Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 03-04-2024

Lack of maintenance, investments from 2015-2020 main reasons for GPL’s shortcomings

–– President Ali emphasises, expresses dissatisfaction with utility company’s current performance –– says gov’t in talks with UK Export Finance to explore financing options for transmission as demand continues to grow

Fire Service battles large wildfires, urges citizens in affected areas to take precautions

–– Police Commissioner coordinates full-scale response to threatening situation at Santa Aratak

Combattingeffectsofclimatechange…

United Airlines arrival symbolises growing US-Guyana co-operation

–– US Ambassador says, as first flight arrives at CJIA SEE PAGE 10

‘It is not about lofty speeches, it is about real action, real work’

–– President Ali says; highlights Guyana’s leading position in biodiversity, forest conservation

Established journalists appointed to helm of ‘Guyana Energy Conference’ Health Ministry unveils new TB treatment

The Joint Services have launched a full-scale response to the wildfires that are threatening Santa Aratak village. Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken is coordinating the operation (Office of the President photos)

Combatting effects of climate change…

‘It is not about lofty speeches, it is about

real action, real work’

–– President Ali says; highlights Guyana’s leading position in biodiversity, forest conservation

By Trina Williams

GUYANA’S approach to tackling the effects of climate change is not about lofty speeches, it is about real action and real work in positioning the country as a leader on the “climate agenda,” President Dr Irfaan Ali has said.

He made those remarks during a panel discussion at the first United Caribbean Forum, held in Georgetown at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) last week.

As Guyana continues to stand out in environmental conservation, with one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world, the Head of State highlighted how forests have the ability to open a new wealth of opportunities for all citizens.

He said: “...There’s no other country that is offering forest leadership better than Guyana... and

that of course had a genesis, and that genesis was President Clinton. The Clinton Foundation was the first stop in the distilling and articulation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy,” adding that it was President Clinton and Former President and current Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo who brought forests to the agenda.

With the prospects already bright for Guyana in forest conservation, President Ali said the nation’s biodiversity is another stream of bringing forth prosperity.

“In the last 50 years, the world has lost 65 per cent of its biodiversity. We have kept our biodiversity intact. Very soon the world must come to the understanding that there’s a value for that; and we have to ensure that when the evaluation is done, our product is positioned in a way to create a new area

of revenue,” he said.

The President then went on to say: “Climate for us is not only about the lofty speeches. It’s about real action and real work in positioning our country as a leader in the climate agenda.”

Regarding climate change, the country’s landmark LCDS 2030 is a testament to its commitment to not just discussing the topic, but also for presenting actionable solutions

for sustainable development.

The LCDS, in a nutshell, is a framework intended to map the path of a new growth trajectory in a non-polluting way.

The LCDS 2030, according to the official website, sets out four inter-linked objectives for Guyana, the first three of which were the basic objectives of the LCDS since 2009, and the fourth was added to reflect new local and global realities: value ecosystem services; Invest in Clean Energy and Stimulate Low-Carbon Growth; Protect Against Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss; and Align with Global Climate and Biodiversity Goals.

The second-generation LCDS 2030, which prioritises evolution of the sale of forest climate services, saw Guyana being the first country to be issued jurisdiction-scale carbon credits, followed by the announcement of

the world’s first sale of such credits.

In 2022, after being awarded the first jurisdiction, Guyana sold 37.5 million carbon credits for a minimum of US$750 million, to be paid during 2022-2032 (a third of the credits Guyana will receive over 2016-30); this is one of the largest transactions in the world.

More recently, Guyana made the world’s First Paris Agreement Corresponding Adjustment for ART-Issued TREES Carbon Credits, allowing for the authorisation of carbon units for use in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Additionally, as Guyana continues to champion biodiversity, the President had previously announced that the government is collaborating with some of the best universities to build a world-class biodiversity centre in Guyana.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

Lack of maintenance, investments from 2015-2020 main reasons for GPL’s shortcomings

–– President Ali says, expresses dissatisfaction with utility company’s current performance

–– says gov’t in talks with UK Export Finance to explore financing options for transmission as demand continues to grow

Dr.

Ali has expressed his dissatisfaction with the current performance of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), while also acknowledging the myriad of inherited problems due to a lack of maintenance and investments during the period 2015 to 2020 under the APNU+AFC government.

President Ali made this point during an engagement with the Board of Directors and management of GPL,

the Power Producers and Distributors Incorporated (PPDI) and Wartsila at State House on Tuesday. He urged the entity to explore various avenues in order to find solutions to meet the energy demand until the gas-to-energy project comes on stream.

In addition to reflecting on the primary reason for this situation, which is the lack of maintenance and investments under the coalition, the President also discussed the exponential

growth in demand, aged assets, and lack of redundancy in transmission with the team.

“It’s important to note that the Government has already engaged UK Export Finance (UKEF) to explore financing options for the transmission. Additionally, the President asked the utility to consider alternative options to provide bridging energy to meet the demand while waiting for the completion of the gas-fired power plant. The utility expects

a further growth in demand this year of around 30MW,” the Office of the President said in a Facebook post.

In September 2023, GPL had recorded a historic peak in demand amounting to 182 megawatts of power. In 2022, however, it was noted that based on projections, there was a realisation that demand for power would increase significantly.

Notably, the conversion of natural gas from ExxonMobil’s offshore operations to electricity is a key

component of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s aim to lower energy costs by at least 50 per cent through an energy mix which incorporates gas, solar, wind, and hydropower.

A 12-inch pipeline, which will stretch some 200km offshore, will be used to transport natural gas from the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels offshore, to the power

plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), which is owned by ExxonMobil Guyana and partners Hess and CNOOC, have guaranteed the government that a minimum of 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) will be transported through the pipeline by 2024. The pipeline will have a maximum capacity of 130 mmscfd.

PRESIDENT

Irfaan

President Dr. Irfaan Ali engaging the Board of Directors and management of GPL, the Power Producers and Distributors Incorporated (PPDI) and Wartsila, on Tuesday (President Ali photos)

Maryse Condé: Author who won ‘alternative Nobel Literature Prize’ dies at 90

GUADELOUPE-born author Maryse Condé, who was renowned for epic novels tackling the legacy of slavery and colonialism in Africa and the Caribbean, has died at the age of 90.

One of the most celebrated voices in the French-speaking world, Condé’s works included 1984’s Segu, and 1986’s I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem.

She also wrote plays and non-fiction.

In 2018, she won an award set up in place of the Nobel Prize in Literature, which was engulfed in scandal.

Condé was the first and remains the only winner of the New Academy Prize in Literature, whose judges praised the way she “describes the ravages of colonialism and post-colonial chaos in a language which is both precise and overwhelming”.

She wanted to be a writer since she read Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights as a child, but didn’t publish her first novel until she was in her 40s.

That book was 1976’s Heremakhonon, which means “waiting for happiness” in the west African Malinke language. It fol-

lowed a woman from the Caribbean who lived and taught in Paris, and who travelled to Africa to trace her identity.

But what she discovered did not match her expectations. The author described it as “a novel about disenchantment and pain”.

She said it was not autobiographical, but there were parallels with her own story. Condé moved to study at the Sorbonne in Paris, where her eyes were opened to the history of colonialism, slavery and her own African roots.

“When I was a child, I was very spoilt by my parents. I was oblivious to the outside world,” she told the Guardian in 2020.

“I was convinced that I was one of the most beautiful girls in the world and certainly one of the most intelligent, but when I came to study in France, I discovered people’s prejudices. People believed I was inferior just because I was black.

“I had to prove to them I was gifted, and to show to everybody that the colour of my skin didn’t matter; what matters is in your brain and in your heart.”

After marrying Guinean actor Mamadou Condé, she moved to his home country,

then to Ghana, Mali and Senegal, before returning to teach at the Sorbonne.

Heremakhonon’s depiction of the flaws of African socialism proved controversial, with three West African countries ordering copies to be destroyed.

“In those days, the entire world was talking of the success of African socialism,” she later wrote.

“I dared to say that... these countries were victims of dictators prepared to starve their populations.”

OTHER WORKS

Among her subsequent books, Segu depicted the fortunes of a historical kingdom in modern-day Mali, which was torn apart by the arrival of the slave trade and Islam.

In I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem, Condé told the story of a slave who was one of the first women to be accused of witchcraft during the 1692 Salem witch trials.

Reviewing the book, US author Howard Frank Mosher wrote in the New York Times: “It is impossible to read her novels and not come away from them with both a sadder and more exhilarating un-

derstanding of the human heart, in all its secret intricacies, its contradictions and marvels.”

Her other works included Windward Heights - which relocated Wuthering Heights to Cuba and Guadeloupe - as well as volumes of essays and autobiography.

Condé had four children. She and her husband divorced in 1981, and she went on to marry British teacher Richard Philcox, who was also her translator. They lived in the US for two decades, where she was professor emerita of French at Columbia University in New York.

Condé was award -

Guadeloupean author Maryse Condé ed France’s Legion of Honour in 2004, and was twice nominated for the International Booker Prize - first for her entire

body of work in 2015, then in 2023 for her final novel, The Gospel According to the New World. (BBC)

Established journalists appointed to the helm of ‘Guyana Energy Conference’

THE Secretariat of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo has announced the appointment of Fareeza Haniff as the new Media and Operations Director and Kiana Wilburg as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

According to a press release, with their wealth of experience and innovative vision, Haniff and Wilburg are poised to lead the Secretariat into a new era of growth and influence.

Haniff is a career journalist who joined the media in Guyana as a reporter in 2006. Since then, she has accumulated, inter alia, multimedia and communication skills that have allowed her to grow as an individual and quickly ascend to leadership duties within various media outlets in and out of Guyana.

Fareeza had also served in various capacities at the executive level of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) from 2014 to 2020. She brings extensive

expertise in media and operations management, having spearheaded numerous successful campaigns and initiatives in her previous roles.

“Her strategic thinking and dedication to excellence will undoubtedly elevate the Secretariat's outreach efforts and operational efficiency. She also has experience leading and

managing diverse teams through her effective leadership skills,” the press release outlined.

Wilburg assumes her new role with a proven track record of energy sector knowledge. She embarked on her career in journalism in January 2013, quickly establishing herself as a discerning reporter with a keen fo -

cus on politics, finance, parliamentary affairs, and agriculture. The discovery of oil and gas in Guyana in 2015 marked a pivotal turn in her career, sparking an enduring passion for this sector. She has since been at the forefront of investigating, analysing, and documenting every facet of this dynamic industry

is primed to steer the Secretariat towards its mission of fostering dialogue and innovation in Guyana's energy landscape,” the release highlighted.

As the secretariat embarks on a trajectory of growth and expansion, it remains committed to its core mission of serving as a leading think tank on issues that shape the growth and sustainability of Guyana's economy.

for the last nine years.

“Her balanced, professional approach, combined with a deep-seated enthusiasm for the energy sector, underscore her commitment to contributing meaningfully to the ongoing narrative of Guyana's oil and gas industry. With a keen understanding of the energy sector and supply chain dynamics Wilburg

Under the guidance of Haniff and Wilburg, the Secretariat will continue to facilitate crucial discussions, drive meaningful collaborations, and champion solutions that propel Guyana towards a prosperous future.

“The Chairman and Secretariat extend their gratitude to the outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Kurt Baboolall for his contributions over the past three years. Baboolall will transition to lead other projects within the GO Integrated Group of Companies,” the release stated.

Incoming Chief Executive Officer, Kiana Wilburg Media and Operations Director, Fareeza Haniff

More Flights, Greater Interest

THE decision by United Airlines to commence direct flights from Houston, United States, to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport is a welcome development. According to the airline, direct flights have commenced from this month and will be a significant boost to the local economy.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Ms Oneidge Walrond, described the move as one that will lead to a significant increase in visitor arrivals, which, she said, will have a rippling effect throughout the economy,

both in terms of job creation and the overall growth and development of the tourism sector.

Expressing similar sentiments, Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice-President of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United Airlines, said that the airline is pleased to do business with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. According to Mr Quayle, the new route will offer customers convenient access to the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Guyana.

This is indeed a positive development which in the words of United States

Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot, will further strengthenthe Guyana-United States partnership. According to the ambassador, United Airlines’ new flight is more than just a flight; it represents yet another significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between Guyana and the United States.

“It is a clear and exciting message that our commercial linkages are deepening, as we witness the growing number of US companies coming to do business in Guyana. Moreover, this new route will unlock incredible tourism opportunities by

inviting even more travellers to experience the many offerings of both of our countries. Simply put, it's a win-win for our economies, our cultures and our close people-to-people ties”, the envoy noted.

At an even more strategic level, the new route to Houston, referred to as the energy capital not only of the United States but the entire world, will greatly facilitate the growth and expansion of the oil-and-gas sectors of both countries.

It is an established fact that Houston is the intellectual hub for virtually every segment of the energy

industry including exploration, production, transmission, marketing, supply and technology. In the case of Guyana, oil has been, and continues to be, a game changer and such an important link will only serve to enhance our strategic positioning as a major player on the global carbon market.

This development, as pointed out by Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, is a demonstration of the confidence reposed by the international community in Guyana's growth potential and will not only facilitate travel and trade, but will also catalyse further

economic development and investment in the country.

These developments are consistent with President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali's vision for a modern Guyana, which is strategically positioned to take advantage of opportunities at the global level.

According to President Ali, his vision of Guyana 2030 and beyond is a sustainable, resilient highly competitive and functional country that leads on global issues such as climate change, energy and food security.

Let’s not stop Guyana’s progress or conjure negative vibes with the wrong questions

Dear Editor,

THERE is a block-wide ring fence on the Stabroek Block and, the benefits to Guyana, Guyanese, and our economy continue to accrue; yet many persist in calling for ring-fencing within the Stabroek Block, despite the negatives such a provision would impose.

Lallbachan ‘Chris’ Ram called on ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator of the Stabroek Block to inform the nation of how much revenue it has lost due to the lack of a ring-fencing provision; this is the wrong question for the wrong entity.

The right question is How much does Guyana gain from keeping the ring-fencing provision block-wide

instead of individual wells? And the answer should come from the government. In the meantime, here are some facts we should consider.

There is a ring-fence around the entire Stabroek Block, which allows for continuous exploration and appraisal; this in turn has led to the discovery of over 30 wells with commercial potential; this has led to a lightning move from first discovery, in May 2015, to ‘First-Oil’ production, December 2019.

Guyana’s current production level is over 600,000 barrels of oil per day! It is expected to grow well past a million BPD and upwards; it is the reason we are the fastest-growing economy in the world.

Make no mistake, Guy-

ana sits in the catbird seat, we are the envy of the entire world. The recent Bluefin discovery is another in a long line of successful wells drilled, and with each well, our pie grows ever-larger. Such is the bounty in the Stabroek Block that Guyanese have become inured to discoveries.

I can find no fault with the government’s drill-andproduce-as-much-as-possible policies, since we are rapidly approaching the limit of absorption capacity of oil revenues and, we have just begun to roll.

Any move to stand-alone ring-fencing would slow this momentum; this affects Guyana more than Exxon and partners, for whom it is a matter of zeroes on the bottom line, but for Guyana,

it is the development of our infrastructure (roads, bridges, power stations, schools, hospitals, police stations); jobs/ business opportunities for our people, cheaper power, a higher standard of living for all Guyanese, and it can’t come soon enough for all of us.

It is this haste to develop that drives the wrong questions. Some feel that oil revenues automatically translate into socialism, so they preach to all who will listen that the oil money is not being distributed equally, that there should be no blackouts and no potholes, everyone could just stay at home and get a cheque every month.

This combination of populism and socialism is a road to ruin; a look at our neighbour to the west is but the

most recent in a long line of populist socialism failures.

The government policy of infrastructure, education, vocational training, and opportunity is far more sensible; it is sad when those who should know better tout the populist line instead of honest development. Chris Ram is right when he says we should all become “oil minded.” Where he is wrong is when he thinks we should all be of like-mind with his socialist outlook.

To answer the “right” question, Guyana has gained immensely from the discovery of oil, as the block-wide ring fence has allowed an ease of investment decision that sees more wells being drilled, and our reserves are over 11 billion barrels and rising fast.

Exxon and the Stabroek Block partners are moving ahead with production capacity which benefits Guyana and Guyanese; our underground resource is being converted to finance, and that finance is driving our development and it can’t happen fast enough for us.

A project-by-project ring fence would be an application of brakes in mid-flight and, cause unnecessary turbulence on what has been a smooth supersonic flight to date; let’s not stop the progress or conjure negative vibes with the wrong questions; in the words of Bing Crosby “don’t fence me in.”

Sincerely, Robin Singh

HARDtalk, hard reality and no credibility

I AM accusing one of the most vocal members of the anti-oil lobby, Ms Vanda Radzik-Veira (VRV) of lacking trustworthiness during her one-minute interview (yes one minute with the host of HARDtalk that featured a documentary on the oil industry). My advice to readers is when a columnist quotes someone it is possible that quote can be misleading.

Please don’t take my word for it. It will take you seconds to find the edition of HARDtalk, and a few more seconds to find the interview with Ms. Radzik-Veira. Listen to the words that came out of her mouth when the interviewer asked her about her alternative (the word of the host, Stephen Sackur) to oil production.

It will take you seconds to go to Google and type in the following words “Stabroek News (SN), November 13, 2022” and read the words in the letter section that VRV wrote; they are completely different from what she told Mr. Sackur.

I have stressed the point ad nauseam that the critics of the government fail to gain traction in their crusades because credibility issues arise and the Guyanese people are no fools. They know when people want to lead them astray.

Here is VRV in her own words in SN, Nov. 13, 2020.

I quote: “We are deeply concerned that the government’s policy to pursue economic development based on oil and gas is bad for Guyana.

Oil and gas production are an existential threat to Guyana. We cannot support government’s policy to produce oil and gas when every ton of greenhouse gas pollution cause (sic) loss of life in African countries. In light of the above we call for a national moratorium on all petroleum operations in Guyana – offshore and onshore.”

Here is the question, Mr. Sacker put to VRV. “What is your alternative suggestion? The government just simply walks away from the tens of billions of dollars income, simply doesn’t allow for that

gas and oil to be exploited.”

Now, I advise readers to digest her answer then juxtapose with her letter in the SN. Here is VRV’s response to Mr. Sackur’s question: “Well there is a spectrum. At one end of the spectrum, you have people who say leave the oil in the ground. At the other end of the spectrum are those that say renegotiate the contract and let us get the best deal.”

She didn’t tell Mr Sackur what her opinion is. She simply told the man what are the two opinions out there. But he didn’t ask for that. He asked for her alternative suggestion. And her alternative

suggestion is contained in black and white for all to see.

Now after reading this, you are compelled to ask why she avoided telling Mr. Sackur about the moratorium she and others of her ilk demanded.

The avoidance of telling Mr. Sackur that oil production should cease is the identical reason why some anonymous folks took out full page advertisements for three consecutive days denouncing the oil industry when the oil conference was on in February. One placement boldly shouted out: “Oil is not Guyana’s future.” What is the reason for the VRV’s avoidance and the anony -

mous advertisements?

You are going to be laughed at if at any corner of this country you tell people, oil is bad for Guyana so stop oil production and leave it in the ground. They are going to both laugh and get angry. Guyanese want oil income. They may disagree on how much should go to them. They may disagree on how the government should spend it. But they boast of petro dollars. They boast that Guyana now have it good. They boast that Guyana is now a shining star in the CARICOM family.

It is definitely for this reason VRV studiously avoided

giving Mr. Sackur her answer and this explained why the anonymous names and faces will remain invisible. The people of Guyana are elated we are now an oil economy and they want that oil money. They will not support the advocacy of some well-endowed middle-class activists that say leave the oil in the ground. As assured as night follows day, Guyanese are happy that country is an oil exporting nation.

In another column I will look at how Western institutions do research on the Third World. With due respect to VRV, she is not an environmentalist and has no academic publication on oil. Professor Clive Thomas writes constantly on oil. Why was he not interviewed? Why weren’t the leaders of the Private Sector Commission not interviewed? By what research logic was the minute given to VRV and not Joel Bhagwandin? I end with a perennial question – who speaks for the Guyanese people?

Fire Service battles large wildfires, urges citizens in affected areas to take precautions

THE Ministry of Home Affairs has notified the public that both the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Police Force are actively engaged in combating a large wildfire in the Perseverance/Providence vicinity and along the Demerara River below the Sand Hill area.

According to a press release from the ministry, these fires have led to a consider-

able amount of smoke enveloping these areas and nearby communities.

In light of the wildfire's impact, residents are strongly advised to prioritise their safety and well-being by taking precautionary measures against associated health risks stemming from smoke inhalation.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, as such, offered the following guidelines for

public safety: Stay indoors: Whenever feasible, individuals are urged to remain indoors and keep all windows and doors shut to minimise exposure to smoke; limit outdoor activities: If outdoor ventures are unavoidable, wear a mask to mitigate inhalation risks; utilise air filtration: Employ air conditioning systems to aid in filtering indoor air quality; and stay informed: Stay abreast of the

latest updates and advisories from the Guyana Fire Service and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Persons were also advised to plan alternative routes: If travel is necessary, consider alternate routes to circumvent smoke-laden areas and thoroughfares; exercise caution while driving: Motorists navigating through affected regions should exercise extreme vigilance due to

diminished visibility caused by smoke. Use hazard lights or high beams and be mindful of trucks and pedestrians; and protect vulnerable groups: Take additional precautions to safeguard vulnerable demographics, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory ailments.

The Ministry of Home Affairs also emphasised the importance of exercising

extreme caution on the roads. Motorists were implored to reduce speeds and utilise high and low beams or hazard lights to ensure safe navigation through affected areas.

Residents were also strongly encouraged to dial 912 to promptly report any occurrences of grass and wildfires within their community.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has notified the public that both the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Police Force are actively engaged in combating a large wildfire in the Perseverance/Providence vicinity and along the Demerara River below the Sand Hill area

Danger: Fooling around with fake news!

I woke early on April 1, informing selected friends and colleagues online: “Today marks my 48th unbroken year in journalism.”

April 1, 1976 was my first day on the job as Editor of ‘The Crusader’, one of the two major local weekly newspapers – an opposition voice that grew loud in the wilderness of pre-Independent Saint Lucia.

The first day of April is also called “All Fools Day” or “Day of the Innocents” in Cuba and other Latin American nations – a day when people are licensed to play any prank on anyone – and get away laughing about it.

Every year, I’m also asked why I “chose that date” to “start any job”; and this year an esteemed friend wrote: “Congrats! In retrospect, that decision was in no way influenced by today’s date…”

My anniversary is also just another day in the life

of a journalist, so I awoke this morning, browsing (as per usual) the day’s news of the World, from the global North and South, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Much was happening that day: Canadian troops were in Jamaica to train Caribbean troops for “peace-keeping in Haiti”, Israel pulled out of Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital after destroying it and killing over 400 Palestinians; and the Foreign Affairs Ministers of China and France met in Beijing to discuss future ties after six decades.

I was, however, startled a few hours later by a brief item that appeared in my WhatsApp mail headlined: ‘BREAKING NEWS item from Dominica’ and the following brief text: “After leading a delegation to China, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit has announced his resignation and has named Hon. Vince Henderson as his successor.”

The story was ac -

companied by photos of Skerrit and Henderson and forwarded to me by a usually-reliable reliable political friend-of-yore in Dominica, who’s also very close to the four-time re-elected Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leader, who took office in 2004 at age 31, as the youngest CARICOM leader.

I immediately called to ask: “What happened? Your PM tired?”

My friend simply laughed-out-loud, but considering this “lol” was no joking matter, I asked: “What’s so funny?”

And the child in him replied: “All Fool’s Day!”

I exhaled – with a loud

expletive -- but it was just purely false news.

Nearing the end of the April 1 afternoon, a headline flashed across my screen saying Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was accusing the globally-respected Al Jazeera (AJ) news channel of having participated in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and encouraging armed attacks on Israeli Defence Force (IDF) soldiers, the Israel PM also calling AJ a “terror channel” and an “arm of Hamas” – and planning to ban it.

From my earlier experience with the Dominica fake news item that morning, I consulted Mr Google on whether Netanyahu actually said what he was quoted as saying – and there it was, more than I even thought.

Once upon a time, journalists and media houses cared about unintentionally misinforming readers, listeners and viewers, leading to the norm of publish-

ing a “correction” when a mistake is discovered or proven, which would require a repeated “apology”, whether published or broadcast.

But not anymore…

Fake News became a virtual and actual universal reality since Donald Trump’s entry into US politics and dominated his four-year Presidency – somuch-so, that CNN developed a ‘Fact Checker’ programme and the BBC introduced a similar ‘BBC Verify’ programme, both (and other major international broadcasters) to help guide viewers and listeners through facts and fiction.

Fake News is now being sanctified with newly-coined phrases to simply con people with ‘Half Truths’ and ‘Alternative Facts’ in the name of ‘Free Speech’.

However, in an age when wars are fought with drones, in a world where IT and AI are used to programme robots to host press conferences, GPT is

used to create images of people doing and saying things they never did.

IT and AI are also used to augment reality according to determined images, whether in Gaza or Ukraine.

In Haiti, news agencies from the Global North are also manipulating the vast divide between truth and lies to manage and dominate the narrative and paint all who oppose foreign intervention as supportive of so-called “gang leaders” “seeking power” in “a failed state” – and therefore needing outside help, from friends and enemies alike.

Throughout the day, even while feverishly fingering this article into my keyboard, I asked myself whether I was guilty of what one friend described as “trying to crack a peanut with a sledgehammer.”

I might very well be guilty-as-charged in this case, as I grew-up in a world where ‘Poisson d’Avril’ (French) was an annual jest between children born in the 1970s, who’re now the new “older generation”.

But in an age where leaders can also tend to overreact to headlines and wars can be fought over unverified online media reports, it’s important for

Continued on page 9

President Ali challenges United Airlines to incorporate local products into its operations

on Monday.

During the meeting, President Ali spoke about Guyana's tourism products and encouraged the airline to explore ways to incorporate

products from the local economy into their operations.

The visiting team included Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, Patrick Quayle; Senior Manager of Latin America and Caribbean Network Planning, Tom Kozlowski, and Director of International Regulatory and Government Affairs,

Annalei Avancena. They also presented a model of the United Airlines aircraft to the President.

United Airlines will fly four times per week from Georgetown to Houston with connections to many other destinations. The inaugural flight was flown by Guyanese pilot Ravishankar Rameshar.

Danger: Fooling around with fake...

From page 8

the likes of WhatsApp and Caribbean service providers like FLOW and Digicel, to apply in the Caribbean the same principles applied to handling information about Gaza and Ukraine, by also immediately removing Caribbean Fake News.

Fooling-around with Fake News is as dangerous as deliberately misleading,

making falsities believable -- and believed -- in the real world.

In my book, no platform should entertain global circulation of an untruth of this type that can have international repercussions, especially where ‘All Fools Day’ isn’t part of the national cultural fabric.

The item about the resignation of PM Skerrit surely turned ‘All Fool

Day’ into a day-long nightmare for Dominica’s leader, who had to assure important callers from near and far, including China and at home, it was Fake News.

But it also reiterated the need for the permanent ‘Operation Truth’ agreed to in Havana in January, now reflected in this special new Prensa Latina (PL) platform, Voces del Sud! (end)

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, met with executives from United Airlines which commenced operations between Georgetown and Houston, Texas, USA,

President Dr Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, met with executives from United Airlines which commenced operations between Georgetown and Houston, Texas, USA, on Monday

United Airlines arrival symbolises growing US-Guyana co-operation

UNITED Airlines on Monday evening made its inaugural nonstop flight from Houston, Texas, to Georgetown, Guyana, operated by a Boeing 737-MAX 8.

The airline’s 737 MAX 8 has a capacity to ferry 166 passengers, is equipped with 16 United First Class seats, 54 Economy Plus seats and 96 United Economy seats, and features United’s NEXT interior with larger overhead bins, seatback entertainment in every seat, and the industry’s fastest available Wi-Fi.

The new service, which is scheduled to run four times a week, will give customers easy and direct access to both destinations. This also enhances the relationship between the two countries, and opens up exciting new opportunities for both business and leisure travellers.

United now has the largest and most diversified international route network among US airlines, offering non-stop service to 134 international destinations across 67 countries.

United offers flights to more destinations across the Atlantic and Pacific than all US carriers combined, and continues to expand its presence in Latin America and the Caribbean, growing its summer schedule by over 10% throughout the region.

Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice-President of Global

Network Planning and Alliances at United Airlines, highlighted the company's commitment to the region.

“We are excited to connect Houston, as well as the broader United network, with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world,” Quayle said, adding: “This new route will offer our customers convenient access to the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Guyana, and United is proud to remain the top airline to Latin America and the Caribbean from Houston, offering service to 52 unique destinations in the region, more than all other carriers combined.”

US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot emphasised the importance of strengthening the US/Guyana partnership with the development of such business ventures.

She said: “United Airlines’ new flight to Guyana is more than just a flight; it represents yet another significant milestone in our bilateral relationship. It is a clear and exciting message that our commercial linkages are deepening, as we witness the growing number of US companies coming to do business in Guyana.

“Moreover, this new route will unlock in -

— US Ambassador says, as first flight arrives at CJIA

credible tourism opportunities by inviting even more travelers to experience the many offerings of both of our countries. Simply put, it’s a win-win for our economies, our cultures, and our close people-to-people ties.”

Oneidge Walrond Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is enthusiastic that this new route will catapult tourism prospects in Guyana and the United States.

"This is a significant development for Guyana's tourism industry; it underscores the increasing interest in travel between Guyana and the United States, a key source market for us. This new service will not only provide our citizens with greater travel options, but also serve as a major catalyst for further enhancing Guyana's connectivity to the

global tourism marketplace,” she said, adding:

“This direct flight will make it easier and more convenient for travellers from the United States to experience Guyana's unique beauty and diverse offerings. We expect this to lead to a significant increase in visitor arrivals, which will have a positive ripple effect throughout our economy, creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and contributing to the overall growth and development of the tourism sector.”

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill hailed the inaugural flight as a tangible symbol of the government's vision for expanded air travel options.

“This is a concrete example of our government's vision for increased airlift and positioning Guyana as a significant hub for the Caribbe-

an and beyond. It also serves as a powerful testament to the ongoing infrastructural development taking place within the country, which will further fuel interest and investment in Guyana's immense potential,” he said.

The minister added: “This venture also demonstrates that the international community has confidence in our nation's growth and potential. This new connection will not only facilitate travel and trade but also catalyse further economic development and investment in Guyana. We are committed to fostering a thriving aviation sector that connects Guyana to the world and propels us towards a brighter future.”

Upon arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the inaugural flight was met with a water salute.

United Airlines on Monday evening made its inaugural nonstop flight from Houston, Texas to Georgetown, Guyana, operated by a Boeing 737-MAX 8

More efforts to be geared towards fostering safe, healthy work environments — as OSH month launched

THE Ministry of Labour is set to roll out several nationwide activities throughout April aimed at enhancing health and safety standards in workplaces, in observance of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) month.

Planned activities include heightened worksite inspections and awareness campaigns conducted by the ministry’s OSH department.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, announced those initiatives during a cer-

emony to unveil the banner at the ministry’s Brickdam office on Tuesday, marking the official start of the month’s observance.

Minister Hamilton stated that the ministry will be collaborating with its partners including the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association to conduct targeted sensitisation programmes in mining and agriculture areas.

Banners will also be

erected in various regions.

Additionally, awareness walks, poster-making competitions, impromptu speaking competitions, and debate competitions will also be held in all ten administrative regions, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

Over the past years, the ministry has intensified its training and workshop sessions aimed at promoting health and safety practices in workplaces.

Minister Hamilton highlighted that, as a re -

sult of those comprehensive sessions, there has been a notable transformation in workplace safety and health standards.

“Guyana is doing better as it regards to this matter

than we were doing in 2020. More Guyanese now have an understanding of this matter, more Guyanese are supportive of this, and more Guyanese are making their contributions,” he underscored.

The OSH day will be celebrated on April 28 under the theme: “We are running out of time: ensuring safe and healthy work now in a changing climate.” (DPI)

Occupational Safety and Health banner being mounted by Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton and persons from the ministry’s OSH Department

With 783 million people going hungry, a fifth of all food goes to waste

WHILE a third of humanity faces food insecurity, an equivalent of one billion meals go to waste every day, a new report by the UN environment agency (UNEP) revealed on Wednesday. One fifth of food is thrown away.

The UN Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report 2024 highlighted that the latest data from 2022

shows 1.05 billion tonnes of food went to waste.

Some 19 per cent of food available to consumers was lost overall at retail, food service, and household levels.

This is in addition to around 13 per cent of food lost in the supply chain, as estimated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), from post-harvest up to the point of sale.

‘GLOBAL TRAGEDY’

“Food waste is a global tragedy. Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, explaining that this ongoing issue not only impacts the global economy but also exacerbates climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Most of the world’s food

waste comes from households, totalling 631 million tonnes – or up to 60 per cent - of the total food squandered. The food service and retail sectors were responsible for 290 and 131 million tonnes accordingly.

On average, each person wastes 79 kilogrammes of food annually. This is the equivalent of 1.3 meals every day for everyone in the world impacted by hunger, the report authors underscore.

NOT JUST A ‘RICH COUNTRY’ PROBLEM

The problem is not confined to affluent nations. Following a near doubling of data coverage since the 2021 Food Waste Index Report was published, there has been increased convergence between rich and poor. High-income, upper-middle income, and lower-mid-

dle income countries differ in average levels of household food waste by just seven kilogrammes per capita per year.

The bigger divide comes in the variations between urban and rural populations.

In middle-income countries, for example, rural areas are generally wasting less. One possible explanation is in the recycling of food scraps for pets, animal feed, and home composting in the countryside.

The report recommends focusing efforts on strengthening food waste reduction and composting in cities.

WASTE AND CLIMATE CHANGE

There is a direct correlation between average temperatures and food waste levels, the report finds.

Hotter countries appear to have more food waste per capita in households,

potentially due to increased consumption of fresh foods containing fewer edible parts and a lack of robust refrigeration and preservation solutions.

Higher seasonal temperatures, extreme heat events, and droughts make it more challenging to store, process, transport, and sell food safely, often leading to a significant volume of food being wasted or lost.

Since food loss and waste generate up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions – almost five times the total emissions compared to the aviation sector – reducing emissions from food waste is essential, UNEP experts believe.

FOOD FOR HOPE

There is room for optimism, the report suggests: public-private partnerships to reduce food waste and impacts on climate and water stress are being embraced by a steadily growing number of governments of all levels.

Examples include Japan and the UK with reductions of 18 per cent and 31 per cent respectively, showing that change at scale is possible, if food is rationed properly.

Published ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste, the UNEP Food Waste Index Report, has been co-authored with WRAP, a UK climate action NGO.

It provides the most accurate global estimate on food waste at retail and consumer levels, offering countries guidance on improving data collection and best practices, in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030. (UN News)

Region Nine infrastructural enhancement projects moving apace

— Minister Edghill reminds contractors of importance of timeliness

AS the Ministry of Public Works continues to fulfil its commitment to the modernisation and transformation of Guyana, the subject Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, visited and inspected the ongoing projects in Region Nine.

These projects include internal roads in Lethem, St. Ignatius and the Piara Bridge, which is currently 50 per cent complete, and is the final bridge to be completed in the Lethem to Kurupukari corridor.

Minister Edghill urged the contractors to complete the projects according to contract specifications, to manage the generation of dust and debris during road construction, and to complete the projects in a timely manner.

Residents of the various areas were encouraged to monitor the projects and to report relevant complaints to the ministry.

Minister Edghill also held a meeting with representatives of the Aranaputa Village Council, including the Vice Chairman, the Overseer, a Councillor and a community activist, as well as the project contractor for the rehabilitation of the Aranaputa Village road and Ministry of Public Works’ Regional Engineer and Clerk of Works.

The aim of the meeting was to ensure that satisfactory progress was being made with the project, and to resolve all issues raised.

As the Ministry of Public Works continues to fulfil its commitment to the modernisation and transformation of Guyana, the subject Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, visited and inspected the ongoing projects in Region Nine

Minibus driver in custody after fatal accident at Uitvlugt

POLICE are investigating a fatal accident which occurred around 03:19 hrs on Tuesday, on the public road at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the accident resulted in the death of 51-year-old Nicholas Khelawon.

The accident involved minibus #BZZ 1192, driven by a 29-year-old from Kaikan Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and pedestrian, Khelawon of Lot 155 Ocean View Uitvlugt, WCD. Five other occupants were in the minibus—four teenagers and a 20-year-old.

Enquiries disclosed that the minibus was proceeding east along the northern drive lane of Uitvlugt public road at a fast rate of speed, when, according to the bus driver, a motor car (number unknown) made a sudden 'u-turn' from south to north in front of him.

The minibus driver said this caused him to swerve right to avoid a collision, and, in the process, the bus hit a pedestrian standing on the southern grass parapet alongside the road.

As a result of the collision, the pedestrian fell onto the road surface, where he received injuries to his body. The minibus driver and occupants also received injuries to their bodies as a result of the collision.

The pedestrian was picked up in an unconscious condition by public-spirited persons at the scene and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital along with the driver and occupants. The pedestrian was seen and examined by a doctor, who pronounced him dead on arrival. The minibus driver was treated and sent away.

He is presently placed in custody, assisting with the investigation. The occupants of the minibus were admitted to the Leonora Hospital for observation.

The body of the deceased was taken to Ezekiel Funeral Home, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted.

Dead: Nicholas Khelawon

Rupununi Rodeo contributes significantly towards Guyana’s national tourism drive

The Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo is a renowned event that attracts thousands of local and international tourists to Guyana’s Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) every year, making it a major contributor to the country’s tourism drive

THE Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo is a renowned event that attracts thousands of local and international tourists to Guyana’s Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) every year, making it a major contributor to the country’s tourism drive.

It is a celebration of the unique lifestyle of the ranchers and vaqueros who are an integral part of the region’s thriving livestock industry and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Rupununi and its people.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, spoke about the importance of the event on behalf of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who. along with several government ministers, joined Rupununi residents for this popular activity on Saturday.

During the opening ceremony President Ali, dressed in his classic cowboy attire, made his way through the local area, taking the time to interact with the residents.

“Rupununi Rodeo continues to be one of the huge attractions for visitors and tourists alike. It contributes to the tourism drive of our country. Every year, one of the largest attractions that we enjoy, is the rodeo,” Minister Sukhai emphasised.

The Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, also highlighted the rodeo’s impact, which allows locals to display their indigenous crafts to the outside world.

“We are proud of the fact that we can have such unique items on display. Moreover, Region Nine is very important to us and we understand that an event like this is more than just a showing of talent, it is for social development,” Minister Parag underscored.

The annual rodeo is supported by various government ministries such as Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and Amerindian Affairs, as well as private-sector sponsors.

At the event’s opening, Minister Sukhai, on behalf of her ministry, presented a cheque valued at $1.5 million to the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association (RLPA), an annual support of the event.

With its thrilling events and vibrant atmosphere, the Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the authentic and exciting culture of Guyana. The event is set to return in 2025.

Qingming: millennial-old festival to remember ancestors, celebrate nature's renewal

Editor's Note: Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, one of China's traditional festivals that embodies the dual connotations of nature and culture, will fall on Thursday this year. It is not only one of the "24 Solar Terms," but is also a traditional ancestor-worshipping festival. During this season, the day heralds a season of rising temperature and increasing rainfall, high time for ploughing and sowing. Many vivid scenes of the Qingming Festival are depicted in Chinese poems and paintings. Wise Chinese ancients practised customs such as ancestor worship, outings, eating qingtuan (sweet green rice balls) and flying kites. To this day, Chinese people still practise the traditions and celebrate the festival in a modern way, including an eco-friendly tomb-sweeping.

THE QINGMING

Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese holiday observed to commemorate ancestors and honour the deceased.

Falling on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox, usually around early April, Qingming holds deep cultural significance in Chinese society.

Originating from ancient customs and folklore, this festival combines elements of remembrance, filial piety, and the celebration of nature's renewal.

Throughout history, Qingming has been evolving, blending traditional rituals with modern practices, reflecting the dynamic nature of Chinese culture.

HOW IT STARTED

Qingming Festival merged the traditions of the Cold Food Festival (hanshi jie) and the Shangsi Festival.

The Cold Food Festival originated from a story of an exiled duke called Wen from the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC). Wen

had no food to eat, so one of his followers, named Jie Zitui, cut a piece of his flesh from his thigh to make soup for Wen.

When Wen eventually became the ruler, he forgot about Jie, who had moved to a remote mountain with his mother. When Wen learned of Jie's whereabouts, he ordered his army to set the forest on fire, hoping to force Jie out of hiding. The fire raged for three days and eventually the emperor saw Jie and his mother clinging, dead, to a charred willow tree. He buried them under the tree.

In honour of Jie, Wen decreed that no fires should be lit on the day of his death and people should eat cold food, giving rise to the Cold Food Festival.

This festival, which initially only existed in the state of Jin, gained recognition across China for its

significance in honouring loyalty, and it continued to be observed.

Qingming Festival also incorporated elements from another ancient festival, the Shangsi Festival, which falls on the third day of the third month in the lunar calendar.

As Qingming tomb-sweeping often takes place in suburban areas, it is accompanied by leisure activities such as bathing, outings, feasting and water sports.

People not only honour their ancestors, but also cleanse themselves, pray for blessings and enjoy the beauty of spring.

HOW TO LIVE IT

The most important custom of Qingming is to honour ancestors and revolutionary martyrs by visiting and cleaning their grave sites, as well as paying respects to deceased loved

ones.

Families gather at cemeteries to remove weeds, tidy up the area and offer sacrifices.

This may involve burning incense, offering food, liquor or other items as a sign of respect. The ritual symbolies filial piety and is believed to provide comfort to the spirits of the deceased in the afterlife.

Qingming is far from just being about mourning and remembering the deceased. During the festival, people engage in various recreational activities, and playing Cuju is one of them.

Cuju, which is an ancient Chinese ball game similar to modern-day soccer, has a long history in China and was popular during various dynasties. It was seen as a way to celebrate the arrival of spring and to enjoy outdoor sports and leisure activities

with family and friends.

The festival falls during the spring season when the weather starts to warm up. Many people take advantage of this time to go on outings with family and friends, enjoying the beauty of nature and the blossoming flowers.

Some people wear willow branches or willow decorations on their clothing or hats during the festival. Willow branches are associated with mourning and are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.

Flying kites is also a traditional activity during Qingming. The kites are often flown as a form of remembrance for departed loved ones and symbolise the sending of good luck and well wishes to them in the afterlife.

Qingtuan is traditional food eaten during the festival. It is made from glutinous rice mixed with mugwort or barley grass, and often filled with sweet bean paste. Eating Qingming cake is believed to bring good luck and health.

HOW IT'S MODERNISED

As a traditional festival for commemorating ancestors and paying respects to the deceased, Qingming has long been associated with customs such as honouring ancestors and cherishing memories of the past.

With changing times and evolving societal norms, the way people observe Qingming has undergone significant transformation.

Traditionally, rituals such as burning incense, paper money and setting off fireworks have been replaced by simpler gestures such as offering a bouquet of flowers and bowing in remembrance, or engaging in online activities such as sending virtual flowers, lighting digital candles, and filling out blessing cards.

In addition to ancestral worship, Qingming Festival is also an important traditional holiday which carries

rich cultural connotations and historical significance. Various regions have developed unique customs and traditions around the festival.

For instance, enjoying the beauty of blooming flowers and embracing nature during outings symbolise vitality and renewal.

The tradition of "planting willows" raises awareness about environmental protection, while traditional activities such as tug-ofwar, swinging and kite-flying, not only promote physical fitness, but also symbolise seizing the opportunities of spring.

Take this year's World Peony Congress in Heze, East China's Shandong Province, for example; a variety of Qingming-themed spring activities will be held.

Visitors can stroll through various peony gardens to admire the scattered, blooming peonies.

By the Qingming holiday, the peonies will be in full bloom, creating a spectacular floral landscape and marking the peak season for peony viewing.

Similarly, the Cherry Blossom Festival in Hebi, Central China's Henan Province, incorporates modern elements loved by young people, alongside mythological stories and immersive scenic attractions.

Another enduring tradition is kite-flying, particularly celebrated in Weifang, Shandong, known as the World Capital of Kites.

The Weifang International Kite Festival, held annually, has become as popular as the Chinese New Year celebration and often trends on social media.

According to local customs, spring is the best time for kite-flying, as it coincides with the warm weather and blooming flowers.

The modern adaptations of Qingming traditions reflect society's evolving values while preserving the essence of cultural heritage.

Chinese rattan crafts set sail to Latin American market

(Xinhua) -- IN a factory in Bobai County of Yulin City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, skilled craftsmen began their day's work early in the morning, weaving intricate lamp decorations and tableware from rattan and bamboo strips, for mounting foreign orders.

Renowned for weaving crafts, with roots tracing back about a millennium, Bobai has emerged as Guangxi's primary export hub for these artisanal products.

In 2018, Huang's company reached a deal with a Brazilian company through Alibaba, a Chinese cross-border trade platform. Since then, the trade volume has steadily surged from about 100,000 yuan (about 14,096.82 U.S. dollars) to more than a million yuan.

"Brazil has consistently been a robust partner for us, especially with products like

"I witnessed Bobai's products shipped across the ocean from Guangxi to Brazil, which was rather unexpected yet inspiring for me," said Huang Lianjiang, general manager of Bobai Huangtu Arts and Crafts Co., Ltd, adding that the products of her company have already been sold to over 20 countries and regions.

lampshades enjoying significant popularity," said Huang. "During last year's Canton Fair, several Brazilian guests visited our booth and showed keen interest in the products."

To further solidify ties with overseas clients, Huang has made efforts to scale up production and enhance standards in alignment with customer preferences.

Meanwhile, Huang's company has set up a live-streaming group to promote their products on e-commerce and social media platforms, using English, Portuguese and other languages.

"We've been conducting live-streaming sessions from

time to time since 2022. I sometimes communicate with customers in Portuguese, introducing our products to them," said Liu Baiyou, the company's foreign trade manager.

The company also expedited the process of introducing new products to the market to stay abreast of evolving consumer trends. Last year, a new design of breadbasket, boasting a 21-cm diameter, unexpectedly surged in popularity overseas, prompting the company to mobilise workers for overtime shifts to meet the demand.

Continued on page 19

Chinese rattan crafts set sail to Latin...

From page 18

In the past year alone, this particular product garnered over 3,000 online orders primarily from European and American countries, generating an output value of 12 million yuan.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. China has been Brazil's largest trading partner, export market and source of trade surplus for 15 consecutive years. Brazil is also China's largest trading partner in Latin America.

"Rattan crafts serve as a carrier of culture as well. We hope to use them to introduce Chinese culture to more people in Latin America," said Huang.

"The strong bilateral relations form the cornerstone for further collaboration between us and Brazilian companies. Our next goal is to deepen our connections with the Brazilian market and extend our business footprint to more Latin American markets," added Huang.

243 galleries show artwork at Art Basel Hong Kong

(Xinhua) ART Basel Hong

Hong opened Thursday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, showcasing artworks from 243 galleries worldwide through Saturday.

The Hong Kong edition of the world's largest art fair

this year features six sections housing artworks from both established and up-and-coming artists.

"Hong Kong is a big art market filled with collectors, curators and art enthusiasts from around the world," said Pedro Gohlke, director of

a gallery based in Madrid, while fielding enquiries from a crowd of show-goers.

Art Basel was founded in Basel, Switzerland in 1970, and first came to Hong Kong in 2013. It is now held in Basel, Miami of the United States and Hong Kong re -

spectively each year.

Concurrent with Art Basel, Art Central, another international art fair, is also being held in Hong Kong. Slated through Sunday, this year's event is the biggest since it was launched in 2015.

Health Ministry unveils new TB treatment

WITH comprehensive services and treatment in place for persons living with tuberculosis (TB), the Ministry of Health is making major strides in reducing TB incidence in the country.

Already, the ministry has achieved a few of its goals for the TB strategy, one of which is the reduction of TB incidence by 20 percent, putting the health sector on track to end TB by 2030.

During the ministry’s latest edition of its ‘Health Matters’ show, the Director of the TB Programme, Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlall, disclosed that a new plan will soon be in place to treat TB patients.

Currently, patients are being administered their pills through the Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) strategy.

This strategy is used to ensure that TB patients

adhere to and can tolerate the prescribed treatment. Healthcare worker watches the TB patient swallow each dose of the prescribed drugs for six months.

The new regimen that will soon be introduced consist of the use of rifapentine and moxifloxacin.

Dr Mohanlall elaborated: “And you can achieve the same as the six months of therapy with just treatment for four months. So, we are hoping to introduce that regimen sometime this year,”

With the use of this new treatment, the co-infection rate with other diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) will also decrease.

It also decreases the burdens of having patients being monitored on how they take their pills and the time period in which they do.

“Over the years we have managed to drop the burden of HIV co-infection with a lot of prevention. And we still need to do more as it pertains to prevention,” he said.

Dr. Mohanlall further elaborated on plans to introduce new medications for latent TB infection, which refers to TB germs that are dormant and non-transmissible. He said the ministry

has acquired a combination pill containing rifapentine and isoniazid, which will soon be incorporated into treatment protocols.

Just like the others, this will also reduce the

intake of pills. These pills will be given to the patients once a week for 12 weeks. Currently, to treat latent TB infection, patients are using only the isoniazid pill on a daily basis.

Upon implementation of these strategies, patients will experience a reduction in pill intake and treatment duration, enabling them to manage their condition more efficiently. Dr. Mohanlall emphasised that, similar to existing approaches, this new regimen will streamline pill consumption.

Patients will receive a once-weekly dosage of these combination pills over a period of 12 weeks, marking a notable improvement over the current daily administration of isoniazid pills for latent TB infection. (DPI)

With comprehensive services and treatment in place for persons living with tuberculosis (TB), the Ministry of Health is making major strides in reducing TB incidence in the country

Yadav pace destroys Lucknow Super Giants

(ESPNCRICINFO) -

Mayank Yadav set the speed gun on fire once again, and ripped out Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green on his way to figures of 4-0-14-3 as Lucknow Super Giants successfully defended 181 to hand Royal Challengers Bengaluru their second successive defeat at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

It was Quinton de Kock who laid the base for LSG's victory with his second successive half-century. KL Rahul returned to action as their captain but he could only manage 20 off 14 balls. But Nicholas Pooran, who had captained LSG in their last game against Punjab Kings, clicked into a higher gear, smashing an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls to drag his team past 180 on a two-paced pitch.

The back-of-the-hand slower balls from Reece Topley and Yash Dayal were sticking in the surface, but Mayank doesn't do slow. He repeatedly breached 150kph - and even cranked it up to a season-high 156.7kph - to shut down RCB's chase.

De Kock dashes out of the blocks

De Kock had started the last IPL season on the bench as Kyle Mayers was preferred ahead of him. De Kock was then removed as Durban's Super Giants captain ahead of SA20 2024, which followed. In the SA20, he got only two innings as an opener, but he has now reasserted his authority at the top this IPL with back-to-back half-centuries.

When Topley, de Kock's team-mate in the SA20, of-

fered him width, he stayed leg side of the ball and crunched him through the covers. Mohammed Siraj didn't offer de Kock as much width, but when he erred on height and bowled at the thigh, de Kock picked him over square leg. De Kock claimed 32 of the 54 runs LSG scored in the powerplay for the loss of Rahul.

De Kock could have been dismissed for 32 in the next over, but Maxwell dropped him. He added 49 to his tally before Topley eventually had him holing out to long-off for 81 off 56 balls.

Maxwell impresses with the ball

On a night when RCB's specialist spinner Mayank Dagar bowled just two overs for 23 runs, Maxwell stepped up with 4-0-23-2, including 12 dots. He fronted up to bowl two overs in the powerplay, where he had Rahul caught at extra-cover with a hard-length delivery.

He then returned after the powerplay to remove another right-handerMarcus Stoinis (24 in 15) - by hiding the ball away from his reach. Maxwell also won his match-up against de Kock, keeping him to four off eight balls. That Maxwell, with four strikes, is RCB's highest wicket-taker this season after four games shines the spotlight on the inefficiency of the frontline bowlers.

Mayank Yadav cranked it up to a season-high 156.7kph, shutting RCB down in the process • BCCI

GDF leads GFF Women’s League Division One

THE Guyana Defence Force FC has closed out the month of March as the frontrunners in Round Two of the Women’s League Division One, netting an impressive 66 goals in just six games since the March 14 kickoff.

They have notched up six straight wins, tallying a solid 18 points. Guyana Police Force FC is in close pursuit with 18 points from seven games, boasting six wins and just one loss.

Fruta Conquerors, another Georgetown club, holds the third spot with

12 points, secured from four wins and three losses. Meanwhile, Potato Strikers FC occupies the fourth place with four points, comprising one win, one draw, and four losses.

The Parkuri Jaguars FC finds themselves in fifth place with a record of one win, one draw, and five losses. At the bottom of the table, Santos FC sits in sixth position without a single point, having suffered five consecutive losses.

Fans were treated to exhilarating matches this month. Guyana Police

Force FC emerged victorious in commanding fashion in their final games of March.

Fruta Conquerors FC secured a 5-0 victory over Pakuri Jaguars FC in St Cuthbert's Mission on March 24.

Goals were scored by Marissa Frank in the 12th minute, Ceara Glasgow in the 21st minute and Amanda McKenzie adding three goals in the 28th, 46th, and 71st minutes.

Two days later, on March 26, the Guyana Police Force FC cruised to a commanding 15-0

victory over Fruta Conquerors FC at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Eight players found the net to propel their team to victory on March 26, spearheaded by Lakeisha Williams who opened the scoring in the 8th minute and added two more goals in the 12th and 33rd minutes.

However, stealing the spotlight was Akeelah Vancooten, delivering an outstanding performance with five goals in the 16th, 22nd, 43rd, 49th,

and 54th minutes. Additional contributions were made by teammates Latoya Williams in the 38th and 67th minutes. Shontel Greene scored a crucial goal in the 45th minute, while Tiandi Smith added to the tally with a goal in the 69th minute.

This was followed by Sasha James' strike finding the net in the 81st minute. Jenelle Edmonston and Collette Rutherford wrapped up the scoring with goals in the 83rd and 87th minute respectively.

The Women’s League

Division has a diverse range of players, including past champions, national players and aspiring talents.

It serves as a platform for players to exhibit their abilities, vying for selection in national team programmes, pursue scholarships, and even secure contracts with clubs beyond the borders of Guyana.

April 6 Match: Guyana Defence Force FC takes on Fruta Conquerors FC at 18:30 hrs.

bemoans CAS slow handling of Campbell case

CMC – THE West Indies Players Association (WIPA) urged the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to immediately deliver its decision on an appeal from West Indies left-handed batsman John Campbell concerning his suspension for an anti-doping violation.

WIPA bemoaned on Tuesday the length of time it has taken the Switzerland-based CAS to hand down a decision on the appeal after the 30-year-old Jamaican was banned for four years for refusing to submit a blood sample for testing in

April, 2022.

According to a news release from the players’ organisation, attorneys for Campbell filed an appeal with the CAS in December 2022, but the case drags on. “The matter was heard before [the] CAS in April 2023, and a decision was to be handed down on August 31, 2023,” the WIPA news release indicated. “This decision has now been postponed without reason six times with a new ruling date of May 31, 2024, leaving the athlete in an unacceptable state of limbo.

“Unfortunately, Mr

Campbell’s case is not an isolated incident. Countless players and athletes across codes and countries are being denied access to justice through global sport’s ineffective dispute-resolution system, as enforced by the CAS.”

The WIPA news release stated that progress towards overhauling the CAS has been lacking, and they have appealed for urgent reforms.

“This has a devastating impact on athletes, like Mr Campbell, who are often forced to abandon their short-term and precarious careers due to the time and

money required to run their case,” the news release added.

“Player associations worldwide will continue to fight for justice on behalf of their members and athletes everywhere.”

The news release further stated: “Extensive reform recommendations based on best-practice standards have been tabled with the leadership of global sport’s institutions, including the International Olympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency, and CAS that would embed athletes’ rights and resolve the vast majority of cases of

injustice.

“It is overdue that these reforms are implemented. Athletes should not be collateral damage as a consequence of the failures in sports governance.”

The WIPA news release noted that the World Players’ Association (WPA) and the Federation of International Cricketers’ Association (FICA) were standing in solidarity with Campbell and WIPA in “the fight for fairness.”

(Wednesday April 03, 2024)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Yusuf Pathan (RR)

(2) Shane Watson (RR)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who cracked the highest individual score in IPL 2008?

(2) Who had the best bowling figures in a single game in IPL 2008?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GHB thrilled with indoor Masters World Cup Performance – President

THE Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) is elated with the country’s historic medal performance at the 2024 Masters Indoor Hockey World Cup.

It was Guyana’s first outing at global championship.

According to President of the Guyana Hockey Board Phillip Fernandes, the team fought above its weight class and excelled.

Fernandes, who is also a part of the team, said, “The team really exceeded all expectations, including our very own, because the goal from inception of the team and the expectation of the Guyana Hockey Board was that the team could possibly make the semifinals; that would have been considered a success,

and was our primary goal.”

The GHB boss said while

their intention was to play hard, “it is really difficult

to imagine that you can win against world powers like Germany, England and so on”.

He says the fact that they comfortably got past the likes of France, 3-2, in the semis, England 7-4, Canada 10-2, and Wales 6-5 in the pool round shows they rose to the occasion.

“The team managed to perform above our expectations, and in fact did it in several matches. Playing unbeaten was a phenomenal success, and to think our edge over the other teams was in fact superior athleticism and real drive for success,” Fernandes added.

He, however, noted it was

extra special because they were not able to properly prepare due to the lack of a proper surface for indoor hockey, with the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) still under construction.

The Indoor World Cup was held in Nottingham, England, where Guyana played undefeated all the way to the final before they were edged by the hotshots in the final, 5-4.

England had recovered from their pool round loss to Guyana to edge Guyana and claim the men’s over-45 title.

The Masters Hockey indoor team is sponsored by cement company, Rock Hard Distributors Inc.

Race of Champions set for April 28; Bossalina, Spankhurst set to battle

THE score is one each, and the ‘return bout' of Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Committee Race of Champions will be the 'Rumble at the Sun.'

The exciting one-day horse-race meet will take centre stage at the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC), Rising Sun, West Coast, Berbice, on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

It will be the revenge showdown between heroine Bossalina, who will represent Mahaicony, and Spankhurst from Armadale. She inflicted the lone defeat on 2023 Horse-of-the-Year winner Spankhurst, in the feature event on New Year's Day at Rising Sun.

Spankhurst bounced back, beating her in the rematch at Rising Sun one month later, levelling the score line.

However, Deleep Esreepersaud owner/trainer of Bossalina revealed prior to that clash his

Canada-bred mare had a setback, and she was not supposed to race. He admitted he made a mistake racing her in that race. He made amends by purposely missing Port Mourant Easter Cup on Sunday. Esreepersaud said the time out gave him the time to prepare Bossalina for her return clash with Spankhurst on Sunday, April 28, at Rising Sun.

Spankhurst, owned by Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, trotted up - scoring unchallenged in gate to wire fashion in the Easter Cup at Port Mourant from Jessica Pride and Stolen Money, both of whom dead-heat for the runner-up slot.

Stolen Money, a recent Canada-bred import owned by Simply Royal Racing stables, on the other hand, built his confidence by recording his first career success at Judge Kennard racecourse last month. That success installed Stolen Money

as the considered biggest threat to Spankhurst heading into the Easter Cup. However, the roan/grey met with interference in the race, but still managed to finish in eye-catching fashion to share the runner-up slot with Jessica's Pride.

The gelding came from last, because of his troubled run, to finish joint second.

Ronaldo Appadu, the rider of Stolen Money in the Easter Cup, claimed he was fouled by Youvin Cheefoon riding Beckman James coming out of the gates. He added passing the first turn, he was kept,and only mid-way up the backstretch he got his mount in the clear, but the race was over.

Cheefoon admitted coming out of the gates his mount did contact Stolen Money, but it was not intentional, while Appadu claimed that he was also fouled at the first turn

passing the finish line by Cheefoon. Cheefon explained, "The horses on my outside was coming down on me, at the corner. I could not do anything other than try, and remain on my horse, and Stolen Money got tightened. I suffered a cut on my foot from the rail also."

With this hard luck in running, Stolen Money

will also get his chance to avenge that defeat to Spankhurst on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Rising Sun.

The organisers of the day's event, the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) revealed they have drafted a seven-race card that was supposed to be advertised tomorrow. They promised

to meet their commitment, but are tentatively looking at making the programme an eight-race card. The feature event will be over 1,600 metres, which will carry a rich purse of $3.7 million local currency, and purses for all the races, amounting to $10 million in local currency.

The Guyana team that won silver in the 2024 Masters Indoor Hockey World Cup President of the Guyana Hockey Board Phillip Fernandes

Bossalina and Stolen Money could challenge Spankhurst on April 28

Medal-laden athletes return home from CARIFTA games

Guyana’s eight

als

them finish fourth on the table, behind

Race of Champions set for April 28; Bossalina, Spankhurst

battle

Details in tomorrow’s edition….

GUYANA’S medal-laden contingent from the 2024 CARIFTA games returned home yesterday to a reception of cheers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The team was met at the airport by family, friends and government officials including the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson, Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle and the members of the National Sport Commission.

med-

saw

winners Jamaica: Jamaica (83 medals), The Bahamas (34 medals), and Trinidad and Tobago (27 medals).

Spankhurst is set to return to the Rising Sun fortress on April 28

set to

Golden! Some of Guyana’s medalists at the 2024 CARIFTA games. (from L-R) Malachi Austin, Tianna Springer and Athaleyha Hinckson stand with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson