Guyana Times - Saturday, March 2, 2024

Qatari investors to pay $2B for Carifesta land – GO-Invest

The Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest) has disclosed that the Qatari investors who are undertaking the construction of the US$300 million Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Center on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown will pay some $2 billion for the two plots of land that are currently under contention.

Only recently, the Guyana Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatar-based Assets Group and laid the ceremonial foundation on February 18, 2024 for the construction of the Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Center.

GO-Invest, in a recent statement, disclosed that as part of that signed MoU, the Qatari investor is expected to purchase the land for G$2 billion.

Additionally, it was noted that “An Investment Agreement with the Government of Guyana, facilitated through the Guyana Office for Investment, is in its final stages, aimed at providing fiscal concessions in keeping with the standard incentive regime for hotel businesses and the tourism sector”.

These concessions, according to GO-Invest, are

favourable when compared to those given for other similar proposals to construct internationally branded-hotels and state-of-theart convention centres in Guyana.

There has been mounting controversy surrounding the two plots of land being used for this massive hotel project – with concerns raised over the remaining “green spaces” in Georgetown.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, however, declared that the hotel proj-

ect would move forward as he bemoaned the persistent “narrow-mindedness” especially by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition when it comes to initiatives being undertaken to transform Guyana’s landscape.

“It was the same APNU that was opposed to the building of the [Marriott Hotel]… The APNU/AFC had to eat their words. They said it would be a white elephant project. It would not be feasible. They would turn

it into a hospital. Today, it’s one of the most profitable hotels anywhere. You saw that value from the bids that we received [for the sale of the Marriott Hotel] which was twice the cost of its construction. [And this hotel] replaced a dumpsite and hundreds of Guyanese are working there now,” Jagdeo stated.

According to the Vice President, with the rapid growth Guyana is undergoing, there is need for facilities like the Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Center.

“Anyone who visited the Marriott Hotel would have seen how we’ve outgrown that hotel. There is no space in the hotel to host any conference or anything anymore…”

“This country is changing and you have to cater for all sorts of activities that bring benefits to

the people of this country… This hotel will cost over US$300 million of private money. It will be a five-star hotel – the only one in the country and one of the few in the Region. It shall have convention space five times that of the Marriott ballroom… At the end of the construction, you’d have at least 500 Guyanese who would have permanent jobs there,” VP Jagdeo stated.

Seafront Resort and Convention Center

The $64.5 billion Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Center is slated to be completed by March 2026. This facility will feature 260 luxurious rooms and suites, alongside 150 serviced apartments, which include branded residences and premium villas. The resort will also feature a world-class 30,000 square-foot convention center outfitted with all modern amenities to cater for international conferences and events of diverse scales, thereby increasing Guyana’s competitiveness as a MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism destination.

The company spearheading this project, Assets Group is a subsidiary of Power International Holding (PIH), which is a Qatar-based conglomerate that has a diverse portfolio spanning various sectors such as real estate, hospitality, construction, manufacturing, and services. PIH has established itself as a prominent player in the Qatari business landscape, and has expanded its operations internationally in 19 different countries.

However, even as works

are slated to commence soon, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has claimed ownership of the lands – something which the Government has debunked. At a statutory meeting on Tuesday, Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore presented a transport purporting to show ownership for the lands in question.

But Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, has maintained that the two plots of land, previous known as the NIS and GNS Grounds, are owned by the State. In fact, he noted that City Hall’s property is a separate plot of land that remains untouched.

“The plans and all the other archival materials are there to establish beyond doubt that that portion of land is owned by the State… The Guyana Softball Association was occupying that ground upon a permission or a licence granted to them by the Ministry of Education, because the Ministry of Education was the [lessor] of that land. All of those [leases] have expired and once the Ministry of Education is the [lessor], it was a lease from the Government. So, it’s the Government’s land or the State’s land,” Nandlall posited during this week’s edition of his programme –Issues In the News.

The City Council had indicated its intention to issue a cease order to stop the construction of the hotel project. The Attorney General has since welcomed any move by City Hall to have this dispute settled in the courts.

“The Mayor is saying that he would like to go to court. Well, I am happy that he is planning to go to court, because that is where the issue should be resolved. If he believes that he has a claim, let him go to court and establish ownership. The land that the City Council owns… is a different piece of land and all the City Council has to do is to read the transport and if they have a difficulty in reading the transport, employ a lawyer and a surveyor, and they will be advised properly,” AG Nandlall stated. (G8)

Officials at the foundation-laying ceremony for the US$300 million Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Center, to be constructed on Carifesta Avenue

The

Saturday,

The

Saturday,

High

Low

metres.

08:25h and 21:00h reaching maximum

Border controversy Pres Ali calls out Bolivia over inaccurate statements on foreign military operations in Guyana

…assures CELAC of Guyana’s commitment to peace, stability in region …as Venezuela, Guyana exchange gifts

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday reiterated Guyana’s commitment to the peace and stability of Latin America and the Caribbean Region as he called out the President of Bolivia over his inaccurate statements regarding military exercises in Guyana amidst the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela.

During Friday’s plenary session of the VIII Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), held in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Bolivian President Luis Acre accused Guyana of allowing foreign countries like the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) to conduct military air and sea exercises in the country just after Guyana and Venezuela had signed the peace accord – the Argyle Declaration – following raising tensions between the two neighbouring South American nations late last year.

However, President Ali, in response, called out his Bolivian counterpart for not having his facts on the matter right. “Instead of drawing conclusions, States within the region must ascertain the facts. Statements that are not based on facts can only add to destabilisation.

As we heard this morning from our friends in Bolivia, the air surveillance and sea exercises mentioned by Bolivia were part of bilateral and regional security cooperation, and had nothing to do with the Guyana and Venezuela controversy,” the Guyanese Leader clarified during his presentation at the summit.

He further stated while Bolivia accused Guyana of provoking Venezuela, there was no mention of the Spanish-speaking nation’s attempt to annex Guyana’s territory. “It is also important to note that no mention was made about the incursions into Guyana’s territorial space,” President Ali posited.

Back in December, the planned visit of a UK warship - HMS Trent, a river patrol vessel - to Guyana’s waters as part of a regional

tour had sparked concerns in Caracas, with President Maduro accusing Guyana of violating the peace pact and announced plans to bolster Venezuela’s military presence at the borders between the two nations.

At the time, President Ali had reassured that Guyana’s partnership with regional and international states is aimed only at en-

nation 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.

While tensions between Guyana and Venezuela have since been simmering, it escalated late last year 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, among other things, issuing identification cards to Guyanese living in the Essequibo, and issuing licences for

hancing internal security, and not to pose a threat of aggression or offend anyone.

Meanwhile, only last month, images shared by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington have shown Venezuela expanding its military base near its border with Guyana – a situation the Ali Government has said it is monitoring.

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 eight years, and in which oil production activities are ongoing.

In 2018, Guyana moved to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after exhausting all means of negotiation with Venezuela, including the good office process between the two South American neighbours. To settle the longstanding border controversy, Guyana is seeking a final and binding ruling on the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award.

The Spanish-speaking

mining and other activities in Guyana’s Essequibo County.

Given Venezuela’s threatening posture, a historic face-to-face Caricom/ CELAC/Brazil-brokered meeting was held on December 14, 2023 between Presidents Ali and Maduro in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and was geared towards maintaining peace in the region.

The two South American leaders came to several agreements under the Argyle Declaration, including 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.

Zone of Peace

This position was reiterated by President Ali at Friday’s summit, where he lauded the CELAC leadership for facilitating the December engagement.

“I assured everyone at that time, and now, that I am prepared, and contin-

ue to be prepared, to speak with President Maduro on any aspect that may contribute to enhancing the relationship between our two countries,” he noted.

In fact, on the sidelines of the CELAC Summit, Presidents Ali and Maduro exchanged gifts on Friday.

President Ali presented his Venezuelan counterpart with a bottle of rum made in Guyana and a medal, while Maduro gave President Ali a box full of Venezuelan products.

Maduro said, “Peace and love” in English as he gave President Ali the items.

Judicial settlement

According to President Ali, while Guyana remains committed to the judicial settlement of the border controversy with Venezuela, its unwavering pledge to uphold the peace and security of the region still stands.

“I can assure you that Guyana remains steadfast in its commitment to the international judicial process, as well as to maintaining our region as a ‘Zone of Peace’. We want peace. We want prosperity for our neighbours, and all in this region. We want to be our brother’s keeper with our neighbour.

“My commitment to this august body is that Guyana and everything we do is built on peace, and our fundamental values are based on peace. We are a peaceful people. Fairness is standing on a platform of principle, honesty and values, nothing else… I assure all leaders here that Guyana’s priority is peace, and you can have the confidence that our territory will never ever be used as a platform of war or for war,” the Guyanese Leader declared.

Meanwhile, during the recently concluded Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Conference held in Georgetown earlier this week, Leaders reaffirmed their “solid support” for the maintenance and preservation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and called on Venezuela to participate in the ongoing case before the World Court.

President Dr Irfaan Ali sharing a light moment with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, during the CELAC Summit in St Vincent and the Grenadines

President Irfaan Ali and President Nicolas Maduro exchanging gifts on the sidelines of the VIII Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)

President of Bolivia, Luis Acre

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Today, 4 years ago

Today marks four years since the elections of March 2, 2020, and five years, two months after the No Confidence Motion (NCM) of December 21, 2018. These dates are markers of the People’s National Congress’s desperate efforts to destroy the democratic edifice the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) built after 1992, following the PNC’s rigging of elections in 1968, 1973, 1980, and 1985. In those 28 years, the Burnhamite regime had installed a defacto authoritarian one-party state that made a mockery of its democratic pretentions.

It was against this background that as soon as it slid into office by the narrowest of margins in 2015, the PNC, under its leader David Granger, prepared to hold on to power by any means necessary. This was signalled by Granger’s refusal to adhere to the clearly-stated constitutional rules for appointing the Chairman of GECOM and to unilaterally appoint his choice, James Patterson. The latter justified his selection by throwing several spanners into the election machinery until he was adjudged to have been unconstitutionally appointed by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Concomitantly, Granger refused to obey the even more pellucid Constitutional stricture of Art 106 (6)(7) for his Government to resign following its defeat in the NCM moved by the PPP. This precipitated a constitutional crisis that was a harbinger of the lengths Granger and the PNC would go to, to hold on to power by any means necessary. In the words of one constitutional expert, “This was a “crisis of fidelity”, which occurs when important political actors are simply unwilling to adhere to the constitutional commitments as they understand them. If consequential political actors determined that a constitutional rule or a prescribed constitutional outcome should be ignored, because some other political priority than following the Constitution was more important, then the Constitution’s ability to guide and constrain political behaviour has, to that degree, been cast into doubt.”

After a tortuous passage through the three tiers of our Judiciary, that crisis was resolved and the PNC was forced to schedule elections. But not in the three months after the judgement in July 2019 as was mandated, but eight months after, on March 2, 2020. The courts were cynically used as a sword to subvert the constitutional basis of our democratic order. Two days before the elections, the US Ambassador issued a statement on “democratic elections” which was eerily prescient as to what lay ahead. We published that statement on Election Day in this space: “To cast a free ballot and minimise the opportunity for intimidation, voters in a democracy must be permitted to cast their ballots in secret. At the same time, the protection of the ballot box and tallying of vote totals must be conducted as openly as possible, so that citizens are confident that the results are accurate and that the Government does, indeed, rest upon their "consent."

While it was universally accepted that the first part of the caution – the actual voting – was satisfied, on the following day, all hell broke loose. In full view of the international observers of the US, UK, Caricom, EU, Commonwealth and local observers, the PNC crudely attempted to rig the elections as the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo refused to display the Statement of Polls (SOPs) being tallied as statutorily demanded and declared the PNC the winner of the region and consequently, the general election.

The country was plunged not into a constitutional crisis this time but a naked grab for power that once again used the courts as a sword to deny the right of the people to select their government. It was only because of the fortitude of the people of Guyana, the international community, and the integrity of the CCJ that the elections of March 2, 2020 were finally declared in favour of the PPP, five months later on August 2.

Let us never allow the trampling of our Constitution as had happened between December 21, 2018 and August 1, 2020.

Who barks loudest and who barks last

By Dr Jason McKay

If you had spoken to any German citizen before August 1942, they would have told you that the war being waged by their country against Europe was a great idea.

Why would they? They were rolling over country after country like a bulldozer crushing lilies. This changed in Stalingrad, where Germany suffered a hard defeat from the Russian army in August 1942.

Now, if you talk to any German citizen today, they will tell you the war was the single worst thing their country has ever been involved in, and it was a bad idea from the start. So what was unquestionably the worst decision a country ever made was at one time considered the best decision.

I am old enough to remember the day after the 1980 General Election in Jamaica. It was October 31 and the country had just voted the People’s National Party (PNP) out in a landslide after a viciously-fought battle conducted over four years since the 1976 General Election, which was held during a state of emergency.

Michael Manley was viewed as a pariah who had destroyed the country. Now, whether he was bad or good is subjective, but whether the country’s economy was destroyed is not. We were literally bankrupt.

Fast-forward 40 years and Michael Manley is now considered a hero and it is regarded as bad form to criticise him. I imagine

that this is largely because most of the country’s populace benefits from the social reforms he put in place. So facts are subject to change depending on when the history book is written and by whom.

I look at the performance of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) over the last six years and I ask myself, how will history write this period and what will be spoken of as ‘fact’?

Will it be written as a failed period in our law enforcement history, as it was expressed in a recent poll? Or will it be a period remembered for all major crimes decreasing and the beginning of the end of gang rule? Will it be remembered as a time that the JCF solved more murders in one year than the New York Police Department and solved almost all of the watershed cases?

This is the part where everyone is about to send me unkind e-mails. I know exactly what you’re thinking. Well, let me remind you of a few things. The Klansman Gang trial put away 16 criminals in one hearing. How often have you seen that many people convicted and imprisoned in one trial?

The Philip Paulwell family murders were cleared in weeks, not months. Khanice Jackson’s murder was solved within 10 days and the killer convicted soon after. The recent murder of the Vice Principal of GC Foster, Gibbs Williams, was solved in under two weeks.

Several of the Beryllium robbers are before the High Court facing criminal charges. One of the men

was held within 12 hours of committing the robbery.

Yet with all of this I see a poll showing that the public believes that the JCF’s investigative ability is insufficient and has not improved. So, I wonder, what will be considered as fact?

Will it be the actual crime data or the opinion of the polled public, who know as much about analysing crime statistics as I know about growing yam?

The JCF is led by a management team. Each member of the team controls the various branches — namely Criminal Investigation, Operations, Administration, and Force Development and Logistics. The overall officer in charge is the Commissioner of Police. Most of the people interviewed don’t even know this simple fact.

This is not because they’re simple, but rather because they don’t really bother to research it any more than I research developments in growing peppers.

Therefore, I can’t properly assess the performance of the various crops in Jamaica. I just haven’t made the time to study them.

I say this to say that I really hope that what becomes accepted fact in history is not that the JCF underperformed during the tenure of Major General Antony Anderson, because it would be an unfair indictment against him and his management team.

Equally important, it would be an unfair indictment against the rest of us who have given up our sleep and risked our lives to

achieve the many successes over the last six years.

Even more important, it would not be true to say the JCF underperformed. The performance of the force has been outstanding and Anderson and all of the leadership need to be recognised for their contribution from all four branches of the force.

This type of misinformation can lead to miscarriages of justice, like the new Commissioner being selected from outside the force.

This wouldn’t be fair or beneficial to the organisation. Any four of the deputies are capable of handling the job and all four of the deputies have done an incredible job in their individual portfolios.

Christopher Columbus is revered by Europeans and condemned by the ethnic population in the Americas. Was he a great man or a purveyor of genocide? This is subjective and is determined by whether you descend from the conquered or the conqueror.

There can be no such disagreement when we assess our police force over the last six years. Why? Because statistics exist. There are measurements. It’s basic arithmetic.

Let the facts of the force’s performance be determined by scientific evaluation and not poll results. Forget everything to include politics or assessment of government performance.

All that matters is that the men and women in uniform, irrespective of their rank, are judged by their performance and their contribution appreciated. (Jamaica Observer)

First Lady Arya Ali touring the new outdoor gym at the National Park, which was sponsored by CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited. The gym was commissioned on Thursday (Office of the First Lady photo)

Oil companies’

composition

Dear Editor, Much has been said and written about the oil companies’ assets in Guyana.

Despite the pellucid explanation by Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on the distinction between the net book value of the companies’

assets versus their market value, the confusion exhibited by a certain media entity’s publisher deepens.

In this regard, the entity’s publisher convincingly argued that the proposed acquisition of Hess by Chevron, a deal valued at

US$53 billion, has nothing to do with the valuation of the Guyana Stabroek Block Assets.

As of December 2022, ExxonMobil Guyana (EMG) and their co-ventures’ (CoVs) total assets (consolidated) in the Stabroek

Remembering Dr Cheddi Berret Jagan

Dear Editor,

When Dr. Cheddi Berret Jagan died, Martin Carter, Guyana’s National Poet, a freedom fighter who, in 1953, was imprisoned along with Dr and Mrs. Jagan and other members of the PPP – those who joined in the dogged, relentless struggle for national freedom and independence from the constricting tentacles of Great Britain -- reflected on his memories of the PPP Founder-Leader thus:

"Cheddi Jagan was a very great man. I first met him when he returned from the USA in the 1950s. It was a time of great expectations, and we all looked forward to great political happenings. The subsequent history of Guyana, the detours, need no story to embellish it. Through it all, Cheddi Jagan stood out, and stood his ground unwaveringly. As a fighter, few could match his purpose…"

Dr. Jagan’s indomitable personality saw him rallying for days after a massive heart attack and hospitalization at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., while lesser mortals would have immediately succumbed to their mortality. His daughter, Nadira

Jagan-Brancier, remarked in admiration: "He defied all medical expectations… he kept going down and coming up when even they thought it was over. It was a live rerun of his whole life -- when he was down, he kept fighting to get back up, but after a while, he couldn't deal with it."

According to Nadira, even the doctors at the Medical Center commented on his remarkable will. She said, "They couldn't believe he was getting through, when medically he should not have done so." She added, “Most heart patients on a ventilator to aid respiration have to be heavily sedated, but my father was not, and he was able to scribble notes, some of which expressed his concern for the Guyanese people.”

But, to the grief of this sorrowing nation, Dr. Jagan died at 12.23a.m. on March 6. The iconic Father of this Nation has never died, however, because he is glorified for eternity in the socio-political annals of Guyana’s struggles for freedom, unity and prosperity for all members of this mosaic of peoples who make up the Guyanese nation.

March is celebrated annually as the month of

the Jagans, because Dr. Cheddi Bharat Jagan was born on March 22, 1918, and died on March 6 1997; while Mrs. Jagan passed on March 28, 2009. As the country begins commemorative activities, we should all take time out to reflect on whence we came, where we are, and where we want to go to attain Dr. Jagan’s vision of peace, progress, and prosperity as a united people in a nation that would exemplify the best of the human condition.

Regards, Erin Northe

block stood at G$4.018 trillion, or US$19.3 billion, reflecting an increase of 56.5% or G$1.45 trillion compared to the previous year’s (FY 2021). Total assets are comprised of non-current assets and current assets. Noncurrent assets include property, plant, and equipment (PPE), net intangible assets and related party receivable.

Under the non-current assets, PPE include: buildings and vehicles, wells, and facilities (work in progress), producing assets (wells and facilities), Right of Use (FPSO), and Right of Use: Drill Rig and others.

Intangible assets represent acquisition costs for interests in the offshore Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur blocks. The current assets are comprised of inventory (materials and supplies), inventory (crude oil), deferred receivable, trade receivable, other assets, and cash and cash equivalents. Other assets include motor vehicles, office equipment, non-residential buildings, and IT equipment. In accounting terms, the book value recorded in the

balance sheet represents the actual acquisition cost of the assets; whereas net book value represents the book value adjusted (a deduction) for depreciation (net of depreciation).

Market value of a company is distinctly different from the book value. The market value reflects the price the market is willing to pay for same. There are mainly three broad methods of valuation for companies. These are the asset approach (fair market value (FMV) of net assets), the income approach (intrinsic value) and the market approach (relative value).

The proposed Chevron/ Hess Acquisition Deal Chevron has proposed to acquire all of the assets of Hess for the sum of US$53 billion. As of 2022, Hess’s total assets stood at US$21.7 billion, annual revenue at US$11.6 billion, with an earnings-after-tax of US$2 billion, and earnings per share (EPS) of US$6.8.

For the same period, Chevron closed 2022 with total assets of US$257.7 bil-

lion, revenue of US$246.2 billion, with an earnings-after-tax of US$35.5 billion, and an EPS of US$18.4. Chevron’s asset base is nearly 12 times the size of Hess’s, and Chevron’s EPS is nearly 3 times that of Hess.

Hess’s shares were traded at US$145 (at the time of writing), resulting in a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 21.32. Considering that a P/E ratio of between 2025 is considered decent, this means that the Chevron/ Hess acquisition deal is a fair deal in terms of the market value of the company. This range is also typically in line with the industry's average.

At the current proven estimated reserves (11 billion barrels) in the Stabroek block and current at current price (US$84/per barrel), Chevron is effectively seeking to tap into 30% (3.3 billion barrels) of the Stabroek block resource as part of its future growth strategy, which is worth US$277.2 billion.

Yours respectfully,

Joel Bhagwandin

Page Foundation

◄

Solving equations by multiplication and division cont’d

Materials

¼ cup Epsom salts

¼ cup hot water

Food colouring

A cup

A plate

Optional: a small jar

Instructions

In the cup, measure out ¼ cup Epsom salts and ¼ hot water from the sink. Stir them together.

If all the salt doesn’t dissolve, heat the cup in the mi-

crowave for 20-30 seconds.

When all the salt is dissolved, put a drop or two of food colouring in the cup and stir to mix.

Place the cup in the refrigerator. Check on it every half hour or hour. Within four hours, crystals should form in the bottom of the cup.

Scoop the crystals onto a plate using a fork.

If you want the crystals to last longer, put them in a jar with a lid (the small jars that baby food comes in work

well).

How does it work?

More salt can dissolve in hot water than cold, so when the hot water cools in the microwave, the Epsom salts create crystals on the side of the cup. The unique shape of Epsom salt molecules makes them form long crystals that almost look like needles. Different crystals have different shapes. If you look at sugar or salt crystals under a magnifying glass, you can see

their cool crystal shapes, too!

Further exploration: When crystals form after being dissolved, they will cling onto anything they can. You can drop a bottle cap into your cup of dissolved salt and they will form on it. You can make a sculpture out of pipe cleaners and they will form on that, too.

Does the experiment work with room-temperature water? Cold water? (sciencefun.org)

By Emily Dickinson

Dear March — Come in —

How glad I am — I hoped for you before — Put down your Hat — You must have walked — How out of Breath you are — Dear March, how are you, and the Rest — Did you leave Nature well — Oh March, Come right upstairs with me — I have so much to tell —

I got your Letter, and the Birds —

The Maples never knew that you were coming — I declare - how Red their Faces grew — But March, forgive me — And all those Hills you left for me to Hue — There was no Purple suitable — You took it all with you —

Who knocks? That April — Lock the Door — I will not be pursued — He stayed away a Year to call When I am occupied — But trifles look so trivial

As soon as you have come

That blame is just as dear as Praise And Praise as mere as Blame —

WORD SEARCH

Teachers’ strike GTU, Govt to continue mediation on Monday

The Guyana Government and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) will continue their mediation on Monday in an effort to end the stalemate that has led to the ongoing strike action by teachers over the past four weeks.

At the High Court on Friday, Senior Counsels Edward Luckhoo and Robin Stoby – who were appointed by Justice Sandil Kissoon – mediated six-hour-long talks between the two parties.

This was done through the court invoking the Civil Procedure Rules 2016 Part 26 (Court Ordered Meditation) with a view of ending the strike and ultimately the stalemate between the Government and the Union.

Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade, who is representing the GTU, disclosed that they would return to the table on Monday. He added that both parties were under clear instructions not to divulge details of this negotiation, but they were hoping that there could be an “amicable resolution as soon as possible”.

Last week, the High Court granted Conservatory Orders for the Government to, among other things, continue paying teachers who are on strike until the court proceedings are determined.

Later, on Wednesday, Chief Education Officer

Saddam Hussain was hauled before the court and ordered by Justice Kissoon to rescind a circular that was issued to Regional Education Officers (REOs) on Tuesday to continue documenting the names of teachers who were absent from work in a bid to deduct their pay for the days they were on strike.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall had debunked claims that Hussain was found guilty of contempt of court when he appeared before Justice Kissoon for the memorandum/circular which had been published advising REOs and Principal Education Officers (PEOs)

to continue collecting the names of teachers who were absent from work.

The Ministry intends to use the data collected to keep track of teachers who were both present and absent from classrooms during the four-week teachers’ strike spearheaded by GTU.

The Attorney General explained that the circular Hussain published was issued after he had informed the Ministry that the GTU was allegedly spreading misinformation about the case which was before the court.

Nandlall admitted that he did not review the circular prior to it being sent to REOs and PEOs; however, after

careful consideration, he explained, the “circular was not worded in the best possible language”, and he understands why it can be interpreted in multiple ways.

“I will concede that it was not expressed in the best language possible, and it is capable of some unfortunate interpretations … and some of those interpretations can have an adverse impact on the administration of justice, and even cast aspersions on the court itself,” Nandlall said.

Wave of measures

A statement from the Government on Thursday indicated that the Education

Ministry has implemented another wave of measures and decisions to benefit teachers. These measures were unsolicited by the Union and implemented upon the Government’s initiative over the past four years. The last of the engagements between the Education Ministry and the GTU took place on January 31, 2024. There, at least five salary-related issues that were on the agenda were addressed.

“At the end of the meeting, there was no evidence whatsoever of any rancour, discord, or disagreement between the parties. As a result, the Government was understandably shocked when the Union, a few days after, announced its intention to resort to strike action. The Government wishes to emphasise that, at all times, it was and remains ready and prepared to resume those engagements,” the statement added.

The GTU had made 41 demands in a multi-year agreement it proposed to the Education Ministry, which has since fulfilled 25 of those requests. Of the 16 remaining proposals, two are specifically for the benefit of only GTU and its Executive Members, while two others are contrary to the laws of Guyana and the other 12 are currently under consid-

eration.

While the Government did not think that judicial intervention was necessary, having regard to the established industrial practices, it said there would be participation in the process with the firm expectation that it would put teachers back into the classrooms.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer Hussain also issued a statement to all teachers and headteachers, reaffirming that the decision to strike was illegal and contrary to the agreements signed by the Education Ministry and the GTU.

“To be clear, the MoE has received advice from the Ministry of Labour, the experts on the issue, that conditions for strike action have not been met as a result of which any such strike would be wholly illegal and unlawful. I believe that the GTU has been unduly influenced by its General Secretary, who serves as Member of Parliament for the main Opposition. This threat of industrial action sets a bad precedence since this is the final term before the [ National Grade Six Assessment] NGSA and [Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate] CSEC exams. Any disruption to the teaching-learning process could affect individual children and their entire future,” he penned. (G12)

Mediators, Senior Counsels Edward Luckhoo and Robin Stoby leaving the mediation on Friday

Drug trafficking convictions land duo in jail with heavy fines

Two individuals faced the heavy arm of the law when they appeared at the Charity Magistrate’s Court on

Friday, and were convicted of drug trafficking. Mitzroy Dash was charged with trafficking 2.4 kilograms of cocaine.

After a review of the case and evidence presented, Magistrate Esther Sam found Dash guilty of the offence. Consequently,

Protecting…

…Guyana Shield peace

With all the interstate friction being generated in the world today – especially with Mad Maduro flailing around desperately and exploiting his border controversy - what’s a small state like Guyana to do?? Well, there’s always Teddy Roosvelt’s advice: “Talk softly and carry a big stick”!! Having just 800,000 souls - our stick ain’t been big at all. And this is probably the main reason why Mad Maduro’s spewing fire and brimstone at us. Why isn’t he doing the same with his southern neighbour Brazil?? He ain’t THAT mad!!

Dash was handed a threeyear prison sentence and ordered to pay a fine of $2,160,000.

Similarly, Charles Abrams appeared at the same court on Friday facing charges of trafficking 294 grams of cannabis. He too was jailed by Magistrate Sam, who found him guilty of the offence.

As a result, Abrams was sentenced to two years behind bars and fined $264,300.

In 2021, Abrams and another individual appeared at the Charity Magistrate’s Court on a robbery-under-arms charge, after being on the run for nearly eight months.

On that occasion, they were each released on $150,000 bail.

Abrams, residing in Henrietta Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, and Travis Persaud, a 31-year-old labourer, of Anna Regina Market Street, both on the Essequibo Coast, denied the allegations.

It was alleged that on May 3, 2020, at Mashabo, Essequibo Coast, while armed with dangerous weapons, they robbed Rudranauth Chandrika, 18, of a Lifan motorcycle valued at $220,000. This newspaper could not verify the outcome of that charge. (G9)

Well, after realising that Mad Maduro sees his survival as dependent totally on diverting attention from the hell he created in Venezuela by raising the “We wuz robbed of Essequibo by big, bad Britain and their proxy Guyana” bogeyman – our Government recently announced measures to increase the potency of our (albeit still) small stick. But with advances in warfare technology - like with drones and cyber security - size nowadays ain’t all it was trumpeted to be. We can prepare our forces to inflict enough damage on Mad Maduro’s forces to make him think twice before actually attacking us.

But with a madman, you can never know for sure whether he’ll calculate his odds rationally. So, we can’t ignore the “talk softly” part of Roosevelt’s advice – which is where diplomacy comes in. We gotta cultivate friends who’ll come to our aid - knowing that sooner or later Mad Maduro will play schupid and cross our Essequibo Rubicon!! Now, your Eyewitness has always pointed out, when it comes to the state system, countries have no permanent friends or permanent enemies: only permanent interests. And it’s these that we gotta identify in countries that can help us.

Right off the bat, there’s the US, which has massive interests in Venezuela – 300 billion barrels of them, to be exact!! And Mad Maduro keeps pi$$ing off the Yanks “like ‘e dead come pan ‘e” – so we simply gotta keep making nice with the US and let them take the wanker out!! But lots of folks think our friends in Caricom must be cultivated. Sure!! After all, they have 14 votes. But with them being pi$$ poor, we gotta watch out for them being bought out – like by Mad Maduro and his Petrocaribe fund.

The strongest alliance, in your Eyewitness’s estimate, is the one that just got a shot in the arm with Brazil’s Lula visiting at the fag end of the Caricom HoG Conference. We crafted an agreement with him and Suriname’s Santokhi to cooperate in Energy development – O&G plus solar and hydro - Infrastructure, crime which includes drugs –and SECURITY for our Guyana Shield.

We can always count on Brazil, since they’ve always resented Venezuela’s pretentions to Latin American leadership!!

…our democracy

Hamilton Green apologised for his exhortation that “IF” the PNC’s accused of rigging, they ought to keep on merrily rigging to remain in power. But he didn’t say anything about his rationale justifying the PNC’s rigging ways – that they should be “pan tap”, because their supporters slaved for this country. Now, since THAT rationale remains embedded in the PNC’s collective psyche, why would they TOLERATE any other party governing?

So, we arrive at the (very generous) offer of some in the Opposition to SHARE power with other parties!!!

Democracy MUST now be defined to ensure they’re always “at the table” sharing the corn!! But knowing that all the waiters and cooks who serve the table are from their support base - who accept they should be “pan tap” – will give them priority, the PPP has more than a sneaking suspicion they’ll be reduced to a “water boy” role. Just like the UF was between 1964-1968 and AFC between 2015-2020!!

We gotta just insist our present democratic arrangements are more transparent!!

…us from genocide

The Gaza killing fields keep producing more dead Palestinian bodies – now past 30,000 mostly women and children. Two days ago, 112 more were killed as they attempted to collect relief. How many more Jah, before Israel will be reined in??

Charles Abrams

Mitztroy Dash

Caricom Govts to work with entertainment industry to end violent content

Leaders in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have committed to work with stakeholders in the Region’s creative industry specifically the entertainment sector to bring an end to the promotion of crime and violence, and instead spread positivity.

This decision was taken by Heads of Government during the recently-concluded Caricom meeting held in Guyana earlier this week.

In reaffirming the right to freedom of expression and to public speech, the Caricom Heads of Government strongly condemned the development, presence, tolerance, or acceptance of violent, anti-social music and social media content that denigrate women and encourage or promote or support the use of violence, guns, and other anti-social behaviour, particularly targeted to the Region’s youth.

In a statement from the Caricom Secretariat, it was noted that the regional leaders affirmed their support for engaging with young people in the creative economy, including the entertainment and music industry and the sporting industry to develop, support and spread across the Region positive content to offset the negative impact

of anti-social, violent, and criminal behaviour which some elements in that sector promote and support.

Having recognised the serious, significant and chronic negative developmental impact that crime and violence is having on Member States, the Heads of Government committed to working with all sectors and institutions, including civil society, academia, labour, churches, creatives, law enforcement, the Judiciary, political parties, employers and businesses, and external partners to implement all of the measures set out in the Declaration on Crime and Violence as a public health safety issue – a set of actions agreed upon during a symposium in Trinidad last April.

Caricom Chairman, President Dr Irfaan Ali said at a press conference at the end of the three-day conference that tackling crime and ensuring security in the Caribbean now include dealing with emerging trends such as the violent lyrics in music coming out of the Region.

He said leaders had to look at “…how we can strike a balance in ensuring that the creativity of our young people is not lost, but that creativity is captured in a more positive way, packaged in a more

positive way”.

Meanwhile, Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, also speaking on this issue at the Caricom closing press conference on Wednesday, noted that while this topic might be controversial, regional leaders would not shy away from dealing with it.

According to PM Mitchell, the Caribbean has produced some of the world’s most renowned entertainers, whose lyrics were always inspiring, uplifting and entertaining but never promoted, encouraged or glorified violence and never denigrated women – something which he

says has changed with the content being put out today.

“We have to accept that there has emerged a trend in our entertainment sector… more recently in the context of the Caribbean, Southern Caribbean –in the case of Trinidad, Trinibad; in the case of Jamaica, Dancehall music; in the case of Black America, Rap and Hip Hop – that glorifies violence, that glorifies criminality.”

“We’re not here to say that you don’t have the right to your cultural expression, artistic expression or poetic licence. But our society has to, again, determine what are our values. We have to ascertain if promoting violence, glorifying criminality is to be normalised, is to become mainstream. Heads are clear it is not, and so we are unreserved in our condemnation. And we as a society must, therefore, work with the enormous talent

that we have in the Region in our artistes, in our musicians, in our entertainers, in our sportsmen and women, in our social media influencers to promote and develop positive content,” the Grenadian leader posited.

Consequently, PM Mitchell stated that regional leaders have committed to ensuring the deliberate, strategic and resourceful commencement of this process of engagements across all spectra on this issue with the aim of using creatives, sportsmen and women, and entertainers in the Caribbean to return an entertainment industry that is positive, inspiring, and motivating.

“We’re not here to talk censorship, we’re not here to curtail anyone’s right to speak or to say what they want. What we’re saying is that we need to encourage positive, inspiring content that looks after our young people; that encourages them to appreciate that you don’t need to die at 20 or 21 years. If they keep dying at 20 or 21 years, there will be no Caribbean civilisation in 50 or 60 years,” the Grenadian leader stated.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell

4 homeless after fire guts 2 houses in NA; arson suspected

Four persons became homeless in the wee hours of Friday, after a fire devastated two houses and damaged a third in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Investigators are treating the case as an act of arson.

The fire was first spotted by Mariam France at an abandoned building in St John Street, New Amsterdam at about 2:15h. The phlebotomist told investigators that she was awakened by crashing sounds, and when she went to enquire, she saw the abandoned building next door on

fire. As such, she immediately exited her home, taking her two children with her.

According to the 29-yearold France, she contacted the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), and while waiting for them to arrive, the fire started to spread to the building she occupied.

Divisional Fire Officer Cortland Harry, who was on scene, later told the media that three fire tenders had been put into operation. He confirmed that the GFS had received reports of the fire at about 02:37h, and he said they had rushed to the scene, and firefighters had

worked to bring the blaze under control.

“When we arrived there, one building was fully engulfed; and within seconds, that (building was) demolished,” he said.

One firefighter has been injured during the operation.

Harry said that officer has suffered a fractured leg after being hit by a part of the hose.

“One of the branches got away and hit him on his foot, so he sustained a fractured leg,” Harry detailed.

Meanwhile, France was not able to save any of her belongings or those of her children.

Residents in the area related that firefighters took some time to arrive on scene. However, in response, Harry reiterated that the unit did not take a long time to reach

the scene after they received the report.

“We can’t run away from the facts. People will say all sorts of things, but we arrived there within 3–4 minutes,” he iterated.

He has said that, from

investigations, this fire was purposely set. The unoccupied building where the fire originated had been frequented by vagrants.

Police have since made checks for CCTV cameras in the area. (G4)

The aftermath of the NA fire

EMC launches “Arya Takes a Swim”

…book marks significant step in promoting marine conservation, marine education

Marking a significant step within Guyana’s environmental conservation efforts, the “Arya Takes A Swim” book, named after First Lady Arya Ali, was launched on Thursday at the Marriott Hotel.

Derived from the Turtle Telemetry Programme that took place in May and June 2023 at Shell Beach, “Arya Takes a Swim” is a tribute to Guyana’s First Lady, in recognition of her unwavering commitment to environmental conservation.

The central character of the book is a green turtle named “Arya”. The book aims to ignite environmental conservation passion and awareness among children, encouraging them to explore and protect the marine environment. The launch brought together speakers from key partner organisations who shared their insights and praised the initiative.

Speaking at the launching, the First Lady expressed her delight and endorsement for the initiative, stating “It is an honour to have “Arya Takes a Swim” named in her honour, but it was a bigger honour to be involved in an important project like this that raises awareness of turtle conservation. Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, Jason Fraser, who spoke at the event, emphasised the importance of safeguarding sea turtle habitats, noting, “The Protected Areas Commission is dedicated to the stewardship of places like Shell Beach, where turtles like Arya nest and hatch. By protecting these special habitats, we safeguard the future of marine creatures and instil in young minds the value of preserving our natural world.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Director of the Environmental

Protection Agency, Sharifa Razack, who was present at the event, highlighted the collective effort behind the book. “Collaboration is key as we strive for high environmental literacy in a society that is versed in and passionate about environmental conservation,” she declared.

According to her, this requires a collective effort from Government and the Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organisations and communities. Director of the Protected Areas Commission, Ryan

Toolsiram, who was also at the event, emphasised the importance of safeguarding sea turtle habitats, particularly protected areas.

He then exposed persons at the event to the idea of protecting these special habitats, which will safeguard the future of marine creatures and be instilled into the young minds of Guyana.

Speaking at the launch, Managing Director of Environmental Management Consultants (EMC), Shyam Nokta reflected on the book

role in educating the youth, stating that through a proposed programme new insights into the lives of turtles will be given. “Through the Turtle Telemetry Programme, we gain invaluable insights into the lives of marine turtles, documenting these findings helps to capture our imagination and showcase the beauty and importance of marine life,” he said.

Also speaking at the event

was President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge. He underscored the corporate commitment to environmental education, stating, “The turtle telemetry project is just one example of the investments ExxonMobil Guyana is making in environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation programmes. By collaborating on initiatives like this, we can all make a meaningful differ -

ence in preserving our environment and protecting precious species like turtles,” he said. “We applaud EMC, First Lady Arya Ali and everyone involved in making this inspiring and educational book possible.”

“Arya Takes a Swim” is set to feature prominently in the upcoming World Turtle Day celebrations and other key events, further emphasising its role in conservation awareness. (G2)

First Lady Arya Ali speaking at the launching of the book on Thursday

Managing Director of Environmental Management Consultants (EMC), Shyam Nokta; Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan; and President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge, among the gathering at the book launch

Scenes from VIII Summit of Heads of the Community of CELAC in

12 Scenes from VIII Summit of Heads of the Community of CELAC in St

Heads of State and Government

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Heads of State and Government in St Vincent and the Grenadines

Brazil invites Guyana to take forest monetisation model to G20

Guyana has developed a robust mechanism to monetise its forest carbon, while simultaneously preserving these resources and combating climate change – a model which Brazil has welcomed it to share at the G20 Summit later this year.

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday facilitated bilateral talks with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Guyana, where several pressing areas were ventilated.

Brazil, who holds the presidency of the G20, has invited Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to highlight Guyana’s model for forest management and monetisation.

Discussions will focus on creating a global model, which can be later taken to the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP), and can see other countries benefiting from such a framework.

“On the issue of climate change, we had the opportunity to update Brazil on the leadership role we’re playing in relation to the forest and deploying the forest as an important global tool in the fight against climate change.

“We have agreed that at the G20, Guyana will be in-

vited in the person of the Vice President to make a presentation on Guyana’s model, but more importantly, on having a discussion with other forested countries in defining a global model that can be taken to COP29 and COP30,” President Ali communicated to media operatives.

The Group of Twenty (G20) comprises 19 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico,

Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States and two regional bodies, the European Union and the African Union. The G20 members represent around 85 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

The 2024 G20 summit is slated to take place at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in November.

In 2022, Guyana signed a contract with Hess Corporation which saw the nation earning US$750 million for 30 per cent of its forest. In Guyana’s agreement, a rate of US$15 per tonne of carbon was secured and so far, 15 per cent ($4.7 billion) is allocated towards Amerindian development.

Already, more than 500 projects that run the gamut from tourism to agriculture are currently being pursued utilising the $4.7 billion, which was given to hundreds of Indigenous villag-

es as part of their share of the US$150 million carbon credits sale.

In addition to its rich biodiversity and ecosystem, Guyana’s total forest cover of some 18.4 million hectares stores more than 19.5 gigatonnes of carbon and removes some 154 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually.

This week, it was announced that Guyana was issued with 7.1 million carbon credits dating back to 2021, marking the first time carbon credits have been issued that can be used by airlines in an effort to meet their carbon emission targets for the 2024-2026 period. The credits were issued by the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART).

In 2023, it was revealed that Guyana has the potential to raise at least US$2.5 billion from its carbon credits over the next 10 years. According to Vice President Jagdeo, in a presentation at COP28, this can be done by tapping into favourable market upsides.

The Vice President had expressed disappointment over the failure of talks on advancing carbon trading mechanisms at COP28 in Dubai. Article 6 of the

Paris Agreement sets out the principles for carbon markets. Article 6.2 caters for bilateral or multilateral emissions trading agreements between countries, while Article 6.4 outlines the creation of a global carbon market overseen by a United Nations entity.

It was expected that countries would further develop rules to govern these markets at COP28. Following days of intense discussions, however, countries failed to agree on the key principles to trade carbon offsets bilaterally. The marathon negotiations collapsed after two opposing sides – one pushing for carbon markets to be available as soon as possible with virtually no restrictions and the other pushing for integrity and transparency to be upheld – failed to come to a consensus. This failure to advance Article 6 now leaves discussions to resume at the next UN climate summit.

Vice President Jagdeo had underscored that while Guyana would not be affected, this delay would have major setbacks for forested countries that were hoping to broker new deals under the much-anticipated global UN-sanctioned market. (G12)

President Irfaan Ali and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, during the latter’s visit to Guyana this week

Paddy bug, worm infestation affecting Corentyne rice farmers

Paddy bug (Gandi) infestation is affecting rice farmers on the Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice -Corentyne).

Two of the more affected areas are Crabwood Creek (CWC) and the Central Corentyne with farmers saying it will severely affect the quantity and quality of rice they produce.

Anthony Persaud, who cultivates rice in both areas, has 20 acres under cultivation at CWC. He said that he is overwhelmed by the bugs, which they refer to as Gandhi.

“The Gandhi nuff nuff. I spray them about eight times and it still get Ghandi. When you go in the morning, the paddy bug flying in your face; so much of Gandhi. The majority of farmers at Crabwood Creek, Gandhi eat out the rice – that is from the first section in Crabwood Creek,” the farmer told this publication.

Persaud said the approved drug for the treatment of the rice bug, is not working noting that if they were to use another drug that has proven to be effective, millers would not buy their paddy.

Addressing the issue of

the paddy bug infestation, former Extension Officer with the Guyana Rice Board (GRDB) Ramgalan Singh, who is also a member of the Guyana Rice Producing Board (GRPB) pointed out that many farmers have been reporting high infestation. He said this can be verified given the fact that some farmers are having 20 percent damaged grains and some even high when they sell their paddy to the mills.

Singh noted that one farmer at CWC, Tiewarker

Phagoo, who cultivated 120 acres sprayed for paddy bugs 12 times and received an average of 18 per cent

150 house lots allocated to Bartica residents

The Housing Ministry has allocated house lots to 150 residents of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), who will soon call the new extension of the Five Mile Housing Scheme their home.

The first batch of persons had the opportunity to select their respective lot numbers on Friday after Housing Minister Collin Croal and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves led an outreach at the Bartica Community Centre Ground.

Further, some 38 families who have qualified for the Steel and Cement Subsidy initiative received their vouchers to aid with the construction of their homes. The subsidy is the brainchild of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, to provide support in the form of building materials for Guyanese seeking to construct their homes, whether on Government allocated or private lands.

Individuals were also given the opportunity to engage representatives from the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and Citizens Bank on mortgages and other services.

A number of senior of-

One of the allottees picks her house lot number

ficials from the agency's Housing Administration, Planning and Settlement Development, Community Development and Projects Departments, as well as, the Conveyance and the Surveys Units were on the ground to assist Barticians with various issues affecting them.

Many were informed that the construction of turn-key homes was on the table for enhancing the Region Seven Housing Programme. The Ministry’s team held discussions with six contractors on the construction of housing units at Bartica, where they explored various designs for the housing units.

The Ministry is making a dent in the existing backlog met upon the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C) assuming office in 2020, although it continues to receive applications for house lots. An evaluation of the pending applications for Region Three in 2022 showed a figure of about 14,000, but as of last year, that number had been reduced to just over 13,000.

The housing sector would execute its work programme to the tune of $78 billion, with the Government well on its way to achieving its target of distributing 50,000 house lots within its first term in office. Water supply and distribution would also be extended to new communities. A total of $16.8 billion was spent last year on water and sanitisation, and $22.5 billion is budgeted for further advancements in this regard in 2024.(G12)

damage grains when he sold his paddy. He said he requested the intervention of the GRDB and several outreached were held with farmers in the cultivation areas over the past week.

General Manager (ag) of GRDB Kuldip Ragnauth was among those who visited the Corentyne rice farmers. Meetings were held at along the Central Corentyne, Black Bush Polder and CWC.

Larvae (worms)

Meanwhile, another issue affecting those rice farmers as larvae (worms) have been feeding on the budding rice grain. This

causes the plant to wilt as the larva borrows through the stem of the rice plant.

Persaud, who also cultivates 12 acres of rice at Number 58 Village, says the worms have also affected his rice.

“There is a worm in the leaf and it is hard to kill; you had to spray more than one time and the drug really can’t get in because the leaf is folded and the drug would just run off; it don’t get in. I sprayed with systematic drugs and it is helping but it takes 2-3 days and sometimes even more. The rice cannot bear anymore after the attack.”

Meanwhile, Singh say the worms have affected his nine-acre plot.

The GRDB has advised farmers to spray a prescribed insecticide.

“This would be able to reduce the attack of this worm which is in the leaf rolled up. We still don’t know what will be the result of those attacks but a lot of farmers have been complaining about it in all of the sections between Number 58 to Number 55 Villages.”

Leaf folder

Meanwhile, on its social media page, the agriculture ministry said that Leaf Folder is an emerging insect pest of rice in Guyana.

In advising farmers, the ministry said that to detect this pest, farmers should look for white leaves or leaf tips; one larva (worm) in the folded leaf or frass (dung) left by the larva; leaves folded upwards and margins stitched together.

According to the ministry plants will become stunted and the vegetative growth stage will be prolonged.

To control this pest the ministry is advising, “Only a systemic insecticide will be effective against the leaf folder, such as: Triazophos 50mls/blower →Fipronil SC @ 20mis/blower Medal 50g/blower Matador @ 50mls/blower, Undersiege (Thiamethoxam+ LambdaCyhalothrin) @ 50mls/ blower. Only spray on the leaves of the plant (do not drop these insecticides directly in the water in the rice fields). The larva will die 3 to 5 days after spraying. New leaves will be undamaged.” (G4)

Triumph man found dead in trench

Dead: Leon Dass

Pgating the circumstances surrounding the death of Leon Dass, whose body was found floating in a trench along Agricultural Road on Thursday afternoon.

According to reports, about 16:00h, Police responded to reports that a male of East Indian ethnicity was seen motionless in a trench at Agricultural Road.

It was reported that from information received, 42-year-old Dass of Lot 131 Agricultural Road, Triumph, is a known alcoholic and was last seen alive on Thursday afternoon around 13:00h.

His body was later found floating in the trench by two boys who were walking in the area.

His sister told this publication that her brother lived alone and did not have any children. She said he was seen just hours before his body was found.

“Somebody called my sister and told her that they found him in the trench, but we don’t know what went wrong. All we know is that they find him dead,” she said.

Dass’s body was taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, and is awaiting a post-mortem examination. (G9)

The paddy bug

Spraying to control paddy bug infestation at Number 58 Village

Serial robber jailed for 4 years

Twenty-year-old

Matthew Sylvain, a labourer, was sentenced to four years in prison on two counts of armed robbery.

The North Melanie, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident was facing seven robbery charges.

Reports are that the robberies occurred between February 21 and February 27, 2024. The 20-year-old appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly and admitted to committing the robberies. As such, Magistrate Daly jailed

him for two years for each charge.

Meanwhile, the five other robbery charges were read by Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Sylvain admitted to robbing Delon McBeth, Wei

Zu Chin, Shantie Mohan, Diana Simon, and Steven Gopaul. Magistrate IsaacsMarcus remanded him to prison pending probation and conviction reports. Sentencing for these charges will be done on March 15.

Last July, the Melanie teen was also charged with armed robbery and escaping from lawful custody.

It is alleged that on July 5, 2023, at Lamaha Park, Georgetown, while being in the company of another and armed with a handgun, Sylvain robbed Colin Hooper of one gold chain valued at $1.7 million and a gold band valued at $300,000. The defendant pleaded not guilty.

It is also alleged that on July 5, 2023, at Lamaha Park, Georgetown, while being in the company of another and armed with a handgun, Sylvain robbed Marlon Austin of one iPhone 13 Pro Max val-

Charged: Matthew Sylvain

ued at $300,000, one gold chain with a diamond pendant valued at $210,000 and two gold rings valued at $200,000.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to those charges.

It is further alleged that on July 8, 2023, while being in custody at the Ruimveldt Police Station pending investigation into robbery charges,

the defendant escaped from lawful custody.

The defendant pleaded guilty with an explanation. He told the court that he was very sorry for escaping from custody but had no knowledge of the robberies he was being accused of.

The court heard that Sylvain was in custody pending investigations and about 02:45h on July 8, 2023, along with another individual whose only given name was “Tishawn”, he opened the padlock which was securing the lock-ups and fled from the Ruimveldt Police Station.

On July 15, 2023, Sylvain was apprehended in Albouystown, Georgetown.

The court prosecutor objected to bail taking into consideration the nature of the offence and the fact that a dangerous weapon was used. The Magistrate refused bail and he was remanded to prison. (G9)

UG student wins ‘Best Innovative Project’ award

…designs sign language translator glove

Josiah Cossiah, a recent graduate of the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Engineering and

Technology (FET), who has always had passionate about helping persons facing certain challenges in their life won the ‘Best Innovative Project’ for his portable American Sign Language (ASL) translator glove.

The need to help persons, motivated him to undertake a path-breaking project which saw him designing and building a cost-effective and portable American Sign Language (ASL) translator glove capable of interpreting hand signs and motions and converting them into both text and speech.

In a release on Friday,

UG’s Department of Events, Conferences and Communication, said that Cosssiah, who read for a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, was awarded the prize of the Best Innovative Project when the university’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology hosted its annual prize giving and awards ceremony recently.

According to Cossiah, communication barriers between deaf-mute individuals and the hearing population persist due to the limited knowledge of sign language amongst the latter and “this disconnect results in misunderstand-

QC seeks increased sponsorship to upgrade infrastructure

As Queens College marks its 180th anniversary, celebrating in style at the prestigious Herdmanston Lodge, board members emphasise the urgent need for sponsorship to address critical school infrastructure upgrades.

Public Relations Officer of Queens College Old Students association, Christopher Belfield who was at the ceremony, highlighted of the common notion where persons of the public are in the view that Queens

ways been to obtain sponsorship and for the school to be standing so long amidst the challenges shows that they have fought hard throughout the years and if the school seeks to raise their standards funding would serve as a key tool to do such.

“One of our ongoing challenges throughout the 180 years of Queens College is funding, because to take Queens College to a higher level which we seek to do we would need funding to do that.”

college doesn’t need funding to upgrade their school because of the constant requests mad by the school in past years However it was understood, that is not the way it has always been.

According to him he stated, that the main challenges that the school has been facing ever since has al-

Meanwhile, Member of the Board of Directors, Ian Chung said that the school is set to release four packages which the public and corporate Guyana can support.

The four packages are a Platinum package valued at $1.5 million; a Gold Package valued at $1M, a Silver Package valued at $750, 000 and a bronze pack-

ings, frustration, isolation, and societal exclusion for the deaf-mute community.”

Cossiah explained: “The objective of the project was to create a translator that covers all ASL alphabet letters while maintaining affordability and portability. The glove's functionality is straightforward: the user wears the glove and performs sign language gestures. The glove incorporates five flex sensors, whose resistance increases as it bends, which is used to track the movement of each finger and an MPU 6050 which tracks orientation of the hand.”

After deciding on what solution would be used, Cossiah worked on design-

age valued at $500,000. All packages are accompanied with riveting deals that are open to the public and public Guyana.

As the perspective of the celebrations were lent to the talk of packages, various projects geared towards the maintenance of the school were then unveiled that will be derived straight from the funding of the packages, which are the upgrading of the Queens Hall to facilitate 1500-persons, major upgrades to the labs and much more.

For more information on the school’s packages and what they entail, interested persons can find out more on their online page https:// queenscollege.edu.gy/

ing and carrying out a simulation of the circuit. He explained that once the physical assembly of the glove was finished, it was time to map the different hand signs of the alphabet. This was done by wearing the glove, forming the different signs and recording the sensor data from each sign formed.

“I remembered there was a past student who did a robotic prosthetic arm and I decided I would do an ankle. I wanted to continue down the same path of helping persons with disabilities. It was fun and at times stressful because it was my first time doing something this complex,” the proud Cossiah said.

At the award ceremony which was hosted at the University’s George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT), Dean of FET, Veryln Klass heaped praises on the students for their excellent performances. She noted that the faculty will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure that it meets the needs of all students who have a desire to pursue its programmes and engage in such path-breaking work.

Assistant Dean Basheer Khan encouraged the students to continue to be resilient, humble and focused in order to overcome the various challenges they would face as they embark on their careers.

Josiah Cossiah

The ASL Glove designed by Cossiah

Queens College Board members

Students at the ceremony on Friday

Public relations officer of Queens College Old Students Association, Christopher Belfield

Haitian gang leader vows to fight PM, as Haiti and Kenya sign agreement allowing Police deployment

Haitian gang leader

Jimmy Cherizier, also known as “Barbecue”, warned on Friday he will keep trying to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry, and asked families to keep children from going to school to "avoid collateral damage", as violence surges in parts of the capital.

Heavy gunfire and traffic disruptions were seen in some areas of Haiti's capital, the US Embassy in Haiti said earlier on social media.

"The battle will last as long as it needs to. We will keep fighting Ariel Henry. To avoid collateral damage, keep the kids at home," the gang leader said at a press conference.

Cherizier is a former Police Officer who heads an alliance of gangs and disrupted the country when he blocked its biggest oil terminal in 2022.

He has faced sanctions from both the United Nations and the United States Department of Treasury.

Violence has ramped up during Prime Minister

Henry's visit to Kenya this week.

The two countries signed earlier in the day a deal to secure a plan to send 1000 Police Officers to lead a UNapproved mission aimed at tackling gang violence in the Caribbean nation.

Nairobi hopes the deal will satisfy a domestic court's objections to its plan to send the Police Officers to lead the UN-approved

mission.

Kenya announced plans in July last year to lead the mission to Haiti, where gangs control most of the capital and nearly 5000 persons were killed in the violence last year.

But Kenya's High Court ruled the deployment, initially expected by January, unconstitutional in the absence of a "reciprocal arrangement" with the host

PNP claims victory in Local Government Elections, contradicts EOJ count

Although the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has declared the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) as the holder of the majority of the seats in municipalities following the Local Government Elections, the People’s National Party (PNP) is insisting that it was victorious.

In a release on Friday, the Party said that it had “undisputed success” after “securing victories in seven municipalities across

Jamaica”.

This however, contradicts the EOJ’s announcement earlier that PNP candidates won the majority of seats in five parishes, while the JLP candidates won the majority of the seats in seven parishes.

The PNP in proclaiming its victory highlighted their success in the Portmore municipality and the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), in addition to other parishes.

“Local governance in

Ecuador asks to enter Mexican Embassy, arrest former Ecuador VP

Ecuador has requested Mexico's permission to enter that country's embassy in Quito and arrest former Ecuadorean Vice President Jorge Glas, the Ecuadorean Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Glas, convicted twice for corruption, asked Mexico for political asylum in December, arguing he is being persecuted by the Attorney General's office.

"We confirm that the Foreign Ministry, through a diplomatic channel, has requested the permission of the Embassy of Mexico so law enforcement can comply with an

order by the National Court of Justice of Ecuador to capture Jorge David Glas Espinel, who is inside that diplomatic mission," the Ministry said in a post on X after local media reported the request.

Mexican authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor have they publicly responded to his asylum request.

The former Vice President, who served under leftist ex-President Rafael Correa between 2013 and 2017, has been inside the Mexican Embassy in Quito since December 17 last year.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

the country is structured around 14 local authorities, comprising one city municipality in Portmore with a directly-elected mayor and 13 municipal corporations.

In a noteworthy achievement, the PNP secured victories in seven crucial local authorities, including the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), where a PNP councillor will now assume the role of Mayor,” the release said.

To further cement its claim of victory, Dr Dayton Campbell, the party’s General Secretary stated, “Yes, PNP won the election! The time has come for a brief celebration and for us to quickly return our focus to serving the people of Jamaica.”

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Government.

That has effectively placed the entire mission on hold, even as the United States and Canada have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to it, and some countries have committed armed personnel.

On Friday, Kenyan President William Ruto said an agreement had been signed with Haiti. (Excerpts from Reuters)

Nicaragua files case at World Court against Germany for aiding Israel

Nicaragua has filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Germany for giving financial and military aid to Israel and for defunding the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), the UN's top court said on Friday.

Nicaragua asked the ICJ, also known as the World Court, to issue emergency measures requiring Berlin to stop its military aid to Israel and reverse its decision to stop funding UNRWA.

The German Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The court usually sets a date for a hearing on any requested emergency measures within weeks of a case being filed.

According to Nicaragua's claim, Germany is violating the 1948 Genocide Convention and the 1949 Geneva Conventions on the laws of war in the occupied

Palestinian territories.

"By sending military equipment and now defunding UNRWA which provides essential support to the civilian population, Germany is facilitating the commission of genocide," Nicaragua said in its legal filings.

Major donors to UNRWA, including the United States and Germany, suspended funding after allegations that around 12 of its tens of thousands of Palestinian employees were suspected of involvement in the October 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas.

Nicaragua's filing adds that emergency measures were needed because of Berlin's "participation in the ongoing plausible genocide and serious breaches of international humanitarian law" in the Gaza Strip.

This claim builds on the case South Africa brought against Israel for allegedly committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. (Excerpt from Reuters)

New species of Amazon anaconda, world's largest snake, discovered

Researchers in the Amazon have discovered the world's largest snake species –- an enormous green anaconda – in Ecuador's rainforest that split off from its closest relatives 10 million years ago though they still nearly look identical to this day.

A video shared online shows the scale of these 20-foot-long (6.1-metre-long) reptiles as one of the researchers, Dutch biologist Freek Vonk swims alongside a giant 200-kilogram (441-pound) specimen.

It was thought that there was only one species of green anaconda in the wild, the Eunectes murinus, but the scientific journal Diversity this month revealed that the new "northern green anaconda" belongs to a different, new species, Eunectes

Akiyama

"What we were there to do was use the anacondas as an indicator species for what kind of damage is being done by the oil spills that are plaguing the Yasuni in Ecuador, because the oil extraction is absolutely out of control," researcher Bryan

Colombia's ELN rebels say have freed all hostages under deal with Govt

Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels said on Friday they have freed all hostages under a deal made with the country's Government to end kidnapping for ransom.

"The Central Command ordered the liberation of all people held for economic ends, all units of the ELN

have been reviewed and the order was completely followed," the ELN said in a statement posted to its website.

Defence Minister Ivan Velasquez had said in December that 38 persons were being held by the ELN, but updated the figure in January to 26.

The two sides agreed to

extend a bilateral ceasefire in early February, and the rebels committed to ending a long-running practice of kidnap for ransom.

The Government and ELN said on Monday they held a meeting amid difficulties at the talks and would continue negotiations in April.

(Reuters)

G Fry said.

Fry – an Australian Professor of biology at the University of Queensland who for almost 20 years has been investigating anaconda species found in South America – told Reuters the discovery allows them to show that the two species split from each other almost 10 million years ago.

"But the really amazing part was, despite this genetic difference, and despite their long period of divergence, the two animals are completely identical," he said.

Some of the snakes they studied in parts of Ecuador were heavily polluted by oil spills, and the anacondas and arapaima fish are accumulating a large amount of the petrochemical metals, he added.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Kenyan President William Ruto and Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry (in the background) witnessing the signing ceremony of the agreement on the deployment of Police to the Caribbean nation at State House on March 1, 2024 (PCS photo)

The anaconda is 440 pounds in weight and 26 feet long (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Around the World

OOIL NEWS

Oil climbs 2%, notches weekly gains ahead of OPEC+ decision

il prices rose two per cent on Friday and posted weekly gains as traders awaited an Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) decision on supply agreements for the second quarter while also weighing fresh US, European, and Chinese economic data.

Brent futures for May settled US$1.64 higher, or two per cent, at US$83.55 a barrel. The April Brent futures contract expired on February 29 at US$83.62 a barrel.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for April rose US$1.71, or 2.19 per cent, to US$79.97 a barrel.

For the week, Brent added around 2.4 per cent following the switch in contract months, while WTI gained more than 4.5 per cent.

"The expectation that OPEC+ is going to continue with their voluntary production cuts well into the second quarter of 2024 is the main focus on the market," said Andrew Lipow, President of Lipow Oil Associates.

A decision on extending OPEC+ cuts is expected in the first week of March, sources have said, with individual countries expected to announce their decisions.

"Sticking to the voluntary production cuts until the end of the year would be a strong signal and should, therefore, be seen as price-positive," Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch said.

A Reuters survey showed OPEC pumped 26.42 million barrels per day (bpd) in February, up 90,000 bpd from January.

Strong expectations of Saudi Arabia keeping term prices of crude it sells to Asian customers little changed in April from March levels also underpinned the market on Friday.

Meanwhile, geopolitical tension in the Red Sea also lifted prices on Friday, said Tim Snyder, an economist at Matador Economics.

The leader of Yemen's Houthis said on Thursday the group would introduce military "surprises" in the region.

US energy firms added oil and natural gas rigs for a second straight week, energy services firm Baker Hughes said in its closely-followed report on Friday.

The oil rig count, an early indication of future output, rose by three to 506 this week, the highest since September.

On the demand side, Chinese manufacturing activity shrank for the fifth straight month in February, an official survey showed.

Eurozone inflation fell in February according to Eurostat, but both the headline figure and core inflation, which strips out volatile food and fuel prices, just missed analysts' expectations.

Supporting prices, the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index showed January inflation in line with economists' expectations on Thursday, reinforcing market bets for a June interest rate cut.

Money managers raised their net long US crude futures and options positions in the week to February 27, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said. (Reuters)

Elon Musk sues OpenAI for abandoning original mission for profit

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has sued ChatGPTmaker OpenAI and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sam Altman, saying they abandoned the startup's original mission to develop artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity and not for profit.

The lawsuit filed late on Thursday in California

Hamas armed wing says 7 hostages killed in Gaza; US to air drop aid

Seven hostages who have been held in Gaza were killed as a result of the Israeli military's bombardment of the enclave, Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing Al-Qassam brigades said on Friday.

He did not include details, like a timeline, backing up the claim.

The Al-Qassam brigades claimed that the number of hostages killed due to Israel's military operations in Gaza has now exceeded 70, Abu Ubaida added in a statement on Telegram.

Israeli officials have generally declined to respond to Hamas' public messaging on the hostages, casting it as psychological warfare.

Israel's military campaign follows Hamas militants' killing of 1200 persons in southern Israel and the abduction of at least 250 on October 7, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel has responded with a military assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

During a week-long truce in late November, Hamas freed more than 100 Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for Israel releasing about 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas at the outset of the war threatened to execute hostages in retaliation for Israeli military strikes, and Israel has accused it of having executed at least two of the dead hostages recovered by the Israeli military.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden announced on Friday plans to carry out a first military airdrop of food and supplies into Gaza, a day after the deaths of Palestinians queuing for aid threw a spotlight on an unfolding humanitari-

an catastrophe in the crowded coastal enclave.

Biden said the US airdrop would take place in the coming days, but offered no further specifics. Other countries, including Jordan and France, have already carried out airdrops of aid into Gaza.

"We need to do more, and the United States will

do more," Biden told reporters, adding that "aid flowing to Gaza is nowhere nearly enough".

At least 576,000 persons in the Gaza Strip – one quarter of the enclave's population – are one step away from famine, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

(Excerpts from Reuters)

Navalny's parents bury their son as thousands chant his name

Thousands of Russians chanted Alexei Navalny's name and said they would not forgive the authorities for his death as the Opposition Leader was laid to rest in Moscow on Friday.

At a cemetery not far from where Navalny once lived, his mother Lyudmila and father Anatoly stooped over his open coffin to kiss him for the last time as a small group of musicians played.

Crossing themselves, mourners stepped forward to caress his face before a priest gently placed a white

shroud over him and the coffin was closed.

Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critic inside Russia, died at the age of 47 in an Arctic penal colony on February 16., sparking accusations from his supporters that he had been murdered. The Kremlin has denied any state involvement in his death.

The authorities have outlawed his movement as extremist and cast his supporters as US-backed troublemakers out to foment revolution. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov

World's rich in India for tycoon son's pre-wedding gala

Some of the world's most influential people have arrived in India's Gujarat state to attend a wedding party thrown by Asia's richest man.

Superior Court in San Francisco is a culmination to Musk's long-simmering opposition to the startup he co-founded and which has since become the face of generative AI, partly due to billions of dollars in funding from Microsoft. Musk has gone on to found his own artificial intelligence startup, xAI, which he launched last July. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mark Zuckerberg, Rihanna, and Bill Gates are among the guests at the pre-wedding gala hosted by Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani for his son.

Anant Ambani, 28, is set to marry Radhika Merchant in July.

Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, are also at the three-day event in Jamnagar city.

Mukesh Ambani, 66, is currently the world's 10th richest man with a net worth of US$115 billion, according to Forbes. Reliance Industries, founded by his father in 1966, is a massive conglomerate that operates in sectors ranging from refining and retail to financial services and telecom.

Anant Ambani is the youngest of his three children, all of whom are on the Board of Reliance Industries. The 28-yearold is involved in Reliance's energy businesses and is on the board of Reliance Foundation. (Excerpt from BBC News)

said he had nothing to say to Navalny's family.

Many thousands of people turned out to pay their respects at the cemetery and earlier outside the Soothe My Sorrows church in southeast Moscow where the funeral took place.

Among the large crowd, many people clutched bunches of flowers and some joined in a series of chants – "Russia will be free", "No to war", "Russia

without Putin", "We won't forgive" and "Putin is a murderer".

Police were present in large numbers at what evolved into one of the biggest displays of anti-Kremlin dissent in years, but for the most part did not intervene. A rights group, OVDInfo, reported that 91 persons had been detained in 12 towns and cities, including Moscow. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Pope Francis calls for studies into “ugly” gender theory

Pope Francis on Friday warned of the dangers of so-called gender theory, saying he had commissioned studies into what he condemned as an "ugly ideology" that threatens humanity.

Addressing participants of a two-day conference in the Vatican on the evolving role of men and women according to Christian teachings, Francis said what he called "gender ideology" was a threat, because it sought to erase the difference between the sexes.

"I have asked that studies be carried out into this ugly ideology of our times, which cancels out the differences and makes everything the same," the pope said.

"Cancelling out the differences means cancelling out humanity."

Gender theory, often

called gender ideology by its detractors, suggests that gender is more complex and fluid than the binary categories of male and female, and depends on more than visible sex characteristics.

The 87-year-old pontiff said he was still suffering from a recent cold and had asked an aide to read his speech, but first wanted to "underline" his feelings on gender ideology.

He said he remembered reading a "prophetic" book called "Lord of the World" –a dystopian novel published in 1907 by a Catholic Priest about a world where religion has no place – which warned of the risk of cancelling out differences between people.

"Read it if you have time, because it speaks of these problems of today," the pope told his visitors. (Reuters)

A plane drops aid over Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, March 1, 2024 (Reuters/Kosay Al Nemer photo)

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Weigh the pros and cons before you sign up for something. Your generous nature will get you in trouble if you are too accommodating. Take time to nurture yourself and meaningful relationships.

You can achieve what you set out to do if you are practical and skillful. Don’t let temptation lead you astray or allow someone’s manipulative tactics cost you. Stick to your original plans.

Don’t stop until you reach your goal. Refuse to let anyone obstruct your plans or tempt you using false information. It’s up to you to believe in yourself. Put your energy where it counts.

Control your emotions. Don’t waste precious time getting upset over trivial matters. Walk away from unsavory situations and toward people who offer new possibilities.

You can have fun without overspending. Participate in something that allows you to use your physical and mental skills to impress someone you want to get to know better.

You’ll encounter someone or something that gives you hope for a better future. Discussions will encourage you to learn something new or hone a rusty skill. Don’t let criticism stand in your way.

Put more time and effort into making your home welcoming. Hosting a gathering or participating in something that brings you in contact with people you enjoy being around will lead to insight.

Common sense, patience and handling matters yourself will pay off. Take it easy, stick close to home and find novel ways to lower your overhead or make some extra cash.

Protect your assets, health and emotional well-being. Don’t let anyone tell you how to proceed. Don’t fold under pressure when it’s up to you to put your plans in motion.

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Decide what’s best for you instead of letting someone dictate what you do next. Overloading your roster with projects that don’t interest you will set you back.

Don’t hesitate. You have plenty to gain if you trust your instincts and voice your opinion. Don’t let anyone put a damper on your confidence or talk you into doing something unwise.

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PICKLES

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Edwards, Wharfe to decide TTFA presidential race

Either Kieron Edwards or Colin Wharfe will take the reins of a new Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) administration, both having confirmed their candidacy for the presidential elections, scheduled for April 13, 2024.

Edwards, the Eastern Football Association (EFA) president, confirmed his nine-member slate, which includes Colin Murray, Osmond Downer and Jameson Rigues as vice-presidential candidates; while Wharfe, the CEO of the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL), announced a vice-president candidates list that includes Colonel Keston Charles, Renee JohnWilliams, and Huey Cadette.

After submitting his slate, Edwards promised a "paradigm shift" in the governance of football in the twin island republic, with a focus on transparency and good governance.

Both Southern Football Association (SFA) president Denis Latiff and Veterans Football Foundation of T&T (VFFTT) president Selby Browne have pulled out of

the presidential race, after expressing, in the past few weeks, a strong desire to steer local football forward.

As such, the April 13 elections will see Edwards aiming to ascend to the post of TTFA president with his Team Progressive slate, which is completed by Alicia Austin, Andrew Boodhoo, Allan Logan, Ryan Nunes and Shelton Williams as ordinary members.

With over 200 years of "football acumen" under their belt, according to a release from Edwards, Team Progressive promises to provide the "perfect mix of people who have the skill, the back-

ground, the experience, and the years of dedicated service to others in the football fraternity, that will see our football experience a resurgence in excellence."

The release continued, "Team Progressive is committed to implementing sound financial practices. We will work diligently to ensure responsible budgeting, financial transparency, and strategic allocation of resources to support the sustainable development of football at all levels."

The TTFA General Secretariat is expected to circulate the official list of candidates to all members on April 3. (Sportsmax)

Saudi Arabia launches formal bid for World Cup 2034 S

audi Arabia, the only contender to host the 2034 World Cup, has formally launched its bid for the tournament.

The Gulf Kingdom became the sole bidder in October when Australia pulled out of the race hours before Fifa's deadline for declaration of interest. A Fifa congress will confirm the hosts later this year.

Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) president Yasser Al Misehal has said the bid is possible only because of the country's "rapid transformation".

He added: "Telling our football story to the world is of massive importance. We've made unprecedented progress in both the men's and women's game, and our bid is an open invitation to the world to join us on this exciting journey."

Despite being the only bidder, Fifa regulations require Saudi Arabia to formally bid for the tournament.

The bid uses the slogan "Growing. Together", which SAFF has said captures the bond between the "Kingdom, its people and world football".

Saudi Arabia has invested around £5bn in sport since 2021, when the country's Crown Prince made it a key part of his strategy to diversi-

Argentina won the World Cup for a third time when they beat France in the 2022 final in Qatar

fy the economy. It has hosted several major sporting events, including in football, Formula 1, golf and boxing, while the country's Public Investment Fund has launched the breakaway LIV Golf series, taken control of four Saudi Pro League clubs, and purchased Newcastle United.

However, the Gulf kingdom has been accused of using its investment in sport and the hosting of high-profile events to improve its international reputation - a process known as ‘sportswashing’. It has been criticised for its human rights violations, the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, women's rights abuses, the criminalisation of homosexuality, the restriction of free speech, and

the war in Yemen.

The Saudi Government has said the investment is boosting the economy, opening it up to tourism and inspiring people to be more active.

According to Fifa guidelines, countries bidding to host the event must commit to respect human rights.

Speaking to BBC Sport in December, Saudi Arabia's sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal said claims of sportswashing against the country are "very shallow".

"Any country has room for improvement, no-one's perfect. We acknowledge that, and these events help us reform to a better future for everyone," he said. (BBC Sport)

Verstappen takes pole for season opener in Bahrain

Red Bull's Max Verstappen has put in a crushing performance to set pole position for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

The world champion was 0.228 seconds quicker than Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who came in second. George Russell of Mercedes was third, beating out Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. Red Bull's Sergio Perez was fifth, beating out Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and McLaren's Lando Norris.

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes was only ninth, 0.225secs behind teammate Russell.

Verstappen's ultimate margin was smaller than many in F1 had expected it would be before the weekend; some had even predicted the three-time champion would be 0.5secs clear of the field. However, his superiority was underlined by the fact that only Leclerc managed to beat, on new tyres, the time Verstappen had set on used tyres in his first run in final qualifying, and even then, by only 0.014secs.

Given the Red Bull's traditional performance pattern, which sees their advantage extend in races in relation to qualifying, he looks a shoo-in for a first victory of the season to continue a run of consecutive race wins that goes back to Japan in late September last year.

And his performance bodes ill for a competitive season at the front of the field, after Verstappen and Red Bull combined to produce the most dominant season in F1 history in 2023.

"It was a lot of fun," said Verstappen. "The track has a lot of grip, but with the wind, it has been quite tricky to get the whole lap together, and it was the same today.

"To really get everything out of it in Q3 was a little bit difficult. It was a little bit unexpected, but luckily, in qualifying, the car came to us, and I felt a little bit happier with the whole car.

"We just needed to finetune a few things to get that perfect balance, but lucky, we went in the right direction, and could push a little more in qualifying.

"In the race, it is going to be close as well. We do look good, and I am confi-

dent we can have a strong race."

Behind him, though, the field looks closely matched and competitive. Leclerc was just 0.078secs quicker than Russell, with Sainz just 0.100secs further adrift.

Leclerc felt he had the pace to get pole, and had not maximised his potential in the final session.

"I am a bit disappointed," he said. "I found the sweet spot in qualifying. It is quite a good qualifying, and we are in a better place than a year ago; so that is good. Now we have to see (how) the race pace goes tomorrow.

"In Q2, I did a 29.1, which was more or less the same time as Max did in Q3, but I lost a bit of the rhythm on the used tyres at the start of Q3.

"We really think Red Bull is still ahead by quite a bit in the race, but we (shall) see (come) tomorrow."

Perez came into the season under pressure from Red Bull to improve his qualifying performances or risk losing his seat. The Mexican did not get off to a good start, was down in fifth place, with 0.358secs separating him from Verstappen on pole.

Norris's McLaren looked quick at various times through the session, but he ended up 0.435secs from pole and just 0.069secs ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri.

The Briton was left ruing a mistake-strewn final lap, when he believed he could have been on the front row.

"I messed up sector one," he said. "I just had a little oversteer on the exit of Turn One just as I came on the throttle, and it cost me 0.15secs, and today there was 0.15secs between me and P2.

"I felt I wanted to push a bit more; wrong thing to do, made another couple of mistakes in Turn Four. I would have been there or thereabouts. The car was good enough for a front row, and (I am) disappointed I didn't deliver it. A bit of a shame, but I will try to make up for it tomorrow."

Hamilton described his session as "poor", and said he had compromised his qualifying pace for better tyre performance in the race.

"Yesterday, George and I were identical car setups, and the car was feeling great and we veered off," Hamilton said. "He went one way and I went the other. The one I was on was not good on a single lap, I hope it is good in the race.

"I wasn't comfortable with my race pace, so I changed the car to hopefully make the race pace better, but we'll see tomorrow if that's really the case. There (are) lots of (tyre) degradation with the rears, and race pace is everything; but obviously, position is important too.

The factory (has) finally given us a car we can fight with, but I wasn't able to utilise it today. For George to be 0.3secs off Red Bull is incredible. If that's our platform from here, we can really chase through the rest of the season."

Behind Hamilton, Hulkenberg was the final driver to complete the top 10. At the back, the biggest disappointment was in the performance of Alpine. The French team, who finished sixth overall in 2023, occupy the last row of the grid, with Esteban Ocon ahead of Pierre Gasly.

Ocon was moved to send a radio message on his return to the pits, saying he "had faith" in the team.

(BBC Sport)

Kieron Edwards (left) and Colin Wharfe

Max Verstappen won last year’s Bahrain Grand Prix

Blaze, as she has been granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the Women’s Premiere League in India.

Women’s Super50 Cup and the T20

CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe has said, “It’s an exciting period for women’s cricket in the region. This year’s CG United Women’s Super50 and T20 Blaze has a

whole new context as we seek to professionalize the women’s pathway with the first cohort of regionally contracted women being signed on from October 1, 2024.

“We will miss Hayley’s profile and impact in the regional tournament. She is our gold standard. I am sure she will make us proud at the

DCB Inter-Association U19 tournament… Trophy Stall delivers on promise to DCB

Renowned supporter of sport, Trophy Stall, has joined members of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) in sponsoring the DCB InterAssociation Under-19 Cricket Tournament, which is billed to bowl off shortly.

Trophy Stall, with its Head Office located at Bourda Market and with several branches around Guyana, has provided all trophies and medals to be used as incentives for the tournament. The trophies and medals were recently handed over to the DCB.

Ramesh Sunich, owner and Managing Director of Trophy Stall, has indicated that he is impressed with the work of the board, and is happy to be given opportunity to be part of this significant tournament.

The tournament has been branded the Trophy Stall/ Ramchand’s Auto Spares/ Ariel Enterprise/Rohan Auto Spares /Steve’s Jewelry/

Petama Enterprise/Motor Trend/ Cricket Equipment Guyana/ General Marine/ Terry Mathura and Raj Mathura tournament. One of the chief sponsors, GFSCA, is known for pioneering softball cricket in Guyana and overseas. The DCB U19 tournament would involve the five associations: Upper Demerara, East Bank, East Coast, West Demerara and Georgetown,

and be played in a round robin format, with the top two teams qualifying for the final.

The final will be live streamed across the globe. It is the main yardstick to be used by the selection panel to select the Demerara team for the GCB Inter-County Under-19 Tournament.

The DCB has taken this opportunity to say “Thank you” to all the sponsors for coming on board.

WPL, which will be excellent preparation for her ahead of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup later this year.”

Fans can attend all the matches for free, and all matches will be streamed live with commentary on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel, along with live scorecards and ball-by-ball scoring on the windiescricket. com match centre.

FULL SQUADS

BARBADOS: Kycia

Knight (Captain), Kyshona Knight, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shanika Bruce, Asabi

Callender, Zaliya Camobelle, Shamilia Connell, NaiJanni

Cumberbatch, Erin Deane, Keila Elliott, Allison Gordon, Theanny Herbert-Mayers, Trishan Holder, Alisa Scantlebury.

Head Coach: Sherwin Campbell

GUYANA: Shemaine

Campbelle (Captain), Naomi Barkoye, Shabika Gajnabi, Trisha Hardat, Plaffianna Millington, Sheneta Grimmond, Realeanna Grimmond, Ashmini Munisar, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Mandy Mangru, Kaysia Schultz, Cyanna Retemiah, Nyia Latchman and Yonette Welcome.

Head Coach: Clive Grimmond

JAMAICA: Stafanie

Taylor (Captain), Rashada Williams, Natasha McLean, Vanessa Watts, Keneshia Ferron, Neisha-Ann Waisome, Chedean Nation, Kate Wilmott, Nicole Campbell, Celina Whyte, Abigail Bryce, Jaunel Deers, Jessica Garcia

Head Coach: Shane Brooks

LEEWARD ISLANDS:

Amanda Edwards (Captain), Terez Parker, Tyynetta

Final four basketball action resumes today

Basketball action returns to the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue in Georgetown todaySaturday, March 2 - with playoffs of the “One Guyana” Basketball tournament continuing as a doubleheader, the first jump ball of which is set for 19:00hrs. An exhilarating showcase of basketball is expected. The first game of the night will see action in the Jaguar Conference, as Stabroek Eagles will look to continue their unbeaten streak in hopes of securing their place in the next round. They will come up in a three-match series against an outfit of experience and youth in Bounty Colts. The last game of the Harpy Eagles Conference Finals will close off the

night’s proceedings in a door-die matchup for both teams, as the Kwakwani Untouchables look to maintain their dominance over Kitty/ Campbellville Ravens.

At the Conference Finals, teams will play the best-of-three games to determine who advances to the National Finals. The team winning the tournament would receive $1M along with trophies, while the runner-up team 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.

McKoy, Reniece Boyce, Melicia Clarke, Rozel Liburd, Shawnisha Hector, Tonya Martin, Chey-Anne Moses, Shebani Bhaskar, Kimberley Anthony, Jahzara Claxton, Divya Saxena, Saneldo Willett.

Head Coach: Percy Daniel

TRINIDAD &

TOBAGO: Britney Cooper (Captain), Steffie Soogrim, Karishma Ramharack, Djenaba Joseph, Kirbyina Alexander, Shunelle Sawh, Samara Ramnath, Selene Oneil, Shalini Samaroo, LeeAnn Kirby, KD Jazz Mitchell, Caneisha Isaac, Shanice Pascall, Brianna Harricharan.

Head Coach: Gibran Mohammed

WINDWARD ISLANDS: Afy Fletcher (Captain), Malika Edward, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Kimone Homer, Carena Noel, Jannelia Glasgow, Pearl Etienne, Earnisha Fontaine, Tracy Byron, Nerissa Crafton, Amiah Gilbert, Namiah Marcellin, Selena Ross.

Head Coach: Petra Lynch

A glimpse of what to expect today at the National Gymnasium

The Trophy Stall, owned by Ramesh Sunich, will be a sponsor of the upcoming DCB U19 tournament

Barbados are the defending champions in both the T20 Blaze and Super50 tournament

The Guyana team for last year’s competitions

Republic Bank CPL launches ticket gift vouchers

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League have launched gift vouchers which allow customers to buy the gift of attending CPL cricket for their friends and families, or be used to spread out the cost of tickets for themselves.

These vouchers can be used to purchase tickets for any CPL match. The vouchers can be purchased by visiting www.cplt20. com and can be used against the cost of tickets bought online for Republic Bank CPL and Massy WCPL matches.

GFF/KFC Elite League…

GPF ease past Den Amstel to conclude first round

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) Football Club has joined the winners’ circle in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ KFC Elite League.

When the first round of games concluded on Thursday night, the Police’s 3-0 victory had come through a team effort, with three different players finding the back of the net as they opposed a determined Den Amstel FC.

The teams had looked evenly matched at the beginning of the encounter, and the score line remained nil-all well into the first half.

Den Amstel admittedly had more chances than their opponents in this period, with shots on goal hitting the crossbar twice.

However, the ice was finally broken by Dorwin George, who evaded a sliding tackle in the box to guide the ball home in the 35th. The score remained 1-0 at the end of the first half.

A needless tackle in the box in the second half granted the Police men another scoring opportunity; and Nicholas McArthur made no mistake in connecting the penalty for Police’s second goal in the 64th.

Then in the 88th, under-20 player Tyrone Delph made the most of being substituted into the game by finding the back of the net for Police’s 3rd and final goal.

At the end of the first round of games hosted over the past week, Western Tigers sit at the top of the points table with 3 points

and a commanding goal difference of +10. They are followed by Slingerz FC with a similar 3 points, but a lesser goal difference of +7. Both Ann’s Grove United and GPF FC have 3 points and a +3 goal difference, while defending champions the Guyana Defence Force (GDF FC) round off the top five with 3 points and a goal difference of 1.

The remaining five teams: Monedderlust FC, Fruta Conquerors FC, Buxton United FC, Santos FC and Den Amstel FC, are yet to pick up points, but the League is still young.

Chris Watson, CPL Head of Marketing, has said: “We are very excited to introduce this new way for fans to purchase CPL tickets, and we are sure that these will make a fantastic gift for any occasion. It also allows games to be more accessible by giving fans

the chance to spread out the cost of tickets.

“We are looking forward to welcoming fans back to CPL when we get underway in August, and we hope lots of those fans at our matches have been gifted vouchers so they can attend.”

Annual Survival golf tournament tees off this weekend

AKFC Elite League action will continue today, Saturday March 2nd, with another double header at the GFF’s National Training Center (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD). There, an interesting battle will unfold as Calvin ‘Fluman’ Allen’s Ann’s Grove United will face off with his former team, Western Tigers FC, being steered once again by Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard.

That game gets underway at 18:00hrs, and the Guyana Defence Force will be up next at 20:30hrs, this time taking on Buxton United FC.

ll golfers are hereby notified that the highly anticipated annual Survival golf tournament returns this weekend, and two days of thrilling competition are promised on March 2nd and 3rd.

Players have the unique opportunity to choose their preferred day of play, thereby ensuring maximum participation and flexibility.

This tournament, which would be hosted at the Lusignan Golf Club, would feature Medal play over 18 holes, with competitors divided into two flights based on handicap: 0-13 and 1428. A plethora of prestigious prizes awaits, including:

● 1st Place Trophy (Overall Best Net Winner)

● 1st Place Trophy (0-13 Handicap)

● 1st Place Trophy (1428 Handicap)

● Longest Drive Trophy

● Nearest to Pin Trophy

● Consolation Prizes for 2nd to 4th place in each flight

Tee times are set for 8:00am sharp on both Saturday and Sunday, ensuring an early start to the excitement. In adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols, all participants are reminded to observe necessary practices throughout

the event.

Players are being advised to kindly connect with the club's manager on the day of the tournament to collect scorecards, settle tournament fees, and proceed to their allocated tee boxes promptly for the 8:00am tee-off.

Mark your calendars for the prize giving ceremony, scheduled for 1:30pm on Sunday, when champions would be celebrated and accolades presented.

Don't miss out on this electrifying golfing extravaganza. Join the Lusignan Golf Club for a weekend of camaraderie, competition and celebration!

Snippets from the Guyana Police Force’s game against Den Amstel FC

LGC Vice President Brian Hackett, standing alongside LGC President Patanjilee Persaud, receiving the sponsorship cheque from a Survival representative