Guyana Times - Epaper Sunday May 7 ,2023

Death of Aishalton girl

12-year-old strangled to death, struck to head – PME – uncle confesses to murder

Two weeks after the body of 12-year-old

Amanda Smith from Aishalton village in South Rupununi was found in her yard, a post-mortem examination has confirmed that the young girl was strangled to death coupled with brain haemorrhaging as a result of blunt trauma to the head and face.

Amanda's parents had left her and her siblings at home on the evening of April 22 while they went out. Upon their return, they discovered Amanda's battered body a short distance from their home. The accused killer, her 17-yearold uncle who lived nearby, has since been taken into custody.

During the investigation, the suspect allegedly admitted that as the young girl was heading towards the door to urinate, he stretched out his foot thus causing her to trip. As a result, she reportedly hit her head against a nearby wall and became unconscious.

The teenager claimed that after panicking, he picked her up and took her to the back of the yard soon after which, he heard the victim’s brother calling

out to her. In fear, he fled the scene.

When contacted, Crime

Chief Wendell Blanhum related that the teenager allegedly snuck into the house via the back door, which the child’s older brother had left open while he used an outside washroom.

After realising that Amanda was missing, a relative told this newspaper that upon checking the backyard, the 17-year-old suspect was seen fleeing the area.

The family alleged that

during Police interrogation, the accused killer said that he went to the house to check on the children. However, according to the child’s parents, they would never allow anyone, not even a relative, at their house at that time.

They said they believe that the child was attacked while she was asleep, strangled, and then dragged into the yard. “How else did she get compression to the neck? He probably attacked her and strangled her to death,” they said.

The devastating news of the child has sent shockwaves throughout the small community of Aishalton, with family, friends, and neighbours struggling to come to terms

with the senseless loss of such a young life. Amanda was a 7th Grade student at Aishalton Secondary School, and her death left a deep impact on the community. The

grieving family is seeking justice for their beloved daughter, and the authorities are working tirelessly to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

Quamina St hotel incident

Victim’s family accused of terrorising lover

…vandalises home with bottles, stones

Kenisha Thomas, the woman with whom now dead Omar Ally was having an affair for the past four years, has called out his family for harassment and physical aggravation. Ally died in a Quamina Street hotel about two weeks ago after he and Thomas had checked into a room.

However, videos from Thomas’s social media page showed bottles and stones being hurled at her residence in Sophia, Greater Georgetown. This has caused her and her family to run for cover.

In addition, a mob of persons gathered outside her home hurled derogatory remarks at her. This recent development has caused her grandmother

to collapse and had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

It is unclear whether Thomas has lodged a report with the Police since attempts to contact her proved futile.

Ally was found dead two Fridays ago, soon after which Thomas escaped the scene by jumping from a window on the second floor of the hotel.

Dead: 12-year-old Amanda Smith

Dead: Omar Ally

Kenisha Thomas during an interview

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, May 7 – 05:30h – 07:00h and

Monday, May 8 – 04:15h – 05:45h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, May 7 – 05:15h – 06:45h and

Monday, May 8 – 05:40h – 07:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 17:48 reaching a maximum height of 2.65 metres.

Low Tide: 11:20h and 23:32h reaching minimum heights of 0.38 metre and 0.62 metre.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt to create more jobs in rural areas to address unemployment – VP Jagdeo – says will allow labour importation for major projects

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, cognisant of the need for jobs to be distributed equitably across the country, is looking to ensure that more jobs are made available to rural areas.

This is according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who during a recent press conference noted that focus is being placed on skills training in areas such as heavy-equipment operators, electricians, plumbing, and carpentry – all of which are in high demand for Guyana’s construction boom.

“We still have pockets of unemployment. In other parts of the country, like in Region Four and maybe now Three, it is easier for people to find a job. And they’re already running up against labour shortages.”

“There are some skill types that we’re pushing ahead with training more. Heavy equipment operators that you can do small training for. Electricians, plumbers, carpenters. These are high-demand skill areas in the construction boom,” Jagdeo further related.

Another measure being looked at to provide jobs is the transportation of workers across the country. According to Jagdeo, this is just a temporary solution as Government works to create jobs and more economic activities in those rural communities and regions in the country.

Jagdeo disclosed, however, that the Government has no choice but to allow companies executing major infrastructure projects in Guyana to bring in foreign skilled workers as the country continues to grapple with labour shortages – lest these projects stall.

He noted, however, that while they are allowing some amount of labour importation, they are cautious about opening up the floodgates, especially since there are still these pockets of unemployment in some parts of the country. He made it clear that the Government is against the mass import of labour.

“We don’t want to open up to mass import of labour. Then we still have our own people in many parts of the country, who can’t find a job. And that’s why we’re encouraging a lot of the people who need workers... we said to them why not build facilities so that if people are coming from Linden or Region One or Six, they can stay in these facilities and go back on weekends.”

“Until we can get more

investment in those communities, which is going to happen over time, we have the plan to take jobs and more economic activities into the rural areas, into Linden and the hinterland. So that is a big concern of ours,” Jagdeo further said.

Additionally, efforts are being placed on widening the scope for women in the workforce. Jagdeo noted that while more women have been formally employed in the labour force in urban areas, rural women lag behind.

“We’re trying to get more women into the labour force. So, the part-time jobs, many of them it’s the first time they’ve come out

of the home. And we’re hoping… once you come out of the home for the first time, you start working even for 10 days, it starts building a work ethic.”

“Not that they didn’t have a work ethic, because many work very hard at home. But to come into the formal labour market. And we can easily bring in the rural, hinterland, maybe from Region 10, women, into the workforce,” the Vice President also said.

The Government has for some time been lamenting the shortage of labour.

During a press conference in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

back in February, President

Dr Irfaan Ali had revealed that all the private entities in Region Six are complaining about a shortage of labour. In fact, he had said that this is a national complaint.

The Head of State, who was wrapping a twoday visit to the region, had said Government is combing across the entire country to find available labour. Ali had pointed out that in the construction sector in Region Six there is a need for an additional 600 skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.

According to Ali, the housing drive, which is national, has created a demand for labour that the country does not have. He pointed out that Guyanese living in the Caribbean might be able to fill a percentage of the gap in Region Six.

In May last year, Vice President Jagdeo had told the diaspora that there is a severe labour shortage, particularly for some types of skills. In fact, he had said that in some cases the Government may have to allow companies to bring in foreign labour to complete an individual project.

(G-8)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Views

Editor: Tusika Martin

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AI and the Media

There has been a rising tide of apprehension coming from experts in the field about the dangers that may lie ahead for humanity from developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Just last week, Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer called the “Godfather of artificial intelligence” (AI) and a long-time leader of Google’s AI Research Division, resigned from his position at the tech giant, citing growing concerns about the ethical implications of the technology he helped create. We have long passed the “Turing test” for determining whether a machine can demonstrate human intelligence: If a machine can engage in a conversation with a human without being detected as a machine, it has demonstrated human intelligence.

The concern expressed by 1000 experts, who signed an open letter last month calling for a six-month moratorium on the training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4, the newest model released by OpenAI in March, is that: “AI systems with human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity, as shown by extensive research and acknowledged by top AI labs.” But the utilisation of AI is proceeding apace, and in fact has invaded the field of journalism and the media in general.

Back in 2018, China’s Xinhua News Agency launched the world’s first AI-run news anchor featuring a computergenerated male figure that realistically delivers the news in a startlingly lifelike manner. Last month, as Xinhua debuted a female anchor, Russia’s Svoye TV did the same with Snezzhana Tumanova as their first IA weather presenter, and India’s “India Today” unveiled Sana, a female bot who presents news updates several times daily on their Aaj Tak news channel. She has a realistic human-like appearance and is fed data that it reads in synchronized lip movements using text-to-speech technology. The media group described her without any irony as “bright, gorgeous, ageless, tireless”, and most viewers seem to agree. In March, the world’s first completely AI-generated news content for an internet newspaper went live as NewsGPT. Very few readers can detect that there was no human input.

This, of course, raises the question of the future of journalism. Just as the attack on social media from its consumers might have tapered off comes this new challenge, not necessarily for the news companies per se, but for its employees. Some believe that the bots might be able to compose and deliver news bulletins in writing or verbally, but may falter when it comes to face-to-face interactions with guests or reporters in the field. But from the interactions with ChatGPT, which is available to even novice computer users, these news bots have long passed that test.

At the base of AI’s operations, however, are the algorithms through which it was programmed. But in being composed of neural networks that simulate the human brain, the scientists who are in trepidation of AI’s development are fearful about its self-learning capabilities. For instance, in journalism, there is the potential for generating fake news from so many bot sources that consumers would be even more challenged to detect the real from the fake news. This could be directly utilised by political campaigns to influence voting patterns.

As one Indian commentator advises, “Technology problems are not solved by more technology, but by laws and codes — by regulation. The question of intellectual property is deep: why is it normal for an acolyte to train with a master, but a violation for an AI to be trained on (the musician) Drake’s music? But the question of deep fake news —fiction written by machines for electoral advantage —assumes urgency as national elections near in the US and India. Since free speech absolutism has become widely accepted, it may be difficult to step back to when it was agreed that liars deserve to be penalised, not merely exposed, for the greatest good of the greatest number —including the liars themselves.”

These should be concerns about Guyana’s 2025 elections, and not only from domestic players.

Court ruling and an imminent appeal

Dear Editor,

In reference to the aforementioned subject matter, on May 3, 2023, Justice Sandil Kissoon handed down his ruling in favour of Melinda Janki et al. The proponents have fiercely criticized the position of the Government to appeal the High Court’s ruling. The underlying source of this longstanding contentious issue emanated a few years ago from a group of activists (some of whom are involved in the said court case), and a certain newspaper publisher who argued that the oil companies are required to have “unlimited” insurance coverage. The problem with this is that, in the insurance world, there is no such [thing] as “unlimited” insurance coverage or guarantee. With this background in mind, let us now objectively examine the court’s ruling/ judge’s decision in tandem with the referenced Environmental Permit (renewed) No. 20160705-EEDPF? issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Attorney General’s press release that followed.

Excerpts from Justice Sandil’s Decision

Paragraph six states, “The Court found that ESSO was never in doubt as to what its liabilities are as captured under Condition 14 of the Environmental Permit (Renewed) for the Liza Phase 1 Petroleum Production facility, as the stipulations were neither unusual, unique or unauthorized. It was simply as a matter of law, fact, and consequence the norm that prevails which bound ESSO as singularly and exclusively responsible for all liabilities without restriction, implied or expressed, from its operations at the Liza Phase 1 Petroleum Production facilities, in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. It included all activities connected there-

with as stipulated in condition 14 of the Environmental Permit (Renewed) No. 201 607 05-EEDPF extending to and inclusive of the transition to Petroleum Production Operations and all activities incidental thereto.”

Paragraph seven states

“Equally, the concomitant financial assurance obligations imposed on ESSO by Condition 14:10 of the Permit (Renewed) in the form of environmental liability insurance together with an unlimited parent company guarantee agreement are but the legitimate corollary flowing from its uncapped and unlimited liabilities arising from an event and pollution as encapsulated in the permit, to provide such financial assurance, in the form of insurance and unlimited parent company guarantees to cover its liabilities.”

Relevant Citation from Condition 14 of the Environmental Permit (Renewed) No. 201 607 05-EEDPF, Financial Assurance and Liability for Pollution Damage

14.1 The Permit Holder is liable for all costs associated with clean up, restoration and compensation for any damages caused by any discharge of any contaminant, including the cost of all investigations into pollution incidents or discharge of contaminants, conducted at the instance of Agency.

14.2 The Permit Holder shall provide and/or declare within a reasonable time following the signing of this Permit a combination of the following forms of financial assurance to cover all its legitimate liabilities under this permit.

a. Insurance in accordance with Condition 14.5 and shall cover well control, and/or clean up and third-party liability on terms that are market standard for the type of coverage;

b. A Parent Company/ Affiliate (of Operator and Co-

Ventures) CoVs)) undertaking that provides indemnification for liabilities under this Permit.

14.3 The forms of financial assurance shall be guided by an estimate of the sum of reasonably credible costs, expenses, and liabilities that may arise from any breaches of this Permit.

Liabilities are considered to include costs associated with responding to an incident, cleanup, and remediation and monitoring. The estimation is not expected to address unidentifiable or inestimable costs which may be associated with compensation for loss and ongoing damage to other parties, and which are able to be pursued through civil action.

14.4 Notwithstanding the above, the Agency may require such further forms of financial assurance and coverage as it considers appropriate.

14.5 The Permit Holder shall have valid and effective environmental liability insurance of such type and in such amount as is customary in the international petroleum industry for petroleum operations in relation to this Permit, which insurance shall be procured from an Insurance Company assigned grade A+ by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or equivalent, as deemed appropriate by the Agency, and shall include, but may not be limited to insurance in respect of:

i. Loss or damage to all assets used in the Project;

ii. Environmental damage caused in the course of the Project for which EEPGL will be, jointly and severally, held responsible;

iii. Loss or damage to property or bodily agency suffered by any third party in the course of the Project for which EEPGL is liable to;

iv. The cost of removal of wreckage and clean-up operations required as a result of an accident occurring in the course

of permitted activities;

v. EEPGL’s liability to its employees engaged in the Project; and

vi. Any other requirement (s) made by the Agency.

14.6 Notwithstanding Condition 14.5, the Agency may require such further amounts, types, and coverage of insurance as is customary in the international petroleum industry or required by applicable law.

14.10 The Permit Holder must, as soon as reasonably practicable, provide from the Parent Company or Affiliate Companies of Permit Holder and its Co-Ventures (Affiliates) one or more legally binding agreements to the Agency, in which the Parent Company or Affiliate Companies of Permit Holder and its Co-Ventures undertake to provide adequate financial resources for Permit Holder and its Co-Ventures to pay or satisfy their respective environmental obligations regarding the Stabroek Block, if Permit Holder/or its Co-Ventures fail to do so, and to so indemnify and keep indemnified the Agency and the Government of Guyana, against all such environmental obligations regarding the Stabroek Block.

Excerpts from the Attorney General’s Press Statement on behalf of the Government of Guyana:

Following the High Court’s ruling, the Attorney General (AG) stated that “the EPA and the Government of Guyana are of the considered view that the Environmental Permit imposes no obligation on the Permit Holder to provide an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/or Affiliate Company Guarantee Agreement. In this regard, we hold the respectful view that the learned Judge fell into error in his findings.”

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla waving on the Buckingham Palace balcony following their coronation ceremony in London, Britain on Saturday (REUTERS/Matthew Childs photo)

PPP/C’s thorough preparation for LGE will lead to massive victory for all Guyanese

Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) have put into motion their thorough preparation for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs), which is certain to lead to a massive victory at the June 12 polls.

Significantly, the all-inclusiveness of the proposed candidates creates a winwin for communities in all Local Authority Areas nationwide, and will serve to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.

The due diligence and vigilance of the PPPC at these LGEs will be without boundaries, as the Party and supporters go into full elections mode. General Secretary of the PPP, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, is mobilising all his forces and putting all systems in place for a robust but free and fair contest. Without contradiction, the Party will be moving to augment their revealed all-inclusive list of nominated candidates, expressing the unrestricted diversity and quality of persons approved and recommended by the PPP/C as a symbol of the unreserved pursuit of unity.

The PPPC’s campaign approach demonstrates an emboldened sense of ground-breaking nationalism, targeting the most significant dividing obstacles to our people’s advancement. They do so aware of the need to break the long-known falsity of ethnic division that Opposition forces have used for decades as a pillar of indoctrination, for continuing the suppression to development as a trade-off for power grabbing. They do so in recognition that a balanced injection of experience and initiatives at the Local Authority Area (LAAs) levels s would catalyze an overwhelming parallel promotion of appealing and motivating communities to the population.

Consequently, the fact that PPP/C are

enjoying a significant percentage of ‘walkovers’, based on the ‘Nominations Day’ proposal of candidates to contest the LGEs, is not surprising. Notwithstanding, the PPP/ C’s activists are taking nothing for granted, nor sparing any chance to root with the masses, as they reach out to the communities with their messages to all the voters.

Accordingly, the general population should anticipate outreaches and engagements in various forms of appropriate communication, comprising party members and supporters distributing pamphlets and handbills, and being involved in bottom-house meetings as well as one-and-one speaking to the people in all communities.

Further, the continuance of Ministers of Government working in communities to address the issues of all citizens is most heartening and demonstrative of the total commitment of the leaders of the PPP/C, who are now proven to be unwavering in the spirit of a One Guyana Agenda as they walk the walk.

No empty words define the re-energised PPPC methods as they set about achieving an improved and deserving future for all citizens.

These LGEs will be most interesting, given the encouraging demonstration of the spirit of enthusiasm and togetherness that now characterise a resuscitation of will among our people. For all these good reasons, people from all walks of life proudly accompany the PPP/C candidates in their campaigns around the country. Indeed, opportunities are emerging for all as the Government moves to address people’s personal issues and community problems positively. The PPP leaders and Ministers are showing keen interest in, and are willing to listen to, the masses to resolve matters, bringing them in direct contact with the people on the ground.

Editor, for too long, the blind obligation to oppose for the sake of being in Opposition was allowed to thrive in support of a few self-aggrandizing henchmen and women. In recent times, most of the current Opposition frontline administrators, while trying to steal the people’s democratic rights, also supported policies imposing increased tax burdens and other sufferings on our citizens. These they referred to as collateral damage, which the PPPC had to remove swiftly or set policies to treat over time, on assuming Government in August of 2020.

It is rational that, working at grassroots level with our citizens regardless of perceived ethnic divide, and supporting the constitutional foundational framework yield the conditions for proposal and feedback that are conducive to accelerating community empowerment and development.

Moreover, faking the approach will have consequences, given that fictitious propagandists will no longer deceive our citizens, as improvements to one’s position must not be only perceived, but felt. For these tangibles and other reasons, the PPPC’s genuine outreaching and solution-oriented engagements, as opposed to the PNC’s unconstructive opposing, have proved to be more and more complementary and meaningful to our people.

The Guyana 2023 LGEs are expected to significantly encourage the dream and reality of President Irfaan Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ undertakings. As this nation prepares for voting on the 12th of June, the electorate seems to be more pumped-up and ready to vote with great determination to strengthen local democracy.

Sincerely,

Neil Kumar

Court ruling and an imminent...

The AG further stated that “the EPA and EEPGL spent almost a year negotiating a Parent Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement to the tune of US$2 billion in liability coverage in compliance with EEPGL’s financial coverage in compliance with EEPGL’s financial assurance obligations under the Environmental Permit and the Environmental Protection Act. These negotiations only concluded last week. These negotiations and their material effect were placed before the Court for its consideration, but to no avail.”

Commentary

Having critically examined the High Court’s ruling together with the subject matter Environmental Permit and the Attorney General’s statement on behalf of the Government of Guyana; indeed, there appears to be an unfortunate error in the findings of the High Court’s ruling. To this end, the learned Judge relied, to a large extent, on Condition 14 of the Environmental Permit as the basis for his ruling. However, as illustrated herein, there is no such provision under Condition 14 of the said Permit, wherein it is expressly stated that EEPGL is obligated to comply with an “unlimited” Parent Company Guarantee Agreement. Rather, the provisions set out in Condition 14 speak to insurance liability amounts that conform to that which is the norm in the international petroleum industry. In other words, insurance liability coverage that is in keeping with international best practice in the global industry.

Of note, the provisions in Condition 14.3 speak to “the forms of financial assurance shall be guided by an estimate of the sum of the reasonably credible costs, expenses, and liabilities that may arise from any breaches of this Permit.” Emphasis is placed on the phrase “estimate of the sum of the reasonably credible costs…”. Again, suggesting unequivo-

cally that there is absolutely no provision in Condition 14 of the Permit or in any of the Conditions in the Permit that imply or explicitly state that EEPGL must provide coverage for uncapped liability, vizá-viz, an “unlimited” insurance coverage or parent company guarantee.

Moreover, specific reference was made to condition 14.10 by the learned Judge in his ruling, where he stated that the conditions therein imposed upon Esso “unlimited parent company guarantee”. To the contrary, condition 14.10 actually stated that the Permit Holder and its Co-Ventures undertake to provide “adequate financial resources”, which contradicts the ruling of unlimited liability. The terms “adequate” and “unlimited” have very different meanings by definition.

With that being said, the procedure in ascertaining or quantifying the value of the liability insurance or assurance coverage and/or guarantee is at best a subjective process. This is because, in practice, there is no prescribed methodology or formula to do so. Hence, it is precisely for this reason that the Permit did not impose a defined time frame by which such insurance must be obtained and be in place, other than to state by a “reasonable” time frame. In this regard, due consideration has to be given to all of the other conditions that would have to be complied with by EEPGL as set out in the Permit in relation to minimizing and/or mitigating the potential adverse environmental damages or risks. For example, the safety procedures in place; training; and capacity building in oil spill response; coupled with the requirement for a capping stack in country and the maintenance of a subscription with a manufacturer of the equipment. These are some of the factors that would have to be considered in order to reasonably estimate the amount for the insurance liability.

It is worth noting that prior to the

FROM PAGE 4

2010 catastrophic BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which cost BP in excess of US$60 billion in liabilities, the capping stack device was not yet developed. It was after this event that the capping stack was developed, which can be placed on top of a well head to control the flow of an emergency or unplanned release of hydrocarbons. The capping stack can be operated remotely to control the flow of oil and gas.

For the layperson’s comprehension, based on an assessment of the risk management framework to mitigate the risks of environmental damages and/or the worst-case scenario of an oil spill, the insurance amount and the premium will reflect the gravity of the risk accordingly. So, if the risk is considered high, then the premium will be significantly higher than if it is considered low-to-moderate. Bearing in mind that the insurance premium, which will be treated as part of the operating cost, will also have an impact on the profit oil. Consequently, if the cost is considerably high, then this will effectively reduce the profit oil from which the country earns 50 percent in accordance with the fiscal terms of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

Concluding remarks

Against all of the foregoing, it is the respectful view of the undersigned that the Government is in order to appeal the High Court’s ruling. Considering that unlimited insurance coverage or guarantee is unheard of in the insurance world, and that it is not provided for in the Permit, it would be practically impossible to comply with the learned High Court Judge’s ruling, albeit it is a flawed ruling.

Yours sincerely,

Joel Bhagwandin Public Policy and Financial Analyst

The choice of breed is ultimately decided by that which the caregiver wants from his/her companion animal living in the family home. Within that context, compatibility is a major factor and prerequisite.

For some eons now, here in Guyana and I dare say throughout the world – possibly since dogs and humans began to interact – we have chosen dogs on specific bases. We want them to be working dogs; hunting dogs, scent hounds, and sight hounds are included in this category. Mostly, though, we keep dogs as pets because of companionship, even if we employ them to herd sheep and other forms of livestock.

Now that we may be developing the ability to care for companion animals (feeding well, veterinarian costs, groom - ing expenses,

pets. We have already advised about the specific considerations that must be made before one adopts/acquires a pet – whether it be a dog, cat, rabbit. (If you have missed those columns, please contact us and we shall forward, via email, the articles advising on the necessary prerequisites associated with choosing dogs or cats as pets).

The point being made is that caregivers can not only afford the upkeep of pets, but many are disinclined to have any “pot hound” as a pet; instead, companion animal caregivers are preferring well-known breeds, for example German Shepherd, French Bulldogs, Schnauzers, Labradors, Poodles, Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies,

pecially to those dog breeds which are entering Guyana in large numbers and what their characteristics and features are. For example, I am sure you will realise that a gorgeous Siberian Husky, bred to withstand Siberian winters, will need some special care and handling, when it arrives in a country 5 degrees away from the equator, below sea level on the coast, with humidity levels constantly in the 80s and 90s. Yet, such an animal does fare well, if cared well.

Let’s look at some Working Dog Breeds

The German Shepherd (GS) I used to say that the GS is the genius in dogdom. Perhaps that is why they are the chosen breed to assist the police force and are used in the army. There is a standard joke in Germany that the reason why there two policemen on beat with a GH is to ensure that at least one of the three is an intellectual.

Please note that the dog we call an Alsation is pretty much the same as the GS. During and after World War I, the breed’s name was changed in Great Britain to “Alsation”, because the soldiers returning to the UK from AlsaceLorraine brought with them these wonderful creatures who were (are) known for their intelligence, faithfulness, and versatility in handling sheep and cattle. My own theory is that the

name change avoided reference to Germany. I suppose, for the same reason, in the USA, the name was changed to “Shepherd Dog”. The German Shepherd is called the Deutsche Shaeferhund in Germany. Europeans, it seems, love to attach their respective nationalities to their successes, e.g., French Water Dog, as opposed to the same dog from Portugal – called, of course, the Portuguese Water Dog (the very same breed that the Obama’s adopted as the “First Dog”).

I cannot help reiterating how intelligent the GS is. Clearly, I am a fan, but several other breeds are quick to learn and can make sensible choices. Nevertheless, it is no accident that the GS

breed is extremely popular worldwide and is used as a search-and-rescue dog and as a Guide Dog for the visually impaired.

As an owner/caregiver, you must deal with this dog in a routinely calm way. This will help to ensure their obedience and willingness to quickly learn new lessons. The fact that the hair coat can be short or long gives us the opportunity to choose a GS with a short haircoat –much preferable in the heat of the tropics. Their natural colour is black and tan.

The German Shepherd Again, I must mention that European national favour has gained sway. Consequently, there are Portuguese Sheep Dogs, Catalan Sheep Dogs, Pyrenean Sheep Dog, the Picardy Sheepdog – none of which even look closely like the GS. The Belgian Shepherd and the Dutch Shepherd (DS) are quite distinct from the GS but do have some similarities. The DS, unlike the GS, has a natural wariness of strangers and will behave accordingly. But we do not need to worry. The DS seems to be dying out in Holland.

P.S. My first encounter with a GS was in the movies. We children were all enamored with Rin Tin Tin, the film star that helped humans solve cases.

Opposition MP breaks ranks with party to support Govt’s gas-to-energy project –

says input from Opposition, other stakeholders

panied by the party’s economic advisor Elson Low, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton had even claimed that the project was “not viable” based on studies he did not provide or quote from.

will benefit project

Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine

Figueira, who is an executive of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, has thrown his support behind the Government’s transformational gas-to-energy project.

In a missive, Figueira spoke about the potential benefits of the project to transform the lives of Guyanese and noted that with input from stakeholders, including the Opposition, many Guyanese will benefit from it.

In so doing, Figueira is breaking ranks with his party’s public stance of criticising and even opposing the project. During a press conference in October of last year when he was accom-

According to Figueira, however, the gas-toshore project will be a game-changer for a country badly in need of reliable and affordable energy for domestic consumption and industrial growth. According to Figueira, the gas-to-shore project can provide this and also make Guyana a major player in the Region when it comes to energy, in terms of the country’s strategic location to other countries in the Region.

“This project has the potential to help eliminate the country's heavy reliance on imported diesel and other fossil fuels, which are expensive, and its production emits greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.”

“This gas-to-shore project will likely have the ability to generate significant revenue opportunities for the country, boosting its economic growth, and making it a major player in the South American continent and within the Caribbean Community (Caricom),” Figueira wrote.

According to Figueira, the gas-to-shore project has a significant advantage when it comes to providing a power supply reliable enough to end the frequent

blackouts. He pointed out that Guyana presently gets most of its power from diesel generators, which are both unreliable and costly.

“This has long constrained economic development in Guyana, resulting in significant costs to small businesses, respective industries, and ordinary people. The ready access to a reliable, constant energy supply will allow Guyana to develop new industries and maintain existing ones while attracting many foreign direct investments that demand constant and affordable sources of energy.”

“The gas-to-shore will be a catalyst for the growth and the introduction of other new industries, adding value to our many raw materials in many parts of the country. Making manufacturing more cost-effective will aid in the creation of permanent jobs for our people,” Figueira said.

It also has the potential

to significantly enhance the transportation system in an environmentally friendly way, while also facilitating growth in key sectors like food and agriculture. This will all aid in attracting foreign investment and growing Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Further, the gas-toshore project will significantly increase Guyana's revenue generation capacity by leveraging its natural gas reserves to produce petrochemicals and other industrial products.”

“The planned expansion of power production capacity will undoubtedly create excess gas, which, as a country, we can partner with local and foreign companies to commercialise products based on the natural gas produced,” Figueira further said.

Regional supplier

He pointed out that Guyana could have the po-

tential to be a major supplier of nitrogen fertiliser in the Region, bringing Guyana closer to being the food basket of Caricom. He also hypothesised that a methanol production plant could be set up, producing chemicals such as formalin that could be converted into disinfectant and paint and then sold.

“Another product Guyana can benefit from is Liquefied Natural gas (LNG), which can also be exported. The excess gas produced can also be liquefied and exported, providing additional revenue to the country.”

“Guyana needs to tap into the growing demand for LNG in the emerging economies of Asia while also catering to regional markets such as North America, in the process becoming a significant player in the LNG market and establishing the country as an energy hub,” he also said.

He also advised that beyond Caricom, Guyana can leverage the gas-to-shore project to cement its position as an energy producer for the South American continent. Here he referenced Guyana’s already established partnership with Brazil. This partnership, he said, could be leveraged to transport natural gas to Brazil and beyond.

“This project coupled with the inputs of the main Opposition, civil society and the private sector can aid

the Government, Guyana and its people to be well positioned to be not just be a major beneficiary from its resource but a significant player in the very near future in other parts of the world as a major player in the energy supply industry,” Figueira said.

The gas-to-shore project includes the construction of an integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and the 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD). In Budget 2023, the gas-to-energy project received a $43.3 billion allocation. This allocation is in addition to the $24.6 billion injected into the start-up of the transformational project.

The scope of Guyana’s gas-to-energy project also consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil.

It features approximately 200 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will run from Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore. Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

Opposition MP

Jermaine Figueira

The gas-to-shore project

Victim’s family accused of...

Thomas claimed that the victim became lifeless after he hit his head on a toilet bowl in the room they had checked into.

The couple reportedly shared an intimate relationship for the past four years even though Ally was married with children.

Thomas said upon seeing Ally in such a state, she panicked, ran out of the bathroom and went straight to the receptionist where she reported what had happened.

“I went to her and I said come quick he fall down, and she said who fall down, and I said the person I came in with. She said that she was coming and she accompanied me back to the room. When we went in, she turned to me and said I got to call the Police and the ambulance. I said no, I can’t stay here, dah is me neighbour husband,” she said.

Thomas had admitted to the affair but denied any wrongdoing with respect to his death. This

was confirmed when an autopsy showed that the man died from a heart attack.

The woman claimed that she panicked when he collapsed, and the only thing that came to her mind was to escape from the scene.

“I had my towel wrapped, and I went on to put on my pants and my bra, and I picked up my top and my phone, and I jumped down the building, and I ran away. I didn’t wait for the Police

because I got scared, and I didn’t want to wait for his wife and his family to come there and see me. That’s why I ran away.”

The woman said the hotel staff knew them well because they frequented the hotel quite regularly.

“I want to express my deepest sympathy to the Ally family. This is a situation that I am not happy about, and I want to apologise for how it happened and the circumstances that have ensued…”, she had said.

Gimmie all…

…and no protection!

It would appear that most Guyanese have forgotten about the “Hezekiah Effect”, which your Eyewitness had warned against when oil was struck off our waters. Even Trotman had assured us that this was the reason he hadn’t fessed up about the US$18 Bonus from the Exxon consortium to exploit the 11 billion-boe Stabroek field. It would pay to fend off the Venezuelans at the World Court!!

You don’t remember what’s the Hezekiah Effect, dear reader? Shame on you!! Here we’ve just finished celebrating the Ascension of the Prophesised One and all that!! Are you still in a haze (daze?) after your spirituous excesses? Either way, you should punish yourself with a “time out” for your transgression!

Anyhow, your (virtuous) Eyewitness will refresh your memory about the prophecy.

Hezekiah, you see, was an early King of Judah, who scrupulously followed the Lord’s 10 Commandments. He was so favoured that the Lord once killed off 180,000 Assyrians who were his enemies. (And no! It’s NOT genocide when the Lord does the mass killing.) Hezekiah even held off the dastardly Babylonians who were the rising superpower of the day.

But one day Hezekiah fell ill, and accepted a get-well gift from the Babylonians…and in a fit of bonhomie, “showed all of his treasures, all the silver and gold, and everything in his arsenal”!! That was it!! The prophet Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Hear the word of the Lord: "Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left". And lo and behold, after a while Judah was conquered, and the people were taken into slavery into Babylon!!

All because (to be clear, dear reader) Hezekiah showed off his wealth!! And so said, so done!! That Babylon to our west, Venezuela, which has long had its eyes on our territory of Essequibo, now saw our humongous newfound wealth, and envy filled its heart. We’d held them off through deft diplomacy, and were about to inflict the coup de grace by taking them to the World Court. But mostly because we had ExxonMobil as the operator of our oil find!!

That’s right, folks. Don’t think Venezuela’s THIRTY TIMES our oil reserves sated them. Babylon was far richer than Judah, but still coveted the latter’s wealth!! Does anyone really think, brave as they certainly are, our army can take on – much less take out – the Venezs?? So, when those goodly folks started talking about “renegotiating” Trotman’s contract, your Eyewitness got the shivers!! And now there’s a fever on insurance demands!!

Do we really want to lose corn (our Essequibo) and husk (our 14.5% cost oil)?? By the Rivers of Babylon??!!

…in Zimbabwe

Ahhh…how low can the mighty fall?? Imagine, at one time Robert Mugabe was such a hero in the Third World that - just before he was assassinated - Walter Rodney had sneaked off to attend the Zimbabwe independence celebrations! And now comes another story of Mugabe’s venality - a man who talked so fat back in the day about imperialists’ exploitation!! All he obviously wanted was to fill their shoes!

Bona Mugabe, his only daughter, recently filed for divorce. But court papers reveal that she owns 25 residential properties, including a Dubai mansion that’s worth around GY$17 billion!! Then there are the TWENTY-ONE farms, luxury vehicles, farming equipment, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash. They acquired some of the 21 farms during the contentious takeover of white-owned farms in the early 2000s - despite the Government's policy of "one-man one-farm".

Zimbabweans are outraged at the news. As our South Africans at the billionaire status of their erstwhile freedom fighters!! They make Burnham look like a piker!!

…insists the PNC

Until the PNC can wipe out the stain of the way Burnham and then Granger treated coalition partners that got them into office, they’ll never have even a snowflake’s chance of surviving in hell of returning again!!

Consortium building gas-to-energy power, NGL plant to hire 1500-2000 Guyanese

–

On the sidelines of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), over 30 members of Guyana’s delegation to the Houston, Texas event were given the opportunity to tour oil and gas consortium Lindsayca/CH4’s (LNDCH4) facility and updated on employment opportunities for over 1500 Guyanese.

Lindsayca/CH4 is no stranger to Guyana, having been engaged by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government last year to construct the combined 300-megawatt power plant and natural gas liquids (NGL) plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara as part of the gas-to-shore initiative.

During the facility tour of LNDCH4, Guyana’s delegation met with the senior leadership of the companies. They were given an overview of the project, insights into comparative international projects, the timeline for the gas-toshore project and the procurement opportunities.

Then there is the matter of local content. According to LNDCH4 Chairman Nelson Drake, the consortium is looking to utilise as much local content as possible in Guyana. In addition to engaging services from businesses in Guyana, they are looking to hire approximately 1500 – 2000 Guyanese to work on the

project.

“Although we are a US consortium, our aim is to use as much local content as possible in Guyana. In addition to engaging services from businesses in Guyana, we also aim to hire approximately 1500 – 2000 people in-country,” Drake said.

However, members of the delegation were in high praise of the tour. Guyana Oil & Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) President Maniram Prashad lauded the company’s transparent approach to information sharing while appraising the business community of the local content opportunities.

“We are pleased to see the approach that LNDCH4 has taken in sensitising the business community, engaging in such an informative and transparent manner, and explaining

the various opportunities that will be available for Guyanese businesses. We feel confident that this project will be transformational for Guyana,” Prashad said.

Nayteram Ramnarine, an economist with the Private Sector Commission (PSC), also spoke about the value of the visit. Additionally, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) Executive Secretary Kathy Smith noted the importance of the project not only nationally, but also in Region Three.

“This trip provided valuable insight into the timelines and processes involved in developing the gas-to-energy plant in our country. As an economist for the PSC, I am committed to ensuring that all businesses within our organisation are fully prepared to capitalise on the opportunities that will arise from this

project,” Ramnarine said.

“The presentation given highlighted the phases of the project towards the production of reliable and cost-effective source of energy for power generation, thereby reducing electricity costs and improving energy security. Also important is job and local partnership opportunities that will spur economic growth,” Smith meanwhile added.

Last year, the consortium of CH4 Guyana Inc/ Lindsayca Inc emerged out of a competitive process as the winning bid to construct the 300MW Combined Cycle Power Plant and NGL Plant under an Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) Contract.

Earlier, nine firms were publicly pre-qualified to bid on the EPC contract, and Request for Proposals (RFP) were is-

sued to these bidders. By September, five bids, ranging between US$450 million and US$900 million, were submitted. The EPC Contract will be supervised by a global supervision firm – Engineers India Limited.

Apart from the power plant and NGL plant, the scope of US$900 million gas-to-shore project, which has a 25-year lifespan, also consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where ExxonMobil and its partners are currently producing oil.

Approximately 220 kilometres of subsea pipeline offshore will run from the Liza Destiny and Unity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore. Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara

shore, the pipeline will continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL plant in Wales.

Exxon, with funding from cost oil, is expected to deliver the completed pipeline by the fourth quarter of next year, in order to allow for the commissioning and testing ahead of the power plant coming online by the end of 2024.

The pipeline would be 12 inches wide and is expected to transport some 50 million standard cubic feet (mscfpd) of dry gas per day to the NGL plant, but has the capacity to push as much as 120 mscfpd.

The route of the pipeline onshore would follow the same path as the fibre optic cables and would terminate at Hermitage, part of the Wales Development Zone (WDZ) where the gasto-shore project would be housed. (G-8)

Guyanese OTC delegation tours consortium’s Houston facility

Guyanese participants in the Lindsayca/CH4 tour

A Lindsayca/CH4 official making a point during the tour

Land titling

20% of Guyana’s lands to be owned by Indigenous communities

She shared that in the pre-Independence era, 74 villages were identified for titling but this number has increased over the decades.

Amerindian Affairs

Minister Pauline Sukhai has announced that when outstanding applications are processed for land titling or expansion, some 20 per cent of Guyana’s lands will be owned by Indigenous peoples.

“Now, we’re speaking about 112 villages that we have advanced forward. We have added to what was legislated. Now that we’ve added to that, we’re also extending…Our projection is that by the time we complete extensions of all the applications we have, we’d be close to about 20 per cent of Guyana’s land mass is owned absolutely by Indigenous people,” Sukhai explained at a recent press conference.

She also asserted that Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), which is a specific right that pertains to Indigenous peoples and is recognised in the United Nations Declaration on the

Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), is always adhered to by Government.

“The lack of FPIC is a non-issue basically because you can’t have an Amerindian Affairs Ministry with a whole established staff that does not speak with the Indigenous people or does not work with them or does not en-

gage them. We don’t work in isolation. We work as a true partnership with the National Toshaos Council, village councils and the people themselves.”

A $500 million allocation was made in Budget 2023 for land titling in Amerindian communities. During the debates, Minister Sukhai quoted former Indigenous

People’s Affairs Minister

Sydney Allicock accepting that the former Government had not issued titles in three years, and due to this failure, the Administration had sought extensions.

At that time, she reported that her Ministry demarcated seven villages and issued five certificates of title to villages in under

two years. In addition, it has completed a revision of 23 investigative reports to date. The Ministry will be pursuing 19 demarcations and 11 land extensions in 2023.

“The land tenure for Amerindians was simply not a priority. Upon our resumption of office, the PPP/C Government has reaffirmed its commitment towards ensuring the fulfilment of our manifesto commitment and governmental obligation to ensure that we complete the land tenure project, which will benefit numerous Amerindian villages,” the Minister was quoted saying. The PPP/C had promised in its manifesto to resuscitate the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Unit that was disbanded by the coalition Administration, and did so in 2021.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai

Indigenous lands that are being processed for titling

We must craft a national narrative

Govt to roll out “30,000 solar PV home systems” initiative in July

In the runup to May 5th, the debate over whether the holiday now called “Arrival Day” ought to be officially acknowledged as “Indian Arrival Day” again rose to the fore. Ironically, unlike other instantiations of historical references in Guyana, that invariably have a political nexus, the Opposition supported the position of the majority of Indian-Guyanese, who are outside their base, while the PPP Government adamantly ignored them. This is quite anomalous in a society in which the Opposition is chockfull of individuals who deploy “history” as one of their main armaments in the mobilisation of their base and their quest for a guaranteed “share” of Government.

Ravi Dev

While one wished this signalled a welcome increase of magnanimity towards the “other”, sadly, it appears more prosaically an acceptance of the “facticity” of Indians first arriving on that day, while insisting against the historical evidence that “Indian arrival” undercut the bargaining power of the newlyfreed slaves after 1838, and drove them off the plantations.”

As we have repeatedly demonstrated: “It was not Indian labour that broke the back of African attempts to wrest higher wages from the planters. While Portuguese and fellow Africans from both the WI and Africa were brought in as early as 1835, a strike by ex-slaves in 1842 was successful, and encouraged the planters to expand their indentureship programme.

The ex-slaves called another strike in 1847, at a point of financial crisis for the planters, as their sugar lost its preferential English tariffs in 1846. Encouraged at that point by the indentureship of 15,747 Portuguese, 12,897 Africans from the WI, and 6957 “liberated” Africans from Africa – a total of 35,601 – compared with only 8692 Indians, they held off the demands for higher wages.

After 1848, when more than half of the freed Africans had moved into villages and towns, by and large, they had decided to make their living off the plantations.”

This, unfortunately, is merely one example of the one-sided narrative we witness in countries with ethnic conflict. In fact, the phenomenon has been described as “memory wars”. A distinction is made between “history” and “collective memory”, in that while the former’s authors may be selective in their recordings and silencing of historical facts, the latter is even more distorted, being what is “memorised” and “memorialised” by groups and their ideologues. As one author suggests, “it might be useful to think in terms of different ‘memory communities’ within a given society. It is important to ask the question: “Who wants whom to remember what, and why?”

We have spoken about our Ethnic Security Dilemmas as structural factors that have to be actuated by an ideology that impels individuals to act as they do. And this is where the memory warriors come in, to “explain” the lived experiences of the people. In societies such as ours, leaders of some groups will argue for a greater legitimacy to the national patrimony - including or especially political power - because of prior arrival, greater acculturation to European values and practices, especially religion, etc. And this is where the memory war is fought – here by the PNC and now WPA - through a “politics of entitlement” by memory warriors so that the group “winning the war” becomes “entitled” to have all its interests satisfiedespecially at the expense of the other groups.

But while all groups will inevitably recuperate their histories - which reverberate in the various communities as narratives that often clash on particulars - memory warriors are insistent that only their narrative is the TRUTH, to the exclusion of others. Contra they may be “memory pluralists” who accept there are multiple valid narratives. Then there will be some who will deny or even denounce these multiple voices, and that insist “all awe ah wan”: these are the “memory abnegators”. Finally, and rarely, there are “memory prospectives” who concede the multiple narratives but work towards the crafting of a common narrative that includes all. It is in this tradition that we believe we should go forward.

We have dubbed the politics of memory as a “war” because, even though it does not always lead to physical war, it is always accompanied by a psychic onslaught on the “other” that destabilizes society. We once again call for a national conversation on race/ethnicity in the hope that the memory warriors can become memory prospectives to build a Guyana in which all groups are equitably represented.

The first 1830 solar photovoltaic (PV) home systems which form part of the “30,000 solar PV home systems” initiative are set to arrive in July.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr Mahender Sharma recently made the announcement at the multistakeholder consultation on the presentation of Guyana’s Second Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“This is fairly advanced…. As they arrive, we will move to distribution. We are working closely with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to advance this initiative.”

Dr Sharma noted that following the arrival of the first set of solar PV systems in July, addi -

tional batches will during the months of August, September, October, and November to complete the rollout of the initiative.

Its completion is targeted for the end of this year.

The 30,000 solar home systems project will see some 30,000 homes in hinterland communities receiving 150-watt solar PV systems to bridge the energy divide that exists between the urban and rural areas of the country.

In 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, solar PV systems were installed at a number of public buildings across the hinterland regions. These included health centres, community centres, food processing, and educational facilities.

In 2020, a 0.4 MW solar PV farm, the first in Guyana, was commissioned in Mabaruma, Region One (BarimaWaini). Following its op -

erationalisation, solar PV farms were also commissioned at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) in 2022, and Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) in 2023.

This year, a 0.5 MW solar PV farm is eyed for completion at Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), and a 0.65 MW solar farm is envisaged for completion in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Prior to Government taking office in 2020, Guyana’s solar PV capacity in public buildings stood at 5.35 MW, with 310 solar PV systems existing in Government agencies, schools, hospitals, exhibition centres, and multiple other buildings.

This year, the installed capacity for solar energy is estimated to reach approximately 17.2 MW.

Solar energy being generated in an interior location

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr Mahender Sharma

$1B housing project for Bartica moving apace – will see construction of 100 middle-income homes

In the coming weeks, construction on the first 100 middle-income housing units will commence, in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Director of Projects of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Omar Narine led a visit to the new site which is located at Seven Miles, just off of the Bartica Airstrip.

A few regional officials

and engineers were also at the site where the new development will take place. The project is valued at approximately $1 billion and will see three contractors mobilising their resources so that the infrastructure work can move swiftly as planned.

In June 2022, President Dr Irfaan Ali made the announcement during a visit to the mining town that

teachers and nurses would be among hundreds of residents from Bartica and surrounding communities in Region Seven to benefit from the construction of some 500 homes. The Head of State had pointed out that this initiative would have tremendous spin-off benefits for the community in a number of areas.

In 2023, a total of $54.5 billion has been allocated

by the Government in the national budget for housing developments in new and existing areas. This includes money to construct roads, drains, and bridges, and the installation of utilities.

Meanwhile, several projects are ongoing for the construction of turn-key homes under the Housing Ministry.

For low-income families, 50 low-income homes are under construction in Prospect on the East Bank of Demerara, while an area was identified to commence the construction for anoth-

er 1000 of these homes in Great Diamond.

South Atlantic is constructing the moderate-income units at Great Diamond utilising reinforced concrete foundations and blocks made only of recycled plastic. These homes measure 600 square feet and cost $5.9 million each.

Additionally, the first 100 low-income homes are already underway in Leonora, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). Another 100 persons are beneficiaries under the Lethem Housing

Support Programme and have already signed their agreement with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to move forward with the construction of their homes.

In Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 100 homes were also constructed to enhance the lives of residents there. Each is a two-bedroom flat unit, measuring 600 square feet. Built by 13 contractors, Government had announced that the total cost of the project was $750 million.

Ministry officials and contractors at the site

Land clearing underway to kickstart construction of the homes in Bartica

After a 4-hour pageant marathon, the Miss India Guyana franchise welcomed its new title holders at the Princess Ramada Hotel on Friday evening. The packed audience was definitely entertained as the delegates vied for the titles of Miss Teen, Miss India Guyana, Mr India Guyana and Mrs India Guyana.

At the end of it all, Netu Lal was crowned Miss Teen India Guyana followed by Marcia Seepersaud as the first runner up and Kaya Alli

as the second runner up. In the Miss India Guyana Category, Aruna Sukhdeo was declared the queen with Julia Williams as the first runner up and Leah Alves in the second runner up spot.

As it relates to Mr India Guyana category, Anthony Singh outshone his other seven contenders to cop the coveted title followed by Ken Sahadeo in the first runner up spot and Joel Dudhnath as the second runner up.

Finally, in the Mrs category,

Reanna Arakhan was adjudged the queen while Cindy Singh copped the first runner up position and Zabieeba Razack in the second spot. Notably, the contestants were also winners of various prizes including congeniality, best body, best skin, best physique, best smile and best talent among others.

In addition, popular television personality who acted in the position of Chief Judge, Joel Ghansham also received the lift achievement award for the

tremendous work he has been doing to promote Indian culture on television, radio, and other platforms.

Further, Madonna Ghani of Mommy’s Corner also received the Woman of Substance Award.

Nevertheless, the contestants were prepared for coronation night and did not disappoint their fans, supporters, and most of all the panel of judges which comprised doctors, lawyers, a judge, a newspaper editor, and the 2022

Miss Teen India Guyana, Beauty Razack.

The evening commenced with the evening wear and introduction segments which set the stage for a very competitive evening.

The finalists of the various categories posing with franchise holders

again for the ethnic wear only three contestants Miss categories, the final to feed questions to the ranged from current affairs to social platforms, women empowerment, domestic violence, and Indian culture.

The previous scores were erased and it was down to the scores from the intelligence segment to make the crucial decisions. After the tabulation process, the results were ready to be delivered to an anticipating

for later in the year which will see contestants from around the world competing for the international title.

Among the guests at the event was the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa who commended the franchise for a job well done. The franchise is owned by Hashim Ali and his wife, Melissa Pertab-Ali.

The King, Anthony Singh, is flanked by Ken Sahadeo and Joel Dudhnath

Aruna Sukhdeo is flanked by Julia Williams and Leah Alves

Miss Teen Indian Guyana, Netu Lal, with Marcia Seepersaud and Kaya Alli

Joel Ghansham receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from Franchise holder Hashim Ali and committee member Shivanie Latchman

In commemoration of the one-year anniversary of her mother’s passing, artist Roberta Nicolls held her first-ever art exhibition last May. “The paintings for that [exhibition] were my form of healing,” Nicolls said. “I now continue honouring her memory by working on my healing in a healthy manner through my paintings.”

The forty-eight-yearold Business Development Manager at GISAD Guyana Inc described this 2022 exhibition as the defining moment in her creative career. “My pieces are inspired by my need to use my God-given talent to be creative and use this as a tool to heal past my pain. The fact that it is art makes it relevant,” Nicolls said.

It was that first event that drew Ackeem Thomas towards working with Nicolls

and adding a virtual element to her pieces. “Her pieces were unique and personal and I was captivated by her originality and ability to vividly paint her emotions,” Thomas said. “Over time I began to envision how much better it could be if we added a modern spin with technolo-

gy.”

That idea culminated in Nicolls’s second exhibition and Thomas’s first collaboration with the artist: an augmented art exhibition. This event, Black Canvases, themed “Inspired Creativity” is set to open today at Georgetown Club, offering at-

tendees a unique experience to view art – a first of its kind for Guyana.

“The augmented element was added in an attempt to add another layer to the last exhibition and was introduced to me as an option by Ackeem,” Nicolls said.

For Thomas, technolo-

gy is an intrinsic part of his storytelling process. With a background in art, the twenty-eight-year-old got into photography as a teenager, eventually working his way up to graphic design and digital art. Now, he is also the Chief Executive Officer of Virtual Estate 360, which works to

promote businesses through virtual tours.

Thomas explained that he is always exploring new ideas and when Nicolls informed him of a second exhibition, he started brainstorming and researching Augmented Reality as it aligns closely with what he does within his business.

TURN TO PAGE 17

Ackeem Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Virtual Estates 360 and co-organiser of “Inspired Creativity” art exhibition

Photo taken by Ackeem Thomas

“It was the perfect opportunity to try it out. I spent weeks working on it before I was able to get the first piece augmented,” Thomas said.

“Augmented reality adds new dimensions of shape and motion to existing art or locations. Viewers will be able to use a mobile app to experience the real art, some including moving parts, sound or other changes in a 3D format, ultimately bringing it to life.”

With a total of 28 pieces to be on display at the exhibition, the augmented reality element has undoubtedly been a time-consuming addition to the paintings. “The major challenge is the amount of time it takes to augment each piece of art. Some pieces have to be broken down and recre-

ated digitally to be fully augmented,” Thomas said.

But Thomas and Nicolls are excited to showcase this experience to Guyanese, with the BPI Guyana Incsponsored event opening today at 15:00h at Georgetown Club, Camp Street, Georgetown. Admission is $1000 and attendees are also encouraged to wear white.

“There will be a few door prizes by vendors sharing their own products,” Nicolls said. “Have a wonderful evening with amazing people in a venue that evokes a tranquil state of mind.”

Roberta Nicolls, artist and co-organiser of “Inspired Creativity” art exhibition

Some work done by Roberta Nicolls

Young influencers of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry Amrita Naraine, Delisa Quintyn and Raquel Meenkum are in Brussels, Belgium, for the European External Action Service’s (EEAS) youth campaign #OurVoiceOurFuture engagements.

Naraine, Quintyn and Meenkum are a part of this current batch of Young Influencers, a Human Services Ministry initiative that is geared towards empowering young people between the ages of 15 and 29 to play an active role in the development of their community and be an ambassador for other youths across the country.

In addition to being a Young Influencer, Naraine is also the lead researcher and consultant

to ActionInvest Caribbean Inc. Meanwhile, Quintyn is an International Relations and Affairs student at the University of Guyana (UG) and Meenkum is an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) student.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the EU and the United Nations (UN) Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Young Influencers were invited to contribute to the conception and development of the new edition of the #OurVoiceOurFuture campaign.

Recognising that the youth are our future leaders and policymakers, this campaign invites young people globally to be part of the conversation as it relates to human rights and freedoms.

“Being a part of the campaign aligns very well with the mission of the Young Influencers in Guyana which is sharing, connecting, influencing and empowering,” Naraine said. “[This opportunity] ensures that I can exact what that slogan reads and I can make a sizable impact, not only in Guyana but on a wider level, to contribute to globalisation.”

“I believe that this platform allows me to address the dimensions surrounding what Guyana needs in order to improve a skilled labour force, to address what the current situation of our people in Guyana and people who are moving to Guyana, whether it be through ethical migrant labour or people accessing their rights through developmental initiatives that Guyana is able

to offer,” Naraine added. According to Naraine, this event in Belgium was a series of panel discussions with “high-level people within the EU” looking at issues in Latin America, how to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the UN and seeking how the influencers would like to contribute towards the effectiveness of the campaign through more innovative and creative ways.

The #OurVoiceOurFuture campaign is largely a social one where young influencers across the world, who were invited to participate, are encouraged to use the hashtag alongside any projects that they are working on or any issues they are addressing that relate to the campaign’s mission.

Delisa Quintyn, Raquel Meenkum and Amrita Naraine spent the day at the European External Action Service - EEAS Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium meeting, connecting, and sharing ideas with the #OurVoiceOurFuture young influencers from around the globe

The South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS) recently launched its first storybook called “Mawuusa and the Giant Anteater - Experiences, beliefs, and Research from the South Rupununi, Guyana” based on research on the existence of Giant Anteaters in Guyana.

This beautifully illustrated storybook tells the tale of a young girl from Katoonarib Village called Mawuusa who wants to learn more about Giant Anteaters in Guyana.

According to the Programme

in Guyana began in 2019 given the lack of information available online. He shared that Giant Anteaters are only found in South America and while research can be found on the population in other countries, it is not the same for Guyana.

“So, prior to 2019, there had never been any research or studies done concerning Giant Anteaters in Guyana. You can only find Giant Anteaters in South America. So, our organisation… received financing…support from Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme and SGP Guyana, and with their support, we were able to conduct

population was decreasing, however, there was no research to prove the same, so residents were trained from four hinterland communities such as of Katoonarib, Sawariwau, Shulinab, and Wariwau to place camera traps in various locations to gather images of giant anteaters.

“We did this by training local persons from those communities to place camera traps in strategic locations around their community to collect images of Giant Anteaters,” Millar shared.

He added that “In addition to camera trap work we also did household surveys…to ask

questions about Giant Anteaters, what threats they think they face, where do they commonly see them. We also asked them to collect traditional data and stories because for years and years, Indigenous people have lived alongside their wildlife and they have a lot of cultural beliefs about different species and their uses.”

After research and data collection, the SRCS wanted to find an easier way to disseminate information to children so they created a book with simplified stories from research.

“We wanted an easy way to disseminate information to

children because for them to read like a report or scientific publication, it’s very boring and they probably wouldn’t read it… so instead we condensed the information, we simplified it and we turned it into the story of a young girl called Mawuusa and Mawuusa means beautiful in the local Wapishana language,” Millar explained.

The lead author of the book was Erin Earl, who is the giant anteater programme coordinator at the SRCS and is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The information in the book combines local stories and

beliefs with scientific results and conservation activities that were all collected through the SRCS Giant Anteater research and conservation project in the South Rupununi.

In the coming weeks, the book, which currently has an average of 300 copies, will be distributed to communities throughout the Rupununi and is for children, teenagers, adults, and anyone who wants to know more about Giant Anteaters. If any organisation, agency, or community is interested in receiving copies of the book, please email srcs.rupununi@ gmail.com

A child displaying “The Mawuusa and the Giant Anteater” storybook

King Charles III was anointed and crowned on Saturday in Britain’s biggest ceremonial event for seven decades, a display of pomp and pageantry that sought to marry 1000 years of history with a monarchy fit for a new era.

In front of a congregation including about 100 world leaders and a television audience of millions, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, slowly placed the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown on Charles’ head as he sat upon a 14th-century throne in Westminster Abbey.

During the solemn two-hour service, elements of which date back to the time of King William the Conqueror in 1066, Charles’ second wife Camilla was also crowned queen.

A huge military procession followed, gun salutes were fired, thousands of soldiers roared three cheers, and there was a scaled-down flypast by military aircraft as the king and queen waved from the balcony of Buckingham Palace to cheering crowds who gathered on The Mall boulevard.

While rooted in history, the ceremony - only the second British coronation to be televised - was also an attempt to present a

forward-looking institution and to reflect a more diverse country.

“I come not to be served but to serve,”

Charles said at the start.

With Britain struggling to find its way in the political maelstrom after its exit from

the European Union and maintain its global standing, the monarchy’s supporters say the royal family provides an international draw, a vital diplomatic tool and a means of keeping it on the world stage.

“No other country could put on such a dazzling display - the processions, the pageantry, the ceremonies, and street parties,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.

But despite Sunak’s enthusiasm, the coronation took place amid a cost-of-living crisis and public scepticism, particularly among the young, about the role and relevance of the monarchy.

Charles, 74, automatically succeeded his mother as king of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms including Canada and Australia when Queen Elizabeth died last September.

Saturday’s event was on a smaller scale than that staged for her in 1953 but still sought to be spectacular. There was an array of historical regalia from golden orbs and bejewelled swords to a sceptre holding the world’s largest colourless cut diamond.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla travelling in the Gold State Coach following their coronation ceremony (Photo: Reuters)

After the service, Charles and Camilla, 75, departed in the four-tonne Gold State Coach built for George III, the last king of Britain’s American colonies, to ride to Buckingham Palace in a one-mile procession of 4000 military personnel from 39 nations.

Meanwhile, hundreds of soldiers in scarlet uniforms and black bearskin hats lined the route along The Mall for what was the largest ceremonial event of its kind in Britain since Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.

Tens of thousands of people ignored pouring rain to mass on the streets to watch what some saw as a moment of history.

“When I was a young girl, I was able to watch (the coronation of) Queen Elizabeth on television in Hartford, Connecticut, at a friend’s house because we had no TV,” said retired US teacher Peggy Jane Laver, 79.

“So I’m thrilled to be here for the coronation in person.”

Not everyone who came to watch was there to cheer Charles, with hundreds of Republicans booing and waving banners reading “Not My King”. The Republic campaign group said its leader had been arrested, among 52 people detained as part of a “significant Police operation”.

Sacred Ceremony

Inside the abbey, which was bedecked with flowers and flags,

politicians and dignitaries from around the world such as US First Lady Jill Biden took their seats alongside 2200 others from charity workers to celebrities, including actors Emma Thompson, Maggie Smith and Judi Dench and US singer Katy Perry.

Charles looked solemn as he swore oaths to govern justly and uphold the Church of Englandof which he is the titular head.

He was then hidden from watching eyes by a screen for the most sacred part of the ceremony when he was anointed on his hands, head and breast by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby with holy oil consecrated in Jerusalem.

After being presented with symbolic regalia, Welby placed the St Edward’s Crown on his

head and the congregation cried out “God save the King”.

Gun salutes were fired at the Tower of London and across the capital, the nation, in Gibraltar, Bermuda and on ships at sea.

Charles’ eldest son and heir Prince William, 40, knelt before his father to pledge his loyalty as his “liege man of life and limb”.

Much of the ceremony featured elements that Charles’ forebears right back to King Edgar in 973 would recognise, officials said. Handel’s coronation anthem “Zadok The Priest” was sung as it has been at every coronation since 1727.

But the service also included an anthem composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, famed for his West End and Broadway theatre shows a gospel choir,

and an “unprecedented” greeting from faith leaders.

However, there was no formal role for either Charles’ younger son Prince Harry, after his high-profile falling out with his family, or his brother Prince Andrew, who was forced to quit royal duties because of his friendship with late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

They sat in the third row behind working members of the royal family and neither appeared on the palace balcony.

Camilla’s crowning sealed

her rise from a position of deep unpopularity in the period after Charles’ divorced first wife, the popular, glamorous Princess Diana, died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

For the last decade, the royal family has enjoyed massive global media attention, celebrating everything from weddings, births, and significant anniversaries to mourning last year’s death of Queen Elizabeth, and now Charles’ coronation.

But, no major event is likely for some years, and with polls indicating a decline in support for

the monarchy, especially among the young, commentators say adapting and staying relevant is the greatest challenge to the institution.

Neil Edward, 72, a retired salesman who travelled from southwest England to watch, said the experience had been a mixture of pride and nostalgia with a touch of sadness that this might be the last big royal event he attends.

“Without them, I don’t know how we would come together to celebrate big events like this,” he said. (Reuters)

Britain’s Prince William kissing his father King Charles, who is wearing St Edward’s Crown (Photo: AFP) Thousands gathered to welcome the New King and Queen

Labour Ministry, OAS discuss strengthening coordination between education, labour

This meeting offered representatives from the Labour and Education Ministries, employers’ and workers’ organisations across the participating countries as well as key international organisations an opportunity to exchange experiences and identify policy and programmatic recommendations to strengthen the coordination between the two Ministries in question.

Sessions within the two-day meeting specifically looked at concrete experiences of coordina-

tion between Labour and Education Ministries in the Region, and addressed the National Qualifications Frameworks as a concrete tool for education-labour coordination.

Established in many countries, the National Qualifications Frameworks seek to improve access to higher and different levels of education and training and to facilitate educational and labour market mobility.

The meeting also allowed participants to separate into subgroups and

deliberate on the previous sessions, pondering questions like what the main successes and lessons learned from the actions of coordination between the two Ministries are, and what lessons can be synthesised to further advance the National Qualifications Frameworks. Participants also considered public policy recommendations that can be made to promote and improve coordination between the Labour and Education Ministries.

3 Guyanese Young Influencers in...

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton recently attended a two-day intersectoral hemispheric meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, themed “Towards a Stronger Coordination Between Education and Labour in the Americas.”

The meeting was hosted through a partnership

between the Government of Argentina and the Organisation of American States (OAS).

In addition to Guyana, the other 34 participating countries reportedly included Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama,

Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and others.

“Coordination between labour and education is paramount and necessary for good labour market outcomes and economic and social progress of our countries and people,” Minister Hamilton said during the meeting.

As Naraine had been working on a consulting project researching the ethical recruitment of migrants last year, she used her platform to also produce a video for the EEAS on how to potentially solve the refugee crisis in Guyana.

Within this short video, she suggested opening safe routes for refugees seeking sanctuary and supporting the UN Refugee Agency’s efforts to promote the well-being of refugees and provide them with material assistance.

Meanwhile, Meenkum in a separate video addressed the rights of

Indigenous women across the Americas, commenting that the quality of education provided to them is limited and thousands go missing every day. She encouraged youths to be respectful of their culture and history.

This youth campaign event in Belgium falls under the set of Europe Day 2023 events.

Europe Day, to be celebrated by the European Union (EU) on Tuesday, signifies a day of peace and unity in Europe as the Schuman Declaration was presented on May 9, 1950. This marked the creation of a European Coal and Steel

Community, whose members would pool coal and steel production.

“This May, Europe Day will bring citizens together to learn more about how the EU is supporting peace, security and democracy through its resolve in the face of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and other conflicts worldwide,” the EU’s official website stated.

It added that it will also enable visitors to get better acquainted with the EU’s efforts to build a greener Europe that is more digital and competitive, fair and skilled, and resilient and safe.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton alongside other participants during an intersectoral hemispheric meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, titled “Towards a Stronger Coordination Between Education and Labour in the Americas”

Attack on Police Officer

Top Cop calls on public to assist in maintaining law and order

- Police ranks are required to execute duties within confines of law

In light of a viral video that showed a Police officer being attacked and beaten in the vicinity of MovieTowne at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown on Friday, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken reiterated that the Guyana Police Force has zero tolerance for such behaviour.

Police stated that the victim, Constable Harlequin, and another rank were performing traffic duties at the Plaisance Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD), when they intercepted a heavily tinted vehicle driven by Kessee Edwards.

As Constable Harlequin approached Edwards and informed him of the traffic offence, he refused to comply with the officer's request to take his vehicle to the Sparendaam Police Station for inspection.

Instead, Edwards sped off, and the officers pursued him. Eventually, the vehicle was intercepted in the vicinity of MovieTowne. The situation escalated

when Edwards approached the officer and started hurling expletives towards him. The officer retaliated by making attempts to arrest Edwards, but the driver and another man attacked and started to assault the peace officer.

Public-spirited citizens who witnessed the incident intervened, and one person confronted the assailants. Edwards was eventually arrested and taken into custody at the Sparendaam Police Station pending investigation.

However, the Guyana Police Force subsequently

issued a statement expressing the acting Top Cop’s zero tolerance for unprovoked attacks on officers.

He said the Police Force will not tolerate any such behaviour, and they will take appropriate action against anyone who assaults Police officers while performing their duties.

“Commissioner of Police Mr Clifton Hicken has expressed outrage at the assault and said this behaviour would not be tolerated, and anyone who feels they can assault and attack the Police while carrying out their sworn duty to serve and protect will face the full brunt of

the law,” the statement noted.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner is asking the general public to continue providing assistance to officers as they aim to maintain law and order.

In addition, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and APNU’s Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, has also condemned the abhorrent and abominable conduct of the two civilians and said she has examined attempts to defend this action by the perpetrators.

“I have taken note of the content of the video recording and the subsequent release from the Guyana Police Force in relation to this incident… civilians are required and urged to respect members of the armed forces who are discharging their duties within the confines of the law. Similarly, police ranks are required to execute their duties within the confines of the law.”

She further reminded civilians that in instances where ranks act contrary to the provisions of law, there

are mechanisms for recourse.

“First, we should comply and then complain. I trust

the Guyana Police Force will ensure that there is maximum accountability consistent with the law.”

25 more PWDs now equipped with various skills - 294 individuals trained thus far

persons living with disabilities a very valuable part of every aspect of development and we want you to go and be part of the labour market, part of the workforce and we want you to have your dreams become a reality,” Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud said to the graduates.

The graduation ceremony was held at the soonto-be-completed Learning Lab, another Human Services Ministry initiative aimed to serve as a training and empowerment centre for persons with disabilities.

seek employment.

“I am proud of myself because I went through the computer course, and I have a certificate. I learnt a lot from the course, and I think it is a good thing the Ministry is doing. It is very good for me, and I improved a lot so this will help me to gain employment,” Basdeo said.

Another graduate, Hannah Joseph explained that this Ministry initiative is “very helpful” and will do much for persons living with disabilities.

us equipped to make an equal contribution in the world of work,” Blair said.

The Learning Lab seeks to continue these training programmes by equipping persons with disabilities with technical and vocational skills so that they can be more employable, with some of the programmes including Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and garment construction.

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud (right) handing over a certificate to Hannah Joseph

Twenty-five persons living with disabilities recently graduated from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s specialised computer skills training courses,

Job Access with Speech (JAWS) for the visually impaired and social media marketing.

These new graduates were drawn from Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica-

Berbice) and join the other 269 persons who completed the skills training programme over the past year, bringing the total to 294 trained individuals thus far.

“The aim is to make

“While we were waiting on the facility, we didn’t wait to train so persons were trained across various regions, 294 of them, and we did the graduation for them in Regions Four and Five and we will be presenting the certificates to the others,” Persaud said.

Natasha Basdeo, one of the graduates, shared that this programme will benefit her as she continues to

“I want to thank the Minister for all she is doing for us and I want to encourage all persons living with disabilities to take up the opportunity and get qualified,” Joseph said.

Meanwhile, Odessa Blair who completed the social media marketing course, highlighted that the course was very informative. “I have to say hats off to [the Human Services Ministry] for including persons with disabilities in their training and making

As of Friday, the facility was 95 per cent complete and Minister Persaud sought input on its progress from stakeholders such as Programme Coordinator for the Guyana Society for the Blind Ganesh Singh and Sabane McIntosh of the Deaf Association of Guyana.

The stakeholders commended the work that Minister Persaud is doing to provide resources for persons with disabilities across the country, adding that the Learning Lab will be transformative and have a significant impact on these persons.

Police Commissioner (ag), Clifton Hicken

MP Geeta Chandan-Edmond

The two civilians assaulting the cop

Woman, 39, killed by speeding car in Good Hope accident

A39-year-old woman lost her life on the Good Hope Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) on Friday.

Sursattie Prasad of Tuschen, EBE, was killed by a speeding car driven by a 27-year-old resident of Tuschen, EBE.

Boodhoo was reportedly driving PMM 3473 east along the northern lane at a fast rate when he swerved to avoid a collision with a motor van,

Several water treatment plants in Reg 5 to be upgraded

GAC 4554, but instead, the left front of his car collided with Prasad.

The woman was reportedly flung into the air and then into a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) pole. The car ended up in a nearby trench.

Prasad was rushed to

the Leonora Hospital, but she was pronounced dead on arrival. Police have obtained CCTV footage of the accident, and both drivers are currently in custody assisting with the investigation.

A breathalyser test revealed that the driver of

the car had some alcohol in his system at the time of the accident. However, no trace of alcohol was detected on the driver of the van, a Chinese national from Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara. Investigations are continuing.

Govt earmarks land for relocation of flood-prone Kwakwani residents

Thousands of residents from communities across Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) are set to benefit from an improved level of treated water, as several treatment plants will be upgraded there soon.

This was disclosed by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal during the recent distribution of cement and steel subsidy vouchers in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

“We know the quality of the water on the coastland. We know the iron content in the water and Region Five is no exception, but the way to address it, is with the injection of resources for treatment plants and your

Government is doing such.”

Some $424 million will be invested within 18 months to upgrade the water treatment plant at Cotton Tree, which will benefit 15,000 residents between Number Six village to Ithaca.

Another treatment plant will be constructed at Bath Settlement and the water distribution network will be upgraded.

“We will spend about US$15.6 million. This, we are expecting to complete in another two years. That treatment plant when it is constructed will service from Number Seven to Kingelly, benefitting another 22,000 customers,” the Minister noted.

The water distribution

network will be extended from Ithaca to Britannia to deliver first-time access and approximately $7.2 million will be spent on the expansion which will be completed in another month.

“The construction of these treatment plants will improve the level of service, quality of water, and also will bring a reliable supply of water on a 24-hour basis to your homes. The quality of life that you live is very important,” the Minister underlined.

By 2025, the level of treated water on the coastland will increase to 90 per cent in keeping with the Government’s 2021-2025 strategic plan.

The Government has set aside approximately 25 acres of prime land to facilitate the relocation of residents living in the flood-prone wa-

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, who said the area which was identified by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) is located on high ground,

high land. Work on the relocation process has not yet begun, but we are aware of what needs to be done,” he stated at a recent event in Linden.

Back in May 2022, intense rainfall in Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) had caused severe damage to a recently rehabilitated culvert, thus resulting in several areas being inundated

terfront area in Kwakwani, Region 10.

This was announced by

making it a suitable place for relocation.

“It’s nice prime land,

It was reported that the road leading to Kwakwani Park had been partially eroded, and drains along the Airstrip Road, which were dug by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) in collaboration with the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council (KNDC), were overtopping, and the water had streamed heavily across the ‘Gate Road’ into a nearby creek.

This creek leads to the Waterfront Road, and the main thoroughfare to the waterfront was inundated. This had led to the relocation of residents to higher ground.

One day after, there were several inches of water in some communities, and several homes on Lamp Island were underwater.

In addition, back in 2021, water levels rose above 15 feet, leading to significant damage in flood-prone areas, such as Lamp Island and the waterfront.

In light of this, a number of residents approached President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo expressing their willingness to relocate.

In response, the Government made a commitment to work with the residents. The Housing and Water Minister subsequently visited and engaged the residents on the matter.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal

A water treatment plant at Diamond, EBD

Dead: Sursattie Prasad

Minister Croal and other officials meeting with residents

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Family meDicine, enDocrinology/DiabeTes

Adelay in reaching language, thinking, social, or motor skills’ milestones is called developmental delay. It can be caused by things like heredity, pregnancy complications, or premature birth. The cause isn’t always known.

Children reach developmental milestones at their own pace, and some move faster than others. Two siblings in the same family may reach milestones at different rates.

Minor temporary delays are usually no cause for alarm, but an ongoing delay or multiple delays in reaching milestones can be a sign there may be challenges later in life.

If parents or guardians suspect a child has a developmental delay, they should speak with their paediatrician. Developmental delay sometimes indicates an underlying condition that only doctors can diagnose.

Once a diagnosis is made, a plan for therapies or other early interventions is made to help the child progress and develop into adulthood.

CAUSES AND CHANCES OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 17 percent of children between the ages of 3 and 17 have one or more developmental disabilities.

Most developmental disabilities occur before a child is born, but some can occur after birth, due to infection, injury, or other factors.

The causes of developmental delay can be difficult to pinpoint, and a variety of things can contribute to it. Some conditions are genetic in origin, such as Down syndrome.

Infection or other complications during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as premature birth, can also cause developmental delay.

Developmental delay can also be a symptom of other underlying medical conditions, including:

* Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)

* Cerebral palsy

* Foetal alcohol spectrum disorders

* Landau Kleffner syndrome

* Myopathies, including muscular dystrophies.

* Genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome

Remember that children develop at different rates, so it’s possible that what is thought of as a delay might be normal for a child. However, if concerned, it is important to get the child evaluated by professionals.

FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS DELAY

Fine motor skills include small movements, like holding a toy or using a crayon. Gross motor skills require larger movements, like jumping, climbing stairs, or throwing a ball. Children progress at different rates, but most children can lift their heads by 3 months old, sit with some support by 6 months old, and walk well before their second birthday.

By age 5, most children can stand on one foot for 10 seconds or longer, and can use a fork and spoon.

Exhibiting some of the following signs can mean that your child has delays in developing certain fine or gross motor functions:

* Floppy or loose trunk and limbs

* Stiff arms and legs

* Limited movement in arms and legs

* Inability to sit without support by 9 months old.

* Dominance of involuntary reflexes over voluntary movements

* Inability to bear weight on legs and stand up by about 1-year-old.

* Falling outside the normal range isn’t always cause for concern, but it’s worth getting a child evaluated.

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DELAY

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, the most active time for learning speech and language is the first 3 years of life, as the brain develops and matures. The language learning process begins when an infant communicates hunger by crying. By 6 months old, most infants can recognize the sounds of basic language.

At 12 to 15 months old, infants should be able to say two or three simple words, even if they aren’t clear.

Most toddlers can say several words by the time they are 18 months old. When they reach the age of 3, most children can speak in brief sentences.

Speech and language delays aren’t the same. Speaking requires the muscle coordination of the vocal tract, tongue, lips, and jaw to make sounds. A speech delay occurs when children aren’t saying as many words as would be expected for their age. A language delay occurs when children have difficulty understand-

HEALTH TIPS

ing what other people say, or can’t express their own thoughts. Language includes speaking, gesturing, signing, and writing.

It can be hard to distinguish between speech and language delays in young children. A child who understands things and can express their needs (maybe by pointing or signing), but isn’t speaking as many words as they should, have an isolated speech delay.

Poor hearing can cause speech and language delay, so your doctor will usually include a hearing test during diagnosis. Children with speech and language delays are often referred to as speech-language pathologists.

Early intervention can be a big help.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a term used to describe several neurodevelopmental conditions. Autistic people may think, move, communicate, and process their senses differently from neurotypical people.

Autism is usually diagnosed in early childhood, and includes a noticeable delay in language and social development.

A pediatrician will ask about the child’s development at each of their well visits. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children be screened for symptoms of autism at 18 and 24 months using standardized screening tools.

Symptoms are sometimes obvious early on, but may not be noticed until a child reaches 2 or 3 years of age.

Signs and symptoms of ASD vary, but usually include delayed speech and language skills, and challenges communicating and interacting with others. Every autistic person is unique, so symptoms and

the way people experience them vary greatly. Some symptoms include:

* Not being responsive to their name

* Dislike cuddling or playing with others.

* Lack of facial expression

* Inability to speak or difficulty speaking, carrying on a conversation, or remembering words and sentences.

* Repetitive movements

* Development of specific routines

* Coordination problems There is no cure for ASD, but therapies and other approaches can help give a child the extra tools to communicate, relieve stress, and, in some cases, manage daily tasks.

IMPORTANT

Please note school-age children diagnosed with developmental delay may be eligible for public assistance in Guyana.

Check with a physician and the school to assist with filling out the forms. Specialized education, especially when started early, can help a child progress, and achieve more in school.

TREATMENT

Treatments for developmental delays vary according to the specific delay. Some treatments include physical therapy for help with motor skills’ delays, and behavioural and educational therapy for help with ASD and other delays.

In some cases, medications may be prescribed. An evaluation and diagno-

sis from a paediatrician is crucial to coming up with a treatment plan specially designed for the child.

PROGNOSIS

Many genetic and environmental factors figure into a child’s development, and can contribute to delays. Even women who have a healthy pregnancy and proper care during and after pregnancy can have children with developmental delays.

Although causes of delays can be hard to pinpoint, there are many treatments and support services available to help.

The sooner a child can be diagnosed, the better it will be for the child’s development into adulthood.

Next Week: Growth delays in children

Ecuador frees cash for Galapagos conservation with US$1.6 billion bond buyback

Ecuador is set to complete the biggest ever debt-for-nature swap, freeing up cash for conservation of the Galapagos Islands, one of the world's most precious ecosystems, after Credit Suisse bought up three of its bonds.

A slump in Ecuador's bond prices triggered by an ongoing political crisis meant the Swiss Bank paid just US$644 million for bonds with a face value of US$1.6 billion, which will save the country roughly a billion dollars in repayments over 17 years.

In return, the Government in Quito has committed to spend about US$18 million dollars annually for 20 years on conservation in the Galapagos, the remote islands whose unique animal life inspired Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution.

The old debt will be replaced with a cheaper-to-service US$656 million "Galapagos Bond" maturing in 2041 and insured by the US International Development Finance Corporation.

It will also carry an US$85 million guarantee from the Inter-American Development Bank that could, if needed, cover the first six quarterly interest coupons.

Moody's on Friday gave the new debt a provisional investment-grade Aa2 credit rating - much higher than Ecuador's Caa3 "junk" rating and reflecting that additional security for investors.

The buyback comes against a backdrop of politi-

Mexico claims proof of Chinese fentanyl smuggling

The Mexican President says his country has proof that illegal shipments of the powerful opioid drug fentanyl are arriving from China.

A container with hidden packages of the drug was intercepted in the Pacific port of Lázaro Cárdenas, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said.

"We already have proof," he said, adding that he would ask the Chinese Government to help stop the shipments.

US authorities say fentanyl is now the main driver of US drug overdose deaths.

In March President López Obrador said he had writ-

ten to Chinese President Xi Jinping requesting Chinese help in the anti-narcotics fight, after US politicians had urged him to do so.

He told reporters on Friday that he would repeat that plea to Beijing: "In a very respectful manner, we are going to send this information to reiterate the request that they help us."

Mexican Navy Secretary Rafael Ojeda said the container intercepted in Lázaro Cárdenas had packages weighing 34-35kg (75 pounds) with traces of fentanyl and methamphetamine hidden in fuel resin. The cargo had left the Chinese city of Qingdao and

passed through Busan in South Korea before reaching Mexico.

Fentanyl is up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. The US Drug Enforcement Administration says 67% of the 107,375 US deaths from drug overdoses or poisonings in 2021 were linked to fentanyl or similar opioids. Fentanyl is linked to more deaths of Americans under 50 than any other cause, the DEA says.

Last month Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said "there is no such thing as illegal trafficking of fentanyl between China and Mexico". (Excerpt from BBC News)

cal turmoil in Ecuador, with the National Assembly seeking to impeach President Guillermo Lasso for alleged embezzlement, which Lasso denies.

In the works for more than a year, the turbulence was a vital boost for the economics of the deal, which has also survived the troubles of lynchpin lender Credit Suisse, which required an emergency takeover by rival UBS in March.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Haiti ‘dangling over an abyss’, UN Human Rights chief says

Lawlessness in Haiti amounts to a “human rights emergency”, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned, urging immediate action as the Caribbean nation grapples with a spate of vigilante killings.

Speaking via video during a UN Security Council session on Wednesday, Volker Turk warned that Haiti is “dangling over an abyss”.

“The state’s lack of capacity to fulfill human rights has completely eroded people’s confidence. The social contract has collapsed. The current lawlessness is a human rights emergency that calls for a robust response,” said Turk, who visited the country in February.

“There is an immediate need to support Haiti’s institutions by deploying a time-bound, specialised and human rights-compliant support force, with a comprehensive action plan,” he said.

“The longer-term challenge, of course, is to build robust institutions that deliver on human rights.”

Gang violence has surged across the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince in recent months, fuelled in part by the power vacuum created following the July 2021 assassination of President

Jovenel Moise.

Bottom of Form Haiti’s de facto leader, Prime Minister Ariel Henry, whom Moise chose for the post just days before he was killed, has faced a crisis of legitimacy. Attempts to chart a political transition for Haiti have failed, and a lack of functioning state institutions has made stemming the violence more difficult.

Deadly clashes have impeded access to healthcare facilities, forced the closure of schools and clinics, and worsened already dire food insecurity by cutting residents of gang-controlled areas off from critical supplies.

Last week, the head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Maria Isabel Salvador, said 1674 homicides, rapes, kidnappings and lynchings were reported in the first quarter of 2023.

That is up from 692 such incidents in the same period a year earlier, said Salvador, citing data collected by BINUH and the Haitian National Police (HNP).

The humanitarian group Mercy Corps also recently warned that the country was on the “brink of civil war”, with many residents starting to question, “Why not seek revenge and take justice into their own hands?”

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Paraguay’s National Police have arrested a far-right candidate who finished third in Sunday’s presidential elections, following days of protests questioning the legitimacy of the results.

The Police confirmed the arrest of lawyer and politician Paraguayo Cubas Colomés in a social media post on Friday, explaining that Cubas was being held in “preventative detention” in compliance with an order from the Attorney General’s office.

The arrest took place at 4:30pm local time (20:30 GMT) at a hotel in the city of San Lorenzo, just outside the capital Asunción. Police Commissioner Gilberto Fleitas said in a radio interview afterwards that Cubas had been accused of breaching the peace, among other crimes.

Cubas, a former senator and leader of the populist National Crusade Party, made a strong showing in the recent presidential elections, receiving 23 per cent of the vote. That gave him the third-highest tally, behind second-place finisher Efraín

Alegre, with 27.5 per cent and President-elect Santiago Peña, who won with a commanding 43 per cent.

But Cubas has since taken to social media to challenge the results, calling the leaders of Peña’s ruling conservative Colorado Party “thieves” and accusing the election of being marred by fraud.

However, the Organisation of American States (OAS), as well as

Paraguay’s own election authorities, have upheld the accuracy of the vote.

Still, protesters gathered in Asunción and other parts of the country, defacing Peña campaign billboards and burning tyres to create roadblocks. Outside the election authority’s headquarters on Monday, demonstrators lobbed stones at police, who responded with barricades and rubber bullets. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Rights Commission says Peru crackdown may qualify as a ‘massacre’

Ahuman rights commission has stated that the Peruvian Government committed abuses as it cracked down on widespread unrest following the arrest of former President Pedro Castillo in December.

In a report released on Wednesday, the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) said that the state’s response to nationwide protests could be classified as a “massacre”.

“There were serious human rights violations that must be investigated with due diligence and an ethnic-racial approach,” IACHR President Margarette May Macaulay said in a report. “The deaths could constitute extrajudicial executions.”

Peru has continued to grapple with a political crisis, sparked on December 7, when Castillo attempted to dissolve Congress and rule by decree as he faced a third impeachment hear-

ing. Those actions led to his arrest and subsequent protests, which called for his release, new elections and a revised Constitution.

Reuters reported that more than 60 people have been killed in clashes between Police and protesters since December, the overwhelming majority of them protesters.

But the Administration of Castillo’s successor, President Dina Boluarte,

has dismissed the violence as the product of “terrorists” and agitators, and called for a national “truce”. Peruvian authorities have denied committing abuses, despite criticism of the Government’s Response.

Bottom of Form

IACHR said that a large number of those killed and injured in the protests had been targeted with firearms. It also found that many of the harshest responses took place in rural Andean re-

gions such as Ayacucho and Puno, both of which have large Indigenous populations.

A previous report by the human rights group Amnesty International called the Government’s crackdown “systemically racist” for disproportionately targeting Indigenous populations that have already endured a history of neglect, disenfranchisement and state violence. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A hammerhead shark swimming close to Wolf Island at Galapagos Marine Reserve, August 19, 2013. Picture taken August 19, 2013

Third-place finisher in Paraguay’s presidential election arrested

Paraguayo Cubas Colomés ran as the National Crusade Party candidate in Sunday’s presidential election [Diario Ultima Hora via AP]

Around the World OIL NEWS

Ukraine war: Russia accused of using phosphorus bombs in Bakhmut

Oil major profits spark renewed calls for a windfall tax

With oil majors all reporting impressive profits this week, critics are once again questioning how governments will respond to huge oil and gas earnings in the face of rising inflation and economic instability. The high consumer energy costs still being seen don’t match up with the profits achieved by energy firms, thanks to high oil and gas prices, with a growing number of observers asking governments for subsidies to be financed by a windfall tax on oil and gas firms. While the UK has followed this path, other countries – such as the US, have so far resisted.

At the beginning of the month, British oil major BP reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter profits, of US$4.96 billion. This marks an increase on the previous three months, although it still falls below the initial 2022 boom following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the fourth quarter of 2022 BP achieved a profit of US$4.8 billion, while a record US$6.2 billion profit was seen in the first quarter of 2022. BP far exceeded its Q1 expectations this year of around US$4.3 billion.

BP’s CEO Bernard Looney said that its high earnings were thanks to strong oil and gas trading.

Despite the recent profits, BP’s shares fell by around 6 per cent after the announcement, due to the company’s slowing buyback programme. BP reported the completion of its previous share buyback programme of US$2.75 billion on April 28 and stated it was planning another share buyback of US$1.75 billion. BP expects to offer share buybacks of around US$4 billion annually. Meanwhile, its debt has fallen from US$27.5 billion in early 2022 to US$21.2 billion today. This follows BP’s announcement of record profits last year, of US$27.7 billion, more than double its 2021 profits.

And BP isn’t the only oil major to achieve record profits over the last year. The West’s five biggest oil companies achieved total profits of almost US$200 billion in 2022. TotalEnergies recorded profits of US$36.2 billion, doubling last year’s total, while Exxon Mobil achieved profits of US$56 billion, and both Chevron and Shell also saw huge profits last year. Much of this money was used to provide shareholders with higher dividends and share buybacks. And not everyone is happy about the way these funds are being distributed.

President Biden stated “You may have noticed that Big Oil just reported record profits… Last year, they made US$200 billion in the midst of a global energy crisis. It’s outrageous.” He suggested that “too little of that profit” was being used to increase domestic production and drive down gas prices for consumers. Biden added, “Instead, they used those record profits to buy back their own stock, rewarding their CEOs and shareholders.” The US President has repeatedly threatened action, such as a windfall tax, on companies that do not use these profits to support energy security and help struggling consumers, but no such tax has been introduced to date.

In the UK, BPs profits are being labelled as heinous, with many calling for a higher windfall tax to support consumers. The General Secretary of the country’s Trades Union Congress, Paul Nowak, believes oil and gas companies are treating the British public “like cash machines”.

This sentiment is being echoed by the UK Labour Party, which, this week, called for a tougher windfall tax on the US$75 million a day profits being seen in the North Sea. The political party believes higher taxes on energy companies could help to fund a freeze on council tax for poorer households. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced a 25 per cent energy profits levy, known as a windfall tax, which was expected to run until the end of 2025. And in January, this tax was increased to 35 per cent and will run until March 2028. However, the tax only applies to profits from oil and gas extraction, not other activities in the North Sea, which Labour says means it is not extensive enough.

Another year of major projected profits for oil and gas firms is creating frustration across an already strained public facing high energy bills and rising inflation. Although some countries, such as the UK, have introduced a windfall tax, energy firms operating in many other countries have seen no limitations put on their record profits, leading them to reward stakeholders rather than help consumers. But if oil and gas firms continue to see sky-high profits while consumers struggle, the likelihood will increase that windfall taxes and other limits are introduced elsewhere. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Ukraine has accused Russia of attacking the besieged city of Bakhmut with phosphorus munitions.

In drone footage released by Ukraine's military, Bakhmut can be seen ablaze as what appears to be white phosphorus rains down on the city.

White phosphorus weapons are not banned, but their use in civilian areas is considered a war crime.

They create fast-spreading fires that are very difficult to put out. Russia has been accused of using them before.

Russia has been trying to capture Bakhmut for months, despite its questionable strategic value. Western officials have estimated that thousands of Moscow's troops have died

More

Aftershocks

have rat-

tled Japan a day after a powerful magnitude 6.5 earthquake left at least one person dead and damaged buildings, emergency services said, as officials assessed the damage from the quake that injured more than 20 people and shut highspeed train lines.

Japan’s Kyodo News agency reported that a 65-year-old man died when he fell from a ladder during the earthquake that hit the central Ishikawa region mid-afternoon on Friday at a depth of 12 km (7 miles). Approximately 55 aftershocks, some of them strong, hit on Saturday morning, the country’s disaster management agency said, as it warned that heavy rain could trigger landslides in affected

in the assault. Writing on Twitter, Ukraine's Defence Ministry said the attack had targeted "unoccupied areas of Bakhmut with incendiary ammunition".

It is unclear when it took place. But the footage shared by Ukraine - seem-

aftershocks

areas. At least 23 people had been injured, the agency said.

Houses and a Shinto shrine were damaged while train services were disrupted, leaving passengers stranded in stations on Friday, which was a public holiday in Japan, part of a run of days off known as “Golden Week” when many people travel for leisure or to visit family.

East Japan Railway Co said bullet trains connecting Tokyo and Kanazawa in Ishikawa prefecture were temporarily halted for safety checks but resumed normal operations with some delays.

The earthquake registered an upper six on the Japanese Shindo seismic scale, which goes up to a maximum of seven. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

ingly captured by a surveillance drone - showed highrise buildings engulfed in flames.

Other videos posted to social media showed fires raging on the ground and white clouds illuminating the night sky.

A BBC analysis of the

video posted by the Defence Ministry located the footage to an area just west of Bakhmut city centre and close to a children's hospital. While the analysis confirmed the attack used some kind of incendiary munitions, it could not verify the use of phosphorus.

Russia has been accused of using white phosphorus in Ukraine, including during the siege of Mariupol at the beginning of the war.

Moscow has never publicly admitted to using the substance, and last year Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov insisted "Russia has never violated international conventions" after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it had been used. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Manipur violence: Dozens dead as ethnic clashes grip Indian state

Thousands of troops have been sent in to Manipur to help stop the violence

At least 30 people have been killed in ethnic clashes in the remote Indian state of Manipur, officials say.

community, who account for at least 50% of the state's population, have been demanding inclusion under the Scheduled Tribe category for years.

Tens

of thousands of Albertans have been forced to evacuate their homes as "unprecedented" wildfires rage on in Alberta, Premier Danielle Smith, head of the ruling United Conservative Party (UCP), said at a press conference on Saturday.

As of Saturday at 9:30 am Mountain Time (11:30 am ET), 24,511 Albertans were evacuated from homes with 103 active wildfires across the province, burning 121,909 hectares.

"Much of Alberta has been experiencing a hot, dry spring and with so much kindling, all it takes is a few sparks to ignite some truly frightening wildfires," said Smith. "These conditions have resulted in the unprecedented situation our province is facing today."

There have been 45 new fires started since 11 am Mountain Time on Friday, and 5200 Albertans under an evacuation alert.

Among the communities evacuated was Brazeau County, including all 7000 people living in Drayton Valley, 140 km (87 miles) west of the province's capital Edmonton.

The entire community of Fox Lake was also among the evacuees, where the 1458-hectare (3609-acre) Fox Lake fire consumed 20 homes and the Police station.

"I don't know that I ever recall seeing multiple communities evacuated all at once in fire season," said Smith.

She said C$1.5 billion (US$1.12 billion) is put aside as a contingency because they know a significant amount could need to be spent on emergency management,

Smith said the province would make a decision later on Saturday regarding whether to declare a provincial state of emergency.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The violence began earlier this week after a rally by indigenous communities against moves to grant tribal status to the main ethnic group in the state.

Mobs attacked homes, vehicles, churches, and temples. Some reports put the death toll as high as 54.

Around 10,000 people have reportedly been displaced. Thousands of troops have been sent in to maintain order.

A curfew is in place in several districts and internet access has been suspended.

Neighbouring states have begun evacuating their students from Manipur, which is in India's northeast and close to the border with Myanmar.

The army says it is bringing the situation under control but the Hindu-nationalist BJP-led government in the state has been accused of not doing enough to prevent the violence.

Members of the Meitei

India reserves government jobs, college admissions and elected seats at all levels of government for communities under this category to rectify historical wrongs that have denied them equal opportunities.

This status would give the Meiteis access to forest lands and guarantee them a proportion of government jobs and places in educational institutions.

Other tribes are worried that they may lose control over their ancestral forest dwellings.

On Tuesday, thousands of tribal people from the hill districts of the state participated in a march called by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur to oppose the demand.

A day later, a similar rally turned violent, sparking unrest in other districts that has since spread. Each side blames the other for the unrest. (BBC News)

White phosphorus is a wax-like substance that burns at 800C and ignites on contact with oxygen, creating bright plumes of smoke

Thousands of Albertans evacuated in "unprecedented" wildfire situation

than 50

shake Japan as earthquake kills one

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

CANCER

(June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Look at the facts, consider what’s available and head in a direction that encourages you to offer positive suggestions instead of criticism. Set high standards.

Speak up, share your ideas and put together a schedule that will ensure you finish what you start. Pay attention to your health and well-being, and be disciplined in all that you do.

Take a moment to adjust to the changes going on around you. Don’t trust anyone asking for personal information. Protect yourself from vulnerability and get-richquick scams.

Personal improvements will lift your spirits. Recognize the benefits of a long-term investment. A disciplined lifestyle will help you avoid health problems. Resist people pressuring you.

Change because you want to, not because someone pressures you. Consider what makes you happy, and incorporate it into your daily routine. A decision is up to you; don’t let anyone take charge.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Put your emotions aside and start achieving what’s important to you. Make up your mind and commit to a person or a project that makes you feel good. Learn from experience.

Look at the possibilities and choose one that is free of debt and doesn’t bind you to someone who hinders success. Your ability to sidestep sorrow or criticism will improve if you are true to yourself and you learn to say no.

A little inspiration will carry you a long way. Dive into a creative endeavor or travel to a place that sparks your imagination. Your surroundings will affect how you feel.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES

(Feb. 20Mar. 20)

Indulge in an activity that challenges you to overcome your fears and helps you find your true calling. An addition or change you make at home will encourage you to live life your way.

Simplify matters by sticking to what you can afford. Put your energy into home improvements, entertaining and discovering new ways to bring in more cash. Spend time with people you can rely on.

Avoid discussions with people who don’t share your beliefs. Personal growth and physical transformation are favored. Romance and socializing are in the stars.

Keep the ball rolling. Don’t hesitate or let someone else make the first move. Having the confidence to follow your heart will result in greater opportunities. A financial gain is apparent.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

Pickles

CWI stages developmental workshops for regional coaches

Cricket West Indies (CWI) recently hosted seven developmental workshops for coaches of all regional age group teams and the senior women’s teams.

These workshops were held in March and April with the main purpose of building stronger connections between all of the key regional pathway coaches and with the CWI High Performance Team. Additionally, the workshops were geared towards providing coaches with ongoing developmental opportunities to foster the best possible development environments for the talented players across the region.

The sessions included a mix of on-field and classroom sessions covering a range of topics, including CWI online Athlete Management Systems

(AMS), Individual Player Plan (IPP) upskilling session, batting against spin, developing tactical awareness through game sense scenarios, CWI High Performance programme insights, programme/game planning, elite talent iden-

tification and development.

CWI Coach Development Manager Chris Brabazon has said: “The CWI High Performance Unit are adding to the online workshop support that was provided to the coaches last year. This year, we are also pro-

viding in-tournament support in the form of face-toface workshops and coach observations, both in training and on match days. This allows us to support the growth of the individual coaches, whilst also learning more about some

of the aspects that may need to be explored further with our broader coaching community.”

Groups of coaches have participated in a series of online workshops in the lead up to their respective tournaments, with face-to-face development engagements taking place throughout the tournament. All workshops were facilitated by CWI High Performance Unit staff, including Jimmy Adams (CWI Director of Cricket), Graeme West (CWI High Performance Manager), Chris Brabazon (CWI Coach Development Manager), and Steve Liburd and Rohan Nurse (CWI Talent Pathway Managers).

This initia tive is part of the CWI

TATA IPL 2023: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore…

Phil Salt leads Delhi Capitals’ takedown of RCB

TheDelhi Capitals’ batting might has turned up a little late in the tournament, but they gave their home crowd a dazzling display of boundary-hitting, the centerpiece of which was Phil Salt’s 87 off 45 balls, to finish off a chase of 182 against RCB with 20 balls to spare.

After three ducks and only one score over 10 in his last five T20 innings, Salt sent five of his six sixes over the leg-side boundary during at assault that featured a lot of horizontal-bat shots. The Capitals’ chase got going with their first half-century opening stand of the season, and Salt kept attacking to bring the asking rate under six in almost no time.

They raced to 70 in the powerplay, and 115 at the halfway mark with Salt’s 28ball fifty, before plundering 24 runs off a Harshal Patel over to reduce the chase to 32 off 42 balls. Salt was eventually bowled for 87, but his eight fours and six sixes helped Capitals beat RCB for the first time in

three years. It was Capitals’ fourth win in their last five games, and it lifted them off the bottom of the table.

DC’s best powerplay

The Capitals’ chase was unlike any of their batting displays this season. David Warner began with two fours off the first three balls from Mohammed Siraj, before sweeping Wanindu Hasaranga’s first ball for six in the fourth over. In between, Salt took on Josh Hazlewood for two fours, be

SCOREBOARD

Delhi Capitals (T: 182 runs from 20 ovs)

BATTING R B

David Warner (c) c du Plessis b Hazlewood 22 14

Phil Salt † b Sharma 87 45

Mitchell Marsh c Lomror b Patel 26 17

Rilee Rossouw not out 35 22

Axar Patel not out 8 3

Extras (b 4, lb 2, nb 1, w 2) 9

TOTAL 16.4 Ov (RR: 11.22) 187/3

Did not bat: Aman Hakim

Khan, Manish Pandey, Kuldeep

Yadav, Mukesh Kumar,

fore a feisty fifth over from Siraj. Salt top-edged Siraj’s first ball for six over the wicketkeeper, slapped the second one over cover and into the stands, and then flicked one bounce into the square-leg boundary. Siraj responded with a bouncer that was called wide, and there followed a heated conversation between the bowler and the batter, and some animated finger-pointing from

Kedar Jadhav, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood

Fall of wickets: 1-82

(Faf du Plessis, 10.3 ov), 2-82

(Glenn Maxwell, 10.4 ov), 3-137 (Virat Kohli, 15.6 ov), 4-172

(Dinesh Karthik, 19.1 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Khaleel Ahmed 4-0-45-1

Axar Patel 3-0-17-0

Ishant Sharma 3-0-29-0

Mukesh Kumar 3-0-30-1

Mitchell Marsh 3-0-21-2

Kuldeep Yadav 4-0-37-0

Khaleel Ahmed, Ripal Patel

Fall of wickets: 1-60

(David Warner, 5.1 ov), 2-119

(Mitchell Marsh, 10.3 ov), 3-171

(Phil Salt, 15.3 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammed Siraj

Glenn Maxwell

Josh Hazlewood

Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva

Warner. Warner skied a catch off Hazlewood for 22 off 14 in the last over of the powerplay, but Mitchell Marsh ended the over with a big six over midwicket and an edged four to power Capitals to 70 after six overs. They might not have got so much had Dinesh Karthik held on to a tough chance from Salt - an inside edge off Hasarangain the fourth over.

Salt’s boundary bonanza

Salt was on 35 off 17 at the time, and he threw his bat at anything wayward: wide balls disappeared over cover, short ones were

pulled disdainfully, and a few edges also raced to the boundary.

Marsh holed out off a full toss, but the attack on RCB’s bowlers did not abate. Salt began the 13th over, from Harshal, with a six over the leg side, and Rilee Rossouw smashed two more down the ground, before a misfield on the long-off boundary from Suyash Prabhudessai made it 24 runs off the over. Salt belted two more boundaries before falling to Karn Sharma, and Rossouw ended the game in the 17th over with his third six.

Solid, but not spectacular

After RCB chose to bat

“Cricket First” strategic plan to invest in building coaching depth and quality across the region, considering the vital role coaches play in developing cricketers’ skills across all age groups and abilities. It provides coaches with opportunities to further learn, and develop contemporary coaching philosophies and techniques that would allow them to thrive in the various stages of the West Indies Cricket Pathway. The next coach development workshops will take place in St Kitts during the upcoming West Indies Women’s Regional Tournaments – the CG United Super50 and the T20 Blaze.

on what was considered to be a slow pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Virat Kohli started by playing nine dot balls in the first three overs, but he also found the boundary in each of them. RCB got a boost when Faf du Plessis struck Mukesh Kumar for three fours in the fifth over, before he hit Khaleel Ahmed for a straight six and a four to make it 51 from the powerplay.

Marsh goes bang, bang

Kohli and du Plessis batted into the 11th over of the innings, when Marsh had du Plessis caught slapping a short-and-wide slower ball to deep point. He then had Glenn Maxwell caught first ball, to reduce RCB to 82 for 2. Kohli was on 36 of 31 at the other end, and the run rate dipped slightly.

Mahipal Lomror lifts RCB

Mahipal Lomror raised the tempo of RCB’s innings quickly. He pulled his fifth ball for six off Kuldeep Yadav, and used the reverse-sweep and the loft down the ground to find the boundary, before pulling Marsh for another six to lift the run rate over eight an over.

Kohli, meanwhile, found short fine leg for 55 off 46,

and RCB were 137 for 3 with four overs left. Lomror didn’t get a lot of support, and ended up doing most of the hitting himself. His two fours off Ishant Sharma, an edge for four off Khaleel, along with Dinesh Karthik’s six, helped RCB collect 29 runs from the 17th and 18th overs. Mukesh then nailed a few Yorkers, and Khaleel used his cutters to keep RCB to 15 off the last two.

Kohli said he thought 181 was a good score during the innings break, but the Capitals ran down the target with ease. (ESPNCricinfo)

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Phil Salt nailing the pull Mahipal Lomror tonking one

The DC Players celebrating

Kashif & Shanghai raps Norton as “worst” PNC/R Leader

See full statement below:

“We, the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, whose (principals) originate out of Linden, have taken umbrage over continuous statements being made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey Norton, regarding our contributions to the town of Linden.

“Mr. Norton, who also hails from Linden, continues to drive an agenda in dividing the nation, and has been pinpointing productive organisations such as the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation by using race as his weapon.

“We foremost wish to make it very clear, Mr. Norton, you have elevated to the top of the ladder as the worst leader the People’s National Congress has ever elected, and we do not wish to congratulate you for this accolade, but we wish to encourage you to move away from your regressive mentality.

“The Kashif & Shanghai Organisation is the recipient of a Medal of Service, the fifth highest award of the Order of Service of Guyana. Awards, as such, do not come easily. It re-

quires an organisation’s dedicated public service and service to community to qualify for such. We have proven to be a reputable organisation who upholds the principles of honesty, transparency, respect and good citizenship. The complete opposite of you and the political party you now lead.

“In the political world, you are now considered to be “Political Dunce” by your own peers. This inefficiency has been highlighted on different occasions by some prominent PNC stalwarts, such as Roysdale Forde, Simona Broomes, James Bond and Annette Ferguson, just to name a few.

“Mr. Norton, we, the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation, (are) pleased and happy that you can focus your energies and time in criticizing and attacking us. That clearly shows your political vision. We hope you continue to do this, so that our astute, visionary leaders President Dr Irfan Ali and VP Dr Bharrat Jagdeo can concentrate and focus on building and uniting the nation.

“Through this current Irfaan Ali-led Government, we see our construction

sectors booming. We see highways and bridges being built, and the development of housing schemes fast apace – a sector on steroids is what we can jokingly refer to it. We see major increases for the “Because We Care” cash grants for SCHOOL CHILDREN of ALL RACES. We also witness major developments in the agriculture, health care access and facilities and social services. And for the sports sector? Sports has never ever enjoyed such support from the Government.

“YOUR PARTY’S BIGGEST ASSIGNMENT AND SERVICE TO LINDEN WAS TO COMPLETE THE LINDEN SYNTHETIC TRACK - BUT IT TOOK THE PPP/C TO RETURN TO OFFICE, AFTER KEEPING THEM OUT FOR 5 WHOLE MONTHS, TO NOW COMPLETE WHAT YOU COULDN’T! NOW THIS IS SERVICE TO GUYANA. THIS IS SERVICE TO LINDEN. THIS IS SERVICE TO CITIZENS - FOR ME, MY COLLEAGUES, MY FAMILY AND YOU - but you are refusing to accept this truth.

“A few years ago, I, Kashif, made my support

of the PPP/C very public. A massive public protest called by many, including the PNC, was held, and as a result, this contributed to the poor attendance of matches for my annual year end football tournament, and the ultimate decline of football development in Guyana.

We have made so much good strides in the past. Our Organisation initiated Trinidadian Jamaal Shabbaz in becoming National Coach of the Golden Jaguars, and with his input, Guyana’s ranking in world football (FIFA) rose from 186 to 86; now it is back to close to what it was in the past. We brought Louis Farrakhan to Guyana, which impacted the black community. We brought the greatest footballer that ever walked the earth, King Pele. These two (2) black Icons are testimony of our commitment to help the underprivileged and ghetto youths. We were responsible for fifty-six (56) footballers being given the opportunity to travel overseas to ply their trade and skills. We were the first and only Organisation to date to ever fill the National Stadium with spectators

overflowing the stands, that caused persons to actually stand on the perimeter of the field. In that time, we had over 150 players earning salaries, some as much as $300,000 per month, and the least were getting $70,000 per month. This was killed by you and your PNC. We brought a number of great artistes that helped build our entertainment industry, including the likes of Beres Hammond.

“The PPP is a multinational party which has the people of Guyana at heart. His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali and the Honorable VP Dr Bharrat Jagdeo are two (2) brothers who want better for all Guyanese, regardless of race, colour, religion or creed.

“To be noted is that, when APNU was in power, they did nothing of significance for the Linden Community, and I repeat: NOTHING!!!!! The sporting facilities were in disarray, and I would like to quote part of an article that was published by Jaffar Gibbons to you, Mr Norton…… “Lindeners want access to sporting facilities. We boast the most athletes locally and internationally of

this country, and whether a Government care or not for us, we want to see those facilities. It makes more sense that a government that claims to care for us spearhead these projects, but that hasn’t happened.

“According to your initial message, this is a government that doesn’t care for us that is doing what we want them to do. It stands to reason then, Mr Norton, that we perhaps fare better if we have an uncaring Government.” THIS IS PROFOUND STUFF RIGHT HERE.

“In closing: The evidence is clear, the opposition party is in disarray all because of you, Aubrey Norton, and the Government have never been so confident. The race agenda that you forever been pursuing will not work, because all Guyanese have recognized that you are bent on dividing the nation. IT WILL NOT WORK!!!! That old time type of politics will be a thing of the past VERY SOON. Our beautiful Guyana is on the brink of being one of the greatest destinations on the planet, but to do this we all have to live in peace, love and unity, one for all and all for one. One Guyana.”

Pathirana leads Super Kings to canter over Mumbai at Chepauk

On a pitch where the ball was stopping, it was actually Chennai Super Kings' pace trio of Matheesha Pathirana, Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande who combined to take seven wickets and restrict Mumbai Indians to 139.

Super Kings never looked in trouble during the chase at Chepauk, where Ruturaj Gaikwad's rapid cameo in the first four overs set them up for the six-wicket win.

Chahar's twin strikes had reduced Mumbai to 14 for 3 in the third over, and although Nehal Wadhera and Suryakumar Yadav added 55 to stage a recovery, Pathirana applied the brakes in the death overs. Mumbai managed only 17 - while losing four wickets - in the last three overs, as Wadhera's maiden T20 fifty turned out to be a solitary effort.

The win takes Super Kings to the second spot on the points table, even as third-placed Lucknow Super Giants have an extra game in hand. Mumbai, on the other hand, remain sixth.

Pathirana, middle- and death-overs specialist

Only twice in the seven matches this season has Pathirana been introduced before the 11th over. For anyone having bowled at least 120 balls in that period, he has the best economy rate and average. On Saturday, he was introduced in the 13th over, just after Wadhera and Suryakumar had given Mumbai hope of a respectable total. Pathirana's first two overs went for only eight off the bat, and MS Dhoni kept his remaining overs for

the death. He returned to start the 18th, after the two overs before that were taken for 29, and he conceded only two runs apart from bowling Wadhera. Seeing the batter making room, he fired a yorker which hit middle stump at 145kph.

Pathirana mixed his lengths as much as he varied his pace. That, combined with the two-paced nature of the pitch, might have been why Tristan Stubbs struggled for timing, eventually slicing to cover-point on being foxed by a slower ball. Pathirana ended with 3 for 15 - all wickets coming in the death oversand further enhanced his reputation of being the season's best death bowler so far, for a minimum of 60 balls bowled in that phase.

Wadhera propels Mumbai to 139

With Tilak Varma out injured for this game, Mumbai

were missing a solid middle-order batter. And forced to rebuild after the top-order failure, Wadhera opened up after the powerplay, when he gently cut Ravindra Jadeja for four to deep backward point, and then drilled Moeen Ali to deep extra cover. Once Wadhera picked up some momentum, he looked confident enough to keep attacking spin: Jadeja was slog-swept over short fine to start the 11th over, before he beat short fine leg with another sweep off Maheesh Theekshana in the 14th. And with five overs to go, he cracked the innings' first six by launching Theekshana over long-on.

Wadhera's fifty took 46 deliveries when it was raised in the 17th over, after which he swept, pulled and scooped Jadeja for fours, although his knock of 64 didn't prove enough.

Shivam Dube going big

Gaikwad starts in a hurry, Dube finishes in style Super Kings posted 46 in the first four overs, out of which Gaikwad had bashed 30. That included four fours and two sixes, as he got Super Kings' chase rolling alongside Devon Conway. The first over included a drive and a flick for four off Cameron Green, while he turned the screw in the third over.

Mumbai introduced leftarm seamer Arshad Khan, and Gaikwad went 6, 4, 4, 6: a pull over midwicket, a guide behind point, a punch past the bowler, and a swivel-pull over long leg. Gaikwad was dismissed off the first ball of the fifth over by Piyush Chawla, who again turned out to be the standout performer with the ball for Mumbai.

Although Chawla was hit for a four and a six by Ajinkya Rahane, he had the last laugh when he trapped the Super Kings batter with a googly in the ninth over. That came after he had earlier gotten Gaikwad with the legspinner. Chawla's four overs went for only 25, and

he was bowled out inside 11 overs.

Soon after, the platform that Gaikwad had laid was further built by Shivam Dube, who provided the finishing kick. Two sixes off debutant left-arm wristspinner Raghav Goyal in the 14th over, and one swung off Arshad Khan to Mumbai's dugout two balls before the winning run, took Super Kings to a comfortable win, after they had lost two and had a game washed out just before. (ESPNCricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Mumbai Indians (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R B

Cameron Green b Deshpande 6 4

Ishan Kishan † c

Theekshana b Chahar 7 9

Rohit Sharma (c) c

Jadeja b Chahar 0 3

Nehal Wadhera b Pathirana 64 51

Suryakumar Yadav b Jadeja 26 22

Tristan Stubbs c

Jadeja b Pathirana 20 21

Tim David c Gaikwad

b Deshpande 2 4

Arshad Khan c Gaikwad b Pathirana 1 2

Jofra Archer not out 3 2

Piyush Chawla not out 2 2

Extras (lb 5, w 3) 8

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 6.95) 139/8

Did not bat: Akash Madhwal

Fall of wickets: 1-13

(Cameron Green, 1.5 ov), 2-13

(Ishan Kishan, 2.2 ov), 3-14

(Rohit Sharma, 2.5 ov), 4-69

(Suryakumar Yadav, 10.3 ov), 5-123

(Nehal Wadhera, 17.3 ov), 6-127

(Tim David, 18.3 ov), 7-134

(Arshad Khan, 19.1 ov), 8-137

(Tristan Stubbs, 19.4 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Moeen Ali

1-0-10-0

4-0-28-0

4-0-15-3

30 16 Devon Conway lbw b Madhwal

Pathirana came on towards the end, and

picked

Amsterdam wins, Allicock misses out at World Boxing C/ships

Friday was a day of mixed fortunes for Guyanese boxers in Uzbekistan, as Desmond Amsterdam and Keevin

Allicock both competed in the Round of 32 of their respective weight class es at the International Boxing Association (IBA)

Elite Men’s World Boxing Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Amsterdam’s winning 16 in the Light Heavyweight (Elite 75-80KG) class, where he is billed to battle Spain’s Gazimagomed Gafurova on Tuesday, May 9.

Guyana’s other competitor at the Games, Keevin Allicock, fought valiantly on Friday, but lost to Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan in their Featherweight (Elite 5457KG), Round of 32 clash. Also fighting out of the red corner, Allicock lost the bout on points on all five judges’ scorecards.

This year’s World Championships see big cash incentives being offered to medalists, with the gold medalist in every weight class set to receive US$200,000, silver medalist US$100,000, and bronze medalist US$50,000.

1st Int’l boxer confirmed for “Return of the Scorpio” card

As promised by the promoter last week, international flavour has been confirmed for the amateur component of the pro/am card “Return of the

Abiola Jackman is now ranked 27th in the world in the Elite Women 81-andover Kg, or heavyweight division, while her sister Alesha is ranked number

develop and advance the sport, but to specifically empower the female division through consistent international exposure. This is tangible development, and should not be understat-

equal number of amateur encounters. The Guyanese duo will battle a Colombian combination, as Dharry is scheduled to face Colombian Jose Antonio Jimenez while Marques will enter the squared circle against Omar

The May 21st fight night will mark Dharry’s return to the ring in over a year, and will serve as a tuneup for his July encounter on local shores with Hugo Hernandez of Mexico

for the WBC Silver Belt. Dharry, 37, fought for the WBA Super Flyweight title in 2019, but suffered a controversial ninth-round stoppage loss to Australian Andrew Maloney in Melbourne.

NAMILCO U17 Football League…

NA United, Cougars FC earn valuable points

The National Milling Company’s (NAMILCO’s)

Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 Football League continued on Friday, May 5 with games in both the Berbice Football Association and East (Coast) Demerara Football Association.

and Kumasi Spellen in the 59th minute, Joshua Dougall in the 76th and Tjon Reid in the 90th+1 completed the 5-0 scoreline.

Game 2 on Arrival Day resulted in Rosignol United gaining three easy points when their intended oppo-

spectively to seal Cougars’ win.

Scorpio”, which will be hosted by Briso Promotions on Sunday, May 21st.

Trinidad and Tobago’s champion boxer Lee Ann Boodram is set to grace the National Gymnasium at Mandela Avenue in Georgetown, where she is scheduled to battle her local counterpart and standout, Abiola Jackman.

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has confirmed that Boodram will arrive on Saturday, May 20th for her fistic engagement.

This will be Abiola’s fourth international assignment of 2023, highlighting the busy itinerary that has currently enveloped the discipline.

Presently, the GBA is also in negotiation with its Jamaican counterpart to acquire an opponent for Abiola’s sibling, Alesha Jackman.

The sisters are the first-ever Guyanese female boxers to acquire world ranking from the International Boxing Association (IBA), following their participation at the Women’s World Championships in New Delhi, India.

58th in the Elite Women 60-63 Kg, or junior welterweight division. Rising star Shaquan Sampson will also be on the amateur card.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle has said, “Boxing is currently on the proverbial highway of development via the best practice of international exposure. This is another palpable example and exercise of our mandate, which is to expose local talent to international competition. In particular, the girls have been active on the international circuit since the dawn of 2023.

The Jackman sisters competed at the Patrick Forde Memorial Championships in February against international opponents. They also made their mark at the World Championship in India during the month of March. Alesha also competed in the Champion of Champions tournament in St. Lucia in April, whilst Abiola also featured in a tournament during the same timeframe in Barbados.”

He further stated, “This is once again indicative of the concerted effort that is being employed by the association (GBA) to not only

ed. The pugilists can and will only improve and hone their considerable talents through more competition, especially those of an international persuasion.

“It has been a very hectic period for the sport, and it will only get busier. At the moment, we also have two fighters in the form of Desmond Amsterdam and Keevin Allicock at the Men’s World Championship in Uzbekistan; which serves as further evidence of international footprint,” he explained.

Projected to be the biggest card staged on local shores in excess of a decade, the Briso Promotions pro/am card is expected to exceed the quality, ambience and atmosphere that was a hallmark of the Patrick Forde Memorial Championships - viewed by many pundits and analysts of repute as the standard-bearer for boxing competitions.

The aforesaid event, which is pencilled to be headlined and co-headlined by Elton Dharry and Dexter ‘De Kid’ Marques respectively, will feature five professional bouts and an

In the proverbial Ancient County, New Amsterdam United drew first blood with a commanding 5-0 victory over Hopetown Rangers Football Club. Civion Arokium led the charge for NA United with a

nents, Paradise Invaders, failed to show up for the match. Thereafter, Cougars FC thumped Ithaca FC 4-0.

A double came off the boots of Jomal Adams in the 60th and 66th minutes, while

Dane Singh and Keron George found the

Meanwhile, on the East Coast of Demerara, the Mahaica team and Dynamic FC walked away with points when Mahaica gained a walkover over Ann’s Grove FC and Dynamic gained a narrow 2-0 victory over Melanie FC. Taric Trotman was the first to find the back of the net for Dynamic in the 34th minute, while Bryan Wharton extended their lead in the 45th via a penalty opportunity.

The league was sched

Cougars FC goal scorers are, from left: Dane Singh, Jomal Adams and Keron George

Cuello.

Guyana’s Abiola Jackman

Trinidad and Tobago’s Lee Ann Boodram

Desmond Amsterdam pummelling his opponent at the IBA World Championships (IBA Photo)

Keevin Allicock fought valiantly in his Round of 32 bout (IBA Photo)

NAMILCO U17 League…

NA United, Cougars FC earn valuable points

Amsterdam wins, Allicock misses out at World C/ships

Tiger Rentals Guyana U13 Football League Cup 2023…

Finals could be epic Bartica/ East Demerara clash

The Tiger Rentals

Guyana Under-13

National League Cup championship is coming to a thrilling end, with Bartica and East Coast emerging as the standout teams after the penultimate day of the tournament.

Bartica, in particular, will be feeling confi -

dent about their chances of securing the championship after winning all three of their games played so far, including two victories yesterday at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) National Training Centre (NTC). They beat East Berbice with

a last-minute goal from Aaron Wharton, and then secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Essequibo, with Riley Tracey netting a brace and Chris Anderson scoring the other goal. However, East Demerara may prove to be a tough opponent for Bartica, as they are un-

defeated in the tournament and have also three wins from three matches. This Anthony Belfield-coached team emerged victorious in the National Inter-ATC/ Association League, and will be looking to replicate that success in the League Cup Championship.

It is highly likely that these two teams will top their respective groups and face each other in today’s anticipated final, which is expected to produce pyrotechnics.

Among the other notable results from yesterday's matches are Rupununi's 2-1 win against East Bank; Georgetown's 4-0 victory against Essequibo; West Berbice's 2-0 win against West Demerara; and Georgetown's narrow 1-0 win against Upper Demerara.

The Tiger Rentals Guyana Under-13 development initiative has been a resounding success, with hundreds of young footballers at this important age group actively participat-

ing. President of the GFF, Wayne Forde, has highlighted that this tournament would serve as an opportunity to select the best players to form the core of the national under-15 side that would represent Guyana at Concacaf next year.

The tournament's closing ceremony will take place today at the NTC, but the impact of this programme would continue to be felt for years to come.

Scenes from the Tiger Rentals U13 Cup Championship