Guyana Times - Friday, May 3, 2024

Learn from Guyana’s experience – Pres Ali at launch of Living

Soils Initiative in Africa

… promotes inclusivity, climate-resilient agriculture

GPL to get US$180M emergency funding to upgrade “weak” Distribution & Transmission system – VP

WBD resident busted with AR-15 rifle, ammunition & ganja

150 mining blocks awarded to mediumscale miners in Region 7

Better Hope man remanded for breaking into church Trio

Pedestrian dies after being struck down by speeding cop “Journalists must take climate change reporting seriously” – Jamaica’s Information Minister

World Press Freedom Day 2024

“Journalists must take climate change reporting seriously” – Jamaica’s

Information Minister

As the world continues towards integrating technology in the information and communications landscape, Journalists and workers in the Caribbean media fraternity must continue to uphold traditional media principles, especially when it comes to climate change reporting.

This is the sentiment of Jamaica’s Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Information, Robert Nesta Morgan, who contends that climate change reporting must be taken seriously in the digital age.

Dis/misinformation about environmental issues can lead to a lack of public and political support for climate action, effective policies, and the protection of vulnerable communities affected by climate change, as well as women and girls, as climate change tends to exacerbate existing inequalities.

Morgan made this remark at a Press for the Planet Town Hall Forum at the Pegasus Corporate Suites in commemoration of World Press Day 2024.

The Jamaican Minister, who is visiting Guyana along with a delegation from his ministry, underscored that factual and credible climate change reporting is important now more than ever, considering the influence social media

has on environmental issues and conversations among the wider population.

He noted that to achieve sustainable development, it is necessary for Journalists to report accurately, timely, and comprehensively on environmental issues and their consequences, as well as on possible solutions.

“Citizens who may not have necessarily climbed the academic ladder and depend traditionally on radio and TV for factual information- if we as Caribbean States do not quickly invest in a system and structure to protect our peo-

ple from misinformation, disinformation and [protect] traditional media standards what we are going to have a crisis of trust and confidence, which ultimately transcend from just climate change and go into trust and confidence in our democratic institutions,” the Jamaican Minister said.

According to Morgan, social media and the instant release of information about national issues is negatively impacting the financial status of broadcast agencies across the Caribbean.

To combat this, he noted that investments must be

made to reinvigorate the role of traditional media and implement restrictions on social media consumption.

“We need to taking these things seriously, because I don’t think we do. The Tik Tok in the Caribbean is not the same as the Tik Tok in China why? Why is the algorithm in China different…? Why am I not allowed to read certain articles in Canada but I can read them in Guyana on particular news website?” he added.

This year marks the 31st anniversary of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s decision proclaim-

ing May 3 as the International Day for Press Freedom.

World Press Freedom Day 2024 is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.

Journalists encounter significant challenges in seeking and disseminating information on contemporary issues, such as supply-chain problems, climate migration, extractive industries, illegal mining, pollution, poaching, animal trafficking, deforestation, or climate change.

It is a Journalist’s duty to advocate for the visibility of these issues, since they are crucial for promoting peace and democratic values world-

wide.

Media plays a pivotal role in society, by disseminating facts for public consumption and helping citizens stay informed, establish opinions, make informed choices, and participate meaningfully in society.

The availability of facts and information is fundamental to exercising such rights as access to health, education, justice, and to fighting against gender and economic inequalities.

In this regard, the day is being commemorated under the global theme “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of Environmental Crisis.” (G1)

Jamaica’s Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Information, Robert Nesta Morgan

A section of the gathering at the Press for the Planet Town Hall Forum at Pegasus Corporate Suites in commemoration of World Press Day 2024

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, May 3 – 00:30h-02:00h and Saturday, May 4 – 01:30h-03:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, May 3 – 12:35h-14:05h and Saturday, May 4 –13:35h-15:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Learn from Guyana’s experience – President Ali at launch of Living Soils Initiative in Africa …

promotes inclusivity, climate-resilient agriculture

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

touted some of

climate-resilient agricultural practices as the Living Soils Initiative in Africa was launched on Thursday.

Piloted by the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the Living Soils Initiative aims to accelerate soil regeneration through a collaborative approach throughout the continent of Africa.

Speaking at the virtual launch on Thursday morning, President Ali, who is the current Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), pointed out that this initiative was not only transformative but also significant for Africa, where there were serious threats of land degradation, and soil health and fertility were declining thus affecting daily life and agricultural activities.

“This initiative offers an approach to addressing key environmental and agricultural challenges facing the continent. By focusing on regenerative agricultural practices that prioritise soil health and biodiversity, this initiative aims to combat land degradation, enhance food security, and build resilience to climate change. In Africa, where a large proportion of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods and where soil degradation threatens the productivity of farmlands, the Living Soils initiative represents a transformative opportunity,” he noted.

According to the Head of State, the promotion of practices such as agroforestry, cover cropping, composting, and conservation agriculture will improve soil fertility and water retention as well as mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and enhance ecosystem services.

Drawing from Guyana’s experience, President Ali, who is leading Caricom’s ag-

gressive food security agenda, stressed the need for inclusivity in order for this initiative to be successful in Africa.

“Guyana’s own experience suggests that projects should be inclusive. First, they should focus on supporting small farmers in participating countries. Second, the active involvement of women and youth should be integral to these projects. Women and youth constitute significant portions of the agricultural workforce in many communities. By ensuring their participation, projects can benefit from diverse perspectives, knowledge, and skills, ultimately leading to more sustainable and inclusive outcomes,” he stated.

The Guyana Leader also outlined the need for projects that promote climate-resilient agriculture, which incorporates practices and technologies that help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions, such as extreme weather events like droughts, and shifts in rainfall patterns.

“By implementing climate-resilient agriculture techniques such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and water-efficient irrigation systems, projects can enhance the resilience of agricultural systems to climate-related risks. This not only protects against further land degradation but also ensures the sustainability and agricultural productivity in the face of increasingly unpredictable climate dynamics.”

“I encourage greater use of organic inputs, the use of shade houses, the wider use of drip irrigation and the introduction of resilient crop systems. This includes providing access to strong, stress-tolerant crop varieties and more nutritious staple foods to prepare for potential climate-related challenges. These interventions aim to boost agricultural yield, decrease soil erosion, improve water quality and quantity,

and enhance the income and food security of beneficiaries,” the Head of State stressed.

President Ali believes that the continent of Africa is poised to assume a much larger global footprint in shaping a more resilient and food-secure future for all. Like its mineral resources, he said, the continent’s agricultural and environmental potential is massive.

Africa is home to 65 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land and 10 per cent of the planet’s internal renewable freshwater sources. With these expansive arable lands and abundant freshwater resources, the Guyanese Leader contends, Africa has the unquestionable potential to emerge as a significant player in global food supply chains.

Given its potential as a major food frontier, the Guyanese Leader posited, Africa’s annual food import bill should not be the current figures – more than US$60 billion.

“With careful investments in infrastructure, technology, and sustainable farming practices, African nations can harness this potential to not only meet their own food security needs but also contribute substantially to addressing global food needs. Africa’s rich agricultural diversity and favourable climatic conditions position it a key

player in feeding the world’s population,” he added.

Despite this, however, the Guyanese Head of State pointed out that the continent’s serious threats from land degradation, including desertification, posed a hindrance to efforts to combat climate change and enhance Africa’s food security. Some estimates put land degradation and desertification as affecting as much as 45 per cent of all lands throughout Africa. On the continent, soil health and fertility are declining, causing problems for farming, food, jobs, and the environment thus making it hard for soil to benefit from things like fertilisers and better seeds, leading to lower crop yields. It also makes small farmers and communities more vulnerable to climate change.

“I, therefore, wish every success to this [Living Soils] Initiative. I am confident that it coincides with and will contribute to a new era where Africa emerges as a powerhouse in global food production and climate change mitigation. Africa is poised to assume a much larger global footprint in shaping a more resilient and food-secure future for all. Let us, therefore, rally behind the vision of a prosperous and sustainable Africa, leading the way towards a brighter, greener tomorrow,” President Ali posited. (G8)

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has

President Ali delivering remarks at the virtual launch of the Living Soils Initiative in Africa on Thursday morning

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“A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis”

Today, Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing World Press Freedom Day themed “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis.” This theme highlights the pivotal role of Journalists in addressing environmental challenges facing the world. Through its reporting, the media is a catalyst for change and public discourse on this most crucial issue.

It is no surprise, therefore, that the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres in his message has said that the world is going through an unprecedented environmental emergency, which poses an existential threat to this and future generations, noting that people need to know about this – and Journalists and media workers have a key role in informing and educating them.

“Local, national, and global media outlets can highlight stories about the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice. Through their work, people come to understand the plight of our planet, and are mobilised and empowered to take action for change. Media workers also document environmental degradation. And they provide evidence of environmental vandalism that helps to hold those responsible to account. It is no surprise that some powerful people, companies, and institutions will stop at nothing to prevent environmental Journalists from doing their jobs. Media freedom is under siege. And environmental journalism is an increasingly dangerous profession.”

He also reminded that around the world, media workers are risking their lives trying to bring news on everything from war to democracy.

“I am shocked and appalled by the high number of Journalists killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza. The United Nations recognises the invaluable work of Journalists and media professionals to ensure that the public is informed and engaged. Without facts, we cannot fight mis- and disinformation. Without accountability, we will not have strong policies in place. Without press freedom, we won't have any freedom. A free press is not a choice, but a necessity. Our World Press Freedom Day is very important. And so, I call on Governments, the Private Sector and civil society to join us in reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding press freedom and the rights of Journalists and media professionals around the world.”

Freedom of expression is not only enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but is listed as a fundamental right in many of the constitutions in the Caribbean.

Locally and around the world, the media has a crucial responsibility to act as a watchdog to protect public interest against malpractice and to create public awareness. As the fourth estate, exchangeable with the fourth pillar of democracy, the media’s role is to act against injustice, oppression, transgressions, and prejudice in society.

Freedoms that Guyanese have come to enjoy over time did not come easily. Some unfortunately paid with their lives in the struggles for their attainment.

We, therefore, welcomed the World Press Freedom Day message by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and European Union diplomats in Guyana, who said in a joint statement: “…Journalists, therefore, find themselves in a pivotal position, where their pen and their words can influence the hearts and minds of citizens in the high-stakes global environmental conversation. Freedom of expression is essential, allowing Journalists the ability to deliver the facts about climate change and related issues freely and fairly, without influence or intimidation as climate research, climate talks, and climate action progress.”

The United States, United Kingdom, Canada and European Union diplomats in Guyana also stressed: “A misrepresentation of facts and figures, whether deliberate or accidental, can have damaging effects, manipulating public perception (locally and internationally) of the environmental situation. This can in turn affect public perception of a Government’s response and use of funds during an environmental crisis.”

We welcome their call for Journalists to maintain integrity in their work and to continue to be curious and enquire.

Making everything about race, ethnicity has never worked

Dear Editor,

I read a letter by Vincent Alexander in Wednesday’s newspapers, wherein Mr Alexander falsely claims the Government closed night schools in Sophia and Kildonan, and attributed that to the Government being vindictive. Mr Alexander, in his haste to feed his obsession with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, has ignored the truth.

Here are the facts.

The Government never ran night schools in Sophia and Kildonan. In Sophia, it was run by a non-governmental group called the Sophia Community Development Association (SOCDA).

The PPP/C believes in making education available to as many persons as possible, and has always realized that belief by actual programmes.

When in Opposition, and under the leadership of its General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, the PPP/C crafted a manifesto which announced our intention to offer 20,000 scholarships to study in foreign universities, paid for by the Government.

The Government began fulfilling that promise with the establishment of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL). That programme has provided scholarships for more than 25,000 Guyanese to study in over 18 universities locally and across the world.

Several areas and levels of study are offered. So successful has that programme been that it brought our attention to the persons who would have liked to benefit therefrom but who had

dropped out of school, and/or did not qualify for entrance into the universities and needed a second chance.

As such, GROW (Get Ready for Opportunities to Work) was birthed. This is a second chance programme in which students can acquire the General Education Development (GED) and the Scottish Certificate and Qualification Framework (SCQF). These serve as the equivalent to successful high school exit qualifications such as the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) or the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) that allows for further study at a tertiary level, or simply for a feeling of accomplishment, capability and pride by the persons who ventured for that second chance.

In the two years since its birth, the Irfaan Ali-led Government has granted 5,887 scholarships to students so that they may get that second chance. Of that number, 3567 (60 per cent) of those students have moved up and are currently studying on degree programmes in different foreign universities. Some 366 residents of Sophia have graduated GROW and are currently scholarship awardees on GOAL, studying for their degrees.

Mr Alexander may wish to take note of these realities and differences. His government did not believe in/and/ or could not imagine nor implement a programme like GOAL or GROW for mass public benefit of people from all over Guyana. They relied

on non-governmental organisations to do that in small numbers.

This Government gives second chances to large numbers of persons from every geographic location, religious persuasion, gender and ethnicity. This is how one changes lives. Bellyaching with falsities in the newspapers, whining about Jagdeo daily, making everything about race and ethnicity, has never worked to change lives, and I daresay will not work to allow Mr Alexander that second chance to lead at the

Ministry of Education, where he served in a leadership capacity for all the time APNU/ AFC was in Government. It would have been useful and beneficial if Mr Alexander’s concern for people had manifested in his service over at the Ministry of Education producing even a single like programme to benefit the people of this country, or even only those he says he represents.

Sincerely,

Priya Manickchand Education Minister

The wrong was allowed to fester

Dear Editor,

The letter writer has made a compelling call for City Hall to act with regards to vendors and vending in a letter to the local press on May 2; and this is one of many such calls.

The core issue in this vendors' matter can be summed up thus: the wrong was allowed to fester, nurture, and become permanent to the landscape until it became a right -- a right for vendors to put down and take up spots and places in full view and knowledge of every one, all turning a blind eye and looking the other way.

Now it has become a monster, to be quelled only by court orders; and these are coming fast and furious, and there still is no plan or course of action to deal with the issue.

NDCs should note the point raised in the letter about vending and unsightly shacks sprouting up across spaces in communities, some shacks even becoming permanent. This reinforces my point about a wrong festering and becoming a right while the authorities idly allowed it.

The vendors have to earn and live. So, with no immediate end in sight, the vendors/vending problem will not go away. As one columnist put it, “The politicians seeking to control the City Hall's purse will do whatever it takes for those vendors' votes” (GT April 30). And so we go…life rumbles on in dear Guyana.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Jamaica’s Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information Robert Nesta Morgan along with his visiting delegation; Editorin-Chief of Times Media Group, Tusika Martin; General Manager, Malisa Nokta and Television Guyana Production Manager, Leza Singh during a tour of the media house's facility on Thursday

Background to the first Indian Immigrants

By Ravi Dev

The first Indian indentured shipment was made by John Gladstone who owned Plantations Vreed en Hoop and Wales in West Demerara. Like most planters, he was convinced that after the imminent abolition of slavery the freed Africans would not deliver the regimented labour that sugar production demanded. He was aware that planters in Mauritius had addressed the concern by recruiting Indian indentured labourers through the Calcutta firm of Gillanders, Arbuthnot & Co., of Calcutta, where the major partner was his cousin.

According to one report, Gladstone, wrote to Gillanders on the 4th January 1836, and explained his fears on the labour question. “After giving a most glowing account of the colony—the lightness of the labour required, and the repose enjoyed by the people—their “comfortable dwellings, and abundance of food”—the schools on each estate for the education of children; and the instruction of their parents in the knowledge of their religious duties”—(there are no schools on Vreed-en-Hoop, or Vriedestein!!) he sums up all by observing, “it may be fairly said they pass their time agreeably and happily.” Full of fears, however, for the future, he adds, It is of great importance to us to endeavour to provide a portion of other labourers, whom we might use as a set-off, and, when the time for it comes, make us, as far as possible, independent of our negro population.”

Gladstone then ordered 100 Coolies—“young, active, able-bodied people,’’ to be bound to labour for a period not less than five years, or more than seven years,” the wages not to exceed four dollars per month,” to provide themselves!”

Gillanders & Co., responded positively on 6th June, 1836; explaining that they had shipped more than 2000 Coolies to Mauritius since 1834. “The contracts… are all of a similar nature; and we enclose a copy of one, under which we have sent 700 or 800 men to the Mauritius; and we are not aware that any greater difficulty would present itself in sending men to the West Indies, the Natives being perfectly ignorant of the place they agree to go to, or the length of the voyage they are under taking.’’

They then go on to state that the men selected for Mauritius, “Dhangurs…are always spoken of as more akin to the monkey than the man. They have no religion, no education, and, in their present state, no wants, beyond eating, drinking and sleeping; and to procure which, they are willing to labour.” The “Dhangurs” were also called “Hill Coolies” and Gillanders description fitted the trope that indentureship would “civilize” them.

On the 10th March, 1837, (after persuading his friend Lord Glenelg, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to issue an Order in Council in 1837 to permit the West Indian planters to ship coolies from India) Gladstone and his friend John Moss informed Gillanders & Co. that in the following May, they intended to forward the good ship “Hesperus to take Coolies to Demerara,” to the number of 150, and that should they have children to take with them, fifteen or twenty may be sent in addition“

Andrew Colville and Messrs. Davidsons, Barkley & Co. of London,” owners of Highbury and Waterloo plantations in Berbice joined their friend Gladstone in a similar commission to.Gillanders & Co. (This was for the Whitby). The two ships would land on May 5, 1834 with 396 Indian Indentureds.

Hamilton Green's deceit: a new day is looming on the horizon

Dear Editor,

I wish to respond to a recent missive entitled “When the carnage was instigated by a PPP Minister and the Phantom group, people sought solace in North America” by Mr. Hamilton Green, a former Prime Minister.

Now, it would be easy for one to glance at such a headline and simply write it off as degenerate political pandering (which it is). However, this dangerous, false rhetoric has been used as a mobilisation tool before, preying on the instincts of fear. It is the civic duty of every right-thinking Guyanese to respond to such misinformation condignly when it rears its ugly head, for the benefit of the young generation and those yet to come.

Indeed, it is true that large numbers of Guyanese moved to the US during the late 50s to early 60s. But the writer deliberately neglects to mention the turbulent state of affairs which precipitated this migration. Additionally, it is now on public record that Forbes Burnham was on the CIA’s payroll, colluding with

foreign powers to force out Dr. Cheddi Jagan from office during this same time period through intense violent unrest which plunged the country into chaos.

I urge Mr. Green to refer to declassified CIA documents from this time period. One such memorandum from the Treasury Committee, Washington from 1969 states: “Prime Minister Forbes Burnham of Guyana, who has previously received covert assistance from CIA, requested that the agency provide $10,000 a month for two years to support his efforts to build his party, the People’s National Congress, into an effective, permanently organized political party.” To this date, there has been no response from the Learned Elder on this revelation. One can only wonder why.

Further, from 1964 to 1992, the period which Mr. Green omitted, Guyana amassed one of the highest debt burdens on Planet Earth at that time, a whopping 900% of revenue was used to service debt, instead of build the country. Essential

32nd PPP Congress will see the youth taking charge of its future

Dear Editor, Today and this weekend, all eyes will be on the People’s Progressive Party as it opens its 32nd Congress at Liliendaal, Georgetown, under the theme “Strengthen the Party, Defend Guyana, Unite Our People for Progress and Prosperity”.

As discussions commence on the theme of strengthening and unifying the party, it is hoped that young adults and young people have their say, adding their voices to make the PPP more inclusive, diverse and futuristic. After all, the PPP is the ONLY diverse and multi-ethnic political body in the country.

I do not doubt that these young people will play a pivotal role in steering the discussions down the right path, as PPP has proven over the years to be a safe place, where freedom of expression is respected. They must get involved and take centre stage in the discussions about party politics and party philosophy.

In other words, youths should be in each of the seven workshops of the party, and in all discussions. Also, they must be prepared to say what more the party can do for young people to have access to more opportunities and jobs in traditional and non-traditional sectors in Guyana. Finally, youths and young PPP professionals must discuss the changing media landscape in Guyana and its impact on the PPP, how people and their youth population view the PPP

staples such as flour and split peas were banned, followed by Gestapo-like police searches of households for aforementioned items. Our purchasing power was obliterated for those who were fixed income earners. This younger generation will not remember when Carl Greenidge walked into Parliament in 1987 to announce the infamous “ten to one” devaluation of the Guyana dollar. The streets were filled with renditions of the Mighty Sparrow’s popular “Ten To One Is Murder” tune. Our country became stagnant. This was no land of opportunity, and instead we became the black sheep of the Caribbean.

Guyana literally became the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, falling right below Haiti. This was confirmed in the McIntyre Report, which publicly advocated for “a restoration of confidence in the ability of the Government to manage the economy and share its benefits widely”. In addition to rigged elections, state sponsored terrorism saw the murders of Dr. Walter Rodney, Father Darke, as well as the Ballot Box Martyrs. An aura of hopelessness and despair permeated all across the land. Yet these facts have seemingly eluded Mr. Green in his sanctimonious emanations.

Government, as well as what this means for the 2025 elections. I urge the youths to seize this opportunity and directly state how they see the PPP faring in the next elections.

At this point, I urge young people to take a stance on the APNU+AFC racism campaign, divisiveness, and crass opposition politics. Young people will have the opportunity to state their position on the opposition's call for Guyanese living abroad to boycott African-Guyanese businesses that support or were seen with the President in Brooklyn, New York.

The youth population must boldly state their pleasure that the PPP has already accomplished so much of what was promised in its 2020 manifesto. They must look at all the recommendations and changes made in the party pragmatically and practically from the previous Congress to the present day. This is serious business, and the PPP youths will have to state how the Government should defend itself against the Venezuelan claim to our Essequibo.

After all, these young people form a sizeable portion of the delegate population, and deserve their place at the discussion table. Young people in the PPP will use the 32nd Congress to take charge of the party itself, Guyana and its future.

Yours truly, Michael Younge

killed during the crime wave. This included Indo Guyanese men, women and children. The Lusignan and Bartica Massacres come to mind. Law enforcement officers were also gunned down by bandits heralded as “Freedom Fighters” by the then Opposition.

It is widely accepted that failing politicians pull all sorts of gimmicks out of their backsides as elections approach, so it is unsurprising that Green et al have resorted to this desperate fearmongering tactic yet again. It is disappointing, yet unsurprising.

I trust the pending COI will exhaustively put this issue to rest.

Our country is on the rise. Guyana’s political culture is metamorphosing as we speak. A new political culture is emerging, based on democracy, national unity, and truth. This young generation is developing political consciousness and rejecting the fossilized fear-based tactics of the past. This was evident in the President’s warm welcome in Brooklyn, as well as the subsequent “boycott” being rejected. Now desperate political hacks are once again trying to distort our history to drive wedges among our people.

Moreover, the “Phantom killings” he speaks of are another age-old, long debunked bogeyman that Green and his cabal consistently resurrect. The period 2002 to 2008 saw persons from all walks of life

A new day is looming on the horizon. “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, these words that have served as our national motto, are now manifesting into reality. Those who stoke the last embers of racism are relics of the past, and in the past they shall remain!

Yours faithfully, Nikhil Sankar

06:00 (Sign on) Inspiration Time 06:30 Cartoons 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 Stop Suffering 09:00

Sir John Gladstone, 1st Baronet – Wikipedia

2. 0.333written as a common fraction is (A) 1/4 (B) 1/2 (C) 3/4 (D) 1/3

CSEC MATHS Page Foundation

5.99×102

5.99×10

5.99×10

1. 0.599 writen in standard form is (A) 5 99×102 (B) 5 99×10 (C) 5.99×10−1 (D) 5 99×10−2

1. 0.599 writen in standard form is (A) 5 99×102 (B) 5 99×10 (C) 5.99×10−1 (D) 5 99×10−2

5.99×10

3. (-7)2 +(-8)2 (A) -15 (B) 15 (C) 163 (D) 25 4. 2 2 6 + 4 3 7 (A) 6 5

My Parents

2. 0.333written as a common fraction is (A) 1/4 (B) 1/2 (C) 3/4 (D) 1/3

2. 0.333written as a common fraction is (A) 1/4 (B) 1/2 (C) 3/4 (D) 1/3

5. The exact value of 8 ÷ (0.0002) is (A) 400 (B) 4000 (C) 40,000 (D) 400,000

By Stephen Spender Title

Types of Poems

Haiku

3. (-7)2 +(-8)2 (A) -15 (B) 15 (C) 163 (D) 25 4 2 2 + 4 3

6. 11 50 x 9.03correct to two significant figures equals (A) 0.10 (B) 1.038 (C)

WORD SEARCH: POETIC DEVICES

3. (-7)2 +(-8)2 (A) -15 (B) 15 (C) 163 (D) 25 4

The haiku (or hokku) is an ancient form of Japanese poetry that has become very popular all over the world. Renowned for its small size, haikus consist of just three lines (tercet); the first and third lines have five syllables, whereas the second has seven. Haikus don’t have to rhyme and are usually written to evoke a particular mood or instance. So, you can have a lot of fun with them! You may have written or will find yourself writing your own haiku at some point in school, or you can get creative and try it at home, too.

Free verse

Free verse is a popular style of modern poetry, and as its name suggests there is a fair amount of freedom when it comes to writing a poem like this. Free verse can rhyme or not, it can have as many lines or stanzas as the poet wants, and it can be about anything you like! So, while free verse may sound simple enough, the lack of rules makes this form of poetry tricky to master!

Sonnet

This very old form of poetry was made famous by none other than William Shakespeare, but the sonnet actually originated in 13th century Italy where it was perfected by the poet Petrarch. The word ‘sonnet’ is derived from the Italian word ‘sonnetto’ which means ‘little song’. Traditionally, sonnets are made up of 14 lines and usually deal with love. As a rule, Petrarchan (Italian) sonnets follow an ABBA ABBA CDE CDE rhyme scheme, whereas Shakespearean (English) sonnets are typically ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. But of course, rules are made to be broken!

Acrostic

Like haikus, you’re likely to encounter acrostic poems at school! But that doesn’t mean they’re boring – in fact, far from it! This type of poetry spells out a name, word, phrase or message with the first letter of each line of the poem. It can rhyme or not, and typically the word spelt out, lays down the theme of the poem. Why not try it with the silliest word you can think of – it can be really fun!

Villanelle

6. 11 50 x 9.03correct to two significant figures equals (A) 0.10 (B) 1.038 (C) 10.38 (D) 103.85

6. 11 50 x 9.03correct to two significant figures equals (A) 0.10 (B) 1.038 (C) 10.38 (D) 103.85

The villanelle is another very old form of poetry that came from France and has lots of rules. It is made up of 19 lines; five stanzas of three lines (tercet) each and a final stanza of four lines (quatrain). As you can see from the rhyme scheme; ABA ABA ABA ABA ABA ABAA, this type of poem only has two rhyming sounds. Plus, there is a lot of repetition throughout the villanelle. Line one will be repeated in lines six, 12 and 18; and line three will be repeated in lines nine, 15 and 19. So although this takes out the extra work of having to write 19 individual lines, the real challenge is to make meaning out of those repeated lines!

Limerick

Limericks are funny (and sometimes rude!) poems which were made popular by Edward Lear in the 19th century. They have a set rhyme scheme of AABBA, with lines one, two and five all being longer in length than lines three and four. The last line is often the punchline. Their sound is very distinctive, it’s likely you’ve heard or read one before!

Ode

The ode is one of the oldest forms of poetry and believed to have come from ancient Greece. Yep – yonks ago! The word ‘ode’ is derived from the Greek word ‘aeidein’ which means ‘to sing or chant’, and these poems were originally performed with a musical instrument. An ode is typically written to praise a person, event or thing (you could write an ode to your pet or favourite food!) and they are usually quite short in length.

Elegy

An elegy doesn’t have rules like some of the other forms of poetry, but it does have a set subject: death – eek! They are usually written about a loved one who has passed away, but can also be written about a group of people, too. Although they can sound sad, elegies often end on a hopeful note, hooray!

Ballad

The ballad is another old and traditional form of poetry that typically tells a dramatic or emotional story. They came from Europe in the late Middle Ages and were initially passed down from one generation to another, and often with music. Ballads do have a set form; they are typically four lines (quatrain) and have a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB. However, this form is looser than others so can be modified to suit a writer’s (that’s you!) needs. Most modern pop songs you hear nowadays can be referred to as ballads! (penguin.co.uk)

Stanza (Quatrain) Poet

Stanza (Quatrain)

Stanza (Quatrain)

GPL to get US$180M emergency funding to upgrade “weak” Distribution & Transmission system – VP

The Guyana Government will be seeking massive supplementary funding to upgrade the Guyana Power and Light’s aged Distribution And Transmission Network – something which Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has emphasised needed to be done in order to accommodate the increased generating capacity that will come.

GPL has approached Government with a proposal for ‘emergency priority funding’ to the tune of US$180 million to upgrade its distribution and transmission network.

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, VP Jagdeo noted that Government has already made it clear that it would fund these upgrades which would have to start immediately to accommodate additional power that would come into the system.

“There is… a component running between US$180 million to maybe US$250 million that would lead to critical up-

grades in the Distribution and Transmission system to ensure that once we have more power, that we take this power to Berbice and everywhere else… and that the poor transmission system and the weak distribution system… wouldn’t affect us. So, then we [won’t] have more power but still have blackouts because of the weak transmission system,” he stated.

Already, the State-run power company was allocated some $95.7 billion in the 2024 National Budget.

According to the Vice President, the supplementary funding for these upgrades could either come from the national purse or through a loan.

“We’ve indicated that we’ll have the funding ready even if it has to come from the budget… It could be that or we could get it financed from a loan… But even if we have it funded from a loan, you still have to get the expenditure cleared in Parliament,” he explained.

The Vice President went on to note that there

were several sources that Government could turn to in order to secure a loan for these works. However, he hinted at a preference for going through a private institution rather than the multilateral agencies since the former tend to have more favourable conditions such as lower interest rates.

This upgrade to the distribution and transmission network is just one component of the planned efforts to enhance the capability and capacity of the State-run power company. As it is, GPL is now generating some 165 megawatts of power, but the current peak demand for electricity is 180 megawatts.

Given the ongoing heightened frequency of power outages, Jagdeo noted that the financial paper will be tabled in the National Assembly shortly, since the upgrades have to start “almost immediately”.

“It has to be done before the middle of the year. We have to get this done in time for the distribution of the power,” the VP stated.

The next sitting of the National Assembly is scheduled for next Thursday, May 9.

Only recently, GPL signed a two-year contract with Qatar-based Urbacon Concessions Investments (UCI) for a power ship to generate 36 megawatts (MWs) into the national grid.

The floating power plant arrived in Guyana’s waters on Wednesday and works are being carried out to set

up the infrastructure to connect the vessel to GPL’s distribution system at Everton on the East Bank of Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

While GPL had said that the power ship would start operating on May 8, it was reported earlier this week that preparatory work at the Everton site was behind schedule.

GPL’s Berbice Zone Manager, Ravindra Jagnanand on Tuesday related that one of the biggest challenges was the clearing of vegetation. He, nevertheless, stated that works were progressing to facilitate the power ship.

“We have to build a network to connect the power barge to our network… we have to construct a new transmission line to connect, and for us to dispatch from the ship to our grid,” he explained.

According to Jagnanand, the intention is to tap into an existing transmission line which would enable GPL to access power at different load centres in Berbice and Demerara. The main objective is to minimise outages as a result of generation shortfall.

“What we are experiencing currently is a lot of load shedding, being done because there is a deficit between our generating capacity and our demand. So, having this boost in our generating capacity will significantly reduce forced outages, or what we call load shedding,” he noted.

“Our team is working assiduously to finish this project and to conclude the network construction and maintenance on the line as quickly as possible,” he added.

As part of the multimillion-dollar deal, GPL has

already paid a US$1 million mobilisation fee for the power ship, which was previously used in Cuba.

The power company has to pay a fee of 6.62 US cents per kWh as a monthly charter fee for the vessel as well as a monthly operation and maintenance fee of 0.98 US cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) based on electricity generated.

GPL is also required to provide Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) for the operation of the generators onboard the vessel.

In addition to the 35MW from the power ship, the capacity of the national grid will be further bolstered when the 300-MW power plant – a major component of the Gas-to-Energy Project – comes onstream next year using natural gas from offshore oil production activities in the Stabroek Block. (G8)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Guyana Power and Light Incorporated

Better Hope man remanded for breaking into church

Twenty-nine-year-old Vishal Ramchandar of Better Hope North, East Coast Demerara was on Thursday remanded to prison on a break-and-enter charge after appearing before Sparendaam Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool.

The police have said that Ramchandar attempted to commit a felony at Kings Chapel New Testament Church of God at Better

Charged: Vishal Ramchandar

Hope, and Ramchandar, although pleading not guilty to the charge, has been remanded to prison until June 03, 2024.

Berbice man accused of stealing artificial chain slapped with assault charge

Trevon Samuels, a 53-year-old labourer of #28 Village West Coast Berbice, has been remanded to prison for inflicting grievous bodily harm on Jaipaul Narine when he appeared on Tuesday before Bartica Magistrate Teriq Mohamed and pleaded not guilty as charged. He has

been remanded to prison until May 30, 2024.

The court has been told that the accused and victim occupy the same space at ‘Cool Breeze Stelling’ on First Avenue in Bartica, and that Narine accused Samuels of stealing his artificial chain, which Samuels denied.

The court has been told that Samuels, becoming annoyed at the accusation, armed himself with a steel pipe and dealt Narine one blow to his face, by which Narine sustained severe injuries.

A report was made to the police, and Narine was taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital to be treated. He has been referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) for further treatment.

Samuels, meanwhile, was arrested and charged.

Mo’ money…

…for the masses

Well, Pressie addressed one of the May Day rallies - how many are there now? – and said he’s working diligently on his party’s developmental plan to put mo’ money into the pockets of the “working class”. Now, your Eyewitness knows this term comes easily to PPP folks – and Pressie pretty much cut his “milk teeth” in the bosom of the PPP! – but, really now…isn’t it time it be jettisoned?

“Working class” implies acceptance of Marx’s thesis about their being an inevitable struggle between “classes” in all societies – and in which the “working class” is gonna emerge victorious. To establish a “dictatorship of the proletariat”!!

But is this where Guyana’s at?? Your Eyewitness doesn’t think so. He sees the PPP’s development strategy creating a “rising tide that’s gonna lift all ships” - and placing them at harbours where they’ll all be able to become loaded with everything they’ll earn!! Doesn’t matter what class, colour, creed, ethnicity, gender, capabilities, or whatever!!

But there’s that critical caveat your Eyewitness always identifies: folks will be given equal opportunity to earn –but as to HOW MUCH they earn, that’ll depend on them!! There’s never been a society where everybody will each have an equal amount of goods. But once the OPPORTUNITY is opened to all, those who end up with less shouldn’t complain. One wise fella put it rather well when he pointed out that there’s nothing wrong with a certain amount of inequality – once those who aren’t as equal are still better off than if those who have more weren’t there. Meaning that there are some – like Bill Gates or Steven Jobs – who are hugely wealthy, but we below then are still better off, because of their contributions!! Can you imagine what life would be without your PC or iPhone??

So, when Pressie talks about initiating programmes to put mo money in mo’ pockets, your Eyewitness hopes folks understand it wouldn’t be like they can just loll around and money’s gonna fall like manna from above!! Even Chinawhich swear they’re still following Marx as communists –insist on folks getting what they earn – just that everyone has the opportunity to earn. So, we have a situation where China has more BILLIONAIRES than the US, the mecca of capitalism -- 814 vs 813 -after losing 150 last year!!

The question that the Chinese have answered - after lifting the most people out of poverty IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND!! – is whether they could’ve done it without those folks becoming billionaires. And the answer is a great resounding NO!! So, we return to Guyana, where Pressie should be saying he’ll put more money in everyone’s pockets!!

And the heck to the lazy who want it all without effort!!

…for CSI

Your Eyewitness was pretty chuffed to see that our crack (cracked?!!) Police Force just acquired a fully equipped Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) vehicle!!

Now, he has to admit he is a fervent fan of the CSI scene, and, as he saw, apart from having a bunch of top-drawer investigators, they had that van with other technicians ready to deal with the evidence.

He looked at one of the ads for such vans, and while they weren’t Mercedez Benz like ours, they had “shelving, soft closing lockable drawers, storage benches, work tables, air conditioning and heating, and were fitted with a counter fridge and a built-in sink with hot and cold water. Waste water is collected and held on board.

The vehicle stores specialized forensic equipment such as evidence and sample bags, jars, seals and labels, tents, screens, crime scene markers and tape, PPE equipment, crime scene tools, search equipment, DNA & drug testing equipment, body bags, laboratory equipment, as well as cleaning equipment, chemicals & disinfectant.”

No more cold cases!!

…for Burna Boy

Well, Burna Boy probably picked up at least a cool US$250,000 for his couple of hours’ performance at the National Stadium. Not bad for a kid from Rivers State in Nigeria with his Afrobeats!!

Charged: Trevon Samuels

WBD resident busted with AR-15 rifle, ammunition & ganja

A41-year-old male resident of Roraima Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara has been taken into custody after being busted with one AR-15 rifle and four live rounds of 7.62x39 ammunition, and a quantity of cannabis sativa and cannabis plants at his premises.

Based on reports re -

Pedestrian dies after being struck down by speeding cop

Apedestrian was on Wednesday evening struck down and killed by a speeding car being driven by a policeman along the Farm Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The dead man has been identified as thirty-four-year-old Rupert Singh of Southeast Grove, EBD.

Based on reports received, at about 21:40h, a police constable who was on his way to the mining town of Linden in his white Toyota Allion, PAD 6809, reportedly struck down Singh and drove away.

Singh was picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited citizens and tak-

en to the Diamond Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

On Tuesday, at about

6:00h, the police constable reported sick, claiming he had suffered a fractured hand, and he went to seek medical attention. At about 9:00h, the constable returned from the hospital with a seven-day medical certificate, but at about 13:45h, he contacted one of his seniors and reported that he had struck a pedestrian on Wednesday evening and had driven away.

As such, the suspect was arrested at his home, and is presently in custody, assisting with investigations. His motorcar has also been impounded and is expected to be inspected by a certifying officer.

ceived, a team of police officer went to the home of the suspect on Thursday and requested to search his premises. He agreed, and the ranks eventually found the rifle, ammunition, four blue pills and

three transparent bags containing ganja in the living room area. In addition, three cannabis plants and four Ziploc bags containing cannabis seeds were found.

The suspect was told

of the offence committed, cautioned and arrested.

“The uprooted cannabis plants, along with the firearm, ammunition, and cannabis that amounted to 11.2 grams, were taken to the La Grange Police Station, marked, sealed and lodged,” the police have said in a release.

Charges are expected to be instituted shortly.

Trio jailed for narcotrafficking, armed robbery

Twenty-nine-yearold Leon Cornette, a construction worker of South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined $30,000 for trafficking narcotics.

He appeared on Tuesday before Bartica Magistrate Teriq Mohamed. The details of the charge he faced were not available, but according to the police, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Adrian Lowe, a 21-year-old resident of Good Hope, ECD and 23-year-old Farhad

Majid of Lusignan, ECD have both been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment when on Thursday they appeared before Vigilance Magistrate

Fabayo Azore and pleaded guilty to robbing Safraz Ramcharran and Khareem Ramcharran while being in possession of a weapon.

The ganja found during the raid

Dead: Rupert Singh

Charged for narco-trafficking: Leon Cornette

Sentenced: Adrian Lowe

“Whichever high school you get, you’ll be great” – Manickchand as students write

… exams conclude today for 15, 488 students

As ongoing efforts continue to foster equal educational opportunities across schools throughout Guyana, the soon-to-be graduates of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations are set to benefit from this commitment to equality in education.

In a social media message to students writing the exams, Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Thursday said that not all students would be able to secure placement in their preferred schools due to the various schools’ capacity but emphasised the Government's commitment to providing equal educational opportunities, ensur-

ing that students receive unbiased education regardless of their school placement following examinations.

“Everybody is not going to get Queen’s College when results come out, not because everybody is not bright, but simply because Queen’s College has a limited number of seats. Only 150 people can fit there so our effort as the Government is to make sure every child is able to get a solid educational system as they deserve, whatever schools you get. Whatever school you get, you’ll be great. All we ask for you is to just do your best,” she expressed.

Additionally, she ex-

plained there were great efforts being made to have equal education for all students by the Ministry, as teachers were continuously being trained.

“The Government is training and retraining

teachers and also supplying them with the same resources that every other school is being granted to them, amongst these implementations to foster equality are extracurricular activities that have been implement-

NGSA

ams.

One student, Jasmine Dalgetty, told <<<Guyana Times>>> that after the first set of exams she felt “good” and her goal is entering the gates of the Bishops’ High School.

“I feel good; I’m proud of myself and I survived the

ed across all schools,” she stated.

Manickchand also underscored that all the necessary educational materials, including textbooks and online content to prepare students for their assessments, were provided.

Students’ experiences

Meanwhile, students of the St Margaret's Primary School had an opportunity to express their honest emotions after completing the first leg of the NGSA ex-

examinations. Honestly, I think I did well in English, because it was very easy especially composition. I am aiming to go to Bishops’, because it is a very good school,” Dalgetty told reporters.

Another student, who spoke confidently, Arisely Bobbsemple says that she feels very nervous but she thinks she can make it to her desired school, Queen’s College.

“After sitting the exam,

I feel very nervous but I know I can do it to ace the test, On a scale of 1 to 10, my excitement is on 10 to go to Queen’s College,” she revealed.

Young Kenwin Smith stated that after the exams were finished, he felt good, but he was a bit nervous while inside the examination room.

He confidently said that he wanted to go to Queen’s College, because those were the aspirations of his father.

“I feel good, but I had nervousness, I am aiming to get Queen’s College, because my father told me he wants me to go to a good school,” he said.

A total of 15, 488 pupils are writing this year’s NGSA ( May 2 and 3); some 15,273 pupils from the 11 educational districts wrote last year’s NGSA. The pupils are being tested in English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science. The NGSA results will be available on or before July 5. Minister Manickchand expressed that the students’ curriculum has been consolidated to test up to a Grade 5 level. These students were the fourth batch who did the National Grade Five Diagnostic Assessment thus far. (G2)

Arisely Bobbsemple

Kenwin Smith speaking to reporters

150 mining blocks awarded to medium-scale miners in Region 7

The Natural Resources Ministry in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on Friday last awarded 150

mining blocks to medium-scale miners in several mining districts in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The lottery was held at the Bartica Community

Centre which saw a total of 608 applications being received for mining concessions in several areas including Potaro, Mazaruni, Cuyuni and Northwest.

Pedal cyclist injured following Mandela Avenue collision

A20-year-old pedal cyclist of Willo Street in Roxanne Burnham Drive, Georgetown has sustained a broken left leg and multiple injuries on his body following a collision with a motor car at the intersection of Mandela Avenue and Cemetery Road in Georgetown.

The accident, which reportedly occurred at about 21:00h on Wednesday, in -

volved the pedal cyclist and motorcar PXX 240, which was at the time being driven by a 20-year-old resident of Critchlow Circle in Tucville, Georgetown.

The police have said that the vehicle driver and pedal cyclist were both proceeding along Mandela Avenue, and the pedal cyclist rode into the path of the vehicle driver and a collision resulted, with the cyclist consequently sus -

taining injuries.

The EMT were summoned to the scene, and they took the injured man in an unconscious state to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken left leg and multiple injuries to his body. He has been admitted as a patient at the GPHC.

The driver of the motor car has been taken into custody.

Of the 608 applications received for the lottery, 150 were awarded mining blocks across the above-mentioned mining districts. The ministry along with the stakeholders, regulators and government continue to work to pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous future for the mining sector and all Guyanese.

During the lottery, subject minister, Vickram Bharrat stated that the initiative was the second such allocation since 2021, and it underscored the government’s commitment to the continued development of the mining sector.

The provision of access to medium-scale mining

properties through the lottery was timely given the continued representation of small miners without access to mining lands.

A similar exercise was conducted with the allocation of mining areas within Karouni, formerly Troy Resources, where approximately 82 small miners were allocated mining properties, with some commencing work and currently producing.

Notwithstanding this lottery, a commitment was given by the minister for another such exercise to be held within the coming months, where additional mining areas will be allocated to Guyanese miners.

Participants at the lottery were assured that all efforts were made by the GGMC to ensure that the mining blocks being allocated had mineral potential, access to water, and the required infrastructure to promote mining activities.

The Ministry and the GGMC express sincere appreciation to all stakeholders, including the Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA), Guyana Women Miners’ Organization (GWMO), and the Small Miners’ Association (SMA), for their steadfast support, cooperation and collaboration, which contributed to the event’s success.

Minister Bharrat during the drawing of the lottery on Friday

Staff of the GGMC dealing with applications at the event

M&CC to remove more illegal vendors from business premises in GT

…Public Works Ministry has been delinquent – VP …says vendors have valid points

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will soon be issuing eviction notices to more illegal vendors, asking them to vacate from pavements and streets surrounding various business premises.

During a telephone interview with Guyana Times, Town Clerk Candace Nelson revealed that five establishments in Georgetown have already requested the Council have vendors and encumbrances removed from pavements and streets surrounding their premises.

Among them are Continental Agencies Limited, Camex Restaurants Incorporated, Popeyes Water Street location and Torginol Paints Incorporated.

Nelson explained that while it was unknown how many vendors will be affected, the City Engineers Department is working assiduously to resolve this on-

going issue.

She explained that the municipality was in discussion with these businesses to negotiate a timeline for eviction.

The fifth establish-

ment in question is the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Despite previous warnings, vendors who ply their trade outside the hospital have failed to remove.

The GPHC said it was prepared to institute legal proceedings if the Council failed to ensure the vendors were removed.

“When persons (businesses) write ,they don’t give us a time frame which means immediately. What I try to do in some cases or whenever possible, I try to write back these attorneys and ask for some time so that the vendors can sell their produce and then we remove,” the Town Clerk said.

Meanwhile, City Mayor Alfred Mentore has since acknowledged the challenges with illegal vending in the city.

He said City Hall has to devise a better plan to deal with the situation.

“We have some shortterm plans on how we will be able to use our streets. We had the parking meter and with those parking meters we could have used our roads, so we have to work with those bylaws to figure out how we could be able to allow our vendors to go and come and use the streets accordingly,” Mentore shared.

Only recently, the Council removed vendors outside Demico House in the Stabroek Market area.

Specifically, it was mandated to remove carts, drays, barrels, boxes, dustbins, tents, pallets, coolers, mobile stalls, and any other movable items obstructing the property.

This was done in keeping with a court order.

Similar court orders were granted in favour of Discount Store on Regent Street, Georgetown, Muneshwer’s Ltd on Water Street, and Shamdas Kirpalani located on Regent Street, Georgetown.

More proactive

The Public Works Ministry needs to be more proactive in addressing the construction of illegal structures on the Government’s reserves, according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. He was at the time speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday.

Several vendors along the Kingston Seawall were recently asked to remove their permanent structures leading to confrontations. According to the Vice President, the vendors

claimed they were not told of the implications of their structures while building.

“The Ministry of Public Works has been delinquent,” he said, noting that the vendors’ points were valid.

He noted that the Administration was not against vending as a means of earning an income; however, this must not be done in a way that negatively affects future development. “Ultimately, the seawall has to be developed into a boardwalk for everyone... they can vend in a manner that doesn’t disrupt other people or their businesses, that they keep the place clean and the structures are mobile,” he told reporters on Thursday.

The Vice President further referred to billboards and structures being erected along the roadways without permission which are not addressed in a timely manner.

“A man just goes and puta up a big sign by the highway and they have no permission whatsoever, they block the highway, they change the aesthetics of the place and then the Ministry will see the sign going up and then weeks later, start going to say you don’t have permission, so take it down, so we end up in conflict with people,” Jagdeo pointed out.

Currently, the politician said there were many persons who have defied guidelines along the East Bank corridor by building entrances from the Heroes Highway and this can in the future impede the free flow of traffic.

Any business looking to build a structure or erect a sign on public land or property must seek permission from the Public Works Ministry to avoid future conflicts.

City Mayor Alfred Mentore

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) Town Clerk Candace Nelson

32nd Congress

93 persons vying for seat on PPP’s 35-member Central Executive Committee

…proposed amendment to Party’s constitution to be discussed

Atotal of 93 persons are vying to be a part of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Central Executive Committee at this weekend’s Congress.

The 32nd Congress of the Party is set for May 3-5, 2024 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

General Secretary of the Party, Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday at his weekly press conference explained that there would be two elections; firstly, delegates will elect 35 persons from 93 contestants to form the central executive of the party, followed by the elec-

tion of five candidates, who will attend the meetings of the committee but will not have voting rights.

Jagdeo clarified that his position of General Secretary, among other posts, will not be contested openly at the congress, but rather will be done at the level of the newly-elected Central Committee.

The congress will also include seven workshops focusing on key issues relating to strengthening of the party, politics and parliament, social and economic policies, local Government, social media, international relations,

and youth and gender.

“There will be seven workshops with delegates, and observers will freely express their views and have those views documented so the views can then infuse the future programmes of the Party with those ideas that come out of the Congress,” Jagdeo said.

Further, resolutions are expected from various groups on the situation in Palestine and the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, and proposed amendments to the Party’s constitution among others. Jagdeo noted that the Central Committee’s report would be presented, outlining the history of the Party, its core values, struggles, and developments from the last Congress to date. The theme for this year’s biennial Congress is “Strengthen the Party, Defend Guyana, Unite All Our People for Progress and Prosperity”. This year’s Congress is being hosted ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections and is expected to see over 3000 delegates and observers. The last Congress was held in 2016 when the PPP was in Opposition.

FFTP joins effort to tackle educational disparities among vulnerable children

Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc and its in-country partner (ICP) Project New Nation have inaugurated a literacy programme tailored to address learners exhibiting signs of learning challenges. This programme was launched on April 30 at Byderabo in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Speaking on behalf of Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc, Gifts-In-Kind manager Tabitha Barnwell underscored the organisation’s commitment to tackling educational disparities among vulnerable children, and said initiation of this project stemmed from a partnership proposal made by Project New Nation in October last year, which outlined specific criteria for children that would be enrolled into the programme.

This programme targets children exhibiting signs of learning challenges and

those experiencing difficulty in reading, and thus are achieving 40% and below academically.

“As Guyana undergoes transformative changes, prioritizing the educational preparedness of youth becomes paramount. Targeting children with identified learning challenges aligns with the overarching goal of achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which emphasiz-

es inclusive and equitable quality education for all,” Barnwell underscored. She encouraged the programme’s participants to believe in their ability to achieve their goals through hard work and dedication, echoing the ethos of Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc - "Renewing Hope, Saving Lives, Transforming Communities."

Head Tutor of Project New Nation, Jonnel Newton, highlighted the

crucial role the literacy programme plays in addressing the unique needs of children with learning challenges. She said, “The literacy programme began because of the need that we saw in the community. With the help of Food for The Poor (Guy) Inc. and other sponsors,

we've been able to launch yet another session of it. We (are) very grateful (to) all those persons that are giving these children the opportunity to show that they have the ability to do just as well as any other child.

I am very grateful for the parents, as they have en-

trusted their children to us, and I ask that they continue to support them so that we can let these children show their true potential,” she expressed. This initiative, which targets children from nursery to grade six, is tailored to address the educational needs of children facing learning challenges or disabilities by offering focused instruction in phonics, literacy, and mathematics. The launch of this literacy programme signifies a collaborative endeavour between Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc and Project New Nation to foster inclusive education and ensure access to quality learning opportunities for every child. Through this joint initiative, both organizations are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children in Byderabo and beyond.

“Unforgettable” patrons robbed by bandits on pedal cycles

Four patrons who were returning home from the “Unforgettable” concert which featured “Burna Boy” were, in the wee hours of Thursday, relieved of their valuables at Durban Backlands in Georgetown by three men on pedal cycles.

One of those patrons, a 41-year-old manager of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was robbed of one white gold-and-diamond chain valued at US$1000 and of $150,000 in cash. Another patron, a 31-year-old office

clerk of Durban Backlands Georgetown, was relieved of one iPhone 12 valued at $100,000, one gold chain, and $40,000 in cash.

The third patron, a 25-year-old female of South Ruimveldt Georgetown, was robbed of a gold ring; and the fourth patron, a 34-yearold Quality Assurance Officer of Durban Backlands Georgetown, was robbed of one 12 R One Plus mobile phone and $6,000 in cash.

Based on the information received, the victims had ex-

ited their vehicle and were about to enter their yard when they were attacked by the three men. One of the suspects reportedly went up to the female and instructed her to hand over a side bag she had around her shoulder, and out of fear the woman complied. The suspects then proceeded to rob the others. After committing the act, the three bandits mounted their bicycles and escaped. The matter was reported, and an investigation has been initiated.

Learners in the classroom

Jonnel Newton, Head Tutor of Project New Nation

Tabitha Barnwell, Gifts-In-Kind Manager

General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

World Press Freedom day 2024

GPA calls for injection of more resources into special serialised productions on environmental issues

The Guyana Press Association salutes all media workers in Guyana for this World Press Freedom Day 2024. The UNESCO Theme, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis,” not only places media workers on the frontline of another crisis and highlights the importance of the press in addressing challenges brought on by the environmental crisis but it also gives us an opportunity to work towards solutions.

In Guyana, the press observes this WPFD at a time when the country faces a prolonged dry spell which seems to be now abating in a number of regions, an uncontrolled solid waste management crisis to varying degrees in many areas, and dismally poor environmental management of a number of gold mining and coastal sea defence areas. Dried and cracked canals, increased food prices and shortages of staples such as cassava all point to a world and a country in the throes of a deep environmental crisis. At a global level, scientists attribute such a phenomenon to climate change which, as we had seen in 2005, also causes devastating floods and can also trigger dangerous rise in sea levels to the detriment of Guyana's coastland where the majority of people live, work and produce their food. On a larger scale, what is visible is

a country where littering and indiscriminate waste disposal is now a national pastime with authorities failing dismally to prosecute perpetrators and collect waste in a timely manner. The local, regional and central governments must take collective blame for the state of our country's environmental crisis- dirty streets and parapets, clogged drains and canals, and unregulated and unofficial dumpsites/ garbage piles.

The huge Martian-like scars could be seen in Guyana's gold mining areas where there is no back-filling of mined out areas, miners have changed the course of creeks and rivers and there are huge questions surrounding the actual use of mercury abatement techniques and the eventual elimination of mercury use.

Many of our Indigenous Amerindian communities have no alternative but to use polluted water for their domestic use and as a source of fish.

Similarly, the coastline near the sea defence structure symbolises bad waste disposal practices in our towns and villages when one takes into consideration the millions of plastic drink bottles and other debris that wash up and wash off with each tide. Sections of the sea defence are now veritable dumping grounds for domestic and commercial waste. No one seems to care.

All this is happening before our very eyes while the blame game between government and the opposition continues.

Taken together- solid waste and climate phenomenaGuyana is indeed facing an environmental crisis.

Then, what's needed by the media is constant and sustained training of a pool of specialist journalists whose task will be to simplify science information to make it palatable and connected to their daily lives.

The Guyana Press Association also recommends that the Guyana government, private sector and various United Nations organisations inject resources into special serialised productions on environmental issues that will go beyond the average news story whose lifecycle is perhaps one day or a few hours or even minutes. At the same time, media workers need to jealously guard against oil resources being used to bribe them from covering the real issues or engaging in disinformation.

The Guyana Press Association also calls for an end to manufactured segregation and division in our society as the nation seeks to tackle the environmental crisis.

The convenience of engaging the Guyana Press Association needs to cease immediately. Inasmuch, as an institution, the Association is always ready and willing to work for the national good, it cannot be

UN recognizes invaluable work of journalists - Secretary-General

The world is going through an unprecedented environmental emergency which poses an existential threat to this and future generations.

People need to know about this – and journalists and media workers have a key role in informing and educating them.

Local, national, and global media outlets can highlight stories about the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice.

Through their work, people come to understand the plight of our planet, and are mobilized and empowered to take action for change.

Media workers also document environmental degradation. And they provide evidence of environmental vandalism that helps to hold those responsible to account.

It is no surprise that some powerful people, companies, and institutions will stop at nothing to prevent environmental journalists from doing their jobs.

Media freedom is under siege. And environmental journalism is an increasingly dangerous profession.

Dozens of journalists covering illegal mining, logging, poaching, and other environmental issues have been killed in recent decades.

In the vast majority of cases, no one has been held to account.

UNESCO reports that in the past fifteen years, there have been some 750 attacks on journalists and news outlets reporting on environmental issues. And the frequency of such attacks is rising.

Legal processes are also misused to censor, silence, detain, and harass environmental reporters, while a new era of climate disinformation focuses on undermining proven solutions, including renewable energy.

But environmental journalists are not the only ones at risk.

Around the world, media

workers are risking their lives trying to bring us news on everything from war to democracy.

I am shocked and appalled by the high number of journalists killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza.

The United Nations recognizes the invaluable work of journalists and media professionals to ensure that the public is informed and engaged. Without facts, we cannot fight mis- and disinformation. Without accountability, we will not have strong policies in place.

Without press freedom, we won't have any freedom.

A free press is not a choice, but a necessity.

Our World Press Freedom Day is very important. And so, I call on governments, the private sector and civil society to join us in reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding press freedom and the rights of journalists and media professionals around the world.

at the behest of the political directorate.

Sadly, neither the Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat nor the Head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Khemraj Parsram responded to the Association's invitation to participate in its event for World Press Freedom Day 2024. However, the Association responded in the affirmative to the government's invitation to participate in its World Press Freedom Day event.

In light of the intolerable discourtesy extended to the Press Association by Mr Bharrat and Mr Parsram, the Guyana Press Association decided to withdraw its wellintentioned participation in the government-organised event.

The GPA wants to take this

opportunity to reiterate its commitment to building the capacity of our media workers as we remain open to pursuing specialised training covering various issues. This is evident with our proposals to the PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health in 2023 to help our journalists understand and report on suicides in Guyana, our proposal to the Ministry of Health to assist the media with training to help assist with its campaign on HPV Vaccines and our commitment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to ensure that press be informed before its informs on challenges to Guyana’s sovereignty.

The GPA takes this opportunity to call on citizens to ensure the protection of media workers in Guyana.

There has been an alarming increase in online attacks against media workers. In some cases, women are trolled and bullied, in other cases, some of our journalists are met with aggression by public officials when asking probing questions. GPA also calls on the Guyana Police Force to act swiftly in several matters before the police involving media workers. These including the cyber bullying meted out to journalist Davina Bagot in 2023, shooting incident involving journalist Travis Chase in 2023 and the alleged sexual assault against the photographer also last year.

As we end our statement, the GPA calls on all to make a valuable commitment towards saving our planet.

Diplomats urges journalists to maintain integrity

The Heads of Missions of the Embassy of the United States of America, H.E. Ambassador Nicole Theriot; the British High Commission, H.E. High Commissioner Jane Miller OBE; the Canadian High Commission, H.E. High Commissioner Mark Berman, and the Delegation of the European Union, H.E. Ambassador Rene van Nes, join together to observe World Press Freedom Day under the theme, “The importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis”.

Climate change and related environmental issues have been at the forefront of international dialogue for many years but recent and increasingly erratic weather patterns around the world, growing pressures on flora and fauna, food insecurity and water scarcity have all created new impetus for action. While governments and the international community are prioritizing these environmental crises, solutions are not easy and sometimes controversial. Given the differences in opinions and complexities of the crisis, the need for accurate and reliable information cannot be overstated.

Journalists therefore find themselves in a pivotal position, where their pen and their words can influence the hearts and minds of citizens in the high stakes global environmental conversation. Freedom of expression is essential, allowing journalists the ability to deliver the facts about climate change and related issues freely

and fairly, without influence or intimidation as climate research, climate talks and climate action progress.

With a low-lying coastline and rising sea levels, Guyana is continuously affected by environmental crises like flooding, and more recently, prolonged dry spells. Under such conditions, access to information is crucial to help the Guyanese population understand local environmental impacts, planned interventions and costs, in order to make informed decisions and be a part of the global conversation. The reliability of the information available to the public requires journalists to be given more access to data and science to analyse in order to accurately inform the public.

New research, data and findings should be made readily available to the media. Journalists should be allowed access to speak to local experts and researchers involved in climate work. Additionally, they should also have the opportunity to see environmental work in action, facilitating ongoing learning and staying informed about new interventions and climate activities. This right to access comes with the responsibility for due diligence in reporting, especially at a time when misinformation and disinformation is rampant. Journalists are expected to be neutral and fair when representing the facts.

A misrepresentation of facts and figures, whether deliberate or accidental, can have damaging effects, manipulating public perception

(locally and internationally) of the environmental situation. This can in turn affect public perception of a Government’s response and use of funds during an environmental crisis.

We therefore encourage Government, Opposition and Stakeholders to be thoughtful and deliberate in their action and to practice transparency and accountability. Engagement with the media and the availability of accurate environmental and other information should be a norm and actively in practice.

We encourage journalists to maintain the integrity in their work and to continue to be curious and enquire.

We encourage the public to show respect for the work of journalists, enabling them to present information without the threat of intimidation or attack (physically or online), particularly women, and LGBT persons.

We commend the efforts of the government of Guyana towards providing training opportunities for members of the media and we encourage more training and open discourse, including dialogue with the Guyana Press Association.

It is important to acknowledge that in all aspects of society, the work of journalists is essential to human rights and a cornerstone to democratic processes. Media freedom and the freedom of expression benefits us all. When the media is reliable, fair and free to operate, and the government is transparent, our countries are more successful.

Around the World

OOIL NEWS

Oil settles near 7-week lows, focus shifts to economy

il prices settled on Thursday near their lowest level in seven weeks, narrowly mixed and under pressure from weaker global demand, rising inventories, and fading hopes for a quick cut in US interest rates.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 5 cents to settle at US$78.95 a barrel, the lowest since March 12. Global benchmark Brent crude futures also hit the lowest since early March, then bounced off session lows to settle 23 cents, or 0.3 per cent, higher at US$83.67 a barrel.

Both benchmarks closed below their 200-day moving average, which is the key technical indicator of a bear market shift in crude oil prices, StoneX oil analyst Alex Hodes said.

Oil investors have grown worried about a possible economic slowdown in the US, as the war between Israel and Hamas continues without any major hit to Middle Eastern oil supplies.

On Wednesday, oil prices fell more than three per cent after the US Government reported a surprise jump in crude oil stocks and the Fed left interest rates unchanged citing stubborn inflation.

“Now it’s all a story of demand as risk premium from tensions in the Middle East seen last month morphs into residual risk,” said Gaurav Sharma, an independent oil analyst in London.

A slump in worldwide diesel demand is also feeding concerns about slowing oil demand growth in big economies. Gasoil stocks, which include diesel, rose by more than three per cent in Europe’s Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp refining and storage hub during the week to Thursday, data from consultancy Insights Global showed.

Diesel demand in the US Gulf Coast refining hub, also called PADD 3, is estimated to be below the prior three-year range, Hodes said. “The bearish kicker is that even with these inventory builds, production of distillates in PADD 3 is at its lowest level since the start of March,” he added.

US ultra-low sulphur diesel futures fell to their lowest since July 2023 for the third session on the trot.

Supporting prices, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) could extend output cuts if demand fails to pick up, three sources from the group told Reuters.

Traders were watching whether lower oil prices will spur the US Government to replenish strategic reserves.

“The oil market was supported by speculation that if WTI falls below US$79, the US will move to build up its strategic reserves,” said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, President of NS Trading. (Reuters)

Candidates confront corruption and inequality in Panama’s presidential race

Over the last five years, Panama has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, paralysing nationwide protests, and a drought that has brought transportation through its famed canal to a standstill.

But on Sunday, the slender Central American country is set for a shake-up, as its latest presidential election unfolds.

Eight candidates are vying for the position occupied by outgoing President Laurentino Cortizo, whose office is limited to a single five-year term at a time.

Foremost among the presidential hopefuls is Jose Raul Mulino, a former Security Minister who stepped into the race to replace embattled ex-President Ricardo Martinelli.

The former President was previously the frontrunner, until a 10-year prison sentence for money laundering rendered his campaign illegal under Panamanian law.

Mulino, Martinelli’s for-

US calls out Israel and Hamas after Gaza aid shipment attacked, diverted

The United States on Thursday called on both Israel and Hamas to ensure that aid bound for civilians in Gaza is not disrupted, after a shipment from Jordan was attacked by Israeli settlers and subsequently diverted by Palestinian militants.

Secretary of State, Antony Blinken viewed the aid on Tuesday just before it departed from the headquarters of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation in Amman bound for the newly-opened crossing into Gaza at Erez.

The visit was part of a US push to increase the aid getting to civilians in Gaza amid warnings of imminent famine after nearly seven months of war stemming from Hamas’s October 7 attacks in southern Israel.

Before the shipment reached the crossing, however, Jordan said it was attacked by Israeli settlers.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters that Blinken raised the incident

humanitarian aid group to be distributed inside Gaza, but was “intercepted and diverted” by Hamas, Miller said, adding that he believed the United Nations either had or was in the process of recovering the aid.

“It was an unacceptable act by Hamas to divert this aid to begin with, to seize this aid,” Miller said.

mer running mate, now leads the race in his stead.

An April poll from the research agency Gallup places him at the front of the pack, with 29 per cent of the voters’ support.

Other contenders include an array of high-ranking Government officials. Second in the running, for instance, is Martín Torrijos, another former President, with 14 per cent of voters backing him.

Even the current Vice President, José Gabriel Carrizo, is in the race, though opinion polls show him lagging with only five per cent support. All but one of the candidates are considered conservative: Only economist Maribel Gordón, a long shot, represents the left. Still, the race could be anyone’s to win. Gallup found that 22 per cent of voters were undecided, and the presidency will be determined in a single vote, with no run-offs.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Wednesday, and credited Israel for arresting three people involved in the attack.

“That’s the step that they ought to take whenever there are attacks on aid convoys,” Miller said. “Furthermore, they ought to prevent these attacks from happening in the first place.”

Haiti transition council walks back PM nomination, exposing divide

The majority of Haiti’s transition council who had nominated an interim Prime Minister earlier this week has walked back the decision, exposing the internal turmoil of the group charged with leading the Caribbean nation out of a prolonged crisis.

Late on Wednesday, four of the council’s seven voting members issued a statement saying they will go back to an original agreement to choose a Prime Minister from a pool of applicants, after having tapped former official Fritz Belizaire for the job.

In recent years, Haiti’s political and social order has suffered repeated setbacks, from a presidential assassination to a major earthquake, aggravating a power vacuum increasingly filled by armed gangs vying for power.

Violence on the island nation has spiked in recent months, with more than one person killed in gang violence every hour over the first three months of this year, according to United Nations data.

On Tuesday, the major-

ity bloc within the council tapped Belizaire as Prime Minister, with former Senate leader Edgard Leblanc picked to head the council.

A public vote had been expected to take place for both posts, but did not happen.

The four members who reversed course on the Prime Minister nomination call themselves the “Indissoluble Majority Bloc”, and by Thursday afternoon they had not put forward a potential replacement.

The Montana Accord group, a faction which holds a seat on the council, has called for a rotating council presidency. Its representative, Fritz Jean, said in a Thursday radio interview that disagreements remained over the scope of the council president’s role, with some believing it would act as interim president of the nation.

The council has also been tasked with appointing a Cabinet and establishing a provisional electoral authority charged with paving the way to Haiti’s first elections since 2016. (Reuters)

The same aid convoy was later transferred to a

“If there’s one thing that Hamas could do to jeopardise the shipment of aid, it would be diverting it for their own use, rather than allowing it to go to the innocent civilians that need it. So they certainly should refrain from doing that in the future,” Miller added.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Fresh chaos, arrests on US college campuses as Police flatten camp at

Police forcibly removed scores of defiant pro-Palestinian protesters at several colleges on Thursday, including taking down an encampment at UCLA in a jarring scene that underscored the heightened chaos that has erupted at universities this week.

In the pre-dawn hours, helmeted Police swarmed a tent city set up at the University of California in Los Angeles, using flash bangs and riot gear to push through lines of protesters who linked arms in a futile attempt to halt their advance.

Hundreds were arrested at UCLA and other schools.

“I’m a student here,” one UCLA protester told cameras as he was led away, his hands bound. “Please don’t fail us. Don’t fail us.”

UCLA

Hours later, the student, who would only give his first name as Ryan, was back on campus and vowed he would not stop fighting.

“We will be back,” said Ryan, who was cited for unlawful assembly. “We will be disrupting. We will be demanding divestment.”

Students have rallied or set up tents at dozens of universities in recent days to protest Israel’s war on Gaza. Demonstrators have called on President Joe Biden, who has supported Israel’s right to defend itself, to do more to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and demanded schools divest from companies that support Israel’s Government.

Meanwhile, students have also erected tents at major universities in Canada. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Turkey halts all trade with Israel, cites worsening Palestinian situation

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a joint statement to the media in Baghdad, Iraq April 22, 2024. AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Turkey stopped all exports and imports to and from Israel as of Thursday, the Turkish Trade Ministry said, citing “worsening humanitarian tragedy” in the Palestinian territories.

“Export and import transactions related to Israel have been stopped, covering all products,” Turkey’s Trade Ministry said in a statement.

“Turkey will strictly and decisively implement these new measures until the Israeli Government allows an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian

aid to Gaza.”

The two countries had a trade volume of US$6.8 billion in 2023.

Turkey last month imposed trade restrictions on Israel over what it said was Israel’s refusal to allow Ankara to take part in aid air-drop operations for Gaza and its offensive on the enclave.

Earlier on Thursday, Israel’s Foreign Minister said that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was breaking agreements by blocking ports for Israeli imports and exports.

“This is how a dictator behaves, disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen, and ignoring international trade agreements,” Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz posted on social media platform X. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Over 38,000 Meals Ready to Eat and water destined for an airdrop over Gaza are loaded aboard a US Air Force C-130J Super Hercules at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, March 1, 2024 (US Air Force/Handout via Reuters/file photo)

Police Officers stand guard in the street, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, May 1, 2024 (Reuters/Ralph Tedy Erol/file photo)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

Aggressive action will ward off conflicts. Say what's on your mind and move along. You must please yourself before taking on the task of making others happy.

Voice your opinion, participate, make a difference and share your feelings with someone you admire. Don't allow outside influences to interfere. Keep the peace and avoid volatile situations.

(May 21-June 20) (April 20-May 20)

Refrain from revealing your plans or displaying your actions. Work behind the scenes until you master what you are trying to achieve. Be wary of interference and false information.

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

What you do counts. Trust your insight, and you'll come up with a plan that turns you into a sought-after leader. You'll make a lasting impression on someone of interest.

Look around; know your environment and what you must consider before you proceed. Take the time to study your options and formulate a plan. Do your own thing and learn as you go.

Have fun. Look for entertainment that puts a sparkle in your eye and encourages you to be a participant. What you learn from the people you encounter will brighten your day.

If you act on impulse, you'll have to backtrack. Getting things done is the objective, so don't dawdle when action is necessary. Choose your words wisely when engaged in a big discussion.

Make unique plans, try something new, change your routine and challenge yourself to do something you keep putting off. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt, and you won't be disappointed in what you achieve. Explore the possibilities and make a move.

A change of environment will help distance you from despair. Get out and about, do something physical to work off energy and surround yourself with people who enrich your life.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Don't put up with someone who questions your lifestyle. Get involved with people who share your concerns and enjoy the same pastimes as you. There is comfort in familiarity.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

An intelligent gesture will deter anyone who tries to give you a hard time. Don't dispute a domestic change; if it saves money and eases your mind, it's worthwhile.

Care less about what others think or do and more about your own actions. Don't hesitate to make a move or attend an event that takes you down memory lane.

Windies women’s tour to Pakistan 2024… – through

Pakistan register first win of this tour

all-round efforts of Iqbal, Dar, Zafar

Pakistan secured their first win of the tour when they beat the West Indies by eight wickets after a comprehensive allround performance. It came compliments of a clinical all-round performance after the visitors won the toss and batted first, with Sadia Iqbal and Nida Dar taking three wickets each to skittle West Indies out for 84. There were no real jitters in the chase despite the manner of Pakistan’s defeat

in the third T20I, and spearheaded by Ayesha Zafar, they eased to victory with 21 balls to spare.

A day after Pakistan named a near-unchanged squad for the upcoming tour of England, the players repaid that faith with what was by far the most impressive performance of the tour. Despite the series having slipped out of Pakistan’s reach, they began with a sharpness and urgency that belied how little was truly on the line. Quiana

Joseph was caught out of her crease off Iqbal, and stumped first ball to set the tone. But it was the wicket of Hayley Matthews, West Indies’ talismanic captain and the outstanding performer of the series, that gave Pakistan true belief. After an uncharacteristic struggle, she was caught off Fatima Sana’s bowling after managing just a run in nine balls.

Shemaine Campbelle was the only batter who scored runs and pushed the run rate

ICC hands Thomas five-year ban under Anti-Corruption Code

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday that they have imposed a five-year period of ineligibility from all cricket on West Indies player Devon Thomas.

The 34-year-old, who has represented the West Indies in one Test, 21 ODIs and 12 T20Is, accepted breaching seven counts of the anti-corruption codes of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Thomas was provisionally suspended for corruption on May 23, 2023 when he was slapped with the following seven charges:

Article 2.1.1 of the SLC Code - contriving or being party to an agreement to fix or attempt to fix, contrive or influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or other aspects of matches in the Lanka Premier League 2021.

Article 2.4.4 of the SLC Code – failing to disclose to the Designated AntiCorruption Official, without unnecessary delay, full details of an approach or invitations received to en-

gage in Corrupt Conduct in the Lanka Premier League 2021.

Article 2.4.6 of the SLC Code - failing or refusing, without compelling justification, to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation by failing to provide accurately and completely any information and/or documentation requested by the Designated Anti-Corruption Official.

Article 2.4.7 of the SLC Code – obstructing or delaying the Designated AntiCorruption Official’s investigation into Corrupt Conduct, including (without limitation) concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of Corrupt Conduct.

Article 2.4.4 of the ECB Code – failing to disclose to the Designated AntiCorruption Official, without unnecessary delay, full details of an approach or invitations received to engage in Corrupt Conduct at the Abu Dhabi T10 2021.

Article 2.4.4 of the CPL

SCOREBOARD

West Indies Women (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R

Qiana Joseph st †Najiha Alvi

b Sadia Iqbal 0

Hayley Matthews (c)c

Fatima Sana b Sadia Iqbal 1

Shemaine Campbelle † run out (Natalia Pervaiz) 26

Chedean Nation c Ayesha

Zafar b Rameen Shamim 8

Zaida James b Nida Dar 19

Aaliyah Alleyne c †

Najiha Alvi b Nida Dar 6

Jannillea Glasgow b Sadia Iqbal 10

Afy Fletcher c & b Nashra Sandhu 0

Karishma Ramharack b Nida Dar 3

Kate Wilmott not out 3

Shamilia Connell not out 2

Extras (lb 1, w 5) 6

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 4.20) 84/9

Fall of wickets: 1-1

(Qiana Joseph, 0.1 ov), 2-14 (Hayley Matthews, 2.3 ov), 3-36 (Shemaine Campbelle, 8.3 ov), 4-38 (Chedean Nation, 9.4 ov), 5-49

(Aaliyah Alleyne, 11.3 ov), 6-75

(Zaida James, 15.6 ov), 7-76 (Afy Fletcher, 16.3 ov), 8-79

(Karishma Ramharack, 17.4 ov), 9-79 (Jannillea Glasgow, 18.2 ov)

up, but she was run out at an inopportune time after a 20ball 26. The dismissal opened the floodgates, as Pakistan

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Sadia Iqbal 4-0-18-3

Fatima Sana 4-1-11-0

Nashra Sandhu 4-0-14-1

Rameen Shamim 4-0-21-1

Nida Dar 4-0-19-3

Pakistan Women (T: 85 runs from 20 ovs)

BATTING R

Ayesha Zafar not out 42

Sidra Ameen c †Campbelle b Connell 15

Muneeba Ali st †Campbelle b Fletcher 8

Gull Feroza not out 21

Extras (w 1) 1

TOTAL 16.3 Ov (RR: 5.27) 87/2

Did not bat: Nida Dar (c), Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana, Najiha Alvi †, Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal

Fall of wickets: 1-26

(Sidra Ameen, 3.3 ov), 2-41

(Muneeba Ali, 7.3 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Kate Wilmott 2-0-16-0

Hayley Matthews 3-0-20-0

Shamilia Connell 2-0-8-1

Aaliyah Alleyne 3-0-10-0

Afy Fletcher 2-0-6-1

Qiana Joseph 3-0-14-0

Karishma Ramharack 1-0-7-0

Jannillea Glasgow 0.3-0-6-0

took complete control thereafter, with four wickets falling for as many runs towards the death overs as West Indies

stuttered along to 84 for 9.

Pakistan had made hard work of an eminently gettable target late on in the third T20I, but there appeared no such danger today right from the outset. A breezy cameo from Sidra Ameen set the tone early, and when she and Muneeba Ali fell in quick succession, Zafar and Gull Feroza took complete control.

Zafar in particular was in great touch, finding the gaps and the occasional boundary to keep the score ticking over. Some sloppiness leaked into West Indies’ game as two relatively simple catches were put down off Matthews’s bowling, but, in truth, the game was a foregone conclusion by then.

Appropriately, the game ended with one of the shots of the day -- when Zafar lofted a half-volley over mid-on for an elegant boundary to make the win official.

(ESPNCricInfo)

Code – failing to disclose to the Designated AntiCorruption Official, without unnecessary delay, full details of an approach or invitations received to engage in Corrupt Conduct in relation to the CPL 2021.

Article 2.4.2 of the CPL Code – failing to disclose to the Designated AntiCorruption Official (without unnecessary delay) the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or benefit (a) that he knew or should have known was made in order to procure a breach of the CPL Code, or (b) could have brought the player or the game of cricket into disrepute.

The “period of ineligibility,” as the ICC called it in Thursday’s release, is backdated to when he was provisionally suspended last May.

ICC also ruled that “the last 18 months of the period of ineligibility would be suspended.”

“Having played both international and professional domestic/franchise cricket, Devon attended numerous anti-corruption education sessions. He therefore knew what his obligations were under the Anti-Corruption Codes but failed to meet these obligations across three different franchise leagues,” said Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager – Integrity Unit in the release.

“This ban is apt and should send a strong message to players and corrupters that attempts to corrupt our sport will be dealt with firmly,” he added. (Sportsmax)

GFF Regional Associations League (ECPFA)… Charity Extreme dominates Tapakuma United 7-0

The Essequibo Coast/ Pomeroon Football Association (ECPFA) Senior Men’s League continued on Tuesday evening with Charity Extreme FC dominating Tapakuma United FC with a 7-0 win at the Cottonfield Sports Ground in Essequibo.

The goal-scoring spree in the April 30 match was spearheaded by Enrique Edwards, whose three goals were netted in the 3rd, 6th, and 33rd minutes.

His teammates contributed to the scoring spree with Howard Wilson finding the net in the 9th minute, Robin Wilson in the 65th, Darius Williams in the 66th, and Enteus Wilson in the 72nd.

Tapakuma United battled for a comeback, but Charity Extreme’s defence proved too formidable on the night.

ECPFA made history as the first Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Regional Association to start their 2024 senior league on April 27, thanks to financial backing from the Federation’s Members Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP).

Six clubs - Charity Extreme, Dartmouth Dominators, Richmond

United, Mainstay Gold Stars, Tapakuma United, and Good Hope All Starsare competing fiercely to clinch the top spot by the end of the season.

Over the next few weeks, the GFF’s remaining eight Regional Associations: Bartica Football Association (BFA), Berbice Football Association (BFA), East Coast Demerara Football Association (ECDFA), East Bank Demerara Football Association (EBFA), Georgetown Football Association (GFA), Rupununi Football Association (RFA), Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), and West Demerara Football Association (WDFA), will kick off their senior men’s leagues.

The regional champions will earn the chance to vie for a place in the prestigious KFC Elite League Season Seven through the GFF Elite League Promotion Playoff.

Monedderlust FC secured their position in the ongoing Elite League Season Six by overcoming Slingerz FC from the West Demerara Football Association in the GFF Elite League Promotion Playoff.

Sadia Iqbal celebrating with her team-mates

The clash between Charity Extreme and Tapakuma United in progress

Devon Thomas

Windies A take 3-1 lead

– as Fletcher smashes unbeaten 84 Windies A Team tour to Nepal 2024: five-match T20 series

In yet another commanding performance, Andre Fletcher led from the front with an unbeaten 84 as the West Indies A secured a comprehensive 28-run victory over Nepal on Thursday, taking an unassailable 3-1 lead in their five-match T20 series.

Fletcher, who scored 53 against the hosts on Wednesday, continued his rich form with a scintillating knock of 84 not out from just

four sixes. His explosive innings, coupled with Johnson Charles’s brisk 58 off 30 balls, propelled the visitors to a formidable total of 209-3 in their allotted 20 overs.

The duo shared a pivotal second-wicket partnership of 92 runs in less than nine overs to lay a solid foundation for their team.

Charles, coming off an unbeaten 119 in the previous match, played another im-

54 balls, with nine fours and

pactful cameo, striking three

fours and six sixes before his departure.

Fabian Allen contributed a quick-fire 33 not out from 19 balls, and, with Fletcher, shared in an unbroken stand of 83 to boost West Indies A beyond the 200-run mark for the second consecutive game.

T20 World Cup Box Office opens at GCB

The sale of physical tickets for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 began at venues across the Caribbean on Thursday morning. Locally, the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) Regent Road Box Office is the place to get your hands on tickets for the global event next month.

As the Box Office opened with much pomp and splendour, local tournament ambassador and renowned West Indian cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan touted Guyana as the best cricket destination while committing to embody his ambassador role well.

“Like you rightfully said, it’s a different role, (to) which I’m fully committed… To help support the cause, to ensure that people in the Caribbean, especially here in Guyana, come out here to support,” Sarwan said about the role.

Turning his attention to Guyana’s hosting capabilities, the former West Indies International said, “I think Guyana, of course, is one of the best places to come and watch cricket. Not only because of what’s been happening here, but I think the fans and the base that we’ve got here, and the passion that we’ve shown over the years, I think it’s a wonderful place to come and experience the environment when you’re plying cricket here.”

Speaking on behalf of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Guyana’s Broadcast and Digital Officer John Ramsingh touched on the excitement of the box office opening, while sharing why patrons should make a special effort to witness the World Cup.

“Ticket sales beginning today, you can only get it at the Guyana Cricket Board Box Office, that’s something

that’s very important. So, from now until stocks last basically, because we all know that not a lot of tickets are available, because online sales started much earlier, and because of that a limited amount (is) now on sale physically. But it’s a first-come-first-served basis. Tickets are available for all of the games, all of the stands as well,” Ramsingh informed.

He went on to add, “One thing you must remember as well: this is the last time that a World Cup is coming to the Caribbean, especially to Guyana for a long time. The next cycle will bring it back here in about 34 years. So, all the opportunities are there for us to really make this thing something. We want to give persons coming to Guyana not only a Caribbean experience, but a Guyanese experience at cricket.”

Meanwhile, the first patron to get his hands on tickets was Linden’s Linsley McAllister, who is eager to be a part of his first World Cup. “[I] Travel all the way from Linden. I leave early this morning and come down to purchase these tickets. I bought 16 tickets for the first three games. Cricket is my thing;

I really don’t want to miss this. I can’t catch the other three games, but I make sure I come to catch the first three,” McAllister related to media operatives.

“It means so much to me, because I was surprised to know when I come all the way from Linden I meet and was number 1. I didn’t know what was going on, but I’m excited to know that I’m the first person to purchase ticket, and everything went well and the system is going good so far. Everybody come and get their ticket easily,” he divulged.

“This is my first experience going to the World Cup, and I hope it’s going to be a wonderful World Cup for me, because I never get this experience before. I didn’t want to take the chance and come next day or two days after, because I don’t know what will happen with tickets. But I’m so happy I’m the first person to purchase tickets,” the West Indies fan further shared.

The Box Office will be open from 10:30hrs to 18:00hrs from Monday to Friday, while opening hours on Saturday will be 10:00hrs to 16:00hrs. Fans can purchase up to 6 tickets per game.

SCOREBOARD

The Nepalese bowlers struggled to contain the West Indies batsmen, with Kushal Bhurtel being the most successful among them, claiming 2-23 from his four overs.

In response, Nepal’s chase was anchored by a valiant effort from their captain, Rohit Paudel, who blazed his way to 82 off just 47 deliveries, featuring seven fours and five sixes. However, Paudel lacked substantial support from his teammates, as Nepal faltered and eventually folded for 181.

Apart from Paudel, Sundeep Jora, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Gulsan Jha contributed 19 each, but

Sheikh † b Forde 0 Kushal Bhurtel b Allen 1 Rohit Paudel (c) c Forde b Walsh 82

failed to capitalize on their starts against a disciplined West Indies bowling attack.

Matthew Forde and Hayden Walsh Jr starred with the ball in claiming three wickets each, while Fabian Allen chipped in with 2-34. Gudakesh Motie, despite being expensive, managed to pick up two crucial wickets.

With this victory, West Indies A have taken an un-

assailable 3-1 lead in the series, setting the stage for the final match, scheduled to be played on Saturday. This dominant display by the tourists bodes well for their confidence heading into the final encounter, and also ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, with Cricket West Indies set to announce their squad for the tournament on June 1. (Sportsmax)

Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation’s U23 Championships 2024… Bounty Colts bag win

Despite a magnificent performance from Sonics’ Kirvin Mars, Bounty Colts have joined Meadowbrook Nets at the top of Group A, having secured their inaugural win over Pepsi Sonics on the second day of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation’s (GABF’s) Under-23 Club Championships, held at the National Gymnasium on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024.

The first quarter was dominated by the Bounty Colts despite Pepsi Sonics putting up a fight and managing to covert shots at the basket. As such, the first quarter ended with both teams finishing on a level 16 points.

The second quarter saw many shots being taken at the basket, but the Colts prevailed to extend their lead to 38, as they scored 12 points. Sonics fought back, and at the end of the second quarter, they scored 11 points to take their total to 37.

The Sonics came out

hungrier in the third quarter, but the Colts continued to keep their composure and show their class, and the third quarter ended with the scorecard reading 57-55 in their favour. The Colts scored 29 points in that quarter while the Sonics scored 28 points.

Bounty Colts went on to secure the win in the final quarter, with the scoreline reading 90-86. Colts’ Carmelo Man–Son–Hing top-scored for his team with 24 points, and was supported by fellow Captain Ronoko Vaughn and YBG Standout Payer Jadon Simon, as they were persistent in putting the ball through the basket to eventually score 16 points. Despite appearing diminutive beside the Colts powerhouse, Pepsi Sonics’ Kirvin Mars was a standout as he led the scoring for his team, and dropped 37 points as fellow teammate Shamer Hope contributed 18 points and Marvis Mars 10 points.

In a post-match interview with media operatives, of Bounty Colts Captain Ronoko Vaughn divulged the key to winning and expressed gratitude to his teammates.

He shared, “We rotated the ball. We started off a bit low, but we were able to maintain and get the win also, but the main purpose was because rotation of the ball, playing hard defense. We did a lot. We were lacking on defence, the defence was a bit shaky for us. I mean, as I said, the first quarter the points weren’t going in for us, and then we went out back in the second, coming close in the first; but at the last quarter, we felt like we had the upper hand cause we were in the lead, but we still gotta keep maintain and putting our best foot forward.’”

The league is sponsored by Wilson Plumbing Services and General Supplies, and is supported by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Kushal Malla c Chase b Allen

Carty b Walsh

Guyanese Keemo Paul in action

Matthew Forde claimed 3 wickets for the Player of the Match prize

The Bounty Colts

Linsley McAllister (C) was the first to purchase physical tickets when the box office opened