Guyana Times -Saturday, September 23, 2023.pdf

Johns-Port Mourant NDC Chairman resigns amid fraud concerns

killed by teen driver “He died because of somebody else's negligence” – family calls for justice

Guyana committed to continue pushing food, energy, climate security – Todd …also pledges to maintain international peace, security

Subsidy Sophia beneficiaries receive building materials Five days later Fire continues to burn at NA dumpsite …schools, prison, hospital affected RDC lacks capacity to clear overflowing school bins left since last term – Region 5 Chair

Father of 1 killed while disembarking vehicle at Coldingen …speeding car flees scene

“We are going to build roadmap to deal with our challenges” – Ali tells Africa, other developing countries

“We

CoI into deadly Mahdia fire

More medical help would not have reduced death toll – Burn Care Unit Head

He opined, “No, to be honest, the persons who died, died in the fire. So, medical personnel would not have helped there. And of the patients who made it to the hospital, they all went home safe [except] for one patient who died. If we look back at the numbers, there were 15 patients who needed hospital care, 50 students in total who were reviewed. Of that number, only one person died…I don’t think more medical help would have reduced the mortality.”

been of benefit,” the doctor underscored.

Recount

Before midnight on May 21, the Burn Care Unit Head recalled receiving instructions to lead a team to Mahdia, having received word that a school dormitory was engulfed in flames.

Calling it the most tragic event in his career, Head of the Burn Care Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Dr Shilindra Rajkumar believes that increased medical human resources could not have decreased the death toll on the night the Mahdia dormitory was set alight.

The second public hearing of the Commission of Inquiry to probe the events of the Mahdia dormitory fire commenced on Friday with the testimony of the burn and plastic surgery specialist, who recounted his role as a first responder.

Dr Rajkumar told the commission that of the 50 girls who required hospital care, only one succumbed to her condition – despite every effort to transfer her to the GPHC for advanced care.

Giving an assessment of medical resources on the ground, the Commission was told that doctors and auxiliary staffers on site did the best they could in such tense circumstances where there was a sense of overwhelmingness. Additional resources could have been deployed here to relieve those who were working for long hours.

“I think they were overwhelmed. It was a lot more than they were accustomed to, or they were prepared for. But they mostly, with them being limited in the numbers and the resources, they did a pretty good job, us dealing with the situation and I think it was a difficult situation. But I think they did well. I think the best they could with what they had.”

“The staff was overwhelmed. They were asked to do shifts and were 24 hours without sleep. That’s where additional help would have

Four doctors and a nurse were under the instruction of Dr Rajkumar. Making a rough calculation, the doctors mobilised to gather supplies and emergency kits that would be needed in a mass casualty situation.

“Everything was put together and we were transport to the Eugene F Correia Airport. It was very busy. There was a lot of people helping us to unpack. The President was there. We were placed into the aircraft in a matter of minutes.”

Arriving just after 03:00h at the ‘chaotic’ airstrip, the team headed over to the Mahdia Hospital, where they were greeted by hundreds of bystanders around the facility.

Some 20 females were at the Mahdia hospital; six in the treatment area with minor burns. A majority of the others were in another area; two to three persons were sharing a bed but not in immediate danger or injured in any way.

Three children were identified as severe cases, accord-

ing to Dr Rajkumar. The first was experiencing an ‘altered state of consciousness’ and on the verge of a comatose. Doctors suspected that she was suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

“From anything below eight is considered comatose. She was scoring nine so she was responding only to painful stimuli…We suspected that her condition would have been due to carbon monoxide poisoning based on the history of her being exposed to smoke and she had to inhale that burnt material. She did not have any significant burn to render her in that state. The highest diagnosis on that list would be that she was exposed to carbon monoxide which depressed her mental state.”

From indications, responders indicated that her brain was most impacted, since carbon monoxide poisoning affects the airways, lungs and

brain. It can also impact the heart. The second child suffered from about 30 per cent burns about the body, and in visible pain. She had burns to the back, lower limbs, arms and chest.

“We refer to burn based on the depth of the skin that the injury has penetrated… She had varying depths of burn; 25 per cent of it was second- and third-degree burns and 15 per cent, superficial burns.”

Another student had 11 per cent deep burns with inhalation injuries, having being exposed to hot gas. This affects the lungs and airways.

He shared, “They were exposed to hot gases from the fire itself. Breathing in hot gas can cause burns on the airway down. In addition to the heat, the products of combustion, the soot, the chemicals that arise from the furniture, there is also a component of chemical injury on the airway.”

A decision was made to transfer these three patients to be medevacked, having gauged the severity of their injuries. Three other patients were already en route to Georgetown; where one of them was already comatose and died several days later under intensive care. She was the 20th person to die from the Mahdia tragedy. It has been reported that 14 youths died at the scene of the fire, while five died at Mahdia District Hospital.

The Mahdia Hospital is a single flat facility, with about six rooms utilised during the emergency, some of which were not designed for patient care and repurposed to deal with the situation at hand. Hours after, the survivors without injuries were cramped into a small space, with no clothes or place to sleep properly.

Head of the Burn Care Unit at GPHC, Dr Shilindra Rajkumar

Captain Learie Barclay testifying before the Commission of Inquiry on Friday

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, Sep 23 – 23:30h –01:00h and Sunday, Sep 24 – No retraction.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, Sep 23 – 10:00h – 11:30h and Sunday, Sep 24 – 11:50h – 13:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to South South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 10:27h and 22:53h reaching maximum heights of 2.09 metres and 2.18 metres.

Low Tide: 16:17h reaching a minimum height of 1.18 metre.

Cost oil audit

“We have acted in good faith”

–ExxonMobil stands by quality of accounting activities

…full probe into unauthorised engagements to reduce figure – VP

United States oil major, ExxonMobil has broken its silence on the controversy surrounding the ‘unauthorised’ reduction of its cost oil claims, saying that it has acted in good faith and cooperated with the Guyana Government during the auditing of these figures.

Following an audit on the cost oil claims, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had supported the US$214 million sum that was initially flagged in 2019 by British firm IHS Markit when it did an audit of ExxonMobil’s cost oil expenses racked up between 1999 and 2017 from its operations in Guyana.

However, it was disclosed last week that staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Petroleum Department had reportedly engaged the US oil company and reduced this figure to US$11 million and then subsequently to US$3 million.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has contended that Government was under the impression that the reduced US$3 million, which he previously disclosed publicly, was determined by GRA –the technical body appointed as its sole advisor to review these audits.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

Under Article 23 and Annex C of the 2016 Stabroek Petroleum Agreement, the Guyana Government has rights to conduct audits on Exxon’s cost oil claims.

In a statement on Friday, ExxonMobil noted that auditing an oil and gas joint venture operator’s expenses is a standard process by co-venturers and governments to ensure only appropriate costs are charged. It added that it is also normal for auditors to highlight focus areas by sharing a draft report that is later addressed with additional documentation.

“Our experience is that typically, very few, if any, costs are ultimately rejected, reflecting the integrity and quality of our accounting activities… We have acted in good faith and co-operated with the Government and their consultants appointed for the cost recovery audit of the 1999-2017 years.”

“We have supplied responses and documents to the issues raised in the draft audit report prepared for the Government by their consultant. We now await a formal response from the Government, after which we will enter into further dialogue as necessary,” the US oil giant detailed in its missive on Friday.

During his weekly press conference on Thursday, VP Jagdeo pointed out that

while GRA has completed its review of the audited cost oil expenses in August, the entire auditing process has not been completed as yet. He noted that the Natural Resources Ministry has to now write Exxon to indicate the Government’s position on the cost oil claims, but that letter has not yet been drafted.

Full investigation

Despite this, however, Jagdeo posited that there should be a full investigation into the actions of the Ministry’s staff.

“I spoke with President Ali and… I agree that there should be a full investigation of this matter and the Minister (of Natural Resources) still has to give a full report to the Cabinet on what took place,” he told reporters on Thursday.

Jagdeo added, “Somebody has to give explanation how they engaged with Exxon after [GRA’s review]. And I believe also that we have to

have a policy where people, at the technical level particularly, who engage with the oil and gas companies or executives, that they must seek the explicit clearance from the Minister and they must report back on the nature of every engagement –almost a Disclosure Policy.”

According to the Vice President, he intends to make a proposal of this nature to the Cabinet soon in order to ensure Government is aware of all interactions and discussions between the oil companies and staff at the technical level.

While Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat has direct oversight on the day-to-day management of the oil and gas sector, he was unaware of the engagement between his Ministry staff and the oil company.

“As the Minister said, he didn’t know about it. It took place without his explicit or implicit agreement… I would want to await the full report from the Minister

to the Cabinet which the Ministry would then have to disclose to the public too.

At that point in time, then we’d be able to identify who all the people are, who did this unauthorised contact with Exxon and when [those meetings] took place,” the Vice President explained.

Meanwhile, despite the auditing process not yet completed, Jagdeo made it clear that Government will not be accepting any documents that were sent by Exxon after GRA wrapped its probe. On August 8, GRA wrote the Natural Resources Ministry indicating its no objection to the US$214 million in cost oil claims that was flagged by HIS Markit.

“We are not accepting anything that Exxon sent subsequent to the closure of the audit by the GRA… So, we don’t know what they sent and I am not really interested in it… I am more interested in who authorised this [reduction of the cost oil expenses] and why, after the GRA said we are closing at this stage,” the VP stressed.

The audit of cost oil claims is critical to ensuring that Guyana does not lose out on millions in oil revenues. ExxonMobil’s pre-contract costs were inherited by the current Government when it entered office in 2020. US$460 million in pre-contract costs were already written into the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). (G8)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Child labour & legislative penalties

Child labour is prevalent worldwide, but especially in Third World countries and countries at war. The International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF inform that child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide – and counting.

The two organisations had warned that nine million additional children were at risk as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most likely, that is a conservative figure. This figure is an estimated increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years.

The report points to a significant rise in the number of children aged 5 to 11 years in child labour, who now account for just over half of the total global figure. The number of children aged 5 to 17 years in hazardous work – defined as work that is likely to harm their health, safety, or morals – has risen by 6.5 million to 79 million since 2016. The ILO-UNICEF report indicates that 8.2 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 are engaged in child labour in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Here, in Guyana, the Guyana Government has passed legislation and enacted laws that mandate severe penalties for infringements that could cause harm to children, while yet recognising that the Guyanese culture allows children to be involved in family income-generation activities as well as children’s efforts to engage in odd jobs in their spare time, once such activities do not affect their education and/or jeopardise them or their health in any way.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, had called on stakeholders to collaborate to end child labour in Guyana. Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton, too, warned employers earlier this year to exercise their due diligence to discourage the practice.

To quote the minister: “I wish to remind employers that they have a responsibility to prevent and eliminate this scourge in society, and to ensure that the necessary due diligence in their business processes and supply chains is done to discourage the involvement of child labour in the business ecosystem…”

The appeal was made earlier this year, during World Day Against Child Labour, which was themed, “Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!”

Guyana proposes to end child labour by 2025, especially in rural communities, where this matter is prevalent. According to Minister Hamilton, as a country, we cannot allow the fight against child labour to regress.

The Government thinks it is imperative to prioritise ending child labour, and to accelerate the approaches hitherto undertaken to end this scourge. To enable this, the Administration is seeking the involvement of private and public organisations, trade unions, and civil society stakeholders.

Hamilton iterated: “Here, in Guyana, we have implemented numerous measures to mitigate the risk factors that provide for the enhanced welfare of our children through the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, Cash Grant for Each Child with Disability, and the National School Feeding programmes. Notably, together with our inclusive and well-performing education system, we have a good social protection system which covers many social benefits, including foster care and adoption, and public assistance benefits.”

In her remarks during last year’s observance, Minister Persaud had explained the anomalies. Differentiating acceptable childhood activity and child labour, as defined by UNICEF protocols. she said, inter alia, “…it is good to have children involved in chores at home. It is good to give them a sense of discipline and responsibility, but from the time it moves to force… exploiting them and putting them in the labour force at a tender age, when money is involved…and the deviation becomes a part of the equation, that is when it becomes wrong… It is a crime. It leads to poverty, it leads to deprivation of education, it leads to societal exclusion, it leads to psychological trauma and harm, and it can lead to the worst forms of abuse of children.”

Good intentions cannot eradicate societal scourges, but holistic approaches by global multi-stakeholder endeavours may positively impact the status quo to levels where individual governments can effectively manage their internal affairs.

President Ali blazing a path on global leadership

Dear Editor,

If you read any textbook on International Relations (IR), you will walk away with the impression that small states, and especially developing countries, cannot have any impact on world affairs. This bias is rampant in most scholarly approaches that explain the structure and workings of the International System. Guyana’s strong leadership under President Ali is proving this to be dead wrong.

IR is dominated by the realist school, which argues that the key factor in the International System is power. In this approach, states are focused on using their power to compete with other states. Since Great Powers have the most power, they are the ones that shape the rules of the game, and they can cause or prevent change in the global balance of power.

A related school that goes by the name neo-realism holds the view that it is not power per se that matters. Rather, it is the distribution of capabilities that counts. In this case, small states must only be

concerned with basic survival through protection by a Great Power.

Classical liberals think that, while power is important, international institutions can play a vital role in helping to foster cooperation. The United Nations system is the most elaborate institutional expression of how cooperation might be structured and operationalised. In the economic realm, the IMF, World Bank and WTO have played key roles. In international security, the UN Security Council has the responsibility to look after world peace. In all of these arenas, small states are supposed to be only followers.

Notwithstanding the above, we are finding that small states can indeed have a voice. Guyana is playing a remarkably forceful role in the Americas and further afield, and this is due to strong leadership. This was demonstrated at the several high-level forums at the recently-concluded 78th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.

President Ali made a

noticeable impact by illuminating the concerns of the developing world. He has been pressing key issues well before that on matters related to development financing, climate change, and regional security. He has been passionately advocating the Bridgetown Initiative, which is focused on liquidity support, debt sustainability, reform in the governance of IFIs; and, inter alia, a structured finance mechanism for the carbon sequestration services provided by states with tropical rainforests.

President Ali is quickly emerging as one of the leading voices in the world on food security. While in New York, he noted that Guyana will soon not only be self-sufficient in corn and soya, but that Guyana would extend that capacity for the rest of the Caribbean.

Earlier this year, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) named President Irfaan Ali the first recipient of the IICA Award for Contribution to Food Security and Sustainable Development.

And while he was in New York for the 78th UN General Assembly meeting, he was honoured by the African Leadership Organization for his global advocacy on behalf of the developing world. It is also worth noting that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken singled out Guyana as a key partner for Caribbean regional security, with special attention to Haiti.

While IR theory is biased towards the Great Powers, and leaves little room for small states like Guyana, our leadership is demonstrating that small states do have a significant role to play. President Ali is rapidly emerging as a powerful voice for the global poor and powerless. The world saw this clearly when the Guyanese President told two British journalists “we do not want your palace; what we want is the justice owed to us”. He had in mind reparations for the descendants of African enslaved peoples. Small countries, too, can lead!

Sincerely,

Dr Randolph Persaud

A Guyana Defence Force rank is demonstrating first-aid care to students at a recently held fair at Leonora Secondary School. Ranks also presented to youths the many career options and opportunities available in the GDF (GDF photo)

Drunk driving causes loss of lives, destruction of families William “the Conqueror” France was a special person

Dear Editor, Quite frequently, we see Guyanese being killed and injured physically by hit-and-run drivers. These drivers, if and when found, had mostly been under the influence of alcohol.

In the State of New York, a first DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) offence carries a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to one year in jail. Moreover, the state revokes your driver’s licence for at least six months.

The second DWI offence within ten years is a Class E felony which carries a fine of up to $5,000 and up to four years in prison. And the state revokes your driver’s licence for at least one year.

The third DUI offence within ten years is a Class D felony. The maximum penalty increases to $10,000 and the driver faces a term of imprisonment of up to seven years. (New York Law, 14th May 2021, Online).

Further, if you cause a drunk driving accident in the State of New York, the victim(s) may sue you for damages caused by the accident. Damages include: medical bills and cost of treatment; cost of personal care; loss of income and benefits, including compensation for decreases in earning capacity, permanent impairments and

disabilities; loss of quality of life and enjoyment of life; emotional distress and mental anguish; physical pain and suffering. (New York Law, 14th May 2021, Online).

In addition, New York has a zero-tolerance law for underage drinking and driving. A driver under the age of 21 years who has a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .02 to .07 violates this law. Penalties for breaking the zero-tolerance law include civil penalties of $125 and an additional $100 to terminate the suspension. There is no jail time, but your driver’s licence is suspended for at least six months. Subsequent offences increase the fines and suspension. (New York Law, 14th May 2021, Online).

And now that Guyana has a tremendous increase in vehicular traffic, we need the same regime of severe charges and penalties. I believe that driving under the influence of alcohol is the most reprehensible thing a person could do.

As the caption to this letter says: “Drunk driving causes loss of lives, destruction of families”.

We have frequently seen quite positive and youthful persons being killed on the roads by reckless and drunken drivers. The only way to deal with

this scourge is to study the types of charges and penalties for drunk driving, as was done in the State of New York, and implement very severe penalties here in Guyana at the earliest.

The Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Amendment Act of 2022 is said to have introduced harsher penalties for those caught driving under the influence of alcohol. Fines have been increased from $7,500 to $200,000, and the sentences has been increased from 12 months to 24 months.

All drunk drivers are potential murderers of descent citizens and producers of this country; murderers of youths and children in this country. These drivers can cause serious pain and injury to youths.

I know of an accident that occurred a number of years ago on the East Coast of Demerara, in which a flourishing youth was knocked down by a drunk driver and is now bedridden for life, and the insurance company would not compensate appropriately. The insurance award was the absolute minimum allowed by law in Guyana (look out for another letter from me, as in the past, on the minimum coverage required by law in motor vehicle insurance in Guyana). That driver was under the influence of alcohol, and

the insurance company refused to pay, according to information.

Closer to home, the tragic death of such a youth as Ian Mekdeci, a son of love struck down by a drunk driver, was most horrific. This is only one of the possible hundreds of Guyanese losses on our roads to the recklessness of drunk drivers.

I believe that people who, through drunk-driving, cause death and injury should work to pay for loss of income to individuals, loss of an income-earning parent or family member who had sustained a family. These individuals who cause destruction and death should work for the rest of their lives to pay the victims of drunk driving. There should be no sympathy extended to them. Even if they are sentenced to jail, they should be put into a situation where they can work to earn monies, not for their “tuck shop” account, but to compensate families or individuals they have injured in one way or the other.

We, the people of this country, must demand that our Government listen to us to create maximum laws with maximum penalties in regard to drunk driving.

Sincerely,

Roshan Khan

More medical help would not...

The GPHC Unit Head said to the CoI, “There were 10-12 students in a room and there were people going in and out checking on them that didn’t need to be there; they had no injuries. The problem was they were brought to a hospital because their dorm was burned down. They had nowhere to go sleep and no clothing. That was very stressful for them. To have them in an environment that had the patient care happening actively was impacting them, as well as impacting the function of the medical staff.”

He assisted with ensuring they were properly accommodated by moving them to a COVID facility within the compound.

Medevac

Meanwhile, Captain Learie Barclay attached to Roraima Airways was one of the pilots who took charge of navigating through the darkness to reach Mahdia, transporting the medical team and airlifting those injured to Georgetown.

Quite frequently, Barclay told the Commission that Roraima Airways is called to respond to critical medical

evacuations. Barclay said he was notified at about 00:20h that he was needed to facilitate a night medevac.

Operating in ‘pitch black’ situations, he noted that they heavily rely on instruments inside the aircraft to determine coordinates and other critical information. In many cases, he noted that runways in the hinterland regions are unprepared and not properly lit. However, he managed to land safely that night and despite the chaos on the airstrip, first responders were able to execute their job.

“In this case, it was clear that the resources that they had were depleted and they did the best that we could under the circumstances. It was good enough for me to be able to identify the beginning of the runway and the end of the runway and the width,” the Captain recalled.

At 5:45h, three girls were brought to the aircraft by ambulances. He recalled the condition of the third girl, who experienced no burns but was severely affected by smoke inhalation. She was taken off the aircraft several times and had to be intubated.

“That was a little traumatic for all of us around. The process of intubation is not a pleasant one to see…It is not a pleas-

FROM PAGE 2

ant procedure, particularly children. [The other children] were crying and moaning in pain.” (G12)

Dear Editor, Guyana’s legendary onelegged race walk champion William “the Conqueror” France is no longer with us. The champion, a physically fit and disciplined person, died after brief illness. However, his heroic distance walks will remain a legacy for people with disabilities.

France’s bravery and courage, along with his admirable fitness, had enabled him to put his name in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records. His achievements were recognised nationally and internationally, and he was the recipient of a National Award from the PPP/C Government. He had been a very fond and joyful person, and would talk about the Medal of Service award he had received. He had also received a Dr Walter Rodney special award.

William “the Conqueror” France had indeed been Guyana’s champion race walker. This iconic Guyanese marathon walker had competed successfully at the prestigious New York Marathon, the Boston Marathon, and the London Marathon; and had been very proactive in organizing the Canadian Terry Fox Run in Guyana and in Trinidad and Tobago.

France had participated in all “walk” events organised in this country for more than two decades.

Significantly, he had been a friend and great admirer of former Presidents Dr Cheddi Jagan and Mrs Janet Jagan, and had been an organiser and participant in the annual Cheddi Jagan Fitness Walk at the National Park. He had indeed been the proud leader among people with disabilities.

France had been a very sociable person, and had enjoyed an excellent relationship with people of all walks of life. Leslie Black, who had managed France on many occasions when he had been a proactive participant in international events, spoke glowingly about his friend William France. Black said France had been a source of inspiration to athletes with disabilities, and had been a man of integrity. Sponsors had been willing to support his activities because he had been a clean and accountable person. He said France will go down in history as an amputee walker whose indomitable, passionate spirit is a source of inspiration to physically challenged persons.

France’s immediate family members, his children and wife, but most of all his friends and admirers in the sporting arena, will forever remember him. May our son of the soil rest in eternal peace.

Sincerely,

Neil Kumar

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2023

Shines The Beauty Of My Darling

By Martin Carter

Friday's Answer

1) Step 1: Determine the rule governing the sequence of numbers.

You can do this by figuring out, first of all, the differences: 2 – 5 = 3; 5 – 10 =; 10 – 17 = 7

So, the differences seem to correspond to the sequence of odd numbers starting with 3

Step 2: Test your idea by adding the next odd number in the sequence – 9 to the last number 17: 9 + 17 = 26

Insert 26 on the blank slot, then check to see if it fits the sequence.

Step 3: Using the odd-number sequence, determine

which odd number should be added to 50.

First, determine the previous odd number: 37 -50 = 13

So, the next odd number should be 15. 50 + 15 = 65 26 and 65 will complete the sequence

1) ii. Step 1: Determine the LCM of 6 and 9: 18 Step 2: Add 10 to 18: 28

2) C and D are incorrect statements.

ITwisted-up piece of paper

Aluminium foil

Ice cubes

Large narrow-mouthed jar or carafe

Instructions:

Have an adult light one end of the piece of paper and drop it in the jar.

Cover the mouth of the jar with aluminium foil.

Place ice cubes on the aluminium foil.

Smog will build up in the jar.

The ice on the aluminium foil lid will cool the air in the jar and create condensation. The smoke from the burning piece of paper will mix with the condensation in the jar and create smog. This experiment is a great example of smog which is essentially air pollution that reduces visibility.

Make this a science project:

Try the experiment without the ice. Try sitting the jar in a dish filled with ice, but do not put an aluminium foil lid on the jar. Try the experiment without putting anything burning in the jar and observe the condensation. (sciencefun.org)

If I wanted I could make pictures of night the map of stars above the mass of water the mass of water underneath the stars the beauty of my beloved like a flower bringing dawn light into dark. Yes, if I wanted I could close my eyes right now and bring these things like life into my brain. but new are these times and no matter where I turn like fierce revolt goes with me like a kissthe revolt of Malaya and Vietnamthe revolt of India and Africalike guardian. like guardian at my side is the fight for freedomand like the whole world dancing for liberation from the slave maker shines the beauty of my darling in her laughing eyes

WORD SEARCH

“We are going to build roadmap to deal with our challenges” – Ali tells Africa, other developing countries

In driving home the need for a ‘balanced approach’ towards development, President Dr Irfaan Ali recently charged African nations as well as other developing countries to change the narrative and come up with solutions to challenges they face.

He made this remark on Thursday while addressing the 9th International Forum on African-Caribbean Leadership in New York, where he was the featured speaker.

At the event, President Ali was presented by the African Leadership Organization with an award for his global advocacy on behalf of the developing world.

According to the Guyanese Leader, leaders in developing countries have to flip the narrative and start speaking about what they are doing, their innovations, their potential, and what they can offer in bringing solutions to the table.

“We have seen the narrative from around the world when they’re speaking about Africa and us in the developing world. There are some things that really get me angry, because sometimes when you listen to the developed world, they believe we have no capacity to manage. They believe we don’t have the capacity to innovate. They believe that we could be lectured on every single day. And this is the type of narrative that has been used to create an environment in which the messaging is ‘your

solutions must come from outside’,” Ali stated.

The President outlined that the leadership in developing countries must reposition themselves to ensure they can lead the best examples of democracy; of the rule of law; and lead a new era in a world 2030 and beyond, where they can create a competitive environment that would have sustainable societies that are resilient and strong.

“Let us agree all of us have challenges, but let us agree to say to the world, ‘We are going to confront our challenges… In this flipping of the narrative and in this new era, we’re going to recognise our challenges, we’re going to own our challeng-

es, and we are going to build our roadmap to deal with the challenges we have. And that must be part of the balanced approach – how do we build our own roadmap,” the Head of State posited.

President Ali pointed out that developing countries became uncompetitive in many areas because of the world system, which keeps many nations behind due to inequity. Reversing this, he noted, requires bold steps by developing countries to now catch up with the rest of the world, especially in the area of digitization and artificial intelligence (AI).

According to the Guyanese Leader, this also entails countries tapping into their own human re-

sources.

“Why is it that collectively we cannot find the 100 best scientists within the continent and put them into special fellowship programmes, and all they do for us is innovate, research, innovate and build solutions for us. We have the human capacity, we have the capability, we have the natural resources power [and] we do have the brainpower. We must understand we have the brainpower; we have failed to deploy it. Our problem is not brainpower, our problem is the failure to deploy that brainpower in a collective, coherent manner, and this is what we have to do as we flip that narrative,” he stressed.

The Head of State went on to highlight the disadvantage that many developing countries are faced with when it comes to extracting their petroleum resources to develop their economies.

“Today, the countries that contribute least to climate change are told the story that you have to keep the resources. But we believe that we can find a balanced solution because, guest what, in one country alone in Africa – forests, 300 million hectares of forests. But when will the world start saying in a balanced approach, ‘We’re gonna pay you the true value of that forest – stay standing! So, we have to flip this narrative,” he added.

Ali noted that developing countries have to drive this new conversation about the role of forest-rich countries in a net zero context.

“We all believe in net zero, we have to work towards net zero, but suddenly the conversation on net zero has changed from net zero to ending petroleum production, ending gas production. That is the new

conversation. It is no longer about how we’re achieving net zero, but has now become a war against petroleum producers, a war against gas. And we know with the greatest degree of honesty that we do not have the development financing to get to net zero if gas and petroleum (do) not play a part in the balanced approach,” he said.

“Let me tell you (that) when you apply the forest and the contribution of the forest to climate change, we are in the best position to produce [petroleum], because we will produce it in a less carbon-emitting environment…

“We cannot allow this narrative to get away from us. This is our chance to reshape global dialogue. This is our chance to reshape the global narrative,” the President contended.

On this note, he urged developing countries to head to COP28 later this year and push for that ‘balanced approach’ in achieving net zero through a system that ensures justice and equitable development in the world.

President Dr Irfaan Ali receiving an award from the African Leadership Organization on Thursday in New York

9-year-old killed by teen driver

“He died because of somebody else's negligence” – family calls for justice

The family of nineyear-old Daniel Heywood of Bare Root, Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who was struck down and killed on Sunday in Dazzel Scheme, ECD, is calling for justice.

The child was reportedly struck down by a motor car, that was driven by an unlicensed 16-year-old driver after he reportedly stole his father’s car. They claimed that prior to the fatal accident, the teenager was seen driving the car on a regular basis.

The relatives of the dead lad added that the teen’s family now saying that he had driven the car unknowingly to his father, is a cover-up. In addition, they related that he

is known for driving in a reckless manner.

“We heard that the teen’s mother sent him to buy something when he knocked down Daniel. But now they want to turn things around to say he stole the car key. He always drives his father's car and drives wild, wild on the road and everybody knows that. You know how much time people complain about how wild he driving on the road?”, a relative said.

The relative further expressed their hope for justice to prevail despite the false narrative presented by the teenager's family.

“We just want just for Daniel because he died be -

cause of somebody else's negligence. He was not wrong. He robbed his mother of her son; he robbed us of our little cousin and that is not fair at all.”

Meanwhile, Police sources have confirmed that the case remains under investigation. This, the relatives added, is slothfulness on the part of the investigators.

The incident occurred on Sunday last at about 10:00h when the lad and his siblings were heading to church. Police had reported that Haywood stopped to tie his shoelace when he was struck by the speeding car. As a result of the impact, he was flung into a nearby trench.

He was subsequently pulled from the trench by villagers and rushed to the Dr CC Nicholson Hospital, Nabaclis, ECD, where he was pronounced dead.

The teenage driver was arrested but his relatives are holding out that he had taken his father's car keys without permission and it was while traversing the roadway, that he lost control of the vehicle, thus resulting in the accident.

Standing tall… …at UN

As your Eyewitness pointed out recently, Guyana is having to manoeuvre in some seriously shark-infested international waters nowadays. What with Venezuela getting spunks to even cuss out the Yanks for coming to our defence against their wrong-and-strong threats to our national sovereignty -- and having to decide whether even talking to China’s gonna get us on someone’s bad books -- it ain’t easy!! But your Eyewitness has gotta say that our young Pres Irfaan Ali’s handling these challenges with much more aplomb than some of the veterans of the Foreign Service!! He hadn’t even settled down from the attempt of Hakeem Jeffries to sandbag him on behalf of his bestie from Canarsie when the just-as-belligerent Maduro started to snort fire and brimstone from the west. As we should all know by now, Maduro was upset that we held bids for some of the remaining oil blocks off our shore.

Now, how many times is he gonna try the same ruse?? Didn’t he try it first a decade ago, when he had his Navy chase away that oil exploration ship the RV Teknik Perdana, under contract with Anadarko?? Where’d that get him??

Some might say that Maduro’s just tryin’ a thing to firm up support for elections that might be called next year – with the Opposition trying to get their act together. The Essequibo controversy is a surefire ploy to get attention of voters in Venezuela – especially the lumpen elements that flock to Chavez’s populist polemics. “We wuz robbed by the colonials” has now become a Pavlovian reflex in Venezuela’s electoral mobilization; and this time Maduro took the opportunity (or risk?!) to drag the enemy du jour Americans in, after they – through US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemispheric Affairs, Brian A. Nichols - denounced Maduro’s move.

Well, Pres Ali took the motto “carpe diem” and seized the day before the UN General Assembly – the ultimate multilateral body left standing – and played our underdog role to the hilt: A tiny, ex-colonial state trying to improve its people’s livelihood - now that oil’s been discovered - is being bullied by a big, bad dictator whose draconian policies have made SEVEN MILLION of its citizens flee. Including some 60,000 to our country!! Pres Ali received a rapt hearing as he vowed to resist the aggression by any means necessary! The image of David vs Goliath was invoked!!

What made it more effective was that Ali took a lead in defending developing countries, that didn’t create global warming, but are now being hassled to stop using fossil fuels!! And developed countries like the UK and the US, who caused most of the damage, are dragging their feet against going cold turkey. Plus reneging on their commitments to help with transitioning to renewables!!

…against anarchy

As you, dear readers, would know, your Eyewitness has been following developments in Haiti ever since President Jovenel Moise was assassinated back in 2021. The Colombian hit squad that took him out had links to groups in the US, and to the Haitian business class. His successor, Ariel Henry, was never elected, and efforts to counter the gangs who’ve increased their control over huge swathes of Portau-Prince have been hindered by accusations that outside interventions to restore order would actually be propping up an illegitimate regime.

Against that background, the US – where hundreds of thousands of Haitians have fled – has been circumspect in intervening in a country that’s on the top of its “fragile states” list that’s demanding intervention!! They’ve massaged Kenya to lead the necessary intervention – along with Caricom. In the meantime, while these kinks are being straightened, the gangs have been emboldened, and have announced a push to remove Henry.

As they dither, the question is: who’ll move quicker?? …or undercutting us??

Even as Maduro’s raising the ante on their border controversy against us, our Caricom partner Trinidad just consummated their agreement to develop the Dragon Gas Field, which they share with Venezuela – with Chinese companies as operators. Quo vadis, TT??

Dead: Daniel Heywood

Suicide numbers drop in Guyana – Head of Psychological Services

…says Health Ministry actively addressing prevention

Alowered suicide rate when compared to several years ago has put the Health Ministry and by extension, its Mental Health Unit, in overdrive to achieve even greater results.

Head of Psychological Services at the Mental Health Unit, Dr Mark Constantine shared on this week’s Health Matters programme that while the numbers are lower, it is not where health officials want it to be.

“Suicide is a topic of concern when we look at it in our Guyanese context. One life is one life too many. In Guyana, we know that in years past, we were ranking number two globally. It is good to let the public know that the numbers have come down but not down to where we want it to be,” he disclosed.

Identifying the sensitivity of this topic, he noted that it is important for persons around those at risk to not engage in a way that might trigger any unfortunate cir-

cumstances.

“Be very cautious with how you proceed to approach someone who might be at risk. Don’t be judgmental. Don’t be critical to people.

All of these things can serve as further triggers. It is a very sensitive issue but the Ministry of Health and the Mental Health Unit have been working very hard to put programmes and sys-

tems in place to further bring down the numbers,” said the healthcare professional.

In the month of September, the Health Ministry has turned its focus to suicide prevention. Some of the main reasons for suicidal behaviour has been dealing with loss, substance abuse, among others.

Zeroing in on those who are suffering from such

thoughts, Dr Constantine said it is important to understand and recognise emotions.

“People need to be aware of their feelings. Know how you feel. Pay attention to your feelings. People feel a sense of hopelessness and they just want a way out of their situation. People don’t necessary want to die and it is feeling of feeling trapped, suffocated and as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel.”

However, the Head of Psychological Services reminded that help is always available, and that communication with someone trustworthy can be very useful.

He assured, “I would say to people that there is always help out there. The reason why a lot of people end up in undesirable situations is because they keep their situation to themselves. They’re not aware of their feelings. Find someone to talk to. It doesn’t have to be a psychologist or a counsellor or a doc-

tor. Just find someone whom you trust.”

Clinical Psychologist of the Mental Health Unit, Kadija McClure also added that social media users should be mindful about their interactions.

“Whether it is verbal or through comments, your words matter and it matters a lot to these people who are experiencing these thoughts. Whatever you say, whether

jokingly or not, can have a very lasting impact on their thoughts about themselves. It is important to always be kind,” she asserted.

The Health Ministry has psychologists and mental health counsellors to handle such cases. The Mental Health Unit has decentralised its counsellors to a few locations across the country, along with psychiatric resources. (G12)

Clinical Psychologist Kadija McClure

Head of Psychological Services at the Mental Health Unit, Dr Mark Constantine

Father of 1 killed while disembarking vehicle at Coldingen –

speeding car flees scene

Afather of one was in the wee hours of Friday killed in a hitand-run accident along the

Coldigen Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Dead is 25-year-old Adzel Inniss, a truck driver of

Burma Housing Scheme in Mahaicony, ECD.

According to information received on the day in question at about 4:30h, Inniss had stopped his motor lorry, GAC 1443, in the vicinity of Chico Ramas Gas Station in Coldingen, ECD, and was in the process of disembarking the vehicle when he stepped into the path of a black Toyota Fielder Wagon.

Due to the impact, Inniss fell onto the road’s surface and sustained injuries to his body while the driver of the Fielder Wagon fled the scene. Police stated that both the car's registration and the driver's identity remain unknown.

However, Inniss was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital

where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

When contacted, the dead man’s sister, Tonica Iniss, related that she last saw her brother alive on Wednesday evening at about

18:00h. She noted that due to his work, he would stay away from home for extended periods.

On Friday morning, she noted that her brother was on his way home when the accident occurred. The family was unaware of the accident until they called his phone to inquire about his whereabouts.

She explained that someone who claimed to be the eyewitness to the accident answered her brother’s phone and related what transpired. She added both her mother and the now dead man’s child's mother spoke with the eyewitness.

The aggrieved sister further stated that the family is in a state of shock. She related that what is even more

heart-wrenching is that they do not know who killed her brother.

“We don't know…The gas station has 11 cameras and they're saying they're not working and then they're saying it's working but it doesn't keep footage… We're not taking it easy! It's very stressful. We need justice! We must get justice!”, the sister stated.

She added that it will be even more heartbreaking to see her nephew growing up without his father. “He adored that child,” she posited.

Inniss would have celebrated his 26th birthday on September 10. The Police are continuing their investigations.

Dead: Adzel Inniss

RDC lacks capacity to clear overflowing school bin left since last term – Region 5 Chair

Chairman of Region

Five (Mahaica-Berbice)

Vickchand Ramphal has said that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) does not have the capacity to clear an overflowing garbage bin at a school that has been in this state since last term.

The Chairman made the announcement on Thursday during the RDC’s statutory meeting. He was at the time responding to a request to provide assistance for the clearing of the garbage bin of Fort Wellington Secondary School. In August, Councillor Emerson Benjamin pointed out that the bin in the school compound was left overflowing when schools were closed

for the holidays.

Benjamin, on that occasion, urged that systems be put in place to have it cleaned in time for the reopening of school. The Regional Chairman had promised to have the overflowing bin cleared in time for the reopening of school, on September 4.

However, on Thursday, Benjamin pointed out that nothing had been done since the promise was made. It’s been several weeks since schools reopened for the Christmas term.

“I am once again asking if the region can do something to assist and have the bin cleaned. The last time I spoke about it, Chairman you said

Five days later…

Fire continues to burn at NA dumpsite

…schools, prison, hospital affected

Afire continues to burn at the New Amsterdam dumpsite five days after it first erupted, posing challenges to residents in the area, persons at the New Amsterdam Prisons, the public hospital, and schools in the area.

Last Monday, flames were seen emanating from the municipal dumpsite situated at Esplanade Road in New Amsterdam. Several sections of the town were shrouded in smoke, and on Wednesday, Mayor Wainwright McIntosh expressed concern that the situation was posing an environmental hazard.

On Friday, this fire continued to burn, causing thick black smoke to envelop the surrounding areas and con-

even the rainfall on Thursday evening did not provide much assistance in containing this fire. He said efforts are nevertheless being made to get the situation back to normalcy.

“The showers that came did not do anything really;

that you were going to address the problem. Schools open and the bin is the same way. It is an eye sore, so I am just appeal-

ing that you can look into it,”

Benjamin said. Responding, the Chairman said the RDC did not have the capacity to take away the solid waste from the school’s overflowing bin. “Councillor I know that you raised this previously and I promised to get it done, however, I explained to you that I strongly depend on another agency to provide an excavator. I was given the assurance that once an excavator is in close proximity, the work will be done but we all know due to the current dry season we had to place resources in the cultivation areas so farmers can access fresh water,” Ramphal told the RDC. However, he assured that as soon as an excavator is in the area, he will have the bin cleaned. (G4)

taminate the atmosphere.

Firefighters using trench water on Thursday tried for hours to douse the burning dumpsite. A heavy downpour assisted their efforts, but before midnight, the firefighters were back at the scene, as thick smoke again obscured visibility to road users and created health challenges for residents living nearby.

Regional Commander

Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus told this publication that the Police were called upon to provide additional security without and within the vicinity of the New Amsterdam Prison as smoke invaded the correctional facility which houses hundreds of inmates.

Divisional Fire Officer Cortland Harry also said that

so, presently, we are using an open source, and that is helping us a great lot. Right

fire has been coming from the Rose Hall Sugar Estate’s Fire Department, the Region Six Administration, and the Mayor and Town Council, Harry explained.

Harry said that recently, the Fire Department in Berbice, which consists of four stations, has had to respond to about 6 to 10 calls per day. For the year, the Department has had to respond to more than 450 fires in Berbice, many of which in recent times were grass fires.

“We have been trying to let people know that, during this dry period, they should desist from lighting fires in open areas, parapets and such like; but people still continue to do so, (and) there is nothing much we can do about it. When we get a call, we have to respond and do

now, we are trying to extinguish the heavy smoke that we are getting, to get it down as much as possible, because that is what is affecting the hospitals, schools and the prison,” Harry added.

Assistance to battle this

our job,” Harry explained.

Sources close to the Fire Department are of the view that it may take several days before this fire is brought under control. Meanwhile, the dumpsite has been closed since Monday. (G4)

The garbage at Fort Wellington Secondary School

Scenes from the GAW vs Tallawahs at the Guyana National Stadium

Painter arrested after ganja found in front of home

Apainter found himself in hot water after a quantity of marijuana was discovered in front of his Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home on Thursday.

Police stated that on the day in question, ranks

conducted an exercise at a house at Third Street, Mon Repos, ECD, during which they saw a 26-year-old man sitting on a bench on the bridge in front of the property, who later identified himself as a painter.

However, the ranks

conducted a thorough search in and around the premises, but nothing illegal was found. Subsequently, a search was conducted on the par -

apet of the road in front of the premises during which a black plastic bag was discovered partially buried in the earth. The bag was retrieved

and upon inspection, several small transparent ziplock bags containing cannabis were found. The painter was arrested and taken to the Beterverwagting

Police Station where the ganja was weighed and amounted to 144 grams. He remains in custody pending charges.

The illegal drug that was found in front of the man’s home in Mon Repos

Guyana committed to continue pushing food, energy, climate security – Todd

…also pledges to maintain international peace, security

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd has re-emphasised Guyana’s commitment to highlight the importance of maintaining food, energy and climate security at the upcoming COP28 as well as reaffirmed support to the work of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

The Minister made these remarks on Wednesday as he participated in the 2023 AOSIS Leaders’ Meeting, held on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78) in New York, United States (US).

The meeting was convened by the Samoan Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, in his capacity as the Chair of AOSIS.

Its primary focus were high-level discussions on the next steps in operationalis-

ing the Multi-Vulnerability Index (MVI), critical outcomes for Small Island States (SIDS) at COP 28 and expected deliverables from the Fourth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) International Conference.

To be held from November 30 to December 12, COP28 refers to the 28th Conference

Home Improvement Subsidy

of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and provides a platform for world leaders, Ministers and negotiators to develop solutions to address climate change.

Meanwhile, the Fourth SIDS International Conference – to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from

May 27-30, 2024 – will similarly bring world leaders together to agree on a new programme that focuses on practical and impactful solutions to keep SIDS afloat and maintain a sustainable, safe future.

Todd highlighted Guyana's previous endorsements of SIDS Programme of Action for Sustainable Development in anticipation of this upcoming SIDS meeting.

He also expressed Guyana's commitment to mitigating climate change through its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 and the critical role of forests in effective climate action, noting that Guyana maintains over 85 per cent forest cover and has among the lowest recorded rates of deforestation since 2010.

The AOSIS meeting con-

cluded with the adoption of the 2023 AOSIS Leaders’ Declaration, which aims to provide political direction on the way forward.

OIC

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Todd also participated in an Annual Coordination Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), also held on the margins of UNGA 78.

During his remarks, he reiterated Guyana’s commitment to work with Council members and the entire UN membership on fulfilling the mandate of the Council in maintaining and sustaining international peace and security.

The Minister further commended the universal effort to intensify cooperation to combat conflict, including the efforts made by the OIC

to promote tolerance and foster dialogue among peoples of different cultures and religions.

In September, the Guyana Government in collaboration with Research Centre for Islamic History, Culture and Art (IRCICA) and OIC General Secretariat co-organised an international symposium on “The history and legacy of Muslims in the Caribbean” in Georgetown.

This symposium, Todd noted, was the first of its kind in the Caribbean Region and highlighted the importance of encouraging member states to foster bonds of friendship, increase mutually beneficial cooperation, consolidate multiculturalism and establish peace and open perspectives for further joint actions in different fields within the OIC.

Sophia beneficiaries receive building materials

Anumber of low-income residents of Sophia, Georgetown, on Thursday received building materials to repair and/

Each recipient’s selection of materials was chosen to address their specific home improvement needs and included items such as tim-

seen by staff of the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CH&PA) Community Development Department.

A beneficiary, Sidney Thomas, expressed his appreciation for the materials, noting that his house has existed for almost three decades and has seen its fair share of issues adversely impacting his family’s comfort, including roof leaks.

“I built this house like 25-30 years ago and especially this wall, it’s deteriorating and at the front some of the wood falling off so [the new materials] would help me a lot,” Thomas said.

terials will benefit Wayne Joseph as well, another Sophia resident who had already replaced walls at the front and the side of his house and staircases with timber previously provided through this programme.

Now, with the addition of zinc sheets for roof repairs, he can continue enhancing his home.

or expand their homes as part of the Housing and Water Ministry’s Home Improvement Subsidy initiative.

ber, concrete blocks, sand, cement, stone, zinc sheets, louvre windows, bolts, nuts and nails.

The delivery was over-

“I think it’s a very good initiative to help people who are really in need because some people can't really afford to do the repairs by themselves and it would help to raise their standard of living,” Thomas said.

The receipt of these ma-

The Home Improvement Subsidy forms part of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded Adequate and Affordable Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP) that aims to enable persons in the target boundaries to receive up to $500,000 in materials to upgrade their homes.

The boundary currently encompasses the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Development in Region Three; Georgetown

to Grove on the East Bank of Demerara, Region Four; Georgetown to La Bonne Intention and nineteen other select communities on the East Coast of Demerara, Region Four.

The eligible repairs include walls, floors, electrical systems, sanitation improvements, and other non-cosmetic enhancements in line with the program’s goals.

The other aspect of the AHUAP is the Core Home Support initiative that aims to help low-income vulnerable Guyanese in poor living

conditions.

To further enhance this programme, the CH&PA, under the purview of the Housing Ministry, on Wednesday launched the Core Home Support and Home Improvement Subsidy mobile app to allow persons to easily monitor the status of their applications.

Now available on Google Play Store and Apple store, the app gives applicants access to real-time updates on when they will receive the keys to their core home or materials to enhance their home.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd during an Annual Coordination Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

Sophia residents received building materials under the Home Improvement Subsidy initiative

New $60.6M well to benefit over 900 Waramadong residents

Some 960 Waramadong residents will now receive adequate access to potable water as Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal on Friday commissioned a new $60.6 million water distribution system in the Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) village.

The scope of this project included drilling a new potable water well to a depth of 120 metres, and installing 3000 metres of 50mm Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes and 1000 metres of 19mm pipes, with 80 service connections.

It further called for the construction of a 20-foothigh metal trestle with storage tanks, installation of photovoltaic pumping system, and galvanised chain link fence.

Over the past three years, Croal noted that some $700 million has been invested into enhancing the water sector across Region Seven to provide first-time access to clean water to thousands of residents.

“We want everybody to live a better quality of

life… regardless of where you are located, all must benefit from the resources of the state and that is no different for those in Region Seven,” Croal said.

During Thursday’s commissioning, Croal was accompanied by Hinterland Services Director Ramchand Jailal; District Coordinator, Governance, Tamika Beharry; and Assistant Regional Executive Officer, Deyon Seecharan.

New water systems were completed in Kurutuku, Kamarang, Jawalla, Kako, Tasserene, Kaikan, Isseneru, while Kangaruma’s system was rehabilitated during the period of 2021 and 2022.

Interventions this year include a new water supply system in Quebenang, Jawalla (Left Bank) Paruima, Dagg Point, Westerbeck and Five Miles, Bartica.

As these Ministry-led projects continue, the aim is for the number of residents with access to water in Region Seven to grow from 3818 persons or 34 per cent of the population in 2020 to almost 10,000 persons or 85 per cent of the population by the end of 2023.

Croal reiterated the Government’s commitment to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal Six, which speaks to the avail -

ability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

In keeping with this goal, some $1.7 billion was allocated towards the completion of wells and distribution networks in the hinterland in this year.

In August, Croal had conducted a site inspection of the new $10 million well being drilled at Wauna, Region One (Barima-Waini), noting

that it was on schedule to finish by the end of this month thereby providing potable water services to over 900 residents in the community and surrounding areas.

A few days prior to this visit, a $20 million water system was commissioned in the community of Kwebanna, Region One.

Notably, before 2023, only 10 per cent of Kwebanna’s population

had access to water, from a shallow well and a few standpipes.

Overall, 97 per cent of Guyana’s population has access to clean potable water. However, for the hinterland and riverine communities, there is 75 per cent coverage and by the end of 2023, with investments being made, the coverage will increase to 83 per cent.

Students, employees benefit from child labour, OSH training

The Labour Ministry is continuing its education and awareness campaign to eliminate child labour as well as to promote safer, healthier practices in workplaces, engaging a number of stakeholders this week in trainings and sensitisation workshops accordingly.

On Wednesday, several employees from Aurora Gold Mines / Zijin Mining Group began participating in a three-day Joint Workplace Safety and Health Committee Training Programme facilitated by the Ministry's Occupational Safety and

report all workplace accidents/diseases to NIS.

It also included sensitisation training on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired

Bess and sought to prepare members of the Joint Workplace Safety and Health Committee to carry out their mandate in the workplace, as required by

edge and skills necessary to design and maintain safe work systems and practices, thereby minimising or eliminating workplace accidents.

Health (OSH) Department.

This programme aimed to teach participants about National Insurance Scheme (NIS) benefits and the legal requirement to

Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), as well as fire safety training.

This training initiative was facilitated by OSH Officer Maxean

Chapter 99:06 of the OSH Act.

Following the training’s completion, participants are expected to be equipped with the knowl-

It also allows participants to demonstrate an awareness of their roles and responsibilities as Joint Workplace Safety Committee representatives, and empowers them to be able to undertake workplace inspections and accident investigations, as well as implement techniques to control and/or remove hazards in their own workplaces.

The workplace and the participants would be certified for two years.

On Tuesday, several

officers from the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) began a similar four-day Joint Workplace Safety and Health Committee Training Programme, also held by the Ministry’s OSH Department, though this one was led by OSH Officer Roydon Croal.

Child labour

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, students from Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) participated in a Child Labour Sensitisation Outreach campaign.

Conducted by Regional Labour Officers Hardat Malchan and Vedmattie Budhram, this exercise

aimed to educate students on the issue of child labour and its negative impacts, in a continuous effort by the Ministry to eradicate child labour altogether. Topics covered included what child labour is, the worst forms of child labour, the causes of child labour, the impact of child labour on education, and understanding child labour versus child work.

Similarly, from Monday, residents of Capoey and Tapakuma in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) were also led through a two-day sensitisation outreach campaign on child labour awareness by Regional Labour Officer, Ravi Persaud.

Guyana Prison Service officers engaged in OSH training

Aurora Gold Mines / Zijin Mining Group employees engaged in OSH training

Students of the Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre engaged in Child Labour Sensitisation Outreach Campaign

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal commissioning a new water distribution system in Waramadong, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)

Luxury eco-lodges Project faces challenges, misses Cricket Carnival visitors’ influx

…to be completed soon

Initially scheduled to be completed in time for the Cricket Carnival season, in order to provide alternative luxury accommodation options for the influx of visitors in the country during this period, the ambitious eco-lodges project has faced several setbacks, and the completion deadline has been pushed back to September month-end.

Executing this project is DuraVilla Homes, whose Chief Executive Officer, Rafeek Khan, informed this publication that the entire construction phase should be wrapped up in a matter of days.

Construction works commenced in June, following its conceptualisation in May, and according to Khan, though the initial deadline was missed, the project would still be completed in record time.

“Infrastructure I would say is 95 per cent done; landscaping (is) 90 per cent done… We have 12 to 15 homes completed; and then we have,

have AC [air-conditioning units] going in, floors, cabinets…,” he detailed.

And while lamenting that the project had missed the opportunity that Cricket Carnival had presented, Khan professed that there would always be need for more luxury accommodation options in Guyana.

Khan detailed some of the challenges that contributed to the delay: a dengue outbreak at the worksite, which resulted in some labour shortages; issues with consistent water supply to the site.

“While our hopes would have been to complete for the start of the CPL, there were many, many hinderances that caused the delay,” Khan expressed.

He also explained that there were a few changes to the project design, which also contributed to the delays. Among other things, the changes included the addition of a two-storey building which would provide various amenities to the eco-lodge guests. Those amenities include

termined by the Government.

While the physical structures would be completed by month-end, Khan explained, other things would be needed before the facility is officially opened for booking. Those include consistent power and water supply.

Khan has revealed that at least every five homes would have something extremely unique about them. “So, you’re not going to see ev-

bedroom to the living room… you’re going to be seeing and experiencing wood in a whole different level that you’ve never experienced before,” he explained.

“What you’re going to see here is a whole new level of tourism. For those who don’t have a chance to fly into the forests to see an eco-lodge, they should be able to experience it here, once the services are provided properly,” he

said.

According to Khan, upon completing the project, DuraVilla Homes would hand over the project to the Government, which has envisioned a plan to have the facility, comprising a total of 30 lodges, run by women under the “100 Women” initiative announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali.

DuraVilla Homes is solely responsible for the design

and build concept of the project, which sits on two acres, and in which each lodge measures some 500sqft. It has been reported that each lodge would feature a bedroom, a complete kitchen, complete living room, and complete verandah.

The cost of the entire project is yet to be announced. Meanwhile, upon completion, the project is expected to be sustained by rental income.

in the next (few days), we’re completing all the homes: we

restaurants, spas, and a gym; but the providers will be de-

ery home looking alike. From the patio to the inside to the

Johns-Port Mourant NDC Chairman resigns amid fraud concerns

Chairman of the Johns-Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Vimen Armogan has tendered his resignation with immediate effect.

The resignation letter is dated September 21, 2023, and was submitted one day after the NDC met to discuss allegations levelled against the acting overseer of the NDC in relation to forgery and embezzlement.

In the letter of resignation, the Chairman stated that he is very busy with religious activities, citing this as his reason for resigning.

“I am willing to remain as a Councillor and serve my party the PPP/C as much as I

Johns-Port Mourant NDC Chairman, Vimen Armogan

can. Please accept my resignation letter,” it further outlined. The letter is addressed to Local Government Minister Anand Persaud and is copied to four persons, including the overseer of the Johns-Port

Mourant NDC.

Reports are that the Chairman was reportedly against the NDC seeking the intervention of the Local Government Commission and the Police regarding the allegations against the overseer.

It had been reported that the overseer had allegedly ‘employed’ at least two Government part-time workers unknown to them, and had allegedly been pocketing their salaries.

The overseer allegedly forged the signatures of at least two persons, whom he placed on the payroll in order to pocket the money.

Reports are that he has since repaid the NDC some $80,000. (G4)

An artist’s impression of the eco-lodges

Some of the lodges

Regional Bermuda Government hit by cyber attack

Governor of this British Overseas Territory (BOT), Rena Lalgie on Friday said that cybersecurity teams in Britain are assisting Bermuda in dealing with a “major cyberattack” on Thursday that brought down Government information technology (IT) services.

Premier David Burt said that the incident, which also forced a postponement of the sitting of the House of Assembly, affected not only the Bermuda Government but some other regional governments as well.

“Our initial indication is it’s come from an external source, most likely from Russia, and we are working with agencies to make sure that we can identify any particular challenges and make sure that services are restored as quickly as possible,” he said.

In a statement, the Governor confirmed that

Venezuela sends 11,000 troops to control gang-run prison with pool and zoo

Venezuela says it has seized control of a prison from the hands of a powerful gang with an international reach in a major operation involving 11,000 members of its security forces.

ed law enforcement officers for regaining “total control” of the prison in the northern state of Aragua, adding the operation had “dismantled a centre of conspiracy and crime”.

mates gathered outside for updates.

“I am waiting to hear where they are taking my husband. … I was living in there, but they kicked us out,” Gladys Hernandez said.

President Nicolas Maduro praised a “great success in the fight against criminal organisations”.

Government

IT systems were subjected to a “major cyberattack” and “that incident is ongoing.”

“Whilst there was an early indication of the geographical source of that attack, any further speculation on the possible source or motivation for the attack would be unhelpful. I can confirm that the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre and the National Crime Agency are aware of the incident, have been in contact with the Bermuda

authorities, and are providing advice to support them.”

Lalgie also said Bermuda authorities are receiving support from a range of commercial partners, adding “Government will advise on the ongoing impacts to services of this attack on a regular basis.”

The government had earlier advised the public that its telephone, internet and e-mail systems were disrupted and that all departments were affected. (Excerpt from CMC)

UNESCO recognises Argentina torture centre as a World Heritage Site

Some 5000 people disappeared behind its walls. Many were never seen again.

Now, Argentina’s Navy School of Mechanics (ESMA) — a military school turned secret detention centre — has been named a United Nations World Heritage site in an effort to preserve its grisly history.

“The Navy School of Mechanics conveyed the absolute worst aspects of state-sponsored terrorism,” President Alberto Fernández told the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in a video message on Tuesday.

He thanked UNESCO for designating ESMA as a her-

itage site. “Memory must be kept alive,” Fernández said, referencing the “horrors” experienced at the former school.

In 1976, a military group overthrew President Isabel Perón, beginning a period of dictatorship that stretched through to 1983.

Under its leadership, widespread human rights abuses took place, as military leaders attempted to stamp out dissent, activism and left-wing political views.

As many as 30,000 people are believed to have lost their lives, with many of their fates still unknown. They simply disappeared in military custody and were never heard from again.

Up to 340 detention centres cropped up across the country. ESMA, however, was one of the earliest, with prisoners transferred there in the first days of the coup.

It would also become one of the largest such facilities in Argentina. Located in the capital Buenos Aires, the detention centre converted the school’s layout into a site of torture. Only about 200 prisoners survived.

ESMA even contained a maternity ward, where pregnant detainees saw their children taken away from them as soon as they gave birth. These children were often adopted into families aligned with the dictatorship. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Migrant encounters at US-Mexico border on pace to reach record highs in September

US border authorities encountered more than 142,000 migrants at the US-Mexico border in the first half of September, according to data shared by Mexico’s President, a tally on pace to match or even surpass previous monthly highs.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador shared the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) figures during a morning press conference and proposed a visit to Washington in November to discuss migration and other issues.

The number of migrants caught crossing illegally or presenting themselves at legal border crossings has steadily risen after dropping

in mid-May when the US rolled out stricter new asylum rules.

The increase has strained US cities at the border and further north. The mayor of Eagle Pass, Texas, declared a state of emergency on Tuesday due to a “severe undocumented immigrant surge” into the city as several thousand migrants reportedly arrived in recent days.

US President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has grappled with record numbers of migrants attempting to cross illegally since he took office in 2021 and is already facing attacks over the issue as he runs for re-election in 2024.

Republicans blame Biden for reversing hardline immigration policies of Republican former President Donald

The Tocoron prison had served as the Tren de Aragua gang’s headquarters, where it had installed amenities such as a zoo, a pool and gambling rooms, according to an investigative journalist recently interviewed by the Agence France-Presse news agency.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Government congratulat-

After the Government announced a complete evacuation of the jail, Interior Minister Remigio Ceballos told state broadcaster VTV that the inmates were being transferred to another facility.

Dozens of relatives who had been living inside the prison with sentenced in-

An AFP team reported security officers carrying motorcycles, televisions, air conditioners and microwaves out of the jail.

It appeared some inmates escaped during the operation as a later Government statement announced a “second phase” of the operation for the “search and capture” of “fugitive criminals”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

At least 40% of fighters from Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels could reject a potential peace deal being negotiated with the Government, three high-level security sources told Reuters, citing reluctance to surrender profits from drug smuggling and illegal mining.

The estimate puts at risk ambitious plans by the country’s first leftist leader, President Gustavo Petro, to end Colombia’s six-decade war, which has killed 450,000 people, through accords with rebels and criminal groups.

The formation of dissident

groups by ELN members would echo what was seen after a 2016 peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group, when hundreds of holdouts rejected the agreement and to this day continue illegal activities and fighting.

It would also appear to undermine repeated reassurances by ELN leaders that the group is united behind talks. The group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The atomised command structure of the ELN has long been a concern for security analysts and critics of the

talks, who have warned the group’s most radical units are unlikely to adhere to an accord.

The three security sources said some 2300 of the ELN’s total 5850 members were seen as likely to reject the deal.

Most of them number among the group’s 3000 armed members and belong especially to its Western, Eastern and Northeastern Fronts, units based in the Pacific jungle and in several provinces along Colombia’s porous eastern border with Venezuela, according to the sources. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US says Haiti security mission could

support

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said a Kenya-led, international security mission to Haiti could deploy “in months”, urging the United Nations Security Council to authorise the deployment as soon as possible.

Trump, the frontrunner for his party’s nomination.

The Biden Administration on Wednesday announced that it would grant nearly half a million Venezuelans already in the US access to work permits following demands by Democratic state and city officials to help migrants work legally.

To reduce illegal crossings, the Biden Administration rolled out a new regulation in May that requires migrants to schedule an appointment to enter at a legal border crossing or face a higher standard for asylum. The Administration also has opened other legal ways for migrants to enter the US from abroad. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Speaking on Friday morning at a start of a UN meeting in New York on the situation in Haiti, Blinken said the United States would supply “robust financial and logistical assistance” to the proposed mission.

Haiti has seen a surge in gang violence over the past several years, particularly after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, which created a power vacuum.

Gangs control most of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and armed confrontations have disrupted access to health care and other services, according to the UN and rights observers.

Bottom of Form

Haitians face a barrage of attacks, including kidnap-

pings for ransom and sexual violence, and thousands have been displaced from their homes.

In October of last year, Haiti’s de facto leader, Prime Minister Ariel Henry, called on the international community to help set up a “specialised armed force” to quell the violence.

The request for an international mission to Haiti enjoyed the backing of the

US and the UN, but a deployment has been stalled for months because no country had agreed to lead such a mission to the country.

However, in July, Kenya said it was prepared to lead a “multinational force” in Haiti – provided the mission gets a mandate from the UN Security Council – to help train and assist the Haitian police to “restore normalcy”.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Bermuda Governor Rena Lalgie (CMC file photo)

be deployed ‘in months’, urges

At least 40% of Colombia’s ELN rebels seen rejecting peace deal, security sources say

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, flanked by Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry (left) and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Alfred Nganga Mutua (right) during a meeting on the security situation in Haiti, in New York on September 22, 2023 [Bing Guan/Reuters]

Around the World OIL NEWS

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy blasts Russian ‘genocide’ before Canadian Parliament

Oil ends week lower as demand concerns face Russia supply ban

Oil prices held steady on Friday but closed the week lower on profit-taking and as markets weighed supply concerns stemming from Russia's fuel export ban against demand woes from future rate hikes.

Brent futures settled 3 cents lower at US$93.27 a barrel. It fell 0.3% in the week, breaking a three-week streak of gains.

US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) futures rose 40 cents, or 0.5%, to US$90.03 a barrel, as US oil rig counts fell. The benchmark fell 0.03% for the week, the first decline in four weeks.

"Investors are anticipating a slack in demand coming into October as refineries go into maintenance and as a higher interest rate is going to further pressure markets," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial, adding that there was also some profit taking.

The contracts have rallied more than 10% in the previous three weeks on concerns about tight supply.

US Federal Reserve officials warned of further rate hikes, even after voting to hold the benchmark federal funds rate steady at a meeting this week.

"Inflation is still too high, and I expect it will likely be appropriate for the (Federal Open Market) Committee to raise rates further and hold them at a restrictive level for some time," Fed Governor Michelle Bowman said.

A potential further rise in energy prices, she noted, was a particular risk she was monitoring.

Higher interest rates increase borrowing costs, which could slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.

Meanwhile, Russia's temporary ban on exports of gasoline and diesel to most countries was expected to tighten supplies.

Russia's Transneft suspended deliveries of diesel to the key Baltic and Black Sea terminals of Primorsk and Novorossiysk on Friday, state media agency Tass said.

The ban will "bring new uncertainty into an already tight global refined product supply picture and the prospect that the impacted countries will be seeking to bid up cargoes from alternative suppliers," RBC said in a note.

Russian wholesale gasoline prices were down nearly 10% and diesel down 7.5% on Friday on the St Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange.

US oil rig counts, an indicator of future production, also fell by eight to 507 this week, their lowest since February 2022, energy services firm Baker Hughes said.

Refineries in the United States routinely do maintenance in autumn after heavy runs to meet fuel demand from the summer driving season. Offline refinery capacity was expected to reach 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) this week according to IIR Energy versus 800,000 bpd offline last week.

Money managers raised their net long US crude futures and options positions in the week to Sept 19, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission said. (Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr

Zelenskyy has issued a forceful rebuke to Russian “genocide” from the floor of Canada’s Parliament, as he continues to rally support for his wartorn country.

“Moscow — now, as always — is bent on controlling Ukraine and makes use of all available means to do that, including genocide,” he told a packed House of Commons in Ottawa on Friday.

“It is genocide, what Russian occupiers are doing to Ukraine,” he said. “And when we want to win, when we call on the world to support us, it is not just about an ordinary conflict. It is about saving [the] lives of

millions of people.”

Zelenskyy’s fiery speech, delivered in English, marks his latest appeal to world leaders as he completes a whirlwind tour of North America, which began earlier this week with an appearance at the United Nations in New York.

But the Ukrainian leader’s warm reception in Canada marked a stark contrast to what he experienced a day before, as he visited the US legislature in Washington, DC.

Zelenskyy faced a Republican Party more vocal about curtailing support for Ukraine, as the deadline to pass budget legislation looms, with just over a week remaining.

The Ukrainian

Philippines issues health warning as capital hit by smog, volcanic gas

Asmall but restive volcano near the Philippine capital Manila spewed above average sulphur dioxide and volcanic smog on Friday, prompting authorities to close schools in dozens of cities and towns and to urge people to stay indoors.

The state volcanology and seismology institute said it observed upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Taal volcano's crater lake, resulting in the emission of volcanic gases. Heavy pollution also shrouded buildings in the capital region in haze.

The alert remained at level 1 on a five-level scale, denoting a "slight increase in volcanic earthquake, and steam or gas activity".

Located in a scenic lake in Batangas province near Manila, the 311-metre (1020foot) Taal is among the most active of 24 volcanoes in the

Philippines.

Kennard Kaagbay, a tricycle driver in the province, has complained of throat irritation from the volcanic smog.

"It's bad for me to inhale the air because I have asthma. Our passengers don't go out as well because of the (smog), so we don’t get much passengers recently," Kaagbay said.

In January 2020, Taal volcano spewed a column of ash and steam as high as 15 km (9.32 miles), forcing more than 100,000 people to evacuate and dozens of flight cancellations as heavy ash fell as far away as Manila.

Randy Dela Paz, operations section chief of the civil defence's southern Manila office, told DWPM radio they received reports of respiratory illnesses in the province due to intoxication from the volcanic smog. (Excerpt from Reuters)

climate envoy says phasing

The complete phasing-out of fossil fuels is not realistic, China's top climate official said, adding that these climate-warming fuels must continue to play a vital role in maintaining global energy security.

China is the world's biggest consumer of fossil fuels including coal and oil, and its special climate envoy Xie Zhenhua was responding to comments by ambassadors at a forum in Beijing

on Thursday ahead of the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai in November. Reuters obtained a copy of text of Xie's speech, and a video recording of the meeting.

Countries are under pressure to make more ambitious pledges to tackle global warming after a U N-led global "stocktake" said 20 gigatons of additional carbon dioxide reductions would be needed this decade alone to keep temperatures from exceeding the criti-

cal threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The stocktake will be at the centre of discussions at the COP28 climate meeting, with campaigners hoping it will create the political will to set clear targets to end coal and oil use.

Xie, however, said the intermittent nature of renewable energy and the immaturity of key technologies like energy storage means the world must continue to rely on fossil fuels to safe-

President’s request to speak before a joint session of the US Congress was also declined, with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy telling reporters, “We just didn’t have the

time.”

In Canada, leaders gave the Ukrainian president the rare honour of delivering a second address before Parliament. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Asylum seekers in Italy told to pay to avoid detention

guard economic growth.

"It is unrealistic to completely phase out fossil fuel energy," said Xie, who will represent China at COP28 this year.

At climate talks in Glasgow in 2021, China led efforts to change the language of the final agreement from "phasing out" to "phasing down" fossil fuels. China also supports a bigger role for abatement technologies like carbon capture and storage. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Asylum seekers in Italy will have to pay 4938 euros (US$5259) to avoid detention while their request for protection is being processed, the Government said on Friday, in a measure apparently aimed at deterring migrants.

Facing a surge in new arrivals, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition announced this week that it would increase the number of detention centres around the country to hold migrants ahead of their possible repatriation.

It also said that it would increase the amount of time people could be detained to 18 months from three months.

At present migrants to Italy who apply for asylum are free to move within the country while their application is reviewed, but the Government decree published on Friday said they would have to pay a type of

bail to stave off the threat of detention.

Human rights groups attacked the move.

"It is ridiculous. Who has got 5,000 euros?" said Anna Brambilla, a lawyer and member of the Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration (ASGI) that focuses on migrant rights.

"They are looking to make detention for migrants the norm, but it is hard to see how they can do that," she told Reuters.

At present there are 10 repatriation centres in Italy, which have a current capacity of just 619. Meloni has said she wants to at least double the number, and place one in each of the country's 20 regions.

However, many regional presidents and town mayors from across the political spectrum have said they do not want to host new centres and questioned the efficiency of a mass lock-up.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, paused to greet House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota ahead of his remarks before Canada’s Parliament

China

out fossil fuels 'unrealistic'

An Italian Coast Guard vessel carrying migrants rescued at sea passing between tourist boats, on Sicilian island of Lampedusa, Italy, September 18, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Keep your emotions in check. Be observant, helpful and willing to make time to get what you want. A social invitation will tempt you, but be careful not to bite off more than you can chew.

(March 21-April 19)

Look at the possibilities and sign up for whatever piques your interest. Don’t do anything halfheartedly. Give your all, and you’ll reap the rewards. An open mind will lead to valuable ideas.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Express enthusiasm, but don’t give away your ideas. Plan to have fun with friends, family or loved ones. A social event, physical challenge or home improvement project will bring you joy.

Don’t defer to negativity; keeping busy will get you up and running. Join a cause, create a stir and show off what you have to offer. Don’t be afraid to take control and toot your own horn.

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Pay attention to where your money goes. Emotional spending will not eliminate depression or help you feel better about yourself. Challenge yourself to enrich your life.

Speak up, share your thoughts and see who agrees with your vision. Conversations will help put plans in motion that revolve around travel, learning or home improvements. Be ready with the facts.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Rewarding yourself will help you regain strength and a positive attitude. Refuse to let anyone rain on your parade. Seek out people you want to spend time with, but welcome anyone who drops by.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Take the initiative to clear the air. State facts, live up to your word and deal with the consequences. Make changes to unstable situations and stick to the truth at all times.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Don’t waste time fighting the inevitable. Pay attention and use your skills, knowledge and experience to reach your goal. A personal gain is apparent, but you must work for it.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Share your feelings, concerns and ideas with someone who can offer a different perspective. An investment can pay off, but you must be realistic about your financial situation.

Do your own thing. Pay attention to detail, channel your energy into what’s meaningful to you and don’t feel obligated to follow in someone else’s footsteps. Own your successes and failures.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Don’t block change due to fear or uncertainty. Use your communication skills to get the facts. Reach out and help others; the rewards will be heartwarming and encourage you to do more.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Australia vs India: 2023 ODI Series, Game 1 of 3…

India dazzle in comfortable win against Australia

-Shami takes 5 for 51

ry in 60 balls.

Zampa ended the fun by trapping Gaikwad for 71, before cleaning Gill up for 74 with one that skidded through. In between, Shreyas Iyer, whose fitness and form India would have been keen to test, was runout for 3 after a mix-up with Gill.

attempted a reverse sweep off R Ashwin, only for the tickle to hit Rahul's leg after he missed a grab with the gloves. But the ball ricocheted onto the stumps, and Labuschagne was stumped for 39 in a close call that ended a promising 45-run third-wicket stand.

Australia's death-overs collapse of 5 for 28 by rattling Stoinis’s stumps after the latter had added 62 off 43 balls with Inglis. After that, Short swung him for a catch at deep midwicket, and Sean Abbott was dispatched with a slower ball chopped onto his stumps.

In all, six of Australia's top seven scored at least 29, but it was only David Warner who went past fifty in the first innings. Eventually that made the difference, as four out of India's top six scored half-centuries, giving India the 1-0 lead in the threegame series. (ESPN Cricinfo)

It has finally arrived, like a long-awaited letter from a loved one. ODI runs for Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the World Cup might perhaps be India's biggest positive in their five-wicket win over Australia in the first ODI, played in Mohali.

Suryakumar hit 50, his highest score in 20 ODI innings, thus helping India successfully chase 277 after they had lost 4 for 43 during a tense middle-overs’ period.

And if Suryakumar's return to form was a relief, Mohammed Shami's second ODI five-for in the absence of Mohammed Siraj must have ended up providing a headache. Shami grabbed a career-best 5 for 51, including three off his last nine balls.

That aside, KL Rahul, the stand-in captain, continued easing back into international cricket with an undefeated 58, his third significant contribution in four innings since his comeback from injury. Rahul

and Suryakumar added 60 just when it appeared Adam Zampa was inspiring an Australian comeback by triggering a collapse that saw India go from 142 for 0 in the 22nd over to 185 for 4 by the 33rd.

Openers Gill and Gaikwad had started off with ease in the chase up top, starting with 43 in the first seven overs. Gaikwad got a life on 17, but he didn't rein his shots in, hitting a punch through deep point in the same over. Seven of the eight fours from the duo in the first powerplay came in the region from backward point to cover, even as Gill had also effortlessly pulled Marcus Stoinis for six over square leg in the fourth over.

Gill also attacked debutant Matthew Short's offspin, depositing him for four and six in the 14th over. That six brought up his fifty in 37 balls, to stretch his dream run in ODIs, while Gaikwad followed suit with his maiden ODI half-centu-

Rahul, who had arrived after Gill's dismissal, then joined hands with Ishan Kishan to briefly steady the innings, before an attempted ramp had Kishan caught behind off Pat Cummins for 18. Rahul and Suryakumar, though, ensured there was no further wobble.

Rahul - who made full use of a reprieve when dropped on 1 - stayed unbeaten on the night; but in

Then, in the 40th over, Cameron Green, on 31, dabbed Shami behind, and Rahul failed to collect on the bounce. Trying to run off the misfield, Green and Inglis had a mix-up, and Suryakumar held on to a throw from deep third to effect a run-out at the bowler's end.

But before that, Shami had already laid the foundation for India's win. He first had Mitchell Marsh caught at wide slip in the

SCOREBOARD

Australia (50 ovs maximum)

Mitchell Marsh c Shubman Gill b

Mohammed Shami 4

David Warner c Shubman Gill b Jadeja 52

Steven Smith b

Mohammed Shami 41

Marnus Labuschagne st †Rahul b Ashwin 39

Cameron Green run out (†Rahul/Iyer/Yadav) 31

Josh Inglis †c Iyer b Bumrah 45

Marcus Stoinis b

Mohammed Shami 29

Matthew Short c Yadav

b Mohammed Shami 2

Pat Cummins (c)not out 21

Sean Abbott b Mohammed Shami 2

Adam Zampa run out (Yadav/Jadeja/†Rahul) 2

Extras (b 4, lb 2, nb 1, w 1) 8

TOTAL 50 Ov (RR: 5.52) 276

Fall of wickets: 1-4

(Mitchell Marsh, 0.4 ov), 2-98

(David Warner, 18.2 ov), 3-112

(Steven Smith, 21.3 ov), 4-157

(Marnus Labuschagne, 32.4 ov), 5-186

(Cameron Green, 39.3 ov), 6-248

(Marcus Stoinis, 46.4 ov), 7-250

(Josh Inglis, 47.2 ov), 8-254

(Matthew Short, 48.2 ov), 9-256

(Sean Abbott, 48.4 ov), 10-276

the afternoon he had also enjoyed some fortune when he was behind the stumps, with two successive fumbles from him possibly helping restrict Australia to 276. The first was in the 33rd over, when Marnus Labuschagne had

first over, with a length ball that angled in first but then straightened; and then he cleaned up Steven Smith with his trademark upright seam that slithered in and flattened two stumps.

Shami also fashioned

Sweden players stand in solidarity with Spanish counterparts

Players from Sweden and Spain stood together in solidarity before their UEFA Women’s Nations League meeting on Friday, following the scandal which has engulfed Spanish football.

Both sets of players held a banner reading “se acabo”, which translates in English as “It’s over”, a phrase used on social media amid the scandal. The banner also read “Our fight is the global fight”, and the Spanish players were applauded onto the field for their warmups by the home fans in Gothenburg.

The Spanish players also wore wristbands with “se acabo” written on them for what was a rematch of the World Cup semi-final, which Spain won 2-1 in Auckland in August.

The game itself was an entertaining spectacle, which Spain won 3-2, thanks to a penalty scored by Mariona Caldentey in extra time.

Earlier former Chelsea centre-back Magdalena Eriksson, who made her 100th appearance for

Sweden and was honoured in a special presentation before the game, headed the hosts in front.

Athenea del Castillo equalised for Spain before half-time when her 20yard shot was mishandled by Sweden keeper Zecira Musovic, the ball spiralling over the Chelsea player and into the net.

Eva Navarro put Spain 2-1 ahead after the break with a thunderous effort, which was celebrated by the players in a group hug - a gesture of togetherness following the events of recent weeks. However, Sweden pulled level through Arsenal midfielder Lina Hurtig before the late penalty drama.

Spain took an early lead in Group A4, which also involves Italy and Switzerland. The pool winners qualify for next year’s finals tournament, which will also decide participants in the 2024 Olympics.

This game was the first for the Spain women’s national team since beating England 1-0 in the final at Stadium Australia.

Following that final, former President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation ceremony. Hermoso has said that kiss was not consensual, setting off a remarkable chain

of events. Both Rubiales and World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda were eventually sacked, while the Spanish players threatened a boycott of the game against Sweden.

That boycott was called off only after an agreement had been reached with the RFEF on Wednesday, which said it had committed to “immediate and profound changes.”

Rubiales has been banned from going within 200 metres of Hermoso, after she filed a legal complaint. Appearing in court for the first time last Friday, Rubiales has denied sexually assaulting Hermoso. (BBC Sport)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mohammed Shami 10-1-51-5

Jasprit Bumrah 10-2-43-1

Shardul Thakur 10-0-78-0

Ravichandran Ashwin 10-0-47-1

Ravindra Jadeja 10-0-51-1

India (T: 277 runs from 50 ovs)

Ruturaj Gaikwad lbw b Zampa 71

Shubman Gill b Zampa 74

Shreyas Iyer run out (Green/†Inglis) 3

KL Rahul (c)† not out 58

Ishan Kishan

(Adam Zampa, 49.6 ov) •

Formula One stewards have accepted they erred in not imposing a grid penalty on Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for impeding in Singapore qualifying last weekend, and the decision will not serve as a precedent.

Championship leader Verstappen collected two reprimands for three incidents reviewed, but escaped any penalty for Sunday’s race at Marina Bay.

Media reports said Matteo Perini, the only one of the four Singapore stewards who is also carrying out the role at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, had recognised the mistake at a meeting with team managers at Suzuka.

Verstappen qualified 11th, but was summoned for impeding AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and Williams’s Logan Sargeant in separate incidents. Tsunoda’s team, also owned by Red Bull, did not send anyone to the hearing. The offence would normally have incurred a threeplace grid drop.

McLaren’s Lando Norris said on Thursday that drivers should face harsher pen-

alties for impeding, and questioned why Verstappen had escaped a drop for the Tsunoda incident.

Mercedes’ George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, also said the wrong decision had been taken. “It doesn’t matter if you’re leading the championship or you’re last, if you get in somebody’s way, you should be penalised for it,” he said.

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who collected two grid drops at the Spanish Grand Prix, was also confused. “Maybe now this is allowed. I don’t know, I’ll ask,” he told reporters on Thursday.

Singapore dealt Red Bull their first defeat in a season of dominance, and also ended Verstappen’s record run of 10 wins in a row. (Reuters)

F1 stewards accept they erred in not penalising Verstappen

Max Verstappen

The Spanish players wore wristbands bearing the phrase “Se Acabo”, which translates in English as “It’s over”

KL Rahul steadied the ship

Shami bagged five wickets

ICC confirms Guyana among Caribbean countries for T20 World Cup in 2024

The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday confirmed the seven venues in the Caribbean that would host matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, to be played from June 4 to June 30.

Those venues: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad & Tobago, will host games along with three venues in the USA – Dallas, Florida and New York.

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice has said:

“We’re delighted to announce the seven Caribbean venues that will host the biggest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup ever staged, with 20 teams competing for the trophy. They’re all popular venues with players and fans alike, that will provide a wonderful backdrop to the event.

“This will be the third ICC Senior Men’s event hosted by the West Indies, and the matches will again give cricket fans the unique ex-

Victor Macedo Memorial Cycle Race set for Sept 24

perience of enjoying cricket in the Caribbean. I’d like to thank Cricket West Indies and the seven host governments for their continued commitment and support of our sport.”

Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave has said: “This is an exciting moment as we announce our venues approved to host the largest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in history, with 20 teams playing in 55 matches in June next year.

“We are grateful to the

host governments of the Caribbean for their overwhelming responses and enthusiasm for hosting what will be the most significant sporting event held in our region for a generation.”

Grave added: “We are confident that, together, we will deliver a world-class tournament showcasing the best this region has to offer, with our unique culture and carnival atmosphere that will ensure there is a real celebration of the sport next June.” (CWI)

President’s Cup horse race meeting set for Sept 23

The 21st annual Victor Macedo Memorial Cycle Race is set for Sunday, September 24, from 7:30am, and the principal race covers the distance from Georgetown to the Abary Bridge on the West Coast of Berbice in Region Five and back.

Sponsored by the Macedo Transportation Services and organized by the Flying Stars Cycle Club, this race is set to pedal-off with a rolling start from Peter Rose Street in Queenstown and travel east into Crown Street, then north into Irving Street unto the J.B Singh Road, for an official start opposite the GDF compound. The race would then proceed along the J.B Singh

Road, around the Kitty Roundabout and on to Clive Lloyd Drive, where it would take to the East Coast roadway. The seniors, juniors & veterans under-50 years would proceed to the Abary Bridge, while the veterans over-50 yrs, juveniles & ladies would proceed to the famous Big Tree at Perseverance, Mahaicony, before returning to the finishing point on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.

Prizes will be awarded to the top six finishers, the top three juniors, first five veterans under-50, first three veterans over-50, and the top two ladies.

Ten sprint prizes of one thousand Guyana dollars each will be up for the taking.

The prestigious President’s Cup horse race meeting is set for Saturday September 23 at the Rising Sun Turf Club on the West Coast of Berbice.

Guyana Cup winner Easy Time earned top ranking with a mind-blowing performance at the Guyana Cup Meet recently held at the Rising Sun Turf Club, and will return for bragging rights.

The President’s Cup is

part of Guyana’s Cricket Carnival, and more than $15 million in cash and prizes will be up for the taking.

Alado, of the Master Z Racing Stables, who had a blockbuster year in 2022, recording a double win for the Guyana Cup & the Cricket Carnival President’s Cup, will this year again be competing.

Gates at the Rising Sun Turf Club would be open from 10h local time.

Yunes

cops second at Barbados Open golf tournament

Curtains came down on the Barbados

Open golf tournament played at the Barbados Golf Club last weekend, wherein the likes of Miguel Yunes, Pope Emmanuel London, Shanella London and Eureka Giddings represented the Lusignan Golf Club in Guyana.

Yunes was the standout Guyanese player, finishing second in the first Flight with a net score of 214.

"The competition was incredible, and very well organized. I saw people from many different nationalities, including Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Turkey, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the USA, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana. This diversity made it a great competition.

“I feel very proud of my second-place finish in the tournament, especially since it was in the 1st flight category (handicaps 6 to 14). My results were proof of all the hard work. I have to thank my family for their unconditional support.

“Nevertheless, I will work harder to get first place next year, as I believe I can achieve it," Yunes asserted.

Yunes has also said he was very proud to represent Guyana in the tournament, because living in Guyana has given him a different perspective on life.

According to Yunes, the course was a 72-par course, with difficulties that the team was not accustomed to in Guyana. For instance, there were hills going up and down, deep sand traps located in the middle of the fairway and around the greens, as well as very long and wide greens with varying speeds and shapes, making things challenging.

However, Yunes has said he is proud of his achievement, having played for the first time in Barbados. He further shared, “My first time to play in Barbados is a big achievement, as wind and pin locations are key to score good. Special thanks to my coach Roy Harry for his support and coaching from a distance this time. He helped me analyze the course and

prepare my mindset for the 3-day competition.”

Speaking on behalf of the LGC, Club Captain Pope Emmanuel London congratulated Yunes for his hard work, and noted that the experience at the Barbados Open was interesting. London relayed that the greens were humungous and extremely difficult to read.

"We congratulate Miguel on his achievement; he worked very hard. Miguel was ahead of us because he had seen courses in Mexico that were similar to the competition’s, giving him the advantage. But it was a good experience, and we have learned a lot," London shared.

Results of the tournament were as follows:

* 2nd: Miguel Yunes (1st Flight, Net 214)

* 19th: Pope Emmanuel London (2nd Flight, Net 255)

* 4th: Shanella London (Ladies Championship Gross 276)

* 7th: Eureka Giddings (Ladies Open Net 224)

The Guyana National Stadium at Providence, EBD

Miguel Yunes came in 2nd place in his category

Easy Time will be out to win again after Guyana Cup triumph

Top riders will be on show on Sunday

Guyana Amazon Warriors dominated the Jamaica Tallawahs to reach the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League final. Warriors will now face rivals Trinbago Knight Riders in Sunday’s grand final at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

Azam Khan’s blistering half-century propelled the Warriors to 182-6 in 20 overs, while a collective bowling effort restricted Tallawahs to 101-9, as Warriors won by 81 runs.

In the Tallawahs’ chase, they had a scratchy start, with Brandon King looking tentative. King made five from nine balls before being caught behind off Romario Shepherd’s bowling. King had earlier survived a review, but his stay at the crease was brief.

The dangerous Alex Hales (15) cut one to a leaping Kevlon Anderson at point, and Tallawahs were reduced to 26-2 in 4.2 overs.

And when Dwaine Pretorius sneaked through the defense of Shamarh Brooks (01), the Warrior nation erupted.

The Tallawahs never got going, as Warriors’ bowlers were too hot to handle. At the powerplay, Tallawahs were 32-4. Raymon Reifer went for a duck to Ronsford Beaton, and the slide continued.

Imran Tahir rallied his troops well, and he delivered yet again with ball in hand.

Fabian Allen reached 11, as Imad Wasim was running out of partners. Allen was removed by Odean Smith, who had not bowled a ball in the last game. Tallawahs’ last hope with the bat was Chris Green, and he was bowled by the impressive Gudakesh Motie to reduce the Tallawahs to 70-8 in 11.4 overs.

Tahir removed Gordon for a duck to end the Tallawahs’ innings with Wasim scoring an unbeaten 43.

Earlier, the Jamaica Tallawahs won the toss and opted to bowl first. Guyana Amazon Warriors made one change in leaving out Shamar Joseph and bringing Ronsford Beaton into the side.

Kevlon Anderson, who is three matches old in CPL, was promoted to open in the batting. He tickled one for four, but the next ball he was bowled all ends up by the impressive Mohammad Amir at 5-1 in the first over.

Amir continued to swing the ball, and he rapped Shai Hope on the pads. Upon review, Hope had inside edged the ball and he survived. The Guyana Amazon Warriors powerplay was decorated with Hope’s class and Ayub’s touch, as the Warriors posted 49-1 in six overs.

Shamar Springer, in his second over, accounted for Saim Ayub, who made 20 from 15 balls. At 54-2 in 6.5 overs, Shimron Hetmyer strolled to the crease. Shimron Hetmyer then survived a leg-before call to Chris Green in the eighth over.

In the ninth over, Hetmyer was dropped on five by Alex Hales at long-off. At the half-way stage, Warriors were 71-2, with Hope on 35 from 26 balls and Hetmyer

struggling on seven from 14 balls. In the 12th over, Hetmyer finally found the gap, as he smashed Raymon Reifer for a six and a four in successive balls.

Warriors reached 100 in 13.4 overs when Azam Khan struck Reifer down the ground. Hetmyer faced 29 balls for his 31 runs, which had two fours and one six. He was caught at short third-man off a diving Amir. At 122-4 in 15.3 overs, Romario Shepherd strode to the crease and received a warm welcome from the capacity crowd, which included President Irfaan Ali.

Khan then unleashed his power as he propelled the Warriors to a strong total. The Warriors posted 66 runs and lost three wickets in that phase. Shepherd smoked 15 from eight balls, and Khan reached his fifty from 25 balls.

The big man from Pakistan was given caught behind upon review, after scoring 54 from 27 balls in an innings laced with four sixes and five fours. Dwaine Pretorius struck a boundary off his first ball to add the finishing touch to the Warriors

score of 182-6 in 20 overs.

Gordon finished with 2-27 in four overs, while Springer had 2-40 in his quota of four. The final

match of the 2023 CPL will bowl off tomorrow, Sunday September 24, from 19:00h at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Amazon Warriors (20 ovs maximum)

Saim Ayub c Hales b Springer 20

Kevlon Anderson b

Mohammad Amir 4

Shai Hope c Hales b Gordon 40

Shimron Hetmyer c

Mohammad Amir b Reifer 31

Azam Khan †c †Brooks

b Springer 54

Romario Shepherd c

†Brooks b Gordon 15

Odean Smith not out 0

Dwaine Pretorius not out 5

Extras (b 1, lb 7, w 5) 13

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.10) 182/6

Fall of wickets: 1-5

(Kevlon Anderson, 0.6 ov), 2-54

(Saim Ayub, 6.5 ov), 3-92

(Shai Hope, 12.3 ov), 4-122

(Shimron Hetmyer, 15.3 ov), 5-151

(Romario Shepherd, 17.6 ov), 6-177

(Azam Khan, 19.4 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mohammad Amir 3-0-28-1

Chris Green 4-0-24-0

Shamar Springer 4-0-40-2

Imad Wasim 2-0-20-0

Nicholson Gordon 4-0-27-2

Raymon Reifer 3-0-35-1

Jamaica Tallawahs

(T: 183 runs from 20 ovs)

Brandon King (c)c Hope

b Shepherd 5

Alex Hales c Anderson

b Pretorius 15

Steven Taylor c Beaton

b

Azam Khan struck a blazing fifty for Warriors

Imran Tahir was in the wickets again

Shai Hope made 40

Nicholson Gordon claimed two important wickets for Tallawahs Mohammad Amir struck gold early

Saim Ayub was removed by Shamar Springer