Guyana Times - Monday, October 20, 2025

Spirit of togetherness shines brightest at Diwali – President

Indian High Commissioner hails Guyana’s unique Diwali celebrations, culture

BRIDGE OPENING

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, October 20 –15:50h–17:20h and Tuesday, October 21 – 16:15h–17:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to light showers are expected during the day, with sunny skies in the mid-morning and lateafternoon hours. Partly-cloudy skies and thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.79 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 15:49h reaching a maximum height of 2.65 metres.

Low Tide: 09:26h and 21:44h reaching minimum heights of 0.65 metre and 0.53 metre.

Spirit of togetherness shines brightest at Diwali – Pres Ali

As Hindus in Guyana observe Diwali today, President Dr Irfaan Ali says that the Festival of Lights is more than a religious observance but has become a national celebration that acts as a unifying tradition across the country. He made these remarks in his Diwali Message 2025, stating: “Diwali is a time when the spirit of togetherness shines brightest, reminding us of what we can achieve when we live in harmony and mutual respect… Homes are illuminated with flickering diyas, motorcades are held to usher in the festival, and families gather to pray and share sweets. People of every background join in acts of goodwill and generosity.”

According to the Head of State, this sacred festival reminds that light will always triumph over darkness, and that goodness, knowledge, and virtue must forever prevail over ignorance, evil, and despair.

Diwali is one of the world's oldest and most beloved festivals. Its origins reach deep into the soil of ancient India, where it began as a harvest celebration marking the end of the agricultural year and the beginning of a new season of hope and renewal. Overtime this simple observance of gratitude for a fruitful harvest evolved into a festival richer in religious meaning and moral symbolism.

In Hindu tradition, Diwali is celebrated in honour of several timeless stories. In parts of India, it marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana-symbolising the victory of righteousness over wrongdoing.

In other areas, it celebrates the triumph of Lord Krishna over the tyrant Narakasura, reminding us that evil cannot withstand the light of truth. For many, it is also a time dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, who bestows prosperity, wisdom, and peace upon those who live with integrity and compassion. President Ali noted that across all these tradi-

tions, the central message of Diwali reminds that we must keep faith in the moral order of the universe, and that by lighting our own lamps of kindness and understanding, we help illuminate the world around us.

Our greatest strength Diwali first came to our shores with the arrival of the Indian indentured immigrants who were brought to these lands in the nineteenth century. They carried with them their languages. their food, their songs and their religious beliefs, customs and traditions. In the early years, Diwali was observed privately in homes and small gatherings, often in humble surroundings. But as the Indo-Guyanese community grew and temples were built, the festival blossomed into a public celebration of light, devotion, and unity. Over generations, it has become a treasured part of our national life. But accord-

ing to the Guyanese leader, amid this splendour and celebration, it is important to remember the deeper meaning of this festival – the light within that gives true purpose to the lights without.

“In this luminous festival, it is not the grandeur of the celebration or the ostentatious displays that truly matter, but the spirit behind each light that is kindled. Even a single, simple diya, flickering gently against the night, carries profound significance. The smallest flame, lit with sincerity and devotion, has the power to dispel gloom and to remind us that goodness needs no extravagance to shine brightly,” he stated. The Head of State pointed out that Diwali teaches that it is not the abundance of lights, but the purity of the heart that lights them, which brings true illumination to lives, homes and ultimately, the nation.

“As we celebrate Diwali this year, let us draw from

its enduring lessons. Let us renew our commitment to sustaining the rich religious and cultural traditions that define us as a people. These traditions are living expressions of who we are and what we aspire to be. Our diversity is our greatest strength, and it is our shared duty to preserve and nurture it for generations to come.”

President Ali added, “Let us learn to see the beauty that dwells in the simple and the ordinary. When we open our hearts to the simple and the ordinary, we discover that even the smallest flame can brighten the darkest night. May this Festival of Lights inspire every Guyanese to banish the darkness of hatred and division, and to let compassion, tolerance, and unity guide our nation forward. May the light of Diwali continue to shine brightly over our beloved Guyana. Happy Diwali to all!”

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Diwali 2025

Diwali – meaning “a row of lights” – which will be celebrated tomorrow evening, has grown to become a truly national festival. For the past 11 years, one group has erected a “National Diya” at Rahaman Park – at the confluence of roads leading to all the regions of Guyana. This year, they focused on the “One Guyana” aspiration of our multi-religious and multi-ethnic people. Many schools now routinely have their students create intricate, multicoloured displays of “Rangolis”, which are associated with Diwali. Most corporate businesses have followed suit. Various “motorcades”, with spectacularly decorated and illuminated vehicles and tableaux, would have culminated last night on the East Coast of Demerara, after the regional variants during the last week.

Tomorrow, Hindu families will meticulously clean their homes; befitting the welcoming of the Goddess Lakshmi in the evening. Sumptuous vegetarian dishes would have been prepared with the emphasis on traditional sweets. “Diwali night” in Guyana, is actually the third and darkest night of the observation of a five-day festival, but has come to symbolise the entire observance for many. Mother Lakshmi represents that aspect of God who bestows wealth on humanity and it is not a coincidence that this is a female aspect, also associated with Earth and is the consort of Lord Vishnu, the aspect that preserves all creation.

But as with all Hindu commemorations, Diwali is intended to remind humanity of one or another of the fundamental lessons for mankind living successfully together in society. It would be a rarity for Guyanese not to know that the festival celebrates “the victory of light over darkness” signifying respectively positives over the negatives in all aspects of our lives – personal, social, and national. Much of Hindu teachings are in the form of narratives and there are several that have become associated with Diwali and which may be useful to the nation.

The major story is of Prince Ram and his wife Mother Sita, returning to their Kingdom of Ayodhya on Diwali night after a 14-year banishment. They are also the incarnations of Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi, whose sojourn on earth are meant as guides for humanity. The story emphasises that there are challenges in all societies, but a ruler must be guided by the welfare of his people in his actions and if necessary, make the ultimate sacrifice for their benefit. One other lesson is that evil must be actively confronted as Lord Ram did against his nemesis Ravan, and that each citizen can and must play a part in this battle.

The victory of knowledge against ignorance is key for all mankind in every aspect of their lives since it precedes any other victories that are necessary to live the “good life”. It is because of ignorance, for instance, that most of us follow some leaders who have acted reprehensibly in their private and public lives. Lord Ram’s life, as with all of God’s incarnations, can give us the knowledge of how a person should only act as a leader of the people or nation, but also as a brother, a husband, a son, a teacher and a friend. Lord Ram himself had been taught not just the art of warfare, but about values by his teacher who exemplified those values in his own life.

And perchance this might be the message of Diwali 2025: since we will be working with leaders we have just chosen and who need to go beyond the rhetoric they spouted on platforms to Sept 1. We have a duty to remind them that their actions must be directed towards the betterment of all in the society and reject those whose actions divide us. We have experienced decades of darkness under the PNC during the 28 years between 1964 and1992 when our right to choose our government was denied. Unfortunately, after being returned to government between 2015 and 2020 they once again attempted to subvert the system. Meanwhile, new leaders have presented themselves and they must also be evaluated on consistency between words and deeds.

Happy Diwali Guyana!

Education is more than book sense

By Dr raDica Mahase

One of the most beautiful things about our country is the prevalence of different religions and the way in which they interact, overlap and coexist.

In a world where religious divisions, prosecutions and conflict exist, T&T has stood out as a model for what religious reconciliation could look like. In many families throughout the country, there are members of different religious persuasions who live together. In every single school throughout T&T, there are students who practise different religions who learn and play together.

It is extremely disappointing that the Presbyterian Board of Education took one hundred steps backwards when it issued a directive stating: “Only Presbyterian denominational celebrations, (for) example Easter, Christmas and other related doctrinal celebrations would be allowed on the churchschool compound. All other non-Presbyterian religious celebrations would take the format of educational observances.”

First, education cannot be restricted to textbooks. The world is changing and here in T&T, we are stuck in the textbook model. Real education goes beyond the classroom. Do you know how many things a student can learn when they work together to organise a Divali or Eid programme?

Collaborative learning teaches conflict management, leadership, communication, cooperation and many other things that a textbook cannot teach. Allowing students to be active participants and to engage in experimental learning is a valuable aspect of learning, one that we should embrace and implement.

Secondly, schools should be promoting the hidden curriculum —all those valuable lessons that are learnt indirectly, not through textbooks but through social interaction.

Those lessons that students absorb from what they see and hear, from what their teachers do, what the schools allow or prohibit, and what is celebrated and ignored. All religions teach values and allowing celebrations from other religious groups will enforce religious values for students.

Additionally, when schools restrict celebrations from other religions, they are sending a message that some religions are more acceptable than others, that it is not okay to belong to another religious group and that diversity should be observed from a distance, in this case from a textbook.

Textbooks teach information that students might forget, but the hidden curriculum teaches lifelong lessons!

Thirdly, religious celebrations should be allowed regardless of what other schools are doing. Allowing students to experience and participate in another

group’s celebration does not diminish your own faith.

Your religion is not under threat because an Eid event took place, an Easter assembly was held or Hindu students shared sweets for Divali. If you feel that the presence of other religions somehow weakens yours, then maybe it is time to question the strength of your own beliefs.

I mean, if inclusion feels like a threat, then perhaps it is time to look at how we are teaching faith, not how others practise it. If a school really wants to isolate itself from diversity, then it might as well only enrol students of its own religion. Once it knows that that goes against everything that our country stands for.

Fourthly, when we allow cultural events and celebrations regardless of religious affiliations, we are preparing students for a life beyond the classroom.

By making them culturally literate, they will be able to function as more open-minded citizens. We are stronger when we coexist, collaborate and reconcile our differences and we need to start teaching that from a very young age.

For those who continue their studies abroad, it will prepare them to be cultural ambassadors, ready to speak about the religious diversity in their home country. The world is becoming more and more divided, and we should be teaching our younger generations how to bridge differences, not how to reinforce them.

We need our younger generations to be better than us, to make T&T a more inclusive country and therefore, we need to teach them about co-existence and reconciliation from a very young age.

The best way to do this is to encourage them to celebrate together, to learn from each other, to appreciate the diversity in our society. We cannot assume that their parents, who already hold strong convictions about their faith, will expose their children to other beliefs or ways of thinking. This is why our schools must be spaces where children can learn to understand the wider society and world.

When they are allowed to dress in ethnic wear and participate in religious and cultural events, they will create lifelong memories with their friends.

In my opinion, religion should be the last thing we make a problem in T&T. We have far greater challenges to deal with in our schools – violence, bullying, indiscipline, children struggling emotionally and academically. Instead of putting up walls between our faiths, we should be teaching our children how to live together, understand each other and face those real battles as one community.

In the words of Rabindranath Tagore, “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.”

(Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)

Values of Diwali deeply woven into our national identity – PPP

greetings and best wishes to all Guyanese, particularly our Hindu brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of Diwali.

Diwali is a time that reminds us of the enduring triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is a celebration of hope, renewal, and the unwavering belief that right-

As diyas illuminate homes and communities across our country, may they also light the path towards unity, peace, and understanding among all Guyanese. The values that Diwali represents –love, compassion, humility, and service to others – are deeply woven into the fabric of our national identity and continue to guide our collective journey toward

TThe PPP reiterates its commitment to building an inclusive and prosperous Guyana, where the light of opportunity shines for every citizen, regardless of race, religion, or background.

May this Diwali inspire renewed purpose in our hearts and bless every home with happiness, harmony, and success.

Shubh Diwali to all!

Diwali is more than a celebration; it is a profound spiritual reminder – HMGI

Amessage of light and hope: Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc wishes you a blessed Diwali

As the golden glow of diyas begins to illuminate windowsills and the spirit of joy fills the air, Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc (HMGI) joins the nation in celebrating the sacred festival of Diwali. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt greetings to the Government of Guyana, every family, every community, and every individual across our beautiful Guyana and the global Guyanese diaspora. May this sacred time bring you an abundance of peace, prosperity, and inner happiness.

Diwali, the revered Festival of Lights, is far more than a celebration; it is a profound spiritual reminder. It symbolises the eternal victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. The image of a single, small diya courageously pushing back the shadows in a dark room is a powerful metaphor that resonates deeply with our work at HMGI. It teaches us that no act of kindness is too small, and no effort to educate and empower is ever wasted.

At Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc, we have dedicated ourselves to being a steady and enduring light in our communities. We firmly believe that the two brightest and most sustainable forms of light are education and compassion. Our life skills and vocational training programmes are carefully designed to do more than just

impart knowledge; they are crafted to ignite a flame of self-belief. We see it in the hands of a woman learning a new trade, in the focused eyes of a youth mastering a digital skill, and in the dignified posture of a parent who can now provide for their family. This is the true light of Diwali manifest in human potential – a light that does not flicker, but grows brighter with each life transformed.

This season of reflection would be incomplete without expressing our profound gratitude. We celebrate the luminous contributions of our incredible donors, whose generosity fuels our mission; our dedicated volunteers, whose selfless service is a beacon of hope; our passionate teachers, who patiently kindle the spark of learning; and our resilient students, whose journeys of transformation inspire us daily. Every story of success that emerges from our centres is a collective victory, a testament to what we can achieve when we come together as a community united by a common purpose.

As we gather with our own families to exchange sweets and light our diyas, let us also remember the deeper call of Diwali: to look beyond our own homes and shine our light for others.

Let this festival be a catalyst for us to extend a hand of friendship to the lonely, share our blessings with the hungry, and offer a word of encouragement to those who have lost their way. Let us consciously seek to be the light that guides someone

else through their darkness.

Just as the countless diyas across our landscape unite to create a breathtaking tapestry of brilliance, so too does our collective effort create a stronger, more resilient Guyana. HMGI remains unwavering in its commitment to this vision. We are not merely building individual skills; we are cultivating community-wide confidence, compassion, and connection. We are strengthening the very foundations of our society, one empowered individual at a time.

May the divine radiance of this holy festival bless your homes with unwavering peace and enduring joy. May each flickering flame serve as a gentle reminder that through dedicated service, empowering education, and heartfelt unity, we possess the power to brighten not only our own lives but the world around us.

From the entire HMGI family – our staff, board, volunteers, and beneficiaries – we wish you and your loved ones a deeply-joyful, prosperous, and spiritually-enriched Diwali. May this sacred season inspire us all to become relentless bearers of the light, spreading hope wherever it is needed most.

As we celebrate Diwali 2025, let us be a light in the lives of others – spreading kindness, hope, and compassion. May this season remind us of the true meaning of the festival: the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Together, let us illuminate the world with love and positivity.

Each lit diya is call to dispel darkness of division with light of acceptance, unity – ERC

he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends sincere greetings to the Hindu community and all Guyanese on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Diwali, or Deepavali, is a sacred festival celebrating the triumph of positive tendencies over negative tendencies of human beings. It symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

As diyas illuminate homes, streets, and temples across Guyana, we are reminded that this radiant festival is far more than a cherished cultural observance. It is a profound reflection of hope, righteousness, and renewal – ideals that guide us as a people and as a nation.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) extends heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all Guyanese, particularly to our Hindu brothers and sisters, on the joyous and auspicious occasion of Diwali 2025.

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, has profound spiritual and cultural significance. It symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The illumination of the diyas and the brilliance that fills homes, streets, and communities across Guyana serve as enduring reminders of the victory of righteousness and the power of hope and renewal.

As we observe this sacred occasion, we are reminded of Diwali’s universal message that transcends religion and culture. It speaks to the essence of humanity: peace, love, compassion, and unity. These values continue to inspire and strengthen our nation as we strive to overcome challenges and build a brighter future.

Diwali is among the religious observances that reflect the beautiful tapestry of our country. In Guyana, our diversity remains one of our greatest strengths. The celebration of Diwali by all, regardless of faith, underscores the spirit of togetherness that has become a defining feature of our society. It is a time when homes and hearts are opened, friendships renewed, and our collective bonds as a people are reinforced.

Much like the radiant lights illuminating the night sky during Diwali, Guyana’s flame continues to endure and burn brightly. Through perseverance, solidarity, and hard work,

In Guyana, Diwali has beautifully transcended its religious origins to become a cherished national event, woven into the rich, multicultural fabric of our society. It is a time when Guyanese from all ethnic and religious backgrounds come together to share in the joyous festivities.

The spectacular sight of diyas and lights illuminating homes, mandirs, motorcades, public spaces, and the traditional practice of sharing sweet treats (prasadam) with neighbours and friends are profound demonstrations of our capacity for togetherness and mutual respect.

The core message of Diwali resonates deeply with the mandate of the Ethnic Relations

Commission. Each lit diya is a call to action to dispel the darkness of misunderstanding, prejudice, and division with the brilliant light of empathy, acceptance, and unity. It is also a reminder that despite the diversely rich backgrounds of our people, a shared humanity and ongoing desire for peace and cultural growth unites us all.

May this festival inspire conversations that build bridges, actions that foster harmony, and a renewed dedication to strengthening the bonds that define us as one people.

The Commission wishes that the divine light of Diwali illuminates the lives of all with serenity, prosperity, and happiness.

Shubh Diwali to all!

our people have made significant strides in advancing our nation’s social and economic development. As we move forward, let the lights of Diwali inspire us to remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice, equality, and progress — values that have long guided the Guyanese working class and our Union’s mission.

The GAWU encourages all to embrace the spirit of Diwali — to let its light shine within our homes, communities, and hearts. In doing so, we reaffirm our shared commitment to peace, harmony, and mutual

respect, ensuring that the radiance of this festival continues to brighten our national life. On this special occasion, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union once again extends warmest greetings and best wishes to all Guyanese, especially the Hindu community. May the lights of Diwali bring renewed joy, prosperity, and unity to every household and continue to guide our nation towards a future filled with promise and hope.

Happy Diwali to all! Let the light continue to shine brightly across our beloved Guyana.

Page Foundation

Diwali is the festival of lights, celebrated with colour, joy, and glowing diyas. This bright pom pom garland, finished with a cheerful paper diya candle, is a fun way for any crafter to decorate.

What you'll need

Glue

String

Pom poms

Needles

Scissors

By NikuNj Sharma

Instructions

Step 1: Start by threading a needle with the string, then poke through and thread on, the coloured pom poms.

(Making sure to space them evenly apart).

Step 2: Cut the end of the pom-pom garland leaving about a four-inch tail.

Create a loop at this end with a knot and snip away the excess.

Step 3: Cut out all the cardboard shapes

8-inch rectangles for the diya bowls).

Step 4: Fold 1 cm wide strips into your rectangle, flipping over each time create a concertina effect.

Step 5: Fold the finished concertina in half and glue in place. If any of the flaps start unfolding add a small blob of glue inside and secure down.

Cardboard in white and other colours

(flames for the diyas and 3-inch by

Step 6: Finish your garland by gluing all the flame shapes together and glue that onto the diya. Finally glue the flame to the end of your garland string. (Adapted from bakerross.co.uk)

“There is no law that says you must have a house or land to secure a loan” – AG

...says banking institutions must take risks in order for local economy to grow

Guyanese business -

es do not need immovable property as collateral to access bank loans, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall SC explained on Sunday, challenging long-held misconceptions in the financial sector and urging banks to embrace risk to drive economic growth.

“There is no law that says you must have a house or land to secure a loan,” Nandlall said on the

Starting Point podcast. “I researched the matter, and there is no such requirement in our laws. None.

So, that was the first hurdle put up when we asked that invoices and agreements of supply, whether it's goods or services, be used as a form of collateral.

We were told by the banks, no, there is something in the law that says that only immovable property can be used. I knew that that was not right,” he said.

The AG’s remarks come

Spirit of togetherness shines...

Lessons of Diwali

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, in his Diwali Message, noted that as families gather and homes are adorned with diyas and colour, they are reminded of the power of light and its meaning in everyone’s lives.

“Diwali is a time for reflection and renewal. It reminds us that light grows in our lives when we think with wisdom, act with kindness, and persevere with purpose,” he stated.

According to the PM, “This festival, a deeply rooted Hindu tradition, has long carried lessons that extend

beyond faith. It asks each of us to look within ourselves and strengthen what is good and truthful.”

PM Phillips went on to say that the lighting of a diya is both an act of celebration and a reminder to live with purpose and to guide others through our own actions. He further recognised that Diwali across Guyana brings communities together.

“It allows us to share food, stories, and goodwill. These moments of connection reflect what it truly means to live in a country built on inclusion and respect. Every tradition adds meaning to our shared na-

tional identity, and each festival reminds us of how much stronger we are when we honour one another's beliefs.’

“Let this Diwali encourage us to live with integrity and humility. Let it remind us that every light we kindle, whether in our homes or our hearts, contributes to a brighter and more peaceful society. May this season bring peace to your families, clarity to your thoughts, and hope to your days ahead,” the PM noted, as he wished Guyanese, especially the Hindu community, a happy and safe Diwali.

amid growing concern over access to capital among local businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of Guyana’s private sector. Historically, many banks cited legal restrictions as justification for refusing financing unless borrowers provided immovable property as collateral, leaving businesses unable to capitalise on lucrative opportunities. Nandlall dismissed these claims, explaining that the law does not impose such a requirement.

“So why would a $100 million contract guaranteeing supply of goods or services not be considered adequate collateral? That has been an artificial barrier for years, and it’s time it ended.”

Highlighting innovative measures in the banking sector, Nandlall praised the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI) for pioneering invoice financing, a system in which businesses can use invoices or contracts as collateral to access loans.

“One bank has stepped up. Others will follow. In a competitive market, risk-taking is rewarded.

No pain, no gain,” he said, noting that Government support is available to ensure such practices become widespread. Nandlall emphasised the Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment and growth.

“Whatever legislative measures are needed to make financing easier, we are ready, able, and willing to supply that support,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure Guyana remains an attractive destination for both local and foreign investment.”

Strong legislation

Beyond financing, the AG addressed broader concerns facing the business community, including commercial disputes, court jurisdiction, and the enforcement of judgments, particularly in cross-border cases. He outlined a

strengthened judiciary with specialised commercial courts, constitutional courts and increased judicial staffing, aimed at resolving disputes efficiently and reducing long-standing backlogs. “We now have more judges than ever before in the High Court and Court of Appeal. The backlog that plagued our courts for decades is being tackled,” Nandlall said. “Commercial matters are handled in dedicated courts, allowing for expedited hearings. Constitutional and public law cases, including politically sensitive matters, are disposed of with commendable alacrity. Businesses can have confidence that disputes will be addressed fairly and efficiently.”

Nandlall also explained the principles of private international law, which generally place jurisdiction in the country where contractual activities are executed or performed. He reassured businesses that contractual freedom remains protected: parties are free to agree to dispute resolution in other jurisdictions, including the Caribbean Court of Justice, ensuring impartiality and enforceability of judgments.

What’s with… …the lights?

Tomorrow being Diwali – and a national holiday to boot! – some folks might be wondering where all this “lighting up” tradition came from. We know the Hindus who came as Indentured labourers brought the festival, -but what it’s all about?? Well, you would’ve noticed that over the course of the year dusk appears earlier and earlier –and the nights get longer? What’s happening is the northern hemisphere – in which we’re located – is tilting away from the sun – and thousands of years ago – folks developed customs to deal with the lengthening darkness.

In Europe, the “Pagans” would burn logs – “Yule logs” to light up the longest night!! It wasn’t too long for the propitiating lights to remove the physical “darkness” to become metaphorical pleas to remove the “darkness” from human affairs. On what we now call the “winter solstice” – which falls on Dec 21 – the nights would be longest and the deal was sealed!! After they converted to Christianity, the Church leaders just couldn’t get them to stop with the burning of the Yule logs and decided to join then by stipulating that Jesus was born on this day – to remove darkness and bring light into the world. And “Christmas was born”!! That custom with the fir trees came from the German pagans who’d put them up to show they’d survived the lengthening nights!!

The Jews had Hanukkah while in India, they started burning bonfires when the darkness started to increase –in the hope the powers-that-be would take the cue and made it decrease!! And lo and behold it actually seemed to work since by December the days would start to lengthen – and the festival of Diwali was born!! Excepting they lit small fires in earthen “diyas”!! Over time, specific events occurring around that time, which actually removed major negativity, were also commemorated as justification for the practice. Diwali became the festival celebrating the “victory of light over darkness – good over bad”.

For the Indians arriving from North India as indentured servants, they’d connected Diwali with the return of Sri Ram to his home with his wife, Mother Sita, who’d been abducted by a lusting King Ravan. Ram defeated him in battle and –maybe this has a lesson for us today as we confront Mad Maduro and Venezuela who wanna snatch two-thirds of our national territory!! In addition to SYMBOLICALLY celebrating “good over evil” we ought to take an example from Sri Ram.

Realising that Ravan was very powerful, Sri Ram cultivated allies who amassed an army that could take on – and take out – Ravan and his army. Now’s the time to winnow out fairweather friends and encourage the Yanks!!

A hint to Beneba mek Kwasi tek notice!!

…Caricom??

What’s with Caricom and its sanctimonious bleatings to the US that they mustn’t mess around with the Caribbean being a “Zone of Peace” – when T&T’s PM Kamla has taken the reverse stance and is actually cheering on the Yanks?? The point is – as Brother Bob preached – only those who know it can feel it!! Pres Trump says he’s after the Venezuelan Cartels – headed by Mad Maduro – that are shipping drugs to the States.

And Kamla knows more than she would wanna know about drugs and gangs from Venezuela since – being only 7 miles away – the criminals have made Trinidad their home away from home!! And, working with locals – have transferred the violent criminal culture into Trinidad that’s now a living hell for citizens who gotta face random, daily killings and kidnappings!!

Hey, Kamla knows that the US has additional objectives – but so does she for the betterment of her country. Didn’t she just have the US permitting them to develop Venezuela’s Dragon Gas Field??

…Chinese supermarkets

Here we go again with the Chinese Supermarkets that behave like they’re a law unto themselves!! This time the CH&PA had to close down one that opened up on the Highway near Conversation Tree – endangering life and limb.

Govt strengthens legal protections against land fraud – AG outlines key reforms

Citizens in Guyana now have stronger legal mechanisms to detect, contest, and prevent land fraud, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC, said on the Starting Point podcast on Sunday. Speaking at length about reforms to property law, fraud prevention and judicial safeguards, Nandlall emphasised that while fraud remains a challenge, the system now provides multiple layers of protection for property owners.

“Fraud must first be detected, reported to the police, and investigated,” Nandlall said. “Over the years, we have successfully rooted out collusion within agencies and strengthened our legal frameworks to protect citizens’ property rights.”

A key challenge in com-

bating property fraud has been the lack of access to the Official Gazette, the Government publication where all property transfers are formally announced. Many property owners, particularly those living in rural areas or abroad, were unaware when their property was fraudulently transferred. To address this, Nandlall spearheaded the Official Gazette Online Act, which allows the Gazette to be legally published online. “Since 2012, the online Official Gazette has the same legal force as the print version,” Nandlall explained. “Now citizens worldwide can monitor transactions in real time, giving them the opportunity to oppose fraudulent transfers before they are finalised.”

According to the Legal Affairs Minister, if a prop-

erty owner notices an unauthorised transfer, they can file a formal objection, which automatically places the transaction on hold. The matter can then be brought before the courts for resolution.

Filing agreements to prevent double sales

Another method frequently used in property fraud is the double sale— when the same property is sold multiple times to different buyers. Nandlall detailed how the Deeds Registry Act was amended to address this problem.

“Once an agreement to sell property is signed, it must now be filed at the Deeds Registry,” he said. “Prospective buyers have a legal duty to check whether any prior agreements exist before signing a new one. This ensures that proper-

ty cannot be sold multiple times without legal consequence.”

These amendments place the responsibility on buyers to exercise due diligence, but they also provide legal recourse for anyone defrauded in a sale.

Safeguarding powers of attorney

Fraud involving powers of attorney has also been a

concern. Nandlall explained that the Powers of Attorney Act was updated to include stricter verification procedures. Individuals appointing agents must now present two forms of pictorial identification to a notary public, who retains a copy for verification. The Deeds Registry will not file any power of attorney without confirming that the IDs match the person granting the authority. “This makes it far more difficult for criminals to forge documents or impersonate someone else in property transactions,” Nandlall said. “These measures are not meant to burden citizens—they are intended to protect their property.”

Vigilance remains key

While the legal system is now better equipped to com-

bat land fraud, Nandlall emphasised that citizens must remain vigilant. Owners are encouraged to monitor the Official Gazette, check property records at the Deeds Registry, and verify agreements before finalising transactions. “Fraud has not been completely eliminated,” he said. “But with these mechanisms in place—online Gazette access, mandatory filing of agreements, strict verification of powers of attorney—it is now appreciably more difficult for criminals to succeed. Citizens must also play their part in safeguarding their property.” In addition to legislative reforms, Nandlall highlighted the judiciary’s strengthened capacity to handle property disputes. Specialised courts, including commercial and constitutional courts, and an increased number of judges in the High Court and Court of Appeal, ensure that cases are resolved efficiently and fairly. “These reforms demonstrate the Government’s commitment to protecting property rights and maintaining public confidence in the legal system,” Nandlall said. “We have made the law stronger, but citizens must remain informed and vigilant to fully benefit from these protections.”

Diwali is a time for reflection, renewal & reaffirmation of shared values – GTUC

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) extends warmest Diwali greetings to all Guyanese, and in particular, to our Hindu brothers and sisters for whom this sacred festival holds deep spiritual significance.

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is a time for reflection, renewal, and reaffirmation of our shared values—justice, unity, compassion, and hope.

As families across our country light diyas and gather in celebration, the GTUC urges all citizens to embrace the deeper meaning of this season: that righteousness and equity must always pre-

vail. In that spirit, we call on the Government of Guyana, led by President Irfaan Ali, to ensure that the treatment of workers – particularly the poor, the vulnerable, and the voiceless in our society –is consistent with the principles Diwali embodies… Workers deserve fair wages, decent work conditions, respect for collective bargaining, and access to opportunities regardless of race, class, or political affiliation. A just society shines brightest when every citizen, especially those most in need, is treated with dignity and fairness.

This Diwali, let us recommit to building a Guyana where justice lights the way for all.

Happy Diwali!

"Moral leadership and integrity vital to national transformation" – PM Phillips

Prime Minister

Brigadier (Retired)

Mark Phillips, has emphasised that Guyana’s ongoing transformation must be guided by moral leadership, integrity, and the active inclusion of women in all aspects of national development. Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural "Mantle of Deborah" Builders’ Summit held at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, the PM said true leadership must be rooted in service, conviction, and a deep sense of purpose. “Leadership is not measured by power or position, but by purpose and the willingness to serve others,” he asserted.

The event marked the launch of the Guyana Chapter of the "Mantle of Deborah", a global movement promoting faith-based leadership, moral renewal, and community upliftment. PM Phillips lauded the initiative as a meaningful step toward rebuilding value-based leadership and fostering unity and inclusion across the country.

Reaffirming Government’s commitment to empowering women, he pointed to the growing number of women serving in senior governmental and parliamentary roles, including key Ministries such as Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Education, Local Government and Regional Development, Human Services, Tourism, and Housing. “Guyana recognises that development cannot be sustained unless women are given the space to lead, the tools to prosper, and the respect they deserve,” he said. “For decades, women have been the quiet yet powerful force behind our nation’s progress. Today, we are ensuring that this quiet strength is matched by visible opportunity.” The PM highlighted major national programmes aimed at women’s empowerment, including the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN), which has trained more than 11,000 women in entrepreneurship,

leadership, and vocational skills. Many graduates of the programme now own small businesses or lead community projects. He also cited initiatives such as the expansion of day and night care centres, the Homestead Programme for single mothers, and the Family Violence Act 2024, which strengthens protection and justice mechanisms for women facing domestic abuse.

Reflecting on the biblical story of Deborah, PM Phillips said her example of wisdom, courage, and faith provides an enduring model for modern-day leadership.

“The story of Deborah reminds us that leadership is born of service. She listened before she led, guided with faith and reason, and placed her people above self. The "Mantle of Deborah" movement invites us to reflect and realign, to lead with integrity in a world that often demands more than it gives back,” he stated.

He underscored that faith-based and civic movements such as "Mantle of Deborah" are vital to Guyana’s pursuit of ethical governance, transparency, and compassion. Moral strength, he stressed, is essential to sustaining progress and achieving genuine national transformation.

Govt investment

Turning to the Government’s investments in education and youth empowerment, the PM highlighted the tuition-free tertiary education policy at the University of Guyana (UG) and the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), which has awarded over 39,000 scholarships–more than 40 per cent of which have gone to women. “When we invest in the girl child, we invest in the future,” he said. “A society cannot claim progress while half of its people are held back. Gender equality is both a moral and practical necessity. When women rise, families stabilise, communities prosper, and economies grow.”

PM Phillips urged every citizen, institution, and community to take responsibility for advancing women’s empowerment and moral renewal across the nation.

“Empowerment is not the work of Government alone–it begins in our homes, our churches, our schools, and our workplaces,” he said. “We must raise our sons to respect women as equals and teach our daughters to value their worth. Together, we can build a Guyana where every woman lives free from fear, where her voice is heard, and her potential realised.” The PM extended congratulations to the "Mantle of Deborah" team for hosting its first Builders’ Summit in Guyana, describing it as a timely platform to deepen national dialogue

From Valedictorian to Second Lieutenant St Ignatius Secondary’s Rhema Rennie now Second Lieutenant Rennie

St Ignatius Secondary School proudly celebrated one of its outstanding alumnae, Rhema Rennie, Class of 2020, posting their salute to Officer Rhema Rennie on social media, describing her as a shining example of leadership, courage, and vision.

Rennie is one of 30 officers who graduated from the Standard Officer Course 56, of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and one of seven women.

According to the post, Rennie first made her mark as Miss Rupununi 2019 and as her Class Valedictorian, representing excellence both in and out of the classroom.

“Today, she continues

to make us proud as Second Lieutenant in the Standard Officer Course 56 (SOC 56) with the Guyana Defence Force,” the post added.

Reflecting on her journey, Rennie shared with her alma mater: “Having come this far in the GDF gives me a very rewarding feeling. It was a very rigorous two-year course and very challenging being away from home, but I was encouraged knowing that I’d be the first female GDF officer from Region Nine and that many persons back home were cheering for me.” Her ambitions are as inspiring as her achievements. Rennie hopes to serve as one of the first female officers on the

border units, while also pursuing studies in psychology and language.

And with determination still burning strong, she continues to work toward her school-days dream of becoming President of Guyana. To current students, especially the young women of St Ignatius, Rennie offers this heartfelt advice: “Don’t get too comfortable in your surroundings and think you’re too young or too shy to accomplish something. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, or who you know. Your hard work will speak for itself in the end.” The Standard Officers’ Course, conducted at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School, has long been the cradle of military leadership in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.

The presence of seven women among the newly commissioned officers was hailed as a milestone in the ongoing modernisation and diversification of the GDF. It reflects, President Ali said, a commitment to inclusion, leadership, and equal opportunity.

“These women have demonstrated that courage and competence know no gender,” Dr Ali noted. “They stand today as an inspiration to young women across Guyana – proving that service, leadership, and excellence are for all.”

Indian High Commissioner hails Guyana’s

unique Diwali celebrations, culture – says motorcades make celebrations more colourful, very special

Guyana and India share many values, heritage and traditions but over the years, some of these practices have been refashioned to fit the Guyanese culture – something which Indian High Commissioner, Dr Amit Telang, has lauded for its uniqueness.

“Diwali is a very special festival, and this is also part of our shared heritage between India and Guyana, and other countries like Suriname and Trinidad, where again, it is very widely celebrated… In Guyana, there is a very unique feature, which I find very interesting, and that is basically the Diwali Motorcade.”

“So, I would like to mention and compliment all our Guyanese brothers and sisters first, because this is a very unique initiative, which we normally don't see, at least not in India… Maybe the Guyanese diaspora might be doing it at a smaller scale in other places where, say for example, in the US or Canada. But this is something which makes it even more colourful and very special,” the High Commissioner stated in a recent interview with Guyana Times

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a religious Hindu observance that is celebrated as a national holiday in Guyana.

In Guyana, the observance starts weeks before with the cleaning and decoration of homes in preparation for Diwali. On this day, Hindus prepare sweetmeats – delicious treats like mettai, parsad, vermicelli, etc and scrumptious meals like seven curry, a cuisine unique to Guyana. These are shared with family, friends and neighbours –even strangers.

Dr Telang noted that many of these sweetmeats are variations of traditional Indian sweets.

At night, homes are beautifully illuminated with lit diyas (small clay pots) and fairy lights placed around yards and inside houses.

According to High Commissioner Telang, who is spending his second Diwali here since being posted in Guyana, Guyanese celebrate some

of these festivals more than some parts of India.

“I think this was a pleasant surprise for me when I came to Guyana, that the Indian diaspora, they are very closely connected to the temples in Guyana. And it is not only at Diwali, but any other major [Hindu] festivals. I think Guyanese families, communities, they make it a point to visit their temple. They engage in, you know, in terms of the aarti, the puja and satsang (singing and chanting).”

“Sometimes I do find in India that, especially maybe in some parts of India, it might be very common, but in the majority of the other areas sometimes we feel that that kind of visit to temples at the time of festivals is not very commonly observed. So, this is a very good thing which I find here in Guyana,” he noted.

This sense of togetherness and community, the Indian diplomat explained, is very integral to the Diwali celebration. He commended the unity and harmony displayed during this holiday especially with the thousands of Guyanese from all backgrounds who line the roadways or gather at various venues across the country to witness the vibrant float parades during the motorcades, and the grand event hosted on the night before the holiday from Georgetown to the LBI Community Centre Ground on the East Coast of Demerara.

“One thing is: people visiting their temples, meeting the extended family, and of course, it is also community spirit, which is very important… If I may try to make a guess, that has something to do with the plantation culture. Because normally when people were at the plantations, these were the occasions when the entire community could come together. They could visit a temple; they could share their happiness. So, probably that trend has continued over the generations. And we did not have something similar in India, that we don't normally see,” he stated.

Cultural exchanges

Since Dr Telang's arrival to serve as the Indian High

Commissioner to Guyana, there have been heightened cultural-related activities being hosted through the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC),

from a film festival with special showing of Indian movies to annual Garba celebrations and for the first time this year, spectacular depiction of Ramleela

during the Dusshera celebrations.

Moreover, there are also a series of cultural exchange programmes to bolster these relations be-

tween the two countries and their peoples, including the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) initiative.

Essequibo woman remanded on attempted murder charge Indian High Commissioner...

Twenty-eight-yearold Cinzla Edwards, a part-time worker of Mainstay Lake, Essequibo Coast, appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Friday October 17, charged with attempted murder. Edwards is accused of committing the offence against 30-year-old construction worker Ian Heartman, of Mainstay Lake, Essequibo Coast.

The accused was not required to plead.

The Prosecutor objected to bail and Edwards was remanded to prison.

This case was adjourned to October 30, 2025.

Currently, the SVCC –the Indian Culture Centre in Guyana with support from the ICCR, is hosting a folk-dance group from Uttar Pradesh, Vraj Sanskritik Group, that has been showcasing the Brijbhumi culture across Guyana.

In addition to their grand show on Saturday evening at the Indian Monument Garden in Georgetown, the folk-dance group has already performed at the First Family’s Pre-Diwali celebrations at State House on Friday evening and at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s motorcade events in various regions including the grant cultural programme on Sunday evening at LBI.

According to Dr Telang, these activities are geared towards fostering the rich shared culture between Guyana and India.

“Culture is very integral to our relationship… We cannot ignore the fact that we are connected through our culture. Over a period of time, certain new trends have emerged, even in the Caribbean region. IndoCaribbean culture has also emerged, which is a mix of new trends from the region and all that.”

“But yet, we see there is a lot of attachment of people in Guyana still with their ancestral roots. So, they are still interested in music. They are interested in dance and everything to

do with Indian culture, celebrating all the festivals.

Some of them are celebrated, as I said, more enthusiastically in Guyana compared to what we see in India. So, culture has been a very important part of our celebration and of our relationship.”

The Indian High Commissioner noted that there was feedback from elders in the Indo-Guyanese community who wanted to see more cultural events outside of the major celebrations like Diwali and Phagwah holidays, such as Dusshera Ravan Dahan –something that is widely observed in Trinidad and Tobago as well as Suriname.

Dr Telang added that

these activities are also part of efforts to reintroduce and reinvigorate the Indian culture among the younger generation.

“We recognise that without culture and without this historical link or collective heritage, the relationship [between Guyana and Indian] cannot develop. It is essential for the relationship to develop and these bonds need to be preserved,” the High Commissioner asserted.

Guyana and India formally established diplomatic relations in May 1965 and since then, both nations have maintained strong and vibrant relations premised on the historical, cultural, and economic ties.

Orealla-Siparuta: “A lot has been happening... even more to come” – Toshao

Nestled along the Corentyne River, the twin Indigenous communities of Orealla and Siparuta are undergoing a transformative period of development, with multiple infrastructure projects currently underway at both the Government and village levels.

In an exclusive interview, the Toshao of Orealla and Siparuta, Laurence Vandenburg detailed a wave of ongoing and upcoming projects that promise to significantly improve the

quality of life for residents. Vandenburg highlighted the construction of a brandnew secondary school as the flagship Government initiative in the area. Originally slated for completion in May, with a revised deadline of August, the project has unfortunately seen delays.

“It is back to tethering again,” he admitted. “But once completed, this school will be a major boost for both communities.”

Currently, secondary-aged students from Orealla and

Siparuta must travel out to the coast to pursue their education, a challenge that places financial and emotional strain on families. The new school will allow students to study while remaining at home, easing that burden and fostering local academic growth.

Progress has also been made on public safety infrastructure, with a new police station nearing completion – 90 per cent finished, according to Vandenburg.

Adjacent to the station is a newly construct-

ed wharf, strategically positioned to facilitate border patrols and riverine security. In Siparuta, a separate wharf has also been built to support the health centre, along with a new access road connecting the facility more efficiently to the community. On the village level, the Toshao reported an equally active slate of projects. In Siparuta, a new building and extension at the primary school is being constructed to accommodate rising student numbers, alongside a modern kitchen to support daily meal preparation. “We’ve also got a brand-new bakery shop that’s coming into operation, and very soon, construction will begin on a new stelling, which will replace the current dilapidated one,” he said. Unlike the wooden pile structures of the past, the new stelling will be made of concrete and steel, offering durability and modern functionality. A standout development is the construction of a large community-owned cargo boat, sized 60 by 40 feet, which will significantly improve transport and logistics in the area. “We usually ship out lumber and agricultural produce on Mondays and Fridays us-

Toshao of Orealla-Siparuta, Laurence Vandenburg

ing privately-owned boats, many of which are deteriorating,” Vandenburg said, explaining that the new vessel will relieve the community of that pressure.

Designed primarily for cargo movement, including lumber and produce, the vessel will also improve accessibility for residents and reduce reliance on limited private services.

Another point of pride for the Toshao is the brandnew village office in Orealla, which he described as possibly the best… “If not the best, Indigenous village office in the country. It is big, it is fully modern, and

it has everything you’d expect in a proper administrative facility,” he said, noting that the office will be commissioned at the end of this month, along with a newly completed village bond. Meanwhile, the communities are also preparing for new projects under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), including the construction of a marketplace, a restaurant, and additional community infrastructure aimed at boosting economic resilience and environmental sustainability.

From education and security to infrastructure and commerce, Orealla and Siparuta are embracing a period of rapid progress. While some delays remain – particularly with the secondary school – the overall momentum of development is evident.

“A lot has been happening in both of the communities, and there’s even more to come,” Toshao Vandenburg said. As these two vibrant Indigenous communities continue to modernise while preserving their heritage, the rest of the country is beginning to take notice of the strides being made deep in Guyana’s north-east.

MoH, PAHO to launch filaria pill mass distribution from Oct 22

The Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), will begin its Filaria Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign on October 22, aimed at eliminating lymphatic filariasis from communities across the country. The campaign will run until November 4, during which trained pill distributors will go house to house, ensuring that every eligible citizen receives the necessary medication.

Citizens are strongly urged to take the pills when offered, as participation is key to breaking the transmission cycle of the disease. Preparatory works for the campaign are already underway, with the MoH coordinating with regional health offices, local authorities, and community volunteers to ensure smooth

distribution.

In 2024, the Health Ministry had mobilised 700 pill distributors to administer filaria pills, targeting Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica), where the risk of LF is particularly high. Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as LF, is a severe disease, causing irreversible swelling in the extremities and genitals.

Public awareness efforts, including radio and social media campaigns, have been intensified to inform citizens about the importance of participation and proper pill intake.

Health officials remind residents that the pills are safe and free, and no prior registration is required. Individuals are encouraged to be at home or make arrangements to re-

ceive the medication from designated distributors. The MoH has also advised that those who are pregnant, severely ill, or have certain medical conditions, consult their healthcare provider before taking the medication.

Filariasis

Filariasis is a tropical disease caused by parasitic worms that are spread through mosquito bites. The skin gets thick and hard, resembling an elephant’s skin. Although medically known as lymphatic filariasis (LF), the term elephantiasis is commonly used because symptoms include swelling and enlargement of the arms and legs.

People living in affected tropical or subtropical areas are most at risk of infection. However, short-term visitors to these regions have a very

low risk of getting filaria or related conditions.

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with PAHO launched the MDA campaign

in Guyana in 2017.

The countries of the Americas agreed to a collective approach to the elimination of communicable diseas-

es throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The Elimination Initiative identifies a wide range of diseases and related conditions, including lymphatic filariasis, as potential candidates for elimination in the Region, and enables countries to consolidate efforts and resources towards ending these diseases and ensuring public health.

Most people who are infected will not show symptoms, despite damage to the lymph system and kidneys. Those who do get symptoms most commonly experience swelling of the legs, arms, breasts and genitals.

This disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be prevented by sleeping under a mosquito net, covering up skin with long sleeves and trousers, using insect repellent and participating in the MDA campaign by taking your filarial pills when visited by healthcare workers.

ERC building institutional capacity through training programme in China

With the aim of enhancing capacity-building efforts, the members of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) are participating in a training seminar on ‘Poverty Reduction and Development’ under the Global Development Initiative (GDI) in the People’s Republic of China. The delegation, led by Commissioner Neaz Subhan, will be in China from October 14 to 31, 2025, for this capacity-building programme hosted by the International Poverty Reduction Centre in China (IPRCC).

During the visit, the team will travel from Beijing to other provinces to understand the ethnic diversity and learn of strategies used to enhance inclusion and

The ERC Delegation meets with the Guyana Ambassador during the training seminar

development. According to the Commission, “This initiative forms part of the ERC’s ongoing commitment to strengthen its institutional capacity and promote so-

cial harmony in Guyana.”

The seminar brings together participants from several countries to share knowledge and strategies aimed at addressing social challenges

The seminar brings together participants from several countries to share knowledge and strategies

that can threaten peace and cohesion.

Through this engagement, the ERC said it is seeking to deepen its understanding of social development and sustainable growth strategies, which will inform its national programmes and advocacy work. Commissioner Subhan along with Jie Ping, Deputy Director General of IPRCC,

were the main guests who addressed the Opening Ceremony. “The ERC expressed sincere appreciation to the Government of China for facilitating this opportunity and for its continued support in fostering global cooperation and knowledge exchange,” a recent missive from the Commission stated. It went on to state that, “The Commission remains

steadfast in its constitutional mandate to promote unity and equality among all ethnic groups in Guyana and views this training as a vital contribution to building a more inclusive and harmonious society.” Meanwhile, the ERC team was welcomed to China by the Ambassador of Guyana, Her Excellency Anyin Choo, at the Guyana Embassy in Beijing.

Miner busted with cocaine, ganja on Lethem trail

A43-year-old gold miner of Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was arrested on Sunday morning following the discovery of a quantity of suspected cocaine and cannabis in his possession. The discovery was made by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) stationed at the Corkwood Police Checkpoint, Regional Division #9 (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo). Reports indicated that at about 07:45h on Sunday, the officers were conducting a rou-

tine police operation when they intercepted a minibus en route to Lethem from Georgetown.

A search of a haversack belonging to one of the passengers was conducted, during which several plastic bags containing substances suspected to be narcotics were found concealed among other items in the bag.

The suspected narcotics were weighed in the presence of the suspect and amounted to approximately 491.7 grams of cocaine and 1009.7 grams of cannabis. These items were sealed, marked, and lodged as exhibits.

The suspect was informed of the offence committed, arrested and taken into custody. Police say the miner remains in police custody as investigations continue.

2 Guyanese graduate from CYPP

Shaquawn Gill, Guyana’s Caricom Youth Ambassador, and Tatiana Norton, CYPP participant, successfully completed the fourmonth Caricom Young Professionals Programme (CYPP). The two were the only Guyanese among some 25 participants from across the Caribbean who gained insights into regional cooperation, professional development, and opportunities within the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Richard Maughn, con -

gratulated the Guyanese youngsters on their accomplishments. Maughn delivered a presentation on Technical and Vocational Skills Development and the importance of recognising and transferring these competencies across the Caribbean, during the opening week of the programme.

The graduation event was hosted by the Caricom Secretariat on Friday, October 17, at its headquarters in Turkeyen, Georgetown.

Attendees included Dr Carla Barnett, SecretaryGeneral (SG) of CARICOM; Alison Drayton, Assistant

“Strength is not the absence of struggle, it is the ability to rise despite it” – MoM acknowledges home recipient for hard work and determination

Roslyn Benette, a single mother of five young children, whose courage and determination reflect the indomitable spirit of Guyanese women, was featured recently in a social media post by Men on a Mission (MoM), to highlight the lives of those who are recipients of homes provided by the organisation.

According to MoM, Benette was once employed as a security officer, and faced unimaginable hard-

ship, including domestic abuse that forced her to make the brave decision to walk away, not just for herself, but for the safety of her children.

With limited means but unwavering resolve, she turned to small-scale farming around her home, cultivating vegetables and other produce which she proudly sells at the Lusignan Market every Saturday. Each wheelbarrow she pushes represents sacrifice, love, and the unbreakable

will to provide for her family.

Though life remains challenging, MoM noted, Benette stands like a beacon of resilience, faith, and dignity. “Through Men on Mission, we continue to stand with women like her: those who fight quietly but powerfully every day to build a better life for their children. True strength lives in stories like Roslyn’s, ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the name of love,” it noted.

Man arrested with cannabis at Itaballi

PSG; Dike Noel, Manager of Communications; Michele Small-Bartley, Programme Manager, Youth Development; Beverly Harry-Emmanuel, Adviser, Social Development; and other officials and CYPP participants.

Funded by the European Union (EU), the CYPP continues to serve as a platform for advancing regional integration, fostering innovation, and equipping the next generation of Caribbean leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive sustainable development across the region.

olice ranks in Regional Division #7 (CuyuniMazaruni) have arrested a 32-year-old man after he was found in possession of a quantity of narcotics earlier today. The discovery was made by officers stationed at the Itaballi Police Checkpoint in Region Seven. Reports indicated that at about 07:20 hours, ranks were conducting checks on vehicles passing through the checkpoint, when a motorcar arrived and was searched. A quantity of narcotics, suspected to be cannabis, was found, and the suspect, who was a passenger in the vehicle, admitted to ownership.

According to police, the suspected narcotics were seized, and the individual was informed of the offence

Checkpoint

committed, arrested and taken into custody. The suspected cannabis was weighed in the man's presence and amounted to

EPA, Hydromet conduct water quality monitoring along Lower Demerara River

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Hydrometeorological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, recently carried out a comprehensive water quality monitoring exercise along the Lower Demerara River from Timehri to Kingston on Thursday, October 16.

According to the agen-

cy, the activity forms part of ongoing efforts to assess and track trends in key physicochemical parameters that influence water quality within this high-risk industrial corri-

dor. Tests conducted included pH, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total petroleum hy-

drocarbons (TPH), nitrates, phosphorus, and total suspended solids (TSS). The results of this monitoring exercise will support informed decision-making aimed at maintaining and improving

the environmental integrity of the Lower Demerara River. This part of the river is said to be a major logistical artery, and a significant industrial corridor of the country.

India: Is Diwali 2025 on October 20 or 21?

– Astrologer reveals why there's confusion this time, which city should celebrate when

Every year, Diwali brings radiant joy to our homes, with diyas lighting up our doorsteps and hearts filled with devotion. But in 2025, a rare celestial alignment has caused some confusion in India: Is Diwali on October 20 or 21? Devotees are eager to know the right day to worship Maa Lakshmi and celebrate this beautiful festival of lights.

According to Astrologer Sidhharrth S Kumaar of NumroVani, the confusion this year is not accidental but part of a cosmic play, shaped by planetary movements.

The astrologer explained that the key reason behind the uncertainty lies in the Amavasya Tithi— the new moon day, which is central to Diwali celebrations.

This year, the Amavasya falls across both October 20 and 21. To be precise, it begins at 3:44 PM on October 20 and ends at 5:54 PM on October 21, 2025. Because of this overlap, different cities will observe Diwali on different dates.

Kumaar further said, “Cities where the sunset occurs on or before 5:30 PM should celebrate on

October 21. Cities where the sunset occurs after 5:30 PM should celebrate on October 20.”

5-day celebrations

Diwali is celebrated over five days, each with its own rituals and significance: Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali), Diwali, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. Here’s what each day represents:

Day 1: Dhanteras

Dhanteras marks the start of Diwali celebrations. On this day, devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber, praying for wealth and prosperity. People also buy new items, including gold coins, bars, or jewellery. It will be celebrated on October 18.

Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) Naraka Chaturdashi, also called Choti Diwali or Kali Chaudas, is celebrated a day before Diwali. It marks Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. Homes are lit, and rituals bring spiritual cleansing. It falls on October 20.

Day 3: Diwali Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, Mata Sita, and Lakshman to Ayodhya, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. Homes are decorated with earthen lamps (diyas), rangoli, and lights. Devotees perform the Lakshmi and Ganesh Puja in the evening. Diwali also falls on October 20 this year.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja

Celebrated the day after Diwali, Govardhan Puja honours Govardhan Parvat. According to legend, Lord Krishna lifted the mountain to pro-

tect the people of Mathura from Lord Indra’s wrath. It falls a day after Diwali on October 22.

Day 5: Bhai Dooj

The final day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj (also called Bhau Beej or Bhaiya Dooj), which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It falls on October 23.

Green cracker Diwali

Meanwhile, Delhi is set to light up the skies with green crackers this Diwali, a move aimed at celebrating the festival while keeping pollution in check.

The Supreme Court has permitted the sale and

bursting of CSIR-NEERIcertified green crackers in the Delhi-NCR region from October 18 to 20, allowing them only during two time slots, from 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm. Delhi, which witnessed a 'poor' Air Quality Index (AQI) for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday, is likely to see 'severe' pollution levels amid deteriorating meteorological factors, coupled with bursting of firecrackers. This move comes amid a severe dip in air quality, with the latest Central Pollution Control Board data showing the capital's AQI at 296, which is close to ‘very poor’ category.

The Supreme Court order may increase the number of families bursting firecrackers by 40 per cent compared to last year, raising fears that 'regular fireworks' could also make a comeback, a LocalCircles study said.

The survey of over 38,000 residents across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad found that 34 per cent of families are likely to burn crackers this Diwali; half of them may also burn regular crackers in addition to green ones.

Dr S Chatterjee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Apollo Hospital, points out that green crackers produce 30 per cent less pollution than traditional crackers.

However, with pollution levels rising, even green crackers can pose health hazards, especially for patients with respiratory issues. “It is highly advisable that we avoid using crackers, even the green ones, as the general public may suffer more after Diwali,” he said. Patrolling teams from multiple agencies, including Delhi Police, will ensure that only NEERI and PESO-approved green firecrackers with QR codes are lit during the specified days and times.

All police stations have been instructed to remain vigilant, particularly in areas with a history of violations. Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating these regulations, and additional beat staff and enforcement teams will be deployed in residential and market areas to monitor activities and take immediate action if needed. (Source: Hindustani Times)

Finance Minister notes legacy of late Dr Yesu Persaud, IPED’s service to Guyana

– as IPED commemorates late Chairman, agency’s anniversary

Finance Minister,

Dr Ashni Singh on Saturday joined the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Georgetown to commemorate the enduring legacy of their Founding Chairman, the late Dr Yesu Persaud.

The occasion marked what would have been Dr Persaud’s 97th birthday as

well as the 40th anniversary of IPED’s invaluable service to Guyana.

During remarks, the Minister reflected on Dr Persaud’s legacy as a true Guyanese icon who not only championed entrepreneurship but also courageously engaged in matters of national importance. His unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges and creating opportunities for others has left

a lasting impact on Guyana’s history, the Minister noted.

Dr Singh also extended heartfelt congratulations to IPED on four decades of remarkable growth, and highlighted the institution’s importance in Guyana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and its role in empowering thousands of small businesses to succeed.

He also expressed full confidence in IPED's ability to adapt to Guyana’s evolving economic landscape and continue its important work in supporting Guyanese entrepreneurs. The event was also addressed by two of Dr Persaud’s children; IPED’s current Chairman, Komal Samaroo; the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Amit Telang; and Professor David Dabydeen.

Among his numerous accolades, Dr Persaud was also a founding member of the Indian Arrival Committee and one of the main people responsible for creating the

Health Minister commends work of Medical Extension Officers at 48th anniversary

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, attended an appreciation dinner on Friday to mark the 48th anniversary of the Medical Extension Officers (MEDEX) programme in Guyana. He commended the pivotal role played by Medical Extension Officers in the country’s healthcare system. According to the Ministry of Health, the dinner was held to celebrate the MEDEX programme’s anniversary and to recognise the invaluable contributions of Medical Extension Officers to national healthcare.

These professionals have played a critical role in ensuring that quality healthcare services reach communities across the nation, particularly in remote and underserved areas, it added. In his remarks, Minister Anthony commended the of-

ficers for their continued dedication and service over the decades. He highlighted their importance as vital links in the delivery of primary healthcare and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting their ongoing professional development and well-being.

The appreciation dinner also served as an opportunity to reflect on the growth and evolution of the MEDEX Programme, while expressing gratitude to those who have served faithfully since its inception. The Ministry of Health extends warm congratulations to all MEDEX on this milestone and expresses sincere appreciation for their unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare in Guyana.

The MEDEX Programme trains healthcare professionals to provide essential medical services in ru-

ral, riverine, and hinterland communities. These officers are trained to handle primary and routine care, function in roles similar to physicians and midwives, and bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility for remote areas.

Speaking on the Ministry of Health’s ‘Health Matters’ programme on Thursday, Chief for Medex-Regional Health Services Division, Carleen Howard-Mohabir, stated that 50 per cent of the MEDEX are employed in the hinterland communities.

According to HowardMohabir, in a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, these medical professionals are changing lives, particularly with the intervention of technology in the healthcare system. Telemedicine, for example, is a new feature that is able to reach and care for patients in very remote communities. This system allows healthcare workers to consult and receive assistance from senior professionals in the city on matters they are unable to independently resolve. She encouraged more individuals to be trained in the programme to equip Guyana with a strong human capacity.

To be eligible, applicants must be between 18 and 40 years old and possess at least five Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects, including English, Mathematics, and one science subject.

Monument Garden, which marks the arrival of the first batch of Indian indentured labourers to Guyana in 1838.

Professor David Dabydeen, along with Lynne Macedo, ed-

ited the second volume of Dr Yesu Persaud’s autobiography, “Reaching for the Stars – The Life of Yesu Persaud”.

Dr Persaud was founding Chairman of IPED, which was created in 1985 with the aim to improve livelihoods by building sustainable micro and small enterprises through finance and advisory services.

GIS study to guide York Housing development – CHPA CEO

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Dr Martin Pertab, has said that a geotechnical investigation is currently underway to assess the soil quality and other key environmental and topographical factors at the site of Plantation York along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway, where ongoing assessments, aimed at advancing the development of a new housing scheme in the area, are being conducted. “We are wrapping up the GIS (Geographic Information System) study, which will provide us with critical data on the soil composition and terrain. Once that is completed, we will be better informed on how to move forward with the infrastructure layout and development plans to cater to the unique needs of the area,” he stated.

The CHPA CEO led the site visit Friday last, accompanied by Senior Surveyor Shaquille Mayers and engineers from the Projects Department.

The team’s visit focused on monitoring progress and ensuring that works align with the agency’s mandate of efficiency, quality, and timely delivery of its housing programmes.

The Plantation York Housing Development is part of CHPA’s broader effort to expand access to affordable housing along major corridors such as the Soesdyke–Linden Highway, while ensuring that new projects are guided by data-driven planning and sustainable design. Further, the findings of that study will help shape the design of roads, drainage systems, and other infrastructure components, ensuring that the new community is resilient, well-planned, and en-

vironmentally sound.

According to the CHPA, this initiative underscores CHPA’s continued commitment to modernising the planning process and using technology to enhance the quality and sustainability of housing developments nationwide.

In 2023, the CHPA had announced that Government found a new location situated at Plantation York to accelerate the Government’s 1000 homes project in Linden, after development at an area at Millie’s Hideout was halted as it was discovered that a significant bauxite reserve was present in the area.

The development, CHPA said, will include a residential area as well as commercial and industrial zones. All necessary amenities including roads, bridges, drainage, culverts, electricity, and water will be included.

T&T: Autopsy of 4-year-old girl found unresponsive reveals murder

An autopsy has revealed that a fouryear-old girl, who was taken to the hospital last week after she was reportedly found unresponsive, was murdered.

Police said the death of Jemima Bonaparte was now a homicide, after the autopsy found that the child had been stabbed to death.

On Monday, during what should have been a routine autopsy after Jemima was reported to have choked to death last weekend, doctors at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex found marks of violence on the child and ordered a full-scale autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre.

Senior police officials

said then that marks of violence were discovered all over the body, and puncture wounds were found on the neck.

Police confirmed to

Guardian Media yesterday that the child was stabbed, after the information was released on social media.

Police are still hunting for a close male relative who investigators believe may be able to assist with the case.

Jemima, who lived with relatives at Sea Lots, Port-of-Spain, was taken to the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital on October 9, after she was found unresponsive at home.

Despite attempts by medical personnel to resuscitate her upon arrival, she was declared dead.

Initial reports claimed the girl choked on a marble and died. (Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)

Colombia’s Petro responds to Trump’s withdrawal of aid: “He’s deceived by his loyalties”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Sunday that his US counterpart, Donald Trump, “is mistaken” when he considers him a “ drug trafficking leader,” saying that what he has done throughout his career is precisely denounce drug mafias.

“Trump is deceived by (sic) his lodges and advisors. The main enemy that drug trafficking had in Colombia was the one in the 21st century who discovered its relations with the political power of Colombia. That was me,” Petro wrote in X after Trump announced that he was cutting off financial aid to Colombia for its inaction in the fight against drug trafficking.

“I recommend that Trump read Colombia carefully and determine where the drug traffickers are and where the Democrats are,” Petro responded in his message on X.

In addition to the disputes over Colombia’s ef-

forts against drug trafficking, relations between the two countries have been strained by Petro’s criticism of missile attacks on boats allegedly leaving Venezuela loaded with drugs.

This Saturday, Petro asked the Attorney General’s Office to “act immediately” regarding the possibility that an alleged drug boat attacked by the US in the Caribbean Sea on September 16 was Colombian, and accused that country of “ murder “ for the death of a fish-

erman who was doing his job, whom he identified as “Alejandro Carranza, who has not returned home” in the city of Santa Marta.

“Officials of the US government have committed murder and violated our sovereignty in territorial waters. The fisherman Alejandro Carranza had no ties to drug trafficking and his daily activity was fishing (...) We await explanations from the US government,” Petro added in another message on X.(Excerpt from Listin Diario)

Barbados water agency seeks to recover millions in outstanding debt

The Barbados Water Authority (BWA) is facing a debt crisis with more than $100 million owed to the state utility, most of it by residential customers.

Acting CEO Christopher Mapp confirmed that the authority is working to recover at least 40 per cent of the outstanding sum as officials intensify collection efforts after years of leniency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mapp said the majority of delinquent accounts date back to 2020 when disconnections were suspended as part of national COVID-19 relief measures.

He explained that even after disconnections resumed in 2023, many domestic users were not reconnecting their service, suggesting deeper financial distress.

Mapp likened the authority’s accounts receivable to a loan portfolio, acknowledging

that a portion will inevitably go unpaid.

According to Mapp, residential customers account for the majority of both total billing and delinquent accounts.

Acting director of finance, Kent D’Hayle, explained that only about 40 per cent of the outstanding debt—roughly $40 million—is realistically collectible, though the authority will continue pursuing all arrears. (Excerpt from Barbados Today)

Grenada likely to say no to US request for military presence

Grenada is most likely to follow Antigua and reject a request made by the US government of President Donald Trump to place a radar system at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) as Washington builds up a military presence around oil-rich Venezuela.

A source close to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government told THE NEW TODAY that the 3-year old administration is heading in this direction.

He said that a major player in the final decision will be Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dickon Mitchell who is currently out of the island but expected back home this past weekend.

The US request was re-

portedly mentioned at a Cabinet meeting with ministers told about the talks to be held with a high-ranking army officer.

Last week, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne had made it clear that the island has no interest in allowing any foreign military presence on its shores.

The Prime Minister maintained that Antigua and Barbuda’s focus remains on peace, neutrality, and non-alignment in foreign affairs. (Source: Antigua News, The New Today)

Official tributes amid public neglect as Haiti honours 219th anniversary of nation’s founding father

While officials held a solemn ceremony at Villa d’Accueil to honor Haiti’s founding father, the commemoration at Champde-Mars—home to Haiti’s independence statues—unfolded amid neglect and unsanitary conditions.

Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) and government officials marked the 219th anniversary of Emperor JeanJacques Dessalines’ assassination with a solemn ceremony at the Villa d’Accueil in Port-au-Prince on Thursday, Oct. 17.

As the government’s formal event took place behind closed gates, no public ceremonies, parades or civic gatherings occurred in the streets of the capital.

Champ-de-Mars, home to the statues of Dessalines, Pétion and Christophe, among other heroes of independence, was nearly deserted—its monuments surrounded by overgrown weeds, litter and fading paint.

A limited cleanup op-

eration had been conducted the day before, clearing the immediate area around Dessalines’ statue but leaving much of the square in disrepair. The neglect stood as a stark contrast to the speeches celebrating national pride.

Videos taken by The Haitian Times show unsanitary conditions and deteriorating memorials—a visual metaphor, observers say, for Haiti’s fractured governance and waning civic life.

“Champ-de-Mars used to be a place where schools

marched and people gathered to celebrate national pride,” said one bystander, looking at the worn statue. “Now, everyone stays home because of fear.”

This year’s commemoration comes as Haiti faces one of its deepest crises since the fall of Duvalier’s dictatorship. With the capital largely controlled by armed groups, many citizens see the state’s tribute to Dessalines as symbolic but disconnected from reality. (Excerpt from The Haitian Times)

J’ca: 14-year-old charged with murder

Detectives assigned to the St Elizabeth Criminal Investigation Branch in Jamaica have charged a 14-year-old boy with murder following the stabbing death of a relative at their home in the parish on October 10. Reports from the police are that at 9:50 p.m., the boy and two other relatives were at home when an ar-

gument developed between him and one of the relatives, which escalated into a fight.

It is reported that the boy then brandished a knife, which he used to inflict a wound to the relative’s chest. The other relative, on seeing what was happening, intervened and separated them.

Shortly after, the injured boy went outside, where he

collapsed to the ground. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A report was made to the police, and the accused was apprehended and placed at a juvenile centre. He was formally charged on Tuesday in the presence of his mother. His court date is being finalised. (Source: Jamaica Star)

Israeli strikes kill 35 in Gaza as both sides say the other breached truce

Israel’s military launched a wave of air strikes on southern Gaza as the fragile United Statesbrokered ceasefire intended to end the two-year war comes under threat.

The Israeli army said on Sunday that it conducted a “massive and extensive wave” of strikes on dozens of targets after its troops came under fire from Hamas fighters in Rafah, a charge the Palestinian group denied.

Hours later, the Israeli army issued a statement saying its forces had begun “reinforcing” the truce in Gaza “after a series of significant attacks”. Separately, an Israeli security official told news agencies that the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza was temporarily halted after the alleged Hamas violation.

Gaza’s Civil Defence agency said a number of

Israeli air raids killed at least 35 Palestinians across the war-devastated enclave on Sunday.

The Israeli army said two of its soldiers had died in “combat” in Gaza, and it had responded with strikes and artillery fire after its troops were targeted by Hamas. However, Hamas’s armed wing said it is adhering to the ceasefire agreement.

Israel’s strikes came after the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with security heads and directed the military to take “strong action” against any ceasefire violations.

Reporting from Amman, Jordan, Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh said that Israeli media reports suggested that Israel was acting in Rafah to protect armed proxies in Gaza it had supported throughout the war, amid

fears they were facing reprisals from Hamas since the ceasefire.

“There were reports that perhaps Hamas fighters were trying to attack that militia in Rafah,” she said.

Odeh said that once reports of the clashes in Rafah surfaced in Israel, the mood there changed “almost immediately”.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, analyst Yossi Mekelberg said the strikes underlined the fragility of the ceasefire agreement.

“We said all along that this ceasefire, it’s not the complete end of what we have witnessed over the last two years,” said Mekelberg, senior consulting fellow with Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Programme. “It’s a very fragile ceasefire, and can tilt in one way or another.” (Al Jazeera)

US says it hit Colombian rebel ship as Trump calls Petro "illegal drug leader"

Truth Social.

US forces attacked a vessel associated with a Colombian leftist rebel group, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday, the same day President Donald Trump called Colombian President Gustavo Petro an "illegal drug leader" and said payments to the South American nation would cease.

Hegseth wrote on X that the Pentagon had destroyed a vessel and killed three people on Friday "in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility," which includes the Caribbean.

He said the ship was affiliated with the leftist rebel group National Liberation Army and was involved in illicit narcot-

ics smuggling, without offering evidence to back the claim.

It was the latest in a series of US strikes in the Caribbean on vessels that the Trump administration says were transporting drugs.

The Pentagon said it had nothing to add beyond Hegseth's initial post.

The Colombian embassy in Washington, DC, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The post from Hegseth came hours after Trump accused Petro on social media of "strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs." The United States will stop large-scale payments and subsidies to Colombia, Trump wrote on

Around the World Thieves rob priceless jewels from Paris' Louvre in brazen heist

Thieves in balaclavas broke into Paris' Louvre museum on Sunday, using a crane to smash an upstairs window, then stealing priceless objects from an area that houses the French crown jewels before escaping on motorbikes, officials said.

The robbery raises awkward questions about security at the museum, where officials had already sounded the alarm about lack of investment at a world-famous site, home to artworks such as the Mona Lisa, that welcomed 8.7 million visitors in 2024.

"The theft committed at the Louvre is an attack on a heritage that we cherish because it is our History," President Emmanuel Macron said on X. "We will recover the works, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice."

The thieves struck at about 9.30 a.m. (0730 GMT) when the museum had already opened its doors to the public, and entered the

Galerie d'Apollon building, Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said on BFM TV.

The robbery took between six to seven minutes and was carried out by four people who were unarmed, but who threatened the guards with angle grinders, she said.

A total of nine objects were targeted by the criminals, and eight were actually stolen. The thieves lost the ninth one, the crown of Napoleon III's wife, Empress

Eugenie, during their escape, Beccuau said. "It's worth several tens of millions of euros - just this crown. And it's not, in my opinion, the most important item," Drouot auction house President Alexandre Giquello told Reuters.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the probe had been entrusted to a specialized police unit that has a high success rate in cracking high-profile robberies. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chemical linked to low sperm count, obesity and cancer found in pacifiers, tests find

Achemical linked to impaired sexual development, obesity and cancer has been found in baby dummies (pacifiers) manufactured by three big European brands.

Dummies made by the Dutch multinational Philips, the Swiss oral health specialists Curaprox and the French toy brand Sophie la Girafe were found to contain bisphenol A (BPA), according to laboratory testing by dTest, a Czech consumer organisation. Philips said they had carried out subsequent testing and found no BPA, while Sophie la Girafe said the amount found was insignificant.

All three dummies were marketed as either “BPAfree” or “natural rubber”.

BPA is a synthetic chem-

‘King

"The purpose of this drug production is the sale of massive amounts of product into the United States, causing death, destruction, and havoc," Trump wrote.

Reuters could not immediately establish which payments Trump was referring to. Colombia was once among the largest recipients of US aid in the Western Hemisphere, but the flow of money was suddenly curtailed this year by the shuttering of USAID, the US government's humanitarian assistance arm.

The US State Department referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a query.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

ical used in the production of plastics, but it has a structure similar to the female hormone, oestrogen, which it mimics in the bodies of humans and other animals.

Chloe Topping, a campaigner with Chem Trust, who was not involved in the research, said: “The health effects of BPA are extensive: breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometriosis, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, altered immune system, effects on reproduction, brain development and behaviour, including behaviour in children.”

Children are particularly vulnerable “because they’re still developing, their organs are very sensitive to disruption”, Topping said, with exposure to bisphenol A at an early age or in the womb linked

to reduced sperm counts and early onset puberty. “And the thing about endocrine-disrupting chemicals … is that they can act at very, very low concentrations,” she said. EU law has banned the use of BPA in babies’ bottles entirely since 2011 and these rules were widened in 2018 to include the production of food containers and bottles for children under three years old.

Karolína Brabcová of Arnika, a Czech campaign group, said: “It is illogical that bisphenols are banned in baby bottles but not in pacifiers, which babies use more intensively and in some cases for long years.

“We are seeing a lack of stringent regulation and it is failing consumers.” (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Trump’ shares AI video of protesters being bombed with faeces

Donald Trump has shared an AIgenerated video of himself as a fighter pilot wearing a crown and bombing protestors with a brown liquid.

A day after insisting on Fox News that he is “not a king”, the US president posted the video of himself in a fighter jet emblazoned with the phrase “King Trump” while millions of Americans marched in “No Kings” protests against his government’s policies.

In the clip, which was posted on his Truth Social

media platform and the official White House communications X account, Mr Trump wears a green military jumpsuit and a golden crown encrusted with jewels as he flies the jet over New York City.

With the song “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins blaring in the background, the jet bombs unsuspecting “No Kings” protesters marching through Times Square with what appears to be faeces.

JD Vance also posted an AI video depicting Mr Trump as a King on Saturday.

The video posted by the US vice-president showed Mr Trump donning a crown and cape before drawing a sword, with the camera then panning to a Kente clothclad Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats kneeling in submission. The latter video was a reference to a widely mocked photo of Ms Pelosi and several dozen other Democrats wearing the traditional African textiles and taking the knee in tribute to George Floyd after he was killed by police in 2020. (Excerpt from The Telegraph)

SUDOKU

Engage in activities you can do with the people you love most. Nurturing relationships will encourage honesty and stepping up to ensure your connections remain strong.

Digest what others say and the circumstances you face before you address matters with words or actions. Allow yourself to follow through and to consider the consequences.

Change begins with you. Stop dreaming and start embracing reality by turning your desires into something tangible. Refuse to let ego or revenge hold you back when you are capable of so much more.

Rely on intelligence and map out a plan before you consider altering your life. There are too many unknowns that can throw a wrench in your agenda if you act in haste.

Follow through, live up to your promises and jump-start areas of your life that you are neglecting. Put pressure where it’s needed and celebrate when you meet your goals.

A realistic approach to life, love and happiness will set a good example for those you care about most. Discipline will pay off and show you the way forward.

Keep an open mind, but don’t share too much with your competitors and rivals. Be a good listener and offer friendly support, but keep your secrets and playbook to yourself.

Stand up and do what you do best, and the rewards will be forthcoming. Tackle each problem with an open heart and mind, knowing that you can fix whatever goes wrong. Adapt and proceed.

Hop to it, implement change and build a strong foundation. Balance your time between work and home to ensure neither is neglected. High energy, enthusiasm and effort will get you where you want to go.

Watch your step. Verify plans and what others expect of you before you agree to anything. Expect last-minute changes and disruptions along the way.

Read the fine print and adjust what’s necessary. Take advantage of an opportunity to learn something new, travel or join forces with those heading in a similar direction.

Keep an open mind, but implement discipline when dealing with money, health and contracts. Review your choices and stick to a reasonable budget. Avoid unknown people and places today.

ICC Women's World Cup 9

England in semi-finals after India unravel in tense finish

Indore was a giant party waiting to take off on Diwali eve. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur had put together a century stand. Deepti Sharma knocked off a measured half-century after picking up four wickets with the ball.

When India needed 57 off 57 balls, with seven wickets in hand, their attempt to scale down their highest-successful chase in women's One-Day Internationals (ODIs) was well on track. But big-match nerves took centre stage, like it often has in the recent past. They collapsed sensationally, and fell short by four runs. England joined Australia and South Africa in the semi-finals.

India have now lost their third straight game, their campaign threatening to derail swiftly as they next face New Zealand in a crucial clash on Thursday.

England's win was set up by Heather Knight, whose 109 helped overcome a wobble when England were tested by India's slower bowlers. Her century stand with Nat Sciver-Brunt gave them the platform for a lift-off towards the end. But a late collapse meant they managed 289 when 320 was within their reach.

For much of India's chase, it seemed as if that collapse would come back to

to India, who have lots to ponder – not least the composition of their line-up, after they took a bold call of playing with a batter short –Jemimah Rodrigues dropped in favour of Renuka Singh.

India were rocked early, losing Pratika Rawal for six in the third over. Harleen Deol started slowly, and managed just four off 26 balls outside of her five boundaries as the asking rate crept up. Having spent time at the crease, like she had in each of her four previous knocks in the tournament, she threw it away lbw – playing back to Charlie Dean's indrifter.

Mandhana was far from fluent, but Harmanpreet's arrival took some pressure off her. The Indian Captain was off the mark with a sumptuous flick off SciverBrunt, and looked seemingly keen on not allowing Sophie Ecclestone to settle by opening up the off side and repeatedly lofting her inside-out.

then knocked the ball into the gaps, seemingly in tent on taking the chase deep.

Deepti's sen sible ap

Mandhana, forcing SciverBrunt to bring back Linsey

helped England overcome Bangladesh's

measured half-century, it was Knight who injected momentum through the middle overs, putting on 113 with Sciver-Brunt. Having begun sedately, she only shifted gears after the pair raised the fifty of their partnership.

While the sweep was Knight's calling card – no spinner was spared – to say her knock was only about that stroke wouldn't do justice to her running between the wickets, a mark of the work she's had to put in to improve her fitness following a career-threatening in-

jury. She also displayed her brute bottom-handed power in shovelling Kranti Gaud for six, the only one of the innings, in the 38th over. Knight was reprieved twice in her nineties, but she soon brought up her century off 86 deliveries before her dismissal led to a meltdown with England managing just 36 off the last five overs. This would've cost them on most nights, but Sunday was their night. Thanks to their spinners, England remain unbeaten in the tournament. (ESPNcricinfo)

England Women (50 ovs maximum)

Tammy Beaumont

b Sharma 22

Deepti Sharma 10-0-51-4

Amanjot Kaur 4-0-26-0

India Women (T: 289 runs from 50 ovs)

Amy Jones † c Mandhana

b Sharma 56

Pratika Rawal c †Jones

Harmanpreet's enterprise helped Mandhana, who had faced just 18 balls in the first 12 overs of India's chase, settle in. Mandhana was watchful, but every now and then, there were flashes of brilliance – like when she picked off two boundaries behind square off Ecclestone.

Once she got those two fours, Mandhana switched gears to raise her half-century off 60 balls, barely acknowledging the applause. On 43 at that point, Harmanpreet also turned up the tempo and moved to 70 before she glided Sciver-Brunt to short third, England breathing a sigh of relief at breaking a 125-run stand.

Deepti and Mandhana

Smith for another spell a tad earlier than she might have otherwise. This proved to be a masterstroke as she had Mandhana hole out to longoff on 88. Even so, at 234 for 4 in 41.2 overs, this was India's game to lose.

However, nerves took over. Richa Ghosh drilled one straight to cover, Deepti miscued a slog, reminiscent of the shot she played in that 2017 final, and sudden ly Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur were left with too much to do. Smith conced ed just four in a clutch 48th over, leaving India needing 23 off 12. Then with 14 need ed, she came back to finish off India, ensuring none of her first four deliveries went to the boundary.

As well as the spinners bowled, it would be hard to look beyond Knight's cen tury that gave England a chance in the first place. If her unbeaten 79 in

Heather Knight run out

(AB Kaur/†Ghosh) 109

Nat Sciver-Brunt (c) c H Kaur

b Shree Charani 38

Sophia Dunkley c Sharma

b Shree Charani 15

Emma Lamb c Mandhana

b Sharma 11

Alice Capsey c Deol

b Sharma 2

Charlie Dean not out 19

Sophie Ecclestone run out

(Mandhana/†Ghosh) 3

Linsey Smith not out 0

Extras (lb 4, nb 1, w 8) 13

Total 50 Ov (RR: 5.76) 288/8

Did not bat: Lauren Bell

Fall of wickets: 1-73 (Tammy Beaumont, 15.6 ov), 2-98 (Amy Jones, 21.1 ov), 3-211 (Nat Sciver-Brunt, 38.5 ov), 4-249 (Heather Knight, 44.3 ov), 5-254 (Sophia Dunkley, 45.5 ov), 6-257 (Alice Capsey, 46.3 ov), 7-276 (Emma Lamb, 48.5 ov), 8-280 (Sophie Ecclestone, 49.4 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Renuka Singh 8-0-37-0

Kranti Gaud 8-0-46-0

Sneh Rana 10-0-56-0

Shree Charani 10-0-68-2

b Bell 6

Smriti Mandhana c Capsey b Smith 88

Harleen Deol lbw b Dean 24

Harmanpreet Kaur (c)

Marsh secures 7-wicket canter after Starc, Hazlewood set game up

Mitchell Marsh spoiled counterpart Shubman Gill’s One-Day International (ODI) captaincy debut after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggled in their much-anticipated comeback to international cricket.

On a damp day at Optus Stadium, the series-opening ODI was reduced to 26 overs per side with India making 136 for 9, after a series of rain delays frustrated the crowd of 42,423, having slumped to 45 for 4 against impressive new-ball bowling, particularly from Josh Hazlewood.

The weather did improve later in the day as Marsh’s unbeaten 46 off 52 balls powered Australia past their revised target of 131 runs in

(c) c †Philippe

b Ellis 10

Virat Kohli c

Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Rohit

Sharma, 3.4 ov), 2-21 (Virat Kohli, 6.1 ov), 3-25 (Shubman Gill, 8.1 ov), 4-45 (Shreyas Iyer, 13.2 ov), 5-84 (Axar Patel, 19.6 ov), 6-115 (Washington Sundar, 23.3 ov), 7-121 (KL Rahul, 24.3 ov), 8-123 (Harshit Rana, 24.6 ov), 9-124 (Arshdeep Singh, 25.2 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Mitchell Starc 6-1-22-1

the 22nd over. ODI debutant Matt Renshaw finished 21 not out – almost nine years after he made his Test debut.

There was an expectation that Marsh and fellow opener Travis Head would come out aggressively, but batting was not easy in seaming conditions under lights. Head’s recent patchy form continued after slashing leftarm quick Arshdeep Singh straight to deep third, raising India’s hopes.

Marsh played against type initially, scoring just a couple of singles off his first nine deliveries, until muscling Arshdeep for six over the leg-side. With his eye in, he took the aerial route to good effect and was in total command apart from copping

Short unable to make the most of his chance at number three, tamely succumbing on 8 to left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who was the standout performer for India with a strong all-round effort.

Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe did grab his opportunity with a rollicking 37 from 29 balls in his return to the ODI team after four years having earlier performed well with the gloves.

It was a disappointing ODI return for India since their Champions Trophy triumph in March. Their batting order was not helped by numerous rain delays as the covers were used for the first time at Optus Stadium since the ground opened in 2018.

death with Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc bowled out, and ODI debutant Mitchell Owen also claimed two wickets.

With menacing clouds forming above, a rarity for cricket games in usually sunbaked Perth, Marsh had no hesitation to bowl despite very little grass on the surface.

Kohli has particularly fond memories of Optus Stadium having produced one of his greatest Test tons on the ground in 2018 and he also made his final Test century there last year.

Having shown no signs of rust during India’s net session ahead of the match, Kohli was pinned down by the accuracy of Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood 7-2-20-2

Nathan Ellis 5-1-29-1

Mitchell Owen 3-0-20-2

Matthew Kuhnemann 4-0-26-2

Matthew Short 1-0-17-0

Australia (T: 131 runs from 26 ovs)

Mitchell Marsh (c) not out 46

Travis Head c Harshit Rana b Arshdeep Singh 8

Matthew Short c Sharma b Patel 8

Josh Philippe † c Arshdeep Singh b Washington Sundar 37

Matt Renshaw not out

Extras (lb 3, w 8) 11

Total 21.1 Ov (RR: 6.18) 131/3

Did not bat: Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Travis Head, 1.2 ov), 2-44 (Matthew Short, 7.5 ov), 3-99 (Josh Philippe, 15.2 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Mohammed Siraj 4-1-21-0

Arshdeep Singh 5-0-31-1

Harshit Rana 4-0-27-0

Axar Patel 4-0-19-1

Nitish Kumar Reddy 2.1-0-16-0

Washington Sundar 2-0-14-1

During the brief passages of play, their top order struggled to handle the backof-a-length bowling from Australia’s trio of quicks. Much to the disappointment of the many fans wearing blue shirts in the terraces, Rohit made a scratchy 8 while Kohli fared even worse after falling for an eight-ball duck.

Hazlewood utilised the bouncy conditions to menacing effect, bowling 35 dot balls in his brilliant spell of 2 for 20 from seven overs.

Left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann, who was required to oper

and Starc, who suckered him into a drive to catch the outside edge that was brilliantly caught at backward point by Cooper Connolly.

In likely his last game in Perth, Kohli received a standing ovation from some fans on his way to the sheds as India slumped further after Rohit had earlier been deceived by Hazlewood’s sharp bounce and nicked to second slip.

A lean-looking Rohit had showed off his fitness with a quick single to get off the mark. However, other than a gorgeous straight drive, he looked sluggish much like his struggles in recent days

on home soil.

The pressure fell on Gill and hopes were high that he could replicate his outstanding start to his Test captaincy, which has yielded five tons from 13 innings.

Less than a week after leading India in their Test win over West Indies, Gill showed trademark class to punch a boundary down the ground off Hazlewood before having to fight hard against probing newball bowling.

Having seen off Starc, Gill’s debut captaincy knock ended with a whimper on 10 after he tickled down the leg side to gift Nathan Ellis a first-ball wicket. India were probably relieved by the persistent drizzle and for the first time since 1983 an ODI in Perth was shortened owing to rain.

During a brief resumption, Shreyas Iyer gloved a well-directed short delivery from Hazlewood to the alert Philippe to leave India 45 for 4.

Further rain delays truncated the overs as Axar and KL Rahul on resumption had no choice but to stand and deliver. The pro-India crowd, muted for much of the day, suddenly came alive until Axar holed out to hand Kuhnemann his first wicket

Despite consecutive sixes from Rahul, India fell away at the back end other than a very late flourish from Nitish Reddy in his ODI debut, but it proved not nearly enough.

(ESPNcricinfo)

West Indies will be hoping to bounce back on the morning of Tuesday, October 21 when the second One-Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh bowls off at 03:30h local time.

Shai Hope and his men were rolled over by 74 runs by the hosts after a familiar batting meltdown against spin.

Captain Hope said it was important for his side to put this performance behind them and bounce back in the three-match ODI series.

“Yeah, it was a tough one. We understood the challenges, especially as a batter on that surface. But yeah, we’ve got to put this one behind us as quickly as we can. We’ve got two days to turn around, take all the learnings from this one, see the importance of our spinners to be a lot more consistent.”

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain was the chief destroyer as he claimed 6-35 from nine overs against the West Indies. Hope credited Bangladesh for bowling well, especially in the middle phase of the game.

“They bowled really well in that mid-

dle period and, you know, stopped the flow of runs for a period of time. But yeah, just got to take the learnings from this one and come back stronger for the next game. But

to be fair, on a surface like that, you’re never really in. So, I thought the start that we had was a very commendable one, especially, you know, trying to chase down a score

of 200.”

“It’s very important as an opening pair to set the tone and they did just that. We just needed to continue along that vein in the middle period there, especially when you want to build that foundation and make it easy work in the back end. But like I said before, we’ve got to take the learnings from this one and, in two days’ time, try to turn things around for the next game hopefully on a pitch that’s a little more conducive, one you can understand and read more.”

With the turnaround time being quick, West Indies will be hoping to adapt fast.

“I don’t think it’s going to change much, to be fair, but we’ve got to just assess and adapt as quickly as we can for the next game and find ways to beat Bangladesh and level the series. That’s the way to go,” Hope said after the first ODI.

After the second ODI on Tuesday, West Indies and Bangladesh will play the final ODI on Thursday, October 23. The teams will then play three T20 Internationals (T20Is) following the ODI series.

Women’s Division One League…

Leonora, Redeemer stun opponents as Pee-Wee football intensifies GDF run riot against Monedderlust, Western needle River’s View

Leonora and Redeemer Primary Schools both pulled off heists on Saturday afternoon, ousting last year’s finalists Marian Academy and Santa Rosa Primary from the Courts Optical Pee-Wee Under-11 Schools football tournament.

Redeemer Primary were the ones to remove the defending champions Santa Rosa Primary from the competition in a heart-thumping 1-0 battle. Elijah Naughton’s 23rd minute stunner made the difference between the Georgetown and Region One teams.

On the other hand, 2024 runners-up Marian Academy came in for a 6-0 thumping at the hands of Leonora Primary. Both Adrian Harry (8th, 28th) and Jhonathan Melvin (10th, 16th) registered braces in the contest while one goal each came off the boots of Colbert Baird (35th) and Chrison Austin (37th).

The day’s action began with a narrow 2-1 victory for St Pius Primary over Potaro Primary. Marcus Harris opened the scoring for St Pius early in the second minute while Roy Cossau made it a 2-0 game in the 11th. Marek Timmerman netted Potaro’s consolation in the 25th minute, but it was a little too late for them to pull off the comeback.

A brace off the boots of Neymar Edwards in the 15th and 21st minutes got St John the Baptist Primary past Stella Maris Primary by the same margin. Joshua Haratio found Stella Maris’s consolation in the 17th minute.

When the battle between Agatash and North Georgetown Primary bore no fruit, the decider went down to penalty kicks, where Agatash prevailed 3-2.

Another game was also de-

cided on penalty kicks; that was the battle between St

Zyron Austin had broken the ice in the 2nd minute and

Gabriel’s Primary and Charity Primary. While St Gabriel’s came out on top 3-1 on penalty kicks; earlier Jalen Simon (6th) and Zion Hickerson (9th) had St Gabriel’s in the lead before Troy Boston’s brace in the 12th and 26th minutes levelled the scores. West Ruimveldt cruised into the quarter-finals with a 5-0 victory over St Theresa’s Primary.

Jaseen Paris (5th, 32nd, 36th) registered a brace while

Ceon Rajkumar added another in the 30th.

Tucville Primary also made their way into the next round on the back of a 1-0 victory over Georgetown International Academy. Dominic Dickson hit the match- winner in the 36th minute. The Under-11 Primary Schools’ football action will continue this Saturday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Women’s football team’s goal fest in the ongoing Women’s Division One League continued on Friday night when the League leaders blasted 32 unanswered goals past Monedderlust FC at the

lady for the soldiers, finding the back of the net eight times in the 6th, 9th, 20th, 25th, 34th, 39th, 41st and 41st minutes. Glendy Lewis secured six goals in the 18th, 21st, 23rd, 27th, 28th and 43rd minutes. Both Shenessa Cornelius (3rd,

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Once again, Sandra Johnson was the leading

7th, 18th, 29th) and Niomie Williams (11th, 13th, 22nd, 27th) both registered four goals each.

Also adding their names to the scoresheet were

Glengie Lewis (8th, 38th), Deena Fredericks (16th), Anastasia Horsham (32nd, 51st), Rosa Ross (38th, 58th), Akeelah Vancooten (45th), Abioce Heywood (52nd) and Sarena Johnson (59th). In complete contrast, one goal separated the teams in the following contest as Western Tigers and River’s View FC clashed.

Marrissa Frank’s 31st-minute strike into the right top-corner of the goal made the difference for Western Tigers following a goalless first half between the two teams.

The Women’s Division One League will continue on Wednesday, October 22 at the same venue. At 18:00h, GDF’s Women will take on Ann’s Grove United while at 19:30h, Western Tigers will hunt another win against Mainstay Goldstar FC.

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

Historic! Rosanna Fung captures IFBB World Championship

Guyana’s Rosanna Fung, on Sunday, etched her name in history with a stellar performance in the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) World Championship, Binous Classic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Fung strutted her stuff in the Wellness category for a gold medal, the first time that any Guyanese athlete has done so at a World Championships.

President Dr Irfaan Ali was among the first to congratulate the Guyanese bodybuilder in a statement on his social media page.

The Head of State wrote, “Heartiest congratulations to Rosanna Fung on making history for Guyana by winning the IFBB World Championship title at the prestigious Binous Classic in Dubai.

“With this extraordinary victory in the Wellness category, Rosanna has become the

Inter-County Super50…

first athlete in Guyana’s history to capture a World Championship title in bodybuilding –a monumental achievement that fills our entire nation with pride.

“Competing against top international athletes on one of the largest and most respected bodybuilding stages in the Middle East, Rosanna delivered a truly world-class performance. Her dedication, discipline, and unrelenting pursuit of excellence have showcased the very best of Guyana on the global stage.

“Rosanna’s triumph is more than a personal victory – it is a symbol of national pride, a milestone in Guyana’s growing presence in global fitness and bodybuilding, and an inspiration to athletes across the Caribbean and beyond. She has shown that Guyanese talent can rise to the very top of the world.

“Congratulations, Rosanna Fung –Guyana’s World Champion!”

Dindyal’s half-century sends Demerara into final

Anervy knock, in tense conditions, from Mavendra Dindyal was just what the doctor ordered for defending champions Demerara, who on Sunday ensured they would head to the final to defend their crown next Saturday, after a four-wicket victory over Berbice.

The occasion was the final preliminary match of the 2025 Queensway Senior Inter-County Super50 tournament hosted at the Number 69 Ground in Berbice, where stakes were high, warranting the return of several international stars to their respective county teams.

The hosts won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision which immediately went sour when they lost Junior Sinclair for 3 to Ashmead Nedd at 4-1. Nedd struck again shortly after to remove skipper Kevlon Anderson without scoring, leaving Berbice reeling at 6-2.

Berbice found themselves 23-3 soon after, as Tommani Chester also went cheaply to Richie Looknauth.

Kevin Sinclair (17) and Shimron Hetmyer (16) offered brief resistance, but neither was able to convert starts, both falling to tight spells, Sinclair caught behind off Chanderpaul Ramraj and Hetmyer caught behind off Looknauth. Their dismissals at 31-4 and 47-5 left Berbice teetering.

A 44-run stand for the sixth wicket between young all-rounder Zeynul Ramsammy (39) and Garfield Benjamin (22) became Berbice’s solace. Clinton Pestano later produced a hope-raising 29, but Demerara Captain Matthew Nandu and teenage all-rounder Jonathan Van Lange threw their hats in the ring to help Looknauth clean up Berbice’s tail for 162 in 47.4 overs. Looknauth was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4-31

from 10 overs while Nedd and Ramraj had two scalps each.

Though the chase seemed like an easy one, Berbice’s bowlers made a game of it, taking Demerara down to the 46th over.

Like their opponents, Demerara’s start was also unsteady, slipping to 30 for 2 inside the first 13 overs after losing openers Nandu (13) and Ushardeva Balgobin (15) in quick succession. Raymond Perez (5) and Captain Tevin Imlach (15) did not last much longer, reducing the defending champions to 63-4.

With wickets falling around him, Dindyal kept a cool head and a steady hand. After Demerara lost their seventh wicket, Dindyal finally found a worthy partner in fellow Windies U19 player Van Lange for an unbeaten 63-run match-winning partnership.

Dindyal anchored the innings with a patient and responsible knock of 61 not out off 88 balls, decorated with two fours and two sixes. At the other end, Van Lange pitched in with 32* off 37 deliveries, as Demerara reached 166-7 in 46 overs.

For Berbice, Junior Sinclair claimed 3 for 48 from 10 overs, while Veerasammy Permaul bowled a typically economical spell, taking 2 for 15 from 10 overs. Omesh Mathura and Kevin Sinclair each picked up a solitary wicket.

The Queensway Senior Inter-County Super50 tournament is set to conclude next Sunday at a yet-to-be- confirmed venue with a rematch of last year’s final, featuring Demerara and Berbice, in what promises to be an exhilarating clash.