Kaieteur News

Exxon's US$100M for STEM a distraction from the billions being taken from Guyana – Dr. Adams

...challenges company

to pay at least

half of taxes, ring-fence

projects and

TheUS$100milliongift by ExxonMobil to bolster

G u y a n a ' s S c i e n c e Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) programme is a distraction from the billions in revenue Guyana is losing to the company, a sordid reality

that could be easily addressediftheenergygiant truly cared for the youths of thecountry

This is according to the former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams. In a letter to this newspaper, the Petroleum Engineer noted that he deeply values and welcome STEM initiatives as the building block of any country, especially Guyana asadevelopingnation.

In fact, Dr Adams previously sponsored, established and managed a STEM program for 10 Universities in the United States and served as the University of Guyana's Distinguished Engineer in

Residence to help restructure the Engineering &TechnologyFaculty

To this end Dr Adams

renegotiate immoral deal to prove care for youths

pointed out that Guyanese see through the “razzledazzle” of the tactic which hands youths a tiny fraction of their own money with grandiosity

He reminded that the governmentofGuyanapays all of Exxon's taxes, which amounts to billions of USdollars and issues the company a tax receipt to certifythepaymentwhichis used by Exxon to claim tax credits.

“For example, Exxon was issued a receipt for the 2024 Govt. paid US$1.24 B taxes which will escalate by several US $ Billions over the years as oil production increases to more than double within the next 3 years,”heexplained. Dr Adams therefore reiteratedthattheUS$100M initiative by Exxon which willbepaidoutoverthenext 10yearsamounttolessthan 1% of the company's 2024 taxes.

Additionally, he argued, “Even with the expedient lowballed 11 6 billion barrels in recoverable oil reserves, and the very conservative assumption

thatExxon'sprofitsharewill remain constant at 12.5%, Exxon stands to gain a total profitshareofUS$110B.”

Assuch,hereasonedthat even if Guyanese buy the “façade” that the STEM gift comes out of Exxon's pockets, that money will onlyaccountforfarlessthan 1%ofitsprofits.

He cautioned the company that Guyanese are not so naive to fall for the trick devised by the masterminds of Exxon, parading to care for the youthsofthecountry

The former EPA head described the act as a distraction from the multitude of atrocities

Former Executive Director of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams

committed against the Guyanesepeople.

Dr Adams suggested that if Exxon truly cared for Guyana or its youths, the company would have gifted the country at least half of the taxes it should pay and ratherthanrabidlysnubbing callsforrenegotiationofthe 2016oildeal,itwouldagree to come back to the table to correct the “never-beforeseen immoral lopsided oil Contract,toattainafair,just, and equitable Contract that would negate the need for a tokenSTEMhandout.”

Dr Adamsmadeabouta dozensuggestionsforExxon to demonstrate true care for Guyanese, including by

agreeing to ring-fence the Stabroek Block projects whichisnotrestrictedbythe contractandunderreporting thecountry'soilreserves.

Furthermore, he noted if Exxon cared, inaccurate billboards misleading the publiconthecountry'sshare of profits would not have been erected and the appeal of the unlimited parent company guarantee would nothavebeenfiled.

Moreover, the former EPA Director stressed, “They would not have allowed Guyanese workers onoperatingshipstobepaid slave wages, eating leftover foodafterothers,mosthighskilled jobs going to expatriates, and local firms struggling to meet

qualification standards while foreign companies receivewaivers.”

He was keen to note too that better environmental practices would have been evident as the company would not flare and dump countless tons of produced gas with over 200 toxic contaminants; and oil laced, hot,toxic,radioactivewater, insteadofreinjectingintothe oilreservoirsasmandatedby internationalstandards.

Dr Adamspointedtothe devastation of the fishing industry as a result of these activities by Exxon which continuestosqueezebillions o f d o l l a r s i n decommissioning funds to plug wells before they even startproducingoil.

KaieteurNews

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EDITORIAL

Parenting and child protection

Guyana has recently been shaken by a series of troublingincidentsinvolvingchildren.Twoheartbreaking tragedies involving minor mothers have sparked widespread national reflection, while a disturbing video showing social workers dragging a schoolgirl through the Stabroek Market bus park has triggered outrage about the wayvulnerablechildrenaretreated.

These incidents have raised serious and legitimate concernsaboutthecountry’schildprotectionsystemsand theconductofofficialsentrustedwithsafeguardingyoung people.They have also prompted renewed scrutiny of the institutions responsible for the welfare of children, including the Childcare and ProtectionAgency and other stateentities.

But while it is necessary to examine institutional failures and hold authorities accountable, another critical elementofchildprotectioncannotbeignored.Thatelement isparenting.

Thisnewspaperwishestobeclearfromtheoutset.The tragedies involving minor mothers are complex situations influencedbypoverty,socialpressures,gapsineducation, andweaknessesincommunitysupportsystems.Itwouldbe unfair and simplistic to cast blame on the parents of those children.Parentingitselfisoftenundertakenunderdifficult circumstancesandwithoutadequateguidanceorsupport.

Nevertheless, the home remains the first and most influential environment in which children learn how to navigatelife.Longbeforeteachers,socialworkers,police officersorgovernmentagenciesenterachild’slife,parents andguardiansareshapingattitudes,valuesandbehaviour

Thecreationofresponsiblecitizensbeginsinthehome.

Good parenting is not merely about providing food, clothing and school supplies. It is about emotional guidance, communication, supervision and the steady reinforcement of values. Children who grow up with consistent attention, discipline and encouragement are morelikelytodeveloptheconfidenceandjudgmentneeded toavoidmanyofthedangersthatexistinsociety

Love, in its simplest and most genuine form, is one of themostpowerfultoolsaparentpossesses.Childrenmust feel secure in the knowledge that they are valued and supported. This does not mean shielding them from correction when they err It means that even when discipline is necessary, the child must never doubt the parent’scareandconcern.

Equally important is the example that parents set. Childrenlearnfarmorefromwhattheyobservethanfrom whattheyaretold.Ifhonesty,respectandresponsibilityare preached but not practiced, the lesson becomes hollow. Integritywithinthehomelaysthefoundationforintegrity outsideofit.

Parents must also be careful about how they speak to andabouttheirchildren.Comparisonswithotherchildren can damage self-esteem or breed unhealthy competition. Labels such as “lazy” or “stupid” can follow a child long intoadulthood,shapingtheirsenseofidentityinwaysthat aredifficulttoundo.

Encouragement,bycontrast,nurturesgrowth.Children mustbeallowedtoexploretheirinterestsandideaswithin reasonable boundaries. The role of the parent is not to dominate every decision but to guide, discuss and help childrendeveloptheabilitytothinkforthemselves.

Communication is perhaps the most underestimated aspect of parenting. Too often, conversations within families are limited to instructions and reprimands. Yet children benefit immensely when parents create an environment where questions can be asked freely and topics—no matter how uncomfortable—can be discussed openly

Issues such as relationships, sexuality, peer pressure

Exxon’s purported $100 MM STEM gift is tiny fraction of Guyanese own money handed back to them

DEAREDITOR

,

e

Columnistandmasterofour lingo, GHK Lall, and my esteemed Oil & Gas Governance Network (OGGN) colleagues deserve high praise for their recent shining of light on the real story behind the grandiose US$100 ($10 MM annually for10years)gifttoGuyana’s Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)program.

As someone who was responsible for sponsoring, establishingandmanaginga majorSTEMprogramfor10 US Universities as the pipe

ne for the US Department of Energy (USDOE) future talent, and someone who served as the University of Guyana Distinguished Engineer in Residencetohelprestructure the Engineering & Technology Faculty, STEM initiatives are near and dear tomyheartandpassionately welcomed;andasprovenby themostpowerfulcountryof the USA, STEM disciplines are irrefutably the building block of any country, more so, developing countries

such as Guyana. However, suchacrucialprogrammust be facilitated with a high degree of competence and seriousness including it being amongst the highest priorities in the national budget, rather than by the willy-nilly exploits bared in thisExxongift.

It’s impossible for yours truly to match the linguistic genius of Mr Lall; so, will beg his forgiving my poaching of excerpts from his exquisite missive in the March 3, 2026 edition of Kaieteur News (KN) where he described Exxon’s “wellribboned sweetly packaged STEM gift” as “TAKINGA MINOR FRACTION OF THE MONEY THAT IT SEIZED FROM GUYANA ANDGIVINGITBACKTO THESTEMCHILDRENAS

A P E R F E C T L Y STREAMLINED, WELLPUBLICIZED GIFT Billions taken out; millions given back. It’s a nice racket.”Asreadilyseen,Mr. Lall’spieceisaneyeopener ferreting out the razzledazzleof“Exxonasthinkers, planners, clinical human calculators coming up with

and personal safety cannot remain taboo subjects. Silence leaves children to seek answers elsewhere, often from sourcesthatareunreliableorharmful.

Listeningisjustasimportantasspeaking.Aparentwho listenspatientlyallowsachildtoexpressfears,doubtsand experiences that might otherwise remain hidden. In many cases, early intervention through simple conversation can preventseriousproblemslater

Mistakes, too, are part of growing up. When children stumble, the response of the parent is crucial. Harsh condemnation may push a child further into secrecy or rebellion. Guidance and accountability, balanced with understanding,offeramoreconstructivepath.

None of this suggests that parenting is easy Many parents are juggling financial pressures, demanding work schedules and personal challenges. Some are raising childrenwithoutthesupportofpartnersorextendedfamily Insuchcircumstances,eventhemostcommittedparentcan struggle.

This reality underscores the importance of community support, parenting education and stronger social programmesaimedatequippingfamilieswiththeskillsand resources they need. Strengthening parenting capacity should be a national priority if Guyana is serious about protectingitschildren.

Government agencies, schools, religious institutions and community organisations all have a role to play in reinforcingtheimportanceofresponsibleparenting.

Butultimately,thefirstclassroomachildeverentersis the home. The first teachers they encounter are their parents.

IfGuyanahopestoreducethesocialcrisesthatcontinue tosurface,

from teenage pregnancy to abuse and neglect then strengthening the family unit must remain central to the conversation.

Child protection does not begin with a government agency Itbeginsathome.

such tender, loving care for Guyana’syouths”,plyingno better a tactic than handing back the youths a teenyweeny bit of their own moneywithgrandiosity

A s m y O G G N Colleaguesunfoldedintheir February 27, 2026 letter to the news media, the Guyana Govt.unprecedentlypaysall of Exxon’s US $ Billions in annual taxes. Exxon is then issuedtaxreceiptscertifying its payment of these taxes, though paid by the Govt. Exxonthenturnsaroundand submits those receipts to their web of registered countries such the USA, NetherlandsandBahamasto name a few, receiving huge tax concessions/credits for expenditures they never incurred For example, Exxon was issued a receipt for the 2024 Govt. paid US$1.24 B taxes which will escalate by several US $ Billionsovertheyearsasoil productionincreasestomore thandoublewithinthenext3 years.

OGGN pointed out that the US $10 MM per year Exxongivesback,isapaltry lessthan1%ofthe2024US $1.24 B of free money they received from the Govt, and alsomeansthatExxon’stake from the taxes they didn’t pay and tax credits earned from it, add up to far more than the US $1.24 B every year, infinite times the STEM give back. Readers may recall the recently published letter from three Senior US Senators inquiring whether the US taxpayers were subsidizing Exxon via this questionable practice.

Addedly, even with the expedient lowballed 11 6 billionbarrelsinrecoverable oil reserves, and the very conservative assumption thatExxon’sprofitsharewill remain constant at 12.5%, Exxon stands to gain a total profitshareofUS$110B.In otherwords,evenifonegets caught up believing the façade that the STEM gift comes out of Exxon’s pockets, that money will onlyaccountforfarlessthan 1%ofitsprofits. Fortunately, Guyanese are savvy enough to not fall for Exxon’s masterminds’ calculatingly flashing a veneeroftender,lovingcare for Guyana’s youth, at no financialcostwhileyielding lucrative returns of quietude

and distraction from the many atrocities committed against the Guyanese people.

Had Exxon loved and cared for Guyana, or its youthsastheyputon:

1 Instead of the deceptive meager US $100 MM,theywouldhavegifted atleasthalfofthetensoffree US$Billionstheygainfrom notpayingtaxes,plusthetax creditsreceivedfromit.

2. They would not so rabidly snub the people’s outcry for renegotiations of the never-before-seen immoral lopsided oil Contract,toattainafair,just, and equitable Contract that would negate the need for a tokenSTEMhandout.

3 T h e y w o u l d immediately agree to ringfencing which is not restricted by the Contract, and which would quickly increase Guyana’s profit share, without which, Guyana will likely never receive a share above the existing14.5%.

4. They would not have dishonestlyputupbillboards fooling that Guyana gets 52%, when actually getting 14.5% which will likely not ever change without ringfencing; and pedaling the impossibility that investmentcostswillbepaid off in 2026 increasing Guyana’stakefrom14.5%.

5. They would not be lowballing the true oil reserves – a ruse allowing their much higher up-front withholdings of US $ Billionsindecommissioning costs.

6. They would not be callously exposing Guyana and Caribbean to financial b a n k r u p t c y a n d environmental catastrophe, in appealing the epic landmark court ruling requiring a Parent Company Guarantee(PCG)tocoverall costsofoilspills.

7. They would not be putting Guyana and Caribbeanindangerousrisks o f f i n a n c i a l a n d environmental catastrophe by exceeding the legal safe production limits enshrined into law – an act that risks a majoroilspillwithoutaPCG which they are furiously fightingagainst.

8. They would not have allowed Guyanese workers onoperatingshipstobepaid slavewages,eatingleftover

(Continuedonpage06)

We must never let our guard down in protecting our nations sovereignty

DEAREDITOR

,

The United States captured or kidnapped, it doesn’tmatterwhatyoucall it, Nicolas Maduro and his wife, the former head of the Venezuelan regime, in dramatic fashion, literally invading Venezuela long enough and with military precision to grab him, transport him to America and put him in prison.What difference, if any, does it maketothedeterminationof Venezuela’s claim to Essequibo? Should we now be relieved that the threat of a military invasion from Venezuela has disappeared?

TheVenezuelangovernment under acting President, D e l c y R o d r i g u e z , apparently now under US control,willsimplygiveupa claimthateveryVenezuelan, from cradle to grave, has been taught to believe in. If any Guyanese believes that, thentheyaresadlymistaken.

The former British High Commissioner to Guyana, GregQuinn,whoremains,to his credit, very much interested in the welfare of our country, writing in Stabroek News (26th February, 2026), knows better, “Venezuela has not changed The folks who supported Maduro when he was President are still in charge - and they have not changed their opinions.” He asks the question “why should anyone believe that Venezuela would change its position because its brutal dictator was replaced by the woman who was his righthand?”

Just ten days ago, Quinn pointedoutthatVenezuela’s Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil, had this to say, “the peoples ofGuyanaandVenezuelaare certainwewillfindasolution, adefinitionofthiscontroversy through a mechanism by this agreement of direct consultation,asmandatedby

thisagreement.”Herefersto the Geneva Agreement which Venezuela continues tomisinterpret.

The Geneva Agreement

between the United Kingdom and Venezuela in February1966andjoinedby Guyana when we became independent three months later,allowedforaperiodof diplomatic negotiations between Venezuela and Guyanaasthefirstmeansof resolving the controversy, and if that didn’t settle the validity of the 1899Arbitral Award which fixed the boundaries between Guyana andVenezuelaasnowexists, which it didn’t, it further allowed for the matter to be referred back to the

Secretary-General of the United Nations to propose further means of settlement, who then proposed a “Good Offices Process” under his supervision, prolonging the matter for another twenty yearswithoutprogress.

The Secretary-General then, in accordance with the provision enshrined in the Geneva Agreement, informed Guyana and Venezuela on 30th January, 2018, that he had decided that the means of settlement wouldbejudicialsettlement bytheInternationalCourtof Justice (ICJ) where the matter is still being pursued and a decision, which is final,andwhichbothGuyana and Venezuela are bound to accept. Choosing to ignore the decision of the Secretary-General and refusingtoacknowledgethe authority of the Court, the Venezuelan government persists with their attempt to return the matter to bilateral negotiations but, as Greg Quinn correctly points out, “thereisnothingtonegotiate” and “there is nothing to suggest there are grounds for renegotiations…. theborder was settled in 1899 and the

1966 Geneva Agreement does nothing to suggest that the border was invalid or wrong.”

The fact now is that the Trumpadministration,having removedMaduro,haveleftin controlofVenezuelanotonly Rodriguez,buttheMinisterof Interior,DiosadoCabello,and, Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino, who controls the army All of whom were Maduro’sloyalists Thereal dangerinallofthisisreferred to by Dr Bertrand Ramcharran when writing in the Stabroek News (21st January,2026)thatwhile,“asa policy proposition, the USA may remain disposed to protectGuyana’ssovereignty It cannot be excluded, however,thatitmightwishto promote a negotiated settlement between Guyana and Venezuela - even if it supports the continuance of the proceedings at the InternationalCourtofJustice.”

TheUShasnowreestablished its Embassy in Caracas, seekingtoreplacethepresence and influence of Iran, China and Russia with American controlinplace

Itisreasonabletoask,in the circumstances, why has the US left exactly the same Venezuelan government officialsincharge,otherthan Maduro, and to what extent does the US government have control of Venezuela? The answer for the time being seems obvious. Once Delcy Rodriguez exercises control over Cabello and Padrino, she exercises control over the Venezuelan militaryandcontroloverthe Venezuelan oil and gas industry and seems willing to hand it over, lock, stock and barrel to the US oil companies to restore, manageandmarket.

TheAmericanPresidentis onrecordthatUSrelationships with Venezuela are “very good”and,infact,heplansto

visit Venezuela soon A Reuters release in February 2026quotedTrumpassaying, “we have a very good relationshipwiththePresident ofVenezuela”andthattheUS is “working together very closely” with Rodriguez on access to oil Interestingly, however, Reuters report that the “Trump administration officials in recent weeks made clear that the US did not recognize Rodriguez’s interim government as legitimate ” In turn, Rodriguez, playing both sidesagainstthemiddle,told NBC News that she recognizes Maduro as still “thelegitimatePresident”of Venezuela.

Donald Trump, however, isclearlynotleavinganything to chance with Rodriguez in charge of Venezuela. A Reuters report, which the US Justice Department denies, revealsthatRodriguezisunder threat of being charged by a US Court for criminal behaviour Itisasafebetthatif Rodriguez does not do what sheistoldtodoshewillsuffer the same faith, or worse, as Maduro Whileallofthisis goingon,onethingseemsto be absolutely certain and that is the present government in Venezuela under Rodriguez, even if under heavy manners from the US government, has not and will not abandon its claim on the Essequibo and all in Guyana must know that, understand the possible, if not probable, consequences and that we must never let our guard down in protecting our nation’ssovereignty

Yourssincerely, KitNascimento

TheAltar of

Armageddon:

Washington’s New Holy War and the Twilight of Global Reason

DEAREDITOR

,

The global stage is currently witnessing a haunting inversion of the very “theocratic” specters the West once claimed to exorcise. For decades, the corridors of power in Washington and the echoes of the Pentagon framed the “Jihadist” as the ultimate irrational actor—a fanatic driven by martyrdom and ancient scrolls rather than modern diplomacy Yet, in a jarring twist of historical irony, the mask has slipped torevealamirrorimage.We now see U S military commanders, ostensibly the vanguard of a secular superpower, invoking the Book of Revelation to baptize a war in Iran as a “divine plan.” This is no longer a matter of tactical deterrence or energy security; it is the calculated deployment of “EndTimes” theology to reframe raw geopolitical aggression as a mandatory precursor to Armageddon.

This shift represents the birth of a new, aggressive World Order one where the “signalfire” of war is lit by leaders who claim to be “anointed” rather than elected When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio lean into the rhetoric o f C h r i s t i a n Reconstructionism, they are not merely speaking to a base; they are dismantling the Enlightenment values of secular governance that the U.S. once exported as its primaryproduct.Thefallout

isanever-wideningcraterof globalinstability According to reports from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), over 200 service members have comeforwardtodescribean “unrestricted euphoria” among commanders who view the current strikes in Tehran as a “biblicallysanctioned” event By trading the language of international law for the vocabulary of the “Holy War,” the U.S. has signaled to the world that it is no longer a rational actor governed by treaties, but a crusader state governed by prophecy

Nowhere is the cost of this theological shift more visible than in the Caribbean, where President Irfaan Ali of Guyana finds himself trapped in a crushing, duopolistic inversion. As the first Muslim head of state in the Americas and leader of a burgeoningpetro-state,Ali’s current trajectory is a study in the violence of political expediency. To protect Guyana’s borders from the encroaching shadow of Venezuela, he has been forced to seek sanctuary undera“Trumpian”security umbrellathatisincreasingly soaked in exclusionary Christian rhetoric Ali is walking a razor-thin line, performing a role of strategic subservience to an administration whose core ideological influencers openly dream of a “civilizationalalliance”that (Continuedonpage06)

WhatwouldhavebeenDr.CheddiJagan’spositiononCuba?

DEAREDITOR

,

As I reflect on the 29th year since of the death of Cheddi Jagan, I wonder, were Cheddi Jagan, the President of Guyana in office today, what would have been his position with respect to Cuba, now experiencing the grave humanitarian crisis imposed bytheUS,andtowardsIran, currentlyunderjointmilitary attack by America and Israel?

In formulating a response, would President Jagan kept in mind his experiencewiththethenUS administration and British colonialist powers who, duringthe1960’splottedand planned his removal from officein1964asPremier?

WouldPresidentJaganin today’s context, hold to the view that the Trump administration’s foreign policy has placed ‘TheWest on Trial’ once again? In contemplatingsuchcomplex

matters, works President Jagan not have taken into consideration the help the USgaveGuyanatoreturnto democracy through free and fair elections and for the PPP/C to be in government in1992andthereafter?

Would President Jagan continue to ‘walk between the raindrops’ and to navigate a way for his governmentnottobeviewed as uncooperative with the current US administration? Would he have earned the respect from the US had he adoptedaneutralposition?

Would President Jagan maintain the long-held policy of the PPP to oppose foreign intervention in sovereign states in violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity? And wouldhe,ascontinuationof that policy, denounced the kidnapping of the Venezuelan President and his wife and expressed oppositiontoUSandIsrael’s

war on Iran?Would he have

maintained a principled positiononthosematters?

DidPresidentJaganever say no to a request from a sittingUSPresidenttoassist with implementing a US policyinanothercountry.?

Yes, he did to my knowledge, on four occasions. First, was to say no to a request from the US toestablisha‘safe-haven’in Guyana for the resettlement Haitian refugees as a means of defusing a crisis that had arisen in Haiti following the overthrow of the Aristide administration;Asecond no wastoarequestfromtheEU to remove the death penalty from the laws of Guyana; a thirdnowastotheUStostop sending Guyanese students to Cuba on scholarships and a fourth no was to a multilateral lending agency to privatize the Guyana Electricity Corporation. But

itwasnotalways‘no.’There were examples of moderation and cooperation particularlywiththeUS.The Jagan administration, on the basis of a Caricom commitment, despatched in September 1994, GDF troops to Haiti as part of a Caricom peace-keeping contingent; further, President Jagan pledged support to the Clinton administration for the implementation of a plan of action agreed at the first summitoftheAmericasheld inDecember1994inMiami; In his call for the establishment of ‘A New Global Human Order’ President Jagan called for ‘partnership’ between the industrialized North and the global South to address the f o r e i g n d e b t , underdevelopment, social

disintegration and against drugtraffickingandcrime

Would President Jagan be bold enough today to warn that, ‘jingoism and xenophobia are raising their ugly heads and that across theglobetheneofascists,the conservative far-right and the religious far-right are gainingpoliticalground’?

Would he hold to his view that in today’s world, ‘the rich is getting richer at the expense of the poor, and the

n the developed and developing countriesisever-widening?’

W o u l d h e b e

congratulated for espousing the view that ‘the North and So

Would Dr Jagan and the PPP been welcomed as a member of the Socialist International- a grouping of social democratic political parties - had he pursued membership before passed away?

These are searching questions that we Guyanese need to ponder as we reflect on Dr Cheddi Jagan’s life work in the world today twenty-nine years after his passing.

cooperationandpartnership’ witheachother?Whowould have President Jagan offended had he maintained that past ‘models of development’haveprovento b e w a n t i n g T h a t ‘Capitalism’s market-driven neo-liberalism for developing countries is harking back to models whichhadahistoryoffailure especially in Latin America andtheCaribbean?

Yoursfaithfully, ClementJ.Rohee

Exxon’s purported $100 MM STEM...

Frompage04

food after others, most high-skilled jobs going to expatriates, and local firms struggling to meet qualification standards whileforeigncompaniesreceivewaivers.

9 They would not inhumanly flare and dump into the air and ocean, countless tons of produced gas with over 200 toxic contaminants; and oil laced, hot, toxic, radioactive water, instead of reinjecting into the oil reservoirs as mandated by international standards and thelegalEIAs;

10.Theywouldnotbekillingmillionsof

fisheggstodevastatethefishingindustryby choosing the cheaper alternative of sucking in these eggs with ocean water for injection, in lieu of reinjecting produced water being dumpedintheocean.11.

They would not be withholding US $ Billions in decommissioning costs, years before production starts in violation of the Contract; and Guyana getting stuck with potentiallyUS$Bcostsofleakingofplugged wells decades after decommissioning – a majorissuefacingtheUSA.

Respectfully,

Dr.VincentAdams

TheAltar ofArmageddon: Washington’s...

Frompage05

leaves little room for pluralism. As noted by The GuardianandBlackAgenda Report, Ali’s silence on the humanitarian crises of his neighbors and his pivot towardthe“anointed”center inWashingtonreflectasoulcrushingcompromise.

The tragedy of Ali’s positionistheerosionofhis own self-beliefs on the altar ofsurvival.Byvalidatingthe U.S. “maximum pressure”

campaign and remaining silentashisprotectorsframe the Middle East through an apocalyptic lens, he risks becoming a vassal to a doctrine that fundamentally negateshisownidentityand his nation’s pluralistic heritage. This is the new globalreality:aworldwhere small nations are not just askedfortheirresources,but for their souls, required to nod along to a script of biblicalArmageddon just to

keeptheirsovereigntyintact. The indictment is clear As the U.S. merges the cross with the cruise missile, it creates a vacuum where reason used to reside, leaving the rest of the world to navigate a landscape where the “New World Order” is not a dream of peace, but a nightmare of “biblically-sanctioned” devastation.

Regards HemduttKumar

Tribunal convened to investigate child-dragging case

A tribunal has been commissioned to investigate the conduct of two officers attachedtotheChildCareand Protection Agency (CPA), who were seen in a widely circulated video dragging a 15-year-old schoolgirl through the Stabroek Market Squarebuspark.

This is according to Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr VindhyaPersaud.

The Department of Public Information on Thursday reported the minister saying, “As the Ministry of Human Services and its Child Care Protection Agency, which is an arm of the ministry, we believe that the rights of children must be protected. Children must be safe from harmandabuse.”

Shenotedthatthetribunal will review reports submitted by the officers involved and hear from them before compiling its findings. Those findings will then guide any further action to be taken by the ministry. The tribunal is expected to review the evidenceandsubmititsreport to the ministry to determine thenextcourseofaction.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security

Dr. Vindhya Persaud

Sheina Douglas the mother of the schoolgirl, duringarecentinterviewwith NightlyNewssaidshewillnot rest until charges are brought againstthetwoofficers.

The mother made it clear that she is not satisfied with the decision to suspend the officers. “I need it to go to court, I need the two young ladies to get charge for abusing, physically and mentallytomydaughter,”she said.

Thewomansaidtheordeal has left her daughter traumatised and fearful of public ridicule, given the circulationofthevideoonline. “She said she feel shame, she said she skin up all pon the groundandwhenshelookshe see a man went videoing she ” the angry mother related.

“Peoplegonpointherout, they gon make laugh off of she, this video not gon come down, my daughter have to livewiththisallofherlife…I don't feel comfortable with it, because my child is not a bad person, she never run away, I never had them kinda trouble with me daughter and I really needjusticeformydaughter,” Douglassaid.

The two welfare officers were suspended with immediate effect pending an investigation and the Guyana PoliceForcewascontacted.

The case of the disappearing shoulder

There is a scene in The Good Doctor where Lea convinces Shaun to try something called “burning tires.”Theidea,sheexplains is to press the brake while flooring the accelerator so the tires get burnt from spinning on the road while being unable to move forward. It is, apparently, a maneuver designed to produce excitement, smoke, and the sudden realization that physics is not merely a suggestion.

Shaun gets carried away and continues until the car spins off onto the shoulders of the road. Lea reassures himwithalinethatdeserves to be engraved on every Ministry of Public Works andCityCouncildocument: the whole purpose of a road

shoulder is to provide a bufferzone. Abufferzone. Now, this concept is fascinating to us in Guyana because, judging by the current state of affairs along theEastBankandEastCoast Public Roads, we appear to have reinterpreted the term. InGuyana,aroadshoulderis not a buffer zone. It is a commercialopportunity If the shoulder is wide enough, it becomes a fruit market If it is slightly narrower, it becomes a snocone outlet If there is enough entrepreneurial spirit,itbecomesafurniture showroom, a tyre repair shop, a coconut stand, and—if God is particularly generous a barbecue operation producing smoke denseenoughtoguideships

throughfog.

The road shoulder, in other words, has been liberatedfromitsoppressive past as a safety feature and reimagined as a thriving free-marketecosystem.

Afew nights ago, a snocone cart was smashed to pieces by a hit-and-run vehicle Now, there will naturally be debates. Some will argue the driver was reckless. Others will argue the cart was too close to the roadway But a more philosophical question arises:whywasthesno-cone cartthereatall?

A road shoulder exists f o r m o m e n t s o f emergency—when a driver must swerve to avoid a collision, when a vehicle breaks down, when the

DEM BOYS SEH

Commonsensetekaholiday

Dem boys were just standing by de roadside watching de morning traffic do whattrafficinGuyanadoesbest—stop.Not slowdown,notpauseforalight,butcome to a full, dignified halt. Dem Boys scratch dem heads and said, “Whah happen up de roaddistime?”Surely,somethingserious? An accident? A cow in de middle of de street? Or maybe a politician walking his dog?

But no. After five long minutes of honking horns, muttered curses, and a collective rethinking of life choices, a youngladyfinallyemergedfromacar She struttedintoherworkplacelikeshewasde CEOofpunctualityitself.Demboyssquint and realize: it was just her boyfriend dropping her off. They stopped to chat inside their car in the middle of the road, unconcernedabouttheconfusiontheywere causing behind them. And to think it was already after 8:00 a.m.—she’s technically late, but apparently, the traffic’s her

runway

Andisn’tthiswhatmorningsinGuyana are all about? The art of holding up traffic for absolutely nothing, the subtle competitionofwhocanblockderoadwith the most style, and de unspoken rule that

e d e s t r i a n s a l w a y s h a v e priority—especially if deh late for work. Peoplejaywalklikedempaidbydeminute, others double-park like dem own de asphalt, and some even treat traffic lights likeoptionaldecoration.

By de time de lady disappeared inside, de road slowly breathed again. But de memorylingered.Guyana’sroadsisaplace where common sense takes a holiday, patience is an endangered species, and people holding up traffic, chatting, laughing, and proving that sometimes de journey is more entertaining than de destination.

OnlyinGuyana,indeed. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

unexpected happens. It is supposed to be the automotive equivalent of a deepbreath.

But imagine needing to swerve suddenly and discovering that your emergency buffer zone has been replaced by a watermelondealership.

Suddenly the choice becomes existential: do you collide with the vehicle ahead or plough through a fruit vendor who is aggressively marketing papayas?

This is not the sort of decision most drivers wish tomakeandshouldnothave to make And this is precisely why the road shoulders should be free of encumbrances.

Yet along many of our public roads the opposite is precisely the situation we have engineered. Vendors set up stalls on pavements. Customers stop to buy fruit, coconuts, and other items essentialtothenationaldiet. Their vehicles then occupy sectionsintendedforcyclists and motorcyclists. Traffic slows, swerves, and negotiates an obstacle course. Recently, just south of the roundabout leading onto the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, a canter truck was selling watermelons at a point where traffic converges before entering the roundabout. Nothing says “ e ff i c i e n t t r a ff i c management” like motorists braking suddenly while someoneweighsproduceon ascale.

Thenthereistherailway embankment from Ogle to UG Road, now proudly a four-lane carraiageway In theory, it is a modern transport corridor designed tomovevehiclesefficiently

In practice, it is frequently reduced to two lanes because businesses line the roadway and their customers park along the sides, gently occupying the outer lanes like guests who arrived early and decided to stayindefinitely

Billions of dollars were spent to construct that road, but apparently nobody budgeted for the national instinct to turn every available space into a parkinglot.

We Guyanese possess a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit.Giveusapatchofland andacoolerofdrinksandwe can create an economy in undertenminutes.

Unfortunately, we also possess the equally remarkable belief that the best place to conduct this economy is directly beside high-speedtraffic.

This is where the authorities must intervene, because the situation has reached a point where the sidesofourpublicroadsare evolving into full-scale commercial zones Road shoulders are disappearing. Pavements are becoming produce aisles. Cycle lanes are being repurposed as customerparking.

The solution is not complicated Businesses should be encouraged to operate within designated

commercial zones located safely inside villages and communities. Roads should be for vehicles. Pavements should be for pedestrians. Road shoulders should remainemergencyspace.

Of course, this idea will not please everyone Landowners along the highways—those members of the bourgeois class who have invested heavily in roadside property will objectstrenuously Afterall, nothing enhances real estate value quite like a steady stream of motorists slowing downtobuyfruits,breadand dogfood.

But public roads are not private business corridors. They are infrastructure designed for movement and safety

If we continue down the current path, the next stage of development will likely involve drive-through boutiques in the middle of roundabouts and coconut vendors operating from trafficlights.

And at that point, even Lea from The Good Doctor mightadmitthatperhapsthe buffer zone deserves a little respect.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

H@RD TRUTHS

Aal ah wee is waan today

Theamountofbrilliance that this country has, it is surprisingthatitdoesn'thave a stable of Nobel Prize winners. Not even one. Pickoneareaofexpertise,in whichGuyanesestandabove allothers,itisbull. Shooting the bull. Being full of bull. With that generous intro as context, I now share somethingthatwasheardon the day before Phagwah in an official setting. It was closetothis.

‘This is a time when differences are put aside and we celebrate as one. There is the joy of participation We are one.' I loved it then when first heard, and I still

love it now on recollection. Ifonlyitwereso,Iwouldbe onehappyGuyana. There would be genuine serenity in the crests and valleysofGuyana. Onehas been elusive. The lack of oneness is Guyana's chronic sickness. When dishonest politicians divide the peoples of this country for the objectives of their cheap power games, then claims about being as one and any resemblance to oneness are nothing but the handiworks of consummate con artists. How it would please to endorse that 'at this time, differencesareputaside,and we'reallone. Whoisfooling

whom? Who is making a fool of themselves, and doingareallygoodjobofit?

For the first time in Guyana's history, there is a

development, one with the greatest financial returns close at hand, with some already in hand, but those

devoured, by a small set of Guyanese. How is that conducive to oneness? The good, honorable, Guyanese standing as stewards of the

distribution of the income from this largest of national resourcebonanzasprioritize, as a matter of policies and

fractionsofthatwealth. And there is still the audacity, through o

geous exaggerations (and political productions) that speak about one and oneness, and force the celebration of those.

Guyanese are being cheated, lied to, and swindled to their faces, and they are still being sold this farce about 'on this day, in this season, aal ah wee ah waan.' LikehellGuyanais! And damn any man or woman in Guyana, who is suchabarefaceddeceiveras to insist that 'aal ah wee ah waan.' The children of audiences in those compulsory sessions go to bedwiththeirstomachshalfempty, due to callous neglect, due to open and contemptuousdisregard,and there is this high pile of bull ofGuyanesebeingone.

There is enough wealth fromonenaturalresource,so thattheoldpoliticalstoryof

t h e s h a r i n g concentrated in political strongholds should be of the past, no longer possessing any tightrope walking.

Even with half a brain working, and with one eye open, that much is obvious. Again,thereisenoughofan income stream coming from the one natural resource for every Guyanese man, woman, and child (and legit residents) to get a decent shareoftheirpatrimony

Hasitbeenso? Isayno.

Acashgrantandsomepaltry increasesforvarioussubsets inGuyana'spopulationwhen taken together are a poor joke.

Those don't even come close. Not when multiples of budget billions are awarded and circulated among insiders and cabals thatareapartofthewinner's enclosure in Guyana's politicalsweepstakes.

Who in his or her right frame of mind could ever agreethatsuchanenormous

imbalance fosters oneness?

Spread the national wealth more equitably, and then there is sound foundation to say that Guyana has finally found its Holy Grail: the oneness that has never been initsgrasp.

Any political figure in this country that says Guyanese are one must qualify as deviousness personified. Itwouldbeone of my great pleasures to agree and to say that 'aal ah wee ah waan today'

Because the tough spadework has been done, and honest intentions are embedded.

Thus,thestageissetfor oneness not just tomorrow, but oneness in the tomorrowsbeyond.

The choice is clear

Continue with the busloads of bull that thrill so much, but doesn't foster true oneness. Or cut the bull, and begin with honest efforts to achieve oneness. Startwiththeeconomicpie, and ensure that its slices represent fairness and balance.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the o p i n i o n s o f t h i s newspaper.)

-

WIN tells Govt. on importation of health workers

‘Incentivise your own, not foreigners’

We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) is urging the government to prioritise and incentivise Guyanese healthcare workers rather

than turning to the importation of foreign personnel amid the ongoing shortageinthehealthsector

The party made the call while addressing the recent termination of the Cuban Medical Brigade's services and the government's plans to recruit healthcare workers from other countries to fill thegaps.

Speaking with reporters at a press conference on Friday, WIN Member of Parliament Odessa Primus said she does not understand the rationale behind ending the Cuban programme only to seek replacements from elsewhere.

Primus noted that beyond professional qualifications, healthcare workers must also be able to understand local culture and effectively communicate withpatients.

“It is not just about the medical field, it is also about understanding the culture,” she said, adding that language barriers could pose challenges as new recruits from other countries would require time to adjust to Guyana.

She pointed out that the health sector is already understaffedandwarnedthat removing existing personnel could further deepen the shortage.

“So, it leaves a lot of concerns, because when you get rid of more people it means you don't just have to replace them — you have to find additional people because you are already understaffed,” Primus explained.

While acknowledging the government's plans for new state-of-the-art hospitals, the MP said the

Member of the panel (from left to right)

MP Odessa Primus, MP Dr Ryan Richards, MP Nandranie Singh and MP Gordon Barker

focus must also be on ensuring that those facilities areadequatelystaffed.

“These fancy words are beingusedtodescribeempty buildings,” she said, arguing that systems should have been put in place to encourage more Guyanese topursuecareersinmedicine and nursing while also ensuring they remain in the country

Primus also questioned

why incentives offered to foreign healthcare workers cannot be extended to local professionals.

“When we bring doctors herefromothercountrieswe provide them with housing, allowances and in some cases, they are paid more,” shesaid.

“My thing is that says to me we can pay our people more, because they live here.”

Member of Parliament Dr Ryan Richards said the removal of the Cuban MedicalBrigadecouldplace additional strain on an already stretched healthcare system.

He noted that the Cuban doctors have been working in Guyana for decades and have played an important role in supporting the public healthcaresector

“Now a gap has been created and the government has to find a way to fill that gap,” Richards said, adding that the situation could worsen existing shortages of specialists.

The MP also questioned why patients are still frequently referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation(GPHC)despite the construction of several newmedicalfacilitiesacross thecountry

According to Richards, the explanation provided in the National Assembly was (Continued on page 21)

US,Venezuelaagreeto re-establishdiplomaticties

(Reuters) - The United Statesandinterimauthorities ​in Venezuela have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular , the U.S. State Department said on Thursday, aiming to foster a peaceful transition to elect a newgovernmentinthe​South Americancountry

"This step will facilitate our joint ​efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela," the State Department said in a statement.

"Our engagement is focused on helping the Venezuelan people move forward through a phased process that creates the conditions for a peaceful transitiontoademocratically electedgovernment."

After months of ​heightenedtensions,theU.S. captured Venezuela's PresidentNicolasMaduro​in January,settingoffachainof changes in the country, the swearing-in of interim PresidentDelcyRodriguez.

The two countries have since gradually resumed bilateral relations, after Rodriguez's interim government expressed interest in rebuilding ties with Washington with diplomatic missions in ​both countries following ​Maduro'scapture.

"The Bolivarian Government reaffirms its willingnesstomoveforward in a new phase of constructive ​dialogue based

onmutualrespect,sovereign equality of states, and cooperation between our peoples," the Venezuelan government said in a statement shared on Thursday "Venezuela expresses its confidence that this process will contribute to strengthening understanding and ​opening opportunities for a positive and mutually beneficial relationship," it said.

APNU will use every tool to address media access to Parliament -MPDuncan

...to resubmit Motion, write int'l bodies

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) does notplantobackdownonthe new regulations imposed by the Speaker of the National Assembly,ManzoorNadirin relationtomediacoverageof Parliamentaryproceedings.

Last month during Budget Debates, Nadir prevented full media access to the Dome of the Arthur Chung Convention Center where the 13th Parliament convened reverting to COVID-19 restrictions that were imposed He announced that only five journalistswillbeallowedto sit in the Assembly, while cameramen will not be allowedtorecordfootage.

Journalistswereaskedto

lodge a form of National Identification (ID) before beinggrantedamediabadge to enter the Dome. Upon return of this badge, they wereabletocollecttheirID.

Thismethodwasobjectedto by the Guyana Press Association(GPA)aswellas membersoftheopposition.

MemberofParliament(MP)

Sherod Duncan submitted a Motion calling for the

, transparent, and nondiscriminatory media access

n

a

y proceedings which was disallowed by the Speaker on the

u

ds of “inaccuraciesandbiases”.

On Friday, Duncan told

reporters during a media conference that he plans to resubmitasimilarMotionto the National Assembly but this will not be the only courseofaction.

Inresponsetoaquestion from this newspaper, he explained, “We are a political party and all of the toolsinourtoolchestwillbe used.

Our local Parliament is part of several parliaments internationallyandtheWhip will be writing to those Parliaments about the descent of our Parliament into autocracy and not broadening the democratic process.”

Duncan argued that the issue of media access to the National Assembly holds

tremendous importance to all Guyanese. He said it is completely unheard of where the media is locked outofParliament.

Further, he pointed out that Committees in the National Assembly are not meeting; another reason he believes the government is hesitant of full media presenceinParliament.

“These are the issues they don't want reported on and so much else is happening or not happening in the NationalAssembly If the government claims they h

Parliamentary agenda, why wouldn't they want the most extensive media coverage thatthereisforthisagenda,” theMPreasoned.

Hepointedoutthatwhile the Motion was cast aside due to “inaccuracies and biases”,theSpeakerfailedto highlight those areas, as is customary to allow the necessary amendments or corrections Duncan is adamant that the true intent of rubbishing the Motion is clearly to avoid scrutiny of government activities and

oversightinParliament.“He is playing politics in this regard,”Duncanargued.

T

) highlighted its deep concern overtherestrictionsimposed on media coverage of the BudgetDebates.

The Association pointed out that this represents a significant reduction from previous years, when up to 17

accommodated within Parliament Buildings to coversessions.

As such, it said, “It is difficulttocomprehendwhy, in a larger space, fewer r

permitted.”

It reminded that the role of the press is to ensure transparency,accountability, and accurate reporting of parliamentary business. As such, the GPA stated, “Restricting access and failing to provide proper t

underminesthepublic'sright to be informed. We strongly condemn this edict from the Speaker and view it as a direct attack on freedom of the press, a hallmark of any democraticsociety.”

APNU, WIN press govt. on plans

for Marudi Mountain mining area

…sounds alarm on move to lease to

foreign company

Opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), are callingonthegovernmentofGuyanato disclose its intentions regarding the Marudi Mountain mining area in RegionNine,whichisreportedlybeing consideredforleasetoaforeignmining company

Speaking during APNU's press conference on Friday, Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul said small-scale miners in Region Nine are expressing dissatisfaction over what theybelieveisaplannedmovetolease theareatoaforeignentity

“Especially those in Region Nine that are expressing great dissatisfaction... I remind Minister Vickram that the budget theme is PuttingPeopleFirst.Thesmallminers areclaimingthattheyarenotbeingput first, they're not being considered and that the government, the people's progressive party is more focused on puttingmoniesintothepocketsoflarge companies and large businesses,” Mahipaulsaid.

According to the opposition MP, small miners believe they are being sidelined while large mining companiesaregivenpreference.

A mining operation in Marudi Mountain Region Nine

“Thesmallminersarecomplaining bitterlythattheyarebeingleftbehind, thattheyarenotbeingcateredfor,and thattheMinistryofNaturalResources seemnottobeinterestedinaddressing their plight as they struggle to make endsmeet,”headded.

Mahipaulalsourgedtheministerto consider the welfare of local miners when making decisions about the futureofthearea.

“We are calling on Minister VickramBharrattobemorelenientand cautious in his operation and consider thesmallminersofGuyanafortheytoo mustlive.Theytoohavearighttobuild their businesses, to build their operationsandtobuildthemselves,”he said.

In a statement issued on Thursday, APNUsaiditreceivedinformationthat the Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat is scheduled to visit the South Rupununi to meet with the South Rupununi District Council to discuss the possible leasing of the Marudi Mountain mining area to a Brazilianentity

The party said residents of the region are strongly opposed to the move,citingconcernsabouttheimpact on small-scale miners who depend on

accesstothelandsfortheirlivelihoods.

APNU also warned that any attempt to advance such an agreement without genuine consultation and consent from affected communities wouldbeunacceptable.“Thevoicesof thepeopleoftheSouthRupununimust berespected.

Their right to protect their livelihoods,theirlands,andtheirfuture cannotandmustnotbeignored.Wecall on the Minister to ensure that any engagement with the South Rupununi District Council is conducted transparently,respectfully,andwithout undueinfluence,”thepartysaid.

Meanwhile,OppositionLeaderand leaderofWINAzruddinMohamedalso raised similar concerns in a video statementonFriday

He alleged that efforts are underway to secure approval from Indigenous community leaders for a lease agreement covering the Marudi mining area. The opposition leader further called on the natural resources ministertoclarifywhetherbackground checks were conducted on foreign miners operating in the area and to disclose any concessions or agreements that may have been granted.

Thirty-three-year-old

Travis Jacobis called 'GangsterBuck',alabourerof La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, was on Thursdayremandedtoprison for murder.The accused made his first appearance at theWales Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Rondell Weever.Jacobis was not required to plead to the indictable charge which states that on March 1, at a shop in Lust-En-Rust SquattingArea, he killed28year-oldconstructionworker

Joel Anthony Tamesar He was remanded to prison and the matter was adjourned to April 10, 2026.According to the police, Tamesar of La Parfaite Harmonie was at a shop when Jacobis, reportedly entered and an altercation ensued During the confrontation, Jacobis

allegedlyarmedhimselfwith a knife and inflicted a stab woundtoTamesar'sleftchest before fleeing. Tamesar was taken to the West Demerara RegionalHospitalbypublicspirited citizens, but died whilereceivingtreatment. The suspect was found hidinginatrenchatLust-EnRustandarrested.

Parfaite Harmonie mason remanded for pensioner's murder

A 47-year-old mason of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara was on Thursday remanded for the murder of Indar Ramotar, a welder in his late 60s.Troy Anthony Rodney appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Wales Magistrates'Court,wherethe indictablechargewasreadto him. He was not required to plead and was remanded to prison The matter was adjournedtoMarch10,2026. According to reports, Ramotar,afatheroffourwas stabbed to death around 19:30 hrs on February 22, near a shop in the Parfaite H a r m o n i e community.Ramotar left his hometopurchaseanitemata

nearby store when he was confronted by the suspect, who was standing across the road. The suspect allegedly approached Ramotar before suddenlylaunchinganattack. Ramotar was reportedly stabbed multiple times to the abdomen with a knife inside theshop.

Smoke plumes rise in Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, Iran, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran [Reuters]

Trump wants Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ as attacks continue

(AL-JAZEERA)USPresident

D o n a l d T r u m p w a n t s “unconditional surrender” from Iran, warning there will not be a dealwithoutit.

The war between the United States, Israel and Iran entered its seventhdayonFriday,withattacks continuing across Iran and other countriesintheMiddleEast.

Iran continues its missile and drone attacks across the Gulf as Washington and Tel Aviv claim their campaign – codenamed Operation Epic Fury – is crippling Iran'smilitary Estimates released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Thursday put the cost of the first 100hoursofOperationEpicFuryat $3.7bn, or about $891m per day Mostofthiscost–$3.5bn–hasnot beenbudgetedfor,CSISreported.

InIran

Ongoing US and Israeli military campaign: The US and Israel are continuing their military strikesonIran,markingtheseventh day of the conflict. At least 1,332 people have been killed in Iran since the attacks started on Saturday

The Israeli military claims to have achieved “near-complete air superiority”, stating it has carried

out 2,500 strikes and destroyed 80 percent of Iran's air defence systems.

Targeting western Iran: Israel claimstohavestruckmorethan400 targets in western Iran on Friday alone, destroying ballistic missile launchers and drone storage facilities.

Missiles fired at Israel: Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the start of its 23rdwaveofstrikes,andtheIsraeli military confirmed that defence systems were intercepting missiles launchedfromIran.

Leadership succession and US interference: Following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali KhameneiinaUS-Israelistrikeon Tehran on Saturday, the question over his succession remains, with reports circling that his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, could take over.However, on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said he intends to play a direct role in selecting Iran's next leader, explicitly calling Mojtaba an “unacceptable”choice.

Invasion warnings: Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council,warnedthatIranianforces are “waiting” for a potential US ground invasion and threatened to

kill and capture thousands of US troops.

Iranstrikes:TheUSsaysIran's ballisticmissileattackshavefallen by90percentsincethefirstdayof the conflict, while drone attacks have dropped by 83 percent over thesameperiod.

Kuwait: The US suspended operationsatitsembassyinKuwait City following retaliatory Iranian strikes, as Kuwait's air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones.

Bahrain:An Iranian missile hit astate-runoilrefineryinaBahraini industrial town, but the resulting firewascontained.

UAEandQatar:TheUAEsaid itsairdefencesinterceptedmultiple

Iranianmissilesandmorethan120 drones. Qatar also reported being targeted by a barrage of Iranian missiles and drones on Thursday afterloudexplosionswereheardin thecapital,Doha.

About 20,000 Americans have left the Middle East: The State D

thousands have already left the region, primarily unassisted, but thegovernmentisarrangingcharter flights for private citizens still lookingtoevacuate.

Evacuation disruption: A Frenchevacuationflightchartedby the government to rescue citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates was forced to turn back mid-flightduetomissilefireinthe

region Military redeployments: Germany has already withdrawn troopsstationedinBahrainbackto Germany and is actively preparing towithdrawitsforcesfromKuwait. Satellite imagery delayed: Planet Labs, a major provider of high-resolution space imagery, announced a mandatory 96-hour delay on all new images collected over the Gulf states. This measure is intended to prevent adversarial actors from using the images to endanger allied, NATO, and civilianpersonnelintheregion.

CENTCOM warnings: Brad Cooper, the head of the US military's Middle East-based Central Command (CENTCOM), (Continuedonpage21)

"I want me sister get justice"

– Brother of 15-year-old Tiana Chapman

Relatives of 15-year-old Tiana Chapman, the teen mom who was stabbed 25 times by her child's father, are begging for justice even as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) pursues leadsontheman'swhereabouts.

Tyrese Chapman, 20, in an interviewwithKaieteurNewssaidthat his sister's recovery is progressing well. Notwithstanding, the young man expressed deep sorrow over what his little sister experienced. He detailed years of abuse at the hands of the accused,ChristopherAli.

"I want me sister get justice budday...[at] night he gon' come and beatupmesisterandIdoesgaddasave mesister Allthembruisesandsoonme sisterback.Uptonow Beatsheupand so. And he don't look after the baby," theyoungmansaid.

Reflecting on the stabbing, Tyrese said his sister was afraid of Ali and optedtoovernightatherfriend'shome.

Hesaidthattheseriesofeventsthat eveningunfoldedrapidly,andhecould nothaveimaginedthatAliwouldtryto killhissister

"Hesendmelilbuddyfirst.Hesaid '[Name provided], go and see if yuh sister deh, or go and seh the Welfare andthePolicedehhay'.Mesistersend metoseeiftheWelfareandthePolice come. I come hay (at home) and me ain'tseenopolice,Iseehe.Iaskhewuh he doing inside the yard and he ain't

Tyrese Chapman, brother of Tiana Chapman

answer,"thebrotherrecalled.

Ali then reportedly took the younger brother to the friend's home a short distance away where Tiana stayed.Tyrese recounted that he heard his sister screaming and ran to get his uncles nearby, but by the time they arrived, the teen was already dealt 25 stabs about her body and left bloodied in the chair, while Ali made good his escape.

Tyrese told Kaieteur News that he was not in agreement with the relationship Ali, 28, shared with his teensister

"Iwentbush,andIcomehome,and I asked mommy who duh? is who? mommysehisTianaboy Meain'tseh nothing after...I walk out. I ain't want

get involve. I get nuff licks fuh me sister them. I tell them, but them ain't wantdonothing,"helamented.

KaieteurNewsunderstandsthatthe Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) was involved in Tiana's life after it was reported that she became pregnant.

Ali's mother told this publication last Thursday that she too was vehemently against the relationship, but her displeasure irked her son, who estrangedhimselffromher.Moreover, she contended that Tiana's family shouldhaveputtheirfeetdownagainst herinvolvementwithAli.

TianawasadmittedtotheIntensive Care Unit (ICU) of the New Amsterdam Hospital on March 3 and her survival is considered miraculous by family Her brother told Kaieteur Newsthattheteenisonapositivepath torecovery

"She'sdoinggood,she'stalkingand so. She's eating. She din forget she baby, but we send pictures and she's remembering,"heexplained.

Images shared confidentially with thisnewspapershowedtheteensitting independently and interacting with relatives. Notwithstanding, she is still experiencing "nuff pain," her brother disclosed.

Efforts to contact the Regional Commander, Region Six, Shivpersaud Bacchusprovesfutile.

Construction worker charged with manslaughter, on $500k bail

A 4 1 - y e a r - o l d constructionworkerhasbeen charged with manslaughter and granted $500,000 bail in relationtothefatalaltercation at a shop in La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, which left a 20year-oldmandead.

Terrence Frank of Lot 86 Samatta Point Grove, East Bank Demerara, is charged with manslaughter, contrary to Section 94 of the Criminal Law (Offences)Act, Chapter 8:01, in relation to the death of Roberto Grant called 'Kayan' He appeared on Thursday at the Wales Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Renita Singh where the charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and was granted $500,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to March 10.According to the police, the incident occurred on Sunday,February22,2026,at a shop. It was reported that Frank was at the shop when an altercation reportedly occurred between him and Grant, a resident of Parfaite

Harmonie During the confrontation, both men allegedly armed themselves with objects and inflicted injuriesoneachother FranklaterwenttotheLa Parfaite Harmonie Police Stationandmadeareportand both men were taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.Grant was admitted but later succumbed to his injuries while receiving medicalattention.

Policerecoveredabroken piece of a glass bottle at the sceneandisreviewingCCTV footage.

Berbice mother of 3 seeks financial help for cervical cancer treatment

Fifty-nine-year-old Yvette Sydney isbattlingcervicalcancer

Themotherofthree-twogirlsandaboywasdiagnosedwiththedreadeddiseaselast October and is in urgent need of financial assistance to facilitate treatment in neighboringSuriname.

Due to her condition, Sydney, of New Amsterdam, Berbice is unable to maintain employment.Hertreatmentisscheduledfor the next five weeks, at a cost of GYD $2 million.

Her son, Junior Sydney told this publication on Friday that the family is unabletoimmediatelyobtainthefunds.

Speakingonhercondition,heexplained thatsheexperiencesexcruciatingpainandis hemorrhaging. She is physically supported around the home, and manages to move on her own every now and then. He said he assistsherwithmealpreparation.

"She can eat by herself, but to get up to cook, to go at the stove or do any type of thingslikethat,itmightbeabithardforher Because it's standing, and it gives a lot of pain to her back and lower belly, so I do thosethingsforher,"

He disclosed that surgery follows her treatment; That is after six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation, and another three weeks in Suriname. Upon her return, shewillundergosurgery,henoted.

Persons desirous of assisting the family candoso

Trump wants Iran’s ‘unconditional... ‘Incentiviseyourown,notforeigners’...

Frompage16

accused Iran of deliberately firing seven attack drones at civilian neighbourhoods in Bahrain. He warned that Iran’s actions are “unacceptable and will not go unanswered”.

In Israel Tel Aviv targeted: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced it had launched a combined drone and missile attack on Tel Aviv and central areas of Israel.

Domestic closures and West Bank violence: Amid the security

threats, Israel’s Civil Administration has closed all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City and cancelledFridayprayers.

Rhetoric from officials: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned that the Dahiyeh area of Lebanon’s capital would soon look “likeKhanYounis,”referringtothe city in southern Gaza that was decimated during Israel’s war againstPalestinians.

In the US Military strikes: US

CentralCommandreportedstriking approximately 200 targets in Iran over the past 72 hours, including ballisticmissilelaunchersandnaval vessels.

Trump’s claims: Trump said Iran is being “demolished”, “ahead of schedule and at levels people have never seen before”, claiming the country now has “no air force, no air defence”. The air force is “gone”, he said Congressional backing: The Republican-led US HouseofRepresentativesvoted219 to 212 against an effort to halt the war and require congressional authorisation for hostilities against Iran.Instabilitydenied:USDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed backagainstcriticism,denyingthat the US and Israel have caused regional instability Economic impact:Theongoingwarhasrattled USfinancialmarkets.Earlierinthe week,theDowJonesplummetedby more than 1,000 points (2 2 percent)asoilpricesclimbeddueto thewar

Frompage11 that certain “super specialists” would rotate among hospitals, while other specialists would remain stationed at particularfacilities.

However, he pointed outthatseveralmembers of the Cuban Medical Brigadewerethemselves specialists, meaning the system will now have to find ways to replace that expertise.

Reflecting on his own training, Richards said that when he c o m p l e t e d h i s Bachelor’s Degree there were roughly 300 doctorsbeingtrained.

Richards said many medical professionals leave Guyana after completing their mandatory five-year contractualservice,often s e e k i n g b e t t e r opportunitiesabroad.

“Theyservetheirfive years, gain the e x p e r i e n c e a n d knowledgeofthesystem, and then they leave for greener pastures,” he explained.

The issue of the Cuban Medical Brigade has also drawn criticism from other political groups.

“What happened to those doctors today? Howmanyofthemwere levelled up into specialties and how many are still in the system?”hequestioned.

Perreira made the claim after delivering a letter to President Irfaan Ali signed by more than 100 organisations and individuals calling for the reinstatement of the Cubandoctors.

A c c o r d i n g t o Perreira, the Cuban Medical Brigade has been serving Guyana for more than 40 years, making significant contributions to the country’s healthcare system.

On Thursday, Gerald Perreira,Chairmanofthe Office for the Victory of the People (OVP), accused the government of bowing to pressure fromtheUnitedStatesin its decision to terminate the agreement with Cuba.

T h e l e t t e r ’ s signatories are also urgingthegovernmentto resist what they describe asgrowingpressurefrom the United States to d i s m a n t l e t h e longstandingscholarship programme that allows Guyanese students, particularly in medicine, tostudyinCuba.

President Ali is scheduled to meet U S President Donald Trump in Miami today, and the group is calling on him to defend Guyana’s sovereign r i g h t t o m a k e independent foreign policy decisions based onnationalinterest

“As a seasoned political activist, I am very much aware that Marco Rubio came into this countryand issued a directivetothePresident of Guyana to send home the Cuban Medical Brigade,”hesaid.

VACANCY WANTED

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Vacancy for 1 female cook & 1 general domestic for a private residence.Age 40 & over preferably from the East Bank.Call:704-5054

TM Truck Drivers,excavator operators and cook to work in the interior.Contact: 223-5273/ 4,621-5907.

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

2026/02/16 10:48

2026/15-FD-PET-ESS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

JURISDICTION: FAMILY COURT

CASE NUMBER: 2026/15FD-PET-ESS

PARTY’S NAME: COLIN

MICHAELMcKENZIE

PARTY TYPE: PETITIONER and

PARTY’S NAME: ROXANNEALEXSANDRA McKENZIE nee GROSVENOR

PARTY TYPE: RESPONDENT

TO: ROXANNE ALEXSANDRA McKENZIE nee GROSVENOR

LEGAL NOTICE

at 9:00 a.m via Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln GT zoom link Meeting Id: 882 1097 6231, Passcode: Court12 IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/ Notice of Intention to Defend Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting theDivorce.Dated the 11th day of February, 2026.

FOR REGISTRAR

loss or damage and to deal with such property as effectually as the APPEARER could himself do if he had been present.

2. To open, or otherwise operate all current, deposit or other account(s) at any bank, society, company or corporation (whether or not any such account is in the name of the APPEARER solely or jointly or is in credit or becomes or is already overdrawn) and to make, draw, sign, accept, endorse and negotiate bills of exchange, promissory notes, cheques, money orders and other negotiable instruments.

or deliverable to the APPEARER individually or as aforesaid or jointly or in common with any other person to settle, adjust, and compromise all accounts and claims and to give and grant good and effectual receipts, acquittances, releases, and discharges therefor.

is in-

in a single woman between the ages of 45-55 years old.Call: 633-1492.

APPLICATION FOR MONEY LENDER’S CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 OF THE MONEY LENDERS’ACT: I, VALERIE ELIZABETH PERSAUD of lot 59 Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara,hereby give notice that I have applied to the Magistrate of the East Demerara Magistrate’s Court (Cove & John Magistrate’s Court) for a Certificate under the Money Lenders’ Act authorizing the grant to me of a Money Lender’s Licence to carry on the business of a Money Lender under the title of VALRICE PAWN SHOP of lot 59 Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, NOTICE of any objection to the application should be sent forthwith to the CLERK OF COURT OF THE COVE & JOHN MAGISTRATE’S COURT and a copy of any such notice should be sent to the subscriber, VALERIE ELIZABETH PERSAUD of lot 59 Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara. Applicant Sworn to at Georgetown, Demerara

This 16th day of February, 2026.

Last Known Address Smithfield, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Guyana.TAKE NOTICE that on the 9th day of February, 2026, a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by COLIN MICHAEL McKENZIE, the Petitioner in the Family Division of High Court in Suddie, Essequibo Coast, Guyana.AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 9th day of February, 2026, the Petitioner was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive publications on two Saturdays in a daily newspaper of wide circulation in Guyana to the Respondent. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the registry of Family Division of the High Court at Suddie, Essequibo where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce,then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Suddie, Essequibo within 30 (thirty) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on 13th May, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE

REPUBLIC OF GUYANA COUNTY OF DEMERARA IRREVOCABLE POWER OFATTORNEY

2985/2012

R.N.O. 408916

BE IT KNOWN that on this 27th day of April, 2012, before me, the undersigned NOTARY PUBLIC personally came and appeared HARDUT SINGH of 73 Second Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, Guyana, hereinafter referred to as the APPEARER

WHICH APPEARER stated and declared that he is desirous of appointing the person hereinafter named to be his lawful attorney in the Republic of Guyana during his absence therefrom and in his presence therein.

NOW, THEREFORE, the said APPEARER, declares to appoint as he does hereby appoint RAY ANTHONY RUTHERFORD of 22 Mc Doom Public Road, East Bank, Demerara, Guyana, to be his lawful Attorney in the Republic of Guyana during his presence therein and in his absence therefrom with the following powers and authority and for the purposes hereinafter mentioned:

1. To manage, control and look over the APPEARER’S property(s) real and personal, movable and immovable, wherever situate in the Republic of Guyana and to keep the said property insured against

3. To purchase, take on lease, hire, subscribe for or otherwise acquire; to demise, let or otherwise deal with all movable and immovable property of whatever description; and for all or any of the aforesaid purposes to receive, accept, cancel, annul, and to appear before any judge, registrar, notary public or officer.

4. To apply for, take out, renew, transfer, and accept transfers of all concessions, licences, patents, permissions, policies, privileges and trade mark of whatever nature or kind and registration or recording thereof and to oppose the granting of any of the same.

5. To represent the APPEARER as holder, owner of every kind of property or voter, and to attend and vote at all meetings or elections of whatever nature or kind and to appoint one or more proxies or representatives or do whatever may be necessary for any of these purposes.

6. To apply for the granting of probate of the will of or of Letters of Administration of the estate of any deceased person or re-sealing thereof and to exercise all or any of the trusts, powers, duties and discretions by law or otherwise conferred upon or vested in the APPEARER as executor, administrator, trustee, attorney or otherwise.

7. To ask for, demand, collect, recover, and receive the whole or any part share or interest of the APPEARER in all money, security for money, dividends, interests, debts, goods, effects, chattels and other movable property of whatever nature or description now or at any time belonging, due, owing, payable

8. To institute, commence, present, prosecute, carry on or defend at law in equity in insolvency, winding-up or otherwise all actions, appeals, applications, causes, opposition, petitions, suits, arbitrations or other proceedings of whatever nature touching the movable or immovable property of the APPEARER, or in which she may be in anyway concerned or in the enforcement or protection of any right or the settlement of any dispute or for the recovery of damages for any breach of contract or wrong and to settle or compromise any such proceedings or consent to judgment therein and to appear in any Court and before tribunal or judicial or other officers whatsoever.

9. To take all lawful proceedings and remedies by way of distress, seizure, ejectment or otherwise for the recovery of rent in arrears or of property or for the eviction of tenants or trespassers or by way of mandamus, interdict, attachment, sequestration or any extraordinary proceedings or remedy whatsoever and to appoint and retain agents, bailiffs, counsel and solicitors for all or any of the said or other purposes.

10. To appoint, assume, subdelegate, substitute and surrogate any person to act with or in place of the Attorney as the Attorney of the APPEARER in respect of all or 11. any of the matters herein contained upon such terms as the Attorney shall think fit and the same to remove at pleasure.

12. And in general in and about the premises to do, perform, transact, and accomplish all and whatever further the APPEARER may from time to time direct by letter or other written instructions as fully and effectually to all intents and purposes as the APPEARER could do if present and acting in his own proper person.

13. AND THE APPEARER declared and agreed to ratify,

allow, confirm all and whatever the said Attorneys or any Attorney who may be acting in the presence shall lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the premises under and by virtue of these presents including in such ratification and confirmation whatsoever shall be done between the revocation by means of this Power and the time of such revocation becoming known to the Attorney or Attorney for the time being.

LEGAL NOTICE

THUS DONE AND PASSED at the city of Georgetown, in the County of Demerara, and Republic of Guyana, the day and year first above written in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

2025/891-FD-PET-DEM IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION

PETITION NO. FD-891

BETWEEN:

(DUNCAN) ALBERT ORLANDO

Petitioner/Applicant -and(DUNCAN) TIAZA PATRICIA nee BARRETTO Respondent TO:

TIAZAPATRICIADUNCAN nee BARRETTO

LEGAL NOTICE

Last Known Address Saint IgnatiusVillage, Region Nine (9), Guyana. TAKE NOTICE that on the 14th day of August, 2025 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by ALBERT ORLANDO DUNCAN , the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court via the E-litigation portal www.ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 30th day of January, 2026 the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulation in the Republic of Guyana and on the Worldwide web.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-atLaw at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/ or Cross Petition via the online portal https:// ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy/ within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice. Your access code is ERGMjA TAKE NOTICE that the Divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Friday the 6th day of March, 2026 at 9:15 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Joy Persaud-Singh via Zoom- Zoom ID: 638 801 9485 and Passcode: 456321.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

‘We lift’ Expo reflects Guyana’s progress in empowering women – Min Teixeira

DPI - The growth of the ‘We Lift’ Expo is a clear benchmark of Guyana’s progress in creating opportunities for women to participate meaningfully in the economy, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira said.

Minister Teixeira, who is performing the functions of president, was at the time speaking at the opening of the ‘WE LIFT 6’ Exhibition at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Friday.

She said that the presence of about 400 exhibitors demonstrates how far women entrepreneurs have come since the initiative began. She noted that over the decades, deliberate policies and programmes have helped create an enabling environment for women to move beyond household responsibilities and actively participate in business, agriculture, construction and other sectors.

Minister Teixeira explained that initiatives such as expanded access to education, housing opportunities, training programmes and financial support have allowed more women to build businesses and gain economic security.

“If you don’t create the enabling environment, all you have is the will of a woman in a kitchen making products to sell. We have to create the

LEGAL NOTICE

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 16th day of February, 2026 FOR REGISTRAR

environment to allow women to take their rightful place in the society and the economy,” she stated.

The minister also pointed to significant achievements in gender equality, including constitutional reforms, increased participation of women in the labour force, and greater representation of women in Parliament.

She said Guyana is among the countries in the region with one of the highest percentages of women owning

property, with approximately 44 per cent of house lots allocated to women through the national housing programme.

According to Minister Teixeira, the expo reflects the determination of Guyanese women to expand their businesses, collaborate, and explore opportunities locally and internationally.

Meanwhile, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vindhya Persaud, said the expo marks a major milestone for women’s entre-

preneurship in Guyana.

She explained that the initiative began with just 75 women occupying a small section of the conference centre and has now grown.

Minister Persaud emphasised that the expo provides a platform for women to showcase their creativity, innovation and products while building networks and expanding their businesses.

She encouraged participants to see their ventures beyond the local market, noting that the aim is for products created by Guyanese women to reach international platforms.

She also highlighted that the event brings together a diverse range of products, including crafts, plants, jewellery, skincare items and condiments, while also creating opportunities for partnerships and business growth.

The minister urged the public to support the exhibitors by visiting the event and purchasing their products, noting that the initiative continues to empower women to grow from micro enterprises to small and medium-scale businesses.

US stocks close down as oil spikes 12%, job market weakens

(Reuters) - Wall Street’s three main indexes closed down on Friday amid a sudden setback in the U.S. market and a 12% spike in U.S. oil prices due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

A disappointing payrolls report intensified worries that the U.S. economy could be cooling just as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East push energy costs sharply higher. That mix threatens to box in the Federal Reserve, complicating its path to rate cuts and reviving concerns about renewed inflation pressure.

“It’s a onetwo punch for the stock market today: the weak jobs report and the escalating price of oil,” said Kristina Hooper, `chief market strategist at financial firm Man Group in New York.

Oil prices jumped, driven by the U.S.-Israeli military attack in Iran, which halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and by warnings from Qatar that crude could surge to $150 a barrel.

U.S. crude oil futures climbed more than 12% on Friday, to more than $90 per barrel, while international Brent rose about 8.5% to $92 per barrel, quickly approaching the $100 psychological barrier that alarms markets.

“We are marching closer each day to $100 a barrel of oil, and that has caused much

greater volatility and anxiety,” said Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street Investment Management.

The Cboe Volatility Index (.VIX), opens new tab, Wall Street’s most watched gauge of investor anxiety, rose to a near five-month high, gaining about 4 points to 28.2, signaling heightened worries about more stock market pain in the term.

The ‘increase in oil prices fueled expectations of higher input costs and pressure on corporate profits, adding to the likelihood of weaker credit conditions, which is typically negative for lenders.

The S&P 500 Banks Index , which tracks the performance of major U.S. bank stocks within the S&P 500, fell.

BlackRock’s (BLK.N), opens new tab decision to limit withdrawals from a major private credit fund after a spike in redemption requests added to those concerns, echoing similar limits at Blackstone (BX.N), opens new tab earlier in the ‘week.

Signs of a weakening U.S. jobs market came amid a strike

by healthcare workers and harsh winter weather. The unemployment rate increased to 4.4%.

Traders pulled forward bets for a 25-basis-point interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve, with odds at about even for June, from about 35% earlier in the day, ‘according to LSEG-compiled data. According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 (.SPX), opens new tab lost 91.64 points, or 1.33%, to end at 6,739.88 points, while the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC), opens new tab lost 361.31 points, or 1.59%, to 22,387.68. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI), opens new tab fell 447.12 points, or 0.93%, to 47,507.62. Lender Western ‘Alliance (WAL.N), opens new tab fell after suing Jefferies (JEF.N), opens new tab for not making a payment for loans tied to bankrupt auto parts supplier First Brands Group. Jefferies also dropped. Among other stocks, chip company Marvell Technology <MRVL.O, opens new tab> jumped after forecasting fiscal 2028 revenue above estimates.

GWI to drill water wells at Moraikoba, Orealla

The Amerindian communities of Moraikobai in Region Five and Orealla/SiparutainRegionSixwill soon get new potable water wells through the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI).

Bids for these projects were

opened at the National

Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

The water well for Lower Moraikobai is estimated to cost $36.7 million, while the water wells for Siparuta and Orealla are estimatedat$77.9million.

Some $1 5 billion was approved for hinterland water supplyundertheMinistryofPublic Utilities and Aviation in the 2026 national budget During the

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

GuyanaWaterInc.

DrillingofPotableWaterWellin LowerMoraikobai,RegionFive.

DrillingofPortableWaterWellsin Siparuta&OreallaRegionSix.

InstallationofWaterSupply SystemsinWayaleng,Upper Mazaruni,RegionSeven.

presentation, Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr AshniSinghdisclosedthatlastyear over 90 wells were completed along with improvements to water distribution systems in the hinterland communities such as Kumaka,Kato,andAishalton. In 2026, he noted that the government will provide water

InstallationofWaterSupply SysteminKato,RegionEight.

access to over 37,000 hinterland residentsthroughkeyinterventions such as construction of new wells andwaterdistributionsystems,and deploying solar PV systems to enhance reliability and reduce operatingcost.

“Procure an

electromechanicalcomponentsand criticalsparestoensureoperational

DrillingofPotableWaterWellin Waramadong,RegionSeven.

InstallationofWaterSupplySystemsinMora Camp&Kalcoon,LowerMazaruni,RegionSeven.

sustainability of existing systems. Procureandinstallwatertreatment systems to address high iron content and salinity across hinterlandtownshipsandvillages,” heexplained.

During the reading of tenders severalGWIprojectswereopened forRegionsSevenandEight.

InstallationofWaterSupplySystemsat SchoolIsland,LowerMazaruni,RegionSeven.

InstallationofWaterSupplySystemsinDagg Point,LowerMazaruni,RegionSeven.

Murray, Wallace weighs in on Windies T20...

Frompage30 astheengineroomalongside Hetmyer

However, former West Indies opener Philo Wallace was on the other hand, critical of the team’s bowling standards during the Super8’s, an area with which he said let the side down in the battle for the semi-final spotlosstoIndia

West Indies had a strong bowling outing during their run, with

spinner Gudakesh Motie finishing as the leading wicket-taker for his team, while Shepherd, Akeal Hosein despite being a bit expensi

l effective alongside parttimers like Roston Chase; all played their roles at one point or the other which inevitably helped steer their team deep into thetournament

But Wallace believed that the team’s bowling was predictable during

the Super8 stages, adding

speedster Joseph should have been utilised a bit better alongside the other bowlingoptionslikeHosein andothers.

Windies in the end went out on a high note, losing to the home team India who dismantled

y racking up another 250plus total on their way to this Sunday’s final versus NewZealand.

With much success coming off a strong World Cup and a seemingly new look-identity, which has somewhat been sparked by Hetmyer’s return to form; should now help or recreate or give birth to a more positivepathwithregardsto their approach to limited overscricket.©.Ross)

KFCrenews commitment toYBG’s...

GOAPC hosts Secondary Schools 2026 Tapeball league

Th e G O A P C

would be hosting the Secondary Schools 2026 Tapeball cricket league competition starting, tomorrow, Sunday, 8th March, 2026 for the Mike’s Pharmacy Trophy with lots of prizes for the winnerandrunnerupteams.

Defending champion is Covent Garden Secondary School, who would be hard

Saturday March 07, 2026

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Youshouldenjoytheintense energy of today, Aries. The mud is finally beginning to clearaway Exposethetruthin every issue and get ready for the gremlins that may be unearthed.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Todaymarksthebeginningof a new cycle for you, Taurus. Collect and consolidate your recent ideas and focus them outwardly The time is right foryoutoact.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Take a cold shower to jumpstart yourself today, Gemini. It'sfineifyoulazearoundabit in the morning, but by evening, you should be working at full capacity. You will be called into action whetheryouwanttobeornot.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Today may start out sluggish foryou,Cancer,butbytheend of the day the energy will move fast and furious. Your thoughts will be buzzing around your head like bees aroundahive.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Enjoythecalmmorning,Leo, because things are going to getcrazierandmoreenergetic as the day goes on. Emotions willrunhigh,andpeoplewill be more opinionated than usual.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

You will experience an intense amount of energy today,Virgo.Yourdreamstate willbemoreactivethanusual, and you will find that people aredrawntoyoulikemothsto light.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

It's time to get up and get moving, Libra You have tremendous ideas and vision forthefuture.Youhaveallthe informationyouneed.Nowall youhavetodoisact.Stepupto the plate and hit one over the fence.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Theearlypartofthedaymight find you sluggish and indecisive, Scorpio, but later youshouldbepsychedupand ready to go. Today marks the beginning of a new period in which you should set your ideasinmotion.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Today's energies will get progressively more intense as the day goes on In the morning, you may be in an easygoing, dreamy state, Sagittarius.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

For the past several weeks you've felt like you've been dragging your heels, Capricorn Decisions may have been hard to make and people may have seemed wishy-washy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) The morning might find you sitting like a stick in the mud, Aquarius. People might begettingdownonyoufornot contributing, but tell them to bepatient.Youwillberaringto gobynightfall.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20)

Things are moving your way, Pisces.As the day progresses, you will find that the energy intensifies.Conflictsmayarise nearsundown,butdon'tworry aboutittoomuch.

Frompage33 impact of youth sports initiatives on communities across Guyana. “Initiatives like this play a vital role in developing our young people It encourages teamwork, discipline and confidence both on and off thecourt.Investinginyouth sports means investing in our future and also in our communities.”

Caleb-Mars further noted that the company is proudtosupportaplatform thatrecognizesandnurtures youngtalent.

With strong corporate backing and growing participation from schools across the country, the upcomingNationalSchools

Basketball Festival promises to be one of the most impactful youth sportingeventsoftheyear

Nations win 2026 Secondary...

From page 32 emphaticeight-wicket victoryoverChristChurch SecondarySchool.

ChristChurchbattedfirst and reached 32-4 from their allottedovers.Bishop’sHigh responded confidently, cruising to 36-2 with deliveries to spare. Jarad Ramkaran struck 16 runs, whileAndrewNarineplayed a decisive innings of 19 to seal the win Narine’s outstanding all-round performance earned him the tournament’s Most Valuable Playeraward.

Thesuccessfulstagingof the competition was made possible through the sponsorship of the National Park Commission, Good Wood Racing Services, and R&TTaxiService.

Sunday

pressed this year with the teams from President College, Berbice High, BV Secondary, West Demerara and Patentia Secondary expected to mount serious challenges.

The competition would be played on Sunday, 8th March,2026attheNational Parkfrom9:00am.

Teamsareaskedtobeon timebytheorganizers.

Guyana, Grenada set for game two tonight at Sports Hall

Guyana and Grenada will meet tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hallinthefirstoftheirtwogame regional basketball series from 8:00 pm, after last evening’s game was forcedtocancel.

The opening night was cancelled due to situations beyond the Guyana Basketball Federation’s control, the local governing bodyforthesportsaid.

The two sides are scheduled to play back-tobackmatchesaspartoftheir build-up to the FIBAMen’s Caribbean Championship, whichisslatedforJuly

Both sides are using the series to fine-tune their squads, test combinations, andbuildchemistryaheadof the regional tournament, with tonight’s matchup expected to provide another competitivecontestbetween theCaribbeanrivals.

Murray,Wallaceweighs inonWindiesT20 WorldCupperformance

Deryck Murray

Following the recent strong performance by the West Indies team, a few former players including ex wicket-keeper Deryck

Murray and batsman Philo Wallace, graded the Caribbean side after a good ICCT20WorldCuprun.

West Indies were knocked out after a tussle against India, but had a phenomenal run as they dominated the majority of this year’s T20 Cup, prompting two of its guests, in Murray and Wallace to briefly share their views on theteam’srunontheweekly Mason and Guest Show, hostedbyjournalistAndrew Mason.“Wewerenotinany waydisgraced,theyplayeda good game particularly in thelastgame.Ilookedatthe

way they approached the game, they tried their best under the circumstances”, saidthe82-year-oldMurray Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer led a brilliant batting charge as he reinventedhimselfwiththebat to end as the leading runscorer with 248 runs including 2 half-centuries andatopscoreof85.

Sherfane Rutheford, anotherGuyanesewasatone point the leading scorer for the Windies, ending with 183 runs including a devastating 76* Other players like skipper Shai Hope, who had a couple of fiftieslateinthecompetition and all-rounders like Jason Holder,RovmanPowelland RomarioShepherdoperated (Continuedonpage25)

A first-time final with everything...

Frompage34

Guyana Defence Force FC. However,whenthedustwas settled,itwasPoliceFCwho came out on top via a 2-0 scoreline.

Tonight’s championship encountercarriessignificant implicationsforbothclubs.

For Slingerz FC, the match presents an opportunity to secure their first trophy of 2026 and reinforcetheirdominanceon

thelocalfootballscene.

For Police FC, however, the stakes may be even greater The lawmen have endured a lengthy wait for major domestic silverware, with their last notable win coming in 2018 when they captured the Limacol FootballChampionshipwith a 4–2 victory over Pouderoyen FC at the Ministry of Education Ground.

GAPLF initiate training to increase Referees Corp

namely equipment check, coordinating the platform, jury duties, and importantly, setting up of the lifting platform for Championship day

These key elements will

be observed in addition to

GAPLF VP and Head of Referees Corp, Gordon Spencer with three of the new recruits.

Initseffortstosatisfy need to build its refereeing corps, the G u y a n a A m a t e u r Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF)hasembarkedona programme to train young and interested members of the fraternity to become referees, first nationally and possibly, IPF Category 2 refereesinthefuture.

be held tomorrow, Sunday

The GAPLF’s VP and GS met with three (3) aspiringrefereeswhowillbe introducedtovariousaspects of refereeing at its 2026 Novices Championships to

Auditorium.

These aspiring referees will be supervised by the senior referees while being exposed to some of the key aspects of refereeing,

refereeing duties for the three (3) routines of powerlifting which are squat, bench-press, and deadlift. It is the GAPLF’s wish that they will remain interested and committed and soon migrate to more

Championships unfold. We welcomethem.

Nations win 2026 Secondary Schools 30-ball Tapeball tourney

School of the Nations emerged champions of the National Park Commission, Good Wood Racing Services, and R&T Taxi

Service–sponsored Secondary Schools’ 30-ball

Ta p e b a l l C r i c k e t Competition, held last Sunday at the National Park Tarmac.

Fourteen secondary schoolscompetedintheoneday round-robin/knockout tournament,whichdelivered severalexcitingupsetsinthe

early rounds With def

champions Covent Garden Secondary Schoolabsent,thestagewas setforanewtitleholder

Thegrandfinalefeatured School of the Nations against West Demerara Secondary School in a thrilling showdown. After winningthetossandelecting

tobat,SchooloftheNations posted a competitive 48-3 fromtheirallottedfiveovers. Nathan Bishop led the scoring with 18 runs, while captain Kaiden Smith

contributed a composed 15 to anchor the innings.

Jeremiah Garnett stood out with the ball for West Demerara, claiming 2-14 to keepthetargetwithinreach.

In reply, West Demerara Secondary managed 39-5 at the end of their five overs, falling short by 11 runs.

SameerJohntop-scoredina valiant but unsuccessful

chase.Meanwhile,inthe2nd and 3rd Formers 24-ball competition for the G.O.A. President’sTrophy,Bishop’s HighSchoolsecuredan (Continuedonpage29)

KFCrenewscommitmenttoYBG’sNational SchoolsBasketballwith$5Msponsorship

Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) has received a significant boostfromitslongstandingpartner, KFC, as the company renews its commitment to youth sports by supporting the upcoming National SchoolsBasketballChampionship. The collaboration marks another milestone in the continued partnership between YBG and the globally recognized restaurant franchise.

For the second consecutive year, KFC will serve as the title sponsor of the National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF), providinga$5millionsponsorship package aimed at developing

young basketball talent across the country.

The sponsorship was formalized during a meeting held yesterday at the company’s Vlissengen Road location between

members of YBG and representatives of Beharry Restaurant Holdings Incorporated. Present at the symbolic cheque presentation ceremony were YBG Co-Directors Chris Bowman and Rayad Boyce, along with Human Resource Manager Nathely CalebMars, who represented the company

The investment comes at a crucial time as YBG prepares to

host its Regional Basketball Championships, which will begin later this month and serve as the qualifying phase for the National SchoolsBasketballFestival.

Speaking on behalf of YBG, Bowman emphasized that the sponsorship represents more than financial support “This is a continued partnership between the KFC franchise and Youth Basketball Guyana. We at YBG welcomes KFC’s commitment to supporting our programme for yet another year Over the three years, wehaveseentherewardsfromthis corporate partnership and we hope to continue building on the recent

success,”Bowmanstated.

He also highlighted that this year marks the third consecutive year of sponsorship from KFC to the YBG organisation, and the secondyearthebrandwillserveas title sponsor of the National SchoolsBasketballFestival.

The National Schools Basketball Festival is scheduled to run from June 28 to July 5, culminating with an All-Star showcaseonJuly11.Leadingupto the event, regional tournaments willdeterminewhichteamsqualify forthenationalstage.

With an expanded structure for 2026,approximately74schoolsare

expected to participate in regional competitions across several regions, making this one of the largest youth basketball initiatives inthecountry

Representing the KFC franchise, Caleb-Mars expressed the company’s enthusiasm about continuing its partnership with YBG and supporting youth developmentthroughsport.

“Beharry Restaurant Holdings Incorporated is pleased to support the National Schools Basketball Festivalforthesecondconsecutive yearasatitlesponsor,”shesaid. Sheemphasizedthebroader (Continuedonpage29)

A first-time final with everything on the Line

Slingerz, Police FC face off…GDF, Western Tigers to play third-place

A new chapter in Guyanese football will be written tonight when Slingerz FC and Guyana Police Force FC collide in the final of the GFF Elite League Cup at the National Training Centre from 8:30 pm.

The clash promises drama, not only because both teams arrive in strong form,butalsobecauseitwill mark the first time the two

sides meet in the final of a

nament organised by the Guyana FootballFederation.

Both finalists earned their place after battling through intense semi-final encounters on Wednesday night.

Slingerz FC showcased resilience and attacking firepowerina3–1comeback victory over Western Tigers FC. The result carried extra

defending Elite League champions, who were eager to erase memories of their narrow1–0losstotheTigers in the GFF Super 16 Cup finalonNewYear’sDay

In the other semi-final, the highly anticipated showdown between the disciplinaryforcesdelivered a tense battle as Police FC edgedpast

(Continuedonpage30)

Archery Guyana Participates in NSC Seminar as they prepare to host Part II of Wellness Initiative today

Archery Guyana

continues to strengthen its commitment to athlete welfare, education, and development through active participation in national training initiatives and the hosting of its own wellnessfocusedprogrammes.

On Friday, February 27, 2026, representatives of the Federation participated in a seminar hosted by the NationalSportsCommission in collaboration with the GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation Physiotherapy Department at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The seminar formed part of a broader national effort to strengthen athlete care and promote evidence-based approaches to injury prevention, recovery, and performancemanagement.

Archery Guyana formally sanctioned the participation of eleven representatives from across its membership, including athletes, coaches, and technicalofficials.

Thoseinattendancewere Narda Mohamed-Mangra,

Anand Mangra, Sean Duncan, Nolan Gray, Grayson Hooper, Michael Forde, Dwain Albert, Rovindra Singh, Ramnarine

Archery delegation representing at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall during the recent Physiotherapy sessions.

Ragoobar, Jeewanram PersaudandKarinToppin.

T h e F e d e r a t i o n expresseditsappreciationto Director of Sport Mr Steve NinvalleandADoSFranklin Wilson and Melissa DowRichardson of the National Sports Commission for facilitating initiatives that strengthen athlete support systems across the sporting community

Special thanks were also extended to Dr Ariane M a n g a r a n d t h e Physiotherapy Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for their partnership in deliveringvaluabletechnical knowledge to athletes and coaches.

Building

his momentum and the first workshop hosted in December 2025 by the Federation,ArcheryGuyana isalsosettohostPartIIofits Wellness and Nutrition in Archery Seminar today, Saturday, March 7, 2026, from9:00a.m.to11:00a.m. at the National Racquet Centre.

This interactive session will focus on key aspects of athlete wellness, including nutrition, recovery, and overall health practices essential for performance

bothonandoffthefield.The seminarformspartofaseries ofactivitiesorganisedbythe Federation in recognition of International Women’s Day, highlighting the importance of holistic wellness within sport and encouraging greater participation and leadership by women in archery

Theeventisbeinghosted in collaboration with the Guyana Physiotherapists Association, the National Sports Clinic, and the MinistryofHealth.

ArcheryGuyanaremains committed to advancing athlete education, strengthening technical capacity, and fostering a sporting environment where health, wellness, and performance go hand in hand.

BCB hosts Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Cricket Academy for 80 youths youths

-Holdssuccessfultalkswithgovernmentministers

The Berbice Cricket Board is forging ahead with its ongoing cricket development programme The BCB last weekend hosted a highly successful cricket academy at the Port MourantCricketGroundfor over eighty youth cricketers between the ages of ten to sixteenyears.

The academy sponsored by overseas based BCB sponsor, Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh,wascoachedbyhead coach Winston Smith with support from Leslie Solomon and Lawrence Mentis Special emphasis wasplacedonimprovingthe players’ batting, bowling and fielding techniques,

while the coaches also worked on the physical fitnessofallplayers.

The academy also involved the hosting of several practice matches on the pitch where technical problems were identified andcorrected.Playerstothe academyweredrawnfrom (Continuedonpage24)

KFC renews commitment to YBG’s National Schools Basketball with $5M sponsorship

The Guyana Police Force FC will be hunting their first top trophy when they face Slingerz in the GFF Elite League Cup.

A first-time final with everything on the Line

KFC backsYBG’s National Schools Basketball Festival.Attending the sponsorship presentation were (L-R) Rayad Boyce, Co-DirectorYBG, Nathely Caleb- Mars, HR Manager, Beharry Restaurant Holding Inc., Chris Bowman, Co-Director ofYBG, and Selvaughn Moseley, Treasurer. Guyana,GrenadasetforgametwotonightatSportsHall Slingerz, Police FC face off… GDF, Western Tigers to play third-place