.”

Nandalall accused Williams of making a political speech and attempting to change his arguments given what was presented by the defending attorneys on Tuesday.

“In his reply to the submissions of the Attorney General and GECOM Attorney, he introduced into the case new arguments, realising that the arguments that he had put forward [from Tuesday] would not succeed. But in my respectful view, the shifts which he made this morning made the case even worse,” Nandalall said.

Notwithstanding Williams making an over one-hour presentation, the judge noted to Williams that he spent much of his time simply arguing his case and did not respond to any particular arguments of the defending attorneys.

The judge went on to note that once “the arguments step outside of the pleadings, they will not be considered in the case.”

However, should Friday’s ruling not be in FGM’s favour, an appeal by FGM to the Appellate Court, Gossai noted, should not affect the moving forward of Monday’s elections.

The case has been

filed by Region Nine resident and FGM candidate Krystal Hadassah Fisher, who is challenging that FGM’s exclusion from the ballot in her region violates her constitutional right to vote for a party of her choice. One of six political parties contesting the upcoming September 1 General and Regional Elections (GRE), FGM did not submit geographical constituency lists in Regions Seven, Eight and Nine; as such, they have not been included on the ballot in those regions.

Political parties wishing to contest for a seat in Guyana’s 65-seat National Assembly must submit a National Top Up List to vie for 40 seats, while parties must submit individual Geographical Constituency Lists of Candidates to contest for the remaining 25 seats, which are distributed across 10 geographical constituencies.

Gossai has argued that it is the votes from the geographical constituencies lists that enable parties to attain votes for their National Top Up Lists and not the other way around.

“[Voters] are not voting for a National Top Up List; the National Top Up List is not an independent list. You cannot submit a National Top Up List and forgo the constituency lists. Your geographical constituency [votes] is what determines whether you get a vote on your National Top Up List. The National Top Up List is like the baby of the Geographical Constituency Lists, so if you don't have a mother, you can't have a child,” Gossai noted.

“The vote comes from the constituency lists and then simultaneously is counted to the Nat top-up list; in other words, if you don’t contest in geographical constituency 9, you can’t get a vote for your top-up list because you don't have a geographical constituency list. I don't believe that the court can

find that with the National Top Up list alone that the parties can automatically find themselves on the ballot for the geographical constituency where they have not submitted lists; otherwise, the court would be committing a breach of law.”

At the core of the arguments of both sides are the interpretations of articles contained in Guyana’s Constitution and the Representation of the People Act (ROPA).

In her application, Fisher has asked the court to declare that the exclusion violates Articles 13, 59 and 159 of the Constitution, as well as a denial of her right, as a candidate, to ballot access and to contest in the elections.

However, the AG has rejected the narrative that GECOM’s actions amount to discrimination, instead pointing to FGM’s deliberate decision not to contest in Region Nine. The AG continued to argue on Wednesday that the applicant’s attorney has failed to establish a constitutional violation.

“There is no provision in the Constitution that has been identified here and a clear, unequivocal assertion made that this provision has been violated. He is saying that GECOM’s application of ROPA is in violation of the Constitution.”

"If you are alleging a constitutional breach, you must identify the section of the Constitution and the article being breached and set out the factual substrata of evidence that establishes the facts. We don't have anything like this here. All you have are general statements about political participation… Broad generic terms – no singular provision has been identified for us to examine.”

Nandlall, in his arguments to the court, has highlighted that any citizen’s right to vote, while protected under the

Constitution, is not absolute and must be exercised within the framework of electoral laws.

According to Nandlall, the Constitution guarantees the voter only the right to vote for those who are contesting, and in this instance, FGM did not submit a geographical constituency list for Region Nine, thereby making itself ineligible to appear on the ballot in that region.

The exclusion of FGM from the ballot in Region Nine, the AG argued, is a direct result of the party’s own failure to comply with the rules outlined under

the ROPA. Williams has acknowledged that the case is not arguing that GECOM has violated ROPA or that ROPA is in conflict with the Constitution.

“But GECOM could be consistent with ROPA and do everything that ROPA asked them to do and still not be within the Constitution,” Williams said.

“So the question is not just that the applicant must prove a violation by GECOM of ROPA; GECOM’s supreme boss that it has to comply with, at the top level, is the

Ex-convict

Constitution. The question ultimately would be that what GECOM is doing is not in conformity with the Constitution.”

Williams' argument is that the right to vote is a fundamental, universal right that cannot be altered. According to Williams, omitting political parties from the ballot of regions where they did not submit a geographical constituency list of candidates creates an uneven and discriminatory system that disenfranchises residents in the regions where the omitted party does not appear.

caught smuggling US$10.6M in cocaine

Karen Petula Stuffle, a woman from Guyana, has been arrested at Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport with a large consignment of cocaine, the same crime that once sent her to prison in her native country.

On September 9, 2018, Stuffle was caught at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Guyana with 1.14 kilograms (kg) of cocaine.

A court sentenced her to four years in jail and fined her $2.3 million on Sept 14 that year.

She had been preparing to fly to New York’s JFK Airport when she was detained in Guyana.

This time, she was held in Dhaka after flying from Qatar’s Doha.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate said Stuffle arrived on Qatar Airways flight QR638 at around 02:30h on Monday.

Acting on a tip-off, officials had been on alert before the aircraft landed at Gate No. Six.

Investigators confirmed her identity at seat 30, and after she completed immigration formalities, her bag-

gage was scanned.

Inside, officers found three plastic jars, each containing several foil-wrapped capsules.

In total, 22 egg-shaped capsules were recovered. Initial tests by the Department of Narcotics Control confirmed the substance was cocaine.

The haul weighed 8.66kg, with an estimated street value of Tk 1.3 billion (US$10.6M), making it the largest seizure of cocaine at the Dhaka airport.

Sonia Akhter, deputy director of the airport’s customs intelligence and investigation circle, said charges were being prepared against Stuffle under criminal and customs laws.

Stuffle, 63, is a hairdresser by profession.

Guyanese media outlet Stabroek News detailed her earlier arrest.

In 2018, she had been stopped while attempting to board a British Airways flight to New York.

During questioning at the check-in scanner, she was searched, and a package wrapped in plastic was recovered from her body.

When opened, it contained a white powdery sub-

stance suspected to be cocaine.

Once initial testing confirmed it was cocaine, Stuffle reportedly said, “That’s all the cocaine I got.”

She was then arrested and taken to the headquarters of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), where the drugs were weighed. An X-ray later revealed suspicious items inside her intestines.

She was admitted to hospital, where she was given laxatives. Over the next two days, she excreted a total of 100 cocaine-filled capsules. The capsules were later found to contain a total of 928 grams of cocaine. Combined with the initial seizure, the total weight came to 1.142kg.

Brought before a magistrate, she pleaded guilty on her lawyer’s advice, expressed remorse and promised never to offend again.

The court sentenced her to four years in jail, fined her $2.39 million, and ordered the confiscation of $400 found on her.

Seven years on, that promise has been broken. Stuffle has once again returned to drug trafficking. [bdnews24]

Nandlall alerts int'l observers, Police to

“dangerous” Opposition election rhetoric

Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Anil Nandlall, SC has written to international and local observers as well as the Commissioner of Police about the potential threat to peaceful elections posed by at least two opposition parties.

During his “Issues in the News” programme on Tuesday, Nandlall made reference to recent comments made by leaders of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) parties.

He recalled that WIN’s Presidential Candidate, United States-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, is quoted as telling supporters that his party will win the elections, that they will win Region Seven, they will win Region Eight, or they have already won Region Seven, they have already won Region Eight, and they will win

Region Six. And if the results are apparently different, they will not accept it.

Nandlall highlighted that APNU’s Presidential Candidate Aubrey Norton made similar remarks to his support base.

“When statements are made of the type and quality made by Aubrey Norton and Azruddin Mohamed, in the historical context of Guyana, one cannot ignore them,” the seasoned politician explained, as he went on to condemn the utterances.

“They are irresponsible, they are inflammatory, and there is no basis for those statements to have been made in the first place,” he said.

According to Nandlall, who is also the country’s Attorney General, the various electoral observers’ missions in the country as well as the police have been notified of these developments.

“These are statements that can have serious con-

sequences, as we have seen, and as our historical experiences have shown. On behalf of the Government of Guyana, I have written to all the international foreign observers currently in the country, drawing their attention to these dangerous publications by these political leaders. I have written to every accredited local observer and sent them a similar message,” Nandlall noted.

“And these matters have also been formally drawn to the attention of the Commissioner of Police. We don’t want violence in this country. We don’t want social disorder in this country,” he added.

According to Nandlall, Guyana has been embroiled in such uncivilised and undemocratic conduct for too long.

He expressed, “our country has graduated, and it is at a particular precipice of standing internationally. And I hope that these political leaders will not drag us back to that state of lawlessness and semi-anarchy that they had dragged us to in the past.”

Referring particularly to Norton’s remarks, Nandlall contended that the APNU (which largely comprises the People’s National Congress) has a history of electoral malpractices.

“The PNC has had a long history of not only rigging elections but also attempting to rig elections. And the attempt was as late as, or the attempts were as late as, 2020… The PNC also has a long history of executing violence or en-

couraging violence in relation to elections. You have the 1992 elections, where the PNC refused to accept the legitimate results of those elections, elections that were observed by international, foreign, and local observers… And because the results were not of their liking, we had violence in the streets of Georgetown. Buildings were burnt, people were beaten, people were robbed, they were looting, there was fire, violence, and disruptions that lasted for days. 1997 elections, again, they lost, even by a greater majority. Again, the elections were observed by international and foreign observers and local observers and certified to be free and fair. Yet, you had violence, intense violence, in 1997. Buildings burnt, violence lasting for weeks, roads blocked across the country, fires lit all over the place, and a lot of people being beaten and robbed and mo-

lested,” he said.

“…2001, again, they lost the elections. Again, they told their supporters not to accept the results, telling them, as they did on the three previous occasions, that they won the elections. And again, that led to mayhem, robbery, violence, arson, burning, looting, and beatings of people. So, against that backdrop, and that history of violence associated with elections, violence that stemmed directly from political leaders telling their supporters not to accept the results,” Nandlall reminded.

Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken has already warned that “any attempt to create disorder, intimidate others or break the law will be dealt with swiftly.”

Guyanese head to the polls on September 1 to vote in the country’s General and Regional Elections.

President Irfaan Ali of the PPP/C is seeking re-election and is running against five opponents: APNU, AFC, WIN, FGM and LJP.

The PPP/C is campaigning on a track record of delivered promises and has maintained that it is the only viable option to take the country forward.

Already, some 8700 members of the Disciplined Forces have voted ahead of the September 1 polls.

The security forces have been intensifying their training for the upcoming September 1 General and Regional Elections.

Particularly, the Guyana Police Force has received support from

the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office in crisis management training.

Police officers have also received training on crowd management and communication protocols.

Hicken has noted that the likelihood of election unrest remains low but assured that the Tactical Services Unit will maintain the highest level of readiness to respond decisively should the need arise.

The last general and regional elections were conducted on March 2, 2020. However, litigations, protest actions, a national recount exercise and attempts by the incumbent APNU+AFC Coalition to derail the process led to an increase in police interventions across the country to maintain peace and order.

The results were eventually declared on August 2, 2020, leading to the swearing-in of President Irfaan Ali.

AC technician remanded after allegedly chopping 2 men during dispute

An air-conditioning technician of Charlestown, Georgetown, has been remanded to prison after being slapped with two charges stemming from a violent altercation in WerkEn-Rust, Georgetown, last week.

Michael Layne appeared on Wednesday before acting Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where the charges of attempt to commit murder and felonious wounding were read to him.

The first charge alleges that on August 23, at John Street, Werk-En-Rust, Layne wounded Rafeek Khan with the intent to murder him. The second charge accuses Layne of unlawfully and maliciously

wounding Julian Vanlange on the same date and location, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or cause grievous bodily harm.

Layne’s attorney, Dexter Smartt, in a bail application, described his client as a father with no previous convictions. The lawyer argued that Layne had acted in self-defence after being attacked by the two men, who are also the virtual complainants in the matter. The lawyer further told the court that Layne sustained injuries requiring stitches and assured the magistrate that his client posed no flight risk, had strong ties to his community, and would abide by any conditions if granted bail.

However, the prosecutor objected to bail, citing the gravity of the offences, con-

cerns for public safety, and the ongoing safety of the complainants. According to the prosecution, Layne and Khan were previously acquainted. Earlier in August, Layne had been involved in a vehicular accident and subsequently took his car to Khan’s auto repair shop on Friday, August 22, to have it fixed.

The two agreed on a cost of $80,000, with Layne paying an initial $40,000 deposit and promising to settle the balance upon collection.

When Layne returned, however, he allegedly discovered that no repairs had been done to his vehicle.

The prosecutor stated that Khan later approached Layne seeking more money, but Layne refused. While attempting to remove his car, Layne was accused of

striking Khan’s vehicle. This led to an argument, during which Layne reportedly punched Khan. Khan, together with Vanlange, allegedly retaliated by striking Layne in the head with a bottle.

The prosecution contended that Layne then went to his car, retrieved a cutlass, and inflicted multiple chops on both complainants. As a result, both men suffered serious injuries, with both of them reportedly losing a finger. They remain hospitalised.

Magistrate Latchman denied bail. She cited the seriousness of the allegations and emphasised that both complainants are still receiving medical care. The case has been adjourned to September 17.

Guyana, Slovenia lead joint call for permanent ceasefire in Gaza

…as the UN confirms famine among children

Guyana and Slovenia, serving as informal co-focal points on conflict and hunger at the United Nations (UN) Security Council, have issued a powerful joint appeal for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, following the confirmation of famine conditions and alarming rates of child malnutrition in the enclave.

The statement, delivered Tuesday by Ambassador Trishala Persaud of Guyana and Ambassador Ondina Drobic of Slovenia on behalf of 14 Security Council members, underscored the urgency of addressing what they described as a “manmade crisis”.

The International Panel on the Classification of Food Security (IPC), in a report published last Friday, confirmed famine in the Gaza Governorate – the first official confirmation of famine in the Middle East. The data also projected that famine conditions could spread to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of

Persaud of Guyana

September.

According to the findings, nearly 1.5 million people across Gaza are facing emergency and crisis levels of food insecurity, of which at least 132,000 children are expected to suffer acute malnutrition between now and June 2026.

“This is the first time famine has been official-

ly confirmed in the Middle East region. Every day, more persons are dying as a result of malnutrition, many of them children… At least 132,000 children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition between now and June 2026. Older persons and persons with chronic diseases also continue to be disproportionately affected by the conflict and are among the vulnerable groups reportedly succumbing to malnutrition-related deaths. All of this while hundreds of trucks laden with life-saving aid sit a short distance away.”

“We stand in front of you, especially disturbed by the levels of acute malnutrition among children in Gaza. We note that at least 41,000 children are at heightened risk of death from malnutrition between now and June 2026. Famine in Gaza must be stopped immediately. International Humanitarian Law must be respected. Security Council resolution 2417 of 2018 must be implement-

Taxi driver remanded on double larceny charge

ANorton Street, Georgetown, taxi driver has been remanded to prison after being charged for two separate larcenies in Georgetown last week.

The defendant, Kelvin Thomas, appeared on Wednesday before Acting Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

According to the first allegation, on Friday, August 22, at the intersection of Avenue of the Republic and Regent Street, Thomas stole a gold chain valued at $285,000, the property of Lucille Reynolds.

The second charge states

that on Saturday, August 23, at Croal and Longden Streets, Stabroek, he stole a gold band valued at $175,000 belonging to Shadyah Kayum.

In court, Thomas maintained his innocence, claiming he had no knowledge of the incidents. He told the Magistrate that he had no other matters before the court and tearfully explained that he has young children depending on him, including an unborn baby. He also said he cares for his grandmother and pleaded not to be remanded.

The prosecution objected to bail, stressing the seriousness and prevalence of such offences and the need to safeguard the public. Prosecutors

explained that the accused and the complainants are strangers to each other.

The court heard that on August 23, Kayum was walking along Croal and Longden Streets with her boyfriend when Thomas allegedly approached and snatched her valuables. That incident, prosecutors said, was caught on CCTV, which led to Thomas being identified, located, and arrested.

Additionally, the prosecution outlined that in the case involving Reynolds, the woman was seated in a bus that had just pulled off when Thomas allegedly grabbed her chain from her neck. Though Reynolds attempted to chase after him, the thief managed to escape. She later made a report, and during an ID parade, Reynolds identified Thomas as the perpetrator.

After considering the submissions, Magistrate Latchman denied bail, citing both the gravity and the frequency of such offences. She advised Thomas that he had the right to seek a judicial review and could apply to the High Court for bail. The matter has been adjourned to September 17.

ed,” Guyana’s Ambassador Trishala Persaud said.

Against this background, Ambassador Ondina Drobic of Slovenia outlined three immediate demands, including a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian action, lifting restrictions on aid delivery, and reversal of military expansion aimed at seizing Gaza City.

“One: We call for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire; we call for the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups; we call for a substantive surge of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.”

“Two: Israel must immediately and unconditionally lift all restrictions on aid delivery. This includes opening all land routes and allowing the UN and humanitarian partners to operate safely and at scale. Humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence must be central to humanitarian action.”

“Three: We call on Israel to immediately reverse its decision to further expand its military operation in Gaza with the aim of taking over Gaza City. This decision, which we reject, will inevitably worsen the already horrific humanitarian situation and endanger the lives of all civilians, including the hostages,” Ambassador Ondina Drobic said.

Time is of the essence

Ambassador Persaud and Ambassador Drobic, backed by Algeria, China, Denmark, France, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and the United Kingdom, stressed the need for swift action.

“Time is of the essence. The humanitarian emergency must be addressed without delay, and Israel must reverse course. We have seen what is possible to achieve during a ceasefire,” they urged.

Hundreds of aid trucks remain stalled just outside Gaza, unable to enter despite the worsening humanitarian conditions.

The statement concluded with a call to the international community to uphold Security Council Resolution 2417 (2018), which condemns the use of starvation as a method of warfare and emphasises accountability for violations of international law.

Water vendor remanded for beating mother of his child

A58-year-old water vendor from Middle Street, Tiger Bay, Georgetown, was on Wednesday remanded to prison after being charged with assault causing actual bodily harm.

Diaram Narine appeared before Senior Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where the charge was read to him. It is alleged that on August 25, at Queen Street, Georgetown, Narine unlawfully assaulted Dakota Agard, causing her actual bodily harm.

According to the prosecutor, on the day in question, the virtual complainant (VC) approached Narine to discuss a matter relating to their child. An argument ensued, during which Narine reportedly picked up a bicycle bar and used it to strike the woman about her body. The matter was reported to the police, and Narine was later arrested.

When given an opportunity to speak in court, the woman told the Magistrate that she only maintains contact with Narine because of their daughter and asked that he be ordered to stay away from her.

Narine, on the other hand, stated that “the child is bound to me by spirit and not by law. It is not legal,” adding that no relationship exists between him and the complainant. He further requested that the court order a DNA test to confirm the child’s paternity.

Although the prosecutor raised no objection to bail, citing Narine’s clean record, Magistrate Latchman refused bail and remanded him to prison until

September 26. Recently, Guyana has seen a troubling rise in reports of domestic violence, with several cases ending in tragedy. In one of the most recent incidents, a 36-yearold woman who had fled her home two months earlier because of abuse was gunned down in Georgetown by her estranged husband. He shot her multiple times before turning the weapon on their 10-year-old son, and then fatally on himself.

Govt improves, strengthens law enforcement

...as $603M spent on 7 projects in Regions 5 & 6

ome Affairs

HMinister Robson Benn on Tuesday, commissioned seven projects across Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), totalling $603 million.

Minister Benn said the projects underscored the Government’s commitment to strengthening law enforcement, enhancing public safety, and improving policing services across Guyana.

Two of the projects were in Region Five: the Command Centre at Fort Wellington ($78.4 million) and the new Mahaicony Police Station building ($111.3 million), while

with state-of-the-art amenities, similar to other recently commissioned facilities nationwide.

According to the

the others were in Region Six: a boathouse at the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling ($48 million), the new Central Police Station building ($228 million), the new Rose Hall Town Police Station ($70 million), living quarters at Skeldon ($46.4 million) and the Command Centre at Whim Police Station ($20.9 million).

The new police station buildings are outfitted

Minister, the upgrades are designed to improve operational efficiency, support proactive policing strategies, and strengthen community engagement in law enforcement.

Minister Benn noted the importance of modern infrastructure in building public confidence and improving policing outcomes, stating.

“This is a tremendous

improvement, not only for Region Five itself, but for our law enforcement infrastructure across the country. These investments reflect our commitment to better serve and protect our citizens,” he said.

Apart from the three new police station buildings that were commissioned, of significant importance are the command centres in the two regions, which will serve as the operational hub and are expected to improve coordination among law enforcement agencies and strengthen response capabilities across the region.

Additionally, the Command Operations is part of the government’s Safe City to Safe Country Project, bringing advanced surveillance technologies and monitoring systems.

According to the minister, this will boost crime prevention, improve investigative capacities, and ensure safer communities through real-time surveillance and better informa-

tion-sharing among security agencies.

“Through the Safe City to Safe Country Project, we are bringing advanced technologies into our policing strategy. This is about improving security, strengthening investigations, and ensuring safer communities for all Guyanese.”

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Home Affairs Ministry Andre Ally commended the significant investments made to better equip and support law enforcement officers:

“We are putting the infrastructure in place and providing you with the tools, equipment, and technology necessary to perform your duties effective-

ues to drive these developments aggressively and deliver them on schedule…

We want you to be proud of these facilities and the work you do here. Years from now, we want the public to remember you for

its commitment to improving law enforcement.

He said all should be grateful for what the government has been doing as it relates to law enforcement.

“For providing the

ly. Our goal is to create an environment that supports better policing and delivers better results. The faster we complete these projects, the sooner the people of Guyana can benefit. That is why the Ministry of Home Affairs contin-

the professionalism, dedication, and service you demonstrated in this community.”

Deputy Commissioner of Operations Errol Watts, speaking at the ceremony at Central Police Station, praised the government for

scarce resources in terms of cash for this building to be materialised, and I wish to thank – on behalf of the Commissioner personally and the ranks of the police force – Mr Benn, the PS and all [of] the engineering team…”

1st National Children’s Conference focuses on mental health, abuse prevention

Guyana host-

ed its first-ever National Children’s Conference on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), bringing together more than 200 children from across the country to discuss issues central to their safety, wellbeing, and future.

The landmark event was organised by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) in collaboration with the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). It marked a historic step in amplifying the voices of children and ensuring their direct involvement in shaping policies that affect their lives.

Children between the ages of 9 and 16 participated, including those from Regions Three, Four, and Six, as well as children in foster care, state care facilities, and those living

with disabilities and special needs.

The sessions created opportunities for children to share experiences, ask questions, and make recommendations to policymakers, while also exposing them to resources available for their protection.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security

Dr Vindhya Persaud underscored the significance of the conference, explaining that it was designed to ensure children feel both heard and empowered.

“This is about giving children the space to speak, to understand their worth and to realise that no matter their background, they have a future filled with possibili-

ties,” Dr Persaud said.

In her remarks, the minister also urged the participants to recognise and embrace their rights as children, highlighting the importance of making informed decisions about their lives.

“You have the right to choose just as you have the right to education, to health,

to survival, and to every other opportunity out there,” she told them.

She further stressed that many children continue to suffer from various forms of abuse in Guyana.

“Many children experience violence, many children experience abuse, and that abuse can be sexual abuse, emotional abuse, mental abuse, physical abuse, and sometimes all of these things combined affect a single child,” Dr Persaud said.

The minister also reminded the participants of the services available through the ministry, including the 914 hotline, which can be used to report cases of abuse.

Breakout sessions during the conference focused on themes such as children’s rights, sexual and reproductive health, mental health and wellbeing, inclusion and accessibility, and responsible use of social media.

Children were cautioned about the dangers of online

platforms and encouraged to use social media wisely.

Adding to the interactive sessions, a career exhibition was staged to introduce participants to diverse job opportunities and inspire them to chart meaningful career paths.

Officials from the Childcare and Protection Agency, the Rights of the Child Commission, and UNICEF were present to support the event.

Dr Persaud noted that the conference should become an annual event, potentially rotating across regions to guarantee broader participation.

“This must not be a onetime event. We want every child to know what resources are available to them and to recognise their role in building a safer, stronger society,” she said.

The inaugural conference was held under the theme “Empowering Children for a Safer Future”.

Venezuela deploys warships, drones to coast as US naval squadron nears

Venezuela’s defence Minister says military vessels and drones will be sent to patrol the country’s coastline amid simmering tension with the United States after Washington deployed warships to waters off Venezuela to fight drug trafficking.

In a video on social media on Tuesday, Minister of Defence Vladimir Padrino announced a “significant” drone deployment as well as naval patrols along the country’s Caribbean coast, including “larger vessels further north in our territorial waters”.

The move comes after Washington last week deployed an amphibious squadron of three warships towards Venezuela’s coast in what it said was an operation against Latin American drug cartels.

News agencies reported on Monday that two more US ships – a guided missile cruiser and a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine – had also been dispatched to the Caribbean, and that some 4,500 US service members, including 2,200 Marines, were part of the deployment.

The US naval buildup comes after the Administration of US President Donald Trump last week accused Venezuela’s left-wing president, Nicolas Maduro, of being involved in cocaine trafficking and working with drug cartels.

Maduro has dismissed the accusations and accused the US of attempting to instigate regime change in his country.

On Monday, Maduro insisted during a weekly tele-

vision show that his country, unlike neighbouring Colombia, is “free of coca leaf crops and free of cocaine production”.

Maduro, who has also criticised the US Government for not addressing the drug consumption within its borders, has mobilised hundreds of thousands of local militia members to strengthen national security amid the threats from Washington.

Some 15,000 Venezuelan troops have also been dispatched to the country’s border with Colombia to crack down on criminal groups, including those involved in drug trafficking.

In a separate announcement on Tuesday, Defence Minister Padrino said an ongoing operation in Venezuela’s northeastern corner had resulted in the dismantling of shipyards where criminals intended “to manufacture semisubmersibles and boats to transport drugs by sea” to markets in Europe and North America.

The move to deploy US warships and personnel off Venezuela comes as Trump pushes for using the military to thwart cartels he blames for the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into US communities and for perpetuating violence in some US cities. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T&T prison supervisor accused of attempt to infiltrate Teteron Barracks prison

Aprison officer with alleged links to murder accused Rajaee Ali, is one of the latest people to have a detention order issued against him under the State of Emergency.

According to the detention order, which was gazetted Tuesday and signed on August 18, Garth Guada, of Malabar, Arima, is allegedly an associate of the Radical Islamic Criminal Gang and other gangs. The Radical

Islamic Criminal Gang, according to order, is led by Ali.

The order against Guada stated, “He has been confirmed to be providing support to other gang leaders and members who are incarcerated in furtherance of their participation in, involvement in or commission of violent gang-related activities, including the imminently planned killing of public officials in public spaces using high-powered rifles.”

The order said as a prison

supervisor, Guada “repeatedly facilitated the breach of prison security measures for the benefit of the gang members and has been trying to engage in further breaches at their current place of incarceration (Teteron Barracks).”

According to the detention order against Ali, he is accused of accessing “prohibited articles” while at the Defence Force bases in Chaguaramas.

Guada’s detention order said this situation made him a serious threat to public safety and his detention at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre necessary, as he has shown that he has the means and resources “to assist incarcerated persons to engage in gang activity despite their present incarceration and is a threat to the safety of the public.”

The detention order was made public hours after acting Prisons Commissioner Hayden Forde called for all rogue prison officers to be arrested, charged and convicted.

(Source: Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)

Argentina's Milei rushed from campaign event as protesters throw rocks at car

Argentine President Javier Milei was rushed out of a public event by his security team in Buenos Aires province on Wednesday after protesters threw rocks and other objects at his car, according to Reuters witnesses.

The president was standing in the back of a moving pickup truck with security team members and his sister Karina Milei, who is also his chief of staff, while campaigning for upcoming local and midterm elections.

Some people in the crowd began throwing things, with at least one rock hitting the hood of the truck. Other items were seen being thrown over the president's head.

The pickup truck sped away from the crowd, which was yelling anti-Government chants like "Get out, Milei."

People within the crowd were also fighting each other.

Milei's spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, said on X that members of the opposition "attacked" the president's caravan and that there were no injuries.

After the incident, Milei posted a picture of himself giving a thumbs up alongside his sister and a con-

gressman and said the opposition "throws stones empty of ideas, turning once again to violence."

Milei's caravan was moving through streets of Lomas de Zamora, a district in Buenos Aires province that is traditionally a stronghold of the Peronist opposition movement. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Barbados prison officers due "halfmillion dollars"; firefighters, cops unpaid

Hundreds in the protective services are still without long-promised COVID-19 pandemic pay and allowances, sparking discontent as delays stretch into a fourth year, Barbados TODAY has learnt.

The non-payment or delay of various types of pay, including for serving in acting positions and for working extra hours, is affecting police officers, firefighters and prison officers.

Prison officers are owed more than half a million dollars in outstanding pay for extended duties carried out during the pandemic, dating back four years, Superintendent of Prisons DeCarlo Payne disclosed for

the first time on Tuesday.

He wants the matter resolved as soon as possible, he said.

The warders accused the authorities of neglecting their sacrifices despite repeated appeals.

But Payne said prison administrators had long fulfilled their part of the process and that distribution of the funds now rests with the Ministry of the Public Service (MPS).

In April, Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams told Barbados TODAY he was aware of the issue and expected a resolution soon.

But nearly four months later, the wait continues among prison staff.

BVI Governor

Neither Abrahams nor

Penelope Linton, the public service ministry’s director general of human resources, could be reached for an update on the prison warders’ situation.

Fire officers also reported that they have not been paid their acting allowance.

Police officers are also unhappy over non-payment of their flexible responsibility allowance, according to Hartley Reid, a former president of the Police Association of Barbados and first vice-president of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), who said the issue was recently brought to his attention. (Excerpt from Barbados Today)

clarifies role in Police Commissioner's recruitment amid suspicions of colonial

influence

Governor of the British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Daniel Pruce has sought to reassure the public that he is not hand-picking the next Commissioner of Police, amid long-standing suspicions that the Governor’s Office controls the top policing role.

Speaking during a press conference yesterday, Pruce stressed that the recruitment process is entirely managed by the Police Service Commission, with his involvement limited to the very final stage.

He added that once the

Commission completes its recruitment exercise and submits its recommendation to the National Security Council (NSC), the NSC will then advise him, and only then does he formally make the appointment.

“I know nothing at all about [the process], and again, it’s to ensure that I can exercise my role at the end of the process without any compromise or conflict,” Pruce insisted.

Despite the Governor’s assurances, many Virgin Islanders remain doubt-

ful. For decades, the Commissioner of Police post has almost always gone to UK nationals, a trend residents believe reflects the Governor’s heavy hand in the process. As the Governor is also a UK citizen, critics argue the system has perpetuated colonial influence in the territory’s most powerful security office.

This view has fuelled ongoing calls for a local Commissioner who understands the culture and deeply entrenched issues that drive crime in the community. (Source: BVI News)

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Oil edges up on US crude stocks drop, impact of US tariffs on India

Russia opposed to European security guarantees for Ukraine, says Kremlin

Russia is opposed to European proposals on security guarantees for Ukraine and will not allow the presence of NATO troops on its neighbour’s territory, the Kremlin has said.

Oil prices settled higher on Wednesday after data showed a larger-than-expected drop in US crude inventories and as investors weighed the potential impact from new US tariffs on India.

Brent crude futures were up 83 cents, or 1.2 per cent, at $68.05 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 90 cents, or 1.4 per cent, to $64.15. Both contracts fell by more than 2 per cent on Tuesday.

US crude inventories dropped by 2.4 million barrels to 418.3 million barrels last week, the Energy Information Administration said, compared with analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.9-million-barrel draw.

US gasoline stocks fell by 1.2 million barrels compared with expectations for a 2.2 million-barrel draw. Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, fell by 1.8 million barrels versus expectations for an 885,000-barrel rise, the EIA data showed.

“The gasoline demand number is supportive and shows people are getting ready to travel over the Labour Day weekend. This is the crescendo of the summer driving season, also the last big hurrah for the summertime gasoline blend,” said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with Price Futures Group.

US President Donald Trump’s doubling of tariffs on imports from India to as much as 50 per cent was also in focus. The tariffs in response to India’s purchases of Russian oil took effect on Wednesday.

There has been no sign of supply disruption so far, but uncertainty over whether the US will target the oil flows is deterring some traders from taking new positions, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Parents of teenager who took his own life sue OpenAI

ACalifornia couple is suing OpenAI over the death of their teenage son, alleging its chatbot, ChatGPT, encouraged him to take his own life.

The lawsuit was filed by Matt and Maria Raine, parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, in the Superior Court of California on Tuesday. It is the first legal action accusing OpenAI of wrongful death.

The family included chat logs between Adam, who died in April, and ChatGPT that show him explaining he has suicidal thoughts. They argue the programme validated his “most harmful and self-destructive thoughts”.

The lawsuit, obtained by the BBC, accuses OpenAI of negligence and wrongful death. It seeks damages as well as “injunctive relief to prevent anything like this from happening again”.

According to the lawsuit, Adam began using ChatGPT in September 2024 as a resource to help him with schoolwork. He was also using it to explore his interests, including music and

Japanese comics, and for guidance on what to study at university.

In a few months, “ChatGPT became the teenager’s closest confidant,” the lawsuit says, and he began opening up to it about his anxiety and mental distress.

According to the lawsuit, the final chat logs show that Adam wrote about his plan to end his life. ChatGPT allegedly responded, “Thanks for being real about it. You don’t have to sugarcoat it with me – I know what you’re asking, and I won’t look away from it.”

That same day, Adam was found dead by his mother, according to the lawsuit.

In a statement, OpenAI told the BBC it was reviewing the filing.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the Raine family during this difficult time,” the company said.

The company acknowledged, however, that “there have been moments where our systems did not behave as intended in sensitive situations.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Speaking to reporters in Moscow on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said while Moscow welcomed recent efforts by United States President Donald Trump to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, he reiterated that Russia would not accept a European troop deployment there as part of security guarantees for Kyiv, as that would equate to a NATO presence in its neighbour’s territory – something it had long opposed.

“In fact, at the very beginning, it was the advancement of NATO military infrastructure and the infiltration of this military infra-

the conflict situation that arose,” said Peskov.

Security guarantees

against future Russian aggression loom as a key consideration in efforts to negotiate an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying he wants guarantees as part of a potential peace deal to be as close as possible to NATO’s Article 5, which holds an attack against one member state to be an attack on all. Trump has said the US will not put troops on the ground in Ukraine as part of any future security guarantees, indicating that European countries should shoulder most of the burden of guaranteeing Ukraine’s security. Russia insists there must be no troop presence from NATO countries deployed in Ukraine and instead says it should be one of the guarantors of Ukraine’s security. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Trump’s 50% tariff on India kicks in as Modi urges self-reliance

US tariffs of 50 per cent on goods from India took effect on Wednesday as Donald Trump sought to punish Delhi for buying Russian oil and weapons.

The tariffs – among the highest in the world – include a 25 per cent penalty for transactions with Russia that are a key source of funds for its war in Ukraine.

India, a vital strategic US partner in the IndoPacific, has shown no signs of stopping its purchases, calling the tariffs unfair and vowing to choose the “best deal” on buying oil to protect its 1.4 billion people.

But there are fears exports and growth in the world’s fifth-largest economy could suffer. The US was, until recently, India’s largest trading partner.

The tariff setback has sent the Indian Government into firefighting mode.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to cut taxes to mitigate the impact of the tariffs, which will disrupt millions of livelihoods across the country’s export-driven industries that

supply everything from clothes to diamonds and shrimp to American consumers.

He said a Diwali gift in the form of a “massive tax bonanza” was on its way for the common man and the millions of small businesses that power Asia’s third-largest economy.

Wearing a bright saffron turban and addressing crowds of spectators from the ramparts of Delhi’s Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations, Modi also urged small shop owners and businesses to put up boards of “Swadeshi” or “Made in India” outside their stores.

“We should become self-reliant - not out of desperation, but out of pride,” he said. “Economic selfishness is on the rise globally and we mustn’t sit and cry about our difficulties, we must rise above and not allow others to hold us in their clutches.”

He has since repeated these comments in at least two other public addresses this week. Modi’s message to his countrymen has been loud and clear – both make in India and spend in India.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Gunmen in Nigeria’s Zamfara abduct over 100 in deadly attack

Gunmen killed at least two people and abducted over 100, mostly women and children, in an attack on Nigeria’s Zamfara State, local officials and community leaders said.

Zamfara is the epicentre of attacks by armed men, known locally as bandits, in northwest Nigeria, where gunmen have made travel and farming dangerous. Between July 2024 and June 2025, at least 4722

people were abducted, according to SBM Intelligence.

The attackers stormed the village of Gamdum Mallam in Adafka, Bukkuyum, around midday on Saturday, riding dozens of motorbikes and firing indiscriminately, according to village head Muhammadu Mai Anguwa. “They killed and kidnapped many women and children and took them towards Makakari forest,” he told Reuters.

Huzaifa Isa, a resident

of Gamdum Mallam, said the assailants split into two groups. “One group was kidnapping people and livestock, while the other set up a roadblock at Adafka’s main entrance, shooting at anyone who tried to pass,” he said. “We were being treated like slaves in our own land, as if there is no Government.”

Local lawmaker Hamisu Faru confirmed the incident by phone. “At least 100 people have been abducted since

Saturday morning,” Faru said. “The bandits attacked Nasarawa Burkullum under heavy rain, crossed the river into nearby villages, and abducted 46 more people in Ruwan Rana village.” Residents say they fear further attacks as the armed group is reportedly attempting to cross into the forest boundary again. Zamfara police didn’t immediately respond to requests for comments.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Don’t let hostility be your enemy. Be a good listener and observer. Say little but do a lot. Living up to your promises and satisfying your need to feel good about yourself and what you accomplish will help you navigate your way to positive change, personal growth, and acceptance. Networking events will be mentally stimulating.

It’s time to redefine your priorities and set a course that will help you get ahead. You may feel comfortable sitting still, but a little exhilaration will shake up the boredom and encourage you to pursue your dreams, hopes, and wishes. Don’t put off what you can do today. Turn your thoughts into action.

Shake things up, but first, prepare for the fallout. Your best effort will come from personal growth, updating your image, or making lifestyle changes. Avoid letting negativity or someone’s critical input lead you astray. Listen to your inner voice and follow your heart. Participating in physical activity or an event can help alleviate stress.

Go over every detail, be precise, and leave no room for error. A mistake will be costly, whether it’s personal or professional. Emotions and hostility will hurt your reputation. Refuse to jeopardize your chance to get things done, prove yourself to superiors, or give in to someone trying to take over. Patience is a virtue.

You’ll get the most done if you keep a low profile and focus on what matters. Refuse to let your emotions take over, making you appear weak or vulnerable. Observe the changes others implement and learn from their mistakes. Having a practical vision and a friendly budget in place will help. Don’t fear being different.

A change will turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Network, reach out to associates, and connect with those who have inside information that can help you maneuver your way forward. A change to how you present yourself or your ideas will offer feedback that can help you make better choices.

Choose peace, charm, and intelligence over discord, embellishment, and absurdity. It’s easy to drift off course if you pay too much homage to someone using unethical tactics to outmaneuver you. A change of plans, direction, or a diversion that creates uncertainty for an opponent will help you clear your way forward. Trust your instincts.

Sit back and let the dust settle. Emotional confusion is apparent, and communication will lack the truth. Don’t jeopardize your physical or mental well-being by fretting or letting others take advantage of your vulnerabilities. Say little, do a lot. Taking care of business will have the most significant influence on the outcome.

Risks aren’t worthwhile. Observe when things don’t measure up or when confusion takes precedence. Protect your reputation, money, and your health from anyone who may try to take advantage of you. Mind games are manipulative, and anyone challenging you is best put in his or her place quickly. Don’t ignore the signs; act fast.

You’ll face your demons if you procrastinate. Don’t waste valuable time when dealing with uncomfortable situations; quickly addressing them will ease your mind and leave you time to enjoy your day and those you love. Opportunity knocks; it’s up to you to open the door. Focus on what makes you feel complete and don’t look back.

Like-minded people will interest you and encourage you to expand your knowledge and participation in groups that can bolster your confidence and position. Refuse to let an emotional situation drag you down or cause you to miss out on something that can improve your life. Change will lead to happiness and a stellar you.

Channel your energy into self-improvement and enjoy what you learn and how it influences what you do next. Investing time and money into being and doing your best is a winning situation that lifts you and gives you the confidence to market what you can offer to potential buyers. Explore the possibilities and expand your interests.

cessive win as Nat Sciver-Brunt’s third half-century of the competition set up a tense three-wicket victory over Birmingham Phoenix at Trent Bridge, lifting the hosts to fourth in the table.

Sciver-Brunt, last year’s leading run-scorer, produced a thrilling 52 from 29 balls to move up to second place in this season’s batting charts, behind Oval Invincibles Captain Meg Lanning.

Chasing 124 for victory, the Rockets lost Bryony Smith early to a superb slower york-

Trent Rockets set up an Eliminator showdown with Northern Superchargers by sneaking past Birmingham Phoenix with one ball to spare, thanks to a memorable debut from Ben Cox and an all-round masterclass from Rehan Ahmed.

The Rockets secured second place in the group, behind Oval Invincibles on net run rate, claiming their sixth win in eight matches and will go into Saturday evening’s contest at the Kia Oval full of confidence. Spin dominated the contest, with slow bowlers producing 6 for 35 from 50 deliveries.

Spin was the key for the Rockets, with their slow bowlers producing combined figures of 6 for 35 from 50 deliveries after Ben Duckett (20 from 15) and Will Smeed (23 from 12) had made a promising start.

Rockets skipper David Willey may have been questioning his decision to insert the opposition when the Phoenix raced to 36 for 0 from 21 deliveries, but the innings stalled when Duckett

Threlkeld in the space of four deliveries to leave the Rockets wobbling at 109-6. Alana King steadied nerves with 9 runs before edging behind to Schutt (2-24), brilliantly caught by Amy Jones. But Jodi Grewcock struck the winning boundary with three balls to spare, sealing the Rockets’ first home win of the season.

Earlier, Emma Lamb anchored Phoenix’s innings with her second half-century of the tournament, finishing unbeaten on 56 from 42 balls as her side reached 123-6. Lamb struck five boundaries and

batted through the innings, supported by cameos from Ellyse Perry (14), Marie Kelly (14), and Lister (12 off 6).

The Rockets’ spin trio of Kirstie Gordon (2-24), King (121), and Gardner (1-18) kept the scoring in check with a disciplined display. Phoenix slipped to their sixth defeat in eight matches.

Named Meerkat Match Hero, Sciver-Brunt said, “I would have liked to be there at the end and made it a bit calmer for everybody, but it wasn’t to be. In the three games I have made runs; that’s not

been the case, so that’s something to think about in the future.

“As a batting group, we’ve always said if we can get ahead of the game, try and stay ahead of the game. That was the tempo I wanted to go at. Getting out at that point, had we not been ahead of the game as we were, it probably would have been even more stressful.

“It’s always nice to win at your home ground in front of your home fans, and we haven’t been able to do that until today. The wicket is quite specific, it’s quite slow, and we probably didn’t adapt to that as quickly as we wanted to.” (ESPNcricinfo)

Rehan stars as Rockets cling on in 3-wicket thriller

scuffed a short delivery from Lockie Ferguson to Rehan at midwicket.

Joe Clarke soon followed, slog-sweeping southpaw spinner George Linde to deep midwicket, and from there the wickets tumbled. The irrepressible Rehan (3 for 15) induced a chop-on from Smeed and snared Jacob Bethell for a duck three deliveries later before Linde (2 for 12) claimed his second when Liam Livingstone’s ugly heave met thin air.

Rehan grabbed his third – and 10th in the competition overall – when Benny Howell picked out Max Holden on the boundary, and Joe Root, whose 15 deliveries cost just

eight runs, got in on the action when Liam PattersonWhite’s edge was brilliantly held by Cox, who only received a call-up to join the Rockets yesterday following an injury to Adam Hose.

Dan Mousley (26 from 25) gave the score some respectability, but 111-9 looked well under par, even on a spin-friendly surface.

The chase was far from easy, though. After the early loss of Tom Banton for 1, caught at mid-on off Trent Boult, Rehan sparkled once more, racing to 37 in 23 balls before an audacious slog sweep was caught in the deep off Livingstone. Root continued his good recent

form in the tournament with a run-a-ball 25 that came to an end when he was bowled by Patterson-White, and the left-arm spinner struck again five deliveries later, castling Willey with a devilish delivery that spun back sharply between bat and pad.

Linde was run out after a mix-up, and Marcus Stoinis got a leading edge to cover off Bethell as the Rockets slipped to 89-6, and the leftarm spinner struck again when Sam Hain holed out to leave six required from five.

Bethell was entrusted with the final set and conceded just three runs from his first three deliveries, but Cox kept a cool head and swept the fourth to the boundary to finish unbeaten on 17 from 12 balls.

Named Meerkat Match Hero after his three wickets and quickfire knock, Rehan said: “Coxy was always going to do it, I had full trust in him. There was a lot of assistance for spinners on this pitch. We train on similar surfaces so it was about going out there and doing the same thing. I’ve enjoyed the

opportunity I’ve been given and hopefully I can do it in the next couple of games.” (ESPNcricinfo)

GFF, FIFAe partner for GFF eSports League for FIFAe World Cup 2025

On Wednesday, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), in collaboration with FIFAe, announced the launch of the GFF eSports League – Console and the GFF eSports League – Mobile, powered by eFootball™ by KONAMI. This historic initiative marks a new chapter for Guyana, creating a digital frontier where football passion meets esports innovation.

For the first time, young Guyanese gamers will have the opportunity to compete in a structured pathway leading from domestic trials to regional qualifiers, and

ultimately to the FIFAe World Cup™ 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this December.

Eligibility & format Players must be Guyanese passport holders. Participants must be at least 16 years of age.

All competitions are entirely virtual.

Tournament Details

Players will compete using their own consoles and mobile devices from home. The selected finalists from Guyana’s domestic trials will advance to the FIFAe Regional Online Qualifiers in October, where they will face off against the best players across their region. If successful, they will proudly carry Guyana’s flag to Riyadh in December, competing in the FIFAe World Cup™ 2025 featuring eFootball™ Mobile & Console.

A pathway of opportunity "Through our collabora-

GFF eSports League – Console (eFootball™) 2v2

Registration: Tuesday, August 26 – Friday, September 5, 2025

Competition: Saturday, September 6, 2025 | 7:00 PM

GFF eSports League – Mobile (eFootball™) 1v1

Registration: Tuesday, August 26 – Friday, September 12, 2025

Competition: Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 7:00 PM

tion with FIFAe, Guyanese youth now have the chance to compete internationally, build digital skills, and represent their country on the world stage. It is a proud moment for the Federation and for Guyana.”

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has reinforced its commitment to football development by awarding $1.6 million to the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) under its Member Financial Assistance Programme (MFAP) to host the 2025 Senior Men’s League.

The contribution was formally handed over during Tuesday’s launch of the league, which kicks off tonight with twelve Georgetown clubs competing for the championship title and a place in the 2026 GFF Elite League playoffs.

The MFAP, a central pillar of the GFF’s strategic plan, empowers regional associations by providing financial resources and autonomy to strengthen competitions, community programmes, and operations.

GFF General Secretary Pushpargha

Chattopadhyay described the initiative as part of a deliberate effort to expand the reach and quality of football nationwide.

He said, “In living up to GFF’s long-term strategy for development and capacity building of its stakeholders, we are pleased to extend the MFAP support towards the Georgetown Football Association for its initiative to organise a Senior Men’s League comprising of twelve clubs from the region. This is another example of the GFF, through the vision of the President and the decision of the Council, following the path set towards the goal of creating a robust and vibrant football culture in Guyana through MFAP.”

Since its launch in 2021, the MFAP has become an “essential operations toolkit” for the Federation’s members, delivering millions of dollars in funding, equipment, and technical

support to sustain football programmes across the country. Last month, the East Coast Demerara Football Association received $1.5 million under the programme to stage its league, further underscoring the Federation’s pledge to support all regions equitably.

The 2025 GFA Senior Men’s League is expected to draw wide community support, with matches scheduled at key venues across Georgetown. The winners will not only claim the championship trophy but also secure a coveted spot in the Elite League playoffs, Guyana’s top domestic football competition.

The GFF reaffirmed its commitment to continue investing in its members through MFAP and other developmental initiatives, ensuring structured and well-supported competitions in every region of the country.

Building discipline, teamwork, and digital literacy

The GFF eSports League represents a commitment to youth development and national pride. By offering both console and mobile competitions, the GFF ensures that every eligible gamer, from those with access to high-end consoles to those playing on mobile devices, has an opportunity to participate.

Through esports, players will develop discipline, teamwork, and digital literacy, skills that extend far beyond the game itself.

Novak Djokovic admitted he “did not feel that great” about his tennis at times as he fought back from a set down to beat American qualifier Zachary Svajda and reach the US Open third round.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion appeared subdued in the early stages of the match but eventually powered through to a 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-3 6-1 win.

A 25th major trophy would secure the Serb the standalone record for the most Grand Slam singles titles in history.

He has already set another record in New York in reaching the third round at a major for the 75th time – one more than Roger Federer’s tally.

“I didn’t feel that great, to be honest,” Djokovic, 38, said.

“I wasn’t happy with my tennis for the first part of the match, but also credit to Zach for playing some really high-quality tennis.”

Prior to his first-round victory, Djokovic had not played since losing in the Wimbledon semi-finals to

Djokovic through despite “not feeling great”

“It’s obviously a little different in the past couple of years for me body-wise.

“I get wear and tear quicker than I ever used to, so I have to deal with that and a lot of recovery stuff to try to make myself able to perform at the highest level.”

Playing in the morning session on Arthur Ashe Stadium – an unfamiliar timeslot for a player accustomed to headlining the tournament’s coveted night session – Djokovic seemed out-of-sorts in the bright sunshine.

The seventh seed had looked fatigued in his firstround match and seemed hampered by similar issues early on against home hope Svajda.

The world number 145 went viral before the match after posting a video of his excitement about playing Djokovic, but he showed no signs of being overawed, holding his nerve to edge the first set.

But Djokovic, as he so often does, immediately responded and reeled off 11 of the final 12 games as Svajda struggled with cramp.

Earlier, 21st seed Tomas Machac saw off rising Brazilian star Joao Fonseca in 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-3. The 19-year-old Fonseca, backed by a boisterous fan base on the Grandstand court, had a set point in the opener, but Machac held firm to prevail. His Czech compatriot and 20th seed Jiri Lehecka also progressed with a 3-6 6-0 6-2 6-4 win over Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry. (BBC Sport)

The Guyana Amazon Warriors suffered their first defeat of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season after the St Lucia Kings successfully chased down 203 at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.

Despite posting 2026, the Warriors’ top order faltered before Romario Shepherd led the revival of the innings with a blistering unbeaten 73 off 34 balls.

Captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Imran Tahir rued the early wickets and the dropped catches. He also admitted that the wind factor was not used well by the team.

At 78-5 in the 13th over, the Warriors were in

deep trouble, with Kevlon Anderson, Moeen Ali, and Shimron Hetmyer all falling for single-digit scores.

“We lost early wickets and Shepherd played a great innings. Just want to congratulate the Kings for the way they played; it was a good score. If we didn’t lose early wickets, the team we had, the combo we have, we could have got 240+. Wind was blowing towards one side and we didn’t use it well. Dropped catches cost us as well,” Tahir said.

The Warriors’ next game will be a big one, against rivals Trinbago Knight Riders on Saturday, August 30, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Tahir noted that it will be

a big game as is every game this season. game. For me every game is a big game. Don’t want to take any chances,” the Warriors skipper said.

Meanwhile, Kings Captain David Wiese cred ited young Ackeem Auguste for his match-winning knock of 73 off 35 balls.

“We won the key mo ments. Auguste played a blinder; (Tim) Seifert gave us a good start and set up the game for us. First few overs we executed the plan really well (with ball), but Shepherd came out and played a great innings. We wanted him (Thomas) to go and strike, maybe he was trying too hard. It happens. He was bowling beautiful-

Twelve football clubs from the Georgetown area are competing for a massive grand prize as the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Senior Men’s League kicked off on Wednesday evening.

The competition will follow a one-round format, with each team playing once. The team that accumulates the most points will be crowned champions.

Speaking at the official launch on Tuesday, GFA President Lomell Johnson announced the increased top prize and reflected on the growth of the tournament.

“As we know, the League has been growing. Last year, our prize monies for first place was $500,000. This year a greater effort was made to up that, and I’m pleased to announce that this year, the prize monies have increased from $500,000 to $1 million for first place.” Johnson said.

He added, “So, we’ve managed to secure that level of in-

crease and I believe, with this announcement, clubs will be enthused to put more and greater effort into what we do. The League is expected to showcase the talents that we’ve produced in Georgetown and it is only our hope that we have a brand and a level of football that will be second to none.”

Also present at the launch was GFF General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay, who drew a parallel between the competition and the game’s development. Chattopadhyay shared, “The idea is to take the level up and nothing better than having competitions and games. Only through games and competitions can we have involvement, involvement of players, fans, stakeholders, sponsors, you know you bring everyone together in matches. The more we have games, the players develop, the mindsets develop, the culture is built. So, I’m really happy for this, and I must say on behalf of the GFF

Council and the President, the fact that you are going forward to organise this, we are supporting you through the Member Financial Assistance Programme (MFAP) fund, and that is the reason why we have that programme.”

Providing sponsorship support is Champs GY, with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dwayne Bess expressing enthusiasm about getting on board.

“With the GFA Champs Senior Men’s League, we look to showcase, obviously, 12 teams, offer prizes and the ability to acknowledge the best athletes in Georgetown, and we know and we can say the best athletes do come out from Georgetown. We’re definitely glad to be on board,” Bess shared with the gathering.

In addition to the $1 million grand prize, second-, third-, and fourth-place finishers will earn $500,000, $300,000, and $200,000 respectively.

ly before that. Hopefully we will come up with good plans and execute them in the next game.”

“We were in a position to knock it off easily was because of his (Auguste) in-

nings. Young kid, but the way he played, took responsibility and that is fantastic to see. (Plans ahead) Take 10 minutes tonight, see what you can improve and move to the next game,” Wiese said.

In the Ancient County of Berbice, veteran player Kriskal Persaud emerged champion of the Berbice 20/20 Rapid Chess Tournament, held at Little Rock Suites and Conference Hall in New Amsterdam on Sunday, August 24, 2025.

Persaud delivered an unbeaten performance, scoring 6.5 points in the seven-round competition that featured 32 participants, half of them hailing from Berbice. He defeated Gavin Dev Mahadeo, Farrukh Bahman, Jaden Todd, Rai Sharma, Kim Shing Chong, and Steve Leung, while his fifth-round clash with 13-year-old Georgetown player Nicholas Zhang ended in a draw.

Zhang secured second place with an impressive 6 points, drawing his matches against Persaud and Todd. Todd, a 15-year-old Berbician and student of The Bishops’ High School, placed third with 5.5 points after losing to Persaud and drawing with Zhang in Round Six.

Ciel Clement, who grew up in Berbice and resides in New Amsterdam, played all her rounds with calm composure, despite the nail-biting and quick-thinking demands of rapid chess. The 16-year-old Queen’s

College student handed a crushing defeat to senior player Rai Sharma in Round Seven, who is known for his decades of experience in speed play in the local chess circuit. With less than two minutes remaining on her clock, Clement forced Sharma to concede

Persaud wins Berbice 20/20 Rapid Chess tournament

fifth and sixth, respectively, with 5 points each. The tournament was supervised by National Arbiter and WCM Jessica Callender, with strong support from Georgetown players. Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) Directors CM Loris Nathoo and Shiv Nandalall, along with FIDE Arbiter John Lee and Company Secretary Marcia

the match, even with his time advantage of approximately 15 minutes. In an earlier round, Clement almost lost on time, but her opponent, Darshanand Ramlall, ran out of time first, giving Clement the victory with just one second out of 20 minutes left.

Clement placed fourth with 5 points and took home the Best Female prize out of the thirteen females who participated. Veteran Berbician John London and Kishan Puran from Georgetown placed

Lee, attended the event. The Federation extended heartfelt gratitude to Mr and Mrs Clement for sponsoring the tournament venue. With chess reintroduced in Berbice, the Federation hopes the tournament will inspire greater student participation. Through the Gift of Chess programme, sets have already been distributed to New Amsterdam and Vryman’s Erven Secondary Schools, with plans to expand to more schools across the county.

The Trinbago Knight Riders marked their first home game of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a commanding eight-wicket victory over the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in Match 14, climbing to second place on the table.

A superb bowling display followed by fifties from Alex Hales and Keacy Carty was enough to set up the win.

The Falcons suffered a disastrous start, losing Rahkeem Cornwall and Karima Gore for ducks in the opening over to Mohammad Amir, who produced a double-wicket maiden. Their innings collapsed further from 71/2 to 71/6, with Andre Russell delivering another double-wicket maiden. Pakistani duo Imad Wasim and Usama Mir put together a recovery with a partnership of 64, bringing the Falcons back into the contest and ending on a respectable score of 146/7. While the innings from Imad were hugely important in keeping the Falcons in this game, he left the field injured and took no further part in the contest, which will be a major concern for the Falcons, who will have to worry over the availability of a key player and their captain.

Akeal Hosein 4-0-25-2 Sunil Narine 4-0-34-0 Andre Russell 4-1-23-2

Trinbago Knight Riders (T: 147 runs from 20 ovs)

Colin Munro c Gore b Shakib Al Hasan 9

Alex Hales not out 55

Keacy Carty b Seales 60

Nicholas Pooran (c)† not out 23

Extras (lb 1, w 4) 5

Total 18.4 Ov (RR: 8.14) 152/2

Did not bat: Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Amir, McKenny Clarke, Ali Khan Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Colin Munro, 3.3 ov), 2-114 (Keacy Carty, 15.4 ov) • DRS Bowling O-M-R-W

3.4-0-35-1

ov), 6-71 (Fabian Allen, 11.3 ov), 7-135 (Usama Mir, 18.4 ov) • DRS Bowling O-M-R-W Mohammad Amir 4-1-22-3 Ali Khan 3-0-26-0 McKenny Clarke 1-0-13-0

Jayden Seales

Obed McCoy 3-0-33-0

Shakib Al Hasan 4-0-25-1

Salman Irshad 4-0-26-0

Usama Mir 2-0-11-0

Karima Gore 2-0-21-0

A steady power play saw the Knight Riders reach 42/1 with Colin Munro the

remaining drama out of the contest as the two right-handers calmly put their team in complete control.

There were a few chances to break the second wicket stand, not least when Andries Gous missed a stumping off the bowling of Karima Gore when Hales was on 33. The stand was eventually broken when Carty edged the balls on to his stumps off the bowling of Jayden Seales for 60.

Hales passed fifty from 44 balls, but it was Knight Riders’ captain Nicholas Pooran who sealed the victory with a big six as the home side ran out winners with eight balls remaining.

Amir was named Player of the Match for his 3/22, but this was a very impressive all-round win from the Knight Riders, who have started their home leg of the 2025 tournament in fine fashion.

only wicket to fall. A partnership of 87 between Carty and Hales took any