Guyana Times - Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Guyana Pandits' Council hosts fundraiser in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month Guyana commits to eliminating leprosy by 2030 – Dr Anthony

Venezuelan gang member confesses to triggering bomb; nabbed in Reg 3

– Police say illegally arrived in Guyana with explosives hours before bombing

– 9 Venezuelans & Guyanese remain in custody – Govt to pursue death penalty – GPF boosts security nationwide after suspected terrorist smuggles bomb from Venezuela

Guyana must not limit ability to be transformative by size of population – Pres Ali tells Saudi Investment Summit ...says Guyana is leapfrogging into 2030 and beyond

$450M biotechnology lab commissioned to strengthen non-oil economy

Hurricane Melissa batters Jamaica, thousands in shelter ...to produce over 1 million disease-free plantlets annually

High Court dismisses $400M case against SinoHydro Corp Inc

Education Minister sets January 2026 as deadline to complete dormitories at NWSS

Motorcyclist dies after colliding with turning motor car along Sheriff Street

BRIDGE OPENING

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, October 29 –09:15h–10:45h and Thursday, October 30 – 10:55h–12:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny skies interrupted by brief midday showers are expected during the day, and clear skies are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 12:23h reaching a maximum height of 2.20 metres.

Low Tide: 05:44h and 18:18h reaching a minimum height of 0.99 metre and 1.02 metres.

Guyana must not limit ability to be transformative by size of population –

Pres Ali tells

Saudi Investment Summit

...says Guyana is leapfrogging into 2030 and beyond

resident Dr Irfaan

Ali on Tuesday stated that despite Guyana’s small population, it does not limit its ability to be transformative and compete on a global scale.

The Guyanese Head of State was at the time participating in a high-level panel discussion at the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) being held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he emphasised that Guyana is a small state with a global impact.

“We are shaped by the way we think, and we are shaped by the boldness in our thinking. If we limit our ability to be transformative and our ability to innovate by the size of our population and the size of our country, then we will never be able to be competitive. That is why investment in human capital, technology, and building the infrastructure to support the competitiveness of our economy is an important part of staying alive and competing,” President Ali noted.

Held under the theme “Is Humanity Headed in the Right Direction?” the panel brought together an elite group of global leaders, including Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and Bridgewater Associates Founder Ray Dalio.

The discussion was moderated by the Chairman of the Executive Committee and Acting CEO of the FII Institute, Richard Attias.

President Ali further highlighted Guyana’s remarkable environmental and economic story, noting that notwithstanding its status as one of the world’s smallest nations by population, Guyana is playing a monumental role in global sustainability.

“We have one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world, and we store 19.5 gigatonnes of carbon. We have a standing forest that

constitutes 89 per cent of the country. This is a country that is keeping the world alive, and yet we say we don’t know.”

has kept its biodiversity almost intact. We have one of the highest biodiversity rates by density in Guyana, yet so many people are un-

“We live in a world that has lost almost 60 per cent of its biodiversity in the last 50 to 60 years, yet Guyana

aware of the country with the highest diversity density.” He lamented that while

the world often recognises Guyana as one of the fastest-growing economies due to its massive oil discoveries, far less attention is given to its leadership in climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.

According to the President, this is a case of misplaced priorities that needs to be realigned so that sustainability becomes the focus.

“Here’s a country that has kept the forest intact, and we don’t know, and that is the problem. We don’t know because the direction in which we are going is different from the challenges the world is facing. If I ask you which is the fastest-growing economy in the world and which country has some of the largest oil reserves discovered, then suddenly all the investors know Guyana. Same country, different script. So, I believe we have to examine our priorities.”

“If we try to lock our thinking only into the big country syndrome or developed world syndrome, we will not allow ourselves to understand what the rest of the world is doing, and the rest of the world are all looking for the solutions in terms of the challenges we face, and that is Guyana.”

Speaking on the country’s future trajectory, Dr Ali underscored that Guyana is “leapfrogging into the 2030s and beyond world”, investing strategically in technology, artificial intelligence, digitisation, education, and healthcare.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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

Sea defences & resilience

The Government’s ongoing efforts to reinforce the sea dam and expand drainage canals along the West Coast Demerara mark a stride toward safeguarding coastal communities and strengthening Guyana’s climate resilience. The initiative, which focuses on critical areas such as Den Amstel, Hague, Cornelia Ida, and Anna Catherina, comes at a time when the realities of climate change continue to test the nation’s coastal defences.

While the recent overtopping of seawater during the spring tide caused temporary flooding, the response by the Ministry of Public Works showed preparedness. The site inspection led by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, and supported by the Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Kevin Samad, underscores the seriousness with which the Administration approaches the protection of coastal infrastructure and livelihoods. The prompt assessments and the decision to elevate and reinforce vulnerable sections of the sea dam signal a shift from reactive management to forward-looking adaptation planning.

Guyana’s coastal belt, where the majority of the population and economic activities are concentrated, lies below sea level. The sea defences that protect this low-lying region, many of which were constructed over two decades ago, have exceeded their design lifespan. In this context, the current intervention is an act of repair as well as a necessary modernisation effort aimed at aligning national infrastructure with the growing environmental challenges of the 21st century.

The reinforcement of sea defences carries long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits. By preventing saltwater intrusion and reducing flood risks, these works safeguard agricultural lands, housing areas, public facilities, and transportation networks. This, in turn, helps maintain food security, economic stability, and public health – key pillars of national development. The upgrading of canals and improved drainage systems will also enhance the efficiency of water management during both heavy rainfall and high tide events, ensuring faster runoff and reducing the duration of inundation in vulnerable communities.

Beyond physical infrastructure, this initiative demonstrates the Government’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. The investment in sea defence infrastructure represents a strategic adaptation measure that aligns with Guyana’s broader climate resilience framework, which includes the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). In reinforcing these defences, the country is simultaneously fortifying its coastal economy, preserving livelihoods, and demonstrating regional leadership in practical climate adaptation.

The project also carries important lessons about the intersection of human activity and environmental vulnerability. Minister Juan Edghill’s call for residents to refrain from squatting and dumping garbage along the seawall highlights a critical component of climate resilience, which is community responsibility. Sea defences and drainage systems can only perform effectively when supported by proper waste management and environmental discipline at the local level. Public cooperation, therefore, remains an indispensable complement to state-led engineering interventions.

Climate change is no longer a distant or theoretical concern. Rising sea levels, shifting rainfall patterns, and increasingly unpredictable weather events are tangible threats that demand equally tangible responses. The recent overtopping serves as a timely reminder that adaptation cannot be delayed. Every reinforcement, canal expansion, and elevation adjustment brings Guyana closer to ensuring that its coastal communities remain secure in the face of global environmental shifts.

Moreover, the emphasis on action rather than emergency reaction signals a maturing approach to governance. In past decades, overtopping incidents often triggered temporary repairs designed to restore normalcy. Today, however, the strategy is evolving, anchored in data, engineering assessments, and forward planning. By reviewing footage, analysing soil conditions, and applying modern hydrological models, engineers are crafting solutions that anticipate future conditions rather than merely address present damage.

Such investments also strengthen public confidence. When citizens observe decisive and structured responses to climate-related challenges, it reinforces trust in the state’s capacity to protect lives and property. It also encourages broader civic participation in climate resilience efforts, from proper waste disposal to community monitoring of vulnerable areas.

The expansion and reinforcement of sea defences along the West Coast Demerara are acts of national preservation. They protect homes, sustain agriculture, and uphold the promise of continuity for generations living along Guyana’s most productive coastline. As global sea levels continue to rise, these local actions form the foundation of a stronger, safer, and more sustainable nation.

Guyana’s approach exemplifies the forward momentum necessary to confront the realities of climate change. Through collaboration between Government, engineers, and communities, the country is responding to the challenges of today while also preparing for the uncertainties of tomorrow. Strengthened sea defences stand as barriers against the ocean, and they are symbols of resilience, foresight, and a shared determination to safeguard the sea defence.

He went there to kill

Dear Editor,

He went to the gasoline station with a bomb. Yes, a man with a Spanishspeaking accent went into the Mobil gasoline station at Regent and King Streets carrying a bomb, requesting that it be placed in a central point of the gas station to cause maximum damage to the premises and to persons in the neighbouring vicinity.

After he was turned away by the pump attendant, he then went to another location in the said compound, where filled gas cylinders are stored, to fulfil his terrorist act.

Now, it is pellucid that here was a man on a murderous mission; he went there to kill, or should I say he was sent there to kill, and

this is the burning question that is central to our conversation. This man was programmed to kill; murder was in his plans, and killing many persons was his aim. So, the question still lingers: why was this non-national sent there to create maximum damage in this country? These are questions he must answer. We want to know what the behind-the-scenes plans were that led up to this murderous assault.

Who were the intellectual authors? We want to know! I am of the firm view that the Venezuelan government is behind this terrorist act, and they have chosen this place as a soft target. The Venezuelan president is also sending a clear message

to his Guyanese counterpart that he is serious about the Essequibo claim.

He is also striking at our country, seeing that the USA is at war with his; these events all add up to the reasons behind the terror attacks. The idea is to create panic, instability, and fear in our country. A man with incendiary material at a petrol station paints the whole picture of his intent and the motive behind the attack.

Another bomb was also used prior to the 2025 election, which blew up close to the Ruimveldt Police Station, causing major damage there. This was another attempt to create mass destruction and instability in Guyana. Again, all leads point to Venezuela’s inter-

ference in our politics and their close collaboration with local counterparts.

The point I am making is that all these attacks have the tell-tale objective, the motive, which is to cause chaos and confusion in society. We cannot allow the terrorists without, as well as the terrorists within, to destabilise our country.

Guyana ought to be on high alert; all eyes should be on the Spanish community within our borders while, at the same time, keeping watchful eyes on our local Pablo and his undercover moves. The strictest surveillance ought to be placed on these individuals!

Yours respectfully, Neil Adams

The need for enhanced screening of illegal immigrants in Guyana

Dear Editor,

In the wake of the recent Mobil gas station bombing that sent shockwaves throughout the country and raised serious concerns about national security, the issue of illegal immigration and national safety has now reached the level of public discourse.

Calls for enhanced security measures are intensifying, and among the suggested solutions is the need to screen the many persons who are illegally in Guyana at this time and in the foreseeable future. The bombing that injured innocent civilians and caused significant property damage understandably caused the citizenry to feel vulnerable and exposed to danger.

To address this concern about their personal safety

and the security of the state, I therefore wish to make a formal request for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to screen illegal immigrants by not only collecting their fingerprints and other biometric data but also by recording their personal information in a central database, accessible to law enforcement instantly.

In other words, illegal immigrants who do not leave the country on their own would have their presence in Guyana documented and recorded, thus enabling the police to track them for any unwanted or undesirable activities and enhancing national security.

The current call for screening illegal immigrants is a request born out of national security concerns in light of the recent bombing;

however, recognising the inalienable rights of these illegal immigrants who contribute to the economy and perform certain types of labour that advance Guyana, key stakeholders would do well to treat these persons humanely, respecting their rights and affording them opportunities to become legal residents when possible.

For the screening to take place, the Government has to provide policies and even some guidelines about their strategy for dealing with these persons who live in the shadows for one reason or another. Persons who could be deported must be educated and assisted in determining if they are eligible for opportunities that the Government might provide, should they decide to remain in Guyana.

The bombing and the general feeling of insecurity that this incident has spawned throughout the country have exposed the need for the state to address the issue of immigration and national security more expediently. In other words, screening illegal immigrants, coupled with a host of other measures such as fingerprints, will significantly calm the fears of citizens and help the police prevent future bombings and acts of violence in our society.

This process will require the Government, law enforcement agencies, and the citizenry to work together in this complex yet very serious and critical aspect of modern-day Guyana.

Yours sincerely, Philip Inshanally

GPF boosts security nationwide after suspected terrorist smuggles bomb from Venezuela

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has intensified its security operations across the country following confirmation that the suspected terrorist responsible for Sunday’s deadly bombing in Georgetown transported the explosive device into Guyana from Venezuela.

The explosion, which occurred at the Mobil Gas Station shortly before 19:30h, claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and injured several others, including two children.

Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken confirmed that the main suspect has been identified as Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo, a Venezuelan national linked to a criminal gang in Venezuela.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, the Commissioner disclosed that Peodomo, along with several accomplices – also Venezuelan – entered Guyana legally by boat on Sunday last, October 26, 2025, the same day of the attack.

As such, the top cop outlined a nationwide security escalation, noting that Police presence has been reinforced in all ten administrative regions and at border locations.

“We have beefed up all the border locations in terms of policing and the rest of the areas. If you are on the road to-

night, you are going to see patrols on the road too. Yes, we have beefed up all the regions to ensure that the Police are comfortable. The Police are safe, but more importantly, the public are safe. At the stations, we are comfortable in that regard with the SOPs we put in place,” Commissioner Hicken said.

“While we’ve been monitoring them (Venezuelans entering Guyana) at the ports of entry as they come in their register, I just want to give you their register as it comes into Guyana, but within the next three or four weeks, we’re going to use another mechanism where we’re going to ID all the immigrants that are in Guyana that are not registered, and so they are going to be registered through the process.” he added

Surveillance, E-ID programme

The GPF has also increased surveillance through its regional command centres and the Smart City network, which uses cameras installed in crime hotspots. These tools, coupled with intelligence-sharing among local, regional, and international partners, including INTERPOL, have been instrumental in tracking and solving the case within 72 hours.

According to Home Affairs

Minister Oneidge Walrond, steps to enhance border control and migrant registration will be implemented shortly, as many Venezuelan nationals continue to enter Guyana. Minister Walrond revealed that the Electronic Identification (E-ID) programme will soon require all non-citizens, including migrants, to register and obtain E-ID cards to access services such as banking. Unregistered individuals after the grace period will face deportation or sanctions.

“Venezuelan migrants who come here through our ports, they are all registered. Details are taken. However, we have acknowledged that the borders are porous and some people do enter illegally. To address that, the Government has launched the E-ID programme. What will happen is that we will

Guyana must not limit...

Nonetheless, the country continues to strike a balance between economic expansion and environmental preservation. “In our case, we are now able to have energy that would be competitive and allow us to compete in an energy infrastructure, of which digitisation and AI will be a big part. But while we are doing that, we are also investing in traditional sectors – ensuring that we position ourselves as a food capital of the world, keeping our forests standing for the sake of humanity, and building the most skilled population possible,” the President noted. Drawing comparisons to

Qatar’s transformation, the Guyanese leader explained that Guyana, though small, is leveraging its newfound oil wealth to accelerate development and attract global talent, technology, and investment.

“We recently discovered oil, and that has really ignited the rate and pace of transformation. That has allowed us to make the right set of investments in human capital, healthcare, education, and technology,” he said.

On this note, he reiterated his vision of a Guyana that, despite its size, is shaping global conversations on sustainability, economic

FROM PAGE 3

transformation, and innovation.

“We are investing to ensure that we have the most skilled population, and to do all of this, we know that, like Qatar, we have to bring in talent, we have to bring in people, we have to bring in investment, and we have to bring in technology. So that is what we are doing. We don’t have the time or the human resource asset in terms of numbers to start from scratch. We have to bring in the models that are proven and then advance them for our own development,” he added.

have cards. This programme has already started. We have cards for citizens, and we have cards for non-citizens. What we will do is for the persons who are in Guyana illegally, they will be given a grace period in which to come to register and have this E-ID card. With this card, you will not be able to do anything or

access any services or banking without this E-ID card for non-citizens,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Sheldon Howell reaffirmed that Guyana’s counter-terrorism framework remains intact, emphasising the Police’s

leading role in internal security. He lauded the integrated response that combined human intelligence and technology to quickly solve the case.

“The Guyana Police Force has demonstrated capability, coordination, and commitment to protecting our people. This success underscores the importance of years of investment in human capital and security infrastructure… And at this time, the investigation is ongoing, and I trust that we will respect the crime chief and his office in their endeavours to continue to protect Guyana and mitigate any further incidents of this nature,” Howell said. As the investigation continues, both the GPF and Government have urged the public to remain calm and vigilant.

Motorcyclist dies after colliding with turning motor car along Sheriff Street

Amotorcyclist met his demise in the early hours of Monday following a collision with a motorcar at the intersection of Sheriff and Garnett Streets, Georgetown.

The deceased has been identified as Curt Cliffe, a security officer from West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. The father of two was reportedly returning home from a birthday celebration. Based on reports received, the accident occurred at about 01:15h and involved motorcar PLL 4772, owned and driven by a 21-yearold resident of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Cliffe, who was at the time driving motorcycle CL 9383.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of the motorcar was proceeding down Sheriff Street, and, upon approaching Garnett Street, he occupied the centre lane as the traffic light was green in his favour.

While attempting to turn

Let justice run its course

Dear Editor,

Having seen the video of the person of interest in the explosion at the gas station, it would be premature for us to assume that the person was acting on behalf of Venezuela via their People’s Militia.

As a society, we must restrain ourselves and not lash out at the Venezuelan immigrants in our midst.

We must allow the Ministry of Home Affairs to carry out their investigation. We must ensure that the person of interest is not working on behalf of other interested parties who would benefit

from an escalation in the conflict between our two nations.

After a thorough investigation is completed, if it is clearly determined that the person of interest is working on behalf of the Venezuelan Government, then it will be most prudent for our Government to start the process of containing the Venezuelan immigrants.

The People’s Militia of Venezuela is at least a million people strong, and we currently have no way of ensuring that those amongst us are not a part of their militia. For this very reason, and given the current risks this

exposes our citizens to, we must move the Venezuelan immigrants to a centralised location for screening and detainment if necessary.

Those detained based on clear evidence should also face prosecution as enemy combatants, and their return to Venezuela must be carried out after serving their sentences.

Venezuelan militia members cannot be allowed to roam freely within our borders. On the other hand, if it is determined that this heinous and tragic act was the result of another country’s covert operation to de-

stabilise the region, we must make the necessary adjustments to our foreign policies and relationships with that nation.

Hopefully, this dangerous situation, which risks an escalation to war within our region, will be clarified when our Government completes this urgent investigation. We, the citizens of Guyana, must be patient and allow justice to run its course. It is of vital importance that our future actions be based on indisputable facts.

With utmost concern, Jamil Changlee

right into Garnett Street, the motorcycle reportedly

failed to stop at the intersection and collided with the left front of the car. As a result of the impact, Cliffe was flung into the air and landed on the car’s windscreen before falling onto the roadway. He was picked up in a conscious state and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Unit but later succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, a breathalyser test was conducted on the driver, but there were no traces of alcohol in his system. Investigations are ongoing.

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S3 E9

Page Foundation

Aquadrant is a region defined by the two axes (x-axis and y-axis) of the coordinate system. When the two axes intersect each other at 90 degrees, the four regions formed are the quadrants.

Since its y-coordinate is not 0, however, it is either positive or negative and cannot be on the x-axis and is in either Quadrant 2 or Quadrant 3.

Example2

Where is (2,-6) located on the coordinate plane? Let’s plot the points

If we observe the XY plane, when we move from left to right, the value of x on the horizontal line or x-axis, increases. Similarly, in the case of the y-axis, the value of y increases, when we move from down to up. Since the plane is divided into four quadrants, then the point on each quadrant will have different signs of x and y. The point of intersection of the four quadrants is called the Origin. The Origin is represented by the point (0,0).

Example1

Point E has a negative x-coordinate, and its y-coordinate is not 0. Where could point E be located on the coordinate plane?

If E has a negative x-coordinate, it must be to the left of the y-axis. This means it must be in Quadrant 2, Quadrant 3, or on the x-axis.

Materials

• Milk (1 cup)

• White vinegar (4 teaspoons)

• Measuring cup

• Measuring spoons

• Mug or other heat-resistant cup large enough to hold at least 1 cup of milk

• Paper towels

• Spoon

• Stovetop oven and pan or microwave and microwaveable container

• Optional: Glitter, food colouring, markers Instructions

1. Heat 1 cup of milk in a pan or stovetop until the milk is steaming. Alternatively, you can microwave the milk in a microwaveable It should be about the same temperature as you would want milk to be for making hot cocoa. Heat for more time if needed.

Since the x-coordinate is positive and the y-coordinate is negative, our point is located in Quadrant 4.

Practice:

1. Where is (−1,5) located on the coordinate plane?

2. Point A is located at (4, −3). Which coordinate plane is it in?

3. Point E has a positive x-coordinate. Where could E be located on the coordinate plane?

4. In which quadrant is the point (4, 7)?

5. Where is the point (−5, 6) located?

6. Identify the quadrant of (−2, −8).

7. Which quadrant contains (9, −3)?

8. Where does the point (0, −4) lie; in a quadrant or on an axis?

2. Add 4 teaspoons of white vinegar to a mug or other heatresistant cup.

3. Add the 1 cup of hot milk to the mug and stir. You should see the milk form white clumps (curds).

4. Once the milk and vinegar mixture has cooled a bit, use a spoon to scoop out the curds and put them on some paper towels.

5. Fold the edges of the paper towels over the curds and press down to absorb excess liquid. Use extra paper towels if needed to soak up the rest of the extra liquid.

6. Knead all of the curds together in a ball of dough. This is called casein plastic!

7. If you want to make the casein plastic into something, you can colour, shape, or mould it now (within an hour of making the plastic dough) and leave it to dry on paper towels for at least 48 hours. Once it has dried, the casein plastic will be hard.

Clean-up tip: To avoid clogging the sink, discard any unused curds in the trash – do not pour them down the sink. (Adapted from www. sciencebuddies.org)

By Li-young Lee

From blossoms comes this brown paper bag of peaches we bought from the boy at the bend in the road where we turned toward signs painted Peaches.

From laden boughs, from hands, from sweet fellowship in the bins, comes nectar at the roadside, succulent peaches we devour, dusty skin and all, comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat.

O, to take what we love inside, to carry within us an orchard, to eat not only the skin, but the shade, not only the sugar, but the days, to hold the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into the round jubilance of peach.

There are days we live as if death were nowhere in the background; from joy to joy to joy, from wing to wing, from blossom to blossom to impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.

[Source: Rose (BOA Editions Ltd., 1986)]

A “tall tale” is a story that greatly exaggerates something that actually happened. Write a tall tale about something that recently happened to you.

WORD SEARCH

Mobil Service Station deadly bombing

Venezuelan gang member confesses to triggering bomb; nabbed in Reg 3

– Police say illegally arrived in Guyana with explosives hours before bombing – 9 Venezuelans & Guyanese remain in custody – Govt to pursue death penalty

The prime suspect in the deadly bombing at the Mobil Service Station, Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, on Sunday evening has been apprehended at Vergenoegen Sideline Dam, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), hours after a $5 million reward was offered for his arrest on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had released the true identity of the Spanish-speaking suspect for whom a wanted bulletin was issued in connection with the terrorist-related explosion that left sixyear-old Soraya Bourne dead and several others in-

Peodomo, the prime suspect, was nabbed.

Described as a high-profile suspect, he was escorted to the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters, where he is being interrogated. In addition to the prime suspect, nine other persons – both Guyanese and Venezuelans – are being questioned regarding the bombing.

ical stage and that information will be released to the public in due course.

who was present at the press briefing, stated that the penalty for terrorism under sections of Guyana’s law is death, and as such, the Guyana Police Force will be pursuing that in the courts. “We are making a case for the death penalty.”

prevented from doing so by an attendant; instead, he walked toward the western side of the fuel station, soon after which a loud explosion was heard coming from the section where bottled cooking gas was stored.

However, at a joint press conference hosted at the Home Affairs Ministry’s boardroom, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum related that Peodomo arrived in Guyana illegally by boat hours before the terror attack.

“What I can say is the suspect is cooperating with the investigators, and we have already secured a confession statement from him... Among other things that he mentioned to us is that the device he brought in from Venezuela. He also indicated that the device had a switch that he activated when he exited the vehicle, which was parked within the vicinity of the gas station.”

He also confirmed that the prime suspect is affiliated with a criminal gang in his home country, which

jured, including two minors and two adults.

Hours later, the clothes suspected to have been worn by the suspect were found at a location in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). In addition, the GPF issued another statement announcing the reward of $5 million for any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect wanted for the crime.

Mere hours later, acting on information received, a team of Police went to Vergenoegen Sideline Dam, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), and Daniel Alexander

“The prime suspect, along with his accomplice, both from Venezuela, entered Guyana via illegal means, by boat, last Sunday, that is, the 26th of October, 2025.”

While he could not divulge sensitive information to the public, Blanhum confirmed that the men arrived at about 08:00h on Sunday last and were supported by other accomplices, both Venezuelans and Guyanese.

When pressed on the type of explosive used, the Crime Chief reminded that the investigation is at a crit-

goes by the name “R”, and is also linked to the Sindicato gang.

With respect to the sceptics about the photograph previously issued by the Police for the wanted suspect and that of the one taken upon his arrest, Blanhum stated, “The issue about identification does not exist... the prime suspect was positively identified by one of his accomplices... moreover, the suspect confessed to his involvement in the crime; hence, there is no issue about identification.”

In addition, Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond,

“A young innocent child is murdered... had this man been able to put that device in that bin, more lives would have been lost... one life, a Guyanese life, is still too much, and I am absolutely sure that our Commander in Chief and the president will sign off on a death penalty,” the Minister added.

It was reported that the explosion occurred at about 19:36h on Sunday evening moments after a male suspect of mixed ethnicity and speaking Spanish was seen attempting to dispose of two black garbage bags in a bin.

Nevertheless, he was

The blast caused extensive damage to the building, several parked vehicles, and nearby properties. A motorcar bearing registration number PTT 8275, driven by a 27-year-old schoolteacher, Jenica Hooper, was in the compound. At the time, the teacher’s mother, Yvonne Jonas, 71, along with her nieces and nephew, six-yearold Soraya Bourne; 12-yearold Seddia McIntosh; and seven -year-old Reshard Lord were in the vehicle.

They were all rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where Bourne was pronounced dead.

Of the eight persons who were rushed to the GPCH following the explosion, four were treated and sent home, while two children were admitted to the paediatric ward suffering from significant injuries, and two adult females are in the medical ward and are being treated for soft tissue injuries to the face, head, neck and thigh, with one suffering a fracture to the leg.

The medical facility had stated that the two children underwent emergency surgical procedures and are currently in the recovery room under close observation. Both patients are critical but are in a stable condition.

Minister Walrond has, nevertheless, reaffirmed the Government’s support to the grieving family and those of the injured persons who remain hospitalised.

Hunting…

…the terrorists

The Police must be complimented for their quick reaction to the midtown gas station bombing. Three persons were arrested within a day, and an enhanced pic of the main terrorist was widely circulated across all media. In these matters involving folks like the Venezuelan migrant that has been identified, it’s best to also offer an attractive bounty because they form a subculture that’s very opaque to the snitches the Police would’ve cultivated among the “usual suspects” of domestic vintage!!

One private security firm – probably the one hired to protect the facility – has offered a bounty of $1 million. As your Eyewitness said yesterday, this bombing – like the ones last May – demonstrates it was planned and executed for maximum (destructive) effect!! This man knew what he was doing – it showed he was trained. If he’d been allowed to leave the bomb in the garbage bin next to the gas pump – which is connected to the underground gas tank reservoir with thousands of gallons of gasoline – we would’ve had an explosion that would’ve rocked the entire city and taken dozens of lives!!

Secondly, this was no channa bomb – that’s simply a wick attached to a bottle of gasoline – but a bomb that needs specific knowledge to source and put together the components of an IED: the explosives; a switch – in this case which could be triggered remotely via an electronic signal; an initiator to start the explosive charge; and a power source – like a battery – to activate the initiator. From the (small) size of the bomb the terrorist was carrying like garbage, the explosive charge was probably a militarysourced one like C-4 or Semtex. This would give the bang to lift several cars into the air, burn one and kill and maim its occupants, and destroy the walls of the mini-mart and rock buildings like the High Court over 100 yards away!!

So, whether we like it or not – and we certainly don’t like it – we’ve now gravitated from the terrorism of throwing bombs at the gate of a Police outpost and a GPL substation, which are “passive targets”, to bombs that are intended to take out an entire city block – and its habitués. Now, at the time of writing, the Police didn't have the perpetrator in custody as yet, so we couldn't say with 100 per cent certainty he was an agent of Mad Maduro – even though the madman publicly put us and T&T in his sights for “siding with the Yankees”. Your Eyewitness believes “when blind man seh ‘e gonna pelt you, ‘e done gat brick in ‘e haan!!” Our Police should better make sure he’s accorded all his rights if they don’t want Mia Motley and Ralphie Gonsalves to condemn them as “fascists”!! Virtue signallers!!

…clean power

We’re doing our darndest to cut our carbon footprint after striking oil big time cause - while we ain’t leaving it under the sea as some wackos want – we do take our global citizenship seriously!! So, we’re weaning ourselves off heavy bunker-C oil to fire our electricity generators and using natural gas to power us up!! Produced less carbon dioxide!!

But a decade back we had a totally green proposal to generate 165 MW of electricity at the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project. The seed money was from Norway because we were conserving our forests; we had the financing in place through a Chinese soft loan, and we had a most reputable contractor in Sithe!! But it was all scuttled by AFC and APNU, which then had a majority in the National Assembly! Well, the Government just announced it’s seeking requests for proposals (RFPs) for the development of AFHEP and only under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model.

Opportunity for the Private Sector to step up to the crease!! Go green!!

…virtue in dictators

Someone protested Hoyte being dubbed a “dictator” by an ex-speaker. Hoyte rigged the 1985 elections, protested the 1997 elections, leading to the deadly “slo’ fyaah; mo’ fyaah” strategy, denied criminals were in Buxton, and canonised Blackie London!!

Local leadership is key to effective service delivery – Min Manickchand tells Reg 3 RDC

...reaffirms Govt’s dedication to ensuring result-driven governance across all levels

As part of her ongoing nationwide engagements with local governance bodies, Local Government and Regional

Development Minister Priya Manickchand, on Tuesday, underscored that Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) play a crucial role in shaping

the quality of service being delivered within their respective regions.

As such, she emphasised that their leadership must

demonstrate responsiveness, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to putting citizens first.

Manickchand was at the time addressing the Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) regional organ, where she reiterated that the shared responsibility of local leadership is key in advancing community well-being and strengthening public trust.

She particularly highlighted the importance of strengthened inter-agency coordination and pointed to the need for smoother collaboration between RDCs, NDCs, central Government agencies, and community stakeholders to prevent duplication, delays, and miscommunication.

The discussions centred on improving efficiency in

project execution, addressing community infrastructure needs, and enhancing support mechanisms for residents.

Minister Manickchand further reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to ensuring that leadership across all levels of local governance remains focused on delivering tangible results to communities.

Moreover, she noted that the Ministry stands ready to provide guidance, resources, and support but stressed that effective service delivery begins with local leadership committed to partnership and proactive action.

This engagement is part of an ongoing series of structured consultations with RDCs, NDCs, and municipal councils across the country.

$450M biotechnology lab commissioned to strengthen non-oil economy

...to produce over 1 million disease-free plantlets annually

In a major investment in agricultural modernisation and food security, the Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday commissioned the country’s first state-of-the-art $450 million Biotechnology Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, a facility expected to revolutionise plant production and strengthen sustainable farming practices.

The laboratory, which falls under the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), was developed in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of India and financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under the Sustainable Agricultural Development Program (SADP).

With the capacity to produce over one million plantlets annually, a dramatic increase from the previous

20,000, the facility will supply clean, high-yielding, disease-free planting materials for crops such as pineapple, citrus, plantain, sweet potato, breadfruit, sugarcane, and even exotic fruits like strawberries and blackberries. A plantlet is a small or young plant, often produced through asexual reproduction, that can be used to grow a new plant

Delivering the feature address at the commissioning ceremony, Minister Zulfikar Mustapha described the initiative as a landmark moment in Guyana’s ongoing transformation of the agricultural sector.

“This facility will truly make your study become a reality, where you’re moving out from a classroom and doing theoretical work… Today marks a proud milestone in agricultural transformation that symbolises partnership,

progress, and people-centred development.”

He emphasised that the new facility represents far more than just infrastructure but also embodies Guyana’s commitment to science-driven agriculture, food security, and regional leadership in sustainable development.

Further, he stated that the Government continues its efforts to modernise the agriculture sector since 2020 have been guided by a clear vision from President Irfaan Ali to ensure resilience, innovation, and self-sufficiency. “We are seeing a transformation taking place in our country and within the institutions of the Ministry of Agriculture. This is another step in modernising our premier research institution,” Mustapha said.

“Our farmers are excited that we are increasing plant production 50 times. This is

a tremendous achievement.”

The Minister also linked the project to the broader CARICOM 25 by 2025 initiative, which seeks to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2030.

“As the global population rises and climate change threatens productivity, we must turn to biotechnology and research-based solutions to secure our nation,” he added. In his remarks, Chairman of NAREI’s Board of Directors, Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, urged the scientists and technicians who will operate the facility

to view it as more than a research hub. “I urge those who will be working here to see it for what it is, an instrument not just to satisfy our own research ambitions, but to deliver to our farmers, medium, small, and large,” Singh said.

Meanwhile, IDB Representative Lorena Solórzano Salazar highlighted the laboratory’s potential to help diversify Guyana’s economy and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

“This project opens the door for diversification, creating opportunities for

high-value and export-orientated crops,” Salazar stated. “When research, business, and policy move together, it flourishes the economy. Agricultural innovation is not just about growing more but about growing sustainably.” The commissioning of the Biotechnology Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory marks another significant step in Guyana’s drive to enhance agricultural productivity, resilience, and innovation, cementing its role as a regional leader in food security and sustainable agriculture.

Education Minister sets January 2026 as deadline to complete dormitories at NWSS

– instructs contractor to increase manpower, extend working hours to meet deadline

ducation Minister

ESonia Parag has set January 31, 2026, as the deadline for the comple-

tion of male and female dormitories at the North West Secondary School, Region One (Barima-Waini). She

passed this instruction to the contractor, Mason’s Innovative Construction and General Supply, during

uled to be completed by the end of November 2025.

But with the school seeing a continuous increase in enrolment, Parag stated, “We want to ensure that the extension for the dormitory is already open and running by the end of January so that we can accommodate these students. We are working with the contractor to make that happen.”

She added, “We’ve had a look; we’ve spoken to the contractor to ensure that measures are taken and taken

currently housed in the facility and recommended that more of the heavy work be done during the day and the finishing touches, such as plastering and painting, for later in the evening.

According to the Ministry, the contractor responded positively, noting that all the materials needed to complete the project are on-site, and there should be no further delays. Parag reiterated the Government’s commitment to providing across-the-board access to

a visit to the construction site on Sunday. Once completed, the facilities will increase the school’s boarding capacity to approximately 120 students, especially catering to those who reside in very remote communities of the region. As it stands, the shared dining hall and the male dormitory are sched-

immediately. That is, to ensure they increase the manpower. That is to ensure that they extend the hours, and while they do that, also try not to affect the students who are currently in the dormitory.” She also urged the contractor to ensure their work is not disruptive to students

quality education. The North West Secondary School dorm expansion forms part of the Government’s wider plan to ensure all of our children have access to a quality education and also paves the way for the country to achieve universal secondary education.

Guyana commits to eliminating leprosy by 2030 – Dr Anthony

...commends PAHO for leading regional effort

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has reaffirmed Guyana’s national commitment to eliminating leprosy by 2030 while commending the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for spearheading a regional effort to end the disease.

Dr Anthony addressed the gathering at the launch of the Subregional Leprosy Training Workshop being facilitated by PAHO in collaboration with the

Participants at the workshop on Tuesday

Guyana Pandits’

Council hosts fundraiser in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

– hands over $350,000 to Guyana

Cancer Foundation

The Guyana Pandits’ Council, in collaboration with the Radha Krishna Mandir’s Yuva Shakti Sangh (youth arm), on Sunday hosted its Pinktober bake sale in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This charitable initiative brought together members of the community in support of a cause that continues to affect the lives of many.

The event featured an array of homemade treats

These funds will aid the Foundation’s ongoing work in education, early detection, and patient support.

The Yuva Shakti Sangh has since extended its sincere appreciation to those who contributed to the success of this initiative.

“Together, we continue to make a meaningful difference in our community,” the youth arm noted in a statement.

Just last month, President Dr Irfaan Ali

prepared and donated by dedicated volunteers and supporters, with all proceeds directed toward assisting those impacted by breast cancer.

Through the generosity of donors and the collective efforts of volunteers and patrons, a total of $350,000 was raised and donated to the Guyana Cancer Foundation.

joined devotees at the Radha Krishna Mandir in Georgetown for Navaratri observances.

There, he had emphasised the need for talent within religious leadership to be used “for the development of our people, the development of our communities, and the development of our country.”

World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday in Guyana.

The initiative aims to strengthen clinical, laboratory, and programmatic capacities across participating countries to enhance leprosy case detection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

The workshop also seeks to support the development of national strategies aligned with the global leprosy elimination goals.

Participants from eight countries are attending the training, which features a combination of theoretical sessions, hands-on clinical practice with patients, supervised laboratory activities, and modules on prevention, treatment, and documentation.

“We have made significant strides in controlling leprosy, but our goal is total elimination,” Dr Anthony said while adding, “This workshop is timely,

as it will equip our health professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to identify and treat cases early and to ensure that stigma does not hinder care and rehabilitation.”

He further highlighted that the Ministry continues to strengthen its national health programmes aimed at the prevention and elimination of other priority conditions, including epilepsy and cervical cancer, the latter being the sec -

ond most prevalent cancer among women in Guyana. The training will help countries adopt best practices and accelerate progress toward the global target of zero leprosy. The event reflects PAHO’s continued commitment to supporting Member States in strengthening health systems, reducing disease burden, and advancing the vision of universal health for all.

One’s background does not define one’s

destiny – 1st

in their families to pursue, attain university education

Graduation is always a moment of pride, but for a special group of students from the University of Guyana (UG), it represents something far greater.

They are among several students who are the first in their families to acquire a university education in a journey that saw them breaking through barriers, overcoming adversities and turning long-held dreams into reality. Their journeys have been marked by sacrifice, resilience, and faith. Each of them comes from a different part of the country, including from far-flung indigenous communities, yet they share a common thread: the determination to rise above their challenges and set a strong foundation

for future successes.

These pathbreakers have redefined what it means to persevere. Their stories speak not only of academic triumphs but also of courage, community, and the power of believing that one’s background does not determine one’s destiny.

Ishwari Misir

For Ishwari Misir, who hails from Woodley Park Village on the West Coast

balancing a full-time job and long daily commutes to and from the university’s Turkeyen Campus. She explained that there were many nights she felt exhausted after the long commute, but she never allowed fatigue to silence her dream.

“It’s an emotional and proud moment for me to be the first in my family to graduate from university. This achievement isn’t just mine; it represents the

of Berbice, this accomplishment is deeply personal and emotional. Ishwari recently completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies after four demanding years,

hopes and sacrifices of my family, especially my mother, who worked hard to give us the best opportunities she could,” she proudly said. Ishwari hopes to continue her studies at the Master’s level, driven by a passion for the environment and a desire to show others that determination can overcome any obstacle.

Sakinah Ghannie

Sakinah Ghannie grew up between Lusignan, Kitty and Non-Pareil. Entering the University of Guyana at just sixteen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was exciting and overwhelming. For her, everything felt unfamiliar – the systems, the expectations, even the virtual classrooms.

“I didn’t know how anything worked. I even joined a final-year class by mistake during my first semester,” she recalled with a laugh. But beneath the humour were moments of doubt and isolation. With no one at home familiar with university life, she often felt lost. “I learnt that it’s okay to start without knowing everything. What matters is having the courage to learn and keep going,” she said.

Supported by her parents, Melinda Alfred and Rahim Ghannie, and her aunt, Dr Indhira Harry, Sakinah gradually found her rhythm. She built friendships through her faculty’s Geography Society and discovered her voice and confidence along the way. Her proudest moment came during a field trip to Region

Two, where hands-on learning brought her studies to life. As the first in her family to graduate, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree and inspire others to embrace uncertainty as part of growth.

Christal Craig Christal Craig, from Tucville in Georgetown, also overcame her share of challenges while pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies. Her mother’s belief in education was her guiding light. “Being the first in my family to graduate is a milestone I hold with immense pride. My mother always taught me the value of learning, and I wanted to make her proud,” she said.

Her final year proved the most difficult, with research setbacks and countless obstacles that tested her patience. Yet she refused to give up. “There were moments I felt overwhelmed, but I stopped and thought about all the sacrifices my mom had made for me to reach this point,” Christal shared.

One of Christal’s most

memorable moments was participating in the 2025 Chinese Bridge Competition, where she placed third after performing a dance routine that reawakened an old passion.

The experience reminded her that university life is not just about academics; it is also about growth and rediscovery. She now hopes to specialise in environmental and natural resources management and use her story to encourage others to persist through fear and selfdoubt.

Ruth Patterson

Ruth Patterson, who will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies, hails from the Indigenous community of Laluni, about 20 kilometres from the LindenSoesdyke Highway. She was faced with some of the most daunting obstacles of all. With no reliable internet access in her area, Ruth had to rely solely on mobile data to attend classes, complete as-

signments, and sit exams.

“There were countless times when my signal would drop in the middle of a lecture or an important discussion; I always felt like I was trying to catch up,” she said. Moving between relatives’ homes to find a stronger connection took a physical and emotional toll, and at one point, she nearly gave up. It was faith that kept her grounded. “Jeremiah 29:11 reminded me that God had not brought me this far to leave me stranded. There was purpose in the process even when I couldn’t see it,” she related.

Ruth found comfort and strength in the friendships she made through the “Uni Buddies group” and her classmates, who became her extended family. They studied together, supported one another, and pushed through exhaustion and doubt. “The friendships, faith, and love of my family carried me to the finish line.”

Patterson now plans to pursue a master’s degree in Oil and Gas Management and use her education to promote responsible and sustainable development. Her hope is that young people from remote communities will see that their circumstances need not limit their potential.

Orwin Anthony Corlette

For Orwin Anthony Corlette, who grew up in Liverpool Village, Corentyne, Berbice, education has always been his way of serving others. He will be graduating with an associate degree in social work, becoming the first in his family to earn a university education.

“This achievement holds deep significance for me and my family. It represents hope, perseverance, and the power of determination,” he posited.

Balancing full-time teaching with university studies was no easy task. At times, his classes at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and UG overlapped, forcing him to juggle assignments, work duties, and latenight revisions.

“There were moments when I felt complete-

ly drained, but I stayed focused on my purpose, which is to make a difference in the lives of others,” Orwin shared. His motivation came from his students and the belief that education can transform lives. Orwin hopes to advance his studies in social work and continue contributing to the development of communities across Guyana.

“I want my story to show young people that no matter where you start, success is within reach when you stay disciplined, faithful, and focused.”

As they prepare to walk across the stage at the University of Guyana’s 59th Convocation, which will be held in November and early December, these five graduates will carry more than their degrees; they will car-

ry stories of faith, resilience and triumph.

Ishwari Misir, Sakinah Ghannie, Christal Craig, Ruth Patterson, and Orwin Anthony Corlette are not just first-generation graduates; they are trailblazers. Their success will echo not only within their families but also across communities and throughout Guyana, inspiring many others to believe that their dreams are possible too.

The University of Guyana has produced upwards of 80,000 graduates in its 62-year existence –many of whom have gone on to serve at the highest levels in both the private and public sectors nationally and internationally.

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

President Ali promises treated water for more than 90% of families by 2030

The opposition PNC-led APNU leader, Aubrey Norton, claimed that there is a potable water crisis in Guyana. The PNC should be the last to speak on water. Prior to 1992, access to potable water was a national disgrace. Who could forget the images of people with buckets of water on their heads walking along the streets and highways? Remember people pulling tanks along the road after trekking long distances to get water?

For people in the hinterland, the creeks were the only source of water. When the PNC-led APNU took over the Government again in 2015, over 85 per cent of the population had access to potable water because of the achievements of the PPP-led Governments from 1992.

Every family in Guyana should have access to potable water. It is a fundamental right. While no one in his or her right mind can say that each and every family in our country has access to potable water, we can be proud that about 98 per cent of the population has easy access to potable water today. Guyana is working towards 100 per cent access to potable water by 2030. Moreover, President Irfaan Ali has publicly stated that every family living on the coast and in many areas of the hinterland will have access to treated water.

Ministers of Trade and other Government officials gathered to discuss trade and development over four days, from October 20 to 23, in Geneva. Guyana was represented at the meeting by the Guyana Mission in Geneva. One clear message that resonated throughout the conference is that the world is seriously off-track in achieving the 169 development targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Consider this dismal picture: the world is on track for only 18 per cent of the 169 targets that are part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. With a gap of more than $US4 trillion in SDG financing and burdened with a debt servicing of $US1.4 trillion in an environment of decreasing development aid (development aid fell by 7.1 per cent in 2024), we can safely predict that most of the global targets will not be achieved by most countries by 2030.

Most countries are struggling to meet the 11 targets for Goal 6 – water and sanitation. One of the Goal 6 targets is access to safely managed drinking water for the population. While many countries are off-track in meeting this target under Goal 6, there is this “good news”: between 2015 and 2024, humanity recorded one of the fastest expansions of a basic welfare need in human history, with more than 961 million people around the world gaining safe drinking water.

It is true that 26 per cent of global citizens, totalling 2.1 billion people, still lack access to safe drinking water. But if in nine years, between 2015 and 2024, global Governments were able to gain access to safe drinking water for 961 million people around the world, then, with a little bit more effort, the world can ensure that 100 per cent of global citizens have access to safe drinking water.

This Goal 6 target (access to safe drinking water) is within reach by 2030. While reaching the goal for target 6.1 is a national responsibility, multilateral support is still needed. For those who wonder whether multilateralism is still relevant, this is one of the reasons why multilateralism must prevail. Some national Governments can presently meet the needs through their own investments, but there are other national Governments that will need help.

Even as the SDGs came into sharp focus at UNCTAD 16 in Geneva, controversy erupted in Guyana between the Ministry responsible for water, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), and the PNC leader, Aubrey Norton, who declared that there is a “water crisis” in Guyana. The GWI responded with its own insistence that there is no “water crisis”.

In fact, Guyana has made rapid progress since 2015. Guyana is one of the countries that have invested heavily, with more than $65 billion in the last five years to improve access to safe water. Presently, more than 96 per cent of the population has access to safe potable water. The GWI insists that this will reach 98 per cent by the end of 2025. At this pace, it means that Guyana should easily meet the 100 per cent access target by 2030.

The question of rural access leads to the vexing issue of people with access to safe drinking water in the hinterland. Guyana has made impressive gains in relation to hinterland access to drinking water, moving from 46 per cent in 2020 to 91 per cent in 2025. This impressive gain of doubling access in hinterland communities in the last five years occurred because the Government constructed 153 wells between 2020 and 2025, compared with only 21 wells in the previous five years.

But even as Guyana has made impressive progress in access to safe drinking water, it has also embarked on a pathway from just potable water to treated water. In 2020, 52 per cent of Guyanese had access to treated water. That has now expanded to 75 per cent, with a significant jump to 90 per cent by the end of 2026 and to 96 per cent by 2028. In the last five years, seven new treatment plants have become operational in Caledonia, Cummings Lodge, Onderneeming, Parika, La Parfaite Harmonie, Wales, and Bachelors Adventure. By the end of 2026, five additional treatment plants will become operational in Maria’s Delight, Wakenaam, Leguan, Bath, and Adventure. New treatment plants are also planned for Bartica, Hope, and Diamond. Access to safe drinking water is a human right, and Guyana is investing to ensure that every Guyanese benefits from this fundamental human right. The Government of Guyana must be commended for its investment to make potable and treated water accessible to all Guyanese. While significant gains have been made and Guyana is on track to be one of the countries that has met our obligations under SDG 6.1, we must ensure consistency and reliability in the supply.

High Court dismisses $400M case against SinoHydro Corp Inc

High Court Judge Justice Nicola Pierre on Monday dismissed the Statement of Claim filed by Attorney-atLaw Darren Wade against SinoHydro Corp Inc, a company engaged in road construction and other related works.

Wade filed the claim seeking damages in excess of $400 million on behalf of Kareem Powley who died as a result of an accident along Mandela Avenue, Georgetown on June 27, 2021.

SinoHydro was represented by Attorneys-at-Law Jerome Khan and Narendra Singh. The Government of Guyana was also named as a defendant and was represented by Attorney General Anil Nandlall.

It was reported that on the day in question, Powley was the pillion rider on a motorcycle which was at the time being driven by Joshua Mentore, who was later charged for causing death by dangerous driving.

The Police report stated that Mentore allegedly swerved to avoid hitting a motorcar but instead veered off the road and ended up in a pile of gravel on the road shoulder. As a result, both men sustained injuries, but Powley died at the scene.

His estate, through his mother, Althea Pollydore, claimed that his death was caused by the negligence of the construction company which was conducting road works and had left a pile of stone at the side of the road with no safety markings, leading to her son’s demise.

She also alleged that the Public Works Ministry was liable for negligence, as the Government was the entity in control of the road and had a non-delegable duty of care to road users.

However, Justice Pierre, during her ruling, stated that there was an astonishing lack of evidence in the case presented by Wade. It must be noted that during the court proceedings, Mentore, who was the driver of the motorcycle at the time of the fatal accident, was called as a witness.

In fact, Police reports stated that Mentore was driving at a fast rate of speed on the day of the accident. He was also represented by Wade and granted bail.

The particulars of the case alleged that a hazardous pile of stones was left by SinoHydro on Sheriff Street near the intersection of Mandela Avenue and Hadfield Street, and that it failed in its duty of care to place any markings, caution tape, or other indicators such as reflectors and lights to clearly show the presence of the pile of stones.

The defence team argued that the gravel was not on the road but beside the road on the road shoulder, and that the reason the motorcycle collided with the gravel was that it swerved to avoid hitting an unknown car.

The defence team also argued that Pollydore’s own evidence, derived from the Police accident report, measurements, and drawings, showed that the motorcycle did not collide with the stone but travelled some 39 feet before hitting the gravel,

and the deceased was found 96 feet away, all pointing to speed as the causative factor.

Justice Pierre concluded that the breach of duty in having unmarked and unlit stones on the road shoulders on an unlit road under construction was not the cause of the accident or death, and SinoHydro was not liable.

The court ordered that costs be paid by the claimant to the defendants, SinoHydro and the Government.

Barima Black Water Village gets $1.8M presidential grant to boost local commerce –

Savannah Black Water to benefit from potable water by next month

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal on Monday handed over a $1.8 million Presidential Grant to the Barima Black Water Village Council during an outreach to the community in the Mabaruma sub-region, Region One (Barima-Waini).

The grant will be utilised for the construction of a boat, which will be used to transport produce to the Kumaka, boosting local commerce. Part of the funds will also be used for the procurement of four chainsaws.

During the visit, Minister Croal, accompanied by Regional Vice-Chairman Paul Pierre and Regional Executive Officer (REO) Sewchand, also handed over fertilisers to aid agricultural production and an outboard

engine to enhance transportation via boat within the area.

Residents welcomed the initiatives and engaged the visiting team in discussions on various community needs.

Meanwhile, over at Savannah Black Water and Barasina, Croal engaged the residents in issues affecting their respective villages.

In the area of housing, the Minister related that 10 vulnerable households in Savannah Black Water are now benefiting from the Government’s Hinterland Housing Programme, with several homes already completed between 2024 and 2025.

Addressing a query on housing support at Barasina, he told villagers

that a new building materials support programme is being developed to assist vulnerable households in upgrading their homes. This initiative is expected to be rolled out next year.

“All of our people are equally important to us,” Minister Croal said, emphasising the Government’s inclusive approach to national development.

On the issue of water access, he stated that a newly drilled well at Savannah Black Water will soon bring an end to residents’ reliance on ponds for water.

The community is expected to begin receiving water within a month, following the completion of the distribution network – equipment for which is already in Mabaruma.

Meanwhile, at Barasina, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will be investing in small desalination plants to provide residents with access to potable water.

Croal also underscored

ongoing efforts to advance education, healthcare, and other key sectors in the region. Recommendations made by residents during the engagement were documented for follow-up action by the relevant agencies.

At the conclusion of the formal meetings, the officials distributed several water storage tanks to enhance water access in both communities and handed over agricultural materials to support farmers.

Regional

Hurricane Melissa batters Jamaica, thousands in shelter

– as storm moves to Cuba

Hurricane Melissa’s winds dipped to a still “powerful” Category 4 as the eye of the storm passed over Jamaica with historic ferocity and barrelled towards Cuba.

The “storm of the century”, as it was dubbed by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), has wreaked havoc across the Caribbean, bringing days of torrential downpours to nearby Haiti and the Dominican Republic, causing seven deaths in the Caribbean – three in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing.

“Melissa remains a powerful Category 4 hurricane over North-western Jamaica,” the US National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory. “This is an

At least

extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation!”

The hurricane had hit Jamaica with a Category 5 rating, as forecasters predicted it would likely cause “catastrophic” flash flooding, landslides and widespread damage. WMO cyclone specialist Anne-Claire Fontan predicted that rainfall was set to exceed 700mm (27.5 inches) – about twice the amount expected in an average rainy season.

Desmond McKenzie, a local Government minister, told Al Jazeera that the island nation had done everything possible to protect itself. “We are prepared, but I don’t know if we can be prepared for a Category 5 hurricane,” he said, adding that last year’s Hurricane Beryl had caused “extensive damage”.

Leiska Powell, an emer-

gency services manager with the Red Cross in Jamaica, told Al Jazeera that “stronger winds, more rains, and also some significant damage to the western side of the country” were expected.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is warning that at least 1.5 million people in Jamaica alone may experience the repercussions of Hurricane Melissa.

Robian Williams, a journalist for the Kingston-based radio station NationWide Radio 90FM, told Al Jazeera that the wind gusts had “toppled trees and downed power lines”.

“Many of us here are out of electricity. First responders are actually out on the road just trying to clear the blockade,” she said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

64 reported killed in Rio’s worst day of violence amid Police favela raids

At least 64 persons have reportedly been killed in Rio’s worst-ever day of violence as more than 2500 officers and special forces stormed an area of favelas near Rio’s international airport that is considered the headquarters of one of Brazil’s most powerful organised crime groups.

The predawn Police raid – the deadliest in Rio’s history – sparked intense gunfights in and around the Alemão and Penha favelas, which are home to an esti-

mated 300,000 people.

Drug traffickers from the Red Command criminal faction started shooting and set barricades and cars alight as civil and military Police and special forces began their advance shortly after 04:00h. For the first time, the gang reportedly used weaponised drones to drop explosives on special forces teams.

Gunshot wound victims were carried to a local hospital throughout the morning, and by afternoon at least 64 persons had been killed, in-

cluding four Police officers. “There are bodies strewn all over the streets,” one community leader told the Rio newspaper O Globo.

Eight Police officers and four residents were wounded. Horrific photos of some of the young male victims spread on social media.

Rio’s right-wing governor, Cláudio Castro, declared the city “at war” and said it was the biggest Police operation since a 2010 raid in the same region. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

A&B: UPP mobilises support for Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

Antigua and Barbuda’s Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle says the United Progressive Party (UPP) will coordinate efforts to assist the people of Jamaica as they recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking during an interview on Observer AM with Dr Jacqui Quinn, Pringle expressed solidarity with the storm-stricken nation and said the party will help organise resources and aid for those

affected.

He noted that the UPP intends to raise funds and supplies through upcoming events, including the party’s Independence Banquet on November 2 at the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union Banquet Hall.

“Hurricane Melissa has caused severe hardship for our Caribbean brothers and sisters,” Pringle said, stressing that Antiguans and Barbudans have a responsibility to stand in support. “We

share a common identity and history, and when one island suffers, we all feel it.”

The UPP’s relief initiative will focus on mobilising donations and exploring partnerships with local organisations and churches to assist in recovery efforts.

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, battered Jamaica earlier this week with catastrophic winds, flooding, and landslides, leaving widespread damage and several fatalities. (Antigua Observer)

US kills 14 in strikes on 4 alleged drug boats in Pacific

US forces have killed 14 persons in strikes on four alleged drug boats in the Pacific, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

Mexico’s navy says it is still searching for a lone survivor approximately 643km from the Pacific coastal city of Acapulco.

It is the latest in a series of attacks on boats the US says have been carrying

drugs in both the Pacific and Caribbean.

The latest strikes in the eastern Pacific, which Hegseth said happened on Monday at the direction of President Donald Trump, mark an escalation in what it has cast as a campaign to stop narcotics from entering the US.

“We want all international treaties to be respected,” she added.

At least 57 persons have now been killed in the strikes, which has led to increasing tensions between the US and the Governments of both Colombia and Venezuela.

Most strikes have taken place off the coast of South America, in the Caribbean, but recently the US has turned its attention to the Pacific Ocean as well.

In a statement on X, Hegseth said the four vessels that were hit on Monday “were known by our intelligence apparatus, transitioning along known narco-trafficking routes and carrying narcotics”.

He added that eight “narco-terrorists” were killed in the first strike. Four and three were killed in the following two strikes.

One person survived the strikes. According to Hegseth, Mexican searchand-rescue authorities “accepted the case and assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue.”

The condition of the survivor or his current whereabouts is unclear. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Venezuela declares Trinidad and Tobago PM persona non grata

Venezuela has declared Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister a persona non grata, as the two countries continue to feud over United States (US) military activity in the Caribbean Sea.

On Tuesday, Venezuela’s National Assembly voted in favour of the sanction against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has been sparring with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. It designates her as unwelcome in the country and bars her

from entering.

Asked a day earlier about the prospect, PersadBissessar told the news agency AFP, “Why would they think I would want to go to Venezuela?”

The two countries – separated by a small bay just 11 km (7 miles) wide at its narrowest point – have been at loggerheads in recent weeks over the US military activity in the region.

Persad-Bissessar is one of the few Caribbean leaders to applaud the buildup of US military forces in

the Caribbean as well as its bombing campaign against alleged drug-trafficking boats.

“I, along with most of the country, am happy that the US naval deployment is having success in their mission,” Persad-Bissessar said shortly after the first missile strike was announced on September 2.

“I have no sympathy for traffickers; the US military should kill them all, violently.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

“It has no effect on my life,” says PM on Venezuela motion

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar dismissed Venezuela’s move to declare her persona non grata, calling it “a useless declaration” and insisting, “It has no effect on my life.”

She questioned why Venezuelan authorities are targeting her personally rather than US President Donald Trump, pointing out that the warships involved in recent drug interdiction exercises are American property. “They should call President Trump’s name. He is the commander of those warships,” she said. The Prime Minister said Trinidad and Tobago will continue “supporting drug interdiction exercises against narco traffickers in international waters.”

The National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela debated the motion to declare Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar persona non grata, in accordance with Article 111 of its internal regulations.

Relations have further strained following President Nicolás Maduro’s announcement that Venezuela will suspend all energy negotiations with Port of Spain. The move follows the docking of a US naval vessel on Sunday and claims from Caracas that the US, with Trinidad and Tobago’s support, is allegedly plotting to provoke an attack on Venezuela –allegations that the T&T Government has firmly denied. (Trinidad Guardian)

OIL NEWS

Oil falls 2% as investors weigh Russia sanctions, OPEC+ output plans

Oil prices slipped about two per cent on Tuesday, marking a third straight day of declines as investors considered the impact of US sanctions against Russia's two biggest oil companies on global supply, along with a potential Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) plan to raise output.

Brent crude futures settled down US$1.22, or 1.9 per cent, to US$64.40 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled down US$1.16, or 1.9 per cent, at US$60.15.

Brent and WTI last week registered their biggest weekly gains since June, reacting to US President Donald Trump's decision to impose Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia for the first time in his second term, targeting major oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft.

The US Government has provided written assurances that the German business of Russia's Rosneft would be exempt from the sanctions because the assets are no longer under Russian control, Germany's Economy Minister said.

"Trump giving Germany this waiver gives the impression that there could be more wiggle room on these sanctions, so this is taking away some of the immediate concerns that supplies could dramatically tighten. We definitely saw some risk-off (trading) today," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with Price Futures Group.

The effect of sanctions on oil-exporting countries will be limited because of surplus capacity, Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, said on Tuesday.

Following the US sanctions, Russia's second-largest oil producer, Lukoil, said on Monday it would sell its international assets.

This move is the most consequential action so far by a Russian company in the wake of Western sanctions over Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, which started in February 2022.

Moscow-headquartered Lukoil accounts for around two per cent of global oil output.

Indian refiners halt new orders

Indian refiners have not placed new orders for Russian oil purchases since the sanctions were imposed, as they await clarity from the Government and suppliers, sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

OPEC+, which includes Russia as an ally, is leaning towards another modest output boost in December, four sources familiar with the talks told Reuters.

Having curbed production for several years to support the oil market, the group started reversing those cuts in April.

"This raises the larger question as to how much spare capacity OPEC+ really has left," Flynn said.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Saudi Arabian state oil company Aramco said on Tuesday crude oil demand was strong even before sanctions were imposed on Rosneft and Lukoil, and that Chinese demand was still healthy.

Rising OPEC+ output could help offset any curtailment to Russian barrels following US sanctions, said Andrew Lipow, President of Lipow Oil Associates.

Investors are mulling the prospect of a trade deal between the US and China, the world's two biggest oil consumers, with Trump and President Xi Jinping due to meet on Thursday in South Korea.

Beijing hopes Washington can meet it halfway to "prepare for high-level interactions" between the two countries, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio in a phone call on Monday.

US crude, gasoline and distillate stocks fell last week, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Crude stocks fell by 4.02 million barrels in the week ended October 24, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

Gasoline inventories fell by 6.35 million barrels, while distillate inventories fell by 4.36 million barrels from a week earlier, the sources said. (Reuters)

Around the World

Israel strikes Gaza after accusing Hamas of violating US-brokered ceasefire

Israeli planes launched strikes in Gaza on

Tuesday after Israel accused the militant group Hamas of violating a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory, the latest test of a fragile deal brokered earlier this month by US President Donald Trump.

Local health authorities said the strikes killed at least 26 persons, including five in a house hit in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, four in a building in Gaza City's Sabra neighbourhood, and five in a car in Khan Younis. The attacks by Israeli planes continued into the early hours of today across the Gaza Strip, according to witnesses.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strikes, the latest violence in a three-weekold ceasefire and which followed a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin

Netanyahu's office saying he had ordered immediate "powerful attacks".

The statement did not give a specific reason for the attacks, but an Israeli military official said Hamas had

violated the ceasefire by carrying out an attack against Israeli forces in an area of the enclave that is under Israeli control.

"This is yet another blatant violation of the ceasefire," the official said.

The US-backed ceasefire agreement went into effect on October 10, halting two years of war triggered by deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Both sides have accused each other of ceasefire violations.

US Vice President JD Vance, part of a parade of Trump Administration officials who visited Israel last week, said that despite the latest flare-up, "the ceasefire is holding".

Trump heads to South Korea to face trade talks and North Korean missiles

US President Donald Trump headed to South Korea on today for the final leg of his Asia trip, with high-

stakes meetings expected with Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korea's Lee Jae Myung.

After arriving on a flight

Zelenskyy says Kyiv ready for peace talks, but will not cede territory

Ukraine is ready for peace talks, but will not withdraw its troops from additional territory first as Moscow has demanded, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

In comments to reporters released on Tuesday, he said he was happy for talks to be held anywhere, except in Russia itself or on the territory of Moscow's close ally Belarus.

Plans for a summit in Budapest this month between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were put on hold after Moscow stuck to demands, including that Ukraine cede more territory as a condition for a ceasefire.

Trump has backed Ukraine's call for an immediate ceasefire on current lines.

Ukrainian and European officials will meet on Friday or Saturday to discuss the details of a ceasefire plan,

Zelenskyy told reporters on Tuesday after meeting the visiting Dutch Foreign Minister, David van Weel.

"It is not a plan to end the war. First of all, a ceasefire is needed," Zelenskyy said.

"This is a plan to begin diplomacy... Our advisers will meet in the coming days, we agreed on Friday or Saturday. They will discuss the details of this plan."

In Monday's comments to reporters, Zelenskyy said he was happy to attend peace talks, including in Hungary, despite reservations about some of the positions of its Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who, he said, "blocks everything for Ukraine".

"If there will be results, then God bless – let the talks take place anywhere," he said. "It almost doesn't matter, just not in Russia, of course, and definitely not in Belarus." (Excerpt from Reuters)

from Tokyo, where he signed a rare earths deal with Japan's new Prime Minister, Trump is due to address a summit of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and meet with Lee in Gyeongju, a sleepy South Korean town filled with historic tombs and palaces.

At the top of the agenda will be the unresolved trade agreement between the US and South Korea.

The two allies announced a deal in August under which South Korea would avoid the worst of the tariffs by agreeing to pump US$350 billion of new investments into the United States.

But talks over the structure of those investments have been deadlocked, and

officials from both sides have said Trump and Lee are unlikely to finalise an agreement.

Trump has also pressed allies like South Korea to pay more for defence, and South Korea has sought reforms to US immigration laws to allow for more workers to build factories after a raid on a Hyundai Motor battery plant in Georgia.

Trump and Lee are likely to discuss efforts to engage North Korea, which announced early today that it had test-fired a nuclear-capable cruise missile the day before.

Last week, the North fired its first ballistic missile since May. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18 migrant bodies recovered, over 90 rescued off Libya, Red Crescent says

The bodies of at least 18 migrants, who died when their boat capsized west of Libya's capital Tripoli, were recovered while over 90 survivors were rescued, a local Red Crescent branch said on Tuesday.

The Red Crescent in Sabratha, a coastal town some 76 kilometres (47 miles) west of Tripoli, said it had received a report of the capsized boat late on Monday and carried out a rescue operation until early Tuesday morning.

The bodies were recovered from the shore near the port of Surman, it said.

Pictures posted by the branch showed Red Crescent volunteers carrying the bodies and placing

them in white plastic bags before loading them into the back of an ambulance as other rescue workers provided first aid to the survivors.

Earlier this month, a Health Ministry-run medical centre said the bodies of at least 61 migrants were recovered by medics over a two-week period in the coastal area between the Libyan towns of Zuwara and Ras Ijdir, near the border with Tunisia.

Since the fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi during a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, Libya has become a transit route for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe across the Mediterranean. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Send a message with your actions. Change what you don’t like and keep moving forward. Utilize your intelligence, conduct thorough research, and adapt to meet your specific needs. Your actions will help promote opportunities and pave the way for better days ahead. Put a unique spin on your resume, and something interesting will transpire.

Update time-sensitive documents and events that require attention. Spend more time at home taking care of repairs or moving things around to make your space flow better. Nurture meaningful relationships and let loved ones know how much you care. Make a promise to yourself to finish what you start and to maintain what’s important to you.

Take advantage of any opportunity you get to learn something new. Communication and participation will offer insight into a job opportunity or an introduction to someone with a lead or a job prospect of interest. Put your best foot forward, but don’t feel you have to exaggerate to make a lasting impression; truth matters.

Avoid overspending on entertainment or trying to impress someone. You are best to invest in yourself than to let money slip through your fingers. Make a promise to yourself to stop putting off selfimprovement projects and holding onto the past, as well as people who drag you down. Discipline, along with a positive attitude, will pay off.

You’ll devise a unique plan to help a cause or those searching for solutions. Your kindness will offer hope and help you recognize what you can do to make a difference in your community. Your heart is in the right place, but you must protect yourself from those who may want to take advantage of you.

Invest in your space or your future. Make changes for the right reason, not because you are bored. Spending on something you don’t need or investing in someone else’s dream will lead to disappointment and potential loss. Maintain focus and discipline, and say no if someone crosses a line or asks for too much.

You are ready to undertake an adventure. Ensure you are following a path dedicated to your advancement or something you are passionate about. When helping others, be sure to set a budget and boundaries, and get what you want in return in writing. You’ll get higher returns investing in yourself and your happiness. Romance is favored.

Express your needs. It’s time to implement positive lifestyle changes. Communication is essential if you want to understand your relationship with others and determine whether it’s time to set boundaries or walk away. It’s up to you to create the life that suits you. Travel, educating yourself, and new beginnings are in the stars.

Build toward a brighter future. Let go of what has no meaning for you and gravitate toward what excites and makes you happy. It’s time to help and invest in yourself, your dreams, and what fills your heart with passion. Change is up to you; don’t look back, think positively, and make things happen.

Rethink your motives and intentions, and how the choices and actions you take will influence others. Communicate honestly and directly with others before implementing your plans. Verify information before sharing. Listen, engage in talks, and be open to compromise and alternative suggestions. How you handle matters will determine your success. Do what’s right.

Embrace change, trying something new, or changing your lifestyle or surroundings to suit your needs better. Make health, fitness, and updating your appearance a goal, and you won’t be disappointed by the results. Selfimprovement, personal growth, and financial gains are on the rise. Don’t be shy, share your feelings and intentions with someone special.

Keep your plans to yourself until you have everything in place. Check into legalities and protocols necessary to get your ideas and goals up and running. Attend events that bring you in contact with people who can shed light on procedures or connections that can make your life simpler. Verify information and leave nothing to chance.

Can SA exorcise 2017 and 2022 against semi-final nemesis England?

We often have poignant memories of certain plac es that come rushing back when we return to them. As much as they would want to avoid it, South Africa could experience this on their re turn to Guwahati, where they began their World Cup 2025 campaign by being dis mantled for 69 in just 20.4 overs. Today, they will play a semi-final at the same ground, against the same opponents, England.

South Africa's batters had seemed to overcome that opening-match shock, firing in five successive wins, until they ran into Australia in their last match of the league stage. If they had succumbed to Linsey Smith, Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean in the game against England, it was spin again that un

changed their captain and coach after a 7-0 blanking in the Ashes. But they buried their own ghosts, overcame wobbles against Bangladesh, snatched a game from hosts India, and crashed Sophie Devine's farewell party before flying to Guwahati.

Despite their volatile results in recent times, England have a lot more World Cup pedigree: they are four-time champions, they have made the semi-finals in each of the last six editions, and they have turned out in all but one of the last four finals. If South Africa want to beat their nemesis, they will hope to make the most of a helpful Guwahati strip to break open England's middle order. This is perhaps the only base England haven't covered yet; they tried to fix it in their last league match, bringing in the experienced Danni Wyatt-Hodge.

In the spotlight: Danni Wyatt-

The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning starts to the NBA season to four games.

Victor Wembanyama scored 24 points as the Spurs beat the Toronto Raptors 121103 at Frost Bank Center.

The Thunder claimed a 10194 win at the Dallas Mavericks, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 23 points.

The Thunder had a 22-point lead cut to one late in the fourth quarter before they moved out of reach.

Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 51 points to help the Utah Jazz to a 138-134 overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. It was the first 50-point regular-season game for a Jazz player since Karl Malone in

1998.

Tyrese Maxey scored 43 points as the Philadelphia 76ers overcame the Orlando Magic 136-124 at home to earn a third straight win, despite the absence of Joel Embiid because of a knee injury.

The Chicago Bulls also claimed a third successive win, beating the Atlanta Hawks 128-123 at the United Center. (BBC Sport)

two half-centuries against Pakistan and Bangladesh, she hasn't gone past 20 yet, and her seven wickets so far don't quite reflect her body of work and skills with the ball. Having finished the 2017 edition with 13 scalps and the 2022 one with 12, she would definitely want to get into double digits in her fifth ODI World Cup.

Team news

Ecclestone bowled just four balls against New Zealand and hurt her left shoulder while fielding. An MRI scan showed a "minor injury" close to her collarbone, and she trained on Tuesday evening but bowled for barely 15 minutes before she switched to batting. While Ecclestone may not yet be 100 per cent fit, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said she would be "wanting to get out onto that pitch regardless of how she's feeling." If she doesn't make it, England could bring in leg spinner Sarah Glenn, who has so far only featured in the rain-hit match against Pakistan.

England (possible): 1 Amy Jones (wk), 2 Tammy Beaumont, 3 Heather Knight, 4 Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), 5 Danni WyattHodge, 6 Sophia Dunkley, 7 Alice Capsey, 8 Charlie Dean, 9 Sophie Ecclestone, 10 Linsey Smith, 11 Lauren Bell.

South Africa may not feel the need to make any changes to their XI from the Australia game, unless they want to bring in a third frontline spinner for the slower conditions in Guwahati.

South Africa (probable): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Sune Luus, 4 Annerie Dercksen, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Sinalo Jafta (wk), 7 Chloe Tryon, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Masabata Klaas,

10

Pitch and conditions

Guwahati has not had a game in over two weeks, which effectively makes the pitch for the semi-final a fresh one. The surfaces here so far have offered plenty of purchase for the spinners, with grip, turn and a lack of pace that has made run-scoring more challenging than it has been in Indore, Visakhapatnam and Navi Mumbai. The weather in Guwahati looked ominous a few days ago but has mostly cleared since. If there's not enough time to complete the game on Wednesday, the reserve day will come into effect on Thursday.

Quotes

"I think we were a totally different-looking side. They've got a lot of different players as well. So I think it's sort of a fresh opportunity, and it starts from zero. So I'm looking forward to the challenge, and hopefully we're able to learn from those semi-final victories that we've got and maybe stay a bit calmer under pressure."

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt wants her team to draw experience from the semi-final wins in the last two T20 World Cups and not the losses from the last two ODI events.

"That was obviously a long time ago in the tournament, and I guess since then we've played a lot of games. But, yeah, South Africa obviously have had some brilliant games since then and are a dangerous side."

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt doesn't think South Africa's 69 all out from early in the tournament has any relevance now. (ESPNcricinfo)

Bosch, Hendricks, Linde brush aside Pakistan in series opener

Against a second-string South African side, Pakistan produced a second-rate performance, with the faultless visitors crushing the hosts by 55 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. South Africa's top three, shepherded by a half-century from Reeza Hendricks, saw South Africa fly into an advantage they never relinquished, rallying at the death after getting stuck midway to post 194.

Pakistan's response was found wanting in all phases of the game as South Africa's seamers kept Pakistan on a leash, with Corbin Bosch and spinner George Linde picking up clumps of wickets along the way. Pakistan were derailed both by a mounting asking rate and the fall of wickets, and their defeat was de facto confirmed long before the final wicket fell in front of an emptied-out Pindi stadium.

batting-friendly surface with small boundaries, the openers, Hendricks and de Kock, set the tone in the second over with Hendricks leaning across to wallop Naseem Shah over square leg for six. It set off carnage in the powerplay, with de Kock joining in as the pair found five boundaries in the next ten deliveries.

QdK, TdZ and Reeza

South Africa's top three of Hendricks, Quinton de Kock and Tony de Zorzi were stellar but are no one's first choice – not even South Africa's. But on a

De Kock sliced one against Saim Ayub to give Pakistan a breakthrough, but not a breather, as de Zorzi ensured. The last two overs with the fielding re -

SCOREBOARD

South Africa (20 overs maximum)

Reeza Hendricks b Abrar Ahmed 60

Quinton de Kock †

c Faheem Ashraf b Saim Ayub 23

Tony de Zorzi st †Usman Khan

b Mohammad Nawaz 33

Dewald Brevis b Mohammad Nawaz 9

Matthew Breetzke c Mohammad Nawaz b Saim Ayub 1

Donovan Ferreira (c)

b Mohammad Nawaz 10

George Linde b Naseem Shah 36

Corbin Bosch c Faheem Ashraf

b Shaheen Shah Afridi 7

Lizaad Williams run out (Shaheen

Shah Afridi/†Usman Khan) 3

Nandre Burger not out 0

Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 10) 12

Total 20 Ov (RR: 9.70) 194/9

Fall of wickets: 1-44 (Quinton de Kock, 3.5 ov), 2-93 (Tony de Zorzi, 7.4 ov), 3-109 (Dewald Brevis, 9.3 ov), 4-112 (Matthew Breetzke, 10.3 ov), 5-139 (Donovan Ferreira, 13.6 ov), 6-178 (Reeza Hendricks, 17.3 ov), 7-186 (George Linde, 18.5 ov), 8-194 (Corbin Bosch, 19.4 ov), 9-194 (Lizaad Williams, 19.6 ov)

Bowling O - M - R - W

Shaheen Shah Afridi 4 - 0 - 45 - 1

Naseem Shah 3 - 0 - 34 - 1

Saim Ayub

Abrar Ahmed

Salman Agha

Mohammad Nawaz

ond-ball duck.

A bad day for Pakistan's high-profile stars

There was no visible evidence upon which Babar had been recalled, with his duck capping off a miserable day on which he also dropped a catch late on during South Africa's charge at the death. He was not, however, the only failure on a day Pakistan littered the board with them.

done the most to ensure South Africa's middle overs were flagging, breaking the Hendricks-de Zorzi stand in the eighth over and then deceiving the dangerous Dewald Brevis in his following over. He sealed his bowling spell with the wicket of South Africa's stand-in captain – Donovan Ferreira – off his final ball to finish with figures of 3-26.

4 - 0 - 31 - 2

4 - 0 - 42 - 1

1 - 0 - 15 - 0

4 - 0 - 26 - 3

Pakistan (T: 195 runs from 20 ovs)

Sahibzada Farhan b Williams 24

Saim Ayub c Ferreira b Linde 37

Babar Azam c Hendricks b Bosch 0 Salman Agha (c) lbw b Bosch 2 Usman Khan † st †de Kock b Linde 12 Hasan Nawaz b Ngidi 3 Mohammad Nawaz c Bosch b Williams 36 Faheem Ashraf c Williams b Linde 1 Shaheen Shah Afridi c & b Bosch 4 Naseem Shah c †de Kock b Bosch 9 Abrar Ahmed not out 0

Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 7) 11

Total 18.1 Ov (RR: 7.65) 139 Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Sahibzada Farhan, 4.5 ov), 2-33 (Babar Azam, 5.3 ov), 3-43 (Salman Agha, 7.2 ov), 4-82 (Saim Ayub, 10.5 ov), 5-85 (Hasan Nawaz, 11.3 ov), 6-87 (Usman Khan, 12.1 ov), 7-89 (Faheem Ashraf, 12.5 ov), 8-109 (Shaheen Shah Afridi, 14.4 ov), 9-124 (Naseem Shah, 16.6 ov), 10139 (Mohammad Nawaz, 18.1 ov)

Bowling O - M - R - W

Nandre Burger 4 - 0 - 35 - 0

Lungi Ngidi 4 - 0 - 35 - 1 Lizaad Williams 3.1 - 0 - 21 - 2

Corbin Bosch 4 - 0 - 14 - 4

George Linde 3 - 0 - 31 - 3

South Africa register a 1-0 series lead

strictions saw South Africa plunder a boundary every other delivery, and it continued just beyond, too, with a majestic six over cover from de Zorzi fetching the visitors another 15 runs in the seventh. By the end of the seventh over, they had put up 89; it took Pakistan six more overs, for the loss of six more wickets, to get to that mark.

Corbin Bosch torments Pakistan once more

At the tail-end of last year, Bosch made his Test debut and was the bane of Pakistan's existence all week, picking up wickets and scoring runs as South Africa trumped Pakistan in a thriller. Much water has flown in the relationship between Pakistan and Bosch since. He was signed up in the PSL, a deal he abandoned to take one up in the IPL. The PSL responded by banning him from the league for a year.

Six months on, Bosch returned to Pakistan, and in Rawalpindi, made sure he laughed last.

With Pakistan desperate to keep up with a spiralling asking rate, they had no choice but to attack the fast

Captain Salman Agha has been under fire for his personal performances in the format. Coming in to bat at four at the end of the powerplay, he scratched around at the start – as he often does, the required rate climbing every deliv-

bowler as he came on in the final over of the powerplay, with the hosts barely trickling along at just over a run a ball. Babar Azam, facing his second delivery in his first T20I since December 2024, hacked wildly at a hard length delivery, but the pace meant he only caught the splice of the blade. The ball looped up harmlessly to cover, sending the returning fan favourite back into the dugout for a sec-

ery. After two runs off his first six, Bosch darted in a 144 km/h ball angling back towards the Pakistan captain, rocketing into his front thigh. Agha took a review along with him; there was no reprieve to be found. It finished off a day where he also bowled one over –the one just as the powerplay ended – and gave away 15 wicketless runs.

Left-arm finger spinners shine all round

Much separated Pakistan and South Africa on the day, but the only thing to unite them was the success each nation's leftarm spinner enjoyed with bat and ball.

Linde and Mohammad Nawaz were the most effective men on either side on the day. Linde picked up South Africa's flagging innings in the final five overs by taking apart Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 16th over, smashing four fours off him in a 22-ball 36-run counterattack.

Nawaz, meanwhile, had

The two also swam in each other's slipstream during the chase. Linde came back from Saim Ayub taking him for runs in his first two overs, tossing a surprise ball out wide from around the wicket. It left Ayub reaching before tamely lofting it to cover, realistically killing off a chase just as the opener came to life. It was the first of three wickets, as the offspinner also accounted for Usman Khan and Faheem Ashraf.

While the batters crumbled around him, Nawaz timed his strokeplay beautifully. The game had long gone by then, but he found a level of ball-striking none of his peers were able to reach, smashing four fours and two sixes. When he chipped his 20th ball to long-on to conclude his innings and the game, he matched Linde's 36 exactly. It was one similarity between a Pakistani and a South African on a day when the visiting collective pulled well clear of the hosts early. (ESPNcricinfo)

Women’s Division One League…

Upward movement for Fruta Conquerors,

Ann’s Grove after recent wins

…League continues today

There were wins on the cards for Fruta Conquerors and Ann’s Grove United’s women’s teams, which ultimately bettered those teams’ standings in the ongoing Women’s Division One League, powered by FIFA.

A doubleheader at the National Training Center (NTC), Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Friday last saw Ann’s Grove United cruising to

their first win of the tournament. Crystel Sutton drove the ball home for the first goal in the ninth minute, while Alestacia Adrian’s shot from just outside the penalty box in the 15th made it a 2-0 affair.

Ann’s Grove’s defences held off Monedderlust in the second half to seal the 2-0 win.

Then, Fruta Conquerors steamrolled River’s View

FC 5-0 in the following encounter. It didn’t take long for Dellana Small to break the ice, sending an unsuspecting, flat shot past the River’s View keeper in just the second minute.

As the half wound down, Rihonna DaCosta hit back-to-back, identical shots from outside the box in the 30th and 30th+1 to push Fruta’s lead to 3-0 at the half.

In the second, nation-

Briton John leads the pack at Fireworks 4

The usual suspect, Briton John, outclassed a field of experienced local and regional cyclists on Sunday last to claim top honours in the Kaieteur Attack Cycling Club’s Fireworks 4.

A record 49 cyclists showed up at the Kingston Seawall Bandstand on Sunday afternoon for the competition, reportedly the biggest turnout in any local race for the last decade.

After going tit for tat, exchanging the lead, in the first 24 laps of the feature race, We Stand United Cycling Club’s John pipped Raiders Cycling Club’s

Jadian Neaves of Trinidad and Tobago to take the top spot. While Neaves was close behind the Guyanese cycling ace for second place, his countryman Liam Trepte finished third, while Barbados’ Dominic Howard crossed the line fourth. Guyanese duo Aaron Newton and Christopher Griffith completed the race’s top six finishers, in that order.

Over in the Masters 3549, Trinidad and Tobago’s Adam Alexander rode away with the gold, followed by Seagun Hubbard in second and Alex Mendes in third place.

The Masters 50+ division was won by James Joseph, after which Ian Jackson and Ray Harlequin completed the event’s top three finishers.

For the Juniors, Kaieteur Attack Racing Club’s Ajani Cutting, with arms pumped in the air, crossed the line first, followed by Alex Newton and Alexander Leung in second and third, respectively.

Continental Cycling Club’s Tyron Hamilton came away with the win in Category 4. Kwame Fortune and Andy Rajkarran crossed the line second and third, respectively.

al U14 player Shemia Hing, in her debut for the Tucville-based outfit, slipped one past the keeper in the 48th minute, while Small returned in the 52nd to complete her brace and Fruta’s win.

On account of the win, Fruta Conquerors have pushed themselves past Santos FC into the third position with three wins, one draw, and two losses for 10 points in six games.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC still lead the table with 21 points from a perfect seven wins

in as many games, while the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC are second with 18 points from six wins in six outings. Santos are in fourth with nine points from three wins and two losses in five games, while Western Tigers’ eight points have them in fifth place with two wins, two draws and three losses in seven games.

Following their first win, Ann’s Grove United have moved up one place from ninth to eighth, with four points from a win, a draw and five losses in sev-

en games. The Women’s Division One League will resume tomorrow with two more fixtures on the cards. At 18:00h, Monedderlust will look to rebound from a loss against Den Amstel FC, while at 19:00h, Fruta Conquerors take on Santos FC in what is expected to be a nail-biting clash. The teams are competing for a $1 million grand prize in the league phase of the competition, a historic first for women’s football in Guyana.

Caesar, Mickle shine as GDF beat Transport

The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Dave West Indian Inc FirstDivision 50-over competition continued over the weekend with a keenly-contested match between Transport Sports Club and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Transport won the toss and elected to bowl first. Their decision paid off early as Kervin Ross struck twice, removing Rockael Reddy for just five and then claiming the prized wicket of Garfield Benjamin for However, GDF fought back through a solid partnership be tween Malcom Mickle and Tomanni Caesar. The pair added an im pressive 102 runs, show casing excellent stroke play and sharp running between the wickets. The partnership was even tually broken by Ewert Samuels, who dismissed Caesar for a well-played 70 off 89 balls, including five fours and two sixes.

Following that stand, GDF’s middle and lower or der faltered as wickets tum bled quickly. Mickle, who scored a composed 55, was among those to fall as GDF slumped to 182 for 8. A quick-fire cameo from Joshua Jones, who struck 31 off just 16 deliveries, lifted GDF to a respectable total

of 237 all out.

For Transport, Riyad Latiff returned figures of 3 for 45, while Emmanuel Lewis also impressed with 3 for 49.

In reply, Transport got decent starts from Romeo Deonarine (25) and Shamar Apple (26), but both were undone by the pace of Isaiah Thorne. Shiloh Adams contributed 43, and Chandrapaul Ramraj provided resistance with an unbeaten 53 from 73 balls (three