Kaieteur News

50,000 Gaza children require urgent treatment for malnutrition: UN

Mother questions daughter’s brain tumor diagnosis after autopsy reveals she died of cerebral cyst

Guyana to pay off ExxonM for investments sooner than anticipated - Jagdeo Man, 65, shot in execution attempt Man shoots brother at Port Kaituma Backdam Mechanic electrocuted while operating crane

U.S. takes action against Guyanese

for alleged tax evasion but silent on looting of Guyana’s

by foreign companies

Check Exxon’s inflated expenses! -UNRWAwarnspeopleinGazaface‘catastrophic’levels ofhungerbecauseofIsraelirestrictionsonhumanitarianaid

DeAndre Liverpool

U.S. takes action against Guyanese for alleged tax evasion but silent on looting of Guyana’s resources by foreign companies-GlennLall

Publisherofthe Kaieteur News and businessman

Glenn Lall on Friday questioned the move by the UnitedStatesDepartmentof Treasury to sanction two Guyanese businessmen for alleged tax evasion relative togoldsmugglinginGuyana but the said agency is silent on the looting of the country’s resources by foreign companies, including U.S. oil giant, and operator of the lucrative S t a b r o e k B l o c k ExxonMobil.

“Yuhdon’thearthesame conversations about the US billions,notUSmillions,but US billions that is being lootedoutofthiscountryby the foreigners, year go year come. NO,thatisoflittleor noconcerntoGuyaneseand theUSGovt.Theforeigners can drain the country’s economy, loot our wealth in theUSbillions,andtakeitall outofthecountry Yet,thisis notthehottesttopicintown, in fact, there is a wall of silence right across this country on that,” Lall said during his tri-weekly

programme aired on KaieteurRadio.

The Department of the

Treasury’sOfficeofForeign Assets Control (OFAC) on Tuesday said that it is targeting what has been described as a corruption networkinGuyana.

According to statement issued via its website, the OFAC has sanctioned membersofoneofGuyana’s wealthiest families, Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, their companies, Mohamed’s Enterprise,andHadi’sWorld and Team Mohamed’s RacingTeam.

Additionally, OFAC

Secretary,(PS)MaeThomas whose US visa was evoked last year after she was intercepted, questioned and her phone seized while intransiting in the United States. SincetheofficialUS sanction, she was sent on leavewithimmediateeffect.

The Mohameds are accused of tax evasion relative to gold declarations amountingtosomeUS$50M as well as bribery of state officials.

Mr Lall on his radio programme said that since the statement by the OFAC,

Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall

the issue of gold smuggling, corruption and tax evasion bytheMohamedshasbeena consistent topic in conversations across the country

The businessman pointed to the allegations against the Mohameds promptedthegovernmentto host a press conference whichwasdominatedbythe subject. This is said is quite

US$1,500,000,000 in taxes.

Where are your voices, the US Govt. statement, and where is Jagdeo’s voice or a Press Conference on that?

Please uncle, I don’t want none of you to believe I am condoning cheating and corruption, if a man cheats, breaksthelaw,thelawmust take its course, but when a foreigner can be granted permission to cheat a countrylegally,thenthatisa crime beyond the Guyanese cheatingtaxes,”Lallsaid.

unlike the attention given to ExxonMobil and other foreign companies that are looting the country’s resources, thereby cheating the country and its citizens outofUSbillionsintaxes.

“Last year alone, ExxonMobil legally cheated Guyana over US$1.5B in t a x e s t h a t i s

US$1,500,000,000 not U S $ 5 0 M b u t

The Kaieteur News publisher questioned the silence of the U.S. on the auditors being prevented from accessing the raw production data being recordedbyExxonMobil.

“Isn’t that a crime way beyond a mere US$50M evasion of taxes? A govt. sentintheirauditorstocheck the books, the records fuh [to]seehowmuchoilExxon pump and ExxonMobil telling the auditors get out

from here, this is not your business,”heremarked.

Mr Lall lamented that theaforementionedsituation isclearlybeingignored.

“Thisisnotatopicinthe rum shops, not a discussion in the speed boats, in the churches,inourParliament, or even in the Office of the President, or in the Opposition camp Eh eh, thatisnotevendiscussedon theRadioandTVstationsor on Social Media platforms. But Guyanese cheating taxes on gold shipments, is thecrimeofthecenturyfuh [for] them. Every day ExxonMobilpumpsoil,this country is hemorrhaging because none of us knows the exact amount being pumped and shipped out And guess what uncle, only GlennLallandthe Kaieteur News talking about this Why man? Wait is only we concerned about Guyana and its future, okay, I hear you,”heremarked

Kaieteur News

Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Guyanese fathers, oil godfathers, and fathers of the nation

ItisFather’sDay,andthesonsanddaughtersofGuyana should be paying homage, joyful in giving their love and respect,tothosetheyholdhigh. HappyFather’sDaytoall Guyanese men. A blessed Father’s Day to all those Guyanese women, who are caring mothers for their children, and fathers, too. On this 2024 Father’s Day, whereareGuyaneseasapeople,aschildrenofthissoil,as the offspring of those who hold some paternal responsibilitiesintheirhands?

TherearefathersinGuyanatoday,fartoomanyofthem, whoareinagony,liveinshame,becausetheyareunableto provide a comfortable living for their families, especially theirchildren. Intherichestcountrypercapitaintheworld, this is the reality of many Guyanese fathers on Father’s Day Theyworkhard,theyloveconstantly,yettheirbestis oftennotgoodenough.

The shortages are most depressing: basic food items thatcan’tbehad,becausetheycan’tbeafforded.

If food is a problem, then the monthly financial obligationsandothernecessitiesforawholesomelifeneed notbementioned. Forthosearealsoalosingproposition, onewherethereisalwaysstrugglingtocatchup,ratherthan fallingbehindintheraceoflife,withthelocalcostofliving apunishingreality

When fathers are this shorthanded, not through deficiencyinenergyorhonesty,thenFather’sDaybecomes a trying occasion. Still, Guyanese have proved to be resilientpeople,anditisthatfocusandwisdomthatcarries themforward. Guyaneseshouldnotbestretchedthisthin, beforcedtodigthisdeep,asamatterofdailysurvivalina richoilproducingcountry,oneoftherichest.

Therearethosewhocanmakeadifference,ifonlythey weretosearchforthecouragetogetmorefromthenational patrimonies. They are the present political fathers of this nation, the oil godfathers of today, who have been gifted what none of their predecessors ever had in their time, in their hands. Guyanese have wealth like never before, wealththattheworldcan’tstoptalkingabout. Butwhich many of this country’s children read about in the newspapers,seeandhearfromthetelevision,andthatisthe sumoftheirexperiencewiththerichesthattheyown. The kindoflifethatshouldnothavereachedthem.

Their place and prestige among their peers, a thing of longing. The political fathers of today, the oil godfathers are more like absentee fathers. ExxonMobil has them in jail,andthosewhoarenotimprisoned,havetakenflight,or are as good as mentally dead. Said differently, they abandon the wisdom they are known to have, neglect the strengthsthataretheirs,andpartnerwiththosewhoexploit thechildrenofGuyana.

In some respects, even the cruelest of stepfathers are betterthanGuyanesepoliticalfathers,whoareinadarkand dangerous league of their own. The irony that savages is that the political fathers who should be fighting for what benefits the children of Guyana, those here and those to come,arefightingagainsttheirown,andsellingtheminto generationalslavery

ThemothersofGuyanagropeforawayouttheirdark times. Itisaseasonofconstantstrugglewhentheyandthe fathers of their children are so strapped that making it throughthedayisalong,hard,uphillbattle.

On this Father’s Day, a day that is about loving and cherishingthosewhoaresuchanintegralpartoffamilylife, we should not be talking about these realities, bringing thesethingstotheforefront.

Butifwedon’t,thenwhowould? Whenwelookatthe politicalfathersofthisnation,thosewhoareresponsiblefor protectingtheinterestsofallthechildrenofGuyana,weare left to marvel at the pitiful cowards they have become. Theyrunandhideunderthebed,ratherthanstandandget the best for the children, fight the hard fight for a better Guyana.

Let every day be Father’s Day and Mother’s Day becauseGuyanahasbeengiventhewealthtomakeitso.

Kaieteur

GPL, there are still people around who can understand electricity

DEAREDITOR, I grew up in New Amsterdam in the 1950s, where there were hundreds ofvultures,whichwecalled carrioncrows.Someusedto come home to roost in coconuttreesbetweenwhere I lived and the then NA hospital. They also perched on electric power lines, but not many like the pigeons. I had an electrician uncle working for the BG Electric Company at Canefield, and he never had any problems with those birds on power lines.

I happened to be in New Amsterdam this week and I w a s o n m y f e e t contempla

thunderstorm in progress a

WednesdayJune12,whenat 00:55hrsThursdaymorning, 2 flashes of light a few seconds apart were seen through a partly translucent

roof with 80 solar panels on it. Immediately, there was a blackout in NA and I heard the generators of the businesses near me on the Strand kick in and restore power to th

T

generat

continued working until around 2 pm Thursday Want to know what happened to the building with the solar power? Nothing: the lights did not even blink. The wholesystemwasconnected toacommonground.

Thunderstorms vary in electric field intensity They interact with the earthground system locally, and can severely, but thankfully briefly, distort the electrical ground,whichweuseasthe neutral return for our electricity Idon’tknowhow the powership is grounded, buttherivercanconductthe distorted grounding electricity faster than the

land. This is a far more plausible explanation than birds attacking power wires a t m i d n i g h t i n a thunderstorm. I know that rodentsdothatatallhoursof the day and night; I used to find their dead bodies in electrical panels and conduitsandtookpicturesto show the owners. Perhaps GPL can post pics of the dead vultures; but maybe lightningstruckthem.

That or a similar thunderstormmovedWestto where I live in Georgetown, and I had reports of at least one transformer blowing Intense electric fields, even if not enough to cause lightning can induce momentary over-currents in transformers and cause destruction by insulation breakdown.

Friday night, June 14, afterthescheduledblackout, there was a brownout from

about7to9pmduringwhich I measured between 40 and 70 volts when I should be getting115volts. At 50 volts, I measured my 130-watt fridge using 220 watts and more than 5 amp,whereasitshouldhave beenusinglessthan1.5amp at115volts.

For those who do not understand the figures, this meansthatitwasheatingthe fridge circuits 11 times more, reducing its useful lifetime.

I am using actual o b s e r v a t i o n s a n d measurements in this letter in the hope that the people who understand such things in GPL be aware that there are still people around who can understand electricity And, blackout or no blackout, I beg you, no brownouts.Can’tyouatleast managethat?

AlfredBhulai

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Redundant shop licence requirements at GRA

DEAREDITOR, I am a shop owner for many years. I have been buying shop licence from GRA and here are the documents,Ihavetopresent everyyear:

1.ID**

2.TINCertificate**

3.BusinessRegistration

4.HealthPermit

5.OTCDrugPermit

6.PreviousYearLicence

7.Powerofattorney

8.Transport

Understandably, most of these documents should be required, because they can

The

expireyearly

However, #1 and #2 seems redundant since they won’t change, and GRAhas these records on their computer I’m 100% sure this is a fact; they send me mails to make quarterly tax payments.

Why is it I have to present evidence of these documents when they alreadyhaveit.

These documents are approximately close to 20 pages of paperwork and that’s just from my small business. Imagine now, all

thebusinessesinGuyanaare doing this and some which have more complex documentations.

I can only imagine that mountain of repetitive paperwork that GRA has stockpiledsomewhere.

Itistheseverysmalland simple problems that Guyanahasineachentityof government offices that makes getting simple, routine tasks which would justtakeafewminutesends uptakingdays,andweeks.

Yoursrespectfully,

R.Singh

capabilities of Local Law Enforcement need to be enhanced

DEAREDITOR, How is it that the Americans are able to interdict Guyanese for alleged crimes yet local law enforcement cannot? Is it a lack of resources or lack of training?Isuspectthatitisa combinationofboth.

Clearly,thecapabilitiesof locallawenforcementneedto be enhanced to detect and apprehend suspected criminals Moreresourcesare needed to reduce/stop corruption as well as training to do so It cannot be “business-as-usual”.

Sincerely SeanOri

VP’s ideas of on-line schools and vouchers commendable but require a “readiness” plan

DEAREDITOR, An education colleague asked me what I thought of the VP’s announcement about on-line schools and school vouchers in the future. I said it couldn’t be more brilliant. But the VP also profoundly said teacher attendance and teacher quality are important (See “Govt. mulls giving parents $700,000 voucher to send children to private schools,” KN, June8, 2024; “Gov’t exploring e-schooling, voucher system for private schools in light of strike –Jagdeo,”SN,June8,2024).

In North Carolina where I live, we have about 5 online charter schools that serveeitherK-12studentsor justhighschoolstudents.We also have a “voucher” programme where students are given cash to pay fees when they choose to attend private schools, including schools run by churches. Additionally, we have “Charter Schools” which

have some flexibility in c u r r i c u l u m a n d management Charter Schools are public schools and are populated by students who chose to go there rather than attending the regular public school in theircatchmentarea.

At this time, Guyana maynotbereadyforon-line schools. The internet infrastructure is weak and poor in 9 regions Georgetown and Region 4 dobetterininternetservices.

So, if we introduce on-line schools, 9 regions would be inadequately prepared and there will not be equal access. It will perpetuate more inequalities Our number one problem in education is unequal access, andunequalopportunitiesin theother9regionscompared to Region 4/Georgetown Wearefarawayfromequity or parity Participation in GOALmirrorstheinequities in technology among the regions. So, unless we deal

with the root cause of technology availability, online schools would be a n o t h e r R e g i o n 4/Georgetown thing, as usual There must be a readiness plan for on-line schools that includes widespread technology use now. This is a top priority. For integrating technology in in

,

ry classroom teacher across Guyanashouldbeprovideda computer and a big screen TV, as a minimum. One or two “smart” classrooms in a handful of schools is woefully inadequate in a digital age Government should also consider providing either a computer or a good quality tablet to students to facilitate differentiated instruction, integrating technology in instruction, and engaged learning.Teachershereteach largely through “chalk and talk” and “lecturing.” In the USA,ifyouteachlikethat,it (Continuedonpage06)

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Denying Secret Service protection to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

DEAREDITOR

,

As a journalist deeply invested in the political landscape of the U.S. and U.K., I find it essential to addressthecontroversialand highly debated issue surrounding Robert F Kennedy Jr and his denied request for Secret Service protection. In light of recent events and the significant publicdiscourse,itispivotal

to understand the multifaceted reasons behind this decision, exploring the legal, political, and ethical dimensionsthatunderpinit.

Tobeginwith,thedenialof Secret Service protection to Robert F Kennedy Jr is grounded in established legal precedents and norms The UnitedStatesSecretService,an agency tasked with protecting the nation’s highest officials, operates under stringent guidelines and protocols

According to the Presidential Protection Assistance Act of 1976,SecretServiceprotection is typically afforded to major presidential and vicepresidential candidates within 120daysofageneralelection Kennedy, despite his notable surname and political aspirations, does not meet the criteria that warrant such protectionatthisjuncture

Moreover, Secret Service protection is not an entitlement but a privilege granted based on clear and present threats The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Secret Service conduct rigorous threat assessments todeterminethenecessityof protection. In Kennedy’s case, there has been no substantial evidence of an immediate and credible threat that surpasses the

thresholds set by these agencies To allocate resources otherwise would not only undermine the integrity of the protection system but also divert critical resources from other pressingsecurityneeds.

The decision to deny Kennedy Secret Service protection also carries

significant political implications that warrant careful consideration

Granting protection prematurely or without substantial justification sets a dangerous precedent that could be exploited by other candidates or political figures in the future It is crucial to maintain the integrity of the process, ensuring that protectionisgrantedbasedon objective criteria rather than political pressure or public outcry Historically, candidates who have received Secret Service protection did so under e x t r a o r d i n a r y circumstances. For instance, Barack Obama received protection in May 2007, nearly a year and a half beforethe2008election,due to a notable increase in threats against him In contrast, there has been no similar escalation in threats against Kennedy that would justify deviating from standard protocols

Upholdingthesestandardsis essential to preserving the i m p a r t i a l i t y a n d effectiveness of the Secret Service.

Anothercriticalfactorin this debate is the allocation of limited resources. The SecretServiceoperateswith finite personnel and budgetary constraints. Providing protection to a

candidatewhodoesnotmeet the established criteria would necessitate reallocating resources from other critical areas, potentially compromising the security of those already underprotection.

Furthermore,thelogistical demands of providing Secret Service protection are substantial It involves extensive planning, coordination, and manpower Diverting these resources to Kennedy, absent a clear and presentdanger,wouldnotonly straintheagencybutalsoseta problematic precedent for futureresourceallocation Itis imperative to ensure that the Secret Service can operate efficiently and effectively, focusingitseffortswherethey aremostneeded

Ethical considerations alsoplayapivotalroleinthis decision Granting Secret Service protection to Kennedy based on his familial legacy rather than concretethreatswouldbean affront to the principles of fairness and equality It is essential that all candidates are treated equitably, with protection decisions based solely on objective assessmentsofrisk.

Public perception is another crucial element Providing protection to Kennedycouldbeperceived asfavoritism,erodingpublic trustintheimpartialityofthe Secret Service and the broaderpoliticalsystem.Itis vital to uphold the integrity ofourdemocraticprocesses, ensuring that all candidates are subject to the same standardsandprocedures.

It is also important to acknowledge that personal security measures are

availabletoKennedyoutside ofSecretServiceprotection. Like any public figure, he hasthemeanstohireprivate securitypersonneltoaddress anyperceivedthreats.Many candidates and public figures opt for private security, allowing them to maintain a level of safety without drawing on federal resources. Kennedy has a responsibilitytotakeproactive measurestoensurehissafety, just as any candidate would Relying solely on the government for protection, particularlyintheabsenceofa significant threat, is neither

practical nor justified By utilizing private security, Kennedy can address his safety concerns while allowingtheSecretServiceto focus on its primary responsibilities Inconclusion, the decision to deny Secret ServiceprotectiontoRobertF Kennedy Jr is grounded in legal precedents, political implications, resource allocation considerations, ethical principles, and personal responsibility

Upholdingtheintegrityofthe Secret Service protection processisessentialtoensuring thatitremainsanimpartialand

effective system, dedicated to protecting those who face credible and immediate threats. While the Kennedy name carries significant historical weight, it is imperativetoapplythesame standards and criteria to all candidates, ensuring that protection decisions are based on objective assessments rather than public pressure or political influence. By adhering to these principles, we can maintain the integrity of our democratic processes and ensurethattheSecret

(Continuedonpage09)

Never seen the PPPmove so fast to address corruption, thank you USA!

DEAREDITOR

,

The PPP has been in power for almost 28 consecutiveyears,aboutthe same amount of time the PNC remained in power I have never seen the PPP move so swiftly to address corruption.

Thank God for the United States of America Office of Foreign Assets Control’s Executive Order 13818 and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights

Accountability Act Usuallytheresponsesofthe President,theVicePresident (presumably the de facto President) and other PPP Government, Cabinet and party officials are: (1) it wasn’t me, it didn’t happen – deny, deny and d e n y ; (2)usetheabsenceofreports madetothepoliceoranother

VP’s

ideas

government office such as the Ombudsman office as justification for doing nothing about reported c o r r u p t i o n ;

(3) blame the Opposition;

(4) justify ongoing corruption by informing the media that the corrupt practice is common place, and they inherited it; (5) allegedly and reportedly compromise the integrity of investigations and the outcome of investigations; (6) allegedly and reportedly use fear and other tactics to quit the person(s) reporting corruption difficult by engaging their cronies in police force and other a g e n c i e s ; (7) slap on the wrist when the situation warrants a seriouspenalty,and (8) promote the said person accused of corrupt

condemning the alleged b e h a v i o u r ( t h i n k Dharamlall, Mae Thomas, Berri Ramsarran, Odinga Lumumba and a whole host of others) Since we understandnowthatthePPP isonlymovedtotakeaction torootoutcorruptiononcea high-levelsanctionscoming from the United States, I encourage Guyanese to not only make reports to the police and government agencies, take evidence and reports of corruption involving government and privatesectorofficialstothe appropriate office in the United States of America embassy, the United Kingdom, Canadian and European embassies and onlinereportingportals.

Sincerely,

C.A.Singh

of on-line schools...

Frompage05 would get you easily fired. Either repurpose the “Because We Care” cash grants specifically for technology, or provide a tablet or computer in addition to the cash grant.

Thevoucherideahasbeencontroversialin theUSA,asDemocratsopposeitashelpingto dismantle public education by promoting privateschools,andsubsidisingtherichwhoopt for private schools Republicans support vouchersbecausetheywantchoicesbeyondthe regularpublicschool,especiallythoseplagued by drugs, violence and perpetual underperformance of students Schools in the USAhavebecomebattlegroundsofconflictas bitter“culturewars”arefoughtthere,withthe rapidriseofthesexualdeviantmovementusing schools to perpetuate their propaganda Many parents do not want public schools teaching young children that you are not a boy or girl despiteyourbiologicalparts;schoolsteaching young children that “Heather has two mommies;” transgenders wanting to play in femalesportsalthoughtheyhavemaleparts; a biological male fighting to use the girl’s

bathroomsimplybecausehe“identifies”asa female; teachers getting into trouble for “misgendering”astudent,etc.Theseareseen asinimicaltolongheldtraditionalvaluesof marriage and family So, parents wanting to avoid such deviations, choose private schools (through the state funded-vouchers) andcharterschools,as“SchoolsofChoice.”

Becausenineregionshaveveryfewprivate schools,ifany,againavoucherprogrammewill mainlyhelpRegion4/Georgetown,nottherural, remoteareas Thiswillexacerbatetheinequities acrossthecountry,notsolvethem

The Government’s concerns about teacher performance, teacher attendance, and accountabilityareontarget A30%absenteerate is morally reprehensible, and this must change dramatically IamsuretheGTUwillsupportall effortsatarobustaccountabilityforschools Any new Collective Bargaining Agreement must includestrongteacheraccountabilityprovisions Our children deserve better from all our schools!

Sincerely, Dr.JerryJailall CivilSocietyAdvocate

‘GOVT.

GET OUR FATHERS LIVING IN SHAME’

Today is Father’s Day - a time to celebrate men who have lived up to their responsibilities of caring, guiding, providing and girding their families.

But today the stark reality is that there are fathers in Guyana, far too many of them, who are in agony, live in shame, because they are unable to provide a comfortable living for their families, especially their children. In the richest country per capita in the world, this is the reality of many Guyanese fathers on Father’s Day. They work hard, they love constantly, yet their best is often not good enough.

BLUNT

TrotmanaccusesGovt.ofclosinggoldsmuggling investigationdaysaftertakingofficein2020

Former Minster of

Natural Resources under the A Partnership for National Unity(APNU)+AllianceFor Change (AFC) coalition

government, Raphael Trotman,onSaturdaysought to remind the government that under the APNU+AFC government,aninvestigation into gold smuggling was launched but swiftly closed afterthePeople'sProgressive Party(PPP)governmenttook officein2020.

Trotman's statement

follows this week's announcement by the United States Department of the Treasury that sanctions have

b e e n i m p o s e d o n businessmen Nazar Mohamedandson,Azruddin Mohamed over the alleged gold smuggling The allegations leveled against the Mohameds point to defrauding the Government of Guyana of US$50M in taxes from smuggled gold and bribing of public officials.

The U.S. Department of Treasury also imposed cited Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Mae Thomas, for alleged corruption.Sheisaccusedof, while serving as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs from October 2020-August 2023, offering

benefits to Mohamed's Enterprise and Azruddin Mohamed in exchange for cash payments and highvaluedgifts.

On Thursday, Vice PresidentBharratJagdeotold reporters at a press conference that the gold smuggling issues is not new toGuyana.

He noted that in 2016, Trotman disclosed that 24, 260kgofgoldwassmuggled. However, in the current case involving the Mohameds, 10,000kg was smuggled from2019-2023.

“…but you had twice as much smuggled, based on what Trotman is saying, per year, not over a 5-year period, twice as much smuggled per year in 2016, so it is not a new issue; we never saw the individuals who were identified [as part of gold smuggling racket] based on the Stabroek News story, they never got that but we know for sure that the teamcamehereandmetwith them because this is what he [Trotman] said, and he said that they were given the quantities as to how much was exported,” Jagdeo told reporters.

In response to the Vice President,Trotmaninapress statementsaidthattherewas a briefing in 2015 of a

sensitivenaturewithhimand then Minister of Public Security,KhemrajRamjattan a b o u t a n o n g o i n g investigation in the U S which “supposedly involved”Guyanese.

“This investigation had started a few years prior, which was before the Coalition's term of office commenced, and it was ongoing I continued to receive briefings on various matters during my tenure as Minister,” Trotman said about the briefing with the U S Law Enforcement officials.

“The primary concern shared by the US agents in 2015, was the belief that gold, mined in Guyana, Venezuela and Colombia, was being illegally shipped from,andthroughGuyana,to the US. Most concerning, was the belief that the proceeds of the sale of this gold were financing activities that were very inimical to the security and interestsoftheUnitedStates. Thiswasnotaninvestigation into corruption only,” the former Natural Resources Ministersaid.

He explained that the information was only shared at that time because the agents were then authorized to do so. Trotman said the

Former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

agents said there were “serious concerns about confidences being kept and sensitive investigations being compromised by government of Guyana officials.”

Further,hesaidthatlocal law enforcement agencies weretobebriefedaswell.

“The sharing of that intelligence with us was just that, a briefing, and we were not asked to provide any information, or to take any action on the Guyana side,” Trotmandisclosed.

The former government officialsaidheaskedtheU.S. agents whether he could “speak publicly about the numbers that were disclosed andwastoldthatIcould”.

“Sometime afterwards, the Ministry of the Presidency ordered and initiateditsownintelligenceled operation, with a unique sorbiquet, to curb gold smuggling and transnational crime.Iamreliablyinformed that this operation was shut down within 5 days of the new administration taking office in August, 2020,” he said.

Trotman said too that the successful efforts of the Guyana Gold Board, and others, to raise the gold declarations during the period 2015-2020, speak for themselves while noting that gold smuggling is not a new phenomenon.

The Department of Treasury stated its period of investigation as 2019-2023, notingthatitwasduringthat timethattheMohamedswere allegedly involved in US$50 million tax evasion schemes duetothenon-declarationof some10,000kilogrammesof gold.

“ A z r u d d i n a n d Mohamed's Enterprise evadedGuyana'staxongold exports and defrauded the Guyanesegovernmentoftax revenues by under declaring their gold exports to Guyanese authorities Between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed's Enterprise

omitted more than 10 thousand kilogrammes of gold from import and export declarations and avoided paying more than [US] $50 million in duty taxes to the GovernmentofGuyana,”the USAgencysaid.

In this regard, Trotman said based on the statement issued by the U S Department of Treasury, it would appear that the sanctions imposed arose fromaseparateinvestigation.

“One only hopes that the USgovernmentwillnowfeel comfortable and secure in sharing 'Top Secret' information about ongoing operationsandinvestigations of this nature, with our government, as they did before,” the former Natural ResourcesMinistersaid.

Notwithstanding Trotman's response, the Ministry of Natural Resources now headed by Minister Vickram Bharrat described Trotman's statements as “another fit of hisfantasy”.

TheMinistrysaidin2016 in a published news report, “Mr Trotman admitted that 50% to 60% of LOCAL GOLD PRODUCTION was lost to smuggling, as he estimatedthatapproximately 15,000 ounces of gold were (Continuedonpage59)

Teachers are not poorly paid

Red Thread, a nongovernmental organization, is claiming that teachers are receiving starvation wages. Thiscontentionwasmadein a letter published in this newspaperyesterday

The facts do not support the claim that teachers are being forced to live on starvation wages Last February, the Ministry of Education published a table which provided the salaries of teachers at various levels

within the teaching profession. What that table shows is that, relative to other workers in the public se

handsomelypaid.

The table shows, for example, that a trainee teacher – someone who has just joined the profession –receives a salary of $104,003. This is far more than the entry-level pay of public servants in some ministries.

An untrained graduate teacher receives a salary of $214,908.Atrainedgraduate teacher on the other hand receives $237, 736 A g

ceives $280,007 A graduate headmaster/ mistress of a Grade A school receives

$369,795dollars. The Ministry of

Education should send this listing to Red Thread. It should also ask Red Thread tosendthesalariesofitsstaff –thatisifithaspaidstaff–to see how this compares with what teachers are presently receiving.

But what is obvious is that when compared with what public servants are paid, teachers are handsomely remunerated

We can make a case that everyonedeservesmore,but do not for one moment believe that what is being paid to teachers are starvation wages It is certainlyisnot.

What is obvious also is that there is gross inefficiency within the country’s education system. But this makes the opposite case: it makes the case for a cutinteacherswages. If it is costing the government $700,000 per student each year as compared to $300,000 charges in private schools, thenitisobviousthattheper capita cost of educating a child is way too high, relativelyspeaking.

Just looking at the numbers, it makes practical

sense to privatize the entire education system since it will save taxpayers tens of billions of dollars each year

To educate a child in the private education system is less than half of what it is costing to educate in government schools It therefore is better for the governmenttopayparentsto sendtheirchildrentoprivate schools and close the entire publiceducationsystem. There are advantages to doing so Given that educating a child in a government school costs morethantwicewhatitdoes in a private school, redirecting funds towards vouchers can result in significant savings for the government. These savings could be reallocated to provided other forms of support for children. Free transportation and school meals for example can be added to the benefits which parents receive The competition among private schools for voucher-funded students may drive schools to improve their offerings.

This market-d

n approach can lead to better educational outcomes as schools strive to attract and retain students by providing

Denying Secret Service protection...

Frompage06

Service remains focused on its critical mission.

RobertF KennedyJr.,likeanycandidate, has the means to take personal security measuresandshoulddosoasnecessary The denial of Secret Service protection is not a reflection of his value as a candidate but

rather a reaffirmation of the standards and principles that guide our nation’s security protocols. It is through this commitment to fairness and objectivity that we can uphold the values of our democracy and ensure the safetyofallwhoparticipateinit.

WayneLyttle Journalist

DEM BOYS SEH

Happy Father’s Day

Today is Father’s Day andisadaytocelebrateall fathers. Dem Boys know that there is no way that Father’s Day will ever reach the scale of appreciation as Mother’s Day Butdemboysganstill sing de praises of all de fathersandchildfathers. Beingafather,isstilla gift,regardlessifyuhisan absentee father who does seeyuhchildonceinablue moon.Presentorabsent,de magic still deh! Yuh pickney dem look pon yuh likeyuhahsuperhero,even if dem only see yuh on a weekends or holidays

superioreducation.

Parents will also benefit. It will empower them to choose the best educational environment for their children. Parents can select the schools that they wish their children to attend Overall, transitioning to a voucher-based system can lead to cost savings, improved educational quality, and enhanced parental satisfaction and studentoutcomes.

The government, however, is not planning to do this. But the economic basisfordoingsoexists.

There, however is a downside Governmentfunded private education through vouchers can create a highly competitive private education system. In such a system, it is possible for a few elite private schools to significantly outperform others. This will exacerbate

educational disparities within the private education system.

The quality of public education in Guyana is generally poor This is why parents are so eager to send their children to private schools. Many poor parents makeinordinatesacrificesto beabletosendtheirchildren to private schools. It would be a great relief if government was to pay for thiseducation.Iamsurethat if a survey is taken of parents’ attitude towards private education, the vast majoritywouldwanttosend their children to private schools,oncetheycanafford to do so. With government paying the fees, parents would likely rush to register their children in private schools.

The same principle of value for money can also be applied to the University of

Guyana Why have a University of Guyana that costs a fortune per capita when there are cheaper and more flexible options available! The government therefore should seriously consider revising its plans forfreeuniversityeducation attheUniversityofGuyana. Itwouldbebetteradvisedto close the University of Guyana and direct the resources towards the Guyana OnlineAcademy of Learning.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

The second boy says, “That’s nothing. My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a song, and they give him $100.”

The third boy says, “I got you both beat. My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!”

On Father’s Day some fathers does have problems. They face the dilemmaofwhichhouseto

Dem seh, “Daddy, yuh always know de best snacks!” But no matter whether yuh present or absent, most children proud of dem fathers and doeslikeboastaboutthem. It remind dem boys of de time, three boys were bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, “My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a poem, and they givehim$50.”

visit cause some of them gat children in more than onehousehold.

It remind them boys of de father who tell he wife, “Maybe for father’s day you could get me a nice shirt?”

The wife answered, “What about all the others youhave?”

The husband replied, “They are all getting me differentthings.”

It mek dem boys rememberdefussdaydem boys turn up to school fuh teach.Asanewteacheron my first day, I stood and scanned the faces in front of me. I saw two boys lookingidentical.

SoIasked,“Twins...?

The boys replied, “No, weareneighbours.”

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

H@RD TRUTHS

THE FACTS, PLEASE – ALL OF THEM

It is interesting to note the things that engage the leading minds in the PPP/C Government and twist them into deformed states. Now, even audit reports are not spared the chopping block. Whatwashiddenbeforefor long periods is now being published, but with trickery attached.

Previously secret audit reports are now being

released for public consumption, but it is a peculiar situation. Parts of at least one report are missing. What was being heldoutasthefullreportfor the US$7 3B audit of ExxonMobil expenses for 2018-2020 has some holes init.

These huge holes involve possibly huge bills that were reviewed by the auditors, but which have now been yanked from the officialonlineversion.

W h a t k i n d o f government would do something like this? What does this say about the quality of the leaders who knowingly or unknowingly preside over something of this nature? What sort of senior officials manning official online channels could reduce a crucial audit reporttothisawfulstate?

We cannot say with certainty what goes into the think

ng of

d

ng politicians in this country and the senior public servants who jump to do theirbidding.

But, at a minimum, something is highly improperor,attheworst,the ugliest, dirtiest deeds, are being dumped on the heads oftrustingGuyanese.

According to sources close to the US$7.3B audit, the full audit report stood at 170 pages. Mysteriously, approximately 40 pages

havebeenremoved,andare now missing, from the Mi

Environment’s website This is no

media speculation, but according to the same sources with insights of what was involved in the audit process, and the report that resulted.

The missing 40 pages from the reportedly full audit report of 170 pages is aboutaquarterofit. Instead offocusingonthequarterof the report that is now strangely missing, it would be more beneficial for citizenstothinkofthethree q

big ExxonMobil expenses that a

d Supplyvesselsanddrillrigs cost huge sums daily, but those are not in the partial online report. The same huge amounts hold true for helicopters leasing and

waste management disposal, both of which are daily occurrences in ExxonMobil’s offshore operations. But those are noticeably absent in the approximately 130 pages that were cobbled together and thrown at Guyanese as representing the full audit report.

Again,wegobacktoan old, now familiar, question: whytakesuchsteps,whygo to such lengths, if there is nothing to hide? What is theretofear,andwhichmust be concealed from citizens, using any means that come tomind?

Removing(ordropping) almost a quarter of an audit report raises all manner of questions about the principles of those who oversee these things. To be clear, we are not talking about systems managers or webmasters We are focusing on the decision

makers,andaskinghow this could be, and how something like this is expectedtostayasecret.

One of the most senior PPP/C Government figures, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the man calling the shots on the Guyanese people oil wealth was conspicuous in the extreme care that he took when discussing the US$7.3B VHE Consulting audit report.

“I asked them to release

auditors They have posted it so that should be thereport.”

It is inconceivable that anyauditteamthatvaluesits name would withhold 40 pages from its final report. Theissuethenbecomeswho could have taken it upon themselves to make 40 pages of the report disappear, and not just any

40 pages. Who in the ministry would have the audacitytodosowithoutthe confidence that their shenanigans meet with the approval of the higher ups? This is the US$214M IHS Markit audit findings all over that was reduced to US$3Mthatturnedouttobe a big coverup and farce. It was hundreds of millions before in that earlier audit. Now it is about audit report pages, and every Guyanese should want to know how many more millions, probably US billions, have become part of local oil c o n s p i r a c i e s , skullduggeries.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the o p i n i o n s o f t h i s newspaper.)

Despite new IEA report on decline for oil... Opposition still wants to assess each project to determine whether ring-fencing is feasible

The Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton is unfazed by a new report issued by the International Energy Agency (IEA) that thedemandforoilinthenext few years will reduce significantly, resulting in a slump for the price of the commodity

Although Guyana's oil sector, and economy by extension, can suffer tremendously from this ripple effect due to the decision by policymakers nottoenforcearing-fencing provision, Norton too is yet to be convinced that the country should secure earnings early on from the sectorbeforeoilpricedips.

Aring-fencing provision would mandate each oil projecttopayforitself.After the cost of the project has been repaid, Guyana would thenenjoyagreatershareof itsoilrevenue.

On Friday, Norton was asked by Kaieteur News whether the Opposition still believes it needs further assessmentonthebenefitsof

ring-fencing, in light of the newIEAreport.

The IEA said in its new medium-term oil outlook thatoildemandgrowthisset to slow in the coming years andglobaldemandwillpeak in 2029, while rising production will lead to a majorglutthisdecade.

The clean energy transition and the “stellar growth” in global EV sales are expected to lead to slowing oil demand growth w i t h w o r l d w i d e consumption set to peak in 2029 and begin falling the following year, according to theIEA'sreportOil2024,the agency's annual mediumtermmarketreport.

World oil demand is being tempered by the clean energy transition, says the IEA,whichhasbeenavocal proponent of a faster energy transitioninrecentyears.

Norton however emphasized on Friday, “I've made our position clear on ring-fencing.

In principle, we agree withring-fencing.Ihowever

Indian nationals who entered Guyana illegally sent back to Suriname

Eight Indian nationals were sent back to Suriname on Friday after they were caught entering Guyana illegally, the Guyana Police Force(GPF)said.

In a statement to the media, police said that two motorcars were intercepted at the entrance of the No. 63 Beach, Corentyne, Berbice onFridayatabout00:38hrs.

proceeded to say we have to look at every case on its meritandassessit-thatstill holdsregardless.”

He went on to explain, “You cannot be in Opposition and just wildly say I'm going to ring-fence. Some projects are still to come,someexist,weneedto know the details so in principleweagreewithringfencing because it allows us to separate the various activities and therefore the costfromonenotmovingto the other - we are sold on that, but that doesn't remove the fact that we have to assess every issue, everyone bythemselvesandit'snotthe caseofpussyfooting.”

AccordingtoNorton,the Opposition must be “responsible” and careful not to issue “wild

statements” as the People's Progressive Party (PPP) did previously while in Opposition lest they be reminded of their failed promises.

Presently, ExxonMobil, the operator of the Stabroek Block is producing oil at

threeprojects.Sixprojectsto date have been sanctioned without a ring-fencing provision.

The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) stipulates that up to 75% of the monthly revenues generated canbedeductedtowardsthe

recoveryofcostsinvestedby theStabroekBlockpartnersExxon, Hess and CNOOC. Costs not recovered in any givenmonthareaddedtothe nextmonth.

In the absence of a ringfencing provision, ExxonMobil uses the revenues from the three producing developments to pay for projects that are yet tocomeonstream.

Kaieteur News recently reported that some US$19B in costs has been recovered todatebyExxon.

This means that three projects, which collectively carries a price tag of about US$18.5B,hasalreadybeen cleared.

In this way, the country could have been receiving greaterprofitsfromthethree projectsthisyear

The driver of the vehicle bearing registration number HC 26, was identified as a 43-year-old hire car driver who resides at Haslington, NewAmsterdam,Berbice.

Theoccupantsofthehire car were identified as 19year-oldGurlallSinghBajwa of Dareilly, India, 36-yearold Hardeep Singh, a farmer of Chandigarh, India, 23year-old Baldev Singh, a farmer of Dehradun, India and22-year-oldGurjitSingh ofJalandhar,India.

Police said checks on Republic of India passports show that all eight of the Indian nationals arrived in Suriname between May 18 and May 27, 2024, and entered Guyana without presenting themselves to an Immigrationofficer

After being processed by police, the men were handed over to the Immigration Department and were sent back to Suriname, the last country, which they visited legally

Policeonamobilepatrol atthebeachobservedthetwo cars bearing registration numbers PAB 9258 and HD 26 heading north and then suddenly stopped As a result, the ranks approached the vehicles and observed four occupants in each vehicle along with the drivers. They were escorted to the Springlands Police Station.Theoccupantsofthe car bearing registration numberPAB9258havebeen identified as Saurab, a 22year-old,whoisunemployed andresidesinIndia,26-yearoldRatheeSahil,afarmerof Delhi, India, 23-year-old Rahul, a farmer who resides at Chandigarh, India and 23year-oldSagar,alsoafarmer ofChandigarh,India.

Leader of the Opposition,Aubrey Norton

WEEK-IN-REVIEW Meanwhile,MinisterofNatural rapidly developing basin, the Resources, Vickram Bharrat has StabroekBlock. Sunday been utterly silent on the subject. On Thursday, ExxonMobil This newspaper reached out to Guyana Limited (EMGL), with a Full report of Exxon’s Bharrat on May 30 to clarify 45% interest in the Block, revealed US$7.3B audit not online – whether the full report has been

auditors reveal releasedtothepublic.TheMinister highlighting an after-tax profit of responded saying “It’s online” but $615 billion or approximately Auditors that were integrally did not clarify whether it was the US$3 billion Hess Guyana involved in the review of the completedocument. Exploration Ltd holds 30% US$7.3B expenses incurred by Thisnewspaperthereforeasked interest, and CNOOC Petroleum U S oil major, ExxonMobil, the Minister again to say if the full Guyana Limited holds 25% between the period 2018 and 2020 report was published but did not interest. have denied that the full report receive a response. A reminder of This means that the three prepared by the team has been the question was sent to Minister partnerstogetherwalkedawaywith publishedonline. Bharrat again on June 2, at 11:17 approximately $1 4 trillion or VHE Consulting, a partnership am. Bharrat read the message an US$6.5billionin2023. between Ramdihal & Haynes Inc; hour later but never responded. I

Eclisar Financial; and Vitality Subsequent calls to his mobile government of Guyana, that is Accounting & Consultancy Inc. phone on Sunday were not contractuallypoisedtobenefitfrom schedule. Payara is the company’s conducted at the end of each was recruitedby the governmentof answered.

50% of the profits generated in the thirddeepwaterdevelopmentinthe project’s life, which is estimated to Guyana back in May 2022 to The lack of information on the block,wasonlypaidUS$1.6billion Stabroek Block and has pushed be 20 years. Guyana’s first oil conductacostrecoveryauditofthe major contracts in the audit has in oil revenue during 2023 daily production to over 645,000 project, the Liza One, commenced company The local consortium raised concerns and questions Notably, this sum also includes the barrelsperday(bpd)onaverage. production activities in 2019. This was supported by International regarding the government’s 2%royalty

To date, the ExxonMobil means that the project is expected firm-MartindaleConsultants. management of the petroleum Inkeepingwiththeprovisionof Guyana-led Stabroek Block to be decommissioned in 2039. Sources close to the process industry, especially since Financial the 2016 Production Sharing consortium has committed to Two other projects, the Liza Two explained that approximately 40 Analyst and Certified Accountant, Agreement (PSA), the government investing more than US $55 billion and Payara, subsequently came on pages of the audit report have not Floyd Haynes previously told of Guyana is entitled to 50% of in6offshoredevelopmentprojects. stream in 2022 and 2023, been included in the document that Kaieteur news that the team profits generated in the Stabroek Exxon reported that a total of respectively As such, those was made public by the reviewed the numbers but was not Block and two percent royalty on 142 million barrels of oil were projectswillbedecommissionedin government. allowedtorevealtheinformation. all petroleum produced and sold. It producedandsoldin2023;Guyana 2042and2043respectively The source told Kaieteur News, During an interview on must be noted that ExxonMobil received 17 million profit oil Be that as it may, ExxonMobil “The audit team submitted a Kaieteur Radio he explained, “I first deducts 75% of the monthly barrels. is already deducting the country’s detailed report of approximately haven’t been told by my client to revenue to recover its investments

The company was keen to note, oil revenues for the future 170 pages, including a manager’s discussthistypeofstuffsoIwantto in the block- the remaining 25% “Oil sales volumes are measured activities. report to the Ministry ” The respecttheclient.Oncetheyaskme revenueisthensplitwithGuyana. via custody transfer metering skids According to the company’s document available online to speak on it, I’d be happy to Although the government has and analyzed by independent financialstatementfor2023,atotal however consists of 135 pages. See provide(theinformation).”Haynes c r i t i c i z e d t h e l o p s i d e d laboratories to ensure integrity. of GYD$60,647,587,579 or link attached for report: noted that, “We have detailed arrangement, it has bluntly refused Independent surveyors, as well as US$288.8M in total has been https://nre.gov.gy/2024/04/12/vhes schedules of all of those things. to renegotiate the fiscal terms to officials from the Guyana National deducted to date by Exxon for the -initial-audit-report-for-the- What I can tell you is that those ensure the country benefits fairly Bureau of Standards and the future decommissioning activities. stabroek-block-cost-recovery- were some areas that we looked at fromitsresources. GuyanaRevenueAuthoritywitness Presently, the funds are held by the audit-2018-to-2020/ keenly – drilling, mud, all those President of ExxonMobil the custody tra

and company and will be made This newspaper previously types (expenses), helicopters and Guyana,AlistairRoutledgesaid,“It measurementofoilvolumes.” available to the country when reported that a number of major we benchmarked them against has been an extraordinary year of EMGL said it continued to needed. expenses were not captured in the industrystandards.” progress and achievements. Our make substantial investments in Concerns were previously second audit report. This glaring Guyanainvestmentsandunrivalled Guyana, with total assets raised by stakeholders regarding observation was made when ExxonMobil and partners made development success continue to increasing 44% to GY$3.2 trillion. E

comparingthedocumenttothefirst US$6.5B profits in 2023 while deliver transformational value to With the startup of the Prosperity decommissioning monies The audit report completed by British Guyana earned US$1.6B Guyana and contribute to secure, FPSO in November 2023, gross government of Guyana has consultant,IHSMarkit. reliable and diverse global energy production increased by 41% and however passed a new Petroleum

Contracts awarded for major ExxonMobil, Hess and supplies.” revenues by 26% compared to ActivitiesLawthatseeksto,among expenses such as chemicals used in CNOOC in 2023 pocketed a According to him, the highlight 2022,despiteloweroilprices. other things, address fears of the the operations; costs associated whopping US$6.5 billion in profits of 2023 was the Payara project, The company reported that its company walking out and leaving with the rental of supply vessels from the world’s most exciting and starting up safely ahead of equity also increased by 47 percent G

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

and drill rigs; subsea umbilical, when compared to the end of 2022, environment. risers and flowlines (SURF); drivenbyitsearnings. TheLawwhichcameintoeffect helicoptercharges;laboratorycosts in 2023 sets out strict rules for and waste treatment management Monday companies to follow on the among others have not been decommissioning of oil projects. includedinthereportcompletedby Exxon took US$51M from Thecompanywouldhavetosubmit thelocalconsortium. Guyana’s oil profits in 2023 to to the minister for approval, a

When questioned on this state restore ocean floor in 2039 proposed decommissioning plan of affairs, Vice President Bharrat and budget no later than two years Jagdeowhomanagesthepetroleum

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited beforetheexpirationofapetroleum sector told reporters that he did not (EMGL) in 2023 deducted licence or no later than two years check the document personally, but US$51.7millionfromGuyana’soil before the anticipated end of thefullreportshouldbeonline. revenue for its decommissioning production. JagdeoduringhisMay30,2024 activitiesplannedfor2039. Once that plan is approved, the press conference explained, “I Decommissioning refers to minister would instruct that a asked them to publish the audit clean up and restoration activities, Decommissioning Fund is created. report. It should be the audit report following the life of an oil project. The company would make asreceivedfromtheauditors,that’s The process involves the safe contributions to that fund to ensure the report so that would be the plugging of wells, removal of the that when the time for “clean up” report they would publish, as Floating, Production, Storage and arrives, there would be adequate received from the auditors. I have Offloading (FPSO) vessel, purging funds to cover the associated not checked it personally but I and detachment of risers and expenses Importantly, the law asked them to post it and they have removal of the subsea umbilicals, states that the minister will dictate posted it so that should be the risers,andflowlines(SURF). thetermsandconditionsofthefund report.” Notably, this process will be (Continued on page 15)

President, ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

From page 14

government may be hiding for deposits and disbursements. Reiterating the call for local Government previously made it capacity building and for clear that ExxonMobil will be international experts to be hired as required to comply with the well, to ensure that Guyana administrative clauses in the receives the highest quality of PetroleumActivitieslegislation. audits in the future, Lowe said that, “we demand that the full second

Heavy rains, blackout shut auditbereleasedimmediately.” down Guyana’s main airport …incoming flights Govt. to clampdown on foreign diverted to Trinidad companies renting citizens

At least two incoming flights at

As companies continue to flout the Cheddi Jagan International Guyana’s Local Content law by Airport were diverted to other engaging in the practice of ‘rent-ajurisdictions last night after heavy

rains accompanied by a

GovernmentofGuyanaonMonday thunderstormknockedoutpowerat issued a stern warning for them to thecountry’smainairport. desist.

“Earlier this afternoon, the

A representation of Exxon’s subsea umbilicals, risers, and flowlines (SURF) equipment used for production activities.

In a statement, the Ministry of Timehri area experienced intense Natural Resources (MRN) stated rainfall with thunder and lightning that as part of their diligent which damaged several Guyana monitoring of Guyana’s petroleum Power and Light and CJIA industry,throughtheLocalContent transformers,” CJIA said in a Secretariat, has intensified its statementlatelastnight. tracking for practices known as

As a result, the airport runway “rent-a-citizen” or “fronting”. The lighting became inoperable, the issuereferstotheunethicalpractice statement read. T added that added where foreign companies use local that the runway is equipped with individuals or local entities as mere two independent circuits, each of fronts to meet local content which can facilitate aircraft requirements, while the actual landings. “Regrettably, both the control and benefits remain with primary and alternate circuits were theforeignentity impacted The airport’s

“This practice undermines the maintenance team with the support publictosee? including a manager’s report to the clarify whether the full report has objectives and spirit of the Local ofGPLarecurrentlyontheground, This publication recently Ministry.” The document available been released to the public. The Content Act, which aims to ensure working to rectify the issues,” the reported that auditors who were online however consists of 135 Minister responded saying “It’s that the citizens of Guyana benefit statementsaid. integrally involved in the review of pages. When questioned on this online” but did not clarify whether meaningfully from and participate All incoming flights have been the US$7.3B expenses incurred by state of affairs, Vice President itwasthecompletedocumentatthe actively in the nation’s natural diverted to ensure the safety of all, U.S. oil major, ExxonMobil, Bharrat Jagdeo who manages the time. resourcessector,”theministrysaid. CJIAsaid. between the period 2018 and 2020 petroleum sector told reporters that Meanwhile, a telephone To address these issues, the have denied that the full report he did not check the document interview with this publication on government, through the ministry, Tuesday prepared by the team has been personally, but the full report S u n d a y L o w s a i d t h a t , is actively pursuing measures to published online.VHE Consulting, shouldbeonline.

“Government’s decision to hide curb instances of rent-a-citizen. ‘Govt. ducking of full a partnership between Ramdihal & JagdeoduringhisMay30,2024 dozens of pages of Guyana’s Notably, one of the steps being audit report extremely Haynes Inc; Eclisar Financial; and press conference was asked second oil audit is both shocking taken by the ministry is enhancing suspicious’– Opposition VitalityAccounting&Consultancy whether the full report was andextremelysuspicious.Whatare collaboration with the Guyana Inc was recruited by the published online he explained: “I the expenses that they do not want Revenue Authority (GRA). “This Opposition Advisor and government of Guyana back in asked them to publish the audit theGuyanesepeopletosee?Thisis closer working relationship aims to Economist Elson Lowe has raised May 2022 to conduct a cost report. It should be the audit report a continuation of the government’s identify and penalise those concerns over the Guyana recovery audit of the company The asreceivedfromtheauditors,that’s policy of extreme secrecy when it engaging in fronting, ensuring that Government redacting a number of local consortium was supported by the report so that would be the comes to Guyana’s oil industry.” all stakeholders adhere to the legal pages from the second audit of International firm- Martindale report they would publish, as Low reiterated that it should be a and ethical standards set forth by ExxonMobil’s US$7.3B expenses, Consultants. Sources close to the received from the auditors. I have criminal offense to not audit the the Local Content Act,” it was sayingitisextremelysuspicious. p r o c e s s e x p l a i n e d t h a t not checked it personally but I expenses of incurred offshore from stated.

Lowe also called out the approximately40pagesoftheaudit asked them to post it and they have the offshore oil operations which Moreover, the ministry stated government’sbehavioursayingitis reporthavenotbeenincludedinthe posted it so that should be the government seems reluctant to do that it remains committed to a red flag for the nation and that document that was made public by report.” Meanwhile, Minister of but it should also be considered an fostering a transparent and suchactionsshouldbeconsidereda the government. The source told Natural Resources, Vickram offense to hide the results of audits equitable petroleum industry that criminal offence He further Kaieteur News, “The audit team Bharrat has been utterly silent on fromtheGuyanesecitizens. benefits all Guyanese. ”We urge questioned what were the expenses submitted a detailed report of the subject This newspaper “There should be a set process everyone to support these efforts Guyana’s leaders did not want the approximately 170 pages, reachedouttoBharratonMay30to andtimelineforthecompletionand andupholdtheintegrityofourlocal release of audits. Given the huge content framework,” it was further sums involved, this issue must bear stated. the highest degree of transparency In an invited comment, the and accountability,” he added ministry told Kaieteur News that Furthermore, “The first audit while the offence of fronting is not revealed concerns about inflated expressly defined in the costsforadrillship,asanexample, Interpretation Section ofThe Local and if this has been hidden in the Content Act, it is provided for in second audit it could mean Miscellaneous: Part V1 of the Act. hundreds of millions of USD of Section 23 (1)-(3), with the losses to the Guyanese people, marginal note, Offences and especially as the second audit Penalties, provides for the offence makes initial comments about the of submitting false or misleading use of multiple drill ships.” The information to the Secretariat economisthighlightedthatthiswas knowingly and for the offence of one of the numerous issues anyGuyanesenationalaidingand highlighted by the audit that (Continued on page 16)

Cheddi Jagan International Airport

From page 15 dated 2017, 2019 and 2019, Rights Accountability Act

abetting anyone to the International Monetary and targets perpetrators of contravene any provision of Fund (IMF) stated: “This serious human rights abuse theAct in order to defeat the asymmetrical treatment of and corruption around the local content obligations profit and cost oil will world “Today’s action undertheAct. benefit the contractor at the u n d e r s c o r e s o u r

To this end, the Ministry exp

delaying commitment to holding explained that the two governmentrevenue.” accountable those who seek offences are in nature Meanwhile, the United to exploit Guyana’s Summary Offences,

ent underdeveloped gold sector therefore not indictable, and Programme (UNDP), along for personal gain,” said attract a penalty, in the case with another international Under Secretary of the ofanindividual,afineoffive expert, Chatham House and Treasury for Terrorism and million dollars, and for a the World Bank called on Financial Intelligence Brian body corporate, a fine of ten Guyana to include a ring- E.Nelson. million dollars. The Act, fencing provision for each “Treasury, in close gives the Local Content project Painting a more coordination with our Secretariat, the authority, by graphic picture in one of his partners in U S law instituting criminal legal reports on Guyana was enforcement, will continue proceedings, to charge Director of Financial to take action to safeguard individuals or corporate Analysis for the Institute for the U.S. financial system bodiesforsubmittingfalseor Energy Economics and from abuse by corrupt misleading information or Financial Analysis (IEEFA), actors,” he added. These aiding and abetting anyone Tom Sanzillo IEEFA actions were conducted in to contravene any provision estimated that Guyana coordinationwithHomeland of the Act in order to defeat should receive upward of $6 Security Investigations New the local content obligations billion annually by 2028 or York Organized Crime Drug undertheAct. sooner, however, the Enforcement Task Force

Pie chart showing the revenues deducted by Exxon in 2023 for cost recovery versus what the country received.

Section 23(1)-(3) states: organization believes that (OCDETF) Strike Force, “A person who submits, or due to all of the new costs, Diplomatic Security causes to be submitted, a G u y a n a w i l l b e Service, Customs and local content plan, report, f e n c i n g p r o v i s i o n , grew by approximately

Although Guyana has shortchanged until the Border Protection (CBP) record, or any other ExxonMobil Guyana US$1B. The increase in cost been repeatedly advised by 2030’s,ifnotlonger Office of Intelligence – New information pursuant to this Limited (EMGL) in 2023 recovery was driven by the international experts to ring- York Operations, and the Act knowing, or ought to deducted a whopping growth in oil production in fence the projects in the US Treasury F e d e r a l B u r e a u o f reasonably have known, that US$8.4B of approximately the Stabroek Block In Stabroek Block, the country targets corruption Investigation’s Miami Field the submission is false or US$11.8B in oil revenue November 2023, the third has refused to include such a network in Guyana Office, with assistance from misleading, commits an generated in the Stabroek Floating Production Storage provision to govern new – PS Mae Thomas HSI Miami, CBPMiami and offence and is liable on Block to repay its and Offloading (FPSO) projectsbeingawardedtothe sent on leave as Guyana New York Field Offices, summary conviction — (a) investments. v e s s e l , P r o s p e r i t y, operator Govt. opens probe New York City Police In the case of an individual, The Bank of Guyana in commenced production

While the Leader of the Department Intelligence to a fine of five million its 2023 Annual Report activities. Opposition, Aubrey Norton The Department of the Bureau, and the Drug dollars; (b) In the case of a revealed, “The capital The 2016 Production is yet to announce a policy Treasury’s Office of Foreign E n f o r c e m e n t body corporate, to a fine of account recorded a lower Sharing Agreement (PSA) decision regarding ring- Assets Control (OFAC) on Administration. tenmilliondollars.” deficit of US$1,780 0 stipulates that up to 75 fencing, the government of Tuesday said that it is According to the OFAC, Consequently, the Local million from US$3,658 4 percent of the total Guyanahasmadeitclearthat targeting what has been goldisoneofGuyana’smain Content Secretariat has million at end-December production from the contract theimplementationofsucha described as a corruption exports, but it remains a issuedGuidingPrinciples,in 2022. This was the result of area each month can be policy is not on its agenda. networkinGuyana. highly fractured industry the form of Local Content net outflow of US$606.1 recovered Costs not Chief policymaker for the According to statement withsmall-scalegoldmining Register Registration million in oil revenue to the recovered in a particular petroleum sector, Vice issued via its website, the operations in Guyana Information, which are the Natural Resource Fund month will be added to the President Bharrat Jagdeo OFAC has sanctioned occupying a majority share criteria, pursuant to the Act (NRF) and US$8,381.0 nextmonth’scharge. previously explained, “We members of one of Guyana’s of the country’s gold for registering/operating a million in cost recovery Notably after 75 percent admitted that we are wealthiest families, Nazar production. These small joint venture company in the (withdrawalofequity)bythe of the costs are deducted to foregoing revenue now in Mohamed and his son, family-owned businesses Upstream petroleum oil and gas sector despite repay Exxon, the remaining exchange for massive future Azruddin Mohamed, their have informal relationships industry, and pursuant to the higher inflows to the private 25 percent is then shared income because it’s going companies, Mohamed’s with larger purchasers and provisionsoftheAct.Aspart sector in the form of Foreign equally between the into new projects that will Enterprise,andHadi’sWorld traders like Mohamed’s of the requirements, a DirectInvestments(FDIs).” government and the oil increase production and so and Team Mohamed’s Enterprise “Once mined, Guyanese company forming ExxonMobil Guyana company. To this end, even with the same share of Racing Team. Additionally, Guyanese gold is sold and a joint venture with a non- Limited (EMGL), the Guyana in 2023 received a the 50/50 plus the two OFAC sanctioned embattled t r a d e d t h r o u g h o u t indigenous company must operator of the Stabroek meager US$1.6 billion in oil percent royalty that the Guyanese Permanent international markets, have a minimum of 51 per Block reported in its 2023 revenue, including the paltry future income, because of Secretary, (PS) Mae Thomas including the United States, cent equity participation in Annual Report that a total of 2%royalty the bigger scale will be whose US visa was evoked Canada, the United Arab t h e j o i n t v e n t u r e 142 million barrels of oil In the absence of a ring- massive in Guyana’s case last year after she was Emirates, and the European

m

t were produced and sold in fencing provision, the and we are deliberately intercepted, questioned and Union,” the department Declaration of Beneficial 2023; Guyana received 17 companies can use the foregoing that in this period her phone seized while in- added. Ownership and demonstrate millionprofitoilbarrels.The income from producing oil for that purpose and then transiting in the United It explained further that evidence of equity price of Brent crude oil projects to pay for other trying to grab this bone now States. Since the official US M o h a m e d f o u n d e d contribution to the Joint averagedUS$83perbarrelin projects that are yet to could cause you to lose all sanction, she was sent on Mohamed’s Enterprise in Venture. 2023. This therefore means commence producing oil. A the bones, the bigger bones leave with immediate effect, Guyana before expanding to that the total revenue ring-fencing provision toointhefuture.” the Government of Guyana the United States as a Wednesday generatedbyExxonlastyear would therefore prevent oil While Jagdeo fears saidinapressrelease. m o n e y c

e r a n d was approximately US$11.8 companies from using Guyana not being able to The trio has reportedly transitioned into gold With lack of ring- billion. revenue generated from a gain revenue in the future been targeted for their roles t r a d i n g , g r o w i n g fencing… Exxon grabs In 2022, it was reported production field to offset from the sector due to a ring- in public corruption in Mohamed’s Enterprise into US$8.4B out of US$11.8B that the oil company costs in another project. It fencing provision, experts in Guyana. These individuals one of Guyana’s largest gold revenue made deducted some US$7 4 would also mean that when the industry have urged the and entities are sanctioned exporters. In time, Azruddin in 2023 for cost recovery billion to repay its that project cost is repaid, nation to include such a pursuant to Executive Order Mohamed ultimately took – Bank of Guyana Report investments in the Stabroek Guyana would enjoy 50 provision to ensure it enjoys (E.O.) 13818, which builds over Mohamed’s Enterprise, Block. This therefore means percent of the revenue early returns from the sector upon and implements the whichalsonowdoes In the absence of ring- that cost recovery in 2023 generatedthere. In three separate reports Global Magnitsky Human (Continued on page 60)

Construction worker nabbed with 895 grams of cannabis in yard

A 41-year-old construction worker of Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was caught on Friday with 895 grams of cannabis.

The man was nabbed during a 'cordon and search' operation by ranks of the Enmore Police Station. Reports are that police after receiving a tip visited a home located at Haslington New Housing Scheme and observed a man standing in frontofayardwithabulkblackplasticbag. Uponnoticingtheranksandthepolice vehicle, the man immediately ran into the yard and made an attempt to escape.

However, the ranks gave chase and he was caught,withthebulkyblackplasticbag. The bag was searched and police found a compressed parcel along with ten small, transparent Ziploc bags containing leaves, seeds, and stems, all suspected to be from the cannabis plant.The 41-year-old construction worker was informed of the offence and cautioned,andtherankssearchedthehomeand yard but found no additional narcotics or items of interest.The man was subsequently arrested and taken to the Cove and John Police Station, wheretheweighednarcoticstotaled895grams. Investigationsareongoing.

Man, 64, shot in execution attempt

A64-year-oldlabourer is currently nursing a gunshot wound in the regionofhishand,afterhe survived an execution a t t e m p t b y a n unidentifiable male on Friday in the vicinity of Muneshwars Limited, W a t e r S t r e e t , Georgetown.InjuredisJoseph Singh.Policereportedthatthe shooting occurred at about 2 1 : 3 0 h r s Investigations revealed that Singh was proceeding north on Water Street, when he observed a grey 'Pitbull' buswith'TradePlate'carrying twounidentifiablemales,one of wh

discharged several rounds in h i s

n Thebusthendroveoffina n

Singh was shot to his handandsoughttreatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was admitted as a patient

Meanwhile, police noted that no spent shell wasrecoveredwhenranks visited the scene, however several Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras wereobservedinthearea,and detectives will review video footageoftheallegedincident as investigation continues

Health Ministry seeking bids to construct Moruca Hospital

TheMinistryofHealthis seeking a contractor to design and build a modern hospital at Moruca, Region One.Invitation for bids has been published by the Department of Public Information which states thattheprojectisexpectedto be opened at the National Procurement and Tender AdministrationBoardOffice onAugust20,2024.

The tender document states that the Government of Guyana has received financing from the InterAmerican Development Bank(IDB)undertheHealth CareNetworkStrengthening in Guyana project and intends to use part of the proceedstofundthehospital project Kaieteur News understandsthatthestate-ofthe-art facility is set to feature a modern medical laboratory, and a 24-hour operated Accident and Emergency Unit among other facilities. The site for thenewhospitalhasalready been identified and it is locatedat3Miles,Moruca.

Meanwhile,inaseparate advertisement, the ministry also tendered for consultancy services to supervisetheconstructionof thehospital.Thistooisbeing

fundedbytheIDB. Thedocumentstatesthat consultancy is expected to commence in October 2024 and should continue for approximately 48 months.

Theadvertisementexplained that the consultant, once selected, is expected to execute services such as supervising the design process including ensuring releva

n permits are obtained by the Construction Company, overseeing civil works and equipment installation necessary for the constructionofthehospital.

In this regard, the consulting firm will provide technical assistance in the soci

environmen

al, administrative, financial planning, acquisition, s t r e n g t h e n i n g i n management, technical development and project o p e r a t i o n a l a n d administrative areas to support the Health Care Network Strengthening in Guyanaproject.

Also,thefirmisexpected to supervise the Defects Liability Period to ensure adherence.

This publication had

reported that the US$97 millionIDBloansecuredby the Guyana Government in December 2022, forms part of a broader effort to strengthen the nation's healthcarenetworkunderthe Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects ( C C L I P ) T h e comprehensive programme aims to bolster the capacity of seven hospitals across various regions, including key hinterland areas and urbancenters.

It was reported that the loanwillbeusedtoimprove the health of the Guyanese p

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and team back in February this year visiting the site for the new hospital at 3 Miles Moruca, Region One.

increased access, quality, and efficiency of health servicesbyimprovinghealth outcomes associated with low and high complexity procedures.

This will be done by expanding the capacity of strategic hospitals, by extending coverage of d

a

consultation, and patient management services, inclusive of the country's hinterlands, through digital health;andbyincreasingthe efficiency of the public health system, by

strengthening key logistic, management, and support processesandinputs.

The project is also e

t infrastructure improvement and expansion in seven priority hospitals, namely the Georgetown Public H

(

l Hospital (NARH) and the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), as well as four District Hospitals located in the hinterland (Moruca, Kamarang, Kato, and Lethem).

Housewife on $150k bail for possession of narcotics

A26-year-oldhousewife from Long Dam, Cane Grove,EastCoastDemerara (ECD) was placed on $150,000 bail on Friday for possession of narcotics for thepurposeoftrafficking.

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) on its Facebook page saidthatthewoman,Jasodra Muriall, was arrested on June13,2024.

She appeared before Principal Magistrate Allan Wilson at the Mahaica Magistrates’ Court on Friday,May14,2024.

Muriall was found to be in possession of 667 grams of marijuana. She pleaded notguiltytothecharge.

The matter has been adjourned and is scheduled to return to court on July 5, 2 0 2 4 f

proceedings.

Sophiamanremanded forpossessionoffirearm, ammoandnarcotics

A27-year-oldtaxidriver fromLot346,Section‘B’in Sophia was remanded on Friday to prison after being charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm, ammunition,andnarcotics.

Shakeil Grant was arrested by a police officer fromtheSparendaamPolice StationonJune11,2024and formallychargedonJune14 forthethreeoffences.

The charges against Grant include possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of ammunition without a licence, and possession of narcotics. He was found to be in possession of 8.5 grams of cannabis.

REMANDED: Shakeil Grant

Grant appeared before MagistrateAbigail Gibbs at t h e S p a r e n d a a m Magistrates’ Court #2, wherethechargeswereread out to him. He pleaded not guiltytoallthreecounts.

Bail was objected to by the prosecutor and he was remanded to prison Grant is scheduled to return to court on July 17, 2024 for further proceedings and disclosure

Josadra Muriall

Mother questions daughter’s brain tumour diagnosis after autopsy reveals she died of cerebral cyst

A grieving mother has raised concerns about the accuracy of her daughter’s braintumourdiagnosisafter an autopsy report revealed that the mother of two died ofacerebralcyst.

The results of the autopsy were revealed days after 31-year-old DeAndra Liverpool died at the GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation (GPHC) where shewasdiagnosedandbeing

treatedforabraintumour

Her aggrieved mother, Diane London, a resident of Sophia,GreaterGeorgetown has since raised concerns about the way her daughter was treated at the public hospitalfacility

She revealed that her daughter died on Monday while being treated at GPHC.

The hospital has since issued a press release in

response to social media posts by a relative of the deceased woman who accused the hospital’s staff of the institution of malpractice.

In the release, GPHC denied the allegations and essentially blamed the womanfornotfollowingthe doctor’sorders.

However, London says that hospital’s statement only served to raise her suspicionevenmore.

“The [hospital] statement claims that my daughter did not use prescribed medications, which was prescribed by

GPHC… that is a lie. All medicationsprescribedwere used as directed,” the woman said in a statement on Friday rebutting the hospital’sassertions.

London said among otherthingsthatthehospital claimed that the doctor had ordered her daughter to do teststhatwerenotdone.

“That is a lie. We did all the tests required. However, the pap smear and mammogram tests were delayedsincetheyhadtobe doneataprivateinstitution,” shesaidaddingthatshewas unabletoproceedwiththe

Continuedonpage55

Theautopsyrevealingthepatientdiedofcerebralcyst

The diagnostic paper revealing brain tumour

DeAndra Liverpool

Naomi Marshall

Hailing fromthebeautiful townofLindenisthestunning NaomiMarshall.Sheisa24-year-old MedicalRehabilitationstudentofthe UniversityofGuyanaandhasastronginterestin advocatingforpersonswithdisabilitiesinsociety whichiswhatinfluencedheraspirationsofbecoming aphysiotherapist.Naomiisalsotheowneroftheonline boutique,RebelFashionGY ThisGod-fearingyoung womanenjoystraveling,spendingqualitytimewith familyandfriends,doingadventurousactivitiesand experiencingnewcultures.Oneofherfavouritequotes states, “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow Let reality be a reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” -

LaoTuz

ESTABLISHING EVEN HANDEDNESS: ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA AND PALESTINE

BySirRonaldSanders

OnFriday,14June2024, AntiguaandBarbudaandthe StateofPalestineestablished

diplomatic relations, advancing the step taken in 2011 when Antigua and Barbuda declared its recognition of Palestine as a State.

Theagreement,signedin New York, by Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Minister E. Paul Chet Greene, and Palestine’sAmbassadorwith Ministerial rank, Dr Riyad Mansour, emanated from a decision by Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, which was endorsed by the country’s Cabinet.

Prime Minister Browne

tasked me with the responsibility for negotiating the text of the agreement between Antigua andBarbudaandtheStateof Palestine. This diplomatic move was strategically sensitive,giventhecomplex dynamics of the PalestineIsraelconflictoverGaza.

Spain—illustrate a broader trend. These nations have recognized the State of Palestine, challenging the perspectives of larger EU members and underscoring the importance of selfdetermination and respect forsovereignty

This principle is crucial for small countries, whose fateshouldnotbedictatedby the geopolitical interests of morepowerfulnations.

global recognition of Palestine not only bolsters the Palestinian people’s claim to self-determination but also bolsters efforts to reinvigorate the stalled peace process, including by moderate groups in Israel whoarefed-upwithlivingin astateofinterminablewar

The establishment of diplomatic relations with Palestine reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to upholding international law and contributing to peace.

p l a g u e d b y i n j u s t i c e , unfairness and conflict from which no nation, large or small, will escape.

It underscores the influence small states can exert in the international arena, championing justice andequality

Such a role could

Since achieving independence, Antigua and Barbuda, like many nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel The decision to extend similar relations to Palestine was made not to repudiatetieswithIsraelbut to provide equitable diplomatic recognition to both states, thereby supporting our role in fostering global peace and security

not be played with credibility and authority, if diplomatic relations exits withonlyIsrael.

Critics may argue that Antigua and Barbuda, a relatively small Caribbean

state, should avoid entanglementinthecomplex politics of Middle Eastern affairs. However, the recent actions of other small states

within the European Union such as Ireland, N o r w a y , a n d

The intractable conflict betweenIsraelandPalestine has persisted without resolution since 1947, when the United Nations, then dominated by European nations and the victors of World War II, partitioned Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Notably, at that time,noCaribbeancountries except Haiti were UN members, and the majority ofAfricannations,stillunder colonial rule, lacked representation This European-dominated decision-makingprocessleft many regions without a voice, a historical oversight that small states today are working to correct, even in the face of enormous pressure.

The declaration of the State of Palestine by the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1988 marked a significant shift. By then, the global context had evolved with many former colonies gaining independence and joining theinternationalcommunity This period saw a swift recognition of Palestine by 78 countries, a movement primarily driven by nations previously marginalized in globaldecision-making.

Currently, 144 UN memberstatesrecognizethe State of Palestine This growing consensus challenges the earlier resistance by some Western nations and highlights the persistence of Israel’s policiesperceivedasaiming to subjugate the Palestinian people The increasing

While Antigua and Barbuda unequivocally condemns the violence by HamasagainstIsrael,aswell as the disproportionate responsesbyIsraeliforces,it advocates for a balanced approach that supports the creation of two secure and peacefulstates.

This vision aligns not only with international legal principles of peace and human rights, but also with justiceandfairness.

Theroleofsmallstatesin global diplomacy is not merely symbolic; it can be pivotal. The involvement of countries, such as Antigua andBarbuda,bringsaunique perspective shaped by historiesofcolonizationand s

mination By participating actively in international diplomacy, smallstatescanhelpmediate conflicts and push for solutions that larger nations alonehavenotachieved.

Thevoiceofsmallstates isthevoiceofmoralsuasion andtruth.

And it is a role that is acknowledged in powerful councils of the world, such as the Congress of the US, where on June 12, 2024, the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Gregory W Meeks, singled out Antigua and Barbuda for its leadership role with 24 member states of the Organization of American States “to condemnRussia’scontinued aggression in Ukraine”. In this Antigua and Barbuda was on the side of the principlesoftheUNCharter and international law, including repudiation of aggressionandinvasion.

Overcoming history is not easy but if the legacy of ills is not remedied. the world will continue to be

Leaders like Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, exemplify the courage neededtosteerthesecritical decisions, demonstrating that small states can indeed play a significant role in addressingglobalissues.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and p r e v i o u s commentaries:www.sirrona ldsanders.com)

Sir Ronald Sanders

Visiting the Emergency Room: It

wouldn’t always go as you wish

Dr. Zulfikar Bux visitmaygo. patient care is never enough, Emergency Medicine You cannot get to visit it is important to ensure that Specialist patients as you wish relatives and friends of It’s never good news to patients have some of our Lastnight,asocialmedia hearthatarelativeorafriend timetoo. post was shared with me and is a patient of the emergency We wish there was time to the author was falsely room. A patient visit to the talk to everyone depicting a scenario that emergency room usually The reality is that we occurred at the GPHC means that the patient’s cannot speak to every Emergency Department. To condition is grave enough to relative nor can we allow be honest, it disturbed me as warrant tension and anxiety everyone to see a patient in animageofapatientlyingon amongst friends and theemergencyroom.TheER the floor was posted and the relatives. This triggers the physician is expected to author claimed that the phenomena of everyone inform the closest relatives

Patients and their relatives systematic approach to have seen lives lost in patient was having a seizure wanting to see the patient to ofthepatient’sconditionand will always need our patient care that mitigates moments of agony but have and left to lie on the floor ease their anxiety and can facilitate a short visit to the attention. An ER physician humanerrors. also seen many lives Therearetwosidestoastory causeaninfluxoffriendsand patient. The time spent with should always prioritize For the most part, we try snatched from the jaws of and an image on social relatives to the emergency relatives varies according to his/hertimetoensurepatient our best and the system we death. Fighting to save a life media, while it can appear room (ER). The will to see a the patient’s situation but care is not compromised, but have created saves lives. against the odds with the explicit, it can never tell the sick relative and to know of should not hamper patient should also find a momentto While you may not always expectation of success is full story The patient was their condition is strong but care. appeasetheanxiousawaiting be happy, know that our whatwedo. being attended to by a nurse is also a normal human This balance can never relative.

primary goal is to preserve T h e s e c o n s t a n t andwentoffthechairnextto reaction during such be perfect and the ER Help us to help you life first and foremost lifesaving acts that do occur thenurseandendeduponthe stressful times. This usually physician should always err Working in the ER is one Sometimes, in the process of is for the medical staff to ground displaying “seizure- puts relatives into a collision on the side of patient care of the toughest jobs in doing this, it may come over experienceandoutofrespect like activity” The nurse path with emergency room whenever in doubt. Multiple Guyana;it’saconstantbattle as insensitive, but I do not forourpatients,itwillnotbe hastily called for help but staff whose first instinct is to patients are being taken care to save lives, mostly against think that anyone in the ER heard in public ears. Do not w a s b o m b a r d e d b y protect the interest of all the of in the same space of time odds, and the expectations wakes up to come to work to be deterred by a negative expletives and abuse from patients. in an ER and it’s important and pressure are real. At the deliberately make patients’ social media post; by the persons around because she On the wards, patients that every patient has similar GPHC Accident and lives more difficult than it time you’re finished was not trying to lift the are generally more stable, access to care and privacy Emergency Department, alreadyis.Pleaseunderstand perusing that post, the odds patient off from the floor; it have known conditions and Once the ER physician feels staff constantly sacrifices this and help us to help you are, a life would have been must be noted that a seizing havebetteraccesstoprivacy that this is adhered to, then their wellbeing to help bydoingyourparttocreatea saved at the GPHC patient should be placed in a Intheemergencyroom,there he/she should allow time for others. pleasantenvironment. Emergency Department. It is lyingpositionandallowedto are unstable patients with relativesofthepatient. While we are human and A s e m e r g e n c y the place where what we do remain that way until the undifferentiated medical Timespentwithrelatives wearenotperfect,knowthat physicians, we see daily matters, and what matters is seizure stops either by itself conditions and less access to of patients is time lost away i t i s a t e a m - b a s e d whatothersgettoexperience what we will always do for orwithmedications. privacy There can never be from direct patient care environment and there is a maybe once in their life. I you.

Trying to move a patient scheduled patient visiting while they are seizing often times here; neither can causes more harm than good patient’s visit times be since it can affect the prolonged. As much as we patient’s airway or cause wish to ensure everyone is numerous bodily harm to the fully happy, it is not a reality patient and or provider given the nature of our While I empathize with the patients and how they patient, it is not fair for the present. nursetogothroughtheabuse We always have to be she went through and the prepared for the constant unnecessary pressure she fact— incoming patient with was placed under If a video an unknown condition that was posted, it would have has the potential to die very told a different story fast. Time is always against Thankfully,therewasagood the staff in an ER. There are outcome for the patientbut it never moments where we has stimulated me to share candowntoolsbecausethere with you today the reality of isnothingtodo. how an emergency room As much as time for

Bermuda

Bermuda, self-governing soil is highly porous, and standing British overseas territory in the waterisnotaproblem.

Western NorthAtlantic Ocean, it is Theclimateis mild,humid,and an archipelago of 7 main islands equable. August is the warmest and about 170 additional (named) month, with an average daytime islets and rocks, situated about 650 highof86°F(30°C),andFebruary miles (1,050 km) east of Cape is the coldest month, with an British and American descent as more rapidly than the population, components, pulverized coral and Hatteras (North Carolina, U.S.). average nighttime low of 57 °F (14 well as descendants of Portuguese andtheGNPpercapitaisoneofthe shells Another attraction for Bermuda is neither geologically °C). Mean annual precipitation is labourers from Madeira and the highestintheworld. tourists is the historic town of St. nor spatially associated with the about 57 inches (1,450 mm) Azores who have immigrated to Agriculture is of negligible George (founded 1612) and its West Indies, which lie more than Occasional dry spells can be Bermuda since the mid-19th importance in the overall economy, fortifications, which together were 800 miles (1,300 km) to the south critical, as the supply of drinking century and most food must be imported. designated a UNESCO World andsouthwest. water depends almost entirely on

English is the official language, Fresh vegetables, bananas, citrus Heritagesitein2000.

The archipelago is about 24 rainfall.(Therealsoareanumberof but some Portuguese is also fruits, milk, eggs, and honey are Airlines typically account for miles (40 km) long and averages wells and seawater distillation spoken. Christianity predominates, produced locally There is a small most arrivals, but there are also less than 1 mile (1.6 km) in width. plants) The vegetation is and about one-sixth of the fishing industry Mineral industries dozens of calls by cruise ships each The main islands are clustered subtropical and includes flowering population is Anglican. Bermuda’s are limited to the production of year Bermuda has low-income together in the shape of a fishhook shrubs such as bougainvillea, rate of population growth is low by sand and limestone for local taxes;thegovernmentderivesmost and are connected by bridges. The Easterlilies,oleander,hibiscus,and worldstandards,comparabletothat construction. There are a few light of its revenues from tariffs and largest island is Main Island, 14 poinsettia. Palm, pine, casuarina, oftheUnitedStates.Lessthanone- manufacturing industries that various taxes on real estate and miles (22.5 km) long and 1 mile and mangrove trees are found on fifth of the population is younger produce paint, pharmaceuticals, tourism. wide. The Peak, at 259 feet (79 most of the islands. A number of than15years. electronic wares, and printed As a result, the territory has metres) on Main Island, is the migratory birds visit the islands

Virtually all of Bermuda’s material. become an important offshore highest point The capital is annually;otherwildlifeislimitedto larger islands are inhabited, and Tourism and international financial centre, and many Hamilton. lizardsandfrogs. Main Island has the largest financial services account for the

Land

About three-fifths of the concentration of people. Bermuda majorshareoftheGNPandemploy companies have established offices

The coral islands of Bermuda population is of full or mixed has one of the world’s highest virtually all the workforce directly there. Principal trading partners arecomposedofalayer200feet(60 African ancestry, including populationdensities. or indirectly Some half million include the United States, which metres) thick of marine limestone immigrantsfromtheWestIndiesor Economy tourists visit Bermuda each year; supplies nearly seven-tenths of that caps an extinct and submerged their descendants, Cape Verdeans, Bermuda has a predominantly most come from the United States. Bermuda’s imports by value; the volcanic mountain range rising and descendants of slaves brought market economy based on tourism The island is famous for its pink countries of the European Union; more than 14,000 feet (4,300 from other parts of the New World andinternationalfinance.Thegross sand beaches, which get their Canada; and various Caribbean metres) above the ocean floor. The or Africa before Britain outlawed national product (GNP) is growing colour from one of the sand’s main countries. limestone surface is overlain by a the slave trade in 1807. Whites shallow layer of fertile soil. The (people of European ancestry) islands are fringed by coral reefs constitute another one-third of the and have no lakes or rivers, but the population and include those of

Bermuda flag

The Bermuda Cenotaph

Bermudan Cuisine

The Figurehead Memorial

A heart for philanthropy…

Canadian-Guyanese Professor donates in excess of CDN$20M in school and medical supplies

Ca n a d i a n -

Guyanese, Dr Rita Persaud has

given back in excess of $20 million in school and medical supplies to her homeland The Toronto-based University Professor who is described

Dr. Persaud’s donations totalled three shipments of school and medical supplies.

Guyana in February 2022, Persaud donated $18M in as having a heart for she visited several hospitals musical and

ce philanthropy has been inBerbicebutwasprivileged equipment to five secondary contributing significantly to to tour the medical lab schoolsandtheUniversityof Guyana for a number of facilities at Suddie Hospital, Guyana This donation years. Essequibo. included drum sets, violins,

With the support of

“I am glad that I can be a saxophones, microscopes, generous Canadian donors part of improving healthcare andtelescopes. like Wilfrid Laurier quality I understand my In 2018, she sent over University (WLU), George donations can significantly 100 used computers, Brown College (GBC), and enhance the quality of hundreds of textbooks, and Greentec’s President Tony healthcare services provided two projectors to schools in Perrotta., Dr. Persaud had to patients by enabling more Guyana.Thesecontributions previously donated in excess accurate diagnoses and have significantly improved of CDN$18M worth of better treatment options the resources available to school supplies and musical With more resource students, facilitating handsinstruments. In addition to Persaud told The Waterfalls providing these resources, I career prospects. By aiding availability underprivileged on learning and fostering a soliciting the contributions, thatthecomputersandbooks am hopeful to level the education, I believe are hospitals often lack the greaterinterestintheartsand Dr Persaud also donates are essential tools for playing field so that students investing in the students’ necessary equipment due to sciences. significantly to the cause out learning. from all backgrounds have futures and the betterment of financialconstraints. WhileshewasinGuyana ofherownpocket. “Theyprovideaccesstoa the same opportunities to society…Iwanttothinkthat Donations like mine can in 2022, she also gave away This year, the overseas- wealth of information and succeed academically,” she my acts of giving are not just help fill this gap, ensuring six laptops to students from based humanitarian is at educational resources that said. about the physical items but thatthesehospitalsarebetter these six schools (Anna again This time, her can help students with their As a lifelong learner are also symbolic of hope, equipped to serve their Regina Mu

contribution was received in studies. In today’s world of herself, Dr Persaud noted support, and belief in the communities.” Secondary, Cottonfield three shipments. It includes digital literacy, being that books can inspire a love potentialofyoungminds.” She explained that Secondary , Aurora 50 laptops, and over one proficient in using forreadingandlearning. She continued that the medical equipment like Secondary, Abrams Zuil thousand textbooks to computers and technology is She added that, “They donations and such can help microscopes and computers Secondary, Berbice High Guyana schools. Dr Persaud crucial. Donating computers can open up new worlds for bridgethisgap,ensuringthat are vital for the important S

J C alsodonatedsixdentalchairs helps students develop these s t u d e n t s , f o s t e r i n g

underprivileged students work that hospital labs do Chandisingh), and left a PA to the Ministry of Health, necessary skills, which are imagination and critical aren’tleftbehind. and can lead to more system, one projector and and two microscopes and a often required for higher thinkingskills. Iwishtobea As it relates to the e f f i c i e n t h o s p i t a l three projector screens for laptop to Suddie Hospital, education and the job part of supporting the future medical supplies, Dr management and patient eachoftheschools. Essequibo. Speaking about market. I am a firm believer goalsofstudents. Education

this year’s donation, Dr inequalopportunitiesandby is a stepping stone to better conducting research in

This year’s contributions included over one thousand textbooks.

care.

“I am glad to be able to employed at Wilfrid Laurier support community health U n i v e r s i t y ( W L U ) , b y i m p r o v i n g t h e Waterloo, and George infrastructure of hospitals, Brown College (GBC), which contributes to the Toronto where she teaches overall health and wellbeing human resources and of the community I am glad business. Born in Guyana, toalsobeapartofpromoting South America, Dr. Persaud equity in healthcare, which migrated in the 1980’s to can reduce disparities in Canada, lived most of her healthcare access and life in Canada and has been outcomes between different continuing her education populations, promoting eversince. equityandfairness.” Dr Persaud now has

“I can see my donations under her b

h

ee as part of a global health bachelor’s degrees in improvement and my administration, economics, contributions as part of a and human resources from larger effort to improve York University, Toronto, health standards globally, Canada and an MBA and especially in regions where Ph D from Bellevue resources are scarce. I am University, Nebraska, USA. glad to be a part of acts of I n a d d i t i o n t o h e r generosity which are crucial philanthropic effort, Dr in supporting hospitals that Persaud is conducting serve underprivileged extensive research on communities, ultimately suicide in Guyana. She said leading to better health that her research was outcomes and a stronger completedin2023whichshe healthcare system,” she says shows great promise stated. and anticipates publishing Previously, in 2020, Dr theresultssoon.

Canadian-Guyanese, Dr. Rita Persaud

Interesting Creatures... Seahorse Fathers Take Reins in Childbirth

(National Geographic)

under threat from human Male Contractions Montreal who is involved in predation, especially for use The male seahorse has a ProjectSeahorse.

It’s true that male intraditionalmedicines. pouch on its stomach in Scientists think the seahorses never play catch No statistical data on which to carry babies—as courtship behavior is with their children or help seahorse populations is many as 2,000 at a time. A designed to synchronize the them with their homework. available because relatively pregnancy lasts from 10 to movements of the two

But they do outdo human little research on seahorses 25 days, depending on the animals so that the male can dads on one count: Male has been done until recently, species. receive the eggs when the s

e s u n d e r g o but fishers have reported a Thereproductiveprocess female is ready to deposit pregnancy and give birth to decline in the number and begins when a male and a them. The eggs are then their sons and daughters size of seahorses they catch, femaleseahorsedodailypre- fertilizedinthedad’spouch.

It’s true that male according to a network of dawn dances, intertwining The eggs hatch in the seahorses never play catch scientists from various their tails and swimming pouch. The father cares for with their children or help institutions who conduct together the young as they grow, them with their homework. research under a program Eventually, they engage regulating the water salinity

But they do outdo human calledProjectSeahorse. in a true courtship dance, in the pouch to prepare them dads on one count: Male Breeding seahorses in which can last as long as for life in the sea. “It’s quite s e a h o r s e s u n d e r g o captivityisaproblem,inpart eighthours. costly energetically,” Foster pregnancy and give birth to becausethebabiesaresotiny It ends with the female said. theirsonsanddaughters. it’s hard to keep them alive. depositing her eggs in the When the tiny seahorses

The trait is unique in

Male seahorses undergo pregnancy and give birth to their sons and daughters

The marine scientists in male’spouch. arereadytobeborn,themale these strange and fascinating Baltimore are working to “Their mating ritual is

fish that inhabit tropical and develop effective methods quite beautiful,” said Sarah contractions to expel the temperate coastal waters that will help ensure the Foster,aresearchbiologistat young, known as “fry,” from worldwide. creature’ssurvival. McGill University in thepouch.

Seahorses, which range from less than an inch to a genusHippocampus. about seahorses, pipefish, foot (one to 30 centimeters) “They’re such an and sea dragons that will end in length, have evolved a unusual-looking fish, people nextyear s e r i e s o f u n u s u a l sometimes don’t realize Scarratt said it has been adaptations a prehensile they’rerealfish,”saidAlison the most successful exhibit tail for clinging to Scarratt, curator of fishes at in the history of the underwater vegetation, a the National Aquarium in Baltimore Aquarium, which tubelike mouth for sucking Baltimore. openedin1981. in tiny crustaceans, and T h e a q u a r i u m i s Although the bony plates protective bony plates in c u r r e n t l y f e a t u r i n g covering its body make the their skin There are 32 “Seahorses: Beyond seahorse unpalatable to most speciesofseahorse,allinthe Imagination,” an exhibit other animals, its survival is

Celebrating Father’s Day: Honouring Our Everyday Heroes and the Pillars of Strength

InrecognitionofFather’s as well as their selfless though these tokens of recognize single fathers, Day 2024, Humanitarian sacrifice via small gifts and appreciation certainly hold stepfathers, grandfathers, Mission Guyana Inc is conversation. significance It’s about and other father figures who honoured to express its This gesture was made recognizing the magnitude selflessly contribute to the deepest gratitude to all possible through the of the influence that fathers well-being of the next fathers across Guyana. In an steadfast support of the and father figures have on g e n e r a t i o n , ” T h e effort to ensure that this Humanitarian Mission‘s thelivesofthosethatdepend Humanitarian Mission said gratitude and the festivities esteemed donors and the on them. From the gentle initsstatement. of Fathers’ Day, the mission tireless efforts of its guidance offered during “So, as Father’s Day reached as many fathers as dedicated volunteers. As an childhood explorations to approaches each year, let us possible, and conducted o r g a n i z a t i o n , t h e the unwavering support pause to honour these special home visits Humanitarian Mission said provided during life’s most everyday heroes. Whether throughout the community that it recognizes and holds challenging moments, through a simple gesture of to elderly fathers and senior in the highest regard the fathers embody strength, appreciation or a heartfelt citizens living alone with irreplaceable role that these wisdom,andloveinamyriad conversation,letusshowour permanentdisabilities. men have played in shaping of ways. “As we celebrate fathers, biological or During these visits, lives and building futures, Father’s Day, we reflect on otherwise, just how deeply r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f and believe that their efforts the diverse tapestry of their presence enriches our Humanitarian Mission shouldberecognized. fatherhood. We honor those lives; for their love is a Guyana conveyed their Nevertheless, the who may not be biological guidinglightthatilluminates heartfelt appreciation to the Humanitarian Mission said fathers but who assume our paths and reminds us of fathers for their unwavering that Father’s Day is not paternal roles with the profound impact a love, strength, and support, merely about gifts and cards, unconditional devotion. We father’slovecanhave.”

Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc. Ms. Rampersaud - pictured presenting a Fathers’ Day hamper to one of the fathers.

GNBS STEPS UP TYRE INSPECTIONS FOR ENHANCED ROAD SAFETY

Tyre safety and reliabilityarecrucialonbusy roads and highways

Recognizing the importance of tyres to road safety, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has increased its inspection and monitoringoftyrequalityto safeguardconsumersagainst substandard and potentially dangerousproducts.

A vehicle’s only contact with the road is through its tyres.

Their condition significantlyimpactsvehicle control, braking, and safety. Poor or worn-out tyres can cause horrific accidents, injuries,anddeaths.

Assuch,theGNBS’styre monitoring is crucial to publicsafety

The GNBS enforces National Standards for

Tyres, covering design, construction, performance, and labelling, to ensure all tyres sold and used in Guyana fulfil quality and safety criteria These Standards ensure that tyres can withstand the rigors of everyday use and perform reliably under various conditions The Guyana Standard Specification for pneumaticpassengercar (Continuedonpage42)

Kate Middleton attends

Trooping the Colour in 1st public appearance since cancer diagnosis

(Good Morning America) - Kate, the Princess ofWales, made her first public appearance Saturday since announcing in March that she had been diagnosedwithcancer

Kate joined her husband Prince William, their three children,PrincesGeorgeand

Charlotte, as well as King Charles III and Queen Camilla and other royal family members at this year’s Trooping the Colour, the annual military parade held to celebrate the king’s officialbirthday

Wearing a white dress

with black trim by Jenny Packhamandacoordinating hat by Philip Treacy, Kate rode with George, 10, Charlotte,9,andLouis,6,in a state carriage, the Glass Coach, down the Mall duringtheparade.

Following the parade, Kate, William, George, Charlotte and Louis joined Charles and Camilla and other senior members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watchthemilitaryflyover

The last time Kate had appeared in public with membersoftheroyalfamily was in December, when she joined them in attending a Christmas Day service in Sandringham.

Just weeks after that appearance, the palace announcedthatKate,42,had beenhospitalizedonJan.16, for “planned abdominal surgery,” and would take timeoffofherroyaldutiesto recover

Prince William gives update on Kate Middleton’s health amid cancer

treatment.

In March, Kate revealed publicly that she had been diagnosed with cancer followingthesurgery

The type of cancer has notbeendisclosed.

According to the palace, Kate started a course of preventative chemotherapy inlateFebruary

Inthefirstupdateonher health since announcing her diagnosis, Kate said Friday that she is “making good progress” as she undergoes chemotherapybutisnot”out ofthewoodsyet.

“I am making good progress, but as anyone g o i n g t h r o u g h chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,”Katesaidinawritten message shared by KensingtonPalace.

“On those bad days, you feelweak,tiredandyouhave to give in to your body resting.

But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feelingwell.

Billie Eilish Becomes the 3rd Artist to Reach 100M Monthly Spotify Listeners

Billie Eilish should be happier than ever: She’s become the third artist to surpass100millionmonthly listeners on Spotify, the music streaming platform confirms — and she did it withjust82songs.

Adapting to the new normal:ayoungwomanwith headphones listening to a 5 minutesguidedmeditation Spotify Waited Years to Roll Out High-Definition Audio.TheDelayJustMight Pay OffThe two-time Oscar winner follows behind only The Weeknd, who has 107 million monthly listeners, andTaylorSwift,whoboasts 102million;bothhavemore thandoublethesongsonthe streamer than Eilish. And at just 22 years old, this makes the “Lunch” singer the youngestyettohavereached the 100 million monthly listeners milestone. “Spotify has been a part of Billie’s story from the start. Ever since ‘Ocean Eyes,’ she has continuously grown her fan base around the world,” Jeremy Erlich, Spotify’s global head of music, tells Billboard. “What she and [brother-collaborator] Finneas have achieved since 2016 is quite remarkable andallthisbytheageof22. The singer-songwriter currently has eight songs in thestreamer’sBillionsClub: “Lovely” with Khalid (2.8 million plays to date), “Bad Guy” (2.5 million), “When the Party’s Over” (1 8 million), “Everything I Wanted” (1 6 million), “Ocean Eyes” (1.4 million), “Happier Than Ever” (1.3 m i l l i o n ) , “Idontwannabeyouanymore ” (1.09 million) and “Bury a Friend” (1 01 million) Eilish’sdebutsingle,“Ocean Eyes,” arrived on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018 and peaked at No. 84 the following year Since then, shehaslanded42moresongs on the all-genre tally, with six of those reaching the top 10, including 2019’s “Bad Guy,”whichtoppedthechart inAugustthatyear.

GNBSSTEPSUPTYRE...

Frompage40

tyres, GYS 67:2017 (Second Edition), outlines requirements for the importationofnewandused tyres Inspectors of the B u r e a u ’s P r o d u c t Compliance Department examine tyres based on the requirementsofthisstandard at ports of entry, importers bondsandwarehousesandat saleoutlets.

Thisisdoneatthetimeof importation or on a scheduledbasis.

This standard prohibits selling or offering for sale, newtyresthataresixyearsor older in Guyana. Used tyres must have a thread depth of atleast4mmandbenoolder thansixyears.

During examination, Inspectors check for thread separation, belt damage, ply separation, flex break or casingbreak-up,loosecords on inner ply, blemishes, and studs.

Used tyres with nail holes or other injuries larger than 6mm or more than two per tyre are unsuitable Though tedious, tyres are individually scrutinized for flaws and destroyed if they donotconformtostandards. Labelling, quality, and storage requirements must be met for tyres offered for sale.

Importers and dealers of both new and used tyres are required to register with the GNBS annually to import and sell on the local market.

stakeholders to acquire a copy of the National Standard so they can appropriately advise their s u p p l i e r s o n t h e requirements to minimize rejects at the time of examinationinGuyana.

While the GNBS spares no effort to ensure that all tyressoldonthelocalmarket satisfy requirements, importers, dealers and

t be cognizant of their role in ensuring quality tyres are usedonourroads.

Consumers need to s

uard themselves through the selection of quality tyres during purchases and the proper maintenance of these tyres whiletheyareinuse.Proper inflationandfrequentchecks can prolong the life of tyres andprevent‘blowouts’.

Finally, the GNBS’s strict tyre inspections and monitoring demonstrate its commitment to road safety andconsumerprotection.

TheBureauwillcontinue to monitor consumer products based on the requirementsofstandardsto ensure safety and product quality.

For more information, contact the GNBS today on telephone numbers: 2190064 or 219-0065, or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgyorg. You can alsoWhatsApp us on +592

Kate Middleton

GUYANA ENTERS THE MILLET WORLD

PAT DIAL

Over the last four years, theAgriculturalSectorunder the leadership of the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha has been experiencing a veritablerevolution.

One aspect of this revolution has been the introduction of new crops and the upgrading of the variousfarmanimalssuchas poultry,cowsandpigs.

Agricultural Revolution is the commitment to achieving food security for Guyana and the Caribbean Region,toraisethelevelsof the nutritional intake of the population and to eliminate the 6 billion dollars the Region spends annually on food imports by producing thesesamefoodslocally

One of the new crops introducedisMillet.

1,300 acres of Millet are under cultivation at the Tacama Mega Farm on the

Berbice River and the acreage would be further expanded in Regions Five, NineandTen.

India is the major Millet producer and user in the world and does most of the scientificandsocialresearch onthegrainandtheMinistry ofAgriculturehascultivated a very fruitful relationship with the Indian authorities, thus ensuring an orderly successoftheproject.

Millet is among the first cereals cultivated by human

beingsandisfoundinallthe ancient civilizations from New Stone Age times and remained the most used cereal in the world until about50or60yearsago. At that time rice and wheat cultivation had increased their productivity manyfold and became cheaper and State authorities, in many cases, promoted their use. Millet use and cultivation waslefttothepoorerclasses who continued to use it and the aura grew about it that it wasthefoodofthepoorand underprivilegedwhilewheat and rice unjustly came to be regarded as the desirable cereals.

Withtheadvancementof research, it is now known that Millet is nutritionally superior to both rice and wheat. Millet is high in nutrition and dietary fibre and is a good source of protein, micronutrients and phytochemicals and is gradually being restored to itsrightfulplace.

Millets could be ground into flour or consumed wholelikericeandthereare hundreds of recipes for

Millets. Itcouldbeusedfor cakes, bread, roti, porridges and confections, and remains among the most versatileofcereals.

Rice and wheat are normally grown on irrigated landwhichinvolvesthecost of water while Millet is grown on rain watered land and is easily adapted to hot and dry climatic conditions and poor or marginal soils and its cultivation is thereforemoreeconomical.

In this regard, Millet could be a crop of great social and economic benefit to Haiti since a great part of that country’s land had become infertile and marginal with careless use over the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Guyana Consumers Association had written the CARICOM Secretariat to consider measures to have Millet introduced to Haiti and this could be done in tandem with Guyana’s programme with possible assistance from the GovernmentofIndia.

The President H.E. Dr Irfaan Ali has shown a

special interest in the introduction of Millet to Guyana and the Caribbean and participated virtually in the Global Millet Conference in New Delhi which was in conjunction with the United Nations’ declarationof2023beingthe InternationalYearofMillets. In his presentation at the Conference, Dr Ali remarked: “The declaration of this International Year (IYM) is linked to the recognition that hunger and food insecurity are potent threats to the attainment of the sustainable development goals Guyana has identified the production of Millet as having great potential towards enhancing national and Regional food security

As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) implements ‘Vision 25’ by 2025 to reduce the food importbillbyapproximately $US1billionby2025,Millet is an ideal solution to increase food selfsufficiency and reduce reliance on imported cereal grains”.

Follow the Cigar

MarilynSharrow

A woman's faith is restored when she receives a hand from her late father, a wise-crackingcigarsmoker

Dad loved a good cigar He would walk around all day with one hanging from his mouth, looking like Groucho Marx He had Groucho's sense of humour too,alwaysquickwithajoke oraprank.

When he passed away, the stories friends and relatives told at the funeral highlighted how much of a characterhewas.

My favourite story? It happenedonatripwithsome ofDad'sfriendsyearsago,a four-hour drive from home. When they arrived at their destination, Dad discovered hishalf-chewedcigarontop of the rear bumper—he had leftittherewhilepackingup thetrunk.

“I was wondering where I'dputthat,”hesaid.Then,to everyone's horror, he stuck the cigar back into his mouth!

I chuckled at that one. But in the days after the funeral, as Dad's absence took hold, I found it a struggle to smile. I was in such a haze of grief; I

couldn't seem to focus on anything.

One snowy winter morning, I stacked up the photographs of Dad that we'ddisplayedathisfuneral, intending to take them over to my stepmother's place. I stared at one photo of Dad chewing on his cigar, happiness lighting up his face.

I wish I knew he was happy now, I thought. I set thepicturesdownontheroof ofmycarwhileIloadedina flower arrangement to take toDad'sgrave. I had so many errands that day, I never made it to my stepmother's. I was in bed that night when I bolted upright. I'd never put those photos in the car! I'd just driven off with them still on

theroof.Theywereprobably allovertheroad!

In a panic, I woke my husband.Wegotdressedand searched our street with a flashlight Somehow, we located all the photos but one.The next morning, we d r o v e a r o u n d t h e neighbourhood, scanning

thoroughfare for that last missing picture “Stop!” I said.“That'sgottobeit…” We got out and checked. Sure enough, the glossy photo of Dad's happy face stared up at me from the c o l d , w e t g r o u n d Undamaged, incredibly But it was something else that broughtasmiletomyface. Pointingtothephotowas a cigar—its end burned and readytobechewed.

LEGO CUFF-LINKS TUTORIAL

You will need: blank cuff links, two Legos (I used the four dot thin ones), spray paint,glue.

STEP 1: If you're going to spray paint yourLegos,doitnow Isprayedminesilver, togodressy,andcoveredwithafinecoatof spraypolyurethaneinsatin.Allowtodry

STEP2:GluetheLegotothecufflinks. That's it! You can also glue on just about anythingyoucanthinkof,orsomethingthat would mean a lot to dear old dad. Happy, happyFather'sDay!

EyeglassCase

Transform a traditional necktie into a niftyeyeglasscase.

Step 1: Lay a tie front side down Measure and mark 17 inches in from the pointed tip, then cut the tie widthwise Discardthenarrowendofthetie.

Step 2: Using a seam ripper, open the seam along the back of the tie at least six

inches,tocreateapouchfortheglasses.

Step3:Measureeightinchesinfromthe cut end and mark. Fold the tie at the mark towardthepointedtip;tuckunder1/2inchof cutedgeandpin.

Step4:Usinghand-stitchesalongthetop and sides, secure the folded-over portion of tietothetoplayeroffabricbeneathit(taking care not to sew the pouch closed). Finish by affixing a set of self-adhesiveVelcro dots to keepthecaseclosed.

byUncleRoy

ManytimesIfindthatIwanttoknow, WhenIhavetodealwithsomething ThatIfeelisimportanttome, Howtodowhatistherightthing.

ThenIknowIhavetoremember ThethingsthatIwastold, Bymyparentsandteachers, ToactinthewaythatIshould.

ButtherearesometimesthatIfind ThatIhavetoactonmyown; ThenItrytoforgetwhatisbestforme, Anddowhatisrightforeveryone.

Keeping your body fit will help you to get the most from your studies

It is a fact that when studentsarefacedwithsome examination they tend to concentrate on getting their mind to absorb as much as possiblesoastoaccomplish thebestintheirtests.

At the same time, they neglecttolookaftertheother aspects of their lives, and so failingettingthebestoutof themselves at this crucial occasion.

Every human being is made up of various characteristics, all of which must work together in harmony if we are to get the most out of our natural resources.

These are our body, mind, emotions and spirit, andwehavetotrytogeteach of these in good shape if we are to be operating at our maximumpotential.

It can be clearly seen thenthat,ifwearetoproduce our best in any of these, we havetoensurethattheothers arefitandreadytojoininthe effort.

Ifweintendtoengagein any spiritual exercise, for example, we will need to

ensure that the other aspects arehealthy

Otherwise, we will be distracted by problems with our physical health, our mental faculties and our feelings, and not be able to focusasdeeplyaswewould want.

Inthesameway,ifwe are to do our best at any mental work, we should at least take care to keep our body fit, especially as our brainisapartofourphysical structure and has a direct effect on our mental processes.

A detailed study of the brainwillbringthisoutmore clearly

We all know of what we need to do to keep our bodyhealthyandworkingat its maximum – regular exercise, a healthy diet, rest and relaxation, moderation in our habits, and avoidance of harmful substances. When we take the time and trouble to ensure these, then wewillgoafarwaytowards the efficient working of our whole self and be moving towards the best we can be,

UncleRoyisagainappealingtoourreaderstomakea contributiontothiscolumnbyeithergivingafeedback onwhatispublished,askingforsomehelpwithsome personal problem, offering some advice to fellow teenagers,orsharingthenewsofwhatishappeningin his/her community Please send your contribution to roypaul2002@yahoo.com

not only in our work at schoolandhome,butalsoin any occupation we are involvedin.

Makeaplantoexercise

your body regularly with effective workouts, and you will benefit in improving your mind, and as a result yourlearningability

TEES

rowandcolumncontainstwoof each T shape (four different orientations). Ts should not form straight lines by touchingotherTs. Thereisauniquesolution.

byRoyPaul

Ioftenconsidertheclaimwemenmake, Thatshowswearemorethanflesh, WepropoundthatwearemadebyGod InHisownimageandlikeness.

Thissurelymeansthatwepossess SomepowersoftheOneMostHigh, Weknowforsurewehavethegrace Tolove,forgiveandmultiply

Butmostofallwemayassume Somedivineabilitytocreate; Weweregrantedfullmindandspirit, SothatwecouldthegoodLordemulate.

Thenboldlyusethisgodlikepower Toimagineandconceivenewways; Ourworldsoreneedstofindthecures Fortheever-increasingafflictionsofmoderndays.

Makeboldtoexplorenewideasandfrontiers, Daretoinnovateandinventlikenoother; Findfreshwaystodothemundanethings, Asyouruniquenesssurelygivesyouthepower

Withnewpastimesyourabilitieswillbeexposed, Youwillbeamazedatthetalentsyoupossess; Theactofinventionwillputyouinastateofflow, Creatinginyourlifemuchresourcefulness. than

A healthy body will help you to achieve success in all your efforts, including your studies.

This Father's Day, Pamper Your Dad By Indulging

In These 5 Beauty Activities Together

Doneby:MyGlamm

Website: https://www.myglamm.com/glammstudio/202106-fathers-day-fun-beauty-activities-to-plan-for-dad

From the facial care obsessed one to the traveler and the sneakerheads- we took upon the mission to find some superthoughtful self-care activities to plan for your pops and make this day extra special for him. Whether your dad is a skincare guru,ascententhusiast,orprettycluelessonabeautyroutineKeepscrollingforourfather'sdayactivityguidetopamperthe dapperdadinyourlife.

Pamper Your Dad This Father's Day By Making Him IndulgeInTheseBeautyRituals

MakeDadAPlaylistAndSlapOnASheetMask

Wearesurethatthere'snoshortageofsongsthatyourDad loves.Remindhimhowmuchyouappreciatehimwithhisgo-to playlist stacked with songs he would love to hear or you can make him a playlist full of songs about dads. Our bet is he'll listen to this collection all year long. To make it even more interesting,putsomemusiconandslaponasheetmaskandan eye mask with your dad and give in to the ritual's soothing process.

GiveHimAnAt-HomeFacial

Afacialissimplytheperfectde-stresstherapywithahostof benefits. The best bits? It's super easy to DIY at home. From stimulating blood circulation to giving a squeaky clean and brighterskin-afacialcandoitall.Werecommendinvestingina facialkitwithpredefinedstepssoyoucaneasilyfollowthesteps andgivehisskinthemuch-neededTLC.

ColourHisHair

We have done a lot of adventurous things out of sheer boredom due to coronavirus-induced lockdown. So if you're around your dad on the occasion of father's day, why not give himasalon-qualityhairmakeover Withanarrayofhaircolour productsandDIYtutorials,it'snothardtogetitrightathome. Know the shades he likes and give him a head-turning hair colourinthecomfortofyourhome.

GiftHimHisFavouritePerfume

Whetheryourdadlovesallthingsluxuryorissomeonewho probably wouldn't spend over Rs 1000 on himself- there are wide-ranging fragrances available in the market. No matter if he'sanavidreader,atraveler,oratechie-youaresuretofinda fragrance to suit every style and personality.You can buy this perfumetobringyourfatherlotsofjoyandpositiveemotions.

MakeHimADIYFaceMask

Calling out all DIY aficionados: If you like to indulge in homemademasks.Whynotmakehimanuber-nourishingface maskoraserumforyourfather?Aswearecoopedupathome, the easiest way to treat our skin is by whipping up a gamechanging face mask. If you'd like to know some recipes, we recommendcheckingoutourlistofDIYs.

Happy father's day to all the fathers out there.You are the realMVPs.

WITHRITE’S

SeGreenasoning

ByAllyiahAllicock

Owen Withrite’s ‘Green Seasoning’ leaving your food flavoursome one meal at a time

Young Entrepreneur, Owen Withrite

“As a young entrepreneur, I believe that we play a crucial role in society by bringing fresh ideas and innovation to the table.”

it evolved into something muchgreater

“Say no to the old bland foodofthepast...”Thoseare the words of young entrepreneur Owen Withrite whose decision behind his emerging‘GreenSeasoning’ business was the desire to have you nourish on well flavouredfood.

HailingfromMelanieon the East Coast of Demerara (ECD),26-year-oldWithrite said his entrepreneurial journey began on May 29 last. He revealed that the inspiration behind Green Seasoning came from his desiretomakeanincomefor himself,butastimewenton,

“I am passionate about what I do and am excited ab o u t th e f u tu r e possibilities that lie ahead for Green Seasoning.With hard work, determination, and the support of those around me, I am confident that we can achieve great things,” he expressed When asked how his skills were honed, Withrite told The Waterfalls that he learned the process in doingitallandgavecredit tohismother

“I learned to make

Withrite’s “signature Green Seasoning”

seasoning from looking at mymomwhilesheisinthe kitchen,” he stated. After getting a hang of things, theniswhenhedecidedto launchthebusinessbackin

May

While the business is still relatively new, Withrite shared that ‘Green Seasoning’ is all about bringing flavour to your food with their special seasoning blend. He recalled “We started with our signature Green Seasoning,butwehavebig plans to expand our product line to include

peppers in the near future,” herelated.

He shared too that ever sincethelaunch,thesupport base has been good and that it comes primarily from friendsandfamily,whohave beeninstrumentalinhelping the business grow, something that he is very thankful of. Withrite further admittedthatsofar,theonly the sort of challenges he faced is in sales and marketing.

“But we are determined to overcome these obstacles and continue to grow and thrive in the market,” he pledged.

With that being said, the young man told The Waterfalls that the longterm goal with ‘Green Seasoning’ is for it to become an international seasoning business, reaching people all over the world.

Looking to take his business to greater heights and contribute in a m

ningful way, our featured entrepreneur is of the view that small business owners are important and thattheyarereallythegame changersinoursociety “ A s a y o u n g entrepreneur, I believe that we play a crucial role in society by bringing fresh ideas and innovation to the table,”hesaid.

The young man said while they are crucial, he believes there is always more that can be done to boost small businesses locally, particularly in the areas of marketing and showcasingtheirproducts.

For persons interested in supporting Owen Withrite’s business by placing an order, you can contact him via telephone number(592)679-1371.

Men unveil unique challenges and joys of fatherhood

ByDavinaBagot

RAWLE

TONEY

Rawle Toney, a renowned sports journalist, iBet

a m b a s s a d o r a n d entrepreneur, became a father on December 30, 2008.Toney,likeanyyoung man, experienced a blend of emotions, bursting with excitement and shock when he learnt he was being blessedwithachild.

“I used to hang out a lot

so that had to cut significantly Ihadtochoose between being a parent and continuing that lifestyle,”

the journalist and businessmanrecalled.Toney said that new chapter of his life was a challenge in the beginning as he navigated a different path to balance parenthood.

“TherearethingsIcould not have done anymore becauseithadadirectimpact on my family It was a challenge adjusting to that lifestyle,especiallyknowing

exceltodayatwhathewants to do. Knowing I played a part in raising an absolute amazing human and nurturing them, helping to strike a balance between school, entertainment and ensuringtheydon’tmakethe same mistakes you made while growing up, granted the circumstances are different For somebody like me, growing up, I was never short of anything so I make every effort to ensure mychildrenarecomfortable, whichisrewarding.”

On January 5, 2019 the journalist’s life changed for the better after he became a father to the most adorable little girl. The thought of being a dad to a little girl made Toney both nervous andexcited.Hesaid,“Inow had to be protective of both my son and daughter and I wasnervoustoknowIhadto beherfirstloveandshowher howtobetreatedandvalued and that is challenging and frightening but the journey hasbeenreallygoodandfor someone like me that has a

thatyouarenotreallyliving for yourself but there is someone whose livelihood depends on your existence,” hesaid.

Although Toney felt he was not ready for this new chapterofhislife,theyoung man made preparations for the arrival of his son, anticipating a mini version ofhimself.

To n ey to ld T h e Waterfalls that one thing he is most proud about as a father is being blessed with the opportunity to mold someone’s life; this journey becomes more rewarding he said when your child knows what they want “It’s rewarding to see my son

daughter that is into sport and is almost identical to me.”

Although raising a daughter in today’s society with all the new accepted norms, the journalist encouraged fathers and potential dads to embrace fatherhood He said, “Regardless of the circumstances- separated, married or with the person you made that child with, your role still remains the same Provision doesn’t necessarilymeanfinancially but provision in terms of being there for your child, irrespective of the circumstances. Being there for the child does not mean

Brandon Rockliffe and his son before he departed the country

youneedtobeintimatewith thepartner.”

BRANDONROCKLIFFE

For the past four years, Brandon Rockliffe has been separated from his only child, an energetic five-year oldwholivesabroadwithhis mother Rockliffe, a graphics designer recalls being speechless, when he learnt he was going to be a father Unfortunately, the young man did not have a good relationship with the mother of his child and the two subsequently ended their relationship.Theyounglady left the country a year and about two months after the littleboywasborn.“It’sbeen four years now since I last sawhiminperson.Hewould sendmevoicenotesnowand so on and we communicate over the phone,” Rockliffe explained.

Keeping in contact with his son via phone has not always been easy since the internet connectivity would frequentlyposedifficulties.

“At first, I used to have an issue with internet and it was hard to communicate when he was younger cause he wasn’t talking but eventually he grew up and now I get to speak to him more. Every weekend, we speak to each other because during the week he goes to school,” the young man told TheWaterfalls.

Brandon said he often thinks about his son and misses not being able to teachhimhowtorideabike or play ball. “He’s always asking when we would play footballtogetherandhelikes spider-man so he would say hewantstobetheredspidermanandIwouldbetheblack spider-man,” the emotional fathersaid.

Even though he has not

been able to see his son physically over the past years, Brandon said he feels fatherhoodisablessing.His advice to young men is to take responsibility for their children.Hesaid,“Youhave to drop certain things like partiesandsoonandjustget seriousandprovideforyour kids.”

BALWANTSINGH

Fifty-five-year-old

Balwant Singh, a welder, becameafather16yearsago on October 16, 2008. The father of four recalled that whenhelearnthewasgoing to be a father, he was filled

withexcitement. He told The Waterfalls, “Some challenges I face todaywiththisgenerationof kids is that they don’t listen whenyoutalktothem.They want their own way and alwayssayhowheorshecan dothiswhyIcan’t.”

Singh is better known in his community as Paul. He said the best thing about being a father is seeing his

children become successful. Accordingtohim,“Itmakes meproudtoknowthatIwas able to raise and mold such smart children with good qualities.”

Paul said his advice to youngmenorfatherstobeis to ensure you are educated and learn a trade, work hard and honest; try to get your ownhome;befaithfulto

Continuedonpage54

Rawle Toney sharing a warm moment with his two children

Balwant Singh smiles with his baby girl during her birthday celebrations some years ago

Men unveil unique challenges...

Frompage53

your wife; keep God first placeandlivehappy

TRAVISREID

Travis Reid finds fulfillment in being a father tohisonlyson.Reidbecame a dad in 2014 and while he was shocked to learn of the news, he was equally filled

differentsogettingmysonto go outside is a challenge. Getting him involved in cricket and climbing is one of the challenges. Another challengewouldbeitseraso there’s a different speech exposure and being able to accept that things are differentnow,”Reidshared.

He said one of the best aspects of fatherhood is the

with joy and immediately begandraftingaplanforhis future.

Reidworksintheaircraft engineering department and told The Waterfalls he tries his best to have his child engagedinoutdooractivities butthishasbeenachallenge since this generation is vastly different from when hegrewup.

“This generation is

joy and fulfillment you experience watching them growanddeveloplifeskills, gain an education and watching a smaller version ofhimself.

Hisadvicetoyoungmen or fathers to be is to be carefulwhotheylistentofor parental guidance He explained, “Every situation is different and you must learntobepatientwithyour

child. Be careful how you accept advice from the elderlytoobecausethetimes aredifferent.”

Additionally, Reid said along his journey of fatherhood,hehaslearntthe power of bonding and patience and trying to understandsituationsfroma child’s point of view while still being strong enough to providedirection.

RYANPIRES

RyanPires,adiscjockey (DJ) and radio host, was not alwaystheidealfathertohis children.Thefatherofthree, twoboysandalittlegirl,was bluntabouthispastmistakes and failing on his responsibilitieswhilehewas young, something that he is workingtocorrect.

“I am not proud of my mistakes but I have to own uptothemandletyouknow that I wasn’t always perfect butIamnowtryingtobethe best I can for my children,” theDJsaid.

Listeners of Kaieteur Radio would know Ryan as DJ Juggy He was 19 years oldwhenhebecameafather “I was out partying for my birthday on October 14 in 2013 and one of my friends pulledmeinacornerandsaid thebabywashere,”hesaid Juggy recalled that he wasstillateenagerwhenhis highschoollovetoldhimshe was pregnant “I was completely blank because having a child was a huge responsibility and I wasn’t prepared mentally at that time but I allowed her to go along with the pregnancy Throughoutherpregnancy,I wasthereforherandusedto rub her belly with Limacol

andthing,”theDJsaid.

After learning that his son was delivered on

October 15, Juggy explained, “Right away, I becamesoberinasecond.It was completely awesome. I rushed down to the hospital and spoke with the doctor andlearnedthatthedelivery wassafeandsmooth.Icried when I laid eyes on my son for the first time because I wasamazedIdidthis.”

He said his fatherhood journeywentgreatforabout five months however he soonbecame“lackadaisical” and parted ways with his

family “I was not in the picture, started partying for somemonths...Iwasn’tthere much but I ended up with anothergirlayearafterandI had another baby on September29,2015,”theDJ shared.

Forhim,hischallengeasa father was being immature

Accordingtohim,“Iwasnot thinking straight, I lacked common sense, was foolish and wasn’t taking life that serious cause at that time, I was very young I was not paying attention to the important things around me and at that time, being a

young father I can say that I did not appreciate the great blessings I had when I was younger but now being 30 thatmindsethasleftandGod has allowed me to be mature andmyonlypriorityissetting mylifestrongersoIcanmake suremykidsbenefitfrommy labour.”

TheDJsaidheislooking forward to see his children perform well in school and makingsuretheydon’tmake the same mistakes he made. He said the best thing about being a father is seeing his kids face brighten up every timeheseesthemandspends timewiththem.

Hisadvicetoyoungmen is to not have a child if they are not ready to be a father, but to use protection. “My main advice I would love to give all the fellas, I’m sure all men know sex comes for free, but shout out to all women who still have selfrespect, but men are putting women in a position where they feel useless, because theyarelookingforlovebut where men are concerned, it’seasytotellthemyoulove them and you will care for them but it’s completely not okay for you to get her pregnant and she has to foot allthebills.Itisnotfair Iput my son’s mother in that positioninthatpastandwas deeplydisappointedbutIam gratefulthattheyknowtheir kids have a father that loves them equally with all the bloodcirculatingaroundmy heart.”

Travis Reid takes his little boy for a special treat

Ryan Pires (DJ Juggy) enjoying quality time with his little girl

Motherquestionsdaughter'sbraintumourdiagnosisafterautopsyreveals...

Frompage20 treatment prescribed by the doctor sinceshecouldnotaffordthe$5M fee.

Additionally, the woman said that despite GPHC claim that a thorough investigation was conducted, she was never contacted.

Further, the distraught woman said that though GPHC listed her daughter's condition as high risk, 'Urgent'wasneverwrittenonanyof therequestedtests.

“It took us weeks to complete them and get the results,” she said as she pointed to a number of discrepancies in the GPHC's statement. The woman explained that the hospital listed her daughter's case as high risk but at the same time in its press release also said she was neurologically stable.

Additionally, the aggrieved mother said that after the doctor referredherdaughtertohisclinicat GPHC, it took her one

approximately one month for her daughter to see him, and another month for the tests he requested to be done and another month to the surgerydate.

“However, I was told my daughter'scaseisnoturgentby[the doctor],howcantheynowclaimit was high risk and urgent? If my daughter'scasewasurgentandhigh risk, how can it take 3 months for surgery to occur?” the woman questioned.

She continued, “I also wish to

statethat[thedoctor]informedme thatmydaughterhadararecaseof tumour and that he had never experienced what she had, yet in thepressrelease,GPHCclaimsthat the surgery could have been performed at GPHC even though they have no knowledge of her case.”

Given the circumstances, the mother is of the view that her daughterwaswronglydiagnosed.

“She was diagnosed with a brain tumour while her autopsy

showsitwasacerebralcyst.NONE of the medications given to my daughter were classified as antibiotic, which can be used to treatacerebralcyst,”Londonsaid.

She continued: “She was prescribed dexamethasone, which is a steroid for swelling, itching, andallergicreactions.Shewasalso prescribed phenyrion, which is a medication for seizures and epilepsy

The third medication was paracetamolforpain.”

Guyana to pay off ExxonM for investments

sooner than anticipated - VP Bharrat Jagdeo

While the rest of the now if oil prices remain the US$1B.

Attorney-at-Law, Melinda oil wealth for Guyana but world is moving to tax the same to about US$8B to E x x o n M o b i l , t h e Janki cautioned that the surely the time has come to massive windfall profits US$10B per year so you’re operator of the Stabroek country could be left with f a c e r e a l i t y T h

being made by multinational not getting a little bit more, Block currently has three strandedassets,includingoil InternationalEnergyAgency oil and gas corporations, you’re getting much more in Floating Production Storage wells that will cost US- predicts that overproduction policymakers in Guyana the outer years,” Jagdeo and Offloading (FPSO) billionstosafelyshutdown. will result in 8 billion barrels have decided to allow the posited. vessels in operation. The To this end, the Lawyer of oil a day that nobody companies to enjoy the

A new report from the company is producing an questionedthegovernment’s wants.” benefits of the higher than IEAhoweverpredictsthatoil estimated 645,000 barrels of business plan and existence She was careful to also anticipated oil prices, price is likely to decline in oilperdayandisexpectedto o f a m o d e l w h i c h include the imminent gas settling merely for a swift the future. This means that increase oil production to demonstrates oil production sector in her analysis, repaymentofinvestmentsby Guyana’s oil earnings could about 1.2 million barrels of is beneficial for Guyana’s arguing, “The proposed gas thosecompanies. besignificantlyaffected.The oilperday(bpd)by2027. economy or financially project has no financial

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Vice President Bharrat oil contract with Exxon Only yesterday, this viable. justification and it will make Jagdeo during his weekly allows the company to newspaper reported that She reasoned, “It is very Guyana dependent on press conference, hosted at deduct 75% of the monthly International award-winning hard to give up the dream of ExxonMobilforelectricity.” the Office of the President in revenues for expenses. The Georgetown, on Thursday feasibility and all of that. So remaining 25% is split explained that the country is the oil prices have been between Guyana and the oil positioning itself to gain higher than that for a while companiesasprofits. “much more in the outer now ” Consequently, he In 2023, Exxon deducted years”. outlined, “The period that it a whopping US$8 4B of The Chief Policymaker would take to amortize the approximately US$11.8B in for the petroleum sector was investment is shortened and oil revenue generated in the at the time responding to a sooftheUS$30Borsospent Stabroek Block to repay its

q u e s t i o n f r o m t h i s throughthecostbank,Ithink investments. newspaper on whether any it’s about US$28B or about EMGL in its 2023 options were being GYD$6 trillion or so that Annual Report noted that a consideredbygovernmentto 20Bhasbeenpaidbackfrom totalof142millionbarrelsof enable the country to benefit thecostbank.” oilwereproducedandsoldin more from its oil resources, Jagdeo therefore pointed 2023; Guyana received 17 in light of the recent report out that with the fast rate of millionprofitoilbarrels.The by the International Energy c o s t r e c o v e r y b y price of Brent crude oil Agency (IEA) predicting a E x x o n M o b i l , t h e averagedUS$83perbarrelin declineinoilprices. government’s share of 2023.

J a g d e o h o w e v e r revenue will soon be Thisthereforemeansthat explainedthatduetothehigh significantlyincreased. the total revenue generated priceofoiltoday,thecountry “Ifit’smovingsofast,the by Exxon last year was is repaying ExxonMobil and government share, because approximately US$11 8 its partners, Hess and nowyouareaddressingallof billion. CNOOC, earlier for their your cost or you’re getting In 2022, it was reported investments in the Stabroek close to repaying your cost, that the oil company Block. the government share of the deducted some US$7 4

According to him, revenue would increase billion to repay its “Because of higher than significantly...we anticipate investments in the Stabroek anticipated oil prices, the that in the next few years our Block. This therefore means model was run on a different revenue will grow from that cost recovery in 2023

set of numbers- the about US$2B per annum grew by approximately

Trotman accuses Govt. of closing...

From page 8 former minister to disclose, “who were beingsmuggledoverseasweekly.” involved in this intelligence led operation?

TheMinistrysaidbothTrotmanandthen Which law enforcement agency led this Public Security Minister Ramjattan should investigation? Why was no one charged in beheldaccountableiftheyweremadeaware five years while they were in Government? oftheseverityofthegoldsmugglingissuein Why has no report or any information Guyana. whatsoever in respect of this investigation

The Ministry also accused Trotman of ever been made public? Why only now, trying to change the narrative about the nearlya decadeafter, thepublicis hearingof source of gold smuggling by referring to an thisinformationandinvestigation?” operation involving Guyana, Venezuela and Further, the Ministry said that “no such Columbia, “although he mentioned the operations/investigation were discovered at sourceasLOCALGOLDPRODUCTIONin the Office of the President in August 2020 theverynewsarticlein2016”. and logically, there was no “shut down” of Speaking to the intelligence-led any such operation within five days of the operation referenced by Trotman the Government taking office three and a half Ministry of Natural Resources called on the yearsago,oratall.”

From page 16

Nazar Mohamed

President, Bharrat Jagdeo in

business as “Confidential response however explained Cambio.” otherwise. Jagdeo assured, “We

Sent on Leave: Mae Thomas

Azruddin Mohamed

According to the department, got 2% of total sales as the royalty

Azruddin and Mohamed’s What might be confusing to Enterprise allegedly evaded Hunte… is that the 2% is paid from Guyana’s tax on gold exports and the contractor’s profit, so in this defrauded the Guyanese case, the profit oil is 25%, 75% government of tax revenues by goestocostrecovery,soofthe25% under declaring their gold exports ofgross,thatistotalsales,weget12 to Guyanese authorities. “Between and a half percent. The contractor 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s gets12andahalfthenhetakesfrom Enterprise omitted more than 10 his share of profits, 2% and pays it thousand kilograms of gold from to government, so we end up with import and export declarations and 14.5%ofthe25%ofgrossandthey avoided paying more than $50 endupwith10.5%.” million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana,” the US

‘Demand for oil to Treasury alleged. It further alleged slow in coming years’ that: “Mohamed’s Enterprise has – IEAsays in new report bribed customs officials to falsify – but massive supply glut import and export documents, as predicted by 2030 well as to facilitate illicit gold shipments. Mohamed’s Enterprise Oil demand growth is set to had paid bribes to Guyanese slowinthecomingyearsandglobal government officials to ensure the demand will peak in 2029, while undisrupted flow of inbound and rising production will lead to a outbound personnel that move early stages of evaluation. Access prohibitions include the making of Stabroek Block that year amounted major glut this decade, the currency and other items on behalf to a Permanent Secretary of any any contribution or provision of toG$1,108,897,727,566-meaning InternationalEnergyAgency(IEA) of Azruddin and Mohamed’s Ministry could afford contractors funds, goods, or services by, to, or Guyana’s royalty payment should said in its new medium-term oil Enterprise,”OFACalleged. insight into upcoming projects and for the benefit of any designated havebeenG$22,177,954,551.32. outlookonWednesday

Further detailing the alleged bid values. Permanent Secretaries person, or the receipt of any The country was however paid The clean energy transition and acts of corruption by the canactasthelegalauthoritytosign contribution or provision of funds, some G$21,922,725,604 as the “stellar growth” in global EV Mohameds,theOFACclaimedthat contracts on behalf of their goods, or services from any such reported by Exxon in its 2023 sales are expected to lead to to conceal their illegal activity and ministry,”OFACoutlined. person,”thestatementsaid. Annual Report. Royalty is a fixed slowing oil demand growth with operate with impunity, Azruddin OFAChasdesignatedAzruddin Mae sent on leave percentage of the gross value of worldwideconsumptionsettopeak and Mohamed’s Enterprise have and Mohamed’s Enterprise for Meanwhile, in a statement, the revenue,paidtogovernmentsorthe in 2029 and begin falling the engaged in extensive bribery being persons who have materially Government of Guyana said that it owners of natural resources following year, according to the schemes involving government assisted, sponsored, or provided has taken careful note of a press Professor and FormerAmbassador, IEA’s report Oil 2024, the agency’s officials in Guyana This, the f i n a n c i a l , m a t e r i a l , o r release issued by the United States Dr Kenrick Hunte in a letter to this annual medium-term market departmentsaidincludesproviding technological support for, or goods Department of the Treasury, which newspaper on Thursday flagged report. World oil demand is being direct and recurring bribery or services to or in support of, informed of three Guyanese that the country did not receive its tempered by the clean energy paymentstoGuyanesegovernment corruption, including the nationals and entities as being full 2% royalty Dr Hunte transition, says the IEA, which has officials to ensure favourable misappropriation of State assets, sanctioned by the Department’s explained, “The correct royalty at been a vocal proponent of a faster treatment in criminal or civil the expropriation of private assets OfficeofForeignAssetsControl. t w o p e r c e n t i s energytransitioninrecentyears. matters that would otherwise for personal gain, corruption Based on the information G$22,177,954,551 32; and EV sales, which – according to suggest their involvement in illegal related to government contracts or referenced in the press release, the therefore, there is a shortage of the IEA – continue to surge, fuel criminalactivity “Inreturn,corrupt the extraction of natural resources, Government said that Ministry of G$255, 228,947.32 which EMGL efficiency improvements in ICE officials receive cash and gifts for or bribery, that is conducted by a Finance and relevant statutory mustpay.” vehicles, structural economic incidents that are overlooked foreignperson. agencies including the Guyana He pointed out that the country shifts, and a decline in oil use for

Additionally, Mohamed’s SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

Revenue Authority will be only received 1.977% instead of its electricity generation in the Middle Enterprise has paid bribes to As a result of OFAC’s action, requesting additional information 2% royalty Consequently, Dr Eastareallsettostartoffsettingthis corrupt Guyanese government thestatementnotedthatallproperty on the matters highlighted, with a Hunte cautioned policymakers, decade the higher oil demand from officials to facilitate the award of and interests in property of the view to aiding local law “Whendealingwithlargenumbers, the petrochemicals sector ”As a government contracts,” the OFAC designated persons described enforcement agencies The especially dollar values in billions result, the report forecasts that alleged. above that are in the United States GovernmentofGuyanasaidittakes and trillions, rounding percentage globaloildemand,whichincluding Thedepartmentwentontonote or in the possession or control of very seriously the claims contained figures could result in serious biofuels averaged just over 102 that one such official, “Mae U.S. persons are blocked and must in the press release and will shortages in the millions. Please millionbarrelsperdayin2023,will Thomas, was the Permanent bereportedtoOFAC. continue to engage relevant United round to no less than three decimal level off near 106 million barrels Secretary to Guyana’s Minister of In addition, any entities that are States entities on these matters. In places to avoid this unfortunate per day towards the end of this Home Affairs from October 2020 owned, directly or indirectly, themeantime,itsaidthePermanent misrepresentation, and only accept decade,”theagencysaid. through August 2023, and is the individually or in the aggregate, 50 Secretary of the Ministry of afterverification.” At the same time, rising current Permanent Secretary of the percent or more by one or more Labour, Ms. Mae Thomas has been According to the 2016 productioncapacity,ledbytheU.S. MinistryofLabour. blocked persons are also blocked. sent on leave with immediate Production Sharing Agreement and other producers in North and While Permanent Secretary to Unless authorized by a general or effect ‘The Government of (PSA) Guyana signed with Exxon South America, is expected to Guyana’s Minister of Home specificlicenseissuedbyOFAC,or Guyana will continue to work with and partners, the county received outstrip global oil demand growth Affairs,thedepartmentallegedthat exempt, OFAC’s regulations theUnitedStatesgovernmentonall 2% royalty on all petroleum betweennowand2030. Thomas used her position to offer generally prohibit all transactions matters of mutual interest, producedandsold. Guyanesehave “Total supply capacity is benefits to Mohamed’s Enterprise by U.S. persons or within (or including the respect for the rule of been protesting against the low forecasttorisetonearly114million and Azruddin, among others, in transiting) the United States that law and order,” the Government royalty rate stipulated in the barrelsadayby2030–astaggering exchange for cash payments and involve any property or interests in saidinitsstatement. agreement, demanding more 8 million barrels per day above high-value gifts. “Thomas misused propertyofdesignatedorotherwise royalties be negotiated by the projectedglobaldemand,thereport her position to influence the award blockedpersons. Thursday government of Guyana The finds,” said the IEA. ”As the of official contract bids and the In addition, OFAC warned revelation by Dr Hunte has pandemic rebound loses steam, approval processes for weapons’ financial institutions and other Exxon shortchanged Guyana howeverexposedthatthecountryis clean energy transitions advance, permits and passports on behalf of persons that engage in certain $225M in royalty payments for not being paid its fair value of and the structure of China’s Mohamed’s Enterprise. A corrupt transactions or activities with the 2023 – Professor Hunte royalty it should receive from the economy shifts, growth in global Permanent Secretary could sanctioned entities and individuals oilcompany oildemandisslowingdownandset manipulate procurement processes may expose themselves to ExxonMobil Guyana Limited Previously, Professor Hunte toreachitspeakby2030,”saidIEA to suit their preferred bidder by sanctions or be subject to an (EMGL) in 2023 reported that the hadwarnedthatthecountrywasnot ExecutiveDirectorFatihBirol. providing inside information at the enforcement action “The total revenue generated in the receiving its full 2% royalty Vice (Continued on page 61)

From page 60

“This year, we expect demand to rise by around 1 million barrels per day,” Birol added. The IEAholds a much more conservative view on global oil demand growth in 2024 comparedtoOPEC.Thecartelsees demand growing by 2.25 million bpd this year compared to 2023, and by another 1.8 million bpd in 2025. The report states that in a break with long-term trends, the front-loaded build in global oil production capacity is forecast to lose momentum and swing into contraction towards the end of our medium-term outlook, with the 2024 expansion of 1 8 mb/d reversing to a drop of 280 kb/d in 2030. This tracks the world’s pivot towardscleanerenergythatleadsto a plateau in our demand outlook by theendoftheforecastandresultsin aneffectiveOPEC+sparecrudeoil capacity cushion of 6.8 mb/d, mostly concentrated in Saudi ArabiaandtheUAE.

ExxonMobil has been ramping up production in Guyana

According to the report such a massiveoilproductionbuffercould usher in a lower oil price environment, posing tough challenges for producers in the US Limited (EMGL) has recovered Agreement (PSA) stipulates that mindfuloftheeffectsaslumpinoil learnt that detectives are presently shalepatchandtheOPEC+bloc. more than US$19B to date from 75%ofallrevenuesgeneratedeach price can have on its economy, trying to recover that weapon from Given shale’s short-cycle time Guyana’s oil revenues generated in month can be deducted towards especially since the country has theriver frame and price reactivity, some the Stabroek Block- enough to cost recovery Costs not recovered agreed to forego early profits from Edwards was last seen alive on output could be at risk (see Shale cover its investments in the three in that particular month are carried the industry by not ring-fencing its June 4, 2024. Persons recalled that price sensitivity scenarios). producing oil projects, the country over to the next month while the projects. the child father was last seen with Moreover, reduced requirements will not benefit from a higher share remaining 25% is then shared Chief policymaker for the her. They claimed that he was for OPEC+ crude may put the ofitsresourcesthisyear. equally between Guyana and petroleum sector, Vice President beating her and then left the area alliance’s market management to Liza One, pegged at US$3.5B, Exxonasprofits. Bharrat Jagdeo previously whereshewaslastseenalive.Three thetest.Thehugeamountofexcess Liza Two which costs US$6B and Only yesterday Kaieteur News explained, “We admitted that we days later on Friday June 7 her supplycouldalsotemptsomeinthe the US$9B Payara project could reported that the International are foregoing revenue now in nude, headless and decomposing group to rationalize capacity plans. haveeachbeenpaidoffin2023had EnergyAgency(IEA)ina2024Oil exchange for massive future body was found among a clump of Saudi Arabia has already taken the Guyanaring-fencedtheoilprojects report highlighted that demand for income because it’s going into new bushes in a swamped area in the lead, announcing in early 2024 a in the Stabroek Block. A ring- oil will slow in the coming years. It projects that will increase vicinityofCatWalk,PortKaituma. suspension of its 1 mb/d crude fencing provision would mandate was explained the clean energy production and so even with the Policelocatedthecorpse’sheadthe capacity expansion. At the same each project to pay for itself. After transition and the “stellar growth” same share of the 50/50 plus the following day and after they were time, it is ramping up gas liquids, the cost of the project has been in global EV sales are expected to two percent royalty that the future able to confirm her identity, they reflectingtheexpandingroleofgas repaid, Guyana is posed to receive lead to slowing oil demand growth income,becauseofthebiggerscale identified the child father as a in Riyadh’s efforts to transition 50% of the revenues generated at with worldwide consumption set to will be massive in Guyana’s case personofinterest. towardsitsnetzeroambitions. the project This means that peak in 2029 and begin falling the and we are deliberately foregoing Reports are that he surrendered Producers outside the OPEC+ revenue flow to the Natural followingyear that in this period for that purpose himselfonMondayattheBaramita bloc (non-OPEC+) dominate Resource Fund (NRF) would World oil demand is being and then trying to grab this bone Police Station Investigators in medium-term capacity expansion significantlyincrease. tempered by the clean energy now could cause you to lose all the Region One explained that the plans,addingatotalof4.6mb/d,or In the absence of this key transition, says the IEA, which has bones, the bigger bones too in the police as well as the Guyana 76%, of the net increase. The principle, ExxonMobil is free to been a vocal proponent of a faster future.” Defence Force and the Community United States alone accounts for use the revenues from these energytransitioninrecentyears.

Policing group were on the lookout 2.1 mb/d of the non-OPEC+ gains, producing fields to fund projects EV sales, which – according to Child father confesses to for the suspect and checked a while Brazil, Guyana, Canada and that are yet to commence the IEA – continue to surge, fuel beheading woman numberofplaces. Argentina contribute a further 2.7 production or invest in its efficiency improvements in ICE mb/d. As sanctioned expansions exploration activities across the vehicles, structural economic Investigators have informed Saturday ease markedly towards the end of Block. shifts, and a decline in oil use for Kaieteur News that Paulette ourforecast,growthwillstallinthe On Thursday, the company electricity generation in the Middle Edward’s child father Silas France Guyana at risk of being left United States and Canada while confirmed that as of the end of Eastareallsettostartoffsettingthis will likely be charged with murder with stranded assets, could Brazil and Guyana shift into 2023, US$19B in costs was decade the higher oil demand from after he reportedly confessed to bare financial cost to shut decline based on current plans. recouped The three projects the petrochemicals sector ”As a beheading her at Port Kaituma, down oil wells – Int’l Lawyer However, should companies currently in operation carry a result, the report forecasts that NorthWestDistrict,RegionOne. continue to sanction additional collective price tag of US$18.5B. globaloildemand,whichincluding Somesourcesevensaidthatthe The recent report by the projects that are already on the In this manner, the three project biofuels averaged just over 102 investigatorshavealreadyobtained InternationalEnergyAgency(IEA) drawing board, an incremental 1.3 costs could have been cleared in millionbarrelsperdayin2023,will legal advice to charge him that the demand for oil is expected mb/d of non-OPEC+ capacity December 2023, positioning level off near 106 million barrels According to information reaching toslowinthecomingyearswiththe couldbecomeoperationalby2030. Guyana to receive more profits this per day towards the end of this Kaieteur News, Edwards’ child global shift to cleaner energy yearfromtheoilandgassector decade,”theagencysaid. father on Wednesday reportedly thereby reducing oil prices will no Friday In 2023, the Stabroek Block According to the report, such a told investigators that he killed her doubt have a negative impact on generated approximately US$11.8 massiveoilproductionbuffercould because she caused the police to Guyana’s burgeoning petroleum Guyana this year could have billion, of which US$8.4B was usher in a lower oil price frequently lock him up and always sector received US multi-billion dollars deducted by Exxon for cost environment, posing tough walks around drunk with their International award-winning in oil profits as three project recovery Meanwhile, Guyana challenges for producers in the US daughter He reportedly said too Attorney-at-Law,MelindaJanki,in costs already recovered barely received US$1.6 billion in shale patch and the OPEC+ bloc. thathetossedtheweaponheusedto a letter shared with Kaieteur News, oilmoneythatyear Guyana, as a fairly new oil chop off her head in the Port highlightedthefinancial Although ExxonMobil Guyana The 2016 Production Sharing producer should be particularly Kaituma River Kaieteur News (Continued on page 62)

From page 61

Shereasoned,“Itisveryhardto

A m b a s s a d o r T h e r i o t implications this can have on highlighted the gravity of the Guyana. offenses that led to these sanctions.

She stated, “We reserve these types give up the dream of oil wealth for of sanctions for gross levels of Guyana but surely the time has corruption and human rights come to face reality The abuses.” International Energy Agency

Theriot went on to explain that, predicts that overproduction will “it’s a very high bar, we do not do resultin8billionbarrelsofoiladay this lightly This is something that thatnobodywants.” we ensure that we have a

To this end, the Lawyer

Consequently, Janki pointed preponderance of evidence before out that the country could be left we’re ready to levy the sanctions with stranded assets, including oil and we had that in this case against wells that will cost US-billions to the three individuals who were safelyshutdown. sanctioned.”

Senior Minister with questioned the government’s responsibility for Finance, Dr business plan and existence of a deducted as costs to repay the Guyana should receive upward of Ashni Singh and Commissioner model which demonstrates oil companies’shareholders, while the $6 billion annually by 2028 or General of the Guyana Revenue necessity of confidentiality during production is beneficial for remaining proceeds are split as sooner, however, the organization Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia investigations. “We tend to not Guyana’s economy or financially profitsequallywithGuyana. believes that due to all of the new have since written to the OFAC share a lot of information until the viable.

Intheabsenceofaring-fencing costs,Guyanawillbeshortchanged requesting additional information investigation reaches a certain She was careful to also include provision, the companies have untilthe2030’s,ifnotlonger ontheallegations. stageandsoIregretthatpeoplefeel the imminent gas sector in her authority to use the income from

In response to queries about that they’ve been left in the dark,” analysis, arguing, “The proposed producing oil projects to pay for Sanctions on Mohameds, PS sharing evidence with local shesaid. gas project has no financial other projects that are yet to Thomas backed by mountain of authorities, Theriot explained that The Ambassador continued, justification and it will make commenceproducingoil. evidence – USAmbassador she had immediately passed the “…It would be exactly the same Guyana dependent on ExxonMobil Thecountrywasencouragedon …says investigation went on for request to the Treasury way if we were conducting an forelectricity.” multiple occasions by various more than 2 years

y investigation against someone

In her earlier comments, the organizations to ring-fence the recommended that they share as accused of corruption in the United Attorney-at-Law noted that June projects to allow revenues to flow United States Ambassador to much of that evidence is that is States. We would not share that 14, 2024 marked 25 years since to the national coffers rather than Guyana, Nicole Theriot on Friday unclassified or that they can share information until the investigation former President, Janet Jagan fatten the pockets of the oil provided insights into the recent because we have a wonderful we’re at a stage where that was that signed an “over- generous” companies. sanctions imposed by the US partnership with the government of waspossible.” Petroleum Agreement with Esso In three separate reports dated Treasury’sOfficeofForeignAssets Guyana,”sheadded. Furthermore, Theriot also Exploration and Production 2017, 2019 and 2019, the Control (OFAC) on Guyanese Theriot underscored that she clarified the types of information GuyanaLimited-nowExxonMobil International Monetary Fund billionaire Nazar Mohamed, his strongly recommended to her that could be shared with GuyanaLimited(EMGL).Notably, (IMF) stated: “This asymmetrical son Azruddin Mohamed and partners in Washington that they Guyanese authorities, noting that a number of the provisions in that treatment of profit and cost oil will governmentofficialMaeThomas. provide the Guyanese government unclassified information and agreement made its way into the benefit the contractor at the with as much information as certain levels of sensitive but 2016 oil contract that now governs expense of delaying government The OFAC made allegations possible to aid local investigation. unclassified information could be the oil-rich Stabroek Block, revenue.” against the Mohameds for a series She said too, “We want them (local provided operatedbyExxon. Meanwhile, the United Nations of corruption – including gold authorities) to be able to take that “Thereisclassifiedinformation

Lacking however is a key Development Programme smuggling. information and do with it what that we can request be declassified, clause to ensure the country (UNDP), along with another It is alleged that Thomas, the theyneedtodo.” that we can be allowed to share,” benefits early on from the revenues international expert, Chatham Permanent Secretary (PS) for the On the timeline for presenting sheexplained. generated from the sector This House and the World Bank called Ministry of Labour, misused her this evidence, Theriot expressed a Ambassador Theriot said too provision, known as ring-fencing, on Guyana to include a ring- position to offer benefits, like desireforurgency “IwishIcould,I that,“I’veabsolutelyrequestedthat would mandate each oil project to fencingprovisionforeachproject. government contracts to the wish it was today That would be and I was very clear in my request pay for itself, and would enable the Painting a more graphic picture Mohameds. wonderful. But unfortunately, I that we want to be able to share as country to benefit from more in one his reports on Guyana was On the sideline of an event at don’t control the entire US much as humanly possible because profits after the cost of the Director of Financial Analysis for the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, government. So I did ask them we want to be very transparent, the developmenthasbeencleared. the Institute for Energy Economics Ambassador Theriot said the though,toexpediteit,”shesaid. government of Guyana has been The contract stipulates that a and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), sanctions,aretheresultofovertwo Moreover, addressing concerns verytransparent.” whopping 75 percent of the TomSanzillo. andahalfyearsofinvestigationsby about local agencies being left in When asked about the monthly revenues are to be The IEEFA estimated that USauthorities. the dark, Theriot explained the possibility of other individuals being sanctioned, Theriot said that the investigation was specific to three sanctioned individuals and at this time she is not aware of any additionalinvestigation.

However, regarding the potentialforcriminalchargesbeing imposed by the US on the sanctioned individuals, the Ambassador acknowledged that it isalwaysapossibility,thoughsheis notawareofanyatthistime.

Moreover, the government has since revoked the Mohamed’s cambio licence and is taking measures to safeguard the country’s financial system. Also, Thomas has been sent on leave pendinginvestigation.

Dead: Paulette Edwards

Remanded: Silos France International Lawyer, Melinda Janki

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot Azruddin Mohamed Nazar Mohamed

Government official, Mae Thomas

Explore.Eat.Repeat:GuyanaRestaurantWeek2024beginsFriday

From June 21 to

June 30, 2024, Guyana is set to sizzle with the muchanticipated Guyana RestaurantWeek(GRW).

T h i s c u l i n a r y extravaganza promises ten days of gastronomic delight asthenation’sfinesteateries opentheirdoorswithspecial menus and enticing discounts.

For those unfamiliar, GRW isn’t just about

d i n i n g o u t i t ’s a celebration of flavours, c r e a t i v i t y , a n d community

Over the past years, it has evolved into a hallmark event eagerly awaited by b o t h l o c a l s a n d internationalvisitors

P a r t i c i p a t i n g restaurants, spanning from vibrant Georgetown to the serene coastal towns, offer curated menus showcasing theirculinaryprowess

Whether it’s the authentic spices ofAagman Indian Restaurant or the seasidecharmofTheBeach Specialties Restaurant & Bar, each venue crafts an experience that reflects Guyana’srichculturaltapestry

For diners, GRW presents an unparalleled opportunity to indulge in

high-end dining at accessible prices

Lunch menus start as low as $3,000, while dinner experiences range from $6,000 to $7,500, taxes included

This affordability, coupled with the chance to sample new dishes and wine pairings, makes GRW a favourite among food enthusiasts.

Restaurateurs, on the other hand, benefit from increased foot traffic and exposure

It’s a strategic

platform to debut

seasonal offerings, receive direct feedback from patrons, and attract a diverse clientele.

The event not only boosts revenue but also fosters a sense of culinary innovation and friendly competitionamongpeers.

GRW isn’t just about filling stomachs; it’s about creating lasting memories and promoting cultural exchangethroughfood.

The event is a testament to Guyana’s growing culinary scene, where traditional recipes meet contemporary palates As Kamrul Z. Baksh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, notes, “Let’s explore, eat and repeat on

#DiscoverGuyana.”

Participation in GRW is straightforward Simply

b

participating restaurants, s

reservation Upon arrival, inquire about their GRW menu and optional wine pairings a surefire way to elevate your dining

A

exp

and scope, o

committed to enhancing its cultural and economic impact.

The event not only supports local businesses but also positions Guyana as a must-visit destination

s worldwide

Guyana Restaurant Week 2024 promises to

flavours, support local eateries, and indulge in the best of Guyanese

hospitality Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or simply curious, mark your calendar and prepare to embark on a culinary journeylikenoother

As the saying goes, in Guyana, it’s all about exploring, eating, and repeating So, grab your fork and join in the festivities it’s time to savor the flavours of GRW! Participating restaurants:

1 Aagman Indian Restaurant 2 Ambrosia Restaurant(NewAmsterdam)

3 Amici 4 Atlantis Cuisine-(Leonora)

5 T h e B e a c h Specialties Restaurant & Bar-CaribbeanInn 6 Bia Bia Tex Mex

Cuisine - (Bartica)

7. Bistro Cafe & Bar (MiddleStreet) 8. Bottle Bar & Restaurant - Cara Lodge 9. D Café 10. The Flame Restaurant & Grill 11 Froggy’s Grill

12. Hard Rock Café 13. Heliconia Restaurant(CampStreet) 1 4 Heliconia Tavern - (Main Stree) 15.JaxxInternational Ltd 16 Mango Walk Restaurant & Lounge 17. Nutrition Crave 18. OMG

Arawak Steakhouse 19.PalmCourtRestaurant

20 StarlightRestaurant - (Suddie 21 ucre Restaurant, Herdmanston Lodge 22 Terra Mare

Restauran

, Marri

t 23.RyRy’sRestaurant

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One Bodywork man needed. Call: 675-9988.

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Vacancy for a domestic maid, call 618-1853.

Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 645-8443

Live in Nanny for children, must have US visa to travel with family. Call Melissa 6392808.

FOR RENT

Modern home under construction at Annadale, E.C.D. Call: 675-1510 / 613-7964.

2 bedroom apartment for rent 3 & 4 Durban street Lodge. Contact : 225-0431 or 6254167.

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2- SUV Lexus Contact: 6500402 / 652-0251.

Prime business spot 1/2 Acres land located at parika E.B.E.Contact : 650-0402/6520251

ENTERTAINMENT

Aracari Hotel WBD (VreenEn-Hoop) crystal clear swimming pool. Adult/children sections. Music & food. Contact:264-2946-9

LAND FOR SALE

Cummings Lodge 100ftx80ft (+10 ft reserve). sandfill,eastern fence, bridge e.c.t , Plan for 9 apartment 3 story building available. Tel: 624-8694.

40x100 ft(+10ft Reserve) in Cummings Lodge ideal for apartment building/bond etc. Tel: 624-8694.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Aracari Hotel WBD (VreenEn-Hoop) A/C rooms from $75 usd/$40 usd day rate WIFI, secure parking & poolside. Contact: 264-29469 / www.aracariresort.com

UK’s Princess of Wales makes first public appearance since cancer diagnosis

(L-R) Britain’s Prince George of Wales, Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain’s Prince Louis of Wales, Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain’s Princess Charlotte of Wales, Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Camilla wave on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending the King’s Birthday Parade “Trooping the Colour” in London on June 15, 2024. The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. Since 1748, the Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign. Over 1500 parading soldiers and almost 300 horses take part in the event. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Catherine, Princess of Wales, on Saturday tentatively returned to UK public life for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer, attending a military parade in London to mark King Charles III’s official birthday.

Kate, as she is widely known, travelled in a state carriage alongside her three children at the outset of the annual event before watching the ceremonial proceedings from a viewing point.

The 42-year-old future queen then appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony, to cheers from the crowds below who had braved torrential rain to turn out for the pageantry.

It comes nearly three months after the princess revealed she was receiving chemotherapy treatment. She had not been seen at a public engagement since a Christmas Day service last year.

In a Friday evening statement Kate said she was “making good progress” with her treatment, which is set to last for several more months, but was “not out of the woods yet”.

“I’m looking forward to attending the King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer,” the princess added.

Kate’s cancer announcement came just weeks after it was disclosed that her fatherin-law and British head of state Charles had also been diagnosed with the condition.

Neither has revealed what type of cancer they have.

Charles, 75, was given the green light to resume public duties in April, after doctors said they were “very encouraged” by his progress.

His first engagement was

meeting staff and patients at a London cancer treatment centre.

Earlier this month, he attended commemoration events in northern France for the 80th anniversary of DDay.

However, unlike previous years when he inspected troops on horseback at Trooping the Colour, Charles participated this year from a carriage, in full military regalia alongside Queen Camilla.

His elder son and heir William, 41, rode on horseback, also in military uniform.

Kate, wearing a white dress and hat, was seen arriving by car at the palace with William and their children — Prince George, aged 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis — ahead of the parade.

Proceedings then culminated several hours later in a fly-past by the Royal Air Force, featuring various aircraft including its aerobatic Red Arrows display team trailing red, white and blue vapours.

Senior royals looked on from the balcony, with Kate smiling at points as she stood alongside other family members.

Spectators welcomed her tentative return to public appearances.

“I was so pleased to hear the news last night,” Angela Perry, a teacher in her 50s from Reading, told AFP.

“She’s our future queen. She’s so important,” she added, calling Kate’s reemergence “reassuring”.

Royal officials are keen to manage expectations about Kate’s gradual return to the public eye, and have maintained that her appearances will depend on her treatment and recovery.

Kate explained in her state-

ment that she had “good days and bad days” and was “taking each day as it comes”.

Trooping the Colour marks the British sovereign’s official birthday and is a minutely choreographed military tradition dating back more than two centuries.

It starts at Buckingham Palace and moves down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, where Charles received a royal salute before inspecting soldiers. Charles was actually born in November but the second birthday tradition dates back to King George II in 1748, who wanted to have a celebration in better weather as his own birthday was in October.

However, Saturday’s ceremony saw heavy downpours.

The event has its origins in the preparations for war, where all regimental flags — or colours — were shown to the soldiers so that they would recognise them in the confusion of battle.

This year’s parade included three of five military horses that bolted through the streets of central London in April after being spooked by the noise of building construction.

London’s Metropolitan Police mounted a “significant” security operation and liaised with anti-monarchy group Republic, which staged a protest on The Mall.

The force said it had banned “amplified sound” in and around the parade route on public safety grounds and to avoid disruption to the mounted regiments taking part. Republic’s activists chanted slogans and held aloft placards bearing slogans including “not my king” and “down with the crown” as the parade passed by.

VACANCY

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Brazilwomenmarchagainstbilltighteningabortionban

SAO PAULO, June 15

(Reuters) - Thousands of women protested on Saturday against a bill advancing in Brazil’s conservative Congress that wouldequateabortionsafter 22 weeks of pregnancy to homicide and establish sentences of six to 20 years inprison.

The demonstrators marched along Sao Paulo’s main Paulista Avenue carrying banners rejecting theproposal,whichtheycall themostrepressiveapproach to women’s reproductive rightsindecades.

People of all ages, including many retirees and children, filled the streets chanting, “A child is not a mother, a rapist is not a father.”

Abortion is allowed in Brazil only in cases of rape, fetal deformation or when themother’slifeisindanger If the bill backed by evangelical lawmakers becomes law, abortions by rape victims would be consideredhomicideafter22 weeksgestation.

Feminist groups criticized the proposed legislation for imposing harsher penalties than those giventorapistsinBrazil.

Women protest against bill 1904/2024 that would equate abortion carried out in Brazil after 22 weeks of pregnancy with the crime of murder, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 15, 2024. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

They also argue that the changes would greatly impact children abused by familymembers.

Such children, often lackingtheunderstandingor support to recognize themselvesascrimevictims, frequently discover their pregnancieslate.

Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called thebill“insane”andsaidhis government will defend the current laws that punish rapistsandtreattheirvictims withrespect.

“It is insane to want to punish a woman with a greater penalty than the

criminal who committed the rape,” Lula said at a news conference at the Group of Seven(G7)summitinItaly

Protests began on Thursday in Brazil’s largest cities after the lower chamber of Congress voted to put the bill on a fast track for approval, which curtails

debateontheproposal.

Facedwithcriticismthat rape victims seeking abortions could face worse punishment than rapists, the bill’s author Sostenes Cavalcante said he will propose harsher sentences for rape, currently up to a maximumof10yearsinjail.

Ca

evangelical pastor and memberofformerhard-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s party

The angry reaction on social media may slow the bill’sprogress,withSpeaker Arthur Lira no longer planning to put the proposal to the vote in plenary any time soon and expecting its text to be changed, a source inhisofficesaid. Passage is even less certain in the upper chamber where rightwing senators have less c

Pacheco has said the bill

committees

First Lady Rosangela da Silva criticized the bill and said on social media: “Congress should be working to guarantee access to legal and safe abortions through the national health system SUS.” Brazil’s restrictive abortion laws mean many Brazilian women seeking to end pregnancies resort t o u n s a f e i l l e g a l abortions and botched procedures, which cause dozens of deaths every year

Putin peace terms slammed at Ukraine summit

BBC - The leaders of Italy and Germany have strongly rejected ceasefire terms laid out by Vladimir Putin to stop the war in Ukraine, as scores of countriesgatheredatatwoday summit in Switzerland to discuss ending the conflict.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the Russian president’s plan “propaganda” which effectively suggested that Ukraine “must withdraw fromUkraine”.

German Chancellor OlafScholzdismisseditasa “dictatorialpeace”.

A draft declaration issued at the summit reaffirms Ukraine’s territorial integrity and unambiguously rejects any nuclear threat against the country

Thedocument,duetobe formally adopted on Sunday, also states that the safe transit of commercial shipping in the Black and AzovSeasisvitalforglobal

foodsecurity

On Friday, Mr Putin claimedhewouldagreetoa ceas

if Uk

ne withdrew troops from four regions which Russia partially occupies and claimstohaveannexed.

AndriyYermak,chiefof staff to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, told the BBC at the Swiss summit that there would be “no compromise on independence, sovereignty orterritorialintegrity”.

Mr Putin revealed his terms ahead of the two-day Summit on Peace in Ukraine which is aimed at discussing the basic principles for ending the war

More than 90 countries and global institutions are attendingtheevent.Itisthe biggest gathering for Ukraine since the full-scale invasion.

But Russia was not invited, and China - a key ally of Russia - is not attending, so expectations

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (EPA)

of significant progress at thisstagearelow

Commenting on Mr Putin’s proposal, Ms Meloni said: “It doesn’t seem particularly effective to me as a negotiation proposaltotellUkrainethat it must withdraw from Ukraine.”

Britain’sPrimeMinister Rishi Sunak accused the Russian president of “spinning a phoney

n

s willingnesstonegotiate”.

He added that countries helpingRussiawithweapon supplies “are on the wrong sideofhistory”.

Ukraine is already presenting the gathering at the secluded spot in Bürgenstock as a success, pointing to its global reach andthenumberofcountries represented.

Mr Zelensky said

Ukraine wanted to “give diplomacy a chance”, and show that “joint efforts” couldstopwars.

“I believe that we will witness history being made here at the summit. May a just peace be established as soonaspossible,”hesaid.

HisaideMrYermak-an

“We think that can happen at the second summit at the level of leaders,”hesaid.

Mr Putin has already ruled out any kind of peace processonUkraine’sterms.

The four Ukrainian regions he wants Ukraine to withdraw from are only partially occupied by Russia, which claims to haveannexedthemin2022.

The voting process held then was denounced in Ukraine and the West as a sham.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said that “freezing the conflict today with foreign troopsoccupyingUkrainian landisnotananswer”.

“Infact,itisarecipefor future wars of aggression,” shesaid.

Mr Putin’s terms for a ceasefire were branded “offensive to common sense”byUkraine.

Ukrainianpolitics-brushed aside the absence of China, and suggested that when a joint plan for peace talks is ready it could be be presentedtoRussia.

50,000 Gaza children require urgent treatment for malnutrition: UN

Aljazeera - The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says morethan50,000childrenin the Gaza Strip require immedi

malnutrition.

In a statement on Saturday, the agency noted “with continued restrictions to humanitarian access, people in Gaza continue to face desperate levels of hunger UNRWAteamswork tirelessly to reach families with aid, but the situation is catastrophic”.

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder also described howdifficultitistonotonly getaidintoGaza,butalsoto distribute it across the warbatteredcoastalenclave.

“More aid workers have been killed in this war than any war since the advent of theUN,”hetoldAlJazeera.

OnWednesday,UNICEF

Haitito

hadamissiontodriveatruck full of nutritional and medical supplies for 10,000 children, Elder said. Their task was to deliver the aid, which was pre-approved by Israeliauthorities,fromDeir el-Balah to Gaza City, a 40km(25miles)roundtrip.

“Ittook13hoursandwe spent eight of those around checkpoints, arguing around paperwork – ‘was it a truck oravan’,”hesaid.

“The reality is this truck was denied access. Those 10,000 children did not get that aid Israel as the occupying power has the legal responsibility to facilitatethataid.”

One of the main land crossings in Rafah has been closed since Israeli forces seized the area early last month The move has heightenedfearsoffaminein southernandcentralGaza.

The UN’s World Food

UNRWA warns people in Gaza face ‘catastrophic’levels of hunger because of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid.

Executive Director Carl Skau spent two days assessing the plight of Palestinians this week, saying the challenges are “like nothing I have ever seen”.

“The situation in southern Gaza is quickly deteriorating. One million people in southern Gaza are trapped without clean water or sanitation in a highly congested area along the beachintheburningsummer heat.

We drove through rivers ofsewage,”saidSkau.

For months, right-wing Israelishavebeenprotesting and blocking roads to prevent aid shipments from reaching Gaza, further straining the flow of desperatelyneededaidtothe territory

On Friday, the United States imposed sanctions on

Internally displaced Palestinians walk in the courtyard of a destroyed UNRWAschool [File: Mohammed Saber/EPA-EFE]

a “violent extremist” Israeli group for blocking and damaging humanitarian aid convoystoGaza.TheGroup of Seven leaders also stressed UN agencies must workunhinderedinGaza.

U N RWA , w h i c h coordinates nearly all aid to Gaza, has also been in crisis

since January, when Israel accused about a dozen of its 13,000 Gaza employees of being involved in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

This claim led many nations, including top donor the US, to abruptly suspend funding to the agency,

threatening its efforts to deliveraid.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarinihasrepeatedlysaid Israeli moves to suspend funding are “additional collective punishment” for Palestinians already reeling from nonstop Israeli bombardment.

replacenationalpolicechiefinefforttocountergangviolence

- Newly installed Prime Minister Garry Conille has pledged to

bring

security to crisis-wracked nation and strengthen police.

Aljazeera - The newly installed government in Haiti has announced the replacement of the head of the beleaguered national police force, in the latest effort to respond to gang violence in the crisiswrackedcountry

Police chief Frantz Elbe willbereplacedwithformer chief Rameau Normil, the prime minister’s office has confirmed.

The move comes as Haiti’s new prime minister, Garry Conille, has faced increased pressure to strengthen the Haitian National Police. The force has remained woefully underfunded and illequipped despite being at the forefront of the battle against powerful armed gangs in the Caribbean country

Conille himself was installed by a transitional council in May after gangs earlierthisyearseizedlarge swathsofthecapital,Portau Prince, and deposed former PrimeMinisterArielHenry

Speaking to the Reuters

news agency after the change was announced on Friday, Pierre Esperance, the National Network for Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH),describedElbe’s timeasheadofthepoliceas “catastrophic”.

“The results of Elbe at the helm of the police are catastrophic,” Esperance said, adding he believed Elbeshouldbeprosecuted.

“Hespenthiswholetime establishing relationships with the gangs, reinforcing the gangs and preventing cops from doing their job and risking their lives,” he said.

Haitian police officers are seen near the National Palace in Port-au-Prince [File: Clarens Siffroy/AFP]

Haiti’s police unions have also repeatedly called for Elbe’s resignation and arrest,pointingtogangraids onatleast30policestations and substations in recent monthsaspartofaseriesof attacks that began on February29.

On Wednesday, the SPNH-17 police union held a news conference condemning the state of the department under Elbe SYNAPOHA, another police union, joined in callingonConilletobolster the department earlier this week.

The latest development

hascomeasHaiticontinued toawaitthedeploymentofa Kenya-led, UN-backed multinational security force composed of 1,000 Kenyan officers,aswellaspersonnel fromahandfulofCaribbean countries.

That force was meant to deploy in late May, but its arrival has been repeatedly delayed.

For his part, Normil had headed the national police from mid-2019 to late 2020 under former President Jovenel Moise, who was assassinatedin2021.

Priortothat,heoversaw the detective division. The effective date of the replacement was not immediatelyclear

Fight against gang violence

Haiti’s fast-shrinking police force has suffered from a lack of resources while fighting criminal groups armed with highcalibre weapons the UN says are largely trafficked fromthenearbyUS.

As of 2023, the police force had just more than

13,200personnel,according totheUN.Theinternational organisationhaswarnedthat only about 4,000 police are ondutyatanygiventimein acountryof11million.

Meanwhile, a recent survey by RNDDH found that 20 police officers have been killed so far this year, with more than 320 since 2015.

Police officers’ regular complaints included late pay, insufficient training, workplace harassment, dismissal threats, knife and gunshot injuries and equipmentshortages

Nevertheless, Haiti’s n e w C o n i l l e - l e d government has promised tobringaboutchange

“Haiti is confronted by major challenges Violence and instability paralyse our daily lives,” Conille said at an official ceremony on Wednesday

“My government will work without rest to improve the conditions of eachandeveryHaitian,”he said, adding that “without security, no sustainable progresscanbeachieved.”

“It is crucial our police and soldiers are ready to face today’s security challenges,”Conilleadded, “and we will ensure that they have the tools they need to carry out their mission effectively and professionally.”

For its part, Haiti’s ombudsman, the Citizens’ Protection Office, has called on Normil to produce a plan to control the gangs and improve the police force “without delay”

It has also called for authorities to offer explanations for the high rate of killings and the “spectacular” recent escape of about 4,500 prisoners under the “complete indifference” of previous authorities.

Gang violence in Haiti has pushed 578,000 people fromtheirhomes,according totheUN’slatestestimates. Thousands have been killed and millions pushed into acute hunger amid the unrest.

BLUNTNESSONINDECENCIES!

Incaseyouhaven’theard,pleasebeinformedthataspartofourcontinued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our Publisher, Dr Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about ongoing indecenciesinourlandthatshouldmatter,notonlytousatthispublication, buttheentirenation.

SUNDAY–June09,2024

Theownersofthe resourcesarenot benefitting!

Guyanaissupposedtobe benefitting from 50% of the profits in the Stabroek Block, but ExxonMobil and its partners in 2023 walked away with a whopping US$6.5B in profits, leaving the crumbs behindUS$1.6B,forGuyana.

This utter disrespect must cease immediately Guyanese must not be treated as dogs in our homeland;wedeservetolive better lives with the wealth that the creator has blessed uswith.Itshouldnotonlybe to the benefit of the foreigners.

Our politicians are however allowing the oil companies to fatten their bankaccountsattheexpense ofourpeopleandourfuture.

MONDAY–June10,2024

CreepingDictatorship

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeolikestotalkaboutthe past.Helikestocompareand contrast his PPP/C Government to that of the PNCR

One of the comparisons he studiously avoids is that justliketheForbesBurnham PNC Government – the PPP oftodayhasbeenexhibiting similartraits.

Criticism of the government is met with vilification–oneoftheclear signs of a creeping dictatorship.

Personsarenowafraidto speak to this newspaper for fearofattractingthewrathof the government The emergence of one-man rule andagovernmentdominated bby sycophants poses a significant threat to democracy

When “yes-men” become pervasive in a society, it is a sure sign that freedoms are under threat. These yes-men are not only danger to themselves but to yourandmyfreedom.

TUESDAY–June11,2024

Corruptionand procurement

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeoissuchawisefellow thatittookhimfouryearsto hearandrecognisethenoises thundering globally about Guyana’s procurement malpractices. Four years of record-breaking national budgets,wherethehogofthe b i l l i o n s w e n t t o procurement.

In 2024, it is GY$666 billion, in some shape or form In 2023, it was GY$387 8 big ones for capital expenditure, which was 50% over 2022, and about 275% over 2021. Is that real money, or what? Now,whenalldemoneydun teef out and the toothless, cherry-picked procurement commission is exposed as a con game, there is Jagdeo ridingintotownonhiswhite horse with his white hat firmlyinplace. Hehasbeen around those cowboys and cowgirls from Texas too long. Corruption has been killingGuyanafromtheday it stopped being British Guiana,butithasneverbeen this bad. (Hard Truths June 9,2024)

WEDNESDAY–June12,2024

Hidingthemajoritems intheAuditReport

The people who are the bona fide owners, the first shareholders, in Guyana’s wealth do not have the privilegetoviewthebillions i n e x p e n s e s t h a t ExxonMobil bills against local oil revenues, because our government has decided tohideitfromthem. Ifthey cannot view, then they can neitherreviewnorquestion. They cannot raise any objection about millions chargedthataretoomuch,or millions that should not be charged in the first place because they do not belong in the Guyana oil revenue bucket.

This is as big a loophole

thatcouldbe,andthatanyoil superpower company could get To intensify the darkness, when the elected governmentoftheownersof the national wealth partner with the local offshore oil consortium to conceal the billionsofexpenses,thenthe result is the result. That is, US$6.5B for ExxonMobil

and its gang, and US$1.6B forGuyana.

FRIDAY–June,14,2024

Dr.Jagdeo

Vice President Bharrat

Jagdeo loves being addressedasDr Jagdeo. He should get himself a qualityeducationfirst.

Put in the effort and the titlecouldfollow Of course, he has no achievementstorecommend him,soheisstilllacking.

Since he is so thrilled to be called doctor, he must stop being Exxon’s witch doctor Itisdegrading.

Quack doctors are a dollar a dozen, and Jagdeo canbuyhimselfacertificate from any Chinese

University He is fully deservingofoneofthatkind.

Saturday–June,15,2024

USGOVERNMENT

SAVESJAGDEO

Goldsmugglingcomeas

agodsendtoJagdeo. Hedoesn’thavetomake himselfalaughingstock. He doesn’t have to answerquestionsaboutoilor Exxon. OFAC is fever relief forJagdeo.

Nothing about oil ‘teefing’

Onlygoldsmugglingand tax evasion. This country gettingrippedoff. And Jagdeo flipping off Guyanese with gold smuggling.

Isthisanoilleader?

Or is this man Jagdeo nothingbutaweakling?

Heartbreak for Nepal as Shamsi scripts stunning turnaround

(ESPN Cricinfo) It was heartbreak for Nepal and their fans in Kingstown, as they fell short by only one runagainstSouthAfricaina nail-bitingencounter

Fans and players alike wereintearssincetheresult also eliminated Nepal from SuperEightcontentionatthe T20WorldCup2024.South Africamadeacleansweepof the group stage with four wins in four, riding on Tabraiz Shamsi’s 4 for 19

thatdraggedthembackwith astunning18thover

But for so very long, the game seemed Nepal’s to lose.Theirspinnershadspun awebtolimitSouthAfricato asubpar115for7-evenona difficult, turning track - and thenwiththebathadbrought the equation down to 25 needed off 30 balls, with sevenwicketsinhand.

Shamsi though, in for Keshav Maharaj, turned the game with a double-wicket

18th over, including that of the set Aasif Sheikh (42 off 49). The dots that followed raised the required rate, but two powerful late strikes from Sompal Kami and 18year-oldGulsanJhatookthe game down to two off two balls.

But Ottneil Baartman bowled two dots as Nepal failed to get bat on the ball both times, and a desperate attemptatalast-gasprunleft theminchesshortintheend.

SA’s overly cautious startPossiblyscarredbytheir earlier outings in the tournament, South Africa began the game a touch too cautiously,andintheprocess batted conservatively when conditions for batting were attheirbest.

Whiletheir38for1inthe powerplay was their best of thetournament,SouthAfrica were guilty of waiting for loose deliveries instead of putting the bowlers off their linesearlyon.

Nepal for their part, rarely strayed in their lines and lengths and once the spinners took hold, they neverlookedback.

Nepal spinners make SA crumble

Sunday June 16, 2024

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Today you will have all the energy you need to deal with long-term family problems. Indeed, you'll probably clash with some of your relatives. But this situation won't cause anyseriousissues.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You enjoy caring for others andyouinterveneregularlyin their lives to guide them. Ironically, today you're the one who needs advice. You'll probably need to get away from it all in order to get a clearviewofyourownlife.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

We all have to make compromises in order to live in contemporary society.You may have strong beliefs, but it's difficult to combine your idealsandasociallife.

CANCER(June21–July22)

You'vealwaysfelttheneedto free yourself from society You need to feel independent at any cost. You may need to face certain relationship problemsatthistime.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You may feel annoyed about the attitude of some of your groupoffriends.Unlikethese people, you're very openmindedandyoucandealwith situations as they arise Indeed, you have a natural ability to adapt to every situation.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Today, Virgo, you'll be submerged under a lot of emotions. In a way, you'll be revisiting your childhood

Youmaybeveryedgy Thisis agooddispositioninwhichto analyzeyourlife.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

You really know how to seduce,Libra.Thereisaspark inside of you that spreads naturally to those around you. You have a big reservoir of sensitivity and emotion that couldgrowtoday

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

You're a very active person, Scorpio, but today you'll probably be disappointed. If you ask those around you to help with your activities, they most likely won't understand yourneeds.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Nothing much is happening today, yet you seem worried and tense. You'll have to use this day to your advantage. Think about your life. You'll also think about the needs of yourrelativesintheyears.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

You often need to thrive on personal emotions.Today will benoexceptiontotherule.For instance, you could try to captivate the attention of peopleyouadmire.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You shouldn't try to fight the feelings that run through you today Don't even try to rationalize them These feelingsareprobablyrelatedto emotions dating back to your childhood You shouldn't avoidoranalyzethem.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

You'll be lost in your thoughts today, analyzing your life and relationships.You'll be asking yourself if your existence is meeting your standards. You will ponder what to expect from the future and from the peoplearoundyou.

went for just 18 runs in his first outing of the tournament in Nepal’s first gameoutsidetheUSA.

But in Dipendra Singh Airee (3 for 21) and Kushal Bhurtel(4for19),Nepalhad enough overs of spin to exploit the conditions, with the pair accounting for all seven South African wickets.

South Africa did their best to negotiate the conditions with a steady approach, but despite run-a-

ball stands of 22 and 46 for the first two wickets, they struggled to up their gears. Only Tristan Stubbs, who scored 27 in 18 balls from No. 8, scored at a strike rate ofover100. Inall,Nepalbowledspin for 14 overs, including the final over of the innings. There Bhurtel grabbed two wickets for nine runs, and Nepalhadconcededonly58 runs in the back end for six wickets, after conceding only57inthefirstten.

Sandeep Lamichhane’s first delivery spat 6 2 degrees as it gripped and turned past Reeza Hendricks’defence,andthat set the tone as South Africa rarely looked comfortable againsttheturningballfrom that point on While Lamichhane would end wicketless,hisprobingspell

Edwards’ and Fraser’s goal fest...

Frompage70 andcontributionsfromKeon Grant and Abdul Kendall.

Chase’s Academic Foundation edged out Hope Secondary 3-2, with goals from Akeel Young, Ranny Yaw,andMarkGlasgow

South Ruimveldt achievedacommanding4-1 victory over New Amsterdam, thanks to Devonte Game’s quick double in the 3rd and 4th minutes, followed by goals from Rickford Toney and Jahim Hart Dolphin Secondary beat West Ruimveldt 3-0, with Gowan Adams scoring twice and Damani Hardy adding anothergoal.

Christianburg (Boys), Westminster (Boys), Bushlot (Boys), Tucville (Girls), and Santa Rosa (Girls) also advanced to the quarterfinals via penalty shootouts.

The tournament is sponsored by ExxonMobil with support from MVP Sports, Stena Drilling and DDL/Pepsi and is approved bytheMinistryofEducation and Ministry of Culture, YouthandSports.

The competition will continue tomorrow at the samevenue.

Cricket West Indies announces new partnership with FairBreak Foundation

(CWI) - Cricket West Indies (CWI) and FairBreak Foundation have announced a new partnership to promote and support Women’s Cricket in the region. As well as FairBreak InvitationalT20Tournaments, FairBreak has created a new Foundation which will use

donations to support grassroots women and girls cricket programmes across theCaribbean.

FairBreak Global, are dedicatedtopromotinggender equality through Women’s InvitationalT20tournaments, having successfully hosted two ICC-sanctioned tournamentstodateinDubai (2022) and Hong Kong (2023). Johnny Grave, CWI Chief Executive Officer stated, “wearepleasedandenthusiastic tobethefirstICCFullMember BoardtopartnerwithFairBreak

One of the new strategic objectivesofCWIhasbeento achieve parity between womenandmenincricketby 2027 and we believe that this partnership will allow us to showcase the talent and potential of female cricketers in the West Indies, while promoting inclusivity and gender equality within the sport.” Cheryll Rogers, FairBreak Chief Executive Officercommented,“weare delighted to partner with CWIandbringthesupportof F

Caribbean. It has been my pleasure to bring FairBreak up to a new level for women’s cricket Our aspiration is to partner with cricket boards and charities to uplift community cricket as well as create new pathways into the women’s professional

game The new FairBreak teamandtheircommitmentto thehigheststandardsofsafety and governance, are setting a gold standard for the environmentinwhichweinvite playerstoplay

Ourtournamentswillnow beheldinthebeststadiumsin the world, including the West Indies A truly unique opportunity.”

FairBreak’scommitment to the West Indies includes investment in grassroots cricketprogrammesthatwill benefit and inspire future generations of female cricketers throughout the region, as well through engaging local coaches, match officials and other

Tournamentsplannedforthe future.

2024 ExxonMobil Boys’ and Girls’ U14 Football C/Ships… Edwards’

and Fraser’s goal fest highlight Round-of-16

The 2024 ExxonMobil Boys’ and Girls’ Under-14 Football Championship concluded its round of 16 phase yesterday at the Ministry of Education ground, with teams fiercely competing for spots in the quarterfinals.

In the Girls’ division, defend

ons Waramuri Top, Bartica, Charity, New Amsterdam, Marian, President’s College (PC), Tucville and Santa Rosa secured their places in the quarterfinals after thrillingvictories.

Meanwhile, in the Boys’ division, Bartica, Leonora, Chase’s Academic, South Ruimveldt, Dolphin, Bushlot, Westminster and Christianburg Secondary a d v a n c e d t o t h e quarterfinals.

Bartica Girls dominated Abram Zuil with a 4-1 victory, thanks to Neriswar Williams, who scored all four goals in the 12th, 14th, 35th, and 39th minutes Charity Secondary edged past Three Mile Secondary with a narrow 1-0 win, courtesy of Donelle Smith’s 21st-minute goal New Amsterdam Secondary triumphedoverNewCentral Secondary 3-0, with Amara Peneux scoring twice and

President College’s goal scoring was led by(L-R) Kimore Edwards, Sharmel Blake and Reyanna Gounga

Seairra Lacruz sealing the winwitha27th-minutegoal. Marian Academy displayed strength against East Ruimveldt Girls, with Skylar DeNobrga and AshleyWaltoneachscoring, leading to East Ruimveldt forfeiting at halftime. The defending champions continued their impressive run with a 7-0 win against Bushlot Secondary, featuringahat-trickbyErika Harris and goals from Shenesa Thomas, Tina Williams, Brentia Marks, and Lillianna Bacchus. PC Girls overwhelmed the

Institute of Academic Excellence (IAE) with a staggering 12-0 win, highlighted by Kimore Edwards’ six goals and Sharmel Blake’s three, with additional goals from Reyanna Gounga and Nessa Andrew Over in the Boys’ division, Bartica Boys defeated St John College 31, with Jaden Christian scoring twice and Garfield Jones adding another goal. Leonora Secondary crushed West Ruimveldt 6-1, led by QuincyFraser’sfourgoals (Continuedonpage69)

Doncic, Mavs avert sweep with Game 4 blowout

(Reuters)-CoachJason

Kidd had a simple explanation for why his Dallas Mavericks players brought their “A” game on Fridaynight.

“It was this or we go on vacation,”Kiddsaid.

Vacation plans have been put on hold as the Mavericks responded in impressivefashioninawinor-go-home situation, routing the Boston Celtics 122-84 in Game 4 of the NBAFinals.

Luka Doncic scored 25 of his 29 points in the first halfandKyrieIrvingadded 21 points while helping the Mavericksavoidasweep.

The scene shifts back to Boston for Game 5 on Monday as the Celtics will looktocloseitoutathome. However, Dallas showed life on Friday after Boston

was the dominant team whilewinningthefirstthree games of the best-of-seven series.

The script flipped in Game 4. Doncic and the Mavericks got off to a fast start and didn’t look back.

Doncic started a 10-0 spurt in the first quarter with a floater and closed it with a drivinglayupasDallastook a25-14leadwith3:19leftin the period. That early run wasasignofthingstocome.

“We were locked in, especially on the defensive end,” Doncic said “We played with pace. It helped (myteammates).I’mhereto help them in every way I can.Wejustgottoplaylike that.”

Dallas had a 34-21 lead by the end of the first quarter,scoringthefinalsix points on 3-pointers by

IrvingandP.J.Washington.

The Mavericks kept pouringiton.Theydoubled up the Celtics 50-25 on a layup by Irving at the 5:16 mark of the second quarter To close the half, Maxi Kleber drilled a corner 3pointer off an assist by Doncic.

ThatgaveDallasa61-35 leadatthebreak.

TheMavericksshot52.3 percent from the field compared to the Celtics’ 29.7 percent in the opening half. Dallas also won the rebounding battle 29-13 over the opening 24 minutes.

“They came out desperate and I think they punched us in the mouth,” Celtics guard Jrue Holiday said, “and we couldn’t kind of recover the way we wantedto.”

Dallas turned it into a full-on rout in the second half, leading by as many as 48,takinga115-67leadona 3-pointer by Jaden Hardy with5:58leftinthegame.

The Mavericks reached the 100-point mark several minutes before that on a 3pointerbyTimHardawayJr Dallasdidn’treachthe100pointmarkinanyofthefirst threegamesagainstBoston. Hardaway finished with 15pointson5-of-7shooting from 3-point range.All five of his treys were made during a 2:39 stretch in the fourthquarter

The Mavericks’ 38pointfinalmarginofvictory wasthethirdlargestinNBA Finals history The Chicago Bulls beat the Utah Jazz by 42pointsinGame3in1998, and the Celtics crushed the LosAngelesLakersby39in

Game6in2008.

“It’s real simple. We don’t have to complicate this. This isn’t surgery,” Kiddsaid.

“Ourgroupwasreadyto go. They were ready to celebrate.Wemadeastand. Weweredesperate.

We’vegottocontinueto keep playing that way, understandthey’retryingto findawaytoclosethedoor

“The hardest thing in this league is to close the doorwhenyouhaveagroup that has nothing to lose. Tonight,yousawthat.”

For Boston, it was a letdown for a team that remains in control of the Finals.

NBA teams are 156-0 when taking a 3-0 lead in a best-of-sevenseries.

The loss snapped a 10gamewinningstreakforthe

Celtics,whodroppedto7-1 ontheroadintheplayoffs.

The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum’s 15 points. Sam Hauser added 14 points,andPaytonPritchard had11.

“Preparation doesn’t guarantee an automatic success,” Boston coach Joe Mazzullasaid.

“I thought we had a great process. I thought we hadagreatshootaround. Thoughtwehadagreat film session (Thursday). I thought the guys came out with the right intentions. I just didn’t think it went our way I thought Dallas outplayed us They just playedharder.

“At the end of the day, wehavetojustmaintainour process and get ready for Game5.”

This new partnership will use donations to support grassroots women and girls cricket programmes across the Caribbean (Photo: CWI Media)

Second annual GGA National Junior Golf Drive, Chip/Putt Championship set for July 5

The Guyana Golf

Association (GGA) on Fridayconfirmedthesecond annual National Junior Golf

Drive, Chip, Putt Championship,settoteeoff onJuly5,2024.

According to GGA president Aleem Hussain

during an Interview yesterdayattheNexgenGolf

Academy, Woolford Avenue, this year’s event is expected to be bigger and betterthanthefirst.

With thousands of young players from across the country being introduced to golf through the Ministry of EducationUnitofAlliedArts programme, which began in September 2023; last year’s successfultournamentgotoff tobrilliantstart.

Among last year’s key sponsors ;DDL Savannah Milk, Guyana Tourism Authority,SterlingProducts, Sunshine Snacks, Guyana Beverages Inc. , Tristone Auto, Sylvie’s Industrial

Solutions, Praetorian

Executive Security, Party Castle, KFC, Giftland Mall and Toolsie Persaud Ltd, moresupportisexpectedfor thisyear. In2024,over300 young players from all over

Guyana are expected to compete for individual and schoolhonours.

The competition will feature three age groups: Under 13, Under 15, and

Kumari and Dilhari bag three-fors as Sri Lanka go 1-0 up

(ESPN Cricinfo)Three-wicket hauls from Sugandika Kumari and Kavisha Dilhari set Sri Lanka up for their first women’sODIwinoverWest Indies since 2015, the hosts going 1-0 up in the threematch series in Hambantota onSaturday Since that last win in 2015,SriLankahadlosttheir last six ODIs against West Indies going into this match Sent in, West Indies made a strongstart,gettingto75for1 courtesy a 68-run secondwicketstandbetweenHayley Matthews and Shemaine Campbelle They lost steam afterleft-armspinnerKumari broke that partnership in the 19th over, losing their last eight wickets for 120 runs Matthews (38) apart, only StafanieTaylor(33)gotpast 30, as the spinners, led by KumariandDilhari,chipped away.Sri Lanka’s top five managedthechaseperfectly, with four of them getting past35.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu (38) and Vishmi Gunaratne (40) got them off to a solid start, putting on 88 in 13.2 overs, before Sri Lanka stumbled

briefly, losing three wickets for13runs,withtwoofthem falling to the medium-pace ofAaliyahAlleyne.

H a r s h i t h a Samarawickrama (44*) and HasiniPerera(43),however, ensured there wouldn’t be any more major hiccups, putting on 63 for the fourth wickettoallbutsealvictory, before Afy Fletcher picked

The second edition of the GGANational Junior Golf Drive, Chip/Putt Championship will tee off next month, July 5

Sugandika Kumari picked up 3 for 30 (Getty Images)

Under 18. Prizes will be awarded to the top three schoolsandthetopfivemale and female players. Additionally, scouts will be present to identify potential

candidates for the National Team. The championship is freeforallparticipants,with trophies, snacks, meals, and water provided by our generoussponsors.

To participate, players mustregisterbyJune30thby calling 645-0944 or emailingtheirinformationto guyanagolfassociation@gm ail.com.

India and Canada split points in damp Lauderhill India

India turn their attention to the Super Eight stage of the tournament now where they will face Afghanistan on Thursday (ICC/Getty Images

up a consolation wicket late inthegame.

Matchdetails:SriLanka Women 198 for 4

(Samarawickrama 44*, Hasini 43, Gunaratne 40, Athapaththu 38, Alleyne 222,Fletcher2-31)beatWest

Indies Women 195

(Matthews 38, Taylor 33, Kumari 3-30, Dilhari 3-41) bysixwickets

(ESPN Cricinfo) - The T20 World Cup 2024 game between India and Canada was called off due to wet outfield. There wasn’t a lot ofrainontheday-apassing drizzle - but the ground at Lauderhillhadtakenenough water on Friday when USA andIrelandhadtosettlefora point each as well for it to stillbeunfitforplay

There were two inspections by the umpires and the groundstaff worked hardforoverthreehoursbut nothing could be done to

convince the officials that theoutfieldwassafeenough.

India turn their attention to the Super Eight stage of the tournament now where they will face Afghanistan onThursday Canada’s campaign, though, has come to an end, but it was a memorable one wheretheyupsetIrelandand can also look forward to an improved chance of making the 2026 T20 World Cup. Onlyoneoftheparticipating teams in the Americas regional qualifiers can go

through to the World Cup. But now that USA are already through, Canada stand a stronger chance making it through the pathway

Lauderhill is meant to host one more match at this T20 World Cup - Ireland vs PakistanonSunday Both teams have already been eliminated from the tournament.

Thereisforecastforrain in the morning which may once again affect the cricket.)

GMMAF Strategy Meeting sets stage for IMMAF Pan Am Championships

TheGuyanaMixed

Martial Arts

F e d e r a t i o n (GYMMAF) convened a high-energy planning and strategy meeting with its member clubs on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the Transport Sports Club conferencecenter

The primary agenda was the submission of club athletes for this year’s IMMAF Pan American Championships.

W i t h 1 0 c l u b s represented,sevensubmitted the names of their fighters, totaling 27 athletes ready to step into the cage. A subsequent date will be announced for the athletes’ physical and medical

assessments, followed by an internalclubscompetitionto finalizetheselection.

This meticulous process ensures that only the best willrepresentGuyanaonthe PanAmericanstage.

Troy Phillips, Vice President and Team Manager, underscored the fairness of the selection process, emphasizing that it allows all clubs a fighting chance to showcase their talentandgrow

The federation’s committee overseeing these activities includes notable figures such as Phillips, Roland Fanfair, Charles Greaves, and Dr. Sarwan Jagnarain, ensuring a balancedandcomprehensive

(from left to right) - Troy Phillips, VPGYMMA,

Taffin Khan successfully retains National Chess Title

N a t i o n a l C h e s s Champion Taffin Khan successfully defended his title for the second consecutiveyearafterfacing nine opponents in the recently concluded NEW

G P C I N C 2 0 2 4

Championship at the NationalRacquetCentre.

The top nine finalists to compete against the 2023 challenger, Taffin Khan, included two junior players. The top nine were FIDE Master (FM) Anthony Drayton, Justino Da Silva, Roberto Neto, Candidate

Master (CM) Ronuel Greenidge, 2023 Junior ChampionKeronSandiford, Sachin Pitamber, Loris Nathoo, Kyle Couchman andEthanLee.

Khan faced off his bestperforming challenger, Anthony Drayton, in a final roundmatchwhichendedin less than 30 moves. The defendingchampionsecured an early advantage by trapping his opponent’s Bishop and obtained a decisive position. Drayton concededhislosstoKhanon move 27, long before the endgame, usually with fighting Kings and few piecesremaining.

Justino Da Silva, respectively

The championship was contested in a single roundrobinformatwithscheduled games played on June 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 8th and the finalroundsonSunday,June 9th,2024.

The Guyana Chess Federation wishes to thank NEW GPC INC for sponsoring the event. The GCFwouldalsoliketothank the National Sports Commission for facilitating the tournament at the NationalRacquetCentre.

approach.

The GYMMAF remains committed to fostering a thriving mixed martial arts community in Guyana, providing a fair platform for all athletes to prove their mettle.

We look forward to a successful IMMAF Pan American Championships and to our fighters bringing

homethegold.

The clubs submitting fighters include John Campayne Mixed Martial Arts Academy, Academy of ContemporaryMMA,Harpe Eagle MMA, Ying Yang Fight Club, 360 Muay Thai, Spartan Fight Central Club andtheGuyanaPoliceForce Mixed Martial Arts Academy

GBANational Novices Championship...

Frompage73 and winning all three rounds.Thematchprovided plenty of entertainment for the crowd, with Plass emergingvictorious.

In the Schoolboys final, Alex Jones of PPBG will face Isaiah Nurse of Rose Hall Jammers (RHJ) after both secured semi-final wins on Friday Nurse triumphed over RHJ’s Kevin Johnson just one minute and 10 seconds into the contest, landing a decis

Khan also gained two wins automatically following a no-show by opponents Justino Da Silva and Roberto Neto earlier in thechampionship. Second-place contender Anthony Drayton drew his matches with reigning National Junior Champion Keron Sandiford and seasoned player Ronuel Greenidge.

remained a pawn up when thatmatchended.

Drayton’s match with Sandiford ended in an even Rook and pawn endgame that resulted in a draw The Greenidge-Drayton duel ended in 34 moves as a drawn encounter in the endgame But Greenidge

Khanobtainedwinsover eight of his opponents, but 21-year-old Ethan Lee was theninthandonlychallenger whodrewhismatchwiththe defendingchampion.Sachin Pitamber gained 5.5 points. CM Ronuel Greenidge and Keron Sandiford took 4th and5thplacewith4.5points each.LorisNathooandKyle Couchman finished with 4 points each. The eighth to tenth place went to Ethan Lee, Roberto Neto, and

Games were livestreamed on lichess.org and view.livechesscloud com under the guidance of Technical Manager and Chief Arbiter John Lee Presentation of trophies and prizesisscheduledforalater date this year after the 2024 N a t i o n a l J u n i o r Championship concludes Honours will also be presented to the top performers in the already contested 2024 Women’s Championship.

The fourth and final Grand Prix competition will be held on June 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th, 2024 in the OpenCategory

Persons wishing to join the Guyana Chess Federation can visit the websiteonguyanachess.gy

ht-hook Meanwhile,Jonesadvanced tothefinalviaawalkover

The Junior division saw Morlando Cameron (RHJ) and Simeon Hamer (PPBG) dominate their matches Cameron exhibited superior boxing skills from the start, ultimately defeating AnthonyStephenonpoints. Stephen showed good technique but failed to land enough punches to win Hamer secured an early victory against Jesse DeFraitias of Police (POL),

withtherefereestoppingthe contest 43 seconds into the first round after three consecutive 8-counts, givingHameraneasywin. I n t h e J u n i o r Welterweight 63 kg bout, NickelWitteroftheGuyana Defence Force (GDF) Boxing Gym triumphed over Simeon Joseph of Vegenoegen Boxing Gym (VBG) in emphatic style, winning just 2 minutes and 14 seconds into the clash. Another thrilling bout saw Shurlon Stephen (GDF) fall to Zonoah Little (VBG) in the Welterweight 67kg category, with Little securing his first win of the tournament.

Additionally, Akeem Quintin, Jamel Jones, and Ken Harvey clinched gold medals in the Schoolboys finalonDayTwo.

The tournament concluded yesterday at the same venue, with further details and coverage of thoseboutstobeprovidedin afuturepublication.

Natasha Carrington, GPFMMAA, Charles Greaves,Assistant Technical Director GYMMAF, John Campayne, JCMMAA, Neville Persaud, Executive GYMMAF, Troy Bobb, Harpe Eagle MMAand Jeffery Wong, IKO KarateAcademy

Taffin Khan

GBA National Novices Championship concludes tonight

-Little,PlassshineonDaytwo

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) National Novices Championship intensified on Friday at the National Gymnasium, featuring an exciting lineup of bouts leadinguptothefinaldayof the2024tournament.

Kenisha Plass, a young fighterfromPaceandPower

Boxing Gym (PPBG), excelled in the only Girls’ finals bout, defeating DeainyHumphreyinathreeround showcase of classic boxing.

Plass demonstrated a powerful left-hand jab and an effective right-hook, dominatingheropponent (Continuedonpage70)

Kenisha Plass won gold in GBA’s National Novice Schoolgirl final

Zonoah Little (right) punished GDF’s Shurlon Stephen during their Novices Welterweight 67kg bout

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