Norton says will back ring-fencing if US$19B cost for three projects has been recovered
...unaware over US$34B already recovered by ExxonMobil
Table showing the six projects approved to date that have been paid for by Guyana, according to the cost recovered so far
OverUS$34Bincosthas been recovered to date by ExxonMobil but the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Nortonappearedunawareof this fact during his weekly pressconferenceonFriday He was asked by this newspaper whether he supports the statements by the Alliance For Change (AFC) that the seventh oil project- Hammerheadshould not be approved without a ring-fencing provision.
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) previously indicated that it would assess each project to determine whether ringf e n c i n g w o u l d b e appropriate.
Norton explained on Friday, “We have generally said that we believe ringfencing is a useful tool; that wewilllookateveryspecific caseandensurethereisringfencing.”
Hewentontoadmitthat he has not yet reviewed the figures relating to cost recovery in the Stabroek Block, but should it be discovered that the cost investedinthethreeprojects currently producing oil then it would throw its support behindring-fencing.
It is public knowledge that the country’s first three oil projects, Liza One, Liza Two and Payara carry a collective price tag of about US$19B. Meanwhile, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo earlier this year informed R e u t e r s t h a t t h e ExxonMobil-led consortium has recovered a whopping US$33.9B as at the end of January2025.
Be that as it may, the Opposition Leader confessed, “I have not looked at the figures, but
AFC called for government to ring-fence the seventh oil project.
“Regardless of oil price, becauseoilpriceswillgoup and down ring-fencing should be a requirement on the table to start the discussion with Exxon” formerExecutiveDirectorof the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams told reporters at a recent media conference.
Ring-fencing
Aring-fencing provision would mandate that only costs associated with that development is recovered from the specific project when it starts producing oil.
This would avoid the operator, ExxonMobil from addingotherexpensestothe cost bank which are not related to that project and ensure a higher share of
revenue is available to be splitwiththecountry
The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) stipulates that 75% of oil produced monthlycanberecoveredby the operator to cover expenses The remaining 25% is then shared equally between the Government of Guyana (GoG) and the oil companyasprofits,withthe country receiving an additional2%royalty
when we do look at the figures, if we are satisfied thatthecosthasalreadybeen recovered from the initial investment, we will surely support ring-fencing but at thisstage,Ijustdon’twantto speak for the sake of speaking.”
Thisnewspaperhowever pointed out that the application for the seventh projecthasbeenpendingfor weeks now and asked the Leader how much time he would need to review the numbers.
To this end, Norton reasoned, “The issue here is nothowlongittakes.Tome when you are doing ringfencing, it’s to protect your resources and to ensure that there is not the use of resources from one project on another project and it is for that we need clear data and will support ringfencing once the money that was invested and there was the appropriate return under the investment, we will support ring-fencing in that circumstance.”
In a subsequent interview with this newspaper, the Leader confirmed that he was referring to the cost of the three projects currently producingoil.
He said, “At this stage it has to be the three in operation ” As such, Kaieteur News pointed out that Exxon has so far recoveredmorethanthecost ofthosedevelopments.
Norton therefore reasoned,“Wellifthatisthe case,Idon’thavethefigures, but(if)Igetthosefiguresand I confirm that, I would believe ring-fencing would beappropriate.”
On Friday, this publication reported that the
Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton
KaieteurNews
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Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The Speaker, a shaky figure
Whentheindividualrecordsofthiscountry'sSpeakerof the National Assembly (Speaker), Guyana's most august house, are compiled, that of the current holder is going to sufferfromsomewhiplash. Ifthoserecordsareneutral,the workoftoday'sSpeakerwillhoversomewherebetweenthe disastrousandtheridiculous. Weatthispaperthinkthathe has called that upon himself, in that he has gone from gatekeeper of the business of the people, to what is the equivalent of a prison warden. Nothing passes through under his watch, so vigilant is he to protect the government's weak spots, its priorities. Just recently, the Speakerdidtheunthinkableinitially:amomentofsilence outofrespectforafallencitizenwasfirstmetwiththegavel ofhisobjection. Itwasashockingdenial.
TotheSpeaker'scredit,someinstanceofcommonsense, a rare moment of self-regard, overcame his tendency to object and block what even gives the faintest whiff of a concern for the government. Speakers of the House in Guyana are expected to be in favour of those who are responsibleforthembeingwheretheyare. But,theholder oftheelevatedofficeofSpeakeroftheNationalAssembly shouldnotbearobotorabot,onethatoccupiesabox,and from which there is neither separating nor emerging. A moment of silence in a time of difficulty has some aura, some undefined power, that holds everyone together for a shortmoment. Butofthat,evenofthat,theSpeakerbalked atthebeginning,andthenthankfullychangedhismind.
DidtheSpeakerlabourunderthatcalamityofamannot havingamindofhisown,noranystrengthremaining? He had to take a long pause, but why, and that is the question that troubles many Guyanese. He had to go over in his mind,orreachforotherguidingminds,onwhethertoagree to a moment of silence. When even basic thinking, the appearanceofcertainhallowedthings,nolongermatter,it isobviousthattheGuyanaSpeakerisinaworldofhisown, andaclassofhisownmaking. Whatharmcouldtherebe over a moment of silence in circumstances that literally were crying out for it? We think that the Speaker is not someheartlessmanmadeofstone,buthedidendupwhere he did. It was to stand like some draconian immigration officerandsayingthatthatcannotcomehere,orpasshere.
Guyana as a country may be at the heights economically,atleastonspreadsheetsandnewssheets. But Guyana as a country is also at its lowest depths where its human capital is concerned. When the keenest and most luminous citizens flee for decades to take up residence all over the world, then the residue is mostly found wanting. Whatisleftoftenendsupinparliamentandinthehighest seatsofpower Thelocalrecordisthereforalltoexamine, anditisacauseforshame.
When issues of the most demanding nature are consistently blocked from moving forward in the people's parliament, then only the hollow and the safe are debated. Thereis the Speaker, and he is apparentlyin love with his roleasparliamentarycensor TheSpeakerisnothingifnot a steady hand at the wheel. He first blocks a moment of silence relative to a mystery tragedy, and then does the opposite in the instance of oil. He insists upon silence on suchissues,standsinthewayofthoseclamoringfortabling anddiscussingofmattersthatmentionoilinitspages.
The Speaker of Guyana's foremost house presents a perfectreflectionofhowthoroughthegovernmentis. The governmentisuncannilysuccessfulinsinglingoutasetof citizenswhoknowhowtoholdtheline,regardlessofwhat the law and custom require. There is the Office of the Commissioner of Information, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Office of the President. All are mostly populatedbypeoplewithhistoryandpedigree. Theypass musterwithpoliticalduties,nationaldutiesandstandards, however,exposetheirdeficiencies.
Condemn Attack on Hindu Goddess Lakshmi
DearEditor,
Iwritetocondemninthe strongest terms the local “song”, if it can be called t h a t , d e r o g a t i n g , disparaging,anddenigrating
(Lakshmi, Goddess of
, lascivious language The song is blasphemous and is deeply obscene, insulting anddisrespectfultofemales. The authorities must take appropriateaction.
Hindus as well as nonHindusareirate.Icommend P
d
nt I
Ali, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Minister Priya Manickchand, Dharmic Sabhaandothersforpublicly condemning the singer, using the pseudonym “Baby Skello”. I await a statement
of condemnation from other membersofthegovernment, the government itself, the opposition, and the Ethnic RelationsCommission.
Condemnation is not enough.Thesingershouldbe arrested, interviewed, and chargedforcrimecommitted against a faith and the potential it has for creating religious violence in the society
The singer's words expose a certain mindset howhefeelsabouttheHindu Goddesses and the faith Hinduismistheonlyfaithin whichthelordcanbemaleor female.Therearealsoothers who think like the singer in our diverse society, displaying intolerance of eachotherbasedonfaithand race. There are Guyanese
who displayed hate for HinduismandHindusoutof prejudice and ignorance, wrongly thinking about aspectsofthepracticesofthe faith. There are a lot of u n t r u t h s a n d misunderstandings against the faith. This was recently revealed following a drowning incident in T u s c h e n T h e s e misunderstandings about Hindu practices need to be corrected.Hinduismisbeing smeared with practices that
a propaganda that is hateful andbigoted.
In our current political and cultural environment, it is obvious that people don't understand the various religionsandpracticesinour
country No faith should be fairgameforattack. In disparaging a God of Hinduism, it is an attack on Hindus. It must be told that theHindufaithbringssolace to countless people in Guyana and almost a billion worldwide.Everyoneshould beunitedincondemningthe lyrics. Onemustnotallowa response to this abuse with silence. When it comes to religion and religious figures, prophets, Gods, Goddesses,etc.,peoplemust be more aware of being respectful. A faith or one's belief should never be disparaged or attacked especially in a multireligious and multiethnic societylikeours.
Yoursfaithfully, Vishnu
Bisram
Condemnation of disrespect towards any religion
DearEditor,
I have not listened to the song by Baby Skello that is reportedly disrespectful to Hindus, nor do I intend to. However, several posts and comments indicate that the song disrespects the revered Hindu deity, Mother Lakshmi, and I strongly condemn such disrespect
Thissongshouldbebanned, andBabySkellomustoffera sincere and unequivocal public apology for his
actions.
In a diverse nation like ours, there must be zero tolerance for any form of religious disrespect Such behaviour should never be condoned by anyone, regardless of the religion involved.
As a practising Muslim withmanyHindurelatives,I feel their pain deeply My surname is of Hindu origin, and I understand the sorrow that comes when one's
Bank of Guyana
beliefs are mocked or belittled.Justasitwouldhurt me deeply if my religion, Islam, were disrespected, I empathise with the Hindu communityinthismatter
TheQur'aninstructsusto honour and respect others, evenwhenwedifferinfaith. Itsays: "And do not insult those theyinvokeotherthanAllah, lest they insult Allah in e n m i t y w i t h o u t knowledge…"
(SurahAl-An'am,6:108)
This verse reminds us thatmutualrespectisasocial valueandadivinecommand. Therefore, I call on all Guyanese,regardlessoffaith or background, to condemn and reject the song and the behaviour it represents. Let us unite and ensure that Guyana remains a place of religious harmony, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
ShazadSookram
violating customers
constitutional right to communicate
DearEditor, The Bank of Guyana continues to violate the constitutional right of citizens to communicate by banning the use of mobile phoneswhiletheyareinside thebank.
OnMay8,2025,Ivisited the Bank of Guyana to exchange some $5,000 bills for$500and$100notes.The line I joined had about ten persons ahead of me. After waiting for over 30 minutes, onlytwocustomershadbeen served, as their transactions werelengthy
As I stood there, my knees began to feel strained fromthewait.Iattemptedto make a phone call and message my staff, and I also
wanted to check in with my AFC colleagues via our WhatsApp group. However, whenItriedtousemyphone, a bank officer told me that phoneuseisnotallowedand that I would have to step outsidetouseit.
Editor, customers are often forced to wait one to three hours at the bank, dependingonthecomplexity of others' transactions. As a businessmanandpolitician,I receive calls and messages constantly Failing to respondpromptlyresultsina backlog of unread and u n a n s w e r e d communications Time is money, and after waiting a longwhile,Irealizeditcould takeuptotwomorehoursfor
my turn. It no longer made sense to wait, so I left without completing my transaction.
The bank's policy has effectively hindered my freedom to access information and my right to communicate.IfIreceiveten important calls while waiting, I must walk outside the bank each time—about 30feeteachway Thisbackand-forthdisruptsmyability toattendtopressingmatters. I am also unable to pass the time productively, whether byreadingnews,replyingto emails, or even simply playingagametorelievethe stressofwaiting. Iwastoldthatthereason for this ban is concern that
someone inside the bank might relay information to accomplices outside about customers carrying large sums of cash, potentially aiding criminal activity I do notknowhowfrequentsuch incidents have been at the Bank of Guyana, but I strongly believe that this doesnotjustifyinfringingon the constitutional right to communicate.
I hereby call on the Governor of the Bank of Guyana to reconsider and removethisbanonphoneuse insidethebank.Itisapolicy thathindersproductivityand violatesbasicfreedoms.
Sincerely, MichaelCarrington ViceChairman,AFC
Energy Agency highlights guidelines for...
Frompage5 cylinder, as this helps to ensure secure connections. Checkthattherubbersealon the cylinder valve is intact andproperlyfitted.
Firmly attach the regulator to the top of the cylinder, ensuring it is securely in place according to the supplier's operating instructionsforattachingthe regulator, hose, and clamps tothespecificcylinder
The hose should be inserted fully into the regulator's outlet, with clamps properly positioned aroundboththehoseandthe outlet.Avoidusingexcessive pressure when attaching the clamps, as this could cause perforations, cracks, or breaksinthehose.
When using cylinders, it is crucial to ensure that the stove knobs and regulator are in the OFF position before disconnecting and connecting a cylinder Care should be taken not to connect or disconnect a
cylinder near a heat source, including heat-emitting
appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers,generators,andwater pumpsetc.,smokeoranaked flame.
Before lighting a match, ensure that the knobs on the stoveareintheOFFposition before lighting a match Light the match before turningthestoveknobtothe ONposition.
Itshouldalsobeensured thattheregulatorattachedto the cylinder is in the OFF positionwhenthecylinderis notinuse.
Also, check that the stove knobs are in the OFF position during and after cleaningthestovetoprevent any hazards. Leaving the stove knobs unintentionally in the ON position can lead to gas leaks or accidental ignitions,whichcouldresult inafireorexplosion.
Customer should also, “Regularly inspect the regulator and hose to ensure
Contact the Guyana Fire Service and the gas supplier (Massy, Sol or Guygas) for additional information and assistance, using the following emergency contact numbers:
Entity
EmergencyNumber
Guygas 638 -4427
MassyGasProductsGuyanaLtd 600 -0839
SolGuyanaInc. /HSE Support for agency contact or assistance . 600 -4409/ 600 -1315 (HSESupport)
they are in good condition and free from damage or cracks. Hoses should be replaced every 2 to 5 years, while regulators should be replaced every 5 years, depending on the wear and tear Regularly inspect the cylinder to check for gas leaks by applying a solution of soapy water, (such as a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water), to the cylindervalve. Look for bubbles, which indicateagasleak. If the cylinder or gas connections show signs of damageorcorrosion,replace
them immediately It is important to schedule routine maintenance checks for the cylinder and gas connections to identify any potential issues before they become serious problems,” theagencyfurtherstated.
Cylinders and regulators mustbehandledexclusively byadults.
It is not advisable for children to install or change cylinders, regulators, or operategasstoves.
There is an added chemical in cooking gas called ethyl mercaptan, that gives it a distinct odour
similartothatofrotteneggs, rottencabbage,burnttyresor sulphur
If there is the smell of cooking gas, it is possible thatthereisagasleak.
Also, if a constant hissing sound is heard coming from the cylinder, it ispossiblethereisaleak.
Do not light the stove if gasissmeltoritissuspected thatthereisagasleak.
“Ifthestoveison,TURN ITOFF Donotpanic.
Open all doors and windows to ventilate the rooms and allow the gas to dissipate.Donotoperateany
electrical equipment until the a
ventilated.
Turnofftheregulatoron the cylinder, disconnect the cylinder and take it outdoors,” the agency advised.
Adherence to these safety protocols, will ensure that consumers are educated on safe practices for transportation, handling, storage,installation,anduse of cooking gas in their households.
T
encouraged to consistently implement these practices.
prioritisingsafetyandhealth i
e effectively mitigating the potential risks associated withtheuseofcookinggas.
Consumer awareness and responsible use are essential to ensuring that cookinggasorLPGremains a safe and reliable source of energy in households across thecountry
ERC mulls legal action against ‘Baby Skello’ over vulgar song about Hindu Goddess
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has issued a stern warning to local artiste, ‘Baby Skello,’ demanding the removal of a recent song that portrays the HinduGoddessLakshmiina vulgar,sexuallyexplicit,and blasphemousmanner
The commission is also exploring legal action under thelawsofGuyana.
In a statement released on Friday, the ERC said it “strongly condemns” the song,describingitasdeeply
offensive to the Hindu community “Thiscontentconstitutes a deeply offensive act that strikes at the heart of the Hindu community’s religious beliefs and is wholly unacceptable in a society that values mutual respectandcoexistence,”the ERC stated While reaffirming its support for freedom of expression, the commissionemphasisedthat such freedoms must be exercisedwithrespectforall
religious and cultural traditionsinGuyana.
“ Any content that mocks, insults, or degrades sacred religious figures, undermines social harmony and offends the values of decency and tolerance that Guyanese society upholds,” thestatementcontinued.
As part of its official response, the ERC has formallyrequestedthatBaby Skelloremovethesongfrom all digital platforms and halt anypublicdissemination.
“The commission views this action as a necessary step forward in mitigating further harm and signaling that such expressions have no place in our plural society,”theERCsaid.
The commission also confirmed that it is actively pursuing legal avenues in response to the incident “Discussions are underway with the relevant authorities to determine appropriate legal action and ensure accountability,”itstated.
Additionally, the ERC plans to engage with stakeholders including artistes, producers, and media
“Educationalcampaignswill be launched to reinforce those values, especially among younger audiences and content creators,” the commissionadded.
Local artiste, Baby Skello
Voices in the wind
The multitudes exist in quiet obscurity In such a situation,acrisispresentsan opportunity for selfpromotion.
Those without fame, fortune or the facts feel displaced yet rooted. They spend their lives watching, speculating, whispering and longing. They crave the recognition that the lack of personal achievement has denied them. Acrisis—any crisis—givesthembreath.A scandal,amurder,adisputed election, a riot. The facts scarcely matter What matters is the opportunity
The opportunity to step forward, not with evidence, but with narrative And narrative, in such situations becomesaformofpower
Amanwhohadspenthis life in quiet anonymity suddenly appears on social mediaclaiminghewasinthe room when the betrayal was planned A woman who, until yesterday, sold imitation handbags on the pavements, insists she knew the victim— “a quiet one, but troubled,” she says, squintingforeffect.Another says he overheard something something
Dem Boys Seh...
d a r k , s o m e t h i n g dangerous—but cannot say more “for his own safety.” All of them speak as if the truth itself resides in their throat, waiting for the momenttospillout. In these cases, the emptiness and lack of recognition creates a void that must be filled. And so, the people invent They invent stories. They tell tall tales. They create roles for themselves in dramas that did not need them. And nowhere is this more apparent than in times of upheavals.Thecrisiscreates
Social media bite de same hand wah promise to feed it
Dem boys seh is one thing to try ride a wild horse… is another thing to try bribe it with sugar and expect it gon gallop in yuh direction.
Degovernment,indeminfinitewisdom, seh dem fed up with de traditional media Kaieteur News ask too much questionandStabroekain'teasy DePPPfeel thatthesenewspapersholdingdemfeettode fire too much. So dem bright minds decide fuh pump more State ads into social media which dem feel gan be more sympathetic. Dem decide dat Facebook and TikTok gan be de new Ministry of Information. Dem seh, "Why not give lil SuckyBoss_592 and OneManArmyTV some taxpayer dollar to 'spread de message'?" Dem even had meeting with what dem call social media influencers.
Wellbuddy,demessagespreadalright… like wildfire in de backdam. But instead of influence is sheer influenza coming out of social media. Instead of polished news reports,pressreleasesandsanitizedphotos, dem end up wid voice note war, meme massacre, and video upon video of people bawling, cussing, busing and confusing de public. One minute a man seh de President resign, next minute a next man seh is fake
news—but by then, 50,000 people done believeitandplanningcandlelightvigil. Desamesocialmediadatwassupposed to save de government from “biased” reporters turn round and bite dem like a jumbiedog.Degovernmentnowtryingfuh play fireman—every day is press statement to correct some foolishness wah de social media influencers publish. Social media nowturndeWildWestofmisinformation. NowdePPPrealize,toolate,thatsocial media is like trench water—yuh can't controlwahcomeout.
De irony? Dem forget that newspaper still get de last word. Is de editorial, de analysis, de investigation—yes, even de grammar that still shape de national conversation. While TikTok deh showing how to cook during protest, de newspapers deh showing how de chaos start in de first place.
Demboyssehnexttimeyuhtryreplace surgeon with bush doctor, don't complain whenyuhgetsepticemia.
Social media ain't no choirboy—it's a rum shop with a megaphone. And now, everybody shouting. Dem boys seh… be carefulwahyuhempower Talkhalf.Leffhalf!
a massive audience and the opportunity to play to the gallery
Gossiptakestheplaceof journalism Whispers become headlines. The man attherumshopbecomesthe analyst. The woman on the minibus becomes the witness They have no facts only feelings, suspicions, half-baked theories. But that is enough. Performance is truth Conviction matters more thancontent.
These are people for whomtheboundarybetween reality and performance has long since dissolved. They are not pathological liars; they are dramatists of the everyday They speak with the assurance of those who believetheymustbeheardto exist. For them, attention is notluxury—itissurvival.In such a setting, visibility becomescurrency
One sees it in the language.Theydonotsay,“I think”or“Iheard.”Theysay, “I know.” They say, “I was there.” There is no room for doubt. Doubt weakens the story Doubt is for people whocanaffordtobeignored. And so, they speak without doubt, without pause, without verification. A man will tell you he saw the minister entering a house at midnight. Another will tell you the minister never left. No one questions the contradictions. To question is to threaten the performance.Andeveryone, in their own way, is performing.
Thereisalsoacrueltyto it.Theyspeakofpeopleasif they are characters in a play expendable, interchangeable. A woman loses her child in a fire, and before the ashes cool, someone says she did it for insurance A man is murdered, and within hours, a neighbour claims he knew too much. These are not judgments; they are plots. And those who create them are not evil they are hungry Hungry for relevance Hungry to be seen. This hunger has deep roots Colonized people were made to feel invisible, voiceless. They were taught that to matter, one had to be n o t i c e d b y others—especially by those who held power And even though the colonizers have gone, the need to be seen remains. Now they perform for each other They seek affirmation in the eyes of their own Social media providesaplatform. And so, they fabricate and invent roles for themselves with an almost instinctiveease, and they do so with such frequency and confidence because the soil inwhichthesefictionsgrow is always fertile. In every village, every town, there e x i s t s a r e a d y audience gullible, credulous, eager for drama. The performance requires onlyawhisperandawilling ear. People do not ask for proof; they ask only for performance The more outrageous the claim, the
more it circulates The storyteller is rewarded, not punished And thus, falsehood becomes reputation, and fiction acquires a kind of social permanence.
But these performances are not harmless They obscure the truth They cheapen the suffering of others. They make justice impossible. A man wrongly accusedmustdefendhimself not against the law, but against stories. A woman grieving must contend not with her loss, but with strangers who say she orchestratedit.Inthistheatre of crisis, truth becomes irrelevant.
Andyet,thereisoftenno malice. Only longing. The longing to be part of something larger The longing to matter They are not liars in the criminal sense. They are fabricators of meaning in a society that offers little. In a world that denies them status, they create it. In a culture that denies them history, they narrateit.
That is the paradox. The crisis does not reveal the truth; it reveals the people. Not as they are, but as they wishtobeseen.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
H@RD TRUTHS
Hewhohasthegoldmakestherules
Whatacharacter! ‘Hewhohas the gold, makes the rules,’ said President Donald Trump. I agree withthemanfromJamaicaEstates, Queens, NY Suffering succotash!
I used to pass that bucolic setting weekly, since I lived on Highland Avenue. Imagine that, li’l ole me rubbing shoulders within passing distanceofgreatness! Butthegold, backtothegold. He who has it flaunts it. In a well-secured storage chest. The biggerthechest,thebiggertherules that are rearranged, given a little assistance to reform themselves. Welcome to the Donald J. Trump University of Self-Enhancement (and Self-Empowerment) No challenge here that gold prices are up40%inthelastyear,provingyet again that the gold boat has an unerring compass when safety is a priority Fearful financial flight fromturbulentstormsthatrockand cause retching. I think that it is a good idea to name this American hurricane,HurricaneDonny Ifitis leftformetosay,thenIwillsayit: it’s a beautiful thing. Go ahead! Find fault with that Ms. Universe.
Aright!Aright!sincethenitpickers are out in brigade strength, I make adjustment: Mr America. But what about the gold, where is it, whohasit?
Mr Trump doesn’t have any gold to talk about, but that has not stoppedhimfromrewritingtherule books to give his ideas a facelift. Ask immigrants sent scurrying for cover in the barren wilds of New York City, the Windy City (Chicago)andDodgeCity,whichis Anywhere, USA Ask social security recipients, as they watch while their precious monthly gold haul gets refined and reweighed, withnewrules. Atorridtime,itis. Even men with names like Musk and Buffett, and places like Microsoft and Amazon, have had their rough voyages. So, where is this gold that the Don is talking about? Fort Knox seems just as shaky, not as heavy around the belly, which comes from rich living, i.e., many infusions of gold in any form - liquid or solid, because gold doesn’t get rancid. Did somebody say a hedge against inflation? A reinforced 10-foot
fence is best. Did another say the wealth of kings, from Croesus to comrades in the PPPGovernment? Well,Guyanesehaveanunmatched reputation for buckets of black gold, yet their trousers and skirts are falling off, exposing their ‘hungry-belly’ state. Involuntary fasting, brought about by callous PPP economics, and the ravages thatonlythepoorandhungryknow There are too many of them in goldenGuyana.
I could agree with Demerara Gold (the rum, of course), but American gold looks like it is in need of some carats. Nuisances andinconvenienceslikethosehave neversloweddownDonaldTrump, which is why he makes the rules, hisownashegoesalong. Itiswhy he is such a superhero and role model to the likes of Irfaan Ali, Bharrat Jagdeo, andAnil Nandlall. Ever seen a rule that needs remaking, and these guys are it. Their book has leaves taken from Trump’sbook. WhenIthinkofMr Trump on the move, I call that a spirit of rugged American individualism. Mr Marlborooutof
the borough of Queens, a real frontiersman in the best American traditions. It pains, but I must remindeveryonethatAmericaisup to its knees in debt to the world, including competitors. Hence, its horizons have narrowed, and its flexing of raw power has some, er, restraints.
However, fortune favours the brave, and Don Trump can be audacious. Checkhisrecord. Bea soldier and try to untangle his tangles. He is still making the rules, his own and to damn the fallouts. Who is strong enough to stand in his way, object? The Congress? The US Supreme Court? How about that gang of Keystone Kops, aka the Democratic Party? Due to that setting in the territory, President Trump is well within his rights to make the rules, even though that’s thelastthingtheyrepresent(rules). Theroadisclear,andthestoplights torn down. Give a magnate, a mortgage and soon he either owns the bank, or has blown it up. It is how capitalism and democracy work, with the Darwinian and
Orwell’s 1984incharge. For look over there at those fine fellows in North Korea, Russia, and China who have made capitalism and democracytheirgame. Seeanyone pulling them over and writing a traffic ticket for those Big Brothers? Formisreadingtherules ofthegame,misleadingtheworld? What’sgoodforXiJinpingisgood forDonaldJohn.
For too longAmerica has been passiveandonthedefensive. Sing that song, America: Goodbye, yesterday IagreewithMr Trump: he who has the gold makes the rules. And even when there is no gold, the first rule still holds. It is the right to make a fool of everybody else. Unfortunately, Donny has company in PPP Guyana. Now, that’s a different bagofvipers,whichisn’tsofunny anymore.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
‘Baby Skello’ must apologise for lewd, reckless song about Goddess Lakshmi - Ramson
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., has issued a strong condemnation of ‘Baby Skello’ song that portrays the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi in a vulgar, sexually explicit, and blasphemousmanner
In a strongly worded statement, Ramson reminded that religion is an importantpartofculture.
“Guyana prides itself as being a multi-cultural society epitomizing religious freedom and respect for religious freedom Guyanese have progressivelymovedbeyond merely recognizing freedom of religious expression and relig
eranceenshrined in our supreme law (the Constitution) as a fundamental right - to interreligious participation. It is so common for Guyanese of all religions to participate and enjoy religious events suchasChristmas,Phagwah, Eid,Easter,Diwalietc.,wear religious clothing, enjoy religious food, that it has becomeourwayoflife-our Guyanese Culture This culture, however, is not common in all parts of the world, which constantly searches for conflict. This culture is something we, as Guyanese, should be proud of-butprideisnotenoughrecognition, respect, and protectionareallimportant,” hesaid.
The minister said the “outrage expressed by
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport
Charles Ramson
Hindus and Guyanese of all religions is justified when a songthatdisrespectsaHindu goddess, worse yet, in the most vulgar and depraved expression Even if unintended, it must be seen not just as an attack on an entire religion but also the core values of us as Guyanese.”
He continued: “There exists a red line where freedom of expression ends andtheprotectionofreligion and people who hold their religion close to their being begins. While it has been arguedtimeimmemorialthat therearenomoralexperts,a society that lacks moral values instilled has already written its eulogy Religious organisations and parents have arguably the most important role in the morality instillation process.”
Minister Ramson acknowledgedthatmusicisa form of creative freedom,
which is protected under the constitution,butemphasised that such freedom is not withoutlimits.
“Creative expression finds its genesis and germinating environment in freedom of expression Freedom of expression is not,however,unbridled,and we as Guyanese must either learn that or never forget that,”henoted.
He added, “The framers of the constitution recognised the dangers of unbridled freedom of expression by carving out exceptions. The exceptions recognise that freedom of e x p r e s s i o n i s n o t inconsistent with respect for freedom of religious expression In fact, it p
otects religious expression. It is not creative expression which should be protected when it is offensive to any religion. It must be seen for what it is, and all Guyanese must condemnsuchexpression.”
The minister concluded by urging action and accountability: “Freedoms must always come with responsibility We have the freedom to create and the freedom to destroy — that freedom begins with a choice. Choices determine
actions and actions determine outcomes The songmustbetakendown,an apology is appropriate, and the institutions are within their right to act to protect ourvaluesasasociety.”
2 remanded for cocaine possession, 1 on bail for trafficking
Twomenwereremanded to prison on Friday for possessionofcocaine,while another was placed on bail for aiding in trafficking narcotics.
Theaccused,47-year-old Colin Alfred of 1415 Westminster, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), 28-yearoldTerrenceBentinckofLot ‘M’ 52 Guyhoc Garden, Georgetown, and 27-yearold Jason Defreitas of Lot 752 Phase 2 North Farm, EastBankDemerara(EBD),
all appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Acting Chief MagistrateFaithMcGusty Alfred and Bentinck were charged jointly for possession of 11 148 Kilograms (kg) of cocaine, while Defreitas was charged separately for aiding the commissioning to traffic in narcotics.
Alfred pleaded guilty with explanation, while Bentinck and Defreitas pleaded not guilty to the chargewhichallegedthaton May 7, 2025, at Sussex Street,Georgetown,theyhad in their possession 11.148 kilograms of cocaine for the purposeoftrafficking.
Alfredtoldthecourtthat on the day in question, he was working on a vessel whenamanapproachedhim and handed him something in a black back-pack. He however did not check the bag, but was instructed to deliverittoGeorgetown.
While on his way from PortKaitumatoGeorgetown to deliver the bag to B e n t i n c k , h e w a s approached, stopped and searched by Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) officers.
“CANU roll up and said nobody move, lie down on theground.Wewassearched andIthrowthebaginthecar that Bentinck arrived in and in the presence, they tell we standup.
I ask if they can give me lil time because I have my money in my pocket. They took the money and said is government state, so I say it can’tbegovernmentstate,is my money I had a total of $518,000,”Alfredsaid.
M e a n w h i l e , t h e prosecution stated that the CANU officer were acting on information received They went to Sussex Street, Georgetown, where they noticedAlfredwalkingalong thesaidroadwithablackbag walking towards a silver Toyota Allion, bearing registration number PAJ 8554. The car was parked at the side of the road when he handed the said bag to Bentinck.
Momentsaftertheofficer approached both men and identified himself as a CANU officer He informed them that he received information that narcotics werebeingtransportedinthe vehicleandthathewillhave toconductasearch.
The officer searched the black bag which contained several parcels. He made a small incision into the parcels and noticed a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. Alfred and Bentinck were told of the officer’s observations and what they will be charged with. They werethenarrestedandtaken to CANU Headquarters (HQ), along with the suspected cocaine The substancewastestedandwas proven to be cocaine, which weighed11.148kg.Samples were taken, marked and lodgedatCANU.
Under caution, Alfred told investigators that Defreitaspaidhim$400,000 to deliver the cocaine to the cityandBentinckcalledhim to collect the cocaine However, when told of the allegation, Bentinck remainedsilent.
Alfredsaidatthetimehe got the money, he was
frustrated and thought Defreitashadgivenhimitto purchasebeerssincethatisa norm.
B e n t i n c k w a s represented by attorney Adrian Thompson who requested bail. He told the court that his client should not be charged since the bag wasnotinhispossession.He addedthattheCCTVfootage and body camera will reveal that his client at the time of the incident, was not in possessionsofanybag.
Thompsonnotedthatthe officers searched his client and his phone and nothing wasfoundlinkinghimtothe charge.
Theprosecutionobjected to bail indicating thatAlfred admitted to the officer and willingly took the rap for bothpartiesinvolved,which indicated that both of them wereinvolved.
They added that body camerafootagewillconfirm that both men were in possession of the bag and Bentinck at the time of the bust, had the bag in his hand.
D e f r e i t a s w a s represented by attorney Siand Dhurjon who requested bail, since his client did not admit to the offence committed He added that nothing was found on his client when he willingly surrendered himself to CANU after seeingawantedbulletin.
Theprosecutionobjected tobailduetotheseriousness of the offence The prosecutionaddedthatwhile Defreitas remained silent, they took into consideration his body language and reactiontotheoffence.
Alfred and Bentinck were both remanded to prison until May 12, 2025. Meanwhile, Defreitas was releasedon$500,000bailon condition that he reports to CANU HQ every first and third Friday between 9am and5pm.
Releasedonbail:
Jason Defreitas
Remanded:
Colin Alfred
Remanded:
Terrence Bentinck
By H.E.YangYang, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
People’s Republic of China to the Cooperative Republic of
Guyana
I’m deeply honoured to be appointed by H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, as the 17th Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Cooperative Republic ofGuyana,andarrivedinthe “Land of Many Waters” full of natural beauty and tremendousopportunitieson 17April2025.Iwouldliketo avail this opportunity to extendmyheartfeltgratitude and best wishes to friends from all walks of life who have long nurtured and supported the development ofChina-Guyanarelations.
China and Guyana are friends sharing weal and woe. Though separated by great distance, our two nations have forged an enduring friendship In 1853, the first group of Chinese indentured laborers arrived in Guyana and gradually integrated into the local society, becoming one ofGuyanesesixmajorethnic groups. In 1972, Guyana, as the first English-speaking
Caribbean country, established diplomatic relations with China. Over theyears,ChinaandGuyana have stood together through thick and thin, sharing weal and woe Our friendship tested by time and distance has proven resilient, continuing to thrive with vitality Politicalmutualtrust has deepened steadily and strategic synergy has grown even closer In 2023, H.E. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali paid an official visit to China, and President Xi Jinping held an in-depth meeting with President Ali and reached important consensus on bilateral relations and matters of mutual concerns, charting a new blueprint for the future development of ChinaGuyana relations. I stand ready to work closely with the Guyanese side to earnestly implement the
Ushering in a New Chapter in China-Guyana Relations
importantconsensusreached by the two heads of state, to shareopportunities,confront
challenges, pursue
cooperation, promote development together, and build jointly an even closer China-Guyana community withasharedfuture. China and Guyana are partnerscooperatingclosely
At present, practical cooperationbetweenourtwo nations has entered the fast track,andprojectsunderthe auspices of the Belt and Road Initiative have delivered fruitful outcomes. In 2024, bilateral trade between China and Guyana reached US$1.4 billion, up 14 3% year-on-year and nearlyfourtimeshigherthan in 2019 China’s direct investment in Guyana also surgedfromUS$256/million in2019toUS$10.6billionin 2024, representing a fortyfoldincrease.Signature projects including the New Demerara River Bridge, six Regional Hospitals, and the China-aided China-Guyana Friendship Joe Vieira Park will become iconic landmarks of the evergrowing China-Guyana
friendship Chinese enterprises have fulfilled social responsibilities by creating nearly 5,000 jobs for thelocalcommunityand actively participating in public welfare activities, such as poverty alleviation, educational assistance, and charitable donations. With enormous potential in China-Guyana economic and trade cooperation, we will encourage more qualified, reputable, and competent enterprises to investinGuyanaandtakean active part in the country’s modernization process, promoting the high-quality upgrade of practical cooperationbetweenourtwo nations.
China and Guyana are brothers bound by deep affection.Amitybetweenthe people holds the key to sound state-to-st
S
he establishment of diplomatic relations, people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Guyana have grown closer and more dynamic The Chinese government has dispatched 20medicalteamstoGuyana since 1993, providing healthcaretoover1,310,000 patients, treating more than 30,000 critically ill cases, and performing over 70,000 surgeries The Confucius Institute at the University of Guyana has played a vital
role in cultivating local Chineselanguagetalentsand advancing China-Guyana cultural exchanges since its establishment in 2014 Meanwhile, numerous Guyanese officials, doctors, entrepreneurs, journalists, policemen, engineers have undertaken professional and technical training in China, e m e r g i n g a s k e y participants, beneficiaries, and promoters of ChinaGuyana people-to-people exchanges.
Just as President Ali
pointed out, China and Guyana are more than friends we are family members With the joint efforts of both sides, the Chinese Dragon and the GuyaneseJaguarareforging closerties.
Guyana is a crucial member of both CARICOM and CELAC China has always been firmly supporting Latin American and Caribbean countries, in pursuing development paths tailored to their national c
supporting the sovereignty, independence,andterritorial integrity of all nations, firmly supporting the integrationofLatinAmerica and Caribbean countries, firmly supporting Guyana and other countries in the regiontoplayanevenbigger roleininternationalaffairs.
Thisyearmarksthe10th anniversary of the official launchoftheChina-CELAC Forum The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum will be convened soon An
increasing number of Latin American and Caribbean countries have spoken highly of the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and look forward to China exerting greater leadership ontheinternationalstage. ChinaandLatinAmerica have established the new five-sphere framework of cooperationcharacterizedby Continued on page 21
GECOMtobenefitfrom£750,000ElectoralSupportProject
The Government of the United Kingdom(UK)is partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Guyana to support the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) in enhancing institutional capacity and strengthening electoral processes through the launch of an Electoral SupportProject.
Inajointreleasefromthe organizations on Friday, it was disclosed that the Electoral Support Project, funded by the UK Government to the sum of £750,000 and implemented byUNDP,willprovidehighlevel technical assistance, international expertise and best practices to support GECOM’s core activities in administering elections that meetinternationalstandards.
“The project is designed to support both the immediate and longer-term needs of GECOM in managingthe2025electoral
cycle and will continue throughtoMarch2026,”the releasestated.
Guyana’s General and Regional elections are constitutionally due this year According to the agencies, the partnership underscores the importance of international cooperation in bolstering national systems through the application of global best prac
ices tailored to Guyana's unique political andculturalcontext.
Detailingsomeofthekey objectivesoftheproject,the agenciesnotedthattherewill betechnicalsupportfor2025 Elections, which would see the deployment of senior international electoral experts, who will be based within GECOM, to provide technicaladviceandsupport tostrengthenprocessessuch as communications, operations and logistics, for t h e p r e p a r a t i o n , management,andconductof theelections.
Capacity building will also form part of the project that aims to strengthen GECOM's operational systems, human resources, and technical capacity for sustainable electoral administration.
Thirdly, it is set to improve communications andstakeholderengagement with GECOM which is geared at enhancing public information strategies and fostering more inclusive engagementamongelectoral stakeholders to promote transparencyandtrust.
“Building on the lessons learnt during previous electoral cycles, there is strong commitment and renewed emphasis on fosteringtransparency,trust, andinclusiveparticipationin the electoral process,” the agenciessaid.
B r i t i s h H i g h
Commissioner, Jane Miller saidthattheUKispleasedto contribute to efforts that support Guyana's electoral processes in line with
Man remanded for murder of Kaneville resident
A25-year-oldmanwasremandedtoprisononFridayfor the murder of 48-year-old Derick Sylvester Prostea of Back Street,Kaneville,EastBankDemerara(EBD).
The accused,Akesi Primo also known as ‘Max’, of Lot 229 Kaneville EBD, appeared at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court.Hewasnotrequiredtopleadtotheindictablecharge.
ThematterwasadjournedtoJune9,2025.
ItwasreportedthatonMay7,2025atGrovePublicRoad EBD, Primo allegedly stabbed Prostea during a misunderstanding.Prosteawasstabbedtohisrightshoulder He was taken to the Diamond Hospital where he was pronounceddead.
GECOM’s Chairperson, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh and UNDP Resident Representative a.i., Berdi Berdiyev signing the agreement for the Electoral Support Project, which was overseen by GECOM’s CEO, Vishnu Persaud, British High Commissioner, Jane Miller, and United Nations Resident Coordinator, Jean Kamau.
international best practices.
“This project reflects the continued UK-Guyana partnership to strengthen institutions and promote good governance,” she shared.
Speaking on the significanceoftheinitiative,
U N D P R e s i d e n t
Representative a i Berdi Berdiyev emphasized that the project represents a strategic investment in
strengthening democratic governanceinGuyana.
“The project aligns with key priorities of UNDP's Country Programme Document 2022-2026 to strengthen mechanisms that support transparent and effective democratic processes and positively contributes to achievement oftheSDGsonpartnerships, peace, justice and strong institutions,"hehighlighted.
Meanwhile, GECOM’s Chairperson, Justice (ret'd) Claudette Singh shared that support through strategic partnerships is always welcomed “particularly from institutions that stand onthepillarsofgovernance, democracy and rule of law which aligns to GECOM's constitutional mandatefortheexecutionof free, fair and transparent electionsinGuyana.”
Remanded: Akesi Primo
GPA responds to President Ali’s WPFD remarks
The Guyana Press Association (GPA) takes this opportunity to share its perspective on President Irfaan Ali’s remarks at a government-sponsored brunch heldtomarkWorldPressFreedom Day(WPFD)2025.
The GPA now responds to several aspects of the President’s remarkswhichhesoughttomakein the context of this year’s WPFD theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press FreedomandtheMedia”.
The GPAviews PresidentAli’s statementastheembodimentofhis government’s policy directions Therefore,theAssociationshallbe sharing its views with the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, Inter-American Press
ns EducationalScientificandCultural Organisation (UNESCO), Article 19, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the Diplomatic Missions of the United Kingdom, Canada, United States andtheEuropeanUnion(EU).
1.Mr President,youreferenced the “loose term of the media”. There is absolutely nothing loose about the term media. Politicians shouldhavenoroleindefiningthe mediawhicharereallythechannels through which content is delivered to recipients. It will, therefore, be wholly misguided for you to forge ahead with your plan to present to fellow Caribbean Community (CARICOM)leaders“apaperthatI want to develop on the evolving definition of the media” because media are the (technological) channels or means through which content/messages such as news, information, education and entertainmentaretransmittedinthe publicinterestandnecessity
The GPA regards this specific planastheprecursortogovernment licensing and press censorship under the guise of protection against the impact of Artificial Intelligence on communication including journalism. Any attempt at blurring or muddling the lines between the press/journalism and social media at large is untenable. The use of social media for the dissemination of journalistic content is vastly different from the use of such channels by nonjournalists/non-press The professional editorial guidelines, principles and ethics that govern press/journalism are inextricably linkedtotheirrolesandfunctionsin newsgatheringanddissemination.
2.Mr President,relatedly,itis, therefore,afallacytoredefinewhat constitutes the media It is, therefore, important that the “very young,vibrantmediafamily”isnot misguided by what constitutes the media,journalism,informationand the press. History is replete with examples of political parties and governments inculcating in young impressionable minds the practice of propaganda rather than good journalisminthepublic’sinterest.
3. Mr President, you raised a point about the “fundamental
pillarsofthatexpression”andwho isdoingso.Thefactofthematteris thatthereisnothingtofearifstateowned and controlled as well as privately-owned media follow globally accepted standards and ethics of journalism, all of which are applicable with or without ArtificialIntelligence.
4.Mr President,youstatedthat “everyone with an instrument that disseminates information is a reporter on that site is delivering a message with commentary, and theneveryonewhoaddsacomment on that image that is coming out is part of the reporting mechanism”. This is also gravely flawed and misplaced. This begs the question, if everyone who utilises
GeographicalInformationSystems (GIS) and data analytical tools can be considered a Regional and Urban Planner or everyone equipped with a thermometer, syringe and a sphygmomanometer is a Medical Doctor In the field of journalism, a reporter practises journalism based on established principlesandethics.
Further,itisatbesterroneousto classify information consumers, whorespond,reactorcontributeto primary content as being part of that reporting mechanism The information consumers are not reporting, they are part of the feedback mechanism, a critical componentofcommunication.
5. Mr. President, “reach, responsibility, reliability and relevance” have always been factors that media houses, journalists and other content producers have had to contend with. This is nothing new This predatesArtificial Intelligence and goes back to the early days of newspapers. The GPA has already acknowledged the value and pitfalls ofArtificial Intelligence in the media landscape in our WPFD statement. These can be addressed frontallythroughaggressiveMedia and Journalism Literacy and Self-
RegulationbyJournalists.
6.Mr President,theGPAnotes your recognition that influencers withalargefollowingcarenothing about the ethics of information dissemination You stated this: “Here lies the danger, tremendous danger,especiallywhenyouaddAI andthepowerofAItothatformula, because it does not require intellectualism or professionalism to define the message anymore. You have the reach; you have the capability and capacity You then havetheintellectualabilityofusing atoolthatrequireslimitedthinking todowhateveryouwantthattoolto do.”
Theincontrovertiblefactisthat your party and government have shonelikeabeaconinthisregardby virtueofembracingandtoleratinga social media influencer of significant notoriety Your administration and party at its highest level cannot be faulted for being a leading exemplar in this regard Similarly, there are influencerswhoareassociatedwith or are opposition actors Influencerscannotbeconveniently intermixed with the press, journalists and producers of broadcast content in accordance
Act, Sexual Offences Act and the Protection of Children Act that empower the State to take action under certain conditions. History has demonstrated pellucidly that reportersandjournalistsinGuyana continue to act responsibly for the most part, even in media houses where there is censorship or selfcensorship.Thepressishardlyever theproblem.
8. Mr President, the Guyana Press Association views with consternation our long-held belief that you and your government no longer value periodic press conferences. The message here cannot be clearer The most recent example is the failure of the Guyana Police Force to hold one news conference on the death of AdrianaYounge.
with the established tenets of journalism.
7. Mr President, you also remarked that, “If we don’t ensure thatAI is utilised, especially when it comes to the press and information dissemination, becauseinformationissopowerful that it can destabilize instantaneously with little time to respond. And then also as media personnel, you also have to be aware of the changing environment.”
Thisismostregrettablebecause it is an indicator of the ominous cloudsthathangoverGuyanaasfar as freedom of the press is concerned. The Association notes with grave alarm and disgust that you slipped in references to the “press” and “media” which can only be construed as precursor signals to new or amended legislation or regulation that will furtherrestricthowandwhatcanbe said by reporters, journalists and current affairs content producers. At this juncture, may the Association remind you that already there are provisions in the Constitution of Guyana, DefamationAct,BroadcastingAct, Cyber Crime Act, Racial Hostility
You and your administration see little value for officials to be questioned periodically about decisionsand policies.Rather, you prefer to engage in one-way communication through Facebook Live statements that cannot be subjected to questions, verifications or clarifications. This isnothingshortofbadgovernance. This remark of yours: “Many media leaders today would engage the media in public, would engage themediainanenvironmentwhere there are other contributors to the discussion, because leaders realize that there is power behind every instrument, and if you want your message not to be distorted, you have to maximize the potential of thepowerbehindeveryinstrument so that your message is not distorted.Somediapersonswillbe operatingindifferentenvironments asthefutureevolves.Inmyhumble opinion,thehistoricandtraditional press conferences and press media room is changing rapidly because everyoneunderstandsthechanging nature of information, dissemination of information access, and infor
availability” is indicative of your
ss conferences and instead opt for brief interviews on the sidelines of public events or Facebook Live statements.
Itisratherunfortunatethatyou seemed to have inferred that twoway interactions with the media result in distortion of messages. Thankfully, your fellow CARICOMpoliticiansinandoutof governmentdonotthinksoandwe are confident that you will be unsuccessfulinconvincingthemto engageinsuchmisguidedaction.
9. Mr President, your concern that“themostimportantaspectsof fair and ethical reporting is sacrificed” is at best contradictory to what obtains in the State-owned and government controlled radio, televisionandnewspaperaswellas a number of privately-owned entities that enjoy incestuous relationships with the government, governingpartyandsectionsofthe private sector Except for a period of Guyana’s history when the privately-ownedmediawerevery Continued on page 23
PresidentIrfaan Ali
PresidentoftheGuyanaPress AssociationNazimaRaghubir
Executive members of the Guyana PressAssociation
Retired Assistant
Commissioner of Police
PoliceactioninAdrianaYounge’scasecontrarytoSOPs - Paule Slowe
Paul Slowe has sharply criticized the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for what he described as a series of missteps and breaches of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the handling of 11-year-old
A d r i a n a Yo u n g e ’s disappearance and subsequentdeath.
Appearing on the
GlobeSpan24x7 programme on Wednesday evening, Slowe detailed several areas wherehesaidpolicefailedto follow established procedures, from the initial response to Adriana’s disappearance to the chaos that unfolded during the post-mortem examination at the Georgetown Public
Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Slowe began by expressing disappointment in how the police responded after Adriana’s body was found in the Double Day International Hotel’s swimmingpoolonApril24.
“From a policing perspective, what happened fromWednesday onwards is disappointing,”hesaid.“No effort was made to control that area, to control that crowd, nothing of the sort. So, we have the body there while people are walking around, then police put the body in the police vehicle and sped away with the body,”hesaid.
Slowe explained that under normal protocol, police should have immediately called for medical examiner and
forensic personnel to secure the scene and begin preliminaryinvestigations.
“Normal protocol would havedemandedthatyoucall for a medical examiner and thepoliceforensicpeopleto doinitialinvestigationthere, takephotographs,takevideo recordings,allsortsofthat,” he noted. “But that wasn’t done, and that gave rise to a lot of suspicion as to why policeactedinthatmanner.”
According to Slowe, the police’s handling of the situationhasseverelyeroded public trust. “You know, the rumours started to spin, people start to blame the police, and one of the most disturbingsuggestionsisthat the police were trying deliberatelytogetthecrowd, the father, and other people away from there so that the
bodyofthechildcouldhave been taken out and perhaps plantedsomewhereandthen claimed that she died somewhereelse,”hesaid. He also questioned the role of the Divisional Commander, Senior
FormerAssistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe
Superintendent Khalid Mandall.
“The most disturbing partformeisthatduringthe course of Wednesday night andearlyThursdaymorning, themostseniorpolicemanin the division, the Divisional Commander himself, was there and wasn’t able to ensure that proper policing actionwastakingplace.That is so disappointing,” Slowe stated.
BreachofSOPsinmissing personinvestigation
Adriana was reported missing during a family outing at the Double Day International Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, on April 23 According to reports, the child disappeared between 13:00hrs and 14:00hrs shortly after being given money to purchase a swim band.The family alerted the Tuschen Police Station, and ranks reportedly arrived around15:30hrs.
Slowe emphasized that theinitialpoliceresponsedid not meet standard expectations.
“The first thing is that from the time you have a report that this child went missing, you have to mobilize to make sure a proper search is done,” he
said. “While you are doing that, you have to make sure that no one leaves that building because if it turns out to be a crime, then everyone there is a potential suspect.”
Hecontinued,“Youhave tomakesurethatyouhavea record of all the people who were there and start interviewing people to find where this girl was, because peoplemayhaveseenherin aparticulararea.”
Slowe outlined the steps that should have followed once Adriana’s body was discovered.
“Once the body was found, you have to up the level—cordon off that area, get caution tape, and secure thearea,”heexplained.“You summon your forensic photographers and they are goingtotakephotographsof that body and the surrounding areas before moving that body. You summon the doctor to do a preliminaryexamination.”
RiotresponseatGPHC
“Againstallprotocols”
O n A p r i l 2 8 , pandemonium broke out around the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)duringandafterthe post-mortem on the child’s body was being conducted. Hundreds of persons surrounded the hospital in support of the child’s grieving family but as they gathered, so too did members of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Riot Squad.Theranksopenedfire shooting at the supporters who demanded justice for thedeadgirl.
Gunshots rang out frequentlycausingthecrowd to disperse temporarily and even saw representatives of the local media running for cover Inretaliation,those
Continued on page 21
Frompage8
family’s dissatisfaction with the commissioner’sresponseshasonlydeepened theirmistrustintheGuyanaPoliceForceand anyone assisting with the ongoing investigation,
Tianna Serena LewisKing,whowaswantedbythe Guyana Police Force (GPF) for public mischief, on Friday, was charged and remandedtoprison.
King,23,ofSixthStreet, GrahamStreet,BetterHope, EastCoastDemerara(ECD), appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate, Faith McGusty,attheGeorgetown Magistrates’ Court, where thechargeofIncitingActsof Terrorism, Contrary to Section 309(A)(2) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01 was read toher
According to the police, King was not required to plead and that bail was objectedtobytheprosecutor She was remanded to prison and is expected to return to courtonMay30,2025.
Meanwhile, Randolph Kingston, who was also wanted by the GPF for the similar offence, on Friday, was charged and granted $300,000 bail for Using a Computer System to incite actsofTerrorism.
Kingston pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on or between April30andMay5,2025at Kitty,Georgetown,heuseda
computer system, inciting persons to commit terrorist
represented by attorney NigelHugheswhorequested bail. He told the court that there was no evidence presentedbytheprosecution that his client in any way broadcast the conversation.
He pointed out that they did nothaveanIPaddresslinked to him, no record to show thatKingstonwasinanyway responsible for the broadcasting of that recording.
Thepersecutionsaidthat therecordingcausedpersons to accuse the Government andtheGPFofcorruption.
Randolph Kingston at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court
However, the lawyer made it clear that neither he nor the family were casting aspersions on McCoshen’s professional integrity Rather, their concern lies in the absence of an institutional framework to ensureimpartialityandaccountability
“Now,Iamjustusingthelanguageinthe letter, published by the Ministry of Home Affairs,saysthismaniscomingtoassistthe police. I would understand, this is a private individual.Numberone,thisisnotwhatthey werelookingfor,”hesaid.
Dr Todd added: “They were looking for some form of institutional organization that has very strong government obligations or code of conduct… Let’s say, like the FBI, where your ethical practices are must be aboveboardandliketheScotlandYard.”
Dr Toddfurtherexplainedthatthefamily remainsinthedarkaboutwhoisheadingthe local investigation and what exactly the structureoftheprobelookslike.
“They don’t know who really is behind this.Theydon’t know the connection of this person [McCoshen] And these were questionstheyasked.AndIhavesaidtothem, listen, without having facts, do not fall into the bracket of attempting to tarnish somebody’scharacterandintegrity Theyare notattackingtheman’sprofessionalismatall. All they are saying is, what the government has offered is unacceptable to them because theybelievethatthismatterandbecauseofall that has gone wrong, require a more focus groupcomingoutofthiscommonyard,”Dr Toddsaid.
He stressed that solving a case of this
nature would require advanced forensic expertise beyond the current capabilities of thePoliceForce.
“Thiscaseisgoingtoheavilyrelyonthe science...Theinvestigatorsthere,ortheFBI, theycancrackthiscase,”Dr Toddsaid.
Nursing assistant charged with acts of terrorism, remanded Family says NO to retired...
He concluded by saying that the government’s approach has failed to restore publictrustintheinvestigation.
“Competenceisonething,buttheissueof restoring confidence in the integrity of the investigationisanother,”henoted.“Todate, they don’t know who is heading this investigation in Guyana. They don’t know whothepartiesinvolvedare.Theonlyname they’ve received is McCoshen’s—and that’s unacceptable.”
Dr Todd also questioned why the GPF has not disclosed who is officially in charge oftheinvestigation.
“Why hasn’t the Guyana Police Force publishedwhoistheInvestigatingRank(IR) inthismatter?Who’sheadingit?What’sthe bigsecrecyinthat?”heasked.
Meanwhile, the opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) also issued a statement condemning the government’sdecision.
“The attempt by this rogue, totalitarian, anddictatorialregimetobringaretiredpolice homicide investigator is unacceptable and must be rejected out of hand by all rightthinkingGuyanese,”thestatementread.
While not attacking McCoshen, the PNCRechoedthefamily’spositionthatonly areputableinternationalorganizationshould leadtheprobe.
“We cast no aspersions on the investigator However, President Irfaan Ali and the Guyana Police Force cannot be trustedtochooseaninvestigatorordetermine the terms of reference. Nothing less than an internationalorganizationisacceptable.”
corruption is not an act of terrorism.Hefurtherpointed out that the commander for RegionThreewholiedtothe public that the young lady had left the hotel when her body was still in the premises, is the person who should be charged with insistingterrorism.
He said the GPF is charging his client based on word from a woman who admittedtobeingaliar
Magistrate McGusty after hearing the argument, released Kingston on $300,000 bail. The matter wasadjourneduntilMay30, 2025.
Ushering in a New Chapter in...
Frompage13
mutual trust in the political sphere, win-win cooperation in the economic sphere, mutual learningandexchangeintheculturalsphere, close coordination in international affairs, and strong synergy between overall cooperation and bilateral relations. Highquality Belt and Road cooperation between ChinaandLatinAmericacontinuestodeepen and deliver tangible results. Cooperation is expanding in scope, upgrading in structure, gaining more momentum, and improving in quality In 2024, China–LatinAmerica trade exceededUS$500/billionforthefirsttime,a fortyfold increase compared with the year 2000. Taking the 10th anniversary of the China-CELACForumasanewstartingpoint,
both sides will jointly plan for development and stand together in the face of challenges, amplifying the united voice of the Global South for solidarity and resilience and bringingstabilityandenergytotheturbulent world. Unilateralism and protectionism lead nowhere, multilateralism and win-win cooperation offer the only way forward. Chinastandsreadytoworkhandinhandwith Guyana to seize new opportunities for commondevelopment,usherinanewchapter inbilateralrelations,andbetterserveourtwo nationsandpeoples.Atthesametime,China andLatinAmericaaspartoftheGlobalSouth will unite and cooperate to make greater contributions to global peace, security, prosperity,andadvancement.
PoliceactioninAdrianaYounge’scase...
Frompage20 protected under the who lined the streets waiting to hear of the post-mortem report, hurled glass bottles, bricksandotherobstaclesat thepolice.
Slowe condemned the police’s actions that day, calling the Force’s crowd control measures “totally against all the standing orders.”“WhatIcantellyou is what we saw Monday is totally against all the standing orders that we are taught,atleastinmydays,” hesaid.“Itispoorplanning on the hierarchy of the PoliceForce.”
He said police should have anticipated the large turnout,especiallygiventhe national attention on the case.
“From very early, every Tom, Dick, and Harry was trying to get in the compound, even journalists werebeingpreventedbythe security at the gate,” Slowe said “A lot of curious people are going to come, and in my training and experience,youhavetoplan forthat.Itwasevidentthatit wasn’tplannedfor.”
He described how people were moving freely
throughbarricadedareason Middle Street while debris was being hurled and shots werebeingfired.
“When the police came onMiddleStreet,theystood inaline,andifyoulistentoa live tape, the journalists were asking, ‘Why are you allowing people to pass there?’The crowd built up, people started to throw debris and bottles at the police, and the police opened fire [which is] against all the protocols
because you have minimum force where maybe you try to arrest people, you give them a warning, they weren’t even equipped…towarnpeople,” hestated.
Slowe also noted that beforefiringatacrowd,the law requires that a riot proclamation be read and a warningbannerdisplayed.
“Evenbeforeyougointo lethal fire, you need to comply with the Criminal Law Offences Act,” he explained.“Itrequiresthata riot proclamation be read calling on them to disperse, andiftheyfailtodoso,then you can go into action. When a decision is made to shoot,abannerisliftedwith
the words ‘Disperse or we will fire,’ and when you come to actual firing, it is notindiscriminate.”
He added, “The person inchargeoftheunitdirectsa particular person to fire a roundtodisperse.That’sthe procedure.”
Slowe also questioned the ethical conduct of the riotpolice,saying,“Atsome stage, the riot police turned up and would you believe that they started to shoot at those people to get them out?Thewholeactionofthe police in terms of how they dealt with those people is totally against all the protocols. That is not the training.”
Callforreformand reflection In conclusion, Slowe urged the Guyana Police Forcetoreflectandreform.
“I hope that they would usethatasalessonsointhe event there are similar incidents, they will know how to deal with it. First of all, you’re going to have proper planning,” he said. “If police had taken a more prudentapproach,wemight not have reached the stage where we were Monday nightwithallthefires.”
Tianna Serena Lewis-King
GPA responds to President Ali’s WPFD...
Frompage19
few and the private sector generally was very small, both the People’s National Congress Reform-led and People’s Progressive Party Civic-led administrations have controlled the Stateowned media as their ‘personal’property, offering little or no balanced reporting, contorting the truth, attacking critics and shutting them out, and instituting a culture of selfcensorship and censorship. Direct ministerial and political/governmental interference in the media houses continues to be an incurable ulcer across all governments hence you lackedthemoralauthorityto makesuchanutterance
10. Mr. President, you referred to “facts-driven news, preference-driven news or personal opinion driven news”. By doing so, you demonstrated that you ventured into an arena that either you know nothing about, was ill-advised by propagandists or you seized the opportunity to consolidate your intent on seekingtodrivegovernment policy on what should be defined as news. This is an arena that is best left to journalistswhoareexpected to consider the standard elements of news in making decisionsonwhattopublish. It must be noted that not every utterance a politician or anyone else makes must be newsworthy A good starting point would be to acquaint yourself with what aretheelementsofnews.
11.Mr President,youare absolutely incorrect when you stated that “In Guyana, freedom of expression, includingthefreedomofthe press, is enshrined in our Constitution” Guyana’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression but not freedom of the press unlike,say,theConstitutions of Trinidad and Tobago and theUnitedStatesofAmerica which explicitly guarantee freedomofthepress.
12. Mr President, you cited the speed and distance of digital Artificial Intelligencenewstoreiterate the need for “greater responsibility on those that
are disseminating that news becauseoftheinstantaneous nature of it, and the speed and the reach, the burden of responsibility is different, and those are the things we have to look at, the best practices wherever they exist, to be part of the reform”. This smacks of an unnecessary intention by yourgovernmenttosuppress freedom of the press. The Guyana Press Association reiterates that journalism content producers do not violate any criminal laws. There is absolutely no need to harness the press with morelaws.
13. Mr. President, you again referred to “my government’s unwavering commitment to this noble principle of press freedom” andensuringthat“themedia operates without censorship and within an environment that respects diversity of thoughtandopinion”.Inthis regard, the Association reiterates that there is press suppression through p o l i t i c a l directives/instructions and the fostering of a culture of self-censorship for fear of disciplinaryactionincluding suspension or dismissal Private sector actors, who see themselves as beholden tothegovernmentoftheday at any given time instead of principles regardless of which party is in government, see little value inafreepressexceptwhenit suitstheirinterestssolely
14. Mr President, you stated that “the media must strive for fairness, balance andcommitmenttothetruth in all reporting It is imperative that journalism does not descend into sensationalism or partisanship, that it remains anchoredintheprinciplesof professionalism and o b j e c t i v i t y ” T h e Association hopes that you sincerelybelievethatitmust transcendallmediahousesif this is to be taken seriously The Guyana Press Association acknowledges that there are instances of sensational and partisan reporting but this is an unfortunate feature in both S t a t e - o w n e d a n d government controlled as
well as a number of privately-owned publishing houses.
15. Mr President said: “We’ve ensured that the media operates without censorship and within an environment that respects diversity of thought and opinion.Thiscommitmentis evident in our efforts to create a larger democratic space where journalists can investigate, report and critique government actions withoutfearorfavour.”
This is at variance with the truth and reality Referencestosectionsofthe press as “hostile media”, “carrion crows” and “vultures” by then President and current Vice President, BharratJagdeoaswellashis response/reactionattimesis intimidatory and serves to have a dampening effect on pressfreedomthatyouboast about.
The Association hastens to assure and recognise that any government, political party, organisation, group or individual must enjoy the right to rebut or offer different perspectives, but it isthecrassmannerinwhich thisisoftendoneonaweekly basis by branding virtually all sources of dissonant views as ‘anti-government’ or‘anti-PPP’.Letitbenoted that the diversity of Guyana’s journalism landscapewasnothandedon a platter by any government orpoliticalpartybutevolved as a result of technological evolution This is the conundrum that faces Guyana’s major political parties. They want to cling tenaciously to the information-controlling remnants of leftist ideology while operating in a capitalist, liberal economic environment The free press/journalism is a critical component of good governancewhichcannotbe divorced from democracy Harassment of the nongovernmental community, including the Guyana Press Association, and media houses that provide critical perspectives of the governmentofthedaydonot deserve a retaliatory hard push to control and muzzle through ownership, funding
etc. in what appears to be a s h i f t t o w a r d s a n authoritarianrule.
16. Mr President, the Guyana Press Association notes your call: “The vibrancy of our media associations and leadership must also have a vibrant, democraticandopenprocess whereallmediaworkersfeel a part of the collective whole. You must also now contemplate whether the narrow original confines of who are members must now be redefined to include the broader disseminators of information,sothattheycan also be part of a responsible system,thattheycanalsobe checked in what they do w i t h i n y o u r o w n Association. Not doing this is not also adapting to the changing realities of our countryandtheworld,toour local media”.You may wish to be enlightened that the Constitution of the Guyana Press Association has several tiers of membership. Touseananalogytosimplify this for you, participants in the construction sector cannot all be members of a contractors’ association, assuming there is one Dependingontheirrolesand functions, there may be different self-regulatory bodies for different categories of workers. The Guyana Press Association has always been the subject ofdirectandindirectattacks over the past 40 years by incumbent governments and opposition parties There have been numerous efforts within the past 35 years by the government, through the State media and privatelyowned government aligned media, to take control of the Press Association to ensure the narrative conforms to that of the ruling party and government locally, r e g i o n a l l y a n d internationally However, the will of right-thinking members, as exercised through free, fair and transparent elections, has alwaysprevailed.
Your idea facilitates the backdoor entry of squatters parading as reporters but who care less about the professionalrulesandethics ofjournalism.Thisapproach
cultivates ‘cuss-birds’ who have no regard for defamation,decencyoreven utilising aspects of the Broadcasting Act as a selfregulatoryguide.
Evidently, you, as the President of Guyana, sought toseizetheWPFDthemeon Artificial Intelligence as an entry point to signal your government’s intention to pass legislation or regulations to curb press freedom. The Guyana Press Association rejects this plot and will do everything in its powertoresistthismove.
Penultimately, the Guyana Press Association advocatesfor:
A non-legislative but self-regulatory mechanism of journalists and current affairs producers and presenters.
AMedia and Journalism Literacy Campaign to educate the public about differentiation between the pressandotherpurveyorsof information such as influencerssothatthepublic is more aware of what they consume, from whom and where.
Ongoing training and education in the Principles, Standards and Ethics of Journalism.
Ongoing training and education about the Journalistic application of Artificial Intelligence and o t h e r e m e r g i n g technologies.
IntroductionofaCodeof Conduct that insulates the State-owned and publicly funded media from political interference and the strict adherence to editorial guidelines which can serve as a gold standard for privately-ownedmedia.
The provision of international bilateral and multilateralassistancetothe
security sector must be linked to improvement in that sector’s media communications through meaningful consultations with the Guyana Press Association.
In conclusion, the Guyana PressAssociation is disappointed that the President of Guyana did not usetheopportunityofWorld PressFreedomDay2025to: i) announce reform and administrationoftheAccess toInformationmechanism ii) propose that press freedom be made a constitutionalright iii) outline his plan for Intellectual Property of journalistic works in an era ofArtificialIntelligence iv) state his plans for the enactment of Copyright legislation in the context of ArtificialIntelligence v) digitisation of newspaper, audio and video archivesofmediahousesasa matterofnationalrecord vi) amendment of the Broadcasting Act to ensure parity in addressing content concerns vii) amendment of the CyberCrime Act to address freespeechconcerns viii) articulate the importance of Artificial Intelligence in informing andeducatingGuyaneseand the world about the Venezuela-Guyana border controversy ix) establishment of a Content Fund for the production of current affairs and public interest content without the influence or interference of the government x)policyguidanceonthe unconditional facilitation of human, technical and other resources for journalism studies at the University of Guyana.
18 Palestinians killed in series of Gaza attacks
Aljazeera - The United Statessaysanewfoundation is being established to coordinate aid deliveries to Gaza amid Israel's twomonthblockadeoftheStrip.
The development comes asIsraeliattackscontinueto target civilians. At least 18 Palestinians were killed in a series of attacks on Friday, medicalsourcesinGazatold Al Jazeera. They include a mother and child in Al Nuseirat Refugee Camp in central Gaza, and a father and son killed in Khan Younisinthesouth.
US ambassador to Israel
Mike Huckabee told reporters on Friday that Israelwouldnotbeinvolved in distributing aid in the enclave but would provide securityfortheoperationsof the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation(GHF).
The plan for the “charitable” and “nongovernmental”initiativewas announced on Thursday by S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.Although few details wererevealed,itappearspart of a US-Israeli push to take
overthedistributionofaidto prevent it from being divertedbyHamasandother groups.
The AP news agency reported that the newly created GHF had issued a proposaltoimplementanew aid distribution system, supplanting the current one run by the United Nations and other international aid agencies.
Reports claim that under the proposal, private contractors will be used to secure hubs where Palestinianswillberequired togathertocollectsupplies.
The US and Israel have agreed to aid agencies with proposals to take control of aid operations in Gaza [File: Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency]
Israel, which has halted the entry of all aid to Gaza sinceMarch2,deepeningthe humanitarian crisis, has previously said it will not relax the blockade until a system is in place that gives it control over the distribution, insisting that supplies are used to support Hamas.
The intention to sideline the UN has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian organisations, and it is unclear if the GHF proposal willeasethoseconcerns.
“There's only one word to describe this, and this is aid-washing This is a cynical attempt by the state of Israel and its allies to use aid to hide the fact that what's actually going on is peoplearebeingstarvedinto submission,”ChrisGunness, a former UNWRA– the UN agency for Palestinian refugees – spokesperson, toldAlJazeera.
“They'rebeingstarvedas apartofthemassandillegal forcedisplacement,whichis very much part of Israel's genocidal ambitions against thePalestinians.”
Gunness added that the proposal is also an “attempt by Israel to destroy UNRWA”, stating that UNRWA is the only organisation that has the infrastructure, the staff, the vehicl
d distribution centres and warehouses “to stave off massstarvationinGaza”.
announcements regarding the proposal would follow soon.
“I was hoping to introduce it today, but the foundation will be announcingthisshortly,”she said.
The former executive director of the UN World Food Programme David Beasley is in talks with the US, Israel and other key players to head the GHF, reported US outlet Axis, quotingunnamedsources.
Israel's blockade, implemented about two weeks before it resumed its bombardmentoftheenclave, has left Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians, most of whom havebeendisplacedmultiple times, desperately short of food,fuel,andmedicine.
Israeli'aidplan'
The US plan appears to be designed along similar lines to a proposal approved by Israel's security cabinet onSunday
Under the scheme, four “Secure Distribution Sites” would be constructed, each intended to serve 300,000 people Palestinians expelledfromnorthernGaza
would be forced to relocate toreachthecentres.
The plan was met by sharp criticism from the UN and other aid groups, who noted that Palestinians have regularly come under attack from Israeli forces while collectingaid.
Addressing those concerns, Huckabee on Friday said “the most significant danger is not doinganything”and“people dyingfromhunger”.
The aid would be “distributed effectively, but also safely”, the US official insisted, according to Israeli dailyHaaretz.
The decision to bypass international aid agencies comes amid growing alarm over famine-like conditions in the besieged territory, where Israel's near-total blockade has cut off all essential supplies for almost threemonths.
At least 57 Palestinians have starved to death in Gaza, with most of the victims being children, as wellasthesickandelderly UNhumanitarianagency spokesperson Jens Laerke condemned the effort to dismantle existing aid structuresonTuesday
“This appears to be a deliberate attempt to weaponise the aid,” he said. “Itshouldbebasedsolelyon humanitarianneed.”
Guyana Darts Association contest C'ship Darts Latin America and Caribbean Qualifiers in Panama
The Guyana Darts Association participated in
the just concluded Championship Darts Latin America and Caribbean (CDLC) Darts Qualifiers heldinPanama.Thedoubles game had 3 pairs, participated, and the singles were4individualplayers.
Participants of this tournament were from across the Caribbean and Latin America,andGuyana continued to rank amongst the best in the darts fraternity The pairs of Sudesh Fitzgerald/Norman Madhoo made it to the semifinals but lost to Argentina, who went on to win the doubles crown and earned a spot at the World Cup.
Adrian Damon/Luis
Miguel Ramirez-Merlano made it through to the quarter-finals but lost to Costa Rica, and Christopher Lochan/Anil Lachhman were knocked out in the roundof64.
The singles were keenly contested by Mr Sudesh
Rambarose,andChristopher Lochan. At the end of this event, Sudesh Fitzgerald secured 20 points at 3rd position and Norman Madhoo 6 points in 16 positions.Thenextlegofthe Qualifier is in the Bahamas during the period July 2527, 2025. It must be noted that this is a three-stage qualifying process, and the associationisherebyseeking sponsorshipfromCooperate
qualifiers possible
Fitzgerald and Norman Madhoo, either can take the topspottorepresentusatthe WorldChampionship.
The Guyana Darts Association would like to extendaspecialthankyouto the organizations that continuously contribute to the association Your contributions played a vital role in team Guyana's
AmericaDartsQualifiers N
Commission, Bounty Farm Limited, Dynas Embroidery and Screen Prints and Shelly'sSucculent.
The Guyana Darts
AssociationhelditsBiennial General Meeting on March 28, 2025, and a new executive body was elected. The new body is a diverse group of people who have pledgedtheirsupportforthe growth of darts and the
association.
The new officer bearers are: President - Mr Sean Fenty, Vice President - Mr Adrian Damon, General Secretary - Mrs. Natisha Fordyce-Graham, Treasurer - Ms Melisa Smartt, A
Secretary/Treasurer - Dr Terence Joseph and Public Relation Officer - Mr Sheik Yaseen.
Committee members: Mr Sherywn Greene, Mr Christopher Lochan, Ms.Victorine Chandro and Mr NormanMadhoo.
India suspends IPL for a week...
Frompage28
"While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity,andsecurityofour country,"Saikiaadded.
"The BCCI remains firmly committed to support all efforts that safeguard India and will always align its decisions in the best interestofthenation."
Asked if players and support staff from abroad hadbeengiventheoptionto return home if they felt uncomfortable, BCCI secretary Saikia told Reuters: "That's not our domain It's for the individual franchises to decide what they want to do withtheirforeignrecruits."
Friday's IPL match in Dharamsala was abandoned midway through, with organisers citing a power outage,whileSunday'sgame atthesamenorthIndiancity was shifted to Ahmedabad because of the border tension. The two countries have clashed since India struck multiple locations in Pakistan on Wednesday that itsaidwere"terroristcamps" in retaliation for a deadly attack in its troubled region of Kashmir last month, in which it said Islamabad was involved.
Pakistan denied the accusation but both countries have exchanged cross-border firing and shellingandsentdronesand missiles into each other's airspace since then, with nearly four dozen people dyingintheviolence.
The IPL still has 12 group matches left, which areduetobefollowedbythe playoffs culminating in the May25finalinKolkata.
New dates and venues for the remaining matches will be declared "in due course",saidSaikia.
PSLPOSTPONED
The conflict took its toll on the other side of the border as well with the
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initially deciding to move the last eight PSL games to the United Arab Emirates.
However,lateronFriday, the PCB said it had postponed the matches on theadviceofPakistanPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, adding that cricket "must takearespectfulpause"amid theconflict.
"ThePCBrecognisesthe efforts and support of its
, participating players, broadcasters, sponsors, and organizersinhavingensured the smooth conduct of the tournamentthusfar,"itsaid.
"We, at the PCB, also have sincere regard for the mental well-being of participatingplayersandthe sentiments of our foreign players, and we respect the concerns of their families who want to see them back home.”
India suspends IPL for a week, Pakistan postpones games amid conflict
in the stands during a minutes
(Reuters) - The Indian Premier League wassuspendedforoneweekonFridaywhile the Pakistan Super League postponed its remaining matches in the wake of the ongoing conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
"TheBoardofControlforCricketinIndia (BCCI)hasdecidedtosuspendtheremainder of the ongoing IPL 2025 with immediate
effectforoneweek,"secretaryDevajitSaikia saidinastatementonFriday
The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day Signuphere.
TheIPLgoverningcouncilconsultedthe franchises and players and "considered it prudenttoactinthecollectiveinterestofall
(Continue on page 26)
Spectators
silence in memory of victims who were killed in a suspected militant attack near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir before the match (Reuters)
Lusignan Golf Club fights back against Rainy Season Challenges
The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) is taking proactive measures to ensure the preservation and playability of its course during the ongoing rainy season, reaffirming its commitment to course excellence and playersafety LGCPresident AnashaAlly recently shared insights into how the club manages heavy rainfall and waterlogged conditions, especially as the sport continues year-round. One of the club's most vital resources is a powerful 16-
inch rice pump, powered by a tractor, that is capable of draining the entire course in two to three days when conditionsareattheirworst.
“Ourpumphasprovento be a real asset during the rainy season,” said Ally “It allows us to manage the water levels quickly and effectively, ensuring the coursecanreturntoplayable conditions in a reasonable timeframe Additionally, we'veengagedseveralofour dedicated course staff to actively clear drains and remove blockages, which
Office Express supports DCB's fund-raising Independence T10 Cup
supports faster drainage and keepswaterflowsteady.”
Inadditiontomechanical and manual intervention, LGC places a strong emphasis on responsible play
The club has issued guidelines to golfers, particularly cart drivers, urgingthemtousetheedges of fairways and to operate carts with care to prevent unnecessaryturfdamage.
“We'vefoundthatsimple measures,likestickingtothe fairway edges, really help preserve the course,” Ally
said. “We encourage all players to be mindful, especially during or after heavyrainfall.” When waterlogging becomes extreme, the club doesn't hesitate to take precautionary action. “If the course is too saturated, continuing play can cause serious damage,” Ally emphasized. “In such cases, we issue warnings, and if necessary, we suspend play temporarily Repairsarethen carried out to ensure the course returns to top condition.”
These measures reflect a deep commitment by the LGC to uphold course standards, protect the environment, and ensure long-term sustainability of thesport.Astherainyseason c
comprehensive approach demonstrates leadership and careforbothplayersandthe courseitself.
W
management, effective drainage solutions, and coopera
members,theLusignanGolf Club continues to set an
maintenanceandresponsible golfing,rainorshine.
Vreed-en-Hoop Branch Manager of Office Express Cavita Persaud presents the sponsorship to Assistant Treasurer of the Demerara Cricket Board Troy Khan
PlansaremovingapacefortheDemeraraCricketBoard's first-ever Independence T10 Cup on May 25 at the LBI ground, with corporate Guyana embracing the fund-raising initiative.Organisersoftheelectrifyingtournament,featuring eight teams from within the county of Demerara, have confirmed Office Express as a partner for the highly anticipatedshowdown.
Office Express has undertaken to print all the tickets for theevent,aswellassponsoroneeducationalgateprizefora lucky patron. “We're extremely happy to welcome Office Express as one of the first partners of this venture,” the DemeraraCricketBoardsaid.
“We encourage persons to engage with this business so thattheycancontinuetooffersupporttothisbeautifulgameof cricket.” Office Express is a Berbice-based establishment withoutletsatPortugueseQuarterinPortMourant;SectionB, Number 78 Village, Corentyne; and Main Street, New Amsterdam.ThereisalsoalocationatNewRoad,Vreed-enHoop,WestCoastDemerara.
Office Express offers photocopying, printing and office supplies, aligning itself with established brands such as Konica Minolta, Studmark, Staedtler, Crayola, Paper Mate, Pilot,Alstep,PointerandOxfordDictionaries.
GeneralManagerofOfficeExpressYudeshArmogansaid hiscompanyisdelightedtopartnerwith (Continue on page 26)
LGC President, Anasha Ally
Slingerz FC put perfect record on the line against Ann's Grove tonight …. GDF,
Th e G u y a n a
F o o t b a l l
Federation's (GFF)EliteLeagueresumes tonight at the National Training Centre in Providence, with tabletoppers Slingerz FC looking to extend their unbeaten run when they take on a struggling Ann's Grove Unitedat9:00pm.
But before that, the action kicks off at 6:30 pm with Mainstay Goldstars, currentlytheleague'sbottom
side, taking on a hungry Western Tigers outfit in the opening game of the doubleheader
Led by former Golden Jaguars Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz, Slingerz FC have been dominant in his debut EliteLeaguecampaign.
After six rounds, the Vergenoegen-based club boasts a flawless record, rackingup18points,scoring 32goals,andconcedingjust two.
Slingerz FC head into
tonight's fixture on the back ofasolid2–0winoverFruta Conquerors In contrast, Ann's Grove United was on the receiving end of a brutal 8–0 thrashing from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF)intheirlastouting.
Withtheironlywinofthe season coming against fellow strugglers Mainstay Goldstar,Ann's Grove faces a massive challenge against the league's most in-form side.
Meanwhile, in the
Santos
set to clash this weekend
curtain-raiser, Mainstay Goldstar, battered and bruised from a torrid run of results,willhavetheirhands full against the high-flying WesternTigers.
Coached by former national captain Charles 'Lilly'Pollard,theTigersare currently third in the standings behind Slingerz FC and the Guyana Police Force(GPF).
Awin tonight could see them leapfrog into second place,withjustonegameleft
Kelsey Benjamin in action for Slingerz FC.
toplayinthefirstround.
Mainstay, who have shipped 44 goals in just six matches,willbedesperateto deliver a more respectable showingtonight.
Looking ahead to tomorrow's fixtures, Fruta ConquerorsandDenAmstel willsquareoffinthe6:30pm clash, with both sides eager to bounce back from recent losses.
DenAmstel were beaten 2–0 by Police FC, while Fruta Conquerors suffered the same scoreline against SlingerzFC.
Then, at 9:00 pm on Sunday,fansareinforaepic matchup as reigning championsGDFgohead-tohead with Santos Both teams are level on 10 points after six games, but GDF edge Santos on goal difference. With both sides coming intothematchonthebackof victories, Sunday night's showdown promises to be one of the marquee fixtures of the weekend, with three crucial points on the line as the first round of the Elite Leaguenearsitsconclusion.
2025 National Open...
Frompage31
against experienced player, AFM Davion Mars. U12 Open Champion Abel Fernandez Ciria came close to winning againstAliinroundthreebutmissedacheckmateopportunity infourmoves.
The outcome of this qualifying tournament holds significantweight,asitdetermineswhowillultimatelyviefor the title of National Open Chess Champion each year Defending champion Khan has held this coveted distinction for two consecutive years. The growing strength of talented juniorplayers,however,suggestsaparticularlyintensebattle forthechampionshipthisyear
PastandpresentNationalJuniorchampionshaveentered the fray including Saeed Ali (2016), Joshua Gopaul (2018), Keron Sandiford (2023) along with Ricardo Narine (2022 & 2024).Two-timeNationalWomen'sChampionWCMJessica Callender(2023&2024)and2025Women'sChampionWCM Aditi Joshi are also participating in the highly competitive field.
Notable contenders in this year's qualifier include NIcholasZhang,GilbertWilliams,KishanPuran,KimShing Chong, RolexAlexander, and U12 Girls Champion Kataleya Sam.
FIDEArbitersMr JohnLee,servingasChiefArbiter,and Mr AnandRaghunauthareofficiatingthetournament.
The competition will intensify as the final four rounds resume on May 10th and May 11th, 2025. The nine highestrankingplayerswillbeawardedmedalsandwillproceedtothe National Chess Championship, where they will compete against each other along with the National Champion in a singleRoundRobintournament.
Tournament standings and pairings are available on chessresults.com and guyanachess.gy, with live games streamedonlichess.org.
2025 National Open Chess C/Ship
