Guyana Times - Thursday , May 16, 2024.pdf

T&T's refusal of Guyanese dairy products an insult to regional integration – Govt

…T&T Govt denies rejection of milk, claims importer returned item

Guyana’s Private Sector outraged after T&T blocks milk, water import from Guyanese company

…Guyana imported US$1.4B from T&T in 2023, but exported below US$200M …local exporters have been subjected to unfair treatment by T&T for decades – GOGEC

Long Creek smash-up claims 6th victim

Arbitration Bill 2023 based on Caricom model reviewed by int’l law firms – AG Region 9 floodwaters recede, ripple effects felt in adjacent communities

Health sector investments can see reverse of brain drain in Guyana – Anthony 8 illegal structures halt major infrastructure works in

Govt rejects GTU's 20% across-the-board increase ultimatum

Security guard shot dead after allegedly opening fire on cops

Fmr PNC General Secretary Oscar Clarke passes Guyana records decline in fatal accidents – Police

Arbitration Bill 2023 based on Caricom model, reviewed by int’l law firms – AG

Described as one of the most modern bills in the region of its kind, the Arbitration Bill 2023 that will soon be debated in the National Assembly is not only based on a Caribbean Community (Caricom) model, but was reviewed by international law firms.

In his latest ‘Issues in the news programme’, Attorney General Anil Nandlall spoke about the range of bills the government currently has be-

fore it. These bills include the Arbitration Bill 2023, which Nandlall said would come up for debate at the next sitting of the National Assembly.

“The arbitration bill, which will be debated Friday in the National Assembly, is perhaps the most modern expression of Arbitration Law in the commonwealth. Certainly, in the Caribbean. Arbitration has long been recognised as the most preferred mode of settling commercial dis-

putes. Gone are the days where huge companies want to go to court to resolve their disputes,” he explained.

According to Nandlall, the bill will have a dramatic effect on arbitration in Guyana, as well as making the country an attractive one for investors. He also referenced Guyana’s comparative advantages as an English-speaking country.

“The bill is a modern bill. It came out of a CARICOM model. And then I sent it to the US, for the input of two of the largest law firms in the world. Arnold and Porter, out of Washington D.C. and Gibson and Dunn, out of New York and London. These are two law firms that specialise in arbitration. They reviewed it and they made certain additions, which we have incorporated.”

In addition to this, Nandlall noted that the bill also provides for arbitration centers to be established locally. He also set out the potential for Guyana to earn money and create employment, noting that arbitration cases origi-

nating in Guyana often migrate to metropolitan cities across the globe.

“It allows for the establishment of arbitration centers in Guyana. So, a company that offers arbitration services in North America or in Europe, can come to Guyana because we have the most modern law and they can establish their arbitration centers here,” Nandlall explained.

“And the very persons who would have been hearing the arbitration in one of the cities in the first world, can now travel to Guyana and hear the arbitration right here. So, we are creating employment, we are keeping millions of US dollars within the shores of Guyana and we are offering this multi-million US facility in Guyana.”

Last year, Nandlall had outlined that once Guyana is self-sufficient with regards to arbitration, then the government will move onto the second stage to refine the process and the infrastructure to such an extent that the country truly becomes an attractive destination for arbi-

tration in the Caribbean, Latin America, and South America.

“This bill will lay the foundation for that… The truth of the matter is that more and more companies across the globe are choosing arbitration as the preferred method of resolving their commercial disputes. So, whether they want to go through the courts, we are building an efficient judicial system. If they want to go to arbitration, we are building an efficient modern arbitration system as well,” he had said.

“The first step in that direction is to get the law right and I believe, respectfully, that we have the law here. We now have to begin the educational process so that we have an educated and qualified population to serve the sector and where best to start than the university itself that will be graduating the lawyers and those who wish to be academically trained in the area of arbitration,” the Legal Affairs Minister had stressed.

In keeping with its commitment to create a modern

platform for arbitration as an effective method of settling commercial and other disputes in the country, the Government of Guyana has already established an Arbitration Unit.

This Arbitration Unit will liaise with the Judiciary and key stakeholders at periodic intervals as this initiative is part of the Government of Guyana’s declared intention to create a modern infrastructure for the arbitration and conciliation of commercial disputes in Guyana.

The unit was established by AG Nandlall and comprised representatives from various stakeholder organisations. These include Jamela A. Ali, SC, from the Bar Association of Guyana; Attorney Suriyah Sabsook from the Berbice Bar Association; Norman McLean from the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and from the AG’s Chambers Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel Joann Bond and Deputy Solicitor General Deborah Kumar with AG Nandlall as the Chairman. (G3)

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Thursday, May 16 – 00:00h-01:30h and Friday, May 17 –01:00h-02:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, May 16 –10:40h-12:10h and Friday, May 17 – 11:50h-13:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to light rain showers are expected to prevail during the day with sunny conditions in the early morning and late afternoon. Thundery to light rain showers are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 11:10h and 23:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.07 metres and 2.09 metres.

Low Tide: 17:20h reaching a minimum height of 1.10 metres.

T&T's refusal of Guyanese dairy products an insult to regional integration – Govt

…T&T Govt denies rejection of milk, claims importer returned item …58th COTED meeting underway in Guyana under T&T chairmanship

he Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry had very strong words for Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T) decision to block dairy imports from Guyana, calling it an unacceptable affront to ongoing regional integration efforts.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed reports that Trinidad had refused $20 Million worth of milk imports from Guyanese company Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

According to the Ministry, the Guyana Livestock Development Agency (GLDA) is currently in close contact with Trinidadian counterparts, to reach a timely resolution. But the Ministry slammed Trinidad’s decision to refuse the goods, noting that it was an affront to the spirit of Caribbean integration.

“It is noted that under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) to which both Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana subscribe, requires free movement of goods and services under the regional integration framework.”

“The refusal of entry to the dairy products wholly produced in Guyana by CARICOM member state is an affront to the spirit of Caribbean integration agenda and must not be accepted,” the Ministry said.

While they acknowledged that regional products must satisfy sanitary and other rules, the Ministry also noted that the dairy products were in full compliance with these regulations. Moreover, they were accepted in other jurisdictions.

It was pointed out that Guyana has already opened its market to regional producers, hence it is expected that products from Guyana should be guaranteed the full benefits of regional integration.

“While some details about the transaction and what led to the incident are still being discussed, the Guyana Livestock Development Agency (GLDA) remains in close contact with its counterparts in Trinidad and Tobago, the exporter and the importer to resolve this matter within the shortest possible time,”

“Guyana remains committed to ensuring that nationals who wish to exercise or take advantage of rights granted by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and other regional protocol under the inte-

gration agenda, are not unduly restricted. Guyana has opened its market to regional producers, it is expected that market access for products from Guyana into any CARICOM country is guaranteed for full benefits of regional integration to be realised.”

Blocked shipment

On Tuesday, DDL

Chairman Komal Samaroo had revealed that four 20 ft shipping containers of packaged milk and bottled water were recently blocked by Trinidadian authorities from entry. During an emergency press conference, Samaroo revealed that the milk, worth $20 Million, was sent back, while the sale of the water was restricted.

“This development is of grave concern to DDL, since it inhibits its ongoing efforts to meaningfully contribute to the food security efforts of the CARICOM region. DDL exported to Trinidad and Tobago during the month of March, four 20 ft shipping containers of these products based on an evaluation of the Trinidad market by a Trinidadian business enterprise, which determined a desire for these products by the Trinidadian consumers,” Samaroo had said.

“Regrettably, the two containers of packaged milk were denied entry and returned to Guyana, while the bottled water products have been restricted from sale pending the completion of an unconventionally exhaustive examination of these bottled water products,” Samaroo had also explained to the media.

He further related that on May 13, DDL had engaged with a team from the Trinidadian Ministry of Trade, where the topic of the rejected milk exports was discussed. According to Samaroo, the officials informed them that blocking the imports of the milk was based on Trinidad’s Animal Disease and Importation Act 2020. However, Samaroo described this process as “onerous and stringent.”

Samaroo had also noted that these products have been exported to other Caricom territories with no such problems. As such, this is the first time they’ve encountered non-tariff trade barriers during their exports of their diversified line of products.

The executive also confirmed that Caricom Chairman, President Dr Irfaan Ali, was briefed on the situation. According to him, President Ali was “very shocked” and he added that he was confident the President would take action. He also assured that they would be pursuing every avenue to ensure redress is received, even hinting at the possibility of approaching the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

T&T Govt denies Meanwhile on Wednesday evening, the T&T Trade and Industry Ministry in a statement said that it has noted the on-going issue relating to the trade in milk products be-

on TTBizlinK for an animal permit;

tween Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

It added that based on a review of this matter, it must note that there is no prohibition on the importation of Animal Products into Trinidad and Tobago from any Caricom Member State including Guyana. However, for these products to be exported to Trinidad and Tobago, countries must be approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF). This is a one-time approval associated with first- time exports.

“Trinidad and Tobago like every country within CARICOM and the rest of the world follows the generally accepted international standards under the auspices of the World Organisation for Animal Health for the trade in Animal Products. These standards which are meant to ensure the health and safety of consumers are operationalised within domestic law via the Animal (Diseases and Importation) Act; The existing standard for the importation of milk into Trinidad and Tobago (which is identical in Guyana) requires all importers to apply for an import permit from the Animal Production and Health Division (MALF). This application must be made in advance of the products arriving in Trinidad and Tobago and even before items are purchased from overseas exporters,” the statement read.

It added that in order for an Import Permit to be issued for ‘first-time’ imports of milk from any country, a Risk Analysis is required to be undertaken by the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO). This information was communicated to the Local Importer by the CVO on Friday 19 April 2024 which was the same date an application was submitted

“On Monday 22 April 2024 a consignment of goods which included (i) Milk; (ii) Mineral Waters; and Flavoured Beverages landed in Trinidad and Tobago. Upon arrival in Trinidad and Tobago, the Mineral Waters and Flavoured Beverage items were cleared and sent to the premises of the Importer by the Chemistry Food and Drugs Division (CFDD) on the condition that the Importer produces a Free Sale Certificate/ Animal Health Permit; and… with respect to the Milk Items, the Importer took the decision to return these products to the Exporter in Guyana as it did not possess the requisite regulatory documentation,” the T&T Ministry added.

COTED meeting

Incidentally, export woes to Trinidad come at a time when the 58th Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) is ongoing. At the opening session on Tuesday, Trinidadian Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula GopeeScoon, who chaired the session, had highlighted the matters on the Ministers’ agenda, including the movement of Community nationals, the status of the CARICOM Competition Commission, a mergers and acquisitions policy, trade in goods, and the review of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Rules of Origin (ROO).

However, there had also been reports of an expected meeting between her and the Guyana government to address the specific instance of T&T turning away the DDL milk exports. But efforts to contact Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, were futile. (G3)

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Minister Hugh Todd

T&T Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon, during the COTED meeting

DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Breaking the taboo

The blinding need for oblivion from harsh realities of overwhelming problems is the driver behind many persons seeking to quit life as the ultimate solution to difficult situations.

A person suffering from deep depression needs assurances that solutions can be found. Problems are not insurmountable, but coping with extant and future challenges necessitates one staying alive, not take what seems the easy way out, leaving much devastation in the wake of one’s action, especially the grief and guilt that surviving family members have to cope with.

Suicide is indeed a mental health problem, often precipitated by one catalysing factor at a moment’s impulse. This global phenomenon is a scourge affecting every nation of the world.

However, suicide is preventable, and education through generally interactive counselling sessions — especially in schools, churches and at various youth fora, as well as easily-accessible helplines that could provide timely interventions by way of a conduit, a compassionate listening ear, and provision of advice based on rational reasoning to address the bad experiences revealed and negative emotions expressed, especially impersonal ones — can serve to reduce the crippling pain to bearable levels and enable rational thought that diffuses intentions of self-destruction

In a national context, there needs to be a holistic approach involving multi-sectoral agencies, especially in the health, education, and social services sectors.

In a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Guyana was cited as the country with the highest suicide rate in the world — 44.2 suicides per 100,000 deaths, four times the global average.

The WHO report was an attempt to bring global attention to the issue of suicide. The goal was to encourage individual countries to take steps to prevent suicide, considering their specific culture and addressing local risk factors. In early 2015, Guyana became one of only 28 countries to develop a suicide prevention plan in response to the report. The plan identifies factors that could contribute to the country’s high rate of suicide.

Records reveal that approximately 70 per cent of the country’s suicides occur in rural regions, where many people assuage their feelings of hopelessness with overindulgence in alcohol to cope with their poverty and economic despair. Instead, the alcohol exacerbates depression in minds deprived of reasoning powers by alcohol-induced neurosis, precipitating suicidal thoughts.

Prioritising formulating a strategy for suicide prevention has become an imperative, because the consequence is not only the tragic, preventable loss of a life; but this one irreversible and tragic act has many victims, especially loved ones on whom are inflicted a lifetime of unendurable pain and emotional and psychological scars.

Guyana Government Psychologist and Addiction Specialist Caitlin Vieira avers that there is a lack of clinics and social support networks in some of these villages, but that there are plenty of rum shops. She says “sporting”, Guyanese slang for drinking, is a popular pastime.

Additionally, a study by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) reported that nearly 80 per cent of Guyanese adolescents had their first drink before the age of 14, and some children try alcohol for the first time in elementary school.

Dysfunction in family constructs and bullying in schools and workplaces also contribute to Guyana’s high suicide rates.

Illicit drug usage has also become a major contributory factor to violent, anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse, oftentimes leading to murder and suicide.

Raising community awareness and breaking down the taboo is also important for countries like Guyana to make progress in preventing suicide.

Leonora makes history once again

Dear Editor,

The attentive and attractive village of Leonora is once again making the headline news, as the rippling effect of “isms” manifests itself in a crevice at the just completed PPP 32nd Congress.

Seated in the heart of Region 3, Leonora’s PPP branch represents not only an artery, but also a vein to an essential organ, which is a composite of a powerful organism. As a living entity, the People’s Progress Party may be classified as a growing plant, sprouting huge branches of meaningful support to provide sweet fruits of needy nutrients, glued with green leaves of aspirations, shooting a big and strong trunk towards the sky for a promising future, and nurtured from the roots of a rich and fertile soil mixed with the sacrifice of blood, sweat and tears of laborious supporters.

A historical community that has evolved with an estate from the sugar industry from since 1821, Plantation Leonora was productive until its demise by the treacherous PNC hands in 1986. With the damning damage of deviousness, the disheartening danger of destruction nor depression did not dawn on the PNC. Hundreds were sidelined without work, and the closure manufactured severe consequences in the village.

The PNC always had revengeful eyes for Leonorians since LFSB was ousted from the village in the early 60s, when he attempted to hold a political meeting! This village sprouted without a school, thanks to the ingeniousness of the colonial masters, who were determined to deliberately keep the mass uneducated. Its train station was

demolished through the kind courtesy of the PNC’s hindsight. It wasn’t until the riot days that makeshift schools were housed on the religious premises owned by the Muslim and Hindu communities, and the sugar estate’s Welfare Centre. As the logies were dislodged, housing schemes blossomed and a new lifestyle metamorphosed with the advent of a better standard of living. Only recently, Leonora birthed its first banking institution, boasted its first shopping mall, and bragged of its first private, modern hospital. With a ‘D’ Division Police Station, the village has a magistrate’s court, a fire station, a post office, an NIS office, an upgraded Cottage Smart Hospital; nursery, primary and secondary schools, a technical institute, a mosque, two churches and four mandirs, the track and field facility, and soon a new cricket ground and modern market; and, of course, a host of business entities. It is envisaged that the next potential town will be Leonora.

Leonora, as a midway point between the Prince of Wales gas-to-shore integrated facility and the Parika point with neighbouring islands of Leguan and Wakenaam, is the hometown for the President of Guyana. Dr. Irfaan Ali’s wellknown patrimonial grandmother, his ajee, the late and great Mrs. Sakina Ali, was a founding member of the women’s arm of the PPP, along with former President Mrs. Janet Jagan. His rich, political background is engrained in his grandmother’s dedication and devotion directed towards the building of the PPP party from the struggling days of fighting the PNC’s rac-

ism and violence since the 50s.

This is the same village which witnessed Kowsilla, aka Alice, being slaughtered when she was run over by a tractor driven by a scab during the March 1964 strike. The sacrifices of those women were not in vain, as, eventually, the indefatigable GAWU was ultimately recognized as the bargaining agent for sugar workers in the mid-70s.

Gaining its Dutch name from the combination of Leo and Nora, Leonora sugar estate changed ownership several times. It was once owned by the famous and popular Sandbach Parker, and then by the Jessels Group of Companies, until infamously nationalized by the greedy PNC led by dictator Burnham in 1975. His reverse Midas touch ultimately commenced the stifling of a once growing industry, but then shrunk due to gross mismanagement due to a porous PNC administration.

The stained hands of the colonial masters persisted in the early 19th century as industrial actions escalated when poorly paid workers sought redress for their grievances. Leonora Estate was the tragic scene of bloodshed when 4 sugar workers were shot and killed and 4 were seriously injured in February 1939.

Always a focal point for the PPP, Leonora evolved as a strong and persuasive group of residents who were always prepared to defend Dr. Cheddi Jagan and the PPP. This village remained a key playground for many meetings, especially during the riot days. The familiar old market square opposite the onetime Roxy Cinema was the famous congregation location to accommodate thousands of

supporters from all over the country. They came to listen to Cheddi talk, dressed in his white outfit and surrounded by thousands of placards waving feverishly in the air. Such were the glorious days when the inglorious PNC cajoled the UF, conspired with the British and the US, and sold their souls to the Devil to begin the terrible reign of 28 years of a disingenuous era, filled, famished and featured with poverty, nakedness and corruption.

Leonora is in the history books as the place where the first East Indian labourers resisted indentureship and revolted, in August 1869, against an arbitrary reduction in wage rates. Again, in 1909, Leonora was the place where another demonstration over wage disputes took place. No wonder President Ali is so caring and concerned over wages and salaries for workers in this country. His methodological approach is entrenched in justified fairness and practical reality, and is guided by financial possibility. It is therefore not surprising that it is the PPP Leonora Group, led by the true son of the soil, which has revolutionized the future of the Party with the Marxism/ Leninism proposal, and that Congress accepted the resolution.

Once again, Leonora goes down in the annals of the history of the PPP with another indelible mark. President Ali is all for applicable changes, not contrary for production or development, but which are significantly relevant in principle and policy towards the best interest of the party, people and politics.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

Sage, a miniature poodle, competed with handler Kaz Hosaka in the Best in Show competition during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, May 14, 2024, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Sage won the Best in Show group (VOA)

Indian Indentureship: Religion

By Ravi Dev

Over the course of Indian Indentureship (1838 to 1917), the religious practices of the 239,000 immigrants almost perfectly mirrored those of the areas from where they were recruited – primarily North India (88% Hindus and 12% Muslims) and the coastal areas outside the city of Madras/Chennai – almost all worshippers of Mariamman. In the first shipment of 396 from the Whitby and Hesperus, there were 94 persons (21%) who can be identified as Muslims by their names - while the others were Hindus. Also, there was a sprinkling of Christian immigrants later.

According to the Gandhi Youth Organization, the first two persons who stepped off the Whitby at Highbury on the East Bank of Berbice were “Ram and Khan”. For this reason, when they started commemorating “Indian Arrival Day” in the 1960s, they dubbed it “Ramakhan Day”.

Soesdyke-Linden highway tragedy underscores need for upgraded work, greater police presence

Dear Editor, Monday's tragedy led our community to be enveloped in profound shock and grief, following a tragic accident on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway which claimed the lives of several individuals, including two young teachers who were not only esteemed colleagues, but dear friends.

First and foremost, I take the opportunity to extend, on behalf of the people of Region Ten, our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who perished in the accident. Additionally in this regard, and moreover as a teacher colleague and friend of Sir Dwalon Farrell, a teacher at my school, New Silvercity Secondary, who lost his life, it would be remiss of me not to say that the loss of the young teachers, whose promising lives were dedi-

cated to educating and inspiring our youth, is particularly poignant. Their absence leaves a void not only in their families, but in the hearts of students, colleagues, and the broader community.

This tragedy is a harsh reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of our journeys. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find solace in the outpouring of support from the community during this devastating time.

As we mourn the loss of all these vibrant lives, we are starkly reminded of the persistent dangers that plague this crucial and important roadway. The continuous toll of lives lost, exacerbated by dangerously driven sand, stone, and lumber trucks, underscores the urgent need for substantial

PPP elections were free, fair, clean, and without dispute

upgrades and enhanced law enforcement presence.

In January 2024, it was announced that US$183 million was earmarked for reconstruction of the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, yet this much-needed action remains noticeably absent. Why? How much more lives have to be lost for positive change to occur?

I again join with countless others to call upon all road users to exercise greater responsibility, as I implore the Government to expedite necessary investments to fix this highway, and for greater police presence to help curb the rampant recklessness on this vital route.

There is urgent need for responsible road use, while infrastructural improvements are crucial. The behaviour of road users plays a pivotal role in ensuring safety.

transportation, but a shared space that requires users to exhibit mutual respect and adherence to traffic laws.

The lives lost yesterday could have been those of our own families, friends, or ourselves. It is therefore imperative that we adopt safe driving practices, and adhere to speed limits. Speeding is a leading cause of accidents, and therefore observing speed limits, especially in areas prone to heavy traffic and pedestrian activities, could greatly reduce the risk of accidents. Regular vehicle maintenance; ensuring that vehicles, particularly heavy-duty trucks, are in optimal working condition; avoiding distractions and engaging in defensive driving are some means of being prepared for the unexpected actions of other drivers and road users.

Reckless driving, particularly by heavy-duty trucks transporting sand, stones, and lumber, poses a significant threat to all road users. These vehicles often speed, ignore traffic regulations, and operate with little regard for the safety of others, leading to frequent, sometimes fatal, accidents.

A Royal Commission of 1870 reported seeing a mandir up the Demerara River, and one at Wakenaam, but there are claims that the first Hindu immigrants established simple mandirs with lingas of Lord Shiva at Londsdale, EBB and at Waterloo at WCB around 1846. Similarly, it is claimed that the first Islamic masjid was built in 1869 near the Atlantic shore at Philadelphia, EBE. Even though the colonial administration supported the Christian churches financially and otherwise, the plantation managers did not prevent the Indian Indentureds from practising their religions on the plantations. From the late 19th century, and increasingly after the abolition of indentureship, they even facilitated the construction of mandirs and masjids in the logies’ area. It was not that they accepted the heathen practices, but that they wanted to keep the time-expired immigrants as workers in the fields. For, to the Indian immigrants, religion was central to their lives.

During the 19th century, the two largest festivals celebrated by the immigrants were Phagwah and Muharram – the latter a Shite commemoration of the Kattle of Karbala. Its exuberancein which Hindus and Creoles joined in the beating of Tazia drums and the parade of Tazias – encouraged rum drinking and fights. After indentureship, Muslims drew the line on the revelry, and Muhorram died out by the 1950s, even as the tadja drums were retained by Hindus.

Christian missionaries strove strenuously to convert the immigrants to Christianity, and because all the schools were church-run, the Indians kept their children away. As late as the 1950s, to become a teacher, Indians had to convert to Christianity.

One interesting development was the gradual loss of caste among Hindus, even though westerners had insisted that this demarcation was inherent in the religion. Caste started breaking down in the depots and ships when all had to eat together, and later in the plantations when, because of the shortage of women, the “higher castes” had no choice but to marry “lower castes”. Their form of worship also changed when everyone could make offerings directly to the Murtis. The immigrants from Madras also continued their worship of the village deity Mariemmen as a form of Kali.

Dear Editor,

The letter section continues to be the principal platform for the Opposition. The latest iteration of this comes in the form of a mischievous little piece in the media (5/15/2024) that makes some ridiculous allegations about the PPP elections at it 32nd Congress.

The complaint of a compromised election process is baseless. For the record, I was a delegate at the Congress, and was present through the three days of the historic event. The election was conducted in the most transparent manner possible. Numerous protocols were in place.

I have no doubt that the PPP would provide the details about the process

when asked. In the meantime, I can tell you that the letter in question is self-contradictory. It claims that a list went around, and several long-time and well-known PPP candidates’ names were missing. The truth is all - and I repeat - all those candidates were actually elected. As for the ranking of candidates as determined by the vote count, I can only say that the ballots added up. Moreover, it is not unusual in democratic elections for the ‘fortunes’ of repeat candidates to go up and down, even if by small margins. That is exactly what happened here.

Sincerely, Dr Randy

Persaud

To every driver on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, consider this a plea for heightened vigilance and responsibility. The highway is not merely a route for

As a community we have a collective responsibility to be our brother's keeper; let us lend support to those families during and after this difficult time, make their souls rest in peace and rise in glory. May we continue to pray for the injured passengers to recover swiftly, and for family members of all involved to be given strength during this sad and difficult time.

Yours respectfully, Jermaine Figueira, MP

Evening News (RB)

Guyana mandir with a 19th century Shivala

Tazia at Muhorram

Page Foundation

CSEC MATHS

Choose a word that is opposite in meaning to the indicated

1. Fear (A) Terror (B) Dread (C) Anxiety (D) Assurance

2. Hatred (A) Loathing (B) Abhorrence (C) Detestation (D) Love

3. Happiness (A) Joy (B) Contentment (C) Bliss (D) Sorrow

4. Harshness (A) Bleakness (B) Severity (C) Kindness (D) Austerity

5. Wealth (A) Affluence (B) Poverty (C) Prosperity (D) Sumptuousness

Select the one underlined part that is inappropriate and choose the corresponding letter. If the sentence is acceptable as is, choose D.

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Conciliation talks

Govt rejects GTU’s 20% acrossthe-board increase ultimatum

…says demand shocked Ministry, unreasonable

The sudden ultimatum by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) to demand that Government pay all teachers a 20 per cent across-theboard increase before it further engages the Education Ministry on conciliation talks has shocked education authorities and has been rejected.

On day two of conciliation talks held between the Education Ministry and the GTU, a document citing a demand of an interim 20 per cent across-the-board salary payment for teachers was presented to the Chief Labour Officer by representatives of the GTU.

The Union demanded that the interim 20 per cent increase be paid to teachers before any conciliation regarding the time frame for the payment period for salary increases continues.

The demand made by the GTU is aside from monies to be paid to teachers when a payment period for the multi-year agreement is decided upon.

Additionally, the Union requested that Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton recuse himself from the negotiations process.

Before this, both parties on Tuesday had agreed on a terms of resumption (TOR) agreement and were prepared to sign said document presented by the Union, so that there was no victimisation of either party.

The document stipulated that during the consideration of the matter in dispute, there shall be no strike, stoppage of work whether of a partial or general nature, go-slow, boycott, picketing, retardation of production, or any other interference with the Ministry's operations, by the Union.

In addition, the TOR stated that there shall not be any lockout or any other form of interference with

the Ministry's operations, by the Union, nor shall there be any lockout or any other form of interference by the Ministry.

At a specially-convened press briefing on Wednesday, Education Minister Priya Manickchand stated that the request by the Union was unreasonable and made it clear that the Government would not sign off on the Union’s request and would also not negotiate under duress.

She contends that GTU was setting a “very bad precedent not only for the Guyana Government but for Governments across the region”.

“My position is given that the Union is a union of many years, they're not new. They didn't start two years ago. This is a long-standing union who have had some honourable positions in the past, so they know unions. Given the fact that they know this is not how industrial relations output. My conclusion could only be that they intended to derail this process. They do not intend to have a conciliation. They want to keep teachers on the road. They want to be disruptive to the education system. And we believe that is … politically, directed because no one who has the interest of children at heart could tell me that this is a good place to be in,” the Education Minister said.

Manickchand further disclosed that the door was still open for the Union to rescind its demand and come on Monday when both parties are expected to meet again.

She explained that after Monday, the Government would take action against the Union, and distance learning would be instituted in homes to combat the current learning loss.

“We have a standing, sacred-almost duty to make sure that we look after chil-

dren and anything that comes in the way of that has to be treated condignly and swiftly with solutions.

“I hope that the same members in that Union body can take the Union back and bring it to that place (of being reasonable), so that on Monday we end up with a resolution and conciliation agreement where we go to the table and engage in the conciliation process. If that breaks down, then there is a place for arbitration,” the Minister added.

Union never interested

Meanwhile, in a release following the press conference, the Education Ministry said that it was now clear, if it weren’t before, that there was no interest on the part of the GTU to engage in conciliation with a view to resolving the issues as is provided for in the grievance procedure in the 1990 Memorandum of Agreement.

“Nowhere in the world would it be considered normal for negotiations to happen under duress. The GTU’s insistence that an across-the-board 20 per cent be paid BEFORE any talks can happen is duress. Given the GTU’s many years as a trade union body, they must know that this is unusual, unacceptable, unreasonable and would result in the breakdown in talks,” the Ministry said.

According to the Ministry, it is clear then that teachers’ welfare is not the paramount consideration for the Teachers’ Union. Teachers are being used as pawns in a much-larger, politically-directed plot. This is destructive and sad.

“The Government of Guyana reiterates its commitment to advancing every aspect of the education sector. Teachers are the backbone of this sector and are and will be treated accord-

ingly,” the Ministry stated.

Conciliation talks

The GTU and the Guyana Government, through the Education Ministry, on Monday met for conciliation talks regarding the ongoing teachers’ strike, which resumed last Thursday, May 9, 2024.

This was facilitated following the issuance of a letter from the Official of Education Ministry to the Labour Ministry requesting that its Subject Minister, Joseph Hamilton intervene in the matter with the GTU.

The request made by the Education Ministry was provided for under the provisions of the 1990 Memorandum of Agreement for “the avoidance and settlement of disputes” between the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Teachers’ Union, and the Labour Act, Cap. 98:01, which allows the impasse in respect of the timeframe to be referred to the Labour Minister for conciliation.

It is said that the engagement is part of efforts to come to an agreement on the period over which teachers will be paid, which Government said should commence from 2024 onwards, however, GTU wants the talks to be centred on the 2019-to-2024 period.

Efforts to contact GTU officials for a comment on these developments proved futile.

Resumption of strike

The GTU resumed strike action across the country Thursday last, after talks between the Union and the Education Ministry reportedly broke down.

Teachers had only on

March 6 returned to the classroom, after striking for some four weeks.

The teachers, through their union, had ended the strike and agreed to return to discussions with the Government regarding salary increases.

When the strike had ended, the Union and the Government were engaged in discussions on issues affecting teachers.

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald later told media operatives that the decision to resume the strike was because the Union believes there is nothing forthcoming from the Government as it relates to collective bargaining.

The Government has already addressed over 20 issues affecting teachers, aimed at improving their working conditions and overall welfare.

In fact, at the time of the last strike, President Dr Irfaan Ali had reminded that he has already met with teachers across the country and outlined the Government’s plan to improve their livelihood.

Moreover, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

had calculated that by the end of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s current term in office, graduate teachers would have benefited from salary increases amounting to nearly 50 per cent.

On April 19, the High Court had ruled in favour of the GTU, and stipulated that teachers’ salaries should not be cut following their participation in the strike.

The High Court had also ruled against Government’s decision to discontinue the deduction of union dues from the salaries of teachers for the GTU.

This came on the heels of the Guyana Government’s refusal to negotiate for salary increases for the period December 2019 to 2023, but it instead was ready to do so for a multi-year agreement starting 2024.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall has since said Government will appeal the ruling at the level of the Guyana Court of Appeal, with the likelihood that the case will go to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana’s final court of appeal. (G1)

Education Minister Priya Manickchand during a press conference held at the Ministry’s Brickdam office

2-vehicle collision at Long Creek claims life of 6th victim

Asixth person has succumbed to his injuries in the horrific smash-up at Long Creek, Linden-Soesdyke Highway on Monday, which had already claimed the lives of five persons.

The sixth victim has been identified as 67-yearold Aubrey Ghanie, 67, of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

He reportedly died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Wednesday. The other victims are Uranie Hall, Rushell Leacock, Rayhum Leacock, Clinton Patterson, and Dwalon Farrel.

The accident reportedly involved two motor cars PAF 6785, owned and driven by Rayhum Leacock, and PTT 8159, owned and driven by Dwalon Farell.

Police have said that PTT 8159 was heading to the mining town of Linden while the other vehicle was heading to Georgetown, and both were reportedly speeding.

As the vehicles were about to pass each other, Leacock reportedly lost control of his vehicle, and it crashed head-on into

Clinton Patterson, Uranie Hall, Rushell Leacock, and Dwalon Farrel were pronounced dead on arrival.

The other four occupants:

Farell’s vehicle, resulting in both vehicles being extensively damaged and the occupants therein sustaining severe injuries. They were taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where Rayhum Leacock,

When will… …Mad Maduro stop?

Otions listed as critical.

However, two of the six victims - Dwalon Farrel of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and

Asha Granum, Aubery Gandi, Rashana Burberry, and Ashana Rammacingo, were admitted to the hospital with severe injuries. They were later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital with their condi-

Rushell Leacock were teachers at the New Silver City Secondary School and Kwakwani Primary School respectively.

Following the accident, via the Education Department of Region 10, it was stated that Farrell was more than an educator – he was a mentor, guiding countless students through the intricacies of industrial technology and inspiring them to pursue their passions.

Leacock was renowned for her unwavering commitment to the holistic development of her pupils. Her infectious enthusiasm and nurturing spirit enriched the lives of all who crossed her path.

Meanwhile, Traffic Chief, Mahendra Singh reprimanded drivers for their reckless usage of the roadways, noting that the accident could have been avoided.

“It is an unfortunate loss and I think it is one that could have been prevented had drivers been responsible enough to recognise that it is not all about speed and to get people quickly where they want to go… they must recognise that they have a role to play to keep the passengers alive.”

Nevertheless, while sympathising with the aggrieved families who lost their loved ones, he urged other road users to take heed of what is happening on the roadway as a result of recklessness. As such, he called on them to be more responsible and contribute to safer roads across the country.

nce again, we’ve been informed that Mad Maduro hasn’t only moved troops to our border, but is actually building a bridge over the Cuyuni to Ankoko Island – half of which is ours, but which Venezuela seized and occupied since 1966!! Yes…the same year we became “independent”, we lost half of our Ankoko to the Venezuela Bully. Venezuela then had a “bourgeois” government, and was an ally of the US, so we should be reminded that when it comes to their claim on our territory, there’s NO opposition!! Every Venezuelan man, woman and child has been indoctrinated, over the last hundred years, that they “wuz robbed” by Britain of THEIR Essequibo birthright!!

Your Eyewitness has been warning for years that our political directorate gotta take the threat from the mad man on the west seriously, even more than the threat from a blind man. “When a blind man tells you he gon pelt you, he done gat brick in ‘e hand”. True-true story. And it’s worse than the story about the elephant and the tent. Remember that one? The elephant asked the fella if he could rest his trunk in the latter’s tent during a rainstorm, and before the kind man who agrees could catch his breath, the elephant’s in the tent, and he’s outside getting soaked. In that case, at least the elephant said, “Please, pretty please!” for starters – but with the Venezies, they’ve made no secret from the beginning that they want us OUT from what they claim is THEIR tent!!

What’s our excuse for even giving an ear to his blandishments – like at Argyle with his ally Ralph “Razor Blade” Gonzalves? Don’t we know that he’s already bought them over with his Petrocaribe subsidy? Every turn Mad Maduro makes, we see Gonsalves at his beck and call. The latest betrayal came just a couple days ago, when the Mad Maduro-led “Group of Friends in Defense of the United Nations Charter” met in Caracas. Can you believe that eighteen countries – including St Vincent, Russia, China N Korea etc – are supposedly “defending multilateralism and confronting violations of international law - including the application of unilateral coercive measures.”

Here's a man who’s refused to accept the UN Secty General - following the Geneva Agreement which they signed with us - sending his border controversy to the ICJ –and HE’S defending the UN Charter?? And Ralphie Boy was there “foot to foot” cheering Mad Maduro on!! There’s an old saying, “Show us your friends and we’ll know who you are”, and Ralphie Boy has shown his true colours again and again. As for Mad Maduro, as your Eyewitness pointed out, his colours were never hidden.

It's time we show him that we’re not gonna be playing his game!!

…Marxism-Leninism die?

And the debate about the import of the PPP “whiteouting” Marxism-Leninism and Socialism from their constitution goes on. Recently, we had a missive for a former Gen Secty of the PPP - and a President to bootweighing in. Now, your Eyewitness isn’t so concerned about which side would “win” – for politics ain’t no debating club!! - but the fact that it’s kosher to debate!!

For this is what “pluralism” is all about – that opinions don’t just have to be many – they SHOULD be many!!

And out of the many opinions, will come a widening of vision by our leaders, and better plans and programmes for our country’s development. This is what it’s all about: not just the debate, but the practice that comes out of the debate. The problem isn’t even if folks like the expresident use Marxist tools in their analysis – it’s when they assume that what comes out of their analysis MUST be true!!

Going forward, whatever delivers the results we want will have to be accepted as “true”!!

…we learn?

Your Eyewitness was intrigued by the news item that Jose Awad - convicted for “breaking and entering”escaped from the Lusignan Prison. Didn’t the authorities realise that who breaks in can break out?

Dead: Rayhum Leacock Dead: Rushell Leacock

Dead: Uramie Hall Dead: Dwaylon Farrell Dead: Clinton Patterson

The two vehicles that were involved in the horrific accident

Fmr PNC General Secretary Oscar Clarke passes

Former General Secretary (GS) of the People’s National Congress (PNC) died on Wednesday after complaining of feeling unwell. He died at a private city hospital.

Oscar Clarke, CCH, Clarke was appointed General Secretary of the PNCR on December 1, 1968. He started his service to the PNC in its youth arm and at age 26, and was selected to represent the Party in the National Assembly.

In 1965, he was made a Parliamentary Secretary and served as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly from January 1, 1969 to December 31, 1969.

In his career that spanned over five decades, Oscar Clarke served as Minister of State, Minister of Regional Development, Minster of Home Affairs and Guyana’s High Commissioner to Zambia and the Front-Line States, and Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba under the PNC administration. He served as a Member of Parliament for 21 years,

and in 2015 he was awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour for his exemplary public service to Guyana. He retired as the party’s General Secretary on June 30, 2017, making way for his colleague, Amna Ally.

Security guard shot dead after allegedly opening fire on cops

Asecurity guard attached to Kalibur Security Service was on Tuesday shot dead after he opened fire on a team of police officers at Vigilance South, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Dead is 39-year-old Michael Britton also called “Mickey” of Vigilance South, ECD. Police said the incident occurred at about 14:00h.

It was reported at about 13:30h on Tuesday, a team of ranks was driving along Brush Dam, Friendship, ECD on their way to the Vigilance Police Station when they were stopped by a 27-year-old car wash operator, who reported that Britton had threatened him with a firearm.

As a result of the report, ranks exited the vehicle and were accompanied by the Wash Bay operator, who pointed out Britton to them.

Upon seeing the ranks, Britton allegedly began to run and jumped a fence. The ranks gave chase, during

which Britton pulled out a black firearm and discharged a round in the ranks' direction. As a result, the ranks returned fire in Britton's direction, who kept running and jumped several fences in the area.

As the ranks pursued him and as he was in the process of jumping a southern fence of an empty lot, he suddenly collapsed. Britton was picked up by the ranks, where it was observed that he had a wound to the left side of his hip area.

He was placed in the Police vehicle and rushed

to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The area was searched, and a 9MM Canik pistol, along with four rounds in the magazine and one 9MM round in the breech of the firearm, was found.

During the ordeal, a 17-year-old bystander was allegedly 'grazed' on his right shoulder. He was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital by ranks of the Vigilance Police Station, where he was treated and sent away. Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

Fmr PNC General Secretary Oscar Clarke

Region 9 floodwaters recede, ripple effects felt in adjacent communities

As the La Niña weather pattern persists, the flood situation in Region Nine (Upper Takutu—Upper Essequibo) shows signs of improvement, with water levels gradually decreasing in several affected areas.

Notably, villages in

(CDC), Patrice Wishart in an interview with Guyana Times.

According to Wishart while progress is evident in these regions, obstacles persist, with some villages still inaccessible due to severely damaged roads.

Beyond Region Nine, other areas, including

the North Rupununi and South Pakaraima districts, such as Nappi and Kumu, are witnessing a decline in floodwaters, as reported by Public Information Officer of the Civil Defence Commission

Regions One (BarimaWaini); Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) have also experienced flood impacts. However, comprehensive details regarding

the extent of the damage are not yet available.

The CDC has been actively monitoring the situation and coordinating

response efforts. Recent reports from the Hydromet Service have indicated that heavy rainfall has inundated several villages in Region Nine.

Toka, Massara,

waters reaching alarming levels, submerging roads, and engulfing homes.

The report highlights severe consequences of the flooding, notably the erosion of crucial roadways by flash floods, such as the section between Toka and Massara. This erosion has not only disrupted transportation but has also isolated communities by cutting off land access. Moreover, vital infrastructure, such as the Yakarinta Bridge, remains submerged, further com -

plicating the situation for residents.

Karasabai Village is facing an urgent predicament, as rising water levels in the Yurora Creek have severed all land routes, leaving the community stranded.

Tiger Pond is grappling with eroded roadways, rendering travel impossible in many areas, while Sand Creek is completely cut off from vehicular access. Karaudarnau Village, too, contends with flooding as heavy rains persist. (G9)

Yakarinta, Aranaputa Valley, Karasabai, Tiger Pond, Sand Creek, Karaudarnau, and Katoonarib are among the

worst affected, with flood -

The flooding situation in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

$27B in “Because We Care” cash grants distributed over last 4 years

The Government has expended a total of $27 billion on “Because We Care” cash grant since assuming office in August 2020, with an additional $8.6 billion in disposable income to be made available to families nationwide this year.

This revolution was made by Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Tuesday during a press conference at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Kingston, Georgetown.

According to Minister Manickchand, approximately 214,000 school children in public and private schools have benefit from the annual cash grant which includes the school uniform and supplies voucher.

The Education Ministry is set to roll out its “Because We Care” cash grant this term which will see each child receiving $45,000.

This year, the “Because We Care” cash grant has been increased to $40,000, coupled with the $5000 uniform allowance and will benefit 205,000 children countrywide.

Additionally, schools have already received their grants to purchase supplies and materials to make teachers more efficient.

“I know parents look forward to it but I don't think people understand the cumulative effect of this grant. It's really giving back to our parents and the children of this country $27 billion in the four-year period that we've been there. You will recall when the cash grant was abolished by the previ-

ous government that they said they were abolishing the cash grant so that they could give breakfast, boats, buses, some bicycles”.

“We are giving the cash grants plus breakfast, plus we have bought more buses and boats in three years than the APNU had done in five years. And so, I just want you to understand the injection into making sure parents and children could access education so that they could avail themselves of the many opportunities we see coming our way,” the education minister said.

The PPP Government, in its manifesto, had promised that by 2025, each child will receive $50,000.

The “Because We Care” project started in 2014 under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government and saw parents receiving cash grants of $10,000 per child in the public school system.

However, when the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) assumed office in 2015, the party discontinued the

grant. When the PPP/C returned to Government in 2020, they upheld their promise to restore the grant and increase it.

As a result, the grant was increased from $15,000 to $25,000 in 2022 and from $25,000 to $35,000 in 2023 to $45,000 per child in 2024.

The “Because We Care” cash grant and uniform voucher are part of welfare measures being implemented by the government to put more disposable income into the hands of parents and increase school attendance of learners, particularly those disadvantaged because their parents could not always afford the basic necessities.

Meanwhile, the sum of $9.9 billion would have been injected into the National School Feeding Breakfast Programme by the end of 2024.

This programme the minister noted ensures that students in grades five and six across the country, as well as secondary schools in the hinterland receive either breakfast or a hot meal daily. (G1)

Guyana’s Private Sector outraged after T&T blocks milk imports from Guyanese company

…Guyana imported US$1.4B from T&T in 2023, but exported below US$200M …local exporters have been subjected to unfair treatment by T&T for decades – GOGEC

Anumber of private sector organisations in Guyana have expressed outrage against the recent revelations that Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) had blocked the import of millions of dollars’ worth of milk products from Guyana, in addition to restricting the sale of water imports from Guyana.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Wednesday said that it recalled the previous times it highlighted Trinidad’s attitude towards Guyana. According to the chamber, the latest actions of Trinidad to block Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) from exporting milk and water, adds to an already long list of ongoing issues.

ers of pineapples to T&T because the crowns were not removed; 2. The rejection of containers of peppers because the stems were not removed; 3. Instituting of a ban on poultry meat from Guyana though no trade is done between the two countries in poultry; 4. The requirement of agricultural products to be fumigated with methyl bromide – a substance banned under the Montreal Protocol.”

Additionally, the GCCI also said in other instances there were requirement to apply hypochlorous acid on eddoes, adding that there was “the denial, rejection and discarding of honey to be transshipped through T&T; the denial of importation of items already approved for importation. The

Some of these issues, according to GCCI, include: “1. The rejection of contain-

GCCI can furnish the public with at least one dozen more of these specific types of is-

sues.”

According to GCCI, Trinidad and Tobago’s continued adherence to non-tariff barriers, particularly those in the agriculture sub-sector, runs counter to the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) efforts to achieve the “25 by 2025” goals, namely the reduction of the

GCCI added, also urging the government to ensure reciprocity in trade between Guyana and T&T.

GMSA

The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), in a statement of its own, also slammed T&T for its refus-

regional food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

Further, the GCCI sees this as an attempt to undermine the efforts of President Dr Irfaan Ali, who leads this initiative on behalf of Caricom and has personally led a high-level delegation to T&T with the specific intention of removing these NTBs.”

“Clearly, the continuation of these constitute flagrant violations of the ironically titled Treaty of Chaguaramas and an utter disrespect of the Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which has, on several occasions, instructed T&T to remove many of these NTBs,”

al of the imports. According to GMSA, such developments are of significant concern in light of the fact that Caricom itself has charged its member states to allow the free movement of goods.

“Of equal importance is the commitment of all Heads of Government of Caricom to work together towards food security in the region, and the ambitious but necessary reduction in the regional food importation bill by 25% by the year 2025. Actions similar to those taken by Trinidad and Tobago against DDL are inimical to the achievement of these objectives.”

The association also referenced the 2014 trade

dispute that occurred between Suriname’s Rudisa Beverages & Juices N.V. subsidiary Caribbean International Distributors Inc (CIDI) and the State of Guyana.

In that case, the Caribbean Court of Justice had ruled that based on Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969, a State must perform its treaty obligations in good faith. Additionally, Article 27 goes on to state that a country cannot invoke its domestic law to justify breaching its treaty obligations.

“The GMSA is in contact with our sister organisation, the Trinidad & Tobago Manufacturers' Association (TTMA), and our regional umbrella organisation, the Caribbean Manufacturers Association (CMA), to help find solutions to the problem. We urge the relevant authorities in Trinidad and Tobago to move swiftly to resolve the breach without the need for other interventions,” GMSA also said.

GOGEC

Meanwhile, the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) issued a statement expressing solidarity with DDL and condemning T&T for what it said was a “blatant violation” of the spirit of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, a free trade agreement that both Guyana and T&T are signatories to.

“Unfortunately, Guyanese exporters have been subjected to this type

of unfair treatment by Trinidad and Tobago for decades. Yet, despite the commitment to resolve these issues, they remain unresolved such that these barriers have been weaponised into shields of a trade protectionism agenda.”

In pointing out the double standards, GOGEC noted that T&T is Guyana’s second largest trading partner in imported commodities. As a matter of fact, Guyana imported US$1.4 Billion in commodities from T&T last year, accounting for over 20% of total imports.

“Whereas exports to Trinidad and Tobago from Guyana are in the region of under US$200 million, thus, giving rise to a trade deficit position with Trinidad and Tobago of approximately US$1.2 billion,” GOGEC noted.

“Moreover, exports from Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana accounts for 11% of Trinidad’s total exports (2023) and 53% of Trinidad’s total non-energy exports. It therefore means that should Guyana respond reciprocally to Trinidad by temporarily suspending imports from Trinidad into Guyana, then Trinidad stands to lose more than 50% of its non-energy export earnings.”

This, according to GOGEC, does not even include the Trinidadian nationals and firms operating in Guyana and benefiting from its oil and gas sector. In light of this, GOGEC urged T&T to act urgently to remedy this violation of the existing trade agreements. (G3)

GCCI President Kester Hutson

GMSA President Ramsay Ali

T&T Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley

GOGEC President Manniram Prashad

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week 2024: The Health Ministry's Vector Control Services hosted school education and sensitisation sessions at various learning institutions across Georgetown. According to the Health Ministry, these visits aimed to educate students about mosquito-borne diseases, emphasise the importance of individual actions in prevention, and highlight the efforts of the Vector Control Services in the eradication of these diseases. Also, this week, officers from the Vector Control Services handed over several mosquito bed nets and hammock nets to Sebai Village, a riverine community in the Matarkai sub-district of Region One (Barima-Waini) Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), the Ministry said, are a form of personal protection that has been shown to reduce illness, severe disease, and death due to malaria in endemic regions. These nets are being provided free of cost by the Health Ministry. Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week 2024 is themed: "Small Bite, Big Threat: Stop Disease Transmission, Start Source Reduction." (Health Ministry photos)

Health sector investments can see reverse of brain drain in Guyana – Anthony

…as Region 3 now equipped with new medical hub

Residents of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) will now have access to dialysis treatments, urgent care, podiatry, radiology, and dental care among other services as the privately owned Olmac Medical Hub in Vreed-enHoop has opened its doors.

Delivering remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony emphasised the importance of quality healthcare, acknowledging the challenges posed by limited resources and the migration of skilled professionals.

Dr Anthony further said that investments like these could bring back talented individuals to Guyana to not only deliver healthcare but also share their medical knowledge he believes that this would uplift the quality of care, creating a positive impact on the community.

which I think is very fundamental, because we need excellent clinical mentors to help our doctors and nurses

lic health sector. According to Dr Anthony, telemedicine is a two-way real-time interactive commu-

mote villages.

Meanwhile, also delivering remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony was the founder of OLMAC Medical Hub, Philip McPherson who expressed his heartfelt appreciation to

so that we can lift the quality of care that were offering to patients,” he said.

Additionally, the minister noted that the new facility aligns with the government’s plans to expand

nication between a patient and healthcare provider through digital means. It is supported by audio and video equipment and integrated medical devices that allows clinicians to evaluate,

“But I think with these types of investments, we are now changing what was a brain drain to a brain gain, where persons are coming back not only offering good quality health care but also would involve in teaching

the health sector. The new medical hub will also feature telemedicine in its operations, which the minister pointed out is a strategy that the government has already introduced and continues to expand in the pub-

diagnose, and treat patients remotely. Currently telemedicine has already been expanded to 25 hospitals, and the government plans to further expand it to more than 50 sites across the hinterland, riverine, and re-

Minister Anthony for making this investment possible in Guyana. McPherson, who hails from El Dorado, Berbice moved to the United States to pursue his dream of becoming a physician. However, despite continuing his practice in the United States, McPherson had a strong desire to lend his skills in his home country. He highlighted that the motivation behind this endeavor stemmed from recognising the significant lack of dialysis care and treatment in the country, driven by a commitment to providing the best possible care to dialysis patients in Guyana. He further expressed gratitude to his friends and family for their support in acquiring the necessary equipment and establishing the centre.

In a touching moment, McPherson announced that the centre, when construction first began in January 2022, was initially named OLMAC Urgent Medical Care Guyana, but now it would be renamed the Vibert Amsterdam Memorial Dialysis Centre in honor of the first patient who was scheduled for treatment, and unfortunately passed away in April 2024, along with McPherson's parents. Modelled after the Brookdale Hospital Medical Centre in Brooklyn this privately owned health facility will provide medical services Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and will significantly improve patient care in region three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Guyana records decline in fatal accidents – Police

In 2024, Guyana has witnessed a decline in both fatal accidents and resultant deaths, according to recent data released by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The GPF Public Relations Officer, Mark Ramotar conveyed this information to journalists on Wednesday.

According to the data released, between January 1 and May 14, 2024, there were 78 reported fatal accidents and incidents, marking a decrease from the 84 incidents recorded during the same period in 2023. Correspondingly, the number of fatalities resulting from these accidents has also decreased, with 91 fatalities reported in 2024 compared to 95 in 2023.

These statistics indicate an improvement in road safety nationwide, reflecting collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including the GPF, to mitigate road traffic accidents and promote public awareness of safety protocols.

However, the statistic comes one day after six persons died in a head-on collision at Long Creek, LindenSoesdyke Highway.

Earlier this year, President Dr Irfaan Ali pledged to address the issue of traffic accidents on Guyana's roads through comprehensive road safety and traffic management strategies. He emphasised the need for a national dialogue on this matter, leading to the implementation of new laws, regulations, and technological interventions to curb road accidents.

Despite previous legislative efforts, such as tightening laws regarding alcohol consumption by motorists in 2022, challenges persist. Instances of traffic law violations, particularly by motorcyclists, remain a concern for police commanders across all administrative regions.

Additionally, enforcement of laws against drunk driving faces obstacles, as

evidenced by the substantial number of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases recently reported by the GPF. A month ago, the GPF reported 41,358 cases of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) were made out against errant drivers between January 1 and April 22, 2024. Of this number, 449 were brought before the courts, with the Police securing 153 convictions.

Pedestrians in certain areas, notably Georgetown, encounter difficulties accessing pavements due to vehicle obstruction or occupation by vendors. Non-functional traffic lights and speeding minibuses have also posed further hazards, impacting commuter safety.

Addressing these challenges the Police Force has launched a multi-faceted approach, encompassing stringent enforcement of existing laws, public education campaigns, and swift legal processes for traffic law violators.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and OLMAC Medical Hub founder Philip McPherson at the ribboncutting ceremony to open the Medical Hub in Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara

Hinterland housing programme

20 Region 1 families receive new homes

…more distribution in coming weeks – Housing Minister

Twenty Region One (Barima-Waini) families are embracing a new chapter of comfort as they received keys to their new homes over the weekend.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal handed over the keys to the families and according to him, the investment on each house is about $4 million.

He also said that the constructive works are derived from budgetary allocations and within the next upcoming weeks more houses will be given to families.

“To date…here in Barima-Waini brings to total handing over of 40 houses as part of the 400 and we have the first 125 that are nearing completion so within the next few weeks you'll see even more being handed over,” he said, explaining that a significant point that must be understood is that the hinterlands program implementation is slightly different from the program on the coast as the procedure for payment varies.

“The implementation of the hinterland program is a little dissimilar from what is

happening on the coast and because those persons have to go through the bank or have a pre-qualification to be able to pay for their houses, in this case it's in the village council land area so the individual ownership cannot be ascertained,” he stated whilst adding that residents in Barima-Waini cannot take a document to the bank to get a loan. However, he added that due to this dilemma, government had to derive a massive housing, hinterland housing program.

Meanwhile, Croal explained that another aspect

of the initiative is that there has been a distinct support in the village’s economy regarding the natural resources that are being used.

“Another aspect of this initiative is that we are supporting the village economy so the construction of the hinterland houses locality are being taken into consideration, and materials they have, if you go to Region 9 you'll see us pushing the clay blocks houses,” he expressed whilst then adding that is has been so because that community has the soil type to pro-

duce blocks as part of their economic growth, whereas within communities such as Barima-Waini, wood has been used to construct the houses in that area due to the wide range of wood available. (G2)

$15M in monitoring devices procured for fishing industry

Guyana’s fishing industry is poised for significant transformation with the introduction of artisanal vessel monitoring devices, procured and distributed to over a dozen fisherfolk by the Agriculture Ministry.

These devices, representing a $15 million investment by the government, a DPI report stated, will transform fishing practices by enabling the tracking of fishing boats and monitoring of fish populations within the ocean, enhancing safety and efficiency. The devices were handed over to fisherfolk on Wednesday during a brief ceremony at the ministry’s boardroom, Regent Street, Georgetown.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha emphasised the need for the fishing industry to embrace technological advancements.

“We are not only investing in the physical structure

like the wharves and so on, but we will also be putting equipment on your vessels to track you so that we can know where you are fishing and we can monitor you,” the minister is quoted as saying in a DPI report.

In addition to combating piracy, these devices will enhance the security of fishing activities within Guyana’s borders.

The agriculture minister assured that every vessel in

the country will eventually be equipped with the device.

The monitoring tools were procured from Latitude Geospatial Consulting Inc., which is receiving support from Pelagic Data Systems. Both entities are utilising state-of-the-art satellite technology to drive Guyana’s fishing industry.

Director of Latitude Geospatial Consulting Inc., Dr Haimwant Persaud explained that the data col-

lected by these devices will enable the fisheries department to make informed decisions tailored to the needs of fisherfolk, leading to smoother operations within the sector.

“As soon as it [the de-

vice] gets sunlight it activates and what happens, is that it starts sending a communication to the satellite. From that, the satellite reads into a data processing platform, and you start receiving statistics every ten

seconds of the movement of the vessel,” Dr Persaud highlighted.

The data will allow agencies to monitor fishing grounds, track vessel locations, and assess distances from shore.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal and Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley share a photo with residents who received one of the new houses

Director of Latitude Geospatial Inc, Dr Haimwant Persaud explaining how the device works

8 illegal structures halt major infrastructure works in Linden – CH&PA

The Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Sherwyn Greaves, on

owners of the structures to bring a speedy resolution to the issue.

"We have people who are waiting to access their

quoted as saying.

According to the CH&PA, the CEO added that Wednesday’s assessment will determine if

Wednesday morning, went with a team on a fact-finding mission at Phase 4, Fitz Hope, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) in response to complaints from contractors, that infrastructure works are halted as a result of a cluster of squatters.

According to the CH&PA, Greaves explained that more than 400 families have been allocated residential lots in the area, while an additional 160 have been regularied.

However, according to the CH&PA, eight illegal structures continue to stand in the way of a key road network.

According to Greaves, the Housing Ministry will now be reaching out to the

lands, and we have contractors who have works to be completed, and we cannot have 8 persons blocking development," the CEO is quoted as saying in a social media post by the CH&PA.

He explained that the ministry will be exploring all its options to engage these persons to relocate them so that the development works can proceed and assured that the agency will work with the owners of the structures to chart a course forward.

"We want people to be able to move into their homes, we want them to sign their legal documents so they could have the security of tenure go to the banks, and start building their homes,” the CEO is

the contractors can work around the structures or if relocation is the only alternative.

"We first have to see if we can work around or if they have to move, we will deal with those persons who have those structures and see if we can relocate them and put them somewhere else because we can't have the work being held up because we must proceed to put people into their homes".

The CEO also used the opportunity to remind Lindeners that the housing ministry is working in their best interest, and with the demand for housing growing, efforts are being made to make land available.

"Over the years we have been working in Region 10,

as you know we have a massive project at Plantation York, and we are in talks with Lands and Survey for additional land as we have a target of 50,000 allocations to meet.”

The CEO added, the posted stated that the agency is committed to fulfilling its mandate and while they are well on the way to meeting that target, with 33,000 allocations made so far,

meeting that target will not be the end.

"There is an ever-growing demand for housing, and we will continue in our efforts to make housing affordable for every citizen.

4 dead in New Caledonia riots, France declares state of emergency

France declared a state of emergency on the Pacific island of New Caledonia on Wednesday after three young indigenous Kanak and a Police official were killed in riots over electoral reform.

The state of emergency, which entered into force at 05:00h local time (1800 GMT), gives authorities additional powers to ban gatherings and forbid people from moving around the Frenchruled island.

Police reinforcements adding 500 officers to the 1800 usually present on the

island, have been sent after rioters torched vehicles and businesses and looted stores.

Schools have been shut and there is already a curfew in the capital.

Rioting broke out over a new bill, adopted by lawmakers in Paris on Tuesday, that will let French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years vote in provincial elections – a move some local leaders fear will dilute the Kanak vote.

"No violence will be tolerated," said Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, adding that the state of emergency "will

allow us to roll out massive means to restore order."

He later signed a decree declaring a state of emergency that will last for 12 days and announced that French soldiers would be used to secure New Caledonia's main port and airport.

Authorities also decided to ban video app TikTok, which the Government during a bout of riots on France's mainland last summer said helped rioters organise and amplified the chaos, attracting troublemakers to the streets. (Excerpt from Reuters)

The illegal structures which have halted major works in Linden (CH&PA photos)

Smoke rises from a damaged garage as rioters protest against plans to allow more people to take part in local elections in the French-ruled territory, which indigenous Kanak protesters reject, in Noumea, New Caledonia, May 15, 2024, in this screen grab obtained from social media video (Yoan Fleurot/via Reuters)

US removes Cuba from list of countries not cooperating fully against terrorism

The United States removed Cuba from a short list of countries it alleges are "not cooperating fully" in its fight against terrorism, a State Department official said on Wednesday.

The official cited the resumption of law enforcement cooperation between Cuba and the US as one of the reasons why the previous designation was deemed "no longer appropriate".

"The Department determined that the circumstances for Cuba’s certification as a 'not-fully-cooperating country' have changed from 2022 to 2023," the official said.

The decision marks a tepid if symbolically important move on behalf of the Biden Administration, which until now has largely maintained Trump-era restrictions on the Communist-run island.

The cooperation against terrorism list, which the State Department is required by law to provide to the US Congress, is not the same as the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, according

to the Department official.

Former US President Donald Trump separately designated Cuba a State sponsor of terrorism just prior to leaving office, a jab that Cuba maintains has contributed to a severe economic crisis on the island, and to shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.

"This move by the Biden Administration could well be a prelude to the State Department reviewing Cuba’s designation as a State sponsor of terrorism," William LeoGrande, a Professor at Washington's American University, told Reuters.

The State Department

official said the State sponsor designation is determined by separate statutory criteria.

"Any future review of Cuba's status would be based on the law and criteria established by Congress," the official said.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez applauded Wednesday's decision by the Biden Administration, but said it did not go far enough.

"The US has just admitted what is known to everyone: that #Cuba collaborates fully with efforts against terrorism," Rodriguez posted on X.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T baby dies after he "stopped breathing" at daycare

Investigations are continuing into the death of five-month-old baby Levi Lucas of St James.

A Police report said the baby boy reportedly became unresponsive while at a daycare in La Seiva, Maraval, on Monday.

His parents were notified and took him to the Maraval Health Centre. However, the infant died while receiving medical treatment.

Police said blood was seen coming from the baby’s nose. No marks of violence were observed on his body.

The parents told officers that baby Levi was dropped off at the daycare around 08:30h and was active and in good health.

However, around midday, they were called and told that the baby was unresponsive and not breathing.

The parents took the baby to the health centre as the ambulance, which was called, had not yet arrived.

But some 15 minutes after baby Levi was being treated by medical officials, the parents were informed that he had died.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Mexican villagers killed amid cartel battle

At least 11 persons have been killed amid clashes between rival cartels in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas.

Reports by local media say that two nuns and a teenager are among those killed.

The area is fought over by the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

But residents said the victims were locals who were "massacred" by cartel members.

Residents reported hearing intense gunfire on Monday night.

Police and soldiers confirmed on Tuesday that they had found 11 bodies in the village of Nuevo Morelia and its surrounding area.

The diocese of San

Cristóbal, of which Nueva Morelia forms part of, confirmed that two women "who served the Catholic Church" were among those killed.

A 15-year-old boy has also been confirmed as one of the victims. However, it was not clear if the two were lay members of the Church or nuns, as some local media reported.

Locals said there had been fighting between the rival cartels since Friday.

The Sinaloa cartel and the CJNG have been fighting for control of the area for several years.

The criminal groups extort migrants who cross the southern state on their way north to Mexico's border with the United States.

Communities in the re-

gion have been hard hit by the violence, sometimes having to hide in their homes for days as shots ring out outside.

In January, hundreds fled their homes in Chicomuselo, the area where Nuevo Morelia is located, to escape the violence.

Confrontations between the two cartels flared up again at the end of last week when members of the criminal organisations set abandoned homes alight in Nuevo Morelia and surrounding villages.

Police and forensic experts have been deployed to the area but locals claim they have been left largely unprotected.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Chile's capital faces fiercest cold snap in decades

Chileans are bundling up with more clothes and clutching cups of hot coffee as the country faces the most intense cold snap in nearly 70 years, bringing winter weather in the middle of autumn.

"Since 1950, that is, in the last 74 years, we had not had a cold wave as intense as the current one in May," climatologist at the University of Santiago, Raul Cordero, told Reuters.

"So we are in the presence of the longest cold wave ever recorded in the capital, at least since 1950 for fall."

For today, the meteoro-

logical office expected a minimum temperature of 1 degree Celsius (34 Fahrenheit) in the central Santiago area.

The change was abrupt -within days of summer heat ending, mountains near the capital had snowy peaks.

"Before, May was a very autumnal month and now we go from extreme heat to extreme cold," said student Francisca Vergara.

The Chilean Government also declared a "code blue" in six regions in central and south central Chile to help people living on the streets cope with the extreme cold.

Cordero also said that

polar cold masses clashing with tropical warm ones can cause storms, like the recent ones in Brazil where severe rains and floods have left almost 150 dead.

Aside from climate change and weather events like El Niño and La Niña, Cordero said bad luck contributed to the extreme weather events.

"These masses could have been found a few hundred kilometres further north or a few hundred kilometres further south and the consequences would have been different," Cordero said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Petrobras shares plunge as Brazil's Lula ousts CEO, CFO

Brazil's Petrobras announced the exit of its CEO and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on Wednesday, and shares tumbled on news that a former regulator with views closer to those of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will take the helm of the State-run oil firm.

Along with the confirmation of CEO Jean-Paul Prates' exit after months of intense speculation about his tenure, the firm said in a filing that CFO Sergio Caetano Leite was also out.

Prates lasted less than a year and a half on the job – the fourth Petrobras CEO dismissed in about as many years for political reasons. His firing raises fresh fears that Petrobras will be used as a tool to fire up the Brazilian economy at the expense of minority shareholders.

Brazil’s State-run oil company Petrobras Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jean-Paul Prates (Reuters/Ricardo Moraes file photo)

Shares of Petrobras dropped six per cent, the biggest loser on Brazil's benchmark stock on Wednesday.

Industry analysts expressed concern, as Prates was seen as balancing the market demands for disciplined capital spending and healthy dividends with political demands to stabilise fuel prices and invest in job-cre-

ating sectors.

"It was unnecessary, because Jean-Paul Prates was doing a very reasonable job," said Frederico Nobre, chief equities analyst at Warren Investimentos.

Jefferies analysts said the CEO swap "appears to be an escalation of the push to intervene in the company", in a note to clients downgrading Petrobras from "buy" to "hold".

The ouster of Prates represents a win for members of Lula's Cabinet pushing for lower fuel prices, smaller dividends and more capital spending to create jobs and boost the economy.

In Prates' place, the Government appointed Magda Chambriard, a former Head of Brazilian oil and gas regulator ANP under Lula's previous Workers Party administration. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Sanctions imposed on Nicaragua over repression, migrant smuggling

The United States on Wednesday imposed visa restrictions on more than 250 members of the Nicaraguan Government and levied sanctions on three Nicaraguan entities in retaliation for "repressive actions" and a failure to stem migrant smuggling through the Central American country.

Senior administration officials told reporters that the officials subject to visa restrictions included Police and paramilitary officials, Prosecutors, Judges and public higher education officials.

At the same time, the Departments of State, Homeland Security, and the Treasury issued a joint alert to notify airlines and

travel agents about the ways smuggling and human trafficking networks are exploiting legitimate transportation services to facilitate illegal migration to the United States through Nicaragua.

"Actions by the Nicaraguan Government are of grave concern.

President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo have put in place permissive-by-design migration policies," the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

The Nicaraguan Government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Increasingly migrants have been flying into Nicaragua and then head -

ing north overland to the US-Mexico border as some smugglers have promoted the route through social networks.

Many migrants in recent years have started their journeys in Brazil or other South American countries, but flying into Nicaragua avoids the often perilous journey through the jungle region known as the Darien Gap on the Colombia-Panama border.

The Administration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has struggled with record numbers of migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border and, as he runs for re-election in November, voters have increasingly said that immigration is a top concern.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez

Around the World

OOIL NEWS

Oil rebounds, gains 1% after US crude draw, lukewarm inflation data

Slovak PM Robert Fico fights for life after assassination attempt

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is fighting for his life in hospital after being shot in a small town north-east of Bratislava.

On Wednesday evening, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak said Fico had been in surgery for over three hours and that the situation was "bad".

il prices rose nearly one per cent on Wednesday from a two-month low in the prior session as the market balanced bullish US economic and crude storage data against the International Energy Agency's forecast for weaker global oil demand growth.

Brent futures rose 37 cents, or 0.5 per cent, to settle at US$82.75 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 61 cents, or 0.8 per cent, to end at US$78.63.

That cut the premium of Brent over WTI to its lowest since March 28. A narrower premium makes it less profitable for energy companies to send vessels to the US to pick up crude cargoes for export.

Earlier in the session, the bearish IEA report helped push both benchmarks into technically oversold territory with prices at their lowest since February. On Tuesday, both benchmarks closed at their lowest since March 12.

Prices reversed direction after US data showed a bigger-thanexpected crude drawdown and lukewarm inflation that fuelled expectations of a cut in interest rates later this year.

US crude inventories last week fell 2.5 million barrels, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said, much more than the 500,000-barrel draw forecast in a Reuters poll.

"The crude oil draw is mostly from the increase in the refinery utilisation rate ... Refiners finally got serious about that, finally cranked it up a bit," Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho told Reuters.

US consumer prices increased less than expected in April, suggesting that inflation resumed its downward trend at the start of the second quarter in a boost to financial market expectations the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut interest rates in September.

Lower interest rates would reduce borrowing costs for businesses and consumers and could spur economic growth and demand for oil.

With the Fed expected to cut interest rates later this year, the US dollar fell to a five-week low against a basket of other currencies. A weaker dollar can boost oil demand as the greenback-denominated commodity becomes less expensive to buy in other currencies.

The IEA trimmed its forecast for 2024 oil demand growth, widening the gap with producer group the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC )in terms of expectations for this year's global demand outlook.

POEC and its allies like Russia, a group known as OPEC+, is likely to hold its June 1 oil policy meeting online, four OPEC+ sources said, rather than in Vienna as currently scheduled.

In Canada, meanwhile, favourable winds are expected to push a major wildfire away from the oil sands city of Fort McMurray, officials said, less than a day after 6000 persons were ordered to leave.

Fort McMurray is the hub for Canada's oil sands output. A huge wildfire in 2016 forced the evacuation of 90,000 residents and shut in more than one million barrels per day of output.

(Reuters)

US

Slovak politicians, including the President, have called the shooting an "attack on democracy".

The alleged assailant was detained at the scene, but has not yet been formally identified by the authorities.

The attack happened

about 14:30h (12:30 GMT) in Handlova, about 180 kilometres (112 miles) from the

capital Bratislava, as Fico greeted people in front of a cultural community centre where a Government meeting had been held.

Footage showed a man raising a gun and firing five times at the Prime Minister before being subdued by bodyguards while other members of Fico's security detail took the Prime Minister into his car.

He was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital before being flown to another hospital in Banska Bystrica, east of Handlova.

Later on Wednesday, Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC's Newshour pro-

gramme he believed Fico's procedure in hospital had gone well.

"I guess in the end he will survive," Taraba said, adding: "He's not in a life-threatening situation at this moment."

At a press conference on Wednesday, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said Fico had been shot in the stomach.

"Initial information clearly points to political motivation," he added.

Unconfirmed local media reports said the suspect was a 71-year-old writer and political activist.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Israeli defence chief challenges Netanyahu over post-war Gaza plans

sraeli Prime Minister

IBenjamin Netanyahu was publicly challenged about post-war plans for the Gaza Strip on Wednesday by his own defence chief, who vowed to oppose any long-term military rule by Israel over the ravaged Palestinian enclave.

The televised statement by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant marked the most vocal dissent from within Israel's top echelon against Netanyahu during a sevenmonth-old and multi-front conflict that has set off political fissures at home and abroad.

Netanyahu hinted, in a riposte which did not explicitly name Gallant, that the retired Admiral was making "excuses" for not yet having destroyed Hamas in a conflict now in its eight month.

But the veteran conservative premier soon appeared to be outflanked within his own war cabi-

questions China's no-firstuse nuclear call given build-up

China has not responded to US nuclear-weapons risk-reduction proposals and Washington has questions about Beijing's call for no-first-use talks while China continues to build up its arsenal, the top US arms control official said on Wednesday.

Under Secretary of State Bonnie Jenkins told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the US estimates China currently has 500 operational nuclear warheads and will probably have more than 1000 by 2030.

She said US officials

met with Chinese counterparts last November, to discuss arms control and proliferation, their first such talks in nearly five years.

"The meeting enabled a preliminary discussion on potential measures for managing and reducing risks," she said. "Unfortunately ... the PRC has declined a follow-on meeting and has not provided (a) substantive response to risk-reduction suggestions we put forward," she said, using the acronym for the People's Republic of China.

Referring also to Russia, Jenkins said China's nuclear build-up "raises the

spectre that United States may soon face two expansionary and significantly nuclear-armed peers".

"Beijing's development of a larger, more diverse nuclear arsenal is deeply concerning, and raises questions about the trajectory of the PRC nuclear weapons programme," she said.

Jenkins was asked about China's call in February for States with the largest nuclear arsenals to negotiate a treaty on no-first-use of nuclear weapons against each other or to make a political statement in this regard.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

net: Centrist ex-General Benny Gantz, the only voting member of the forum other than Netanyahu and Gallant, said the Defence Minister had "spoke(n) the truth".

While reiterating the Netanyahu Government's goals of defeating Hamas and recovering remaining hostages from the October 7 cross-border rampage by the Islamist faction, Gallant said these must be

complemented by laying the groundwork for alternative Palestinian rule.

"We must dismantle Hamas’ governing capabilities in Gaza. The key to this goal is military action, and the establishment of a governing alternative in Gaza," Gallant said.

"In the absence of such an alternative, only two negative options remain: Hamas' rule in Gaza or Israeli military rule in Gaza," he add-

ed, saying he would oppose the latter scenario and urging Netanyahu to formally forswear it.

Gallant's Gaza criticism recalled that of Israel's chief ally, the United States, which has sought to parlay the war into a role for the internationally backed Palestinian Authority (PA), which wields limited governance in the occupied West Bank.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Blinken offers new US aid as Kyiv reels from renewed Russian attacks

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on Wednesday announced a US$2 billion fund to help Ukraine build up its defence industrial base, as he concluded a two-day visit aimed at reassuring the country reeling after Russia opened up a new front in its war last week.

Blinken said the United States was working to quickly get more ammunition and weapons to the front lines to help Ukrainian forces fight a new Russian ground incursion into the northeastern Kharkiv region, which provided a gloomy backdrop to his fourth visit to Kyiv since Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion.

Blinken said the new funding, in the form of a "first-of-its-kind defence enterprise fund," was coming at a "crucial time" and would help Kyiv get weapons it needs now.

It would also "strengthen even more (Ukraine's) capacity to produce what it needs for itself", he said. Kyiv can also use

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hold a joint press conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 15, 2024 (Reuters/ Alina Smutko photo)

the funding to buy arms from other countries, he added.

The US$2 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) draws mainly from US$61 billion appropriated for Ukraine last month, a US official said. It also includes US$400 million of FMF that had not yet been allocated to a specific country and will now be going to Ukraine, the official said.

The move follows a US-Ukrainian agreement signed in December to speed weapons co-produc -

tion and data sharing to help Ukraine's defence industry.

"We will continue to back Ukraine with the equipment that it needs to succeed, that it needs to win," Blinken said in a news conference on Wednesday before departing Kyiv by train. Kyiv has been on the back foot on the battlefield for months as Russian troops have slowly advanced, taking advantage of Ukraine's shortages of troop manpower and artillery shells. (Excerpt from Reuters)

PM Robert Fico was visiting the town of Handlova when he was attacked

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

Don't get fired up over something you cannot change. Use your energy to enhance your health and physical appearance or to do something nice for a loved one.

Don't apply pressure. Start the process, do the work yourself and, as you move forward, you'll attract attention and the help you need to get things done. Work to make a difference.

(May 21-June 20) (April 20-May 20)

Look on the bright side, offer positive suggestions and avoid emotional drama. You'll accomplish the most if you focus on domestic improvements.

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Speak up and share your expertise and what you are willing to contribute. Your input will turn into a learning experience that benefits you and others. Keep an open mind and show compassion; a window of opportunity will appear.

Too much talk and no action will work against you. Put your energy where it counts, and you'll gain momentum and valuable information. Refuse to let others sidetrack you.

Press forward, regardless of what others do or say. Take the path that brings out your passion and makes you feel good about yourself. Take responsibility for your happiness.

Don't reveal secrets or give anyone personal information that can affect your financial situation. You have plenty to gain if you invest in yourself and take the necessary precautions.

Don't let anyone slow you down. If you forge ahead, you will make gains and build momentum. An innovative option will lead to unexpected stability and a connection to someone interesting.

Kick back with familiar people or visit places that you find comforting. Distance yourself from drama and chaos or those trying to confuse you by sending mixed messages.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Refuse to let what you cannot control stop you from making the most of your day. Engage in events that bring out your best assets and skills, and you'll surprise people.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Get out, make things happen and refuse to let anyone get in your way. Don't feel obligated to follow anyone. Put your energy where it will bring the highest return. You'll have to lead to succeed.

Spend more time getting to know someone. A change of scenery will bring back memories and encourage opportunity. Trust your instincts and follow through with your plans.

IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings…

Curran sends Royals crashing to fourth straight loss

Form can change quickly in T20s, and in a league like IPL, the non-stop action can quickly turn the tide, too. Rajasthan Royals (RR) became the second team to prove that in this IPL, after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). But unlike RCB, who have won five matches straight, RR have now lost four in a row, after winning as many on the bounce, to hurt their chances of a top-two finish.

The latest loss came in Guwahati, where Sam Curran and the rest of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) bowlers combined to first restrict RR to 144. Curran, who picked up 2 for 24, led PBKS’

Curran rings in the changes Sanju Samson had opted to bat in the first game at the Barsapara Stadium this IPL. And after four overs, the game wasn’t going anywhere, with RR on 31 for 1. Curran had Yashasvi Jaiswal chopping on off the

fourth ball of the day, after the first ball was driven through cover for four. Samson hit three boundaries off his first eight balls, with a punch off Arshdeep Singh from the full face of the bat. At the other end, Tom Kohler-Cadmore,

on a slow pitch, where the ball seemed to stop, and even banged some on a hard length to test the batters. And that is when RR slowed down. The next 3.2 overs went for only 11 runs, with both Samson and Kohler-Cadmore de parting for 18.

Parag, Ashwin fight in middle overs PBKS bowled ten dot balls in three overs, starting with the sixth one. While Ellis and Harshal Patel used the variations to great effect, Rahul Chahar found turn. With two right-hand batters in Parag and R Ashwin at the crease, Curran gave the ninth over to leftarm spinner Harpreet Brar. But Ashwin managed a streaky boundary to get ten off the over.

toss, as the Purple Cap switched heads again, with Harshal finishing the day on 22 wickets, two ahead of Jasprit Bumrah.

Curran managed a lucky four off the bottom edge off Chahal. They kept ticking over singles while also finding the occasional boundary,

RR had only 68 on the board after 11 overs when Ashwin counterattacked. He slogged Chahar over midwicket for six, before reverse sweeping and lofting him over the covers for four. But Arshdeep ended Ashwin’s party in the next over by having him caught at deep point after an entertaining 28 from 19 balls.

Parag, though, continued to fight, even as RR were 102 for 6 midway into the 15th over. By then, Curran had removed Dhruv Jurel for a duck, while Chahar had Rovman Powell caught and bowled for 4. The death overs (1720) began with RR on 113, before Parag walloped and sliced Arshdeep for consecutive fours.

PBKS denied Parag the strike in the entire 19th over. Come the 20th, Harshal trapped Parag for 48 with his trademark dipping, slow full

Curran, Jitesh spoil RR’s top-two chances No. 6 Jitesh Sharma had joined Curran at the crease after RR slowed the chase down. Despite Rillee Rossouw counterattacking after the early loss of Prabhsimran Singh - it was an IPL record 28th time that Trent Boult had struck in the first over - RR had PBKS at 37 for 3 after five overs. When Yuzvendra Chahal had Jonny Bairstow caught at long-on for a scratchy 14 off 22, PBKS were reeling at 48 for 4. But Jitesh and Curran didn’t allow RR to run away with the game just yet. Jitesh pulled his second ball for six, before

with Curran swiping Chahal wide of long-on, swatting Ashwin to deep extra cover, and whipping Boult behind square, all in consecutive overs.

The required rate had risen to 9.33 an over with six overs left when Jitesh and Curran each pumped a six off Ashwin. But Jitesh was caught off Chahal in the next over, before PBKS brought on Ashutosh Sharma as an Impact Sub, and the match was soon over. Ashutosh ramped Avesh for four, before Curran and Ashutosh smashed three sixes in the space of five balls to level scores and soon seal victory. (ESPNCricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Rajasthan Royals (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R

Yashasvi Jaiswal b Curran 4

Tom Kohler-Cadmore c

JM Sharma b Chahar 18

Sanju Samson (c)† c Chahar b Ellis 18

Riyan Parag lbw b Patel 48

Ravichandran Ashwin c Shashank

Singh b Arshdeep Singh 28

Dhruv Jurel c Harpreet Brar b Curran 0

Rovman Powell c & b Chahar 4

Donovan Ferreira c Rossouw b Patel 7 Trent Boult run out

(JM Sharma/†Bairstow) 12

Avesh Khan not out 3

Extras (lb 1, w 1) 2

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 7.20) 144/9

Did not bat: Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal

Fall of wickets: 1-4

(Yashasvi Jaiswal, 0.4 ov), 2-40

(Sanju Samson, 6.4 ov), 3-42

(Tom Kohler-Cadmore, 7.2 ov), 4-92

(Ravichandran Ashwin, 12.6 ov), 5-97

(Dhruv Jurel, 13.3 ov), 6-102

(Rovman Powell, 14.3 ov), 7-125

(Donovan Ferreira, 17.3 ov), 8-138 (Riyan Parag, 19.2 ov), 9-144 (Trent Boult, 19.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Sam Curran 3-0-24-2

Sam Curran swung the ball on the leg side

Punjab Kings celebrating

Riyan Parag ducking a bouncer

Rahul Chahar took 2 for 26 in four overs

Harshal Patel finished with 2 for 28

GFF/Blue Water Shipping Girls U15 Tournament…

QC, Waramuri, Bartica, Mackenzie among 7 advancing to Round of 16

Waramuri Primary, Bartica Secondary, Queen’s College and Mackenzie High have each topped their respective groups in the Guyana Football Federation-Blue Water Shipping Under-15 Girls’ National Secondary School Championship, thereby booking their spots in the Round of 16.

Following two intense weekends on May 4 and 11, the competition has reached a boiling point, with parents, coaches and student athletes eagerly anticipating which teams would next advance to the second round.

Waramuri Primary have emerged as standout performers in Region One (BarimaWaini), dominating their group and creating history as the first school to progress to the Round of 16.

With an unblemished record, they clinched victory in three consecutive matches, defeating Santa Rosa Secondary, Kwebanna Primary and Kamwatta Primary, and accumulating nine points.

They netted a total of eleven times, spearheaded by Allia Henry’s remarkable

El Rey Sanjay’s hopes of winning Trinidad and Tobago’s Triple Crown Series have been dashed. At the Triple Crown Series’ first nomination stage of the three-race series, which starts with the 1,800-metre Guineas, El Rey Sanjay was among the seven horses nominated for the event, scheduled to be run off on Friday May 31, 2024 -- Indian Arrival Day -- at Santa Rosa Park.

The Suruj Haybanowned colt scored on his debut race over 1,100 metres on Santa Rosa Park’s main track as a three-year-old in a decent 1.08.25 on January 27 2024. He was then beaten on the turf over 1,600 metres, finishing third to Uncle Rog, whom he had beaten on his debut in January.

El Rey Sanjay bounced back with a near gate-towire success, turning back the well-regarded Uncle Rog, trained by champion trainer John O’Brien. Based on that performance, the colt, trained by Lester Alexis, was seen as a surefire Triple Crown winner.

seven goals, supported by Sada LaCruz with two, and Erica Harris and Norismar Williams each contributing one to the scoreboard.

Trailing closely behind are Santa Rosa Secondary, securing their place in the next round with six points garnered from victories over Kwebanna Primary and Kamwatta Primary, despite suffering a sole defeat against Waramuri Primary. Their goal tally has reached ten, with Veronica Chatta leading the charge with six goals, backed by Letisha Austin’s four valuable contributions.

Queens College dominated Georgetown North within Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), securing five consecutive wins and an impressive fifteen points. They defeated New Campbellville Secondary, Institute of Academic Excellence, North Georgetown Secondary, Chase’s Academic Foundation, and St. John’s College, and now have a total of seventeen goals to their credit. Rachel Joseph contributed with nine spectacular goals, closely followed by Anika DeFreitas with seven, while Rebekah Joseph added

one to the school’s tally. New Campbellville Secondary also advanced by accumulating eight points from two wins, against St John’s College and Chase’s Academic Foundation; two draws, with Institute of Academic Excellence and North Georgetown Secondary; and one loss, to Queen’s College.

They netted a total of four goals, with two credited to Naomi Wilson, and one each credited to Serina Coy and Nikita James.

Bartica Secondary School earned the top spot in their group in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) after winning a best-of-three series against their sole opponent, Three Miles Secondary. With a total of nine points secured, Nerismar Williams led the scoring with four goals, while Noriamar Wikkiams and Nicola Joseph each contributed two, and Kelys Williams added one to the tally.

In Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Mackenzie High asserted their dominance in their group to conclude with thirteen points. They recorded wins over Christianburg

Wismar Secondary, Linden Foundation, and Wisburg Secondary, combined with a draw against New Silvercity Secondary. They also received a walkover from Harmony Secondary.

In total, they scored five goals, with Zareika Caesar contributing three of them.

Also joining the Round of 16 fray is Christianburg Wismar Secondary, who secured eight points by defeating Wisburg Secondary and Harmony Secondary, drawing with Linden Foundation and New Silvercity Secondary, and suffering a loss against Mackenzie High. Their tengoal collection showcased six strikes from Natalya Huntley, three from Shamika

there…enjoying themselves and not being too broken, even though the results may not have gone in their favour, it’s encouraging for me and my team, who are working hard behind the scenes to make sure the tournament is a success,” he disclosed.

“We have a few more weeks of the tournament left, and I think the momentum will build and we can expect to see many more exciting matches,” he predicted.

In a post-match interview following the group trophy win, Queen’s College captain Kenisha Benedict disclosed that students were initially reluctant to join the team due to fear, but a collective decision was eventually made to

Alphonso, and one from Crystal Moore.

GFF President Wayne Forde has commended the dedication shown by all participating teams, and congratulated the winning squads.

“The last two weekends have produced nothing short of fantastic football. We saw some exciting matches. Just seeing the young ladies out

However, the injury the chestnut son of St Vigeur/ Princess Suri (Street Sense) suffered has forced him to miss the 1,800-metre Guineas, the 1,900-metre Midsummer Classic, and the 2,000-metre Trinidad Derby Stakes in September. The son of the mare

Princess Suri has suffered a

fracture of his left fore cannon bone, and will be out of action for the next five months.

Princess Suri, the dam of El Rey Sanjay, is presently in Guyana, along with her two foals. She has a full two-year-old brother to El Rey Sanjay, and a half brother who is a wean-

ling in Guyana for breeder/ trainer Fazal Habibulla.

Veteran Habibulla considers himself very fortunate to own such a wellbred mare, whose grandam is a daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense. Princess Suri is reported in foal in Guyana to Nominee. El Rey Sanjay is named

ing forward to the forthcoming weeks of competition with optimism.

“Moving forward, I do not foresee any difficulties, because, so far, things have been going well,” she disclosed.

Sixty schools and more than a thousand student athletes are competing in the championship, which marks the start of the FIFA Football For School (F4S) programme’s competitive stage.

F4S, jointly launched by FIFA, the GFF, and the Government of Guyana on May 12, 2022, aims to contribute to the education, development and empowerment of students across Guyana.

On May 18, the spotlight would shift to the student athletes representing the six remaining regions, including contenders from the East Bank, East Coast, and Georgetown South Zones.

compete and “do our best.”

“When we won the first couple of rounds, we were…so surprised with ourselves and so happy, and we knew that the next time we came out to play again, we would do our best,” she added.

Tournament Coordinator Lavern Fraser also congratulated the winning teams, and shared that she is look-

after the owner’s son, Sanjay. This colt won his last race in a quick 1:21 over the 1,350-metre tip, turning back all challengers with a near gate-to-wire success. The lightly raced El Rey Sanjay’s performance placed him at the top of his class, and he was immediately the odds-on ante post favourite for the Triple Crown Series.

Success for King Sanjay, when his racing name El Rey Sanjay is translated - would have enhanced the racing status of his two brothers, now stabled at Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC), Rising Sun, West Coast, Berbice. However, on the bright side, the racing industry has benefitted from Princess Suri being in Guyana, as he does not have any other offspring in Trinidad, and Princess Suri is a young mare in the breeding shed.

Princess Suri is a multiple Graded Stakes winner, scoring from 1,200 metres to 1,800 metres. She won the Diamond Stakes sprinting, and then won the 1,800 metre-President’s Cup.

El Rey Sanjay’s Triple Crown hopes dashed due to injury

El Rey Sanjay is injured and will not be in the Triple Crown (Photo: Jagdath Soomarie)

Scenes from last weekend’s U15 Girls’ action

“When we prepare well, we do well”

–Says Head Coach Daren Sammy

Several West Indies

Men’s players, chiefly those named in the Region’s 15-member T20 World Cup Squad, have gathered in Antigua and Barbuda for a training camp that would prepare them for their 3-match T20 Series against South Africa next week, and for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June.

Guyanese players Gudakesh Motie and Keemo Paul are among the encamped group.

While there, Head Coach Daren Sammy touched on how important good preparation is for the West Indies team, the players still competing in the IPL, and what he hopes to get out of the impending South Africa series in Jamaica.

Fitness Express presses with GAPLF for Intermediate’s/ Master’s on Sunday

Arich tradition of unflinching support across multiple administrations was maintained yesterday when Manager of Fitness Express, Jamie McDonald, handed over a sponsorship cheque to Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) President Franklin Wilson in a ceremony held at the Fitness Express location, at the junction of John and Sheriff Streets in Campbellville, Georgetown.

In presenting the cheque to Wilson, McDonald said his company is very pleased to be maintaining a rich tradition of support to the Federation for close to two decades now.

“Time really flies, especially when you are doing something with so much significance and positives for in this instance powerlifting. I must say that the sport has really grown and advanced from the days when I started to support it, and this is very heartening.

We are maintaining a vow that my company has made to always be there for the sport at the Federation, and by extension the athletes’ level. This fulfills part of our mandate to always give back to our community, and show gratitude.”

McDonald also noted that he is heartened to see the Federation really trying to improve its governance under the current executive by recently ensuring that an Audited Financial Statement was produced for its first term in office.

“This posture can only augur well for the sport and its image out there, where

members of the business community who contribute can see how the funds are accounted for, and those looking on would be encouraged to come on board and support. I can only say, ‘Well done, and keep up the good work’.”

Wilson in response, expressed the heartfelt gratitude of his executive and members to McDonald and Fitness Express for being a great partner of the sport.

“It’s heartwarming to see you continuing to back this sport, which continues to grow and build. We are nowhere close to where we can be, but I can assure you that we are working assiduously towards making it even better for our athletes to excel.

Efforts are underway to have coaches and referees’ training conducted this year, as these are vitals arms of the sport that needs attention. From next year, the IPF has mandated that travelling teams must have accredited coaches, so we are seeking to get ourselves in line.”

That apart, Wilson said that plans are falling into place for this Sunday’s Intermediates and Masters competitions, and fans can look forward to a wonderful day of lifting, as several male and female athletes would be hitting the platform to showcase their strength.

Lifting time is 09:00hrs on Sunday at the Saint Stanislaus College Auditorium.

“We’ve shown, over the last year or so; well, since I’ve been here, when we prepare well, we give ourselves the best chance of performing. That’s the main reason why we’re here in Antigua,” the white-ball head coach Sammy shared.

Turning his attention to those players who might be considered as ‘missing out’, given their current participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sammy cited this as a non-issue.

He explained, “We always knew, building up to the World Cup, the possibility of our guys being in India, playing in the IPL and hopefully doing well. You know, we have a couple of our guys that their franchises are in good positions to go on to the playoffs. But rest assured, the guys who are not in the playoff will be featuring with us in Jamaica.

“Speaking to the medical team, the management, is very important. So, I have everybody ready and fresh for the World Cup, but you can’t substitute playing time with nets. So, it’s good

that some of them are playing, but those who are not (playing) will definitely feature against South Africa before the World Cup,” Sammy added.

Speaking further on the ongoing camp, Sammy voiced hopes of gaining some momentum as they head into the global event

in June.

“It’s all about preparing well and, you know, (making) sure that when the bell rings against South Africa

first, that we ready; cause, yes, it’s World Cup preparation, but it’s an opportunity to gather some good momentum as a team going into the World Cup, and if that is done after the end of this camp, I’m a smiling coach,” Sammy related to CWI Media.

West Indies meet South Africa next Thursday, May 23, for the first of three T20Is at Sabina Park, Jamaica. The remaining games will be played on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26.

Thereafter, the men in maroon will begin their T20 World Cup campaign in Guyana on June 2nd at the National Stadium at Providence against Papua New Guinea.

The West Indies World Cup squad reads: Captain Rovman Powell, ViceCaptain Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.

Callender off to Cuba for CAC Women’s Chess Championships

Two-time winner of the National Women’s Chess Championship, Jessica Callender, will be representing Guyana at the Central America and the Caribbean 2024 Women’s Chess Championships in Cuba.

The Championships would be run from May 13th to May 22nd, 2024, in Santa Clara, Cuba, and Callender is slated to play against some of the best female players from the Caribbean and Central America.

The competition is dedicated to the memory of Acela de Armas, an outstanding Cuban chess player, whose legacy continues to inspire females from Central America and the American Continent.

The 2024 Central American and Caribbean Championships for Women have been organized by the Cuban Chess Federation (FCA) and the Confederation of Chess of the Americas (CCA). The nine-round event will be played using the Swiss system, with a time control of 90 minutes per player with a 30-second increment starting from move one.

The Confederation of Chess for Americas (FIDE America) is a registered Affiliate Organization of FIDE, and represents 42 Caribbean and Latin Nations.

Callender, with a FIDE rating of 1571, has shown

she can compete against other talented players. She won the GCF National Women’s Chess Championships in 2023 and 2024, and holds a conditional Women Candidate Master Title. Callender hopes to rack up victories that would propel her toward her WCM title. She was part of the Guyana team that participated in the recent CARICOM Classic Team regional tournament hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation in March last. The Guyana Chess Federation is extending best wishes to Jessica Callender as she journeys to represent Guyana.

Manager of Fitness Express, Jamie McDonald (left), handing over the cheque to GAPLF President Franklin Wilson

A scene from the West Indies Camp in Antigua (CWI Photos)

Recently crowned Women’s Chess Champion Jessica Callender

Jessica Callender

Gudakesh Motie