Guyana Times - Saturday, March 23, 2024.pdf

…says Venezuela’s actions on Essequibo violate ICJ order, Argyle Declaration …calls on int’l community to uphold rule of law by rejecting Venezuela’s illegal expansionism

Guyanese to benefit from equal opportunity, access to world-class education – Pres Ali

Incident with Venezuela's Army at Eteringbang resolved amicably, with handshake – GDF

…as Home Affairs Minister concerned about non-State actors at border

…as

Ministry launches hybrid nursing assistant programme

09:34h and 21:51h reaching minimum heights of 0.75 metre and 0.68 metre.

Guyana will not allow its sovereignty, territory to be usurped – Foreign Ministry

…says Venezuela’s actions on Essequibo violate ICJ order, Argyle Declaration

The Guyana

Government on Friday expressed grave concern over the adoption of a law by the Venezuelan National Assembly seeking to declare the Essequibo region of Guyana – more than two-thirds of its national territory – to be a constituent part of the Spanish-speaking nation.

“Guyana remains committed to peace on its borders and in the Region. It will not allow its sovereignty and territorial territory to be usurped. Guyana will exert all of its efforts under international law to ensure that its sovereignty and territorial integrity remain intact,” the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry in Georgetown said in a statement on Friday.

According to the Ministry, this move by Venezuela is a flagrant violation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is in breach of the fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

“It is also an egregious violation of the order on provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice on December 1, 2023, and it is a violation of the Argyle Declaration of December 14, 2023, agreed to by the leaders of Caricom and Brazil, the representative of the United Nations Secretary General and by the Presidents of Guyana and

Venezuela,” the statement detailed.

On this note, “Guyana calls on the international community to uphold the rule of law by rejecting Venezuela’s illegal expansionism and by insisting that Venezuela revert to the International Court of Justice, which has before it the case for a full and final resolution of the controversy over the land border between the two countries.”

Prior to this missive from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn on Friday morning also called out Venezuela over its blatant violation of the Argyle Declaration – a pact which sought to maintain the region as a zone of peace. It was signed by President Dr Irfaan Ali and his Venezuelan counterpart,

Nicolás Maduro, last year.

“We deplore [and] we are unhappy that the Government of Venezuela and its National Assembly just yesterday agreed that they will make Essequibo formally – no longer a zone in Reclamación (Zone in Reclamation) but Venezuelan territory. This is highly regrettable and it violates the principles of the good-faith discussions which were undertaken at Argyle and more laterally in Brazil,” Benn stated.

The Guyanese Home Affairs Minister, who is the outgoing Chairman of the Regional Security System Council, was at the time speaking at the RSS Council of Ministers’ Meeting being held in Georgetown on Friday.

Region’s commitment to peace

Meanwhile, St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Terrence Drew, who is taking over chairmanship of the RSS Council from Minister Benn, reiterated the Region’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

“Caricom (Caribbean Community) really is putting all its efforts to make sure that we do not get to that point [of confrontation between the two countries].

So far, we have been successful… The Caricom continues to work with the situation to bring a peaceful resolution to it… We want to maintain this area as a zone of peace. That is our objective and we will continue to work towards that,” Dr Drew told reporters on the sidelines of the RSS meeting on Friday.

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd

St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Terrence Drew, who is taking over the chairmanship of the RSS Council

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Phagwah: “One people”

On Monday, we celebrate the public holiday of Phagwah. This was instituted back on 17th March 1967 when the Public Holidays (Amendment) Act 1967 was assented to by Governor General Sir David Rose.

A week later, on March 24th, for the first time since Hindus had landed in 1838, the festival could be celebrated without children “skulking” from school or adults missing a day’s pay from their jobs. Phagwah is one of the two festivals celebrated in style by the indentured labourers – the other being Shia Muslim-origin Muharram – whether or not the authorities approved.

Some have wondered why the Guyanese legislation referred to “Phagwah” rather than “Holi”, which is more common across the globe in places where the festival is celebrated. The reason is that the vast majority of Hindus who were shipped into Guyana between 1838 and 1917 were from the “Bhojpuri Belt” in Eastern UP and western Bihar. There, the month of Phalgun, in which the festival falls, was used to euphoniously name it. “Holi”, however, is more common across North India, which also has other customs associated with the spring festival.

In the “Braj” regions of western UP, Holi focuses on the life of Lord Krishna, who lived and frolicked there as a child with the milkmaids (Gopis). The “pitchkari”, or water syringe that is used to squirt the abeer or red liquid, is a popular trope in this tradition. In South India, Holi is not too popular, and where it is observed, the central figure is the Hindu God of love, Kamadeva. In the Bhojpuri Belt, the story of Prahalad serves as the narrative for the celebration.

Prahalad’s father King Hiranyakashipu had earned a boon from the Creator, Lord Brahma, that he could not be killed by human or animal, from inside or outside, by day or by night, and that no weapon could harm him. He became arrogant and tyrannical towards his subjects, while insisting he was even more powerful than the Sustainer, Lord Vishnu. Prahalad, however, insisted that Lord Vishnu was to be worshipped, and preached this message to all his school friends.

His father was furious, and used several stratagems to kill Prahalad – all of them unsuccessfully. In one instance, he had his sister Holika, who was could not be harmed by fire, take Prahalad on her lap in a burning pyre. But protected by Lord Vishnu, Prahalad emerged unscathed. In the Phagwah/Holi celebrations, the event is recreated as “Holika Dahan” – the burning of Holika during the night before the celebrations. Those celebrations commemorate the destruction of Hiranyakashipu by Lord Vishnu in the form of his Narsimha, half-man/half-lion incarnation –neither man nor animal. It happened at 6pm – neither day nor night – and on the palace’s threshold – neither inside nor outside; and by Narsimha’s claws – not any weapon.

The import of the story is very apropos for our Guyanese circumstances, in view of our post-independence history of tyrannical rule. It teaches that even well-meaning leaders can succumb to the trappings of power and descend into despotism. But it also emphasizes that all subjects – even those who may benefit from the tyrant’s wealth - have a duty to stand up and oppose the tyrant’s excesses. Ultimately, the truth will triumph over untruth and good over evil, but it takes the efforts of men and women to achieve that.

In Guyana, the celebration of Phagwah has long transcended the Hindu Community, and, like the Christian Christmas, is celebrated in most communities. It is most likely that this is not on account of the moral of “good over evil”, but because of the carnivalesque nature of the Phagwah celebrations with the splashing of water, abeer, and smearing of coloured powders on one and all in joyous abandon. But even this facet of Phagwah has its positive import, since social boundaries of all types – especially interethnic - are transgressed on this day and we behave as our motto exhorts, “One People”.

Maybe Phagwah has a lesson for us in our nationbuilding project: encourage institutions that bring all our people together to act in unison.

Nicolás Maduro has obviously become a desperate man

Dear Editor,

The very essence of democracy is that there should be a duly elected Government representing a majority vote of eligible voters, and a functioning Opposition representing a minority vote of the eligible voters, sitting across the table in the National Assembly (Parliament or Congress) debating the rights and wrongs of the governing of the nation in the full view and hearing of the entire country, covered by a free media. To a very large extent, we have that in Guyana, albeit the level of debate, sadly, sometimes descends into the gutter.

The essence of national patriotism is that when a country’s very existence and sovereignty are threatened by external forces, regardless of their political differences, the governing and opposition political parties come together, set aside their domestic differences, and speak and act with one voice and with one intention; that is, the protection and survival of their country.

To an overwhelming extent, that has been the case regarding Venezuela’s claim and threat to take possession by force of arms of the Essequibo region of Guyana.

Venezuelans, we know, almost from the cradle to the grave, have been indoctrinated to believe that the territory of Essequibo belongs to Venezuela, even though there is not a scintilla of historical evidence to support this claim. As Sir Shridath Ramphal put it in the book, “The New Conquistadors, the Venezuelan Challenge to Guyana’s Sovereignty”,

“there are classes and forces in Venezuela that have made the acquisition of most of Guyana their life’s cause, and sought to turn it into a national crusade”.

Over the years since Independence, we, as a people, have generally not paid much attention to this claim by Venezuela, mistakenly taking for granted that the borders of Guyana as shown on the map define our country. We have rarely paid any attention to this in our schools, for instance, because we take it for granted and because it has been so for well over 100 years.

Let us again, however, remind ourselves that, in 1897, the Treaty of Washington agreed to a Treaty of Arbitration to settle for all times the boundaries between Venezuela and British Guiana, and to consider the results of the Tribunal of Arbitration as a full, perfect and final settlement of all the questions referred to the Arbitration; and, on October 3rd, 1899, the International Tribunal of Arbitration presented its Award, which defined the boundaries of Guyana as they remain today.

A commission appointed by Britain and Venezuela demarcated an official boundary map, signed on January 7th, 1905 by representatives of Venezuela and the United Kingdom. For sixth (60) years, successive Venezuelan governments have honoured and respected the boundaries between Guyana and Venezuela; but then in 1962, when our country’s Independence was on

the horizon, Venezuela suddenly demanded that the Arbitration Award be revisited before Britain grants Independence to Guyana.

Venezuela’s President at the time, Romulo Betancourt, expressed his concern to the US Ambassador to Venezuela about British Guiana becoming independent under what he described as “a Communist government led by Dr. Cheddi Jagan”. All of this, including a spurious memorandum written in 1944 by a junior American lawyer who had participated in the Arbitral Tribunal hearing, claiming that the 1899 Award was a conspiracy between Great Britain and Russia, obliged the British Government, on the eve of Independence in 1966, to enter into the Geneva Agreement, later joined by a then independent Guyana led by Prime Minister Linden Forbes Burnham, identifying the “controversy” and setting out the means to have it settled.

Fast forward to January 30th, 2018, when the Secretary-General of the United Nations, under the Geneva Agreement, chose “the International Court of Justice as the means now to be used for its solution”, and on March 29th, 2018, Guyana filed its application to the Court to determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Venezuela, however, has refused to recognise the ICJ’s jurisdiction. Instead, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has chosen a path of hostility, he and his Government declaring, on September 21st, 2023, a

referendum seeking to annex Essequibo. We know that with few exceptions, the international community, most importantly including the governments of the USA, the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth countries, France, Germany, the Organization of American States and Brazil, have rejected Venezuela’s claim and warned against any attempt by Venezuela to invade our territory.

This all brings us to the Joint Declaration of Argyle, signed on December 14th last year. The Declaration has temporarily put to rest Articles 1, 3 and 6, in particular the use or threat, of course, which was implied by the Maduro Referendum to enforce the annexation of the Essequibo. The actual title of the Declaration, “For Dialogue and Peace”, underlines the primary purpose and defines the immediate result of the Declaration.

Importantly, even though Article 4 notes Venezuela’s lack of recognition of the ICJ and its jurisdiction, in fact Article 2, which reads “that any controversies between the two States will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement”, ultimately commits both Venezuela and Guyana to accept the judgement of the Court.

But why do I bring all of this up now? Because Maduro is scheduled to face a General Election on 28th July, 2024, and registration begins next month.

Staff of the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry along with Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Public Works Ministry staff, including Minister Juan Edghill, participating in pre-Phagwah celebrations at the respective Ministries

RSS needs to “up game” to respond to evolving transnational organised crime – Benn

With transnational organised crimes rapidly evolving, the outgoing Chairman of the Regional Security System (RSS), Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, has lobbied for more support to build the capacity of security forces across the region to tackle these nefarious criminal activities.

Speaking at the RSS Council of Ministers’ Meeting, held in Georgetown on Friday, Benn noted that while much progress has been made by the RSS, more work needs to be done, especially as it relates to building capacity and resources for regional security forces to tackle transnational organised crimes.

trafficking-in-persons,” Benn has said.

“The requirement for the total security system now is to be able to respond commensurate with the challenges which are out there; and which is why we continue to request; to leverage; to ask for; to beg even, I would say, so that we would get more help in respect of interdiction (and) prevention. Because we are upstream of the marketplaces where the drugs are used, (and) we’re downstream where the guns are used -which are used to support the problems in relation to drug trafficking and money laundering,” Benn has said.

and international partners gathered for the high-level RSS meeting to examine the future of the regional organisation and its ability to respond to these evolving challenges and threats.

must also pay more attention to the diversification of its security forces, by involving more women and focusing on youth crime and violence against women and children. He added, “The issues of corruption, professionalism, integrity in all of our undertakings and forces in the region have to be prioritized.”

tion to foster security. He also commended Guyana for taking on the chairmanship even while being the newest member.

“We are doing well, but have we up our game? Have we become talented? Do we have, particularly, the new resources to respond to the greater challenges of transnational organized crime?

[We need to pay attention to] the question of drug trafficking; the question of money laundering; the question of guns coming into the region and being used in support of the drug running and other nefarious activities; the question of people-smuggling and

According to the outgoing RSS Chairman, societies in the region are not capable of responding to the problems which stem from transnational organised crimes. To this end, he urged security ministers, military and police chiefs from member states,

“When we come back with the hard numbers with respect to requests; with respect to the exchange of knowledge and expertise; with request for the training of our security forces at all levels, or armies, police, fire, prisons, intelligence; that we deepen the communication and the connection between our security forces and intelligence agencies, and that we find ways which will create more synergies between the RSS Member States and partner states, our international partners, in relation to this particular issue of transnational organized crime and crime and violence in the region…,” the Home Affairs Minister noted.

Benn added that the RSS

The RSS was established over 40 years ago in response to the necessity for a coordinated response to security challenges that were threatening regional stability. In September 2022, Guyana formally joined the RSS as its eighth member following President Dr Irfaan Ali’s signature of the Instrument of Ascension, after which Minister Benn assumed chairmanship in March 2023.

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrence Drew, who will replace Benn as the new chairman, underscored the need for regional coopera-

Representatives of international partners, including the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU), delivered remarks that echoed their continued support towards the quest for a safer and more secure region.

Executive Director of the RSS, Commodore Errington Shurland, also addressed the summit.

The high-profile event was attended by ministers responsible for security from member states, including Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. During the meeting, themed ‘Strength through Unity’, a range of major issues will be discussed. (G8)

Guyanese to benefit from equal opportunity, access to world-class education – Pres Ali

…as Govt launches Coursera Platform

To deliver first-class education to citi-

zens, Government has launched the Guyana Coursera Platform which offers free certificate courses in over 6000 disciplines – an initiative, which, President Dr Irfaan Ali said, would ensure equal opportunity for every Guyanese across the country.

The Guyana Coursera Platform was launched on Friday, and already, some 1000 individuals were set to undergo the registered nurse programme through online learning, with another 800 registered for the Nursing Assistant Programme.

In his feature address, President Ali stated that this initiative would enhance not only the delivery of worldclass education but also accessibility to world-class education for scores of Guyanese.

“When I spoke of accessibility to world-class education, today, a student from Queen’s

College or a student who now qualifies under the GOAL (Guyana Online Academy of Learning) with the secondary reintegration programme can both access a Cambridge, a Yale, a Columbia [University]

programme through Coursera.”

“That is what is called equal opportunity. That is what will fill the gap. That is what we called building to avoid inequality and dispari-

ty. That is what is designing policies to meet an equitable and prosperous future for every single Guyanese. That is the core behind the principle that we’re pursuing,” the Guyanese Leader posited.

Nicolás Maduro has obviously become...

But knowing that he cannot win a free and fair election, as every poll shows less than fifteen (15) percent support for him, Maduro has already violated the deal he struck with the US in Barbados to conduct a free and fair election. His main rival, Maria Corina Machado, has been banned by the court from contesting, and a recent Reuters report from Caracas says that Maduro’s Attorney General, Tarek Saab, has arrested two (2) of her team, and seven (7) other members of her

team, including her righthand person Magalli Medda, have warrants out for their detention.

The US Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian Nichols, has called for their immediate release. There is little doubt, therefore, that the US Government would reimpose sanctions on the export of Venezuelan oil and gas which expire in April.

Today we learn from Reuters that the Venezuelan Parliament has approved the creation of a new State,

Guayana Esequiba, embracing the Essequibo region, in utter and complete violation of the commitments made by Maduro at Argyle.

Our Government, in response today (22nd March), has called on the international community to reject Venezuela’s unlawful declaration, and to uphold the rule of law by demanding that Venezuela honour the Argyle Declaration and respect the judgement of the International Court of Justice to rule on the matter.

We look forward to hear-

FROM PAGE 4

ing the collective voices of Caricom leaders, all of whom participated in Argyle, in condemnation of Venezuela’s latest betrayal of trust.

Nicolas Maduro has obviously become a desperate man, one who cannot be relied upon to honour his word or his signature on any agreement, and Guyana must now be prepared to address the consequences of any action which Maduro may decide to take.

Yours sincerely,

Kit Nascimento

Coursera is one of the world’s leading online learning platforms, with over 142 million registered learners, based on its December 2023 statistics. The portal also boasts partnerships with over 325 top universities and institutions, including Yale University and John Hopkins.

With these credentials, President Ali said, Coursera is advancing the Government’s vision of providing quality and accessibility in the education sector.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Outgoing Chairman of the RSS Council, Robeson Benn

President Dr Irfaan Ali with some of the beneficiaries of the free online programmes

Page Foundation

Points and lines

A point is a specific location in space. It has no dimensions, and you cannot measure it. Since it would be impossible to see anything with no dimensions, we usually represent a point with a dot. Points are usually identified by a capital letter.

A line is a straight path that goes in both directions and never ends. It has only one dimension – length. However, when we draw a line, it actually has a tiny bit of width – the width of a pencil point – or we would not be able to see it! A line can be identified by any two points located anywhere on it.

You can identify a line in either direction. Line AB = Line BA. Some lines intersect. Intersecting lines cross each other at a specific point. Line AB and Line CD intersect at point E.

In this fun and easy human body science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate seeing things when they are actually gone.

Scissors

Materials:

Coloured pencils

3 x 5 index card

Tape

Pencil

Instructions:

Cut the index card into halves.

Exercises: Solve Remember

A line extends in both directions. It does not come to an end in either direction. Its only dimension is length.

1) Use a symbol to name this figure

2) Identify the following figure

3) Using symbols, give two names for this figure

4) What is the point of intersection?

5) Is the following a line? Explain your answer.

On one side, draw a bird in the middle of the card.

On the other side, draw a bird cage in the middle of the card.

Tape the cards back to back on the end of the pencil.

Now rub the pencil very quickly between the palms of your hands until the bird seems to appear in the cage.

How it works:

The device we have created is actually called a thaumatrope. As the

device spins quickly back and forth from image to image, the image persists as there are no significant interruptions to the light entering the eye. This creates the illusion that the bird is in the cage.

Make this a science project:

Try different colours, sizes, and shapes of drawings. Try drawing images on different coloured backgrounds. Try using glow paint to create images to see if the illusion works in the dark. (sciencefun.org)

by Anonymous

Oh, such a commotion under the ground

When March called, “Ho, there! ho!”

Such spreading of rootlets far and wide, Such whispering to and fro;

And, “Are you ready?” the Snowdrop asked, “’Tis time to start, you know.”

“Almost, my dear,” the Scilla replied; “I’ll follow as soon as you go.”

Then, “Ha! ha! ha!”

a chorus came

Of laughter soft and low,

From the millions of flowers under the ground, Yes –millions – beginning to grow.

WORD SEARCH

Former Headteacher perishes in BV blaze

Aformer headmaster of Bladen Hall Multilateral School perished after being trapped when an early-morning fire engulfed his Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home on Friday.

Dead is 88-year-old Moses Elias, also known as “Bro Mo”. The fire reportedly started around 04:00h on Friday at the Quamina Road, BV home, which had been solely occupied by the former headteacher for decades.

Within minutes, the wooden and concrete two-storey structure was engulfed, trapping Elias inside. Residents recalled hearing explosions followed by screams emanating from the heavily-grilled home before the fire consumed the house.

Despite efforts to rescue the elderly man, residents were unable to enter the house owing to the grilled doors and windows.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was summoned to the scene, but by the time the firefighters arrived,

there was little they could do since the entire building was in flames.

The charred remains of Elias were subsequently found in the kitchen area. Residents expressed sadness over the loss, noting that Elias was well known by many and had a preference for solitude despite family visits. The GFS has launched an investigation to determine the cause and origin of the fire. Elias’s death marks the third reported death by fire for the year.

On January 2 this year, a Corentyne teacher died at Port Mourant, Corentyne

after a blaze destroyed his and his neighbour’s house. The deceased was Tokant Deokharan, 44, who resided at Manager’s Quarters, Port Mourant, Corentyne alone in a one-storey wooden and concrete house. The fire reportedly started at Deokharan’s house and spread to his neighbour’s two-storey wooden and concrete house, destroying both and killing Deokharan in

the process.

The Fire Service was alerted to the fire at approximately 22:17 on the day in question. Upon arrival, firefighters observed two buildings fully engulfed in flames and smoke.

Meanwhile, on January 5, a Venezuelan national, Richard José, perished after a fire of unknown origin ravaged the top flat of a building at Plantain Walk, West

Bank Demerara (WBD).

The building, according to reports, had been owned by 68-year-old Bernadette Gordon, who had been occupying it along with 27-yearold Canaan Bacchus.

The Fire Service received a distress call just after 03:31h, and firefighters from the La Grange Fire Station, along with a water tender and a water carrier, were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they observed the two-storey building on fire, with the upper flat fully engulfed in flames.

The firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the first floor and to minimise threats to nearby buildings. (G9)

Guyana will not allow its sovereignty, territory to be...

According to Benn, while Guyana looks forward to “reasonable, rational conversations and engagement” with the Spanishspeaking nation not only to maintain peace between the two countries but also within the region, Guyana is unequivocally committed to resolving the decades-old border controversy via judicial settlement.

Venezuela continues to lay claim to more than twothirds of Guyana’s landmass, the Essequibo, and a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in which almost 11 billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past nine years, and in which oil production activities are ongoing.

In 2018, Guyana moved to the ICJ after exhausting the good office process and other means of mediation with Venezuela. Guyana is seeking a final and binding ruling on the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award to settle the border controversy.

Venezuela had challenged Guyana’s move to settle the matter, but the ICJ ruled in December

2020 that it has jurisdiction to entertain the application for a final settlement. Having rejected both of Venezuela’s preliminary objections, the ICJ has set April 8, 2024 as the time limit for the filing of a Counter-Memorial by Venezuela.

However, tensions between Guyana and Venezuela have been simmering since then and escalated when the Maduro Government held a referendum on December 3, 2023 with the aim of annexing Guyana’s Essequibo region.

Following the referendum, President Maduro announced a series of actions, including issuing identification cards to Guyanese living in Essequibo and issuing licences for mining and other activities in Guyana’s Essequibo County.

Given Venezuela’s threatening posture, a Caricom/CELAC/Brazilbrokered historic meeting was held on December 14, 2023 between Presidents Ali and Maduro at the Argyle International Airport, St Vincent and the Grenadines, geared to-

wards maintaining peace in the region.

The two South American leaders signed the Argyle Declaration, agreeing that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, would not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstance, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States, and controversies between the two States would be resolved by international law, including the Geneva Agreement, among other points.

Even as Guyana reaffirms its commitment to the judicial process before the ICJ, it was also agreed that a Joint Commission of Foreign Ministers and Technicians of Guyana and Venezuela would be established and meet on behalf of the two Presidents in Brazil to continue dialogue.

That first meeting of the Joint Commission of Foreign Ministers and Technicians was held on January 25 in Brasilia. Guyana’s delegation was led by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

The house that was destroyed by fire

Dead: Former Headteacher Moses Elias

Dead: Richard José

Dead: Tokant Deokharan

Minister Hugh Todd, who described the meeting as a “good start” to creating a better future of good neighbourliness for the next generations. (G8)

Inviting…

In American slang, a “spook” is a ghost…a spectre who scares people. Like in, “I was really spooked when I saw Linda Blair’s head rotate in The Exorcist!” You’ll have an inkling how Americans view spies, ‘cause when the CIA - called Office of Strategic Services - were formed during WWII – they were dubbed “spooks”! They operated invisibly, like ghosts, behind the scenes; were never seen, but you knew they were there when all sorts of damage were inflicted on the enemy!!

In the Cold War that followed, the CIA became a formidable force, as they took on the Ruskies and their allies with “Cold” techniques that changed the nature of war forever. We, in Mudland, appeared in their sight after 1961, when US President JFK decided Jagan was about to take our Mudland – then called British Guiana (BG) – into the Ruskies’ camp. That Castro had done just that in Cuba, and the invasion to remove him had failed spectacularly, made JFK rather testy – as everyone but Jagan could imagine!! At that time, the head spook was a fella named John A. McCone, who served from 1961 to 1965 during some of the most tumultuous events in American international history: the Bay of Pigs invasion; the Cuban missile crisis that almost led to a nuclear war between the Yanks and the Ruskies; and last but not least, the beginning of the Vietnam War!!

In fact, things got so hot that, in most American accounts of the era, the CIA’s ouster of Jagan from government by fostering race riots is hardly mentioned – and then only in footnotes!! Even though JFK personally was involved and was briefed by McCone. Our ouster was a small operation that cost just US$3.5M, and only Guyanese lives – 180 – were snuffed out. At that time, the CIA used US labour unions and their local lackeys to do the dirty. Well, since then, a lot of water has flowed under THAT bridge, especially after the Ruskies threw in the towel in 1989 and the Cold War ended. It was the same Yanks who facilitated free and fair elections that returned Jagan into Government.

Now, ever since then, it’s an open secret that the CIA had spooks posted in all US embassies – with all sorts of “covers”, like cultural attaches etc. Recently, with increased American interest in Maduro – or, more likely, his 300 billion barrels of oil – there’s gotta be more spooks here covering American interests. So, the news that CIA Head SpookWilliam Burns - is visiting shouldn’t be too surprising. The official line is he’s on his way to Qatar – but you don’t have to be an international jet setter to know that Guyana ain’t on no way to Qatar!!

Any guesses??

…retaliation

While we’ve been making nice with Mad Maduro - to show the world we’re the good guys in the border controversy the Venezies unleashed on us since 1962? - the tyrant seems determined to bring down American retribution. The Yanks have publicly declared that democracy’s the line they’ve drawn to intervene in this hemisphere. Your Eyewitness ain’t getting into the whys and wherefores – the elephant is always allowed to sit anywhere it damn well pleases!

So here it is, that Mad Maduro has just put out arrest warrants for nine of his major opposition figure Maria Machado’s allies. This is on top of banning her from even participating in the July 12th elections!! Now, as if that weren’t enough, he just followed up with his last December declaration annexation of our Essequibo by now approving a law creating the new state - called Guayana Esequiba. He insists this will come into force as soon as it’s published in the official gazette.

This Mad Man needs to be mannersed – and quickly!!

…consensus

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has allowed that while he expects to be revoted as PNC leader at the upcoming Congress, he’ll accept a consensus candidate - if that’s what the delegates want.

So, he’ll go quietly into the night?? Naaah!!

Woman struck down, killed by speeding pick-up in Lethem

Amother of three tragically lost her life on Friday afternoon after being struck down by a speeding vehicle while crossing a public road in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).

Dead is 48-year-old Shammell Lovena Lindie, also known as “Aunty Shammell” or “Dumb Girl”, of Lot 48 Culvert City,

Lethem.

The accident occurred around 12:30h as the woman, who was living with a disability that affected her speech and hearing, was crossing the Lethem Public Road, a routine she had performed countless times.

Witnesses described the shock as the pickup truck, driven by a young persons, collided with the woman,

dragging her some distance away and resulting in fatal injuries. Despite swift efforts by bystanders to assist, Lindie tragically succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

In an interview with the woman’s sister, Sandra Lindie, on Friday afternoon, she revealed that her sister did odd jobs for a living. Sandra mentioned that her sister had stopped at a restaurant nearby for a break and was on her way to a family member's business when the speeding vehicle struck her down.

“The car was going at a high speed, and when it hit her, it dragged her a considerable distance from where she was hit. After the collision, the driver fled the scene, but a bystander chased him down, leading to his arrest,” Sandra recounted.

She expressed shock over her sister’s sudden and un-

Dead: Shammell Lindie

timely death, emphasising that she was well-known in the community. Her family is demanding justice for the loss of their loved one.

As investigations into the accident continue, authorities are urging both motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution and adhere to road safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. (G9)

Sophia labourer shot dead at construction site

Police have launched an investigation into the murder of a 56-year-old labourer of Lot 643 D Field, Sophia, Georgetown.

Dead is Courtney Younge.

Reports are that the incident occurred about 20:30h on Thursday at Lot 636 D Field, Sophia.

Police said a 57-yearold eyewitness, of D Field, Sophia, who is constructing a house at the above address, said that Younge was working for him as a labourer.

He stated that about 19:00h on Thursday, he was at the work site when Younge visited him and they started consuming alcohol. He said that Younge was sitting on two concrete blocks facing north while he was sitting on a concrete block to his left inside the yard.

Around 20:30h, while they were in the yard, he observed the suspect approaching on a pedal cycle. The suspect stopped in front of the yard where they were, and ran to-

Guyanese

wards them with what appeared to be a shotgun in his hands.

As he entered the yard, he approached Younge, pointed the gun at him, and discharged a round in his direction. As a result, Younge fell to the ground, after which the suspect fled from the yard, mounted the pedal cycle, and rode off westerly along the street.

Police were summoned to the scene, and the body was taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination. Police are looking for the suspect as investigations continue.

Guyana Times was informed that a few nights before he was killed, Younge received death threats from the suspect.

It was reported that on Monday, a man entered Younge s yard in search of him. Younge allegedly confronted the intruder and broadsided him with a cutlass. The man retreated, but not before reportedly threatening to kill Younge.

Four days later, Younge was shot dead. (G9)

to benefit from equal...

He challenged Coursera executives to utilise artificial intelligence and virtual experiences to boost the delivery of education, expanding the range of programmes offered to include a wider cross-section of the country.

“We can use your platform to design the first specialised degree and postgraduate degree programme in biodiversity studies in our forests, attaching that programme to a leading university, and launching it as a global product. That is the challenge we must now put before ourselves,” the President urged.

The Head of State further chronicled a step-by-step improvement plan for the sector, to position the country as a hub for world-class online education.

“We don’t see this as the end-all. We are now looking to position Guyana as the main hub for Latin America and the Caribbean for Coursera and for what you have to offer in this region. To do this, we have to work on building a diversified platform that would cater for all languages and all requirements of the re-

FROM PAGE 5

gion,” President Ali explained. With this robust agenda, the President said that the Government is changing lives, presenting beacons of hope to countless Guyanese who seek opportunities to improve their lives.

“Persons who are home, never having the opportunity to study… now, under the GOAL programme and this programme, for the first time, are graduating by the hundreds across our country. They now have that opportunity to smile with dignity, because they believe in themselves, and they have achieved by believing in themselves, and the system built a platform that allowed them to believe in themselves, and allowed them to attain their dream. That is a system that is meeting the requirements of the people,” the Guyanese Leader declared.

Guyana’s relationship with Coursera started back in 2020 when the Government signed a deal to offer free certificate courses to citizens at all levels who were forced to stay at home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Ministry seeking to revolutionise nursing assistant programme

…launches hybrid programme on Coursera platform

The Health Ministry has taken a momentous step towards revolutionising nursing education in the country by partnering with the renowned Coursera online platform to introduce the Hybrid Nursing Assistant training programme. The collaboration aims to make quality healthcare training accessible to all individuals, ensuring that aspiring nurses have the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge.

The official launching ceremony was held on Friday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Coursera Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeff Matthew shared his excitement and vision for the future of this initiative during the launch, emphasising the importance of not only meeting individuals’ basic needs, but also offering them access to over 50 professional certificates and seeing them receive personalised Coursera coaching while studying online.

He said that this comprehensive support system was designed to empower participants and pave the way for a successful career in nursing.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony speaking at the launch said that Government was unwavering in its commitment to improving the country’s healthcare infrastructure and raising the standard of

service across all levels.

Dr Anthony expressed his delight at the overwhelming response to the programme, with about 1000 nurses already enrolled and undergoing training. Further, he disclosed the Ministry’s plans to establish simulation centres nationwide within the next month to provide hands-on learning experiences for participants.

It was highlighted during the launch that the success of the Hybrid Nursing Assistant training programme is evident, with approximately 800 individuals already taking advantage of the online courses. By offering this programme through Coursera, the Ministry aims to equip more individuals with the skills and expertise needed to excel in the field of nursing. This initiative is poised to increase the number of qualified nurses graduating each year, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare services in Guyana.

Other online courses

Dr Anthony also revealed other plans stating that there were about 20 training programmes within the Ministry, and efforts were underway to make all of them available online.

“In other cases, we are curating to see how we can have your (Coursera) programmes to match the needs of us,” Dr Anthony stated.

Further, alluding to this partnership, the Health

Minister pointed out the challenges relating to nurses within the entire Caribbean, and noted that many other countries in the Caribbean were looking at what Guyana was doing. He believes that they would be more than willing to partner on some of the courses being provided.

He added that when the applications were placed online for persons to join the programme, the Ministry received expressions of inter-

est from several Caribbean countries.

According to him, the initiative reflects the Ministry’s dedication to leveraging technology and partnership opportunities to enhance

healthcare education and service delivery in Guyana.

By offering this programme through Coursera, he noted, the Health Ministry aims to equip more individuals with the skills and expertise

needed to excel in the field of nursing. It is poised to increase the number of qualified nurses graduating each year, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare services.

Infrastructural projects will boost business opportunities – Walrond

Tourism Industry and Commerce Minister, Oniedge Walrond during a recent Trinidad and Tobago trade mission to Guyana highlighted several infrastructural projects that will provide the necessary business opportunities to investors.

Drawing reference from the collaboration between Brazil and Guyana she stated that lots of business opportunities for investors will be opened through the new bridge. According to Walrond, northern Brazil provides opportunities of vast markets for millions of persons.

“That is a market that is opened up, and it will open up opportunities for trade for all of us,” Waldron stated.

Whilst enlightening investors on the progress that

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oniedge Walrond

Guyana has made, she also made mention of the difficulties that would have been faced by Brazil, if various initiatives were not taken.

“If had not been for the building of the bridge between Guyana and Brazil businesses who were exporting items from Brazil would’ve had to almost take the route across the whole continent of Brazil just to

reach Guyana,” she said. As the transformative projects unfold, Walrond addressed investors, acknowledging minor hurdles that Guyana would have faced in attempts to completing infrastructural initiatives however she offered words of encouragement stating that this can be an opportunity for growth for investors. (G1)

A section of the gathering at the launch of the Hybrid Nursing Assistant training on Friday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence

Incident with Venezuela’s army at Eteringbang resolved amicably, with handshake – GDF

…Home Affairs Minister concerned about non-State actors at border

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Friday confirmed a recent encounter between its ranks and members of the Venezuelan army in the border community of Eteringbang in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), assuring that the incident was amicably resolved.

On Friday, a local newspaper reported that two Guyanese soldiers were detained and forced to return sand and stones, sourced from the Cuyuni River – which Venezuela is claiming rights, that they were transporting to the community for the ongoing $214.5 million upgrade of the Eteringbang airstrip.

However, Chief-of-Defence Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan told reporters on the sidelines of the Regional Security System (RSS) Council of Minister’s Meeting held in Georgetown on Friday that it was not a detention.

“I wouldn't use the words detained... The matter was amicably resolved,” he assured.

In a subsequent statement from the GDF, it was explained that the incident occurred on Wednesday on an island in the Cuyuni River at Eteringbang. At about 11:50h, during an administrative journey, ranks of the GDF and the Venezuelan Army had an encounter.

“The incident attracted the intervention of both the GDF and Venezuelan commanders who arrived at the scene shortly thereafter. At no time during this interaction were our ranks dispossessed of items or returned items. The matter was addressed amicably and ended with a shake-of-hands by both Commanders,” the Guyanese Army stated.

The GDF went on to refute any inference that the photograph accompanying the article was related to the incident at Eteringbang. The Army urged the exercise of diligence and accuracy in selecting visual content when reporting to avoid misrepresentation.

“The GDF emphasises the importance of accurate reporting, especially concerning matters of national security, and urges the media to verify information before dissemination to ensure authenticity and avoid unnecessary alarm or misinformation.”

“It is important to note also, that given the border case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), incidents on the border between Guyana and Venezuela and involving military ranks should be reported accurately to deescalate any potential for conflict,” the GDF stated.

Venezuela continues to lay claim to more than two-thirds

of Guyana’s landmass, the Essequibo, and a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in which almost 11 billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the years, and where oil production activities are ongoing.

In 2018, Guyana moved to the World Court, seeking a final and binding ruling on the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award to settle the longstanding border controversy. However, since then, there have been heightened tensions between the two South American neighbours with both countries beefing up their military presence at the border.

Concerns at border

However, Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, has noted that in addition to actions by the Venezuelan Government to claim the Essequibo region, there are also mounting concerns over non-State actors at the border between the two countries.

Speaking at the RSS Council of Ministers’ Meeting on Friday, Minister Benn posited that there were risks and challenges Guyana was facing when it came to the border with its Spanish-speaking neighbour.

“We are concerned about the questions of instability, particularly in the presence of non-State actors in eastern Venezuela [especially] on our borders. And here, I make reference to the remnants of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), the ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional/National Liberation Army), the Tren (Tren de Aragua – Venezuelan street gang) and others supporting their efforts in the form of the malandros and others who are involved in drug trafficking, people trafficking and smuggling of minerals and other things,” the Home Affairs Minister stated. His comment comes on the heels of increased criminal activities carried out by Venezuelan nationals in Guyana especially in the border communities.

Only on Wednesday, two Venezuelan nationals were among three persons charged and remanded for the murder of Chinese businessman Yang Lisong, last week at Eteringbang Landing.

Darvy Diaz De Costa and Oscar Alside Scanio – both Venezuelans – along with Pharrell Prince Adelph of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD) , appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court #5 before Magistrate Faith McGusty, to answer the charge of murder in the course or furtherance of a robbery, contrary to Section 100(1ci) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.

They were not required to plead to the charge. The matter was transferred to the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court, with the next court date set for April 24, 2024.

On Thursday last, Yang and his wife, who operated a supermarket at Eteringbang Landing, were attacked.

During the ordeal, the perpetrators had bound the hands of the Chinese businessman and bashed in his face. His wife was also injured during the robbery. Shortly after the incident, the Police had nabbed the suspects. This followed the fatal shooting of Zaheer Mohammed Sheriff, a 50-year-old gold miner of Byderabo Road, Bartica, Region Seven, and Donovan Washington, a 26-year-old porter of Lot 11 Seventh Avenue, Bartica, during a robbery at the Arimu Backdam, Cuyuni River. The deceased were attacked by two masked bandits, who escaped with $37 million in raw gold and two firearms on March 3.

The incident had sparked outrage from stakeholders in the mining industry since Sheriff was a senior member of the Small Miners’ Association Guyana Inc (SMAGI).

During a subsequent visit to Bartica, President Dr Irfaan Ali on March 6 promised the miners that their issues would be addressed and further consultations held by the security forces. (G8)

GDF Chief-of-Defence, Brigadier Omar Khan

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

Saxacalli double murder

Items found on dead prison escapee belonged to murdered mother, son

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has confirmed that investigators probing the deaths of David Gomes and his mother, Elizabeth Gomes, committed by Akeem Wong, examined items found in Wong's possession after he was fatally shot by members of the Joint Services.

Detectives discovered that a black Samsung Galaxy phone had a photograph of David Gomes on the display. Further checks revealed multiple videos and images of David Gomes, including those of his national identification card and driver's licence. Two

while asking for directions. He was given food, and also took a few drinks with the child’s father.

The child also stated that he later saw the suspect (arm) himself with a cutlass and (deal) his father several chops about his body. His grandmother (Nellie) went to (her son’s) rescue, and she was also dealt several chops about her body.

The Police have said that after committing the act, the suspect attempted to wash down the blood, but in the process, he heard a boat approaching and ran into the nearby bushes, making good

of the three SIM cards found with Wong were registered to David Gomes, while the other was registered with a foreign telephone company.

Wong escaped from the Mazaruni Prison on February 15, 2024, and had been on the run until he was shot dead by members of the Joint Services on Sunday last. He and another inmate were under the supervision of a prison officer, performing labour duties on February 15 in a ‘wood bush’ when Wong requested permission to go defecate and was granted same by the prison officer.

About five minutes later, a check was made for Wong, and it was discovered that he had gone missing. Law enforcement officials have since been searching for him.

He was suspected to have gruesomely chopped to death David and Elizabeth Gomes on March 8 at their Saxacalli home.

It was reported that since the family moved to the city, they would return very often to clean their house and surroundings at Saxacalli, Essequibo River. However, their routine visit took a sinister turn when an unexpected visitor arrived at their doorstep.

Wong reportedly approached the Gomes residence seeking food and directions. Police have said that Gomes’s six-year-old son related that about 15:00h on the day in question, the suspect visited their home and requested something to eat,

his escape.

Law enforcement was also told by the child that during the ordeal, the suspect was chopped by his father. The child, the Police said, took his father’s cellular phone and sent a voice note to one of his father’s friends, who in turn contacted the Police.

In its initial statement on the shooting, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had announced that a Police Constable had been placed under close arrest after he had “unintentionally” shot Police Sergeant Alex Vaughn. The two were part of a Police operation mounted to search for prison escapee Wong.

Tragedy struck when the Police Constable, arriving on the scene on a tractor as part of a backup unit, allegedly discharged his firearm “accidentally” upon disembarking, resulting in the Police Sergeant being fatally shot.

Under the directive of acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, an investigation into the incident was launched by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), overseen by the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority.

Meanwhile, on Sunday last, Wong was fatally shot by members of the Joint Services at Groete Creek Backdam,

Police shooting

Following that incident, a member of the Joint Services was fatally shot by his colleague, a Police Constable, while hunting for Wong several kilometres from the village of Saxacalli.

It was revealed that the cop sustained three gunshot wounds: a graze to the right side of his abdomen; another graze to his right leg; and a wound made by a bullet that entered his abdomen on the left and exited through his right buttock. That was the injury that ultimately claimed his life.

Essequibo River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Police, in a missive, stated that upon seeing the ranks, the escapee allegedly emerged from some bushes and charged towards them while wielding a cutlass. He was fired upon and fatally wounded.

The body was escorted to Bartica Hospital. At the scene, Police found one cutlass, $4700, three SIM cards, 1 flash drive and memory card, one pair of scissors, four cigarettes, one flashlight with batteries, one fishing hook, CA$100, one cellular phone, and one lighter. (G9)

The late Elizabeth Gomes and her son David Gomes in happier times

Dead prison escapee

Akeem Wong

The items that were found in Wong’s possession

4 EBD families receive new $5M core homes

Four East Bank of Demerara (EBD) persons, including an 83-year-old woman, received keys to their new core homes on Friday.

The core homes, valued $5 million each, were built under the Government and InterAmerican Development Bank’s Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, speaking at the handing-over ceremony, acknowledged the challenges encountered during the course of this initiative's progress. Despite these hurdles, the Minister proudly announced the completion of 96 houses, emphasising the commitment to advancing community infrastructure.

“We are particularly

pleased that the programme has been moving much faster, though there were some hiccups in terms of trying to get deliveries done in terms of construction; we are working out to ensure that we are able to resolve all these outstanding matters,” he stated.

Further, Croal highlighted that all new applications from citizens have been received and all beneficiaries have gone through a process.

“Every time new persons are granted a house and it gets published, there are scores of new persons who are sending in new applications always,” he said, while assuring members of the public that all new beneficiaries have all gone through a process and the ministry is soon to commence the building of those various houses.

The 83-year-old beneficiary, Jennifer Klass said that most of her life she has lived with relatives. She said that she lived at a family-owned property, but she lost everything to a fire.

"I am happy to finally own something of my own, a place I can call home and be comfortable," Klass said on Friday.

Among the other beneficiaries were Shabina Haniff, Egland Campbell, and ?Nigel Ralph.

Croal also unveiled three ground enhancements that are ongoing in Herstelling, Covent Garden and on the West Bank. According to the Minister, these works are funded by the IDB initiative. Furthermore, he explained that among the three grounds where construction is ongoing, a multipurpose stand is being built, to host various activities. “All consultations have been completed,” the Minister made known. (G2)

Innovative drone technology aids rice farmers

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has partnered with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to implement a pilot project aimed at enhancing rice production through the use of innovative technology.

Driven by drones and data analytics, for the monitoring of rice cultivation areas and to give farmers information to make data-based decisions for crop management, the project is set to herald a future of enhanced efficiency, sustainability, and productivity in rice farming.

On Tuesday, FAO Director General QU Dongyu visited the Burma Rice Research Station, Mahaicony, where he was briefed on the progress of the initiative.

Though launched last year, with technical and financial support from the FAO-China South-South Cooperation project and a Regional E-Agriculture project, the project has engaged 205 farmers thus far.

Representatives from the GRDB and the Agriculture Ministry reported that the project has been moving ahead swiftly. According to various farmers, the technology provides them with a clearer understanding of any issues present in their rice fields. It was understood that the drones fly around

the fields, and the devices would indicate to farmers what problems the rice has, and what they would have to apply to help it. The drones use colour to convey information, lighting up red, yellow or green. Red means danger, indicating that they have to apply fertiliser or spray.

Farmers added that the technology also provides data to support land preparation. One farmer relayed that he can be at home and send his drone into the fields to see what is happening.

Another farmer, Balram Rampersaud, explained that integrating drones and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques into their operations brings a sense of relief. “You don’t have to do as much manual labour, and you have machines, so it’s easier to control the crop,” Rampersaud said.

GRDB Extension Officer and Drone Pilot Trainee Winfield Washington shared the sentiments of the farmers and lauded the programme, noting that it aligned with Guyana’s technological transformation.

“It can give us real-time data; it can also benefit the farmers tremendously, because it’s better for us to advise the farmer. It also helps with surveillance. It is tremendous for us in GRDB and the farmers in terms of the way forward,” he said.

Kate, Princess of Wales, undergoing cancer treatment

Kate, Britain’s Princess of Wales, said on Friday she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy after tests taken after she had major abdominal surgery in January revealed that cancer had been present.

Kate, the 42-year-old wife of heir to the throne Prince William, called the cancer discovery a “huge shock”. The news comes as a fresh health blow to the British royal family: King Charles is also undergoing treatment for cancer.

Kate spent two weeks in hospital in January after undergoing what her office said at the time was successful, planned surgery for an unspecified but non-cancerous condition.

However Kate said in a video message that subsequent tests had revealed cancer had been found. She said she was well and getting stronger.

“My medical team, therefore, advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” said Kate.

She was dressed in jeans and a jumper and looked pale and tired in the video, which was filmed on Wednesday.

“This, of course ,came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing every-

thing we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.”

Following her operation, the palace had said the princess would not return to official duties until after Easter, which falls at the end of this month. But her absence from public life has provoked intense speculation and wild rumours on social media.

King Charles, 75, underwent a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital as Kate in January. Buckingham Palace then revealed in February that he was to have treatment for cancer, meaning he has had to postpone his public royal duties.

“His majesty is ‘so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did’,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said, saying Charles had been in close contact with Kate since they were at the private London Clinic together in January.

“Both their majesties ‘will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time’.”

Prince Harry, who has fallen out with William since he moved to California with his wife Meghan, sent a message of support.

“We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are

at a public event since she joined other members of the royal family for a church service on Christmas Day.

However, a video filmed last Saturday by a member of the public which was published by the Sun newspaper showed Kate looking healthy, walking and carrying shopping bags alongside her husband at a farm shop in Windsor, near to their home.

“We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment,” Kate said.

information, including what type of cancer was found.

“Preventive chemotherapy after surgery is given to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the future – a bit like mopping a floor with bleach when you’ve spilt something on it, chemotherapy kills any spilt cells,” said Professor Andrew Beggs, a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at the University of Birmingham.

able to do so privately and in peace,” Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, said.

Similar statements also poured in from British political leaders, and from the office of US President Joe Biden, for the princess, who is popularly known by her maiden name Kate Middleton.

Privacy

Kate’s office, Kensington Palace, said it would give no further details about the type of cancer that had been found, saying the princess had a right to medical privacy. It said she was on a recovery pathway and the preventative chemotherapy had begun in February.

The timing of the an-

nouncement was to ensure that Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, had time to digest the news before it became public, and because Friday marked the start of their school holidays.

“It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok,” Kate said.

“As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.”

Kate has not appeared

“My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Kate had the love and support of the whole country.

“She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today,” he said in a statement. “In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media.”

Medical experts said it was difficult to determine how long Kate would need the treatment without more

Kensington Palace said William, whose mother Princess Diana died in a car crash when she was just 36, would continue his duties while supporting his wife, as he had since her surgery. A source said Kate was in good spirits and focused on her recovery.

However, neither will be present for the traditional gathering of royals for a church service on Easter Sunday at Windsor.

Kate was the first commoner to marry a prince in close proximity to the throne in more than 350 years when she wed William in 2011 and has since become one of the most popular royals.

“At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone,” Kate said. (Reuters)

Beneficiaries of the new $5 million core homes

Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, appears in this still image from a handout video released March 22, 2024, in which she announced that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy after cancer was found to have been present, following her abdominal surgery in January (BBC Studios/Handout via Reuters)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Participate in something that interests you, and the connections you make will help you build momentum. A health or financial problem will need your attention. Embrace personal growth.

Pay attention to detail and what matters to you most. Handle things yourself to avoid disappointment. Look for an opportunity to deal with an emotional issue. Love is favored.

Keep busy, learn and bring about change that will make your life easier. Take the path that allows you freedom to spend time with people who make life worthwhile.

Pay attention to what’s happening at home. Updates may be costly but will eventually save you a bundle. Take care of yourself and your possessions, and sell items you no longer use.

Don’t let a change of heart lead to financial or contractual confusion. Have faith in your ability to grab attention and get the input and help you require to excel.

Communication, travel, excitement and reunions will all lead to fun times with great people. Put your best foot forward and express your feelings passionately; positive change will unfold.

Take the initiative, add comfort and make your surroundings convenient and fun for you and your loved ones. Needed encouragement will come your way. Now’s the time to go for it!

Spend time reorganizing your space to fit your needs and consider how you can restructure your schedule to meet demands. A change in the dynamics of a meaningful relationship will give you the push you need to try something new.

Times are changing. Consider what you must do to move in a positive direction. Convince others to pitch in and help. Don’t take risks. It may require some effort, but you can make a big impact.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Push for what you want and bring about positive change. Keep an eye on your budget and look for ways to save money. Financial flexibility will give you time to focus on what matters most.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Keep life simple and your dreams practical. Don’t step into controversial situations or start an argument that can upset your plans or disrupt your lifestyle.

Pump things up and get ready to create opportunities. Your discipline and determination will help you make things happen. Opportunity will come your way. Enjoy the moment.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PICKLES

ARCHIE

GCB President meets Guyana U15 team ahead of departure for Antigua

…Team wraps up successful practice games, receives gear

President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Bissoondyal Singh, has paid a courtesy visit on the national under-15 team ahead of its departure for Antigua & Barbuda to participate in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars U15 50-over championships, which would commence in the next few days.

Having concluded two days of match simulation, the team has wrapped up weeks of encampment with two games, the last of which ended on Wednesday. Included in the team’s top performers are Rovaldo Pareira, who took 4 wickets in Tuesday’s game; Brandon Henry; and Darvir Seegobin, who grabbed 5-15 in the opening game. These players have retained their inter-county form, and have had their performances augmented by the knowledge imparted to them during the recent camp.

Justin Dowlin, who scored 37 in the first match, and U15 vice-captain Emmanuel Lewis, who led one of the two teams, have also shown improvement in form, cracking 70 in Wednesday’s win while scoring 30 in the previous game.

Other players, like Shamar Apple who had scores of 25 and 44, opener Parmeshwar Ram and wicket-keeper Sohail Mohammed, showed good form in the two games played between the Lewis XI and Hetmyer XI.

During his meeting with the U15 players, Singh presented some cricket gear to the youngsters, and urged them to remain confident ahead of the tournament. He added that he himself has immense belief in the team’s competence.

The GCB head told the youngsters he has extreme confidence in this group of players, and is giving them

utmost support because, he pointed out, he firmly believes they can win the regional tournament and return home with the title.

The team winging out to

Antigua today (Saturday) comprises: Parmeshwar Ram, Justin Dowlin, Darvir Seegobin, Emmanuel Lewis (V/C), Adrian Hetmyer (C), Rovaldo Pareira, Richard

Ramdeholl, Khush Seegobin, Sohail Mohammed (W/k), Shamar Apple, Brandon Henry, Gilbert Griffith, Jathniel Nurse and Arif Khan.

Standbys players are: Trilok Nanan, Reyaz Latif, Bomesh Lall, Feeaz Baksh, Kumulchan Ramnarace, Eron Benjamin and Mickle Sharma.

LGC teams up with GYSBI to host exciting tournament

The Lusignan Golf Club is thrilled to announce its partnership with GYSBI to present an exhilarating tournament scheduled for today, Saturday, March 23. With a commitment to fostering community spirit and wellbeing, this event promises to be a highlight on the golfing calendar. It will feature a dynamic format: a two-person best ball scramble over 18 holes with a shotgun start. Participants will experience the thrill of strategizing with their partners to achieve the best possible score.

vised to coordinate with the club's manager on the tournament day to collect their scorecards, pay tournament fees, and proceed to their designated tee boxes promptly at 12:30h.

Crowning moment of this event would be presentation of prizes, scheduled for approximately 5:30pm, marking the culmination of a day filled with camaraderie, competition and sportsmanship.

Players are encouraged to register with a partner; however, solo participants need not worry, as the club's manager would assist in pairing them on the day of the event.

Exciting prizes await the winners, including recognition for the best net score, longest drive, and nearest to the pin. These accolades add an extra incentive for players to showcase their skills on the course.

Robin Muneshwer, Executive Director of GYSBI, in expressing enthusiasm for the partnership, has said, "GYSBI proudly champions the spirit of community and

Handicap calculations will add an extra layer of excitement, with a formula incorporating 35% of the higher partner's handicap and 15% of the lower partner's handicap. This ensures fair and competitive play for all participants.

wellbeing through our sponsorship of the upcoming golf tournament. Just as we prioritize safety and efficiency in our operations, we recognize the profound importance of sports in fostering physical health, mental resilience, and social cohesion through…activities. Golf, with its blend of precision, strategy, and camaraderie, exemplifies these values."

LGC Secretary Chet Bowling has added, “The LGC is proud to partner with GYSBI. The partnership showcases GYSBI's demonstration of their corporate social responsibility. We are very happy, and look forward to future collaborations.”

All participants are ad-

Easter Floodlight Knockout Football Championships commence C

ool Crew Promotions will commence its second Annual Easter Floodlight Knockout Football Championships this evening at the Golden Grove Ground, ECD.

The com petition will see the fol lowing 16 teams vying for this ti tle: Air Hall Football Club, Cougars, Mahaicony Lions, New Amsterdam, Rosignol United, Hopetown, Paradise, Ithaca, Mahaica, Victoria, Ann’s Grove All-Stars, Golden Grove, Haslington, Buxton, Beterverwagting, and Melanie.

would be bestowed with 20 gold rings in addition to the championship prize, plus medals and a trophy; while the runner-up team would receive 20 silver rings along with medals and a trophy. Individual accolades such as the MVP award, Most Goals Award, and Best Goalkeeper award would also be up for grabs.

Winners of the first, second, third, and fourth places would receive $500,000, $300,000, $150,000, and $50,000 respectively after the tournament.

The tournament’s win-

GYSBI solidified their support for this tournament in a simple ceremony

GCB President Bissoondyal Singh taking a photo opportunity with the national U15 team before they depart Guyana’s shores

Facing a steep 420-run ask for victory, the Windwards Islands Volcanoes’ batting crumbled for a second time, in stark contrast to the commanding display put on by the Guyana Harpy Eagles’ duo of Captain Tevin Imlach and batsman Tagenarine Chanderpaul, as the contest between these two teams ended in exciting fashion on the third day.

Though the Harpy Eagles again had their opponents reeling under 50 runs, as had happened in the first innings, they faulted in not being clinical enough to wrap things up early; and the Volcanoes’ duo of Shamar Springer and Ryan John almost forced a fourth day’s play, but heroes Nial Smith and Veerasammy Permaul rose to the occasion in each taking five-wicket hauls to get the job done.

The Harpy Eagles had resumed batting on 168-1, with the duo of Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Captain Tevin Imlach both nearing the century mark. Imlach reached that milestone first, in 223 balls, and went on to amass a score of 107 runs from 243 deliveries, including nine boundaries.

Chanderpaul was not out on 101 from 248 balls, encompassing 2 sixes and 9 boundaries, when the Harpy Eagles declared after lunch on 224-2. That meant the Eagles

– as Smith, Permaul, Imlach, Chanderpaul record star performances

had a cumulative lead of 420 runs.

Nial Smith was chiefly responsible for the Volcanoes unravelling in the second innings, as he bowled Jeremy Solozano for a duck and later took a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Kymani Melius for a run-a-ball 3. He went of Alick Sunil after tea 4-24 from

Veerasammy Permaul ably assisted the bowling assault by picking up two wickets for 7 runs in 6 overs.

At that point, the Volcanoes were reduced to 45-6, still trailing by 375 runs with only 4 wickets in hand, when Springer and John collaborated to avoid an embarrassing capitulation by getting their team into the 90s. The Eagles tried other bowlers in a futile search for a breakthrough, but it did not come until Smith and Permaul were reintroduced into the attack.

Permaul broke the partnership by trapping John lbw for 41 off 65 deliveries, and later took the wickets of Larry Edward and Daurius Martin to claim figures of 5-47 from 24.2 overs. Smith added to his harvest of scalps by taking the wicket of Darel Cyrus to end with 5-29 from 11 overs.

Springer was the Volcanoes’ last man standing with an unbeaten 69 from 137 deliveries, which included 8 fours and one six.

After decimating the Volcanoes for 165 in 56.2

overs, the Harpy Eagles secured a massive 254-run victory.

The West Indies Championships will again take a break, and resume on April 10 with the Harpy Eagles battling the Jamaica Scorpions in Round 6 at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

FANTASTIC FINALE ANTICIPATED TONIGHT EAGLES THRASH VOLCANOES BY 254 RUNS

After months of stupendous competition, the “One Guyana” Basketball League would be concluded at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue today, Saturday March 23, with the Kitty/ Campbellville Ravens opposing the Stabroek Eagles in what would inevitably be the proverbial mother of all basketball showdowns, especially since the coveted title and bragging rights would accompany the million-dollar winners’ cash prize.

President of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Jermaine Slater, in a comment invited by Guyana Times Sport, has said he anticipates a very competitive final game tonight.

Slater declared, “I am anticipating a very competitive, and even more competitive, game this Saturday between these teams. Because you can see the fire of competitiveness with everybody now; and at the

end of the day, you are playing for a million dollars even though the second place is five hundred thousand.

“Everybody wants a million dollars, so a million dollars and the bragging rights for at least a couple of months until the next league starts (are up for grabs).”

Underlining the amazing story this finale has scripted, Slater has said he believes that pressure is on the coaches to implement strategies that would secure victory for their respective teams.

“There is no better way for this league to finish as the Best of Three series first time in the playoffs in Guyana in the national finals, (as) both teams have won one and (are) now going into the last game; (and) both teams know that they are capable of winning (and) that there is going to be a lot of pressure on the coaches, I believe, to make adjustments in what their team will have to

do to come out victorious exactly,” Slater expounded.

“One

commenced on August 12, 2023 with 14

The

Guyana” Basketball League

teams divided into two conferences, the Harpy Eagle Conference and the Jaguar Conference. All games were played at The National Gymnasium. (Omar McKenzie)

Players, organizers and officials at launch of the “One Guyana” Basketball League

Captain Tevin Imlach slammed 107 in

deliveries

Tagenarine Chanderpaul has announced his form with an unbeaten 101*