Kaieteur News

DelvorronForde

Rubio mocks Guyana’s bumpy

‘US$65M Heroes Highway’

By Renay Sambach

Shortly after United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded his visit to Guyana, where he held talks with President Irfaan Ali and other government executives, the US official, at a press conference in Suriname, spokeaboutthepoorquality of roads in Guyana and cast theblameontheChinese.

The US$65 million road thatRubioreferredtowas,in

s and was commissioned in December 2 0 2 3 b y t h e A l i administration.Thehighway connects Eccles with Great Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). Rubio had to traverse this highway to make his way from the airporttoGuyana'scapital.

InSurinameonThursday evening, Rubio said his problem with China is twofold. He spoke about China's Belt and Road Initiative and noted that in

many countries, Chinese companies set up operations and “they do a terrible job. Notabadjob,aterriblejob.”

Tothisend,Rubioshared that he had just come from Guyanaandwasescortedon a road that he was told was built by the Chinese. “We almost all had concussions, becausetheroadwassobad it was terrible. They paid

these people to build this road, and then they bring their workers. They bring theirworkers;theydon'thire you,theybringtheirworkers in to do all the work. And thentheywantyoutoborrow a bunch of money, and then theyholditoveryourhead,” Rubiosaid.

He explained that he wants countries to have

alternativesandnotbesolely dependent on China “If you'regoingtobuildaroad,I wantyouto,like,haveareal road. They were better off withadirtroadthantheroad wewerejuston.Andit'snot the fault of the current administration in Guyana; thatwasaroadthatwasbuilt before.Buttheydidaterrible job,”Rubiosaid.

‘Melly-Mel’ released on bail ...accusedofoverstayingvisa

More than two weeks after social media activist Melissa 'Melly Mel' Atwell-Holder was detained in the United States, she was released on Friday on US$7,500 bail for overstaying her visa, when she made her first appearance before a US ImmigrationJudge.

Atwell-Holder virtually appeared before Judge Francis Mwangi from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Center in Louisiana. Her lawyer, Joyce Booth, told the court that Atwell-Holder entered the US in 2022 and has been married to a US citizen, Paul Holder, for the past two years. “Your honour, my client is married to a US citizen, there is an approved I1-30 and there is also a pending I-485 in the system, so she is eligible to adjust,” the lawyer said.ShenotedthattheI-485hasbeen pending since September 2023. She added that Atwell-Holder did an interview last year and since then she been waiting on the approval of the I485.JudgeMwangiaskedwhyAtwellHolder was in proceedings, given that she has an approved I1-30 and a pending I-485. “We have no idea, she was unexpectedly detained two weeks ago,ICEjustshowedupatherdoorin

Brooklyn,”Boothtoldthecourt.

TheI1-30isaformfiledtopetition foranimmediateorcloserelativewho is not currently a US citizen to immigratetotheUnitedStates.

The I-1485 is an application to register permanent residence or adjust status.Thisisusedtoapplyforagreen card, lawful permanent residence, for someone who is already in the United States and wish to adjust their immigration status. For their part, a representative of the Department of HomelandSecuritysaidthataccording totheNoticetoAppear(NTA)thatwas filedisinrelationtoavisaoverstay,and clarifiedthattherearenoothercharges

againstAtwell-Holder Tothisend,the judge enquired, given that AtwellHolderismarriedtoaUScitizen,ifshe would not get a waiver from the overstaycharge.

He then asked for the lawyer to submitacopyoftheI-485,acopyofthe approved I1-30, as well as the birth certificateofthePaulHolder.

These documents are to be submitted to the court by April 18, 2025.Moreover,inrelationtothebond application,Holder'slawyernotedthat herclienthasnocriminalhistory,isnot adangertonationalsecurityandisnota flight risk. Booth contended that her client's detention is still a mystery and pleaded for bond in a reasonable amount.

The representative of the DHS acknowledged that the I1-30 has been approved,andapendingI-1485.Itwas also stated that according to their background check, Holder does not have a criminal history The representative did not make any objection to bond being granted to Holder, but left it up to the court to decide. Judge Mwangi then granted bail in the sum of US$7,500. Upon postingthissumAtwell-Holderwillbe released.

Hecontinued,“Ifyoudid thatjobinAmerica,someone would sue you for a lot of money, okay? It was a bad road. So we want to be able to ensure that we are providing alternatives to whatwethinkisbadworkby the Chinese that never finishes on time, is always overbudget,andbringstheir ownworkers,don'tevenhire thelocals.”

Guyanavows tostandbyU.S.

At the press conference at State House in Georgetown, Rubio stated that President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on Chinese-built ships aim to reduce dependency on Chinese shipbuilding

While Rubio acknowledged the potential economic consequences such a move would have on Guyana and the region, he admitted that he could not make any g u a r a n t e e s a b o u t exemptions or policy changes, as trade matters do not fall under his portfolio. However, he assured that he would relay the region's concerns to US trade officials For his part, President Ali, who had acknowledged the looming economicimpactsstemming

from Trump's proposed tariffs on Chinese-built ships,vowedtostandbythe US, “a great friend” of Guyana.Alisaid,“TheUSis agreatfriendofours.TheUS has made it very clear that theyarereadytostandbyus in our development, in our economic expansion, in our security and in our defence. And I will say very boldly that such friends must have some different and preferential treatment, because a friend who will defend me when I need a friendtodefendme,mustbe a friend that enjoys some specialplaceinourheartand in our country, that will be thecase.”

Chinafiresback Hours after the press conference with President AliandSecretaryRubio,the ChineseEmbassyinGuyana made a Facebook post highlighting its work in Guyana. China outlined that it has always put the ChinaGuyanafriendshipfirst.“We honour our commitment with concrete actions. As a matter of fact, China has participated fully at the biggest economic and social transformationinthehistory ofGuyana.Factsandfigures speak louder than anything else, ” the Embassy responded.

Theembassyhighlighted the various projects being executed by China in Guyana. It also stated that (Continuedonpage6)

Socialmediaactivist, Mellissa Atwell-Holder

President Irfaan Ali and US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio on Thursday

President Irfaan Ali and China's President Xi Jingping in China back in 2023

KaieteurNews

24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

Meeting with Venezuela's Maduro

WethinkthatPresidentAlishouldrespondaffirmatively to the call of Venezuela's President Maduro to meet It is whatneighbourswhoareinterestedinlivingpeacefullyand constructively with each other make their priority In the situation involving Guyana and Venezuela, it is easier said thandone,sincetherearesomanyissuesthatpoisonthewell of friendship between the two neighboring countries. When everyone in Guyana thought that the 1899Arbitral Awardhadsettledtheborderissueonceandforall,Nicolas Madurodugupthesameissue,andmadeitintoaboneof contentionbetweenthetwonations.

TheatmosphereinVenezuelahasbeenkeptboilinghot bythehostilerhetoricofMaduroandhisalliesinthemilitary ShouldPresidentAliagreetomeetwhensuchdisturbances soak the environment, such trials to the patience flash with increasing frequency? There is no choice but to say no to meeting, no to any talking, with Maduro when that is around. Guyanamustberespected,andthesamegoesfor its citizens, beginning with President Irfaan Ali Respected,notintheartificialformalityofit,butthrough what speaks to the wholesome regard of one neighbor for theother ThequickerthatMadurolearnssomething,the betteroffhewillbeforit. Guyanawillnotbebullied,and Guyanaisnotwithoutitsstrengths.

Maduromustde-escalatehisposturesthathaveaddedto existing tensions and stirred varying degrees of unfriendliness here No one is helped, and the situation doesn't improve, when his moves that are given wide distribution, inflame relations Whatever the game that he hasinmind,itwouldbewiserforhimtoproceedinamore tempered and sober manner He has an obligation, therefore,todismantlesomeoftheaggressivemovesthat hehasimplemented,orisgettingreadytounveil.

InGuyana'shighcommand,PresidentAlimusttakehis time, listen to the counsel of his advisers, before making a decision on whether to meet with Maduro Vice President Jagdeo,aformerPresident,recentlyassertedthatitisupto the President to determine the benefits in meeting with the neighboring chief executive Is it good for this country, a question which hinges heavily on a flock of national securityconsiderations? Itwouldbetothebenefitofboth countriesifnothingisrushed,andthereisameetingforthe sakeofhavingameeting. Thetightestofagendasmustbe developed,andonewhichleavesnoroomformanipulation by Maduro. Bargaining for territory and negotiating for concessions for Guyana must both be off the table. That has to be made crystal clear from the inception, and PresidentAlineedstobeathissharpest,sothatheandhis team don't walk into a trap. Venezuela is not a gift horse andGuyanashouldbeverysavvyinnottakinganychances bylookingintoitsmouth. Theresultcouldbesabotaging to the interests of the people of this country. President Maduro has been long at his games, and he is a wily operator,onenottobetakenlightly. Itwouldbehelpfulif PresidentAlifamiliarizeshimselfwithhowtheVenezuelan leader has swayed some members of CARICOM to his side, where Guyana's difficulties with its neighbour are concerned. Maduro is talking about meeting from one cornerofhismouth,whileveryactiveinrallyingothersto his positions, and weakening Guyana's position from the othercorner Thatisamanwhoknowswhatheisdoing, and who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. No Guyanese should underestimate the ambition and determination of this man. In some respects, he has advancedsofarbeyondhiscountrymenthatitisonlywith thebiggestlossoffacethathecantampdownonwhathe started.PresidentAlishouldtakeallofthisintoconsideration whenweighingtheprosandconsofmeetingwithMaduro The choice of an intermediary is crucial, and it cannot be anyone in the region who has some sort of dependency relationshipwithVenezuela PresidentAlishouldmeetwith PresidentMaduro,butonlyonGuyana'sterms

A Call for World-Class Healthcare in Guyana

DearEditor,

As an OB-GYN with decades of experience practicing in the United States, I have had the privilege of working within one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world.Ialsohavethehonour of traveling annually to Guyana on medical mission trips, where I perform surgeries and witness firsthand the healthcare challengesandopportunities in the country With Guyana'srecentdiscoveryof vast fossil fuel reserves and its position as one of the fastest-growing economies globally,thenationstandsat a critical juncture to transform its healthcare system into one that is robust,equitable,andworldclass.

One critical area for investment is healthcare t e c h n o l o g y a n d infrastructure. Guyana has the unique opportunity to leapfrog decades of incremental progress and implement a system that aspires to the standards set by the United States. Based onmyextensiveexperience, I strongly recommend that the Guyanese government adopt U S standards in medicaldevices,technology, andinfrastructure.Whilethe

upfrontcostsmayseemhigh, these investments will yield fargreaterreturnsinquality, durability, and patient outcomes compared to less expensive alternatives, such asthosefromChina.

Havingworkedwithboth U.S. and Chinese healthcare

technology, I can unequivocallystatethatU.S. standardsaresecondtonone. U.S.-made medical devices and technologies are designed with precision, reliability,andpatientsafety in mind While Chinese technology may initially appear cost-effective, it often falls short in terms of long-term performance, requiring frequent repairs and replacements that can disrupt patient care and increase operational expenses. In contrast, U.S. technology has consistently proven to be a superior investment, offering unmatched dependability and support over time. A good example is the U.S. Secretary of State's commentsonhisrecentvisit toGuyanaandtheroadsbuilt bytheChinese.

Another area of focus should be the training and retention of healthcare professionals. Cutting-edge technology is only as effective as the expertise of

those who operate it

Establishing partnerships with reputable medical institutions in the U.S. for training programs and professional exchanges would greatly benefit

Guyana's healthcare workforce By equipping local professionals with the skills to utilize advanced technology, the nation can ensure the sustainabilityand e

healthcareinvestments.

Additionally, Guyana mustharnessthepotentialof its diaspora, particularly the

professionals in the United States.This group possesses a wealth of experience and expertise and is deeply invested in the development of their homeland By creatinginitiativestoengage thediaspora,suchasoffering o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o

collaboration, training, and mentorship, Guyana can tap into this invaluable resource to accelerate its healthcare advancements.

Lastly, it is essential to prioritizeequitableaccessto healthcare for all citizens. Economic growth often exacerbates disparities, and it is crucial to implement policies that ensure quality care reaches underserved

and rural communities Maternal health services, in particular, should be a priority,giventheirprofound impactonthehealthoffuture generations Advanced telemedicine capabilities, an area where U.S. technology excels,canplayapivotalrole in bridging the gap between urban and rural healthcare delivery, ensuring that even the most remote regions benefit from improved services.

Guyana'srapideconomic growthpresentsaonce-in-alifetimeopportunityto build a healthcare system that meets the highest global standards.

By aspiring to U S benchmarks, investing in superior technology, engaging the diaspora, and ensuring equitable access to care, Guyana can create a healthcareinfrastructurethat notonlyaddressestheneeds of today but also serves as a foundation for a healthier future. As someone deeply committed to the well-being of the Guyanese people, I remain ready to support and collaborate on this transformativejourney

Sincerely

L e o n W . L e w i s M.D.,F.A.C.O.G

Board Certified in ObstetricsandGynecology

Guyana is punching above its weight

DearEditor,

The visit to Guyana by USSecretaryofStateMarco Rubio has further enhanced Guyana's strategic and geopolitical significance not onlyintheregion,butinthe worldatlarge.

As pointed out by Mr Rubio, the fact that the visit comes mere weeks into the life of the new Trump administration is significant initsownright.

Asanemergingplayeron the global stage, with significant foreign direct investments, particularly in the oil and gas sector,

Guyana is now a major player on the international stage.Itsmembershiponthe United Nations Security Council has given it a voice on matters of global significance.

Guyana is certainly punching, as it were, above its weight on critical global issues such as climate change, food and energy securityandworldpeace.

Allofthisbodeswellfor thecountry,especiallyinthe context of Venezuela's vexatious and unfounded claim to two-thirds of the country's territory With

strong support from the international community including that of the United States, Guyana is in a good position to confront Venezuela'saggression.

It is significant that both Guyana and the United States have agreed to work together to strengthen economic and security ties, which are so critical at this time

face of provocative actions by Venezuela.

ThesupportoftheUnited States in safeguarding the interests of Guyana against Venezuelan aggression is

ng

According to Mr Rubio, 'it would be a bad day' for Venezuelaifitweretoattack Guyana or ExxonMobil, which is drilling oil in Guyana's territorial and maritime boundaries President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on his part, has reaffirmedthefriendshipand the mutually beneficial relationship between Guyana and the United Stateswhichwillnodoubtbe further strengthened with thisrecentvisit.

Regards HydarAlly

Bungling and waste do not even begin to describe what we are seeing

DearEditor, On March 25, 2025, I read the following in the Stabroek Newspaper “APAN Energy, which supplied 18 used generators from Honduras in 2023 to GuyanaPowerandLightInc (GPL), has told the utility that the generators would be fixed to the required

specifications by the end of thismonth.

Hesaidthatcurrently,the company is undertaking work on the generator sets, such as testing, to ensure all is well as they switch from using intermediate fuel oil (IFO) to heavy fuel oils (HFO).”

Editor, GPL bought 18

used generators for US$ 27 million in 2023, which we weretoldwouldgenerate27 megawatts, i e used generators at US$1 million permegawatt!?

Editor,thesegenerators were supposed to be refurbished, but were not. About one year after the purchase, a letter writer,

Sharmila Ally- whose husband works at GPLdisclosed the following in a SNletterdatedFeb.05, 2024 andcaptioned“Questionson new generators for GPL”: “The government paid US$27M ($1.5 M each) for the order of these 18 used powergeneratorsforGPL (Continueonpage6)

Defending Georgetown's Compassionate Approach: Why the Mayor and City Council Made the Right Decision

DearEditor,

The recent criticism from Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, about the Georgetown Mayor and City Council's (M&CC)choicetoeliminate interest on overdue general rates has ignited a lively discussion Although the Minister argues that the Council's actions were illegal,thesituationismuch more nuanced, and the M&CC's decision was not onlyethicallyrightbutalsoa crucialmeasureto shieldatrisk citizens from economic distress.

The primary concern is the alarming number of r e s i d e n t s i n Georgetown—about40%of property owners—who are significantly in debt to the city due to unpaid general rates.Asignificantportionof

these individuals are not intentionally defaulting but areinsteadstrugglingdueto economic challenges, including rising living expenses, job loss, and the ongoingrepercussionsofthe COVID-19 pandemic. If the city were to strictly implement tax collection withoutanyreliefinitiatives, numerous families could facethethreatoflosingtheir homes and businesses, which would lead to a humanitarian and economic crisis.

The Mayor and City Council acknowledged the severity of this crisis and pursuedapracticalsolution: eliminating interest on overdue payments to promote compliance and alleviate the struggles faced by residents. This decision was not a challenge to authority but an essential

step to avert extensive property confiscations and upholdsocialstability

Minister Parag contends thattheM&CCexceededits legal jurisdiction, referencing the Municipal and District Councils Act that assigns financial regulatory authority to the Minister rather than the Council. Although the legal argument has validity, it overlooksanessentialissue: What is the role of local government if it does not addressthepressingneedsof itscommunity?

The Council's choice was not an effort to seize power but rather an urgent reaction to a critical circumstance.Ifthenational government chooses inaction, should the city remainidlewhileitscitizens endure hardship? The Council's action was a

temporary solution, not a long-term strategy, and it could have been handled through cooperation instead of conflict. This isn't the initial instance of a local governmenttakingmeasures tosupporttaxpayersinneed. Authoritiesacrosstheglobe, including those in Guyana, have enacted tax amnesties, structured payment plans, and interest relief during timesofeconomichardship.

The M&CC's strategy is consistent with these international best practices, understandingthatimposing harsh interest on financially struggling individuals only exacerbates poverty and diminishesfuturerevenue.

Moreover, the Council's action was framed as being in the public interest a principle that should guide all levels of government. If the Minister believes the

Council erred, the solution should be dialogue and reform, not threats of legal action that further alienate strugglingcitizens.

Instead of criticizing the M&CC, the Minister ought to initiate productive dialogues to reach a legally viable and compassionate resolution The Council's choice underscores a broader issue: the tax enforcement strategies in Guyana require adaptability to consider economic difficulties. If the central government is unwilling to intervene, it should at least permit municipalities to suggest relief solutions for ministerial endorsement, rather than rendering them helpless amid the suffering of citizens The Council faced a tough yet essential choice to safeguard its most at-risk citizens Although

legal details are important, so is the respect for human

implementing punitive actions, the government oughttocollaboratewiththe Counciltoestablishajusttax relief policy one that

accountability with social equity The residents of Georgetownareentitledtoa

responsive and flexible, rather than one that places strict legality above the

individuals The actions

government to respond appropriately

Regards

LelonSaul LtCol(Ret'd) Councillor

Aim for First World Standards to avoid a repeat of Secretary Rubio's excoriation

DearEditor,

American Secretary of StateMarcoRubio,inremarks relating to Thursday's trip to Guyana, condemned one of Guyana's highways, saying one could get a concussion traveling on it Guyanese are, and have been, proud of the highwaysinceitwasopeneda few years ago, extolling its convenience

Itisthefirsthighwayofits kind in our country, a great achievementtobeproudofif onedoesnottraveloverseasin adevelopedcountry Itreduces traveltimetoandfromtheEast BankandpartsofGeorgetown and the East Coast I always felt we needed a shortcut linkingthosetwopartsofour developing country The governmentiscommendedfor the vision More such shortcutsorlinksarerequired inthismodernage,especially with the road jams caused by the manifold number of

vehiclesontheroadsfromtwo decadesago

When the highway was openedafewyearsago,Imade a similar comment as SecretaryRubio's,sayingitis like a roller coaster ride Drivers were defensive about theirhighway,respondingthat theroadwasnotfinished They saidthebuilderswerewaiting fortheearthandsandtosettle down, and then it would be paved,makingitsmoothanda pleasantride Threeyearslater, the road remains the same or worse, with craters and some sidesbreakingup

MrRubioblamedChinese

builders for shoddy workmanship Idonotknowif the Chinese built that particular roller coaster roadway referenced by the Secretary Iftheydid,thenthey shouldbeorderedtoredoitor fixitproperly Itraveledduring multiple trips on highways in China; they were well built I

marveledatsomeconstruction inChinanotonlyonroads,but rails and skyscrapers as well China has some of the most beautiful airports I have experienced, and I have travelled to over a hundred airports globally Some of China's roads were badly done, especially outside the majorcitiesandinruralareas. Builders caught in shoddy work in aspects of constructioninChina,which resulted in major disasters, were known to be executed. That is the right solution to detercorruption.

The American Foreign AffairsSecretaryrightlystated that if such a highway, which he condemned in Guyana, were built in America, the contractor would not be paid, and in fact would be fined (multipletimestheamountof money of the contract) if not also prosecuted with serious jail time That is a fact That

was the very same remark I uttered to my friends, including government officials, when I first traveled on the highway and on multiple trips thereafter The defensive government officials often told me, as paraphrased:“Don'tbringthat American thing here You all have plenty bad roads in Americatoo Youallfixyour own roads and other problemsbeforelecturingus abouthowthingsdon'twork in Guyana and what we should or shouldn't do. This is Guyana. What work in America,can'tworkhere”.

Itistruethatsomeroadsin the USA are badly done and not everything works to perfection When complaints are filed, investigations are carried out Contractors and engineers are brought to account In the USA, there is t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability

Government engineers (PE)inAmericahavetocertify any road construction, however small, even if it is a minor repair Most engineers and contractors did or do the rightthing

The engineers know their license and employment (as wellaspension)areontheline if anything goes wrong with poor work that is certified as meetingthestandards Andthe contractorsknowtheywillbe sanctioned and prosecuted if any untoward incident were related to the construction or repairs In Guyana, there are no sanctions For example, lightpolescollapsedlastyear, resulting in major blackouts andliveswerenearlylost,and till now it is not known if there has been serious accountability—fines,etc.

In going forward on any government contracts, roads, buildings, airports, stadiums, etc,minimumstandardsmust

be met before clearance for finalpayment

Qualified, certified engineers should give their imprimatur before release of money Contractorsmustthink about harm to the country's reputation when there is shoddy workmanship Contractors and government officials must do their best to avoid a repeat of the kind of comment uttered by the AmericanSecretaryWelivein athird-worldcountry

That does not mean we must accept third-world or third-class construction standards Aimforfirst-world standards!

Yoursfaithfully VishnuBisram

Rubio mocks Guyana's bumpy...

From page 3 over the past 12 years,

China-Guyana trade volume has increased from US$180 million in 2013 to US$1 4 billion in 2024

“Chinaiswillingtodeepen the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, and elevate the level of high-quality Belt and RoadCooperationbetween the two countries,” it was stated.

Initspost,Chinahighlighted the New Demerara River Bridge, which is taking shape and expected to be completed this year, the construction of the ChinaGuyana Friendship Joe Viera Park, which has started, and the six regional hospitals expected to be

completed by the end of 2025

Phase Two of the East Coast Demerara Road Project is also progressing steadily PNCR clarifies road was built by PPP Meanwhile, at the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) press conference on Friday, Party Leader

Aubrey Norton said,

“HeroesHighwaywasbuilt

b y P P P f a v o

i t e contractors under the PPP and not the coalition government ” He said the Opposition noteswithgreatconcernan ill-informed comment that the construction of the Heroes Highway was undertak

APNU+AFC government

He stated that this claim is completelyuntrue

Norton clarified that the Heroes Highway was constructed by some 12 contractors, whom he alleged are favourites of thePPPregime

“We agree with US Secretary of State, Mr Marco Rubio, that the road was poorly done In the Leader of the Opposition's Budget presentation, this fact was underscored when he described the road as an abortion road and stated clearly that it was of poor quality and a reflection of PPP corruption and incompetence,” Norton said The Opposition Leader suggested that the PPP government might

claiming the highway was b

administration He added, “W

e government or not, the government must take full responsibility for the construction disaster they call Heroes Highway and correct the misinformation thatisinthepublicdomain

The Secretary of State must be made aware that it is not the worst that the regime has built; the Schoonard to Crane road is worse ”

Bungling and waste do not even...

Frompage6 from a favored company in Trinidad. They were sitting for a long time unused in Trinidad and needed repairs. Theyweretoberehabilitated and brought to Guyana to produce 27 MW or 1.5 MW each of electricity. Instead, they arrived dysfunctional. FivewererepairedinGuyana by GPL engineers and made operational mid-January 2024, producing only one MWcurrenteach,asopposed to the expected 1.5 MW as contracted.”

No one was dismissed for corruption, no one was charged for fraud, but one year and one month after the purchase in 2023 we see the above, that the generators werenotonlynotsuppliedin working order, but were intermediate fuel oil and not heavyfueloilgeneratorsand even up to today, March 2025, they are still not operational. Forcing Guyana in December 2024 to bring a ship to supplement our electrical supply, the ESTIMATED disclosed cost by Jagdeo for the use of the 30 megawatts of electricity capacity from the ship Guyana contracted was 8 cents per Kilowatt. BUT he added, as if it were not significant, that Guyana will havetosupplythefuel.So,I askedProfessorGooglewhat the cost of fuel was to generateakilowattofpower

I discovered that this was alreadycalculatedbyOiland Gas Governance Network (OGGN) and published on May 05, 2024, in their monthly newsletter Their estimate of the fuel cost to generateoneKWofpoweris 18 US cents! So, what the VicePresidentdidwastellus that we will only be supplying the fuel, and the company equipment and management costs will be only 8 cents per KW for the rental of the machines.What heneglectedtodisclosetothe media was that the fuel cost, according to the OGGN calculations,willbe18cents perKW!Atatotalgenerating costof18+8=26UScentsper kilowatt, when the inefficiencies of GPL's distribution are added to this amount, only heaven knows what the actual cost will be. So this power ship these peoplerentedfor2yearswill cost this country US$50 million, according to the OGGN report, and then sail off and leave us with our corrupt government officials richerandourpeoplepoorer

Tosummarizethefacts now, Editor, we paid US$27 million for generators, and what did we buy? Did they buy brand new flex fuel generators, i.e. natural gas andheavyfueloil,whichcan work under all scenarios we visualizeourfuturewillhold, i.e. natural gas for normal

generation from the Wales plant and Heavy fuel if there is an interruption of gas supplyfromWalestoGarden of Eden? That would be far too complicated a plan for this government to contemplate or that would not have fueled enough corruption.

Webought27megawatts of unworkable junk at an exorbitant,almostnewprice, whichNEVERworkedsince weboughtthem,andjustone year later, we were forced to contract an expensive electricity-generating barge tofilltheneedfortwoyears!! And two years after the 18 generators from Honduras werepurchased,theyarestill notworking!

But 'hold strain', we're now told “by March month end they will become fully operational”!

Bungling and waste do not even BEGIN to describe whatweareseeing.

And as extravagantly as we have seen, the PPP spending was bound to lead to consequences.And it has, th since in today's paper, 27 March,2025,wenowseethat the private sector is complaining about the shortageofforeignexchange in Guyana to do our normal business of buying even perishables, for the past severalmonths.

Sincerely

TonyVieira

Terrence Campbell floated to head coalition ticket at polls...buttalksongoingbetweenparties

ByDavinaBagot

As talks continue between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) andtheAllianceForChange (AFC) towards a Coalition, aheadofthisyear'sNational Elections, Dr. Terrence Campbell, a member of the Natural Resource Fund

(NRF) Investment

Committee is being considered as the potential Presidential Candidate for thegroup.

On Friday, Leader of the AFC, Nigel Hughes told reportersatthesidelinesofa picket exercise in Georgetown that he is willing to step aside as Presidential Candidate for a

third party to take the position, should the two sides fail to agree. He said, “The Alliance For Change appreciates and recognises the importance of this particularmomentinhistory for the country and the Alliance For Change and I personally, I'm prepared to step aside from presidential candidature in favour of a consensus third candidate, whocanunitetheopposition in the interest of the country.”

Whenaskedifthelargest faction of APNU, the People's National Congress Reform(PNCR)iswillingto do the same, Hughes explained that he did not

directly communicate with the party's negotiators, as he hasalsonotbeeninvolvedin thenegotiations. Meanwhile, with regard to the AFC's candidate for consensus, Hughes said, “Well,I thinkthey'requitea few people in the society You can't have a country as largeasGuyanaandnothave some personality that can unite the Opposition. I think there are people out there. You've got Dr Campbell you've got, you know, other people who are out there, there are quite a few people outthere.”

Hughes said the talks withAPNUarestillongoing daily, with a decision likely tobemadebyMarch31. He waskeentonotethatGuyana remainstheimportantfactor and he has no expectations for any specific role in a futurecoalitiongovernment. According to him, “I think the important thing is this country has to be rescued

fromthePPP.”

The Party leader also used the opportunity to clarifythattheAFCisnotin politicaldiscussionswiththe Mohamed's. In an invited comment,Dr Campbelltold thisnewspaperthathewould consider the position, if

offered. He said, “In the unlikely event that I am asked,Iwilldefinitelygiveit serious consideration.” He declined to give further detailsonthesubject. Meanwhile, efforts to contact Leader of the (Continuedonpage22)

AFCLeader, Nigel Hughes OppositionLeader, Aubrey Norton

NaturalResourceFund (NRF)Investment CommitteeMember, Dr. Terrence Campbell

Is the time saved worth the risk?

Aman once had a flight to catch. Helefthishome in Georgetown later than planned, and in his rush to reachtheairportontime,he pressed harder on the accelerator Ashespedalong the East Bank Public Road, weaving through traffic, he thought about how he could makeupforlosttime.

But he never made it to the airport. A split-second mistake saw his car veering directly into the path of an oncoming truck. Instead of boarding his flight, John took a one-way trip to the funeral parlour His death wasavoidable.Ifonlyhehad slowed down. At a steady speedof50km/h,togetfrom Georgetown to Timehri takes approximately 49 minutes.Ifyouincreaseyour average speed to 60 km/h, you save about 8 minutes. Push it up to 70 km/h, and you reach in just 35 minutes—saving a total of 14 minutes compared to drivingat50km/h.

Fourteenminutes.That's all.

But let's put that into perspective.

The same 14 minutes you save could cost you much more if an accident were to occur It could cost you hours having to deal with the police, days or weeks and inconvenience repairing your wrecked vehicle, months recovering from an injury, or even a lifetime of grief for loved onesleftbehind.

This is why we need to slowdowninGuyana.Speed literallykills!

In the past, one of the biggest causes of accidents in Guyana was the reckless b r e a c h i n g o f junctions—driversfailingto

yield or misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic. These violations still occur, but today, it seems that the leadingcauseofaccidentsis something even more preventable:speeding.

Toomanydriversareina constant rush, pressing the gas pedal harder to shave a few minutes off their journey But as the example above illustrates, the time saved by speeding is marginal What is not marginal, however, is the increase in the risk of an accident.

Extensive research has shown that even small reductions in speed can significantly decrease the likelihood of accidents and theirseverity Accordingtoa study by the World Health Organization (WHO), for every 1% increase in speed, the risk of a fatal crash i n c r e a s e s b y 4 % Conversely, reducing your speed by just 10 km/h can reduce the likelihood of an accidentbyasmuchas30%.

TheWHOalsostatesthat a pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling at less than 50km/hr has only a 20% chance of dying. However, thisrateskyrocketsto60%if thevehicleistravellingat80 km/hr

A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United Statesfoundspeedingwasa contributingfactorinalmost 30% of all fatal crashes. Similarstudiesconductedin Australia and Europe indicate that when speed limits were reduced by 10 km/h, there was a corresponding 10-20% drop inroadfatalities.

This is not just theory—itisarealitybacked

Dem Boys Seh...

byempiricaldata.Countries that have implemented stricter speed enforcement policies and lower speed limitshaveconsistentlyseen adeclineinroadfatalities.

In Guyana, however, we have no published studies because very little data is collected.

Slowingdownisnotjust about obeying traffic laws it's about selfpreservation.

Avehicletravelingat50 km/h has a much shorter stopping distance than one traveling at 70 km/h. This means that if an unexpected hazard appears a pedestrian crossing, an animal running onto the road, or a vehicle braking suddenly—aslower-moving carhasamuchbetterchance of avoiding a collision. The statistics paint a clear picture:reducingyourspeed saves lives. Not just yours, butthoseofyourpassengers, fellow road users, and pedestrians.

The culture of speeding inGuyanamustchange.The government and law enforcementagencieshavea role to play in enforcing speed limits, but the responsibilityultimatelylies withdrivers.

Every individual who gets behind the wheel must makeaconsciousdecisionto prioritizesafetyoverspeed.

Driversmuststopseeing speed as an asset. Instead, they should view it as a potential liability—one that can take away their health, their wealth, and even their life. The irony is that a person will speed to get to the airport to save 14 minutes,buthavetostandin line to check in for half an hour

The next time you're

PPP love division more than dem love power

Dem boys seh PPP seh dem ain't frightennobody,butyetdembehavinglike a cat when dog barking. One man decide fuhholdalilmeetinginavillageandbefore yuhknowit,PPPsendoutdemtroopslikeif wardeclare.

Ify'alldon'tbusinesswiddeman,why y'allsendingpicketlineandchantinglikeif isanexorcism?Whydenoise?Ifhetalking foolishness, people gon laugh and walk away But no, dem boys seh PPP got a problem—dem don't like people talking unlessisdemdoingdetalking.

Long time people in dis country live like family But now PPP dividing people likeaSundaypotofcook-up—onesidefuh dem,onesidefuhwhoagainstdem.Andif yuhcrossover,yuhmightgetbunnricefuh dinner

Andwhataboutdem10-daysworkers? Demboyssehisnotwuk,ispoliticalprops. Yuhsignupfuhcleandedrainbutendupat

temptedtopressdownonthe accelerator,askyourselfone simple question: Is the time you're trying to save really worth it? Would you rather arrive10minuteslaterornot

arriveatall?

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

a protest with a placard yuh didn't write. Labour law say no wukman should wuk underduress,butlookstory—PPPgotdem chantinglikeifsalarypayingbyvolume.

Dem boys seh is a real joke—government seh dem care bout workers, but dem using de same workers fuh mek mischief. Is like buying yuh own birthday cake and still waiting fuh somebodysurpriseyuh.

People need fuh wake up and smell de corruption. Stop mekking politicians use y'alllikeoldelectionposters—stickyuhup whendemneedyuhanddumpyuhafter And if PPP really believe people love dem, let people talk. If yuh only popular when yuh stop people from listening to others, then yuh ain't popular—yuh just loud.

Dem boys seh, when yuh frighten de truth,yuhdoeshollerdeloudest! Talkhalf.Leffhalf

H@RD TRUTHS

Who are the thugs and hooligans now (Part I)

The People's Progressive Partyhasmadeasitsmantra, as a way of its life, as a compellingtruththepresence and menaces of PNC thugs andPNChooligans Overthe years PNC thugs and hooligans have been long cherishedstanzasofthePPP's anthem overwhelming the mindsofitssupporters,ofall Guyanese Claims to the contrary have been drowned out, and not without good reason

Who are the thugs and hooligans today, I inquire?

From all indications, I think that Guyanese are wellpositionedtoidentifythemas belonging to the People's Progressive Party Take a bow, Mr President and Mr General Secretary, for this is thepalpableimageofthePPP nowseenbyall

Lima Sands, Essequibo Letter Kenny, Berbice Modernity and some of its obscenities have overtaken the ancient country, with the same visiting the Cinderella one, leaving her slightly limping from missing one

silver slipper There is no election, other than what is distinctly in the air; yet election is at such dangerous high-voltage on the Ides of March(plus10) Whatcould August and October hold if todayisalreadyofthis,tense, nature?

I am sorry, but I forgot boorishandgoonish,andjust check from which quarter I could be wrong but I don't think I saw or read any presenceintheEssequiboand Berbicecrowdthatscreamed PNC Cinderella may have hadasilverslippermissing;I am searching for a silver lininginwhatisshapingupto be an election to outdo all other elections In potential ugliness In premediated, readymade, and orchestrated disturbances In what could deteriorate to the worst of brutishtimes

ThefactisthatMohamed theNewcomerhasgenerated startlinganxietiesinthecamp ofthePPPGeneralSecretary. Atrulystrangedevelopment, indeed! That is, given Dr. Benito Jagdeo's (apologies,

Bharrat[putthatdowntothe aging process]) total confidence in a 'landslide victory for the PPP in the pending general elections

Myarithmeticisthatsincehe has enough votes for a landslide,thentherearemore thanenoughleftovervotesfor bottom feeders like the undeclared but still upstart Mohamed the Younger to grab,withlittleimpactonthe PPP Yet,therewerebelieved PPP thugs and hooligans in fullcombatmodetodeterthe invading GT man and his battalion. What is there to fear from the potential candidacyofJunior? Itisa source of unending mystery to me relative to how this country works, swallows its words, retrace its steps, and ends up in the same place. Considerthefollowing. The PNC has all but officiallydeclaredthatitisoff the streets, due to a healthy recognition of PPP infiltration and authored mayhemtargetingtheirown. And as if to fill that inviting vacuum, in steps PPP foot

soldiers and road warriors Don't dare to come into my house! Not one steps in our backyard! Expressionsfrom the newest defenders of democracy in Guyana, the GuyanaConstitution,andthe Guyanese way The PPP's versionandstandard Itwas the incomparable and unprecedented President Irfaan Ali who went to a shrine called Babu Jaan and shoutedinhisinimitablestyle about the forces of evil. Some may say it was a desecration in what is supposed to be a sacred and serene place. I think it is more akin to a fine mental condition in a place now trampeduponinthemanner ofconquerorsofold. There was Suleiman the Magnificent and Timur the Terrible. Here, it is my privilegetobeholdIrfaanthe Invincible[andtheIrascible, too]. Just don't let that last whisper get out, or that he knowsIsaiditpublicly. Are the Mohameds still Dr. Mohamed's friends, still seenaswell-wishers? What about that once vaunted brotherhood?

Forhereisamannotyet 40yearsold,andnotadayin the demands and traumas of realpolitik, and he is seen as anexistentialelectoralthreat

The man is not even a contestant,butheismadeinto the biggest and baddest competitor I ask humble pardonoftheMohameds,but hereiswhatGuyanesecall'a li'lbai'andheiscausingAli, Jagdeo, and the rest of the troubledPPP,sleeplessnights and daytime nightmares

What happens if he does declare and join in the running? Will PresidentAli declare a national emergency? Will arrangementsbemadeforan involuntarytriptoUncleSam land? Could he be held out aspartofthemachination(a tool) of that man Nicky Maduro? IfIonlyknewthat elections in Guyana had all these excitements, I might have been tempted to leave the opium of the people behind and get in the fun, thugs and goons and h ooligansandall.

WhatisnextonthePPP's welcoming committee for Mohamed the Challenger, Candidate Mohamed the Spoiler? Never thought I would say this, but I miss ExcellencySarahAnnLynch She would have weighed in about democracy's ideals, constitutional mandates, and apeacefulenvironment Itneverceasestoamaze ButthereisthePPPbringing out the troops for the currently imaginary (elections competition), whilethereisMaduroandhis menwaitingtopounce The PNCmustbehavingthebest laff I think there is remembrance of Ravi, and look how majestic he became Who are the thugs of today? (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

TrioarrestedafterbigganjabustonLindenHighway

Threepersonswerearrestedbypolice onThursdaynightaftertheywerenabbed with27.2kilogramsofcannabisduringa police search at Haurauni Village, Soesdyke-Linden.

The three arrested are; 34-year-old a housewife, Akeda Gordon, 27-year-old KareemGordonand32-year-oldKerwin Dos Santos. Police reported that the trio was arrested around 23:00hrs. It was stated that ranks stopped a white Toyota Axiomotorcar,withregistrationnumber PAH 4254, which was proceeding west

along the highway At the time, the lone occupant in the car was the driver, Dos Santos. However, police observed that a white Toyota Allion motorcar, with registration number PAH 2633, stopped around 200 yards behind Dos Santos.

Policesaidthatthevehiclewasdrivenby AkedaGordon,alongwiththeoccupant, KareemGordon.

Policesaidinthereport,“KerwinDos Santos was then asked if the two cars were travelling together and he said, 'Yes'.Therankssubsequentlyapproached

thesecondcarandrequestedtosearchthe vehicle, to which the female driver complied ” Upon searching, ranks openedthecartruckandfoundthreelarge bulky plastic parcels containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems, suspectedtobecannabis.Assuch,thetrio was told of the offence committed, cautioned and arrested. Police then took possession of the suspected marijuana which weighed to 27.2 kilograms. The three were placed in custody, pending furtherinvestigations.

The 27.2 kilograms of marijuana that was discovered

MODEC pledges $2.7M to STEMGuyana to support Learning Pods suppor

Country Manager of

STEMG

y announcedthatithasreceivedfinancial support of $2,788,041 from global oil and gas firm MODEC to support its Learning Pods initiative for the year 2025.

In a release, STEMGuyana shared thatthispartnershipisasignificantstep toward strengthening STEM (science, tec

gy, eng

ing and mathematics) education for young learners in Guyana. The Learning Pod initiative,accordingtoSTEMGuyanais a program that provides after-school education in Math, Science, English, and Technology to children in 30 learningcentersacrossthecountry

The initiative also aims to provide structured and engaging after-school support to students in underserved communities. “With this sponsorship, the program will continue to support students from two learning pods followingtheconclusionofathree-year IDB sponsored agreement. MODEC's commitment will make it possible for students at the Paramakatoi Learning Pod in Region 8 and the Women of

SubstanceLearningPodinRegion2,to continuetoaccesshigh-qualitylearning resources, mentorship, and hands-on experience in STEM fields,”

STEMGuyanaexplained.

Speaking at a simple handing over ceremony, MODEC's Country Manager,RafaelFumispointedoutthat “STEMGuyanahasembracedthenoble mission of disseminating STEM education across Guyana, instigating the interest and development of children, and addressing the future needs for qualified professionals not onlyintheoilandgasindustrybutalso in infrastructure development. This initiative unlocks a world of possibilities for the youth. MODEC is honoredtobepartofthisjourney.”

Meanwhile, Director of

STEMGuyana, Karen Abrams who expressedgratitudeforthepartnership, stated that this support from MODEC will allow them to continue providing critical services to learners in its Learning Pods program, ensuring that students continue to have access to educational resources that can change

and

their futures. “Education is the key to unlocking the potential of Guyana's youth,andinvestmentslikethesemake a lasting difference. We are excited about the impact this partnership will have on young minds across the country,”theDirectorsaid.

WiththesupportfromMODEC,the organisation said in its release that sponsorship for seven out of 30 Learning Pods has now been secured for 2025 With this being said, STEMGuyana added that other corporate are invited to partner to join this movement by adopting one of the remaining 23 pods, helping to provide access to quality education and empower even more children nationwide.

“Thiscollaborationunderscoresthe power of private sector investment in education and the importance of fostering local talent in STEM fields. As Guyana continues to develop its STEM ecosystem, partnerships like these will play a vital role in preparing the next generation for the future,” STEMGuyanaexpressed.

RisingTBcases,deathsinAmericas

...PAHO urges Region to harness power of technology to reverse trend

While tuberculosis (TB) cases continue to rise in the Americas, new innovations promise improvements in earlydiagnosisandtreatment

IntheRegionoftheAmericas,cases of TB have increased by 20% over the pastdecade,anddeathshavealsoshown anupwardtrend.

On Monday, World Tuberculosis Day, which observed each year on 24 March, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr Jarbas Barbosa, called on countries of the Region to urgently harness the power of new advances in technology and innovation to help reverse this trend.

Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the Americas, where 900 people are diagnosed each day and 100 people lose their lives.

According to a PAHO release, while progress has been made towards tackling the disease, the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated socioeconomicinequalities,hasledtoa reversingtrendintheRegion.

In the Americas, TB is particularly rife among vulnerable populations, including Indigenous Peoples, those with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems, migrants, the homeless, and persons deprived of

liberty, which is an increasing issue in the Region. While there are significant variations, in some countries the percentage of TB cases attributed to persons deprived of liberty reaches as highas57%.

This is primarily due to fastgrowing prison populations across the region and increasingly overcrowded conditions.

“The consequences ofTB in prison inmates extend far beyond the prison setting,” said Dr Sylvain Aldighieri, Director of the Department for the Prevention,ControlandEliminationof Communicable Diseases at PAHO “Recent studies show that in Latin America,approximatelyone-thirdofall TB cases are related to incarceration. Addressing TB in prisons is therefore critical to protecting the health of people deprived of their liberty and acc

eliminationinthegeneralpopulation.”

Dr Barbosa went on to say, “While thesituationisserious,therearereasons tobeoptimistic.

We have technologies and innovationsthatcanhelpusreversethis trend ” This includes AI-assisted radiography for active case-finding withincommunities,whichhasenabled countries to expand early diagnosis,

particularly in hard-to-reach areas and amongvulnerablepopulations.InPeru, the implementation of this technology in prisons led to a more than threefold increaseindetection.Thisiscrucial,as diagnosis in the early stages of the diseasesignificantlyreducestheriskof communitytransition.

PAHO also recommends the use of rapid molecular testing, which enables healthcareworkerstoquicklydetectthe disease at the primary healthcare level, aswellasshorteroraltreatments,which canbeaccompaniedbytelehealthvisits andcommunitysupporttominimizethe economic burden faced by people with TB and their households, overcome access barriers, and improve treatment adherence.

During the high-level meeting on TB at the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, world leaders committedtoacceleratingeffortstoend TB, but “now is the time to take action and move decisively toward the elimination targets,” said the PAHO Director “We will continue to work together with governments, civil society, and strategic partners to intensify leadership, investment, in

collaboration that puts people at the centerofourefforts,”heconcluded.

MODEC Guyana, Rafael Fumis and Board Member

Fundraising Coordinator of STEMGuyana Elsie Harry (center) who are flanked by Legal & Compliance Manager of MODEC Guyana, Yolander Sammy (left), and Operations Manager at STEMGuyana, Alisha Koulen.

India-UN Fund supports 15 Caribbean countries in eliminating Mother-to-Child transmission of diseases

Inanambitiousmove tocombatmother-tochildtransmissionof diseases like HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and Chagas disease, 15 Caribbean nations are coming together underaprojectfundedbythe India-United Nations Development Partnership Fund and implemented by the Pan American Health Organization(PAHO).

This initiative is focused on strengthening the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (EMTCT) Plus Framework within maternal and child health services and aims to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of infectious diseases in Caribbean Member States, PAHO said inapressstatement.

Despite the significant progressmadeineliminating the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, challenges remain. ForHIV,theglobalgoalisto reduce the mother-to-child transmission rate to two percent (2%) or less However,insomeregionsof the world, rates continue to surpassthistarget,indicating aneedforintensifiedefforts. Similarly, in the Caribbean, strides towards eliminating congenital syphilis are evident, yet in some countries the reported rates

are as high as 1.8 cases per 1,000 live births, significantly above the global elimination target of lessthanorequalto0.5new cases of mother-to- child transmission of syphilis per 1,000livebirths.

“The Caribbean has a history of sharing and learning from each other,”

Dr RhondaSealey-Thomas, PAHO Assistant Director said. “Through south-south cooperation we hope that CARICOM Member States that have achieved disease eliminationcertificationand those working toward the attainment, will share their experiences and lessons learnedaspartofourefforts to strengthen the EMTCT strategy and support other countries to achieve this importantgoal.”

At the heart of the project's strategy is a commitment to enhancing maternal and child health services. By focusing on strengthening leadership within these services, improving diagnostic capabilities and upgrading surveillance systems, the initiativeaimstoaddressthe gaps that have hindered progress toward disease elimination.

Knowledge sharing stands out as a key component, creating a

comprehensive community of practice for Caribbean countries to discuss successes, challenges, and innovationsthroughpeer-topeer country support. “The project will enhance eliminationeffortsamong15 Caribbean countries, supporting them in moving as one, while ensuring the right of every child to be bornandremainfreeofHIV and syphilis and other pe

ed infections,” noted Dr Julio Sabido, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Health and Wellness Belize which successfully submitted the project on behalf of CARICOMMemberStates.

“Together, as Caribbean nations we acquire k n o w l e d g e , s h a r e experiencesandenhancethe competencies of health care providersforanefficientand sustainable EMTCT Plus program. This approach accelerates the adoption of effective health strategies acrosstheregionandfosters a sense of solidarity and collective responsibility Infectious diseases do not know national boundaries, soonlycollectiveactionwill be truly effective,” Dr Sabidoadded.

This project will place emphasis on technical

systems, particularly in enhancing laboratory services and data collection systems Reliable diagnostics and effective s

achievements of the project objectives.

Aiming to leverage the collective experience and resources of the region to ensurefuturegenerationsare born free from these transmissible diseases, the project seeks to ensure the availability of quality

diagnostics, primary prevention, treatment services, and a robust health information system to m o n i t o r c a s e s , d e m o n s t r a t i n g a comprehensive and sustainable approach to achieving EMTCT Plus certification.

The project which commenced in 2025 is expected to emphasize the sharing of good practices, experiences and lessons learnedfromtheEMTCTof HIV and syphilis The

PAHO Disease Elimination Initiative seeks to end more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions by 2030 in the Region of the Americas, including the mother-tochild transmission of HIV and syphilis PAHO Director,Dr JarbasBarbosa, welcomed the initiative and its impact on improving the health of women and children in the Caribbean.

“Ensuring high-quality, integrated health services is a crucial part of PAHO's Disease Elimination Initiative, which seeks to eliminate 30 diseases and related conditions from the Region of the Americas by 2030,”hesaid.

About the PanAmerican Health Organization: The Pan American Health Organization(PAHO)works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of its population. Founded in 1902, it is the world's oldest international public health agency It serves as the

RegionalOfficeofWHOfor the Americas and is the specialized health agency of theInter-Americansystem. The PAHO Subregional Program is responsible for providing subregional technical cooperation and to s

n PAHO's

he Caribbean Subregional integration mechanisms, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)anditsvarious bodies and organs; and to b u i l d s y n

g i s t i c partnerships with the West Indies(UWI),amongothers. PAHO's subregional technical cooperation specifically focuses on public health issues which

om economies of scale and for

responsesandactionswould produce a far greater impact rather than individual country responses The Subregional Program also plays a role in coordinating among the different PAHO countryoffices,

Govt. launches updated TB guidelines

The Ministry of Health's National Tuberculosis Programme, in collaboration with the PanAmerican Health Organisation and World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), has officially launched updatedTuberculosis(TB)guidelinesaimed at improving the detection, treatment, and managementofTBcasesacrossGuyana.

Thelaunch,heldattheMinistryofHealth Boardroom, brought together key stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and TB focal points dedicated to strengthening TB control efforts nationwide, the Ministry ofHealthsaidinapressrelease.

Deliveringthefeatureaddress,Dr.Frank Anthony,MinisterofHealth,underscoredthe importance of the new guidelines and their roleinenhancingGuyana'sTBresponse."Of course, I want to compliment our primary care physicians, some of whom have been deeply involved in this initiative. We have also been analysing sub-populations to understand where TB prevalence is highest. If we can target these areas effectively, we can achieve substantial reductions in cases," MinisterAnthonystated.

He further noted that the National Tuberculosis Programme will undergo significanttransformation,withadatadriven approach to tackling rising TB cases in key areas. "We now have data that shows where

cases are increasing. By focusing on these areas,wecanimplementtimelyinterventions andimprovepatientoutcomes,"hesaid.

MinisterAnthonyalsoacknowledgedthe dedication of healthcare professionals, particularly those who have contributed to TB control efforts for over two decades.

PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr Kim Eva Dickson, also shared remarks, emphasising the significance of the updated guidelines in acceleratingTBelimination."Asof2023,TB incidenceinGuyanawasestimatedat51per 100,000, a significant improvement from 92 per 100,000 a decade earlier. While this progressiscommendable,wemustcontinue working towards our 2030 goal of eliminatingTB,withatargetincidenceof0.1 per100,000.

This requires expanding access to moleculartesting,improvingcasedetection, and ensuring the use of effective treatment regimens,"shestated.

The Ministry of Health remains committed to strengthening TB control measures, improving healthcare accessibility, and advancing public health initiatives to combat infectious diseases in Guyana. Also present were, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh; Manager of NationalTuberculosisProgramme,DrQuacy Grantandotherhealthofficials.

Manager of National Tuberculosis Programme, Dr. Quacy Grant and other officials presenting Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony with the updated guidelines

‘Put up or get out’

...protesters tell Commissioner of Information

ByDavinaBagot

ScoresofGuyanesefrom various walks of life on FridaypicketedtheOfficeof the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson Sr on East Street Georgetown,overhisfailure

to fulfill the duties prescribed by the Access to InformationAct(2011).

The activity was

supportedbythemembersof the press, Red Thread, Guyana Trades Union

Congress (GTUC), Transparency Institute

Guyana Inc (TIGI), Opposition Members of Parliament, lawyers and other members of civil society, including former Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine.

Most citizens at the

exercise, organised by

governance, Christopher Ram called for the removal ofRamsonfromhispost. In an interview on the picket line, Ram said he was really impressed by the turnout of citizensfromdifferentwalks of life who are concerned about the absence of information, which creates

theconditionforcorruption, bad governance and bad decisions. He said, “We are saying look, we have an Access to Information Act, pursuanttoaConstitutional, fundamental right to information- both to receive andtoimpartinformation.”

The lawyer went on to point out that the Act has been in existence for about 14 years, with the Commissionerappointedfor about 12 years, to no effect. Hearguedthatthelegislation and office has been nonfunctional.Tothisend,Ram said, “The protest is to draw attention to the nonfunctioningoftheActtosay

P r e s i d e n t h o l d s responsibilityforthismatter He needs to do something about this to ensure that citizens have a right to information; he should have instructedtheCommissioner of Information to speak to thepress.Thisarrogancethat isbeingdemonstratedbythe C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information is unacceptable andithastobebroughttoan end.”

Additionally, Ram explained that the protest seeks to ensure that the legislation becomes activated and later amended to strengthen access to information. He told this newspaper, “I really think (Continuedonpage21)

GPHC admits systemic failures contributed to

death of firefighter

The Georgetown Public Hospital

Corporation (GPHC) admitted on Friday that systemic gaps at the facility contributed to the death of firefighter Voshaun Manbodh However, the hospital clarified that no individual or department washeldaccountableforthe tragedy

In a statement, GPHC releasedthefindingsfroman investigative panel, which included external experts, regarding Manbodh's death at the facility GPHC said, “While the findings highlight systemic gaps that contributed to this unfortunate outcome, they do not suggest intentional negligence or wrongdoing by any individual or department.”

Manbodh, 27, died from injuries sustained while battling a fire at Mae's Schools in Subryanville on March 5, 2025. His family had expressed significant dissatisfaction with the medical care he received at GPHC and called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surroundinghisdeath.

The family's concerns centered on the hospital's poor treatment of Manbodh afterhisadmission,claiming

that a series of failures and improper care at GPHC led to his deteriorating health and ultimate death.As such, anindependentinvestigation was launched, which concluded that Manbodh's death was not solely due to the injuries sustained in the f i r e , b u t c o m p l e x complications arising from his acute t

uma in conjunction with underlying disease The panel stated, “The Investigative Panel concludedthatMr Manbodh passedawayduetoaknown secondary complication of traumaticinjuries—multiple bleedingulcers.”

T h e h o s p i t a l acknowledged the findings, point

ng out t

he investigation revealed areas in need of improvement, i

m

y escalation of care, and adherenc

auma management protocols

“Thefindingsunderscorethe challenges inherent in managing multifactorial medical conditions and the need for a comprehensive, integrated approach to patientcare,”GPHCsaid.

Further, the panel's review identified key areas for improvement in trauma

m

One woman jailed, other on bail over roadside brawl

Two women from Queenstown, Essequibo Coast were charged on Friday for unlawfully wounding each other,whentheyappearedat the Suddie Magistrate's Court.

Thedefendants,35-yearold Runda Emmanuel and 30-year-old Brenda Frederick, were arraigned before Magistrate Tamieka Clarke.

EmmanuelandFrederick were both charged for wounding each other on

discharge protocols These areas included: enhanced

communication

mandatory

discussions for complex trauma cases to ensure continuous collaboration b

ved medical teams; reinforced escalation protocols –improved monitoring and response mechanisms for

changesinpatientcondition, e

governance strengthening –r

documentation policies, including clearer referral feedback mechanisms and improvedcommunicationof critical lab values; training and capacity building –continuous medical education sessions focusing on trauma care best practices, interdisciplinary coordination, and early complication detection; policy updates – refinement of discharge protocols to ensure that all necessary medical teams remain engaged in a patient's care untilstabilityisconfirmed. Fallfrombed

Regarding allegations that Manbodh had fallen from his bed, GPHC confirmed that there was no evidence to support the claim.“Thereisnoevidence that Mr Manbodh fell from his bed, a claim that was

verified by the nurses on dutyandotherpatientsinthe ward at the time,” the hospitalstated.

The family had reported a series of incidents during Manbodh's hospitalisation thattheybelievecontributed to his deteriorating condition. On March 6, an M R I s h o w e d n o abnormalities,andManbodh was ini

ally stable However, his condition worsened due to “delayed medical interventions, inadequate monitoring, and critical lapses in care.”

D

specialized neurological attention,hewasplacedina general male surgical ward instead of receiving proper neurological care. His MRI wasdelayed,andafailureto sedate him properly caused additionaldistress.

Thefamilyalsocriticised the hospital's handling of Manbodh's restraints. They stated that hospital staff attempted to restrain him

Construction worker remanded for larceny

AAnnandale Sand Reef, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was remanded to prison on two countsofsimplelarceny.

Rasheed Mohamed on Thursday appeared before

March 4, 2025 at Anna Regina Market Road on the EssequiboCoast.Emmanuel pleaded guilty while Frederick pleaded not guilty after the charges were read.

Magistrate Clarke released Frederick on $200,000 and Emmanuelwassentencedto three months imprisonment. Thematterwasadjournedto April15,2025.

Senior Magistrate Sunil

Magistrate's Court He pleaded not guilty after the chargeswerereadtohim.

Mohamed is accused of committing the offence between March 23 and 24 2025 at Lusignan, ECD. He

stole $98,800 worth of items from Sherwin Sancho and $45,000 worth of items from Michael John on the same dayatthesaidaddress.

remandedMohameduntilhis next court date, which is scheduledforApril29,2025.

using only two pieces of string tied to his hands and loosely tied his legs, despite his unstable condition Furthermore, Manbodh's mother was informed by another patient that he had fallen from his bed, but hospitalstafffailedtoinform her of the incident, instead claiming he was behaving aggressively, which led to

restraininghim.

Despite the family's repeated attempts to ensure proper care, Manbodh's condition worsened, and he passed away. The family expressed frustration that theirconcernsabouthiscare, including his lack of proper restraint, hydration, and medical oversight, were ignored or inadequately addressed.Theybelievethat these lapses in care contributed significantly to his deterioration and death. H

informed of his passing at 11:18PMthatnight.

Missing child found dead in septic tank

Afamily is in grief after a two-yearold boy, who they reported missing on Thursday,wasfounddeadinaseptictank in their yard at Lot 359 Tabatinga, Lethem.

Thedeadchildhasbeenidentifiedas Delvorron Forde, also known as 'Suno'. Thetoddler'sbodywasdiscoveredbyhis mother, 34-year-old Naomi Forde, at about 01:22h on Friday During an interview with Kaieteur News, the mother of three related that her son was last seen playing in the yard by a stand. Forde stated that at the time, she doing laundrywhilehersonwasplaying.

She mentioned that at about 18:00h, she called him to have a bath, but he neverresponded.

Fordesaid,“Istartcallinghim'Suno, Suno',IkeeponsearchingandthenIend up calling his father, which he was at work at the moment. I called and said, 'Come home, I don't know where this lil

boygone,'andthefathersaid,'Okay,Iam coming.”

Afterwards,asearchwaslaunchedby familymembers,neighbours,andfriends tofindthetoddler

However, despite their efforts, they were unable to locate the child on Thursday Asthesearchextendedintothe early hours of Friday morning, the mother made the heartbreaking discovery that her son was in the septic tank located in her backyard. Forde explained that the septic tank had to be broken in order to retrieve the child's body Shealsomentionedthatshehasno ideahowheendedupinside.

Further, the distraught mother, describing her son, said he was “a quiet boy, he loves to play, he don't like walking, he always running, he make joke and so. He is a lovely child.” She stated that after the incident she has not slept,andithasaffectedherbadly.

Runda Emmanuel

Brenda Frederick

Dead:

Voshaun Manbodh

Mohammed Rasheed

Delvorron Forde

Bandit shot several times by cops after firing chops with cutlass

A30-year-old man, who is accused of committing multiple robberies in recent days,wasshotseveral times by police after he fired several chops with a cutlass inhisattempttoresistbeing arrested at Spring Garden, Public Road, Essequibo Coast,RegionTwo.

The suspect has been identified asVishalAnuage, aresidentofOnderneeming, Region Two Crime Chief

We n d e l B l a n h u m , confirmedto Kaieteur News thatthesuspectiswantedfor a series of robberies in the SupenaamWaterfrontarea.

According to Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, Anuage was seen breaking into a Superbet outlet located at Supenaam on Friday A time stamp on the footage showed that the incident occurred around 02:41h. The suspect was seenenteringtheoutlet,with

a tool in his hand, which he used to open another door, where the cashier section was located. He was seen scanningtheplace,whenhis eyes fell on where an undisclosed amount of cash was situated at the cash registry in a black box Anuage then took the cash andmadegoodhisescape.

Police reported that acting on information received, ranks were deployed to Spring Garden, Public Road where contact was made with Anuage at about 08:10h. The suspect wasseenwithastrapbagon his shoulder and a cutlass in his hand, heading south on theeasternsideofthepublic road.

“As the cars approached him, he ran east into a yard and proceeded further east along the sea dam.As such, the ranks disembarked the vehiclesandgavechase.The

ranksshoutedforhimtostop and surrender himself,” policesaidinthereport.

Thesuspectstopped,but aspoliceapproachedhimhe fired several chops at the ranks and they fired several roundsinhisdirectionwhich hit his thigh, hand, and abdomen. He continued to approach the ranks with the cutlass, but he fell on the ground Following this he was taken to Suddie Public Hospitalbytheranks,where he is being treated while under police guard The cutlass and the strap bag wereretrievedbythePolice. Police noted that within the bagwere$243,750cash,one G-shock wristwatch, three Digicel and GTT phone cardsvalued$300,000. Series of crime the suspectallegedlycommitted Meanwhile, on January 19, 2025, a break-in occur

Adventure, Essequibo Coast, where $200,000 in cash was stolen from Irving Rambharack Later, on January 28-29, 2025, a break-intookplaceatLot29 Adventure Back Street, where Munesh Chowbay lost a laptop valued at $300,000 and an electronic tabletvaluedat$100,000.

12

On February 5, 2025, another break-in was reportedatLot11Adventure Sand Top, where Krishna Narinehadagoldringworth $80,000and$20,000incash stolen. Just a few days later, on February 8, 2025, a break-in occurred at Adventure Back Street, Essequibo Coast, with $100,000 in cash being stolen from Fareena Calender In addition, between February 3 and 4, 2025, the dwelling house of Pumashwarie Beepat was targeted in a break-in at

Adventure.

In a separate incident on February 24, 2025, a breakin occurred at Middlesex, Essequibo Coast, where Mr Indar had $150,000 in cash stolen, along with a Bluetooth speaker worth $25,000 and a BLU cellphone valued at $5,000.

On February 8, 2025, Munesh Dyal and his wife Latchmi Lall fell victim to simplelarcenyatAdventure, losing $200,000 in cash and agoldchainworth$250,000.

Additionally,onFebruary34, 2025, Doodnauth Singh reportedthetheftofalaptop valued at $130,000 at

AdventureSandTop.

Another simple larceny took place on February 12, 2025, at Cullen, Essequibo Coast, where Floyd Gilkes had a motorcycle worth $600,000 stolen A more recent burglary occurred betweenMarch18-19,2025, at Lot 19 Adventure, where Leroy Jorday lost $500,000 incash.

Themostrecentstringof incidents took place on March28,2025,withseveral break-ins at Supenaam, Essequibo Coast Devin Warner's shop at Supenaam Waterfront was broken into, with $1,134,780 stolen. At Supenaam Market, Judy Wilson reported the theft of two wristwatches valued at $120,000, while Fareida Khan had an undisclosed amountofitemsstolenfrom her stall Sharon Bachuss alsofellvictimtoabreak-in at Supenaam Market, losing a quantity of cigarettes and snacksworth$24,000

The investigations continued.

Man remanded for attempted murder

A 29-year-old man was on Thursday remanded to prison when he appeared at Sparendaam Magistrate's Court on a charge of attemptedmurder

The defendant Kevin Mohamed also known as 'Pumpkin' from Mon Repos, EastCoastDemerara(ECD), appeared before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs who read the charge to him. He was not required to plea. Mohamed allegedly attempted to murder a 33-year-old male Labourer of Good Hope, ECD. The incident occurred on March 4, 2025 at Triumph, ECD. Magistrate

Gibbs remanded Mohamed until his next court date, which is scheduled for May 7,2025.

Kevin Mohamed

The stolen items that were found on him

Vishal Anuage

PAHO trains T&T nurses in effective communication for vaccine uptake

Seventy-nine school nurses from the Regional Health Authorities and the MinistryofEducationacross Trinidad and Tobago recently participated in two, two-day workshops staged bythePanAmericanHealth Organisation (PAHO) to providehands-ontrainingin communicating effectively withclients.

Inapressrelease,PAHO

said the participants described the sessions as informative and engaging

and noted that the workshops fostered a collaborative environment where they could actively share their experiences, ask questions and practice new communication techniques. Thehighlevelofinteraction

a n d e n t h u s i a s m demonstrated underscored the importance and

relevance of the training, as they eagerly absorbed the strategiesandtoolsprovided to enhance vaccine uptake andcombatmisinformation. The training precedes Vaccination Week of the Americaswhichwillbeheld from26Aprilto3May2025, under the theme, “Your decisionmakesadifference. Immunizationforall”. In the Caribbean, many countries will focus on i m p r o v i n g H u m a n Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccinationofchildrenaged 9-14 years old. This is a

critical plank in the prevention of cervical cancer which remains a significant threat in the Caribbeansubregion.

Dr Stephen NurseFindlay delivered remarks on behalf of PAHO/WHO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Caribbean Islands, Dr Gabriel Vivas Francesconi. Dr Nurse-Findlaynotedthat safe and effective vaccines can prevent approximately 70%ofcervicalcancercases bytargetingthemostcancer(Continunedonpage22)

Venezuelans deported to mega-prison 'trapped in black hole'

(BBCNEWS)Thelackof tangibleinformationabouther son Oscar – one of 238 Venezuelans deported by the US to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador – has driven Gertrudis Pineda to despairandleftheratthebrink ofabreakdown

She bursts into tears the instant we start to talk about Oscar "My son only went to seektheAmericanDreamand now he's trapped in a nightmare,"shesobs

Oscar lived in Dallas, Texas Gertrudis explains he laidcarpetsinapartmentsfora living: "He helped me by sendingmoneyforthefamily

and to buy medicines for his father, who has diabetes"

Gertrudis is 1,800km away from Oscar, speaking to me fromthestiflingheatofZulia state,inwesternVenezuela Mother and son are separated by six borders and the impenetrable walls of the Cecot,ElSalvador'snotorious "Terrorism Confinement Centre" – a maximumsecurity prison built to house violentmembersoftheMS-13 and18thStreetgangs TheUS government accuses the Venezuelans detained at the Cecotofbeingmembersofthe TrendeAraguagang T h e T r u m p

Administrationremovedthem from US soil under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, without due legal process, putting the US Justice Department in conflict with a federal judge who had ordered the planes carrying the migrants to turn around Gertrudis knew her sonhadbeenpickedupbyUS Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE)agentsbut understood he was in Texas andmostlikelyonhiswayto Venezuela

Sheonlyfoundouthehad been taken to the Salvadoran prison when her other son, who lives in Colombia, saw his name on a list shown on

'Put up or get out'

Frompage16

he's (Ramson) not fit for the job.Hehasdemonstratedan incapacitytodothejob.”

Ram has encouraged Guyanese to continue to support the picket exercise thatwillcontinuenextweek at the same venue from 12 noon. He was also keen to notethattheprotestislikely to shift to the Office of the President,shouldtheactivity failtobearanyfruit.

TIGI

Former TIGI President, Frederick Collins who joinedtheactivityexplained that the organisation previouslymadeattemptsto “test” the system He described what the body received in response was a “sharp rebuke” and instructions to call the C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information by his “correct title”.

Collinsarguedthatwhile the Office is amply remunerated, the nation receives “nothing” from the Office Consequently, he explained, “We are calling forthesystem,thelawtobe improvedbutforthelawasit is to deliver information which it can, if the government decides that it will work.” The former TIGI President told this newspaper that Ramson is capable of performing his duties, should he so choose, and if he is allowed by government.

Opposition

Several members of the Opposition, specifically from the Alliance For Change (AFC) also joined yesterday's protest. Among them Leader of the party, Nigel Hughes, Catherine Hughes, David Patterson, Sherod Duncan and Juretha Fernandes participated

Patterson told this newspaperthatcitizens,like

himself,continuetoruninto stonewalls where access to information is concerned. He also highlighted the fact that the Office of the C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information has failed to table Annual Reports in Parliament as required by law

T h e M e m b e r o f Parliament (MP) went on to explain, “Every year religiously$40Misvotedfor the Office There is no accountability whatsoever Persons that legitimately would like to know what is goingoncan'tfindoutandI knowformyselfinparticular would have asked for the contracts for the Gas-toShore project with Exxon and all the other projects. Thisrequestwasmadeinthe NationalAssemblyandthey refused to answer and the Prime Minister didn't answer.”

Patterson said he was told that the Commissioner of Information is the person that should provide the information he requested. He detailed that attempts were made by himself years ago to access information through the Commissioner, however he was reportedly told that all means to access information should first be exhausted.TheMPsaidthat since 2015 the previous administration knew Ramson was unfit for the post He said the then government attempted to removehimandpayhimoff in keeping with his contract but the matter was taken to Court and stalled there until the PPP returned to office. Accordingtohim,“ThePPP finds him fit; the rest of the country, we believe somebody else would serve inthepositionmuchbetter.”

television.

Soon after, images of the 238Venezuelans having their heads shaved were broadcast as they were being processed upon their arrival at the maximum-security Cecot Gertrudis could make out her sonfromatattooofarosehe hasonhisforearm

"There are so many innocent boys in there," allegesGertrudis "Theydidn't doanythingwrongbutthey're treating them like animals Where are their human rights?"sheimplores

good governance, GHK all explained, “As a citizen, I am concerned about where we are in terms of being unabletoaccessinformation that is necessary for the citizens of this country to know.”

Lall reasoned that the Law was enacted for this purpose but has not been operationalised. According to him, “It is there and its dead weight. Its sitting on a shelf somewhere and it means nothing because you follow all the procedures statedinthelawandyouget nowhere.”

He added, “He certainly has not delivered in the position which he has held for several years now and I think if I am in that position andthisiswhatiscomingoff the ground, then my selfrespect would prompt me to do something about that, which is either to deliver informationordepart.” Lall saidhewascallingforeither ofthetwooptions.

GTUC

Meanwhile, President of the GTUC, Lincoln Lewis said he was supporting the activity since the organization believes in citizens' rights, the rule of law and advocating for change. Lewis said he had writtentotheCommissioner as well as the late Ramon Gaskininthepastwhonever received responses. “That's the level, I don't know if its arrogance or what those people you don't keep them in public office. Those guys believe that the state propertybelongtothem.He doesn't believe in responding.” The Head of the Union said he hopes the protestcontinueswhichwill receive his support The picketwasalsosupportedby Kaieteur News Publisher, GlennLall.

The White House insists those deported to the Cecot were properly vetted Trump Administration officials say they are all dangerous gang members – even though they have acknowledged in court documents that many do not have US criminal records WhiletheCecotisheraldedas the solution to the region's gangproblembyElSalvador's president, Nayib Bukele, and hissupporters,ithaslongbeen described by activists as "a black hole of human rights" Gertrudisisfindingitisalsoa blackholeofinformation She hashadnowordastoherson's wellbeing The last time she saw him, he was shavenheaded,shackledanddressed in a white prison T-shirt and shorts

Shedoesnotknowifheis being kept in the same conditions as the Salvadoran prisonerswhoreceive"notone ray of sunlight" as President Bukele put it when he first unveiled the controversial facility with its windowless cells and corridors Criticism of the deportation of the Venezuelans to the supermax prison has been growing not just in the US and in their homeland but also in El Salvador Salvadoran immigration expert Napoleon Campos thinks the move is unconstitutional and that the constitutional chamber of El Salvador's Supreme Court "shouldact".

"It should declare that bringing these people to El Salvador without them having committed any crime in this country exceeds our constitutional limits " He says that "anecdotal evidence"isstackingupthata significantportionofthe238 hadnocriminalrecords"not in Venezuela nor in the UnitedStatesandmuchless in El Salvador".MrCampos believes the idea of a black hole of rights in El Salvador applies beyond the confines oftheCecot–tothenationas awhole "ElSalvadortodayis a deep black hole of illegalities, of violations of the fundamental freedoms andlibertiesenshrinedunder

ourconstitutionandunderthe Inter-American Convention on Human Rights," Mr Campos insists "There's no otherwaytoputit"Thejobof negotiating the country's legal system in the name of the incarceratedVenezuelans has fallen to Jaime Ortega, whosayshehasbeenhiredby the Venezuelan vicepresident to secure their release. "This case is very sad, and unheard of in our country," he explains "We've only seen this in times of slavery, when peopleweremovedbetween place and place for money It's unprecedented " He remains confident he can secure the Venezuelans' release given the lack of clarity over the terms under which they were brought to theCentralAmericannation: "There appears to be some form of agreement between El Salvador and the United States, the documents of which we can't find, and we don'thave."

He lays out how if El Salvador had been declared a "safe third country" for immigrationpurposes,heand others challenging the deportationcouldworkunder that clear legal definition However,thatisnotthecase

He believes that, at the very least, the men should be placed in some kind of immigration centre ahead of an eventual return to Venezuela rather than in a supermaxfacilitydesignedfor hardened Salvadoran gang members President Nayib Bukele meanwhile has roundly rejected all criticism ofboththeCecotandhiswider crackdown on gangs in El Salvador

He instead points to the changes his measures have ushered in to Salvadoran society Itwasthreeyearsago this week that he declared a "state of exception" in the country, under which certain constitutional norms and rights have been suspended. The measure, originally imposedforamonth,hasnow been extended 35 times by a loyalist congress and there is nosignofanendinsight The crackdowncontinuestoenjoy overwhelmingsupportamong Salvadorans, who re-elected the hugely popular president byalandslidelastyear Inpart, the reason can be found in neighbourhoods of San Salvador like 10 de Octubre Formerly controlled by the MS-13 gang, it was a stronghold of one of El Salvador's most powerful criminals – Elmer Canales Rivera, aka "Crook", who is nowinprisonintheUS

Simply entering the

winding collection of backstreets at the base of a jungled hillside was impossiblewithoutthegang's priorapproval

Evenwiththeirgo-ahead, it would be an unwise move Extortion, violence and intimidation were rife in this community, whose members wereinconstantfearfortheir children, their lives and their livelihoods Thecontrastwith the quiet calm of a nowordinaryneighbourhoodcould notbestarker Manywallsand even trees have been painted bright pink and green, covering the MS-13's menacing graffiti, and three soldiers stand in the shade holdingautomaticweapons,a sign of Bukele's security strategyinaction

"Weopenedthisstoreafter [the state of exception came intoforce],"explainsRoxana, whorunsasmallshopselling sodas,foodandcheapclothes outofherfrontroom "Things have changed a lot We feel calmer having a business and we can stay open late" The constant demands by gang members for extortion payments have dried up too, she says Yet there remains a pervasivecultureofsilencein formergangneighbourhoods Few residents were prepared to give anything more than monosyllabic answers about life under the gangs, and Roxana did not want to give her last name or haveherphototaken

"Alot of innocent people wereroundeduptoo,"shesays of President Bukele's crackdown "We know of quiteafewcasesfromaround here

There are still people in prisonwhoweknowshouldn't bethere It'sunjust"AtCecot, thousands of prisoners have been held for years, many withouttrial ForOscar,ithas onlybeen13days,yetforhis mother, Gertrudis, it may as wellhavebeenadecade.Sheis looking after his eight-yearold son in Venezuela as his father languishes in El Salvador.

She says she identifies with the mothers of Salvadorans who are locked up in the Cecot even though theyhaveanydiscerniblegang links, a situation she was unawareofbeforeherownson was detained there with no apparentpriorlinkstotheTren deAraguagangheisaccused ofworkingfor

"My son is Venezuelan, notSalvadoran So, whatthat president has done is kidnap our children," says Gertrudis betweenheavingsobs "Ifthey have carried out any crimes, then they should answer for them here in Venezuela "Theymustsendthemhome"

WANTED VACANCY

Nanny/Housekeeper

needed, must be 30 -45 years old 8 am-4:30 pm at Republic Park E.B.D. Contact: 715-4717.

Selling your house lot or unfinished building, give us a call :216-0671 / 692-8464 or Whatsapp 622-0267.

Hiring - Cook / Baker , Assistant cook and Housekeeper / Galleyhand. Apply via email to : Admin@titanenergyguyana.com.

Truck drivers & welders with mechanical idea & Handy boys. Living accommodation provided. Call : 627-5043 / 639-1315.

Need a grocery shopper, ship chandler or visa application preparer: USA, Canada, UK ETA. 626-7040.

We repair & install fridge, freezer, washer & dryer, AC units, stove, etc. Whatsapp/ Call Omar: 654-9711/ 6838734.

FOR RENT

One family apartment for rent in AA, Eccles. Call : 653-1003.

2.2 Acre Land at Garden of Eden second Dam E.B.D Opposite GPL Plant 7 Houses on on the right. Contact : 6472473 / 266-5777

PAHO trains T&T nurses in effective communication for vaccine...

From page 19 causing HPV types. “Since the initiation of the HPV vaccination programme in

LEGAL NOTICE

Timber Grant manager , Tractor operator, Labourer, Chain saw operator, Wood Mizar Operator. Call Richard: 6097675 / 674-1705

General Domestic ,Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office. 4 day work.

One (1) painter needed. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.

One clerk for TSI Eccles office English 1, Maths 2. Call: 615-9132 or email application to techserigy@yahoo.com

Supervisor and Receptionist needed, 25-45 years at 233 South Road, Lacytown. Call: 225-0198.

Kitchen assistant needed. For more info Call: 676-5534 / 6183696.

AM/ PM Cashiers, Sales representative, Shelf Restockers, Porters & bond Clerk. Contact: 609-2995, email: survivalhumanresources2@gmail.com.

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

One Counter Staff between 18-25 years, One person to bake & make roti and puri from 6:30 - 8 :30. Call: 5014769.

One Unregistered Nissan X-Trail 2016 model, Mode Premiere. Call : 649-0956.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526. 1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, crash, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Call: 649-0956.

House plan drawing, Estimates, Grubbing of land and Sand filling K.Lakeram Building Contractor. Call 216-0671 / 692-8464 or Whatsapp 622-0267.

TOURS

Suriname Tours- Easter weekend tour to Suriname. WhatsApp/ Call: 639-2663 / 673-2348 for more info.

Leyland DAF truck for sale. Contact: 676-6165 / 693-9843

LAND FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE 6 Acres of Land Garden of Eden, E.B.D. Serious Inquiries Only Tel #: 592 690- 5512

Roadside Heroes Highway Land for Sale, Garden of Eden 3.8 or 6 acres. Contact : 621-1139 / 712-4020

For Sale 6 used American made Dental chairs excellent condition contact Mr Vino on 661-3030 or 626-8918

Pure breed Rottweiler. contact 639-2828 for more information.

Small Farmers mini Tractor, complete plows - coutock plows. Cantact : 624-0646.

3 bedroom Upper flat -Back Building D'Andrade & Vlissengen Road . $140,000 monthly. Call / Whatsapp (312) 623 -1103 Preferred / 603-4684.

One Single apartment with two bedrooms, only couples or married people. $65,000 a month. Call : 640-3861.

One downstairs flat. $60,000 per month. Only Couples. Call : 640-3861.

Apartment for rent, Two bedrooms.$ 75, 000 per month. Call : 662-6772. (Located in Diamond)

Three bedroom flat house for rent in Diamond. Contact: 679-2406 / 693-9843

EDUCATION

Supercharge your child/ loved ones reading and writing skills using the highly effective hooked on phonics program. 7 years & older. Call 650-8925.

TO LET

Camp Street, Top Floor (25'x40') Middle floor( 25x40') for offices or other types of business . Call : 609-7675 / 674-1705.

Commercial space, Enmore Mall Top and ground spaces, also 4 Acres Land to lease, Emore Public road. Call : 6097675 / 674-1705.

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

agreeable with Power of Attorney executed on the 6th day of July, 2010 and numbered 5004 of 2010 Claimants

3. MAXINE CHARLES represented by her duly constituted attorney STANLEY WILLS agreeable with Power of Attorney executed on the 5th da of October, 1990 and recorded in the Deeds Registry at Georgetown on the 5th day of October, 1990 and recorded in the Deeds Registry at Georgetown on the 5th day of October, 1990 and numbered 4357 of 1990.

4. STANLEY WILLS in his capacity as the Adminsitrator Ad Litem of the Estate of NORMA GITTENS, deceased, by virtue of Court Order date the 24th day od October, 2023.

5. WILFRED SOLOMON in her capacity as the Administrator Ad Litem of the Estate of PHILMA SOLOMON, deceased, by virtue of Court Order dated the 24th day of October, 2023

Added Claimants -andEDWARD HARRY JR. defendant NOTICE OF DEFENCE AND COUNTERCLAIM TAKE NOTICE that EDWARD HARRY JR., of Sublot ‘A’, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, Guyana, intends to defend the said Application. Any person intending to oppose the Notice of Defence and Counterclaim must file a defence to counterclaim within one (1) month after the date of the first publication of the notice. That the matter is adjourned to the 23rd June, 2025 at 10:00 p.m before the Honourable Justice Corbin-Lincoln in Court 8 for case management.

Trinidad and Tobago in January 2013, over 95,000 doses have been administered, with approximately 17,000 children aged 10 to 14 completing the recommended two-dose schedule in 2019. While this represents a commendable effort, there remains a substantial portion of the population that has yet to be vaccinated, underscoring the need for enhanced outreach and education,” Dr. Nurse Findlay underlined.

Grace Sookchand, Manager, Expanded Programme on Immunization, Ministry of Health, noted that the workshop strengthened their collective ability to promote vaccine confidence and uptake.

“Healthcare workers are the cornerstone of successful immunization programmes. You are the trusted sources of information, the champions who can bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and community understanding. However, we also recognise that healthcare workers, like the public, are susceptible to the challenges of misinformation. This workshop, therefore, aims to equip you with the tools and strategies necessary to effectively

communicate the benefits of vaccination, counter misinformation, and build trust within our communities,” she noted.

The participants received a presentation from PAHO Advisor Immunization, Dr. Karen Broome, on HPV Vaccine Uptake Across the Region. This was followed by sessions on the Role of Healthcare Workers as Vaccine Champions, Confronting Myths and Reducing Risk Through Conversations, Responding to Vocal Vaccine Deniers and Understanding Communication for Inclusive Behaviour Change, led by Dr. Ayanna Alexander, Technical Officer, Health Promotion, Life Course and Determinants at PAHO Trinidad and Tobago, Lisa Bayley, Specialist, Communications for Health Promotion and Ave Le Blanc, Behaviour Change Communications Consultant, both from the PAHO Caribbean Subregional office.

The participants left with a greater understanding of their role as vaccination champions, knowledge on cervical cancer prevention and the ability to add value to their initiatives for vaccination.

Terrence Campbell floated to head coalition...

From page 08

Opposition, Aubrey Norton for his views on the Candidate were unsuccessful. The PNCR Leader during a press conference earlier on Friday was disinclined to go into detail about the ongoing discussions with the AFC. He was specifically asked by this newspaper whether an agreement had been reached regarding a possible Coalition. To this end, he told Kaieteur News, “There’s a saying that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.”

Additionally, Norton informed that the March 31 timeline for a decision in that regard was not “written in stone.” “I would say we will continue to negotiate with an open mind; hopefully we will get through it by the 31st but if we do not, it doesn’t follow that that ends everything. That will be a decision of the two sides,” the Leader noted.

been made to date between the two sides as well as any differences they may still be ironing out. On January 21, 2025, the APNU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AFC to explore the possibility of coalescing in the upcoming Elections, to be held later this year.

At the time of the announcement, the AFC said the agreement was on “life support” citing “trust and confidentiality” issues. Back in February 2015, the AFC signed the Cummingsburg Accord with the APNU, binding the two political parties as a Coalition. They later defeated the PPP at the 2015 elections held in May that year. Since then, the Coalition has stood together but not without its internal hiccups.

2.

MATTHEWS, represented by her duly constituted attorney, STANLEY WILLS

At Georgetown, Demerara 27th February, 2025

This Notice was filed/published by Mr. Donavon A. Rangiah, Attorney-at-Law for the Defendant, whose address for service and place of business is at Lot 156 Charlotte Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana.

In the meantime, Norton said he remains optimistic about coalescing with the AFC. He however pointed out, “In every optimism there are specks of pessimism and you just hope that optimism triumphs over pessimism.”

Norton refused to say what agreements, if any, have

The AFC, under the stewardship of former Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, had decided not to renew the Cummingsburg Accord- the binding agreement with the APNU- in 2023 upon its expiration. At that time, the AFC said it was focused on “rebuilding.” Though the two sides had officially divorced, they remained unified in the National Assembly.

Aracari Hotel renovated rooms ,A/C, TV, Restaurant, bar, pool, gym Stay 7 nights, 1 Free! Call: 264-2946.

Education Ministry to spend over $147M for electrical works at several schools

The Ministry of Education will soon spend over $147 million to execute electrical rehabilitation at several p

secondaryschoolsinRegion Four

imary and

This is according to the bidsthatwereopenedforthe projects at the National Procurement and Tender

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids: MinistryofEducation

Administration Board (NPTAB)office. According to NPTAB information, the ministry will be carrying out electrical works at North

GeorgetownPrimarySchool for $32,366,250, Tutorial

School for $28,245,000, Carmel Secondary School for $25,605,300, and at Enterprise Primary School for$22,781,850.

RehabilitationInfrastructure -SouthRuimveldtSecondarySchool.

understands that these

projects among others will formpartofthe$36.2billion that was set aside in this year’s budget to construct and rehabilitate education facilitiesacrossthecountry

ElectricalRehabilitationInfrastructure -NorthGeorgetownPrimarySchool. ElectricalRehabilitationInfrastructure -TutorialHighSchool.

RehabilitationInfrastructure -CarmelSecondarySchool.

Dow sinks more than 700 points. Stocks are on track for their worst quarter since 2023

(CNN) USstockswere sharply lower Friday as investors digested souring consumer sentiment and inflation data that showed an uptick in one of the Federal Reserve's key gauges, underscoring the delicate state of the economy as businessesbraceforPresident DonaldTrump'stariffs.

The Dow tumbled 750 points, or 1.77%, on Friday. The broader S&P 500 fell 2.1% and the Nasdaq Compositeslid28%

All three major indexes were on track to close the weekinthered TheS&P500 is down 5% since this year andontrackforitsfirstlosing quarter since September 2023

T h e P e r s o n a l Consumption Expenditures index rose 25% year-overyear in February, unchanged from January and matching expectations

Yet the core PCE index, which strips out volatile categories like food and energy, ticked up to 28% year-over-year from 27% in January That hotter-thanexpected rise signals that

inflation, while broadly cooling, remains above the Fed'stargetof2%

Meanwhile, consumer sentiment tanked 12% this month, according to the

University of Michigan's latest survey released Friday Lululemon (LULU) stock tumbled15%onFridayafter the company flagged concerns about the outlook

Putin floats idea of UN-led government in Ukraine

(BBC NEWS) Russian President, Vladimir Putin has suggested that Ukraine should temporarily be placed under UN control to elect what he called a more "competent"government.

Itisthelatestattemptby the Russian president to challenge the legitimacy of the Kyiv government Ukraine accused Putin of proposing "crazy" ideas to delay further movement towardsapeacedeal-being championed by US PresidentDonaldTrump.

The White House insisted Ukraine's governance would be decided by its constitution and people. Putin's remarks come as the US seeks to brokeraceasefireinthefullscalewarwithUkraine,now into its fourth year On Tuesday the White House saidthetwosideshadagreed toalimitedtruceintheBlack Sea. But Russia then put forward a list of conditions including lifting of some Western sanctions, prompting concerns that Moscowwastryingtoderail any moves towards a ceasefire.

Speakingtothecrewofa nuclear-powered submarine in the far north Russian city of Murmansk, Putin said a temporary administration undertheauspicesoftheUN

couldbediscussed"withthe United States, with European countries, and of coursewithourpartnersand friends". "This would be in order to hold democratic elections,tobringtopowera capable government trusted by the people and then to beginwithittalksonapeace agreement and sign legitimate documents," he added.

Moscowsaysthecurrent Ukrainian authorities are illegitimate as President Volodymyr Zelensky has stayed in power beyond the end of his term and is therefore not a valid negotiating partner But Zelenskyhasstayedbecause elections have been put on hold, legally by martial law and practically by the chaos ofwar.

It would be almost impossible to hold a valid election with more than five million Ukrainian citizens

displaced overseas and manyhundredsofthousands awayfromhomefightingon thefrontline.

By calling for an election, Putin is trying to raise doubts that President Zelensky is a legitimate interlocutor in any peace talks. The White House has

narrative And if Putin succeeded in forcing an election, he may hope this would both divide and distract Ukraine while he

spokesman Dmitry Peskov laterattemptedtoclarifythe remarks,sayingtheywerein response to indications of a "lossofcontrol"byKyiv

He also said that Ukraine'sarmedforceswere not obeying the leadership's orders and were continuing to strike Russian energy installations, despite a moratorium on attacks on energy infrastructure agreed intalkswiththeUS.Ukraine has described Russian reports of such attacks as lies, while in its turn

accusing Moscow of continuing to attack its own infrastructure.

Putin said that his proposal for a transitional governmentwasonlyoneof many options, but pointed out that there were

for consumer spending on a call with investors “We also believe the dynamic macro environment has contributed to a more cautious consumer,” said Calvin McDonald,chiefexecutiveat Lululemon

Tariff anxiety continues to roil markets

Wall Street was also grappling with Trump's a n n o u n c e m e n t o n

Wednesdayof25%tariffson all cars shipped into the US, set to go into effect April 3

Trumpalsoannouncedtariffs on car parts like engines and transmissions, set to take effect “no later than May 3,” accordingtotheproclamation he signed “It's natural for peopletoexpecthigherprices because we haven't seen a trade war like this since McKinley,”ArtHogan,chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth Management, told CNN'sMattEgan

Wall Street The early announcement highlights Trump's commitment to tariffs,testingsomeinvestors' initial hope that they might onlybeanegotiatingtactic

“We think the proposed tariffs as announced would deliver a big hit to the auto industry,stokinghighercosts, higher prices and a sharp decline in US sales,” said Solita Marcelli, chief investment officer for the Americas at UBS Global Wealth Management, in a noteThursday

international precedents for UN control such as East Timor and parts of the former Yugoslavia Zelensky's chief of staff AndriyYermakrespondedto Putin's remarks, saying Russia was trying to stall movements towards peace and had chosen to continue thewar

Meanwhile a US n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y spokesperson told Reuters n e w s a g e n c y t h a t governance in Ukraine was determined by the constitution and the people. At the same meeting, the Russian leader said that Moscow had the "strategic initiative"allalongthefront lineinthewarand"thereare reasons to believe that we can finish off" Ukrainian forces. But despite frequent proclamationsofprogressin the fighting, Russia has made only very slow and limited progress in gaining territory in eastern Ukraine. Putin'scommentscomeafter a meeting on Thursday between Zelensky and European allies in Paris, FrenchPresidentEmmanuel MacronsaidthatFranceand theUKwereputtingforward plans for a reassurance force" in Ukraine. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February2022.

Investors sold off stocks amid renewed anxiety about the impact of auto tariffs on theeconomy Tariffsareatax on imported goods, and economists expect Trump's sweepingtariffproposalswill causeanincreaseinconsumer prices and drag on economic growth

The yield on the 10year Treasury note fell to 427% as investors snapped up government bonds, highlighting a risk-averse sentiment amid tariff uncertainty WallStreet'sfear gauge, the Cboe Volatility Index, or VIX, surged 10%

'CNNsFearandGreedIndex ticked into “extreme fear” territory, highlighting renewed anxiety among investors

Thetariffsonautosarean escalationinatradewarwith the US' biggest trading partners, threatening to roil global markets and disrupt a deeply intertwined supply chain across North America

“Whiletheeconomyappears solid,businessexecutivesare adoptingacautiousstanceon newinvestments,largelydue totheTrumpadministration's aggressive and unpredictable tariff policy,” said Matt Stephani, president of Cavanal Hill Investment Management,inanemail Trump's decision to announce the tariffs on autos aheadoftheApril2deadline whenreciprocaltariffsareset to be revealed a date dubbed “Liberation Day” by the Trump administration has stoked uncertainty on

“The question is what these very aggressive automotive tariffs signal for nextweek'sannouncementon both reciprocal and ex-auto sector tariffs,” Marcelli added Even if Trump's reciprocal tariffs are not as “severe as initially feared,” market volatility could pick backupduetotheautotariff announcement, according to Marcelli “There is no doubt thatjustasyesterday'smarket session was dominated by worries about tariffs, today's sessionandthesessionsuntil April 2 (“Liberation Day”) will also see traders preoccupied with tariffs,” said Thierry Wizman, global FX and rates strategist at Macquarie, in a Thursday note

Wall Street's outlook sours

WallStreet'sexpectations for US stocks this year is being revised down amid continued announcements abouttariffs AnalystsatUBS onFridaytrimmedtheiryearendtargetfortheS&P500to 6,400from6,600 Analystsat Barclays this week lowered their year-end target for the S&P500to5,900from6,600 Goldman Sachs earlier this month lowered its year-end targetto6,200from6,500 Ed Yardeni, president of investment advisory Yardeni Research, recently lowered his year-end target to 6,400 from 7,000 Meanwhile, the most actively traded gold futurescontractinNewYork on Friday surged above a record high $3,100 Gold is consideredasafehavenamid economic turmoil and a hedge against potential inflation. Goldman Sachs this week revised its yearend target for gold prices to $3,300, up from $3,100, underscoringhowtheyellow metal's rise this year is expected to last amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty

The S&P 500 is on track for its first losing quarter since 2023. Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

President,

Over 160 dead after earthquake hits Myanmar, Thailand

( A L J A Z E E R A ) A powerful earthquake has hit Myanmar and neighbouring

Thailand, destroying

buildings, damaging infrastructure and killing morethan160people

The head of Myanmar's military government, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, said that at least 144 people were killed and 730 others were injured in his country The quake also hit Thailand, whereatleast10peoplewere killed in the capital, Bangkok, according to city authorities.

A magnitude 77 quake struckjustoutsideMyanmar's ancient capital Mandalay at 1250pm (06:20 GMT) The initial tremor was followed minuteslaterbyamagnitude 64 aftershock, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Photos from Myanmar's current capital, Naypyidaw, showed multiple buildings used to house civil servants destroyed by the quake and rescuecrewspullingvictims from the rubble. General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar's military government said the death tollwasexpectedtoriseand invited “any country” to provide help and donations.

“I've been in earthquakes in this region before, and I've neverfeltanythingasstrong as that,” said Al Jazeera's Tony Cheng, who was outside Myanmar's Defence

Services Museum in Naypyidaw when the earthquakehit.

Cheng and others sought shelter under a doorway as large roofing and side panels crashed down The tremors began gently but quickly intensified, causing concrete panels to break off the building, he said. In theThai capital, a 33-storey building that was under construction near Chatuchak Market crumpledintoacloudofdust with onlookers seen screaming and running in a video posted on social media.At least eight people were killed in the building collapse, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was quoted as saying by news agencyAFP He said that90 to 110 people remained unaccountedfor AlJazeera's Imran Khan, who was in Bangkokwhenthequakehit, said: “People are out on the streets here. None of the trainsaremoving. Traffic isabsolutelygridlocked.The buildings have been shutteredinthecentreofthe

city.”

Major General Zaw Min

Tun, a government spokesperson, told MRTV that blood was in high demand in the hospitals in earthquake-hit areas, especia

ay, Sagaing and Naypyidaw In Mandalay, Myanmar's secondlargestcity,locatedin the country's Buddhist heartland, the earthquake reportedly brought down multiple buildings, including the Ma Soe Yane Monastery,oneofthelargest in the city, and damaged the formerroyalpalace.Avideo posted online showed robed monks in the street shooting video of the multistorey

prayers when the shaking started. Threediedonthe spot,” one of the witnesses said.Localmediareportedat leasttwopeoplediedand20 were injured when a hotel collapsed in Aung Ban. A major hospital in Naypyidaw was declared a “mass casualty area”, an officialatthefacilitytoldthe AFPnewsagency

Rows of wounded were treatedoutsidetheemergency department of the 1,000-bed general hospital, some writhinginpain,otherslying still as relatives sought to comfortthem

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced a state of

monastery before it suddenly collapsed. It was not immediately clear

whether anyone was harmed.

IntheSagaingregionjust westofthecity,a90-year-old bridge collapsed, and some sections of the highway connecting Mandalay and Myanmar's largest city, Yangon,werealsodamaged

emergency in her country Meanwhile, Bangkok has beendeclaredadisasterarea, the capital's city hall said on Friday

Urban rail systems in Bangkok were temporarily closed but were expected to resumeservicesonSaturday Tremors were also felt in the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in China They

The Red Cross said downedpowerlinesaddedto challenges for their teams trying to reach several hardhitareas.Atleastthreepeople were killed in the town of Taungoo, south of Naypyidaw, when a mosque

partially collapsed, according to witnesses who spoke to news agency Reuters. “We were saying

Cambodia, Bangladesh and Indiaalsoreportedtremors.

Humanitarianresponse

Julie Mehigan, head of Asia, the Middle East and EuropeforChristianAid,said the earthquake would have l e f t m a n y p e o p l e “devastated” in war-torn Myanmar, which is already experiencing a significant humanitariancrisis

“Myanmar is one of the least developed countries in the world Even before this heartbreakingearthquake,we know conflict and displacement has left countless people in real need,”shesaid WorldHealth Organization spokeswoman Margaret Harris said at a media briefing that the earthquakewasa“very,very bigthreattolifeandhealth”. “We've activated our logistics hub to look

particularly for trauma supplies and things like externalfixatorsbecausewe expect that there will be many, many injuries that need to be dealt with,” she said Marie Manrique, programme coordinator for the International Federation of the Red Cross, told reporters in Geneva via videolink from Yangon that the organisation anticipates theimpacttobe“quitelarge”

“Public infrastructure has been damaged, including roads, bridges and public buildings.Wecurrentlyhave concerns for large-scale dams that people are watching to see the conditions of them,” she said Previous quakes in Myanmar Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar, where six strong quakes of magnitude 7 or

higher struck from 1930 to 1956 near the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south through the centre of the country, according to the USGS. A magnitude 6 8 earthquake in the ancient capital Bagan in central Myanmarkilledthreepeople in 2016, toppling spires and crumbling temple walls at the tourist destination. The impoverished Southeast Asian nation has a strained medical system, especially in its rural states. Moreover, Chengsaiditisimportantto rememberthatMyanmarisa country in the grips of a bittercivilwar “Alotofthe peoplehavemovedfromthe countrysideintothecitiesto try and escape,” he noted. “Thathasmeantitisdensely overcrowded and the building standards are not particularlystrong.”

causedinjuriesanddamageto housesinthecityofRuilion the border with northern Myanmar, according to Chinese media reports. Videosthatoneoutletsaidit had received from a person in Ruili in Yunnan showed building debris littering a street and a person being wheeled on a stretcher towards an ambulance

Motorists ride past a damaged building after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar, in Mandalay, Myanmar, March 28, 2025 [Reuters]

Damaged pagodas are seen after the earthquakes on March 28, 2025, in Naypyidaw, Myanmar [Aung Shine Oo/AP Photo]

Workers in Bangkok, Thailand, leave a construction site where a high rise collapsed when strong earthquakes struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025 [Ann Wang/Reuters]

Tamim Iqbal discharged from hospital after suffering heart attack

(Cricinfo) - Former Bangladesh captain Tamim

Iqbal has returned home, having been discharged from the hospital on Friday, four days after he had suffered a heart attack Tamim will continue to be monitored by specialists for the next few weeks after having undergone an angioplasty surgery on

Monday Tamim was leading Mohammedan Sporting Club in a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match against Shinepukur Cricket Club, at the BKSP ground,whenhefeltunwell shortlyafterthetoss.Hewas takentotheKPJSpecialised HospitalandNursingHome (formerly Fazilatunnesa

Hospital)nearthegroundin Savar After the initial tests, Tamim was carried on a helicopter from BKSP to a hospital in Dhaka He, however, collapsed while getting back to BKSP

worsened, to the extent that the Mohammedan team physio had to perform

resuscitation (CPR) on him

administered shock therapy to resuscitate him. When

cardiologist operated on him,puttingaringinoneof hisarteries.

T

y members rushed to Savar to be beside him, alongside c

journalists and fans who were all shocked by the news Tamim however regainedhissensesafterthe surgery, with the doctors

Saturday March 29, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Unexpected visitors could wakeyouuptothepossibility of new work opportunities, Aries. This could advance your current job or be work you can do on your ownmaybeonavolunteerbasis.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

If you aren't romantically involved, an errand, walk, or other foray into your neighborhood might bring an excitingnewpersonintoyour life.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Money that you may have been hoping to use to better your living or working condition could suddenly come your way today, Gemini.Ideasforhowtoputit toworkinthemostefficient.

CANCER(June21–July22)

When you run errands today, check the bulletin boards in local businesses. You may have been longing for adventure and dreaming aboutgettingawayfromitall, Cancer

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Information received today excites your imagination and encouragesyoutostartanew artistic or creative project, Leo.Stories,pictures,abstract concepts - all could come together in your mind and form an inspired idea that couldchangeyourlife.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Adventure is the word for today,Virgo.Alotofphysical and mental energy, as well as enthusiasm,mightleadyouto aim for goals that others consider too risky or unrealistic.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

New career goals may come your way with the current aspect, Libra, opening up possibilitiesyoumaynothave considered.Thiscouldbevery exciting.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Fascinating new information couldarrivetodayfromTVor the Internet, opening up new educationalopportunities.The possibility of making contact and perhaps visiting new friends in other countries mightcometoyourattention.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

A sudden burst of physical energyanddeterminationcould lead to additional income for you, Sagittarius This is probably due to an unexpected opportunity to do some extra workoutsidethescopeofyour usualemployment

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Friendsoragroupwithwhich you'reaffiliatedcouldpropose a trip. This might seem like a great adventure, Capricorn, so you're likely to go for it. You will probably have a wonderfultime.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)You are one of the most physical of all the astrological signs. Do you have a daily or weekly exercise program that you follow religiously? If you don't,youshould.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20)

You are not one to take obstacles as a reason to back down or give up. But it's important to recognize when you are dealing with heavy pressures so that you can give yourself a little TLC when needed.

following72hourswouldbe crucialforhisrecovery

Two days after his surgery, Tamim was shifted toanotherhospitalinDhaka. From there, Tamim was dischargedonFriday Tamim, who retired frominternationalcricketin January this year, is still playingdomesticcricket.He led the Fortune Barishal franchise to their second BPLtitle;healsostrucktwo centuries for Mohammedan inthisseason’sDPL.

Tamim Iqbal will continue to be monitored by specialists. (Photo: Fortune Barishal)

Grizzlies fire coach Taylor Jenkins despite 44-29 record

(Reuters) - The Memphis Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins on Friday despite the club’s 44-29record.

The Grizzlies entered the daytiedwiththeLosAngeles Lakersforthefifth-bestrecord in the Western Conference Jenkins,40,isthewinningest coachinfranchisehistorywith a 250-214 record with three playoff appearances since beinghiredinJune2019

“ I ’ m g e n u i n e l y appreciative of Taylor’s contributionstothisteamand this city over the past six seasons,”Grizzliespresident and general manager Zach Kleiman said in a statement.

“This was a difficult

decision,giventheconsistent and tangible development of our players and overall success under Taylor’s leadership I wishTaylor the verybestgoingforward”Per ESPN, the Grizzlies are naming assistant Tuomas Iisalo as the team’s interim head coach He joined the Grizzlies after serving as the head coach of Paris Basketball in 2024, and he was named the coach of the yearinhisnativeFinland Memphis turned things around this season after a 27-55campaignin2023-24, which was marred by the absence of star guard Ja Morant for 73 games due to injury and suspension. The

Grizzlies are coming off a 125-104 loss at Oklahoma City on Thursday night, extending a slump that has seen them drop five of their pastsevengames.Memphis isjust8-11sincetheAll-Star break.

Jenkins signed a multiyear contract extension with theGrizzliesinJune2022 He previously worked as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks (2018-19) andAtlantaHawks(2013-18) Lionel Hollins held the previousfranchiserecordwith 214 coaching wins. The GrizzlieshostedtheLakersin a crucial Western Conference game on

Saturday.

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins gestures to his team during a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder (Imagn Images)

Djokovic reaches Miami final to close on 100th title

(BBC Sport) - Novak Djokovic eased past Grigor Dimitrov to reach his first MiamiOpenfinalsince2016 and move within one win of his100thcareerATPtitle.

Bulgaria’s Dimitrov broke Djokovic in the opening game, but the Serb, watched on by his British coach Andy Murray, broke back.

World number five Djokovic,37,reeledofffive straight games to win the firstset.

Dimitrov made a shaky starttothesecondsetandthe 24-time Grand Slam championtookadvantageto progress6-26-3.

“It feels great [to reach

thefinal]withoutdroppinga set,” Djokovic told Sky Sports.

“IamfeelingasgoodasI havesincetheOlympicslast year.”

Thingsstartedoffwellin windy conditions for 14th seed Dimitrov, 33, in the oldest ATP Masters 1,000 semi-finalinhistory.

Hewonthefirstgameon Djokovic’s serve but was unable to capitalise and the classySerbhithisstrideand cruisedtothefirstset.

After a fan was ejected after saying something to annoy Dimitrov, the Bulgarian made a slow start tothesecondset.

Dimitrov, last year’s

beaten finalist, won three of his service games, but Djokovicwasjusttoogood.

The six-time Miami Open champion only made five unforced errors to his opponent’s32.

“There were a couple of tightgamesinthelastpartof thematch,”saidDjokovic.

“Itwas4-2,30-30andhe missedacoupleofforehands andthenIfoundsomereally good serves with new balls inthelastgame.

“These were tricky conditions.Very swirly The wind was not consistent, changing a lot. It’s not easy tofindcontroloftheball.

“Itriedtomakehimplay in these conditions because

he’s a clean hitter I knew he’d struggle if I made him play an extra shot He struggledwiththefirstserve morethanIdid.”

The fourth seed, at 37 years and 10 months old, is the oldest ATP Masters 1,000 finalist ever,having also been the oldest semifinalist.

He will face either unseeded Czech Jakub Mensik or American Taylor Fritz, in Sunday’s final They play their semifinallateronFriday

Among the spectators w a s A r g e n t i n a footballing great Lionel Messi, who plays for InterMiami

Novak Djokovic is aiming for a record seventh Miami Open title

Brazil sack boss Dorival after Argentina defeat

Ex-Barca defender Alves has a rape conviction quashed

(BBC Sport) - Brazil have sacked manager DorivalJuniorafterlosing41toarch-rivalsArgentinain WorldCupqualifying.

They sit fourth in the South American group, havinglostfiveof14games, althougharestillwellplaced toqualifyforthe2026finals.

The 62-year-old, who has managed a host of Brazilian clubs, had been in charge of the national team sinceJanuary2024.

Hisfirstmatchwasa1-0 win at Wembley over England in a friendly last March - and he went on to winseven,drawsixandlose three of his 16 games in charge.

But the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced his exit after they were well beaten by Argentina, who have already sealed their place at theWorldCup.

“The board wishes him

success in his continued career From now on, the CBF will work to find a replacement,” a short statementread.

Dorival, who never played for his country, led Flamengo to the 2022 Copa Libertadores - his biggest successasamanager Brazilianmediasuggest, external Al-Hilal coach

Dorival Junior won the Brazilian Cup with Sao Paulo in 2023, not long before becoming Brazil boss (Getty Images)

Jorge Jesus is the favourite fortheBraziljob.

They tried and failed to appoint Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti beforehiringDorival.

The Athletic reported, external on Thursday that Brazil were keen to talk to Ancelotti about being in charge at the 2026 World Cup.

(BBC Sport) - Former Barcelona and Brazil defenderDaniAlveshashad arapeconvictionoverturned onappealbyaSpanishcourt.

The appeals division of Catalonia’s High Court of Justice unanimously upheld theappealbythe41-year-old and acquitted him, saying the case against him had “inconsistencies and contradictions”.

Alves was sentenced to four and a half years in prisoninFebruary2024after being found guilty of sexuallyassaultingawoman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022. The former full-back, w h o e a r n e d 1 2 6 international caps, was released on bail in March 2024 while his appeal was heardbyahighercourt.

The appeal court said thattherulingintheoriginal court case “contains, throughout the reasoning, a series of gaps, inaccuracies,

Dani Alves

inconsistencies and contradictions regarding the facts, the legal assessment andtheirconsequences.

“The complainant’s account, which should have been subjected to greater scrutiny, has not been compared with the fingerprint and biological evidence, which support the defence’sargument.”

Further, the court ruled that the complainant’s argumentthatshewentwith Alves into the bathroom for fear that his friends might follow them did not appear reasonable.

It concluded that the alleged victim instead “voluntarily went to the bathroom area for the purpose of being with the defendantinamoreintimate space”. The Catalan court also lifted all restrictions on Alves,includingatravelban and restraining order However, the decision can still be appealed to the SupremeCourt.

“Alvesisveryhappy He is innocent, that is demonstrated Justice has spoken,” his lawyer Ines GuardiolatoldRAC1radio. Alves had trophy-laden spells with Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus and Paris St-Germain and also helped Brazil win two Copa Americas and an Olympic goldmedalattheageof38. He was playing for PumasUNAMwhenhewas arrested, which led to the Mexican club terminating hiscontractimmediately

Kemar Roach back at Surrey for start of Championship

(Cricinfo) - Kemar

Roach, the West Indies fast bowler,willreturntoSurrey for his fifth consecutive season of County Championship cricket after signing a deal to play in the firstfourrounds.

Roach has taken 93 wickets at 25.60 in 28 firstclass appearances for Surrey, the defending champions, playing a key role in the club’s three consecutive title wins. He will be available for the season-opener against Essex, starting next Friday, as well as games against Hampshire, Sussex and Somerset.

“I’ve enjoyed every moment of my time with Surrey over the last four yearsandI’mexcitedtojoin up with the team again,” Roachsaid.

“The Kia Oval is my second home and the environment led by Alec Stewart, Gareth Batty and

RoryBurnsisoneofthebest I’ve been a part of. I’m looking forward to contributingtomoresuccess for Surrey in whatever way thatIcan.”

Roach’s arrival adds further depth to a bowling attack that has been strengthened by the signing of Matt Fisher from Yorkshire over the offseason, with New Zealand allrounder Nathan Smith also due to join the clubfromMay.

Alec Stewart, Surrey’s high performance cricket advisor, said: “Kemar has been a big part of our dressing room in the last four years and it is great to have him back. His quality, workethic,andcommitment totheclubspeakforitself.

“I am confident he will onceagainplayanimportant role at the start of this season, and the group is looking forward to working withhimagain.”

BCB bowls off U19 Inter-club Competition today

In preparation for the upcomingU19Inter-County Cricket Tournament, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) will commence their Inter-club U19 Cricket competition today with several matches around the AncientCounty

This competition is dubbed the BCB/Orvin Mangru U19 Contracting S e r v i c e C r i c k e t Competition.

The teams have been divided into several zones with the top two teams in each zone emerging to the knockoutstage.

The BCB has also released rules that clubs are expectedtoobserve.

Players participating in the competition must be

bornonorafterSeptember1, 2005. The games will be 50 oversindurationandwillbe played using coloured clothing.

Matches are expected to beginat09:30hrsandtossis expected to be spun no later than 09:15 hrs If the captains are not present at thetoss,theywillforfeitthe righttothetoss.

Teams are allowed to have at least one nonBerbician in their lineup.

Teams winning a game will be awarded 12 points. In cases where the matches have been washed out the teams will be awarded 4 pointseach.

Where rules are not stated ICC rules will apply

(SamuelWhyte)

Kemar Roach claimed a six-wicket haul against Warwickshire last summer (Getty Images)

West Indies Championship 2025…

Nedd, Thorne recalled ahead of final rounds

Ashmead Nedd

…Harpy

Eagles commands Points table

Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd andspeedsterIsai Thornewillmakeareturnto the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) squad for the sixth and seventh rounds of the West Indies Four-Day

Championship which restartsApril2.

“Nedd strengthens the spin department, while Thorne’s return bolsters the fast-bowling unit, both crucial as the Harpy Eagles push to retain their title. His (Thorne) presence enhances the team’s ability to secure vital fast-bowling points in the upcoming rounds,” read astatementfromtheGCB.

West Indies Test spinner Gudakesh Motie will be unavailable for the final

rounds as he departs for f r a n c h i s e c r i c k e t commitments, with opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul missinganotherrounddueto injury

T h e d e f e n d i n g champions will battle the Leeward Islands Hurricanes (LIH) from St. Kitts before flyingouttotheTwin-Island RepublictoplaytheTrinidad and Tobago Red Force (TTRF), from April 9 at Queen’s Park Oval, in the finalround.

The undefeated GHE currently leads the Points Table with 102 6 points, which was accumulated from four victories and a drawnencounter Sittingina veryclosesecondistheteam from the Twin Island Republicon101points.

Red Force is also undefeated in this year’s campaign and also has four wins and a draw under their belt, which will make for an interesting penultimate round between the top runners.

A battle ensues for third place between LIH and Barbados Pride (BP) as the former occupies that spot with 79.6 points from three wins,alossandadrawwhile Pride sits in fourth with 78 points which they accumulatedfromthreewins andtwolosses.

Jamaica Scorpions (JS) hastwowinsandthreelosses for a total of 59.8 points in fifth while the only other team with a victory, the WindwardIslandsVolcanoes (WIV), is sixth with 45.8 points. Of the other four matches contested by WIV, they lost three and played to adrawintheother

The other two teams, Combined Campuses and

Colleges (CCC) and West Indies Academy (WIA), have yet to secure a victory, but unfortunately, have both suffered four defeats and a draw

C C C i s i n t h e penultimate spot with 26.6 points while WIA is in the cellarwith25points.

On Wednesday, April 2, the penultimate round of 4day bouts will commence as CCC meets WIA at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in Trinidad, WIV battles BP at the Daren Sammy Stadium while St LuciaandTTRFgohead-tohead with JS at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in a day/nightaffair

Meanwhile, individual batting and bowling performances have been impressive with TTRF’s

Khary Pierre leading the Most Wickets list while his senior teammate, Jason Mohammed,isatoptheMost Runs list with a combined totalof519.

Pierre has claimed 31 wickets while GHE’s Veerasammy Permaul is in second with 26 wickets, WIA’sJoshuaBishophas21 alongside Pride’s Jomel Warrican and GHE’s RonaldoAlimohamedround out the top five with 20 wickets.

I n t h e b a t t i n g department, Mohammed leads second place holder, JonathanDrakes(416)ofBP, by 103 runs, John Campbell has scored 402 runs for the Scorpions, J Andrew (LIH) is fourth with 390 runs and TTRF’s Joshua DaSilva is fifthwith379runs.

Isai Thorne

Milo/Massy U18 Football heats up with Round III action

...Twodays,eleven

After two rounds of scintillating action in the 11th edition of the Milo/MassyBoys’Under-18 Football Championship, eightteamshavemanagedto securemaximumpoints.

The competition has been nothing short of thrilling, and as the tournament enters its third round today, the hunger for victory intensifies. So far, Waramuri Secondary has been in outstanding form,

leading Group ‘A’ with six points from two games.

Charlestown Secondary and Santa Rosa Secondary are neckandneckinGroup‘B,’ both also sitting on six points.

West Ruimveldt Boys have also impressed, winning both of their matchesinGroup‘C’,while Dolphin Secondary will be aimingtomaintaintheirlead in Group ‘D.’ Defending champions Chase’s Academic Foundation will

be keeping a close eye on Three Mile Secondary, as both teams currently share the top spot in Group ‘E’ withsixpoints.

Meanwhile, Bush Lot Secondary appears to have found a winning formula, leading Group ‘F’ with two victories.

Atotalofelevenmatches will be played this weekend to conclude the third round ofproceedings.

Today’s action kicks off at the Ministry of Education

(MoE) ground with three exciting clashes South Ruimveldt will take on VreedenHoopSecondaryin theopeningmatch,followed by President’s College facing off against a strong Dolphin Secondary side The final match of the day will see Waramuri battling NewAmsterdamSecondary Simultaneously, three morematcheswilltakeplace at Queen’s College (QC)

matches

ground. Tutorial High will go head-to-head with Yarrowkabra Secondary from Region Six, while Abram Zuil looks to extend theirpoint’sstandingagainst WestRuimveldt.

Inthefinalfixturetoday, Brickdam and Hope Secondary will be vying for crucial points as the tournament advances to the fourthround. Following today’s

matchups,fivemoreriveting encounters will take place tomorrowatbothvenues. The tournament is proudlysponsoredbyNestlé Milo, with support from Massy Distribution, MVP Sports, the National Sports Commission, and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. It is coordinated by the Petra Organisation and sanctioned by the Ministry ofEducation.

The Group A encounter between Warmuri Secondary and New Amsterdam Secondary is match #27 of the Milo/Massy U18 Football tournament. match