New Zealand completed a historic first Test series victory in India with a 113-run win in the second Test that ended the hosts’ 12-year unbeaten streak.
The triumph in Pune gives the Black Caps an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and ends India’s remarkable run of 18 consecutive home series wins since Alastair Cook’s England clinched a famous 2-1 triumph in December 2012.
After New Zealand were bowled out for 255 on the third morning, India were set 359 to win and maintain their proud unbeaten home record.
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s half-century gave them hope but that was soon extinguished by Mitchell Santner, who took 6-104 to finish with 13 wickets in the match.
India were eventually bowled out for 245 in the evening session.
“Every time you take wickets, you get a little more confident,” said Santner, who had never taken a Test five-for before this match.
“I felt that. Every time I got a wicket, it got a little better.”
The hosts had made a rapid start thanks to Jaiswal’s quickfire 77, but, having taken seven wickets in the first innings, Santner began to work his magic again.
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Jaiswal all fell to the left-arm spinner before Santner ran out Rishabh Pant and he proceeded to claim the key wicket of Virat Kohli as India collapsed to 147-5.
“It is a collective failure,” said India captain Rohit. “The team has failed to accept the challenge thrown at us.”
There was some resistance from Ravindra Jadeja but the all-rounder was the last man out for 42, leaving New Zealand to celebrate a comprehensive, famous victory. (BBC)
England were spun to a feeble defeat before lunch on the third day of the final Test in Rawalpindi to give resurgent Pakistan a 2-1 series win.
The tourists were again dissected by Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, spiralling to 112 all out, their lowest ever total in Pakistan.
From 24-3 overnight, Harry Brook and Joe Root began with confidence, only for Brook’s edge off Noman to start an England capitulation of seven wickets for 46 runs.
Ben Stokes’ brain fade to play no shot and be lbw to Noman, followed by Jamie Smith’s wild charge at Sajid were particularly ugly. Root’s departure for 33, edging Noman, ended England’s slim hopes.
The introduction of Noman and Sajid after Pakistan lost the first Test changed the complexion of the series and once more they shared all 10 wickets. Left-armer Noman ended with 6-42 and Sajid 4-69, the latter with 11 in the match.
It left Pakistan a target of just 36, a victory by nine wickets securing their first home series win in almost four years.
The turnaround vindicated a pivot in strategy to dry pitches, unleashing the brilliance of Noman and Sajid.
For England, there was no repeat of their series win here two years ago. Instead, a third Test loss in four matches and seventh overall in 2024 sealed only a second series defeat under Stokes’ captaincy.
There is a short turnaround to their next Test series, in New Zealand at the end of November, while an almost entirely different squad begins a white-ball series in the West Indies next week. (BBC)
The National Zoological Park and the Botanical Gardens are set to undergo massive transformation, and preliminary plans include emphasis on wildlife conservation, and a drive to educate the public on Guyana’s biodiversity.
These upgrades are aimed at crafting a more immersive and enjoyable experience for visitors.
Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo
This was revealed during a public consultation held on Friday at the Botanical Gardens, hosted by Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. The three-hour-session brought Guyanese out in their numbers for scintillating discussions on the future of the beloved green space and the zoo.
Advisor to the Protected Areas Commission, Damian Fernandes, unveiled the initial plans for the transformative project.
These plans include a new vehicle entrance and green parking areas, designated spaces to showcase the uses of various flora and fauna, an education and orientation plaza incorporating indigenous features, and a wildlife conservation and education centre.
Fernandes explained that wildlife conservation would be a key feature of the zoo’s new design. He emphasised that the animals are not removed directly from the wild. Rather, the zoo provides a safe haven for creatures that could no longer survive in their natural habitats, including those previously kept as pets or mistreated.
Spaces would also be designated to educate visitors on the various animals that form part of Guyana’s rich biodiversity.
For the Botanical Gardens, the government is considering a model that tells the captivating story of Guyana’s landscape, from the lush rainforests to the expansive savannahs and wetlands, bringing a taste of the richness of Guyana’s geographical scenery to the gardens.
This immersive experience can be further inculcated with nature-inspired infrastructure like suspension bridges and canopy walkways, as well as an electrical tram system for greater mobility.
In brief remarks, Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said that the project forms part of the government’s expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030).
This expanded version now encompasses biodiversity protection, water management, the maritime economy, climate adaptation and the energy transition.
“Since then, we have been busily engaged in rolling out the plans in great detail for each of these sectors. This is the macro vision,” VP Jagdeo said.
He outlined the various strides that the government has made in this regard, pointing to the carbon credits agreement, the landmark Gas to Energy project and major investments in drainage and irrigation, to name a few.
Hence, VP Jagdeo said, the enhancement of the zoo and Botanical Gardens is not a standalone venture.
“We have to ensure that our children…can experience the beauty of our country here. That is why a lot of facilities in here would be focused on teaching and familiarisation and also a safe space for our children and families to come in and enjoy what we have as a country,” he explained.
Attendees expressed excitement and anticipation at the government’s vision, and took the opportunity to seek clarification and offer their own suggestions.
The discussion sparked a flurry of innovative ideas, including advanced surveillance, inclusive design for people with disabilities, dedicated aquatic life zones, interactive children’s experiences, and the potential use of artificial intelligence.
VP Jagdeo underscored that the plans presented are preliminary, and the government will take these suggestions into consideration, with the aim of incorporating them into the decision-making processes.
“We have not agreed on the final look of the project as yet,” he explained.
Given the significant number of suggestions, an online forum will be established to facilitate further input and discussion (Republished from the Department of Public Information)
The Government of Guyana has supported over 35 Mandirs and youth groups countrywide towards their participation in the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s grand Diwali Motorcade on October 30th.
The Diwali Motorcade, a major event on Guyana’s national and tourism calendar, is synonymous with the celebration of Diwali in Guyana.
The Motorcade attracts tens of thousands of Guyanese and visitors along the route and at the final venue annually.
The floats have gotten more creative and extravagant each year and reflect the excellence of Guyanese creativity and innovation.
The government is proud to support the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Guyana’s largest Hindu organistation, for this iconic event, spanning several decades that is much loved and anticipated by Guyanese and international tourists from all cultures.
The 2024 Diwali motorcades are being held countrywide as the Dharmic Sabha celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The Sabha will also host Motorcades in all its Praants countrywide: Essequibo on October 25th at the Anna Regina Car Park; East Bank Demerara and West Coast Demerara on October 26th at the Diamond Market Tarmac and Oceanview Mandir Compound respectively; and four motorcades in Berbice on October 27th at the Bath Community Centre Ground, Rose Hall Ground, Port Mourant Community Centre Ground and Tagore Ground.
The final grand motorcade will be on Wednesday October 30th and will see the largest number of floats in the motorcade’s rich history coming from Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice.
The floats will assemble at the Shri Krishna Mandir in Campbelville from 5:30pm and will leave at 6:30pm via its traditional route along Sandy Babb Street for Vlissengen Road and then along the Seawall to the LBI Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara.
The LBI Community Centre Ground will be the site for a spectacular cultural programme and presentation of prizes starting at 7pm.
Outstanding Indian singer Nachiket Lele of Indian Idol and Saregama fame will join Ben Parag as the headline acts for the event.
There will also be performances by outstanding Guyanese artistes Vishale Samlall, Bunty Singh, Suraj Singh, Sookrane Boodhoo, Rekha Ranglall, Elizabeth Wong, Dharmic Nritya Sangh, Berbice Delights and Shakti Strings Band along with little Katelin Sultan of Trinidad and Tobago.
Millions of dollars in prizes and trophies will be presented to all participating floats.
A total of 1,502 teachers graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) on Friday and will be heading back to their respective villages and communities across the country.
The graduates included several pairs of mothers and daughters and at least one husband and wife.
It is the second largest batch of teachers to graduate in Guyana, with a ratio of 86 percent female to 14 percent male.
CPCE Graduates: Husband and wife from Haimacabra Primary, Nathan Benjamin and Viola Benjamin.
At the ceremony, held at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara, teachers from all walks of life were decked out, eager to collect their certificates, and especially happy to hear an announcement that they will all be hired as of October 1.
Leslie Thompson of Mabaruma, Region One, is heading back to the Hobediah Primary, located up in the Aruka River, and couldn’t be happier that he’s reached this point of graduation.
Of course, like many other teachers, reaching this point did not come without its challenges. For Leslie, access to the internet and having to travel each week were two of the biggest hurdles he had to cope with.
“One of the biggest challenges I had was internet connection. In those hinterland areas, connectivity is a major issue. Also, traveling out of the riverain areas to central Mabaruma to do classes on the weekends; that was a bit tiring,” he told the News Room.
For Parmeshwar Harrylall, of the Vreed-en-Hoop Centre in Region Three, making full use of the technology available helped him with his studies, along with effective teamwork. “Tertiary education is mostly dependent on teamwork; we work as groups, study as groups and that would help us to get through successfully.”
Education Minister Priya Manickchand pointed out how this trained batch of teachers will significantly help to bring down the ratio of trained teachers to pupils.
CPCE Graduates: Siblings Romaul and his sister Shania From Essequibo with their mother Samantha at Friday’s CPCE graduation.
As just one example, she disclosed that in 2023, there were 9,762 learners in Region One with 208 trained teachers, which meant a class size of about 50.
With 88 more trained teachers going to the region now, the class size is expected to be around 32 pupils to one trained teacher and can be reduced further by next year.
“The whole idea of training was not to say as a big headline, ‘We’re training many.’ It was to reduce the class sizes…and it was to make sure we have a higher quality in the classroom,” Manickchand said.
The legal action, filed earlier this month, named several respondents, including the Attorney General, Ministry of Home Affairs, Police Service Commission, Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken, and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
On Friday, The Attorney General’s Chambers received correspondence – a notice of withdrawal and discontinuance – notifying that Brutus has withdrawn the proceedings against the respondents.
Five months after gold miner and former policeman Delon Alexander went missing, police now believe he was in fact abducted along the Church of God Road in Buxton, East Coast Demerara, on May 7, 2024.
Police have issued wanted bulletins for two suspects; 28-year-old Kevral Hatton, also known as “Smokey,” from Lot 36 Vigilance, and 42-year-old Mark Cromwell, known as “Demon” and “Diamond,” from Lot 40 Vigilance and Lot 10 Buxton.
On the morning of his disappearance, Alexander left his home to purchase building supplies at Best Buy at Strathspey, East Coast Demerara.
Afterward, he reportedly boarded a bus to Benjamin’s Bakery in Buxton. He has not been heard from since.
Alexander is a former policeman who was caught trafficking a large quantity of marijuana in 2018.
The ExxonMobil Futsal Championship, organized by New Era Entertainment, is set to kick off tonight at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden.
The competition promises high stakes, with the champion team set to take home an impressive prize of GYD $1 million.
The runners-up will receive $500,000, while the third and fourth-place teams will pocket $200,000 and $100,000, respectively.
In addition to team prizes, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) will be rewarded with a brand-new motorcycle, generously provided by Cevon’s Waste Management.
This year’s tournament will see 20 teams competing in a thrilling round-robin format. The preliminary matches will take place on October 26, November 1, 2, 8, and 9.
The quarterfinals are slated for November 13, followed by the semifinals on November 16, and the grand final on November 23, where the top teams will battle for the championship.
As part of the tournament rules, each team is allowed to field one guest player from outside of Linden, ensuring a focus on local talent and community engagement, which are core values of the event.
To assist with their preparations, each participating team will receive a cash incentive of GYD $20,000 after the march-past ceremony.
The Guyana Tennis Association (GTA), supported by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), has sent coach Kalyca Fraser to the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP) at the University of Delaware.
This programme aims to develop national-level coaches in various areas, including sport science, talent identification, athlete development, coaching education, and coaching management.
Fraser’s participation is part of the GOA’s strategy to maximize the benefits of Olympic Solidarity grants and enhance the development of coaching expertise in Guyana.
Fraser’s training involves working closely with experienced lecturers and coaches at the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Center.
She is gaining valuable insights into coaching methodologies, strength and conditioning, leadership, and mental performance.
Upon her return, Fraser is expected to apply her newly acquired knowledge and skills to elevate the level of tennis coaching in Guyana.
The GTA aims to use this opportunity to strengthen its coaching programs and support the development of young tennis players.
This initiative reflects the GOA’s commitment to investing in the future of Guyanese sports and ensuring that athletes have access to world-class training and development opportunities.
Spending on the water sector this year alone is double what the former APNU/AFC Coalition spent for their entire five-year term, General Secretary of the ruling PPP, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said Thursday.
Total allocations in the water sector from 2015 to 2020, that is, the years of Coalition governance, amounted to $10.8 billion. Comparatively, Jagdeo said the PPP/C government allocated $21 billion in the sector in 2024 alone.
Pushing back against comments that the PPP/C government can increase its spending because of the inflows of oil revenues, Jagdeo reminded reporters that only about 30 per cent of the 20024 National Budget is funded by oil money.
He, however, posited that the PPP/C is better at managing the economy.
Jagdeo, who also serves as the country’s Vice President, said thousands of people are benefitting from the investments now.
He noted that capital expenditures for the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) increased massively since the party has been back in government.
“So, in one year, we are investing in GWI, twice as much as APNU invested…,” Jagdeo said at his weekly press conference.
Further disaggregating the expenditures, he pointed out that $2.1 billion was invested by the coalition government to improve the water supply on the coast. This year, he said, spending on improving the coastal water supply is more than $14 billion.
Similar increased investments were made to improve water supply in the hinterland.
The huge allocations in the water sector are for the construction of new water plants (14 new ones will be constructed, with 12 contracts already awarded), Jagdeo said. And he noted that an additional 181,000 people will benefit from treated water in Guyana.
Other water plants are being rehabilitated while iron removal plants are being constructed in several villages across the coast, so more people will get a better quality of water.
Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo 100vw, 1280px”><figcaption class=)
CPCE Graduates: Husband and wife from Haimacabra Primary, Nathan Benjamin and Viola Benjamin. 100vw, 720px”><figcaption class=)
CPCE Graduates: Siblings Romaul and his sister Shania From Essequibo with their mother Samantha at Friday’s CPCE graduation.
