31 Palestinians killed by bombs yesterday across Gaza
Linden youths killed by police laid to rest
- relatives renew calls for justice
Biker killed in Essequibo crash human traffickers
‘China only brings its best to work in Guyana’ …SecretaryRubioshouldgethis factsbeforespeaking-Diplomat
Three underaged girls rescued from whether Ramson should be
sacked for non-performance Jagdeo:
Pres. Ali should determine
A m i d c a l l s f o r governmenttoreleaseallthe contractualdocumentsofthe controversial gas-to-energy project for the public to scrutinise, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo said this wouldonlybedonewhenthe entireinitiativeiscompleted.
The Wales Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project is Guyana's largest investment todate.
Speaking at his weekly press conference held at Freedom House, Jagdeo said: “The same thing about theHeadsofAgreement,the Heads ofAgreement will all beavailableoncetheproject iscompleted.”
He added, “Look at the distortion every day that APNUandtheotherstaking public documents and distortingit,wedon'twantto getintothatagain.Thatwill be done at some point in time.”
Despitethegovernment's
assurances, transparency around the GTE project remains a growing concern.
ExxonMobil Guyana
Limited (EMGL), operator of the Stabroek Block, completed the pipeline component of the project as of December 2024
However, the agreements between the company and the Government of Guyana
(GoG) have yet to be disclosedtothepublic. Key documents such as the Gas Sales Agreement and the Heads ofAgreement remain inaccessible.
In early December, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd)MarkPhillips,forthe third time, promised the National Assembly that the agreement with EMGL would be laid before parliament On that occasion, the prime minister apologised for the delay, assuringthatitwouldbelaid assoonaspossible.
However, during the pressconference,VPJagdeo revealed that parliament already has access to some project-related information.
“Parliament will be given a fullpackageandIthinkthey have supplied some to the parliament already, some of theinfo,”henoted.
Since 2022, the government has signed a
Effortstocombatillegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing have received a boost from the People's Republic of China, the world's largest capture fisheriesproducer,whichhas become the 108th State to join the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent,DeterandEliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PSMA) According to a FAO release, the PSMA
supports sustainable fisheries by ensuring that only legal, regulated and reported fish catches are landed in ports and eventuallytraded.
It does this by enabling Parties to deny port entry or useofporttoforeignvessels suspected of engaging in IUU fishing, thereby preventing catches from such illicit practices from reaching markets and consumers.
“China'saccessiontothe PSMA is a milestone in the global effort towards responsible governance and sustainable development of fisheries,” said QU Dongyu, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). “This step
reflects the growing strong commitmentofalltheStates thatprecededandthosewho will follow China in joining handstocombatIUUfishing through the PSMA framework.”
Strengthinnumbers China's decision to becomeaPartytothePSMA is a significant development in the implementation of the Agreement as it represents one of the most important fishingnations.Accordingto FAO,Chinaistheworld'stop producer of aquatic animals in marine capture fisheries accounting for around 15 percent of the global total in 2023.China'sfishingfleetis estimated to number more than500000fishingvessels, 342 000 of which are motorized, placing it among the top three countries in termsoffishingcapacity
Prior to China, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia in March 2025werethelateststatesto becomeaPartytothePSMA. Other states are at an advanced stage in acceding to the Agreement The number of Parties to the PSMA now stands at 82, including the European Union which is a Party on behalf of its Member States, bringing the total number of
HeadsofAgreementwiththe Stabroek Co-Venturers, outlining the principles and conditions for the commercial and technical arrangements of the project. Despitethis,thegovernment hasyettoreleasethefullset ofagreementstothepublic.
The pipeline component oftheproject,constructedby ExxonMobil is estimated to cost about US$1 billion
Although the structure is complete, the contractor has notrevealedthefinalcostof thatelement.
Despite calls from various sections of society for the agreements between the GoG and the contractor to be made public, the government has not budged inreleasingthedocuments.
Statesthatarenowboundby the Agreement to 108. The PSMAhasthehighestrateof adherenceofallinternational fisheries and ocean-related instruments.
T h e P S M A ' s implementationisbackedby complementary instruments, suchastheGlobalRecordof Fishing Vessels and the PSMA Global Information Exchange System (GIES), which help port State authorities verify vessel i
complianceinformationwith port, flag and coastal States andotherconcernedentities. These technologies enable real-time, cross-border collaboration, ensuring that vessels engaging in IUU fishing can be tracked, e n h a n c i n g g l o b a l enforcement efforts to conserve marine ecosystems and ensure sustainable fisheries.The PSMAentered into force in 2016. Parties meet every two years to discussandtakedecisionson its implementation, and identify ways to increase its effectiveness in combatting IUU fishing The Fifth Meeting of the Parties is scheduledtotakeplacefrom 21 to 25 April, in Manta, Ecuador
The Government of Guyana (GoG) must negotiateloantermssmarter to ensure Guyanese citizens and companies benefit from growth and development opportunities.
This is according to CharteredFinancialAnalyst, Rennie Parris. In his weekly column,'TalkingDollarsand Making Sense,'' published on Sunday by Kaieteur News, the analyst discussed ways in which government could create more opportunities for its people, from better paying jobs, to skills development, to making individuals and c o m p a n i e s m o r e competitive.
The analyst pointed out that over the past few years, the country's debt has increased significantly, as governmentcontractedloans to build roads, hospitals, schools, and other major national projects, necessary toimprovethelifeofcitizens acrossthecountry
He explained however, that while these projects are ultimately to benefit Guyanese,theycouldbenefit from playing a role during the initial stages of these developments.
“Many of these loans
come with conditions. In some cases, the countries lending us money are allowedtobringintheirown companiesandworkerstodo thejob.Soeventhoughwe're theonestakingtheloan,and paying it back, our people don't always get to do the work, or gain the experience,”hestated.
He added, “that means Guyanese companies and workersmissoutonlearning n e w s k i l l s , n e w technologies, and how to manage large, complex projects Over time, this keeps our people locked out of future opportunities, both here in Guyana and across theregion.”
Parris suggested that Guyana does not have to accept such terms According to him, “The Government of Guyana can and should negotiate smarter Multilateral banks such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) already work with local-content clauses, as long as deadlines stay clear And if we provide capital from the Natural Resource Fund,we'reshowinglenders wehaveskininthegame.”
Consequently, he urged thatinsteadofsigningoffon
contracts that limit local involvement, government shouldseektoemployalocal contentstrategythatrequires foreigncompaniestopartner with local businesses throughjointventures.“That means both sides work t o g e t h e r , s h a r e responsibilities, and most importantly share knowledge,”Parrisnoted. Additionally, he pointed out that these partnerships should include clear plans f o r t r a i n i n g a n d development. For instance, “If a foreign company is building a hospital, then Guyanese engineers, electricians, welders, and project managers should be working alongside and shadowing them. That way, the next time a big project comesalong, (Continuedonpage16)
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456
Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS
Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210
In the tradition of the Easter Season, all Guyanese
shouldbeflyinghigh,withtheworldraisingtheir eyestomeasurethelongarcoftheirflight,therich freedomsthattheirprosperitybrings.
Disastrously, only a few Guyanese are 'highfliers'; mainly political top dogs, and their cronies of helpers, defenders,andenablers.
Theirnestsarewell-featheredwithrichpickingsfrom thenation'slavishpatrimony Astheyareflyinghigh,like kites, many Guyanese cannot even get off the ground, so burdenedtheyarewithlife'sdrainingdemands,sofeeble theirpitifulexistence.
ThekitesofthenetworkofGuyaneseatthetopofthe localpyramidareshinyandfancy
Theycangoanyplace,doanything,createquiteastir intheirpassage. Therearetheexpensiveandprestigious mechanical chariots to show off newfound wealth, the castles in quiet communities that speak to arrival and ascension,andtheopulentlifestyleofthosewhoareclose to the Guyana gravy train, its precious natural resource gifts.
In conspicuous contrast, there are those Guyanese at thisEasterSeason,whocannotevenaffordakitefortheir little ones. They can only harbour fleeting dreams of Mercedes,evenaMazda,whiletheypatientlywaitinrain andshineforthenextminibustoshowup,andwithaspace initscrowdedconfinesforsomeofthem.
This is what the incredible patrimony of a blessed country has reduced the bulk of its citizens to: the barrennessofsquattingareaghettos,withhopesofupward movement to their own dignified homes and mortgages, whichcouldtietheirnosestothegrindstoneforthenext30 years.
Oilbytheocean,andsomanyopenmouthedinhunger, that goes unsatisfied, in needs that go unaddressed, in anguishthatnoonecaresabout.
Theirfellowcitizensatthetopofresourceheaps,feast on salmon and scotch whiskey, while Guyanese at the bottomcountthemselvesluckyiftheycouldgetabiteof sprinkles of leftover rice and whatever crumbs that they canscramble,locktheireyesupon.
This is Easter of 2025, nine years after the first great discoveries were announced. Instead of all Guyanese flyingashighaskites,manyofthemareflappingaround likebirdswithawoundedwing.
It is of the imbalances and injustices that infest this nation's natural resource endowments. Asmall group is around the banquet table, while the big Guyanese crowd hasnochoicebuttogatheraroundthegarbagebins.
Theyhopeforthepittancesofscraps,theindignityof handouts, the charity of politicians and a national governmentthathavebothlosttheirethicalbearings,their moralcompass.Eventhepeoplethatputthemintopower, thepoorones,aregiventhebackofthehand.
Do not be seen, and do not even think of making a sound so as to be heard. That would be sacrilege, even seditious and treasonous, if those in charge were to have their way All of this can be avoided, if only those same haughty and unhearing ones with the levers of power in theirhandscouldbeunselfish. Ifonlytheycouldsummon thecourage,thewisdomwouldfollowonthepositivesthat could be possible, all of which would be nationally enrichingtothepointoftheunimaginable.
Notwithstanding hiccups and problems, roads and infrastructure have been PPP's greatest achievement
DearEditor,
The US Secretary of State (SoS) recently visited Guyana and erroneously used the Heroes Highway to bash the Chinese being jealousthattheChinesehave been gaining geo-political influence in the Caricom Region through several developmental projects, and the US is not. The SoS bashed the Heroes Highway asaChineseproject,whenin fact, it was not. In trying to mock the Chinese, he belittledthebeautifulHeroes Highway as a “concussion road.”
True, the concrete surface of the Heroes Highway and the Schoon Ord Highway have been roughened,probablytodeter speeding and for better traction during braking, and maybe as a placeholder for future contracts for asphalt paving later But these two new roads are dramatically
helping to reduce road congestion and providing alternative routes for easier travel They have also opened up new lands for commercial and housing development While criticismoftheroughsurface is justified, we must not throw out the baby with the bathwater
We are in the election silly season, and would-be Opposition parties would seizeonanythingtogainany political mileage, such as deridingtheroughsurfaceof the Heroes Highway Thus, thePNCandAFC,withvery little else to offer, and knowingtheycannotredeem themselvesfromthesupport of rigging in the 2020 elections,havelatchedonto the ill-advised comments of the SoS to make political hay But such criticisms are triteandshallow
I have heard not-sobright people parroting the
comment that “we can't eat roads.” That's a very silly thingtosay Youhavetouse those same roads and streets to go buy the food you want to eat, to go to the markets andstores,togotothefarms in the back dams, etc. In many villages, you don't have to walk in mud anymore. That's progress. I take the position that you need b o t h r o a d s a n d infrastructural projects and income support systems. It's not a matter of either/or, it's alloftheabove.
We need all the infrastructure – roads, schools, hospitals, markets, airports, bridges, drainage, andirrigationpumps,farms, etc.WhenthePPPtookover in 2020, everything needed fixing and improving. So, nothing is wrong with infrastructure. But we must also address poverty and the increasing cost-of-living
spurred by the oil and gas industrydrivinguppricesfor everyone. There has been wageandsalaryincreasesfor several categories of workers.
But we must also consider systematic and ongoingincomesupportsfor the self-employed, small vendors, domestics, taxi drivers, security guards, and similar categories Cash grants, tax breaks, and subsidies are all good, but there must be sustainable strategies to help the 40% beloworonthepovertyline. Of all the parties, I trust the PPPbettertocomeupwitha good plan. Notwithstanding all the problems and things that can be done better, we have had a dizzying pace of transformation The evidence is there for all to see!
Sincerely,
Dr.JerryJailall CivilSocietyAdvocate
The PNCR and AFC need to go back to the negotiation table immediately
DearEditor,
T h e r e w a s a n announcement on Thursday thattheAFCandthePNC/RAPNUwillbecontestingthe 2025 elections separately
T h i s i s o u t r i g h t unacceptable, and the PNC/R-APNU and AFC need to go back to the n e g o t i a t i o n t a b l e immediately! The focus of these negotiations should havethreeobjectives:1)The overall objective should be toputateamtogethertowin theupcomingelectionstoget into government and 2) The more specific objectives should focus on ways of working as a Coalition government.
This includes the discussions on 70-30% or 60-40%. Who will be the RepresentativeoftheListof candidates, etc. Practically speaking, the second objective is heavily dependent on the first objectivebeingrealized.
I have been soliciting various views on these matters and here is my analysis of an possible Coalition team, Aubrey Norton as President; Nigel Hughes as Prime Minister,
First Vice President and MinisterofLegalAffairsand Attorney General with responsibility for constitutional reform or Nigel Hughes as Prime Minister, First Vice President and Minister of Home Affairs with
responsibility for constitutional reform; Dr Terrence Campbell as the Second Vice President and Senior Minister of Natural ResourcesandCoalition Manager (Meaning that Dr Campbell will have the responsibility to ensure that the Coalition is managed, sustainedandisfunctionalas a government); Ganesh Mahipaul, Minister of G o v e r n a n c e a n d Parliamentary Affairs; and AmanzaWalton-Desirasthe Minister of Foreign Affairs. Now to Mr Aubrey Norton andMr NigelHughesonthe firstobjectiveabove,'putting a team together to win the upcoming elections to get intogovernment'.
Do you see all those women who go out to work as security guards all over Guyana and have to leave work at 11:00 p m and sometimes walk home or
sometimes take a bus and thenwalktowheretheylive?
Doyouthinkthatallofthem like being security guards?
The answer is no. But what theywilltellyouisthatwhile they do not like to work as security guards, they are doing it to take care of their childrenandfamilies.
Many of them do not have the privilege of saying thattheydonotwanttowork assecurityguardsorwantto walk home at 11:00 o' clock inthenights,theyhavetodo itfortheirfamilies.
Where am I going with this? Aubrey Norton and Nigel Hughes are only leaders because they have followers and while many peopleintheircorebasemay sayletthePNC/Rcontestthe elections and let the AFC contest separately, my question is, do they want to winthe2025Elections?
It would be difficult for the PNC/R to win the upcoming elections without theAFC and anAFC win is unlikely The PNC/R could have possibly won if AFC was not contesting, but the AFC is not going anywhere, so the PNC/R-APNU and AFC coalition is the
arrangement that can win. Families are already discussingthatsomeofthem will vote for the AFC because they support Nigel Hughes and the AFC, and some family members are sayingthattheywillvotefor the PNC/R because they wanttogivethemachanceto win.
TheAFC will take votes from the PNC/R, so the results may likely be a minority PPP/C government and a majority Opposition with the PNC/R-APNU and AFC.Ifthishappens,itdoes not achieve the overall objective of the coalition which should be to win the upcomin
, the
e
e the second objective of who gets what position, who becomes parliamentarians, etc. would not be relevant anymore. Whichbringsmetothethird objectiveforthenegotiations in establishing the Coalition government;thisistoensure good governance, a more inclusive society, equitable distributionofresourcesand abetterqualityoflifeforall Guyanese.
AsamajorityOpposition (Continuedonpage6)
DearEditor,
A few days ago, following a chant the PPP wouldlikeusalltorepeat,it was reported that Mr Brian Tiwarie the well-known owner of BK International, stated that contrary to what is a widespread perception, hehadneverleftthePPPbut is now publicly clarifying his support for that party because he is particularly impressed with its infrastructuralvision:'When you look and see the i n f r a s t r u c t u r e i n Guyana…this is amazing' (SN:18/04/2025).
Firstly, as I will indicate b e l o w, t h e P P P ' s infrastructural record is not impressive:itistheresultof sheer luck and is being suboptimal implemented Secondly, it is the tradition for dictatorial/autocratic governments to attempt the sell their worth by showcasing infrastructure development, and it is not wise, when speaking of national management, to try to disaggregate the national visioninthemannerTiwarie hasdone.
Adolph Hitler came to government by way of a democratic election, captured the German state and turned it into a dictatorship, and the Nazi party had an impressive infrastructural record, constructing thousands of roads, major highways, publicbuildings,parks,etc., but it simultaneously initiated a war that caused the death of more that 50 million people and built manyexecutionfactories.
A national vision is a view of what the country willlooklikeinthefutureset withinadefineddirectionof planning and the execution of its various strategies Undoubtedly, Guyana badly needs a national strategic vision.
In 2020, addressing issues having to do with the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Istatedthat, 'What is required if the sugar [and, I may now add, the oil] industry is to rise aboveitspresentconditionis radicalpoliticalreformsthat will hold the politicians accountable and more specifically allow the d e v e l o p m e n t a n d transmission of a national strategic vision' ('The absence of strategic vision.'
SN:01/01/2020).
Today, no one could sensibly demonstrate that over the last 25 years of its rule, the PPP has even tried
to develop a national strategic vision. Remember, in2004,JimmyCarterstated thatthepartyhadabandoned the bipartisan National Development Strategy that was initiated by Cheddi Jagan Indeed, with increasing wealth, the situationhasbecomeworse, as like autocratic regimes everywhere, the main concernofthePPPistostay ingovernmentforever Itis at present no more than an ethnic oligarchy that has captured the state and is using it for its own ends, including coercing and manipulating other ethnic groups to join its ranks if they wish to succeed and haveadecentlife.
The situation has reached a stage where representative African leaders have presented a sufficient prima facie case accusing the regime of creating an apartheid state.
With the amount of resources presently at its disposal one would have thought that, as occurred elsewhere, where national government care about the welfare of all its people, the PPP would by now have conducted an impartial ethnic disparity analysis to debunk such claims
However, knowing the claimstobetrue,theregime hastakentoregurgitatingits usually unsubstantiated propagandistic nonsense ('Alexander is part of the problem, never part of the solution!' SN: 18/04/2025). The fact that the PPP needs to hand pick those of other ethnicities to represent its
African citizens at conferences such as those held by the International Decade for People of AfricanDescent,tellthetrue storyofitsvision!
Notwithstanding the resources it has fortuitously comeupon,itsOneGuyana, electricity, sugar cane, GOAL scholarship, Silica City, men with a mission, infrastructure, unilateral handouts, etc , provide ampleexamplesofuncaring, undemocratic and visionlessnessgovernment. For instance, the regime is a signatory to the United N a t i o n s 2 0 2 0 - 3 0 development goals and the firstgoalcallsuponstatesto end poverty in all its forms everywhereby,amongother things, implementing nationallyappropriatesocial protection systems and measures for all, including floors (universal basic income), and by 2030
achieving substantial coverageofthepoorandthe vulnerable Instead of providing a comprehensive programme that, if necessary, initially targets andprovidessomefinancial certainty and independence for the most vulnerable; focused upon winning
elections by way of coercion, the regime is providing numerous unstructured, one off, unilateralhandoutsdesigned to keep the citizenry under its thumb and entrench its dictatorship.
Aside from the construction of its signature 'concussion' highways, the government is refurbishing numerous community roads inthesamedimensionsthey at presently are, i.e., where twocarscanhardlypassand there is little place for parking, although many more vehicles are daily enteringthecountry. They are misusing national resources in this manner not simply because theylackvision,butbecause in the haste to win votes for thenextelectionsthechoice has been made for more roads rather than more
propriate q
ality
ommunity roads Furthermore, to optimally use resources to construct the better roads will require nationalconsensuswhich,as wehaveseenabove,thePPP has already rejected Its determination to stay in government has dictated a short-term dictatorial approachthatdoesnotallow thepolicyspaceandcontent inclusive governance would facilitate.
AccordingtotheCharter of the National Resource Governance Institute, government has the responsibility to manage resources for current and future generations, and effective and sustainable resource management requires an inclusive and comprehensive national strategy
Its first precept states that 'the government must make a series of key
decisions that will affect different groups and set choices extending far into the future. To avoid making decisions in a piecemeal fashion - as is happening in Guyana today for political mobilisationreasons-andto build a shared sense of direction, governments should, in dialogue with all s t a k e h o l d e r s (https://resourcegovernance
org/sites/default / f i l e s / N R C J 11 9 3 natural resource charter 1 9.6.14.pdf.
The Charter argues that the transformation from wealth in the ground to wider societal benefits can takemanyyearsandpresent many challenges and surprises along the way Therefore,'Decisionmakers should seek to incorporate the inputs of all associated stakeholders, to provide the necessary understanding of issues that must be addressed in the planning process…Good governance is required across the entire decision chain and this calls for building understanding andconsensusfromacritical mass of informed citizens.
legislators, journalists, and civil society groups are guardians of the strategy, playing a scrutinizing role by holding decision-makers to account. Too often the transformation of resource wealth into prosperity fails not because of a lack of the correct economic policies but because of a weak underlying system of governance Resource g
vernance requires decisionmakers to be accountable to an informed public Where resource wealthismanagedonbehalf of citizens, it can lead to sustained prosperity only if the government is publicly accountable.'
Even its most ardent supporters would find it difficult to make the case that the PPP government is accountabletotheGuyanese public.Failurebeckons!
In Guyana, rapists with money and connections often enjoy more rights and protection than the people they've violated
DearEditor,
Manysurvivorsofsexual assault are re-traumatized when they realize the justice system isn't built to protect them—it's built to protect theirabusers.
In Guyana, rapists with moneyandconnectionsoften
enjoy more rights and protection than the people they've violated. Survivors face stigma, disbelief, and systemicfailureateveryturn. That's not justice it's betrayal.
Regards
AnthonyPantlitz
A joinder arrangement could be on the card
DearEditor,
While I was trying to understand the rationale for the opposition parties (mainly PNCR and AFC) contesting the upcoming elections, independently, I c a m e u p w i t h t h e "arrangement" introduced intoourpolitical"landscape" bytheallianceofANUG,JLP andthatobscurepartywhose doctor is wickedly denying anMPfromANUGtakingup aseatinParliament,bybeing ALLOWED to squat in that forum.
I'm confident that these opposition parties have people who know that they don't stand a "ghost of a chance" (except of course if theymanagetoraisefromthe dead, those people they
claimed voted at the 2020 elections) of even getting closetothechequeredflagat thefinishingline.
With that realisation in mind, I'm thinking that they are planning a similar move, to spring on the electorate, a "joinder" arrangement, on nomination day, with the hopethattheirchanceswould be improved. Just a thought which, in my opinion, is worthyofcontemplation. Well, we have about six/sevenmonthstowait.
Regards, HarryNawbatt
It would be a fishing expedition to contend that Article 147 creates or implies a right to candidacy to elected office
DearEditor,
I am not aware of the specific grounds or legal arguments that have been or will be advanced to claim a right to seek elective of ice as an independent candidate in elections in Guyana As such, I cannot comment on the case that is purportedly beingfiledinthisrespect. WhatIcansayisthat,in my opinion, it would be a
remarkable stretch of constitutional interpretation
toarguethattherighttoseek elective of ice in Guyana flows directly from the right tofreedomofassociation,as guaranteedunderArticle147 oftheConstitution.
While Article 147 enshrines the right of individuals to join and form associations, including political parties, this should not be conflated with the distinct and separate right to be a candidate for public office. In my humble opinion, it would be a fishing expedition to contend that Article 147 creates or implies a right to candidacy toelectedof ice. Freedom of association isafoundationalrightinany democracy It guarantees that citizens can freely organize, join political movements, and express collective interests such as through strikes However, the act of standing for elections of p
oneselfforwardforpublic of ice is not an associative act protected by Article147. It is constitutionally improper to interpret a general freedom in such a wayastosaythatitcreatesa substantive right to seek elected of ice. Nowhere in Article 147 does the Constitution state or imply thatthisfreedomextendstoa right to contest elections That right, if it exists, must
be grounded in explicit p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e RepresentationofthePeople Act, which outline the q u a l i fi c a t i o n s a n d disqualifications for electoralparticipation. In law, not everything that is desirable is necessarilypermissible. The right to seek of ice mustbegroundedinlaw,not stretchedfromit.
Yoursfaithfully RupnauthHardyal
Frompage4
the PNC/R-APNU andAFC maybeabletoachievesome aspectsofgoodgovernance, but as it relates to a more inclusive society, equitable distributionofresourcesand abetterqualityoflifeforall Guyanese, they would need the authority of the Executivetodothat.
The supporters of the PNC/R-APNUandAFCand many Guyanese want to enjoy all of these; good governance, a more inclusive society, equitable distributionofresourcesand abetterqualityoflifeforall, and these can only be achieved if the Coalition becomes the Executive branch of government. For the past five years, The PNC/R, APNU, AFC and WPA have been telling the people of Guyana that when they get into government that they will do this and do that, so the people have waited for five years and nowthe PNC/RandAFCcometo tellthemthattheonlyhighly possible pathway to get into government which is by a Coalition, is not going to happenanymore.
So,iftheydonotwinthe electionshowaretheygoing to do this and that for their supportersandthepeopleof Guyana?
Listen PNC/R andAFC, evenifyouhavetoformthe coalition and spend the next five years with less
need...
portfolios but Guyana has better governance, a more inclusive society, resources are distributed more equitably and all Guyanese haveachanceatabetter quality of life, the Coalition would have been worthit.
Justlikethewomenwho do not want to work as security guards, particularly when they have to walk home at 11:00 o'clock in the nights but they have to do it fortheirchildrenandfamily, similarly, the PNC/R and AFC need to contest the upcoming elections as a Coalition for your supporters, your followers andthoseGuyanesewhoare depending on you to use the structure of political parties that you have to put the best leadership team and arrangement together to contest the upcoming elections because 350,000 people cannot all register with GECOM to contest the elections, they need to do this through your political parties.
Having said that, Mr Aubrey Norton and Mr NigelHughesshouldtellthe people of this country that thePNC/R-APNUandAFC will be contesting the 2025 Elections as a Coalition by 2:00p.m.onFridayApril25, 2025.Peoplearewaiting!!!!
Sincerely, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas
Later this year, Guyanese will go to the polls to elect its leaders.
What we want here is a leader who represents in the fullness of his or in essence all that is humble, truthful and trustworthy. Then we would be better as individuals, as a people, as a society.
If only we could get near to one leader of the substances that spoke to credibility, sincerity and honesty, then we would have a different way of life that flourishes in this country, in all of its teeming urban locales, and its far rustic villages.
But we don't; not one of them, which not a single one of us would be so reckless and so senseless to step forward and claim that we do.
The Alliance For
Change has disclosed that since their meeting with the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission(GECOM)they have not received any response on whether the commission had examined all of the suggestions made by the international observers to ensure that the organisation was set to host freeandfairelections.
BackinJanuary,theAFC met with GECOM during which a number of issues were ventilated, in a subsequent press briefing Leader of the AFC Nigel Hughes described the meeting as nothing short of 'disastrous'. In his statement to the media on Thursday during the party's weekly press conference, Hughes stressed that the AFC continues to be gravely
...AFC says continues to be gravely concerned
concerned over the nonimp
e international observer missions to Guyana's National and Regional Electionsin2020suggested, even as the 2025 elections arerapidlyapproaching.
“The Guyana Elections C
u
n
d i n implementing the key recommendations of the international observer missionswhichincludedthe Carter Centre, the Organisation of American States – the OAS, the European Union (EU), the Commonwealth to name a few as outlined in their final reports. These fundamental recommendations were well articulated at the time and recommended to ensure that the challenges and errors of the 2020 elections debacle
BRASILIA (Reuters)Brazilshouldnotexploreoil reserves in the Amazon region, because of the dangerous impact on local communities, Indigenous leader Raoni Metuktire, of the Kayapo people, told Reutersduringthecountry's largestIndigenousgathering lastweek.
Raoni'scommentsatthe g a t h e r i n g , c a l l e d Acampamento Terra Livre, come as debate heats up around Brazil's state-run oil firm Petrobras' bid to drill for oil off the coast of the Amazonian state ofAmapa, in the sensitive Foz do Amazonasbasin.
Indigenousleader, Raoni Metuktire
would not be repeated,” he said.
The Attorney-at-Law a r g u e d t h a t w i t h improvementstothesystems at GECOM, citizens would be confident in its ability to deliverfreeandfairelections tothem.Healsohighlighted that there are particular recommendations that are important like, “the OAS, Carter Centre, and EU observer missions all called for a comprehensive reform of the voter registration system.Theundertakingofa house-to-house registration process at the earliest opportunity on completion of the 2020 election and a thorough update of the decades old voters register well ahead of the next election cycle based on inclusive consultations and politicalconsensus.”
Furthermore,theEUand the Commonwealth highlightedthatthereisneed for urgent electoral and constitutional reformation, to properly address “polarization of the nation including the merits and demerits of the Elections Commission and the electoralsystem.”
Additionally, it was also highlighted by the OAS,
‘China
Carter Centre and European Union, the importance of using technology to ensure that there is timely release and publication of results and “the need for clear written procedures for the transmission and tabulation of results to ensure consistency and traceability and the possibility for all authorised stakeholders to examineSOP's.”
Other recommendations made included objections to theuseofprivateresidentsas pollingstations,theneedfor regulation of campaign finance, GECOM regularly engaging its stakeholders, and technology to assist in the identification of persons at the place of poll. To date, the commission has not informed the public if they have examined them all, even though it was a clear request when the AFC met withthecommission.
Hughes informed the mediathat,“Aweekago,the Alliance For Change met with representatives from theEUelectionsExploratory mission who confirmed that o u t o f t h e i r 2 6 recommendations only two have been implemented five yearslater TheAllianceFor Change has heard nothing
from GECOM since our meeting with regards to the several concerns raised and continues to raise the alarm thatGECOMseemsreadyto go forward to the 2025 elections which much of the previous errors and challengesunresolved.”
On January 24, this publication reported that Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Attorney-atlaw, Nigel Hughes has expressed the view that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is incapable of holding the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
Hughes spoke briefly to membersofthepressoutside theGECOMheadquartersin Kingston on Thursday afternoon following a meeting with his party and the commission He described the meeting between members of the AFC and GECOM officials asnothingbut'disastrous.'At a subsequent press briefing, the AFC Leader sought to update media personnel on mattersdiscussedduringthe three-hour long meeting with the Elections Commission.
According to Hughes, the meeting provided the
party with insight on GECOM's preparedness to manage the upcoming electionsaswellastheissues related to the Commission's internal management Hughesstatedthatduringthe discussions, Chairperson of GECOM, retired Justice Claudette Singh among other things admitted that it conducted no review of the 2020 elections. “GECOM admitted it had not conducted any review of its operations.
It had not conducted any review of the way in which they internally managed the 2020elections.Weenquired of them if any of the recommendations made by the [International] observers were actually implemented and they said none of those as far as they are aware,” Hughesrevealed.
The Chinese Embassy in Guyana has pushed back against comments made by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who criticised the qualityofaroadhetraveledonduringa visithere,castingtheblameonChinese constructioncompany.
In May 2023, Ibama deniedPetrobras'requestfor an offshore drilling license forFozdoAmazonas,citing environmental concerns. It later also highlighted concernsovertheeffectsthe drilling could have on
Amapa's Indigenous communities The oil company appealed, but a final Ibama decision is pending The Foz do Amazonas basin is in Brazil's Equatorial Margin, considered the country's most promising oil frontier, sharinggeologywithnearby Guyana,whereExxonMobil isdevelopinghugeoilfields.
"I'm against this oil project," said Raoni, days after he met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. "I personally told President Lula that I am againstit,Idonotacceptthis oil in theAmazon."Though Lula has sought to be recognizedasachampionof the world's tropical forests and Brazil's Indigenous peoples,hehasalsosaidthat thecountryshouldbeableto drill in the environmentally sensitive Foz do Amazonas basin. He has criticized the country's environmental agencyIbamaforitsdelayin givingPetrobrasalicenseto doso. Raoni, who has been an internationally recognized environmental campaigner for decades, was one of the few people invited by Lula tostandbyhimwhenhewas sworninforhisthirdtermas presidentinJanuary2023.
Butspeakingatapressbriefinglast Wednesday, China's Deputy Chief of Mission in Guyana, Huang Rui, dismissed those remarks, stating that China only recommends its most qualified state-owned companies to workinGuyanaandthatallprojectsgo throughstrictproceduresandoversight. The Chinese diplomat said, “We only recommend those qualified stateowned companies to work here. That's numberone,that'sthefirstprocedure.”
Henotedthatallcompanieswhether Chinese, American, or local must go through a bidding process governed by Guyanese law and are subject to oversight and monitoring. “There are also some monitoring processes or monitoringagencies,notonlyfromthe Guyana side… even when the road is actually finished, there will be a
complete, holistic assessment. If they cannot pass that assessment, the company must continue to do their job until the Guyanese government is satisfied,” Rui stated.The diplomat questioned the credibility of the statement made by Secretary Rubio arguing that it lacked factual basis and disregardedtheworkChinahasdonein Guyana. “No matter how senior you are…first of all you should do your investigation. So, without fact, you cannot say,” he noted.Rubio, shortly afterleavingGuyana,madereferenceto thebumpynatureofoneoftheroadshe was driven on, noting that “we almost had concussions.” While at a press conference in neighbouring Suriname, the US official spoke about the poor qualityofroadsinGuyanaandcastthe blameontheChinese.
TheUS$65millionroadthatRubio referred to was, in fact, built by local contractors.
The highway connects Eccles with Great Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara(EBD).Rubiohadtotraverse thishighwaytomakehiswayfromthe
airporttoGuyana'scapital.
Secretary Rubio's remarks sparked responses not only from the Chinese Embassy but also from Guyana's Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo In his response, Jagdeo noted that the government had already planned an asphalticoverlayfortheroad,andwhile it's not perfect, criticism should be viewedincontext.
Rubio had also criticized China's Belt and Road Initiative, claiming that Chinese companies do “a terrible job,” and bring in their own workers However, the Chinese Embassy maintains that its projects are above board and carried out in close coordination with Guyanese authorities.Rui disclose too that the number of mid-sized, state-owned Chineseenterprisescurrentlyoperating in Guyana stands at 18. He said that these companies collectively employ around6,000people.
TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) is in the throes of a chronicmanpowercrisis.Itis no secret that the Force remains seriously shortstaffed, a predicament that is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon given the growing reluctance of many young people to join the uniformedranks.
The issue is not simply one of salary; it's also about lifestyle. Many prospective recruits are turned off by the regimentation, the strict hierarchies, and the stress of wearing a uniform. This has created a bottleneck in recruitment efforts and has left the Force stretched dangerously thin, especially at a time when crime continues to evolve in complexity
Given this context, it is time for the Guyana Police Force to abandon its outdated, rigid approach to staffing and seriously consider greater integration of civilians into non-core policing functions. A more flexible, inclusive and modern model one that includescontractandcivilian staff can significantly bolster the operational capacityoftheForcewithout placing additional strain on its limited uniformed officers. There is no reason why the GPF must continue to bear full responsibility for functions that do not require an armed presence or police powers The manpower shortage demands creative solutions, and civilian integrationisamongthemost logicalandlongoverdue.
Take, for example, the area of crime prosecution. Presently, police prosecutors are drawn from the uniformed ranks. But why? Guyana is home to hundreds
of young, ambitious university graduates in the fields of law, sociology, and criminology many of whom are either awaiting admission to the Hugh Wooding Law School or entry into the University of Guyana's Law Programme. These individuals could be trained and employed on a contract basis to serve as prosecutors in the magistrates' courts. Not only would this provide valuable experience for aspiring legal minds, but it would also allowmorepoliceofficersto returntoinvestigativeduties, wheretheirpresenceissorely needed.
Similarly, the area of forensic science offers ripe opportunities for civilian integration.Themodernfight against crime depends heavily on forensics—DNA analysis, digital evidence, ballistics, toxicology, and trace evidence. Yet, for the m o s t p a r t , t h e s e responsibilities remain under-resourced within the GPF There is a pool of university and high school graduates with science backgrounds who, with the righttrainingandequipment, could vastly enhance the GPF's forensic capabilities. Employing them as civilian forensic technicians would relieve pressure from investigators and also improve case-solving efficiency
T h e r e a r e a l s o administrative and technical areas that need not consume thetimeandenergyofsworn officers Consider immigration services, for instance Currently, uniformed police personnel are involved in processing passport applications and overseeing immigration
procedures, even though the actualprintingofpassportsis outsourced Wh
o
ntire immigrationservicefunction to a competent private firm, u n d e r a p p r o p r i a t e supervision and oversight?
This would free up uniformed officers for field operations and reduce inefficiencies in service delivery
The same can be said for theissuanceofmotorvehicle fitness certificates and driver's licensing. With the explosive increase in vehicles on our roads, it is both logistically impossible for the GPF to carry out proper inspections with its current staffing levels. The factisthatthisentireissueof certificationisoutmodedand shouldbeabolished.Mostof thevehiclesontheroadtoday arefitandproperandshould not even have to go in for certification Abolish the needandimplementasystem in which traffic ranks can refer vehicles for secondary inspectionsiftheydetermine that these vehicles are not roadworthy Atpresent,there are defective trucks on our roads that should be in a dump site and such a system would allow for these vehicles to be subject to a process of selective fitness certification.
Then there are special event security and traffic m a n a g e m e n t responsibilities,suchasthose required during international cricket matches or national festivals These events demand a large police presence, which places even greater strain on the already limited manpower of the GPF But there is no reason why private security firms, operating under special
Demboysshe,morningisablessedtime. Birdssinging.Sunshining.Coffeebrewing. Isdetimefuhfeelaliveandgivethanks.But some people does wake up like dem just comebackfromwar Demfacetwistuplike rainfallwholenightondembedalone.
Onemantelldemboyshelivingwithhe wife20years,andeverymorninghewaking upnexttoafuneral.Dewomanfacesosour, detoothpastestopsqueezing.Hesehevende alarm clock start refusing to ring—de clock gettraumatize.Onetimeshepassnearmilk, anddemilkturncheeseinseconds.
Dem boys she, these morning monsters don't only wake up vex; dem wake up and distributevexationlikepension.Youtelldem “Good morning,” dem answer, “What good about it?” Is like dem sleeping on hot nails anddrinkingvinegarindemdreams.
temporary powers of arrest, cannotfilltheseroles
This approach has been adoptedsuccessfullyinmany parts of the world and can work just as well in Guyana with the right regulatory safeguards.
Critics will say these ideas are not new and they're right. Many of these proposals have been floated before, only to be met with bureaucratic inertia The problem is not a lack of solutions, but a lack of will. The authorities seem fixated on the traditional model of law enforcement, one that glorifies uniformed service whileignoringmoreefficient and inclusive approaches to modernpolicing.
stubborn.TheGuyanaPolice Force is overburdened. It is under-resourced. And it is increasingly unable to keep pace with the demands of public safety The continued insistence on doing more withlessisnotsustainable.
Greater c
ilian involvement is not about privatizing the Force or undermining its authority It isaboutstrengtheningit.Itis about allowing sworn officers to focus on law enforcement and public safety, while qualified c i v i l i a n s t a k e o n complementary roles that do not require police powers. It is about modernizing the institution in a way that reflects both its challenges anditspotential.
The time has come for a s h i f t i n m i n d s e t Civilianization is not a threat—itisasolution.Andif weareseriousaboutbuilding a more effective, responsive, and professional police service, we must embrace it withoutdelay.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Worseyet,demdon'tkeepdesournessto demself. No no. Dem carry it to work, to minibus, to supermarket. Next thing yuh know, cashier vex, bus driver vex, even de securityguardvex.Onesourfacedoesstarta whole chain reaction—like COVID of bad vibes.
Dem boys seh some people need a sign: “Caution–donotspeaktomebefore9a.m.”
Dem boys seh is high time people stop spoiling de whole day from de morning. If youwakeupandyourfacefeellikecement, stay in bed! Or better yet, go back and try again. Morning mouth is one thing, but morningmoodcouldkillnationbuilding.
Dem boys seh... If yuh face sour in de morning, put some sugar in yuh soul before youstepoutdehouse. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
Things have to be bad with the P e o p l e ' s Progressive Party. Really bad. When spiritual sanctuaries become more popular than taverns and offshore financial havens, then there is a revolution sweeping across Guyana, and the PPP is in the
forefrontofit. Everybodyshouldsayhi. to President Ali for leading the way, with Zulfi, Susie, Ashni and Nandy following docilely but energetically. I love it. All for God. Hopefully, God for all. Of them.
I believe in that gracefulness. Amexpecting
to hear or read that Gail suddenly remembered that there is a God, and follows theBishop,nowacardinalof virtue(acertainkind).Ilove this PPP, this Guyana and what it is doing for it. Life has taught that when things 'baad,peepletuntogawd.' H
n Christian houses of peace.
Christian operators in mosques. Muslims in mandirs and churches. Overnight, there is revival and reunion with Guyana nowonebig,happy,national family Why do I feel left out? Anyhow, I am in good company, the Mighty Barry J. He doesn't have time for such mundane matters as
God and family; all duck curry and applepie,heisnow.
Why!
The man is a god unto himself. Like Chairman Mao, PPP Chairman Jagdeo is a firm believerinthatfamiliarone: religion is the opium of the people. No wonder ole Mao knockdown untold millions ofChinese.
Considering, how PPP luminaries flock to spiritual places across Guyana, I am rethinkingmyownpresence in such places, and for a simple reason. Any place that some folks go, they profane it. No matter how profound that place is, their merepresenceisaperversity toit.
But, why, dare I inquire, allthisinterestwithplacesof prayer, of genuine devotion, oftruebelievers? Iamsorry to disappoint by refusing to point to later this year, as in anywhere from August to November, when there will bejudgementdayinGuyana andforGuyanese.
Me, I am not worried. Why worry, when I didn't covet any property, or had anymoneysticktomyhand, or flat-out lied to Guyanese. BetheyPPP,PNC,orAFC,I havenotandwillnotdeceive any Guyanese. Submitted as th the 11 commandment; the gospel according to G Some delicacy is called for,
crossing a line. Now, an invitation is extended to all supportersofthethreemajor parties, and worshippers of their leaders. An invitation framed as a question: which oneofthePPP's,PNC's,and AFC's supporters can say that their own people have notledthemastray,withone slick verbal posture or political composition after another?
The other question still hangs pregnant, close to the visible 7-8 months of it, and near enough to hear the unbornkicking.
Why is it that the putrid now find themselves in house of peace? Perhaps, somefolksgotreligion.
Awarningistimely:God does not take kindly to people trying to make a fool outofhim. Justasperilous, God has a problem when men and women of high power (and odor) turn poor people into mummies and dummies. Some are saying thatthePPPisfanningoutto different religious houses, and knocking the PNC and
AFCfromtheirformerpride ofplace. Whatishappening is not fanning out; it's a hurricaneblowingatsunami intoaplacethatisbelowsea level. God help Guyanese with these false prophets, these kings of deformity, theseloveliesthatremindof Jezebel. Thethingsthatmen do for power It is wisdom itself, the pursuit of power, because he who hast the power has access to the money
Thebigintellectuals,and the Guyanese ones who fancy themselves to be, talk about resource curse. They areasrightasrain,andjustas overwhelming Look at what the arrival of oil in Guyana has inflicted upon the PPP, PNC, and AFC. Checkoutthosewhospeakin tongues If it is not gibberish,itistrashrecycled asleadershiptruths. Thereis one,Dr Rhetoric,whoallby himself pushed ordinary Guyanaintotherealmofthe asthmatic and rheumatic One leader is Dr Rhetoric, the more senior one is Dr Paranoiac 'He frikken peeeple. He frikken fuh taak.' He 'frikken' his own shadow, because of what love for oil made him do. Observe, though, that when he demonizes and criminalizesthosehotonhis heels, and applying heat to his face, how he is born again. A real holy roller is that political character. Those with complaints can lodge them with the ArchbishopofCanterburyor theHolySee.
So, here we are in the th fourthmonthofthe25 year ofthesecondmillennium(is it?), and there is this flurry, this surge, drowning the places where God lives. Some folks have no conscience.
They just wouldn't keep their stench and nastiness to themselves. They have to spread both all over, leave a broad strain of the tawdry wherevertheygo,stop,visit. Why all this activity? The Chinesesaythatitistheyear ofthewoodsnake. Isaythat itistheyearthatbeginswith an E, and lives and dies for that same E. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo said President Irfaan Ali should assess whether Commissioner of Information,CharlesRamson, SC,shouldbefiredforfailing tocarryouthisduties,evenas he attempted to question the aimoftheorganisedpicketing exercise.
For three consecutive weeks, Guyanese protested Ramson's office, decrying his non-performance They c o n t e n d t h a t t h e commissioner, whose office has a $40 million annual budget, has failed to perform his duties prescribed by Guyana's Access to InformationAct(2011).
“InGuyana,peoplehavea freedom to protest So, whetherIagreewithitornotis notgermanehere.
They have the right to protest.Nowtheymayhavea cause,individualsmayhavea cause,butwhenIlookatsome of the people who are protesting there, it's the same group of negative people against the government,” he told Kaieteur News at his press conference, last Thursday
He noted the Red Thread, asanexample,asheexplained that the president should determine whether Ramson shouldbefired.
“I think the Office of the President would have to examine this, but knowing that group, that's the same group that transitioned from theGas-to-Energyprojectthat tomorrow will go and protest some women's rights issue, but only if it involves a PPP official;wouldturnablindeye to all the transgressions happening against women once it doesn't involve some PPP official wherever in the countrysomewhere.
They are intensely political and I think they just want to create this air that the government is not being open.”
Individuals and groups such as Red Thread, Guyana Press Association (GPA),
Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), the General WorkersUnion,Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) and several others have been calling for Ramson to resign or for President Ali to terminatehisappointment.
It was President of the General Workers Union, Norris Witter who urged, “I read yesterday that the president received a Global award.Iwishtosuggestifthat awardmeansanythingtohim, he will terminate the services of Mr Ramson forthwith because Mr Ramson was appointed by him.” To date, Witter noted that Ramson has “failed miserably” to perform hisduties,afactthattheheadof-stateshouldbeawareofby now
Citizensonthepicketline shared their experiences attempt
commissioner
They cited his failure to publish annual reports in the National Assembly as required by the legislation. Despitehighlightingthisover the past month, the government still appears to have doubts surrounding Ramson'sperformance.
International Lawyer, Melinda Janki has already noted that there is enough groundsforthecommissioner tobedisqualifiedfromoffice.
Meanwhile, attorney
Christopher Ram who organised the three-week protest,saidhiseightattempts toaccessinformationfromthe commissionerhaveallfailed. Ram explained that the next step will be to write President Ali, seeking a meeting to discuss their concerns.
Beyondthat,thelawyeris prepared to take the matter to court and inform the regional and international community He said those bodies have beenmisledandliedtobythe government about the workings of the Access to InformationAct.
Afrom the Essequibo Coast died Sunday afternoon after he was struck by a vehicle alongtheQueenstownPublic Road.
Helatersuccumbedtohis injuries at the Suddie Hospital.
The deceased has been identified as Shervin Venture, also known as “Brainzy,” of Queenstown Village,EssequiboCoast.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the fatal incident occurred around
13:00hrs as Venture was attempting to cross the roadwayonhiselectricbike.
Video footage seen by Kaieteur News shows Venture riding across the
slammedintohim.
Asaresultoftheimpact, Venture was flung in the air and landed on the public road. He sustained a broken leg.
KaieteurNewslearntthat he was quickly picked up in an unconscious condition and rushed to the Suddie Hospital,whereheremained undermedicalattention.
However, around 17:00 hrs,Venturewaspronounced dead.
A 17-year-old fisherman who was reported missing since April 8, 2025, was founddeadFridayafternoon ontheforeshoreofKendalls Village,Corentyne,Berbice. VishalParmanand,ofLot 23, Cotton Tree, West Coast
Berbice and another fisherman, Daniel Inshanali, were reported missing after their boat was discovered drifting at sea near Tain Beach along the Corentyne Coast, Region Six. Since their disappearance, their families, along with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Coast Guard, have been going out to sea daily hopingtofindthemalive.
Tragically, Parmanand's bodywasdiscoveredaround 14:30hrs on Friday in an advanced state of decomposition.Accordingto police, the body was found by a fisherman who immediatelyalertedrelatives andauthorities.
“Ranks responded accompanied by the deceased's father, Mohit Parmanand, 54, and brother, Rohan Parmanand, 30, both of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice,”thepolicestated.
Upon arrival, the authorities observed the bodylyingmotionlessonthe foreshore.
It was clad in a multicoloured short pants and a pink T-shirt, the same clothing Vishal was reportedly wearing at the
time of his disappearance. Novisiblemarksofviolence were seen on the body, although police indicated that this could be due to the advanced state of decomposition.
The body was later transported to Bailey's Funeral Home, where it currently lies awaiting a post-mortem examination Investigations into the incident are ongoing while the search continues for Inshanali.
According to details surrounding the incident, Vishal's father told police that around 11:00hrs on Monday,April8,hetravelled to Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, where he
purchased a new boat and engine. His son had expressed interest in using theboataftertheenginewas installed.
“Bothmenthenfilledup the boat and departed CrabwoodCreek,headingto Rosignol, West Coast Berbice by sea,” the father stated.
However, when the boat failed to arrive by 17:00hrs that day, Mohindranauth tried to contact his son but received no response. The following morning, around 10:00hrs, he was informed that the boat was seen drifting near Tain Koker, Corentyne. The engine was still attached, but the two menwerenowhereinsight.
Whiletherestof G u y a n a indulged in theEasterholidayfestivities, thetownofLindenremained in mourning on Sunday as hundredsdressedinredbade farewell to 21-year-old RonaldoPetersand32-yearoldKeonFogenay
The friends were slain hours apart by police on the April 7 and 8 respectively OnSunday,theywerelaidto rest as opposition leaders, Nigel Hughes and Aubrey Norton supported relatives' call for justice, noting that theremustbeanindependent probe.
Loved ones paid tribute and tears flowed as they reflected on the lives of PetersandFogenay
Peters' cousin said his life was cut-short. He said Ronaldohadplanstoseehis daughter grow up and complete a house he had already started building to create a life for himself and youngfamily
Fogenay's relatives relatedhewasaformerparttime worker with the governmentanddidmultiple jobstosupporthisfamily At thetimeofhisdeath,hewas working with Hard Rock Café at Movietowne in Georgetown.
Chaos erupted as some persons who were close to Fogenaywereheardwailing and refusing to move. His male friends held on to his body and some were heard crying out “justice must be served; look how they kill youout!”
It was a similar reaction with the relatives and friend ofPeters.Atonepoint,afew personshadtobecarriedout as they fainted. Closing the casketsprovedtobedifficult forthepallbearers,asprying fingers of patrons clutched onfordearlifeingrief.
As the crowd moved on, added wails of grief and anguish filled the air as persons fought to come to grips that that was the last timethattheywouldseetheir lovedones.
As the viewing came to an end, the caskets were hoistedontotheshouldersof young men and carried in a procession to the cemetery, with patrons shouting “We wantjustice;wewantjustice today;weain'tgoingtowait till tomorrow,” while 'Gone Away' by popular dancehall artistAlkaline,blastedinthe background.
The pallbearers passed bythecrimescenesandtook a moment with the casket at
the spots where the young menweregunneddown,this resulted in an eruption of criesfromrelativeandloved ones.
Meanwhile Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton said the wanton killing of young Guyanese men by rogue members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) must end Addressing the mammoth crowd, Norton said such killings have been ongoing in Guyana for far toolong.
“You see the trend that we have now The trend
started years ago, but it continues We saw first, YohanceDouglas.Inthelast fouryears,wesawthedeath ofOrinBoston,thenwesaw the death of Quinton Bacchus. And now we are facedwithasimilarsituation again.”
He noted that none of those cases has seen justice. Hesaiditisimportantforall to fight. “The government has the tendency to talk about compensating. Let it be clear, you can't compensate for death. You might help those who are alive, but no one can compensateanybodyforlife.
Leader of the Alliance For Change, Nigel Hughes told relatives at the funeral, “Youhavetoinsistasoneof the basic minimum requirements they must establish an independent institution to investigate the
police…The Guyana Police Force cannot investigate thesemurders”.
He recalled that Linden faced a similar situation in 2012 when three men, Ivan Lewis,ShemroyBouyeaand Ron Somerset were killed duringprotests.
“You never really got justice in 2012. You got compensation but you didn't get justice.”, Hughes said as he noted that there should have been an independent body investigating those cases.
On April 8, the mining town descended into chaos afterPeterswasshotdeadby a member of the Guyana PoliceForce(GPF).
Residents dubbed the shooting death a murder even as the police officer responsible for Peters' death claimed that his gun accidentally went off. The
police's claim was disputed by surveillance footage, which showed him running behind Peters with a gun. Shortly after, the police officerwasseenfetchingthe injuredmanbyhisclothes.
As the video footage circulated, residents of the mining town, especially from Peters' community, were angered. The situation quickly sparked protests, whichdescendedintochaos, resulting in the death of another youth identified as 32-year-old Keon Fogenay, alsoknownas'Dan',afather of four, the youngest being around3yearsold.
Roads were blocked, bringing motor vehicular traffic in the town to a standstill. Several protestors and police officers were injured in violent clashes.
The protest began at Half Mile, Wismar, Linden,
where Peters was killed, but stretched across the Wismar Bridge. Rubber pellets were fired along with tear gas as Lindeners blocked the bridge with burning tyres.
Some protestors say live rounds were also fired into the crowd – one of them killingFogenay
One protester alleged that the rank who killed Fogenay during the protest was firing tear gas at the angry crowd, but reportedly stopped what he was doing and pulled out his service weapon and shot the young man who was a neighbour and close friend of the Peters.
Protestors reportedly recoveredthespentshellsas evidence Meanwhile, speaking with Kaieteur News, Fogenay's brother,
Ronel (only name given), saidthatFogenaywaskilled 15 minutes after arriving from Georgetown. “He was notevenattheprotest,hedid justpassingthrough,”Ronel claimed while recounting that he was operating a taxi whenheheardthatsomeone was shot at the protests. At the time, he did not know it was his brother, but only later found out when he decidedto“goandseewhois thevictim.”
Fogenay, according to his relatives, was shot in the head. A cellphone recorded videoofpersonsrushinghim to the hospital showed him bleeding from a wound aroundthelefteye.Newsof his death triggered violence, with protestors attacking policeofficers,forcingthem intoretreat.
A new business process outsourcing (BPO) centre waslastweekcommissioned during a simple ceremony at Enmore, East Coast
Demerara, by Senior Minister in the Office of the P r e s i d e n t w i t h Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr AshniSingh.
Thenewventurewillsee hundreds along the East Coast and surrounding areas being employed. A job fair was also held at the site where persons were able to signuponthespottoworkat thecentre.
The BPO centre is being operatedbyVChartServices which has established its reputation in the field of medical billing /revenue
cycle management successfully, becoming one of the choicest business partners with leading healthcare providers across theUnitedStatesofAmerica. It has centres in India, USA, and Guyana, where calling
and voice functions, primarily, are handled. All
centers are HIPAA compliant, and the company
has obtained SOC2 Certification affiliated with
medical billing services and revenuecyclemanagement.
Addressing a large gathering of youths at the commissioning ceremony, Dr Singh reaffirmed the government's commitment to partnering with the Business Processing
Outsourcingsectortoenable its growth and expansion in thecountry
“First of all, when our party, the People's ProgressivePartyreturnedto officeinAugustof2020,one of the first things that we recognised was how
of the first things that President Ali did, I think he did it within one month of assumingoffice,wastobring into operation the new Telecommunications Act,” theministerexplained,ashe pointedtothebenefitsofthe liberalisationofthesectorin Guyana to attract more competition.
“What that has done is thatithasreducedthecostof bandwidthtoonetenthofthe costofwhatitwasinAugust 2020. So that one act taken b y t h e N e w P P P Government, has resulted in
Officials
importantitistocreatejobs, and in particular, how i m p o r t a n t t h e telecommunication sector is as a potential generator of economicopportunities.One
Guyana being a more competitive and attractive place for information and c o m m u n i c a t i o n s t e c h n o l o g y - b a s e d companies to operate,” the
senior minister added. He alluded to the government's ongoing investments in energy infrastructure including the Gas-to-Energy project that will increase
minister also noted the country'stalentedpopulation with young people coming out of high school with a
cy, communicationandITskills. These factors, he said, (Continuedonpage16)
General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU) Coretta said that the union's upcoming elections will be held using the postal ballot system and she is confidentintheprocess.
McDonalddisclosedthat this system is enshrined in the constitution of the GTU andteacherswillhaveaonemonthperiodtoreceivetheir ballot and cast their votes.
“Over the years, GTU has been engaged in that, personshavebeengoingtoa polling station and casting their vote, but we've employed the use of postal ballots,whichisenshrinedin
our Constitution So teachers will have a onemonthperiodtoreceivetheir ballots,whichwillbeposted totheirschool.Eachteacher will receive his or her
individual ballots, and after voting, that teacher is expected to return the ballot tothepostaladdress,address that is provided,” she explained.
When the stipulated timeframe is completed, the Elections Officer that was appointed by the General Council of the union, will workalongwiththeirteamto collect the ballots from the postal box that they would have rented for that period, whichwillbefollowedbyan official counting at the Guyana Teachers' Union
Hall, where the full commission will be present alongwiththecountingstaff, recording staff and the staff who will be opening the ballots.
Throughout the process, there will be monitors who
will be posted at the Post Offices where the boxes are being rented, and they will be present when the Elections Officer is opening the locker, to collect the ballots, McDonald explained The Elections Officer will also return later inthedaytoensurethatthere isnoballotleftbehind.
“Every ballot is perforated, so it's very easy totearthem,soyou'llbeable to sort out first vice president, second vice president, general secretary, andthelistwouldgoon,and that would be for the counting.After the counting w o u l d h a v e b e e n completed The elections officer will prepare his report, and then an official declaration is done,” the GeneralSecretarysaid.
- says teachers will have one month to cast vote
Further, probing to determine if she was confident in the process, McDonaldmadeitclearthat while no process is perfect, thisonehasbeenusedbefore and with the security measures of the monitors being in place, there should benomishaps.
Preliminary lists were sent out to schools across Guyana in hard and soft copies, the majority being the latter, and teachers were able to indicate if they were transferred to another school, so that their ballot can be delivered to the correctinstitution.Ifaballot is not received, the teacher has the option of reaching out to the Elections Officer toreportitandhavetheissue rectified. “So, there may be pitches, there may be
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) extendsEastergreetingstoall Guyanese, especially our Christianbrothersandsisters. In these times of trials and tribulations,itisimportantto
remind the Christian community of its moral and spiritual obligation to emulate the life and work of JesusChrist.
While Christ urged His followers to render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar—such as obeying the law and paying taxes—He also denounced leaders who
g o v e r n e d w i t h o u t compassion for the vulnerable This Easter, which holds profound significancefortheChristian faith, symbolises the power of love, sacrifice, and a compassionate approach to
our fellow man The resurrection of Jesus Christ brought salvation to all, affirming the fundamental Christian belief that all are equalinworthanddignity
Yet, Guyana continues to face a deepening crisis in governance—one marked by the marginalisation of the vulnerable and the treatment
of half the society, particularly those seen as government critics, as outsiders and unworthy citizens. Disparities in the management of the economy
are widening. Civil society's callsforinclusioninnational decision-making processes are consistently ignored, despite Article 13 of the Constitution mandating inclusionary democracy The poor and vulnerable are denied social and economic justice. Meanwhile, inflation continuestorise,erodingreal wages pushing essential items out of reach for the working poor, pensioners, andtheunemployed.Guyana isfastbecomingataleoftwo cities, moving further from the founding vision of treating all with respect and dignity under the banner of “One People, One Nation, OneDestiny.”
A sense of hopelessness hangs over the nation like a dark cloud. Though Guyana boasts of being the world's fastest-growingeconomyand among the richest per capita, thevastmajorityofGuyanese do not benefit from this prosperity Wages, salaries, and pensions have not kept pace with the rising cost-ofliving. One-off cash grants a r e a b a n d - a i d solution—manyusethemnot forinvestment,buttopayoff mountingdebts.Accordingto recent World Bank data, approximately half of the populationlivesinpoverty A UNICEF report highlights
that 20% of Guyanese children suffer from “severe food poverty,” meaning their families can afford only two food groups per day, while 40% experience “moderate food poverty,” receiving just half of their required daily nutrition.Thesearetroubling signs that, despite the oil boom,manyGuyaneseareno betteroffthanbefore.
For the GTUC, the suffering of one is the concern of all Injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere.
The Christian God is a God of mercy, but also of accountability
The GTUC calls on the Christian community to put onthefullarmourofGod, to stand united, and to go into the highways and byways doingthewilloftheFather
A s I s a i a h 1 : 1 7 commands: “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and plead the widow'scause.”
LetthisEasterbeatimeof renewed purpose and spiritual awakening—where Christians in Guyana, as in times past and in other nations today, rise to take a public stand for justice, equality, and righteousness. Maythisbethebeginningofa brighter,morecompassionate tomorrow
attemptstoretrieveorcollect personal ballots, but it's not on a large scale. Like I said, each teacher will have the elections officer, and they arereadilyabletomaketheir complaints as to whether they did not receive their ballots, or if the ballots reached them late,” she explained.
A code of conduct was also circulated, which clearly states that no person should be going around to anyteacher'sschooltouplift their ballot. There are some cases however where a numberofschoolswouldsit together and vote One person is assigned to collect all ballots and deliver them to the post office in a sealed envelope. This is the only exception.
Withthefewinstancesof
teachers receiving their ballots late due to location, McDonald expressed absolute confidence in the process This newspaper reported last week that McDonald is the single nominee for the position of PresidentoftheGTU.
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends heartfelt Easter greetings to all Guyanese,especially our Christian brothers and sisters.
Easter is a sacred period on the Christian calendar that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after he would have died on thecrosstoatoneforthesins of humanity. It also marks theendoftheLentenperiod forsomeChristians.
Itisapowerfultestament to the victory of good over evil, forgiveness, faith, sacrifice, hope, and renewal that calls on all of us, regardlessofreligiousbelief or background, to reflect on the universal values of
compassion, understanding, andpeace.
The Commission recognizes the enduring contributionofourChristian brothers and sisters to the spiritual and moral fabric of thenation.
Aswecelebratethisholy season,letusberemindedof the importance of unity and mutual respect as we continue to build on the strengthofourdiversity
In Guyana, Easter is not only a religious observance but also a cultural tradition that brings families and communities together This is evident in the skies filled with vibrant kites and the shared joy across villages and towns during special
church services These momentsoftogethernessare symbolic of the very harmony and collective spirit that the Commission strives to foster The ERC remains committed to its constitutional mandate to promote harmony and good relations among all the ethnic and religious groups residingwithinGuyana. In keeping with our commitment to unity, we encourage all Guyanese to participate in interfaith services, community outreach,andactsofservice that reflect the essence of Easter May the blessings of Easter guide us toward deeper solidarity and collectivegrowth.
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Police officers at the Kurupukari checkpoint on Sunday intercepted three underaged girls in what is suspected to be a caseofhumantrafficking.Inastatement,theMinistryofHome
Affairs said two trucks were detained, and four individuals, including two drivers and two porters, have been taken into custody as investigations continue.
(BBCNEWS)Ukraineand Russia have accused each other of breaching a 30-hour “Easter truce” that was announcedbytheRussianpresident on Saturday Ukrainian President VolodymyrZelenskyclaimed Ukraine’s front line had been hit by more than 46 Russian assaults since the start of the day on Sunday The BBC has not independently verified these figures.
In response, Russia’s defenceministrysaidithad“repelled”attemptedassaultsby Ukraine and accused Kyiv of launching hundreds of drones and shells, according to state media sources. On Saturday, Putin said there wouldbeanendtoallhostilitiesfrom16:00BSTonSaturdayuntil22:00BST(midnight in Moscow) on Sunday. Kyiv said it would also adhere.
“Forthisperiod,Iorderall military actions to cease,” Putin said in his announcement. “We assume that the Ukrainiansidewillfollowour example.Atthesametime,our troops must be ready to repel possible violations of the truce and provocations from the enemy, any of its aggres-
sive actions.” However, Zelensky said Ukraine saw hundreds of attacks and drone launches on Sunday and that Putin’s declaration ofatruceamountedtoa“PR” exercise.
Zelensky added that Vladimir Putin’s words were “empty” and he accused the Kremlinoftryingtocreate“a general impression of a ceasefire”. “This Easter has clearlydemonstratedthatthe only source of this war, and thereasonitdragson,isRussia,” the president said on Sunday
TheRussiandefenceministry insisted its troops had “strictly observed the ceasefire”.
The surprise “Easter truce” announcement came shortly after US President Donald Trump threatened to “take a pass” on brokering furtherRussia-Ukrainepeace talks.
Ukrainehadsaiditwould be ready to extend the truce, which is due to come to an endatmidnightlocaltimetonight(22:00BST).
There were mixed reactions about the 30-hour truce from Ukrainians attending
From page 3 we’rereadytotakethelead,”heopined. Parris believes that such a tactic should not be limited to only the constructionofroadsorbridges,butshould be considered in manufacturing and technologytoenableGuyanesecitizens and businesses a seat at the table and a chance to grow
Parris’academiccredentialsinclude
aBachelor’sinFinanceandaMaster’sinRealEstate from Baruch College, complemented by an MBAinStrategicManagementfromTheWharton SchoolattheUniversityofPennsylvania.Heholds theprestigiousCharteredFinancialAnalyst(CFA) designation, recognised globally as the highest qualification in the finance industry His 18-year career spans some of the world’s leading financial institutions, including S&P Global and JP Morgan.
From page 14 combine to make the country a highly competitive and attractive place for companies like VChart to do business.
Dr. Singh relayed that the building in Enmore was conceptualised by President Aliwhenheheldtheportfolio of housing and tourism minister
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, who also spokeattheforum,explained that the health ministry has recognised the importance of electronics and digital health and has been working to create a digital health department.
“Things like medical imaging…there are special software that have been developed that can do the interpretationofmedicalimaging,
but sometimes you need a mentaltranscriptionisttohelp to put together the patient’s information and all that. So that’s something that I think overtime,we’llbeabletowork on.
But there are lots of connections between what we’re doing right now in the health sectorandwhatishappening, or what would happen in this facility,” Dr Anthony further related.
The health minister also noted that the opening was a great opportunity for young people to gain employment.
VChartServicesGuyana’s CEO Mr Vinayak Shankar, who travelled from India for the opening and also spoke at theceremony,pointedoutthat the journey of VChart in Guyanabeganin2001,adding
Easter morning services in Kyiv and the Russian-occupiedcityofDonetskonSunday.
“I do not think this man [Putin] has anything to do withhumanity,”45-year-old lawyer Olena Poprych told Reuters news agency.
Meanwhile in Donetsk, where much of the city has been under Russian control since 2014, residents expressed similar distrust that Zelensky will stick to the terms of the ceasefire.
“I watched very closely his [Zelensky’s] reactions,” saidVladimir, who attended anEastermorningservicein Donetsk. “There was nothingabouttheceasefire...just some vague statements, not giving any confidence that wewillnotbeshelled.”
On Sunday, the British government described the proposedceasefireasa“one day stunt”, saying that the claimedtruceinvolved“violations,includingthekilling andwoundingofmoreinnocentUkrainians”.
The statement from the Foreign,Commonwealthand DevelopmentOffice(FCDO) said that the truce fitted the “pattern of previous fake ceasefires” and instead called for a longer 30 day pauseinthefighting,asproposed by Ukraine.
“As ever, we see no evidence that President Putin is seriously preparing for peace,”theFCDOstatement said.
The US State Department also said it would wel-
that VChart wants to put Guyanaontheworldmapfor back-officeservices.
He also recognised the government’s efforts in supportingthegrowthandexpansionofVChartinGuyana.
Meanwhile,ChiefExecutive Officer (CEO) of the GuyanaOfficeforInvestment (GO-invest) Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, reminded those gathered at the opening, that success comes from determination, and that there was an opportunity for them to try somethingdifferent.
He said the government isspendingalotontheinitiativesandislookingtoexpand this toward greater opportunities for them. VChart openeditsfirstofficein2023 inGeorgetownandexpanded toTuschenin2024.(DPI)
comeaceasefireextension.
“We remain committed to achieving a full and comprehensive ceasefire,” a State Department spokesperson saidinastatementonSunday “As we assess their seriousnessinthisinstance,wewould welcome it extending beyond Sunday.”
Both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of breaking the ceasefire. Putin announced a one-day ceasefire inUkraineuntilmidnightMoscowtime(2100GMT)onSunday. Russia launched a fullscale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people - the vast majority of them soldiershavebeenkilledorinjuredon all sides.
The US has been directly talking to Russia as part of its efforts to end the war, but has struggled to make major progress.
Last month, Moscow cameupwithalonglistofconditions in response to a full and unconditional ceasefire that had been agreed by the US and Ukraine. On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US was not “going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end”, as it had “other priorities to focus on”. “We need to determine very quicklynow-andI’mtalking about a matter of dayswhetherornotthisisdoable,” he added.
“If it’s not going to happen, then we’re just going to move on.”
NEW YORK, United States (CMC) —The United States (US) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says it has collaborated with law enforcement partners in apprehending a Jamaican among 206 undocumented immigrants during an enhanced targeted immigration enforcement operationinNewYorkCity
Jama
ck Alphonso Roberts, 60, was
ng with DominicanRepublicnational Modesto Arias-Soto, 35, in the operation that was focused on “egregious criminal alien offenders, including transnational criminal organisations known to operate in and aroundNewYork”.
ICE said Roberts is “an illegally present Jamaican national whose criminal history includes convictions for manslaughter with intent to cause serious physical injury,criminalpossessionof controlled substance,
criminal convictions or are currently facing charges for crimes such as murder, assault, arson, rape, sexual assault against minors, and drugtrafficking.
in sovereign financing, a significant share of which will be disbursed in the coming months; IDB Invest will provide $1 billion for private-sectoroperations.
According to ICE,AriasSoto is “an illegally present Dominican (Republic) national whose criminal history includes a conviction for conspiracy to distribute narcotics and an arrest for tampering with public records”.
Others arrested include undocumented nationals from Spain, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. ICE
said 121 of the 206 apprehended had significant
criminal solicitation, corruption of minors, possessing an instrument of crime, terrorist threats, criminal conspiracy, cocaine possession with intent to distribute, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with anobliteratedserialnumber”.
“NewYork is much safer today because of the hard work of ICE and our law enforcement partners,” said acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. “Working with our partneragencies,ICEofficers and agents arrested hundreds of alien offenders and removed them from the streetsofNewYork.”
“Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offendersinsomeofthemost c r i m e - i n f e s t e d neighbourhoods in and aroundthecityofNewYork,” he added “Our efforts resulted in 206 arrests in just one week. I commend the effortsofeveryoneinvolved, asallweretrulycommittedto thesuccessofthisoperation.”
Lyons said ICE remains dedicated to its mission to prioritise public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from communities throughout the UnitedStates.
PrimeMinister Stuart Young announced that the latest People's National Movement (PNM) scientific poll has revealed that the party can winkeymarginalareasintheApril28general election.
“Our poll says the UNC (United National Congress) is under pressure in San Juan/Barataria,inChaguanasEast,inMayaro, in Cumuto/Manzanilla. The UNC are on the backfootinthoseseatsthattheyhold,”Young told the crowd at the St Mary's Government Primary School on Saturday night. He added that the “sweetest part of it all” was that the poll also showed that, once there is focus, Moruga/TablelandwillalsobethePNM's. “Itisours,bringithome.Theyhavegiven up, bring it home,” he told the exuberant gathering.
Young said the election is less than ten days away and warned that during this week, starting from Sunday, the United National Congressanditselementswouldstepuptheir misinformation campaign including fake polls. “They are going to use everything at their fingertips to try and bring misinformationandtomisleadthecitizensof Trinidad and Tobago The misinformation andthenegativitythey'regoingtopumpfrom
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will support Argentina with upto$10billioninfinancing for the public and private sectors over the next three years,subjecttoapprovalby its Board of Executive Directors.
This commitment complements the country's recent agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
The three-year package includes $7 billion from the IDB to support the public sector and $3 billion from IDB Invest to boost privatesectoractivity
In the first year, the IDB expects to deliver $3 billion
This support is part of a broader international effort to support Argentina's ongoingrecovery Underthe 2025-2028CountryStrategy being developed with national authorities, and in line with the IMF program, theIDBwillsupportreforms that build on the country's efforts
nue improving the efficiency of public spending and create more favorable conditions for private-sector-led development.
IDB President Ilan
Goldfajn said, “The IDB is committed to supporting Argentina's economic program, working closely with the IMF and theWorld Bank We are not only coordinating with the government, we are jointly implementing key measures tosustainandstrengthenthe fiscal discipline achieved under President Milei's administration, while also promoting private-sectorleddevelopment.”
This support reflects the IDB's determination to support Argentina's recovery, working with the government, the private sector, and other key partners to deliver results andimprovelives.
Prime Minister Stuart Young on a walkabout in Moruga/Tableland on Saturday.
tomorrow (Sunday). As I told you, they're coming with a false poll to try and fool the country and fool PNM and fool people who want to associate with us as winners Stay focused, ignore their lies,” Young said as he added that they turn off their radios and televisions.
HesaidthatthePNM'stimingandstrategy are working and its trajectory is moving upward to victory at the April 28 polls. He added that the momentum is picking up and theyouthsarealsogivingthePNMachance.
“The PNM team, the new chapter, we are the winners because we will write that new chaptertogether,”Youngsaid.
( A L J A Z E E R A )
Palestinian Christians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem have marked a second sombre Easter under punishing conditions and Israel's war onGaza.
In the Gaza Strip, where no food or aid has been allowed in by the Israeli military for nearly 50 days, people observed Easter on Sunday at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City amiddeathanddestruction.
Easter celebrations were limitedtoreligiousritualsas families cancelled other gatherings fearing more bombswouldbedroppedby Israeli warplanes, which killeddozensofpeopleinthe besiegedenclaveonSunday. Israeli forces bombed the Saint Porphyrius compound in October 2023, just days after the war began in the aftermath of Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Israel said itwastargeting“terrorists”.
Thatattackkilledatleast 18 displaced Palestinians whohadsoughtrefugeinthe church. More than 51,000 Palestinianshavebeenkilled bytheIsraeliarmysincethe startofthewar
D
thousands of Catholic pilgrims gathered in St
Peter's Square for the Vatican's open-air Easter Mass,PopeFrancisrenewed his call for a ceasefire in Gaza. He also called on the Palestinian armed group Hamas and other groups to release the remaining captivesheldinGaza.
Heavy restrictions in occupiedWestBank
prevented many Christians, including Palestinians, from accessing holy sites for Easter in the occupied West Bank.Israeli police clashed with Christian worshippers andevenapriestastheytried to access the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied EastJerusalem.TheOldCity of Jerusalem was in effect turned by Israeli authorities into a military outpost, said Fathi Nimer, Palestine policy fellow at the AlShabaka think tank. “Some wouldsaythattherearenow more soldiers, security and police officers than worshippers around the Holy Sepulchre,” he toldAl JazeerafromRamallahinthe WestBankonSunday “There are dozens of checkpoints within the city, and these limitations have not only impacted Palestinian Christians from theWestBankbutalsofrom Jerusalem itself and within the 1948 territories.” Nimer
saidpeoplewerebeaten,and Israeli officers and onlookers directed insults andslurstowardsChristians. Only about 6,000 Palestinians from the West Bank received permits to attend Easter services this year, and even the representativeoftheVatican inPalestinewasdeniedentry intothechurch.Nimersaida tightening Israeli chokehold over holy places in the past few years has led to a dwindling number of worshippers of Palestinian origin.“Thisisallpartofthe wider war on Palestinian cultureandidentity.Israelis
basicallysayingtheyhavean exclusiveclaimtoJerusalem andallofPalestine,”hesaid. 'I don't have a permit to goasapastor'
M i t r i R a h e b , a Palestinian pastor and theologian and founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, concurredthatcurrentIsraeli restrictions are among the toughest “I myself as a pastordon'thaveapermitto gofortheHolyWeek,which is the most important week forChristiansthroughoutthe year because Jesus was crucified and risen in Jerusalem,” he told Al
Jazeera. “The PalestinianChristian community that has been there for 2,000 years cannot go there to celebrate and mark this whereitallhappened.”
Raheb said incitement against Palestinian Christians, especially clergy members, has also been on the rise with dozens of incidents of Israeli settler attacksreportedthisyear
“One of the first things you read about in church about Jesus is that he was like a lamb led to the slaughter Butwhenyouhear this today as Palestinian Christians,youthinkit'sour
whole people being led to slaughter, considering what ishappeninginGaza.”
Israeli settlers and politicians,backedbyarmed police and soldiers, have also been increasingly storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to perform Talmudic rituals and challenge its status quo. Non-Muslims are not allowed to worship at the compound of Islam's third holiestsite,whichislocated in East Jerusalem, as part of thestatusquoagreementthat the Israeli government claimsitremainscommitted to.PopeTawadrosII,headof Egypt's Coptic Orthodox C h u r c h , s t r o n g l y condemned the Israeli onslaught on Gaza.
“Palestinians are subject to the most horrific forms of injustice in their daily lives amidthedestructionoftheir homeland,” he told state television during Easter celebrations.
31killed Israeli forces have killed atleast31peopleonSunday, spokesmanfortheGazacivil defenceagencyhastoldAFP new agency Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledges to intensify the war on Gaza afterHamasrejectsanIsraeli proposal for a temporary truce.
(BBC NEWS) The Israeli military has said an "operational misunderstanding" and a "breach of orders" led to the killing of 15 emergency workers in Gaza last month.
An inquiry into the incident by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) foundaseriesoffailings.
The deputy commander of the unit involved has been dismissed "for providing an incomplete and inaccurate report during the debrief".
Fourteen emergency workers andaUNworkerwerekilledon23 MarchafteraconvoyofPalestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulances, a UN car and a fire truckcameunderfirebytheIsraeli military In a statement, the IDF saiditstroopsopenedfirebelieving they were facing a threat from enemyforces.
The IDF said its investigation found six of the casualties were Hamas members, and rejected that there had been summary executions. It did not produce
evidence for any affiliation to Hamas, despite the names of those killed being in the public domain.
The report said the incident took placeinwhatitcalleda"hostileand dangerous combat zone", and that the commander on the ground perceived an immediate and tangible threat after vehicles approachedrapidly
It blamed "poor night visibility", which the IDF said meant the commander did not identify the vehicles as ambulances.
Israel had originally claimed troops opened fire because the convoy approached "suspiciously" in darkness without headlights or flashinglights.Itsaidmovementof the vehicles had not been previously co-ordinated or agreed withthearmy
Butitlatersaidthataccountwas "mistaken" after a video found on the mobile phone of a medic who was killed showed the vehicles with their lights on and their emergencysignalsflashing.
Thefootageshowsthevehicles pulling up on the road when shootingbeginsjustbeforedawn.
The video continues for more than five minutes, with the paramedic saying his last prayers beforethevoicesofIsraelisoldiers areheardapproachingthevehicles. It also shows the vehicles were clearlymarkedandtheparamedics wearing reflective hi-vis uniform. Thebodiesofthe15deadworkers
were buried in sand and not uncovered until a week after the incident because international agencies, including the UN, could not organise safe passage to the areaorlocatethespot.
The Red Crescent and several other international organisations have previously called for an independent investigation into the incident.
The IDF's decision to fire a
commander and discipline another seniorofficerisnotunheardof-the militarydismissedtwoofficersand took action against others after seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen were killed in Apriloflastyear
Israel launched its first major operation in Rafah in May 2024, leaving large parts of it in ruins. Tens of thousands of people returned to what was left of their homes in the city during a recent two-month-longceasefire.
Israel renewed its offensive in Gaza on 18 March after the first phaseoftheceasefiredealcameto anendandnegotiationsonasecond phase of the deal stalled. Israel launched its campaign to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on7October2023,inwhichabout 1,200 people were killed and 251 othersweretakenhostage.
At least 51,201 people have been killed in Gaza since then, accordingtotheterritory'sHamasrunhealthministry.
(BBC Sport) - Holger Runeproducedasensational performance to stun home hero Carlos Alcaraz and claim the Barcelona Open title.
Denmark's Rune matched the Spaniard shotfor-shot and held firm in the tight moments to beat his childhoodfriend7-6(8-6)62.
ItisRune'sfirstATPTour title for two years and his biggest since the Paris Mastersin2022.
Rune, forced to retire in Monte Carlo last week with illness, said afterwards he had been inspired by Novak Djokovic's victory over AlcarazintheOlympicfinal atRolandGarros.
"I told myself OK, what did Novak do when he beat
him?"Rune,21,said.
"Ikindofplayeditinmy mind,theOlympicfinal,and Ithoughttomyselflet'stryto playthatkindofstyle,really makehimplayalotofballs.
"I'm really happy about how I stayed composed whenitreallymattered.Iwas also very brave when it mattered."
Alcaraz, who had been biddingforathirdBarcelona titleinfouryears,missedall four of the break opportunities he created in the second set and also requiredamedicaltimeout.
WhileRunewillreturnto the top 10 on Monday, Alcaraz will be replaced as world number two by AlexanderZverev Germany's Zverev beat Ben Shelton 6-2 6-4 in the
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19
-Todaymayseemlikeoneof thosedaysinwhicheveryone but you has a perfect life, Aries.Realizethatnoonehas aperfectlife.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Today may be serious, Taurus, with clouds looming over your parade. Although the clouds are dark and threatening, that doesn't necessarily mean that rain willpourdown.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Todayisaterrificdayforyou, Gemini.Youhavethechance to start over on many levels, especiallyromanticones.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Thingsarestartingtolighten up for you, Cancer, even though you may find your interactions quite heavy today Don't run away from thefeeling.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Today is a terrific day to let your sensitive, caring nature shine through fully, Leo Surprise someone with roses and a candlelit dinner Take care of the amenities like musicandwine.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Turn over a new leaf with yourlovedonestoday,Virgo. Infuse something new into the relationship. Add a new wave of tenderness and sensuality to the dynamic. If something annoys you about therelationship,.
Munich Open final to claim hisfirsttitleoftheyearonhis 28thbirthday
ThefirstsetinBarcelona wasahigh-qualityencounter between two players born just six days apart and who have been playing one anothersincetheirteens.
Alcaraz broke first, thumping his forehand with increasingferocity,butRune was equally impressive to immediatelyforcethematch backonserve.
Both aggressive baseliners,AlcarazandRune senttheballthuddingaround PistaRafaelNadal,butRune was superior at the net, winning 12 of 16 points there.
Monte Carlo champion Alcaraz fended off four set pointsbutalongforehandin
the tie-break handed the initiativetoRune.
Again, Alcaraz had his chances, missing two break points in Rune's first service game. But at 2-1 up, he left the court for a medical timeout, and could not find hisrhythmonhisreturn.
Rune reeled off the next five games, committing 24 unforced errors to Alcaraz's 33, and ultimately secured victory on a missed Alcaraz forehand.
Thepairaresettoplayin the Madrid Masters, which beginsonTuesday In the men's doubles final,Britain'sLukeJohnson and Dutch partner Sander Arends triumphed 6-3 6-7 (1-7)10-6againstBritispair Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski.
Frompage23 homegameswithoutscoring - will return to the Championship after a disappointingseasonbackin thetopflight.
Arsenalbeat10-man Ipswichtodelay Liverpooltitleparty
ArsenaldeniedLiverpool thechancetowinthePremier League title this weekend as they comfortably beat 10man Ipswich at Portman Road.In their first match sinceseeingoffRealMadrid to reach the Champions League semi-finals, the Gunners produced another excellent display against an Ipswich side on the verge of r
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
You're going to feel extra connected with the people around you today, Libra. Go outandhaveagoodtimewith lovedones.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
There's an Earthy weightiness to today You could feel like your relationshipsareinadifficult situation,Scorpio.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Your love, generosity, and sense of beauty a
h e i g h t e n e
d a y, Sagittarius. If there's one thing you need to do, it's go outsideandwatchthesunset. The romantic, creative, and beautifulsideofallthings.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Let your guard down today, Capricorn.Don'tfeellikeyou need to perform for anyone. Acceptthenotionthatyou're perfectthewayyouare.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Reconnect with your selfworthtoday,Aquarius,andsay out loud, "I am awesome!" You'regoodatextendingyour heart to others and helping themwiththeirissues
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Stay at home tonight and cook a delicious meal for you and someone you love, Pisces You will gravitate towardbeauty,bothtangible and intangible In fact, it might be a good day to go shopping
They doubled their lead after more good work by Saka, whose cross into the area was cleverly flicked on byMikelMerinoforGabriel Martinelli to tap into an emptynet.Ipswich'staskwas thenmadeevenharderwhen Leif Davis was shown a red cardinthe32ndminutefora poortackleonSaka.
Trossard added his second of the game in the 69thminutewhenhefinished smartly from inside the area after a well-worked Arsenal shortcorner.SubstituteEthan Nwaneri scored a fourth for Arsenalwithadeflectedshot twominutesfromtime.
dominatedfromkick-offand took the lead in the 14th minute when Bukayo Saka's crossintotheboxwashelped on by a slight touch from Martin Odegaard and turned into the net by Leandro Trossard.
The Gunners had good chances to score more - one forMerinoandtwoforSakaandMikelArtetawouldhave expectedthemtobetaken.
This was Ipswich's seventhhomedefeatof2025, which leaves them clinging on to their Premier League statusforonemoreweek.
Frompage22 long-on first ball after the powerplayandwascaughtby David at long-on. Shreyas Iyer then fell soon after for 6 caught splendidly by Krunal moving to his left from longon with Romario Shepherd pickinghisfirstwicketforthe season. It's been an all-ornothing season for Iyer In eight innings, he's had three fifty-plus and five sub-ten scores.
A needless run out had NehalWadhera walking back before Suyash sent back Josh InglisandMarcusStoinisina single over as PBKS slipped to 114 for 6 after 14. PBKS managedonly67runsandlost five wickets in the middle overs (between seven to 17), and that was always going to hurtthem.
Adeath-oversmasterclass By the time the 17th over arrived, Marco Jansen and Shashank Singh were relatively set Both these batters have an impressive death-oversstrikerateandcan hit a long ball. Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood though had otherideas.
The duo put in a proper masterclass in death bowling and left PBKS nowhere According to ESPNcricinfo's ball-by-ball data, the duo landedeightyorkersinthelast fourovers,andgaveawayjust one boundary - a six off the final ball of the innings PBKSdidnotloseawicketin these four overs but could onlymanage28runs,andthat wasnevergoingtobeenough.
(ESPN Cricinfo)Anotherawaygame,another Royal Challengers Bengaluru(RCB)wininIPL 2025;itwastheirfifthinfive matches and this one has takenthemtotenpointsand thirdonthepointstable.Less than 48 hours after going downathome,RCBwentup north to Mullanpur and exacted revenge from Punjab Kings (PBKS) in comprehensivefashion.
TheRCBbowlershardly gave away anything as PBKSwererestrictedto156 for 7 In reply, the chasemasterViratKohliwas atitagainasherecordedhis 67th fifty-plus score in the IPL, the most for any batter Devdutt Padikkal also recordedhisfirstIPLfiftyof the season as RCB romped home with seven balls to spareandbysevenwickets. RCBhadnohesitationin
bowling on what Rajat Patidar called a "decent" surface. For the first six overs, it seemed that it was more than just decent as PBKS smashed 62 in the p o w e r p l a y w i t h Prabhsimran Singh going big.
Then the RCB spinners came to the fore, and it was one-way traffic thereon.
Krunal Pandya picked 2 for 25 in his four overs, Suyash Sharma returned 2 for 26 as RCBputalidonthescoring in the middle overs. Josh H a z l e w o o d a n d Bhuvneshwar Kumar then put on a death-bowling masterclass, hardly giving PBKSaninch.
In the chase, Arshdeep Singh got Phil Salt for the fourth time in T20s, but Kohli and Padikkal added 103 off 69 balls for the second wicket to keep RCB
on track. Even as Padikkal and Patidar fell, Kohli held his own to remain unbeaten on 73 off 54 as RCB kept their 100% away record intact.
Thechasemaster
There is an inevitability when it comes to Kohli and chasing middling totals. He
seemstohavethescoringall mappedout.Howmanyruns to get, the required rate, whentoattack,whentohold himself back. A 158-chase gave him all those liberties. He hit five fours in his first 20 balls, all inside the powerplay Thenforthenext 24balls,hehitnone.Hewas
content with taking the ones and the twos, handing back the strike to the more aggressive Padikkal, but ensured he stayed put. He struck two fours and a six after recording his fifty off 43 balls, and stayed unbeaten till the end to take RCB over the line with plentytospare.
Kohli's 73* was his 67th fifty-plus score in the IPL, which is the most for any batter in the history of the league. That it came in an RCB win will please Kohli tonoend.
Padikkal'swelcome returntoform
It's been a patchy IPL 2025 for Padikkal. In fact, it's been a patchy couple of yearsintheIPL.Hislastfifty in the league came in IPL 2023, incidentally against PBKS when he was playing for Rajasthan Royals. But when it mattered, he's come good.Padikkal was beaten on the upper-cut first ball. Thatdidn'tdeterhim,andhe went again the next ball and carved Arshdeep over the keeper for four With Kohli going strong, he took the aggressive route. There was an all-run four before he thumped Xavier Bartlett across the line for six Harpreet Brar was spanked for four before Yuzvendra Chahal was whacked across the line for six. Padikkal racedtohisfiftyoff30balls.
He got a high-five from Kohli, and as he raised his bat, for the first time in 14
IPLinningsandthefirsttime sinceMay2023,therewasa certain amount of relief on Padikkal'sface.
Hecelebratedbygoing4 and6againstMarcusStoinis before finally holding out to long-on for a 35-ball 61 but not before giving RCB a certain amount of cruise controlinthechase.
PBKS'powerplay toremember
The story, however, looked quite different six overs into the match Bhuvneshwar, who has a good match-up against Prabhsimran, started with a two-run first over The next five, though, belonged to PBKS.PriyanshArya'spickup pull off Yash Dayal got the hosts' six counter running. He drove Dayal through covers again before Prabhsimran smashed Bhuvneshwarforthreefours inthethirdover:aguidepast short third, a slap through point and pull through midwicket.
Arya and Prabhsimran took23offHazlewood'sfirst two overs Arya fell to Krunal, his top-edge going asfarasmid-offbutat62for 1 after six, the powerplay was PBKS' all the way through.
Themiddle-oversqueeze RCBhaveoftenreliedon their pacers for the wickets so far this season On Sunday, it was the RCB spinners coming to the fore. Prabhsimran failed to clear (Continuedonpage19)
Frompage24
the 50th minute with a smoothfinishfromthetopof the box, bringing the final score to 8-0 in favor of Herstelling Raiders a commanding victory that sent a message to the rest of theleague.
SwanFC4–0
FriendshipFC
In the second fixture, Swan FC stamped their authority with a convincing 4-0 victory over Friendship FC. The tempo was set early by Joel Gilkes, who calmly slotted the opener past the keeper in the 6th minute.
ShakibAndrews doubled the advantage in the 11th with a sharpfinishfromcloserange aftersustainedpressure.
Kevan Charles added to the tally in the 27th minute, breaking away from the defensive line and finishing with precision. Gilkes, ever the danger man, wrapped up the scoring with his second
goal of the day in the 54th minute, capping off an excellent team performance forSwanFC.
Timehri United vs AgricolaFC–Walkover
In the day's final scheduled match, Timehri United was awarded a walkover victory after Agricola FC failed to show up for the encounter, resulting in all three points goingtoTimehribydefault.
The EBFA U14 Boys League continues to provide a vital platform for young footballers to sharpen their skills, build team spirit, and thrill supporters. With standout talents like Forde, Gaspar,Sampson,andGilkes lighting up the field, the future of football in the East Bankdistrictlooksincredibly bright.Stay tuned for more updates as the league continuesnextweekendwith more exciting fixtures and risingstarsondisplay
(ESPN Cricinfo) - Mumbai Indians (MI) put together a third straight win in IPL 2025 as they outgunned a Chennai Super Kings (CSK) side shorn of hitting power. Thelackofbattingshowedinhow theyplayedahighlycageybrandof cricket, only targeting certain pockets and conceding match-ups without protest. It took them three overs to hit a boundary, then they went 27 balls in the middle overs without even attempting one, only tocapitoffwithnoboundaryinthe 17th and 18th overs, bowled by MI's best bowlers on the night:
Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner
NotonlydidMImanagearunrate boost with the win that takes them to eight points in eight matches,theyalsowelcomedRohit Sharma back to runs. Rohit scored hisfirstfiftythisIPL-hisprevious highest was 26 - they put together their first half-century opening stand this IPL, and Suryakumar Yadav got the better of CSK's spin threatwithhisvarioussweeps.
CSK'sslowstart This match was played on the
pitch that produced 430 runs for RCB and MI. The toss, as usual, was a big advantage at Wankhede. Whichshouldmakeitimportantto lookforabove-parscores,butCSK tookthepragmaticroute:don'trisk 120 all out looking for 200 Consequently, their openers tested waters for too long, timing shots straight to fielders. When Shaik Rasheed finally hit one in the air, andforafour,CSKhadonly16in threeovers.
17-year-oldintentmachine
RachinRavindrabynowfelthe had to target the change bowler without a sighter He looked to go bigdowntheground,andedgedthe first ball by Ashwani Kumar His replacement at the wicket, CSK's younger player of all time, the 17year-old Ayush Mhatre injected some life to the innings with flair reminiscent of Dwayne Bravo. It still meant only 48 runs in the powerplay The unperturbed MI stayed with Deepak Chahar for a fourth straight over, eventually resulting in the legcutter that got Mhatreoutfor32off15.
Thestop-startend
Leicester City's Stephy Mavididi in action with Liverpool's Conor Bradley (Reuters)
(BBC Sport) - Trent
Alexander-Arnold came off the bench to claim a late winner and moveLiverpoolwithinthreepoints of the Premier League title and relegateLeicesterCity
The full-back, who has yet to sign a new contract and been heavily linked with a free transfer move to Real Madrid at the end of theseason,struck14minutesfrom time at King Power Stadium after the leaders had been frustrated by thedoomedFoxes.
Alexander-Arnold enjoyed a dreamreturn,sinceanankleinjury in early March, by scoring with a left-footedangledeffort,following efforts by Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota against the woodwork in a goalmouth scramble.And the 26-year-old showed what the moment meant by ripping off his
Santner produced a beauty in the eighth over at 77kmph to have Rasheed stumped on the defence, but that brought together Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja. They have batting behind these two, but it's MS Dhoni, Jamie Overton and Vijay Shankar So these two decided not to hit anything even thoughtheircomingtogethermeant Santner was taken off despite figures of 2-0-8-1. Put together, CSK didn't make a boundary attempt between Mhatre's dismissalandthereturnofBoultin the12thover
TobefairtoCSK,theydidwell when they went after Boult and Ashwani,taking85inthesixovers bowledbythem.Duberacedaway from 16 off 19 to a 30-ball fifty
evenasJadejahoveredaroundarun aball.However,whenBumrahgot Dubewithaslowerball,itallowed MI to bring back Santner for the 18thoverbecauseDhoniandJadeja wereinthemiddle.
Santner bowled the 18th withoutaboundary,anditwasonly alatesurgefromJadejaoffBoultin the last over that took CSK to a modicumofrespectability.
Rohitgetsthechasegoing MI have been resurgent in recent times, but they might feel this was the final missing piece in the puzzle. A sizeable opening partnership, and Rohit carrying on fromaquickstart.Hewassevereon earlyerrorsfromthequickbowlers, haring away to 32 off 18 in the powerplay, hitting three sweetly
timed sixes. Only R Ashwin managed to keep him quiet. However, he went on to get the better of Ashwin when he slogswept him for a six in the eighth over.
SuryanullifiesJadeja, anddoesn'tlookback Thatsixstilldidn'ttakeRohitto a run a ball in his head-to-head against Ashwin in all these years, but it must have provided him a senseofvictoryagainsthisoldfoe. Rohit was not the only one getting better of nemeses. Suryakumar enteredthismatchwithjust50runs and four dismissals off 65 Jadeja deliveries It was Jadeja that brought Suryakumar into the middle with the wicket of Ryan Rickletonintheseventhover Inthe ninthover,SuryadroveJadejaover extra cover for four followed by a swept six, his first career six off Jadeja.
This was only a harbinger of what was to come. In all, Surya playedninesweepsforawhopping 35 runs. Three of them flew over the ropes, four others ended in the advertising boards. He outpaced Rohit with ease, and his flourish madesureMIgotabitnet-run-rate boost, winning with 4.2 overs to spare.
-YouthgamesnowslatedforThursdayatFarnumGround
The USA-based Pele FC AlumniCorporationkickedoffthe annual Educational/Development Youth Week Celebration 2025 editiononSaturday,April19,with a Recognition Luncheon at the Herdmanston Lodge, Peter Rose andAniraStreets,Georgetown.
The activity was attended by two of the three awardees, the Chairman and Executive of the Pele FC Alumni, President, Executive and senior players of PeleFootballClub.
shirt, then celebrating wildly with the joyous Liverpool fans before hangingitfromthecornerflag.
ArneSlot'ssidearenowsetfor a title party at Anfield against Tottenham Hotspur next Sundayalthough the celebrations could startsoonerdependingontheresult of Arsenal's home game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday Alexander-Arnold's finish came as a relief after Salah almost opened thescoringintheopeningseconds, only to see his low drive hit both posts, whileWilfred Ndidi also hit the woodwork for Leicester early on.
The stage is now set for Liverpool's coronation as champions, while the Foxes - who became the first side in top-flight history to go nine consecutive (Continuedonpage21)
Alumni Chairman, Denis 'Ivor' Carrington who chaired the proceedingsexpressedgratitudeto his colleagues in the USA who made the time for the past decade and more to make the trip to Guyana where they seek to empower the youth through different initiatives Carrington notedthattheyhavebeenmakinga huge sacrifice to garner the necessary funds and invest in their timetogivebacktothelandoftheir birth, something which they will continuetodo.
Recognised for their sterling contributions towards the success ofthePeleFCAlumniEducational Programme were Banks DIH and Mortimer Stewart for their unflinching and committed backing.
Ms. Dawn Braithwaite for her commitment and unwavering
dedication to the programme over theyears.CurrentPeleFCCaptain, Shemroy Arthur was recognized for the quality leadership he has broughttotheteamwhichhasseen them being crowned division one champions of the Georgetown Football League Arthur was unavoidably absent, and his award was received by his Vice-Captain, KingSolomonAustin.Meanwhile, some120studentswillbeinvolved in the annual two-day Educational Programme slated to take place at the Marian Academy on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week Several presenters will be sharing with the attendees who will be between the ages of 14-18. School supplieswillbedistributedtoeach participant at the end of the
programme.Andtheannualdayof football which was scheduled for last Wednesday at the Ministry of Education Ground was rained out like many other activities. This event will now be held at the Farnum Ground this Thursday from 15:00hrs Three matches wouldbeplayedbeginningwithan Under-13 clash between Pele and VurlonMillsAcademyfollowedby a senior clash between Pele and Camptown with the night capper being an under-19 showdown betweenPeleandBuxtonStars. Buxton Stars won 3-1 in 2023, with Pele turning the tables last year by the lone goal of that encounter which makes this year's clashapotentiallymouth-watering showdown.
By Samuel Whyte
The Sporting
Fraternity in Berbice, Guyana, WestIndiesandfurtherafield are presently mourning the lossofanironicandversatile sportsman extraordinaire Milton Robert Augustus Pydana.
Pydana died recently in the United States after a periodofillness.
He was born on January 27,1950,atSmithfield,New
Amsterdam, Berbice,
Guyana, and was a distinguished Guyanese who excelled in a number of sporting disciplines He showedsportingpowersatan early age, excelling at cricket, Athletics and Football among other sports disciplinessinceatschool.
A staunch Anglican, Pydana was an avid churchman. He attended the All-Saints Anglican Church where he served as an altar boy His educational career saw him attending Vryman's ErvenPrimarySchool,Scots School and Wilson's High SchoolinNewAmsterdam.
Pydanawassobrilliantin the many sports disciplines that he participated in; he could have represented Guyana in all. But it was cricketthatheexcelledin,to suchanextentthathewenton
torepresenttheWestIndies. A talented wicketkeeper and middle-order batsman, Pydana played first-class cricket for Guyana for 17 seasons.
He first represented Guyana as a teen in 1969 in theBatYouthChampionship in Trinidad and Tobago. He was immediately impressive behindthestumpstakingfive catches against the Twin IslandRepublic.
His ascendency to the senior regional first-class levelcametwoyearslaterin 1971 against Barbados at KensingtonOval.
Pydana Began his first division cricket career in 1969 playing for the Mental Hospital in the Davson Cup in Berbice. The following yearhemadehisU-19debut in Trinidad. He joined the GuyanaPoliceForceandwas a vital member of the police team. He also played firstdivision cricket for Georgetown Cricket Club and the Guyana Defence Force.
He scored his first, firstclass century playing for Berbice against Demerara in 1978. During that game, he alsotookfivecatchesbehind the stumps in the second innings, a feat still unmatched in First Class cricket by a Guyanese
Regarded as one of the most naturally talented wicketkeepers produced by Guyana.
Pydanawasamemberof theGuyanateamthatwonthe Shell Shield Inter Territorial four-dayCricketcompetition in1973,1975and1983.The 1983teamwonthedoublein additiontotheShellShieldit also won the Geddes Grant Championships His outstanding and consistent performance propelled him to the position of captain of Berbice and the Guyana teams He was Guyana's Captain when it won the Geddes Grant Harrison Line Championshipin1985.
He had a prolific year in 1980. Thesaidyearhemade his ODI debut for the West Indies against Pakistan in Karachi. Pydanaalsotoured with the West Indies cricket team in, 1981, 1983-84. He was the West Indies standby wicketkeeper for the 1983 ICCWorldCupinEngland. Described as a humble and great son of the soil, Pydana played his last Regional First-Class match for Guyana against the Leeward Islands at the Antigua Recreation ground in the 1988 Red Stripe Cup. BeforemigratingtotheUSA, the following year where he
continued his cricketing career He served as an assistantcoachandmentored numerousplayers.
His first-class record showed that he played 85 matches, scoring two centuries.Asawicketkeeper, he took 152 catches and had 36stumpings.
His limited-over career showedhehad29dismissals in 24 Regional One-Day games. He played three ODI for the West Indies with two dismissals.
Pydana is the only Guyanese wicketkeeper to have featured for the West Indies in One Day International cricket. He is alsotheonlywicketkeeperto lead Guyana to a Regional One Day Championship whichhedidin1985.
Described as majestic, Pydana showed exceptional all-round athletic prowess from an early age. As a sprinter, he participated in the NationalTrack and Field Competiton at age 14. He was described as a talented goalkeeper with quick reflexes and a fearless defensive style since age 16.
His wicket
ng excellence,itwasstated,was
exceptional goalkeeping skills.
He was one of the outstanding cricketers inducted into the Berbice CricketBoardHallofFame.
Last year March, Pydana was back home where he attended the reunion of the 1983 Guyana championship team.
Many of his children excelled in sports and
athletes. Marcia, represented Guyana at basketball while Imogen was a national high jumperwhoreportedlybroke the school high jump record ateverylevel,attheNational SchoolChampionships. Pydana is expected to be buried in Guyana The President, executives and members of the BCB extend theirdeepestsympathytothe family,friendsandassociates of the late Milton Robert AugustusPydana.
Providence,Guyana–TheEast BankFootballAssociation(EBFA) U14 Boys League delivered another action-packed weekend of youth football on Saturday, April 19,withthreescheduledfixturesat the GFF National Training Centre (NTC), Providence From the opening whistle, the crowd was treated to thrilling individual performances,relentlessteamplay, and a showcase of some of the brightest young talents in the region.
HerstellingRaiders
8–0KuruKuruFC
The opening match kicked off at 11:00AM under overcast skies, with dark rain clouds threatening overhead. But even the weather couldn't overshadow the brilliance of Herstelling Raiders, who launched a high-pressing, dominant performance against Kuru Kuru FC from the LindenSoesdykeHighway
It took just two minutes for the floodgates to open. Speedy right winger Samuel Gaspar ignited the Raiders' onslaught with a thundering right-footed strike that piercedthelowerleftcornerofthe net,settingthetoneforwhatwould become a one-sided affair Just 17 minuteslater,Raiders'talismanand current tournament top scorer Wayshawn Forde curled in a
Ebo McNeil's bronze medal in the Boys' 3000m was Guyana's only podium finish on day two of this year's CARIFTA Games in TrinidadandTobago.
McNeil, a National
Youth Table Tennis
champion, made a remarkable debut after falling just short of a medal in the Boys' U17 1500m in theTwin Island Republic on the opening day of the championships.
It was a race filled with strategy, to the point where McNeil led the pack before beingreeledbackin.
However, when the dust settled,TrinidadandTobago claimedthetoptwospotson t h e p o d i u m , w i t h ChristopherSammywinning in9:11.51andArmaniDillon takingsilverin9:12.22.
McNeil, who had a stellar performance at the N a t i o n a l S c h o o l s Championship representing Mackenzie High School, bounced back with a strong finish in the final 80 metres, clockingnineminutes,22.61 seconds (9:22.61) to secure thirdplace.
Thanks to McNeil, Guyanaendeddaytwoofthe Caribbean'smostprestigious athletics championship with four medals – one gold, one silver,andtwobronze.
AttoyaHarvey,whowon the 3000m in 2022 and
CARIFTA Games, Javon Roberts booked his spot in theBoys'U20800mfinal.
The Boys' U17 800m champion from 2023 clocked 1:56.83, edging out D'AngeloBrownofGrenada (1:56.89) and Trinidad and Tobago's Omare Thompson (1:57 07) in a tightly contestedheat.
Roberts will be joinedin thefinalbyKaidonPersaud, who posted a strong 1:55.00 to finish third in his qualifyingheat.
Bryson Anderson has alsoqualifiedforthefinalof the Boys' U17 800m, after finishing fourth in his heat with a time of 2:01 66 However, his teammate Keith Shepherd's time of 2:04.46 was not fast enough to advance to the medal round.
earned silver in both 2023 and2024,fellshortthistime around and did not make it ontothepodium.
Harvey remains one of Guyana's most decorated athletes at the CARIFTA Games, having amassed a total of six medals since her debutin2022,includingone gold, three silver, and two bronze.
Meanwhile, on a day marked by chaos at the
Guyana will have no representation in the Girls' U17800mfinal,afterEsther McKinnon and Kaymayra Laconfailedtoqualifyfrom theirrespectiveheats.
McKinnon clocked 2:21 68, while Lacon registered2:36.86.
Over in the 200m, WaltonAlleynewonhisU20 200mheat,registering21.97 seconds to advance to tonight'sfinal.
However, his teammate Trevor Easton narrowly missedout,finishinghisheat in22.01seconds,whichwas
It was a tight finish for Javon Roberts in the Boys U20 800m semis. He advanced to the finals. (PHOTO: News Room/Jeremy Jagroop)
not fast enough to see him through.
No other Guyanese athletes advanced to the finals of the 200m in their respectivecategories.
Therelayeventsbrought
more drama than hope for Guyana.
Meanwhile, the Boys' U174x100mrelayteamwas disqualified after a baton exchange occurred outside thedesignatedzone.
Themisstepcameduring the exchange from the third runner to the anchor leg, invalidating their time of 43.82seconds,whichwould have placed them second in theirheat.
