Kaieteur News

Edghill wins $15M lawsuit against Vieira, CN Sharma

Minister of Public Works,

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, orders. Firstly, the court found Mr Anthony has secured a favourable outcome in his Vieira liable for defamation, ordering him to prolonged litigation against Anthony Vieira compensate Minister Edghill with a and Chandra Narine Sharma of C.N.S. staggering sum of fifteen million dollars Channel 6. The saga dates back to May 4, ($15,000,000) as compensatory damages. 2011, when Mr Anthony Vieira broadcast a Additionally, Chandra Narine Sharma was commentary on C.N.S. Channel 6 that also found liable for airing the defamatory contained defamatory statements against commentary. He was ordered to pay two MinisterEdghill. hundred and fifty thousand dollars

At that time, Edghill who was Chairman ($250,000)innominaldamages. of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Furthermore,bothVieiraandSharmawere filed $25 million law suit. Following the mandated to cover the legal costs incurred by egregious broadcast, Minister Edghill took Minister Edghill, amounting to two hundred swift legal action, filing a lawsuit against and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) each Vieira and Sharma for tarnishing his The court also issued a permanent injunction, reputationandcausingimmensedistress. restraining the defendants from repeating or

After years of legal proceedings, the case republishing the defamatory statements culminated in a ruling delivered by the Despite the prolonged legal battle, Minister Honourable Mr Justice Gino Persaud on Edghill expressed satisfaction and vindication March 14, 2024. The judgment delivered a with the court’s ruling, emphasizing his resoundingvictoryforMinisterEdghill,with commitmenttoenforcingthetermsofthecourt the court issuing a series of consequential orders

Drilling company used by Exxon says will fight to defend disputed costs in Guyana, other countries

One of Noble drill ships working offshore Guyana

Noble, an American to tax years 2011 to 2017, steadfast in its belief that the drilling company with a and Egypt related to tax ultimate resolution of these global footprint has found years2012to2016. disputes will not yield a itself entangled in a web of This publication had material adverse effect on its legal disputes over audit previously reported that consolidated financial claims amounting to Exxon is utilising six drill statements. approximately US$172 1 ships for its Stabroek Block H o w e v e r , N o b l e million as of December 31, project – four vessels from acknowledges the fluidity of 2023. Noble Corporation and two the situation and the

These claims, primarily fromStenaDrilling. imperative need for relating to income and other In response to the continuous monitoring and business taxes are across mounting challenges, Noble evaluation as audits and multiple jurisdictions, in a resolute stance, asserted potential litigation including Guyana, Mexico, its unwavering commitment proceedingsprogress. Australia, Saudi Arabia, to defending its reported The disclosure of Nigeria,Ghana,andEgypt. positions against the audit Noble’s audit claims comes

Notably,itwasstatedthat claims “We intend to against the backdrop of such audit claims are vigorously defend our heightened scrutiny attributable to Mexico reported positions and surrounding ExxonMobil related to tax years 2007 and currently believe the G u y a n a L i m i t e d ’ s 2009,Australia related to tax ultimate resolution of the expenditurepractices. years 2013 to 2016, Guyana audit claims will not have a Arecent audit report, yet related to tax years 2018 to material adverse effect on to be made public, has cast a 2021,SaudiArabiarelatedto our consolidated financial spotlight on the oil giant’s tax years 2015 to 2019, statements,” the company cost allocation practices, Nigeria related to tax years said. particularly concerning the 2010 to 2019, Ghana related The company remains utilizationofprofitsfromthe StabroekBlocktocoverdrill ship expenses related to other blocks, namely KaieteurandCanje.

The auditors, comprising alocalconsortiumsupported by reputable international firms, have raised serious concerns over Exxon’s allocation practices They have highlighted instances where standby costs for drill ships were charged against the Stabroek Block account, despite the ships being deployedforactivitiesacross multiple blocks.The report’s findings have triggered calls for enhanced transparency and accountability in the management of oil revenues, with stakeholders urging Exxon to address the discrepancies identified in theaudit.

Notably, the audit report focused on expenses totaling a staggering US$7.3 billion incurred by Exxon between 2018 and 2020 for flagship projects such as the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two.

ExxonMobilmakesanotheroildiscoverybutkeeps GuyanainthedarkontrueStabroekBlockfigures

Ex x o n M o b i l said the question of Exxon’s And these drill ships are Guyana Limited updateoftheresourcesisnot doing a combination of what ( E M G L ) o n as serious an issue as it is I call exploration drilling,

Map of the Stabroek Block

F r i d a y being made out to be by appraisal drilling and announced another oil some industry stakeholders. developmentdrilling.” discovery in the Stabroek H e s a i d E x x o n ’ s In the realm of oil and Block. announcement, or lack gas, companies undertake a

The company said in a thereof, will not change the process known to the statement that the Bluefin fact that there is a discovery industry as appraisal to help w e l l e n c o u n t e r e d already there for the benefit the developer determine approximately 197 feet (60 forthecountry whether or not a project is metres) of hydrocarbon-

“It’s just a matter of viable. This process helps to bearing sandstone and was timing when we increase our reduce the range of drilledbytheStenaDrillmax reservesornot…Infact,they uncertaintyinthevolumesof drillship in 4,244 feet (1,294 (Exxon) have a greater kind hydrocarbons in place; metres)ofwater of need to do that because define the size and

The Bluefin well is globally… they look at your configuration of the located approximately 8.5 reserve and that helps to reservoir and collect data for kilometres southeast of the move stock prices for Exxon the prediction of the Sailfin-1 well, in the butthey’vedecidedthatthey performance of the reservoir southeastern portion of the want to focus more on during the forecasted Stabroekblock. appraisals as to how many productionlife.

This is the company’s resources.” announcements shared declared the recoverable barrels are in these Thisthereforemeansthat first discovery for 2024 and Meanwhile, the Ministry detailed information on the resource for the Stabroek discoveries, etc,” said the Exxon has deliberately the 41 successful oil find in of Natural Resources in a recoverableoilestimates. Blockatnearly11billionoil- Vice President. Overall, he decided not to update the the prolific Stabroek Block s e p a r a t e s t a t e m e n t ForinstancewhenExxon equivalentbarrels. said Exxon’s move to focus nationonthetruevalueofits since 2015. It also marks the w e l c o m e d t h e n e w announced its sixth ExxonMobil had said the o n m o n e t i z i n g t h e offshore resources and also th8 discovery since the last discovery It noted, “The discovery, Ranger-1, in company is no longer discovered resources is a has the blessings of resource update was done in Government of Guyana January 2018, it said in a focused on providing logicalstep. government to instead rush theStabroekBlock. reaffirms its commitment to statement, “The Ranger-1 updates on the number of Senior Vice President of topumpthecountry’soil. President of EMGL, prudently managing the well discovery adds to barrels added to its resource Exxon Mobil Corporation, The Stabroek Block is Alistair Routledge said, nation’soilandgassectorfor previous world-class base, but on monetizing Neil Chapman later Guyana’s largest oil block, “Our exploration program the upliftment of all of its discoveries at Liza, Payara, thoseresources. disclosed during the Morgan measuring 6.6 million acres continues to improve our citizens.” Snoek, Liza Deep and The chief policy maker Stanley’s Energy and Power or 26,800 square kilometers. understanding of the block’s Despite the discovery Turbot, which are estimated for the sector,Vice President Conference earlier this The block is operated by potential to drive viable oil- announcement, the company to total more than 3.2 billion Bharrat Jagdeo had agreed month that appraisal works ExxonMobil Guyana which and-gas development. This provided no update on the recoverable oil-equivalent with the company’s position were being conducted by the holds a 45% stake, while its latest find reinforces that we estimated recoverable barrels.” to hide the new discovery company to understand the Co-Venturers, Hess Guyana have the people, skills and resources in the block. In the T h i s n e w s p a p e r figuresfromthepublic. resourcesdiscovered. Exploration Ltd. holds 30 technology to safely and early days of exploration previously reported that the D u r i n g a p r e s s Chapman said, “We have percentinterestandCNOOC responsibly deliver value to activities however, the oil company’s last resource conference at Office of the six drilling ships in the basin Petroleum Guyana Limited Guyana from the country’s company’s discovery count, dated April 26, 2022, President, the Vice President in pretty close proximity holds25percentinterest.

Editor:

Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210

SandMiningapplications

Guyaneseareonthemovewithfat,juicypublicworks contracts, the connected with sweet, enriching job contracts. Thosewhoknowhowtotakeadvantageofthe system line themselves up for contracts that help them prosper; do much better than the average Guyanese man andwoman. Recently,anewonekindofsetupcaughtthe attention of locals. It had to do with sand mining applications. Evenmorerevealingly,theapplicationswere fromtwoveryseniorpoliceofficers. Wehavebeensaying all along that things are tough with public servants, and their numbers include ranks and officers of the Guyana PoliceForce. Nowhereiswhatcouldbetheproofintwo top police officers filing applications for sand mining acreage. Sand mining income to supplement the meager incomeofpoliceofficers,nomatterthattheirsalaryscales and allowances put them over the top, among the bigger earners in Guyana. If they could need to boost their income,orsetthemselvesupforsolidretirementdays,then it is not too much of a stretch to figure out what the constablesandcorporalsareexperiencingattheirlevels.

The cost of living is killing Guyanese, and policemen and policewomen in Guyana are feeling the pain, crying outforrelief,justlikethetensofthousandsofotherpublic servants. A killer cost of living or otherwise, fears of retirementornosuchthing,VicePresidentBharratJagdeo is having none of it, not falling (like he usually does) for anysandminingapplicationsgoinganywhere. Dropdead, andcometoadeadstoprightthere,wastheorderthatcame from Guyana’s chief policymaker, and chief scrutineer of things like these. How others of a like kind escaped his attention is a mystery to which only he has the solution. Whatwedonotice,though,isitisasifJagdeoismakinga seriousefforttoremakehimself,topresentanewimageto the Guyanese people, and before the world. Without a doubt,hehasalongwaytogo,andthegoingissuretobea longandhardjourney,whichcouldbesabotagedbyhisold impulsesthathavecausedbothheandGuyanesesomuch distress.

The seemingly reborn and reconstructed Jagdeo is refreshinginparts. Nomoreofthenonsense,nolongerany ofthesedealingsthathavehauntedhispresidency,andnow his stewardship of the nation’s oil patrimony The new Jagdeo even went so far as to part company with ExxonMobil on its 52% total profit concoction. He embarrassed the company by calling its 52% number “misleading.”

Misleadingisanicewordforfalsifying,awordeasier ontheearthanprobablyflat-out,determinedlying. Now thenewandrevived,thenewlyrecalibrated,Jagdeolooked internally and didn’t like what he saw “It’s not going to happen”,insistedJagdeo.

Then he punctured many expectations in people with weight in this country “Let me be clear that the Government of Guyana on the highway has put a hold on allthesandpits…”Itwasachiefpolicymakerspeakingin theboldestandclearestlanguagethatGuyanese,livingor goneelsewhere,canrememberhimbeing. Itwouldbeso muchmoreinspiringtohearBharratJagdeospeakwiththe samepowerandauthoritywhenitisthenationalfantastic oilwealththatisinvolved.

Jagdeoevengavethemediareasonsforthedenialofall sand mining in the Linden Highway area. Silica City is coming,andsoarenewtownsonthatnowprimepieceof Guyana26milesplusfromthecapital.

This is all good and sweet sounding. But Jagdeo is nothingifnotawilyoperator Hemaynotbeasmoothone, butheisaslickone. Forwhenamanwiththerecordofthe VicePresident(andaspresidentandministerandwhatnot) speakswithsuchforcefulness,thentherehastobeinterest inwhathecouldbereallyupto,isinthecardsforGuyana.

We absorb his encouraging words, wait for his supporting works. Meanwhile, the two senior police officershavetoretreatandrebalancetheirvisions.

Retraction and apology

businessmenbehindoilspill be sanctioned’ Kaieteur News further apologises to

all parties affected by the publication of this letter, includingGPLandnowfully

retractstheletter Belowisa letter from Prime Minister, MarkPhillipsonthematter

Kaieteur News’unfounded attempt to link Guyana to oil spill off Tobago further damages the newspaper’s credibility.

DEAREDITOR, It is imperative that I address the gross inaccuracies and misleading statements published in the Kaieteur News’ letter column of Wednesday, March 13, 2024 under the caption, “Will the businessmenbehindoilspill besanctioned?”

While the letter was removed from the publisher’swebsite,perhaps as an acknowledgement that the claims were bogus, it appeared across the country in the printed copies cementing the reprehensible damage done in unjustly tarnishing the reputation of theGuyanaPowerandLight (GPL) Inc., the company’s executivesandbyextension, the Government of Guyana. The decision by Kaieteur News to publish this letter reflects a shocking lack of editorial oversight and a

blatant disregard for the principles of responsible journalism.

This act is also dangerous, fuelling

misinformation and potentially inciting unwarranted public alarm a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l condemnation. This letter is not only an affront to the principles of accurate and responsible reporting but also a clear manifestation of yellowjournalism.

First and foremost, the insinuation that GPL has engaged in illegal activities by purchasing oil from a sanctioned state is categorically false and baseless As explained previously by the GPL publicly,theprocurementof Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) by GPL has been conducted through a transparent process of national competitive bidding,

adhering to all international standardsandregulations.

The contract for the supply and delivery of HFO was awarded to Staatsolie MaatschappijSurinameN.V and a joint venture between RapidResultsInc.andOsher InternationalHoldingsLLC, after a rigorous evaluation process.

This procurement process is a matter of public record, and at no point has GPL been notified of any issuesrelatedtothedelivery of this fuel that would suggest any deviation from our stringent procurement protocols Moreover, the attempt to connect GPLand the Government with the unfortunate oil spill off the coastofTrinidadandTobago isnotonlyerroneousbutalso maliciously intended to sow discord and mistrust among the Guyanese populace and our regional neighbours

GPL has unequivocally stated that the company is not related to this incident, and any claims to the contrary are simply unfounded.

The portrayal of the Government of Guyana and its agencies, including GPL, as defiant or indifferent to international norms and sanctions is a gross misrepresentation The Government of Guyana remains committed to upholding the highest standardsofgovernanceand international compliance, and it is disingenuous to suggest otherwise It is deeply concerning that the editor of Kaieteur News chose to publish a letter riddled with inaccuracies anddevoidofanysemblance of factual integrity This decisionfurtherdamagesthe newspaper’scredibility In

(Continuedonpage06)

GTU not acting in good faith

DEAREDITOR, I fully support the Education Minister, H o n o u r a b l e P r i y a Manickchand’s examination into the rationale and justification for GTU’s demand for 20% salary increasesforteachersduring the pandemic period from 2020to2022.

In many parts of the world in highly developed countries, teachers not only did not receive any increase or pay hikes for the pandemic period but many had to endure pay cuts Teachers’ salaries were cut b y 2 0 - 5 0 % (https://www futureed org/how-the-pandemiccould-affect-teacherp e n s i o n s / , https://wwwedweek org/lea dership/how-coronavirus-isjeopardizing-teacher-payraises/2020/03).

The Government of Guyana gave salary increases for this period yet the GTU’s unreasonable demandforfurtherincreases seriously questions the rationale for this attitude. Theseincreasesbufferedthe

cost of living in those years. Unfortunately,itwouldseem that the GTU is not negotiatingingoodfaithand recent utterances by the Guyana Trade Union Congress President Patrick Yarde calling for the mobilization of workers for ‘country wide action’ smacks of an ulterior politicalmotive.

Furthermore, the Government had spent billions of dollars in various forms of relief to every Guyaneseduringthisperiod, including the teachers and spent a lot more on medical services, facilities, vaccines, testing, grants, etc The PPP/CGovernmenttookfull control over the control and eventual eradication of the devastating pandemic ensuring that all the necessary financial resourceswereavailableina timelymanner

Undoubtedly, thousands oflivesweresavedandmany families were spared the agonyandsufferingoflosing lovedones. TheBudgetsfor these years went over the roof and now it is most

unconscionable that the GTUwantsadditionalsalary increases and related compensation for this dark period.Whatabouttheother sectors?

Everyone was adversely affectedandtheleastwecan doistobethankfulforbeing alive today It was the most catastrophic period in our history and can you imagine thattheCoalitionusedthisto siphon off hundreds of millions from the Liliendaal CovidFacility?

They ‘retrofitted’ an empty shell which cost over $1 billion. In addition, one should recall the GTU’s and the Opposition’s negative stance on the vaccination program. Sadly, everything isgivenapoliticalflavourby theOppositionanditsallies.

The Opposition leader knowsnowwherethemoney can be sourced to pay increases in teachers’ salaries but during the Coalition reign of mismanagement and corruption he failed to realize that the teachers could have been given the pay package they now

demand. But the GTU has decidedtocasttheburdenon this Government despite all the forgoing mentioned in theaboveparagraph.

But this was not all the Governmenthadtodealwith the destructive and disastrous floods in 2021 which categorized Guyana as a state of disaster which again this Government had toeffectivelyaddress.Again billions had to be spent to ensure that the agriculture sector and peoples’ livelihoods are safe and secured Is this so soon forgotten or was the GTU ensconced on another planet? The Coalition Government never had to deal with the devastating pandemic and the destructive flood in 2021; they filled their pockets and wereforcedtoexit.TheGTU mustbringallofthesetothe table when negotiating Negotiations must and should not be done in a vacuum, all factors must be considered.

This Government in viewoftheabovehasoffered (Continuedonpage06)

ACall for Institutionalized Cheddi Jagan Memorial Lecture

DEAREDITOR,

This month the country observes the birth and death anniversary of the great Cheddi Jagan. It is time for an institutionalized annual Dr Cheddi Jagan Memorial Lecture to recognize the workofandpaytributetothe indomitable leader whose activism rapidly led to independence of the colony ofBritishGuiana.Emerging as a key orator and prominentorganizer,Cheddi became one of the most popularpoliticalleaders.He was twice removed from office by the AngloAmerican alliance, the only leadertofetchthatburden.

There is an annual Eric Williams Memorial Lecture that started in 1999, named after the late former PM of T&T The lecture draws on the leadership works of the formerPManditsrelevance today providing an intellectual forum for the examination of pertinent issues in Caribbean and African Diaspora history and politics. A prominent international figure was invitedannuallyto speak on asubjectortopicofchoice.

Among prior speakers were the late Kenneth Kaunda,formerPresidentof Zambia; Cynthia Pratt, former Deputy Prime Minister of Bahamas; Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Beverly Anderson-Manley, former FirstLadyofJamaica;Portia Simpson Miller, former Prime Minister of Jamaica; Kenny Anthony, former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia; Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vi n c e n t a n d T h e Grenadines; renowned African American activist and UCLA Professor Dr Angela Davis, an enthusiast of Jagan. Bharrat Jagdeo delivered one such lecture somesixyearsagoatFlorida International University It was one of his best and memorable speeches on development.

The late American Secretary of State Colin Powellsupportedthelecture series and inaugurated The Eric Williams Memorial CollectionResearchLibrary, Archives & Museum at UWI, St Augustine campus in 1998. It was named to UNESCO’s prestigious Memory of the World Registerin1999.

Cheddi Jagan had a profound impact on Guyana as well as regional independence struggles and

development between 1944 and 1997. No Caribbean leader had a greater impact on independence struggle and as such more deserving of a Memorial Lecture than Cheddi.

His stature and prominence were as influential as, if not more than, that of Williams. And he was more impactful than Caribbean freedom fighters astheAngloAmericanswere fearful of and paid heed to his radical advocacy of independence Like the Caribbean anti-colonial figures,Cheddihesupported socialcausesandwasatrade unionist.Butunlikethem,he was a radical leader who embracedsocialism.

Unlike Williams and other Caribbean freedom fighters, Cheddi was a grass roots activist, dwelling among the peasants or rural folks. He spent most of his time among the poor and working class rather than among the elite and urban folks.

Like Williams, Cheddi was an outstanding writer, scholar, and historian (thoughanamateurone)and acharismaticfigure.Andhe was the leader of the largest political party and trade unionintheregion.

Cheddi’s political involvement and influence predated several other Caribbean freedom fighters includingEricWilliamswho became founder and

Political Leader of the People’s National Movement(PNM),Trinidad and Tobago’s first modern political party in 1956. The PNM was successful in the country’s 1956 national election, making Williams the first Chief Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Premier in 1961 With Independence in 1962, Williams became the country’s first Prime Minister Hewouldholdthis position till his death in 1981.

Cheddi’s political movement started before Williams in 1946, and he founded the first modern party in 1950. He became Chief Minister in 1953 and Premier in 1957. He would have become PM in 1961 if theBritishhadfulfilledtheir promise for Guiana’s independence Local and international conspirators d e l a y e d G u i a n a ’s independence.

Unlike Caribbean freedomfighters,Cheddi

(Continuedonpage06)

Bharrat Jagdeo’s remarks at Babu John represent a clear danger to the democratic fabric of our nation

DEAREDITOR,

Therecentremarksmade by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at Babu John in Berbice have raised concerns about his commitment to democracy Furthermore, these remarks shedlightonJagdeo’sdeeprooted fear and dependence on state power, revealing a concerning aspect of his politicalcharacter

Democracy thrives when leaders respect the rights of opposition parties, encourage political pluralism, and maintain a level playing field forallstakeholders However, Jagdeo’s statements at Babu John demonstrate a blatant disregard for these fundamental democratic values By using divisive languageandportrayingthose who disagree with him as threatstohisregime,Jagdeois undeniably undermining democraticprinciples.

The opposition, whether in the form of political parties or individual voices, plays a crucial role in

holding the government accountable

By labelling critics and dissenters as enemies, Jagdeo seeks to stifle genuine political debate. This approach only fosters an environment of fear and intimidation, eroding the foundations of a healthydemocracy

Jagdeo’sremarksnotonly reflect a lack of respect for democratic values but also expose his deep-seated fear and dependence on state power for survival A true statesmanshouldbewillingto engage in open dialogue, tolerate dissent, and address legitimate concerns raised by citizens However, his reluctance to engage in constructive criticism and dialogueindicatesafragileego thatcannotwithstandscrutiny. By resorting to inflammatory rhetoric and attempting to silence opposition voices, Jagdeo reveals his fear of losing control over the state machinery This clinging to poweratallcostsisextremely worrisome,asitshowsalack

of trust in the democratic processandadisregardforthe willofthepeople

Jagdeo’s remarks at Babu John represent a clear danger tothedemocraticfabricofour nation Democracy flourishes when leaders foster an environment of inclusivity, respect for diverse perspectives, and open dialogue However, by attempting to suppress opposing viewpoints and labelling them as enemies, Jagdeo sets a dangerous precedent A healthy democracy requires leaders who can withstand scrutiny and encourage dissenting voices, as they often contribute to a more balanced and effective decision-making process Jagdeo’s attitude, on the other hand, poses a direct threat to these democratic principles.

Pt.Ubraj Narine, JP, COA

F o r m e r S t a f f

Sgt.(GDF),Mayor CityofGeorgetown

Theintroductionnew cropswillhelpGuyanato becomeself-sufficient

DEAREDITOR

,

I was delighted to learn of the recent onion trial that was conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture through its National Agriculture Research and ExtensionInstitute.

Based on a social media post on the Ministry’s Facebook page, the small plotyieldedaverybountiful harvest with well-sized onions,somethingwedonot oftenseeinthemarkets.

If this project expands andisgiventheattentionand resourcesitneeds,indeed,it will be a game changer for Guyana.

A lot of money is expended annually to purchaseonionsasitisused

by almost every Guyanese formanyreasons. Many of the meals we prepare daily have onions asabaseandiftheMinistry can make this a thriving industry that can also develop into an export commodity then Guyana will once again prove itself astheleadonagriculturein theregion

Apart from what commercial production can do for the economy, this u n d e r t a k i n g a l s o demonstratesthevisionand the exquisite leadership of the President and the MinisterofAgriculture Imustopenlycommend theMinistryandNAREIfor the work put into getting

this project up and running. While some people might not focus on what this means for us as a nation, I wish to emphasize that the introduction new crops will further help Guyana to become self-sufficient and a producer of more of what itconsumes

Thisalsoopensthedoors for more youths to be involved as young people tend to have an interest in newerindustries.

I watch with great optimismasthisundertaking moves from being just a project to a thriving and economically feasible industry

Yourssincerely,

GTUnotactingingoodfaith...

Frompage04 to the teachers an attractive three year package from 2024 onwards but the GTU disdainfully walked out. It wouldseemthattheUnionis not interested in any harmoniousresolutiontothe issue of salary increases. This smacks of concealed motives.

“What is done is done, whatisgoneisgone.Oneof life’s lessons is always moving on’ is an enduring quote which must not be

taken superficially; there is great wisdom in it. If the GTU is sitting at the bargaining table in good faith, then it should recognize the debilitating events which transpired in the past years and the magnanimous offer which this Government has made. Teachers’livesarefarbetter under this Government than at any time and they should not be trapped by the Opposition’s political modus operandi which is

bentondestabilization.This has always been their sole achievement.

Teachersmustremember who benefitted when the C o a l i t i o n w a s i n g o v e r n m e n t - o n l y themselves, friends and families.Thingscanonlyget b e t t e r u n d e r t h i s Government, and that’s a proven fact Beware of killingthegoosethatlaysthe goldeneggs.

Yourssincerely,

HaseefYusuf

A

Call for Institutionalized Cheddi...

Frompage05 wasanexponentofsocialism as a means to address longstandingeconomicandsocial challenges Hewasaforceful orator, a major influence in organizing nationalist oppositiontocolonialruleand spreadingthepopularityofthe nationalist cause around the colony as well as throughout the Anglophone Caribbean region

He was democratically elected as Chief Minister, Premiertwiceandleaderofthe PPP to lead free Guyana, the latterpositiondeniedtohimby local conspirators and AngloAmerican alliance Jagan would serve as Guyana’s first democratically elected President And he remained head of the PPP from its foundingin1950tillhisdeathin 1997 And if we add his leadershiptothePPPprecursor, PAC, from 1946 that was dissolved into the PPP, Jagan served as leader for over 50 years Like Williams and other regional freedom fighters, Cheddi’s speeches electrifiedthecolony,initially all races and then with the racialdivisionin1955,Indians primarily Hewasaniconfor IndiansnotonlyinGuyanabut around the region and in

poke passionatelyandforcefullyto encourageracialunitythough notsuccessful

As CM, Premier, and President, Cheddi oversaw national programs of agrarian and land reforms, openinguplandforfarming, smallscaleindustrialization, and infrastructure development He also passionately worked for women’srights,secularismin education and state matters, advancementofeducationfor all at all levels, and social welfare He initially subscribed to Nehru’s policy of non-alignment but embracedtheSovietbloc He was criticized for the latter action Hewasbothcriticized and praised by different academics,dependingontheir political ideology, for his support for Cuba and the Soviet bloc and communism Analystswoulddescribehimas an elegant, charming young intellectualandsocialite Healso participated in the political and culturalactivitiesofthenational Indian organization, BGEIA But he became critical of the leadershipoftheorganization andleft Hegrewincreasingly attracted to socialism and

liberalism which were beginning to influence the politicsandeconomicsofUK and Europe but less so in America Inoffice,hispolicies spreadfreeeducationandselfreliance and the need to eradicate social evils such as poverty and unemployment He launched ambitious schemestopromotesanitation and potable water and electricity supplies He governed frugally and wisely nevertowasteresources And he was incorruptibly honest His ideas and experience proved invaluable to his successors in 1964 and 1997 His influence is all pervading inGuyanaandtheregion,and scholars around the globe admirehim ACheddi Jagan Memorial Lecture would honor the legendary Caribbean freedom fighter, statesman, and author of several books. I and others organized one such lecture in March 2018 in NY for Jagan’s centennial where Ralph Ramkarran delivered the keynote address It should be institutionalized and internationalized like the Eric Williams annual lectureseries.

Yourstruly,

Kaieteur News’unfounded attempt to...

Frompage4 lightofthesecircumstances,it is imperative that Kaieteur Newstakeimmediatestepsto rectify this grave error This includes issuing a formal retractionoftheletter,alongwith an apology to GPL, the GovernmentofGuyana,andthe people of Guyana for the confusion caused by this

irresponsible act of journalism Furthermore, the newspaper mustcommittoupholdingthe highest standards of journalistic integrity, ensuring that all content published is thoroughlyvettedforaccuracy andfairness TheGovernment of Guyana and GPL remain steadfastinourcommitmentto transparency, accountability,

and the well-being of our citizens We call upon the Kaieteur News and all media outletstopromoteinformedand constructive discourse for the betterment of our country and its people Yours truly, Hon. Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips Prime Minister Cooperative Republic of Guyana

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Correctthemisleading

ExxonMobilbillboards

“I don’t agree with those billboards they create the impression that they are financing everything in our country when they are not. So it conveys the impression that they take care of everything, schools and hospitals everything… what they said is not inaccurate but it creates a misleading impression. I conveyed that already but we can’t (order removal) if people pay for their billboard space.”

– Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

BLUNT BLUNT

Suriname’s Attorney General investigating President, Ministers for corruption

Jamaican Observer - usingfalsedocuments. even more potentially that basis, a preliminary The Office of the Attorney “It is important to incriminating evidence to judicial investigation has General in Suriname has emphasise that no one has the Office of the Attorney been requested from the requested a preliminary yet been identified as a General and the police Anti- examiningmagistrate. investigation into a potential suspect, ” the Public Corruption Unit was “After analysing the corruption case against Prosecution Service said on subsequently given the task police investigation results President Chandrikapersad Wednesday ofinvestigatingthematter and partly in view of the Santokhi and two of his The issue first came to During the investigation, nature of the case, a ministers, including the light last November when an several individuals were preliminary judicial Finance Minister, Stanley anonymous whistleblower, questioned by the police, investigation has been Raghoebarsing. armed with various including Vice President requested,” the Public

This follows reports that documents, filed a criminal Ronnie Brunswijk and the ProsecutionServiceadded. the government allegedly complaint with the Attorney twoministers.

Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi

President Santokhi and Pan-AmericanRealEstate During that meeting, paid an estimated US$7.5 General’sOffice.

The Public Prosecution the two cabinet ministers The payment was President Santokhi is said to million to Pan-American I n J a n u a r y, t h e Service said it has received a have told reporters that they allegedly blocked twice by have approved the payment RealEstate,alocalcompany, whistleblower delivered police file on the case and on arenotguiltyofanycriminal Vice President Brunswijk, o f t h e a m o u n t o f offence and that everything who presides over the approximately US$7 5 took place in accordance meetings. million.

with the current legal H o w e v e r , t h e Initially, the Finance accountingrules. whistleblower is claiming Minister had allegedly

According to the that the minister ultimately refused to make the payment whistleblower, Public bypassed the ministerial because he believed that the Works Minister Riad meeting and submitted the work carried out by PanNurmohamed submitted suspected falsely prepared AmericanRealEstatedidnot falsely prepared documents documents to the meeting of qualify as a public-private at the meeting of the the government council and partnership project as had Council of Ministers to a meeting of the cabinet beensuggested. facilitate the payment to chairedbythepresident. Political observers say whether this case will result in the prosecution of the president and his two ministers remains to be seen Members of government and former political office holders can only be prosecuted by law if they are charged by Parliament at the request of the Attorney General, where President Santoki’s coalition enjoys a majority

Massacre’: Israel forces attack crowds waiting for aid in Gaza, killing 21

Palestinian officials call latest assault ‘premeditated’ as people seeking humanitarian supplies increasingly targeted.

Aljazeera - At least 21 Palestinianshavebeenkilled after Israeli forces opened fire on thousands of people waiting for aid in Gaza City in the same area that was targeted hours earlier, governmentofficialssaid.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza described the late Thursday attack as a “new, premeditatedmassacre”and said more than 150 people werewounded.

It was the latest in a string of assaults on people desperately in need of food and other essential supplies as Israel continues to obstructandseverelycontrol the entry of aid into the enclave.

Earlier on Thursday, at the same food distribution point at the Kuwait Roundabout, Israeli forces had shot dead at least six Palestinians,asthedeathtoll has risen to more than 400 peopleinsuchattacks.

Witnesses told Al Jazeera that Israeli forces had used helicopters, tanks and drones to target thousandsofpeoplewaiting onfoodtrucks.

The Israeli military denied that its forces had opened fire on the crowds and claimed instead that “armed Palestinians” were responsiblefortheattack.

“Armed Palestinians opened fire while Gazan civilians were awaiting the arrivaloftheaidconvoy”in Gaza City on Thursday and then “continued to shoot as

the crowd of Gazans began looting the trucks”, the military said in a statement onFriday

“Additionally, a number of Gazan civilians were run over by the trucks,” it said, adding that a preliminary review determined that its forces did not carry out the attackwithtanks,gunsorair strikes.

The military was

“continuing to review the incident”,itsaid.

Weaponofwar

S h a i n a L o w , communications adviser for the Norwegian Refugee Council, said the ongoing killings of aid seekers represent a breakdown in communicationbetweenaid groups and Israeli authorities.

“It’s a clear sign that the deconfliction system, in which humanitarian agencies and the UN notify and correspond with Israel is completely failing,” she told Al Jazeera, adding that this system is meant to allowaidagenciestoinform Israelofroutestheywilltake to ensure they aren’t targeted.

“Thisissomethingthatis preventableandshouldn’tbe happening,”Lowadded.

Rights groups say that Israelisusingstarvationasa weapon of war against Palestinians.

With Israel’s war on Gazanowinitssixthmonth, the United Nations has warnedthatatleast576,000

people in the enclave – a quarter of the population –are on the brink of famine, andglobalpressurehasbeen growing on Israel to allow moreaccesstoaid.

Israel, which controls Gaza’s crossings, has opened just one entry point into the enclave since the startofthewarandimposed “endless checking procedures” for trucks to pass through, UN agencies say

Faced with Israel’s obstructionofaidtrucks,the internationalcommunityhas devised complicated workarounds, including a sea corridor from Cyprus to the besieged Strip and plans bytheUnitedStatestosetup a temporary jetty off Gaza’s coasttobringinsupplies–a movecriticisedasanattempt to divert attention from Washington’s continued military and political support for Israel as famine looms and the onslaught persists.

Last month, Israeli forces killed 118 people scrambling for flour on the coastal al-Rashid Street, southwest of Gaza City, provoking worldwide condemnation, but the attacks have nonetheless continuedunabated.

The Gaza Health Ministry said in its latest update on Thursday that at least 31,341 Palestinians havebeenkilledand73,134 wounded by Israeli attacks sinceOctober7.

Haiti

Manytimes,Iponderthat salt. Is this not how it has when certain issues are been done throughout spoken of publicly, whether Africa, India, and parts of it is a pro forma exercise in Central, Latin, and South political correctness. Or America,insomeformorthe putting a tick in a box, viz., other, for centuries? Recall duty done, record will attest. what the Romans did to gangsters in office wear Haitistandsasaclassic. The Hannibal and Carthage suits, a smile, and with neighbor that everyone Thencomedownthroughthe ordnancesintheirbriefcases. wisheslivedattheotherend- millennia. The results are hardly the farthest end-of the When I point to these different when there is longest block. The partner things, my own-colored scrutiny of who the real about which most hold their brothers tell me that I am the powers behind the scenes noses and patronize. I see one with horns in my head. are. Any open minded, AmericansandEuropeans. I The white man is so clearheaded thinker looks at also see regionals and proficient at what he does theturmoilinHaiti,andthere Guyanese. that it is a piece of cake (a are sure to note the not so

On a poignant note, dollar or a quarter) to get invisiblehands,andtowhere during a time of challenge many local brownnosers they have condemned a and trauma, there were some from top to bottom to do his country and its inhabitants. Haitians, who were among dirty jobs that even The gunmen in charge of the the most steadfast in their untouchables would avoid streets are a byproduct of the devotion, a willing hand, a andderide. Fortherewasthe decades of destruction calling voice. Some things French with their new broughtaboutbythepolicies stick with some of us. So, I enslavement, which was of foreigners that doom say a word for them. On the succeeded by the best in places like Haiti. Cheddi note of history, I parse pages Yankee creativity and Jagan lived it, and the troops and a people made an regional hegemony: anti- came here to restore the example of, when Toussaint communism. Today, it is colonizers-to-be visions of Louverture, Jean Jacques energy security, democracy, law and order, postDessalines, and Henri and free market profitability Independence. The more Christophe rose up against Under the Americans, a that places like Haiti seem to the foreign yoke, the tyranny monster flourished. Enter have to say, the less say that oftheusurpersofliberty On Papa Doc. The criminal have with what has some the one occasion that the lineage did not end with meaning for their affairs, colored man threw off the Baby Doc Duvalier determining for themselves shackles of oppression, he Guyanese had better sit-up, their own destiny Two has never been made to come to their senses, and hundred plus years of forget it. Indeed, Haitians take note. Who are our unrecognized independence have paid a terrible price, leaders? Who are they wrested at great cost, and stands as a warning to all sellingto? Andwhoisbeing almost two hundred years of colored people who throw sold down the drain under a independence, as blessed by off the harness. Haitians had contract that is as draconian former enslavers, and their heroes. Guyanese live as the one the French foisted Haitians cannot find their with a word with the ‘h’ onHaiti. f e e t N o t i c e t h e sound, but it is one that I would make the case buffers/divisions the begins with a ‘w.’ Think of with my last breath that outsiders created in Haitian escortsandanoldtrade. Guyanese are paying a society to protect their Somebody inAmerica or ransom by the barrel to interests. Europe always declare the Exxon (and America) under Look at what is going on bestintentionsforthepeople the2016oilcontract. here. TherecentCARICOM of Haiti. Somehow the I ask fellow Guyanese to carnivalwasanexhibitionof natives always end up in a absorb and interpret the who is in, and who is out. m o r e p r e c a r i o u s Haitian situation broadly, Thus, seeds are sowed for predicament. The French deeply, then conclude later discord When we and the Americans have Nothing is as it seems. Who l a m e n t o v e r H a i t i , often wielded undue is genuinely for Haiti? This concernedly or superficially, influenceinHaiti. Guyanese includes CARICOM we must force ourselves to should get a grip of this: in compelled to do something think deeply of our own 1825,aspartofapacttogive aboutwhatmustbeformany Guyana. Haitians independence, they in the regional brotherhood (The views expressed in had to pay reparations to and sorority a distraction, a this article are those of the their enslavers to the tune of nuisance situation. Now a u t h o r a n d d o n o t 150milliongoldfrancs. The Haitian gangsters want to be necessarily reflect the enslaved paying enslavers part of the government opinions and beliefs of this fortheirfreedom. Itermthis There they all have guns and n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s sowing soil and soul with grievous intent; here the affiliates.)

“Ilikestealing”-Serialarmed robbertellsProbationOfficer

…as Magistrate orders psychiatric evaluation

Youths placed on bail for thieving cattle

Matthew Sylvain, the $6000, and a quantity of man who pleaded guilty to Digicel and GTT phone seven Robbery Under Arms cards valued $100,000, total (RUA) charges on March 1, valued being $661,000. It is 2024 at the Georgetown also alleged that Sylvain Magistrates’Court, has been robbed Shantie Mohan, a sent for a psychiatric staff of the said supermarket evaluation after he told his of a Samsung cell phone Probation Officer “I like valuedat$75,000. stealing”. The 20-year-old

Two unemployed men were on Wednesday granted $75,000 bail each after they appeared at the Cove and John Magistrates’ Court to answertolarcenycharges.

Simon of two Samsung cell

Additionally, another man was sent for the charge stated that on psychiatric evaluation by February 27, 2024 at Chief Magistrate (ag) Triumph, ECD, while being Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on in the company of another Friday when he returned to and armed with a handgun, court for sentencing for five Sylvain robbed Danian RUAcharges.

However, following the phones valued $104,000, a presentation of a probation quantity of gold jewelries report in the court, the Sylvainisalsoaccusedof valued $1, 512, 000, and Magistrate concluded that a robbing Shelly Peters of one $66,000 in cash, total value psychiatric evaluation must gold chain valued $370,000, being $1,682,000. He also be completed before $ 1 3 , 7 0 0 c a s h a n d robbed Stephen Gopaul of a Sylvain’s sentence is T T D $ 2 , 7 7 0 c a s h quantity of gold jewelries imposed. (GYD$67,000), total value valued $1,512,000 and

He is scheduled to return being$421,400. $66,000 in cash, total value tocourtonApril12,2024. He is also accused of being$1.5million.

Senior Magistrate Leron committing RUA on

To this end, on February Daly had sentenced Sylvain February 21, 2024 at Lot 56 28, 2024, at about 09:00hrs, to four years’ imprisonment BackStreet,PetersHall,East ranks of the Criminal fortwoRUAcharges. Coast Demerara (ECD), Investigation Department’s

Meanwhile, Kaieteur Sylvain whilst in the special patrol, received News had reported that company of another, robbed certain information about a Sylvain is accused of being Delon Mcbeth of one blue male who was suspected to involved in a series of RUA and black 110 Haejue be involved in a series of c o m m i t t e d b e t w e e n m o t o r c y c l e , v a l u e d RUA,andwashidingoutina February 21, 2024 and $211,000. house at Lot 14 Melanie, February27,2024. Another RUA charge ECD.Ranksthenwenttothe

According to one of the leveled against Sylvain, said location, where Sylvain RUA charges laid against related that on February 22, was found Upon his him,onFebruary27,2024,at 2024, at Enmore, ECD, apprehension, Sylvain was a Chinese restaurant, located actinginconsortwithothers, shown the video footage, on Hadfield Street, and armed with a handgun, w h i c h s h o w e d h i m Georgetown and Louisa he robbed a Chinese committing the act. He was road, Sylvain, while being in Supermarket. told of the allegation leveled company of another, and The charge stated that against him, to which he armed with a dangerous Sylvain robbed Wei Zu admitted. weapon that being a gun, Chen, a Chinese national of A gold chain with the robbed Adela Dosantos of $500,000, two bottles of name ‘Gabby’ and a one gold ring valued Johnny Walker whiskey Samsung cell phone were $24,000, one silver and valued$20,000,onebottleof recovered, and identified as diamond ring valued Hennessy cognac valued Simon’sproperty $120,000 and US$300 in $25,000, two haversacks Sylvain was arrested and cash (GYD$60,000), valued $10,000, one carton taken to the Cove and John totalingthesumof$204,000. ofPallMallcigarettesvalued Policestation.

Granted bail: Matthew Hugh

Granted bail: Royan Shamar Roberts also known as ‘Pooksie’

Theaccused,20-year-old Matthew Hugh of Lot 17 Centenary Street, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and 19-year-old Royan Shamar Roberts also known as ‘Pooksie’, of Lot 65 Nabaclis, ECD are accused of stealing a goat from residents of Enmore, Haslington, Nabaclis and Golden Grove all on the ECD. plea. The duo was charged Roberts is also accused K a i e t e u r N e w s with larceny of goat and was ofstealingacow understands that over time, placed on bail in the sum of

The duo, made their first the residents of the four $75,000 each. Additionally, court appearance before communitiesnoticedtheloss Roberts was also charged Magistrate Peter Hugh, of their cattle and made a withlarcenyofcattle,hewas where the larceny charges report to the police station. granted $75,000 bail. The were read to them. They This resulted in the two men twoarescheduledtoreturnto were not required to enter a beingarrestedonSunday courtonMarch27,2024.

The current Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Govt. to spend $750M to repair 30

pontoons on DHB

The government through the Ministry of $639,329,431, and rehabilitating two extra Public Works would be spending large pontoons which are estimated to cost approximately $750 million this year to $111,377,810. rehabilitate 30 pontoons on the Demerara KaieteurNewsunderstandsthatthemove HarbourBridge(DHB). to have the pontoons repaired is to ensure

This is accoring to an invitation for bids safetyofthe45-year-oldfloatingbridge. (IFB)issuedbytheministryforcontractorsto Speaking with Kaieteur News on Friday, execute the projects. According to the IFB, General Manager of the DHBC, Wayne the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation Watson said that these pontoons are the only (DHBC) would be rehabilitating 28 regular setlefttoberehabilitated“Afteraperiodyou pontoons which are estimated to cost (Continued on page 16)

Govt. denying teachers’ salary increase during COVID period heartless

The government of

“It seems as if this government lack of concern this government Guyana’s refusal to thinks it’s above the law and will continues to display towards its grantasalaryincreaseto look for any loophole to get its citizens whom it claims to care

teachers during the way without considering the about – but actions speak louder

COVID-19 pandemic is plight of the people while some thanwords.” “heartless”, Chairman of the sport Louis Vuitton bags That the President of the Guyana Alliance for Change (AFC) Cathy governmentisrefusingtoconsider Teachers’ Union (GTU) Dr Mark Hughes said on Friday at a press the years 2019-2023 in the Lyte has threatened to return to the conference. settlement, citing Covid-19 as street if the Government of Guyana Hughes told reporters that the justification is utter nonsense,” fails to return to the talks with the AFC is deeply concerned about the shesaid Union on the proposed multi-year matter The Guyana Teachers’ H u g h e s c o n t i n u e d : salaryincreasesforteachers. Union(GTU)hasproposedasalary

Vice

President Bharrat Jagdeo

Chairman of the AFC, Cathy Hughes

“Furthermore, is this government However, Vice President increase for the period 2019-2023. suggesting that cost of living did BharratJagdeo,whilespeakingata The AFC representative said that not increase during this period or is press conference on Thursday said though teachers were not it so myopic and detached from the Union’s call for retroactive and salary issues that were not physically in school during the reality that it cannot come to terms salaryincreasesfortheyears2019–addressed under APNU,” the Vice period to which schools were with the fact that in order for our 2023is“unacceptable”. Presidentsaid. closed during the pandemic, they teachers to continue to serve their The VP maintained that the Jagdeo posited that any were tasked with finding them fair compensation based on salarieshavetobeadjustedascosts 2024 Budget does not have the decision to offer retroactive salary innovative ways to ensure that this pretext is not only unjust but go up. Inflation spares no one, and fiscal space to facilitate a increases for the period requested learningcontinued. fundamentally undermines the ourteachers,likeallcitizens,feltits retroactive payment of salary by the GTU could result in other

“Firstly, COVID did not principlesoffairnessandequality,” impactacutely.” increases to teachers for the years categories of public servants become a major health crisis issue theAFCChairmansaid. She highlighted that for the 2019to2023. makingsimilardemands. until early 2020 and more so this The Member of Parliament government, “To suggest that the “What the Union wants cannot

“Ifyoureopenthatforteachers, stance is deeply flawed because it (MP) stressed that Justice Sandil budget cannot accommodate the be accommodated by the fiscal you have to, out of fairness, you overlooks the tireless efforts of our Kissoon ordered there be talks retroactive payments while only framework. They want us to sign a have to ensure that every other educators during the pandemic. between the two parties “to resolve yesterday the government multi-yearagreementretroactively, category would get the same Despite unprecedented challenges theissuesstemmingfromtherecent withdrew some $250 million US a multi-year agreement retroactive retroactive increase. It wouldn’t be our teachers exhibited remarkable strike.” dollars from the Natural Resource to 2019, and then also address 2% fairotherwise;wecan’tsustainthat resilience adapting and innovating Despite the court’s order “Yet F u n d w i t h o

from 2017, and another 2% from in the budget,” the Vice President to ensure that learning continued. we find ourselves unable to meet a accountability, is not only a gross 2018. So, they want us to go back reasoned. To dismiss their efforts and to deny mutuallyacceptablesettlement.” betrayal of trust but highlights the seven years back to address wages

Govt.signsUS$23.3millionloanagreement withIndianEXIMBankfortwoGDFaircraft

The Government of Agreement is the first ever Guyana (GoG) on Friday defenceLOCsignedwiththe signed a Line of Credit Caribbeanregion. (LOC) Agreement, to the

TheIndianEXIMBank’s tune of US$23.27 million, Deputy General Manager, withtheExport-ImportBank who is visiting for the first of India (EXIM Bank), for time,duringhisremarkssaid the procurement of two that working with the aircraft. Government of Guyana has

Signing on behalf of the been very satisfactory, and Indian EXIM Bank was its he looks forward to a Deputy General Manager- continued relationship LineofCreditGroup,Sanjay between Guyana and the Lamba, while the Senior Bank. Minister in the Office of the Meanwhile, Chief of P r e s i d e n t w i t h Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Responsibility for Finance Omar Khan acknowledged and the Public Service, Dr t h e r o l e t h a t t h e Ashni Singh signed for Government of India has Guyana. played in defence training

The agreement is the over decades in Guyana and latest move by government notedthattheloansigningis torampupthecapabilitiesof in keeping with President the Guyana Defence Force A l i ’ s v i s i o n o f a (GDF). strengthened security sector

In a statement to the thatwillhelptomaintainthe press, the Ministry of peace and prosperity for Guyana, and alluded to the productive capacity in

ever investment in the Finance said the agreement ‘OneGuyana’ two countries’long-standing various sectors of the Government’s commitment capitalisation of the force was conceived during Friday’s signing of the relationship grounded in country To this end he said, to bolstering the country’s thusfar President IrfaanAli’s visit to LOC Agreement, represents history, people, and culture, “We want to see more Indian security sector, Minister High Commissioner of th India’s state-owned the 11 loan with the Indian and in more recent times, companies doing business in Singh explained that the India to Guyana, Dr Amit aerospace and defence EXIMBankovertheyears. economic and commercial Guyana, we are open to Government is investing Telang, during remarks, said c o m p a n y - H i n d u s t a n Guyana and India cooperation. companies from around the heavily in strengthening the that India attaches great Aeronautics Limited, in established diplomatic The Minister also world, including of course capabilities of the GDF, in i m p o r t a n c e t o t h e January2023. relations on May 26, 1966, recognisedtheEXIMBank’s India, and India is amongst particular, in some of its relationship it shares with Dr. Singh, while andcontinuetohavearobust instrumental role in the economies that are at the specialised wings, such as Guyana, and the signing of delivering remarks noted developmental cooperation facilitating the presence of cutting edge of technology, the Air Corps and the Coast the LOC is just another government’s strong programme aimed towards Indian companies in and we want to receive the Guard. He further said that means of cementing its appreciation of India’s the mutual benefit of both Guyana, thereby allowing benefit of that cutting edge the purchase of the two partnershipwithGuyana.He unwavering support to countries. for the expansion of technology.” aircraft is part of the biggest was keen to note that the

Exxon applies to Australian Govt. to abandon 8 old oil rigs

The Gippsland decommissioning these B a s i n J o i n t structures will cost the Venture (GBJV), industry at least $60 billion,

i n w h i c h presenting both challenges American oil giant andopportunities.

ExxonMobil Cooperation In the oil and gas subsidiary, Esso Australia industry, decommissioning operates, has submitted a referstotheprocessofsafely proposal to the Australian dismantlinganddisposingof government for the offshore and onshore oil and abandonment of eight oil gas facilities once they reach rigs. the end of their productive

A recent Sydney life. This involves cleaning MorningHeraldarticlesheds up the site, removing light on the growing debate equipment,pluggingwellsto s u r r o u n d i n g t h e prevent leaks, and restoring decommissioning of theenvironmentascloselyas offshore oil and gas possibletoitsoriginalstate. platforms in Australia. It This process is also was stated that the federal crucial for minimising impacts,ensuringsafety,and r e q u i r e m e n t s thriving marine ecosystems decommissioning of oil government estimates that harmful environmental complying with regulatory Decommissioning is also a that have developed around projects. costly exercise, sometimes the platforms, critics remain The law states that the demanding billions of US skeptical. company would have to dollars hence countries are Friends of the Earth submit for the minister’s oftenadvisedtomandatethat campaigner Jeff Waters has approval, a proposed oil companies set aside called for independent decommissioning plan and money in a fund for this research into the pollution budget no later than two purpose. This fund ensures levels near the platforms, yearsbeforetheexpirationof that the country is not left to expressing concerns about a petroleum licence or no carry the burden of handling the potential environmental later than two years before thosecostswhichoughttobe impact of leaving partially the anticipated end of covered by the oil dismantled structures in the production. companies. ocean. Once that plan is

ExxonMobil’s decommissioning plan for eight Bass Strait platforms. This option involves cutting the steel pile jackets at a minimum of 55 metres below mean sea level, removing the top section and leaving the lower section in place. Source: ExxonMobile.com.au

Exxon’s proposal to On the local front, this approved, the minister abandon eight platforms in publication reported last would instruct that a the Bass Strait region of the November that Natural Decommissioning Fund is Gippsland basin has sparked Resources Minister, created. controversy The company Vickram Bharrat confirmed The company would intendstoleavethesteellegs on that ExxonMobil Guyana have to make contributions of the platforms in place will now be required to to that fund to ensure that w h i l e r e m o v i n g follow a series of robust when the time for “clean up” contaminated structures decommissioning rules as arrives, there would be above the waterline and outlined in the nation’s adequate funds to cover the down to a depth of 55 meters PetroleumActivitiesLaw associated expenses belowthesurface. Guyana’s Petroleum Importantly, the law states

While Exxon portrays Activities Law which came that the minister will dictate t h i s a p p r o a c h a s into effect last year sets out the terms and conditions of e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y strict rules for companies to the fund for deposits and responsible, citing the f o l l o w o n t h e disbursements.

Govt. should address salaries to keep skilled workforce - Norton

The Government of the profits of private expects that those persons sector since they receive Guyana (GoG) must offer organizations. would be in demand but also better salaries, the competitive salaries to He explained that a key the government is failing to government is losing its Guyanese to avoid losing its element to ensure the public address the question of skilled workers to the skilled labour force to the oil sector is adequately salaries If you pay the petroleumindustry andgassector managed is continuous pittanceyoupay,whydoyou G o v e r n m e n t h a s

This is according to training. Norton pointed out, believe professionals will however made it clear that it get a better offer, they make market. Leader of the Opposition, “I said before at press stay with you when Exxon is does not have yolks on its their own decisions, they This has shifted the Aubrey Norton. He was at conferences one of the offering more? We have to people and will not prevent move. In as much as we are c o u n t r y ’ s g r o w t h the time responding to a failures of the government is m a k e t h e s a l a r i e s them from taking better unhappy about it because prospective in light of the q u e s t i o n f r o m t h i s that they are not training competitive,”hecontended. paying jobs. “We don’t have that person, a Guyanese numerous vacancies in a newspaperwhenheprovided enough people to have the On Thursday, Vice serfdom in this country We person is improving his or number of key areas. The his suggestions to address technicalcompetencetodeal President Bharrat Jagdeo sharethephilosophythatyou her own life and that should Guyana Revenue Authority thesituation. with the oil and gas sector, during his weekly press can’t bind people to a job be the objective of the (GRA) for example, the Norton was keen to note thatGuyanaisnowanoiland conference said that both the because you want cheap i n d i v i d u a l a n d t h e body tasked with conducting that while he holds the view gas country, there should private sector and state labour We have to equip as governmenttoo.” audits of the petroleum that professionals have a have been far more training agencies have complained many of our people to get With the discovery of oil companies, had complained right to work in whichever sothatyouhaveawiderpool aboutlosingitsemployeesto better paying jobs so they and gas, and subsequent thatthetrainedauditorswere industry they prefer, there ofpersonstoselectfrom.” the rapidly developing can improve themselves and c o m m e n c e m e n t o f leavingtojointheoilandgas are methods that can be Moreover, the Leader sector the lives of their families so production activities in the sector The Commissioner implemented to ensure the a r g u e d t h a t t h e He noted that while the if someone has a better job Stabroek Block, the skilled General had pointed out that skilled workers continue to administration is also failing p r i v a t e s e c t o r h a s offer, we’re not North Korea labour force has been drawn while 65 persons were provide service for the to address the issue of complained about losing its tosayyouhavetostayhere,” away by more attractive required for the job, only 31 development of their adequate compensation for “people at the bottom” such hesaid. salaries, leaving a serious persons were on roll in country, rather than advance skilled professionals. “One as cleaners to the public Jagdeo continued, “They dent in the local labour August2023.

ExxonMobil should correct misleading billboards

Jagdeo

ExxonMobil Guyana was asked by Kaieteur News m i s l e a d i n g “In fact it will always be shouldcorrectallmisleading whether he had “ordered the (thing)…so…what they said morethan52%oftheprofits. billboards it has erected billboards removed” since is not inaccurate but it It will be more than 52% across Guyana that suggest he noted their inaccuracies a creates a misleading because, if you get 50% of Guyana is getting 52% of its weekprior impression. I conveyed that theprofitsandthen2%ofthe oil profit since they are “I don’t agree with those already but we can’t (order gross in royalty then it will misleading, Vice President billboards they create the removal) if people pay for be more than 52% of the Bharrat Jagdeo said on impression that they are their billboard space,” profits.”

Thursday financing everything in our Jagdeo said noting that the Jagdeo continued: “But “I do believe that they country when they are not. billboards should be what is not conveyed is that should correct that So it conveys the impression corrected.

75% of the revenue goes to it’s not just that one bill are misleading. So they said misleading impression,” that they take care of The Vice President now repay the cost of their board. It’s several… that Guyana receives 52% of all Jagdeosaid. everything, schools and explained that the billboards investment. So it’s accurate almost like they’re financing profits from Stabroek Block, At a press conference hospitals everything that suggest that “we are getting the PSAsays 52% or 50% of everything in this country 50% profit share plus 2%, held at the Office of the t h e y a r e f i n a n c i n g 52% of all the profits now, the profits but it conveys a Oil and gas revenue now if they don’t speak about the President, the Vice President everything That is the andthat’snotso.” misleading impression and we spend all that we 75% here going to cost collected in 2023 will recovery.” The VP said that finance less than 30% of our this ‘touting’ by the oil budget.” company makes, “people

Last week, the Vice thinkit’snow”.

President admitted that, “In the future we will get “Exxon’s billboards are a significant amount. (The misleading ” While billboard also states) more addressing matters related to than$280BforGuyanasince theoilandgassector,hesaid, 2019.Sothesebillboardscan “One thing I can agree with be misleading,” he said Vincent Adams on, is that adding, “You believe they these billboards that Exxon run the country when you (is) putting up all around the lookatthesebillboards.Very place, is misleading in many misleading sometimes, so I ways… Exxon’s billboards canagreewiththat.”

Cops mistakenly open fire on colleague’s car while chasing bandits

Members of the Special Branch of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday mistakenly shot one of their colleagues in his car at a location on the East Bank of Demerara(EBD).

Reportsarethattherankswerepursuingbanditswhowere said to be involved in a robbery and the car their colleague, a policesergeant,wastravelinginwassimilartoonethebandits usedintheheist.

Luckily, the sergeant made good his escape by driving quickly away from the location and from the ranks who openedfireonhim.KaieteurNewsunderstandsthatthepolice sergeantdrovetoapolicestationwherehetookrefuge.

Up to press time, the GPF is yet to issue an official statement on the shooting incident that almost left one of its membersdead.

WANTED

Experienced able-bodied Handy boy/girl willing to work & be a team player. Call: 227-8539.

Experienced furniture Maker for Aracari Resort, Vreen-nHoop. Call: 264-2946, 6265290.

Wanted! Male & Female workers preferably from WBD, for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4100 per day. Call: 611-7839.

Domestic (Live in option available), female cook and male & female workers for the interior. Call: 660-9093 /6615332.

Wanted one Nanny/ Housekeeper, 8am-4:30pm at Republic Park, EBD. Call: 626-4884.

Wanted one Nanny/ Housekeeper, 3pm-8pm at Republic Park, EBD. Call: 626-4884.

One live-in Caretaker to take care of plants and keep surroundings clean. Call: 2332053,705-6937, 233-2923.

Handyboy needed. Must be willing to work and be a team player. Call: 661-1000.

Lorry driver needed. Must be experience and have a valid lorry licence. Call: 6611000.

Porter needed for truck. Call: 661-1000.

Workers to work on cash crop farm. Salary $ 6500 per day. Call: 679-7552.

One Cleaner, preferably from Mahaica, Unity area. $5000 per day, 1 day per week. Call: 259-0953/ 623-3231.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Aracari Hotel,WBD. Fully furnished, secure location free parking, Wifi & breakfast. Rates from $65 USD. Call: 264-2946-9.

ENTERTAINMENT

Aracari Resort weekend: pool, family fun, DJ, Sunday breakfast. Adult $3000, kids $1000. Call: 264-29469.

VACANCY

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, Car/ Van licence. Call: 615-9132, 645-8443.

AM/PM W/Union CSR'S, Cashier, Shelf restockers, Porter, Packers and bond Clerk. Call:609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Male & female needed to work in the Interior, ages 18 years and older. Call: 6998486.

Experienced able-bodied Canter Driver needed, flexible hours. Call: 699-8486.

Vacancy for Carpenter & Masons, $7,000 - $8,000 per day. Call: 650-1394.

Experienced Lorry Driver, must have a valid lorry licence. WhatsApp application: 609-2220, 725-4360, Email: dlebusiness4solutions @gmail.com

Labourer & Janitorial Staff, must have good attitude and reference. WhatsApp application: 609-2220, 725-4360, Email: dlebusiness4solutions @gmail.com

Admin Assistant, must have 5 cxc, including English. WhatsApp application: 6092220, 725-4360, Email: dlebusiness4solutions@ gmail.com

Experienced Hair Colorist, Receptionist/ Massuese, Nail Techs, Barber and Domestic needed. Call/ WhatsApp: 649-5005/ 226-6705.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crashbar, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Contact: 649-0956.

1 Toyota Allion, Pioneer DVD, CD & USB deck, reverse camera, alarm, low milage. Call: 649-0956.

Nissan X-Trail 2008 $2.3 Neg and Mitsubishi 3 stage Crone canter 4m51 Engine Manual $3.5 Neg. Call: 6718845/ 638-4755.

TO LET

Eccles 3rd floor single furnished apartment, wifi optional. Call: 233-3974/ 6003070.

FOR RENT

Aracari Resort Resturant space for rent, formerly Macaw Resturant. Secure location. Free parking & Wifi. Call: 264-2946-9.

Place to rent at Vreed-enhoop junction, for lessons, church, office, storage bond, other. Call: 603-6400.

One Luxurious furnished, 4 bedroom apartment fully AC, hot and cold water etc in Campbellville, G/town. Price US$2000. Call: 6167351/624-7436.

FOR SALE

House lots & commercial plot for sale available at blankenburg W.C.D. Call: 652-0251/ 650-0402.

Healthy vaccinated 2 months German breed, short puppies for sale. Price $30,000. Call Sharon: 666-5634/ 685-4398.

One Rav4, 4 wheel drive, fully Ac etc ideal for interior (Bush) work. Price$2.2M. Call: 621-5140.

FOR SALE/ RENT

All sizes loaders, excavators & rollers, concrete pump & mixer trucks, mobile crane and Howo 30 ton dump trucks. Call: 650-0402/ 652-0251.

1 Lexus SUV, forklifts 3.5 tons diesel truck weigh scales (60 tons,40 ft) . (new installed at your site) Low bed trailers60 tons,triple axle. Call: 6653880

SERVICES

Business/ residential PFSGYD$58M, Visa Application, advertisements, graphics design, passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. For more information Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

LAND FOR SALE

20 Acres of vacant land in La grange, West Bank Demerara. Call: 622-7446 / 416-9513-995.

Russian official says ‘scumbags’ who vandalise ballot boxes face jail

MOSCOW, March 15

CCTV footage, March 15, 2024. Video obtained by Reuters/via REUTERS gion of KarachayevoCherkessia and in Russiancontrolled Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014.

(Reuters) - Russia’s election chief said on Friday that people who vandalise ballot boxes to try to disrupt voting in a three-day presidential election would be jailed for up to five years after a slew of such attacks across Russia.

The incidents occurred on the first day of a three-day election that is almost certain to hand Vladimir Putin six more years as Russian president.

Election officials said the incidents would have no impact on the outcome.

Ella Pamfilova, the chair of the electoral commission, spoke out after state investigators said they had opened a criminal case against a woman who poured green dye into a ballot box in an attempt to damage voting slips.

State media said attempts to disrupt voting had taken place in Moscow, in the mountainous Caucasus re-

Pamfilova said such crimes were punishable by up to five years in jail under Article 141 of the Criminal Code - obstructing the exercise of electoral rights or the work of electoral commissions.

“Especially for all the scumbags who are ready to destroy the votes of people who came and voted because of these silver pieces,” she said, a reference to state media reports which said many of the alleged perpetrators had said they had been paid by Ukraine to cause problems.

Pamfilova said police had detained all those who had so far tried to despoil ballot papers and they would be prosecuted.

“Anyone else who dares will be detained,” she said.

Investigators in Moscow

said they had opened two criminal cases, including against the woman whom CCTV footage showed depositing her voting slip before calmly pouring a green liquid into the transparent plastic ballot box.

A policeman is seen detaining her immediately afterwards.

The woman, who was not named, was later charged with “obstructing the exercise of electoral rights or the work of election committees,” the Investigative Committee’s press service said.

Separately, news site Fontanka reported that a 21year-old woman was arrested after a Molotov cocktail was hurled at a polling station in St Petersburg, Russia’s second city and Putin’s home town.

Local media also reported attempts to set fire to voting booths in Moscow and in Siberia’s Tyumen region.

Govt. to spend $750M to repair 30 pontoons...

From page 11 have install a new pontoon, you have to rehabilitate those pontoons they have a lifecycle. So for the last three years we have been rehabilitating pontoons, so these are the remainder of the set that would have passed that rehabilitation period,” he briefly explained.

He noted that these have to be repaired so as to ensure safety for commuters on the bridge. When asked if these rehabilitation works on the pontoons would affect the flow of traffic on the bridge, the General Manager assured that this would not be the

case. He related that when the pontoons go for repairs, temporary ones would be installed and the cycle would continue until all are repaired.

This publication understands that apart from other structural works, there would also be the replacement of 20 anodes per pontoon.

At his yearend press conference in December, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill had stated that in 2023, the DHB would have rehabilitated some 56 pontoons.

Watson related that each year they would try to repair 25 to 30 pontoons, and the set

that are out to tender now would be the last to be rehabilitated.

He said also that the DHB’s 2024 budget is expected to last for the life or operation of the bridge, which would see them carrying out maintenance time to time on the carriage of the bridge.

This year, the DHBC was allocated $935 million for rehabilitative works on the bridge.

The floating bridge would soon be replaced by the new Demerara River Bridge which is currently under construction.

$5.3B estimated to build five more water treatment plants

The five water

treatment plants the government intends to build in Region Two, Three, Five and Six willcost$5,237,200,000.

During the reading of tenders on Tuesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPATB) office, it was revealed that 12 contractors both locally and overseashaveappliedforthe contracts. The projects have been divided into three lots and entail the “Procurement of Plant Design, Supply and Installation of Water TreatmentFacilities.”

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that Lot 1 consists of a treatment plant

for Maria’s Delights in Region Two, Lot 2 is for water treatment plants for Leguan,andatWakenaamin Region Three, and at Lot 3 facilities are for Bath in Region Five, and at AdventureinRegionSix. As reported previously, the construction of these water treatment plants is beingfundedbyaloanfrom the Caribbean Development

Bank (CDB) In its advertisement, the Ministry ofHousingandWaterstated that the Government of Guyana had applied for financing from the Caribbean Development

Bank in an amount e q u i v a l e n t t o

US$76,249,000 towards the

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

ofthePrimeMinister

GeorgetownPublicHospitalCorporation

Supply,installationandcommissioning ofSpecializedDiagnosticEquipment.

cost of Water Supply Improvement Project (WSIP)andintendstoapply a portion of the proceeds of this financing for the projects.

Beingresponsibleforthe overall implementation of theproject,theministryinits document revealed that the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) would be the executing agencyfortheproject.

The ministry stated that the works included but may not be limited to the following “the construction of five water treatment plants along the coast (average plant size of 7.3millionlitresperday).”

In a release in July last year, CDB said it had

approved the US$76.2 million loan to Guyana for the Guyana Water Supply Improvement Project under which the water supply systems serving five coastal communities will undergo majorupgrades.

TheBankrelatedthatthe infrastructure development initiative involves the construction of five water treatment plants, complete with storage tanks, and the installation of transmission mains and water meters to vastly improve the quality and reliability of the water supply to the communities. Nearly15,000householdsin these communities will b e n e f i t f r o m t h e interventions,CDBnoted.

GuyanaWaterInc. PlantDesign,supplyandinstallation ofwatertreatmentfacilitiesLots1-3.

Israel blocks thousands of Palestinians from visiting Al-Aqsa Mosque

Aljazera - Israeli authorities have blocked thousands of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem for prayer during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, adding to mountingtensions.

Despite tight Israeli restrictions on access to Al Aqsa Mosque, 80,000 worshippers made it to the holy site for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan, the Quds News Network reported, citing the Islamic Waqf that manages the mosquecompound.

But thousands more Palestinians from the occupied West Bank were denied entry to occupied East Jerusalem, where a heavy Israeli security presence surrounds the mosque.

Onlymenovertheageof 55orwomenovertheageof 50 are allowed to enter the mosque,andallmusthavea validpermit,makingthesite, whichisthethirdholiestsite in Islam, inaccessible to the vastmajorityofPalestinians.

More than 95 percent of all Palestinians are

prohibitedfromreachingthe Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to Mustafa Barghouti, the secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative.

“The portion of the communitythatisallowedis verysmall–peoplewhoare abovetheageof55,”hetold Al Jazeera from Ramallah, addingthateventheyhadto gothroughahardprocessto entertheholysite.

“Firstofall,theyhaveto get a special magnetic security card from the Israelis, which takes a lot of time to acquire Not everybody can get it and many people are deprived from it,” the Palestinian officialsaid.“Theyalsohave to get a special permit from the Israelis directly These complications prevent many people.”

Hesaidthesituationwas creating more tension “because many people are angry”. “The tension inside the mosque is very high because of the Israeli restrictions, beating of the people and provocations. I expect that there will be trouble, because of all these provocations,” Barghouti

Israeli authorities have tightened restrictions for Palestinians travelling to holy mosque from occupied West Bank, adding to tensions.

concluded.

‘Deceivingtheworld’

OnePalestinianMuslim, who did not wish to be identified, told Al Jazeera that when he attempted to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque, he was turned away by the Israeliarmy

“The number of soldiers isgreaterthanthenumberof worshippers,” he said. “I’m 62, and I presented my ID, butmyaccesswasdenied although [the Israeli army] said that those who are over 55 can enter the mosque withoutapermit.”

Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim reporting from the Qalandiya checkpoint outside East Jerusalem said previously,therewerenoage restrictions on women, and the age restriction for men was45.

“All worshippers must also have valid entry permits, a document many Palestinianssaytheydidnot know they needed. We’ve seen people being turned away at the checkpoint for this reason, and Israeli soldiers are surrounding the nearbyarea,”shesaid.

“There are additional restrictions on Palestinians

leavingAl-Aqsa. They must submit their papers at a checkpoint while leaving Jerusalem or even take a selfie and submit it on an application managed by the Israeligovernment.”

O n F r i d a y, t h e PalestinianForeignMinistry accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuof“deceivingthe world” when he said no additional measures would beimposedtolimitaccessto Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan compared with previousyears. The ministry said in a

statement posted on X that theIsraelprimeministerhad given far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir the freedom to implement restrictions, including erecting barricades, to prevent the entry of Palestinian worshippers.

The ministry called on the international community and the United States to intervene to end these “racist” policies and ensure that the right to worship is upheld.

According to a 1967 status quo agreement with

Israel, Jordan is responsible for overseeing the Al-Aqsa compound via the Waqf Council.

Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Sheikh Ikrimah Sabri said there is “no room forcompromiseonAl-Aqsa” after Israel implemented restrictions on Palestinian access Al-Aqsa “will remain open no matter what happens,” the preacher said, adding that the fact that worshippers were travelling to the compound despite the circumstances was “a message to those who want toharmAl-Aqsa”.

Gaza aid reaches shore in first sea delivery

BBC - The first ship towing a barge of humanitarianaidtoGazahas unloaded supplies onto the shore The Spanish ship Open Arms left Cyprus on Tuesday with 200 tonnes of food desperately needed for Gaza, which the UN says is onthebrinkoffamine.

Videos posted online show a crane moving crates from the barge to lorries waiting on a purpose-built jetty. It marks the start of a trialtoseeifseadeliveriesare effective, after air and land deliveries proved difficult World Central Kitchen (WCK), which supplied the food, carried out the mission in co-operation with the UnitedArabEmirates(UAE), todeliverthebarge’scargoof rice, flour, legumes, canned vegetables and canned proteins.

Gaza has no functioning port, so a jetty stemming from the shoreline was built by WCK’s team. How the food will be distributed in Gazaremainsunclear

Dinghies were used to push a barge of food aid from the Open Arms ship to a purpose-built jetty (Reuters) purpose-built (Reuters)

WCK’s founder, celebrity chef José Andrés, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that all the food aid from the barge had been loadedinto12lorries.

“We did it!” he wrote, addingthatthiswasatesttosee if they could bring even more aidinthenextshipment-upto “thousandsoftonsaweek” Ina statement,IsraelsaidtheOpen Armsvesselanditscargowere inspected in Cyprus, and that

Defense

had been

to secure the shoreline A crane lifted aid from the barge and carefully lowered it onto a waitinglorry

The Open Arms charity, which operates the ship, shared the crane video late on Friday, as teams worked through the night to get the aid onto dry land This delivery has been highly anticipatedsincetheshipsetoff

Tuesday If this sea mission is deemed a success, other aid shipswilllikelyfollowaspartof an international effort to get more aid into Gaza The ships woulduseanewlyopenedsea route to travel directly to the region

Separately, the US is planning to build its own floatingdockoffthecoastto boost sea deliveries. The White House says it could

see two million meals a day enterGaza,butwhileamilitary shipisenroutewithequipment on board to build the dock, questions remain about the logistics of the plan Military operations and the breakdown of social order have severely hampered aid distribution, while Gaza’s own food production has been severely affected, with farms, bakeries and factories destroyed or inaccessible.

The quickest, most effective way to get aid into the territory is by road, but aid agencies say Israeli restrictions mean a fraction of what is needed is getting in The World Food Programme had to temporarily pause its land deliveries after convoys came under gunfire and looting. And an air drop turned deadly last week when five people were reportedly killed when a parachute failed and they werehitbytheaidpackage.

The UN has warned that famine is “almost inevitable”

inGazawithouturgentaction, and the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has accused Israel of creating a “manmade” disaster and usingstarvationasaweapon ofwar Israelhasvehemently denied it is to blame for Gaza’sfoodshortagesasitis allowing aid through two crossings in the south. Instead, it has blamed aid agencies of logistical failures. Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza are ongoing on Friday, with IsraeldismissingtheHamas’ latestceasefireproposal.

Hamas said it gave mediators a “comprehensive vision” of a truce, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called this “unrealistic”

The war began when Hamas gunmen attacked southernIsraelon7October, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages. More than 31,400 people have been killed in Gaza since then, the Hamas-run healthministrysays.

Real Madrid to face Man City in Champions League quarterfinals, PSG gets Barcelona

NYON, Switzerland (AP)

— Real Madrid and Manchester City are squaring off in the Champions League for the third year in a row.

The winners of the last two Champions League titles will meet in the quarterfinals this time after yesterday’s draw set up another heavyweight clash between the only two teams who are still unbeaten in this season’s competition.

They played each other in the semifinals the previous two years, with Madrid emerging victorious in 2022 while City beat the Spanish

giant last year and went on to capture its first European Cup trophy.

In their latest meeting, Madrid will host the first leg on April 9 or 10 and defending champion Man City stages the return one week after.

“If you want to win (the title) you have to beat the best teams. They might be the best team in Europe at this moment,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said of playing City. “We have all the confidence in the world. If you want to win the Champions League, you have to beat City.”

Kylian Mbappé’s path to a first Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain in his farewell season there will next go through Barcelona.

PSG hosts the first leg as coach Luis Enrique faces his former club, which he led to the 2015 title with a Barcelona team that included Lionel Messi and Neymar — who were later reunited in Paris for two seasons.

Arsenal was drawn to play the first leg at home against Bayern Munich, whose star striker Harry Kane will go back to north London after leaving the Gunners’ archrival

Tottenham this offseason.

Atletico Madrid was paired with Borussia Dortmund in the other game, with the German club having the advantage of hosting the second leg. Atletico under coach Diego Simeone showed again they are a fearsome force at the Metropolitano Stadium by ousting Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Dortmund coach Edin Terzic called Atletico “a strong opponent which is especially a little monster in knockout games.”

The Real Madrid-Man City games will be the top attraction even despite their many recent meetings. City also beat Madrid in the round of 16 in 2020.

sured Mbappé and PSG cannot meet Real Madrid — the team he is expected to join in the summer — until the final.

That draw arguably put the four strongest teams in the same half. When the new Champions League format takes effect next season, the two strongest teams in the expanded eight-game first phase will be seeded in a tennis-style knockout bracket and could not meet until the final.

This time, the winner between Real Madrid and Man City — who were the only teams to win all six games in the group stage — will be away in the first leg against Arsenal or Bayern.

previous games this season.

A potential Arsenal-Man City meeting in the semifinals would make it three games between them in less than six weeks. They play in the Premier League in Manchester on March 31 in a game that could have a major impact on a tight Premier League title race also involving Liverpool.

“We have been winning all games so we hope that we can keep this rhythm. Mentally we are strong,” Begiristain said.

Arsenal reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 2010 by beating Porto on penalties and leads the Premier League on goal difference ahead of Liverpool.

Saturday March 16, 2024

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

This is an excellent day for you, Aries. The farther you extend your emotions, the more prosperous you will be. Don't be afraid of new things. More than likely.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

It may seem like people aren't taking things as seriously as you'd like them to, Taurus. If so, take it as a hint that perhaps you're the one who needs to lighten up.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Don't turn down any opportunities today, Gemini, even if they seem like dead-ends at first. One could be your lucky break. Realize that success doesn't always have a big neon sign pointing you in the right direction.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

It's time to put your plans in motion, Cancer. There's a very expansive energy urging you to reach out and make valuable connections with others.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Go for the gold, Leo. Don't settle for less. There's an expansive energy on your side urging you on to prosperity in every aspect of your life. Take control of the situation and act on your emotions.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

The more you vacillate, the more valuable time and energy you waste, Virgo. Take a decisive stance and be confident about your choice. Give it everything you've got.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Arguments could quickly turn into declarations of war today. Things could get blown out of proportion if they aren't handled with care, Libra.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Your life is taking off in many different directions, Scorpio. Everything seems to be expanding at once. It may be difficult to get a solid grip on any one thing.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

This is a great day for you, Sagittarius. There's a terrific feeling of expansion in the air. This is one of those times in which a small germ of an idea can grow into something big right before your eyes.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

You may feel like someone caught in a tornado, Capricorn. Things are whirling around you and everything seems out of control. Don't get stressed out.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

It's time to take charge, Aquarius. There's fuel for your fire, and the scope of your influence is virtually unlimited. Don't hold back in any way. Confidently attack every project knowing that things will work out in your favor.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Don't concern yourself with getting more. Concentrate on what you already have, Pisces. Work with whatever resonates within you. You instinctively know what does and doesn't work.

“We need to remember that we beat them last season in the semifinal and we played at home in the second leg,” Man City director of football Txiki Begiristain said, recalling a 4-0 win last May after a 1-1 draw in Madrid.

UEFA also made the draw for the semifinals, which en-

“We certainly have the most difficult path ahead of us that you can imagine,” Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel said.

Bayern fans will be banned from the first leg against Arsenal in London because of a UEFA punishment for supporters setting off fireworks and throwing them toward the pitch at two

Drakes maiden century gives...

From page 25

Kevlon Anderson (33), Kevin Sinclair (25), Kemol Savory (22), Taganarine Chanderpaul (20) and Permaul (24) chipped in with useful runs.

Barbados will enter the final day on 31-0 and will need a lot from captain Kraigg Brathwaite (8*) and Zachary McCaskie (18*) come today.

Drakes looked by far the most comfortable batsman as he resumed his innings with confidence on the third day to bring up his half-century and eventually ton.

Overnight partner Raymon Reifer (13) didn’t hang around long as Smith sent him packing. After losing their first wicket of the day, Barbados hit another bump when Jason Holder (4) fell victim to a hostile Smith, who bagged his second of the morning.

Dowrich and Drakes played well during their stay which stabilized the innings. The former West Indies wicket-keeper provided the spark needed to give Barbados some confidence while taking pressure off his younger, set partner.

Permaul had other plans however, forcing Dowrich into a poor shot, only to be out caught by Smith. Kemar Roach then failed to trouble the scorers, falling for duck at the hands of Motie, leaving Barbados reeling with the afternoon session ahead.

After reaching his century, Drakes was caught and bowled by Motie, while Smith removed Warrican (13) to bring down curtains on the Pride’s 1st innings.

Action continues today from 10:00h.

Swiatek into Indian Wells semis as Wozniacki retires,Gauff advances

AFP-Worldnumberone

Iga Swiatek had just got rolling when she found herself in the Indian Wells

semi-finals on Thursday as Caroline Wozniacki retired from their quarter-final with afootinjury

The intriguing match-up between the current and formernumberonessaw33year-oldWozniackiracetoa

4-1lead.

But 22-year-old Swiatek found her range and reeled off six straight games, pocketing the first set 6-4 and taking a 1-0 lead in the second before Wozniacki calledahalt,havingreceived treatment for an apparent blisteronherrightfootatthe endofthefirstset.

Swiatek,the2022Indian Wells champion, booked a semi-final meeting with Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who beat Russian Anastasia Potapova6-0,7-5.USOpen champion Coco Gauff reached the Indian Wells semis for the first time, betingChina’sYuanYue6-4, 6-3. Swiatek said it was a “sad” way to gain her win over Wozniacki in the second match between the two. The first was back in 2019 — seven months after Swiatek made her WTA main draw debut and five months before Wozniacki retired. Wozniacki, now a mother of two who returned to the circuit last season, startedstronginherbidfora first win over a reigning number one since she beat Simona Halep to win the 2018 Australian Open. But Swiatek,whowonthetitlein Doha last month before a semi-final exit in Dubai, gradually hit her stride — closing out the opening set

Poland’s Iga Swiatek hits a backhand on the way to a quarter-final victory over Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki at the ATP-WTA Indian Wells Masters (Frederic J. BROWN)

withanace.

“I just wanted to hit the ball more clean, honestly, because it wasn’t easy,” Swiatek said of her early struggles “I had many chances, but with her defense she’s putting pressure on the opponents. You’re playing forehand, backhandandeverywhere.

“She’s running a lot and giving everything back. So sometimes I made mistakes, you know, I couldn’t really finish the rally “I wanted to really just stay patient and calm and try to be more solid.InthesecondsetIfelt like I can go for it — I wanted also to influence some stuff in the second set but I didn’t get a chance.”Gauffhangson-Kostyuk,in contrast,gotofftoahotstart then quashed Potapova’s comeback bid to reach her first 1000-level semi-final. Kostyukgottogripswiththe blustery conditions to roar through the opening set in just 22 minutes. The second

set looked to be following the same pattern as Kostyuk raced to a 3-0 lead before Potapova managed to win a game She then broke Kostyuk to put it back on serve and suddenly Kostyuk foundherselfinabattle. She finally polished it off with one last break of serve, advancingwhenPotapovaput aforehandintothenetonher rival’s second match point Gauff,whocelebratedher20th birthday on Wednesday, became the youngest US woman to reach the Indian Wellssemi-finalssinceSerena Williams in 2001 Gauff overcame17doublefaultsbut brokeYuan’sservefivetimes, rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the second set to close it out against the world number 49, whowonherfirstWTAtitlein Austintwoweeksago

In yesterday’s semifinals Gauff was down to face either ninth-seeded MariaSakkariofGreece,the 2022 runner-up, or fellow AmericanEmmaNavarro.

GBBFF National Novice C/ship unfolds today in Linden

The anticipation is palpable in Linden as the Guyana Bodybuilding and FitnessFederation(GBBFF) gears up to host its National Novice Bodybuilding and FitnessChampionshiptoday attheLichasHallinLinden.

In a collaborative effort with key partners including the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Fitness Express,andNewGPCInc., the GBBFF is all set to showcase the prowess of over20dedicatedathletesin four exciting categories:

Bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, Miss Bikini, and MissBikiniWellness.

This annual event not onlypromisesaneveningof thrilling competition but also aims to celebrate the dedicationandhardworkof athletes within the bodybuilding and fitness community The mining town of Linden is poised to witness the culmination of months of preparation as these athletes take center stage.Notably,successatthe Novice Competition holds

significant implications for the athletes, as those who emerge victorious will earn covetedspotsontheGuyana Central American and Caribbean (CAC) 2024 team, while others will be considered for future opportunities.

The event kicks off at 7 pm,andticketsarepricedat an affordable $1,500. With thestagesetandtheathletes primed, all eyes are on Lindenasitpreparestohost a spectacle of strength, grace,anddetermination.

JofraArchersnapsoffstumponimpressive...

Frompage25 doctors working, his body will just allow himtogetbackwherehewas.

“Iknowhowhardhe’sbeenworkingatit and of course how desperate he is to come

back.

“It’s really exciting for him that hopefully he’s going to get back to performing because as a captain he’s someoneyouwanttothrowtheballto.”

Mo Salah sets Liverpool goalscoring record in team’s stunning 11-2 aggregate victory over Sparta Prague

CNN-Asbaddaysatthe officego,it’sunlikelySparta Prague will have endured many worse than on

Thursday

Alreadytrailing5-1after last week’s Europa League round-of-16 first leg, Sparta found itself 9-1 down on aggregate after only 15 minutes at Anfield as Liverpool went on an early rampage with goals from Darwin Nuñez, Bobby Clark, Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo Things did get slightlybetterforSparta nP n albeitverybriefly n P n as Veljko Birmanèeviæ reducedtheaggregatedeficit to seven goals when he scored just before half-time tomakeit4-1onthenight.

However, a rampant Liverpool wasn’t done yet, as goals from Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai roundedouta6-1winonthe night and an 11-2 drubbing

on aggregate in one of the most one-sided ties you are ever likely to see in a Europeancompetition.

“The boys started the game incredibly well,” Klopptoldreportersafterthe game “We were really, really after them, at them –howeveryouwanttocallit–andscoredwonderfulgoals.

“Four-nil after 14 minutesisreallystrange,and from that moment on, it became a strange game because how can you now stay greedy and these kinds of things. In that moment, probably everybody thought:‘OK,wehaveother games to come,’ stuff like this.”Salah’s goal was his 20th in all competitions this season, marking the first time in Liverpool’s history thataplayerhasreachedthat landmark for seven consecutiveseasons.

Klopp said that statistic

Youcanwingames,butyou need a little bit of help from the opponent – we didn’t

giveanyhelp[tonight].

“Theboysshowedatop, top,topattitudeandsoitwas

is “not really surprising” because Salah, who was making his first start since January1duetoinjury,is“an outstandingplayer.”

“I’veworkedsevenyears together with him, so one problem we never had was consistency,” Klopp said “Mo is just delivering and delivering and delivering, his desire doesn’t stop. His quality is anyway there, but then his desire to score just doesn’tstop.

“He improved in so many aspects since he startedhere.Hewillnotstop, so I’m less surprised than maybe some others I thought it had already happened, to be honest, in this season, but he was injuredforawhileandthat’s why he couldn’t do it [earlier].Otherwise,itwould havehappenedinJanuaryor February “So, great, very good and, as I said, great to havehimback.”Klopp,who is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after nine years at the club, was asked whether he “felt sorry for Sparta” during the hammering “There is a quality difference,” he replied, revealing that he’d spoken to Sparta’s manager, BrianPriske,afterthegame.

“That was clear before the game and it is always like this: if the team with the higher quality shows a good attitude, which we did, then itwillbetricky Whereisthe chance? “Along time in my life,Iobviouslyworkedfora smallerclub–notthatSparta are a small club – but I worked in Germany for a smaller club with Mainz.

difficult and then we all know how these things can go.

Multan beat Peshawar by 7 wickets to reach fourth straight PSL final

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP)

— Multan Sultans breezed into its fourth straight Pakistan Super League final by defeating Peshawar Zalmi by seven wickets inalopsidedqualifieronThursday

MultanwonPakistan’spremier Twenty20 event in 2021 before losing to Lahore Qalandars in the finalsofthelasttwoeditions.

BabarAzam-ledPeshawarwill getanotheropportunityforaplace inMonday’sfinalwhenittakeson the winner of the eliminator between Islamabad United and QuettaGladiatorstoday

OpeningbatterYasirKhan(54) and in-form Usman Khan (36 not out) powered Multan to 147-3 in 18.3 overs after Peshawar was restrictedtobelow-par146-7.

In the absence of Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, who

was ruled out of the playoffs because of his international commitment, Peshawar’s bowlers

struggledtodefendasmalltotal.

Yasir provided a dominant opening stand of 61 with captain Mohammad Rizwan (15) and raised a match-winning halfcentury off 30 balls. Left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz (1-28) couldn’t make an impact in the power play before he finally had Yasircaughtoffhisownbowlingin hisreturnspell.

Usman, who became the first batter in PSL history to score two centuriesinoneseason,washardly troubledwiththepace,andIftikhar Ahmedfinishedoffthegamewitha quickfire22offeightballs.

Earlier, Peshawar struggled against pace and spin after Babar won the toss and elected to bat. DavidWilleyhaddangermanSaim Ayub caught at deep square leg in the first over and Mohammad

Christian Horner: Woman to appeal against Red Bull decision to dismiss complaint

BBCSport-Thewoman whomadeaccusationsabout Christian Horner’s behaviour is to appeal against Red Bull’s decision todismisshercomplaint.

The woman, who Red Bull last week suspended from her position, accused the team principal of inappropriate and controllingbehaviour

She will ask Red Bull to reconsider their decision, which was made after an investigationconductedbya lawyer Horner, 50, has always deniedtheaccusationsmade againsthim.

The accusations against Hornercametolightinearly F e b r u a r y b u t t h e investigation into his behaviourhadstartedalmost amonthbefore.

Red Bull appointed an external lawyer to investigate the claims.After his report was submitted to the company’s board, it decided to dismiss the complaint.

Thefollowingday,acase of messages purporting to involve Horner was leaked to nearly 150 senior F1 insidersandmedia.

Horner has said it is “time to draw a line under” the controversy amid continuing speculation about the independence of the inquiry and Red Bull’s

reasons for making the decision.

The complainant’s decision to fight back againstRedBull’sactionsis a further indication that the controversy is likely to continueforsometime.

If Red Bull again dismissesthewoman’scase, she has the option to take legalactionagainstbothRed BullandHorner Red Bull has refused to give further details of the case, citing confidentiality, andhassaidthatit“couldnot comment”onthereasonsfor thewoman’sdismissal.

B B C S p o r t h a s previously reported that the reason given by Red Bull to the employee was that she hadbeendishonest.

Red Bull’s engine partnerHondahascalledfor more details about the matter Horner said at last

weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: “The reality is that there was a grievance raised, it was dealt with in the most professional manner by the group, that appointed an independent KC, one of the most reputableintheland.

“He took time to investigateallthefacts.

He looked at everything andhecametoaconclusion where he dismissed the grievance.

“ A s f a r a s I ’ m concerned,asfarasRedBull isconcerned,wemoveon.”

Thecontroversyisatthe centre of a power struggle inside Red Bull, involving Horner, the motorsport adviser Helmut Marko, the team’s three-time world champion Max Verstappen and his father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen, and the two ownersofthecompany

Haris’ (22) below-par tournament continued when he edged fast bowler Mohammad Ali inside the powerplay Babar,thetournament’sleading run-scorer, top-scored with 46 off 42ballsbutspinnersUsamaMir(216) and Ahmed (0-9) stifled the

battersinthemiddleovers.

Chris Jordan (2-28) had Babar cleanbowledoffapaceyyorkerin the 13th over and the Englishman tieddownbattersinthedeathovers with his variations as Peshawar could score only 38 runs off the finalfiveovers.

Horse racing-Galopin Des Champs wins Gold Cup for second year in a row

CHELTENHAM, (Reuters) - Galopin Des C h a m p s w o n t h e Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second year in succession yesterday to completearemarkableweek for Irish trainer Willie Mullins.

Ridden again by Irish jockey Paul Townend, the 11-10 favourite burst over the last of the 22 fences and galloped clear with only loose horse Fastorslow for company

Gerri Colombe was secondwithCorachRambler thirdinthe100thrunningof theiconicsteeplechase.

“Unbelievable.

Wehadtogothroughhis reserves,” Townend, who

nowhasfourGoldCupwins, toldITV

“I rode him completely different to last year and he wassobraveforme.

I was afraid we didn’t haveenoughbutit’stheGold Cupsowehadtogoforit.

“What makes him a champion? His heart probably,”

Irishman Mullins racked up his 100th Cheltenham winnerearlieronWednesday and his total now stands at 103 after a triumphant final day in which Majborough claimedtheTriumphHurdle andAbsurdewontheCounty Hurdle.

He said the eight-yearold Galopin Des Champs will attempt to complete the

treblenextyear

“He’s put himself in the superstar category, to do what he did, the way he did it,” Mullins, who celebrated his fourth win at the blueribandGoldCup,toldITV

“Paul was so positive on him, I think we have to come back and go for a thirdwinnextyear

“The loose horse was hisonlyconcern,hehitone fence early, after that he travelledeasily”

Only two horses since 2000 have returned to defend their Gold Cup crown, Best Mate in 2004 and Al Boum Photo in 2020, the latter being ridden to two victories by Townend

2024 Woodpecker Products National Junior’s C/ship concludes today Fung-a-FatandSumnerdominateDayFive

Afterfivedaysofintense battles at the 2024 Woodpecker Products’ Junior’s National Squash championship, the competition is well poised for an exciting final day, today Spaceremainslimited as the Guyana Squash Association (GCA) moves a stepclosertowardsselecting a National Junior’s team to participate at the upcoming Caribbean championship scheduledforJune.

On Thursday, the Georgetown Club courts were buzzing with 17 matches. Louis Da Silva secured the #1 seed in the Under-17 Boy’s category by taking down Shiloh Asregado (#2 seed) with a fantastic performance, winning 11-7, 11-5, and 112. Earlier, Asregado had beaten Blake Edwards with an 11-8, 11-3, 11-7 victory Demetri Lowe, Jeremy Ten Pow,andJustinTenPowalso scoredwinsintheBoy’sU17 division. While over in the Girls’ category, Safirah Sumner and Kaylee Lowe engaged in a fierce fourgame battle, with Sumner emergingvictoriousbya3-1 scoreline.

ContinuingwiththeU19 division, there were some surprises as Moharyan Baksh dominated Joshua

Justin Ten Pow after winning a well-deserved point against #3 seeded Justin Goberdhan.

Verwey in the Boys’ category, winning 11-3, 111, and 11-2. Emily Fung-aFat outplayed Georgiana Fernandesinathrillingfivegameshowdown,winning32withscoresof5-11,12-10, 4-11, 11-9, and 11-8 Meanwhile, Sumner and Lowe faced off again, this time in the U19 division, withSumnersealinganother 3-1win.IntheU15category, Emily Fung-a-Fat swept asideJnaeSinghinastraight three-game victory in the

Girls’ category Jacob McDonaldfacedatough3-0 defeat against Ethan Bulkan in the Boys’ U13 clash but bouncedbackwitha3-2win over Egan Bulkan. While, Tehani Munroe and Rafael Brathwaite both secured commanding3-0winsinthe U11category The tournament reaches its climax today at the same venue. The tournament is sponsored by Woodpecker Products and supported by E-Net.

Jofra Archer snaps off stump on impressive return from injury in India

SportsMax - Jofra Archersnappedthestumpof Sussexteam-mateOliCarter as he stepped up his latest injury comeback in a practicematchinBangalore.

Archer, who last played for England a year ago and has struggled with multiple stress fractures in his elbow andback,isbeingeasedback into action with a view to playingatthissummer’sT20 WorldCup.

He has joined Sussex on theirpre-seasontriptoIndia andlinedupagainsthisown side for the local Karnataka StateCricketAssociationXI yesterday

The 28-year-old took twofor22insevenoversfor the hosts, trapping Tom

Alsop lbw before bowling Carter with a delivery that shattered the right-hander’s offstump.

Archer was withdrawn fromtheforthcomingIndian Premier League season by

RCB book spot in 2024 WPL final with five-run win over Matthews’ Mumbai Indians

SportsMax - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Women have booked a spot in Sunday’s 2024 Women’s PremierLeague(WPL)final thankstoafive-runwinover defending champions Mumbai Indians Women in the Eliminator at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi yesterday.

RCB posted 135-6 from their 20 overs after winning the toss and batting first. Australian star Ellyse Perry ledthewaywithacrucial66 off 50 balls including eight foursandasix.

West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews starred with the ball for the Indians with 2-18 from her four overs while English allrounder Nat Sciver-Brunt had identical figures from herfouroverspell.

Saika Ishaque took the other two wickets to fall while conceding 27 runs in threeovers.

Mumbai were then

the England and Wales Cricket Board and made an unscheduled appearance for hisoldclubsideFoundation during a trip to his native BarbadosinDecember

England are crossing their fingers they can unleashthe2019WorldCup winner in the Caribbean in June.

White-ball captain Jos Buttler said this week: “We all know just what a special cricketerheisandit’sbeena tough few years for him not beingabletogetonthepark andperform.

“With someone like him who is such a superstar, you’re always optimistic thatwiththephysiosand (Continuedonpage22)

Ellyse Perry on her way to a top score of 66 for RCB Women.

restrictedto130-6fromtheir 20oversinreply

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led the way with 33 whileAmelieKerrmade27* and Nat Sciver-Brunt made

A maiden 1st class century from Johnathan Drakes gave Barbados Pride a glimmerofhopeastheyfaceadaunting312run target for victory with a day left, as GuyanaHarpyEagleslooktoputthismatch to rest following days of intense action at Coolidge.

Drakes carried the Pride with his 101 from 204 balls, hitting 13 fours to help Barbados end on 230 all out in their first innings.

Only Shane Dowrich (41), offered some resistance as the Eagles’ bowlers were on pointthroughouttheirspells.

Fast-bowler Nial Smith, who returned to the side this game, gave a good account of himselfbyleadingthechargewith3-54.

Young speedster Isai Thorne ended with 2-37aftersnappinguphispairofvictimslate onday2,whileTestspinnerGudakeshMotie (2-38) and senior left-arm spinner Permaul (1-50)madetimelyinroads.

With a lead of 206, Tevin Imlach called for the declaration after ending on 136-8 in their2ndinnings.

Pride spinner Jomel Warrican finished with 5 wickets after adding 3-32 to his two first innings wickets. Fast-bowlers Chamar Holder (2-40), Jair Mccallister (2-21), and

23.Matthewscontributed15 atthetopoftheorder

Shreyanka Patil was the best bowler on the day for RCB with 2-16 from four overs.

ton

Johnathan Drakes stroked his maiden 1st class ton to give his team a slight chance at winning/drawing today against Guyana.

Drakes maiden century gives Pride hope with 312 needed for win on final day

-GHE(436allout&136-8),Pride(230allout&31-0)

Fung-a-Fat and Sumner dominate Day Five

Flashback! National Novice Bodybuilding and Fitness championship.