$700K from Sophia auction 172 -as21morePalestinianskilledyesterday ceasefire deal to release Peru’s
Brazil to oil blocks in June
Bandits snatch family during home invasion
Ghalee Khan charged for killing ex-girlfriend
4th FPSO arrives
to climb to 900K barrels per day
Israel proposes Gaza 10 hostages for hundreds of Palestinians, Hamas says first lady sentenced to 15 years in jail for early works on Exxon’s 7th oil project yet to be approved Italian company secures contract Oil production in Guyana
Peru’s former President Ollanta Humala is accompanied by his wife Nadine Heredia. (APPhoto/JoelAlonzo, File)
Oil production in Guyana to climb
to 900,000 barrels per day
...as 4th FPSO arrives
The Government ofGuyana(GoG) announced on Tuesday the arrival of a fourth Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel(FPSO),OneGuyana.
The vessel will join the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity FPSOs, currently producing a combined total of about 650,000 barrels per day (bpd).Withadesigncapacity of 250,000 barrels, One Guyana will increase daily production to 900,000 bpd onceoperational.
Currently, installation activities are ongoing to prepare for first oil at the project,whichisexpectedto commence in the fourth quarter of this year as previously indicated by the president of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), AlistairRoutledge.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Natural Resources said, “The Government of Guyana is pleased to
welcome the arrival of the One Guyana FPSO into Guyana’swaters.Thismarks asignificantmilestoneinthe advancement of offshore oil production and national development.”
T h e F P S O w a s constructed by Dutch shipbuilder, SBM Offshore.
In addition to “an estimated minimum production capacity of 250,000 barrels ofoilperday”,thevesselhas a storage capacity of approximately two million barrels.
Government said the arrival of a fourth FPSO represents continued confidence in Guyana’s energy sector and the strength of the partnership betweenthegovernmentand co-venturers ExxonMobil, Hess,andCNOOC.
ExxonMobil Guyana Limited is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum
GuyanaLimitedholds25per centinterest.
Commenting on the arrivalofthevessel,Natural ResourcesMinisterVickram Bharratsaid,“Thearrivalof the One Guyana FPSO is a powerful symbol of progress, not only in oil production but in the continued empowerment of our people through job creation, local business
opportunities, and increased revenues that support development across Guyana.”
M e a n w h i l e , ExxonMobil Guyana
ProductionManagerHuzefa Alistated,“Thearrivalofthe One Guyana FPSO symbolises the unwavering collaboration between our team, the government and ourindustrypartners.Weare
proudtoplayapivotalrolein shap
y landscape of Guyana while fos
communitiesweserve.”
The company, in a separate press statement, announced a ‘street festival’ to be hosted on May 3, to markthevessel’sarrivaland highlight the benefits of the
The One Guyana FPSO
Yellowtail project to Guyana, specifically with regard to expanding local content and increasing revenuestothenation.
E x x o n s a i d i t s
‘Yellowtail Local Street Festival’ will showcase Guyana’s talent, flavours and creativity, a free kids’ zone, and entertainment highlighting the best of Guyaneseculture.
Saipem has secured new offshorecontractsinGuyana and the Middle East worth approximately US$720 million
In Guyana, Saipem has signed a Limited Notice To Proceed (LNTP) agreement with ExxonMobil Guyana
Limited (EMGL) for engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) works related to the proposed Hammerhead oil field development project, the seventh project in the prolificStabroekBlock Exxon’s application for
t h e H a m m e r h e a d developmentispendingatthe Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) That development has an estimatedlifeof30years
The Stabroek Block
create employment and contributetothedevelopment of Guyana’s local content capacity, the company said The project is anticipated to lastfouryears
The second contract, awarded by a major client in the Middle East, involves EPCI activities for the repair
ofdamagedsubseapipelines Withadurationofthreeyears, this project highlights the growing significance of offshorefieldmaintenancein Saipem’soperations Saipem said it will utilize a range of vessels,includingitsflagship SaipemFDS2,toexecutethe offshoreworks
Notably, Saipem explained that while the agreementremainssubjectto regulatory and government approvals, the LNTP allows Saipem to begin early engineeringandprocurement activities If the project is fully sanctioned, it is expectedtostartoperationsin 2029 The project will involve the installation of subseastructures,umbilicals, risers,andflowlines(SURF), along with a gas export system, all at a depth of approximately1,000meters. Saipem noted that all
logisticsandsupportservices for the Guyana-based operations will be managed locallythroughtheVreed-enHoop Shorebase Inc (VEHSI) facility The company noted that this will
Guyanese are suffering from burnout, which comes from too much emotional and psychological stress. Accusatory fingers are rightlypointedattheGPLInc.,anditsmainoutput,which takes the form of too many blackouts. The PPPC Government is due its full share of criticisms, given its cluelessness and its crooked speech. Whenever the government presents a cover story as to the reason for blackouts,angrycitizensshaketheirheadsindisbelief,so distrustedithasbecome.
Not just on electricity, but on most of the major developments in Guyana. Both GPL and the PPPC Government come in for their share of blows. The reputations of both have never been lower, with the cries for an improved supply of electricity rising higher all the time.
In May 2024, the first powership from Turkey's Karpowership International came on stream with 36 megawattsofelectricity Thesecondpowershipadded60 megawattsofenergytothenation'selectricitygridinlate December 2024, which increased its capacity to 265 megawatts of power. A comfortable cushion, given that peak national demand was estimated to be 195 megawatts.
The PPPC Government's Deodat Indar, Minister of Public Works and Prime Minister Mark Phillips both overflowed with delight in the height of the holiday season,whenthesecondpowershipwashookeduptothe grid. Guyanese could expect a steady supply of electricity, with blackouts on the way out. Something went wrong somewhere, with the GPL and the government looking more and more like rank amateurs, andnotknowingtheirleftfromtheirrightfoot.
The reality of Guyanese energy consumers is that the blackoutshavecontinued.
Households to small businesses have been impacted, two energy segments that can least manage to handle the spate of blackouts that has become such a regular feature oflifeinGuyana.
For decades, this has been the ordeal that Guyanese are forced to deal with day after day, and under one government or the other Government leaders and ministers responsible for energy make big speeches, spend bigger amounts of money, and make still bigger foolsofenergyfamishedcitizens.
It is clear that neither the governments nor the different GPL managements know what they are doing. They have no answers, know no short-term relief, and offer no long-term solutions. On most occasions when they came up with what was hailed as the solution, that quickly fell apart. The powerboats are the latest example ofwhathasnotdeliveredwhatwaspromised.
TheAPNU+AFC Coalition had recruited a Jamaican toleadtheGPL,andhehadmadesomeinroads.Whenthe government changed in August 2020, he left Guyana, with local energy consumers left to return to the bad old daysofblackoutstormentingtheirexistence.
A question that is constantly on the minds of infuriated Guyanese is what happened to all the millions spent over the years. A second, more pointed one is: whosepocketsinthegovernmentwerefilledwithmoney skimmed from what was supposed to be spent to ease Guyana'selectricitywoes.
Another question is how long are Guyanese going to take these assaults on their senses and patience, from the GPLandtheGuyanaGovernment?
While Guyanese hope for relief from any quarter, citizens are not impressed with the company's record of nepotism, corruption, waste, and energy standards that are not worth the description.We at this publication have oftenaskedourselvesaquestion.
Has the GPL become more in the mold of Guysuco, viz., an entity being fed one huge cash infusion after
In Guyana you can get away with rape if you're willing to pay for it
Dear Editor, In Guyana, you can get away with rape—if you're willing to pay for it. If the victim is over 18 and agrees to financial compensation, the State is essentially powerless. A rapist, evenaserialone,canwalkfree.
This isn't justice. It's a loophole that turns one of the most violentcrimesintoatransaction.
And it sends a clear message: money matters more than accountability
How can a system designed to protect victims allow this?
It is with sadness that I learnaboutthepassingofthe famous umpire Baksh. The funeralisonWednesday
Nannie Baksh, or Umpire Baksh or Teacher Baksh, as he was called, passed away on Sunday night after a fall at home. He succumbedtohisinjury.
A tribute and wake was held at the Al Rahman Masjid, Queens Village, Monday night. The prayer hall was packed with Guyanese of all faiths, i n c l u d i n g S w a m i Aksharananda, Pandits, imams, and pastors. Many paid tribute, describing him as good-natured, humorous, warm, highly respected, humble, down to earth, among other glowing adjectives.AsDr TaraSingh
stated in an invited comment, “Baksh was
always respected and cherished for his grace, amiabilityandpoliteness”.
He served as a true inspiration to youngsters pursuing education and to the cricketing fraternity. He felt no one should stop learning, and he did his best to train students at a young age.
Baksh was passionate
a b o u t c r i c k e t f r o m childhood. In cricket, he was known for fair, balanced, neutral umpiring. He was one of the most respectedpersonalitiesofthe cricketing arena, known for h i s h o n e s t y a n d straightforwardness. Those of us who know him recall that he possessed an outstanding memory of past cricket events – his vast experience in local, Shell Shield and Test matches and encyclopaedic knowledge of
cricket made him stand out as one of the best cricketing umpires from Guyana Guyanese of all ethnicities w e r e p r o u d o f h i s achievements. He was a role modelforIndians.
Baksh was also an outstanding educator and family man. He was highly revered. Those who followed cricket knew him well, and students respected his educating skills He produced some of the best Common Entrance students. He taught in several schools in Guyana to share his knowledge But he was better known as a national and international cricket umpire. He was born in Good HopeCanalNo.1Polder He was educated at the famous Gillivary CM School, where his schoolmates were Major Joe Singh, Asgar Ally
(former Senior Minister of Finance), Professor Ramnarine, Pt Narinedat Seodat, Dr Tara Singh, among others He was known for his humility, a wonderful gentleman on and off the field, honest, forthright, and warmhearted. His simplicity and humility shone, and his former students thank him fortheirsuccessesinGuyana andinAmerica.
In New York, he taught for several years at a denominational school until his retirement. He was a proud son of Guyana and travelled yearly to his homeland.
He will be remembered for services to cricket, education, hard work, and his faith. May his soul rest in peace.
Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram
Time for Real Protection of Guyanese Creatives: Copyright Legislation is Long Overdue
Dear Editor, I have said it once, and I will say it again because it is important for our country and our creatives. It is long past time that the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport
recognizes that the entertainment industry in Guyana remains a vast, untapped sector with incredible potential If harnessed properly, this industry could empower thousands of young people, g e n e r a t e m a s s i v e employment opportunities, and contribute significantly to the national economy and ourglobalimage. Yet, this potential continues to be stifled by the absenceofonecriticalpillar:
copyrightlegislation.
The Ministry continues to fail in seizing the opportunity that it must take to lead, and lead it must. The Ministry and by extension the Minister must actively engage the Minister of Legal Affairs and the Attorney Generaltoensurethatstrong, enforceable copyright laws are enacted in Guyana. This legislation is essential to protect the intellectual property rights of artists, writers, designers, and all creativeindividuals.Without it, their work remains vulnerable to exploitation andtheft.
The recent allegations made by New York-based
another,whichsetsupinsidersclosetothegovernmenttohelp themselves lavishly to the millions flowing in? And while Guyanese struggle to cope with the constant stream of blackouts,andmakesenseofwhatisgoingon.Weconsiderit a fair position, for what has the citizens of this country received, if not promises followed by more promises, only to belefthighanddrydayandnight?Whenitisnotafallenpole, it'sa'problem'insideGPL.
Considering the woes that have visited the GPL, it seems that only a modern-day miracle of divine origins could deliver Somedevelopmentintheformof'lettherebelight.'
designer Marissa Wilson against the Ministry of Tourism,accusingitofusing her designs and intellectual property without permission or credit Whether these claims are true or not, it highlights how exposed and unprotected creatives are, even at the hands of the g
c
p o
a t
T h i s international embarrassment could have been avoided if Guyana had already implemented effective copyright protections In such and similar instances, the courts would have been thefinalarbiter
Copyright law is not simply about legal formality, it is about economic empowerment It allows creators to own, control, and monetize their work. With proper protections in place, Guyanesecreativeswouldbe able to confidently produce and market their content, attract both domestic and foreign investment, and participate meaningfully in theglobalcreativeeconomy
This is how many
countries, particularly in the Caribbean and the wider Western world, have built thriving entertainment industries that contribute substantially to GDP, job creation, and cultural diplomacy Guyana must follow suit. We must stop sidelining our creative talents and start treating themasanationalasset.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports must now rise above the limited focus o n s p o r t - r e l a t e d infrastructure, equipment distribution, and support for events that sometimes carry titles which, to many, p r o m o t e n e g a t i v e perceptions and behaviours among our youth. It is time for bold, transformational leadership.
Thetimeisnow;wehave waited long enough. Enact strong, balanced copyright legislation that safeguards our creatives, fuels the entertainment industry, and upliftsourpeople.
Yours respectfully, H o n . J e r m a i n e Figueira, M.P.
A President of priorities or privileges
Dear Editor,
As Guyana continues to experience unprecedented oil wealth and global attention, one would expect visionary leadership rooted in accountability, humility, and a genuine commitment
t o n a t i o n a l u n i t y
Unfortunately, under the IrfaanAliadministration,we are witnessing the opposite: a governance style heavy on PR and receptions, but light onsubstanceandstandards.
From public outbursts at workers to attacks on civil society and critics, this government increasingly displays an intolerance for
eroded—when the President of a nation cannot properly pronounce words during nationaladdresses,itreflects a deeper lack of preparation andrespectfortheoffice.
Intheinterestoffairness, let us consider the balanced
s c o r e c a r d o f t h i s administration:1. Financial Management:
Concerns: Lack of transparency in oil revenue use, roads built for friends and family now crumbling, and questionable spending priorities,whilethepoorstill struggle. The Ministry of Financehasfailed,todate,to produce census results and what a chaos with cash grants. Dr Ashni Singh may be a good orator, critically
look at departments under his portfolio. The NIS is still amess.
2.CitizenSatisfaction:
Strengths: Grants to children and elderly, visible urbanupgrades.
Concerns: Ethnic divisions deepening, "One Guyana" has failed to unify Public frustration grows over high cost of living, crime, and inequities in resource distribution. These areone-offtopacifyandwin votes Real issues still ignored.
3.InternalProcesses: Strengths: Push for digitalpublicservices.
Concerns: GECOM, ERC, PPC, and PPSC are all in disarray, compromised by PPPC domination and appointments that plague these key agencies, the “catfish license” saga still haunts us, and independent institutions are being weakened.NigelDharamlall was asked to resign, yet remains active in party business Where's the accountability? It's a shame andaninsult.
4.Learning&Growth:
Strengths: Scholarships andtrainingprograms.
Concerns: Education sector under strain, teachers disillusioned, and national development seems limited to party loyalists. School violence, periodic cultural clashes. School contracts to friends. Job creation beyond construction and oil remains bleak.
What we also cannot ignore is the lavish hosting of receptions, endless ribbon-cuttings, and excessive spending on image-building rather than institution-building At a time when many citizens are struggling, the First Lady and her inner circle's frequent travels on public funds raise serious ethical questions.
Guyanese deserve a government that listens more than it lectures, serves more than it celebrates, and p l a n s f o r f u t u r e generations not just the nextelections.
We cannot afford to be dazzled by roads and handoutswhileour (Continue on page 6)
Critique of the government must be consistent
Dear Editor, It's easy to talk about policyfrombehindadesk,to f r o w n a t a p o l i c y announcement and call it irresponsible Harder, I imagine, is sitting at a kitchen table in the backdam with your teenage son, telling him you can't afford for him to write eight subjectsthisyear
The Stabroek News editorial titled “Eight Subjects free”, published on April 14, implies that the government's move to cover up to eight CXC and CAPE subjects for every student is reckless, uncosted, and politicallysuspect.Butwhile cloaked in the language of prudence, the editorial is built largely on flawed reasoning, double standards, andaselectiveapplicationof scrutiny
The first misstep is the editorial's reliance on the " a r g u m e n t f r o m silence" concluding that because the President's announcement did not include an itemized fiscal
breakdown or reference to a parliamentary motion, the policy must lack planning. This is an unsubstantiated leap. Policy announcements oftenprecedethepublication of technical documentation or supplementary budgetary procedures Suggesting otherwise,withoutevidence, amountstoconjecture.
The editorial then invokes a "slippery slope argument", warning that incr
s to examinations may dilute results if “less able students” sitmoresubjects.Thislineof reasoningisspeculative,yes, but it also carries dangerous undertones. It implies that broader inclusion threatens academic standards, as if ambition extended to poorer
outcomes That is not analysis; it is an elitist narrowing of who deserves tostrive.
Another fallacy emerges in the form of a "false dilemma." By pointing to issues such as teacher m
infrastructuralinequality,the editorial implies that no effort should be made to reduce student costs until all systemic challenges are resolved But improving accessandenhancingquality are not mutually exclusive. The government's policy does not replace broader reform—itcomplementsit.
Perhaps most revealing, however, is the editorial's descent into ad hominem (circumstantial)reasoning.It suggests, without evidence, that the decision was driven by electioneering or a desire for personal glorification Even if political benefits follow, as they often do with good policy, that does not invalidate the value or necessityoftheintervention. To impugn motive without disproving merit is a rhetorical sleight of hand, notasubstantivecritique.
What undermines Stabroek News's position most,however,istheevident (Continue on page 6)
Chinese oil company banking on Guyana
to help reach 2025 production targets
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), a 25% shareholder in Guyana's resource-rich Stabroek Block, is banking on the startup of a fourth project thisyeartohelpthecompany reach its 2025 production target of at least 760 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE).
CNOOC, in its 2024 Annual Report, explained, “In 2025, the Company has setaproductiontargetof760780millionBOE ”
The Chinese-owned oil company pointed out that it expects several new projects tocomeonstreamthroughout the year, including the m a s s i v e Ye l l o w t a i l developmentinGuyana.
In addition to the Stabroek Block project, the company also anticipates the startup of the 'Buzios7' Project in Brazil and a n u m b e r o f o t h e r developmentsinChina.
According to CNOOC's Chairman,WangDongjin,oil and gas production reached 726 8 million BOE in 2024, representing a year-on-year increaseof7.2%
Currently, Guyana's Stabroek Block is producing anaverageof650,000barrels of oil daily from three Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs).
Liza One is currently producing about 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) while
LizaTwoandPayaraareeach producing an average of 250,000barrelsdaily
The fourth project referenced by CNOOC in its 2024Annual Report will add another 250,000 bpd to the country's total production when the FPSO reaches its designedcapacity
It should also be noted that all three of the FPSOs currently in operation have been optimized by the operator of the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited(EMGL).
This process, known as debottlenecking, allows the operatortoassesstheprojects for opportunities to increase productionsafely.
It is likely for Yellowtail
tobesubjectedtothisprocess aswell InFebruarythisyear, ExxonMobil's Senior Vice President, Deepwater, Hunter Farris, during the opening ceremony of the fourth instalment of the Guyana Energy Conference ,revealed that the 'One Guyana' FPSO, which will produce the resources from Yellowtail, is on its way to Guyana.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that installation activities in the Yellowtail field, to prepare for the startup of oil production, are ongoing.
It was reported that the pro
p approximately 925 million barrels offshore by drilling
approximately 45 to 67 d e v e l
p m
n
w e l l s (including production, water injection, and gas reinjectionwells).
The US$10B Yellowtail p r o j e c t r e c e i v e d government's blessings on April1,2023 Productionwill continue for 20 years and is likely to commence in the fourthquarterofthisyear
In the meantime, two other projects, Uaru and Whiptail, the fifth and sixth projects respectively, have also been sanctioned by the government.
These developments are being designed to each produce 250,000 bpd and are likely to come on stream by 2026and2027,respectively.
Guyanese writer shortlisted for Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Guyanese writer Subraj Singh has been shortlisted forthe2025Commonwealth Short Story Prize for his story“Margot'sRun.”
Recognised as one of the most international literary awards in the world, the prize is awarded annually by
t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h Foundationforthebestpiece of unpublished short fiction
from any of the 56 Commonwealth member States.
In a statement released
o n T u e s d a y , t h e Commonwealth Foundation announced that Singh's story was selected from a “recordbreaking” 7,920 entries submittedbywritersfrom54 countries In “Margot's Run,”Singhtellsthetaleofa new mother “who ventures into the night to protect her child from a bloodthirsty creature,” the foundation stated.
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize accepts entriesrangingfrom2,000to 5,000words.Eachofthefive regional winners receives £2,500 GBP (approximately $700,000 GYD), while the overall winner receives £5,000 GBP (around $1.4 million GYD). According to the foundation, “winning or being shortlisted for the prizeoftenopensupawealth of opportunities for the selected writers, propelling them further in their writing careers.”
The 2025 shortlist features 25 outstanding stories by writers from 18 Commonwealth countries
Singh shortlisted for Commonwealth Short Story Prize
The authors range in age from 21 to 75. Notably, Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Lucia are being
represented on the shortlist for the very first time Caribbean writers featured this year hail from Jamaica,
A President of priorities...
From page 5 democracy, institutions, and moral compass are quietly eroding.
From weekly division by the Vice President, to a dancing unprofessional, hollar-down style President, Guyanadeservesbetter The heart of the matter lies in the administration's pattern of poor governance marked by blurred lines between party and State, selective justice, and decision-making driven more by loyalty than merit. Fromsideliningindependent
voices to interfering in constitutional bodies, this government has weakened theveryinstitutionsmeantto safeguarddemocracy Public policy appears reactive and politicized, while long-term national planning takes a back seat to political expediency
We are not ungrateful; wearejustdemandingbetter Leadershipshouldneverbea cult of personality it should be a service to the people.
Sincerely, K. Ramsingh
Guyana, Saint Lucia, and AntiguaandBarbuda.
The foundation stated, “Selected from almost 8,000 entries, the stories range from historical fiction to satire, via crime and speculative writing, family dramas, and coming-of-age stories.” Topics explored by the shortlisted writers include human trafficking, w a r, b e r e
friendships, and unexpected love.
The international judging panel praised the shortlist as comprising stories that are “relevant, vibrant and essential reading.”Thisyear'spanelis chaired by writer and filmmaker Dr Vilsoni Hereniko of Rotuma, Fiji. The other judges include Cameroonian author, poet and scholar Nsah Mala
(Africa); Malaysian writer and 2019 Asia regional winner Saras Manickam (Asia); British writer and journalist Dr Anita Sethi (CanadaandEurope);writer, editor and comedian Lisa
Allen-Agostini from
Trinidad and Tobago (Caribbean); and poet, actor, musician and writerApirana Taylor from Aotearoa/New Zealand(Pacific).
Describing the diversity of this year's shortlist, the foundation noted: “The shortlisted stories conjure a w i d e r a n g e o f scenarios—fromasoldieron an unnamed border to a Beijing taxi driver with a vulnerablepassenger, from a mother who turns to desperate measures to escape her abusive husband to a football-mad young boy and a 'sacred' Tamarind tree with a hidden secret. There
are tales of exploitation, racism,greed,arroganceand b e t r a y a l b u t a l s o unexpected kindness, humour, courage and resistance, and the unexpected effects of small actions.”
The regional winners of the 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize will be announcedonMay14,while the overall winner will be revealed on Wednesday, June 25. Entries to the prize can be submitted in English as well as in other languages spoken throughout the Commonwealth, including Bengali, Chinese, Creole, French, Greek, Malay, Maltese, Portuguese, Samoan,Swahili,Tamil,and Turkish, reinforcing its status as the most accessible a n d d i v e r s e o f a l l international writing competitions.
Critique of the government...
From page 5 inconsistency with its own past editorials. In August 2021, the paper praised directcashtransferstofloodaffected farmers. In January 2024, it advocated for the expansionoftheBecauseWe Careanduniformgrants. Inneithercasediditdemand f e a s i b i l i t y s t u d i e s , parliamentary debates, or concerns about fiscal sustainability. Back then, urgency and dignity were enough. Now, the same principles are rebrandedaspopulism.
One cannot help but ask: what changed? The reality is this: covering exam fees for s t u d e n t s a c r o s s Guyana—publicandprivate, coast and hinterland—is not ahandout. Itisalevellingof the playing field. It is a quiet actofjusticeforparentswho, year after year, have had to choose which dreams their childrencanafford. That such a move might alsobuildpublictrustisnota flaw. It is, in fact, a sign that goodpolicyisdoingitsjob. No government should be above critique. But the
critique must be consistent. When Stabroek News applauds direct support in oneinstanceandcondemnsit in another on the same grounds it previously ignored—its editorial voice begins to sound less principled and more partisan This country's children deserve more than our suspicion. They deserve our belief—in their ability, their ambition, and their right to opportunity unchainedfromcost.
Sincerely, Alfonso DeArmas
CNOOC's Chairman, Wang Dongjin
Subraj
BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT
Exxon's first victims
There have been no oil spills, no release of actual oil fluids into Guyana's waters, something for which all Guyanese should be thankful.
But there has been fallout from offshore oil operations, from spillage of a different kind, and with victims as proof. Guyanese fisherfolk and those who depend on them for a living are the first victims, with material economic loss now their norm. It would be helpful, a sign of its kind consideration, if the company were to say something about that wounding reality
Doing something to provide relief to struggling fisherfolk would be worth more than all that ExxonMobil could say. It would provide evidence of compensation, and of ExxonMobil's sincerity, for loss of livelihoods, due to impacts of oil operations on Guyana's fishing sector.
Attorney-at-law and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, has approached the high court seeking to, inter alia, modify the Representation of the People Act and the Laws of Guyana to give individuals the right to stand to elect independent candidates to contestgeneralelections.
According to the Fixed Date Application (FDA) filed by the Ram’sattorney,KamalRamkarran, the applicant is seeking a declarationthatonatrueandproper interpretation ofArticle 160(2) (a) oftheconstitution,thatindividuals, includinghimself,havetherightto stand for and elect persons who stand for elections to the National
candidates in geographical constituencies.
The FDA which lists the AttorneyGeneralastherespondent also seeks a declaration that, by failing and/or omitting to make provision for individuals to stand for elections and to elect members to the National Assembly as independent candidates in geographical constituencies, the Representation of the People Act Chapter 1:03 of the Laws of Guyanais,tothatextent,ultravires
unconstitutional.
Further, Ram wants an order modifying the Representation of thePeopleAct,Chapter1:03ofthe Laws of Guyana, to give effect to
Attorney-at-law and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram
the right of individuals to stand as andtoelectindependentcandidates in geographical constituencies to theNationalAssembly
The lawyer also seeks other orders, writs, declarations, and directionsasmaybenecessaryand proper to give full effect to the mandatory provisions of Article 160(2)(a) of the constitution, in addition to or in the alternative to fully and properly adjudicate the issues raised by these proceedings was heard before a judge that Article 160(2)(a) of the constitution,individuals,including himself have the right to stand for and to elect persons who stand for electionstotheNationalAssembly
Specifically, Ram wants the courttomodifytheRepresentation ofthePeopleActbytheinsertionof sections 11C, 11D and 11E, the terms of which are set out in a
schedule to give effect to the right of individuals to stand as and to elect independent candidates in geographical constituencies to the NationalAssembly.
In his affidavit to support the application, Ram said that as a lawyer, chartered accountant and citizen of Guyana, he is deeply interested in the rule of law and in compliance with the provisions of theconstitutionbytheState. He noted that while the constitution gives him the right to stand as an independent candidate for elections to the National Assembly in a geographical constituency, the law which providesforcandidatestostandfor
Continued on page 22
In praise of the Almighty Executive Order
Democracy, as we know it, is a kind of ménage à trois —theelected,theappointed, and the terminally confused. They are locked into an unwanted marriage. But today I propose a radical idea, a suggestion so subversive it might get me disinvited from the next
government cocktail: ExecutiveOrders.
Yes. Executive Orders. Not to be confused with executive dysfunction, though frankly, in politics, the line is blurrier than some Ministers'CV
Now, I know what you're thinking: “Isn't that an American thing?”Yes, yes it i s I t ' s A m e r i c a ' s contribution to global civilization, along with jazz, fast food, and the inability to usethemetricsystem.
But listen, while the Founding Fathers were off writing constitutions and contemplating liberty, they also slipped in this nifty invention — the Executive Order Basically, it's the political equivalent of snapping your fingers and saying, “Make it so,” without having to schedule another subcommittee meeting that ends in interpretivesighing.
The first Executive Order, I believe, was issued by George Washington, probably something like, “All generals must stop writing novels during wartime ” Since then, Presidents have used them for everything: integrating schools, mobilizing troops, changingfonts—andImean everything.There'sprobably an Executive Order somewhere instructing interns on proper doughnut
distribution in the Roosevelt Room.
Meanwhile, over in the U K , h o m e o f t h e Westminster system, such executive decisiveness would cause seizures in the House of Lords. They don't do orders. No, no. They do “ d e l i b e r a t i o n s , ” “consultations, ” and occasionally, “strongly worded letters.” If the Prime Minister wants to move the teapot, it requires a White Paper, three debates, a hereditary peerage, and a puffofwhitesmoke.
Instead of Executive Orders, the Westminster system has ministers. These are often men and women who, before entering politics, were often very good at things — dentistry, teaching, running yoga classes and now find themselves responsible for things like national defence, economic strategy, and the futureofurbandrainage. They arrive at their ministries with all the confidence they can muster Theysquintatacronymslike GDP and IMF as if they're furniture manuals Their policy ideas are frequently lifted from binge-watching
CNN One poor fellow believed “decarbonization” wasanewcologne.
And the civil service, bless its bulging file cabinets, is supposed to be “neutral.” Yes. neutral. Like Switzerland You see, neutrality in the civil service is largely theoretical — like objective journalism in Guyana. Many of our civil servants are more political than politicians. They speak inpassivevoice.
They nod encouragingly
Dem Boys Seh...
while quietly altering the minutes of your last meeting toensureyourdownfall.
So what happens? Some ministers meddle They meddle because that's what people do when they don't u n d e r s t a n d w h a t ' s happening. They annotate briefings with little question marks and doodles of confused faces They s u m m o n P e r m a n e n t Secretaries for 6-hour visioningsessions.
Hence, my proposal: bring in Executive Orders. Give some of the bewildered ministers something to do that feels powerful but is actually harmless — like blowing a conch shell or updating their LinkedIn profile.
With Executive Orders, at least they could appear decisive. And nothing says “leadership” like signing a large document with dramatic hand flourishes while the civil service quietly switches it out for a press release that says the opposite.
Imagine: Executive Order No. 001: “Ministers may not send 72 WhatsApp messages to staff after midnight unless it involves fire, flood, or karaoke videos.”
Executive Order No 017: “All new policies must be shorter than a BuzzFeed article and contain fewer thanfivesemicolons.”
Executive Orders would be beautiful Efficient Merciful.
It would spare us the agony of watching people who once managed regional plumbingsupplychainsnow trying to design national reforms based on something
Is wildlife or wild-free-for-all?
Dem boys seh de only thing more endangered than de wildlife in Guyana is common sense. Long time people used to hunt wild duck and labba to feed dem family Now is anything that moving, crawling, hopping or flying – once it blink, it getting catch, skinned, and stewed down inpepperpotorcurry
DemboyspassneardeAbaryBridgede odda day and couldn't believe dem eye. Big, fat iguana – de kind that look like prehistoric dragon – tied up and hang up like plantain bunch. One man holler, “Get yuhgreenmeathere!”Demboysnearlyask ifitcomewithriceandpeas.
And talking bout meat, wild meat used to be a delicacy Now is standard menu at fancy function. De big ones dem having anteaterstew
Dem boys seh when you reach certain events and hear dem announce “buffet open,” you better check if de zoo short of animalsdenextday.
they saw in aTEDTalk.And civil servants — bless their blood pressure could finally get back to doing whattheydobest:producing 93-page policy memos that say“maybe.”
Now, the critics will say this concentrates too much power in one person. But in Westminster, power is already concentrated It's just stored in obscure places: like ministerial dispatch boxes, or that mysterious
drawer in the Cabinet Secretary's office that smells faintlyofScotch.
But is not just de belly that causing de problem. Some people using wildlife for recreation. One man tell dem boys he went to“shootbirds”andwhendemaskifhewas tagging and releasing, he seh, “Na bai, I was aiming fuh de eye!” Imagine dat –parrot, toucan, even de endangered ones likedeharpyeagle,allbeingusedfuhtarget practicelikedemistincanonafence.
Yet, every other week yuh hearing big speech how Guyana protecting biodiversity Dem boys seh de only biodiversity being protected is de one in de freezer and in de pot. De only thing more diverse than Guyana ecosystem is de list of animalsendingupinsoup.
Time fuh strong regulation. Otherwise, dem boys seh de only wildlife we gon left withiscockroachandmosquito. And guess what? Even dem might start disappearing soon — if somebody find a recipe. Talk half. Leff half
I'm not saying Executive Orders are perfect. But they are a kind of aspirin for the migraine that is modern governance. They give our leaders the illusion of competence, the public the illusion of action, and the bureaucracy the illusion of moving forward — while everyone continues doing exactly what they were doing before: waiting for a decision that never arrives, wrapped in a report that no onereads.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
World coming to an end
GhaleeKhanchargedforkillingex-girlfriend
United States (US) drug trafficking convict, Ghalee Khan, wasremandedonTuesdaytoprison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, 30-year-oldMarissaBeete
The47-year-old businessmanof Lot 233 Henry Avenue, Lamaha Springs, Georgetown, shot and killedBeeteonApril8,2025,before shootinghimselfatthewoman’sLot 706 Recht-Door-Zee, West Bank Demerara(WBD)home.
He was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) under police guard Followinghisdischargefrom the hospital on Monday, Khan was chargedwiththeoffenceofmurder
Khan appeared at the Wales Magistrates’ Court before
Magistrate Rondel Weaver armed with his lawyers, Eusi Anderson, RenaMarcus,andCassidéNurse
The magistrate read the indictablechargetohim Hewasnot requiredtoenteraplea
The matter was adjourned to May27,2025
Anderson told Kaieteur News that the defence has submitted a request tothecourtforapsychiatric evaluation to determine whether Khanisfittostandtrial
He informed the court that this wasnotKhan’sfirstsuicideattempt “He attempted suicide four times twiceinthemonthofMarch and twice in April prior to this incident,”Andersonstated
As a result, the magistrate
orderedapsychiatricevaluationand a voir dire (a trial within a trial) to assess Khan’s competence to stand trial
Additionally, the court directed
headbetween18:15and19:00hrson April8
United States (US) drug trafficking convict, Ghalee Khan, remanded for murder
government services to conduct an independentpsychiatricassessment
Reports are that Beete, an employeeoftheMinistryofCulture, Youth and Sport, was shot in her
“Initial investigation revealed that the now-deceased woman and the suspect shared a romantic relationship for the past two (2) years However, the relationship endedduetoamisunderstanding(it i s u n c l e a r w h a t t h e misunderstanding was),” police saidinastatement.
According to the statement, around16:15hrs,Beetewasathome with her 62-year-old mother, JenniferVaughn,whenshereceived acallfromthesuspect,whotoldher thathewantedtospeakwithher
Despite her mom rebuking her fordoingso,Beeteopenedthedoor
Continued on page 18
Dead: Marissa Beete
Sophia man on $230,000 bail for four charges
Defendant Jamal Halley at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court posting bail
Thirty-two-year-old Jamal Halley of Lot 641 ‘D’ Field, Sophia, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to answer to four charges.Halleypleadednotguilty to all charges, which were read to him by Acting Chief Magistrate FaithMcGusty
Itis allegedthaton March22, 2025, at Harpy Drive, North East LaPenitence,Georgetown,Halley had in his possession one suspected Glock 45 pistol with serial number XA245, along with 10 suspected 45 ammunition without being the holder of a firearmlicense.
ItisalsoallegedthatonMarch 14, 2025, at Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Georgetown, Halley discharged a loadedfirearmwithin100yardsof public place. He also maliciously damaged four car tyres valued at $60,000, property of Anfernee George,onthesamedayatthesaid address.
The prosecution objected to bail, stating that there are no special reasons for the accused to have the firearm. The court was toldthattheincidentwascaptured on camera and that the defendant escapedfromthepolicewhenthey attempted to arrest him The prosecution said should the defendant be released, it will be difficulttolocatehim.
Halley was represented by attorneys-at-lawMoteeSinghand Stacy Goodings. She questioned, since the prosecution stated that her client escaped police custody, why there was no wanted bulletin released for him. She added that the police do not respect her client’srightsasacitizen.
Meanwhile,Singhrelayedthat no evidence was recovered that implicateshisclient,andnoorder was made for the police to detain him. The attorney then requested bail.
Magistrate McGusty said constitutionshaveproceduresthat mustbefollowedbeforereleasing Halley on $40,000 bail for the damage of property charge, $40,000 for the possession of firearm and ammunition charge and $150,000 for the discharging loaded firearm, totalling $230,000.
The matter was adjourned untilMay7,2025.
Brazil to auction 172 oil blocks in June
Brazilissettoauction172oilblocksacross fivesedimentarybasinsthisJune TheNational Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), in a statement on Monday, confirmedtheauctionwillbeheldonJune17, under the 5th Cycle of the Open Acreage of Concession(OPC)
AccordingtoaBloombergreport,Brazil’s MinistryofMinesandEnergybelievestheFoz do Amazonas basin, one of the deepwater regionsonoffer,couldcontainoilfieldssimilar to those discovered offshore Guyana and Suriname, where ExxonMobil and other internationalfirmshavediscoveredbillionsof barrelsinrecentyears
This geological similarity has made the area one of the most highly anticipated amongbidders.
Bloomberg reported that the Foz do Amazonas and Potiguar basins fall within Brazil’s Equatorial Margin, a frontier zone near the equator considered by industry analysts to hold some of the country’s most promising unexplored reserves. Of the 172 blocks, 47 are located in the Foz do Amazonasregion.
In addition to the offshore blocks, areas will also be auctioned in the Pelotas, Santos, and Parecis basins covering both offshore andtheloneonshoreoptioninthisround
Atotalof31companieshaveregisteredfor the auction and are eligible to submit bids
An oil drilling platform floats in Guanabara Bay near Niteroi, Brazil. Photographer: Dado Galdieri/Bloomberg.
These include major international oil firms such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, BP, Equinor, TotalEnergies, CNOOC, and Sinopec,aswellasBrazil’sstate-runPetrobras andseveralotherregionalplayers
While the Foz do Amazonas region remainsafocalpoint,Bloombergalsoreported that environmental concerns have added a layerofuncertaintytotheauction,particularly for areas where drilling approvals remain pendingorhavepreviouslybeenblocked
InGuyana,oilisbeingproducedfromthe Stabroek Block That Block is operated by American oil giant, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited,whichholdsa45%interestandathird partner,CNOOC,whichholds25%interest
The Stabroek Block, located about 120 milesoffshoreGuyana,spans66millionacres andisestimatedtohold116billionbarrelsof oil Production began in December 2019, followingadiscoveryin2015
Currently, three Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, the LizaDestiny,LizaUnity,andProsperity,arein production, with another FPSO expected to comeonstreamlaterthisyear Thethreeactive FPSOs collectively produce around 650,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) Notably, Hess is stillinthemidstofanacquisitionbyUSenergy giant Chevron, in a US$53 billion deal approved by Hess shareholders, but will be facingarbitrationincourtthisMay
Bandits snatch $700K from Sophia family during home invasion
A family is in shock following a violent home invasion early Monday morning, when two armed bandits broke into their residenceatBField,Sophia, Georgetown, and escaped with $700,000 in cash, a laptop,twocellphonesanda carkey Rodra Jagnarine and his wife, identified only as Vanie, were awakened between 02:00h and 02:30h by two intruders in their bedroom According to Jagnarine,thebanditsissued threats, demanding that the
couple and their children, who were sleeping nearby, remainstill.
“We wake up by two bandits in we room over we head (and) tell we don’t moveandIjumpupandgive them a shuffle (scuffle) and the two run out,” he recounted.
Before the couple could fullyreact,theintrudershad alreadyransackedthehouse. “Before we woke up, them emptied all the bags and in the front room, in the back roomsamething,carryaway everything, laptop, two cell phones and some cash,” Jagnarinestated.Thebandits located the cash in the front room.
Jagnarineconfrontedthe fleeing bandits. “Afterward, I jump out now and give them a jostle (fought back) and them run out the door When they run out to the door, I grab the mop stick and run behind them and I fallontheroadandthenIend upandgraboneofthemand me and he had a shuffle, (scuffle)”hetoldreporters.
The situation escalated when the second bandit, positioned a short distance away,openedfire.
“The next one was like eight feet away, and the one whomeandhehadashuffle, hetellthenextoneshootand the one that deh like eight feet away, he fire a shot on me,”Jagnarinesaid.Hethen retreatedtoretrieveacutlass, butthebanditsescaped.
The man’s wife, Vanie, alsodescribedtheharrowing
momentshewoketofindan intruderinherroom.
Shesaid,“Iwassleeping andIraiseupmyhead,when I raise my head, I see somebody walking towards me,sohetellmeletmedon’t keep noise or he gon shoot me,hegonkillme.So,bythe time me fuh get up, me husband wake up he turn he head the same time and that isit.”
The couple’s children were asleep next to their mother during the invasion.
The couple believes the banditsgainedentrythrough a small window near the toilet.Aknifewasalsofound byasidewindow,indicating
a possible second entry attempt.
Visibly shaken, Vanie expressed her desire to relocate, fearing for the safetyofherchildren.“Like mewantmoveoutfromhere, becausemegetthreelilkids, how me ain’t want nobody harmthem.”
She continued, “Them (thief) gon gatta kill me this time,medoesworkhardfuh me money, right now me a work fuh me children them, me want a land, me want a housefuhmechildrenthem. Thatwhatmebeenworkfor, now thief man come and gonewithall.Iama
Continuedonpage18
The house that was robbed (Screenshot from Royston Drakes video)
The window the couple believes the bandits made entry from (Screenshot from Royston Drakes video)
The injuries the husband sustained during the scuffle with the thieves
The couple, Rodra Jagnarine and his wife, Vanie, who were robbed during the home invasion (Screenshot from Royston Drakes video)
16 contractors bid lower than engineer’s $83M estimate for Phillipai Nursery School project
Following a recent invitation for bids to constructanurseryschoolat Phillipai Village, Upper Mazaruni,RegionSeven,the 16 contractors who responded submitted bids lower than the engineer’s $83,007,743estimate.
Bids for the project opened recently at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. At the opening, it was revealed that the 16 contractors submittedbidsrangingfrom $53millionto$81million.
The bids for the project are as follows: K. Whyte Construction - $73,950,933; KLM Con
$80,020,379; Ash Civil E
;
Construction - $77,800,000; Clinton Isaacs & Son’s Contracting Service$76,914,033; R M
Contracting Services –
$69,034,802; LF Global$81,519,078; Jettoo’s Construction - $73,940,000; Builder’s First Choice Construction Company Inc. - $81,007,991; Elliott ‘s Construction and Supplies -
$75,843,344; R&J Construction - $78,266,541; Prored Resou
ces$74,900,000; Carter’s
The project is being executed through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Sevenwhichwasallocateda sumof$5.7billionfromthis year’s budget Of that amount, $3.2 billion was set aside for education delivery intheregion.
This publication understands that the new structure,whichwillreplace thecurrentwoodenbuilding, willprovideamorespacious environment for children andwillbeequippedwithall thenecessitiesforlearning.
Minister of Education
Construction - $77,395,921; BandSContractingService - $72,934,196; and JS General S
d
Construction Company$75,137,453.
Priya Manickchand has said thathavingalreadyachieved universalprimaryeducation, the intention now is for Guyanatoachieveuniversal nursery and secondary education.
“What universal means, itmeansallover So,allover Guyana, we want nurseryaged children to be able to access nursery schools and nurseryeducationinGuyana isnotcompulsoryasyet,but we have registered the highest enrollment in the Commonwealth Caribbean at more than 85 per cent of our nursery age cohort attending nursery school,” shehadsaid.
Manickchand said that wherethereisagap,itwould be where there are not enough schools, and that is mostly in the hinterland regions.
Bandits snatch $700K...
Frompage16 hard-workingperson.Iwantjustice.”
Shealsospokeoftheemotionaltolloftheinvasion.“Upto now like my whole inside is so heavy, ah mean its material thingsright,thankgodfuhwelife,butstillpeoplecan’tcome just like that and take what you work hard for, now I know howpeopledoesfeel,whenIwatchthemonthephonenow,I know, how people does talk and cry, now me know the feelings, when you work hard and somebody just come and grabitandgone.”
Vanie expressed her dismay that the perpetrators were youngmen,urgingthemtoseekhonestwork.“Andisyoung boys,whenmewas15yearsIstarttowork;whythemdon’t dothesame,”shequestioned.
Policeareinvestigatingthematter
GhaleeKhancharged...
Frompage12 and invited Khan into the house.
“The62-year-oldwoman stated that she got up and wenttothebackofthehouse, giving the suspect and her daughterprivacy
Sometime after, the woman said she heard her daughter call out ‘Mommy’, followed by a loud explosion. The woman said she immediately rushed to the living room, where she saw her daughter (Marissa) in a slouched-over position on the ground and what appearedtobebloodcoming fromherhead.”
Police said that at that time, Khan was seen standingwithwhatappeared to be a gun over Beete’s head The 62-year-old womansaidsheranandheld onto Khan, who fired another shot in an unknown direction Khan allegedly pushed Vaughn to the floor, afterwhichheturnedthegun and shot himself once in the head.
Both Khan and Beete were taken to the West Demerara Hospital, where thewomansuccumbedtoher
injuries and Khan was transferred to a city hospital fortreatment.
PolicenotedthatBeete’s body was checked for any marks of violence, and one bullet-like wound was seen aboveherrighteye.
Police said that they recovered the firearm, along with three (3) live rounds of ammunition, at the scene of thecrime.
In 2023, Khan, a businessman, was resentenced to an 18-month term,sometwoyearsafterhe was sentenced to nine years inprisonfordrugtrafficking and skipping bail After serving the 18-month sentence,hewasdeportedto Guyana.
Khan and Danvor Griffithwerejointlycharged inNovember2008withdrug trafficking, and Khan was granted US$200,000 bail. However, he fled the United StatesandcametoGuyana.
An arrest warrant was issuedforhimafterhefailed to appear in a New York court. While in Guyana, Khan established several businesses, including a securityfirm.
The Phillipai Nursery School in Region Seven. (Photo courtesy, National Data Management Authority/ Facebook)
Securityofficerfined$50,000 fordangerousdriving
Twenty-six-year-oldsecurityofficer,Mark DaSilva, was fined on Tuesday when he appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court onadangerousdrivingcharge
DaSilvaappearedbeforeSeniorMagistrate SunilScarce,whoreadthecharge,whichstated that on April 4, 2025, at Strathspey Public Road, Tambran Street, East Coast Demerara, hedroveinadangerousmanner
DaSilvapleadedguiltywithexplanation
The prosecution told the court that on the dayinquestion,atapproximately16:10hours, thedefendantwasridingamotorcyclebearing registration number CN 5293 and proceeding eastalongtheStrathspeyPublicRoad,whilea woman was driving motor car PAD 1252, proceedingsouthalongTambranAllyStreet
As she approached the intersection,
vehicles on the northern and southern lanes stopped to allow her to turn right onto the publicroad However,assheproceededtoturn, the defendant, who was overtaking several vehicles along the centre lines, collided with thecar
As a result of the collision, both vehicles were damaged, and the defendant received injuries to his body He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC),wherehewastreated Thematterwas laterreportedtothepolice,andaninvestigation was conducted Upon completion of the investigation,thedefendantwaschargedwith theoffenceofdangerousdriving
DaSilva was fined $50,000 for his dangerousdrivingcharge.Failuretopaywill resultintwomonths’imprisonment.
UNFPA assisting with disaggregation of population data to better address issues related to People of African Descent
ExecutiveDirectorofthe United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr Natalia Kanem,saidonTuesdaythat practical steps have been taken to gather data to address issues related to peopleofAfricandescent.
Addressing the Fourth Session of the Permanent Forum on People ofAfrican Descent at the United Nations, Dr Kanem noted that the UNFPA is assisting countries to disaggregate population data by race and ethnicitytohelpliftthecloak of invisibility off groups too oftenleftbehind.
With UNFPA’s support, the executive director said that 22 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean now include race and ethnic self-identification in their censuses, which is essential
in devising policies to end i n e q u a
i t y a n d discrimination.
“Why? Because you cannot change what you cannot see.” She asserted. AccordingtoDr Kanem,the UNFPA is focused on disparities in reproductive health.
“Weknowalltoowell;it
adolescentgirlswhoareata muchhigherriskofmaternal
consequences of adolescent pregnancy This must change, and it should not take five, 10 or 20 years for thatchangetomanifest,”she pleaded.
To this end, Dr Kanem said in partnership with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), and withthegeneroussupportof
- Executive Director
Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Luxemb
rg, UNFPA recentlylaunchedtheGlobal Maternal Health Coalition for People of African Descent. The first technical
6 months later, no charges in Corentyne fire that killed mother, four children
Six months after a tragic fire claimed the lives of a motherandherfourchildren atNo.64Village,Corentyne, Berbice, no suspects have been charged in connection withtheblaze.
Investigations into the deadly incident, which occurred on November 12, 2024,arestillongoing.
Speaking with Kaieteur News on Tuesday, Region Six Commander, Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus, confirmed that investigators have made no significant progress to charge anyone. “No further information or evidence, as investigations continue,” BacchustoldKaieteurNews.
Back in December, this publication reported that several persons in connectionwiththefirewere arrested. However, earlier this year, when questioned about the status of the investigation, Commander Bacchus disclosed that legal advicehadbeensoughtfrom the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), but no chargeswerelaidatthetime.
The fire, which occurred around2:00hrs,shockedthe Berbice community and the nation. The victims were identified as 34-year-old Hemwatie Singh, a housewife,andherchildren: Kelvin Ramjattan (14), Brandon Ramjattan (10), Cindy Ramjattan (11), and Tomesh Ramjattan (2) Singh’s eldest son, 17-yearold Kevin Ramjattan, was
The victims, Hemwatie Singh, and her children, Kelvin Ramjatan, Brandon Ramjatan, Cindy Ramjatan and Tomesh Ramjatan.
workshopofthiscoalitionis due to take place later this year
“We are also pleased to p
the only family member to survivetheblaze.
The children’s father, RohanRamjattan,wasnotat homeatthetimeofthefireas he was in police custody in connection with a cattle rustlingmatter
According to police reports, the fire began while thefamilywasasleep.Kevin told police that he was sleeping on the veranda when he was awakened by flames from the lower flat, where his father’s car was parked. He rushed downstairs and found his family awake and trying to escape.“Theytriedtorunout ofthehouse,butastheysaw the large flames in front of the house, they turned back and went upstairs,” he
reportedly told police. As a result, they were trapped in thefire.
Theteenagersaidhewas unable to immediately call thepoliceduetothelackofa phone and unresponsive neighbours.
H e r a n t o h i s grandmother’s house for help, but by the time they returned,thehousewasfully engulfed in flames. Kevin hadnotedthatthesteelgate, which he closed the night before, was open when he escapedthenextmorning.
Firefighters arrived around 03:35 hrs but found the house already consumed byflames.Afterthefirewas brought under control, the charred remains of the five victimswerediscovered.
Recommendation Number 5 oftheCommitteeofExperts for the Belém do Pará Convention It calls on countries to end genderbased violence against womenofAfricandescent.”
Regarding gender-based violence, the UNFPA
E
D
ctor emphasised the role the forum plays in insisting that racism and sexism have no place in public dialogue, including in the digital space.
“Gender-based violence is an ugly, troubling epidemic now exacerbated byonlinetoxicitydirectedat women and girls of African descent. Let us take heart from last year’s first-ever commemoration of the
International Day for WomenandGirlsofAfrican DescentonJuly25th,ledby the Governments of Brazil and Colombia This is another important step towards uplifting people of
African descent and advancing gender equality,” sheadded
Dr Kanemnotedthatfor UNFPA,thatmeanscarrying on with important work to upholdthedignityandrights of women and girls of African descent, who continually face multiple and intersecting forms of
contribute massively to shaping economies, cultures andscientificdevelopments, including robotics, artificial intelligence, mathematics, andpopulationsstudies.
The suspect looking at the phone that couldn’t be repaired, while the other new phone is on the showcase
Man steals customer’s new phone at Stabroek Market, after his phone could not be fixed
The suspect placing the damaged phone over the new one, then casually walking away
Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
footagecapturedamanstealinga newphoneleftbehindbyanother customer,afterhelearnedthathisowndevice could not be repaired at a phone stall in StabroekMarket,Georgetown.
The incident occurred at about 11:05hrs onMonday.Accordingtothebusinessowner, the suspect went in to have his phone assessed, but after a quick inspection, it was determined that it could not be repaired. Aroundthesametime,anothercustomerhad just purchased a Samsung F05 smartphone, valued at $21,000, but mistakenly left it on the showcase while gathering his other belongings.
The business owner told Kaieteur News,
“Thechargerthatwentinsideofthebox(The customerleftwiththebox,thinkingthephone was inside) and he left the phone on the showcase.”
With the phone left on the showcase, the suspectallegedlytookitandwalkedoffwhile the business owner was momentarily distracted.
CCTVfootageshowsthebusinessowner inspectingthesuspect’sphoneandinforming himthatitwasbeyondrepair Momentslater, the suspect glanced around to ensure no one was watching, and then used his damaged phone to cover the new device left on the counter He picked up both phones and calmlywalkedaway Investigationsareongoing.
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Peru’s ex-president and first lady sentenced to 15 years in jail
(BBC) Peru’s former president, Ollanta Humala, has been found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
A court in the capital, Lima, said that Humala had accepted illegal funds from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht to bankroll his election campaignsin2006and2011.
Hiswife,NadineHeredia, who co-founded the NationalistPartywithHumala, has also been found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to 15 years.
Prosecutors had asked that Humala be sentenced to 20yearsinjailandHerediato 26 and a half years.
After a trial lasting more than three years, the court gave its long-awaited verdict on Tuesday Humala attended the verdict in person while his wifehearditviavideolink.
The 62-year-old former president and his wife had denied any wrongdoing.
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Maoist Shining Path rebels, first came to national prominence in 2000 when he led a short-lived military rebellion against thenPresidentAlbertoFujimori.
In 2006, he ran for president.
Healliedhimselfwiththe Venezuelan president at the time, Hugo Chávez, and prosecutors alleged that Humala had accepted illegal funding from Chávez to financehiscampaign.
His rival for the presidency,AlanGarcía,used Humala’sclosetiestoChávez as a way to attack him, warning voters “not to let Peru turn into another Venezuela”.
In 2011, Humala ran for the presidency again, this time on a more moderate platform.
He said that rather than emulating Chávez’s socialist revolution in Venezuela, he would model his policies on those of the Brazilian president at the time, Luiz InácioLuladaSilva.
His approach proved successful and he defeated his right-wing rival, Keiko Fujimori.
But violent social conflicts early in his presidencyquicklydentedhis popularity
He also lost the support of many members of Congress, further weakening his position.
His legal troubles started shortly after his term had finishedin2016.
That year, the Brazilian constructiongiantOdebrecht confessed to paying
hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes to government officials and political parties across Latin America, to win business orders.
Prosecutors accused Humala and his wife of receiving millions of dollars fromOdebrecht.
A year later, a judge ordered that the couple be placed in pre-trial detention. They were released after a year, but the investigation intotheirlinkswithOdebrecht continued, culminating in today’s verdict.
ERC prioritises complaints of injustices against Afro Guyanese - Chair tells UN Forum
Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), Shaikh Moeenul Hack, repeated calls on Monday for reparations for the injustices meted out to peopleofAfricandescentas a result of slavery
Addressing dignitaries at the Fourth Session of the PermanentForumonPeople of African Descent at the United Nations, Hack noted that although people of African descent account for less than half of the population in Guyana, efforts are constantly made through organisationsliketheERCto correct any form of injustices meted out to them.
“Withapopulationcomprisingmorethan30percent ofpeopleofAfricandescent, Guyanacontinuestocallfor justice through reparations, justice as accountability for centuries of slavery, exploitation, and the negative legacyofcolonialism.”
He added that to overcome the injustices, “we mustacknowledgethatreparation is also about recognition of the pain, the displacement and the generational trauma inflicted by slavery.”
“It is also about healing and reconciliation, which formthefoundationforlasting peace…Let us use this moment to expand the support for reparations, underscoring that this is not about
charity, it is about justice.”
Addressing the outrage overhisrepresentationofthe ERC at the forum, Hack soughttoclarifythatCommissioner Norris Witter was unanimously approved by the commission to attend the forum;however,heoptedout a few days before the opening.
ChairmanofInternational DecadeforPeopleofAfrican Descent Assembly -Guyana (IDPADA-G) Vincent Alexander told the forum on Mondaythattherewasaclear exclusion of Afro Guyanese representation at the level of theERCattheUnitedNations
event.
He told the UN that “The current governance structure entrenches this exclusion even within the Ethnic RelationsCommission,whichisin attendance, which is here today represented by someone other than someone of African descent, notwithstanding the African community asking otherwise.”
Hack claimed that ERC Commissioner Ras Khafra (Deon Dick) who represents theGuyanaRastafarianCouncilattheforum,tookWitter’s place.
“Based on his current attendance, it appears that, at
thetimewhenCommissioner Witterredrew,Commissioner Khafra was already sponsored to attend the forum as a representative of the GuyanaRastafarianCouncil. In addition, it would have necessitatedadecisionfrom the wider commission on the issue of replacement,” he told the forum. Notwithstandingthelack of representation at the UN ForumbytheERC,thechairman noted the commission has consistently addressed complaints of all races and ethnicitiesinafairandtransparent manner, inclusive of AfricanGuyanese.
He stressed that the commission has consistentlyprioritisedAfricanculture and issues through its participation in emancipationobservances,byprovidingtrainingondiversity,equityandinclusion,bydeveloping a glossary of terms to rid the use of derogatory terms used to describeAfrican Guyanese and all other ethnic groups, among other initiatives.
“The ERC strongly believesthattoholisticallyaddress injustices such as reparations, the African community needs the support of all, regardless of ethnicity, to advocate for justice,forthecrimesofslavery imposed on our ancestors of African descent.” Moeenul Hack said.
Ram seeks right to contest general elections as...
From page 8 those elections does not allowhimtoexercisethatright unless he is a candidate for a politicalparty
Relying on Article 160(2)(a)ofGuyana’sConstitution Ram noted that the constitution states that “a person may stand as a candidate for election in any such geographical constituency onlyif,insuchmannerasparliament may prescribe, he or she has declared that he or she supports, or has otherwiseidentifiedhimselforher-
self with one and only one of the lists related to that geographical constituency, not with a list in any other geographical constituency; and not with any lists of another party.”
In contrast he pointed out that “the Representation of thePeopleActdoes not make provisions to permit individuals who are not members of political parties to stand for election to the National Assembly as independent candidates in a single geographical constituency
nor for individuals in small political parties or voluntary groups to stand collectively for election for the National Assembly in less than six of the10geographicalconstituencies or in less than 13 of the25.”
Assuch,heisseekingthe modificationoftheRepresentation of the People Act in these proceedings to bring it intoconformitywiththeconstitution by giving effect to his rights and the rights of other citizens who want to stand for election to the Na-
tional Assembly as independentcandidatesingeographical constituencies, as well as the rights of persons who want to vote for independent candidates in those elections.
“If my right to stand for elections to the NationalAssemblyinageographicalconstituency as an individual independent candidate is recognisedbythecourt,I will meet the criteria to be elected as a member of the NationalAssembly,”thelawyer stated.
Chairman of ERC Shaikh Moeenul Hack during his presentation at the UN Forum
Badly beaten man who died in police custody identified
The identity of a badly beaten man who died in police custody is finally knownafterpoliceaskedthe publicforhelpfivedaysago.
The man has been identified as 37-year-old Delon Lawrence of Lot 10 De Kinderen Housing
Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD). He was identifiedbyhissisteraftera picture of the dead man was postedontheGuyanaPolice Force’sFacebookpage.
“I went to the morgue and identified him myself; I was shocked and wanted to know if it was true,” the man’s sister told Kaieteur News.
Dead: Delon Lawrence, who died in police custody after a brutal beating
Lawrence’s body was at Ezekiel’s Funeral Parlour awaitingidentification. He reportedly died on March16whileincustodyat the La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station, West Bank
Demerara (WBD). A postmortem examination has confirmed that Lawrence was beaten to death. The report stated that he died from a subdural hematoma due to blunt force trauma to thehead.
His relatives are at this time calling on police to clarify the circumstances surrounding his beating becausetheyarehearingtwo differentversions.
According to his sister, the first version they heard from the police is that he allegedly stabbed two persons following a confrontation with a bus driver at La Grange Old Road,WestBankDemerara.
“They said he entered a
Govt. warns against illegal gold trading
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is warning the public against engaginginillegalgoldtrading.
InapressreleaseissuedonTuesday,the ministry reminded that only individuals or entities with a valid gold dealer’s licence from the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), or a trader’s licence from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), are authorizedtopurchasegoldinGuyana.
The ministry noted that applying for a new licence or renewing an existing one does not give applicants legal permission to conduct gold trading activities. It said all transactions must be put on hold until an
Seon Dos Santos called ‘Onie’
officiallicenceisgranted.
Notably, anyone found buying gold without the proper documentation will be prosecutedunderGuyana’slaws.
Man wanted for attempted murder
The Guyana Police Force (GPF)
issued a wanted bulletin on Tuesdayfora26-year-oldmanfor hisconnectiontoanattemptedmurdercharge.
WantedisSeonDosSantos,called‘Onie’, whose last known address is Freeman Street, EastLaPenitence,Georgetown.DosSantosis accused of committing the act on Seon Archibald at Freeman Street on March 3, 2025.
If anyone has information about the wanted person, they are asked to contact the policeorthenearestpolicestation.
confrontationwiththedriver at La Grange Old Road, and he stabbed a pregnant woman and a male,” the woman said, while adding, “Theysoundedthealarmand the villagers came out and beathimbadly”.
A passing police patrol saw the commotion and reportedly rescued Lawrencefromthemob,but took him to the La Parfaite
Harmomie Police Station, wherehedied.
However, there is anotherversionfromapolice officer alleging that he was beaten at Stanleytown, WBD, after he allegedly triedtorobtwopassengersin aroute31minibus.
Accordingtothatversion of
allegedly went berserk after an alarm was raised, stabbing a pregnant woman
in the neck and a female passenger Villagers at Stanleytown learnt of the attempted robbery and brutallybeatLawrence.
Like the first version, Lawrence was rescued by police and taken to the La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station, where he died in policecustody
Police are yet to release an official statement on Lawrence’sdeath.
Israel proposes Gaza ceasefire deal to release 10 hostages for hundreds of Palestinians, Hamas says
CNN Hamas is “studying” an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza that would see 10 hostages released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, an official with themilitantgrouptoldCNN.
The proposal, received by Hamas on Monday, outlinesaninitialframework for a 45-day truce in the Palestinian enclave during which the two sides would aimtonegotiateapermanent ceasefire, according to the official.
The Israeli proposal also calls for the disarmament of Gaza, previously a red line for Hamas It does not include a guarantee of a permanent end to the war, which Hamas has demanded as part of a comprehensive agreement.
The Hamas official said the group will not agree to any Israeli ceasefire proposal that calls for its disarmament or sees Israeli forcesreturntoGazaafteran initial withdrawal, making it unlikely that the group will acceptit.
The offer marks Israel's first proposal to bring back hostages from Gaza since it resumed the war in March.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under intense
BBC- "Trump is a crazy man,"saysLionelXu,whois surroundedbyhiscompany's mosquito repellent kits –many were once best sellers in Walmart stores in the UnitedStates.
Now those products are sitting in boxes in a warehouse in China and will remain there unless
PresidentDonaldTrumplifts his 145% tariffs on all Chinese goods bound for the US. "This is so hard for us," headds.
Around half of all products made by his company Sorbo Technology are sold to the US. It is a small company by Chinese standards and has around 400 workers in Zhejiang province. But they are not alone in feeling the pain of thiseconomicwar
"We are worried.What if Trump doesn't change his mind? That will be a dangerous thing for our
pressure from hostage families and a growing numberofmilitaryreservists toreachadeal.
CNN has reached out to Israeliofficialsforcomment. Under the proposal, Israeli American Edan Alexanderwouldbereleased onthefirstdayofthetruceas a “special gesture” to the United States, the Hamas officialsaid.
Hamas released a propaganda video over the weekendinwhichAlexander appealed directly to Trump, asking why he hasn't been released yet The three-
Palestinian rescuers check the site of Israeli bombardment on a residential building in Gaza City's Shujaiyya neighbourhood on April 9. Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images
minute video, almost certainly filmed under duress, is the second proofof-life video of Alexander since the war began 18 monthsago.
However, Hamas' military wing, the AlQassam Brigades, claimed on Tuesday that they have lost contact with the militants holdingAlexander, after they said the Israeli militarybombedthelocation where Alexander was being held.
C N N c a n n o t independently verify the claim.
T h e m i l i t a n t organization did not say when or where the strike happened.
The Israeli military and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum did not immediately respond to requestsforcomment.
TheAl-QassamBrigades previouslyliedaboutthefate of at least one hostage. In November, the group claimed that an Israeli woman it was holding hostagehadbeenkilledinan Israelibombingandreleased a photo of her body wrapped in a red-stained white sheet.
A tattoo identified the woman as Daniella Gilboa, anIsraelisoldier Gilboawas released by Hamas alive in January
The Hamas official speaking about the Israeli proposal said that a further nine Israeli hostages would be released in two stages in exchangefor120Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and more than 1,100 detainees held without charge since October 7, 2023,theofficialadded.
Israel's proposal also demandsthatHamasprovide information about the
remaining living Israeli hostages held by the group, “inexchangeforinformation about the Palestinian detainees,”andthereleaseof the bodies of 16 deceased Israeli hostages in exchange for the remains of 160 deceased Palestinians held byIsrael.
T h e “ t e m p o r a r y ceasefire lasting 45 days” would also include the cessation of military operations and the entry of aid into Gaza as well as “an agreed mechanism to ensure that aid reaches only civilians,” the Hamas officialsaid.
The proposal would also include the entry of equipment necessary for sheltering Palestinians displacedinGaza.
A Hamas delegation met with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo over the weekend Israel has not publicly acknowledged whether it sent a team to the negotiations.
Since early March, Israel has cut Gaza off from the supply of humanitarian aid including food, with aid agencies warning that the situation for the strip's 2 million civilians has deteriorated dangerously, only worsened by intensive Israelimilitaryoperations.
Chinese small businesses brought to a standstill by Trump's tariffs
factory,"saysMrXu. Nearby, Amy is helping to sell ice cream makers at herboothfortheGuangdong Sailing Trade Company Her key buyers, including Walmart,arealsointheUS.
"We have stopped production already," she says. "All the products are in the warehouse." It was the same story at nearly every booth in the sprawling
Canton Fair in the trading hubofGuangzhou.
When the BBC speaks to Mr Xu, he is getting ready to take some Australian buyers to lunch. They have come looking for a bargain and hopetodrivedowntheprice.
"We will see," he says about the tariffs. He believes Trumpwillbackdown.
"Maybe it will get better in one or two months
Maybe,maybe,"MrXuadds withhisfingerscrossed.
Last week, President Trump temporarily paused the vast majority of tariffs after global stock markets tumbled, and a sell-off in the USbondmarket.
But he kept the import levies targeted at Chinese goods being shipped to the US. Beijing responded by imposing its own 125% leviesonAmericanimports.
This has bewildered traders from more than 30,000 businesses who have come to the annual fair to show off their goods in several exhibition halls the sizeof200footballpitches.
In the homeware section, firms displayed everything from washing machines to tumble dryers, electric toothbrushes to juicers and waffle makers. Buyers come fromallovertheworldtosee the products for themselves andmakeadeal.
But the cost of a food mixer or a vacuum cleaner from China with the added tariffs are now too high for mostAmerican firms to pass on the cost to their customers.
The world's two largest economies have hit an impasse and Chinese goods meantforUShouseholdsare pilinguponfactoryfloors.
A d d i n g t o t h e uncertainty is President Trump,whoisknownforhis brinkmanship He has continued to push Beijing and China has refused to backdown.
However, it has said it will not add any more to the current 125% tariff rate on US goods They could retaliateinotherways–butit offers the two sides some breathing room from a week that sparked an economic war
There is reportedly little contact betweenWashington
and Beijing and neither side appearswillingtoheadtothe negotiating table any time soon.
In the meantime, some companiesattheCantonFair are using the event to try to findnewmarkets.
Amyhopeshericecream makers will head in a new direction. "We hope to open the new European market. Maybe SaudiArabia - and of courseRussia,"sheadds.
Others believe there is still money to be made in China. Among them is Mei Kunyan, 40, who says he is earning around 10,000 yuan a month at his shoe firm which sells to Chinese customers.Manymajorshoe manufacturers have moved to Vietnam where labour costsarecheaper
Mr Mei has also realised something that businesses around him are now discovering: "The Americas aretootricky
Lionel Xu says he and other staff at Sorbo Technology are worried about what happens if Trump does not lift the tariffs on China
Fraser hit a smooth 61 off 57 with 10 fours to lead Berbiceto149-3offtheir20overs.DanielaHicksfinished on30notoutwithTieaIssacschippinginwith19.
Only Rebekah Cleto (2-30) and Shanaya McKay (122) did some damage for Demerara, who were strangely restrictedto67-5bythetime20oversexpired.
NotmuchcamefromthebattingexceptforMahadevi Dass who toiled for her 51-ball 19 (2x4), as Danielle MannsstartedforBerbicewith2-7.
Danielle Manns starred with 2 wickets yesterday.
Guyana Rainforest Rangers to bowl...
Frompage30
the Brian Lara Cricket
Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad.
Each team is affiliated with a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise, with accredited players and upcoming stars having their time ahead of Summer’s biggestevent,togetatasteof this new tournament, which is expected to serve as a preludetothe2025CPL.
Thefullsquads areasfollows: Guyana
RainforestRangers: Nial Smith, Kemol
Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd,
Wednesday April 16, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
If you had to score your life rightnow,itwouldhavetobe a perfect ten. You look great, yourcareerisgoingwell,and your domestic life is harmonious. Could there be anythingmoretolife?
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
You have a lot to celebrate, especiallywhereyourlovelife is concerned. Today you may receive a communication from your loved one that makes you yearn for this person'scompany
GEMINI(May21–June20)
There's a lot of work to be done today, and much of it centers on finances. Whether you're working on budgets or investments, you will easily finish the task. Your trusty computerwillhelpyouasyou discover a new website that supportsyourefforts.
CANCER(June21–July22)
You may be privy to some information today that will ultimately result in financial gain. You may get wind of a new company and be one of thefirstinvestors.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Expect to receive some great newstoday,Leo.Answeryour phoneandcheckemailallday, becauseyouneverknowwhen it will come Indications suggest that success in all aspectsofyourlifeiscoming.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Your optimistic nature has served you well. This makes youagreatmanagersinceyou can motivate and inspire coworkers. Today you may be recognizedforyourleadership abilitiesandcan-doattitude.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Youwokeupfeelinghappyand enthusiastic, Libra. Your intuitiontellsyouthatyouwill achieve whatever you set your mindto.Whateveryourgoalscareer,education,orpersonalyou'reboundtosucceed.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)
Whetheryouspendtodaywith yourfeetonthegroundorinan airplane, you're eager and enthusiastic about your life direction.Ifyouaren'tonyour waytoadistantland,it'slikely thatyouwillbeairbornesoon.
SAGITTARIUS(Nov22–Dec21)
Success and good fortune are stronglyindicatedtoday, along with a sense of optimism All sorts of changes and surprises lie in store for you. You may receive information from a business partner that radically changesyourshort-termplans.
CAPRICORN(Dec22–Jan19)
Moneymattersarehighlighted today, Capricorn You can expect to spend a lot of time with the calculator as you balance your checkbook or begintoworkonyourbudget.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
An unexpected financial windfallcouldcomeyourway today You may stand there with an open envelope in your hand,unabletospeak.Whether it'sanunanticipatedbonus,gift, or surprising stock dividend, investthemoneywisely
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Even though you're slaving awayatwork,yourmindisvery much on romance Passion is running high, especially yours, Ifyoualreadyhavearomantic partner, why not plan an intimateeveningtogether?
Mahabirsingh, Johann Jeremiah, Kyron Phillips, Keon Gaston, Noelle Leo, LeeJohn.(CliftonRoss)
GCB expresses condolence on the passing of former WI and Guyana cricketer Milton Pydana
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is saddened on receiving the news of the passing of Milton Robert Pydana, former WestIndiesandGuyanacricketer Pydana, born in New Amsterdam in January1950,wasanexcellentwicketkeeper batsman whose first-class cricket career
spannedtheyears1970to1988duringwhich timeheplayed85matches.Healsoplayed27 List‘A’matchesincludingthree(3)ODI’sfor WestIndies.Ofhis3ODI’s,twowereplayed against Pakistan in 1980 and one against India in 1983. After migrating to the USA, Pydana was made one of the two assistant
cricketcoachesoftheirnationalteamin2014.
Pydana found it difficult to break into the greatWest IndiesTest team of the 1970’s and 1980’s because of the presence of outstanding first-choice wicketkeepers Deryck Murray, Michael Finlay andJeffreyDujon.Inhislengthy cricketcareer,hewasamainstay in the Police first-division team, the Berbice inter-county team and theGuyananationalteam.
In March 2024, Milton Pydana was one
ofthecelebratedguestsatthereunionofthe 1983 Guyana team that, for the first time, won both the regional fourday tournament (Shell Shield Trophy) and the one-day tournament (Harrison Line Cup) under the captaincy of ourillustriousCliveLloyd. The GCB extends sympathy to the family, relatives and friends of Milton RobertPydana. MayHisSoulRestInPeace.
Deitz eyes strong finish, hopes for miracle as Windies Women’s World Cup dreams fade
SportsMax-AstheWest Indies Women’s hopes of qualifying for the 2025 ICC Women’sCricketWorldCup hang by the thinnest of threads, head coach Shane Deitz says the team is now playingforprideandpraying foramiracle.
Deitz admitted the regional side had
underperformed and disappointed fans across the Caribbean as he spoke candidly after Monday’s 65run defeat to hosts Pakistan in their third match of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers. The result, their second loss of the tournament following a shock defeat to Scotland in their opener, leaves West Indies languishing in fourth place with just two points and two must-win games remaining.
“Obviously, now we have to recover We’ve got twobiggamestocome;train well over the next few days and come out fighting hard. Cricket is a funny game; anything can happen. But rightnow,we’rejustfocused on finishing well, playing some really good cricket, and giving our fans something to cheer about,” Deitzsaid.
Pakistanpostedamodest 191onMonday,buttheWest Indies, plagued by another
batting collapse, were dismissed for 126. Aaliyah Alleyne (22), Shabika Gajnabi (21), and Jannillea Glasgow (18) offered brief resistance, but no partnerships of substance materialized, once again exposing the team’s frailties inthemiddleorder
Pakistan now lead the standings with six points, followedbyBangladeshand Scotland on four each. Only the top two teams will earn automatic berths to the WorldCupinIndialaterthis year
Assuch,theWestIndies, with matches remaining against Bangladesh (Wednesday) and Thailand, need a miracle and favourableresultselsewhere tostayalive.
Despite the bleak outlook, Deitz is by no meansthrowinginthetowel justyet.
“We’ve let ourselves down,andwe’veletthefans i n t h e C a r i b b e a n down that’s really disappointing But we’re goingtofightback.Theonly way to do that is to regroup, trainhard,andsticktogether as a team. Hopefully a few things go our way, and something special happens. A miracle maybe, but right now,wejustneedtofocuson playing better ODI cricket,”
hedeclared.
Deitz was quick to point out that West Indies’current position is the result of deeperissuesthatpredatethe tournament.
“We’reinthispositionat this tournament because we haven’t played good cricket over this last cycle of ODI cricketforaboutthreeorfour years. And that’s something we’ve got to really improve on and look at and review afterthisandbebettergoing into the next cycle of the championship for the next World Cup,” the Australian stated.
Still,thecoachfoundone silver lining from Monday’s performance, which was the team’s improved showing in thefield.
The bowlers, led by Captain Hayley Matthews (2-30), Afy Fletcher (2-39), and Karishma Ramharack (2-55), held Pakistan to a chaseable total on a sweltering 40-degree day Ashmini Munisar, who has spent much of the past year on the bench, also stood out forDeitz,asshereturnedtidy figuresof1-29.
“We talked about being more resilient in the field, and the girls delivered ObviouslyAshminiMunisar hasn’t played much cricket. She’s been running drinks foraboutayearwithus,and
Concacaf opposes 64-team World Cup plans for 2030
BBC Sport - Concacaf presidentVictor Montagliani has criticised a proposal to expand the 2030 men’s World Cup to 64 teams.
The plans, put forward by South American governing body Conmebol, have also drawn opposition from Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin and the Asian Football Confederation(AFC).
ThetournamentwillbehostedbySpain, Morocco and Portugal, after the opening matchesareheldinArgentina,Paraguayand Uruguay The 2026 World Cup, which will takeplaceacrosstheUnitedStates,Mexico and Canada, has already been expanded from32to48teams.
ButConmebolsaiditwantedtoaddmore participants to mark the competition’s 100yearanniversary
“I don’t believe expanding the men’s WorldCupto64teamsistherightmovefor the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues, and players,” MontaglianitoldESPN.,external
she bowled brilliantly. So it shows our skill levels there. Butwejustgottobesmarter in different periods of the game, read the game better,
havebetterplans,andbeable to do that for longer,” Deitz noted. TheWestIndieswillface Bangladesh next in a fixture
thatcoulddeterminethefate of their World Cup campaign. The match is set for 11:30 p.m. Jamaica time today,Wednesday
Concacaf is the governing body of footballinNorthAmerica,CentralAmerica andtheCaribbean.
The decision to expand the 2026 World Cupto48teamswastakenin2017following aunanimousvoteataFifacongress.
Fifa’s 75th congress will be held in Paraguay on 15 May, when Conmebol’s proposalcouldbediscussed.
If the proposal is accepted, the 2030 edition would consist of 128 matches, double the number played under the 64gameformatusedfrom1998and2022.
Withjustafewdaysleftuntilthehighly anticipatedstarttoInauguralBreakoutT20 LeaguehostedinTrinidad&Tobago,local franchise the Guyana Rainforest Rangers will commence their encampment phase fromApril16.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), with the franchise entering their training camp ahead of the Regional T20 tournament.
tomorrow
Playerswillundergosomenetsessions andtwokeymatchsimulationsbowlingoff from 17:00h at the Guyana National StadiumonApril17and19.
In between the young stars will have twooffdaystounwind,withthelastbeing thedaypriortotheirdepartureforTrinidad &Tobago,whichissetforApril22.
The Rangers will see decorated national senior and a few youth players in Kemol Savory, Kevin Sinclair, Quentin
...two match simulations set for April 17 & 19 at Providence
Sampson, Kevlon Anderson, Riyad Latif, Zeynul Ramsammy among other top Guyanaplayerslookingtobringhomethe inauguralchampionship.
Six franchises will face off in the inaugural Breakout T20 League which is designedtoshowcasetheCaribbean’snext generationofcricketers.
ActiongetsunderwayfromApril25to May10,withall17matchesbeinghostedat Continued on page 25
Riyad Latiff
2025 CWI Rising Stars Regional Under-15 Championship Round 1 Guyana vs. Trinidad and Tobago
Ramdheol fifty leads Guyana to 6-wicket win
Captain Richard Ramdehol crafted a match-winning half-century to lift Guyana past Trinidad & Tobagoby6wicketswhentheopeninground of the 2025 CWI Rising Stars Regional Under-15 Championship bowled off yesterday
Guyana’s diverse bowling attack yielded success as Brandon Henry (2-18), Jathneil Nurse (2-18), Reyaz Latif (2-31), Rafeal McKenzie (2-26) and Patrice Fraser (2-47) had brilliant spells, which kept Trinidad to 168alloutin48.4overs.
Opener Jordan Julien grinded for his 53
12 teams contest successful GMMAKA 4th Annual Epic Clash Martial Arts Championship
The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association held its Fourth Annual Epic Clash Martial Arts Championship last SundayattheGuyanaNationalGymnasium. With more than 12 participating teams, students left with great success and worthy accomplishments.
Upon the completion of the event, Mr ZafarRamnarinesecuredfirstpositioninthe Traditional Kata Advance Grand Championship and Ms Somaya Khan securing first position in the beginner to Intermediate Traditional Kata Grand Championship. Master Lloyd Ramnarine applauded every participating student and congratulated them for their performance wheretheyexcelledattheevent.
The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate
Association would like to extend special thankstoitssponsortheSmaltaCompanyfor theirsignificantcontribution.
Their next event will be in New Jersey Atlantic City on the 24th and 25th of May 2025. That will be followed by the Trinidad NationalsinthemonthofJulyandSuriname Karate Championship in the month of August.
The team will comprise of 15 members and the association will seek financial assistance from Government and any other private sector entity who are willing to financiallysponsorthem. Anyoneinterested insponsoringtheirteamorjoininganyofour branches feel free to contact the association on 698-6727, 689-9288, 681-1701 or 6987456.
off 99 with just three fours and a six, while his partner at the top, David Guerra (32) with 12 runs apiece from Ethan Ramcharan and Samuel Stuart, doing just enough to help the Trinidadians cross the 150-run mark
TheGuyaneseinreplyendedhandsomely on 171-4 off 41.5 overs after Ramdheol carriedtheinningswithhis64notoutoff88 deliverieswith8fours.
Henryreturnedtoscore39notoutwith2 fours,whileopenerJustinDowlinsetthetone with 31. Ramcharan grabbed two wickets as
the most successful bowler for Trinidad and Tobago
Guyana got off to a good start before losing Lomar Seecharran (21), followed by twoquicktoporderwickets,whichleftthem 48-3beforethelikesofRamdheolandHenry finishedthejobwithease.
Windward Islands beat the Leeward Islands by 8 wickets, while Barbados hammered Jamaica by a 9-wicket deficit, as partofRound1’saction.
The Guyanese will play Jamaica on Thursdayinthenextround.(CliftonRoss)
A tribute to Milton Robert Pydana aka ‘Golden Gloves Man’
Pydana is a former Berbice and Guyana Captain who first represented the Golden Arrowhead as Milton Primo at the 1969 Bat Youth Championship in Trinidad and Tobago,underthecaptaincyofthelate,Keith Aaron. He made a spectacular debut against thetwinisland,takingfive(5)catchesbehind thestumps.Twoyearslater,Pydanamadehis senior regional first-class debut against
Barbados at the mecca, Kensington Oval in 1971. Pydana played an integral role in the Police team’s dominance of first division cricketintheearlyseventies.
After becoming a regular in the Guyana teamfrom1975,hescoredhisfirst,firstclass centuryforBerbiceagainstDemerarain1978 at the GCC Ground, Bourda in the Inter Countyfinal.Ageniusbehindthestumps,he alsotookfivecatchesintheDemerarasecond innings, a feat still unmatched in First Class cricketbyaGuyanesewicketkeeper
PydanacaughttheeyesoftheWestIndies selectorsafteraconsistent1980ShellShield championship.Hewouldalwaystalkaboutis 117 versus Jamaica at Jarret Park that saved
27 January 1950 – 15 April 2025
Guyanafromanoutrightdefeat.
That Jamaica team included the likes of Michael Holding So impressed with Pydana’s efficiency behind the stumps in 1980,theWestIndiesselectorschoosehimas the late David Murray’s under study for 1980/81TourofPakistan.Hefeaturedintwo OneDayInternationalsonthattour
After helping Guyana win the double S
Championships in 1983, Pydana was the West Indies standby wicketkeeper for the 1983 ICC World Cup in England. Later that year,hetouredIndiawiththeSirCliveLloyd ledWestIndiesteamasJeffreyDujon’sunder study and played a single One Day Internationalagainstthehost.
NootherGuyanesewicketkeeperhasever featuredfortheWestIndiesinanODItodate. His proudest moment representing Guyana was1985asCaptainandledtheLandofthe majestic Kaieteur to the Geddes Grant Harrison line Championship, defeating Jamaica in the final at the GCC Ground, Bourda.
Former West Indies player, Carl Hooper
startedunderthecaptaincyandmentorshipof the late Milton Pydana in the 1985 Shell Shield and Geddes Grant Harrison Line Championship. Hooper scored his first, first class century, 128 against Barbados at the Mecca,KensingtonOvalin1985. He is the only wicketkeeper to lead Guyana to a Regional One Day Championship. Pydana also played firstdivision cricket in Georgetown for GCC in 1980andtheGDF Thishumblebutgreatson ofthesoilplayedhislastRegionalFirst-Class match for Guyana against the Leeward Islands at the Antigua Recreation ground in St.John’sinthe1988RedStripeCup. His daughter, Marcia, represented Guyana at the Caricom Basketball Championships in Trinidad and Tobago in 1986andinGuyanain1988.Shealsotoured Barbadosin1985.
Sleep on champ, you could not be called the finest if you did not pass through the hottest fire.Aposthumous Medal of Service is more than deserving for this icon and player who gave 17-years to theWest Indies andGuyanateams,combined.
Covent Garden Secondary Secondar boys on course for Reg. 4 Jagan Memorial title
Results in the MCYS NSC A. Munroe organized 10th Edition
Janet & Cheddi Jagan memorial SchoolsWindballCricketplayedat the National Gymnasium Region 4 saw Covent Garden Secondary settingthemselvesupformoretitle glory
The only school to win ten Windballtitlesin the history of the sportplayedinschoolssinceinthe 90s, Covent Garden Secondary, willonceagainbelookingtoaddto that list after they defeated Friendship Secondary in the East BankDemerarazonesemifinaland Camille’sAcademyinthefinal.
In the Cheddi Jagan Memorial Boyscompetition,afterwinningthe tossCoventGardenbattedfirstand scored 103-0, with Tarrick Ramoutar40andAltofRahim45. FriendshipSecondaryinreplied were restricted to 95-2 when the overs expired with Ravin Singh 35
and Tyrone Nichlos 34 not out beingtheprincipalscorers.
Covent Garden batted first and made118-0withT Ramotar65(6s x6)andA.Rahim49.
Camille’s Academy 90-5, Yuvraj Bhagwandin hit 43 and DarwinLaRose25.T Ramotar,A. Rohan&N.Rameachpickupone wicket.
In the Janet Jagan memorial GirlsEBDSemi:
Covent Garden Secondary won the toss and invited Yarrowkabra Secondary to take first strike and after the five overs they scored 901, Viannel Jandoo hit 45 and LuannaWilliams34.
Covent Garden in reply were restrictedto86-1,UoydaFamay24, Kayla Permaul 16, Deuyani Singh 12.OverinRegion6,BerbiceHigh School boys and Lower Corentyne Secondary girls are the champions respectively
