President Dr. IrfaanAli and other officials of Hess Corporation and Mount Sinai Health System following the signing of the agreement for phase two of the national healthcare initiative
Ramesh Ramkumar
Rubio’s talks with Pres. Ali to focus heavily on oil and security threats from Venezuela
Talks between President IrfaanAliandUSSecretaryof State,MarcoRubiowillfocus heavilyonoilproductionand will ensure that Guyana has the necessary security amid Venezuelan threats, U S Special Envoy for Latin America Mauricio ClaverCaronesaidonTuesday
Rubio will be visiting Guyanathisweekaspartofa Caribbean tour that includes Jamaica and Suriname and willdiscussenergysecurityin the Caribbean, illegal immigrationanddismantling of transnational criminal networks, Reuters reported onTuesday
While in Jamaica, the Secretary also will hold bilateral engagements with headsofstatefromBarbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti “Secretary Rubio’s engagementswithourvalued Caribbean partners will promoteregionalcooperation to end illegal immigration, counter transnational organised crime, strengthen regional actions to address Haiti’s political and security challenges, and strengthen
U.S. Special Envoy for Latin America, Mauricio
Claver-Carone
the United States’economic partnerships with Caribbean countries, ” the US DepartmentofStatesaidina statementlastweek.
Speaking at a briefing on Tuesday, Claver-Carone told r
t U S accusations about a labour programmethatsendsCuban workers,particularlymedics, overseaswasalsogoingtobe among the topics that Rubio will tackle with h
s counterparts
W
as threatened to halt visas for government officials in countries that receive Cuban
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio
doctors, whom it says are being exploited In response, manyCaribbeanleadershave said they adhere to internationallabourstandards andthatthemedicalservices Cubans provide are essential. According to an internal memo seen by Reutersearlierthismonth,a number of small Caribbean nations with citizen-byinvestment (CBI) programs could also see wider visa restrictions.
“CBI should not be a major part of these smaller islands’ GDP,” ClaverCarone said, saying these
attract“nefariousactorsfrom China, Iran and other countries into the Americas, which then becomes a security challenge for all of us”
President Donald Trump has floated a similar programme, in which foreigners could access US citizenship via a US$5 million “gold card ” On energy, Claver-Carone also signaled Washington would support oil production in Guyana and Suriname, and that it wanted to “make sure thatGuyanahasthesecurity necessary” amid a territorial dispute with neighbouring Venezuela.
“That’llbewherealotof our conversations will be focused,” he said of
developing the region’s oil
output, adding that
Washington does not see renewables as a substitute Despite producing few emissions, the Caribbean’s highdebtloadsandlow-lying geography make it among the most vulnerable regions intheworldtotheimpactsof climate change. Trump on Mondayissuedanexecutive order declaring that any country buying oil or gas from Venezuela, which has historically exported its oil across the Caribbean, will pay a 25% tariff on trade withtheU.S.
Earlier this month an armed Venezuelan patrol ship, Guaiquerí (PO 11), illegally entered Guyana’s shores and threatened ExxonMobil Guyana’s Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) vessel, Liza Prosperity President Irfaan Ali in response said that Guyana will not allow Venezuela nor its president NicholasMadurotothreaten its sovereignty or territorial integrity
The Venezuelan patrol vessel at the time of the
incursion transmitted a radio message declaring what it t e r m e d “ d i s p u t e d international waters” before continuing its course in a south westerly direction towards other FPSOs President Ali had made it clear that all of Guyana’s assets and the FPSO are lawfully operating within Guyana’s own Exclusive EconomicZone(EEZ).
“Let me be unequivocal, Guyana’s Maritime boundaries are recognised underinternational[law]and this incursion is a matter of graveconcern,”PresidentAli saidatthetime TheStabroek Block is being operated by US oil giant ExxonMobil Guyana and its partners and contains approximately 11.6Bbarrelsofoil.
Guyana had summoned Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Perez, to protest the act of aggression It also informed its partners, the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), France, Regional Security System (RSS), and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Aerial view of the current Hope Canal on the East Coast of Demerara.
Moving forward with the construction of the massive Hope-like canal for Region Three,thegovernment,throughtheMinistry ofAgriculture,isnowseekinganexpression ofinterest(EOI)fortheproject.
The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be executing the project. It stated in its tender document that theconstructionofthecanalwillbeatB-Line, CanalsPolder,RegionThree.
With no engineer’s estimate provided at thistime,theagencynotedthattheprojectis forasix-monthperiod.
Detailing the responsibilities of the selected contractor, NDIAexplained that the contractor will be tasked with the construction of earthen canal and adjoining embankment to lines and levels, as stated in the Standards and Specification document provided by the National Drainage and IrrigationAuthority
The contractor is to take all necessary precautions when constructing the canals’ embankmentandpreservethematerialbelow and beyond the lines of excavation in the soundestpossiblecondition.
President Irfaan Ali
ExxonMobil unlikely to reuse
Guyana’s FPSOs
in future projects
...assoaringcostbankraisesconcernamongcitizens
The cost factor attached to the development of oil projects is beginning to cause worry among some Guyanese, especially as the priceofthecommodityisexpected tocontinueonadownwardtrend.
It is not only a new Floating ProductionStorageandOffloading vessel (FPSO) that is required, but new subsea material as well to aid in the production process.Another hidden cost is the operation and maintenanceoftheprojects,which isoftennotconsideredbymany These costs are added to a bill that Guyana is required to pay ExxonMobil, using its oil. Each month,75%ofalltheoilproduced is allocated to cover these expenses. The remaining 25% is split equally with Guyana as profits. More cost therefore means lessrevenueforthecountry Cognizant of this reality, one citizen, Cyphil Swan during a public scoping meeting for the Longtail project, asked ExxonMobiltoexplaintheneedfor all the new FPSOs, given the soaringcostsforthecountrywhich ultimatelydelayhigherprofits.
In response, ExxonMobil’s Projects Environmental and Regulatory Manager, Mariya Skocik explained that the development of every project requirescertainfacilities,including an FPSO to extract the resources. Atthesametime,Guyanareceives a portion of the profits from the
FPSOs that is deposited into the NaturalResourceFund(NRF).
Meanwhile, Exxon’s InCountry Projects Manager, Rebecca Cvikota pointed out that numerous FPSOs are required, since the resources are not located inonelargereservoir
She said, “The reservoirs, it’s not just like one big reservoir The reservoirs are sometimes not even connected to each other, which means they’ll need a separate investment, a separate FPSO and separate wells to access that specific reservoir’s oil, water and gas.”
To this end, Cvikota noted that the various FPSOs offshore all accessdifferentreservoirs.Shealso pointed out that the company is saving some cost by developing three different fields with one FPSOinthisnewproject-Longtail.
Withthecompanynowontoits eight offshore development, with plansrevealedsofarfor10projects and several discoveries still undeveloped, Kaieteur News queried whether there was a possibility of any of the FPSOs being reused for any of the company’sfutureprojects.
TheProjectsManagerindicated thatthiswasunlikely,unlessanew discovery is found several years fromnow.
“I think that would be unlikely is what I would say because Destiny, Unity and Prosperity are
Guyana’s first FPSO, the Liza Destiny
still new in their life span and so I guess if we found one (discovery) way down the road, maybe that wouldbeanoptionbutmorelikely in the near term, I would say we would need additional facilities to beabletodothedevelopmentsthat
wearetalkingabout,”shesaid.
Additionally, Cvikota explainedthateachdevelopmentis different, which would raise questions about the suitability of thatvesselforanewdevelopment.
When it comes to the resale
value of the FPSOs, she noted that some of the vessels are not built fromscratch.Assuch,theProjects Manager stated, “That means that weuseoiltankersthathavekindof donetheirjobfortheirfirstuseful
Continued on page 6
A citizen, Cyphil Swan, raised concerns about the soaring cost bank at an ExxonMobil meeting
Kaieteur News
24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
This oil wealth
We often wonder whether this great national oil patrimonymatterstoallGuyana. Often,Guyaneseappear more excited by a slice of pizza, or a bottle of Coca-Cola than they are about oil. Oil, in which every Guyanese are shareholders, is out there, and that's the sum of their interest. However, Guyanese with money on their minds, and who go about getting more of it, are very interested in oil. They do whatever is required to get the biggest share outofit. ButwhataboutthemajorityofGuyanese,among themostenviedcitizensglobally,wherearetheywiththeir oil?
ExxonMobil has made public consultations part of its programme, a show of doing its part to keep citizens in the loop on oil developments. A new oil project coming up usuallymeansthatExxonMobilholdspublicconsultations across Guyana The meaning of the project, the possibilitiesand,ifpushed,thepotentialproblemslurking. We had high expectations when these public consultations started. But,withthepassageoftime,andaseriesofthese public consultations come and gone, it is a clear that they are a sham, another box ticked in ExxonMobil's checklist of things that it had to do, and did. But, as a media house, one that is most outspoken about the mismanagement of thenation'soilwealth,westillsendreporterstocoverthem and get some firsthand insights of what goes on during thesepublicconsultations.
One of the first things that strikes us is that there is a lack of interest in the population about new oil developments, such as a pending project, and what ExxonMobil has to say The attendance at these consultations has been consistently sparse, as though Guyanese are that well set, or have given up on getting the truth, and the best from their wealth. Lack of interest, an absence of serious energy, and conspicuous by the faces thataremissinginthesepublicconsultations. Thereisnot a whiff of government or opposition presence for the consultations held so far for project number eight, Longtail. Not a single Guyanese Member of Parliament (MP) from any side of the political aisle in sight. The presenceofanMP,alocallawmaker,attheseExxonMobil public consultations could do so much for the ordinary citizen.
If a government or opposition MP is in the audience, then Guyanese would get the impression that they are taking the oil seriously And that they are listening to ExxonMobil's people, so that they think twice before trying to mislead citizens who don't know better And that theyaredoingwhattheywereelectedfor,whichistostand with the people, and represent the people. Truth be told, many in Guyana are oil challenged, so they need their elected representatives to be leading the charge with questionsandcommentsduringthesepublicconsultations. We think that when an MPis present, an additional benefit couldcomeinthatthoseattendingwouldbeemboldenedto ask their questions, have their say and express their concerns.
Instead, what is conspicuous is how Guyanese are without a champion, and left to the wolves of ExxonMobil who devour them at the public consultations. On a regular day, ExxonMobil has been about circling around and hedging its answers on questions raised on an array of oil issues. Whenthecompanyofficialsrunoutofhedges,they often seek shelter from the tougher issues by referring the media to the government. It doesn't overly stress the thinking, therefore, to appreciate that when ExxonMobil has a small audience of largely knowledge deficient Guyanese, that those Guyanese would get nothing of substanceoutofthecompany EventhemostsluggishMP, if he or she is present, could intervene and press an issue during the public consultations. In effect, they could take ontheroleofbothcoachandcounselofthoseattending. But government and opposition MPs have bigger fish to fry, their own interests. It is why they can offer so little on the oil, proves how useless they are to the expectant.
Many Guyanese in the diaspora and Guyana who support a defense pact with USA
Dear Editor, I write in response to three related news items (March 24) – US State Department release on Secretary of State Marco Rubio coming to Guyana (Caribbean) to address Americanregionalconcerns; P r e s i d e n t T r u m p ' s announcement tightening sanctions on Venezuela; and President Ali's remark expressing willingness to work with USA on addressing regional challenges.
As your paper reported, President Trump stated that Ven
(mean
ng Maduro) has been very hostile to America and the freedoms the US espoused. In response, Trump said the US will put 25% tariff on goods of any country that purchases Venezuela oil to turn the screws on Maduro. Although it would not directly affect Guyana, the sanctions will affect other countries with which
Exxon,
Dear Editor,
Guyana trade. Earlier in the month, PresidentTrump told Chevron to wind up oil operations in Venezuela by this week although after meeting the oil company's CEO last Friday, the President indicated that he willreconsiderhisorder
A n y s q u e e z e o n
Venezuela (to help democratize that country to respect international law) is welcomed. But prevailing sanctions have not been very effective in deterring Venezuela from militant rhetoric and intimidatory aggression against Guyana. However, when USA takes tough actions on Maduro, he pays heed Venezuela expressed reluctance to accept its deportees from America twice but quickly backed down each time on the threat or application of sanctions.
Tough American actions on Maduro seemingly works Maduro does not wish to go up against the world's strongest military and economic power Guyana needs a strong ally like USA on its side, via a military presence or a security pact, to deter Venezuela'sintimidationand designsonourterritory
identified by President Trump and allows for
T h e r e a r e m a n y Guyaneseinthediasporaand Guyana who support a defense pact with USA arguing that such a treaty would magnify the power of d e t e r r e n c e a g a i n s t Venezuela. Engagements with many Guyanese up until last Sunday by a group of Guyanese American activists at the annual Phagwah parade in Queens found almost unanimous support for the idea, except for about 2% in opposition. They support a formal linkage with USA. Guyana needs some kind of security cooperation or strategic alliance with USA as it servestheinterestsofbothof our countries, deterring threats from adversaries as
American access of resources and unimpeded developmentofGuyana. GuyaneseAmericansare pleased that Secretary Rubio is coming to the region to address issues relating to American geo-strategic security interests – trade, immigration, Cuba, Venezuela, China, etc Washington attaches high importance to Guyana because of natural resources (oilandgasinparticular)and the threat posed by Venezuela on American corporationsoperatingthere. It is music to the ears of Guyanese Americans when Ali remarked that his administration eagerly looks forward for the Secretary's visit, stating that his government will cooperate and collaborate with Washington on regional matters.
Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Guyana and the risk of tax fraud
Guyana does not
currently have a tax treaty with the U.S. that allows for exemptionsonU.S. taxes for different forms of Income Reference: www.IRS.gov
This means that income derived from Exxon's overseas operations in Guyana do not benefit from anypreapprovedexemptions between the U S and Guyana. Thus, making the legitimacy of the tax payment certificates from Guyanaakeydeterminantof the taxes owed by Exxon to
the U.S. Government. If for any reason the government of Guyana and Exxon are aware of any questionable practices to do with the issuing of the tax payment certificates to Exxon that allows the company to knowingly incorrectly reduce the taxes owed by E x x o n t o t h e U S g o v e r n m e n t , t h e consequences for Exxon could be severe. The recent letter by OGGN in the press raises multiple significant concernsastothelegitimacy and legality of the tax certificates being given by
the current administration to Exxon. It is imperative that the Government of Guyana treats this issue with the urgency and seriousness it deserves. A knowingly false declaration of payment of taxes may be construed as tax fraud being jointly committed by the parties involved. It is of utmost importance that Guyana and Exxon work together to clarify how the taxes are being paid in Guyana, and ensurethat
1.Exxonisincompliance withU.S.taxlaws
2.Guyanaisnotaidingin
what could be potentially seen by the U.S. authorities as the evasion of taxes being paid by Exxon to the U.S. government. Mistakes do happen, but in the eyes of the U.S. government, Exxon is a very experienced company. Also, in the eyes of the Guyanese p e o p l e , t h e P P P / C government is also very experienced and must safeguard the reputation of Guyana by ensuring compliance wit
nationallaws.
With concern, Mr. Jamil Changlee
Concerned about financial settlement in cases of sex crimes
DearEditor,
I am deeply troubled by the way sexual assault cases are handled in our country, p a r t i c u l a r l y w h e n perpetrators are allowed to settle financially without the victim's family being informed.
My teenage niece was sexually assaulted, and without our knowledge, the alleged rapist reached a financialsettlementwithher
How can the law permit suchanarrangementwithout the family's awareness or involvement?
Moreimportantly,whyis
financial compensation even an option for crimes as serious as sexual assault?
Allowingperpetratorstobuy t h e i r w a y o u t o f accountability only emboldens them and others to continue harming victims. Certain crimes should never beresolvedthroughfinancial settlements—sexual assault being one of them. Shouldn't the State have a firm stance againstthispractice?
A rapist is a danger to society and should not be given the opportunity to walk free simply by payinga sumofmoney
What recourse exists for a victim who was misled or coerced into accepting a financial settlement, especially if they were too youngtofullyunderstandthe implications? A teenager, without familial guidance, may not have the capacity to make such a decision on his orherown. The victim's family also suffers from the trauma of the crime and should have a righttoseekjustice. Why does our legal system allow sexual assault cases to be settled in this manner? Doesn't this send a
message that rapists can evade justice if they have the meanstopay?
CantheAttorneyGeneral clarify whether the victim's family can continue to pursue justice even after a financialsettlementhasbeen reached?
If we, as a society, truly valuejustice,wemustensure that sexual assault cases are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law—without the option for perpetrators to buy their way out of consequences.
Regards Name provided
Freddie Kissoon can never ever redeem himself
Dear Editor, Volta-face! This was my immediate response when I skimmed through Freddie Kissoon's, “Cheddi Jagan: StillthedefinitiveCaribbean leader.” The 'ting' is loaded with laughter and this 'befits' the writer himself, Fredie Kissoon. He continues to 'idiotise' himself and the PPP,andinthispuerilepiece, his effort at 'balancing off' his decades of venomous anti-Jagan outpourings is woefully hypocritical, seemingly coerced and plain silly
Editor, I know I may seem harsh, but I beg your indulgence, as I have some pressing points for this FreddieKissoon.Iknowthat heisunderabond(regarding what to write, and what 'not totouch'and'notrespondto.' Heknowsthatheisaliability inhis new role,as hewas the inveterate, consummate anti-Jagan and anti-PPP campaigner His recent 'fluffs' at making restitution seem so phony, that the PPP/C will be better off without him. Freddie can neverembracethePPP/C;he neverhasandneverwill.
N o w t o h i s sanctimonious Jagan article, and in it, Freddie, as I summarise,adulates(butina vain manner), the late Dr CheddiJaganas“…aunique Caribbean leader whose inner qualities and refined mind have yet to be attained
by most current and i m m e d i a t e p a s t governmental heads around the world.” He, comes over as insincere, as he supports, inacursorymanner,hislofty exaltation of his erstwhile “object of odium.' He does this by execrating a host of people - Eusi Kwayana, Martin Carter, Dr Rupert Roopnarine and et al. Please note that his article is bereft of support for his major topic, that is, “Cheddi Jagan: StillthedefinitiveCaribbean leader.” I thought that the piece was supposed to highlight Jagan, as this unique leader and not denigrate a host of people. Nowmysecondoccasionfor being piqued is the time has come for Freddie Kissoon to apologise for his years of maligning Jagan. I mean his maniacal obsession was of extravagant proportion and frequency Here I offer a few examples, and I hope that this will cause the PPP/C to do a rethink of Freddie KissoonintheChronicle,the very paper he disparaged for decades.
In “Politics: October 5, 1992 destroyed Guyana; can it be reborn?” Freddie wrote that “The revolution on October 5, 1992 deteriorated into partisan, ethnic politics underCHEDDIJAGANand his wife, Janet, then in what was to become the FIRST INSTANCE OF SEMIFASCISM in the Englishspeaking Caribbean ” Wow!
I would have reserved 'Fascism' for the likes of Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov(Lenin),andJoseph Vissarionovich Stalin I mean if I were to equate Jagan with these dictators and never retract my sentiments, then I have disqualified myself from ever uttering a word in the man's honour, unless and until apologies flow repentantly
F r e d d i e K i s s o o n minimizes Jagan's almost 'solo'roleinthequestfor'fair and free' elections. In this piece, he blurted out that “That is why I think we have tobecarefulhowwetreatthe significance and importance of October 5. PPP leaders, PPP supporters, PPP Indianized scholars will continue to maximize the importance of October 5. Theirs is a narrow interpretation of the event.” Why?
Because, according to this 'Congenital Despiser of Jagan,' “October 5 dissolved these important pillars of democracy And the erosion did not start with Bharrat Jagdeo.Itbeganthedayafter October 5 All the reclamations of important values that Hoyte recovered for Guyana that were discarded under Burnham were discarded again under Cheddi and Janet Jagan October 5 has lacerated the legacyofCheddiJagan.”
Quick question then: How Cometh the article, “Cheddi Jagan: Still the definitive Caribbean leader.”?Somuchfaecalbile from Freddie Kissoon has been heaped on Cheddi
Jaganoverthecourseoftime
that he can nothing compensatory that will be taken seriously I will close by citing Freddie Kissoon's claim that Jagan was a most villainous practitioner of violence and even a planner homicide If you have doubts, just read “Violent when in power, still violent when out of power- Dec 13, 2017.”
HerearesomeofFreddie accusations that he named as 'my research ' “The 'Son Chapman' boat that blew up and killed over forty African–(frommyresearch). It seems the bombing of the 'Son Chapman' was a (PPP/C) revenge act; (from my research) the arson that killed Permanent Secretary of Premier Cheddi Jagan, Arthur Abraham (and seven of his nine children) - led me to think that Abraham was targeted for alleged secrets he passed on to The United Force, of which his daughter wasabigleader
And the big one (verbatimfrommyresearch) “ the editor, Peter Taylor, of a popular newspaper, the Argosy, that was a thorn in the side of Premier Jagan, was almost assassinated at his home. I grew up hearing that was done to blame the PPP Government. It didn't
make sense for any opposition party to kill a nationally effective antigovernment editor that was one of their main vehicles. I eventually got to know who were the two men sent to kill Taylor, and who was the female in the PPPleadership that sent them. One of the two men was a close relative of mine.” I can go on and on ad infinitum And the
c o n c l u s i o n w i l l b e irrefutable, that is, no one comesclosetoFreddiewhen it comes to the 'assassination of the character and personage of Dr Cheddi Jagan. Even if he were to apologisedailyfortherestof his days, he will not be able tomakeanyrestitution.
Yours truly, Gaylord
Riley
Glenn is key to political change and accountability in Guyana
Dear Editor, Glenn Lall and his media house (KN, in particular) have been key to change in government in Guyana. His paper has exposed bad g o v e
corruption ever since it was founded.
It was because of the exposure of corruption by KN that the PPP lost ground to the AFC in 2006 and its majority in 2011.And it was because of KN that the coalition edged out the PPP in 2015. It was because of KN's exposure of poor governance by the coalition that PPP was returned to office in 2020. And it was because of KN that the attempts at rigging in 2020 wereexposed.ThePPPlacks gratitudeinattackingGlenn.
Over the last few years, Glenn and KN have been the
subject of attacks from paid media operatives and the PPP leader Bharrat Jagdeo.
The VP never passed an opportunity to belittle Glenn and threatened that if Glenn enters the political fray, he “willdealwithGlenn”.
Mr Lall has a huge following and people have been calling for his entry in politics to usher in new politics that address the needs of the country rather than self- enrichment of politicians. From Crabwood Creek to Charity and beyond, people are beseeching Glenn to be their Presidential candidate. Mr Lall should honour the wishesofthepopulation.
In a democracy, anyone is entitled to seek elective office The Guyana constitution grants Glenn andothercitizenstherightto run for President. He will be
the change that the nation desires if the public elects him as their President or in any office or as a member of parliament.Hecanmakeany party enabling it to take office.
Therefore, Mr Lall should not be ignored by any new political party, and no one should take him for granted. Glenn has made tremendous sacrifice over last four years exposing corruption in several sectors including oil, gold, logging, grants, etc. It is imperative that anyone seeking office must realize that Glenn laid the ground work for change and should not be taken for granted No one should enjoy the fruits of Glenn's struggle by excluding him. Anyone who joins with him willbesuccessful.
Your truly, Danny Ramnarine
Ramadan ruminations
Dear Editor
RamadanMubaraktothe Muslimcommunity
Asthecloseofthemonth beckons, I am compelled to (once again) lament the noticed absence of female presenters in both the early m o r n i n g R a m a d a n programmes,onbothTVand radio, by two established organizations. Is it to be understood that there is a lack of sisters to do a Quoranic reading or feature presentation?
O n e o f t h e t w o organisationshastwofemale presenters (one was on Monday, March 24), but besides these two sisters no one else. Certainly, the other
organization has never presented any female presenter Must the religion remain always male dominated?
Remaining on Ramadan and turning to the Ramadan Village. Certainly, it is bigger and better this year However, one observation is noted: being held in the Lenten Season and open to non-Muslims more dishes for vegetarians and catering to those not eating meat s h o u l d h a v e b e e n considered. For the future during the last ten days, which is significant, it is suggested the Village should be open as many days as possible and not only on the weekend.
All in all, the Ramadan Village has kept the culture and religious aspects alive andallmustbecongratulated and commended for their hard work and commitment toitssuccess.
I take this opportunity to extend warm Eid-ul-Fitr greetingstoallGuyana.
Pact signed for phase two of national healthcare initiative
The Government of Guyana has teamed up with e n e r g y g i a n t H e s s Corporation and the US based Mount Sinai Hospital to roll out the next phase of its national healthcare initiative.
The partnership with the two leading organisations and the Government of Guyana was announced on Tuesday by President Irfaan Ali as he detailed his fiveyear extension of the N
H
care Initiative to transform Guyana's public health system.
The release noted that through partnership with Government of Guyana, Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation made significant progress made in thefirstphaseofthenational healthcare initiative, where Mount Sinai supported the Guyana Ministry of Health
Government's health system innovations, including over 35,000
screenings, the Ministry's training programmes that will graduate nearly 900 nursing assistants in 2025, and a new state-of-the-art pathologylab.
The initiative will continue to be funded jointly by Hess Corporation and the Government of Guyana and led by the Arnhold Institute forGlobalHealth,thearmof Mount Sinai dedicated to advancing the institution's
According to a joint pressstatementissuedbythe Guyana Government, Hess and Mount Sinai, the next phase of the initiative which was launched in 2022 will include establishment of a national cancer centre, continued modernisation of national health facilities including Georgetown PublicHospitalCorporation, and the implementation of one of the world's most advanced digital health systems.
mission of delivering innovative, high-quality healthcare around the globe,
internationalventuresarmof the Mount Sinai Health System.
On Tuesday, President Aliwas joinedbyDr Rachel Vreeman, Chair of Mount Sinai'sDepartmentofGlobal Health and Health System Design and Director of the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and John Hess, CEO of Hess Corporation, for a signing ceremony to establish the five-year extension of the national healthcare initiative.
President Ali noted that "The journey to world-class healthcare is not walked alone – it is built through strategic partnerships, bold investments, and a shared
vision for excellence.Today, wetakeanotherdecisivestep toward transforming our healthcaresystem.
By uniting the policy, expertise and resources of Hess Corporation, Mount Sinai, and the Government, along with our local healthcare professionals, we are shaping a future where every citizen has access to c u t t i n g - e d g e , compassionate, and highqualitycare.
Together, we are not just improving healthcare – we areredefiningit.”
CEO John Hess said: “We are proud to support the vision of the Government and the work of Mount Sinai to provide world class healthcare to every Guyanesecitizen.
Access to affordable and high-quality healthcare is centraltothecountry'sfuture and its commitment to building shared prosperity f o r t h e p e o p l e o f Guyana ”
“At Mount Sinai, we believe global health is local health, and with the Government of Guyana and the Hess Corporation, we're building a public health system that ensures all citizens of Guyana –
vulnerable
can live healthier, more productive lives,” said Dr Brendan Carr, Chief Executive Officer, and Professor and Kenneth L Davis, MD, Distinguished Chair of the Mount Sinai Health System.
“This unique public-private partnership serves as a global model, and we are honoured to be part of this transformationaleffort.”
“Weareincrediblyproud to work in partnership with the Government of Guyana to improve access to highquality healthcare for all Guyanese, ” said Dr Vreeman.
“Now, through 2030, we will continue to support and accelerate Guyana's progress to achieving a healthier country and a transformed health system, setting a new regional and global standard for modern h e a l t h s y s t e m development.”
Meanwhile, the release detailed that significant progress is being made in improving health outcomes sincethisnationalhealthcare initiative's launch in July 2022.
Under initiative, over 35,000 Guyanese children
have had comprehensive health screenings completed by the Ministry of Health, with around a quarter referred on for needed services to address vision, hearing, dental, and developmentalproblemsand more.
Addedtothis,nearly900 nursing assistants will graduate from the Ministry of Health's training programmes in 2025 and join the health workforce, beginning to close the nursingshortage.
The release noted too that new guidelines and clinical protocols to grow primary care services for diseases like diabetes are launching nationally, across allofGuyana'sregions.
Additionally, new digital protection laws are in place to support the rollout of new digital health systems, and a new Guyana digital health training institute will enroll its first class of digital health professionals early next year
Further,astate-of-the-art pathology lab has reduced the time it takes for patients to be diagnosed and receive life-savingtreatments.
The document noted that quality improvements at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation have improved patient safety and are providing a new model for a n a t i o n a l q u a l i t y improvementprogramme.
According to the release, thenextphaseofthenational initiative will be organised around the Government's vision for six key pillars including World Class Cancer Care, Women's and Children's Hospital: Quality Improvement: Digital Health and Capacity Building.
ExxonMobil unlikely to reuse...
From page 3 life. We've brought them in, we've refurbished them, we've rebuilt them in many ways to then serve as an FPSO.
We would do the same thing w h e n i t ' s t i m e t o decommission an FPSO. We would see who is able to utilizeit,whowantstoputin that maintenance work to rebuilddifferentpartsofitso that it can have a second life aswell.”
ExxonMobil and costs In its 2023 Annual Report, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) said it invested more than G$6 trillion (US$30B) in the Stabroek Block. It also said the company and its coventurers have committed to invest another G$5 trillion (US$25B)through2027.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had informed Reuters earlier this year that the company has already recoveredUS$33Bincosts.
President Irfaan Ali
CEO of Hess Corporation, John Hess
USEmbassywarnsagainstoverstayingonUSvisa
On Tuesday, the United States of America Embassy in Guyana warned travelers about the consequences of overstaying on a US visa, noting that such actions can result in severe penalties, including permanent ban on re-entry and criminal prosecution.
A press statement by the US Embassy noted that overstayingavisaisnotonly a violation of US immigration, but also a seriousoffencethatcanhave long-lasting effects on an individual’sabilitytotravelto theUnitedStatesinthefuture
“IfyouoverstayyourUS visa, you could face a permanentbanontravelingto the United States Consular officers have full access to yourimmigrationhistoryand will know about past violations,” the Embassy said TheUSEmbassyadded, “Thereisnosuchthingasan “honest mistake” – it is your responsibilitytouseyourvisa correctly”
…threatens criminal prosecution, permanent ban
TheUSEmbassysaidthat ifatraveleroverstaystheend date of their authorised stay set by the Customs and Border Protection Officer at the port of entry, their visa will automatically be canceledorvoided However, this will not happen if the traveler applies for an extension of stay before leavingtheUnitedStates
“Please note that nonimmigrants who overstayed their admission period by 181 to 364 days may be barred from seeking admission to the United Statesforaperiodof3years; those who overstayed for 365 days or more may be barred from seeking admissionfor a periodof 10 years,”thewebsitestated.
This warning comes as the US grapples with ongoingimmigrationissues, further complicated by a series of recent political
changes. Last Friday, the Trump administration announced plans to revoke the legal status of hundreds of thousands of Latin American and Haitian migrants welcomed into the US under a Biden-era
afterMarch25,accordingtoa notice posted by the federal government The move will affectimmigrantsfromCuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and VenezuelawhoflewtotheUS underaBidenadministration program, known as CHNV,
sponsorship process, urging them to self-deport or face arrest and removal by deportationagents. The termination of their workpermitsanddeportation protections under an immigration authority, known as parole, will take effect in late April, 30 days
arrest and deportation of those, subject to the policy change, if they fail to depart the US in the next 30 days.
Officialsareurgingmigrants to use the newly repurposed CBP Home smartphone app to register for selfdeportation.
But DHS said it retains the authority to target migrants who arrived under this program before the 30day period lapses. Officials say that those prioritized for arrest will include migrants who have failedto apply for another immigration benefit like asylum or a green card.
that was designed to reduce illegalimmigrationattheUSMexico border by giving would-be migrants legal migrationavenues
A total of 532,000 migrants entered the US underthatpolicy,whichwas paused soon after President Trumptookoffice,thoughit is unclear how many have been able to secure another statusthatwillallowthemto stayinthecountrylegally CBS News first reported in early February that the Trump administration was planning to revoke the legal status of individuals who entered the US under the CHNV process The Department of Homeland Securitysaid itwillseek the
In a statement, DHS
spokeswoman, Tricia McLaughlin, said the migrants allowed into the U S under the CHNV process were “loosely vetted” and argued that the program undercutAmerican workers.
“The termination of the CHNVparole programs, and the termination of parole for those who exploited it, is a return to common-sense policies, a return to public safety, and a return to America First,” McLaughlin a d d e d . F r i d a y ’ s announcement is the latest effort by the Trump administrationtodiscontinue humanitarian-based immigration programs that
allowmigrantstoenterorstay in the country with the government’spermission
The CHNV programme inquestionwashailedbythe Biden administration as a successfulpolicythatreduced illegal border crossings by migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and, to a lesser extent, Venezuela. But Republicans denounced it as an effort to circumvent the limits Congress placed on legal immigration, and noted that the program had some recordedinstancesoffraud
T h e B i d e n administration, last fall, madeadecisionnottoallow CHNV beneficiaries to renew their two-year work permits under the program, saying they could apply for other benefits, like asylum and Temporary Protected Status That prospect, however, changed dramatically when Mr Trump took office His administration has already announced plans to phase out the TPS programs for HaitiansandVenezuelans.It also suspended all pending immigration benefit applications filed by those who arrived under CHNV, citing concerns about fraud and vetting. To read more; https://wwwkaieteurnewso nline com/2025/03/23/trum p-revokes-legal-status-for530000-immigrants-in-theus/
No such common ground exists
T
he President of
Guyana's response, regarding today's planned talks with the United States Secretary of State, reflects a glaring inexperience when it comes to the issue of the Cuban medical brigades workinginGuyana.
This is what President Aliwasreportedtohavesaid on that issue: “I think it's a great opportunity for us to expand on the magnitude of the human capital problem we have in the region, in the healthcare system itself; and to find common grounds withtheU.S.Well,I'vemade it very clear our position to find common ground. And I don't see this, I don't see abandoning Cuba as part of thisequation.”
President Ali's intention to carve out “common ground”isnotonlynaivebut fundamentally flawed. And this is for the simple reason thatnosuchcommonground exists. The United States' hostility toward Cuba is an entrenched, decades-old doctrine designed to systematically undermine the Cuban government. This has been the agenda in one form or another for 60 years, from the Bay of Pigs invasion to the embargo, f r o m e c o n o m i c strangulation to political isolation.
Also, the presence of C u b a n m e d i c a l professionals in Guyana should not be framed as beingabouthumancapitalor workforce shortages. It is aboutsovereignty Itisabout Guyana's sovereign right to decidewithwhomitengages
in international cooperation, and it is about standing in solidarity with Cuba in the face of Washington's imperialistcoercion.
Unlike President Ali, leaders in Barbados, St. Vincent, and Trinidad and Tobago have demonstrated a clear-eyed understanding of what is at stake. They have notdresseduptheirstancein thelanguageofappeasement or equivocation When confronted with U.S. threats
to revoke visas for government officials who engage with Cuba, these leaders have refused to b u d g e T h e y h a v e recognised that caving to such threats would not only betray Cuba, a steadfast ally to the region, but would also undermine their own nations' sovereignty They have made it known that theirrelationshipswithCuba are a matter of principle, not mereconvenience.
President Ali, by contrast, has hedged. His s t a t e m e n t r e e k s o f deference, as if he is carefullychoosinghiswords to avoid upsetting the Americans.Itisthelanguage of someone trying to please both sides a futile endeavour when one side is hellbentondomination.
Hismentionofa“human capital problem” reduces the entire debate to a mere staffingissue,asiftheCuban medical brigades exist simply to fill employment gaps in Guyana's healthcare system. This framing is not only inadequate, but it plays directly into the American narrative that Cuba is
Dem Boys Seh...
somehow exploiting its doctors rather than engaging in a noble and longstanding act of international solidarity It is regrettable, then, that the President of Guyana has chosen to water down the issue to a matter of supply and demand in the healthcare labour market, rather than defending Cuba as a partner that has stood withGuyanafordecades.
If President Ali had any real political backbone, his response to the U S Secretary of State should be unequivocal: Guyana does not take dictation from Washington Guyana will continue its cooperation with Cuba, and any threats from the U S regarding visas or diplomatic relations will not alter its position. Instead, what we got was a weak-kneed attempt at diplomaticbalance.
This moment demands a firm, unapologetic assertion of Guyana's right to conduct its foreign affairs without interference. Instead, we got an attempt to placate the United States while sidestepping the core of the matter: the unrelenting, cynical campaign by Washington to break Cuba's resilience.
Let's be clear: The U.S. doesnotviewCubandoctors in Guyana as a neutral issue. Washington sees them as an extension of Cuba's influence, as proof that Havana is still able to build pa
relentless sanctions and political pressure The American objection to Cuba's medical assistance
Indiscipline on the roads is a sign of bad manners!
Dem boys seh driving in Guyana is craziness. Every day, same story Same lawlessness.Samefoolishness.
UniversityofGuyanaAccessRoad?That ain't no road, bai. That's a battleground! Every morning, drivers line up like good lil schoolchildren, waiting fuh de traffic light. Butthenyuhgetdespecialkind—audacious, impatient, and apparently allergic to rules. Instead of joining de line, dem does take de opposite lane, flying past like dem got diplomatic immunity And de best part? When dem reach de front, dem expect de same people who follow de law to let dem squeezein.Islikewatchingapickpocketrob yuhandthenaskfuhbusfare.
But UG Road ain't de only place fuh dis. Go pon Middle Street, where de westbound traffic heading to Camp Street does play de samegame.
Then we have the practice on the East Bank Public Road and the East Coast Public Road where motorists does be creating third lanes, fourth lanes, maybe even invisible
program has nothing to do with genuine concerns for labour conditions or human rights—it is purely about erodingCuba'ssoftpower If Guyana's President does not grasp this fundamental reality, he has no business leadingacountrythatclaims tovalueitssovereignty. It is not too late for President Ali to correct course. He must make it clear today that Guyana will
not yield to American threats, that Cuba is a sovereign nation with whom wewillmaintainrelationson our own terms, and that Washington's long-standing hostility towards Havana is not supported, as we have repeatedly said. If America doesnotlikeit,thenAmerica can lump it. The true test of leadership in this region is theabilitytostandfirminthe face of U.S. pressure, not to shrink and offer lukewarm platitudes about common groundwherenoneexists.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
lanes only dem could see. Meanwhile, cycle lanes get used fuh overtaking, because apparently bicycle paint on de road mean 'ExpressLanefuhLawlessDrivers.' And wha de traffic authorities doing? Well, dem got cameras. Fancy, high-tech, watching-all kinda cameras But dem cameras is just like dem streetlights—deh there,butuseless.
Dem boys seh is like we traffic police treating de problem like some kinda NASA experiment Maybe dem waiting fuh somebody to come explain how to enforce trafficlaws.
Lemme tell yuh, Guyana don't need space-age technology fuh stop dis nonsense. All it need is to put some police of traffic wardensatdeplacewheredeviolationsdoes tekplace,duringpeakhours,andthepractice will stop. But like so much else in dis country, simple things does become rocket scienceandissubjecttoindiscipline. Ifwecan'tfixthat,whatelsecanwefix? Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
H@RD TRUTHS
Partner v. investors: help from Messrs, Routledge, Jagdeo
“Inessencethecountryis a co-investor, that's the nature of our Production SharingAgreement.
You share in the upside of the investments that are being made. The good news is, the country doesn't have to put any capital at risk, doesn't have to find the
capital to make the investmentupfront.”
The speaker was Exxon Guyana Chief Managing Director, Mr. Alistair Routledge. The Exxon top dog here was worth the listening when he first made that statement back in February2024.
It comes under some stress today, thanks to an
October 2023 public representation by none other than the one and only Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana's nationaloilczar
Imagine that fusion of forces - an American oil enforcer, and a Guyanese oil chief with an old-line
Russian title and mindset. Sorry, I wandered for a moment. HereisDr Jagdeo.
“Weadmittedthatweare foregoing revenue now in exchange for massive future income because it's going into new projects that will increase production and so even with the same share of the 50/50 plus the two percent royalty that the future income, because of the bigger scale will be massive in Guyana's case and we are deliberately foregoing that in this period for that purpose and then trying to grab this bone now could cause you to lose all the bones, the bigger bones toointhefuture.”
What is revenue if not c a s h ( o r i n t h e unchallengeable words of Mr Routledge “capital?)”
Then,whatdoes“foregoing” mean, and as Mr Jagdeo emphasized “we are deliberately foregoing that”, other than taking revenue-
cash-capital due to Guyana and plunking it down right back into the offshore oil business going on out there and all over Guyana? In the simplest possible definition, foregoing is reinvesting into thenation'soilbusiness.
Asashowofconfidence, as proof of, I employ an Americanism,havingskinin the game. In a combination of American and Guyanese Creole: putting yuh money weh yuh mouth deh. I hope that Mr. Routledge has something kind in mind for me, given all this free education he is getting from me Just a thought in nonstop efforts to keep him honest. Regarding brother Jagdeo on that score, it is an uphill task (uphill, but not insurmountable).
For he is too much of an authoritariantohavetimefor thewaysofalogician.
If the 6.6 million acres that Guyana put up, and as I asserted, was scratched by
Mr Routledge, then he now has his hands full and a world of explanation to give on how Guyana's revenue foregone is not an investment of capital in the Exxon oil projects 120 miles fromland.
For emphasis, the good doctor Jagdeo did not have oneofhismoreexcitableand less controlled moments, that he was so unwise, so reckless, as to dump that revenue foregone into the ocean. Where else could that revenue-capital have gone, but as a reinvestment into those costly offshore oil projects? To forego that revenue (bird in the hand) is to put “capital at risk” and pay homage to Professor Routledge's own words. I wastemptedforamomentto say brother Routledge, then thought better of it. There are brothers, then there are brothers.
My position that Guyana is an investor is unchanged. In fact, it is reinforced by both Dr Jagdeo (“we are deliberately foregoing that”) and Exxon's Delta Force Commander on the ground in Guyana, Mr Routledge
(“thecountrydoesn'thave to put any capital at risk”). Guyana is putting capital at risk,sir
The extra money that Guyana may, could, have gotten around 2027 is now under increasing threat due to rising fears of falling oil prices. Its investment decision may not payoff at thattime.
Payoff is return on capital invested, which Mr. Routledgeknowisthea,b,c, of cash on the barrel (and by the barrel) that is put on the investment table No capital, no reward. No risk, no reward. The greater the risk, the bigger the reward, when the stars are favourable.
I do not think that I need tosaymore,shouldconclude this lecture. But I have one more dollar to deposit in this Guyana-is-an-investor series In three separate reportsdated2017,2019and 2019, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated: “This asymmetrical treatment of profit and cost oilwillbenefitthecontractor at the expense of delaying government revenue.” The
focus there was on the negatives of not ringfencing. Butthereisanother translation for the poor of Guyana, which is now shared. When there is a glaring imbalance between moneycominginandmoney going back into the oil business (not staying with the host oil-producing country,) then the country is giving up too much, and there is only one winner and oneloser
ThoughMr Routledgeis a treasured guest in my welcome register, I must do my duty to the Guyanese people. Exxonisthewinner
The one loser left is Guyana. Because I am on my best behaviour today, there's no folded fist identifying Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo as that loser Revenue foregone today by Guyana makes Guyana an investor from now right alongsideExxon. HowIsee it, I call it. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Six contractors vying to build industrial block at Annandale Secondary
A total of six firms, including a company out of China, are competing for the contract to construct a new industrial block at the Annandale Secondary School on the East Coast of Demerara(ECD)
The project, which is being executed through the Ministry of Education, was opened recently at the National Procurement and TenderAdministrationBoard (NPTAB)office
Accordingtoinformation provided, the firms who submittedboththeirtechnical and financial proposals for the contract are as follow: Sheriff Construction Inc., Blue Print Builders Inc., Shandong High-Speed DijianGroupCo Ltd ,Urban Edge Builders Inc , Permaul Trading & Distribution, and Allicock's Construction & Supplies. As reported, the Education Ministry will be usingaportionofaloanfrom the World Bank to fund the construction of a new industrialblock According to its initial
request for bids, the ministry shared that the government received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Guyana Strengthening Human Capital Through Education project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for the 'Construction of New Industrial Block at the AnnandaleSecondary'.
The ministry has been b u i l d i n g i n d u s t r i a l blocks/departments at secondary schools as part of its efforts to enhance Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) at these facilities At a sod-turning ceremony for a secondary school on the East Bank of Demerara, Minister of E d u c a t i o n , P r i y a Manickchand, in a live broadcast on her Facebook page, disclosed that the Annandale and Hope Secondary Schools will be rehabilitated and extended to accommodate facilities theydidnothavebefore.
“On the East Coast, we
don't need a new school- a newsecondaryschoolthatiswe just opened, two years ago, the Good Hope Secondary, but we are also expanding the Hope Secondary-extendingaswell as rehabilitating- and Annandale Secondary and putting in facilities they did not have before,” she disclosed In August 2022, the government signed a US$44 million loan agreement with the World Bank through that project title It was reported that the project focuses on the expansionofaccesstoquality education at the secondary level and improving technical and vocational training (TVET) The project will support the piloting and national rollout of a new curriculum for Grades Seven toNineandfinancetextbooks for Grades Seven to Eleven It will also see the developmentofanewTVET sector policy for 2022-2030 and improve the delivery of TVET at secondary and post-secondaryinstitutions.
Close to 200 Guyanese set face against US threats over Cuban doctors
-
tell CARICOM leaders to reject idea medical mission part of human trafficking scheme
Close to 200 individuals and their organisations have written to CARICOM calling on leaders to collectivelyrejectandrepudiatethe United States Government’s idea that the governments of the region are involved in human trafficking through the Cuban medical mission.
The individuals and organisationinGuyana,Caribbean and Canada also called on CARICOM leaders to defend the inalienable right of the peoples of the Caribbean to access public health care delivered through the excellent work of the Cuban medical team and to firmly defend the self-evident right of member states to determine for themselves which forms of regional cooperationcanbestmeettheneeds of the people of the region. The letter was delivered to Secretary General of CARICOM, Dr Carla BarnettatherGeorgetownoffice.
ThetargetingofCubanmedical missions is not new for US President Donald Trump’s administration. During his first term as president of the US from 2017 to 2021, his administration imposed visa sanctions on Cuba’s global medical programme. His
particularly Cuba’s overseas medicalmissions.
These missions have been described as ‘labour export programmes’thatenrichtheCuban governmentandcountriesinvolved are described as complicit in the exploitation, forced labour and human trafficking of Cuban workers,theletternoted.
The targeting of Cuban medical missions is not new for US President Donald Trump’s administration
government claimed these missions amounted to “human trafficking”because,itsaid,Cuban doctorsarereportedlyunderpaid.
Thistimearound,USSecretary of State Marco Rubio has announcedrestrictionsonvisasfor government officials in Cuba and anyone else, globally, that the US deems to be “complicit” with C
Department said the restrictions would extend to “current and former officials” as well as the “immediate family of such persons”.
RubiocalledtheCubanmedical programme a form of “forced labour” and the government has warned that Caribbean nations participating in these programmes could face visa restrictions as well as potential trade repercussions. However,noconcreteevidencehas been provided to support these claims.TheUSallegesthatCuba’s government exploits its medical professionals by keeping a large portion of their wages and restricting their freedoms. While someCubandoctorshavedefected
and criticised the conditions of the programme, many others say they willinglyparticipate.
Meanwhile, in the letter, the grouprecalledthatonFebruary25, 2025,theUnitedStatesDepartment ofStatethroughRubio,announced theexpansionofanexistingCubarelated visa restriction policy applying to current or former Cuban government officials, including foreign government officials and their immediate family, who are believed to be responsible for, or involved in, the Cuban labour export programme,
“Weendorsetheresponsestothe US Department of State announcementbycurrentCaribbean leaders including Keith Rowley, formerPrimeMinisterofTrinidad& Tobago; Prime Ministers: Ralph Gonsalves, of St Vincent and the Grenadines;andMiaMottley,Prime Minister of Barbados; who have deemed the US visa restriction policyasathreattothesovereignty ofCaribbeanstates
“The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines stated that ending such programmes would jeopardise the lives of 60 nationalswhoarecurrentlypartofa Cuban-run hemodialysis programme to treat kidney failure. Several Caribbean leaders have repudiated accusations that Caribbean countries are complicit inhumantrafficking,”thegroup
Continued on page 22
New mammogram machine commissioned at New Amsterdam Hospital
Women, 40 to 65-years-old, from Region Six no longer have to travel to Georgetown for breast cancer screening, following the commissioning of a new mammogram machine at the New AmsterdamHospital.
The new machine has increased the hospital’s ability to detect, diagnose and monitor breast cancer locally During the commissioning ceremony on Sunday, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, highlightedthegovernment’scommitment
to improving healthcare access and preventativecare.
Womenwereurgedtoprioritiseregular mammograms. Plans are underway to expand cancer awareness and prevention programmesintheregion.Thisispartofa broader government initiative to install four new mammogram machines in hospitalsacrossGuyana.
Machines have already been installed at Suddie Hospital in Region Two and Linden Hospital Complex in Region Ten.
The new mammogram machine at New Amsterdam Hospital
Before these additions, only the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) offered mammogram services, making it challenging for women from far-flung areas to access screening. 21 to 65-yearold women are also encouraged to utilise the $8,000 cervical cancer screening voucher and the HPV vaccine to reduce cervicalcancerratesinGuyana.(DPI)
President Irfaan Ali, speaking at Babu Jaan, Corentyne, Berbice, on
Sunday afternoon, underscored that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) remains unwavering in its principles and will not be influenced by financial contributions or personal interests.
Addressing supporters, Ali outlined the importance of remaining aware of the country’spoliticallandscape and values. “We must be consciousaboutourpolitical environment, we must be conscious about our future, wemustbeconsciousofthe valuesthatwerepresent,”he stated.Tothisend,hemadeit clear that financial contributions to the PPP do not equate to political protection.
“Ifonebelievesthatthey can make a contribution to thePPP,andbymakingsuch acontribution,thePPPmust defend every wrongdoing, theyaremistaken.Thatisnot the philosophy of the People’s Progressive Party,” Alideclared.
He continued, “This party cannot be bought, or soldortraded.Thatisnotthe philosophy of this party We can never be bought or sold ortraded.”
Although the president did not name any individuals, his comments came in the wake of businessman, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, publicly discussinghislong-standing support for the PPP and his family’s contributions to the party Mohamed’s remarks followed the government’s refusaltorenewhiscabotage permission. Mohamed, who was
‘PPP can’t be bought or sold’
...Pres. Ali says financial contribution to PPP does not equate to protection
sanctioned by the U S Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) last year, has claimed that his b
systematically affected due to what he described as a misrepresentation of the
sanctions by the PPP administration.
Vice President and General Secretary of the
PPP,Dr BharratJagdeo,had previously stated that the government would not risk the future of the country or
face potential consequences by associating with Nazar Mohamed and his son, AzruddinMohamed.
Nazar ‘Shell’Mohamed
President Irfaan Ali
NoStatefundingforNGOscriticalofGovt.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said that the PPP government will only support Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that promote progress but not those that oppose the ruling party He made the comments while addressing party faithfuls at a PPP rally, to mark the death anniversary ofDr CheddiJagan,atBabu Jaan, Corentyne on Sunday Jagdeo criticised certain NGOs, including the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), the Transparency Institute, Red Thread, and the Guyana Press Association (GPA),
- Jagdeo tells supporters
labeling them as “haters of thePPP”.
GHRA has been around since 1979, working to
promote and protect human rights of individuals and groups- irrespective of their beliefs and opinions-
General Secretary of the PPP/C and Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo
independentofgovernments and political parties. Red Thread is a grassroots women group that provides services to women and childrenwhoareexploitedin unequalpowerrelations,and simultaneously work to changethoserelations.
For his reasoning, Jagdeo contended that these groups do not engage in grassroots activism. “They don’t come out, they sit in Georgetown in a single office, they get money from abroadandtheygetpublicity from Stabroek News and some other papers, and they write editorials there and they judge the country, they talk about fighting for democracy and principles but they all stayed quiet whenAPNU was rigging or trying to rig the elections in 2020,”hestated.
Jagdeo stressed that the PPP/C values activists who stoodwiththeparty,stating, “Youknowwhomattertous, it’stheactivistwhostoodup, people who stood with us.” Hecontinued,“Youthinkwe would worry about what they say and the press associationorwhateverwith the haters of the PPP.” He further asserted that these NGOs should be dismissed. “That’s why you have to be dismissive of them, they would say Jagdeo cussing the NGOs, well yes I’m cussingthem,”hesaid.
However, during his speech,Jagdeoclarifiedthat the government remains committed to supporting NGOs that contribute positively to society, but not GHRA, Red Thread and similarNGOs.
“It’s these NGOs I am cussing, not the ones that support progress, the ones that work with children, they’ve seen their subvention grow by fivefolds since we got into office, the ones that work with farmers or people to educate them, they can get support from us,” Jagdeo said.
However, he explicitly statedthattheNGOsthatare haters of the PPP will not receive similar treatment fromtheparty
“Butthesehatersofthe Continuedonpage22
Over 200 individuals set to benefit as Patient Care Assistant Training Programme launched in Region Six
The Patient Care
Assistant (PCA) Training Programme, launched on Sunday in Region Six, will see more than 200 persons participating over the next four months to support nurses and other medical professionals.
The comprehensive programme includes theoretical instruction and practical clinical training. It covers basic aspects like patient care, infection prevention, medical ethics, andemergencyresponse.
Minister of Health, Dr FrankAnthony,launchedthe initiativeattheBerbiceHigh School's auditorium in New Amsterdam. He highlighted the importance of investing in healthcare education and workforce development, particularly with the healthcare system's rapid expansion.
The health minister believes that a more qualified medical staff will
lead to more effective healthcare and improved patient outcomes. Minister Anthony urged the trainees to provide high-quality care to enhanc
ice efficiency. They will be certified and employed at various healthcare facilities across the region upon
completionofthecourse.
The participants were also encouraged to take advantage of other training programmes in the sector to elevate themselves. These include the nursing assistant and registered nursing (RN) progammes. “There are different opportunities that
Missing man found dead in trench at Bee Hive
A 43-year-old man, who reportedly went missing on Sunday night, was found dead in a trench in the vicinity of Bee Hive, East CoastDemerara(ECD).
Ramesh Ramkumar's body was fished out of the trench between 06:00 hrs and 06:30 hrs on Tuesday During an interview with Kaieteur News, the sister of the deceased man, 32-yearold Savita Ramkumar, said that he went missing on Sundaynightaround19:00h.
“My mother called me and tell me that them two was sitting in the living room, and then she went to use the washroom and when she came out back, he was
Ramesh Ramkumar, who was found dead in the trench
nowhere to be found, they look everywhere and they didn't find him until this morning (Tuesday),” the
sistertoldthispublication.
She mentioned that, according to their mother, when Ramkumar's body was examined, black and blue marks were noticed all over it. Ramkumar (the sister) related, “My mom said it looklikesomebodybeathim and throw him in the trench because all over his skin was black and blue.”The woman added, “My brother had no kind of problem, he never interfered with anyone, he is a well-known person around there, (Bee Hive, ECD) he is not a troublesome person.” Ramkumar was described as a, kind, loving and caring person. The matter is being investigatedbypolice.
Incitement to Commit Murder
A 4 4 - y
o l d businessman, on Tuesday, was remanded to prison when he appeared at the Whim Magistrate's Court to answer a cha
ge of Incitement to Commit Murder. Seeindra Marimutoo also known as 'Chicken Man' of Portuguese Quarters in Corentyne
Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Tuana Hardy Marimutoowasnotrequired to plead and as a result, he was remanded. The matter was adjourned to April 4, 2025. Marimutoo was arrested on March 21, 2025 for the offence which was allegedly committed on Marciano Michel Nelson alsoknownas'Dutchie'.
we are offering to people. If you have the desire to progress, then, the opportunities are going to be thereforyoutoprogress.We have been investing a lot of resources to train people,” thehealthministersaid.
He stated that the new training facility underway in
New Amsterdam will have simulation laboratories and other essential amenities to provide training to persons in the medical profession.
The training facility will be opened by the end of this year. “Over the next couple of years, we will see Region Six being transformed into a
teaching hub for medicine,” hehighlighted. These efforts are aligned with the government's overarching goal of decentralising healthcare programmes and services while guaranteeing access to a qualified med
workforceinthecountry.
Fire destroys Chinese restaurant in Vreed-en-Hoop
Three people are now homeless after a fire of unknown origin destroyed a two-storey commercial and residential building at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West CoastDemerara,onTuesday
The fire, which started around03:07hrs,brokeoutat theABCChineseRestaurant, locatedatLot103NewRoad The wood and concrete structure, housed both commercial and residential spaces The top floor was occupied by 43-year-old Danelle Williams and 42year-old Charlene Williams as a private residence, while thegroundfloorwasusedby 50-year-old Wang Jiahai who operated the restaurant andlivedthereaswell.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement, revealing that Danelle and Charlene Williams managed to escape from the top floor Meanwhile, Jiahai was rescued by firefighters but sustained multiple seconddegree burns to his face, abdomen, and lower extremities "He was transported to the West Demerara R e g i o n a l Hospital, where he remains hospitalized and under observation,"theMinistryof HomeAffairsstated.
Despite the efforts of firefighters, the structure was completely destroyed, as boththetopandgroundfloors
The top floor of the building engulfed in flames
However, the adjoining one-storeybuilding,operated by 34-year-old Vigay Gaindalall as an ice-cream parlour, was not affected by thefire
Firefighting units from WC#14, 20, WT#84, and Ambulance #19 responded quickly to the scene "Crews
Simon, and fifteen firefighters utilized four jets fromvariouswatertendersto successfully extinguish the blaze," the Ministry of Home Affairsreported The cause of the fire is still under investigation by theGFS.
Minister Anthony, regional officials flanked by nurses and participants of the training programme
led by L/Fm Cameron, L/Fm Thomas,L/FmDamon,L/Fm
Seeindra Marimutoo
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Coldingenwoman incourton assaultcharge
A36-year-oldwomanwas placed on bail on Tuesday, whensheappearedattheVigilance Magistrate's Court on a charge of assault causing actualbodilyharm.
Astashia Cornette, of Coldingen Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Senior MagistrateSunilScarce.
Cornette allegedly assaulted Basmattie Kaladin, also known as 'Sarah'. The defendant pleaded not guilty
to the charge. The incident occurred on March 18, 2025 at Coldingen.
The court heard that Kaladin sustained several bruises about her body and head.
MagistrateScarcegranted Cornette bail in the sum of $25,000, with the condition that she must not enter Kaladin'spremises.
The magistrate also placedthewomenonakeepthe-peace bond.
Realtor,
taxi-drivercharged for assaulting each other
Arealtorandataxi-driver wereplacedonbailonTuesday for allegedly assaulting each other The defendants, 36-year-oldParsramSinghof Lot 582 Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, and 31year-oldGavinBhagwandin of Lot 41 Dennis Street, Sophia, Georgetown appearedbeforeSeniorMagistrate, Sunil Scarce, at the Vigilance Magistrate's Court.Singhwaschargedfor using abusive language and assaulting Bhagwandin on March 22, 2025 at Good Hope. Meanwhile, Bhagwandinwaschargedfor
unlawfully wounding Singh on the same day at the said address. Singh received laceration to his head and temple.Bothmenpleadednot guilty
MagistrateScarcegranted Bhagwandin$40,000bailfor the unlawful wounding charge, while Singh was granted $20,000 bail for the assault charge and self-bail for the abusive language charge. The defendants were instructed to stay 500 feet away from each other and shouldnotcommunicatewith each other The matter was adjourned to April 7, 2025.
Close to 200 Guyanese set face against US threats over ...
From page 12 said in their letter DickonMitchell,PrimeMinister of Grenada, has described the arrangement withtheGovernmentofCuba as a “legitimate partnership”;GastonBrowne,Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, has defended the Cuban doctors and nurses as “core’ to the country’s delivery of health services; Guyana’s President, Dr IrfaanAli,hasconfirmedthat the Government ensures that Cuban workers’ contracts and terms of employment align with international labour laws and standards. Jamaican Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith is on record as indicating that the presence of Cuban health professionals is important to the Jamaican healthcare system, pointing to 400 doctors, nurses and medical technicians currently working in the coun-
try. In a social media post, Bahamian Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell pointed out that his government “follows all international best practices in the recruitment of labour.”
“This is not the first time that Caribbean leaders have had to defend the work of Cuban Medical Brigades in the face of US criticism. In June 2020 the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) issued a statement expressing “its deep appreciation to the Republic of Cuba for the medical supportprovidedtosix(6)member countries of the OECS to assist with efforts to combat the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the OECS and wider Caribbean region.”
The OECS was responding to a recent Bill introduced by a US Republican
Senator which classified this assistance from Cuba as “human trafficking” and sought to “extend punitive measures against countries accepting this assistance.”
The group said historical and current ties between CARICOM countries and Cuba have been long and cordial, noting that in 1972, diplomatic relations were established between Cuba and Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica. In 2002, commercial and economic agreements were signed between Cuba and CARICOM countries and by 2017 preferential access to a range of products between the countries of the Caribbean and Cuba were agreed.
“Over this period areas of cooperation between CARICOM countries of the Caribbean have remained
strong in trade, investments, health and agriculture. CARICOM has also been in the forefront in consistently expressing solidarity with Cuba and calling for an end to the US embargo on Cuba and the lifting of crippling US sanctions,” the group said.
“We categorically reject these accusations and misrepresentations of Cuban labour exploitation, forced labour and human trafficking in the Caribbean in relation to Cuban medical personnel and medical services. We stand in solidarity with our sister nation Cuba and its selfless and heroic medical professionals who have saved lives, enhanced medical services and delivered expertmedicalcaretocountless Caribbean peoples,” the individuals said in the letter.
No State funding for NGOs critical of ...
From page 18 PPP, we will fight them,” he affirmed. Furthermore, Jagdeo also addressed criticism of the PPP/C’s assertiveness, stating, “So, when we fight, they say, oh, PPP is too aggressive. Well, if you come after us, as I said before, we are going to defend our legacy, we’re going to strongly defend our legacy Don’t come after us. Don’t come after us and misrepresent us if you don’t want to get a response.”
Hecontendedthatgroups opposing the PPP/C are at-
tempting to sow division and benefitfromexternalfunding.
“Gone are the days when they controlled everything andliedaboutus,thatiswhat kept this country divided for alongtime.
These naysayers, every day,everysingleday,they’re at it because they are as worried as the APNU and AFC about national unity,because ifthereisnationalunity,there is no space for them.
Theycan’tcollectmoney from abroad to create dissent among our people. That is an important thing,” he said.
In reacting to Jagdeo’s
remarks,theWorkingPeoples Alliance, on Monday, condemned the comments about NGOs.
The WPA said that Jagdeo’s declaration at the PPP’srally,thatNGOsthatare critical of the PPP and the government will not be granted government subvention, is dangerous.
“The VP singled out the GHRAandRedThreadinhis tirade.
This is yet another blow toofficialdemocraticpraxisin Guyana.
The withdrawal of subventions to Critchlow LabourCollege,IDPADA-G, and some African Guyanese organisations celebrating emancipationcomestomind.
The practice of cutting off perceived and real critics of the government from state funding is unconstitutional and dictatorial. State funds do not belong to the PPP or the government. Since when pledging allegiance to the PPP is a criterion for NGOs accessing State funds?
WPA again alerts the nationtotheclearconsolidation of an authoritarian order.”
“We
were
not
rich with money, but with love and understanding” ...wifeofdrownedpumpattendantsays
K a i e t e u r N e w s confirmed that the 25-yearold pump attendant who was found dead in a canal at Evergreen,EssequiboCoast, Region two, died from a fractured spine and drowning.
Navindra Rambarran, of Evergreen,EssequiboCoast, was found dead between M a r c h 1 9 a n d 2 0
Investigations revealed that at the time of the incident, Rambarran was riding his motorcycle on his way home. Hours later, he was found in a canal, and his motorbike was located near the canal with both mirrors werebrokenoff.
On Tuesday, Kaieteur News spoke with Senior Superintendent Commander of Regional Division Two, Khemraj Shivbarran, who confirmed Rambarran's cause of death. “The main cause of death was drowning, he also had a fractured spine,” he stated. When questioned about the motorcycle'sbrokenmirrors, Shivbarran explained that it was reported to the police that, while Rambarran was going home, his motorcycle had encountered issues. He lost control, veered off the road, and was flung into the canal, and subsequently drowned However, he stated that there is no sign of
an accident or any physical objectsupportingthatclaim.
Police reports indicate that Rambarran died between 20:14 hrs on Wednesday and 17:30 hrs. on Thursday His wife, 25year-old Sarah Campbell, toldpolicethataround15:00 hrs on Wednesday, Rambarran left home on his motorcycle, but he did not return by 20:00 hrs. “She made several calls to his cell phone, and he assured her he was on his way home However, he did not return,” policesaid.
At around 05:45 hrs. on Thursday, Campbell received the devastating newsthatherhusband'sbody had been found floating in the canal Rambarran's b r o t h e r , G a v i n d r a Rambarran, filed a report at the Charity Police Station. Thebodywasretrievedfrom the canal and taken to Charity Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival Upon examination, the authorities found bruises on his foreheadandfishbitesonhis faceandrightear. In an interview with Kaieteur News on Tuesday, Campbell reflected on the last conversation she had with her husband before his tragic death. She recalled h o w t h e y l i v e d a
considerable distance from the main road, which led her husband to purchase a motorcycle to help him take her home after work. She recalled, “Wednesday, I was out and after I finish buying themeat,Icalledhimandtell him I am in a bus heading home.
When I meet at the dam head, I called him and tell himIjustmeet.Hesaidokay, he coming to drop me home. So, he come with the motorcycle and he drop us home (me and our son). Whenwemeethome,hesaid he coming back just now I said, 'Babe, na guh noway.' Hekissmeagainandhesaid, 'Babe, a coming back just now, me na stay long. A going with them boys and comeback.'Hesaidcookthe goat curry and make roti for
dinner,whichIdid.”
Campbell waited for him to return so they could share the meal, but hours passed without any word. “I waited for him to come home for us to eat together. He tell me to wait on him, we gonna eat together We always eat together He messaged me at 8:14 pm and said, 'Babe, what you doing?' I replied, 'I'm waiting on you to eat.' I waited and 9:25 pm I messaged him again but the message didn't gone through. Was only one star So,Isaidtomyself, he gonna come just now, so I lay down in my bed and was watching a movie and I sleep away ,” shesaid.
“When I wake up, I checkthetimeandseeitwas 12:45 am, and then I message him and I see it still have one star, so, I called his phonerightawayanditgone to voicemail. So, I called his next phone- it went to voicemail. I said, his phone battery mussy down, and then I ask myself, all 2 at the same time? I said, even if his phones dead, he would've call. I didn't give up on calling him. I called and didn't get to him. I tell myself, his phone mussy down- because sometimes theydon'tgetsignalstoo-so, I still waited on him to eat, only to find out he's dead.
When I got the news, I couldn't believe my ears, I had to go and see for myself. Hewasindeedcominghome but he did not meet. His motorcycle was on the dam, damaged, and he was in the trench.
I still didn't believe it. I waitedforhim,justtorealise that he would never come homeagaintoeatwithme.It hurts me so much to believe hewouldnevercomeback. He always tell me not to give up and don't worry about anything, we gonna get through it,” Campbell saidintears.
This tragic loss has been especially hard for Campbell, as she had recently lost her mother just three months prior “It's only three months since mommy leave me, and now he leave metoo.Idon'tknowhowI'm going to get through this. Every time I go and eat, I'm
remembering he tell me to wait for him to eat. What achesmyheartmoreiswhen my kid asking, 'When daddy coming home?', only for me to tell him, 'Daddy won't be coming home anymore.' I don't know how I'll manage without him,” Campbell said Reflecting on her husband's life, Campbell described Rambarran as a loving and understanding partner.
“Hewasn'tperfect,butin my eyes, he was. Anyone who knew us could see how much he meant to me. We were not rich not with money,butwiththeloveand understanding we shared The time we spent together may have been short, but the memorieswilllastalifetime. My mom's passing hurt, but losing him has pierced my heart even more. My mom was close, but he was closer,”shesaid.
Prosecution complained about structure of cross-examination of Rasul Election fraud trial:
The ongoing election fraud trial resumed on Tuesday, with election observer Rosalinda Rasul continuinghertestimony
During the proceedings, the prosecution expressed concerns about the defence's a p p r o a c h t o c r o s sexamining the witness, specifically regarding the structure in which multiple defence attorneys were questioningheroneatatime. Thecaseisbeingheardatthe Georgetown Magistrates' Court before Acting Chief MagistrateFaithMcGusty
The defence team, which includes prominent attorneys Nigel Hughes, Eusi Anderson, Dominic Bess, Darren Wade, Ronald Daniels, and Dexter Todd, has been representing the nine accused individuals in the matter. So far, two defence lawyers have completed their crossexaminationsofRasul.
Before the crossexamination resumed on
Tuesday, Special Prosecutor Dharshan Ramdhani KC, leading the prosecution, raisedconcernsabouthaving each defence attorney questioning the witness individually. He expressed his doubts about the practicality and fairness of thisapproach. In response, Hughes defended the structure, explaining that the crossexamination method was designed to benefit the defendants. “Madam, I don't believe this makes any practical difference or reasoning regarding the consequenc
The responses don't apply across the board,”
, explaining that the defence teamhaddevisedaparticular strategy in which each lawyer primarily represents onedefendantbutalsocrossexamines witnesses on behalf of other defendants due to the joint conspiracy charges.
“The way we have structured this madam is each one of the defendants
he response given by a witness, evenifcounselappearingfor one particular defendant appliesacrosstheboard.
has an attorney at leads for each to cross-examine the witness. Each one has a leading lawyer, but we all collectively appeared before each of the other defendants. It allows cross-examination to done by each attorney,” Hughesstated.
H o w e v e r, K i n g ' s
Counsel Thomas Astaphan expressed scepticism about this legal structure, stating, that he has never heard of such a structure during cross-examination. He said, “each of the lawyers can examine each of the witnesses—ifthatisthecase for the defence, why can't it
be the same for us? I have never heard that.” Hughes further clarified that not all defence lawyers would be cross-examining every witness. The prosecution also questioned which defence attorney represented which defendant in the trial. In response, Magistrate McGusty asked the defence team to submit a list to the court outlining which attorney represented each defendant.
During the crossexamination, defence attorneys Ronald Daniels andDarrenWadequestioned
Rasul. Daniels completed his questioning, while Wade's cross-examination is scheduled to continue on Wednesday at 13:00hrs. The defendants in the case include the former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield of Guyana Elections Commission ( G E C O M ) ; f o r m e r Returning Officer for District Four Clairmont Mingo;formerDeputyChief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers; former Minister of Health Volda Lawrence;' A P N U + A F C s C h i e f Scrutineer Carol SmithJoseph;andformerGECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Liven, Michelle Miller, and Denise Babb-Cummings. The charges allege that, betweenMarch2andAugust 2, 2020, the accused conspired to manipulate the results of the 2020 elections at the Ashmins' Building in Georgetown, defrauding the electorsofGuyana.
Sarah Campbell and Navindra Rambarran in happier times
Navindra Rambarran
Children among 62 killed as Israel pounds Gaza from north to south
(ALJAZEERA) Renewed Israeli bombardments across the Gaza Strip have killed dozens of Palestinians, includingchildren,astheIsraeli armyhasissuedanewroundof forced displacement orders acrossthebesiegedterritory
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 62 people were killed in Israeli attacks over the past 24-hour reporting period At least 23 people, including seven children, were killed in overnightattacks,accordingto medical sources Reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary said different areas across the Strip were under heavyartilleryshellingandair attacks. In southern Gaza, at least five Palestinians were killed in attacks that hit two tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis, she said Another eight Palestinianswerekilledinan attack on a residential home in Bureij in central Gaza while more attacks were reported in northern areas, including in Gaza City and Jabalia. In Beit Lahiya, also in the north, an Israeli attack
Palestinians, including a three-year-oldgirl. “There
e b
en continuous air strikes on civilians' homes and where Palestinians are sheltering,” Khoudary said.After the latest attacks, Hamas issued a statement denouncing the “horrific massacres” and urged theinternationalcommunityto rein in Israel, which last week broke a two-month ceasefire withthePalestiniangroup
Since it renewed its bombardment on Gaza on March 18, the Israeli army has killed 792 people, including hundreds of children, and
Palestinians flee Jabalia with their belongings [Mahmoud Issa/Reuters]
wounded 1,663, according to the Health Ministry Amid a total aid blockade, tens of thousands of people have also beenforcedtofleeonceagain, just weeks after returning following the start of the ceasefire on January 19. In its latest round of forced displacement orders, the Israeli army on Tuesday warned of new attacks in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoon and Shujayea in Gaza City, saying rockets hadbeenfiredtowardsIsrael from the northern area Other orders were also issued for Khan Younis and Rafah in the south.'Children
‘Record’ payout for world’s longest-serving death row inmate
(BBC News) AJapanese man who spent nearly 50 years on death row before he was acquitted of murder will be compensated 217 million yen ($1 45m), in what his lawyers say is the country'slargest-everpayout inacriminalcase.
Iwao Hakamata, 89, was found guilty in 1968 of killing his boss, his boss's wife and their two children, but was acquitted last year
a f t e r a retrial Mr Hakamata's lawyers had
s o u g h t t h e h i g h e s t compensation possible, arguing that the 47 years in detention - which made him the world's longest-serving deathrowinmate-tookatoll onhismentalhealth.
Judge Kunii Koshi, who granted the request on Monday, agreed that he had suffered "extremely severe" mental and physical pain.
The Japanese government will pay Mr Hakamata's financial compensation, in what local media is widely reporting as the biggest payout for a criminal case in thecountry'shistory
Mr Hakamata's case is one of Japan's longest and mostfamouslegalsagas He was granted a rare retrial and released from prison in 2014, amid suspicions that investigators may have planted evidence that led to hisconviction.
L a s t S e p t e m b e r, hundreds of people gathered at a court in Shizuoka, a city on Japan's south coast, where a judge handed down the acquittaltoloudcheersof"banzai",or "hurray" in Japanese. Mr Hakamata, however, was unfit to attend the hearing. He was exempted from all prior hearings because of his deteriorated mental state. He had lived under the care of his91-year-oldsisterHideko since being granted a retrial and released from prison in 2014. Hideko had fought for decadestoclearherbrother's name.
Mr Hakamata was w o r k i n g a t a m i s o processing plant in 1966 when the bodies of his boss, his boss' wife and their two children were recovered
from a fire at their home in Shizuoka,westofTokyo.All four had been stabbed to death.
Authorities accused Mr Hakamata of murdering the family, setting fire to their home and stealing 200,000 yen in cash Mr Hakamata initially denieddoingso,but later gave what he came to describe as a coerced confession, following beatings and interrogations that lasted up to 12 hours a day In 1968 he was sentenced to death.
F o r y e a r s , M r Hakamata's lawyers had argued that DNA recovered fromthevictims'clothesdid not match his, and alleged that the evidence was planted. Although he was granted a retrial in 2014, prolonged legal proceedings meant it took until last October for the retrial to begin. The case has raised questions about Japan's justice system, including the time taken for a retrial andtheallegationsofforced confessions
“humanitarian zones” and sheltershaverepeatedlycome under Israeli attack The international charity Save the Children on Tuesday called the resumption of the war “a death sentence” for children inbesiegedGaza
killedintheirsleep'Anumber of aid groups and United Nations agencies have long said there are no safe areas in Gaza as Israeli-designated
“Children are being killed in their sleep in tents They are beingstarvedandattacked The onlywaytoensurechildrenand familiesareprotectedisthrough a definitive ceasefire,” it said Nearly 18 months of Israeli attacks have killed more than 50,000 people and wounded about 113,000, according to the Health Ministry, while thousands more are missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings and presumed dead.
The Israeli war began after Hamas-led attacks in southernIsraelonOctober7, 2023, led to an estimated 1,139 people being killed andabout250takencaptive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the renewed offensive aims to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining 59 captives who are being held in Gaza About 24 of them are believed to still bealive
HamassaysitwantsIsrael to abide by what it agreed on when it signed the January ceasefire, including holding talks on ending the war permanently in exchange for the release of the remaining captives
(CNN) The medical staff looking after Pope Francis considered stopping histreatmentsohecoulddie, according to the lead doctor, whilethe88-year-oldpontiff was hospitalised with a drawn-out respiratory illness.
Professor Sergio Alfieri told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera the most critical moment came on February 28 when the pope had a breathing crisis and inhaled his own vomit. “We had to choose whether to stopandlethimgoorforceit andtrywithallthedrugsand therapies possible, running the very high risk of damaging other organs. And in the end, we took this path,”Alfierisaid.
Alfieri, who led the team at Rome's Gemelli hospital, said the decision to continue with treatment was made by Francis' nurse. “The Holy Father always decides. He delegated all kinds of health c
o Massimiliano Strappetti, his
perfectly well the Pontiff's wishes.” He reportedly told Alfieri: “Try everything, we won't give up. That's what we all thought too. And no onegaveup.”
Francis left the hospital on March 23 after 38 days in hospital, the longest of his four stays since his election as pope 12 years ago. The pontiff had a number of breathing crises during his time in hospital, withAlfieri previouslysayingthattwoof them put the pope's life in danger During his stay, the Va
n unprecedentedlevelofdetail aboutFrancis'condition.
Alfieri said this was the pope's decision and that the Vatican's bulletins were prepared by the medical team with some additions from Francis' personal secretaries. “From the first day, he asked us to tell him the truth and he wanted us to tell the truth about his condition. Nothing was ever changed or omitted ” Francis has returned to his residence at Casa Santa
Marta, where he will receive treatmentincludingmobility and respiratory-related physiotherapy,especiallyfor voice recovery, and engage inpersonalprayer,according to the Vatican. Doctors also advised the pope to have 24hour medical assistance, including oxygen therapy, and in case of any emergencies. The pope will return to work gradually. He has shown determination to continue in post, already resuming some duties and signing documents. Francis has not led the Angelus prayer for the past seven Sundays,buthasstilloffered reflections every week –most recently calling for “peace”inwar-tornregions.
“You have continued to pray for me with so much patience and perseverance. Thank you so much. I also pray for you,” he said in a postonXonSunday “Letus pray together for peace, especially in martyred Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic RepublicofCongo.”
Rutherford'sfireworksinvain...
From page 32
the contest as Sai Kishore struck twice in quick succession, removing Azmatullah Omarzai (16) andGlennMaxwell(zero)to leave the Kings wobbling at 105-4. But Iyer stood tall alongside Marcus Stoinis (20) in a 57-run partnership before Kishore removed the latterforhisthirdwicket.
Still, Shashank Singh provided the late fireworks, as he blasted six fours and two sixes in his 44-run cameo, adding an unbeaten 81-run stand with Iyer, who smashed five fours and nine sixes in his 42-ball maste
c
ass Kishore finished with impressive figures of 3-30, but the Kingstotalloomedlarge.
In response, Gujarat got off to a steady start with captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan putting on 61 for the first wicket. Gill dazzled with a 14-ball 33, which featured two fours and three sixes before he fell to Maxwell Sudharsan continued the charge with his 74 off 41 balls, as he peppered the boundaries with five fours and six m a x i m u m s , b e f o r e
Arshdeep Singh struck to break an 84-run stand with Buttler
With the Titans still in control at 145-2, Rutherford entered the fray and wasted no time asserting himself. Theleft-handerplayedsome b
, including a monstrous six
over midwicket, as he and Buttlerlookedpoisedtotake the game deep. But when Buttler was bowled by Marco Jansen with the score at 199-3, the momentum begantoshift.
Rutherford continued to fight,buthisdismissalinthe final over bowled by Arshdeep three balls after Rahul Tewatia was run out—sealedtheTitans'fate.
Arshdeep finished as the Kings' best bowler with 236.
Scores: Punjab Kings
243 for 5 (Iyer 97*, Arya 47, Shashank 44*, Sai Kishore 3-30) beat Gujarat Titans 232 for 5 (Sudharsan 74, Buttler 54, Rutherford 46, Gill 33, Arshdeep 2-36) by 11 runs.
Wednesday March 26, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19
Todayisaterrificdayforyou, Aries. You finally seem to have a grasp on your thought processesandinneremotions
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)
There may be some rough spots today that could be difficult to iron out, Taurus. No matter what you do, you landjustabitshortofthemark Perhaps your indecisiveness is makingittoodifficultforyouto beeffective
GEMINI (May 21–June 20)
Nurture your artistic, romantic side today, Gemini. Your feet may be a little cold, but that's what you get for splashingaroundintherain.
CANCER (June 21–July 22)
Today may be one of those days when you feel all dressed up with nowhere to go. Don't worry about the details,Cancer
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
This is a fantastic day, Leo. Elements of your life seem to be fallingintoplaceYou'reinaperiod whenyou'rebeginningnewcycles ofloveandmentalactivity
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)
This is one of those days in which you can't figure out what to order for dinner. You're the official owner of the cloudy head today,Virgo. You're waiting at the deli counter trying to figure out what you want and when it's your turn to order, you've alreadyforgotten.
Former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Livingston Bramble (left) has died at age 64. (MPSImagn Images)
Former World Champion Boxer
Livingston Bramble Has Died
SportsMax - Former World Boxing Association
( W B A )
Bramble, the eccentric and unpredictable fighter who rose to international fame in the 1980s, has died. He was 64.
wins, 26 losses, and 3 draws, with25knockouts.
Livingston Bramble remains a legendary figure in Caribbean and international
b o x i n g circles remembered not only for his achievements in the ring but for a flair that madehimunforgettable.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Go to an art museum, Libra. Your mind and heart are working in conjunction with each other, and you're apt to be especially receptive to elements of our world that fusethesetwotogether
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)
It might seem like your brain and heart are working against youtoday,Scorpio Youmight sensethatthey'veteamedupto keep your head in a swirling maelstromofconfusion
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Your moods are always fluctuating Today looks like you'reonanupnote,Sagittarius, so enjoy the caring, sensitive moodoftheday
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
You might find it difficult to connect with others today, Capricorn. Your brain may seem like it's in some other dimension. Appreciate the power of circular movement inyourlife.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)
Things may be coming to a dramatic climax for you, Aquarius It may seem like everything is working against you Take note that this is an excellenttimetofindbalanceand gainamuchgreaterperspective
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)
Dig out the paints and get yourcreativeenergyflowing, Pisces.Keepinmindthatyou might not have the discipline or commitment to finish any projectyoustarttoday
News of his passing was first reported by the U.S. Virgin Islands Daily News, with confirmation from the WBA.Thecauseofdeathhas notbeenmadepublic.
Bramble, who was born in St. Kitts and Nevis and raisedonSt.CroixintheU.S. Virgin Islands, etched his name in boxing history with thrilling back-to-back victories over Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini in 1984 and 1985. The wins earned him the WBA lightweight title andestablishedhimasoneof the most colourful figures in thesport.
Known in and out of the ring for his distinctive Rastafarian identity and unconventional persona, Bramble—who also went by Ras-I Alujah Bramble—was far from your average pugilist A committed vegetarian and snake enthusiast, he became famous for entering the ring with a live snake draped around his shoulders, captivating audiences and bewilderingopponents.
“Bramble was a true wildcard — an unorthodox fighter whose skill and durability were often underrated,”theWBAsaidin a statement. “Beyond his ability in the ring, Bramble was known for his eccentric personality.”
After defending his title twice, including a rematch win over Mancini and a successful bout against Tyrone Crawley, Bramble lostthebeltin1986toEdwin “ElChapo”Rosario.
Though he fought for anotherdecade,hewasnever a b l e t o r
championshipglory
He retired with a professional record of 40
RS53-ETKEZO Restaurant backs One Guyana 3x3 Quest
Re n o w n e d globally as one of the finest batters to emerge from the West Indies, cricket legend Ramnaresh Sarwan also shares a deep passion for basketball. The former West Indies
captain's love for the sport has inspired him, behind his RS53-Etkezo Restaurant, to support the Guyana Basketball Federation's (GBF) One Guyana 3x3 Quest, scheduled for April 5–6 at the Cliff Anderson SportsHall.
“I'm a sportsman, and basketballisoneofthesports Ilove.
I played some street ball back in the day, and being a fan of Michael Jordan, I've always had an appreciation for the game,” Sarwan told the media after making a
presentation to the GBF at the restaurant, located in the A m
Providence.
Beyond his passion for basketball, Sarwan noted that his long-standing friendship with a GBF vice president further motivated him to support the tournament.
Admitting that 3x3 basketball is relatively new to him, the once dominant right-handed batter noted that the new format for the game piqued his interest, adding that “It's a new format, and at RS53-Etkzo, we're known for embracing new ideas and innovations. So, supporting this initiative isexciting.”
representative Rawle Toney thanked Sarwan for his support, highlighting that it marks the federation's l
sponsorship to date outside of assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Youth, andSport.
“Thissupportmeansalot to the GBF because it helps cover a critical aspect of the tournament.Onbehalfofthe federation, I want to express my gratitude to Sarwan for coming on board and for always being willing to support basketball,” Toney said.
He further recalled that Sarwan had previously
women's team ahead of the
personally purchasing and donating basketball shoes for the players. “He didn't want any publicity, but it's importanttohighlightthathe has always been a strong supporterofathletes,”Toney added.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Toney noted that the GBF is finalizing preparations to ensure the successful staging of what is set to be the largest 3x3 basketball tournament in the E n g l i s h - s p e a k i n g Caribbean.
He highlighted that the federation has meticulously addressed logistical aspects to host an event that will bring some of the best 3x3 players in the world to Guyana.
Pacey McKenzie and Koobir spearheaded RHT Bakewell to two consecutive victories BCB/QualityDeliveryUnder17Tournament
The Rose Hall Town Bakewell Under17 team chalked up two victories over the weekend to assure themselves a quarterfinals spot in the Berbice Cricket Board/ Quality Delivery Under17 tournament. They easily defeated Kennard Memorial Cricket Club by ten wickets at the Bush Lot Farm Ground on Saturday, while they edged past arch rivalsAlbionbythirteenruns inalowscoringfixtureatthe AreaHGround.
At the Bush Lot ground, Kennard Memorial won the toss and elected to bat first after the match was affected by early morning rain and was reduced to 40 overs per side.
They were bowled out for 111 as National Under15 pacer Rafeal McKenize took 5 for 12 from 6 very hostile overs. Rishi Rangandan top scoredwith36includingtwo sixes and three boundaries. The only other batsman to
reach double figures was D. Lord with 22 (2x6, 2x4) while extras contributed a healthy 27. Former national under13 player Leon Reddi
took 4 for 10, while Derwin Mckenzie had 1 for 4. Rose HallTownBakewellneeding 112 for victory, raced to 115 without loss in 12.5 overs as former national Under15 player Razam Koobir ended on 80 not out with six sixes and five boundaries, while Matthew Periara was unbeatenon25.
The match between arch rivals Albion and Rose Hall To w n l i v e d u p t o expectations and went down tothewire.
Rose Hall Town batting first on a pitch with a lot of preparation moisture were bowled out for 110 in 35.3 overs with national Under15 wicketkeeper batsman Sohail Mohammed scoring 30 (3x4, 1x6), he received support from Balraj Narine 16, Leon Reddi 12 and Rafeal McKenzie 10 not out. Bowling for Albion was Devin Lalbeharri 3 for 21 and Chamesh Seenauth 3 for 14. Albion, who was
defeated by Port Mourant on Saturday, required 111 from 50overstogivethemselvesa chance to reach the quarterfinals.
They were immediately set back when Seenauth was trappedLBWbyLeonReddi for naught while Said Jumratty was sent packing by McKenzie to leave them reeling 2 for 2 in the second over
ThepromisingNathaniel Ramsammy and Rovin Lalbeharri then added 51 for 3 r d w i c k e t b e f o r e Ramsammy was bowled by RHT Bakewell skipper Kumalchand Ramnarais for 26 to trigger a major collapse.
Albion was eventually bowled out for 97 in the 28th over,Lalbeharriwastheonly other batsman to reach
double figures with 16. The impressive McKenzie took 4 for 30, off spinner Ramnarais 2 for 16, Reddi 1 for 11 (5 overs) and Balraj Narine1for15(6overs)also bowledwell.
Albion with two defeats has been knocked out of the competition while RHT Bakewell and Port Mourant would clash on Saturday to decidethewinnerofZoneC.
Rafeal McKenzie
Rutherford's fireworks in vain as Gujarat Titans fall short against Punjab Kings in IPL opener
SportsMax – Sherfane Rutherford's blistering knock gave Gujarat Titans hope, but his performance wasnotenoughtopreventan 11-run loss to Punjab Kings in a high-scoring Indian Premier League (IPL) openerattheNarendraModi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday
Chasing a daunting 244 for victory, the Titans fell short at 232-5 despite Rutherford's explosive 46 off 28 balls, which included four boundaries and three sixes The West Indies powerhousesharedacrucial 54
partnership with England's
Jos Buttler, who struck a fluent 54 from 33 balls with four boundaries and two maximums, but their efforts could not carry the Titans overtheline.
The Kings' imposing total of 243-5 was built on the back of a brilliant unbeaten 97 from captain Shreyas Iyer and a whirlwind 44 off just 16 deliveries from Shashank Singh After losing Prabhsimran Singh early for five, Iyer took charge and anchored the innings as he punishedtheTitans'bowlers.
Priyansh Arya provided early support with a quickfire47off23balls,andtheir
51-runstandgiftedtheKings the upper hand before Rashid Khan broke the partnership The Titans clawed their way back into (Continuedonpage25)
Sai Sudharsan launches one into the night sky. (IPL)
Shashank Singh and Shreyas Iyer added an unbroken 81 in just 28 balls. (IPL)
Rotary Club of NA Childhood Obesity Prevention Inter Secondary School Tapeball Cricket begins with two matches
Two schools scored victories when the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam (RCNA) Childhood Obesity Prevention tape ball Inter Secondary School Cricket competition got ontheway
The competition, which is sponsored and organized by the RCNA, involves secondary schools in the New Amsterdam/ Canje districtwithsixschoolsparticipating.
It is being played using the theme “Exercise, eat healthy, stay healthy” and caterstostudentsinGrades7-9.
The schools taking part are New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School (NAMS), Tutorial Academy Secondary School (TASS), Berbice Educational Institute (BEI), Berbice High School (BHS), Vryman's Erven Secondary School (VESS) andCanjeSecondarySchool(CSS.)
The two matches played saw CSS and TASS scoring victories in the 10 overs a side competition.CSS defeated BHS by seven runs. Batting first CSS reached 67-8 with Renny Fishmillo 17, Shameer Ali 14 and Kelson Kisten 11 top scoring. Bowling for BHS, Dharvesh Narine 3, Kelvin Henry 2, Khushal Muthan and Tye Fortune took the wickets. Inreply,BHSwereheldto60-9.No batsman reached double figures with extras contributing 23.Bowling for CSS Shameer Alitook3wickets,AnthonyPersaudgrabbed 2 with Deonarine Worti, Shaheed Ali and MichaelMatthewoneeach.
In the second game, TASS got the better ofNAMSby2wickets.
Agood all-round performance by Darean Sinclair led his team to victory With NAMS takingfirststrikescoring54-7withDonovan
Newland 16, Elijah Sookdeo 12 and TameshwarDeonandan10.
When TASS replied Sinclair hit a top score of 21 to lead his team to 55-8. No other batsmenreacheddoublefigures.
Bowling for NAMS, Sokdeo picked up 2 wickets with Newland, Deonandan and Dillontakingoneeach.
The competition is being played on a round-robin basis. With the schools being divided into two groups. The top two of one group will emerge to play the top two of the other group.Each school team must play two females and one of the females is required to bowl at least one over Incentives are available for the top teams and outstanding individualplayers.
Matches will be played at the BHS and Rose Hall Community Centre Ground, East Canje. The competition continues on Friday March 28th with four matches. At the BHS groundBEIwillplayTutorialfrom09:00hrs, in the second game from 11:00 hrs BEI will beinactionagainagainstNAMS.
OverattheRoseHallCommunityCentre VESS will go into action against BHS beginning at 9:00hrs and from 11:00hrs VESSwillplayCSS.
The RCNA coordinating committee is made up of President Keine Read, Raffick Kassim, Tajpaul Adjodhea, Waynewright McIntoshandNolanFrance.
The RCNA over the years had churned out an array of projects that has befitted thousands of residents Recently Club commissionedamultimillion-dollarbusshed opposite the New Amsterdam Hospital. (SamuelWhyte)
Members of the RCNA, students and teachers of the six participating schools pose for a photograph at the BHS ground before the start of the competition.
The Bus Shed donated by the RCNA
Pooran becomes fourth man to hit 600 sixes in T20 cricket
SportsMax - West Indian hard-hitting lefthander Nicholas Pooran made history during his Lucknow Super Giants 2025 TATA Indian Premier
League (IPL) season opening defeat against the DelhiCapitalsonMonday
Pooran made 75 off 30 ballstoleadtheSuperGiants to 209-8 from their 20 overs before the Capitals produced astunningfightbacktoreach 211-9 in 19.3 overs after, at one point, being 7-3 in the secondover Pooran hit six fours and
seven sixes in his innings and, in the process, became the fourth member of the illustrious 600 sixes club in T20 cricket, joining fellow West Indians Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell.Pooran entered the game with 599 sixes and hit
West Indian hard-hitting left-hander Nicholas Pooran made history
seven to take his tally to 606 in385careergames.
Gayle has a massive lead at the top of the table with 1056 sixes in 463 games. Pollard is second with 908
sixes in 695 matches while Russell is third with 733 in 539matches.
Simmons to continue as Bangladesh Head Coach through to 2027 ODI World Cup
SportsMax - Phil Simmons will continue as Bangladesh's head coach for the next two years, up until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup The former West Indies batsman was initially appointedasinterimcoach in 2024 until end of the 2025ChampionsTrophy
"I am delighted to be given the opportunity to work with Bangladesh cricket on a long-term basis," Simmons, 61, told ESPNCricinfo."The talent within this team is undeniable, and I believe we have the potentialtoachievegreatthingstogether Iam lookingforwardtothejourneyahead.Having worked with some exceptional players already,Icanseetheimmensepromiseinthis squad. Their skill and passion for the game inspire me daily Together, we can take Bangladesh cricket to new heights and create
Phil Simmons will continue as Bangladesh's head coach for the next two years.
somethingtrulyspecial."
Simmons did not have much success in his stint as interim coach. During that period, Bangladesh won one Test and a T20I series in West Indies but crashed out in the group stage of the Champions Trophy after losing to India and New Zealand."My time withtheBangladeshteamover the past few months has been incredibly rewarding, " Simmons said. "The energy, commitment, and ability within this group have been nothing short of impressive. I'm excited to continue helping these players reachtheirfullpotential."
Simmons, one of four coaches to oversee 400internationalmatches,waspreviouslythe head coach of Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan.He also coached theWest Indies for two terms, winning the T20 World Cup in 2016.
Stoppage-time goal seals 3-all stalemate for Ann's Grove
- as Fruta and Tigers featured in goalless standoff in GFF Elite League Season VII
Stiff competition proved tobetheonlyvictoronSunday at the National Training Centre ground during the latest fixtures of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) EliteLeagueSeasonVII.
Ann's Grove United FC had to settle for a thrilling 3-3 draw despite holding a onegoal advantage at the end of the first half. Meanwhile, in the second match of the weekthree fixtures, Fruta Conquerors FC displayed defensive resilience, resulting inagoallessstalemate.
Ann's Grove United entered the match eager to r e b o u n d f r o m t h e i r disappointing previous outing Their intent was evident from the outset, as they surged ahead with two goals within the opening 20 minutes against Region Three-basedDenAmstelFC.
T h e c r o w d - b u i l t anticipation as Ryan Seales broke the deadlock, skillfully finishing off an exceptional buildup to give his team an early lead. Nine minutes later, Yohance Francis doubled Ann's Grove's advantage with a stunning strike, rattling Den Amstel's net for his first goal ofthematch.
Facing a 2-0 deficit, Den Amstel clawed their way back just before halftime. Anthony Benn provided the spark, curlingawell-placedshotpast theAnn's Grove goalkeeper to reduce the deficit The momentum shift carried into the second half, and within three minutes of the restart, Deon Alfred capitalized on a set play, maneuvering into the
box before slotting home a clever finish to bring Den Amstellevelat2-2.
Den Amstel continued to press forward, and in the 76th minute, Benn secured his brace with a beautiful strike to give his side the lead for the first time in the match. Ann's Grove,nowtrailing3-2,threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. Den Amstel's defence stood firm, repelling their advances as the clock wound down. However, deep into stoppage time (90+3), Francis once again delivered in a crucial moment, breaking through Den Amstel's backline to rescue a point for Ann's Grove with a dramatic lategoal.
In the evening's second encounter, Western Tigers were unable to secure their second win of the season as FrutaConquerorsheldthemto a goalless draw It was a battle dominated by defensive discipline, with both teams struggling to carve out clearcut opportunities As witnessed earlier, securing a victory proved to be a challenge akin to threading a needleinthedark,andafter90 minutes of evenly matched play,thecontestendedinanilallstalemate.
The action continues this weekend at the NTC with two exciting doubleheaders set to ignite the fourth weekend of play Thechampionshipismade possible through the generous support of Guyana Beverage Inc., Turbo Energy Drink, Blue Water Shipping, and NAMILCO.
Ann's Grove dominating the first half against Den Amstel on Sunday evening.
backs One Guyana 3x3 Quest
Rutherford's fireworks in vain as Gujarat Titans fall short against Punjab Kings in IPL opener
Sports
Stoppage-time goal seals 3-all stalemate for Ann's Grove
- as Fruta and Tigers featured in goalless standoff in GFF Elite League Season VII
Sherfane Rutherford's blistering knock gave Gujarat Titans hope, but his performance was not enough.
Den Amstel defenders put up a good resistance, despite late goal equalizer Pooran
GBF Vice President, Rawle Toney T (L) and RS53-ETKEZO proprietor, Ramnaresh Sarwan at their presentation event.
