Arrests for gold smugglers loom as intelligence operations intensify –Jagdeo warns Impounded motorcycle snatched from Police outpost
‘Culturallyinsensitive’ textbook to be withdrawn, reviewed & reprinted – MoE
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 21 – 21:30h-23:00h and Friday, March 22 – 22:30h-00:00h. Vessel owners are reminded that transit through the Demerara Harbour Bridge is not possible from 04:00h on Thursday, March 20, 2025 to 04:00h on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 21 – 07:35h-09:05h and Friday, March 22 – 09:00h-10:30h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Sunny conditions are expected during the day, with light to thundery showers in the morning and afternoon. Clear to partly cloudy skies followed by thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.58 metres and 5.81 metres.
High Tide: 08:22h and 21:02h reaching maximum heights of 2.32 metres and 2.13 metres.
Low Tide: 14:31h reaching a minimum height of 0.92 metre.
Border controversy Any physical aggression by Venezuela will be “dealt with appropriately” – VP
The Guyana
Government has assured the public that it is working every day to ensure the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are not undermined by Venezuelan forces.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo gave this assurance during his weekly press conference on Thursday, where he declared that, “… Those matters relating to the Venezuelan aggression against our country and their threat to our territorial integrity and sovereignty are receiving the attention of the entire government, at the highest level, at the presidential level, on a daily basis.
“And we’re working with a number of partners around the world to ensure that any Venezuelan aggression that manifests itself in a physical form would be dealt with appropriately,” Jagdeo added.
Only three weeks ago, a Venezuelan naval vessel had entered Guyana’s waters – an act that was widely condemned by the Guyana Government, local stakeholders as well as regional and international leaders and bodies.
Asked about steps being taken as a preemptive response to Venezuelan troops in Guyana’s territory, VP Jagdeo made it clear that the Guyana Government could not conduct diplomacy in the public domain.
“You can’t conduct diplomacy in the public on sensitive matters, especially the border issue. That is why the Leader of the Opposition [Aubrey Norton] was briefed,” Jagdeo stated in reference to President Dr Irfaan Ali’s in-person meeting with the Opposition Leader on March 1, 2025 after the Venezuelan naval vessel’s incursion into Guyana’s waters.
According to the Vice President during Thursday’s press conference, “…if I were to go and say, this is our specific plan to counter Venezuela arriving here [and] this is what the army is doing, it would be extremely stupid of me to do that… and I wouldn’t want to telegraph that to the Venezuelans.”
At approximately 07:00h on Saturday, March 1, 2025, a Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel, identified as ABV Guaiquerí PO-11 (IMO 4695542), entered Guyana’s waters and approached a
tanker near the Prosperity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel that is operating in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.
Located within Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which the Nicolás Maduro-led Venezuelan regime is laying claim to, the oil-rich Stabroek Block is operated by United States oil major ExxonMobil, which has discovered over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) and is currently conducting production and exploration activities.
During its incursion, the Venezuelan naval vessel communicated threateningly via radio that Prosperity was operating in Venezuela’s EEZ, before continuing in a south-westerly direction towards other FPSOs in Guyana’s waters, to which it delivered the same message.
Following the incursion, the Guyana Government activated a series of responses, including the deployment of military resources offshore, engaging the international community and sending a formal protest note to Caracas.
Based on reports coming out of Caracas, Maduro has recently called for a face-toface meeting with President Ali over the heightened tensions between the two South American countries – something which the Guyana Government has already shut down in the face of Venezuela’s blatant disregard of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In fact, President Ali told reporters last weekend that he would not have any discussions with Venezuela when it is blatantly disregarding
the Argyle Declaration – a December 2023 peace pact signed by the Guyanese and Venezuelan Presidents.
Moreover, the Guyanese Head of State has also informed regional leaders, including the Argyle Interlocutor, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, of this position.
On Tuesday, PM Gonsalves travelled to Caracas to meet with Maduro over the latter’s continued acts of provocation against Guyana. It was further indicated via a statement issued by the St Vincent Government on Tuesday, that PM Gonsalves also spoke to President Ali on Monday, presumably via phone, to urge calm and restraint.
Meanwhile, Guyana has also written the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking to block attempts by the Maduro-led Venezuelan regime to hold elections in the Essequibo region – twothirds of Guyana’s landmass which the Spanish-speaking nation is claiming.
Earlier this week, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh
Todd told Guyana Times that the ICJ has already given Venezuela until the end of March to respond concerning its plans to hold elections in Guyana’s Essequibo region on May 25, 2025.
The Guyanese Government informed the World Court, which is currently hearing a case to settle the decades-long Venezuelan border controversy, that such actions by Venezuela “flagrantly violate” the provisional measures issued by the court in December 2023.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has already made it clear that any Guyanese found supporting efforts by the Maduro regime to appoint a governor and other leaders in Guyana’s Essequibo region will be charged with treason – something which VP Jagdeo reaffirmed during Thursday’s press conference.
“These antics by the Venezuelan Government… you have to treat it seriously and that is why we took it to the ICJ. We approached the ICJ on the matter of their elections [and] our partners are fully briefed, etc. … And Robeson Benn already made it clear – it’s a treason act. Any Guyanese who allows himself to be appointed Governor of Essequibo that includes our territory…it’s a treasonous act,” Jagdeo contended.
Only last month, six members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) came under attack by Venezuelan men on the border. The February 17 attack left the six troopers with gunshot wounds. Initial reports had indicated that some of the Venezuelan men died, after the soldiers returned fire.
The commissioning of the Beterverwagting Practical Instruction Centre (PIC) on Thursday represents an essential moment in Guyana's educational and vocational landscape. This $225 million project opens doors to countless opportunities for youth across the nation. With a capacity to serve approximately 400 students, this institution is poised to play a transformative role in the lives of its beneficiaries, equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly-evolving job market.
The Beterverwagting PIC offers an extensive range of vocational programmes that align with Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) areas. These programmes – including Crop Production, Commercial Food Preparation, Housekeeping, Garment Production, General Construction/Furniture Making, Plumbing, and Masonry – cater to a wide array of students, particularly those seeking specialised skill sets to enhance their employability. The inclusion of evening classes ensures that working adults can also access these life-changing programmes, allowing them to balance their professional responsibilities with their educational aspirations.
The benefits of such a facility cannot be overstated. Guyana, like many developing nations, faces the challenge of equipping its youth with the technical skills required to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive job market. For too long, access to vocational training has been limited, with many students forced to either pursue academic routes that may not suit their interests or forgo skills-based education altogether. The Beterverwagting PIC changes this dynamic by providing a tangible pathway for young people to develop critical skills that will set them apart in the workforce.
In her address at the commissioning event, Education Minister Priya Manickchand highlighted the significance of the Beterverwagting PIC as part of a broader vision for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Guyana. Her remarks shed light on the unfortunate delays caused by changes in government leadership, which prevented the timely completion of this vital project. While the PPP Government had secured funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) as far back as 2013, the subsequent APNU-led administration failed to advance the project, resulting in a decade-long delay. This missed opportunity is all the more frustrating considering that, in 2013, the PPP Government had no knowledge of the country's oil wealth and yet still prioritised youth skills development as a critical component of Guyana's future success.
However, despite the setbacks, the commissioning of the Beterverwagting PIC signals the realisation of a long-awaited vision. Minister Manickchand expressed her belief in the transformative potential of vocational education, urging students to approach their studies with passion and dedication. "This country has opportunities like you would never be able to dream of for people who are skilled," she told the students. Her message was clear: success is within reach for those who choose to invest in developing their skills, and the Beterverwagting PIC is a vehicle for unlocking those opportunities.
Moreover, the Beterverwagting PIC is not only about equipping students with vocational skills; it is also about creating a broader culture of lifelong learning and professional development. The upcoming launch of the Ministry of Education's new TVET policy for the next decade, as outlined by Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain, underscores the commitment to ensuring that technical education is not only accessible but also relevant and of the highest quality. This long-term policy vision will guide the evolution of TVET institutions across the country, ensuring that they continue to meet the needs of a changing workforce and an evolving economy.
The emphasis on evening classes is particularly noteworthy. By offering programmes designed for individuals who are already employed, the Beterverwagting PIC makes vocational training more accessible to a wider demographic, including working adults, women, and marginalised groups. This flexible approach will enable those who wish to enhance their skills while maintaining their current employment to do so without the need to sacrifice their livelihood. It is a model that recognises the diverse needs of the population and provides solutions tailored to meet those needs.
The Beterverwagting PIC represents an investment in the future of Guyana's youth, offering them the chance to build careers in high-demand industries and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the nation's growth and development. As the country continues to experience economic transformation, particularly with the burgeoning oil sector, it is essential that the workforce is equipped with the skills necessary to capitalise on the opportunities that arise. The Beterverwagting PIC is a crucial step in this direction, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.
The Department of Education Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) opened its Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) fair on Thursday at the Woodley Park Primary School, engaging schools at all levels across the region.
For Palestinians, this was never a ceasefire
By Dalia Hatuqa
In less than 24 hours, heavy Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip has killed more than 400 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities, marking the end of a ceasefire that was announced in name only between Hamas and Israel on January 15 and took effect four days later. Even after months of negotiations led by the US, Qatar and Egypt, those observing Palestinian-Israeli affairs knew the ceasefire never really meant Israel ceased its fire on the besieged coastal territory.
Between January 22 and March 11, at least 700 Palestinians were either killed by the Israeli military or their bodies were retrieved from areas medics could not previously access, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza as reported by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In the past two months, Israel has also reneged on the terms of the truce, refusing to allow tents and trailers for people to seek shelter from the freezing cold that led to the death of several people, mainly babies, health officials say.
The ceasefire also stipulated that Israel would
allow heavy machinery to enter Gaza to begin the process of removing the rubble. It did not do so, and the United Nations says it will take 350 years to clear the destroyed homes and infrastructure and begin rebuilding if Israel does not lift the current blockade.
Another stipulation – a rather important and urgent one – was allowing more aid to flow into Gaza. Although more trucks did enter during the initial phase of the agreement, Israeli authorities made it impossible for aid groups to make a dent in the dire humanitarian situation. On March 2, hours after the first phase of its ceasefire deal expired, Israel blocked the entry of all aid shipments to Gaza, while simultaneously carrying out drone attacks, according to a BBC report. Even before Israel made this decision, it had already been systematically restricting the entry of everything from scalpels and scissors to generators, toys and spices. But with the complete halt of food, fuel and other necessities, humanitarian organisations feared Gaza was “facing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity”, according to a UN report, with Médecins Sans
Frontières accusing Israel of using aid as a “bargaining chip” with which to negotiate.
The so-called truce was a political manoeuvre, a pause that allowed Israel to reset the clock on its war while maintaining the core elements of its siege and occupation. Israel continued its war on Gaza through an ongoing choking blockade, aerial attacks, and the killing and abuse of Palestinian prisoners. In the West Bank, a parallel war rages on, with Israeli forces raiding Palestinian homes, carrying out assassinations and detaining people in the thousands.
This is a pattern we have seen before: an overwhelming Israeli assault, a mounting civilian death toll, global outrage leading to calls for a ceasefire, and then a brief de-escalation. But during that time, Israel fortifies its military positions, re-arms, and sets the stage for the next round of violence. For instance, in 2008-09’s Operation Cast Lead, and after a six-month ceasefire, Israel launched a devastating 23-day assault on Gaza, claiming Hamas had violated the truce. However, reports indicated that Israel had planned the attack months in ad -
vance, using the ceasefire to prepare militarily. Israel often agrees to ceasefires when international scrutiny mounts. By doing so, it presents itself as the reasonable party while shifting blame on to Palestinians when violence resumes. By engaging in ceasefire talks without addressing occupation and the siege, Israel ensures that the status quo remains unchanged, preventing any long-term resolution. A real ceasefire would require an end to Israel’s ongoing occupation and the suffocating siege on Gaza – not just a temporary pause in violence. Until then, any socalled truce remains an illusion. What Gaza needs is not another fleeting truce, but a fundamental shift in international policy – one that stops treating Israel’s actions as above reproach and starts holding it accountable for its violations of human rights and international law. Anything less will ensure that this cycle of violence continues, with devastating consequences for the people of Gaza and the Palestinian people overall. (Al Jazeera) (Dalia Hatuqa is an independent Journalist specialising in PalestinianIsraeli affairs)
ERC should get its act together ASAP
Dear Editor, I take this opportunity to respond to an article that was published on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 under the title “ERC clarifies misinformation about delegation to UN Forum”.
I think the article is misleading in its attempt to justify the objectionable actions of a few persons in the ERC. I also reject the attempt to castigate the African organisations by labelling their efforts to address legitimate concerns as “an attempt to smear the name of the Commission and cause division between the various ethnic groups in our country”.
To begin, the letter that was sent to the media and published on March 11, 2025 was not endorsed by any Commissioner on the board of the ERC. On March 5, the CEO of the
ERC, Ms Gomin Camacho, sent a draft of the letter to the whatsapp group of the Commissioners for no objection. The Commissioners refused to pronounce on the draft letter, and after five days, Ms. Camacho, either on her own accord or under the influence of an external entity, decided to send the letter to the media. This was the latest in a series of similar actions where letters were sent to the media without a no-objection from the board.
Moving on to the issues raised in the letter. The main perceived intent of the CEO’s letter was to support her contention that the African organisations should not object to the ERC sending non-Africans to represent African Guyanese concerns at an international African forum, because there were no ob-
jections by the ERC’s board of commissioners on two occasions; namely, in 2024 with Commissioner Neaz Subhan and now in 2025 with Commissioner Ashton Simon.
This is utterly false. There were discussions and objections among the commissioners in both 2024 and 2025 on the particular point of contention, because objections were raised by the African Guyanese community since 2023, when the Chairman of the ERC, Commissioner Moen ul Hack, was chosen, not by the ERC, as one of the two representatives from the ERC that would form part of a larger government delegation to the 2nd UN Permanent Forum held in New York. This was the only time that there were no heated discussions by the board of commissioners
about who should represent the ERC at the forum, because we did not have the money to send anyone on our own. We were informed by the Chairman how many representatives from the ERC the Government was willing to fund, and who they would be.
The fact that objections were raised since 2023 and the ERC subsequently repeated its actions in 2024 and 2025 can be seen as provocative, and portrays a certain level of insensitivity and contempt on the part of some in the ERC for the concerns of one of the major racial groups in this country, the African Guyanese community. Apart from the CEO’s letter, which accuses the African representative organizations of attempting to cause division among the various ethnic groups in our country because they have
expressed publicly legitimate concerns - which they have a right to do under the mandate of the ERC - I will add two more examples to prove my point.
Last year, during the national discussion of the use of the word “Negro” by the State, the commissioners of the ERC took a unanimous statutory decision to hold a consultation with the representatives of the African Guyanese community on a consensus nomenclature to replace the word “Negro”. To date, the CEO has not made any move to implement the decision of the commissioners. In addition to this, last year one of our senior staff resigned, citing, among other things, overwhelming racial discrimination against African Guyanese by her department in executing its work. The commissioners, to date,
have not seen the report of her exit interview.
This is just the tip of the iceberg; however, I’m hoping that it is enough to encourage the commissioners to take back the ERC, put aside partisan political interests, and remember the oath that we took to bear true faith and allegiance to the People of Guyana.
There is the perception that there is increasing social tension in an environment of racial, ethnic and political polarisation that is unprecedented in post-independence Guyana. We are heading towards a precipice, and the ERC has a critical role to play in ensuring we do not go over the edge. It is imperative that we get our act together soonest.
Sincerely,
Ras Khafra ERC Commissioner
The ERC vehemently dismisses false claims by Commissioner Ras Khafra
Dear Editor,
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) hereby responds to the statement issued by Commissioner Deon Dick (aka Ras Khafra) on March 19, 2025, in which that Commissioner attempted to spread several pieces of misinformation about the Commission.
Decision on previous press statement
Firstly, the statement issued by the Ethnic Relations Commission on March 11, 2025, in response to a letter published in Stabroek News, benefitted from the approval of the majority of Commissioners, which is required for decisions to proceed. Commissioners who endorsed that press statement included Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack, Deputy Chairman Charles Ogle, and Commissioners Neaz Subhan, Ashton Simon, Dwayne Adams, Chandrowtie Sarran, and Krishn Sharma. Therefore, Commissioner Khafra was grossly inaccurate in claiming that the CEO of the ERC, Ms. Camacho, acted unilaterally in issuing the press statement of March 11, 2025.
ERC’s attendance at the UN IDPAD 2024
The Commission reiterates the facts stated in the previous press statement on the matter. In 2024, a unanimous decision was taken on January 26, 2024, at the ERC’s 8th Statutory Meeting, by the
full Commission, in favour of Commissioners Subhan, Ras Khafra and Simon attending the 3rd UN International Decade for People of African Descent. In addition to Commissioner Ras Khafra being present at that meeting, he is also in possession of the minutes, which reflect no dissenting voices on the Commissioners identified to attend. The Commission refers the public to the image below, of Commissioner Ras Khafra and Commissioner Neaz Subhan at the 3rd UN IDPAD — a picture tells a thousand words — which supports ERC records that clearly indicate that there were no dissenting sentiments from Commissioner Ras Khafra prior to, or during, the attendance of the conference. Only after the African group objected did he feel pressured to now issue a statement to the contrary.
ERC’s position on the use of the term ‘negro’ Further, Commissioner Khafra alleges that the Commission took a decision to engage African groups in the discussion of the term “negro,” but failed to paint the entirety of the matter. The Commission discussed having a consultation with African groups on the term “negro.” However, a definitive decision to proceed was not taken by the full Commission, since Cabinet issued a memo to ensure the removal of the use of the word across all agen -
cies that used the term. The Commission later took a decision to conduct national consultations on the ERC’s ‘Glossary of Derogatory Terms,’ which is being finalized and will benefit from the input of African constituency groups and all other constituency bodies to gather comprehensive feedback on the document. Notably, the draft glossary includes several derogatory words used to describe Guyanese of African descent and all ethnic groups in Guyana, and aims to bring awareness to outlaw the use of the terms included in the glossary. Furthermore, it is the Commission’s view that it would be a piecemeal approach to engage on a single term, rather than addressing all terms affecting African and all other ethnic groups. The Commissioner, therefore, again wrongly accuses the CEO of the ERC of not acting to organize a consultation on the term “negro,” while the full Commission took no such definitive decision. Rather, it was a recommendation from the Investigative SubCommittee, which was later superseded by the Cabinet Memo, to remove the use of the word and the decision for consultation on the glossary. Hence, Commissioner Ras Khafra has attempted to mislead the public on the facts of the matter. Furthermore, the Commission urges Commissioner Ras Khafra to refresh his memory by reviewing the minutes of the 13th and 14th Statutory
Meetings (adopted by him) when the matter was discussed.
Exit Interview with staff
An exit interview for a staff member who resigned was conducted by the Human Resource Sub-Committee of the Commission. Present were Commissioner Adams (Chair of the Sub-Committee), Commissioner Witter, and Commissioner Simon. The Commissioners are in possession of the verbatim transcript of the exit interview, and at no point was there any mention of “overwhelming racial discrimination of African Guyanese by her department,” nor was there any mention of anything remotely similar to racial discrimination being experienced by that staff member or others.
It is clear that Commissioner Ras Khafra attempted to defend himself as a representative of the African constituency; however, he went about it in a very unfortunate manner: by attempting to spread inaccuracies. Further, the CEO/ Secretary Ms. Camacho categorically states that, at all times, she acted on the instruction of the Commission.
The Commission urges all to work together towards the common good of promoting harmony and good relations, rather than investing effort to the contrary.
Signed: Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack
Deputy Chairman Charles Ogle
Commissioner Neaz Subhan
Commissioner Chandrowtie
Sarran
Commissioner Dwayne Adams
Commissioner Krishn Sharma
CEO/Secretary Gomin Camacho
00:00 BBC
03:00 Movie - The Imitation Game (2014)
05:00 Ramadan Day 20 - Quran Recitation
06:00 Cartoons
07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 HGTV
09:00 Stop Suffering 10:00 Food Network
12:00 Indian Movie - Vivah (2006)
15:00 When Calls the Heart S8 E7
16:00 Indian Soaps
18:00 Aljazeera
19:00 The Evening News
20:00 Stop Suffering
20:30 Stand-up Comedy
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2025
17:00 The Young & The Restless
21:00 Indian Movie - Besharam (2013) 23:00 Yellowstone S5 E11
Page Foundation
1. In which of the numbers below does '3' have a place value of 'thousands'?
(A) 258,631 (B) 536,712 (C) 568, 321 (D) 653, 281
2. Which of the numbers below has 6 as one of its factors?
(A) 62 (B) 72
(C) 44 (D) 86
3. The total area of a triangle measuring 7 cm (l), 5cm (b) and 2 cm (h) per side is (A) 35 cm2
(B) 14 cm2
(C) 28 cm2 (D) 32 cm2
4. 2560 rounded to the nearest thousand is (A) 1000 (B) 2000 (C) 3000 (D) 2500
5. The fraction 5/4 is best described as (A) an improper fraction (B) a proper fraction (C) a mixed number (D) a whole number
6. Which square has segments that represent 1/8?
7. If a 1-litre container has 760 millilitres of water, how many more millilitres of water will be needed to fill it?
(A) 240 (B) 140 (C) 190 (D) 200
8.
(a) What is the name given to ABCD?
(b) What is the sum of the interior angles of ABCD?
(c) How many lines of symmetry has ABCD? (d) If AB =12 cm and DC =10 cm, what is the area of ABCD?
By Emily Dickinson
“Hope” is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul— And sings the tune without the words— And never stops—at all— And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard— And sore must be the storm— abash the little Bird That kept so many warm—
I’ve heard it in the chillest land— And on the strangest Sea— Yet, never, in Extremity, It asked a crumb—of Me.
Election fraud trial Defence grills observer on former AG Basil Williams’ role in undermining 2020 polls
The election fraud trial continued on Thursday with American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham)Guyana observer Rosalina Rasul returning to the stand to be further cross examined by the defence, which sought to ascertain the role of former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams in undermining the democratic will of the Guyanese people during the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.
Rasul, who currently heads the Diaspora Unit at the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry but had acted as an observer for AmCham during the 2020 polls and the contentious events that followed, was asked about events she had witnessed during the tabulation process at the Ashmins building, which was used as the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM’s) command centre, where she had testified that then electoral officials had deviated from the process.
Under cross-examination during the morning session at
the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, Rasul mentioned statements were made by Williams – a People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Executive, who was at the time the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister in the then A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) coalition Administration. While these remarks were not revealed in court, Defence
Attorney Eusi Anderson asked the witness whether Williams’s statement implicated him and/ or his party and/or the government in undermining the democratic will of the people of Guyana, to which she responded yes.
The defence counsel further grilled the observer on whether this information was reported. Rasul indicated while she did not make a police report since it was not her place as an observer to do so, this information was related to the prosecution and was also disclosed during the 2020 Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2020 elections.
Anderson then went on to put to the witness, which she accepted, that while the then Attorney General’s words were the same as the actions of former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield and the other defendants, the outcomes are different – that is, Williams is free while Lowenfield and others are facing electoral fraud charges.
Thursday’s hearing continued with Rasul being further grilled by the defence lawyers, including Nigel Hughes,
on amendments to her initial statement during the election CoI.
Attorney Hughes returned in the afternoon session to further question the witness. Earlier this week, Rasul had been questioned by Hughes on her role as an independent and neutral election observer and the events that took place at the Ashmins building.
Rasul is expected to be further cross-examined by the de-
fence lawyers when the trial continues today at 09:30h.
Meanwhile, the prosecution already has another witness ready to take the stand once Rasul’s cross- examination is completed.
Nine persons are before the court in this case, which pertains to the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. They include former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and his former deputy, Roxanne Myers.
Also charged are former PNCR Chairperson Volda Lawrence; PNCR activist Carol Smith-Joseph; and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Michelle Miller, and Denise Babb-Cummings.
Together, these nine defendants confront 33 counts of election-related fraud, focused on alleged efforts to manipulate voting results. Initially overseen by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, the trial began in July 2024, but was paused following her extended medical leave, which has resulted in the trial being reassigned to Magistrate McGusty.
When the matter was called on December 8, 2024, the defence had pressed for a fresh start to the already-delayed trial. However, the prosecution had argued that a restart of the case was completely unnecessary and that all the court needed to do was to recall the previous witnesses. Ultimately, however, McGusty had ordered a restart in the election fraud trial.
AFC blasted for undermining bipartisan support on border controversy
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has criticised the Alliance For Change (AFC) for actions he believes undermine the robust bipartisan support Guyana has maintained regarding the border controversy with Venezuela.
He referenced the Nigel Hughes-led party’s statement of March 15, in which it said among other things “the PPP/C as a government has proven time and time again that it has no stomach for a fight with Venezuela…”
During his press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo described the statement as “disgusting” and “ridiculous”.
He lamented that the AFC –by issuing this statement – has broken longstanding national solidarity that was always in place when it comes to the border controversy with Venezuela.
“We’ve had a robust bipartisan approach to this matter, where we approached it as a unified country,” the Vice President declared.
Jagdeo reminded that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has always supported past People’s National Congress (PNC) Administrations, including the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition regime, in their approach to dealing with the border contro-
versy.
“[The PNC] always had our solidarity. Even when elections were rigged in Guyana and they stayed in office for nearly 30 years through rigged elections, one thing we did not break solidarity on was the border issue,” Jagdeo said.
Moreover, the Vice President went on to note that even the PNC-led APNU, from its actions so far, knew better than to break national solidarity on such a “sacred issue”. He referenced Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton’s March 1, 2025 meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali following the incursion of a Venezuelan naval vessel into Guyana’s waters earlier that day.
President Ali had met with Norton to brief him on the matter. According to Jagdeo, the Opposition Leader had even shied away from revealing the details of that engagement.
“When Mr Norton was asked about this matter, he was asked about a sensitive matter, and he said to the media, ‘I will not tell you this even if the President mentioned it to me.’
And in that, I saw someone who understood that sometimes, you can’t conduct diplomacy in public, particularly on a sensitive matter like the border issue. It was a mature position… but you can’t say the same for these
lowlifes in the AFC,” Jagdeo stated.
The Vice President went on to remind that AFC’s Cathy Hughes had also previously taken a divisive approach on the border controversy when she had falsely claimed that Jagdeo had offered a maritime channel to Venezuela. It was later exposed that these claims were unsubstantiated and dishonest.
First time in history
Jagdeo further pointed out that the AFC’s statement was issued just one day after the G7 Foreign Ministers released a statement of their own – for the first time in history – condemning Venezuela’s actions of sending a naval vessel into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
“First time in our history we’ve had the G7 Foreign Ministers – these are the biggest countries in the world – in
a joint statement, mention this issue. And the AFC lowlifes would come out a day after with a very divisive statement trying to cast doubt on our approach globally,” the Vice President expressed.
The G7 is made up of the world’s most powerful economies and military powers.
Following a meeting of the Foreign Ministers representing the G7 nations—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA)—along with the European Union (EU) – in Quebec, Canada, a joint statement was issued in which they referenced Venezuela’s intimidatory tactics against Guyana.
“We also agreed Venezuelan naval vessels threatening Guyana’s commercial vessels is unacceptable and an infringement of Guyana’s internationally-recognised sovereign rights.
We reaffirmed respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations as an enduring value,” the G7 Foreign Ministers said in the March 14 missive.
On March 1, at approximately 07:00h, Venezuelan naval vessel ABV Guaiqueiri PO-11-IMO 469552 sailed into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near the Prosperity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which is operated by United States oil major ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana. The Venezuelan naval vessel communicated threateningly via radio communication that Prosperity was operating in Venezuela’s EEZ, before continuing in a southwestern direction towards other FPSOs, to which it delivered the same message.
Former AmCham Guyana observer Rosalinda Rasul
Defence counsel Eusi Anderson
Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
AFC Leader Nigel Hughes
More powerful…
…than Trump??
Whether we like it or not, the US looms large, not only in our imagination, but in our day-to-day lives; and not only at the individual level, with each of having folks over there, but nationally: seeing how, back in the day, Jagan and his Moscow-leaning got us on the US’ bad side, and it took Exxon for us to return to their “good side”!! And, irony of ironies, it was Jagan’s wife Janet – who’d suckled him at the breast of Marx and Lenin!! –who invited Exxon!!
But your Eyewitness takes, as a working proposition, that even though we’re starting to work our way out of being a “shithole” country, we still gotta go hat in hand to the Yanks to even get their attention!! So, imagine your Eyewitness’s surprise – nay, bafflement!! – when he saw the report on what Leader of the Opposition (LOO), Aubrey Norton, said at the light-waving ceremony for Melly Mel at the Square of the Revolution.
Ms Mel, - of course, as every Guyanese knows by nowwas picked up by the branch of US Homeland Security called ICE – Immigration and Customs Enforcement - that deals with folks who’ve broken the immigration laws. She’s been languishing down in the Bayous (swampland) of Louisiana at one of ICE’s nine privately-run facilities in that statein a town called Richwood. Your Eyewitness ain’t sure if the young lady’s actually “languishing”, since the private company that runs the facility – they run others in several other states – is known for having its inmates perform all kinds of work for a pittance.
But back to our LOO’s peroration for Ms Mel: “Melissa’s only crime is that she exposed crime. Melissa’s only crime is that she exposed corruption. And you know the only thing that the PPP produces is forgery and crime, and so she affects their production.”
This is what got your Eyewitness’s attention – which ain’t that easy, seeing he’s been accused of being ADHD!! So, under Trump, the US judicial system’s been hauling in persons who’ve accused the PPP in Guyana of criminal behaviour?? And here he thought that Trump felt the said judicial system is too extended right there is the US of A!!
“This fight is also in the United States, and therefore all of you must call your families, your friends, and ask them to write the senators and congressmen in the US to get help for Melissa. It must be pointed out that she committed no crime, because all she was doing was exposing criminals”!!, the LOO also said. Then the LOO, explicitly accusing the Government of being behind Atwell-Holder’s arrest, warned: “Today it’s Melissa, tomorrow is someone else.” Your Eyewitness has heard of “Big Brother”. So, the PPP has a blond-haired one in Washington?? What power!!
…record keeping
While it may seem mundane, if we’re in the throes of the “information revolution” that’ll take us into a (brave?) new world, then we gotta appreciate it’s all about how the information’s being stored and shared – digitally – that makes a difference. The medium has finally BECOME the message!! And this is where - if we’re ever to move out of the shithole country category - we gotta get with the medium.
For instance, we hear that our financial and banking systems are ready to play with the big boys from up north. Are they serious?? We’re still stuck at signing paper cheques to receive cash grants, while everyone in poverty-stricken India has a digital account!! Anyhow, your Eyewitness noticed that a US$3.3M contract’s been signed with a UKheadquartered company to establish an electronic health records (EHR) system.
That’s as good a place to start as any, since we’ll be killing – absolutely NO pun intended!! - quite a few birds with that stone!!
Telemedicine for the interior??
…leader??
Who authorized Ralph “Fifth Columnist” Gonsalves to meet Mad Maduro as interlocutor between Guyana and Venezuela?? Pressy said bluntly he ain’t meeting the madman who repeatedly broke the Argyle Agreement Ralphie had brokered. Can an interlocutor act unilaterally?? Nada! Nyet!!
Essequibo Coast toddler crushed by metal gate
Police in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are investigating an incident that occurred at Lot 98, Ex Mouth, Essequibo Coast on Wednesday and resulted in the death of threeyear-old Alaia Etwaroo, a preschool student, who lost her life after being crushed by a metal gate at her home.
Police report that the fatal accident occurred at about 17:20h on Wednesday at the residence where the child lived with her mother Saudia Hannif, a 28-yearold housewife, and her father and other family members.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Alaia and her four-year-old sister were playing on the western side of the yard when their mother heard a loud noise. Upon rushing to check, she discovered Alaia lying motionless on the ground with a metal gate on top of her. Retrieved from under the gate, the child was observed to be bleeding from a wound on her forehead. Rushed to the Charity Public Hospital, she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police have since pro-
cessed the scene as investigations continue. This is the second child to have died in this manner this year. In January, a sevenyear-old student of Skeldon Primary School, Kareena Persaud, died after an iron gate allegedly fell on her at Taj Mahal Hotel and Bar in Corriverton, Berbice.
Police said that the child was residing at the hotel with her 40-year-old aunt, who works as a manager at the establishment.
In her report to cops, the aunt stated that on the night in question about 20:30h, she was preparing to close the doors of the hotel when she heard her niece call out to her. Upon turning around, she saw the heavy iron gate, made of hollow-section metal and weighing approximately 250 pounds, had fallen on Kareena, who was lying on the ground with head injuries and bleeding. The woman said she screamed for help, and bystanders assisted in lifting the gate off the child, who was rushed to Skeldon Public Hospital. She was, however, pronounced dead on arrival.
Impounded motorcycle snatched from Police outpost
…“Police can do what they wanna do!” – fleeing men tell cop
Police are seeking to apprehend two men who removed an impounded motorcycle from the compound of the Amelia’s Ward Police Outpost at Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) in an incident that occurred at approximately
18:01h on Wednesday. According to reports, a policeman had taken to the outpost a black-andgrey Skylar motorcycle which did not have a number plate, and had requested that it be lodged there.
Three-year-old Alaia Etwaroo
The men removing the motorcycle from the Amelia’s Ward Police Outpost
‘Culturally-insensitive’ textbook to be withdrawn, reviewed & reprinted – MoE
Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain has announced, via a social media post, that the Grade Three textbook titled “Guyanese in the World” would immediately be withdrawn, reviewed, and reprinted.
The senior education of-
ficial made this announcement after citizens took to the online platform to express concerns about the ‘culturally-insensitive’ contents of the book, which is used by primary school learners for Social Studies. The book contains a fictional story which depicts the
Toshao of Chinese Landing in a negative light.
Current Toshao of Chinese Landing, Nikita Miller, took to Facebook to express her concern with the book, and stated, “To see this negative information printed in a text book to be taught in schools
about Toshao and village of CL [Chinese Landing] is quite disturbing, leaving us to wonder what is the motive of such inaccurate and defamatory information about our village.”
Hussain has since apologised for the oversight. “I want to say that
the Ministry of Education deeply regrets the offence or the distress that has been caused to parents, to students, to the wider community, and especially to the residents of Chinese Landing,” he declared.
Admitting that a better-quality assurance mechanism is needed, he said, “The Ministry of Education has always prided itself in ensuring that we provide high-quality, inclusive, culturally-sensitive educational material. This is clearly a failure on our
quality assurance mechanism. I want to assure members of the public that this error will be fixed, our quality assurance mechanism will be looked at in
an effort to ensure this does not happen again.”
He thus announced that the book would immediately be withdrawn, reviewed, and then reprinted for distribution.
Pump attendant found dead in canal
Police in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) have launched an investigation into the death of 25-yearold Navindra Rambarran - a pump attendant of Lot 'D' 1 Dam, Evergreen, Essequibo Coast, whose body was discovered floating in a canal early on Thursday morning following his disappearance on Wednesday evening.
Sarah Camble, Rambarran’s 25-year-old wife, has informed investigators that her husband, who occasionally consumed alcohol, left home on his motorcycle at about 15:00h on Wednesday, and after a while she called him, and he assured her over the phone that he was on his way home; but he never arrived. She said she had attempted to contact him multiple times after he had not returned home by 20:00h on Wednesday; and at about 05:45h on Thursday, she received information that her husband’s body was seen floating in a canal. His motorcycle was discovered nearby on the dam with both
Dead: Navindra Rambarran
mirrors broken off. Rambarran’s body was clad in an orange three-quarter trousers and a white vest. Injuries were visible thereon, including fish bites on his face and right ear, and bruises on his forehead. His brother Gavindra Rambarran informed the police that his body was found, and the remains were transported to the Charity Cottage Hospital for examination. The body is currently at the Suddie Hospital Mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is pending. Police have since launched an investigation.
Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain
PPP does not control US immigration or ICE – Jagdeo to Opposition
…says Melly Mel’s “deportation or stay is Trump admin’s call”
Vice
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has dismissed claims that link the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to the arrest of controversial social media personality Melissa Ann Atwell, also known as “Melly Mel,” by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo made it clear that the Guyana Government has no influence over US immigration policies or enforcement actions.
He also slammed the claim that the PPP influenced the US Government to violate Atwell’s human rights, calling it “nonsense”; and has dismissed statements from the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and other critics by suggesting those statements are driven by anti-PPP sentiments rather than by genuine concerns for Atwell’s rights.
“We don’t control ICE in the United States of America. They have a really high opinion of the People’s Progressive Party to think that we can control the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Unit of the United States of America. So, thank you, APNU, for thinking that we have all of these powers…
“If they have a problem with the Trump administration’s policies, they should protest to the US Government directly. So, what they’re claiming basically, is that Ms Atwell’s human rights have been violated, and that the PPP has gotten the Trump administration to violate our human rights…Of course you know this is nonsense,” the Vice President has said.
Atwell’s arrest has sparked protest from Guyana’s Opposition parties: PNC, AFC, APNU. A poorly-attended vigil at the Square of the Revolution on Tuesday evening has seen Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, MP Coretta McDonald, and members of the AFC faction, including Sherod Duncan and Cathy Hughes, calling for Atwell’s release.
Protesters were chanting, “Free Melly Mel!”
Dismissing the protest as political opportunism, Jagdeo has said that whether Atwell remains in the US or is deported is solely a matter for US authorities. “I said before (that) whether Ms Atwell remains in the United States of
America or she’s deported is within the jurisdiction of the Government of the United States of America. If she stays in the United States of America, we wish her well. If she comes home, she is welcome as a Guyanese. We don’t control what she says. She could say it from the United States of America or she could say it, have her Facebook page in Guyana. For me, as General Secretary of the PPP, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter where she is located,” he assured.
Reports indicate that US Homeland Security officers detained Atwell at her Brooklyn, New York apartment on March 13, after which she was handed over to ICE. She is currently in a Louisiana detention facility. In voicing uncertainty over Atwell’s immigration status, Jagdeo has noted that if she were a US citizen, her detention by ICE would be “unusual”. However, if she were not a US citizen, then she might be facing serious immigration issues.
“When a department like ICE apprehends you and holds you, it could be for only one reason. It’s for immigration-related offences. And I thought, based on what someone said to me a couple days ago, that Ms Atwell was a US citizen, because I think that was posted by her, that she’s a US citizen. But if she is a US citizen, as she posted, then this would be unusual. ICE holding her is unusual. But if not, then she may have further difficulties,” Jagdeo explained.
In response to Atwell’s arrest, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has made known his intention to lobby US Congressmen about the situation. Jagdeo, in encouraging that move, has sarcastically remarked that it’s better than blaming the PPP for US immigration enforcement.
Atwell will appear before a US Immigration Judge on March 28. She is currently at a detention facility at Louisiana. She was arrested in New York on March 13.
President Bharrat Jagdeo
Melissa Ann Atwell, also known as “Melly Mel”
Arrests for gold smugglers loom as intelligence operations intensify – Jagdeo warns
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has issued a stern warning to individuals involved in gold smuggling, stating that ongoing intelligence operations will result in arrests and legal action.
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo emphasised that those caught would not be allowed to claim discrimination as a defence.
“There are several intelligence operations being done that hopefully would yield results… And it is from what we've been hearing, it's a ring
of people here in Georgetown too. I can tell you that there are operations against people who are buying gold at a price significantly above the world market price because they're evading their government's royalty and smuggling it into Brazil. I want to say to the people who are engaged in this, that when you get caught – there are several Brazilian nationals, but there are a few locals – when you get caught and charged with money laundering, don't go and claim discrimination,” the Vice President said. Jagdeo reiterated that
mining at Marudi Mountain is strictly reserved for Guyanese miners, primarily from Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), and not for Brazilian nationals.
According to the Vice President, the Government has also been investigating illegal gold exports from Marudi Mountain, which are suspected to be part of a broader smuggling network.
Jagdeo also addressed concerns about the Judiciary's role in tackling gold smuggling, stating that law enforcement agencies are doing their part but need stronger
judicial support.
“We know, we already know the names of some of the people who are buying the gold and paying this price because they're evading it, they're shipping it out. And it is, and you would see more enforcement action. We hope that, we can't tell the Judiciary what to do, but that people, that they see this as a serious matter too. Not for people to come out one day, they get apprehended, and two days later, they're back doing the same thing. It's a serious matter,” he urged.
Suspension
Meanwhile, Jagdeo defended Government’s suspension of the controversial mining licence to Sol Nascente Incorporated for operations in Aranaputa, North Rupununi, stating that “should have never happened”.
“In terms of Aranaputa, that should have never happened. That's why when the Regional Chairman called the President, said that this took place, then the minister went and cancelled it. So, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs did not have to give permission to that because it
is not Amerindian title lands. It's an NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council]. Aranaputa is an NDC, unlike the villages, Amerindian villages, that fall under the Amerindian Act,” Jagdeo added. The vice President’s comment comes days after Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock, local communities, and environmental groups objected to the licence, highlighting the lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).
The signing of the mining deal between Sol Nascente and the Aranaputa NDC was witnessed by Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai and a legal officer from that ministry. Details on the nature of the mining operation remained scarce, raising further concern among locals and environmental groups. Even the media was not informed about the type of mining that Sol Nascente Incorporated would do.
However, on Tuesday, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat travelled to the region and met with concerned residents and officials before announcing the suspension of the licence. Allicock has since welcomed the decision, but insisted that the suspension should be made permanent.
AFC blasted for undermining bipartisan...
Following the Venezuela vessel’s incursion, the Guyana Government activated a series of responses, including the deployment of military resources offshore, engaging the international community and sending a formal protest note to Caracas.
Guyana reminded that all the activities which the Government of Guyana has authorised to be undertaken in its EEZ are entirely within the maritime areas appurtenant to the sovereign coastal territory of Guyana, as defined by the Arbitral Award of 1899.
Back in March 2018, Guyana had approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking a final and binding ruling that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which determined the international boundary with Venezuela, is legally valid.
Only earlier this month, Guyana wrote the World Court to block Venezuela’s attempt to conduct elections in the Essequibo region. In addition to Guyana’s EEZ, the Nicolás Maduro regime is also laying claims to the entire Essequibo, which is two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass.
The ICJ has given Venezuela up to the end of this month to respond to its plans to hold elections in the Essequibo region on May 25, 2025, which Guyana said would “flagrantly violate” the provisional measures issued by the court in December 2023.
Finance Minister calls for broader access to school feeding contracts
ARegion Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) recently, Deepa Rampersaud, a resident, openly declared that only relatives of a senior member of the OrdinanceFortlands Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) are being awarded those contracts.
“One set of family have that contract…All the schools he take and give to his family and church members. It cannot go on like that,” she declared.
tracts were awarded.
Pointing out that those contracts are not awarded by either the NDC or Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Dr Singh responded, “It is a valid issue that one family or set of people should not be getting all of the contracts.”
Meanwhile, other residents claimed that although they work as cooks, they have not been given opportunity to bid.
gramme not only addresses hunger, but fosters a conducive learning environment that encourages students to attend school regularly and engage more fully in their educational development.
wide cross-section of people should have an opportunity to bid for contracts with the Education Ministry. This is according to Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, whose comments came as he responded to reports that only a selected few have been given contracts to prepare meals for children under the school feeding programme.
Having embraced the opportunity to congratulate both Minister Singh and President Ali for the work they have been doing, she declared, “But at the NDC level, it is very bad.”
When Minister Dr Singh met with residents of Sheet Anchor in East Canje,
To applause from dozens in attendance at the meeting, she challenged those in authority to prove that the wider community was aware when those con-
Impounded motorcycle snatched...
While the vehicle was being processed, another rank at the outpost observed a white, open-back vehicle with a licence plate marked “ON TEST” entering the compound. Two men were in the front portion of this vehicle and three young men were in the back thereof.
The men in the front portion of this vehicle dis-
embarked the vehicle and, without even approaching the police for permission, proceeded to remove the lodged motorcycle despite being informed that they could not remove same from the compound.
In defiant response, the police ranks were told, “I don’t have time! The police can do what they wanna do!”
FROM PAGE 9
as the men proceeded to load the motorcycle onto the vehicle before driving away.
The stolen motorcycle has since been recovered at the home of one of the suspects. It is currently lodged at the Mackenzie Police Station as investigations continue. In the meantime, the police are seeking to apprehend the men involved in the incident.
Promising to raise the issue with the Education Ministry, he added, “A sufficiently wide cross-section of people should have an opportunity to bid for contracts.”
However, Minister Singh noted that the facts of the matter would also have to be obtained relative to the allegation.
The Education Ministry has implemented a school-feeding programme that is aimed at enhancing the nutritional status of children and promoting their attendance at schools. This initiative is aimed at providing students with healthy meals, particularly those from low-income communities, where food insecurity can hinder academic performance and overall wellbeing. By providing nutritious meals, the pro-
The school-feeding programme also plays a vital role in supporting local agriculture by sourcing food from local farmers, thus boosting the economy and promoting sustainable practices.
Additionally, it serves as an educational tool, teaching children about the importance of healthy eating habits and nutrition.
Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh
37th annual New York Phagwah Parade set for Sunday
…Terry Gajraj, KI to headline cultural extravaganza
Hundreds of Guyanese who are residing in New York are expected to flock the Phil Rizzuto Park formerly known as “Smokey Park”, Richmond Hill on Sunday for the 37th annual Phagwah Parade and cultural extravaganza.
The parade, which is organised by the Phagwah Parade of New York Inc, kicks off at 133rd Street, Liberty Avenue at 12:00h and will make its way to the Phil Rizzuto Park for a grand cultural presentation featuring “Guyana Baboo” Terry Gajraj and Kris Persad (KI) from Trinidad among others.
Leading the parade will be the NYPD Marching Band comprising some 100 mem-
bers followed by the NYPD Desi Body and the Desi Correctional Organisation. The NYPD Mounted Unit/
Highway Patrol Unit will also be a part of the grand event, which is expected to be attended by many political fig-
ures in and out of New York.
This year, the parade will see some 25 bands from mandirs, businesses and
public offices taking part.
This year’s Grand Marshall, Romeo Hitlall told Guyana Times that it would be the 37th instalment of the event, which was started by Pandit Ramlall with just a handful of Hindus.
The parade, he explained, has evolved over the years and has become, according to
and
the New York Times, “The Street Festival of Colours.” Hitlall has been part of the event for 25 years, and recalled that Pandit Ramlall at that time wanted to create something to celebrate Hinduism and promote cultural diversity in
around the New York area.
File photo: The New York Phagwah Parade last year
$225M BV Practical Instruction Centre opens
…PPP secured funding since 2013; APNU/AFC failed to act –
The Education Ministry, in conjunction with the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project, and with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), has commissioned the new, $225M, Beterverwagting Practical Instruction Centre (PIC) on Thursday.
The project is titled Expansion and Rehabilitation of the Beterverwagting PIC, and is equipped with an array of tools and equipment within its laboratories. The population targeted for the facility is approximately 400 students, primarily located within Region Four.
This facility is outfitted with an array of Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) areas: Crop Production, Commercial Food Preparation, Housekeeping, Garment Production, General Construction/Furniture Making, Plumbing, and Masonry. Key beneficiaries of programmes granted in the facility will cater for persons working and finishing in the evening hours.
In her address at the event, Education Minister Priya Manickchand revealed that the institution had been in the works for quite some time. She noted that despite the PPP Government securing funding from the Caribbean Development Bank in 2013, the APNU-led administration which had taken office in 2015 had failed to act, delaying vital vocational training opportunities for over a decade.
“This was a loan negotiated with the Caribbean Development Bank in 2013, during my last term as Education Minister… these things sometimes take a while, but it definitely couldn’t take from 2013 to 2025, which would be 12 years,” she stated.
Providing clarification, she explained that in 2013, when the PPP/C administration was removed from office, the continuation of
the project was neglected by the government in power.
“What happened? We got removed from government, and what should have been the continuation of that process, where all these institutions were being built and finished so that children 10 years ago could use them, didn’t happen,” she said.
She highlighted that, despite not being close to oil revenues in 2013, the PPP/C had a clear vision and plan for the success of the nation’s youths in the realm of TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).
“In 2013, we were nowhere close to knowing we would have oil, but we had a vision, and we had a plan, and we knew that our children and our young people would need facilities like this, and we started doing it. So, tell me why…we left you the vision; we left you the intention; all you all came in and did was finish it.
“Why, for five years, a government couldn’t finish that?” she asked.
Amidst this, she reflected on the significance of finally commissioning the school, noting that this institution provides numerous opportunities for its students.
“This country has opportunities like you would never be able to dream of for people who are skilled. So, to the young people coming to this institution, put your head down. This is not because you can do better. Let this be your choice. Let this be your life’s passion. Whatever skill you’re here to learn, do it voluntarily,” she encouraged.
Meanwhile, also speaking at the launch event, Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain highlighted that systems would be put in place to implement the Ministry’s TVET policy for the next decade.
“In the next couple of days, the Ministry of Education will be launching its TVET policy for the next
10 years. Quite recently, the Ministry of Education issued a new set of guidelines on how persons are promoted, and we believe this is the way to fully equip our students,” he explained.
Evening classes
Meanwhile, the Chief Technical Education Officer emphasized that the new institute would cater to students who are working but would like to take evening classes.
“An in-depth focus will be lent to students who are
Minister
doing evening classes. And, of course, the intention of this building, or the facilities that we are seeing here, is not only to execute our normal programs from morning to 3:30p.m., but of course, the facility will cater to persons who want to come in the evening,” he explained.
He added that the goal is to ensure quality, relevance, and currency in technical education delivery, not only for a structured system, but also for those who are working.
He also mentioned that women, girls, and other key stakeholders who may want to benefit from certification in a skill would have access to the facilities, including part-time or evening programs. According to him, this model would be adopted at the post-secondary institutions, including the Georgetown Technical Institute (GTI); Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI); Linden Technical Institute (LTI) and New Amsterdam Technical Institute.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand during a tour of the new facility
Govt to inject $2.7B to help farmers amid falling rice prices – Mustapha
Government is likely to spend approximately $2.7 billion to cushion the impact of falling prices on local rice farmers, according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha.
Rice prices on the world market continue to show a downward trend, and millers everywhere are cutting back on the amount of money they can offer farmers for a bag of paddy. In Guyana, the situation is no different. However, the Government of Guyana has stepped in to offer assistance to rice farmers. Through negotiations with millers, the Government of Guyana has been able to arrange for rice farmers to receive no less than $4000 for a 143-pound bag of paddy.
Addressing farmers on Tuesday at Number 48 Village, Corentyne, Mustapha detailed how Government’s intervention
has made possible this price arrangement for farmers.
"Some of them were offering $3500, some of them $3400, but the maximum was $3680. We worked with them to establish a price range of $3700. So, for us to get the price at $4000, the Government had to step in again. So, this crop, the farmers will not get below $4000. When you do the calculation, if we reap 804,000 tons -- and with the yield that we are getting now, the minimum we would reap is nine million bags of paddy…You do the math," Mustapha advised. Some $2.7 billion would be involved.
Mustapha explained that the current trend of falling rice prices on the world market presents a complex picture, with varying impacts being registered across different regions. While decreasing prices can offer relief to consumers,
particularly in import-dependent nations, they pose challenges for rice-producing economies.
He detailed that factors causing the current drop in prices include increased supply; the arrival of new crops from major Asian exporters, resulting in an oversupply; improved yields; changes in the import plans of major importing countries; and the stabilization of fertilizer prices.
Mustapha explained that the rice sector in Guyana has seen tremendous growth last year, in that a record 725,000 tonnes of rice was produced locally. This crop, with more acreage under rice cultivation, production is estimated at 804,000 tonnes of rice.
Guyana to upgrade HPV vaccine in 2025 …Health Minister
announces shift to 9-valent protection
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has announced, during a recent event in which he spoke to the media, that steps are underway to change the current HPV vaccine from a quadrivalent vaccine to a 9-valent vaccine.
A quadrivalent vaccine protects against four different strains of a virus: as for example, two influenza A strains and two influenza B strains; while the 9-valent vaccine protects against a broader range of HPV strains.
According to the Health Minister, this change is something new being introduced in 2025.
“The other thing that we'll be working on is to change the HPV vaccine from a quadrivalent vaccine to a 9-valent vaccine. And right now, we are in discussions with the company that is manufacturing it, and we are working on getting a preferential price. Once those negotiations are completed, we'll be able to buy those doses and bring them in,” he explained.
While discussing vaccines, Dr Anthony also shed light on the influenza vaccine in re-emphasising that it is completely safe for use. “So they’re used every flu season; and that’s what, once we adopt it and bring it here, we’ll ensure it’s safe and relevant to the influenza strains that are circulating. Last year, we took samples of the influenza viruses that were circulating in Guyana, and based on that, we had our partners manufacture the vaccine to suit those circulating strains. Whatever is done, it’s absolutely safe and used to protect people,” he emphasized.
With cervical cancer being the second most common cancer affecting women, the low adoption rate of HPV vaccines in Guyana has become a cause for concern. Dr Frank Anthony had stated in previous times that these vaccines are a vital safeguard against HPV infections and cervical pre-cancers as he highlighted the urgency of increasing awareness and uptake of the vaccine locally.
He explained that the 9-valent vaccine would be a superior option. "So, it would be a superior vaccine compared to what is generally used to prevent HPV. That's the other thing that we're working on," he disclosed.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
Guyana, Colombia strengthen energy ties: GOGEC, CAMPETROL sign MoU
In a move to strengthen bilateral relations in the oil, gas, and energy sectors, President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), Manniram Prashad, and Executive President of the Colombian Petroleum, Gas, and Energy Chamber (CAMPETROL), Nelson Castañeda Barbour, have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing collaboration between the two nations.
The MoU marks a commitment by both organisations to foster deeper cooperation in several key areas, including trade relations, knowledge exchange, investment opportunities, and capacity-building initiatives. The partnership is set to
provide an avenue for both Guyana and Colombia to share resources and expertise, further solidifying their growing roles in the global
energy landscape. Key areas of cooperation outlined in the agreement include knowledge sharing: facilitating the exchange of
industry reports, regulatory insights, and market trends between the two countries; investment and trade promotion: organising business
forums, trade missions, and networking events to expand market opportunities; capacity building: offering training programmes, seminars, and workshops designed to equip industry professionals with advanced skills and knowledge; technical collaboration: partnering on research and development initiatives aimed at sustainable energy solutions; and policy advocacy: collaborating on policy recommendations to create a robust and sustainable energy sector.
Prashad emphasised the importance of the partnership, stating, “This partnership with CAMPETROL aligns with GOGEC’s mission to create global linkages and drive opportunities for local companies. Colombia’s
expertise in the energy sector presents valuable learning and collaboration opportunities for Guyana as we continue to expand our oil and gas industry.”
Representatives from CAMPETROL also expressed their enthusiasm about the agreement, highlighting that the alliance opens the door to cross-border investments and technological innovations that will benefit both countries’ energy industries. To ensure the successful implementation of the initiatives outlined in the MoU, both organisations will establish working groups tasked with executing joint projects. Additionally, periodic meetings will be held to monitor progress and explore new areas of collaboration.
37th annual New York Phagwah Parade...
“From what I was told, it all started with Pandit Ramlall and a few others walking down Liberty Avenue with their powder and abeer… they would adorn those who were willing to play with the most vibrant colours as they traverse the avenue… 37 years later, this event has become so grand that blocks and blocks are cordoned off to facilitate the parade…,” he said.
He also reflected that back then or even a few years ago, no one was allowed to smear powder on law enforcement officers, but today the officers who line the route of the parade are cov-
ered in colours.
“This shows how far we have come… everyone –the Hispanic, the African Guyanese community, the Caucasians, everyone comes out and have a grand time… and this is the diversity and unity Pandit Ramlall had envisioned 37 years ago… a legacy that will continue for generations to come…”
What he is also impressed and pleased with is that the young college and university students would join in the festivities. “It shows the cultural tolerance and more so, the diversity of New Yorkers and we are pleased to carry on this tradition.”
On the day of the event, Hitlall related, Liberty Avenue will be transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours. As the parade heads into the park, the cultural show will commence at 14:00h. There, he stated in addition to Terry Gajraj and KI, there will be performances including Chowtal singing, dances from various dance groups, tassa drumming and some special surprises from the young children.
He pointed out that the performers were all volunteering their time to make the Phagwah Parade and Cultural Extravaganza a memorable one.
Further, he said that sweetmeats and other delicacies along with water, tea and coffee will be distributed free of cost to those in attendance. The event is absolutely free.
“The only thing that we will not distribute is the powder… whoever comes normally bring their own… but we encourage you to come out and have a grand time.”
The 37th Annual Phagwah Parade is hosted in collaboration with the Federation of Hindu Mandirs and the Arya Spiritual Centre Inc. with support from the New York Police Department and other authorities.
GOGEC President Manniram Prashad, and CAMPETROL Executive President Nelson Castañeda Barbour, displaying the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Regional
BRICS, planes and beef in spotlight when Brazil’s Lula visits Vietnam, sources say
Brazilian President Luiz
Inácio Lula da Silva will visit Vietnam next week, bringing with him a business delegation including executives from planemaker Embraer and food giant JBS that are both in talks for possible deals in the Southeast Asian country, sources said.
Lula’s second visit to Vietnam as President will take place as Vietnam, under pressure from the Trump Administration to reduce its large trade surplus, is pledging to boost imports from the United States, including of farm products such as soybeans of which Brazil is a top exporter to the country.
Lula will travel to Vietnam on March 27-29 after visiting Japan, according to the Brazilian Government.
Lula is expected to invite Vietnam to attend a BRICS summit in Brazil in July, a Brazilian official said, not-
Ministry did not reply to a request for comment. Brazil’s Embassy to Vietnam declined to comment.
The two countries are expected to agree on an action plan on defence, agriculture and energy, which could boost cooperation on ethanol, a fuel of which Brazil is a major global producer, the Brazilian official said.
Brazil wants also to increase exports to Vietnam and is asking Hanoi to authorise imports of its beef, the official said confirming earlier reports in Vietnamese State media.
ing Vietnam was invited last year to become a BRICS partner, but has so far not taken an official position on the matter.
Vietnam’s Foreign
The opening of the Vietnamese market for Brazilian beef is a precondition for an investment that Brazil’s food giant JBS is considering in Vietnam, three people briefed about the talks, including the Brazilian official, told Reuters. (Excerpt from Reuters)
No evidence of human trafficking in Cuban medical cooperation programme, says Johnson Smith
Jamaica’s Foreign Ministry had undertaken a review of the Cuban medical cooperation programme long before any international scrutiny surfaced and it could not be found to involve human trafficking, said Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith on Thursday.
While a review process was progressing well and there could be administrative improvements, Kingston was “confident in the integrity of this programme”, said Johnson Smith of the 50-year-strong medical mission partnership between Jamaica and Cuba.
“We continue to engage diplomatically, including discussions with the Cuban Foreign Minister,
the current Head of the US Embassy and of course between Caricom Foreign Ministers, to exchange perspectives and ensure the best understanding and outcomes of this matter,” the Minister said.
Her statement on Thursday came days after US President Donald Trump threatened to cancel the visas of any Government officials as well as their immediate family members from countries still partnering with Cuba for their medical missions programme.
The President had alleged that the programme facilitated the exploitation of Cuban medical personnel.
Jamaica’s non-adversarial handling of this matter reflects not only our practice of diplomacy, but the
strength of its bilateral relationships with both Cuba and the United States, Johnson Smith said.
Several Caribbean leaders have taken a far firmer stance to the threats from the Trump Administration with Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines; Keith Rowley, then-Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, indicating their readiness to cast away their US visas to support the longstanding medical programme. Thousands of Cuban nurses provide critical care across the Caribbean including in Jamaica, and have been for years.
(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
Antigua and Barbuda to host OAS general assembly in June
Antigua and Barbuda will be hosting the 55th regular session of the General Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS).
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the Permanent Council of the OAS.
In his statement, Sanders said, “We hope that the warmth of our Caribbean atmosphere will foster harmonious discussions, as well as fruitful and positive outcomes for our hemisphere.”
“We thank Assistant Secretary General Nestor Mendez and the two teams of officials from the General Secretariat who visited Antigua, discovering the attractiveness of our country while satisfying themselves that our conference facilities and hotel accommodation are consistent with international standards.”
The theme of the assembly will be “Building Resilient, Inclusive Economies in the Americas”.
According to Sir Ronald, the theme resonates with urgent regional concerns,
emphasising the need for resilience and inclusivity as we address the challenges confronting each member state — big and small — and all of them collectively.
“By using the term ‘building’ in the theme, we affirm our commitment to sustained, ongoing action. And the inclusive scope of the theme ensures that all member states can highlight their specific priorities within a broader collective framework, underscoring our shared dedication to improving the lives of all citizens in the Americas.”
(Excerpt from CMC)
US, Venezuela trade barbs over migrant deportation flights
Adiplomatic spat between the United States and Venezuela flared on Thursday as the US Government denied Venezuela’s claims of repatriation flights from Mexico, while Venezuela accused Washington of blocking them.
The back-and-forth comes as a planeload of deported Venezuelans touched down on Venezuelan soil after departing from Mexico, in what appeared to be part of US President Donald Trump’s push to rapidly expel migrants.
While 311 Venezuelans previously in the United States were returned on a plane from Mexico to Caracas earlier in the day, the US Department of State’s Western Hemisphere
office accused the government of President Nicolás Maduro of lying about the flights.
“Despite media reports, repatriation flights to Venezuela via Mexico are not taking place today. Maduro must stop misleading and schedule consistent, weekly, repatriation flights,” read a US Government post on social media.
The post was published just minutes before the plane arrived and did not make reference to the flight that landed in the Venezuelan capital.
Thursday’s flight brought the total of recently-deported Venezuelan migrants to 920, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello tvold state television.
The Minister, a top Maduro ally, claimed the flight was the result of a “direct agreement with the Mexican Government”, but he did not provide further details.
Venezuela’s Congress chief Jorge Rodriguez argues that the South American country is ready to resume direct flights from the United States, but he accused US officials of blocking them.
The United States deported over 200 alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador last weekend. The deportees are being held in a controversial prison facility even as a US Judge has questioned the legality of the process.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Guatemala scraps compulsory car insurance plan after protests
Following two days of sometimes violent protests, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo has withdrawn a decree which would have made car insurance compulsory in the Central American nation.
Under the new law, owners of cars, lorries, buses and motorbikes would have been required to take out insurance to cover harm caused to others in the event of an accident.
President Arévalo argued that the new rule was necessary to compensate victims of traffic accidents, but many in Guatemala – where an estimated 55 per cent live in poverty – said they would not be able to afford the extra cost.
Thousands blocked major roads and clashed with Police in the days since the decree was made public on Monday.
The Government had issued the decree in the wake of a deadly bus accident last month in which more than 50 persons died.
Speaking at a news con-
ference on Wednesday, the President said he had been elected to bring about necessary changes in the country, some of which could be difficult.
“I remain convinced that a new general transport law is the right way forward for the well-being of our country,” he said, adding that traffic accidents were the main cause of death in Guatemala.
He said that after talks with representatives of the
protesters, the two sides had agreed to set up a technical committee to come up with a plan on how to introduce compulsory insurance within a year. One of the concerns which had been voiced by the protesters was that the decree had been published without giving motorists an idea of the costs they would have incurred once it came into force on May 1.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Haitian gangs trying to silence media, UNESCO warns
The media in Haiti are a “systematic” target of criminal gangs trying to silence them, an official with the United Nations’ cultural body said Thursday, hailing the courage of Journalists working there in harrowing conditions.
“The situation is very alarming, very worrying, because the media are now a target,” Eric Voli Bi, the representative for the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Haiti, told AFP in an interview.
Two Journalists were killed in a hail of bullets in the capital Port-au-Prince in December while cover-
ing the reopening of a hospital.
Just last week, the offices of a television network and two radio stations were attacked and looted, as the city faces another burst of gang violence.
“Gangs are targeting journalists and newsrooms, destroying and burning them,” Voli Bi said.
“I think the goal of this calculated strategy is simply to silence the journalists and media, prevent Haitians from getting information about the situation in a transparent manner.”
Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, was plunged into fresh un-
rest last year when gangs launched coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince to force then Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign. The interim government and a Kenya-led security force with UN backing have struggled to restore order. Armed groups now control 85 per cent of the capital, according to UN figures. UNESCO has set up mental health support programmes for Journalists, students and others, Voli Bi said, adding that while some have withdrawn from active coverage, others are soldiering on — sometimes without protective gear like bulletproof vests.
(Excerpt from AFP)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva speaks during a meeting at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, March 18, 2025 (Reuters/Adriano Machado photo)
A woman covers her face with a scarf while a member of Guatemala’s National Civil Police holds a shield and a baton during a protest in Guatemala City, Guatemala, March 19, 2025 (EPA)
Around The World
OIL NEWS
Oil prices settle US$1 higher after US issues new Iranrelated sanctions
At least 91 killed in Gaza as Israel abandons ceasefire, orders evacuations
At least 91 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in airstrikes across Gaza on Thursday after Israel resumed bombing and ground operations, the enclave’s Health Ministry said, effectively ditching a two-monthold ceasefire.
Oil prices rose on Thursday after the United States issued new Iran-related sanctions and renewed tensions in the Middle East countered strength in the dollar.
Brent crude futures settled up US$1.22, or 1.72 per cent, at US$72 a barrel.
The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude contract for April expired on Thursday, and settled up US$1.10 or 1.64 per cent at US$68.26.
The more actively-traded WTI May contract settled up US$1.16, or 1.73 per cent at US$68.07.
The US on Thursday issued Iran-related sanctions, targeting entities including for the first time a Chinese “teapot”, or independent refinery, and vessels that supplied crude oil to such processing plants.
China is the largest importer of Iranian oil. “Teapot” refiners are private Chinese refineries that are the primary purchasers of Iranian oil.
Iran produces more than three million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil.
“We were looking for some kind of catalyst to move and that was the ticket that pushed us back towards the high,” said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with Price Futures Group.
Elsewhere, OPEC+ issued a new schedule for seven member nations including Russia, Kazakhstan, and Iraq to make further oil output cuts to compensate for pumping above agreed levels.
The plan will represent monthly cuts of between 189,000 bpd and 435,000 bpd, according to a table on OPEC’s website. The scheduled cuts last until June 2026.
Meanwhile, US crude inventories rose 1.7 million barrels, exceeding expectations for an increase of 512,000 barrels in an earlier Reuters poll.
“Choppy upward drift”
Putting a lid on crude prices was the dollar, which inched up after the Federal Reserve indicated on Wednesday it was in no rush to cut interest rates further this year due to uncertainties around US tariffs.
The US dollar was up 0.5 per cent, making crude more expensive for foreign buyers.
The US central bank left its key interest rate unchanged on Wednesday, a move widely anticipated by the market, but maintained its projection of two 25-basis-point rate cuts by the end of this year.
Interest rate cuts typically boost economic activity and energy demand.
Some analysts, however, are expecting an uneven oil price uptrend in the near term.
“I am expecting a choppy upward drift in the oil markets right now,” said Kelvin Wong, senior market analyst at OANDA, adding that stimulus measures by China and renewed hostilities between Israel and Hamas were bullish price drivers.
Global risk premiums rose after Israel launched a new ground operation on Wednesday in Gaza after breaking a ceasefire of nearly two months.
“Amid the prevailing uncertainty, the risk of sanctions is once again coming into focus, as the Trump Administration adopts a tougher stance on Venezuela, Iran, and Russia,” JP Morgan analysts said in a note on Thursday.
The US kept up airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in retaliation for the group’s attacks on ships in the Red Sea. US President Donald Trump has also vowed to hold Iran responsible for future Houthi attacks.
Trump’s push to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China has raised recession fears, weighing on oil prices.
“Tariff concerns seem to be holding oil back a bit,” Flynn added.
JP Morgan said it expected Brent prices to recover into the mid-to-high US$70s over the next couple of months, before dipping below US$70 and ending the year in the mid-US$60s, averaging around US$73. (Reuters)
After two months of relative calm, Gazans were again fleeing for their lives after Israel effectively abandoned a ceasefire, launching a new all-out air and ground campaign against Gaza’s dominant Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets on residential neighbourhoods, ordering people out of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun towns in the north, the Shejaia district in
Gaza City and towns on the eastern outskirts of Khan Younis in the south.
Late on Thursday, Israel’s military said it had begun ground operations in the Shaboura district of Gaza’s southernmost city Rafah, which abuts the Egyptian border.
“War is back, displacement and death are back, will we survive this round?” said Samed Sami, 29, who fled Shejaia to put up a tent for his family in a camp on open ground.
A day after sending tanks into central Gaza, the Israeli military said on Thursday it had also begun conducting ground operations in the north of the densely-populated enclave, along the coastal route in Beit Lahiya.
Hamas, which had not retaliated during the first 48 hours of the renewed Israeli assault, said its fighters fired rockets into Israel.
Trump signs order to begin dismantling of US Education Department
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing officials to begin dismantling the Department of Education, a promise he made on the 2024 campaign trail.
“We’re going to shut it down as quickly as possible,” Trump said after signing the order on Thursday. “It’s doing us no good.”
Trump has long called for the department to be axed, a cherished goal of some conservatives, but completely shuttering it
would require approval by Congress – which is unlikely.
The move is already facing legal challenges from those seeking to block the agency’s closure as well as the sweeping cuts to its staff announced last week.
Trump said “the US spends more money on education by far than any other country” yet students “rank near the bottom of the list in terms of success”.
The White House stated that his administration would move to cut parts of
the department that remain within legal boundaries.
But many of the Trump administration’s initiatives – which include mass firings, cutting federal agencies, and aims to slash spending – have faced legal challenges, and this executive order is expected to encounter similar obstacles.
At the ceremony, Trump praised Linda McMahon, whom he appointed to lead the department, and expressed his hope that she would be the last Secretary of Education. He said he
would find “something else” for her to do within the administration.
After Trump signed the order, Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy announced plans to bring legislation aimed at closing the department.
But Congress is unlikely to act on eliminating the department as Republicans hold a slim 53-47 majority in the Senate. Closing a department would require 60 votes, making such legislation highly improbable.
Ukraine struck a major Russian strategic bomber airfield on Thursday with drones, triggering a huge blast and fire about 700 kilometres (435 miles) from the front lines of the war, Russian and Ukrainian officials said.
Videos verified by Reuters showed a huge blast spreading out from the airfield, wrecking nearby cottages. Russia’s Defence Ministry said air defences had shot down
132 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions. Other verified videos showed a giant plume of smoke rising into the dawn sky and an intense fire.
The base in Engels, which dates back to Soviet times, hosts Russia’s Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable heavy strategic bombers, known unofficially as White Swans.
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said its forces had struck the airfield and triggered secondary detona-
tions of ammunition. Kyiv said Russia had used the Engels base to carry out strikes on Ukraine.
Ten people were injured in the attack, local officials said. Meanwhile, European Union leaders said on Thursday that they will continue to support Ukraine, but they did not immediately endorse a call by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to provide at least five billion euros for artillery ammunition purchases.
The bloc’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, had also called on leaders to match words of support for Kyiv with deeds, as US President Donald Trump pushes ahead with his efforts to end the war, including through a rapprochement with Russia.
“The stronger they are on the battlefield, the stronger they are behind the negotiation table,” Kallas said of the Ukrainians.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Congo rebels dismiss ceasefire calls, capture strategic town
The leader of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo said on Thursday that a call by Kinshasa and Kigali for an immediate ceasefire
“doesn’t concern us” as his forces pushed deeper into Congolese territory by capturing the strategic town of Walikale.
Walikale is the farthest west the rebels have reached in an advance that had already overrun eastern Congo’s two largest cities since January.
The town of 15,000 fell after fighting on Wednesday between the rebels and the army and allied militias, an army spokesperson and local residents said.
The conflict, rooted in the fallout from Rwanda’s
1994 genocide and competition for mineral riches, is eastern Congo’s worst since a 1998-2003 war that drew in multiple neighbouring countries and resulted in millions of deaths.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
The Israeli military said sirens sounded in the centre of the country after projectiles were launched from Gaza. (Excerpt from Reuters)
A child looks on as people mourn Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, at the European hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, March 20, 2025 (Reuters/Hatem Khaled photo)
Participate in events conducive to meeting new people and exploring possibilities that can change your perspective. Set a routine that offers mental, physical and emotional stimulation and enjoy the outcome.
Change begins with you and your choices. Consider your lifestyle and what you can do to improve your situation. Think outside the box and pick what makes you feel good about yourself. It’s OK to be different.
Emotions will surface, causing you to question your relationships, pastimes and frequent haunts. The time to switch things up to suit your needs is now. Align yourself with people heading in a similar direction.
When one door closes, another opens. Look for the door that leads to peace and happiness. Take control of your destiny and concentrate on what interests you most.
Put your energy where it brings the highest returns. Speak up, show interest and follow through with vim and vigor. Your showmanship will put you in a position that warrants attention.
Take a chance and discover what’s possible. Mulling over whether to do something doesn’t count as doing it. Challenge yourself mentally, physically and emotionally.
Rethink your pursuits and manage your relationships with care. Not everyone you know is looking out for your best interests. Don’t be fooled by someone’s charm or unrealistic promises.
Take a moment to consider your plans. Don’t take a risk that can harm your reputation or emotional or physical well-being. Review the past and learn from your mistakes.
Stick close to home and loved ones. Tally up your overhead costs, and you’ll discover a way to cut corners. A work-related alternative will help bring in extra cash.
Pick up the pace, speak your peace and adjust your lifestyle to fulfill your heart’s desire. Refuse to let someone call the shots or push you in a direction that doesn’t suit your needs.
Set boundaries, standards and rules to live by. Harness your strong points and use your skills to reach your goal. Settling for less to appease someone else will lead to disappointment and regret.
Think big but live within your means, and you’ll discover how to fulfill your personal and financial needs. Distance yourself from people who set poor examples or tempt you to be frivolous.
ARCHIE
Pakistan Tour of New Zealand 2025: T20I Series, Game 3 of 5…
Can Pakistan stop New Zealand’s charge?
Even against a depleted New Zealand squad, Pakistan’s revamped T20I side managed to hit a new low: getting bundled out for 91 in the series opener. Even against a New Zealand side without the flying Glenn Phillips, Pakistan have been handing out catches incessantly through the two games so far played - for all ten dismissals in the first game, and eight out of nine in the second game.
If this new-look Pakistan side want to keep the five-match T20I series alive in Auckland today (Friday), they need to step up on all fronts and prove to the world - and even perhaps to themselves - that it’s not all doom and gloom with less than a year to go for the next T20 World Cup.
Pakistan themselves are a depleted side, in the early days of learning to live without Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam in this format, and without the injured Saim Ayub. It’s still early days to judge the new opening pair of Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Haris, but their inability to cope with the pace and bounce in Christchurch, before poor shot selections in Dunedin, doesn’t bode well.
Salman Agha’s blitzy 46 off 28, and cameos from the experienced Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi down the order in the second game, helped them to 135 for 9 in a rain-reduced 15-overs-a-side game. However, ineffectiveness of their bowling attack - which holds a lot more promise than their batting - to contain the New Zealand batting places a big question mark over who can really help them keep the series alive.
New Zealand’s open-
ers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen have been devastating in both games, exemplified by Seifert carting Afridi around for 26 runs in an over in the second game. Given that sun is forecast in Auckland, Pakistan would first hope they win the toss, which hasn’t happened so far this series, and then try to remove the openers early to test their middle order.
New Zealand have not had much to worry about so far. Their bowlers have worked like a well-oiled machine in favourable conditions, and even though they put down three catches in the first match, they have held on to 18.
Pakistan would also be desperate to lift their hopes after a forgettable home Champions Trophy campaign, and to put an end to their five-match losing streak in T20Is, which started in Zimbabwe in December last year.
In the spotlight: James Neesham and Hasan Nawaz
After last playing T20Is in the 2024 T20 World Cup, James Neesham returned to the side in the absence of the stars that are in India for the IPL. He got to play only in the second game, picking two wickets towards the end and scoring just 5 in the chase before holing out.
Once a game-changer in New Zealand’s white-ball squads, Neesham has fallen out of favour in ODIs, but he has committed himself for next year’s T20 World Cup. Onus remains on him to prove that form is something he can turn around quickly, especially in home conditions, as he has not scored more than 40 in the format since December 2023.
Hasan Nawaz has had as poor a start to his in-
ternational career as anyone could: two ducks in two games. It’s the nature of dismissals in both games that might disappoint him and the team management, as he dished out wild swings to miscue the ball on both occasions.
The 22-year-old came into this series with runs for Lions in Pakistan’s Champions T20 Cup, finishing second on the run-scorers’ list and with the second-most sixes, too. The challenge now will be to keep his place in the Pakistan XI for the remaining games and try to earn his runs in more hostile conditions.
Team news
Since it’s a five-match series, and there was a quick turnaround between the first two games, New Zealand rested Kyle Jamieson and Tim Robinson to bring in Ben Sears and Jimmy Neesham for the second match. They could bring Jamieson back and rest Jacob Duffy for the third game.
New Zealand (probable): 1 Tim Seifert, 2 Finn Allen, 3 Mark Chapman, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 James Neesham, 6 Mitchell Hay (wk), 7 Michael Bracewell (capt), 8 Zakary Foulkes, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Kyle Jamieson, 11 Jacob Duffy/Ben Sears.
Pakistan changed the mix of their bowling attack to pick fast bowler Haris Rauf for legspinner Abrar Ahmed for the second match. Mohammad Ali has been expensive in both games, leaking nearly 12 runs in them altogether. Abbas Afridi is the one op-
tion
Pakistan (probable):
1 Mohammad Haris (wk), 2 Hasan Nawaz, 3 Salman Agha (capt), 4 Irfan Khan,
5 Shadab Khan, 6 Khushdil Shah, 7 Abdul Samad, 8 Jahandad Khan, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Abrar Ahmed, 11 Mohammad Ali.
Pitch and conditions
Even though New Zealand bowled in the first two games and won both, the last four matches (barring a tie be-
tween New Zealand and Sri Lanka in 2023) in Auckland were won by teams batting first. Eden Park in general is known as a high-scoring ground, and with no rain predicted for today and temperatures expected to dip below 20 degrees at night, the crowd should be entertained for a full 40 overs. (ESPNcricinfo)
Kirsty Coventry elected 1st female President of IOC –Sebastian Coe beaten
Kirsty Coventry hopes her election as the first female and African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) - beating six male candidates, including Britain’s Lord Coe - sends a “powerful signal”.
The 41-year-old Coventry, a former swimmer who has won two Olympic gold medals, secured a majority of 49 of the 97 available votes in the first round of Thursday’s election, while World Athletics boss Coe won just eight.
Coventry, who is Zimbabwe’s sports minister, will, on 23 June, replace Thomas Bach - who has led the IOC since 2013 - and be the youngest president in the 130-year history of the International Olympic Committee. Her first Olympics will be the MilanCortina Winter Games in February 2026.
“It’s a really powerful signal. It’s a signal that we’re truly global, and that we have evolved into an organisation that is truly open to diversity; and we’re going to continue walking that road in the next eight years,” Coventry has said.
Runner-up Juan
Kirsty Coventry is the first female president in the IOC’s 130-year history
Antonio Samaranch Jr won 28 votes, while France’s David Lappartient and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe earned four votes each.
Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Sweden’s Johan Eliasch both took two votes.
Coventry, who already sits on the IOC executive board and was said to be Bach’s preferred candidate, is the 10th person to hold the highest office in sport, and would be in that post for at least the next eight years.
Coventry has won sev-
en of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals - including gold in the 200m backstroke at both the 2004 and 2008 Games.
“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment,” Coventry has said.
“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa. I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model.”
Coventry has described her election as an “extraordinary moment” during her acceptance speech, and has promised to make IOC members proud of their choice. During her election campaign, Coventry had pledged to modernise, promote sustainability, embrace technology, and empower athletes. She placed particular emphasis on protecting female sport, backing a blanket ban of transgender women from competing in female Olympic sport. (BBC Sport)
New Zealand have so far been clinical in both T20Is
James Neesham took two wickets in the second T20I
Mohammad Ali has been carted for 59 runs in five overs across the two T20Is
in their squad if they wish to replace Ali.
Taffin Khan is 2025 National Blitz Chess Champion
Candidate Master Taffin Khan assiduously worked his way through sixteen rounds of play to take the National Blitz Chess Championship title last Sunday, March 16th, 2025, in the Exhibition Room of the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre.
Staged one day after the 2025 National Rapid Chess Championship, the tournament lasted for a
few hours and was an extremely gruelling, faster-paced, eleven-round affair played under the Swiss format, which featured a time control of 3 minutes with 2-second increments per player.
Some interesting matchups produced upsets leading to the semifinal knockout round, where the final four top finishers faced off across the board: FM Anthony
Drayton, CM Taffin Khan, CM Sachin Pitamber, and Kyle Couchman, who entered the second phase. Competition became increasingly challenging when top seeds Drayton and Khan faced off against top juniors Couchman and Pitamber. However, the juniors were no match for the top seeds in the knockout phase, as Drayton and Khan emerged as winners, leaving Couchman and
IPL 2025: Parag named Royals Captain for 1st 3 games
…Samson to play as batter
Riyan Parag will lead Rajasthan Royals (RR) for their first three matches in IPL 2025. Regular captain Sanju Samson, who is recuperating from a finger injury, is set to play as a batter till he gets cleared for wicketkeeping and fielding duties.
Samson, who had finger surgery last month, joined the RR squad on Monday following his rehab at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He is likely to play as an Impact Sub in the IPL, with Dhruv Jurel being an option to keep wicket.
Jurel had also kept wicket in place of Samson in the fifth T20I against England in February, after Samson was hit on the finger by a Jofra Archer delivery while batting. Samson will return as captain once fully fit, an RR release has said.
“I’m not completely fit for three or more games,” Samson said in a video posted by the official RR handle on Instagram. “I think there are a lot of leaders from this group. From the last few years, there have been great people who have taken care of this environment really nicely. But for the three games, Riyan will be leading. He is well capable to do it, and I expect everyone to be with him and support
him,” Samson has said.
Parag, meanwhile, will be captaining in the IPL for the first time, and will be the fifth youngest to lead a team in the tournament. He has been part of the RR since 2019, and was retained by the franchise for INR 14 crore ahead of the mega auction last year. In the 2024 IPL, he finished with 573 runs, the most by an RR batter and third-highest overall, and hit four half-centuries, which even helped him earn a T20I and an ODI debut for India.
“Rajasthan Royals’ decision to hand Riyan the captaincy underscores the franchise’s confidence in his leadership, a skill he has demonstrated through his
tenure as Assam’s domestic captain,” a statement from the franchise said. “Having been a crucial member of the Royals setup over the years, his understanding of the team’s dynamic makes him well-equipped to step into this role for the initial phase of the tournament.”
Parag will take charge in the opening fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, followed by home games in Guwahati against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26, and Chennai Super Kings on March 30. Parag won 10 of 17 matches leading Assam in T20 cricket between 2021 and 2023, averaging 67.09 and striking at 167.72. (ESPNcricinfo)
Pitamber to play for third and fourth positions. The Drayton/Khan match for the championship ended in high drama, with the players being tied at one point each at the end of 2 games, triggering the Armageddon Round. For this game, the player with the white pieces starts with 5 minutes on the clock, and must win outright to gain the point. The player with the dark pieces begins with 4 minutes, and would be declared the winner if the game ends in a draw or a win by black. Khan won the toss and played white, and proceeded to bring Drayton’s un -
beaten streak to an end.
Drayton settled for second place, after coming very close to winning his second championship title for the year. Couchman took third place, while Pitamber came in fourth. The fifth place went to CM Loris Nathoo, who ended with 6.5 points, while Saeed Ali took sixth, also with 6.5 points. WCM Aditi Joshi and Keron Sandiford placed respectively seventh and eighth with 6 points each.
Notable performances came from Mahir Rajkumar, Prince Dunn, Kim Shing Chong, Oluwadare Oyeyipo, and Aravinda Singh, who each
finished with 6 points.
Chief Arbiter of the tournament was FIDE Arbiter John Lee. At a post-tournament ceremony, the top five players received a total of $115,000 in cash prizes, sponsored by the Guyana Chess Federation. Khan was awarded the championship trophy, and the sixth and seventh-place winners earned a free month’s membership to the Pegasus Chess Club.
The GCF has extended its gratitude to the management of the Guyana Pegasus Hotel for providing the venue for the weekend tournaments.
Commissioner’s T20 Cup… Regions 3, 4A and
B bag victories
With 13 teams competing for cash prizes and trophies, the annual Commissioner’s Cup continued on March 19th, 2025 at the Police Sports Club Ground at Eve Leary, Georgetown, where Region 5 and 4A and B walked away with wins.
In the day’s first game, Region 5 comprehensively defeated Guyana Police Force Academy (GPFA). Winning the toss, GPFA elected to bowl first, and Region 5 proceeded to post a commanding total of 199 for 4 in the allotted 20 overs.
Shemroy Barrington and Grisean Grant gave Region 5 an impressive start in recording a 107run opening partnership. Barrington top scored with an impressive 73, while Grant fell one short of his half century (49).
Colis Horcorts conceding 50 runs in his four
overs, but took 2 wickets.
GPFA were bowled out for 93 runs in 16.1 overs. Grant took 4 for 17 in 3 overs; Lennox Williams contributed 3 wickets for 13 runs in 2.1 overs; and Marsh King and Evan Blair both top-scored with 15 for the GPFA.
In another game at the same venue, Region 3 went into battle against Region 4A and B. After winning the toss, Region 3 chose to bat first, and produced 158 runs, with J. Anderson leading the way with 20 and D. Singh adding 19. D. Dick, who had figures of 3 for 23 off his 4 overs, played a key role in containing the opposition.
Region 4A & B responded by batting brilliantly, due in large part to Venture’s outstanding innings, which saw him top-scoring with 65 runs. C Kendall contributed 27 runs, which enabled the team to win by 4 wickets
(160–6). The tournament is scheduled to continue on Monday, March 24, with TSC set to take on Region 5, and Region 2 set to battle the Officers.
Riyan Parag will stand in as captain for Sanju Samson for three games
A glimpse of the action on Wednesday as the Commissioner’s T20 Cup continued
A look at the outstanding players at the Blitz Chess Championship
Pakistan Tour of New Zealand 2025: T20I Series, Game 3 of 5…
Can Pakistan stop New Zealand’s charge?
Even against a depleted New Zealand squad, Pakistan’s revamped T20I side managed to hit a new low: getting bundled out for 91 in the series opener. Even against a New Zealand side without the flying Glenn Phillips, Pakistan have been handing out catches incessantly through the two games so far played - for all ten dismissals in the first game, and eight out of nine in the second game.
If this new-look Pakistan side want to keep the five-match T20I series alive in Auckland today (Friday), they need to step up on all fronts and prove to the world - and even perhaps to themselves - that it’s not all doom and gloom with less than a year to go for the next T20 World Cup.
Pakistan themselves are a depleted side, in the early days of learning to live without Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam in this format, and without the injured Saim Ayub. It’s still early days to judge the new opening pair of Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Haris, but their inability to cope with the pace and bounce in Christchurch, before poor shot selections in Dunedin, doesn’t bode well.
Salman Agha’s blitzy 46 off 28, and cameos from the experienced Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi down the order in the second game, helped them to 135 for 9 in a rain-reduced 15-overs-a-side game. However, ineffectiveness of their bowling attack - which holds a lot more promise than their batting - to contain the New Zealand batting places a big question mark over who can really help them keep the series alive.
New Zealand’s open-
ers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen have been devastating in both games, exemplified by Seifert carting Afridi around for 26 runs in an over in the second game. Given that sun is forecast in Auckland, Pakistan would first hope they win the toss, which hasn’t happened so far this series, and then try to remove the openers early to test their middle order.
New Zealand have not had much to worry about so far. Their bowlers have worked like a well-oiled machine in favourable conditions, and even though they put down three catches in the first match, they have held on to 18.
Pakistan would also be desperate to lift their hopes after a forgettable home Champions Trophy campaign, and to put an end to their five-match losing streak in T20Is, which started in Zimbabwe in December last year.
In the spotlight: James Neesham and Hasan Nawaz
After last playing T20Is in the 2024 T20 World Cup, James Neesham returned to the side in the absence of the stars that are in India for the IPL. He got to play only in the second game, picking two wickets towards the end and scoring just 5 in the chase before holing out.
Once a game-changer in New Zealand’s white-ball squads, Neesham has fallen out of favour in ODIs, but he has committed himself for next year’s T20 World Cup. Onus remains on him to prove that form is something he can turn around quickly, especially in home conditions, as he has not scored more than 40 in the format since December 2023.
Hasan Nawaz has had as poor a start to his in-
ternational career as anyone could: two ducks in two games. It’s the nature of dismissals in both games that might disappoint him and the team management, as he dished out wild swings to miscue the ball on both occasions.
The 22-year-old came into this series with runs for Lions in Pakistan’s Champions T20 Cup, finishing second on the run-scorers’ list and with the second-most sixes, too. The challenge now will be to keep his place in the Pakistan XI for the remaining games and try to earn his runs in more hostile conditions.
Team news
Since it’s a five-match series, and there was a quick turnaround between the first two games, New Zealand rested Kyle Jamieson and Tim Robinson to bring in Ben Sears and Jimmy Neesham for the second match. They could bring Jamieson back and rest Jacob Duffy for the third game.
New Zealand (probable): 1 Tim Seifert, 2 Finn Allen, 3 Mark Chapman, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 James Neesham, 6 Mitchell Hay (wk), 7 Michael Bracewell (capt), 8 Zakary Foulkes, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Kyle Jamieson, 11 Jacob Duffy/Ben Sears.
Pakistan changed the mix of their bowling attack to pick fast bowler Haris Rauf for legspinner Abrar Ahmed for the second match. Mohammad Ali has been expensive in both games, leaking nearly 12 runs in them altogether. Abbas Afridi is the one op-
tion
Pakistan (probable):
1 Mohammad Haris (wk), 2 Hasan Nawaz, 3 Salman Agha (capt), 4 Irfan Khan,
5 Shadab Khan, 6 Khushdil Shah, 7 Abdul Samad, 8 Jahandad Khan, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Abrar Ahmed, 11 Mohammad Ali.
Pitch and conditions
Even though New Zealand bowled in the first two games and won both, the last four matches (barring a tie be-
tween New Zealand and Sri Lanka in 2023) in Auckland were won by teams batting first. Eden Park in general is known as a high-scoring ground, and with no rain predicted for today and temperatures expected to dip below 20 degrees at night, the crowd should be entertained for a full 40 overs. (ESPNcricinfo)
Kirsty Coventry elected 1st female President of IOC –Sebastian Coe beaten
Kirsty Coventry hopes her election as the first female and African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) - beating six male candidates, including Britain’s Lord Coe - sends a “powerful signal”.
The 41-year-old Coventry, a former swimmer who has won two Olympic gold medals, secured a majority of 49 of the 97 available votes in the first round of Thursday’s election, while World Athletics boss Coe won just eight.
Coventry, who is Zimbabwe’s sports minister, will, on 23 June, replace Thomas Bach - who has led the IOC since 2013 - and be the youngest president in the 130-year history of the International Olympic Committee. Her first Olympics will be the MilanCortina Winter Games in February 2026.
“It’s a really powerful signal. It’s a signal that we’re truly global, and that we have evolved into an organisation that is truly open to diversity; and we’re going to continue walking that road in the next eight years,” Coventry has said.
Runner-up Juan
Kirsty Coventry is the first female president in the IOC’s 130-year history
Antonio Samaranch Jr won 28 votes, while France’s David Lappartient and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe earned four votes each.
Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Sweden’s Johan Eliasch both took two votes.
Coventry, who already sits on the IOC executive board and was said to be Bach’s preferred candidate, is the 10th person to hold the highest office in sport, and would be in that post for at least the next eight years.
Coventry has won sev-
en of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals - including gold in the 200m backstroke at both the 2004 and 2008 Games.
“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment,” Coventry has said.
“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa. I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model.”
Coventry has described her election as an “extraordinary moment” during her acceptance speech, and has promised to make IOC members proud of their choice. During her election campaign, Coventry had pledged to modernise, promote sustainability, embrace technology, and empower athletes. She placed particular emphasis on protecting female sport, backing a blanket ban of transgender women from competing in female Olympic sport. (BBC Sport)
New Zealand have so far been clinical in both T20Is
James Neesham took two wickets in the second T20I
Mohammad Ali has been carted for 59 runs in five overs across the two T20Is
