Saint Jhn giving back to Guyana through "Develop Home Initiative"
Guyana to host major INTERPOL conference next year
…“this is not by accident”, Guyana earning global trust – President Ali …656 officers promoted as
Teen killed in Berbice accident
Trump
Businessman remanded for reputed wife’s murder
Man charged with assaulting mistress, fracturing stepdaughter’s nose …wife warned
Linden pensioner chopped to death Guyana, Dominican Republic forge stronger economic ties …PSC leads
Paul Slowe charged for breaching anonymity of sexual assault victim …court
2025 Maha Shivaratri celebrations
Many are academically qualified, but lack enlightenment – Pres Ali
n the occasion of
OMaha Shivaratri, President Dr Irfaan Ali has made a clarion call for Guyanese to make a more conscious effort to be tolerant and extend goodwill to others, as he noted that while many are academically qualified, too many still lack enlightenment.
While participating in the observance of Maha Shivaratri at the Cove and John Ashram on Wednesday, President Ali urged persons in society to
be more open-minded and seek enlightenment. He reflected on the meaning of the observance, which celebrates the Hindu deity Shiva, and noted that everyone could learn something from its tenets.
“Shiva represents destruction; not in a sense of ruin, but in the profound way of resolving ignorance and paving the way for rebirth, renewal and enlightenment; rebirth in the sense of renewal and enlightenment,” he explained.
“We live in a society to-
day you will go berserk if you look at social media: every fake news, this news, that news. But guess what? People enjoy this fake news. When you scrolling through social media, the negative headlines you want to read first,” the Head of State said.
President Ali said society’s fixation with the negative instead of the positives is emblematic of the social troubles modern society finds itself in. A further example he offered was of those who are academically-qualified but lack enlightenment, and exude ignorance and malice.
“You see highly educated people preaching hate and division, and you wonder, ‘How can these people do that?’ It’s simple. They’re academically-qualified but they never received enlightenment. There’s a big difference,” President Ali explained. “They’re academically-qualified but they never received enlightenment. Enlightenment is a higher degree of consciousness that does not come by
theory. That’s the difference. It does not come by theoretical underpinnings, it comes by your individual consciousness,” he stated.
The President has expressed firm conviction that choosing a path of enlightenment and tolerance is the only way for society to grow stronger. Expressing how important it is for Guyanese to continue to respect different religious practices, he declared, “This occasion also invites us to remove negativity from our lives, and to rid ourselves of division, hatred, ignorance that holds us back. It is a time to embrace wisdom, compassion and unity, allowing the light of divine consciousness to guide our actions and thoughts.”
He added, “I recall last year Maha Shivaratri was also observed during the fasting of Muslims and Christians.
This year we have a repeat of this coincidence. The coincidence of our various religious festivals reminds us that we live in a multi-cultural society,
where diversity is a fundamental part of our identity.”
After the satsang, the President and his entourage enjoyed seven curry and sweet meats.
“Shivratri”, or “night of Shiva”, is celebrated on the 14th day of every month of the lunar calendar. But once a year, in late winter in the northern hemisphere, Maha Shivratri is celebrated to commemorate the oncoming summer. Shivratri is an occasion when Hindus offer special prayers to Lord Shiva. In Sanskrit, ‘ratri’ means night, hence Maha Shivaratri literally means ‘The Great Night of Shiva’. There are several traditions associated with the night: Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya (the dance of dissolution); he appeared as the Lingam; he married Mother Parvati. Maha Shivaratri is observed for one night, but the preparations begin on the preceding day.
President Dr Irfaan Ali at the observance
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Thursday, February 27 –03:45h-05:15h and Friday, February 28 – 03:45h-05:15h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Thursday, February 27 –16:10h-17:40h and Friday, February 28 – 16:55h-18:25h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
No mass deportations for Guyana – US Ambassador
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
Sunshine is expected throughout the day, with clear to partly-cloudy skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 3.13 metres and 5.81 metres.
High Tide: 16:33h reaching a maximum height of 2.79 metres.
Low Tide: 10:06h and 22:30h reaching minimum heights of 0.54 metre and 0.41 metre.
nited States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot has assured that there would be no mass deportation of Guyanese who might be illegal in the US, noting, however, that routine deportations that have been ongoing for decades would continue.
Speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the opening of the Guyana Police Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference on Wednesday, Ambassador Theriot indicated that she has not heard anything from Washington about the deportation of Guyanese in the US, amid the Trump Administration’s crackdown on illegal migrants.
“We’ve always had routine deportations of citizens all over the Caribbean and all over the world, and that’s not something new. But you won’t be seeing something like you’ve seen for Colombia or some of the other countries of large groups; that’s not something that would be happening for Guyana. It would just be a routine process that’s been going on for decades,” the US diplomat explained.
With regard to reports of Guyana accepting third-party migrants, Ambassador Theriot confirmed that conversations were held with the Guyanese Government, along with other Caribbean administrations, on this matter, but noted that she did not have the details.
Only last week, however, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo clarified that there was no agreement for Guyana to accept deportees from the US who are citizens of other countries.
“In terms with how many from third party [countries] will come to Guyana, there is no agreement on anyone from third party coming to Guyan; there is no such agreement,” Jagdeo told reporters at his February 20 press conference.
Asked how many Guyanese citizens will be returning home, the Vice President had stated the US has not supplied
a number, but reiterated that Guyana would accept all of its citizens.
“We have made it clear that whatever the number is, once they’re Guyanese, we will welcome our people home,” Jagdeo declared.
US President Donald Trump, since assuming office, has embarked on a mass deportation plan to rid the country of undocumented migrants.
Countries, including Costa Rica and Panama, have agreed to serve as a “bridge” or “transit country” for deportees, while the US bears all the costs of the operation.
In Panama, the deportees are held in hotels while waiting for international authorities to organise a return to their home countries, according to the Associated Press.
Shift in migration
Meanwhile, with the US clamping down on illegal migrants, the Guyana Government is paying at-
tention to how this would shift migration patterns in the region. Commander-inChief, President Dr Irfaan Ali, has already charged the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to pay attention to this change in the movement of people.
He had previously stated that while Guyana remained sympathetic to those leaving their countries to seek a better life here, migration must happen in a lawful and structured manner, something which he reiterated recently.
Addressing the opening ceremony on Wednesday, the Head of State charged the senior ranks to also analyse these changes in migration policies within the region and how they could impact Guyana.
“There is no way you can leave this Officers’ Conference without analysing the shift in the global situation. Every country must manage their borders and people must legally enter your border… Every country has that right to
secure its border, secure its environment and the laws provide for illegal immigrants to go back. But that scenario must be analysed now in our region, because as more immigrants come into our region [after being deported from the US] …it adds pressure on the regional systems…
“When you are looking to move because of social conditions and whatever, what do you look for: which is the next best destination? And if they pick up all the international newspapers and see the fastest-growing economy is Guyana, they see that Guyana is short on labour, they see Guyana’s construction is expanding; then we have to understand that we have a problem that can very well approach us quickly – it is already approaching us. We have to now strategise, and the only strategy we can win with is greater regionalisation and international partnership on this matter,” President Ali posited.
US Ambassador Nicole Theriot speaking with reporters on Wednesday
The commencement of the Guyana Police Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference brings with it a renewed focus on one of the nation’s most pressing issues – road safety. President Dr Irfaan Ali has charged the top brass of the country’s premier law enforcement agency with developing a clear and effective strategy to curb the persistent lawlessness on Guyana’s roadways. His call for a holistic approach underscores the urgency of the matter and the necessity for a multi-faceted solution.
At the heart of this strategy lies the recognition that road safety is not a singular issue but one that requires comprehensive intervention. As President Ali rightly pointed out, tackling traffic indiscipline necessitates a foundation built on infrastructure, investment, enforcement, education, accountability, and partnerships. These six pillars must be at the core of any strategy aimed at fostering safer roadways and ensuring that all road users adhere to the rules.
While progress has been made, with a reported 21 per cent reduction in fatal accidents by the end of 2024, there remains a long road ahead, particularly in addressing the reckless behaviour of truck drivers. The President aptly highlighted the anxiety many road users experience, especially when travelling on highways frequented by heavy-duty trucks. The fact that younger, lessexperienced drivers are now behind the wheels of these massive vehicles presents a significant safety hazard. Unlike motor cars, trucks require advanced skills in handling, braking, and manoeuvring, particularly when carrying heavy loads. The reality that many of these young drivers lack the necessary experience is deeply concerning and must be addressed as a matter of priority.
Rapid economic growth has inevitably led to a shortage of experienced drivers, which, in turn, has contributed to the increasing prevalence of underqualified individuals operating commercial vehicles. However, economic progress must not come at the expense of road safety. Stricter training and certification requirements for truck drivers must be enforced to ensure that only those with the requisite skills and knowledge are allowed to operate these potentially deadly machines.
In recent years, significant steps have been taken to modernise traffic management. The introduction of the e-ticketing system, surveillance cameras, and speed indicators has enhanced enforcement efforts. However, President Ali has acknowledged that these measures alone are not enough. While ideally, societal awareness and self-discipline should drive behavioural change, the persistent disregard for road rules suggests that harsher penalties may be necessary.
The proposal to suspend drivers' licences after three speeding violations, particularly for truck drivers, is a move in the right direction. It sends a clear message that reckless driving will not be tolerated. Additionally, the President's call for the Attorney General to review existing legislation to hold truck owners accountable is an important move. Employers must bear responsibility for ensuring that their drivers are well-trained and compliant with traffic laws. Holding both drivers and their employers accountable will foster a culture of responsibility within the transportation sector.
Last November, when President Ali announced sweeping measures against errant road users, he did so with the firm conviction that indiscipline on Guyana's roads could no longer be allowed to persist. At that time, only 18 licences had been suspended for the year, a figure that was not reflective of the magnitude of speeding violations occurring daily. This highlights the need for more robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure that road users who flout the law face real consequences.
Beyond legislative reforms, road safety education must be prioritised at every level of society. Public awareness campaigns, community engagements, and driver education programmes should be intensified to instil a culture of responsible driving. The reckless behaviours exhibited on Guyana's roads are not just a matter of individual irresponsibility but a reflection of deeper societal attitudes towards road use and enforcement. Changing this culture requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including law enforcement, policymakers, businesses, and civil society.
The time for half-measures has long passed. If Guyana is to truly address the lawlessness on its roadways, decisive action must be taken now. Stronger penalties, improved enforcement, better training for commercial drivers, and greater accountability for trucking companies are all critical components of a comprehensive road safety strategy. The Guyana Police Force must rise to the challenge set by President Ali.
Is 2025 the Year of Reparation for descendants of African slaves in the Caribbean?
Dear Editor, Six descendants of the Scottish 19th century sugar and coffee plantation owner John Gladstone visited Guyana in August 2023 to offer apology for their foreparent’s active involvement in slavery and the Atlantic slave trade. On their visit to Guyana, the Gladstone family donated £100,000 to the University of Guyana (UG) and the Guyana Reparations Committee (GRC) to promote research into slavery, including migration and diaspora studies. And an institute called International Center for Migration and Diaspora Studies (ICMDS) was created for this purpose.
A strong statement on reparations was delivered by Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali (August 2023). He called upon descendants of European slave traders “to offer to pay reparations to right historical wrongs… and demanded that those involved in the transatlantic trade and African enslavement be posthumously charged for crimes against humanity.”
And Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, at the UN General Assembly, argued the case for a second International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) “to address reparation and colonialism.”
Elsewhere Ms Mottley expressed gratitude to the Church of England for allocating £100 million towards reparation, but seemed uneasy with this amount as well as with the absence of conversation. It is noted that the UN did approve a Second Decade (2025-2034) which was strongly supported by Guyana.
Despite the optimism generated by the Gladstone family’s apology and their research grant, combined with prior and current impassioned speeches of several political leaders and scholars, including Professor Hillary Beckles who appeared before the British Parliament in July 2024, there has not been any significant movement in the reparation journey. European countries are still struggling with how they could face the colossal financial challenge, among other things.
For example, former British Prime Minister Mr David WD Cameron, who visited Jamaica in September 2015, ruled out reparation, but expressed readiness to grant funds for development and security purposes. And this British position on reparation has been supported by a succeeding British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak (2024).
Prof Hillary Beckles ig-
nited the momentum for reparation in April 2024 when he emphasized that the colonial powers that extracted massive amount of wealth from slavery must be prepared to transfer a portion of that wealth to those countries to satisfy their critical development needs. Prof Beckles also expressed gratitude to the African Union, which has promised to collaborate with Caricom, and which designated 2025 as the year of reparation.
Another powerful voice has joined the crusade. King Charles has stated: “We must acknowledge the enduring impact of slavery… This is a conversation whose time has come.”
Citing figures from the Brattle Group Report (BGR), Table 16 (June 8, 2023) on Trans-Atlantic Chattel Slavery, Ms. Mottley has said Barbados is due (US)$4.9 trillion in reparation, and an additional (US)$51 billion for the post-enslavement period (Table 22).
In the case of Guyana, the estimated reparation for chattel slavery is (US)$628 billion and post-enslavement reparation is (US)$42 billion, making it a total of (US)$670 billion. Of this amount, the Netherlands’ share of payment is (US)$60 billion, while the UK share is (US)$610 billion. These
figures are based on 2020 currency value, and are calculated at 2.5% interest.
The BGR says reparation could be disbursed over a 10-, 15-, 20- or 25-year period.
What format would European apology and reparations take? Would it be community grants to African villages to launch community development projects? Or would that take the form of direct cash payments to descendants? If cash is disbursed, how would that be done? Would it be individual descendants or descendant families/ households (2nd, 3rd, 4th generation)? In the case of Guyana, there were 13,631 African immigrants post- slavery during 18411865.
African immigrants at that time accounted for about 12.8% of the African population. How would the African immigrants and their descendants be treated? I didn’t find an answer in the Brattle Report. The figures on reparation as determined by the Brattle Group should be settled at negotiations between the European powers and the Caricom Reparations Committee. I strongly support reparation to descendants of African slaves.
Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh
Revellers participating in "Falliforia" carnival, inspired by Dionysos, the Ancient Greek god of wine and festivity, in Athens, Greece (Reuters)
“Critical thinking” needed to address lawlessness on roadways – Pres Ali …charges
Police Force to develop strategy
The Guyana Police Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference got underway on Wednesday, and President Dr Irfaan Ali has instructed the top brass of the country’s premier law enforcement agency to come up with a clear strategy to tackle the continued lawlessness on Guyana’s roadways.
Over the next few days, senior officers of the Police Force will gather at the Mess Annex, Eve Leary in Georgetown, to discuss and plan key operational strategies for the coming year.
Addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony on Wednesday morning, President Ali highlighted several areas that the GPF needed to focus on during their deliberations, including traffic management.
“This traffic issue is a specific area that a lot of critical thinking at this Annual Officers’ Conference is required. And I’m sure that we all will agree that we need a holistic approach…
So, it’s infrastructure, investment, enforcement, education, accountability and partnership. These are factors, in my mind, that must form the foundational pillar through which we develop this strategy in addressing
the lawlessness on roadways,” the Head of State posited.
At the end of 2024, a 21 per cent reduction in fatal accidents was recorded. But according to the Guyanese leader, while there has been tremendous improvement in curbing road accidents, a lot more must be done, especially when it comes to the reckless behaviour of truck drivers.
“There is not a single person in this room who will tell me there is not an element of uneasiness if you have to drive to the airport, and it’s not [only] during the day; it’s 24/7 with the trucks… We have to implement strong measures to limit the speed of those trucks, but we also have a problem – the average age of a truck driver years ago might have been 30-plus; today, it’s 22 or 23,” he noted.
President Ali pointed out that these young drivers do not have sufficient experience on the roadways before being allowed to drive trucks, which he noted are completely different from driving a motor car, especially taking into consideration braking speed and the load factor.
In the same breath, however, the Head of State ac-
knowledged that there was a gap in the human resource assets in Guyana’s rapidly-growing economy. He noted that in order to continue this development trajectory, law enforcement will play critical roles in ensuring these truck drivers adhere to rules and regulations when operating on the roadways.
While the e-ticketing system, surveillance cameras and speed indicators have been implemented to enhance traffic management, President Ali says stronger penalties might be the answer to effect these changes.
“It’s not the best approach that penalties must drive change. The best approach is that self-consciousness, societal pressure, doing the right thing, should be able to drive change and drive home the point that we have to do the right thing. But, unfortunately, when that doesn’t work, you have to go to stronger measures, which is the penalties,” the Head of State stressed.
Only last November, President Ali had announced a series of sweeping measures for errant road users, including the suspension of drivers’ licences after three speeding tickets, especially for truck drivers.
Flanked by a number of senior Guyana Police Force officials on a November 21, 2024 live broadcast, Ali had said: “We cannot continue to have this type of indiscipline on our roadways, especially with the trucks and truck drivers.
“We will hold truck drivers responsible. I’ve asked the Attorney General to examine the laws to see where there are gaps, so that truck owners can also have a responsibility of ensuring their drivers work within guidelines. As it is now, the law provides for the suspension of licence, and I’ve asked the Traffic Chief, Commissioner of
Police and the leadership of the Guyana Police Force, to take immediate steps to have this law implemented fully.”
The Head of State had also lamented that the 18 suspensions of drivers’ licences that were recorded for the year at the time were not reflective of the magnitude of the speeding that was taking place on the country’s roadways.
Since then, the Police Force’s Traffic Department has strengthened enforcement efforts with, among other things, more body cameras for traffic ranks.
Meanwhile, in supporting the interventions rolled
out by the Guyanese Leader last year, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) had called for a number of interventions, including the revision and enforcement of the minimum age for a commercial vehicle driver’s licence, especially for trucks, minibuses and taxis. In its statement, the PSC proposed a review of the issuance of drivers’ licences, particularly for heavy-duty truck drivers, as well as an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act to increase the minimum age to 21 years for a commercial vehicle driver’s licence (trucks, buses, and taxis).
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27,
The driver of a speeding truck lost control and hit a utility pole then a motor car before crashing into a house on the Lusignan Public Road, East Coast Demerara on February 6, 2025
President Dr Irfaan Ali
Page Foundation
(1) Amelia picks and then sells vegetables from her garden at a roadside stand. How many cabbages were sold?
(A) 6
(B) 8
(C) 10 (D) 12
(2) What is the value of 6 in 25 673?
(A) 60 (B) 600
(C) 6000
(D) 60 000
(3) Which shows the operation of division?
(A) Include 6 more objects
(B) Decrease 15 by 6
(C) Make 6 greater by 15
(D) Share 15 among 6
(4) The sum of 10 and 407 is (A) 470 (C) 397
(B) 417 (D) 307
(5) The figure is called a (A) cube. (C) cuboid. (B) cylinder. (D) sphere.
(6) The unit used to measure the mass of heavy objects is (A) degree (B) kilogramme (C) kilometre (D) litre
(7) Which is the symbol for 'not a member of'? (A) (B) (C) (D)
(10) Tom had 25 marbles in a bag. 13 marbles were blue and the rest white.
(a)(i) How many marbles were white? (ii) What fraction of the marbles was white? (b) (i) What is the ratio of white marbles to blue marbles? (ii) Write the ration in its simplest form
By Marilyn nelson
When we play horses at recess, my name is Moonlily and I’m a yearling mare. We gallop circles around the playground, whinnying, neighing, and shaking our manes.
We scrape the ground with scuffed saddle oxfords, thunder around the little kids on swings and seesaws, and around the boys’ ball games.
We’re sorrel, chestnut, buckskin, pinto, gray, a herd in pastel dresses and white socks. We’re self-named, untamed, untouched, unridden.
Our plains know no fences. We can smell spring. The bell produces metamorphosis. Still hot and flushed, we file back to our desks, one bay in a room of palominos.
WORD SEARCH:
Guyana to host major INTERPOL conference next year – Pres Ali
…says “this is not by accident”, Guyana earning
President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that Guyana will be hosting major regional and international conferences, including the International Criminal Police Organisation’s (INTERPOL’s) Americas Regional Conference in 2026 – something which he noted is as a result of the massive investments made over the years to enhance the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and law enforcement in the country.
“We’re investing in the best technology, the best assets and then soon, this year, we’ll have the annual Commissioners of Police Officers’ Conference in Guyana – the ACCP (Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police)… and then next year, we will have the INTERPOL Annual Conference in Guyana.
“This is not by accident. The global system must have had to see the improvement; they must have had to have confidence in our system before they made these decisions,” President Ali said at the opening of the Guyana Police Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference on Wednesday.
The four-day event is being held at the Force’s Eve Leary Headquarters in Georgetown under the theme: “Building a Resilient and Contemporary Police Force: Strengthening Accountability, Innovation and Partnership for Safer Communities.”
Partnership and collaboration
According to the Head of State, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, partnership
and collaboration – at the national, regional and international levels – are key to the development and future of the GPF.
In addition to partners across the Caribbean, Guyana already has strong
Sciences University [NFSU] in India to develop our forensic capability and capacity – not only for Guyana, but it will be a forensic lab and a forensic ecosystem to support all of the region.”
The Head of State noted that this state-of-the-art facility would see international experts coming here to manage the forensic lab for the first three years during which they will transfer knowledge and technology to locals.
Back in December, the Guyana Government had announced this collaboration between India’s NFSU and the Guyana Police Force Academy to train and equip local officers in certified investigative techniques, forensic science, cybersecurity, and forensic psychology.
This partnership, which
global trust
to show we have the human resource skills and capacity, we have the infrastructure, we have the curriculum, we have the persons to deliver the curriculum, and we succeeded in every [one] of those tests...
“We already have 6000 persons being trained in academy. The Junior Officers’ programme will start [soon] and we’ll have more than 30 of our regional friends and family members joining us in that programme there,” the Head of State stated.
Enhanced capacity
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, in his remarks at Wednesday’s opening of the Annual Officers’ Conference, outlined the efforts undertaken over the past year to enhance the
cooperation with police forces in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Brazil, Canada, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Our international footprint is expanding… Right now, we’re partnering with the New York Police Department [and] the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. We’re also collaborating with key international institutions to develop our capacity and develop strategies to deal with gender-based violence or responsiveness, to enhance our capacity in homicide investigation and in this regard, we’re now partnering with the National Forensic
also covers operationalising and management of the National Forensic Laboratory, will see Guyana being positioned as the Regional Centre for training in these areas through its Police Academy, which is based at Eve Leary.
International accreditation
Only recently, Guyana’s Police Academy received international accreditation –something which regional partners are also benefiting from.
“Today, we have a Police Academy that is internationally accredited. And we had to pass many, many criteria and litmus tests to get that accreditation. We had
Force’s human resource capacity, which ultimately led to the international accreditation of its training academy.
Among these initiatives are the redesigning of the training curricula and the Police Force’s entrance examination to ensure a rigorous and fair selection process.
“We are committed to fostering equal opportunities which has resulted in 1931 ranks receiving scholarships and 110 ranks benefiting from sponsorships for local and overseas courses, totally 746 courses for 2024,” he noted.
According to the Top Cop, the Police Force has made monumental strides in the past year across all six pillars of its 2022–2026 Strategic Plan, and remains resolute in fully realising these strategies.
Hicken pointed out that this year, the Police Force will be looking to establish a Tourism Department, Behaviour Unit and an Oil and Gas Unit as well as establishing a unit to deal
with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and boost its digital, forensic and cyber capabilities.
While the Force has also established an Aviation Unit, the Police Commissioner said this would be boosted this year and accredited diploma and degree programmes rolled out in time for the completion of the modern Police Academy that is currently under construction at Dora on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.
The $275 million stateof-the-art facility is set to revolutionise law enforcement training in Guyana, providing a cutting-edge environment that will shape the future of policing in the nation. It will include smart classrooms with IT labs; training studio for practical exercises, including driving simulators and tactical courses; driving circuit; drill square; and an armoury and shooting range, as well as recreational spaces such as ball courts and a swimming pool.
President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the opening of the Guyana Police Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference at the Mess Annex, Eve Leary on Wednesday
Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken
A section of the gathering at Wednesday’s opening of the GPF’s Annual Officers’ Conference
Setting…
…agri goals
Old people does say, “Doan hang yuh hat wheh yuh haan cyaan reach”. Now, your Eyewitness doesn’t think our Pressie’s recent concession: that we in Caricom didn’t accomplish our goal to cut food imports by 25% by 2025 - “25 by 25” - was a case in which we couldn’t do it. The question is whether the time frame wasn’t too ambitious. It was! The Caricom Heads of State decided in 2022, and gave the region just THREE years to achieve it!! Even JFK gave the US SEVEN years to reach the moon – from 1962 to the end of the decade. And for us to be cutting our US$6 billion food import bill is like reaching the moon!!
After all, from the moment Caricom was launched in 1973, it was ruefully acknowledged by all and sundry that we were importing too much food. And all the said Heads of Government – ironically abbreviated as “Caricom HOGS” – committed to doing what they could to reduce that bill. Reams of pages of analyses were produced to show how the departed colonialists had induced us into “foreign tastes” – like condensed milk and canned sardines!! – that we had to import and spend scarce foreign exchange on. But very little was done to show how we could actually produce our own food - save for talking about a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), but doing very little about it!!
But about two decades ago, then President Jagdeo came up with an eponymously named “Jagdeo Initiative” as a strategy for removing constraints to agricultural development in the Caribbean, so that we could feed ourselves. It built upon the old efforts to develop a CAP by getting concrete and identifying ten key “binding constraints” that mitigated against success. What happened, however, was that Jagdeo pointed out it was Guyana and Belize that had the land and farming personnel for agri, while other countries could remove other constraints, like finance and transportation etc.
Well, who tell him to say that!! Trinidad, which then had capital, immediately decided to set up its own “Mega Farms”, even though we were willing to give them land here!! Of course, their farms all collapsed; mainly because they weren’t doing it to produce food, but just to have an excuse not to have us develop -- even though we had what the economists call a “comparative advantage”!! Ditto with those countries that would supply other needsbased on their circumstances.
What caused the failure was that old “dog in the manger” syndrome that we all learnt about during our British tutelage!!
Well, on this go-around, it looks like we will have to do it on our own; but, thank goodness, we now have the money, the land and the people!!
…new ground rules
Well, the world’s beginning to realise that whatever they may think about the new sheriff in town, there’s not much they can do about it!! Trump’s like a force of nature in an old boys’ club that was used to pretending they’re all equal just because they put their pants on one leg at a time!! Well, Trump’s invoking that old folk wisdom we learnt back in the day: that, in a rum shop, the folks stack the big bottles and the little bottles on different shelves because they’re valued differently!!
Trump’s showing the Europeans that since the US coughs up most of the moolah to fund their defence in NATO against Russia - which they insist is still THE enemy, he can now pretty much tell them that they have no clothes!! He’s willing to have Russia inside the tent pissing out, that outside pissing in!!
And he got the Ukraine rare earth minerals for which “Biden was throwing money around like it’s cotton candy”!!
…hospitality standards
Pressie says we’re gonna push our tourism potential. Well, one of his tourism honchos better get in touch with that hotel owner who assaulted that foreign guest who complained about rats in his room!!
656 officers promoted as GPF strengthens leadership
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has promoted 656 officers across senior and subordinate ranks.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at the annual Police Officers Conference at Eve Leary, Georgetown.
The promotions, effective January 1, 2025, mark a defining moment for the GPF as it continues to modernise and enhance its operational capacity.
During his address, President Dr Irfaan revealed that additional promotions remained under consideration.
“I have been advised by the Chair of the Police Service Commission that there are still other names under consideration. They have not completed the full consideration of all names. So, the Chair of the Police Service Commission has asked me to convey that message also and
continue to be on your good behaviour,” Ali said.
At the top of the list is Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Singh. Formerly
a Senior Superintendent, Singh has ascended to the rank of Assistant Commissioner, testament to his dedication and steady rise through the ranks.
Linden pensioner chopped to death
The body of 65-yearold Earl Griffith, who had lived alone at Wisroc Housing Scheme in Wismar, Linden, was found on February 17 in a pool of blood with chop wounds evident about his body. However, there are no known leads on his killer.
A businessman who operates a fish shop within the Wisroc community told investigators that Griffith had been a frequent patron of his premises, and he had observed the pensioner filling a bottle with water at his standpipe at the shop at around 17:50h on February 17.
Other notable promotions include eight elevated to Assistant Commissioner, 14 to Senior Superintendent, 21 to Superintendent, 19 to Deputy Superintendent, 56 to Assistant Superintendent, and 37 to Assistant Superintendent on Probation.
Additionally, six were promoted to Cadet Officer, 20 to Chief Inspector, 141 to Inspector, 84 to Sergeant, 114 to Corporal, 100 to Lance Corporal, 6 to Rural Sergeant, and 19 to Rural Corporal.
Very exciting time President Ali encouraged officers to maintain professionalism and discipline,
noting that the promotions signify a bold step towards reinforcing leadership, discipline, and efficiency within the ranks of the GPF.
“This is a very exciting time for the Guyana Police Force, for law enforcement and for our Joint Services in Guyana. I've encouraged from day one the Heads of the Joint Services and the senior management to network, integrate and work closely together. Because at the end of the day, whether it's internal security or external threat, we are all working towards the protection and safeguarding of our national assets and our sovereignty together. And that requires collaboration, part-
nership, and collective effort and we have seen great success with that partnership,” the President said. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces also highlighted the growing importance of global partnerships in law enforcement.
The promotions come against the backdrop of significant successes in crime reduction across the country. President Ali outlined the Force’s achievements, noting a 12.2 per cent overall reduction in serious crimes, a 25.9 per cent decrease in murders, a 40.9 per cent drop in robberies, a 12 per cent reduction in robberies with violence, and a 19.1 per cent decline in larceny.
He said he reported the matter to the police, and upon investigation, ranks found two chop wounds to the pensioner’s face and neck.
He said the pensioner had departed about ten minutes later, while he had left the location shortly after, and upon returning there, he discovered the pensioner lying on the ground in a pool of blood.
Some $2000 were found in his possession. Police have said that several individuals in the area have been contacted and interviewed, but no useful information has been obtained. The surrounding area has been canvassed for CCTV cameras, but none has been found.
President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the annual Police Officers Conference at Eve Leary, Georgetown
Dead: Earl Griffith
Teen killed in Berbice accident
…3 injured
One person is now dead and three persons have been injured following a single-vehicle crash that occurred along the Berbice Bridge Access Road at Ordinance Fort Lands in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
The dead person has been identified as 19-yearold Annalisa Smith of Lot 248 Hope, East Coast Demerara. She reportedly was seated in the back passenger seat of motorcar PSS 6725 being driven by 21-year-old Clifton Smith, a provisionally licensed driver, when it crashed into a utility pole along the Access Road on Wednesday at about 12:20h.
Three other occupants of the vehicle: 60-year-old
Marlyn Jones and 49-yearold Odessa Smith, both of Lot 248 Hope, East Coast Demerara; and 43-yearold Simon Gomes of Lot 145 5th Street Alberttown, Georgetown, have been taken to hospital, while the driver has been taken into police custody.
Police say the vehicle was proceeding west along the southern drive lane allegedly at a fast rate when the driver lost control of
the vehicle and it collided with a utility pole, causing Annalisa Smith, who was seated in the rear left side seat of the car, to sustain multiple injuries about her body. She was taken out of vehicle in an unconscious condition by a member of the public, and was rushed by ambulance to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arriv-
al. Her body is presently at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting post mortem examination.
The other occupants of the vehicle are currently at the New Amsterdam Hospital receiving treatment.
A breathalyser test conducted on the driver Clifton Smith did not find any alcohol in his system, but he remains in police custody as investigations continue.
Businessman remanded for reputed wife’s murder
City businessman Marlon DaSilva has been remanded to prison after his arraignment on Wednesday before Diamond/ Grove Magistrate Wanda Fortune on a charge of murder committed on his reputed wife, 27-year-old Kenesha Marie Juman Vaughn, on the night of Saturday, February 22, 2025. Represented by attorneys Everton SinghLammy, Sanjeev Datadin and Latchmie Rahamat, the 32-year-old DaSilva has not been required to plead to the indictable charge. He has been remanded, and the case has been adjourned to March 21.
According to the police, the fatal shooting occurred at the couple’s residence at Lot 1179 Section ‘A’ Block ‘X’ Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara at around 20:00h on Saturday.
Investigations revealed that DaSilva, a licensed fire-
arm holder, had been consuming alcohol at a popular Main Street bar prior to the incident. Upon returning home, an argument ensued between the couple, and DaSilva allegedly slapped the 27-year-old woman.
Reports are that the confrontation escalated and Vaughn reportedly advanced towards DaSilva with a knife, whereupon DaSilva discharged his weapon multiple
times, and the woman was fatally shot. A breathalyzer test conducted on DaSilva shortly after the incident confirmed that he was intoxicated. The couple had been involved in an intimate relationship for the past four years, and had parented to a three-year-old son. They had been residing together at the Diamond Housing Scheme address for the past year.
Marlon DaSilva being taken to court on Wednesday
Dead: Kenesha Marie Juman Vaughn
Remanded: Marlon DaSilva
Paul Slowe charged for breaching anonymity of sexual assault victim
…court grants permission for him to travel overseas
Retired Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe, former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), was arraigned on Wednesday in the Georgetown court of Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty on a charge of breaching the anonymity of a complainant contrary to Section 62(3) of the Sexual Offences Act.
Represented by attorneys Nigel Hughes, Dawn Cush and Narissa Leander, Slowe pleaded not guilty as charged and has been placed on $50,000 bail.
The charge Slowe faces stems from an allegation that he publicly disclosed the identity of a virtual com-
plainant involved in a sexual assault case currently being heard by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore.
In highlighting Slowe’s career during his bail application, Attorney Dawn Cush noted that he has 37 years of service in the Guyana Police Force, culminating in his retirement as Assistant Commissioner in 2010. And in seeking permission for Slowe to travel abroad, Attorney Nigel Hughes cited a precedent set by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George in the David Patterson case, in which it is required that such applications be made before the presiding magistrate.
Acting Chief Magistrate
McGusty granted the request, allowing Slowe to leave the jurisdiction as necessary. The matter has been adjourned to March 5.
Entanglement
Paul Slowe has been entangled in multiple legal issues in recent years.
In October 2021, Slowe was charged with three counts of sexual assault following the surfacing of allegations pertaining to incidents that allegedly occurred between March 26 and April 2, 2019, when he is alleged to have inappropriately touched a female member of the Guyana Police Force at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.
Slowe was placed on bail totalling $225,000 for these charges.
Slowe had also faced accusations of conspiracy to defraud the state of over $10 million, but those charges were dismissed in December 2023 by Magistrate Rhondel Weever due to insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution.
In August 2024, the Guyana Police Force announced an investigation into another serious allegation made against Slowe under the Sexual Offences Act and based on a complaint made by a female. Details of this allegation have not been publicly disclosed.
2 days after plunging into river
Body of missing Land of Canaan mechanic found
The body of Vishal Narine of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara has been discovered in the vicinity of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara at some time after 10:00h on Wednesday.
This 26-year-old mechanic had gone missing after jumping into the Demerara River in an intoxicated state on Monday at around 16:50h.
Reports are that his cousin Lilawattie Sancharra and other relatives had run after him in an attempt to stop him from making the plunge, but despite their entreaties, he had ignored their pleas and had continued advancing towards the wharf.
He had last been seen entering the water, and Sancharra recalled that he had initially remained above the surface before raising his
Man charged with assaulting mistress, fracturing stepdaughter’s nose
…wife warned by
court to stop posting husband’s mistress on TikTok
Leroy Gordon of Russell Street, Charlestown appeared on Wednesday in the Georgetown Court of Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty to answer charges of assaulting Noelle King and injuring her 12-year-old daughter.
Unrepresented by legal counsel, the 50-year-old Gordon pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution detailed that, in an incident that occurred on February 23 at West Rumiveldt in Georgetown, Gordon struck King’s daughter and fractured her nose on the same day that he allegedly assaulted King.
The court was told that Gordon, who has 14 children, was in a relationship with King, but currently lives with his wife. He and King have parented a twomonth-old baby, and the injured 12-year -old child is from another relationship King had.
King initially expressed a desire to drop the matter, citing as cause the child of whom Gordon is the father. But when Magistrate McGusty asked if she was
certain about her decision, King hesitated before deciding to proceed with the matter.
Despite arguments from the prosecution that Gordon may tamper with the witness, the magistrate admitted Gordon to $10,000 bail and placed him on a bond to keep the peace.
When the magistrate asked how Gordon would support the baby, he assured the court that he would provide financial assistance by “posting” money for the child.
Besides requesting that Gordon be made to cover her injured daughter’s medical bills, King accused Gordon of confiscating her electric bike, cellphone and television, and the magistrate ordered him to return those items by the next court date.
Moreover, King raised concerns about Gordon’s wife allegedly posting pictures and videos of her children on TikTok. Gordon’s wife was seated in the courtroom, and he pointed her out and said, “That is my wife”.
Further, King claimed
Charged: Leroy Gordon
she had reported the picture-posting issue [TikTok] at the Brickdam Police Station, but was told that no action could be taken unless there was a direct threat.
The magistrate thus warned Gordon’s wife against continuing that behaviour, and advised her that the cybercrime laws carry harsh fines of about $10 million.
Gordon told the court that he and King had purchased a two-bedroom house and he was willing to give her the property. This case has been adjourned to March 5.
hands and calling out to a relative. He then submerged and never resurfaced.
Family members had launched an immediate search for him, and in the hours that followed, they had scoured the riverbank late into the night.
With no sign of him by Tuesday morning, they had turned to the police for assistance, but according to them, they had received no help. They nonetheless had continued the search on their own.
They finally spotted his remains in the river on Wednesday in the vicinity of Soesdyke. Police were contacted, and his body was retrieved.
Dead: Vishal Narine
Charged: Paul Slowe
Scenes from the opening ceremony Annual Officers' Conference at the
City Hall to start ‘naming and shaming’ property owners, businesses over unpaid rates
– Mayor claims politically-linked company owing over $6B will not be spared
The Mayor and City
Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) will be moving to publish the names of delinquent property owners and businesses that have fallen behind on paying their rates in a move that, according to Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore, would be applied “across the board.”
During City Hall’s statutory meeting on Tuesday, Mayor Mentore read from a proposed notice that the City would be publishing in the newspapers as a first step, which would be followed by legal action if persons who owe rates do not reach out to the City administration and make representation for their debts.
“The Council will have no other choice but to publish the names of delinquent rate payers, and lastly (move) to taking nec-
Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore reading from an ad the City Hall intends to publicise in calling on delinquent property owners to pay up
essary legal remedies provided under law: By Order of the Mayor and Council of the City of Georgetown. I’m
working to have the cost of these to be placed in the various media,” Mentore said.
After Mentore had read
his proposal and had called for a vote, the motion was carried by a majority decision.
However, there was an exchange of words between Mentore and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillor Don Singh, who questioned whether the mayor would also be naming and shaming a company which owes some $6.4 billion to the city and reportedly has been linked to an Opposition party.
Mentore responded that naming and shaming will be done across the board, and assured the council that they would all be part of this. “This is across the board!” he declared.
This debt alluded to largely stems from taxes unpaid for properties, including the PNC/R’s Congress Place Headquarters, and
has consistently sparked a debate over financial accountability and governance within the city.
In fact, only last month the municipality announced that it would be pursuing the debt, after Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had called on the Council to take decisive action against the PNC/R amid a strike by City workers who demanded salary increases – allegedly adding to council’s financial constraints.
During one of his weekly press conferences, Jagdeo had criticized the City Council for its failure to address this significant revenue gap, and had highlighted its detrimental impact on workers and the city’s development.
Further, he had expressed frustration at the Council’s inaction by stat-
ing, “The pool of money that I’m talking about, that they refuse to go after, is $6.4 billion, based on an assessment, a demand letter that went out from the City Council… For the many, many years, it (Congress Place) never paid taxes to the City Council for the entire massive property that they have at Congress Place. They owe $6.4 billion now, they would not pay it, and the City Council will not go after them”.
Jagdeo had also underscored Central Government’s substantial financial support for Georgetown. Projects such as road repairs, drainage improvements, and the development of recreational facilities have been undertaken by the central administration, whereas those responsibilities fall under City Council’s jurisdiction.
New Norwegian company contracted to do 4D seismic survey off Guyana’s coast
Anew Norwegian company has been contracted by ExxonMobil Guyana to do a massive 4D seismic survey off Guyana’s coast as it seeks to further its understanding of the oil potential of the Stabroek Block for its future drilling campaigns.
Shearwater Geoservices, a Norwegian-based geoscience and technology company that acquires offshore
data, has received a massive contract from ExxonMobil Guyana to do 4D seismic survey of the deep-sea reservoir off Guyana’s coast.
According to a statement from this Norwegian company, the contract starts in the early part of this year, and its duration is for six months. Shearwater Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Irene Basili explained that her compa-
ny was contracted after it had done 4D towed streamer work for ExxonMobil in Canada.
Basili also described Guyana as one of the world’s fastest growing offshore oil and gas regions, and she expressed confidence that with its seismic fleet, Shearwater Geoservices would be up to the task.
“Shearwater is pleased to be selected for this sig-
CEO of Shearwater, Irene Basili
nificant 4D OBN contract in one of the world’s fastest growing offshore oil and gas regions, following our recent successful completion of 4D towed streamer operations for ExxonMobil in Canada,” Basili explained. “We see a steady increase in deepwater 4D OBN monitoring activity internationally, and Shearwater is well positioned for this growth, with our leading seismic fleet stateof-the-art technology offering an extensive experience.”
With oil equivalent recoverable resources being estimated in excess of 11 billion barrels (boe), it is widely believed that more oil is there to be found in the Stabroek Block. ExxonMobil has previously conducted both 3D and 4D seismic surveys with a view to determining where that oil is.
the Ramform Tethys, one of their Titan class ships, for 4D seismic surveys in the Stabroek Block.
PGS had previously done 3D seismic tests in the country, but there had been drama in December 2018, which caused the work to be suspended after the appearance and approach of the Venezuelan Navy had caused the company’s seismic vessel to pack up shop and vacate the area.
The company was at the time under contract by Exxon to carry out tests and acquire seismic data. The incident had come at a time when Guyana had an ongoing territorial integrity case with Venezuela.
by April 2025.
The Yellowtail Development, which would be oil giant ExxonMobil’s fourth development in Guyana’s waters, would target the production of as much as 250,000 barrels of oil per day.
The Uaru oil development, which would be the fifth for the company offshore Guyana, is targeting between 38 and 63 development wells, including production, water injection, and gas re-injection wells. Exxon had previously also made known the anticipation that first oil from the Uaru development would be achieved by late 2026 or early 2027. The Government of Guyana has meanwhile taken steps to commission a 3D seismic survey of its own. Last year, four out of the eight bidders were shortlisted by the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB).
In the years since, Exxon has gone on to secure authorization for its Yellowtail, Uaru and Whiptail developments in 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectfully.
Back in 2021, ExxonMobil had contracted another Norwegian company, Petroleum and Geo Services (PGS), to provide
Exxon’s joint venture partner Hess has also expressed hope to secure environmental authorization for the seventh project, the Hammerhead Development,
The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil Guyana is the operator, and holds 45 per cent interest in the Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest. ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027.
Guyana, Dominican Republic forge stronger economic ties
…PSC leads trade talks; tax treaty being examined to boost trade
The Private Sector Commission of Guyana (PSC), led by PSC Chairman Komal Singh and represented by senior executives from the Private Sector Commission, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, the Shipping Association of Guyana, the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber, and other business support organizations, met with President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic on Tuesday last to discuss strengthening economic ties and exploring
trade and investment opportunities between the two nations.
Discussions centred on improving regional trade between Guyana and the Dominican Republic, and the possibility of establishing a tax treaty to facilitate smoother business transactions.
The review of the existing Caricom Free Trade Agreement was also highlighted, with focus being placed on the potential for greater economic integration; and investment opportunities in
Guyana was a key feature of the engagement, Local
Saint Jhn giving back to Guyana through "Develop Home Initiative"
International music sensation and philanthropist Saint Jhn has unveiled his latest project: the
the Develop Home Initiative marks a significant milestone in the artist’s ongoing mission to uplift the commu-
Develop Home Initiative, a transformative community outreach programme dedicated to giving back to his homeland of Guyana.
The Saint Jhn Develop Home Initiative was launched on Tuesday evening at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.
With support from oil giant ExxonMobil Guyana and Creative Titans GY,
nities that played a pivotal role in shaping his life and career.
At the launching ceremony, the music sensation, whose birth name is Carlos St. John Phillips, reaffirmed his commitment towards giving back to his home country.
“I did some community outreaches (because) it’s support for me to go to the
orphanages and go to the group homes and shelters like that, because that’s a personal mission of mine.
For me, it’s impacting the kids in whatever possible way I can. It goes a long way, but I try not to come emptyhanded,” he revealed.
Through a series of carefully curated community activities, the initiative aims to empower Guyanese citizens by focusing on areas such as education, health, and social welfare. While this is a step in the right direction, the artist has stressed that more could be done on his behalf.
“But I need to do more. Long story short, I need to do more. I got to be here more, I got to spend more time, I got to lend more energy, I have to lend my expertise, I have to have more conversations,” he noted.
Saint Jhn’s arrival in Guyana has been marked by a series of impactful outreach efforts. The artist began his journey by visiting local orphanages, where he interacted with residents and kicked off a range of charitable events designed to benefit those most in need.
with emphasis being placed on the agriculture sector, particularly agro-processing and mega-farming, as well as deep-water port development and the establishment of a urea plant.
The meeting also explored ways to develop back-to-back tourism products between the two nations, and opportunities for Guyanese businesses to invest in the Dominican Republic were also discussed.
Infrastructure development and the creation of backhaul opportunities for construction materials were also addressed as areas for potential collaboration.
A joint venture agreement between the GAICO Group of Guyana and Fersan of the Dominican Republic was also signed, marking an important step
in advancing agricultural development and infrastructure collaboration.
Ramesh Dookhoo, executive member of the PSC, provided key insights into the significance of this collaboration and its role in strengthening regional investment.
President Abinader, in reaffirming the Dominican Republic’s commitment to deepening trade relations with Guyana, shared key economic growth statistics that underscored the potential for increased private-sector collaboration; addressed challenges relative to the Dominican Republic’s engagement with Caricom, and highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance trade integration within the region.
Additionally, President Abinader initiated the
formation of a dedicated working group comprising representatives from the Dominican Republic’s private sector and the Private Sector Commission of Guyana. This initiative aims to systematically identify opportunities and challenges in trade, investment, and economic collaboration between the two countries. The working group will serve as a platform for fostering deeper business engagements, addressing regulatory barriers, and enhancing market access.
President Abinader has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting this initiative, emphasizing that his administration stands ready to provide the necessary assistance to facilitate meaningful partnerships and drive mutual economic growth.
Private Sector stakeholders during the meeting on Tuesday with President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic
International music sensation Saint Jhn
Over 50 trade barriers to be removed
…as Caricom establishes working group to boost regional transport
Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have established an inter-governmental working group to advance arrangements to improve maritime transportation in the Region.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, the Caricom Chair, made the announcement at a press conference following the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Barbados.
She disclosed that Senator Dr Amery Browne, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, would head this working group, and ministers from Guyana and Jamaica, among other countries, would be part of it.
Also revealing that extensive discussions were held on improving air and maritime transportation between member states, she disclosed, “We also spoke about the urgent importance of maritime transport and air transport. But in particular, building on
the arrangements, the initial discussions, and negotiations we've been having on ferry transport, we invited the private sector to be able to look at other opportunities with respect to how this can be facilitated with access to specific charter services, rather than the governments assume the responsibility for the purchase of equipment.”
Further, the Chair disclosed that, within the next six weeks, the working group must identify the steps to be taken towards mutual recognition
of drivers’ licences, insurance products, and the removal of non-tariff barriers, among other things, for the smooth intra-regional movement of goods.
“…to be able to identify within the next six weeks what has to be the work programme to the mutual recognition of drivers’ licences, insurance, cover insurance products to cover vehicles in multiple countries; the harmonization of the customs and phytosanitary regulations necessary for the seamless movement of goods; and, to be
more specific, to dismantle 57 barriers, non-tariff barriers identified by the Caribbean Private Sector Organization,” she detailed.
Ferry service
At the opening of the 2024 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Change Expo, Guyana’s President, Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali, had announced
that Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados would launch a ferry service to improve intra-regional transportation. It was envisioned that, in addition to being a cost-effective means of moving citizens of the three countries, this regional ferry service would play a critical role in Caricom’s food security initiative, the 25 by 2025 Initiative, which is
to reduce the regional food bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025. However, it has recently been reported that the operationalization of this ferry service is being delayed by the high cost of a roll-on-roll-off vessel, which would be needed to transport both people and cargo between the three countries.
Suspect in 2024 Michael Jackson murder arrested
Police have confirmed that 29-yearold Terrence Simon Adams has been arrested for the October 10, 2024 murder of Corentyne fisherman Michael Jackson.
According to the police, acting on information received, ranks proceeded to the residence of Terrence Simon Adams at Number 76 Housing Scheme in Corriverton, Berbice at around 14:00h on Wednesday, and when they contacted the fisherman, they informed him of the allegation made against him and arrested him in connection with the murder of his broth-
er-in-law Michael Jackson. Adams has been taken to the Springlands Police Station, where he remains in custody pending further investigations.
RECAP
Michael Jackson is alleged to have been stabbed
Cop charged with obtaining money by false pretence
Constable Alicia Pinheiro of the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam(Region Six: East BerbiceCorentyne) has been placed on $20,000 after her appearance on Tuesday before New Amsterdam Magistrate Michelle Matthias on a charge of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 194 of the Criminal Offences Act Chapter 8:01.
She has been jointly charged with female Special Constable Kathy McCalmon who works at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam. McCalmon had made a previous court appearance and was likewise placed on bail.
The charge they face allege that on January 15, in the CID office, they collected $50,000 as bail money from Malika Nelson, but did not issue a receipt therefor.
The case against McCalmon and Pinheiro has been adjourned to May 15. Charged: Constable
to death by his 27-year-old brother-in -law Terrence Simon Adams in October 2024. He succumbed to the injuries he sustained at the Skeldon Hospital a short while after the incident.
According to Jackson’s sister Selina Gobin, she was at the bridge of a wake house when her brother informed her that his brother-in-law had stabbed him. Her brother had then run into his mother’s house, and she had followed.
“He go in inside and raise up his shirt and show me his back where he get bore. When I check, I didn’t see nothing, and he say is at the side. When I check at the side, there was a bore, and he say that he feeling dizzy like he
get inside bleeding,” Selena Gobin had told this publication last October.
“The street was full with people and there was loud music, so I didn’t hear nothing,” she had added.
Jackson’s mother Radica Rajkumar, who had not been at home at the time of the incident, had said that Adams and her son had had an ongoing feud that dated back to February 2024.
Explaining that her sonin-law lived with her but her son didn’t, she had detailed that the ongoing feud between Jackson and Adams had stemmed from an incident that had occurred in February 2024, when Jackson had been taking his niece and nephew out, and Adams, their father, who was coming home, had not been pleased with the clothes his children were wearing on the road.
Rajkumar explained that during the argument that ensued between the two men, Jackson had been abusive to her, and she had asked him to leave the home.
“A couple days ago, they had an argument and they had a fight. The fight start at Number 77 and they end up here. I try to part them. Terrence had a cutlass and ‘Junior’ [Jackson] had a wood.
Suspect: Terrence Simon Adams
I take away the cutlass from Terrence and they cuss up one another; both of them cuss one another. ‘Junior’ left and he went home. Now he come to the wake house for two days, and I didn’t see he tell Terrence nothing, but what happen last night I don’t know,” this mother had recalled after the 2024 incident.
Rajkumar had also said that although she had not been on speaking terms with her son Michael Jackson, his death had not been taken lightly.
“I want justice. It is two of my children gone under that one family, and [I] want justice. If the brother-in-law has to go to jail, I am not concerned,” she had said.
Alicia Pinheiro
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, the Chair of Caricom
Deceased: Michael Jackson
‘ElevateAll’ boot camp targets 60 operators in tourism and hospitality sector
Atotal of 60 business owners, operators and managers in the tourism and hospitality sector have embarked on a transformative journey through the ElevateAll Boot Camp, hosted at the Centre for Local Business Development (CBLD) on South Road, Georgetown.
This initiative, backed by ExxonMobil under the Greater Guyana Initiative, is designed to enhance business strategies, leadership skills, and overall operational efficiency in one of Guyana’s fastest-growing industries.
Selected from over 80 applicants, these entrepreneurs will engage in a dynamic, weekend-long training programme focused on
business model development, marketing strategies, and financial planning. The programme also aims to equip participants with the necessary tools to elevate their businesses in an increasingly competitive and globally accessible market.
Speaking at the event, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh, highlighted the importance of structured business training, noting that the economy is growing at a rapid pace and slots are opening up for further development.
“Over the last five years, we've gotten eight airlines, six to five new products on the market, our room stock will double by the end of next year, and we recent-
ly did a tour operator survey. I must say that we got a tremendous response of the 31/32 surveyed. We tried to really get broad raw data. Over 15,000 persons travelled and over 5,000 tours were booked last year. So that's significant, and what is even more significant is we stratified the data based on international, domestic, and regional,” he detailed.
“So, more and more people are demanding services (and) we are increasing our budgets for marketing/product development. So, both on the development and the marketing ends we, realize the importance to push this,” Baksh has said.
With the country's tourism sector thriving, the programme serves as a vital launchpad for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to scale their businesses. Phase One kicks off with an intensive boot camp, wherein, under the guidance of seasoned mentors, participants would be immersed in a hands-on experience in which they refine their business models, enhance their pitching skills, and craft strategic growth plans.
In Phase Two, participants are paired with men-
tors from across Guyana for tailored support. This phase culminates in ‘Demo Day,’ wherein they will showcase their business transformations and unveil newly developed products. According to Baksh, GTA is mulling plans to establish a long-term training strategy which would build off the success of the ElevateAll Programme, ensuring that entrepreneurs within the sector have access to specialised learning materials.
“What I can say (is) I've seen a really great re-
sponse from the private sector, and I'm really happy that you guys are partnering so closely with us, so that we can improve the standard and profile of our industry. It's 10 weeks guys, and I know that is some level of commitment. I was thinking…about Demo Day, graduation day…You know, if we can understand what are some of the needs that we might be able to address on in the longer term.
Potentially, we can curate some training programmes there and get some specialized trainers,” he ex-
plained. The ElevateAll Programme receives financial support from the Greater Guyana Initiative funded by ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd., and CNOOC Petroleum Limited Guyana. Key stakeholders, such as the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, continue to champion the initiative, recognizing its potential to drive economic growth and improve service standards across the country.
Guyana’s UN Representative calls for permanent Gaza ceasefire, end to West Bank violence
Guyana has again reaffirmed its support for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and is urging the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take decisive action to end the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”, Deputy Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Trishala Persaud, has stressed the urgency of diplomatic intervention and unwavering commitment to international law.
Guyana has also called on the Security Council to exert its influence to ensure that negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire continue, with Ambassador Persaud emphasising the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, despite some relief efforts that flowed following the temporary ceasefire.
“This Council must exert every effort to ensure that
the parties continue the negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire. In the same vein, it is imperative for the Council to take action to stop the spiralling violence being perpetrated by the occupying power in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” Persaud said.
“Mr President, we have seen the respite afforded hundreds of thousands of Palestinians through the implementation of the
first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza. We have taken note, for example, that over 57,000 metric tons of food was brought into Gaza since the ceasefire, supporting more than 1.8 million people with full rations of food parcels. Notwithstanding some improvements, we are concerned that thousands still cannot access adequate shelter, (and) many sick and seriously wounded are unable to access the care they
need, owing to a decimated health care system,” Persaud said.
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect on January 19, paving the way for Hamas to release a total of 33 Israeli hostages —including the remains of eight deceased individuals — in exchange for the release of over 1,000 Palestinian detainees.
Israel also committed to withdrawing from densely populated areas in Gaza, and allowing a significant increase in humanitarian aid to enter the territory.
According to the UNSC, while the ceasefire has largely held since it came into effect, the parties have repeatedly accused each other of violating its terms, with Hamas alleging that Israel has blocked the delivery of essential humanitarian items such as prefabricated homes, and Israel criticising Hamas for staging the staggered hostage release in degrading public ceremonies.
With the first phase of the agreement set to expire
on 1 March, Ambassador Persaud has stressed the need to agree on the terms of the second phase, which would establish a permanent ceasefire during which Israel would fully withdraw from Gaza and Hamas would release all remaining hostages in exchange for additional detainees.
In fact, the Guyanese UN Representative did not mince words in denouncing Israel’s continued military operations and settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and urging Israel to fulfil its international obligations and cease the violence that has led to the displacement and suffering of thousands of Palestinians.
“Guyana urges the parties to fully abide with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law. We call for the unconditional and dignified release of all hostages and Palestinians
detained in Israel without charge. Guyana also emphasizes the obligations to treat hostages and detainees with respect and dignity, and stresses that they should be allowed visits by the Red Cross”, she declared.
“There must be full accountability for all the atrocities perpetrated during this war, including for the taking of hostages, the killing of civilians, the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of persons, and for the use of starvation as a weapon of war,” she added.
While acknowledging the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, Guyana has warned that the escalating violence in the West Bank could lead to further catastrophe. The international community, Persaud has urged, must act collectively to prevent further displacement, death, and destruction in the region.
Reaffirming Guyana’s position, Persaud stressed that a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be rooted in the two-state solution.
Participants of ElevateAll Boot Camp
Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamul Baksh
Deputy Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Trishala Persaud
Regional
Trump orders termination of oil deal with Venezuela
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was reversing oil concessions given to OPECmember Venezuela by his predecessor Joe Biden more than two years ago, accusing President Nicolas Maduro of not making progress on electoral reforms and migrant returns.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was “reversing the concessions” of the “oil transaction agreement, dated November 26, 2022.”
That 2022 day was when the Biden administration gave Chevron a license to expand its production in Venezuela and bring the country’s crude oil to the United States.
It was the only license that the administration issued for Venezuela that day. Trump did not mention Chevron in the post.
The White House and the U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to queries about whether Trump was referring to Chevron’s license.
Chevron did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has repeatedly said the U.S. does not need Venezuelan oil and left open the possibility of revoking Chevron’s operating license for the country.
Trump’s announcement follows his declaration in early February that Venezuela had agreed to receive all Venezuelan migrants in the United States illegally and provide for their transportation back.
That came a day after U.S. envoy Richard Grenell met with Maduro in Caracas and brought six U.S. detainees back with him.
Trump during his first term pursued a “maximum pressure” sanctions policy against Maduro’s government, especially targeting the OPEC member’s vital energy sector.
After initially easing sanctions to encourage fair and democratic elections, Biden in April reinstat-
ed broad oil sanctions, saying Maduro failed to keep his electoral promises. But Biden had left the Chevron license intact, along with U.S. authorizations granted to several other foreign oil companies.
Trump said in the post that Maduro had not met “electoral conditions” and that he was not transporting Venezuelans back to the United States at a pace that had been agreed to.
Maduro and his government have always rejected sanctions by the United States and others, saying they are illegitimate measures that amount to an “economic war” designed to cripple Venezuela.
Maduro and his allies have cheered what they say is the country’s resilience despite the measures, though they have historically blamed some economic hardships and shortages on sanctions.
The Venezuelan communications ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reuters)
Police investigate gummies found in room of three women who died in San Pedro Resort
Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams has confirmed that the investigation into the deaths of three women found in their suite at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro is ongoing.
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Williams stated that a thorough search of the scene revealed no signs of violence or foul play. The only items of interest found were alcohol and gummies.
“We’re not saying at this time that the gummies caused death, but we’re looking at every possibility,” Williams said, adding that authorities are inves-
tigating whether the gummies were brought into Belize or purchased locally.
A postmortem examination, scheduled for Feb 2526, is expected to provide more insight into the cause of death. Surveillance footage shows the women entering their suite on Thursday and not exiting afterward. Williams confirmed that no one else was seen entering the room.
The victims, identified as 23-year-old Kaoutar Naqqad, 24-year-old Imane Mallah, and 26-year-old Wafae El-Arar, were U.S. citizens of Moroccan descent. They were discovered by hotel staff after failing to respond to housekeeping
checks. The women were scheduled to depart Belize on February 23.
Initial reports from police indicate that no external injuries were found on their bodies, though vomit and froth around their mouths led authorities to suspect a possible drug overdose.
Williams noted that the pathologist’s preliminary assessment suggests the women may have been dead for approximately 20 hours before they were discovered.
The families of the victims are in contact with the U.S. Embassy, which is assisting with the ongoing investigation. (Excerpted from BNB News)
TT PM Rowley announces March 16 date of resignation
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley said he will be resigning from his position on March 16, 2025.
Dr Rowley revealed the information while speaking at the Commissioning of the O’Meara Road Upgrade Project and the Lisa Morris-Julian Boulevard in Arima earlier today.
According to a video shared taken by CNC3 reporter Dareece Polo and shared via social media, Dr Rowley said he would be present for the opening of the new Central Block of the Port of Spain General Hospital on March 10, and then the completion of the construction of the new terminal building at the Tobago ANR Robinson International Airport on March 15, followed by his resignation on March 16.
Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Stuart Young SC, has been chosen by the People’s National Movement (PNM) Parliamentary Caucus to lead the party following Dr Rowley’s resignation and has been viewed as the likely successor as PM, until the country’s next gen -
eral election, which is due to be held later this year. (Source: TT Loop
Prominent Colorado developer assassinated at luxury Belize home
Ahigh-profile real estate developer from Colorado was found fatally shot in Belize over the weekend, and police say it could have been the result of a professional hit job by a disgruntled business associate, according to local reports.
Boris Mannsfeld, 56, was found lying face down on the floor of his yard Friday night with a bullet wound to the back of his head, local media outlet Breaking News Belize (BNB) reported.
The deadly incident took place at The Villas at Cocoplum in Maya Beach, a luxury villa complex Mannsfeld helped build in the small Central American country.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters that Mannsfeld’s death has all the hallmarks of a targeted hit, while adding that the exact motive remains unclear, BNB reported.
A loaded 9mm pistol, Mannsfeld’s wallet and a spent shell casing were found near his body, police told the outlet.
“It has all indications of a hit,” Williams said.
“We are looking at the business transactions that Mr. Mannsfeld may have with other individuals, with our view to see if we will be able to close in on a possible motive and perhaps suspect,” Williams said.
The police chief added that one suspect, Frik De Meyere, is currently in custody, although charges were yet to be filed as of Monday. De Meyere is a former employee of Mannsfeld’s. (Excerpted from Fox News)
News)
Real estate developer Boris Mannsfeld
Oil prices jump on US inventory dip
Top Trump official moves to block illegal immigrants from receiving food stamps: 'Follow the law, full stop'
CPrude oil prices reversed a decline from the start of this week, moving higher after the American Petroleum Institute reported the first weekly decline in inventories in over a month.
If the inventory dip gets confirmed today by the Energy Information Administration, the price rise will likely extend towards the end of the week.
At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $73.21 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate at $69.13 per barrel, following the API’s weekly inventory report, which estimated a dip of over 600,000 barrels for the week to February 12.
The effect of the report on oil prices was very much a reaction to analyst predictions of a sizable build to the tune of 2.3 million barrels. Some analysts expected an even larger build, at 2.6 million barrels.
Meanwhile, the expectations of the United States and Russia inking a peace deal for Ukraine continued to exert downward pressure on prices as such a deal would lead to the lifting of U.S. sanctions and that would eliminate the uncertainty around Russian exports, as ING analysts wrote in a note.
“Prospects for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine are improving as the US and Ukraine agree on a minerals deal,” Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote. “It could be signed later this week. This would take us a step closer to Russian sanctions being lifted, removing much of the supply uncertainty hanging over the market.”
In further bearish news for oil prices, U.S. consumer sentiment was disappointing, slumping to the lowest in eight months with inflation expectations running high. Meanwhile, Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, booked a decline for yet another quarter at the end of 2024.
On the bullish side, U.S. policy towards Iran will continue to provide support for prices although tariffs on trading partners such as China would offset any concern about supply tightening in oil due to the expected negative effect of tariffs on demand for oil. (oilprice.com)
Pope Francis shows further improvement, no longer has kidney issue, Vatican says
Pope Francis has shown a "further, slight improvement" in his medical condition, the Vatican said on Wednesday, in a sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.
The pope is spending his 13th night at Rome's Gemelli hospital, the longest hospital stay of his nearly 12-year-old papacy.
"The clinical condition of the Holy Father in the last 24 hours has shown a further, slight improvement," the latest detailed health update read.
The pope, it said, is continuing to receive oxygen but has not experienced any further respiratory crises. A CT scan of his chest, performed on Tuesday, "showed a normal evolution" of the inflammation
in his lungs, it added.
Over the weekend, the Vatican said the pontiff had shown a "mild kidney insufficiency", raising fears he might be about to suffer kidney failure. On Wednesday, it said the issue had been "resolved".
The statement did not specify whether the pope was still considered to be in critical condition, as he has been listed since Saturday. Despite the pope's improvements, it said his prognosis was still "guarded".
A Vatican official, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to discuss the pope's condition, said earlier on Wednesday that Francis was alert through the day and was able to eat normally and move about his hospital room. (Excerpted from Reuters)
resident Trump's Department of Agriculture announced on Tuesday that it is taking steps to ensure that illegal immigrants in the United States are not eligible for food stamp benefits.
"U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today directed the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to immediately clarify and enforce all rules restricting its beneficiaries to U.S. citizens and legal residents only," the department said in a press release.
The press release adds that the directive "enforces" Trump's executive order from February 19 aimed at "ensuring taxpayer resources are not used to incentivize or support illegal immigration."
"The days in which taxpayer dollars are used to subsidize illegal immigration are over," Agriculture Secretary Rollins said in a statement.
"Today's directive affirms that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will follow the law—full stop."
Food stamp fraud has long been an issue that Republicans have warned
about including Sen. Joni Ernst who recently debuted a bill designed to tackle overpayments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), colloquially known as "food stamps."
"Bureaucratic blunders are leaving billions of dollars on the table as Americans are starved to keep up with
the ever-growing $36 trillion debt," she told Fox News Digital in a statement.
"SNAP plays an essential role in helping feed families. That’s why we need to strengthen its integrity by holding states accountable for growing error rates, implementing a zero-tolerance policy, and snapping back overpayments."
Trump's Border Czar
Tom Homan explained to Fox News last week that illegal migrants are incentivized to come to the U.S. while they are reaping more in benefits than most Americans make in their salaries.
"It is a major driver… how many welfare cards, and food stamps, and social services envelopes you see all around these homes," Homan said. It's been going on for decades." (Reuters)
White House bars AP, Reuters and other media from covering Trump cabinet meeting
have access to news about their government from an independent, free press."
HuffPost called the White House decision a violation of the First Amendment right to freedom of the press.
Der Tagesspiegel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The White House on Wednesday denied reporters from Reuters and other news organizations access to President Donald Trump’sfirst cabinet meeting in keeping with the administration’s new policy regarding media coverage.
The White House denied access to an Associated Press photographer and three reporters from Reuters, HuffPost and Der Tagesspiegel, a German newspaper.
TV crews from ABC and Newsmax, along with correspondents from Axios, the Blaze, Bloomberg News and NPR were permitted to cover the event.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced the White House would determine which media outlets would cover the president in smaller spaces such as the Oval Office.
The White House Correspondents’ Association has traditionally coordinated the rotation of the presidential press pool. Reuters, an international wire service, has participated in the pool for decades.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said
that while traditional media organizations would still be permitted to cover Trump on a day-to-day basis, the administration plans to change who participates in smaller spaces.
The pool system, administered by the WHCA, allowed select television, radio, wire, print and photojournalists to cover events and share their reporting with the broader media.
The three wire services that have traditionally served as permanent members of the White House pool, the AP, Bloomberg and Reuters, on Wednesday released a statement in response to the new policy.
The services “have long worked to ensure that accurate, fair and timely information about the presidency is communicated to a broad audience of all political persuasions, both in the United States and globally. Much of the White House coverage people see in their local news outlets, wherever they are in the world, comes from the wires,” the statement from the three organizations said.
"It is essential in a democracy for the public to
On Tuesday, the WHCA also issued a statement protesting the new White House policy. The move follows the Trump administration's decision to bar the Associated Press from being in the pool because it has declined to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, the name Trump has assigned the body of water, or update its widely followed stylebook to reflect such a change. (Excerpted from Reuters)
Nurse in Australia charged over video about killing Israelis
Anurse in Australia has been charged with making death threats and other offences over a video appearing to show hospital staff boasting about killing and denying treatment to Israeli patients.
New South Wales Police said on Wednesday that they had charged a 26-year-old woman with three offences, including threatening violence to a group and using a carriage service to threaten to kill.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the woman, named in local media as Sarah Abu Lebdeh, was prohibited from leaving Australia or using social media as part of “very, very strict” bail conditions.
Webb said the woman was scheduled to face court in Sydney on March 19.
The announcement comes after footage of two staff at a Sydney hospital bragging about harming Israeli patients went viral on social media earlier this month,
prompting widespread condemnation.
The video also appeared to show a male hospital staff member saying he had sent many Israeli patients to “Jahannam”, the Arabic word for hell.
The man, identified in local reports as Ahmad Rashad Nadir, has not been charged over the incident.
Health authorities have banned the two hospital staff from working in healthcare “in any context” over the incident, which Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labelled “disgusting, sickening and shameful”.
Health officials have said they have found no evidence that any patients were adversely affected.
Advocacy groups have reported a surge in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a multipronged attack on Israel and Israel began its war in Gaza. (Excerpted from Al Jazeera)
US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke L Rollins
US President Donald Trump speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, February 26, 2025, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen (Pool via AP)
Put anger aside and get things done. You have what it takes to reach your goal as long as you refrain from allowing anyone to push emotional buttons or throw you off guard.
A change will open your mind to a host of new ideas and people who can offer specific skills you can utilize. Participate in events that interest or concern you, and you’ll gain insight into the possibilities.
Fact-checking will be necessary. Do the legwork, or you’ll have no one to blame but yourself if things go wrong. Learning, communicating and separating truth from fiction will be mandatory to come out on top.
You’re on a roll. Follow the rules and regulations, and take care of every tiny detail to ensure you reach your destination of choice. A positive change is heading your way.
Pressure tactics won’t work. Engage in educational pursuWits, network and put the right people in place to reach your desired results. A little bravado will leave a lasting impression.
Embrace whatever is new and exciting. Live, laugh and learn, and you’ll find your way to the winner’s circle. Take control, drive a hard bargain and enjoy the ride.
Take precautions when facing situations that can affect your reputation, position or prospects. Be a good listener, consider the possibilities and take sure-footed steps.
Give high regard to those deserving of it, and you’ll gain allies to help you get ahead. A change within reach will help you close the gap between standing still and moving forward.
Tread carefully and note what everyone is doing. Be shrewd and perceptive, and the success you desire will unfold. A poker face and confident attitude will pay off.
You’ve got more going for you than you realize. Refuse to let anyone deplete your confidence. Use your imagination and outmaneuver anyone who tries to get in your way.
Stick close to home and formulate a plan to help you engage in something interesting. Moderation and simplicity will help you build a solid base and improve your self-esteem.
Emotions will surface, but how you handle them will be key. You’ll require discipline, resources and an ironclad plan to flourish. Refuse to let a canny operator get in your way or lead you astray.
ARCHIE
Champions Trophy 2025...
Zadran 177, Omarzai 5-wicket
haul knock England out
The politicians hadn’t wanted this game to go ahead, but who could have wished to deny the scenes of raw euphoria that unfolded in Lahore, as Afghanistan completed the double they had set in motion at the 2023 World Cup and dumped England out of the Champions Trophy in a wildly-undulating, anxious scramble for glory.
Eight runs was the margin when – with Mark Wood hobbled and all the recognised batters gone - Adil Rashid swung for the hills off the penultimate ball of the match and picked out the man of the hour, Ibrahim Zadran, whose take in front of the dug-out was completed with the same coolness with which he had compiled his exceptional knock of 177 from 146 balls – an innings that had simply been too good to fail.
Much the same could have been said for England’s main man of their 326-run chase, Joe Root, whose 120 from 111 balls was his 17th in the One-Day International (ODI) format, but, remarkably, his first since the 2019 World Cup. Had he had a bit more support, and had he not been racked with cramp going into the final push, his run-a-ball tempo might have been more than sufficient to seize the day. Instead, he was undone by an effort ball from the indefatigable Azmatullah Omarzai, whose five-wicket haul followed a
the point that their 103-run fourth-wicket stand had, almost imperceptibly, transformed itself into a platform for a thrillingly smooth acceleration.
Ultimately Afghanistan’s scorecard told the exact tale of their innings. Three single-figure scores at the top – for a combined total of 14 runs from 28 balls – then a trio of 40s, at ever increasing tempos, from Shahidi, Omarzai and the 40-something himself, Mohammad Nabi, whose 24-ball onslaught was a typically ageless display from a player who has been on every step of this Afghanistan journey, right from their exploratory tour of England as a de facto club side way back in 2006. And then, underpinning it all, a performance of rare majesty from Zadran, whose sixth hundred in 35 ODI innings was not only the highest by an Afghan in the format, but the best in Champions Trophy history, trumping the 165 that Ben Duckett had posted against Australia in the previous fixture at Lahore.
It was a controlled explosion of an innings, and one of the most impressive ODI performances that can ever have been compiled. Zadran showed the tenacity to hang tough while England’s quicks were dominating the early exchanges, but after reaching his first fifty from 65 balls, he marched through to his hundred from 41 more,
This was summed up when Wood, who had al ready spent 38 minutes off the field after his left knee gave way mid way through his fourth over, was forced to leave the field once again, this time for good and with two overs of his alloca tion unused.
It had been a typically mas ochistic effort from Wood, whose willing ness to bust a gut for the cause has never been in doubt. But England’s des peration to get him back into the fray there epito
mised their threadbare resources. In a throwback to the sort of bit-part tactics that dominated ODI cricket in the 1980s and 1990s, Joe Root and Liam Livingstone had been charged with cobbling together 12 overs between them. But when, with nowhere else to turn, Root’s offspin was served up to the hard-swinging Nabi, two massive leg-side sixes ensued in a 23-run 47th over.
Not even Archer could
Salt started with a confident thump for four that telegraphed the trueness of the surface, but then lost his off bail as he tried to pull a skiddy length ball from Omarzai. And though Jamie Smith is undoubtedly a name for the future, it’s debatable whether he is the number three for the present. Certainly, his dismissal was guileless in the extreme: a no-look gallop at the irrepressible Nabi, who skidded his offbreak through a touch quicker, to claim a wicket with the first ball of his spell for the third ODI in
finally landing a slap for six to seemingly ignite his stay.
But then, after one more slogsweep for six off Nabi, Buttler was undone by Omarzai’s energetic lengths, as he spliced a pull straight to midwicket for 38.
Now it was all on Root.
For the first 90-odd balls of his innings, England’s anchorman might as well have been on a serene stroll in Iqbal Park, with his innings scarcely deviating from a runa-ball tempo. But then, after reaching his 50 from 50 and his hundred from 98, he felt the early onset of cramp, and with 58 still required from six overs, he inverted his stance into a Buttler-style ramp, and pinged his only six over the keeper’s head.
But it was too much to ask for Root to walk the innings home. He kept looking for the angles, and found one final sublime deflection for four through backward square, but at the precise moment at which Afghanistan’s own innings had gone into overdrive, he attempted a flick over deep third off another skidder Omarzai lifter, and was sent on his way via a scuff of the gloves to the
keeper. Jamie Overton seemed to have got the memo with the long-levered finish that he had so long promised but rarely delivered, but having brought the chase within reach with 32 from 28 balls, he attempted another takedown and found longon with 17 still needed. And though Jofra Archer seemed to be riding his luck with an under-edge for four and a sprawling reprieve at deep cover, he was unable to close it out either. Thirteen from eight was needed when he flung his hands through an Omarzai slower ball, for Nabi in the deep to make no mistake.
Minutes later, it was all done and dusted. Afghanistan march onto what could have been another politically-charged showdown with Australia, with a place in the semi-finals at stake, having already crushed the hopes of their new favourite tournament bunnies. Irrespective of the situation in their homeland, a remarkable set of players have once again epitomised the hope and escapism in tough times that only sport can provide. (ESPNcricinfo)
Where there was Root, there was hope, as he and Duckett set about rebuilding the innings much as they had done from an identical starting point against Australia. But after what ought to have been a costly drop from Shahidi at mid-off, when Duckett had 29, Rashid Khan stepped up with a skiddier full length, and sent his man on his way via DRS, just nine runs later. The errors thereafter came with weaing inevity. Harry looked a million dollars for his first 20 balls, then got caught in two minds as he popped a tame return catch to Nabi for 25, whereupon Buttler – a player whose form seems so overwhelmingly dominated by his mindset – barely survived his first 12 runs before
(c)
b Rashid 40 Azmatullah Omarzai c sub (T Banton)
b Overton 41 Mohammad Nabi c Root
b Livingstone 40 Gulbadin Naib not out 1 Rashid Khan not out 1
Extras (lb 4, w 7) 11
Total 50 Ov (RR: 6.50) 325/7
Did not bat: Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 4.1 ov), 2-15 (Sediqullah Atal, 4.5 ov), 3-37 (Rahmat Shah, 8.5 ov), 4-140 (Hashmatullah Shahidi, 29.3 ov), 5-212 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 39.6 ov), 6-323 (Ibrahim Zadran, 49.1 ov), 7-324 (Mohammad Nabi, 49.4 ov)
Mark Wood 8-0-50-0
Jamie Overton 10-0-72-1
Adil Rashid 10-0-60-1
Joe Root 7-0-47-0
b Azmatullah
Liam Livingstone 5-0-28-2 England (T:
Ibrahim Zadran got a rousing reception from the Lahore crowd after his 146-ball 177 came to an end
Zadran and Mohammad Nabi gave Afghanistan flight in the death overs
Women’s Premier League...
All-round Sciver-Brunt and bowlers give Mumbai 3rd straight win
initially rode on the ef forts of Grace Harris’ quickfire 45 and Vrinda
Dinesh’s solid 33, but lost eight wickets for 54 runs to eventually end up
Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews stitched together a solid 133-run stand for the second wicket and made the chase look easy. Though Matthews struggled her way to a 50ball 59 after getting a life early on, Sciver-Brunt’s boundary-laden knock made sure MI raced to their third win in four attempts. Warriorz are fourth on the points table now with two
With 252 runs from four matches, Sciver-Brunt is now the leading run-scorer of this Women’s Premier League (WPL), overtaking
She came in early when MI were 6 for 1 in the fourth over, with Matthews
down to 54 off 47 balls. This included a hattrick of fours off Henry as well, in the 11th over.
walk for MI as Matthews also found her feet and started hitting boundaries. Overall, Sciver-Brunt struck 13 fours in her 44-ball stay.
Warriorz took a cue from the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and the Hundred and promoted Harris to open for the first time in the WPL after her struggles in the middle order. The move felt just right as she looked in her element from the start.
second fiddle to Harris. She played the off side with classy cover drives in her 30-ball 33.
The first two partnerships gave Warriorz 81, the most for them in this WPL so far.
Middle-overs muddle continues for Warriorz
It was something the Warriorz Captain, Deepti Sharma had admitted re cently – that they need ed to do better in the mid dle overs. But they couldn’t as Warriorz squandered a strong start by losing wick ets in heaps, again, to lose the plot. From 81 for 1, they collapsed to 123 for 7, losing five of those wickets in the middle overs for 30 runs.
It began when Amelia Kerr removed Harris in the 10th over after the batter was dropped on 44 by Ismail off Jintimani Kalita in the previous over. Offspinner Sanskriti Gupta then bowled a momentum-changing 11th over when she dismissed both Vrinda and Tahlia McGrath in the space of four balls. Warriorz slowed down
Overall, they have lost the most wickets (24) in the middle overs (7 to 16) in this WPL so far and have been the slowest too (6.72) in that phase. With no individual brilliance rescuing
Bowling O-M-R-W
Nat Sciver-Brunt 4-0-18-3
Shabnim Ismail 4-0-33-2
Hayley Matthews 4-0-38-1
Amanjot Kaur 1-0-3-0
Amelia Kerr 4-0-24-1
Jintimani Kalita 1-0-12-0
Sanskriti Gupta 2-0-11-2
Mumbai Indians Women (T: 143 runs from 20 ovs)
Hayley Matthews c Vrinda
b Ecclestone 59
Yastika Bhatia † c Goud
b Sharma 0
Nat Sciver-Brunt not out 75
Harmanpreet Kaur (c) not out 4
Extras (b 1, lb 1, nb 1, w 2) 5
Total 17 Ov (RR:
Nat Sciver-Brunt scored a smashing half-century
Shabnim Ismail breached the 120kmh mark a few times
Anew format for the National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships, a plan years in the making will soon be realised with the 2025 edition of the event being launched at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) headquarters on Wednesday.
As was previously disclosed, the new format of the National Championships will see schools competing for individual glory closer to the time of regional events, similarly to the model used in track-and-field powerhouse nation, Jamaica.
Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO), Dr Ritesh Tularam, during Wednesday afternoon’s event, reiterated why the Ministry was so adamant about the changes to Nationals.
“The Ministry of Education, in its planning, wants to ensure that our athletes, the students who are participating in these
activities across the various regions, we want to ensure that they’re given a platform
CG United Women’s Super50… Guyana rebound with 8-wicket win over Jamaica
An all-out team effort from Guyana’s senior women’s cricket team on Wednesday earned them their first win of the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup, thumping defending champions Jamaica by eight wickets.
At the St Paul’s Sports Complex in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday morning, Jamaica’s women won the toss and opted to bat first, after which a collective effort from Guyana’s bowlers saw their opponents being bundled out for 175 in 47.5 overs.
A dream start for Guyana saw Plaffiana Millington sending the Jamaican openers Rashada Williams and Chrishana McKenzie back to the dugout for 2 and 6 runs respectively.
Chedean Nation topscored with 32 off 47 balls while Neisha-Ann Waisome
was the next best batter with 29 from 41 balls. As the Jamaican wickets fell regularly, a late flourish of 20 from number 10 batter Vanessa Watts managed to frustrate the Guyanese bowlers before they managed to bowl Jamaica out.
Millington led the charge with the ball, claiming 3-16 from 10 overs, alongside Shabika Gajnabi (2-27 from six overs). Ashmini Munisar, Sheneta Grimmond, Nyia Latchman, and Kaysia Schultz all picked up one scalp each.
Half-centuries off the bats of Mandy Mangru and Realeanna Grimmond made the chase an easy one for the Guyanese, who got to their target in 47.1 overs.
Opener Katana Mentore departed early for seven runs, but Mangru and the younger Grimmond combined for what could be considered a match-winning
109-run partnership.
However, the party ended when Mangru was trapped lbw by Jodian Morgan in the 38th over for 60 off 114 balls.
With Captain Shemaine Campbell going steady at the other end, Grimmond smashed six fours in an unbeaten 72 off 131 balls. Campbelle remained not out for 23 in 26 deliveries.
For Jamaica, Morgan picked up 1-38 from 10 overs.
In other results on Wednesday, Barbados made it 2 in 2 wins, defeating Windward Islands Women by 56 runs while Trinidad and Tobago got the better of Leeward Islands Women by four wickets.
Guyana’s women will turn their attention to the Leeward Islands Women next on Friday, February 28 at Warner Park, St Kitts.
so that they can scaffold in that career projection. As a result of that, persons competing at the Nationals in November of that year, we would’ve recognised that they’re not channelled accordingly to ensure that they benefit from the regional or international game,” Dr Tularam explained.
He continued, “And so, the …remodelling or the repositioning of Nationals sits directly on our athletes benefiting significantly in the CARIFTA Games and we know that those games will be off in April of this year. so, the Nationals in this sense will project our students so that they could compete equally at these events.”
Dr Tularam went on to divulge the Ministry’s plans for how they will accommodate cycling, swimming and primary-aged athletes.
The DCEO at the Education Ministry revealed, “We recognise that the events that our students or athletes are expected to participate in at the CARIFTA Games, those are the events that we’re focusing the Nationals on. As a result, we have not seen cycling and swimming reflected at the Nationals in 2025; however, the Ministry of Education remains committed to ensure that we will not throw these two events out of the window. We will
continue to ensure that at the regional level, our students are exposed to these events.
“Now, primary school [students] as we know, they will compete up to the regional level. So, we’ll have our primary school students competing all the way to the Regionals and that’s the cutoff in this regard,” he further revealed.
In a testimony to the value of the National Championships, Guyana’s golden girl Tianna Springer disclosed how the event set the foundation for her success.
“Participating at the National Schools
Championships, it opened doors for me, because people got to see my full potential, what I could do. It helped people pick me to represent Guyana and I did in a lot of international meets. I got gold in the CARIFTA Games 2023 and 2024 and I’m planning on going back there to get a third gold medal for my country,” Springer related. The new National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships will run from Tuesday, March 11 to Thursday, March 13 at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), West Coast Demerara (WCD).
Krammer benefits from new equipment en route to Brazil
As teenage defender Raydon Krammer continued his journey to Brazil, the Petra Organisation on Wednesday shared that their Regional Co-ordinator, Sheldon Maharaj received Krammer, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2024 KFC Goodwill Tournament, at the Piarco International Airport on Monday, February 24.
Krammer is en route to Brazil for a three-month training stint.
While in Trinidad and Tobago, Krammer was presented with training gear, body weights, resistance bands, ankle wraps, clothing, a knee brace, and a backpack. These items were presented to him by Mitra Singh, owner of Sportway International located at Gulf City Mall in Trinidad and Tobago.
Krammer will join four other footballers from Trinidad in the threemonth training stint at the Academia De Futbol Real Brasil in Brazil. The group was scheduled to depart from Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, February 26 and was expected to arrive in Brazil today, Thursday, February 27.
The school football-coordinating body once again ex-
pressed congratulations to Krammer and wished him every success during his stay in Brazil.
Guyana’s women team enjoyed their first win on Wednesday
Raydon Krammer (left) and Sheldon Maharaj
CARIFTA/Youth Commonwealth/South American U20 gold medallist Tianna Springer
