Guyana Times - Monday, August 21, 2023

Govt bridging energy development divide – PM tells Karasabai residents …delivers

home solar system units

to

village

With the aim of bridging all developmental divides within the administrative regions of Guyana, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Sunday delivered home solar system units to residents of

Karasabai, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The home solar system units will equip each household with access to reliable electricity.

According to the Prime Minister, these units will as-

sist in bridging the energy divide, in keeping with the Government’s manifesto promise, and complements a host of other projects in advancing the shift to sustainable, environmentally-friendly electricity sources.

“We are a Government that is committed to the development of all the people in Guyana, wherever you are located. This is the time for development. This is the time when you, as the people of Guyana, will benefit from all the revenues of this country,” PM Phillips told residents.

The initiative falls un-

der the Solar Home Systems Project, which saw 30,000 units being acquired through a US$7.2 million line of credit agreement between the Governments of Guyana and India via the Indian Exim Bank. It will be distributed to hinterland households, as well as several Amerindian villages along the coast. The units include a 160-watt panel, charge controller, battery, and other basic fittings, which means that each household will be able to independently generate electricity.

This project works in tandem with the integration of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), in every community, to ensure that all Guyanese can enjoy connectivity.

On this note, the Prime Minister also urged young people in the village to seize the opportunities being made available to them, especially within the realm of education, pointing to the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme.

“Guyana’s development is not only about roads and buildings alone. It is also about people's development. And we are committed to this. So, all the opportunities for people development, we will make them available to you,” the Prime Minister stated.

Last month, it was announced that the first batch of 3780 home solar systems had arrived in Guyana. The distribution of the systems will begin in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (DemeraraMahaica), and Eight (Potaro-

Siparuni).

Additional batches of systems to form the full complement of 30,000 systems are expected to arrive between now and November of this year.

The project was launched to bridge the energy gap between urban and rural areas of the country, while continuing the shift to sustainable, environmentally-friendly electricity sources.

It is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

From 2020 to 2023, solar PV systems were installed at several public buildings across the hinterland regions. These included health centres, community centres, food processing, and educational facilities.

In October 2020, Guyana’s first solar farm, which generates 0.4 megawatts (MW) at peak capacity was commissioned in Mabaruma, Region One, emphasising the commitment to the shift to renewable energy.

Following the operationalisation of that farm, a one-megawatt solar PV farm was also commissioned at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) in 2022, and another, generating 1.5 MW at Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) in 2023.

This year, a 0.5 MW solar PV farm is eyed for completion at Wakenaam, Region Three, and a 0.65 MW solar farm has been eyed for completion in Mahdia, Region Eight.

These, along with the installation of solar PV systems in Government buildings over the years will take Guyana’s solar capacity from 5.35 MW in 2020, to an estimated 17.2 MW by the end of this year. (G8)

Prime Minister Mark Phillips handing over the solar panels to Karasabai village, Region Nine

Residents of Karasabai village on Sunday

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, Aug 21 – 04:15h – 05:45h and Tuesday, Aug 22 – 04:15h – 05:45h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, Aug 21 – 06:50h – 08:20h and Tuesday, Aug 22 – 07:30h – 09:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East South-Easterly between 2.26 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 07:19h and 19:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.54 metres.

Low Tide: 13:11h reaching a minimum height of 0.69 metre.

Exxon wants more of oil supply chain to be located in Guyana

company’s interest to help improve local content – EEPGL Head

this will then provide a platform for other industries in country. The EEPGL executive further noted the importance of them looking at where the industry is projected to go in the next few years, in order to guide decisions on supply chain.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Exxon’s local subsidiary, is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block, while Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent inter-

spent more than $80 billion (US$400 million) with more than 1500 Guyanese businesses in 2022 alone. That is part of the more than $180 billion (US$900 million) spent with locals since the first discovery in 2015.

By the end of 2022, the company and contractors had also employed over 5000 Guyanese workers, representing more than 65 per cent of the overall workforce in the local oil and gas industry.

proximately 48 per cent of the offshore workforce.

Back in 2021, Routledge had explained that Guyana has undergone drastic changes in its oil and gas capacity since the early days when the company made its first oil discovery in the Stabroek Block in 2015, to the point where the company wanted to transition its supply chain to Guyana.

He had said when Exxon started exploration, there was no infrastruc-

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited’s (EEPGL) strategic plan for Guyana, includes having even more of its supply chain located in country, as local content continues to be a priority for the company.

During a recent University of London Chancellor Hall-hosted seminar bringing together members of the Guyanese diaspora and officials, EEPGL President Alistair Routledge responded to a question pertaining to its strategic plan for operating in Guyana and its supply chain.

“We identified a number of strategic priorities that we said, these are areas we need to focus on in order to make a significant difference and we deliver meaningfully this business in Guyana,” Routledge said.

“One of those we’ve talked a lot about today is local content. We have one of our very clear priorities as a business, is that we need to be building that up as quickly and as effectively and as sustainably as we can.”

It has previously been reported that ExxonMobil is looking to move most of its supply chain from Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) over to Guyana. According to Routledge, having more of the company’s supply chain in country remains a priority.

“So, we said, what does that mean in five years? Well, we said in five years we want to have much more of our supply chain in country. So, if I look specifically at something like project execution, that’s what led us to say well what we need to do is support the establishment of another shore base, which is now being constructed, the Vreed-enHoop shore base.”

“And the reason for that shore base is it will provide the sort of facilities, not to support our current operations, but to enable more of the subsea infrastructure to be fabricated and/or assembled in country and then install. So that then provides more jobs and builds more skills in country.”

According to Routledge,

est and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.

In May, EEPGL had revealed that itself and its reporting contractors had

The company noted too that the numbers of Guyanese working offshore continued to grow. Among the 2700 personnel committed to supporting ExxonMobil Guyana’s operations, over 1300 were Guyanese, constituting ap-

ture or expertise in place locally to support the company’s operations. This had led Exxon to source these services from Trinidad and Tobago, which has been producing oil on a commercial basis since 1908.

EEPGL Head, Alistair Routledge

The Exxon Country Manager also hailed the Vreed-en-Hoop shore base’s ability to provide jobs and contribute to building skills in country

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

India’s example

India celebrated the 76th anniversary of its attainment of Independence from Britain on the 15th of this month.

Its independence in 1947 was a remarkable event that reverberated in all of the colonies of the British Empireincluding then British Guiana - on which “the sun never sat”. Independence for India confirmed that it was only a matter of “when” for the other colonies to also be free.

Since that time, India has continued to play a key leadership role for the other colonies. Initially, it attempted to chart a middle path between the two competing ideologies of capitalism and communism - represented respectively by the US and the USSR. In 1955, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru organised an Asian-African Conference at Bandung, Indonesia which brought together more than half of the world’s population to declare their opposition to colonialism and neo-colonialism. Later, with the leaders of Ghana, Egypt, Yugoslavia and Indonesia, he helped launch the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM); but, unfortunately, it was seen as taking a side by NOT taking a side with the US.

India also attempted to steer a middle course, both politically and economically, by combining elements of the two dominant ideologies, but this did not lead to the level of development needed to pull it out of the morass into which one hundred and fifty years of British colonialism had mired it. India inevitably became an exemplar of the consequences of what was called “underdevelopment”, in the seventies. This process can be illustrated by the history of the cotton industry of India.

In 1700, India was supplying up to 90% of the cotton fabrics in world trade. By the end of the 18th century, however, after the conquest of India, most of the manufacturing of the fabric was transferred to England, and, within two decades, Britain became the top exporter and India’s share fell to 20%. The British banned the importation of textile looms and other machinery into India, and the latter was stuck with producing cotton and importing fabrics from England. To rub salt into the wound, the cultivation of cotton was encouraged in the US, which soon surpassed India as the top producer of this crop. Those parts of India where the cotton industry was destroyed - UP and Bihar - today still remain the most underdeveloped and poverty-stricken parts.

But the underdevelopment of India was replicated in every tropical colony, including Guyana, where the countries were directed to produce raw materials to be manufactured - and most pertinently “value added” - in the colonial metropole. For instance, Guyana still produces cheap raw sugar, that has to be exported to England to be refined into expensive white sugar, which is sold to consumers. But India still remains a model for the former British colonies - and other underdeveloped countries.

Through all its travails, India has remained a democratic country - today, the largest in the world, even though many in the First World had predicted this was not possible in the face of the magnitude of challenges presented to the leadership. However, India has now become a beacon in another area: not the simplistic promulgation of a “middle path” consisting of a melange of the competing foreign ideologies, as in the sixties, but in starting to forge its own path, based on its own ancient traditions - modified where appropriate, by new proven advances.

This is what has been signalled by the dynamic Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), which has comprehensively replaced the Congress Party across India. The point the former is making is that, with the fall of communism and the present ruptures in capitalism, what is needed is a model of development that takes cognizance of the strengths of each polity and nation. Development cannot ignore the culture of each nation: it must be autochthonous.

This is something that Guyana also needs to do: in the first two decades, it tried socialism, that failed, and in the last two decades, neo-liberalism, which also foundered. Perhaps the Nordic Model might fit our bill?

Attacks on aid workers in Sudan must stop now

In my 30-year career as an aid worker, I have never faced an operating environment as challenging as the one in Sudan. What I have personally witnessed since the conflict erupted across the country on April 15, and the stories I hear – especially from the Darfur region – are harrowing.

No one should have to endure such horror or pain.

The very day fighting broke out across the country, tragedy struck the humanitarian community. Three World Food Programme (WFP) staff members – Osman Ali, Siddig Mohammed and Yousif Elzain – were killed in North Darfur.

These dedicated humanitarian workers had been in a remote area delivering emergency cash assistance to some of Sudan’s most vulnerable people.

They are among 19 humanitarian workers – all Sudanese – who have lost their lives in the past four months. The war has already claimed the lives of at least 1,100 civilians, and left millions in urgent need of assistance.

Yet, this vitally needed aid has also come under direct attack: At least 53 humanitarian warehouses have been looted, and 87 offices ransacked.

More than 40,000 tons of WFP food assistance has been stolen, and a logistics hub in southcentral Sudan – one of the largest on the African continent – was overrun.

Despite the very real risk to their lives, humanitarians on the ground in Sudan continue to overcome immense challenges to support those suffering the most in this conflict.

The outlook is grim. Hunger stands at record levels, and 6.3 million people are one step away from famine. Over 4.4 million people have been forced to flee their homes to seek safety in other parts of Sudan and neighbouring countries. Humanitarian needs are higher than ever before, with half the population – or 24.7 million people – in need of assistance.

As the conflict has spread, its dynamics have become increasingly more complex. Insecurity means that gaining access to people in need of life-saving assistance is increasingly difficult yet even more urgent than ever before, as more people are struggling to meet their most basic needs.

No matter what, we will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Sudanese people in their darkest hour. We will not stop delivering critical aid to those fighting for sur-

vival.

While our dedication as humanitarians helps keep us going in difficult circumstances, our conviction alone is not enough. We require all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international law.

The targeting of aid workers and humanitarian assistance is against the rules of war. Humanitarians and the aid they provide are neutral and impartial in conflict. They dedicate their lives to helping people caught up in crisis. Their safety – and that of the civilians they serve – must be guaranteed.

Since early May, aid organisations have so far supported over 3 million people with life-saving assistance such as food, water, nutrition, shelter and medical services. We want to, and need to, do more: This year, humanitarian actors in Sudan are ramping up to assist 18.1 million people by the end of the year.

So, we are left to remind the parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law, enshrined in the Declaration of Commitments signed in Jeddah on May 11. They agreed then to protect the civilians of Sudan and to protect humanitarian personnel and assets. They af-

firmed that it is prohibited to attack, harass, intimidate, or arbitrarily detain personnel; or to attack, destroy, misappropriate, or loot relief supplies, installations, material, units or vehicles.

On World Humanitarian Day, on Saturday, we honour those who have fallen and the dedicated aid workers who continue to put their lives on the line every day to serve people in need. And it is for the very people we serve that we continue to urge all parties to the conflict in Sudan to remember and honour the commitments they made more than three months ago: To facilitate humanitarian action and protect those whose job it is to deliver it.

We, the humanitarian community, could be doing even more for the Sudanese people whose lives have been shattered by the ongoing violence if we could safely reach all locations where people need our help, if we were able to transport relief items without the threat of theft, and if we did not have to fear for our lives.

There is not a minute to lose – the Sudanese people need our assistance now more than ever. (Al Jazeera)

(Eddie Rowe is the WFP Country Director and UN’s acting Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan.)

A traffic rank joined in repainting a pedestrian crossing at Little Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara on Sunday morning (GPF photos)

“Guyana Through Your Eyes” photography exhibition opens at Castellani House

The EMC Foundation, in collaboration with the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company Ltd (GTT), opened the “Guyana Through Your Eyes” photography exhibition at the Castellani House in Georgetown on Saturday. The exhibition celebrates Guyana's environment and rich cultural heritage, as seen through the lens of photographers across Guyana.

This curated collection captures the essence of the country's landscapes, people, and traditions, inviting visitors to explore the nation's spirit and uncover its hidden stories. The exhibition aims to inspire a love for the natural world, promote conservation awareness, and provide a platform for artistic expression.

According to EMC Foundation's Programme Manager Stella Madete, "Photographers hold the unique ability to transcend language and cultural barriers. They play a crucial role in documenting our planet's vast natural and cultural diversity.

By capturing images of cultural practices, endangered species, rare habitats, and delicate ecosystems, they provide

invaluable records, foster understanding, and ignite the passion for protecting our diverse ecosystems.”

The exhibition marks the peak of the “Guyana Through Your Eyes” photography competition that brought together the creativity and vision of over 100 talented photographers around Guyana.

Michael Lam, who was one of the judges for the competition, shared that, “Our expectations were met and even exceeded. These images represented a range of subjects and visions across the length and breadth of our beautiful country. Every photographer should take pride in being included in the shortlist, and even more so in being exhibited in the National Gallery of Art, because now, each piece is more than just a photograph; it is a work of art to be admired, discussed, to be a source of inspiration and a piece that provokes thought in the viewers.”

The top three photographs that captivated the expert panel of judges include “Contrasting Fields,” an aerial perspective of a cow in a rice field, “Ready for the Journey” by Lakhram Bhagirat, showing a dugout canoe mind stream,

and the winner, “Mommy's Patience” by Keiran Samuels, a dramatic image of a Crimson Topaz Hummingbird braving the rain in her nest.

An elated Samuels shared, “I'm incredibly proud to be the winner of this year's Guyana Through Your Eyes competition. Photography is a powerful medium that can bridge the gap between people and the natural world, fostering

a deeper appreciation for nature's beauty and importance. Platforms like these are important to not only show our work, but encourage people to look closer, feel deeper, and consider their role in conserving the environment."

EMC Foundation Founder and Director, Shyam Nokta stated, "Photography allows us to capture the essence of what is around us, including

nature and the environment. Advances in technology allow us all, those who have a passion for photography, an interest in nature, as well as professionals in these fields, to capture unique moments. This competition and exhibition by the EMC Foundation has sought to bring together photography and interest in nature as part of efforts to continue to raise awareness about the environment. We hope that through raising awareness, we can help to connect people to take positive action on the environment.”

Meanwhile, GTT's Chief Commercial Officer, Kerchelle Charles added, "Our support for this competition stems from the desire to showcase the breathtaking natural beauty of Guyana which simultaneously empowering and amplifying the works of talented photographers. Our partnership with EMC Foundation underscores our dedication to uplifting our communities, celebrating the diversity of our nation, and supporting the transformative power of creativity.”

Additionally, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Charles Ramson, reiterated the Government's commit-

ment to creating a sustainable future for its citizens through innovative initiatives that include supporting the creative arts as a catalyst for environmental protection. According to Ramson, “Incorporating photography and creative arts into environmental advocacy efforts can bring a fresh and compelling perspective to these important issues, fostering a greater understanding of the interconnectedness between us and the natural world. I commend the EMC Foundation efforts in seeking to advance environmental awareness in Guyana. This allows our society to become a lot more conscious about the environment and our responsibility for its protection.”

Guyana Through Your Eyes exhibition offers a platform for amateur and professional photographers to shine a light on Guyana's rich biodiversity, celebrate the country's cultural heritage, and provide a platform to raise awareness of environmental issues. It will run from August 19 to September 21, 2023, at the National Gallery, Castellani House.

Strathspey man nabbed with illegal gun

AStrathspey, East Coast Demerara, man was arrested on Saturday morning after he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm as well as an air gun.

The discovery was made at around 06:00h when a large party of Police officers – about 20 ranks in six vehicles – acted on information received and proceeded to Lot 161 Area G Strathspey, where they arrested a taxi driver after finding an air gun and a .32 Taurus revolver in his room.

According to Police reports, on arrival at the address, the ranks observed a

two-storey concrete building in a well-fenced yard. The ranks gained entry to the yard through an open southern gate, made contact with the occupants, identified themselves as Police officers, and informed them that they would like to conduct a search of the building and their personal belongings, to which the occupants agreed.

A search in the bedroom of one of the occupants, Raphael Samuels, a 29-yearold taxi driver, unearthed a black metal object suspected to be an air gun, wrapped in a yellow pillowcase. In addition, a second met-

al object suspected to be a firearm was found in a black plastic bag on a wooden van-

ity in the room. Samuels was asked to produce a firearm licence, which he said he did

Linden teen to be sentenced for stealing motorcycle

Leon Cameron, a 19-yearold from Lot 12 Wismar Housing Scheme in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), appeared before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Friday in the Diamond/Grove Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of simple larceny.

It is alleged that on Tuesday, August 15, at Lot 5 Windsor Estates, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Cameron stole a Honda motorcycle valued at $700,000, the property of Salim Paul.

The accused admitted to the crime during the court hearings and disclosed that he had left the stolen bike at his friend's home in Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Cameron also explained to the Magistrate that although he had initially meant to re-

Stephen King

turn the bike, after viewing the strong evidence against him and realising that he had considerably changed the bike's appearance, he changed his mind. After hearing the defendant’s story, the Magistrate sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment.

Meanwhile, in a sepa-

rate case, Stephen King, 24, appeared in front of Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer the accusation of simple larceny.

To the charge, King entered a not guilty plea. According to the allegations, between August 14 and 15, King allegedly stole John Hetsberger's Honda motorcycle, CM 2383, which is worth $495,000. According to testimony given in court, Hetsberger locked up his motorcycle and went to bed on August 14 around 20:00h.

The following morning, when he awakened, he realised his motorcycle was gone. People in the neighbourhood then told the man that they had seen King riding his motorcycle. The next day, after being detained, the accused verbally admitted to the crime.

The prosecutor objected to bail because the defendant had prior arrests under circumstances comparable to this one. Bail was rejected and the accused was remanded to prison. On October 6, King will appear in court again for statements.

(G1)

not have. He was immediately told of the offence, cautioned and arrested.

The ranks escorted Raphael Samuels and two other occupants of the house, along with the suspected air gun and firearm, to the Vigilance Police Station.

On arrival at the station, the suspected firearm was

inspected in the presence of Raphael Samuels, and it was observed to be a .38 Taurus revolver without ammunition. The firearm was placed in an evidence box, marked, sealed and lodged. The suspect was placed into Police custody pending investigation. He is slated to be charged. (G9)

12:05

14:35

16:00

16:30

The gun that was found by Police

Jailed: Leon Cameron

Remanded:

Lakhram Bhagirat in front of his second-place picture, “Ready for the Journey”

Page Foundation

Types of angles

BY E E CUMMINGS

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)i am never without it(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling) i fear

pair of scissors

Tip: Instead of yarn, you can also use embroidery thread. If you use embroidery thread, double over the strands to make them thicker

Step 1: Make your cardboard braiding disc

Trace a circle onto a piece of cardboard using a drinking glass and a pencil. Cut out the circle, then cut eight small slits evenly spaced around the edge. Each slit should be about 1 cm (1/2”) long. Also, use your pencil to poke a hole through the centre of the circle.

Braiding your bracelet with the disc is really easy. There are just two steps to learn and repeat.

Step A: Hold the disc so that the empty slot is at the top. Un-clip whichever yarn is in the bottom-right slot and clip it in to the top slot:

Step B: Now the bottom right slot will be empty. So, rotate the whole disc so that the empty slot is at the top again: Now, just keep repeating Step A, Step B, Step A, Step B, etc, and your bracelet will grow. It seems a bit like magic the first time but it really works!

no fate(for you are my fate, my sweet)i want no world(for beautiful you are my world, my true)

Want to make a friendship bracelet?

Here’s a little-known technique that lets even a complete beginner make a beautifully-braided bracelet.

The trick is using something called a braiding disc, or braiding loom. It’s just a round piece of cardboard with some slots in it, but it makes bracelet-weaving a lot easier.

Ready? First up, you’ll need to gather your materials.

All you need is:

7 strands of yarn, each 2 feet long

1 piece of cardboard, eg from a breakfast cereal box

Step 2: Make the starting knot

Line up the ends of your seven strands of yarn, then tie a simple overhand knot. Make it so that there’s about 2 cm (1”) of loose ends poking out of the knot.

Step 3: Put the yarn on the braiding disc Poke the knotted end of the yarn bundle through the hole in the centre of the braiding disc: Then clip one piece of yarn into each slot, except the top slot.

Step 4: Braid your friendship bracelet

Step 5: Unclip from braiding disc Once the bracelet is long enough to go around your wrist, unclip it from the braiding disc.

Step 6: Tie finishing knots

Tie an overhand knot (just like in step 2) right at the point where the braiding ends. Then tie another overhand knot about 1.5 cm (2/3”) away. Trim the loose ends.

Congratulations on finishing your bracelet! To wear it, you poke the knot at one end through the gap between the two knots at the other end.

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

WORD SEARCH

Passengers entering, leaving Guyana stranded as CAL cancels over 20 flights …says

pilots stage ‘sickout’; Pilots Association

Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) on Sunday cancelled some two dozen flights to and from destinations in the Caribbean and North America after a large number of pilots called in sick.

There were 23 flights to and from countries in the Caribbean as well as the United States and Canada that were affected.

Among the 23 flights that were cancelled on Sunday were five flights to and from Guyana. In addition to these flights, another 14 domestic flights between Trinidad and Tobago were also cancelled.

In a brief travel alert advisory on its Facebook page, CAL explained that there were “…disruptions to its operations for August 20 due to cockpit crew constraints.”

“The airline is experiencing delays and cancellations to many of its international and domestic services. Affected customers are being advised and will be re-accommodated on the first available services,” it added.

When contacted on Sunday, Director General of the Guyana

denies strike

action

Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Colonel Egbert Field said he spoke with the senior management of CAL earlier in the day about the issue.

“I understand there were some passenger disruptions. Caribbean Airlines outlined that they are having some human resources issues and they are trying to correct those issues. They said they will keep us informed,” Field

alternative systems will be put in place,” he noted.

Moreover, the GCAA Director was unable to say whether the flight cancellations would be rolled over to today.

“I enquired [about timeline for delays] but they were unable to say,” Field stated.

In a statement on its website, Caribbean Airlines explained that the disruptions stemmed from

of any strike action being taken by the pilot body.

An article published by the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian said that TTALPA has denied that the cancellations were due to the pilots’ actions.

"TTALPA and its members therefore refute the allegations of [a local] news article and ensure the public that its members continue to fly with their safety and best interests at heart," the release said.

According to the T&T Guardian, TTALPA said its association is prohibited by law from taking industrial action as their members are deemed "essential workers".

Meanwhile, CAL said

in its statement on Sunday that its Reservations Service Centre is actively working to contact all affected customers. It noted that due to the number of

individuals impacted, this process is currently ongoing.

The airline also urged persons to check online for their flight status and those with cancelled flights are being asked not to turn up to the airport.

“We want to emphasise that if your flight is cancelled, there is no need for you to head to the airport until we have contacted you with information about your new flight date and time. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to resolve these unexpected challenges and provide the necessary support to our affected customers,” the airline said. (G8)

explained.

In the meantime, the airline indicated that they are working to address the matter and are putting things in place to minimise the disruptions to passengers and accommodate affected passengers.

“They recognise the problems that the issues is causing,” the GCAA Head told this newspaper.

Asked what arrangements are being put in place; Field related that this was not detailed by the airline officials.

“They just said that they are putting things in place and accommodating their passengers wherever they are located and in whatever form it can be done… They did not define what form of assistance or

a large number of its pilots calling in sick.

“Today, there has been a remarkably high volume of calls from pilots reporting that they are unwell and unable to report for duty. These calls come in at approximately three (3) hours prior to flight departure times… As a result of the sick calls, Caribbean Airlines has had to cancel several flights,” the airline stated.

According to CAL, it is currently in negotiations with the Trinidad and Tobago Airline Pilots Association (TTALPA) over a collective agreement for the period 20152018.

However, the Airline Pilots Association said on Sunday that it is unaware

GCAA Director General, Colonel Egbert Field

Death of horse-cart operator

Sophia labourer slapped with manslaughter charge

ly armed with a knife, attempted to stab Husbands, but Husbands held on to the knife, removed a pair of scissors from the waist of his pants and dealt the victim two blows to his body.

After receiving the wounds, Harris reportedly attempted to escape but collapsed a short distance away. Husbands subsequently left the scene and went to the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost, where he reported the incident and handed over the murder weapon to the Police.

arrival.

Meanwhile, a relative of Husbands had told Guyana Times that the victim would constantly harass her family members. The relative claimed that Harris had, on numerous occasions, threatened to kill Husbands. Even though the latter made several reports to the Police, the threats persisted until the unfortunate demise. The relative further claimed that the duo was engaged in an ongoing misunderstanding, with confrontations arising each time they crossed paths.

Making… …amends??

Looks like while the British Government is stubbornly refusing to accept its role in fostering slavery and indentureship to build itself into a world power, some of the descendants of its citizens who operated under its auspices to exploit those institutions are having an attack of conscience. Earlier this year, two members of the British aristocracy - David Lascelle and Laura Trevelyan – apologized, on behalf of their families, to Grenada for their role in slavery. Trevelyan’s ancestors had more than 1,000 slaves in Grenada, and she offered a £100,000 donation to the island. She’s now a full-time advocate for reparative justice. They received £27,000 back in 1835 for their slaves - which would now be worth millions and millions!!

Acharge for the offence of manslaughter has been laid against Desan Husbands, a labourer, who is accused of killing a horse-cart operator.

Husbands, 20, of Lot 71 Plum Park, South Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on August 14, he unlawfully killed Mark Harris, 25, of Plum Park, South Sophia.

He was remanded to prison.

The accused was brought before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The case has been adjourned to September 14.

Harris was allegedly stabbed to death by Husbands, called “Meds”, during an argument at a shop in Plum Park, Sophia. The incident reportedly took place at about 19:30h.

Based on reports received, the now dead man and Husbands are known to each other and had an ongoing feud. They were at a shop when an argument ensued between them.

According to a statement from Police Headquarters, Harris, who was alleged-

Police said the victim was picked up in an unconscious state and escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead on

However, on the day in question, Husbands reportedly left his home to purchase food when he was confronted by Harris. (G1)

Man who killed teenage exgirlfriend appealing life sentence

ABlairmont, West Coast Berbice (WCB) man behind bars for killing his teenage ex-girlfriend, whom he stabbed multiple times, is appealing his life sentence.

When they made their apology and donation, they promised to lobby King Charles and other aristocrats to follow suit for the ill-gotten gains - which make it possible for them to live so high off the hog!! And not so ironically, it was the practices of their slave-owning ancestors who gave rise to the expression “high off the hog”: Planters gave the tails, entrails and belly fat to the slaves, while they ate the meat from the carcass!! Anyhow, it seems their lobbying might’ve gotten to the ears of at least one other family – the Gladstones.

They, of course, were owners of Plantation Success, and gave their name to the slave who led the 1823 rebellion that was just commemorated – John Gladstone. Slaves were typically given their masters’ names. John Gladstone’s father’s name was an African one – Quamina. They were also the family who, after receiving £106,000 (worth almost 1 million now) for their slaves, decided that they could import indentured labourers from India to take the place of their ex-slaves in the sugar fields. Yep…it’s the same Gladstone – father of a future British Prime Minister - who brought those Indians on the Whitby and Hesperus to Vreed-en-Hoop and Highbury!!

So, we have a family who were like the Dutch Axe that cut from both sides – all to enlarge the family coffers. Well, your Eyewitness just heard that a member of the family – Charlie Gladstone and HIS family -will be coming to Guyana to apologise and hand over £100,000. He’ll be giving this to UG, where a “Diaspora and Migration Centre” was set up to pursue five specific areas of research interest, including, but not limited to, Diaspora and Migration in and around Academia, Youth, Technology and Vulnerable Communities, Indigeneity, Indentureship and Slavery!!

Shazam Khalil called “Boi”, 31, was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 24 years in 2016 for the 2015 murder of 19-year-old Shazina

Now, what makes this interesting is that, by linking slavery and indentureship while doling out funds, this might just be the catalyst to have our two feuding groups cooperate?? Or will it intensify the fight by creating another bone of contention??

So, who’s gonna be deciding how the money’s to be spent??

…trouble

With all the strident charges of ethnic discrimination in a country like Guyana – we’ve always been tethering on the edge of ethnic/racial conflicts. Now, these are very serious charges. And must be dealt with just as seriously. But precisely because of that long history, fortunately, there are a host of institutions in place to deal with such accusations. For Public Servants, there’s the Public Service Appellate Tribunal. And how about the Ombudsman? Or the ERC?

The first stop for most, however, are the courts, and recourse to these have already been taken.

Mohamed.

The custodial sentence was imposed by Justice Jo Ann Barlow before whom Khalil had been on trial for the capital offence. He was found guilty as charged by a 12-member jury.

On Friday, Khalil, through his lawyer Tejnarine Ramroop, informed the Court of Appeal that he is still pursuing his appeal against conviction and sentence.

Ironically, however, because many of the persons fired have generally been taken to the courts by the Government ON SPECIFIC charges, some eyebrows have been raised. Aren’t the Courts the arbiter of the lawsand will decide whether the Government violated any of those laws?

Or are they saying that our most ethnically balanced judiciary is biased?? And justice will not be served?

…another moon race

The Russian Luna-25, which was in a race with an Indian spacecraft, Chardrayaan, to be the first to reach the south pole of the moon – after taking off weeks later – has crashed and burned!!

Let’s see what happens with the Indian effort.

Manslaughter accused Desan Husbands

Dead: Mark Harris

Murder convict Shazam Khalil

Murdered: Shazina Mohamed

Govt looking to add 100,000 women to labour force – Jagdeo

…says aggressive training underway to increase employment

The Government is optimistic that it can add approximately 100,000 people, mostly Guyanese women, to the labour force and it is making an aggressive push to do so, through training.

This is according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, during a recent press conference where he referenced the International Organisation for Migration’s (IOM) 2022 country report. He read the section of the report which states that if Guyana were to harness all of its unemployed, underemployed and discouraged workers, the potential supply of labour would be only 63,500 in the medium term.

Jagdeo further noted that according to the report, it is estimated that Guyana would need approximately 160,000 workers. Based on the report, it would mean that at minimum, 100,000 workers in Guyana would be needed for the country to realise its full growth potential. According to Jagdeo, however, the Government is optimistic that Guyana could harness even more labour than the IOM estimates, especially if more women enter the formal workforce.

“Now the IOM has done some good work on manpower survey. But we don’t agree with everything. We believe we can increase the supply of domestic labour by bringing in more people, by more than 63,000. That’s why we’re working on special projects to get more women.”

“We think if we can get more rural and more rural women, maybe hinterland women and some urban by providing day care with the kids, then we can add probably just in female

labour participation, maybe 100,000 of our people, to the labour force.”

For some time, there have been reports of labour shortage in various sectors. The possibility of importing labour has also been explored. According to Jagdeo, however, the Government is still holding out in the hopes of ensuring more Guyanese take up these employment opportunities.

“That is why we’ve been saying, we are not moving at a full pace, to bring in labour. Because if we were to take this report, we should allow 100,000 people to come here, but we’re not doing that. We’re very judicious, because we’re saying first of all our people must be employed. We’re trying to bring more people into the labour force through training programmes.”

“We have an aggressive training programme in the Ministry of Labour. We have about 17,000 people on scholarships now, through the GOAL programme. There’s lots of these activities going on, to bring our own people into the labour force. And more and more Guyanese are

Man who killed teenage...

He was, however, informed by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards that the record of appeal in his case is incomplete as the court does not have the trial Judge’s notes.

At this point, Justice Cummings-Edwards inquired of Ramroop if he was willing to proceed with the trial Judge’s summing up only. The lawyer then requested a short adjournment to decide.

The case will continue on November 7 at 09:30h.

Mohamed, of Edinburgh Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), was killed on January 17, 2015, in front of the Yang Yi Chinese Restaurant, at Rosignol.

Khalil and the 19-yearold girl were former lovers. On the day in question, she was with friends at the Rosignol village restaurant when Khalil attacked and

working now,” Jagdeo said. The Vice President’s remarks come on the heels of a push by some sectors to import labour. However, the Vice President has con-

sistently noted that while Government is allowing foreign workers to come in for certain projects, this is not being done at a scale that will disenfranchise

Guyanese.

“There are a large number of people who are trying to bring in labourers. We’ve been very cautious in giving large scale permits. They have to demonstrate a need and they have to now show that the project would be adversely affected before we give the permission,” he had said at a previous press conference.

Some of the large-scale projects that have been given permission to import labour are the Indiafunded Ogle, East Coast Demerara, to Eccles (East Bank Demerara) bypass road project and the new Demerara River bridge project that is being undertaken by a Chinese contractor – China Railway and Construction Corporation

(CRCC)

Limited.

“We know the demand is still growing and [so we’re] allowing selective projects to bring in their labour like the road projects. They’re complaining that they have a timeline to deliver the road – the Indian company or the Chinese company on the bridge… they bring in labourers to work on those projects,” Jagdeo had stated.

Guyana Times understands that CRCC brought in Bangladeshi workers who had built the FIFA World Cup stadiums in Qatar last year. Since India is financing the bypass road, there is a stipulation that a certain per cent of Indians are contracted to workers on the project.

FROM PAGE 8

stabbed her. She was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

An autopsy conducted on the body of Mohamed revealed that the teen died as a result of shock and haemorrhage due to multiple stab wounds.

In a confession statement, which the court accepted and was read to the jury, Khalil said, “Officer, a love Shaniza bad and she hurt me bad and she hurt my feelings when I see she with a man. I had tattoo she name on me stomach. I does give Shazina whatever she wants.”

On June 8, 2021, this murder convict had escaped from the Lusignan Prison.

He was nabbed at around 22:30h on January 22, 2022, at Number 2 Blairmont Squatting Area, West Coast Berbice, and subsequently charged with escaping from lawful custody.

(G3)

The Government, through the Ministry of Labour, is undertaking aggressive training of the local populace

Partnerships needed to develop mega farms, agro-processing – PSC Chairman

…says Private Sector must play role in developing logistical plan for Region

Guyana is on the cusp of a dramatic reduction in the cost of energy, with projects such as the gas-to-energy project. While this has been touted as a game changer for various economic sectors, Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Komal Singh is also advancing the importance of partnerships to advance the agriculture

sector.

During the recent opening of the agri-investment forum at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Singh noted that partnerships will be crucial in advancing projects on a largescale basis, particularly agro-processing and agriculture-related projects.

“The private sector has a significant opportunity

here to offer meaningful contributions, by forming consortiums and partnerships that will assist in developing major mega farms and agro-processing facilities, which will allow us to develop a robust agriculture sector in the Region,” Singh said.

“The logistic aspect also provides a huge opportunity in increasing the frame-

work for shipping and transferring all goods and services throughout the Region. We have talked in the past, a lot, as it relates to developing the agri sector, grow more, etc.”

According to Singh, however, Guyana must also focus on including marketing and the logistics of moving processed goods into the Region, lest the country has a situation where it has processed agricultural products on its hands that it cannot effectively move.

“It is critical at this point of time that the private sector take the initiative at this point in time, to work on a more aggressive regional logistics approach, where we can move our products and services easi-

ly around the Region,” the PSC Chairman said.

The need for a better regional transport and logistics system is one that is being discussed at the level of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and has been called for by leaders including Guyana’s own President Dr Irfaan Ali.

President Ali has consistently called for solutions in the regional transport and logistics sector, explaining on one occasion that in order to transform the Caribbean into a regional food hub, there must be a better network for the movement of goods.

As far back as in 2021, while addressing a Regional Sub-Committee on the Caricom Single Market

Skerrit spoke of the regional agricultural agenda and the importance of tackling all the hindrances to achieving the ‘25 by 2025’ target – hindrances such as non-tariff barriers, which

and Economy (CSME), President Ali had informed them that the Lead Head on Transport has been engaged with a view to developing specific recommendations to incentivise private sector interest and partnership in transport and logistics, in order to better serve the agri-food systems’ agenda.

He had explained that the Ministerial Taskforce had recognised transport and logistics as integral to the effective implementation of the Caricom agri-food systems agenda. According to him, there were options being explored.

Just last month, Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, as the incoming Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), had echoed the urgings of President Ali that an effective transportation system must be seen as priority for slashing the regional food import bill.

In his address during the opening ceremony of Caricom’s Heads of Government meeting,

hamper trade between countries.

While Skerrit acknowledged that early indications show the agriculture sector rising to meet the challenge, he added that a robust transportation system remains critical to slashing the regional food bill. The PM had urged the revitalisation of the Single Domestic Space and concerted measures to make travel between member states as seamless as possible.

It was also announced last year, during a joint press conference between President Ali and Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, that the possibility of establishing a ferry between the two territories, to strengthen collaboration in several areas, specifically agriculture, was being explored.

Meanwhile, it was disclosed recently that Caricom is mulling the implementation of a fast ferry to boost intra-regional trade. The regional bloc also has its eyes set on a maritime policy.

A US$45M soya bean and corn project at Ebini is the result of a partnership between local companies and a Brazilian investor

PSC Chairman Komal Singh

Guyana helping T&T develop rice sector

…sends 100,000 tonnes of rice seeds to twin-island republic

because of delays in getting payments from the National Flour Mills, before the COVID-19 pandemic. He said farmers had loans with the Agricultural Development Bank and because of soaring prices of fertilisers, delays in payments, and high operating costs, they had no choice but to shut down operations and seek alternative employment.

“Farmers need support to get back into the industry.

pressed satisfaction that the industry was being revitalised.

“This is definitely a step in the right direction,” Akaloo said, noting that one of the major issues they faced was the lack of research in new rice farming techniques.

“We have no research in Trinidad concerning rice and getting good quality seeds from Guyana is a good start for us. We need technical information and re-

Hosein said the project was aligned with a Caricom initiative to reduce the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025, promoting food and nutrition security in the Region.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has revealed that Guyana is helping Trinidad and Tobago develop their rice sector through technical support.

During a telephone interview with this publication on Sunday, Mustapha said technical officers in Guyana are advising Trinidadian technical officers on the best practices used in order to grow rice successfully.

The Minister also shared that about two months ago, Guyana supplied Trinidad with some 100,000 tonnes of rice seed, which was distrib-

uted among local rice farmers in the country.

“[We are offering support on] things we do in Guyana. Our technical officers [are] giving basic advice [on] how to go about getting the nursery back in order and ensuring that the seeds germinate at the same time. They [Trinidad and Tobago] have shared it [the rice seeds] out amongst farmers and our technical officers are now briefing their technical people on how to get the farmers to do best practices and so,” Mustapha told this publication.

It was previously reported

by the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian that rice farmers in southeast Trinidad, who had previously shut down their operations, are interested in re-entering the industry and are seeking the Government’s help to do so.

Trinidadian Agriculture Minister, Kazim Hosein had distributed 200,000 pounds of high-yielding, disease-resistant rice seeds to farmers at the National Seed Bank in Chaguaramas earlier last month.

One farmer, Outam Ramnarine, told the Guardian that many rice farmers could not operate

Because rice was no longer sustainable, we started using our land for other crops. Other people just abandoned the fields while others planted rice only for home use,” Ramnarine explained.

Meanwhile, large-scale rice farmer Zameer Akaloo, who also benefited from the rice seed distribution, ex-

search behind it. We asked if the Guyanese rice breeders could come to Trinidad and do a crash course with farmers on the new available technologies,” he added.

The rice seeds were purchased by the Government and were supplied by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). Minister

“The fact that this initiative aligned perfectly with this anniversary suggests some form of providence, and I remain confident that we will successfully revitalise the sector,” Hosein said, emphasising the significance of the rice distribution project within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Guyana and T&T in July 2022. The MoU outlined collaboration areas, including rice, aquaculture, livestock production, and coconut.

He assured the Government’s commitment to revitalise and modernise the rice industry, aiming to reduce reliance on international markets.

T&T Minister of Agriculture Kazim Hosein, centre, and Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Avinash Singh, right, showing farmer Zahir Akaloo the high-quality rice seeds (Photo: The Guardian)

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

Rice cultivation in Guyana (Tassia Dickenson Photo)

Driver attacked, stabbed to death at home

A29-year-old driver of Clay Brick Road, Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was attacked by a group of men in his yard on Saturday and stabbed to death.

Dead is Bharrat Gendalall called “Premesh” of Lot 29 Clay Brick Road, Canal Number Two, WBD.

Reports are that Gendalall arrived home from work at around 19:40h on Saturday evening and was chatting with friends in front of his home. However, sometime after, he went across the road to urinate when a motor car driven by the suspect approached at a fast rate, with bright lights on, and stopped where Gendalall was urinating.

The suspect exited the

car, and an argument ensued between the two men. Gendalall reportedly dealt the suspect a cuff, and the suspect entered his vehicle and drove off.

Police said Gendalall went into his yard, and the car returned and stopped in front of his house.

The suspect and five masked men exited and ran into the yard towards Gendalall, where a scuffle ensued, resulting in the victim being stabbed in his chest.

According to Police, the injured man fell to the ground, and the men ran out of the yard. An alarm was raised, and Gendalall was rushed to West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.

His body was escorted to Ezekiel Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination. Police have since said they are in search of the suspects and motor car in which they were travelling as investigations continue. (G9)

Dead: Bharrat Gendalall

Police find shotgun, ammo at Region 9 ranch

Police have arrested a farmer of South Pakaraimas, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), following the discovery of an unlicensed firearm along with matching ammunition at a ranch house situated along the Karasabai access road.

According to Police, the discovery was made at about 16:00h after ranks went to the Mariro Ranch after receiving information.

Police stated that an officer contacted the 36-yearold farmer and informed that the Police had received information regarding the presence of a firearm on the premises and conducted a search.

Within the ranch house, a brown 12-gauge shotgun was discovered braced to a wall. Additionally, three 12-gauge cartridges were found in a blue and white plastic bag on a wooden table. The farmer admitted

that he was not the holder of a firearm licence, and he was arrested and taken to

2

days after being reported missing Body of taxi driver found in clump of bushes at Soesdyke

Dead is 34-year-old Ovril Adamson Pedro, who was found on Saturday morning amidst a clump of bushes in Soesdyke, EBD.

Reports are that a fisherman in the area stumbled upon Pedro’s body at about 10:00h while he was out searching for iguanas.

Police said the 53-yearold fisherman from Soesdyke, ventured into the backlands behind his property and while navigating the area, he saw the body and called the Police.

discovered in the front right pocket of his pants. Additionally, a Samsung Galaxy S9 cell phone was found near the body.

Subsequently, Police escorted the body to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where Pedro was pronounced dead. The body was later transferred to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Two days after being reported missing, a taxi driver was discovered dead at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.

According to Police, an examination of the body was done by ranks and there were no signs of violence.

A black wallet containing Pedro’s identification card and a bank card were

While there are no details surrounding the circumstances which led to body being at Soesdyke, EBD, several family members and friends took to social media stating that he was missing two days before his body was found. Police have launched an investigation. (G9)

Dead: Ovril Adamson Pedro

the Lethem Police Station. He remains in custody pending charges. (G9)

The shotgun and ammunition that were found by Police at the ranch

Around The World OIL NEWS

Russia says Ukrainian drones attack 4 regions

China’s oil giant CNOOC sees profits drop 11% on lower prices

CNOOC Ltd, China’s State-held oil and gas giant, has reported a decline of 11.3% year over year in its net profit for the first half of 2023, as lower oil prices weighed on profitability.

CNOOC posted US$8.7 billion (63.8 billion Chinese yuan) in net income between January and June, down from the same period last year as lower commodity prices weighed on realised prices at all major companies during the second quarter of 2023 and the first half of 2023.

The lower oil prices more than offset an 8.9% increase in CNOOC’s net oil and gas production which was 331.8 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) for the first half of 2023.

“In the first half of 2023, macroeconomy stayed complex and volatile, while international oil prices saw fluctuations in a downward trend,” CNOOC’s Chairman Wang Dongjin said in a statement to shareholders.

In the first half of the year, the CNOOC achieved significant growth in oil and gas production in both China and overseas, with daily net production hitting a record high, the executive added.

Early this year, CNOOC reported a record-high profit for 2022, thanks to the high oil and gas prices.

As prices slid this year, CNOOC, the other Chinese giants, and international majors reported lower earnings compared to the smashing profits of last year.

CNOOC saw a drop in first-quarter net profit compared to the same period of 2022.

CNOOC’s net profit fell by 6.4% year-over-year and stood at US$4.4 billion (32.1 billion yuan) for the first quarter of 2023. The company’s average realised crude oil price plunged by 23.9% to $74.17 per barrel, compared to $97.47 a barrel for the first quarter of 2022.

CNOOC, however, reported net production rising by 8.6% in the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period last year.

This year, the company is targeting another record in production and has set its goal at 650 million to 660 million boe, up from the current annual record of 623.8 million boe hit in 2022. (Oilprice.com)

Dominican Republic officials say plastics company to blame for explosion that killed 31 people

Dominican authorities announced late Friday that they are pursuing a criminal case against a plastics company based on evidence found during an investigation into a powerful explosion this week that killed at least 31 people.

Police and the Public Ministry issued a joint statement saying the blast occurred at a business called Vidal Plast, rather than at a bakery as authorities had said initially. The explosion occurred Monday afternoon in a bustling commercial centre in San Cristobal, a city just west of the capital of Santo Domingo.

“The Public Ministry has evidence that compromises the criminal responsibility of those responsible who, with their actions, caused the death of dozens of people and caused millions in losses,” the statement said, citing prosecutor Fadulia Rosa Rubio.

The Ministry said it was investigating several people, but did not identify them.

The owners of Vidal Plast

Russia said Ukrainian drones had attacked four separate regions in a flurry of attempted strikes on Sunday, injuring five people and forcing two of Moscow's airports to briefly divert flights.

Russia's Kursk, Rostov and Belgorod regions, all of which border Ukraine, reported attempted drone strikes, while Russia's Defence Ministry said it had jammed a Ukrainian drone in the Moscow region, forcing it to crash in an unpopulated area.

Russia's aviation watchdog said it had briefly halted flights to the city's Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports in response.

The Kursk region's governor said five people had been injured and a fire had

broken out when a drone hit Kursk city's railway station.

Rostov's governor said no injuries or damage had occurred.

Later on Sunday, Russia's Defence Ministry said it had prevented two separate drone strikes on the Belgorod region, the border province most regularly attacked by Ukraine. The local governor said on Telegram that 12 airborne targets had been downed on the approaches to Belgorod city, before later saying only three drones had been shot down.

Ukrainian drone strikes both on border regions and on the Russian capital have become increasingly common in recent months, with repeated strikes on

Moscow's financial district.

Russia said in May that two Ukrainian drones had tried to attack the Kremlin.

Ukraine typically does

not comment on who is behind attacks on Russian territory, although officials have publicly expressed satisfaction over them.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Hilary makes landfall over Baja California peninsula, set to pummel US Southwest

Tropical storm Hilary made landfall over the Baja California peninsula on Sunday, pelting the region with intense rain and heading toward the US Southwest, where forecasters warned of life-threatening and "catastrophic" flooding.

One person died in Mexico amid reports of flash flooding in the peninsula, where some roads were swept away and images on social media showed raging torrents gushing down

city streets that have been turned into rivers.

In the United States, the storm has already wreaked havoc on flights and sporting events before it even arrived, while officials warned residents to remain indoors and keep emergency supplies handy.

Though Hilary had been weakening over the last 48 hours as it neared land, it is still set to be the wettest storm ever to hit the US Southwest, according to Zack Taylor, a meteorologist

with the National Weather Service (NWS).

Hilary is set to dump vast amounts of water on many parts of the US Southwest that are more accustomed to dry conditions.

Areas such as Palm Springs, California, which typically gets around 4.6 inches of rain in an entire year, could receive 6-10 inches from this one storm.

California's Death Valley area, which receives only about 2.2 inches of rain per year, could receive 3-4 inch-

es from this event.

Hilary made landfall on Sunday morning over the northern parts of the Baja California peninsula, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory.

The storm was carrying top sustained winds of 60 mph (96 kph) and its centre was forecast to barrel over the northern portion of the peninsula and then move across Southern California on Sunday afternoon. (Excerpt from Reuters)

could not be immediately reached for comment. The company recycles, buys and sells plastic materials, officials said.

Authorities also said they have evidence that there was a fire at the business in March caused by a spark and a chemical substance and that the company did not take any measures “despite knowing the high risk of its operations.”

Víctor Bisonó, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, told reporters that the municipality had closed the factory in the past, but he did not provide more details.

Officials on Friday also raised the number of dead to 31 from 28. They said seven of the dead had been identified so far. On Thursday, the Government said it could take up to three months to identify all those killed in the blast.

An additional 59 people were injured in the blast, and the majority remain hospitalised. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Argentina sets grocery price controls for 90 days, to tame inflation

Argentina's Government announced on Friday a price agreement for supermarkets to limit monthly increases to a maximum of 5% for 90 days as the country tries to tamp down triple-digit inflation as a high-stakes election looms.

Economy Minister Sergio Massa made the announcement after a meeting with supermarket representatives, noting that officials reached the deal with representatives of 31 local supermarket chains to "stabilise" prices until national elections scheduled for October.

Massa himself is running for President as the standard-bearer of the ruling Peronist coalition, after he won its nomination in last Sunday's primary vote.

The centre-left Minister will face off against radical libertarian Javier Milei, the top vote getter in the nationwide primary, and centre-right hopeful Patricia Bullrich.

The agreement takes into

Ecuadoreans vote for President in election marred by candidate's murder

account tax benefits for those supermarkets that do not increase prices above 5% per month, besides a credit programme for small and medium-sized companies that supply supermarkets, the ministry said in a statement.

The move follows other price-freezing initiatives from the Government to contain surging annual inflation, which topped 113% in July. Consumer prices are expected to rise further in August after Milei's shock primary win led to a sharp peso devaluation.

"The objective of this deal is to prevent the variation in the official exchange rate - which responds to an (International Monetary Fund) condition - from being transferred to the prices of mass consumption products, negatively impacting the pocket books of all Argentines," the statement added.

On Thursday, the Ministry announced it would freeze fuel prices until October 31 after an agreement with the industry. (Reuters)

Ecuadoreans were voting on Sunday to choose a President and legislature they hope will lead the country out of a spiral of violence and economic troubles after a campaign darkened by bloodshed.

Candidates have pledged to fight sharp increases in crime, which the current Government blames on drug gangs, and improve the struggling economy, whose woes have caused an uptick in unemployment and migration.

Security has taken centre stage in the contest since the Aug 9 murder of anti-corruption candidate Fernando Villavicencio, a former investigative journalist and lawmaker who was gunned down while leaving a campaign event earlier this month.

Other candidates have reported attacks against them, although in several cases Police have said that the

violence was not directed at the hopefuls themselves.

Voters at the polls in Quito and Guayaquil said security was their major focus.

"First is security, and then the economy and jobs. Without security there isn't investment, there aren't companies, there aren't jobs," said public employee Patricia Simbaña, who voted at an elementary school in the capital where Christian Zurita, Villavicencio's replacement, cast his ballot amid a scrum of journalists and heavily armed soldiers.

Simbaña said she was voting for pro-market candidate Otto Sonnenholzner, who has hardened his discourse since the murder, repeatedly promising that criminals who use violence will be shot by Police under his Government.

"It's time now to act with a firm hand," she said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

A view showing broken glass and debris in a damaged hall of a railway station following a reported drone attack in Kursk, Russia August 20, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Be secretive regarding the changes you want to make. Take care of essential details yourself. Personal gain is apparent if you follow the rules and take the path that suits your needs.

(March 21-April 19)

Remove yourself from unstable situations. Think your plans through from beginning to end, and you’ll get the results you desire. Don’t let someone else do your thinking for you.

(April 20-May 20)

Put time and effort into preparation and execute your plans with finesse. Don’t let overthinking lead to mistakes or doubts. Someone will be quick to interfere with your goals. Do what’s best for you.

(May 21-June 20)

Get the facts. Refuse to let your emotions lead you astray. Joint ventures or overspending will leave you scrambling. Be inventive, and you’ll come up with a foolproof plan.

(June 21-July 22)

Agree only to changes that benefit you. Getting involved in someone’s dilemma will cost you. Set boundaries and limit spending. Call the shots instead of letting others dictate what you can do.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Share your thoughts, listen to reason and adjust your plans to ensure success. Your dedication and drive will make others take note and respect you for your insight. Trust your instincts.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Call on those who have something to offer. Work with people who understand your agenda and support your vision. The bonds you form today will encourage you to focus on what’s important to you.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Realistic expectations will be necessary. Let your imagination run wild but know when to rein things in. A positive change will have a powerful impact on your future.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Learn from an expert, not from a wannabe. Don’t lose sight of your ultimate goal. Personal gain is apparent and will boost your confidence. Pay attention to detail and work hard.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Control your emotions, keep your mind alert and act decisively. Simplicity and moderation will be necessary to avoid burnout. Adjust your life to lower stress and encourage peace of mind.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Set high standards and don’t budge. Don’t expect others to follow your lead. Protect your assets, possessions and peace of mind. Let charm and intelligence guide you.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Stand your ground, don’t buy into other people’s demands and check your ego at the door when entering a debate. Don’t follow others; take the path that suits you best.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Women's World Cup final 2023…

England lose to Spain in Sydney

England's wait to win a first Women's World Cup title goes on, after Spain deservedly triumphed in the final in Sydney.

The Lionesses, looking to become the first England senior side since the men's team in 1966 to win the World Cup, suffered heartbreak after being outplayed by a Spanish side full of flair and creativity.

England's players fell to their knees in tears at the final whistle, as Spain celebrated inside their penalty area after dealing with a final corner kick in the 14th minute of nerve-wracking stoppage time.

Spain captain Olga Carmona slotted the winner past goalkeeper Mary Earps in the first half, capitalising after England's Lucy Bronze lost possession in midfield.

England manager Sarina Wiegman, who has now lost two successive World Cup finals, introduced Lauren James and Chloe Kelly at half-time, but Spain maintained control despite the Lionesses' best efforts.

Goalkeeper Mary Earps made several stun-

ning saves, including one from the penalty spot to deny Jenni Hermoso, after Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh had been penalised for handball following a lengthy video assistant referee review.

But it was one step too far for the European champions, who lost just their second match in two years under Wiegman. Spain are crowned champions for the first time, despite going into the tournament under a cloud of controversy following a dispute between players and the Spanish football federation. Both teams came into the final full of confidence, having improved on their performances throughout the tournament. England, who played in front of a sold-out Wembley crowd last summer to win the Euros final, started brightly, testing Spain's defence with balls over the top and in behind.

Manchester City for-

ward Lauren Hemp was direct and aggressive, and had England's best chance, but her curling effort from 15 yards hit the crossbar.

However, Spain, packed with Barcelona stars who won their second Women's Champions League title this season, imposed their quality, and worked out how to deal with England's high press. They dominated large chunks of the game, exposing the spaces left by England's attacking full-backs, and took their chance when England’s Lucy Bronze cut inside from the right and was stopped by a wall of red in the centre circle.

Spain intelligently switched play to their left, and captain Olga Carmona ran on to a simple pass from Mariona Caldentey before stroking the ball low past a diving Mary Earps.

Spain had several chances to extend their lead. Earps blocked shots from Ona Batlle, Caldentey and Alba Redondo in each half, while Salma Paralluelo's first-time strike brushed

2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest…

Defending champion Fred Kerley out of 100m final

American Fred Kerley was not able to defend his 100m title in the World Athletics Championships last Sunday, after he failed to progress from the semifinals even as his compatriots Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman qualified fastest for the final.

Kerley, who has been in good form this season, was never in the mix in the last of three heats, and finished third in 10.02s to miss out on a fastest-loser’s slot by a hundredth of a second.

Lyles was the quickest qualifier, as he posted 9.87s, within a hundredth of his per sonal best, punching the air as he crossed the line.

Former champion Coleman got his traditional fast start, and maintained his form to win the second heat in 9.88s, but

Zharnel Hughes, the fastest in the world this year, was slow out of the blocks, and had to work hard to clinch second spot in 9.93s.

Jamaican

Oblique Seville looks the bestequipped to challenge the Americans, after winning the third heat in 9.90s. Japan's Abdul Hakim Sani Brown equalled his best

of 9.97s - the first time he has gone under 10 seconds this season - to also qualify automatically.

Italy's Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs ran his season's best of 10.05s, but it was nowhere near good enough to progress. South African Akani Simbine's streak of finishing fourth or fifth in the last five global championships is over, after he was disqualified for a false start. (Reuters)

the post on the stroke of half-time.

It was a deserved victory for Spain, but it will feel like a missed opportunity for the Lionesses, who have so often found a way to win under Wiegman, but could not find the answers in the biggest game in their history.

Spain overcome dispute as Lucy Bronze misses out

Prior to this year's competition, Spain had only ever won a single Women's World Cup match. They had

suffered defeat at the hands of England in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals, but unlike that evening in Brighton, when the Lionesses came from behind to win 2-1, Spain stuck to their task and saw out victory.

The streets of Sydney, which had been draped in green and gold for most of the competition, were transformed on Sunday to represent Spain’s and England's colours. England fans came dressed in costumes, banging drums and chanting on the city's trains en route to

the stadium, and though they dominated numbers in the crowd, it was Spain's supporters celebrating at full-time.

Lucy Bronze, 31, was in tears lying on the pitch at full-time, and had to watch on as many of her Barcelona team-mates danced for the cameras while they prepared the stage for the trophy celebration. She has won almost everything in the game, but still cannot get her hands on the most desired trophy of them all.

Meanwhile, Spain's achievement is a remarkable one, given manager Jorge Vilda survived a players’ revolt less than 12 months ago. That unrest in the set-up meant they were missing Sandra Panos, Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro and Claudia Pina, who all helped Barcelona win the Champions League in June. Their victory could transform women's football in Spain, which has been thrust into the limelight in recent years following Barcelona's domestic success. (BBC Sport)

Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami to Major Leagues’ Cup win against Nashville SC

Lionel Messi has been hailed as the "best in the world" after scoring 10 goals in seven games to help his Inter Miami side to their first trophy. The 36-year-old Argentinian fired into the top corner from outside the box to give Miami the lead against Nashville SC in the Leagues’ Cup final. Fafa Picault levelled in the second half to send the game to penalties, but Miami sealed a 10-9 shootout win when Drake Callender saved Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Panicco's spot-kick.

Miami had the worst record in Major League Soccer this season, before World Cup-winning forward Messi arrived last month alongside former Barcelona team-mates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

They are now unbeaten in seven games on their way to winning the Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring MLS and

Team-mates held up Messi after he inspired Inter Miami to the league cup’s win

Mexican Liga MX clubs.

It was the club's first trophy since being formed in 2020. They also have the chance to reach another final when they play Cincinnati in the semifinal of the US Open Cup on Wednesday.

Co-owner David Beckham said the former Barcelona trio were instrumental in the club's change in fortunes. "It is like a movie. You watch these players play, and emotionally, everything about

their play is beautiful."

Spain midfielder Busquets added: "The team is growing by leaps and bounds, and we are very happy. We are making a solid team - and then we have Leo, who makes a difference because he's the best in the world."

The win also meant seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi - who was named ‘player of the tournament’ - has now won 44 trophies, more than any other player. (BBC Sport)

Spain are champions of the world

Fred Kerley

2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest…

2023 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Budapest…

Guyana’s efforts end after Archibald’s personal best Adelle Tracey’s historic run fails to get her in 1500m final

Guyana’s participation at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary came to an end on Sunday after Emanuel Archibald clocked 10.13s in the semifinals of the men's 100m event. Despite his impressive performance, in which he recorded a personal best effort, it was not written in the stars for

recorded a remarkable achievement for Guyana, has not come to the end of the proverbial road in athletics. He has, in any event, etched his name in history

as the first Guyanese athlete to ever contest the semifinals of the men's 100m event of the World Athletics Championships.

Archibald and Aliyah Abrams were the two athletes who represented

Guyana at the 2023 World Championships. Overseasbased athlete Adam Harris is Guyana's national 100m record holder, following his 10.12s run at the Hampton Games held in Trinidad and Tobago in 2014.

Inaugural “One Guyana” Basketball Tournament…

Pepsi Sonics and Pacesetters secure wins on Day Two

The inaugural “One Guyana” Basketball Tournament, which commenced at the National Gymnasium on Saturday August 12, continued on Saturday August 19 with three games, in which Lamaha Park/ Springs Pepsi Sonics and Wortmanville /Werk-enRust Pacesetters secured wins.

Lamaha Park/Springs

Pepsi Sonics secured a win against Leonora’s D-Up Rising Stars by showcasing their shooting abilities and maintaining their composure to win 53–47.

In the first quarter of the game, Pepsi Sonics wasted no time in recording an 1105 win. D-Up Rising Stars looked to diminish the lead in the second quarter by scoring 18 points to the Sonics’ 12 points, the scores reading 28 -23 in favor of the Sonics.

But in the third quar-

ter, the Sonics, with their shooting abilities, performed extremely well to score 17 points, increasing their score to 45 points while the Stars were limited to seven points, which ramped up their score to 30 points.

The Stars posed a threat in the final quarter when they recorded 17 points while limiting the Sonics to 7 points, but that was not enough

cured the second win of the night through their ball-handling skills against North Ruimveldt Black Caimans. The game ended scores of 105-53.

In the first quarter, both teams started strongly, but Wortmanville/ Werk-en-Rust Pacesetters powered their way to a major lead at end of the first quarter.

their tally to 43, while the Pacesetters scored another 23 points to ramp up their tally to 79.

The Pacesetters went on to win the game in the final quarter, in which they scored 36 points to take their tally to 105 points while limiting the Caimans to 10 points, which took their score to 53 points.

Jamaica’s Adelle Tracey ran a new national record during the evening session of the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday, but failed to advance to the final of the 1500m event.

In the semi-finals, from which only the top six from each heat advanced to the final, Tracey ran an incredible 3:58.77 to become the first Jamaican woman

to break the four-minute barrier, but the time was only good enough for seventh place. Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, the gold medal favourite and World record holder, won the semi-final heat in 3:55.14.

What is interesting is that Tracey was faster than all the qualifiers from the first heat, which was won by Ethiopia’s Nelly Chepchirchir in 4:02.14. (Sportsmax)

Barcelona beat Cardiz for first La Liga win of season

Defending La

Liga champions Barcelona marked their first home game at the city's Olympic Stadium with a 2-0 win over Cadiz.

16 years and 38 days old. (BBC Sport)

to carry the Stars over the line, and the game ended 53-47 in favour of the Sonics. Wortmanville/Werken-Rust Pacesetters se-

Having already established a comfortable lead in the first quarter, the Pacesetters continued to dominate in the second quarter, despite the Caimans managing to score a few buckets. At the end of that quarter, the scoreline read 59-25 in their favour.

The third quarter saw both sides scoring many buckets, with the Caimans scoring 18 points to take

This tournament-winning team would pocket $1 million along with trophies, while the runners-up would receive $500,000 plus trophies. The tournament was made possible by sponsorship from the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry; G-Boats Guyana; National Sports Commission; Guyana Basketball Federation, and Georgetown Basketball Federation.

The Spanish giants are playing at the ground while the Nou Camp is being refurbished, and it looked like they would have had to settle for a draw, but Pedri opened the scoring late after receiving a superb pass from ex-Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan. Ferran Torres then drove home in stoppage time to wrap up the victory.

Barca began their campaign with a goalless draw against Getafe in last week's opener. Sunday's win moves them to four points after two games, two points behind early leaders Real Madrid.

There was also a landmark moment for the hosts, as Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to start a league match for Barcelona, being just

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Adelle Tracey

Emanuel Archibald

RBL CPL 2023…

Rain devastates final day in St Lucia, with both matches being washed out

By Brandon Corlette in St luCia

Rain had the final say in the final matches of the opening leg of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, slated for play yesterday at

the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia; they were both washed out.

At 10:00h, the match between Barbados Royals and defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs was washed out without a ball being bowled. And the match

between St Lucia Kings and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots was also called off without a ball being bowled, as the outfield was deemed unsafe for play due to the rain that had fallen earlier.

On Saturday evening, only five overs of play were

possible between Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Lucia Kings. That said evening the rain fell, and it was written in the stars that the Royals and Tallawahs match would have been rained out. Both teams shared points from this encounter, as did the Warriors and Kings.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, who also shared points with Trinbago Knight

Riders on Saturday morning, also shared points on Sunday evening with St Lucia Kings.

Throughout the day, the rain fell and the sun was a no-show, hence the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground could not have dried and be fit for cricket.

All teams will now travel to St Kitts and Nevis for the second leg of the 2023 CPL. The tournament will resume on Wednesday August 23 with Patriots playing Jamaica Tallawahs from 19:00h, and Guyana Amazon Warriors will be in action on August 24 against the Patriots, from 19:00h.

The remaining matches will be essential for the teams, and for Patriots winning at home in a cramped schedule will be important.

CPL had initially noted that fans who purchased general admission tickets can exchange their paid ticket stubs from the abandoned match between Saint Lucia Kings and Guyana Amazon Warriors on Saturday 19

August for one of the other matches that will be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on 20 August. However, the damp conditions all day did not allow cricket to be played on Sunday.

Full list of Republic Bank CPL sponsors confirmed

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (RBL CPL) has announced its list of Brand Partners for the 2023 tournament.

Several new sponsors have come on board, including major new partners BetBarter and Skyfair.

A significant, new 3-year agreement has also been reached with the Caribbean’s leading life insurance brand Guardian Life, with the brand

partnering with the tournament to give away thousands of tickets to schoolchildren around the region.

Other new partnerships are with global consumer electronics giant TCL, in partnership with the Caribbean’s leading electronics retailer Courts.

IT services business Tezo is involved for the first time, and is assisting the League with developing its digital platforms, and both Carib and Nescafe return to the CPL family as

Official Beer and Official Coffee respectively.

They join new title sponsor Republic Bank and other longterm partners to help make this year’s tournament the biggest yet. Commercial Director

Compliments of

Jamie Stewart, in thanking the CPL partners, said: “It’s always been true that the Republic Bank CPL would not exist without its brand partners. We attract regional support that is somewhat unprecedented amongst T20 leagues,

and that support has helped drive CPL to its position as one of the most loved cricket events in the world."

Full List of Partners:

Title Sponsor: Republic Bank

Official Partners: BetBarter, SkyFair, El Dorado

Rum, OmegaXL, Dream11, Digicel, Angostura Chill, Guardian Life, Rario

Official Sponsors: Caribbean Airlines, Visa, FedEx, Tezo, Lasco Food Drink, Creamery Novelties, TCL (& Courts), Carib Beer

Official Suppliers: Nestle, Massy Auto (Guyana)

The first leg of 2023 CPL got underway in St Lucia

Rain had the final say again in St Lucia

Fans were still in attendance despite the rain

Reon King was Match Referee