Kaieteur News

Venezuela interim

The Ministry of Public Works on Friday intensified its campaign to remove abandoned vehicles that line the shoulders of roads countrywide. In this DPI photo, a derelict vehicle is being removed. Businessman slapped with $300K

of Opposition Leader vote

Over $3M in cash, Ov weed found in Bartica

Police discovered over $3 million in cash and a quantity of marijuana during an intelligence led operation at Fifth Avenue, Bartica,EssequiboRiver

Inastatementtothemediapolicesaidthat an investigation was launched into the bust which occurred between 10:30hrs and 11:20hrs.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that police ranks conducted a search at the residenceofa40-year-oldself-employedmale and found 13 zip-lock parcels containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabisinthelivingroomarea,”policesaid.

Upon conducting further searches cash amounting to $3,009,440 was unearthed.The man was arrested and escorted to the Bartica Police Station, where the suspected narcotics was weighed and amounted to 23.2 grams. Cannabis and cash were lodged pending investigation, while the suspect remains in custody

The cash and marijuana police seized.

...says project is 70% complete

Almost three years after the sod was turnedfortheconstructionofthe$1.7billion KarasabaiSecondarySchoolinRegionNine, the project is approximately 70 per cent complete and is expected to be ready for the newacademicyearinSeptember

This is according to Village Toshao, David Albert. It was reported that the $1,773,930,690 school project was expected tobecompletedbySeptember2025,however worksarestillongoing.

“They had some delay in terms of materialsbuttheyarecomingaroundandthe manager, when we had a word with him the other day when the minster was here, (he said)withinthenextfourtofivemonthsthey should complete… The school should be ready for the new academic year,” Toshao AlberttoldthispublicationonFriday.

Hesaidtheschoolisaverycomplexand isoneofthelargestsecondaryschoolsinthe hinterland.Along with the school, male and female dormitories for students and living quartersforteachersarebeingconstructedas well The Toshao said secondary aged students are currently being accommodated attheprimaryschool.

The project is being undertaken by Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc whowasawardedthecontractin2022.

The education ministry in a release had statedthatthemodernschoolcomplexwillbe fitted with ten buildings, which would include the main teaching block and allied lecturing facilities, modern science laboratory for Physics, Chemistry and Biology, TVET Centres, combined Home Economics and cafeteria area, teachers’ quartersandanoutdoorsittingforecourt.

The ministry noted that once completed, the facility will house and will cater for 500 studentsintheclassroom,and250studentsin the dormitories According to the ministry studentswillnolongerhavetotraverserough terrains daily for school Students from Karasabai and all other neighbouring villages will have the opportunity to pursue a sound secondaryeducation.StudentsintheKarasabai sub-district from communities such as Tiger Pond, Cracrana, Tsushima, Kokshebai and YurongParuarecurrentlyeithernotreceivinga secondary education or are being educated at primary tops, a secondary department in a primaryschool,theministryshared

Mohamed scared ahead of Opposition Leader vote

Withjustdaysto go before

opposition parliamentarians meet to elect a leader of the opposition, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) leader Azruddin Mohamed says he is “worried,” but on high alertamidwhatheclaimsare efforts by the governing People’s Progressive Party to destabilise his party and possibly prevent him from

assuming the post of OppositionLeader

Opposition MPs are

scheduled to meet on Monday to elect a leader WIN holds 16 seats in the National Assembly, followed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) with 12 seats and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM)withone.

During a telephone interview with Kaieteur News on Friday, Mohamed linkedhisconcernstoevents

s u r r o u n d i n g t h e commencement of the 13th Parliament, which he describedaspartofabroader pattern of pressure and intimidation.

“Ofcourse,Iamworried because if you can recall on the October 31, I was arrestedthreedaysbeforethe first sitting of the 13th parliamentwhichwasonthe 3rd of November So, e v e r y t h i n g w a s coincidental,”hesaid.

He added, “So I am worried, I am being very vigilant.Iwantthenationto

Leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN),

bevigilantbecauseanything is possible with this PPP dictatorshipgovernmentand they are very desperate presently.”

Mohamed further allegedthatcontacthasbeen made with relatives of WIN’s Members of Parliament (MPs) “Calls were made to family members of my MPs

Persons reached out to their familiesbutmyMPstheyare standingstrong,”hestated.

According to the WIN leader, “Approaches were made as of recent in the last twodays,butIamconfident in my MPs but I am on the lookout because anything is possible under this administration.”

His comments come against the backdrop of statements made earlier on FridaybyAPNUleadMP,Dr Terrence Campbell, who

Businessman slapped with $300K bail in fraud case

A27-year-old busi

was on Friday charged with Fraudulent C

...accusesPPPofpoachingMPs’families

signaledthatthepartyhasno intention of challenging the post and is likely to abstain from voting Campbell maintainedthattherewillbe only one nominee, Mohamed. He made those remarks at APNU’s press conference.

H o w e v e r, A P N U Parliamentary Chief Whip Ganesh Mahipaul cautioned thatdevelopmentscouldstill occurbeforeMonday,noting the unpredictability of politics.

“So, several things can happen between today and Monday…Wearenotshying away but there are possibilities of things can happen that is very much beyond us too because we don’tknownecessarilywhat is happening in the People’s Progressive Party and what they are doing,” Mahipaul saidatthepressconference.

M a h i p a u l a l s o referencedrecentremarksby Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs AnilNandlall,S.C.Duringa live broadcast on Tuesday evening, Nadir said he has a duty to protect the integrity of the House and suggested that Mohamed’s possible election would tarnish Parliament, labelling him an “internationalfugitive.”

sanctioned by the United Statesandfacingextradition proceedings would be unprecedented, deeply damagingandanindictment onGuyana.

appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court.

The accused, Jason Stephaney of Greenheart Street, South Ruimveldt, Georgetownwasarrestedon September 19, 2025 and “is accused of committing the offence over a period between June 2024 and September 2025 at King Street, Georgetown, during which he a

y fraudulently converted the sum of G$22,000,000,” policesaid. Stephaney appeared

Charged with Fraudulent Conversion: Jason Stephaney

b

Magistrate Faith McGusty where the indictable charge wasreadtohim.Hewasnot requiredtoplead. Hewasgranted$300,000 bail on condition that he lodges his passport at the court. He is also required to report to the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters on the last Friday of each month until theconclusionofthematter T

s adjourned to February 13, 2026,at09:00hrs.

KaieteurNews

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Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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EDITORIAL

The budget test

As the Government of Guyana prepares to present its national budget on Monday, expectations are high and patience is thin.With unprecedented oil revenues flowing steadilyintotheState’scoffers,thisbudgetwillbejudged notbythesizeofitsallocations,butbytheseriousnessofits intentandthecredibilityofitspriorities.

AfteryearsofpromisesabouttransformingGuyanainto amodern,prosperousnation,citizensaredemandingproof that the oil windfall is translating into tangible improvementsintheirdailylives.Therealityontheground remains sobering. The cost of living continues to climb, stretchinghouseholdincomesandforcingfamiliestomake painful trade-offs between food, transportation, utilities and education. Public hospitals remain overcrowded and under-resourced.Schoolsstrugglewithinfrastructuregaps and staffing shortages. Communities across the coast and hinterlandstillfaceunreliablewatersupply,poordrainage and deteriorating roads. Against this backdrop, flashy announcements and ceremonial groundbreakings will not suffice.

This budget must confront these challenges with disciplinedplanningandtargetedinvestment.Theoilsector has created enormous fiscal space, but without sound management it can just as easily deepen inequality, entrench waste and fuel corruption. History offers no shortage of examples where resource-rich nations squandered their opportunity by prioritising political patronage over national development. Guyana cannot affordtorepeatthosemistakes.

Educationmustbeacentralpillarofthegovernment’s spending strategy Amodern economy cannot be built on outdated facilities, overcrowded classrooms and poorly supportedteachers.Investmentintechnicalandvocational training is especially critical if young Guyanese are to access emerging opportunities in construction, manufacturing, energy services and information technology. Scholarships and overseas training programmesarewelcome,buttheymustbecomplemented bystronglocalinstitutionsthatproduceskilledworkersat scale.

Healthcare, too, demands urgent attention. While the promise of a state-of-the-art hospital is appealing, bricks and mortar alone will not fix systemic weaknesses. The sector needs consistent funding for equipment, pharmaceuticals, staffing and maintenance. Rural and hinterland communities in particular continue to suffer from limited access to basic medical services. A credible health strategy must focus on accessibility, efficiency and patientoutcomes,notjustheadlineprojects.

Housing and infrastructure spending will also be closely scrutinised. Thousands of families remain on waiting lists for house lots or struggle to complete homes duetorisingconstructioncosts.Atthesametime,flooding continues to devastate communities because of poor drainage and inadequate sea defence maintenance. Oil moneymustbeusedtobuildclimate-resilientinfrastructure thatprotectslivesandlivelihoods,notmerelyexpandurban centreswhileneglectingvulnerableregions.

Jobcreationshouldbeanotherdefiningmeasureofthis budget’s success. While oil revenues boost government accounts, they do not automatically generate widespread employment. The administration must support small and medium-sized businesses, local manufacturing and agricultureifgrowthistobeinclusive.Withoutdeliberate policiestostimulateprivatesectorexpansion,theeconomy risksbecomingoverlydependentonstatespendingandthe petroleumindustry.

Equally important is accountability. Citizens have repeatedly raised concerns about procurement transparency, project delays and escalating costs. With billions now passing through government hands, the need for robust oversight has never been greater Every dollar

“How to beat a red notice: Power, silence and the Vitesh Guptar extradition”

DEAREDITOR

,

When Interpol flags you for “aggravated criminal conspiracyaimedtocommit international drug trafficking,” the script is supposed to be simple. The ruleoflaw state mobilises its bestprosecutors,leansonits extradition treaty partners, andmakesapublicexample ofitsnewtrophysuspect.

In the case of Vitesh Jamnapersad Guptar, the opposite happened: the man on the red notice walked quietly out of an extradition battle in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, while the State barely seemed to break a sweat. The public record is not in dispute. Guptar, a Netherlands nationalofGuyaneseorigin, was arrested in 2024 at a MainStreetnightclubduring what police described as an intelligenceled operation and was later charged in G e o r g e t o w n w i t h conspiracy to traffic drugs internationally.

Atthesametime,Italian authorities – via Interpol –were seeking him on an allegation of mafialinked, crossborder cocaine

trafficking, framed in European documents as an aggravated criminal conspiracy connected to ‘ N d r a n g h e t a s t y l e operations For a brief moment, Guyana appeared at the centre of a textbook t r a n s n a t i o n a l organisedcrimesaga.

Then the noise stopped. While other extradition matterstriggeredhighoctane politics, foreign King’s Counsel, and loud ministerial commentary, Guptar’s case slid down the news agenda and, eventually, out of it. Legal commentaryandsubsequent public debate now acknowledge that he “successfully defeated his extradition proceedings whilehewasonbail,”aline that has instantly become useful to defence lawyers arguing about bail and due processinnewerextradition fights.TheState,foritspart, hasnotbeenassociatedwith anyvisible,sustainedappeal campaign to test the Italian evidence higher up the judicialladder Thisiswhere the anomalies begin to matter If the allegations

were weak, one would expectthegovernmenttosay so,loudly,andtocelebratea principled refusal to extraditeonthebasisofthin foreignmaterial.

Instead, what the public received was silence – no detailed published ruling setting out why the Italian case failed, no robust explanation of how an Interpol rednotice target could be charged locally, then emerge with both extradition and narrative largely neutralised In a country where minor offences routinely attract maximum publicity, the absence of explanation in suchaseriousmatterisitself akindofexplanation.

Contrastisinstructive.In other matters, particularly those with perceived political or business implications, the State has demonstrated that it knows how to fight. It has flown in foreign counsel, advanced sweeping theories about denying bail in extradition matters, and used public platforms to frame suspects as emblematic of a wider criminal threat.Against that

backdrop, the softly lit handling of Guptar looks less like institutional incapacity and more like selectiveintensity–ajustice systemthatcanbeferocious when it wishes, and abstractly procedural when itdoesnot.Overlaythiswith the question of proximity to power

Sources have long whispered that Guptar did not move on the margins of Georgetown society but within its inner rings –present at highend events, captured in photographs alongside senior political figures, including the president, and resident at eliteaddressesratherthanin the shadows Publicly available reports place his address at Duke Street, Kingston, a location associated with premium hospitalitypropertiesowned by a businessman who also serves as a national security adviser, situating him in the same physical and social ecosystem as some of the mostinfluentialactorsinthe state.

Noneofthisproves (Continuedonpage17)

Guyana’s commitment to fiscal responsibility must be demonstrated not only in law but also in practice

DEAREDITOR, Monday, January 26,2026,iswhentheGuyana 2026 Budget will be presented to the National Assembly.

I write to draw attention to a matter of critical

importance to Guyana’s fiscal discipline and public accountability:thetreatment ofunspentfiscalyearannual budgetarybalancesallocated to state agencies -all belonging to tax payers. Under Section 26 of the

spent should be traceable, publicly justified and subject to independent review The publication of contracts, timely audits and strengthened parliamentary scrutiny are not optional extras — they are essential safeguards against mismanagement.

The Natural Resource Fund was established to protect futuregenerations,yetquestionspersistaboutwithdrawals andlong-termsavingsdiscipline.Thisbudgetshouldclearly outlinehowmuchoilrevenueisbeingsaved,howmuchis being spent and why those decisions were made. Without transparency,publictrustwillcontinuetoerode.

Ultimately, this budget represents more than an annual financial exercise. It is a test of leadership and vision. Guyanese citizens are not unreasonable in their expectations.Theyarenotdemandingmiracles,buttheydo expectcompetence,honestyandfairness.Theywanttosee roadsthatlast,hospitalsthatfunction,schoolsthatprepare children for the future and economic opportunities that extendbeyondpoliticalconnections.

Ifthisadministrationwishestoconvincethenationthat oil wealth is being managed responsibly, it must move beyond rhetoric and symbolism. The choices made on Monday will signal whether Guyana is on a path toward sustainable development or drifting toward the familiar patternofwasteandmissedopportunity Thisbudgetshould mark a turning point—toward inclusive growth, fiscal disciplineandnationalprogress.Anythinglesswilldeepen public frustration and widen the gap between government promises and the everyday reality faced by ordinary Guyanese.

Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA), all unspent funds at the end of the financial year must be returned to the Consolidated Fund. These funds should then be integratedintothefollowing year’s budget, ensuring transparency,efficiency,and responsible management of publicresources.

Whilethelegalprovision isclear,thereremainsalack of public clarity on two key points:

1.DeadlineforReturnof UnspentFunds:

What is the specific deadline by which all state agenciesmustreturnunspent budgetary balances to the ConsolidatedFundattheend of the fiscal year? Is this deadline consistently communicated and enforced?

2.AdherencetotheLaw: Has this practice been unswervingly adhered to by all government ministries, departments, and agencies? Are there mechanisms in place to ensure compliance, and are there consequences fornon-compliance?

· The official deadline dateforthereturnofunspent funds.

· Whether this official deadline date has been consistentlyfollowedacross allagencies.

· What steps are being takentostrengthenoversight and ensure full compliance withofficialdeadlinedateas requiredbylaw

Editor, Guyana’s commitment to fiscal responsibility must be demonstrated not only in lawbutalsoinpractice

The Guyana tax paying public deserves assurance that every dollar of their taxes is being managed with the utmost integrity and efficiency and the return on their investment is bothprudentandoptimal.

Editor, the effective implementation of Section 26 of the FMAAis essential to prevent the hoarding of publicfunds,reducetherisk of wasteful spending, and ensure that resources are reallocated to national priorities in a transparent manner. I hold the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, responsible to publicly clarify:

Yourssincerely, JonathanSubrianEsq.

When schools mirror society: Violence against teachers, indiscipline, and erosion of respect for rules

DEAREDITOR

, Inrecentdays,Guyanese have once again been confronted with disturbing images circulating widely online, this time involving students at Carmel Secondary School and a teacher who appeared to be assaulted while attempting tointerveneinafight.

While the images themselves are shocking, whatisfarmoretroublingis thatmanycitizensnolonger seem surprised That, in itself,istheclearestwarning sign.

As President of the GuyanaTeachers’Unionand APNU’sShadowMinisterof Education, I state unequivocally: violence in and around our schools is neither “normal behaviour,” nor“youthfulmischief,”nor an issue to be managed throughpublicrelations.

It is a direct and

escalating threat to

learning, to teacher morale and retention, and to the physical and psychologicalsafetyofboth educatorsandstudents.

This concern does not arise in isolation The Ministry of Education

h a s p r e v i o u s l y acknowledged serious incidents involving students

attached to Charity SecondarySchooland8thof May Secondary School in RegionTwo.

In addition, recent

r e p o r t i n g h a s documented cases in which educators have been targeted and intimidated beyond the school gate, including the widely reported incident at New Campbellville Secondary where a teacher was subjected to online attacks and had their home vandalised.

These events, taken together, point to a deeply troubling trend.

W h a t w e a

witnessing a

e not r a n d o m a c t s , b u t symptoms of a wider and worsening breakdown, a decline in discipline, personal responsibility, and respect for basic social norms.

W h e n s t u d e n t s perceive that there are no

m

a n i n g f u l c o n s

q u e n c e s f

misconduct, when parentsrationaliseorexcuse violentbehaviour,andwhen schools are left without adequate support systems to intervene early, violence becomes predictable. Once v i o l e n c e b e c o m e s predictable, it becomes contagious. This crisis, however, does not begin or end at the school gate Our children observe, daily, the tone set in the wider society They absorb what is rewarded, what is tolerated, and what rules are enforced or ignored Itisthereforeimpossible to ignore the broader national context in which public confidence in institutions is repeatedly tested. In recent days, the country has also witnessed controversy surrounding the Speaker of the National Assemblyandtheprolonged delay in convening a constitutionally necessary meeting, followed by escalating public exchanges a n d w i d e s p r e a d condemnation Regardless of political affiliation, a fundamental principle must beupheld:wheninstitutions appear casual about rules, procedures, and timeliness, society becomes casual

about rules, procedures, and timeliness.

When authority appears inconsistent, selective, or reluctant to act, respect for authority erodes and our classrooms feel the consequences.

Thequestion,then,isnot whether there is a problem, butwhatmustbedone,now

First, Guyana urgently requires a National School Safety and Behaviour Framework that is publicly articulated, uniformly applied, and consistently enforced.Everyschoolmust operat

lear protocols governing fights, threats,weapons,intrusions, and assaults, with consequences that are known,fair,andpredictable.

Second, educators must be properly supported Teachers affected by violent incidents must have access to counselling, trauma support, and clear legal and administrativeguidance.No teacher should ever feel abandoned after being harmedinthelineofduty

Third,early-intervention mechanisms must be strengthened in every region, including trained counsellors, social workers, and community-based professionals capable of addressing behavioural issues before they escalate intoviolence.

Fourth, there must be parental accountability a n

selective discipline, not

problem, and certainly not “talk and done” responses that signal indifference

Finally, Guyana needs

a sustained national effort to rebuild respect:

respect for teachers, respect for classmates, respect for public property, and respect for lawful authority. This effort must be reinforced at home, in communities, in schools, and, critically, through the examplesetby nationalleadership.

Let us be clear: education cannot thrive in a climate of fear No curriculum reform, no new infrastructure

p r o g r a m , a n d n o examination strategy will succeed in a culture

where teachers are treated as expendable and learning is repeatedly disrupted by intimidation anddisorder

Guyana must decide what it truly values If we value education, then educators must be protected, students must be supported through firm and fair intervention, and disciplinemustbeanchored in justice and the rule of law Andifwevaluetherule of law, then our national institutions must model it c o n s i s t e n t l y a n d transparently so that our children learn that rules mattereverywhere,notonly whentheyareconvenient

Yoursfaithfully, CorettaMcDonald MemberofParliament APNU

TheSpeakerand theboundariesof constitutionaldiscretion

D

EARE

DITOR: The recent statements attributed to Speaker Manzoor Nadir warrant carefulreflection.Whileitis a c c u r a t e t h a t t h e Constitution specifies no fixed timeframe for certain parliamentary actions, the absence of explicit prescription does not confer unlimited discretion. Every such decision must still be guided by constitutional intent, the principles of r e p r e s e n t a t i v e accountability,andthelongestablished requirement that the Speaker act with strict impartiality

T h e S p e a k e r ’ s observations regarding “fugitive status” and comparative democratic practices raise additional concern.

The eligibility of Members of Parliament is governed by express constitutional provisions, and it is neither necessary nor appropriate for the Speaker to extend those requirementsbyreferenceto moral standards or foreign analogies.Suchcommentary risks w

boundaries of the office

. It is also regrettable that commentary directed at members of the diplomatic community was made in a manner susceptible to political interpretation. The Speaker’s high office dem

especiallyinthehandlingof external relations and m a t t

r s t o u c h i n g international confidence in Guyana’s parliamentary system. The role, properly understood, is to uphold decorum and balance rather than to enter public disputation.

Ultimately, the authority oftheSpeakershipliesnotin publicpronouncementbutin the consistent, measured exercise of fairness within the Assembly Fidelity to both the letter and spirit of theConstitutionremainsthe surest protection of parliamentaryintegrity

Respectfully, FernandoBalkaran FormerLecturer, UniversityoftheWest Indies,CaveHill Campus,andUniversity ofGuyana,Turkeyen Campus

Family of deceased pregnant woman calls on public to desist from spreading false narrative

The family of the late MarisaEastmaniscallingon themembersofthepublicto desist from spreading the falsenarrativeinrelationsto the woman’s health specificallyherHIVstatus.

“The family of the late MarisaEastmanhasbecome awareoffalse,irresponsible, and deeply distressing claims circulating in the public domain alleging that the deceased was HIV

positive The family categorically rejects these claims and wishes to place the true position on record,” astatementtothemediasaid Friday

Family members said theyareinpossessionofthe o f f i c i a l m e d i c a l documentationwhichshows that the deceased was HIV negative They said any implication, assertion, or suggestionthatiscontraryis entirely without foundation, factually incorrect, and

represents a serious mischaracterisation of the deadwoman.

“ T h e c o n t i n u e d

circulation of such unverified allegations is profoundlyhurtful,invasive,

and disrespectful—not only to Ms. Eastman’s memory but also to her family and loved ones who are navigating an immeasurable loss At a time when compassion and sensitivity areparamount,thespreadof misinformation serves only to compound grief and distress,”thestatementwent ontosay

Inthislight,thefamilyis calling on the public, including the users of social mediaplatforms“toexercise restraint, responsibility, and basic human decency by refraining from repeating or amplifying these false narratives.

“The family respectfully requests privacy and understanding as they continue to mourn and honour the life of Marisa Eastman with the dignity, respect,andcompassionshe deserves.”

On January 21, this publicationreportedthat the relatives of young pregnant woman blamed the hospital forherdeath.

In a live stream on Monday via Team Mohamed’s page, members

of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party

Odessa Primus, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and leader Azruddin Mohamed met with the family who recountedtheeventsleading uptothetragedy Eastman’s aunt Wendy (only name given) told the politicians that she received a call from her mother stating that her niece was hospitalised,shortlyafterthe

callshemadeherwaydown there.

“However,uponarriving there, my eldest sister, it my eldest sister there, her mom was there, and we went into the ward, and Marisa was behaving out of it. She was out of it, and in a sense that she was behaving like extraordinary So, while she was behaving like that, she was like snatching and grabbing

hermother,throwthefoodto me, screaming, shouting, tellingmetogetout,likeshe was out of order,” she recalled.

It came to a point where Eastmanhadtobehelddown by family members, as she had resorted to standing on the bed and screaming During the course of her being restrained, a nurse entered the room and they enquired where the doctor who was attending to her was, Wendy recalled the nurse saying the general doctorwasnotthere.

Luckily, she was able tospeakwithapsychiatric doctor around 16:00hrs, and the doctor asked her some question to try and ascertain what was going on with her niece She explained the situation and the timeframe the behaviour started. During the conversation the gynecologist arrived and relayed that he was there in relation to the pregnancy

Shortly after a security guard informed relatives that visiting hours were overandtheyhadtoleave

They refused to do so, noting that they did not wanttoleaveMarisaalone until she was stabilised They requested again to have Eastman restrained or sedated so that she can calm down and possibly getsomerest

Sometime later when her family were going about trying to get things in order Eastman jumped toherdeath

Why was anybody not looking at her, knowing the state she was in at the time?

Why wasn’t anybody paying attention? How couldyoumakeapregnant woman move from a bed in the middle to the window, then get up on something, to climb up to the window, open the windowandjump.

Where were the nurses? Was anybody there? Where were the nurses?” her aunt questioned.

Thefamilyisdemanding answers.Theybelievethatif Marisa was restrained or sedated as requested, she wouldhavestillbeenalive.

GCAA Directors appointed ICAO Global Ambassadors

The Guyana Civil

A v i a t i o n

A u t h o r i t y (GCAA) on Friday announced that its Director General, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, A A , and Deputy Director General, Dr Saheed Sulaman have been appointed as International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) GlobalAmbassadors.

The Civil Aviation Authority in a release said thattheDirectorGeneralhas been appointed as an ICAO Champion for the ICAO South American Region, while Dr Sulaman has been appointed as an ICAO Global Ambassador for Guyana. Theirappointment is for two years which commenced on January 1, 2026.

AccordingtotheGCAA, Lt.Col.(ret’d)Fieldhasover 50 years of experience in militaryandcivilaviationas both a pilot and an administrator, and has led Guyana’sGCAAasDirector General for the past decade, strengtheningitsinstitutions and boosting international credibility

He also serves on Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS), shaping regionalsafetypolicies. The Aviation Authority stated that as an ICAO Champion,hewillengagein high-level forums, policy debates, and with leaders acrossgovernment,industry, andcivilsociety AsforDr Sulaman,with

19 years at GCAA, he has held senior roles and is now Deputy Director General, overseeing organizational development, capacity building, and strategic initiatives.

They noted that his recentPh.DinManagement, e a r n e d t h r o u g h a Government of Guyana scholarship, enhances his ability to connect policy,

leadership, and human resourcesdevelopment.

As Global Ambassador, Dr Sulaman will engage emerging aviation talent to helpattractdiverseexpertise vital for the industry’s future.

“Both appointees have represented Guyana with distinction at major international platforms, includingtheICAOGeneral

Assembly, the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN), CARICOM engagements,andnumerous international aviation seminars and workshops, reinforcing Guyana’s growing profile within the globalaviationcommunity,” GCAAreported.

Speaking on the appointments, Minister of Public Utilities and

Aviation, Deodat Indar said, “We are extremely pleased to see two Guyanese appointed by ICAO to serve as their ICAO Champion and GlobalAmbassador

This is a proud moment for Guyana Our aviation sector is soaring to new heights, and it is deeply encouraging that our professionals are being given opportunities torepresentGuyanaonthe globalstage

Much credit to His ExcellencyPresidentAli’s vision in transforming Guyana’s aviation sector His Excellency’s vision givesGuyanaregionaland globalvisibility” Further, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority in congratulating both men, said that their appointments reflect Guyana’s growing influence in international aviationandunderscoresthe country’s commitment to excellence, leadership, and global partnership in advancing the development of a safe, resilient, sustainableandfuture-ready aviationsector

APNU warns: Cut borrowing for Budget 2026 as oil prices slide

TheAPartnership for National Unity (APNU) is urging the Government of Guyana (GoG) to bemindfulofhowitcontractsmore loans to fund this year’s Budget amid falling oil prices, largely influenced by the abduction of Venezuelan President, Nicolas MadurobyPresidentoftheUnited States,DonaldTrump.

The U.S. President not only capturedtheheadofstate,buttook control of the country’s oil resources which he plans to use to cutoilpricesto$50perbarrel.

Asapetro-state,thishasagrave impactonGuyanaandthenation’s economy Consequently, Terrence Campbell, a former member of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Investment Committee said he previouslyraisedanalarmoverthe government’s spending of revenue garneredfromthesector Campbell pointed out that Guyana was projected to earn less revenuein2025,comparedto2024,

despite the startup of an additional Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel (FPSO) and the productionofoilbeyondtheinitial designratesoftheships.

Consequently, he said, “This alone should tell us that we have some problems. If we are to fall fromthe60sdownto50(perbarrel of oil), it means that we will be earning much less revenue and the government would be wise, as you have suggested to reduce borrowing. There will be challengingtimesaheadandthisis entirely the wrong government, a profligate government for us to have at a time when the economic road ahead, especially with energy lookschallenging.”

The Member of Parliament (MP) said Guyana’s situation was particularly troubling due to the economy’s dependence on oil revenue.Infact,henotedthatmany of the other sectors, such as sugar and rice for instance are

experiencingdifficulties,withgold also suffering lower declarations. Notably, Campbell acknowledged the ongoing efforts by government totackleillegalgoldmining,which he believes is specifically being targeted to cushion the lower oil prices.

Given the prevailing circumstances, Campbell said it would be reckless for yet another “largest budget ever” to be presented to the House. “If he (the finance minister) comes to the Assembly and he opens up about thelargestbudgetever,Iknowthat heiscontinuingontherecklesspath thattheyhavegonebeforeandheis nottakingnote,heisnotcognizant oftheeffectsofaloweroilpriceson Guyana’s economy and the budget,”heexplained.

The MP made it clear that the government should restrain itself from increasing the country’s debt burden under such conditions. “In this scenario, borrowing should be

APNUlikelytoabstainfrom OppositionLeadervote

…says sole nominee will be WIN’s Azruddin Mohamed

TheAPartnership for National Unity (APNU) is likely to abstain from voting on Monday when opposition parliamentarians meet toselectaleaderoftheopposition, according to the party’s lead Member of Parliament (MP) Dr TerrenceCampbell.

AtAPNU’spressconferenceon Friday, Campbell addressed a notice circulating on social media suggesting there is a move to prevent We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) leader Azruddin Mohamed from becoming opposition leader and that APNU will not challenge forthepost.

“That notice that you see on social media it is mischievous. WIN has 16 seats in the national assembly out of an opposition side of 29. WIN has clearly said that there will be one candidate for leader of the opposition coming fromWINMrAzruddinMohamed. It is our expectation that Mr AzruddinMohamedwillbeelected as the leader of the opposition,” Campbellsaid.Headdedthateven ifsomeWINMPsweretosupporta candidate from another party and succeed, such a move would be short-lived. “Because WIN will removethoseparliamentarians,call a vote of no-confidence in the leaderoftheoppositionandreplace theleaderoftheopposition.So,the notice makes absolutely no sense, whatsoever,”Campbellstated.

The13thParliamentofGuyana was convened on November 2,

2025, and the election of the opposition leader is scheduled for Monday WIN, led by Mohamed, holds 16 seats in the National Assembly,followedbyAPNUwith 12 seats and the Forward Guyana Movement(FGM)withone.Under the constitution, the leader of the opposition is elected by a majority of non-government MPs With WIN holding the largest bloc, Mohamed is the presumed oppositionleader PressedonwhetherAPNUwill abstainfromvoting,Campbellsaid the party has taken a position that will become evident on Monday “Becausetherewillbenoneedfora vote. There will be one nominee who will be declared leader of the opposition. One nominee. The APNU has no intention of putting

restrained We should not be looking in this scenario to be drivingupourdebtload,”heurged.

He said that while he does not believe the budget should be reduced,atthesametimethefiscal plan should not be increased Instead, he said, “I’m suggesting cautioninthebudget.”

Fallingoilprices

During the presentation of Budget2025,FinanceMinisterDr. AshniSinghexplainedthatGuyana was expected to receive less revenue from the sector, despite higher production was anticipated.

Theministernotedthatthiswasasa result of the decline in oil prices fromthepreviousyear

He said it is anticipated that there will be 246 lifts of profit oil from the Stabroek Block in 2025.

Within this, Government was projected to have 31 lifts of profit oil from three FPSOs that were in operation at the time and the One Guyana FPSO, commissioned in

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh

thesecondhalfoftheyear

Be that as it may, Dr. Singh pointed out, “With the average price of Brent crude expected to decline to an average of US$71.9 p

’s petroleum revenue deposits are projected to be 2.6 percent lower than in 2024 Government is projected to earn an estimated US$2.2 billion in profit oil and US$340.6millioninroyalties.”

In 2024, an average 225 4 million barrels of crude oil was produced,withthesectorrecording 57.7% growth that year With the priceofoilaveraging,US$80.7per barrel in 2024, Guyana earned US$2.6Bfromoilproduction.

Chancellor orders Court of Appeal to reduce over 2000 backlogged cases

up a candidate for the position of leader of the opposition and it will be futile for Forward Guyana Movement to do so. There will be one nominee for leader of the oppositionanditisourexpectation that that person will be declared leader There will be no need for a vote,”hesaid.

Campbell also stated, “There will be one nominee. The WIN party has enough members to support that nominee…with that one nominee, the person will be declaredleaderoftheopposition.It is not in the interest of opposition collaboration for us to take any otherstanceontheissue.”

M e a n w h i l e , A P N U Parliamentary Chief Whip Ganesh Mahipaulcautionedthat

Continued on page 9

With more than 2,000 appeals and applications filed between January1,1996andDecember31, 2024, Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Roxane George hasorderedtheCourtofAppealof the Supreme Court of Judicature ofGuyanatoundertakeabacklog reductionexercise.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Court acknowledged the understandable concerns of litigants and attorneys who have beenawaitingthedeterminationof long-standing matters, and said the initiative reflects a firm commitmenttothetimely,fairand transparent administration of justice.

As part of the exercise, the Court of Appeal has been constitutedintothreepanels,each assigned70matters,amountingto 210casesinthefirsttranche.Each panelwillhandle21civilappeals, 20 criminal appeals, and 29 applications for leave to appeal and for extensions of time to appeal. Hearings will commence withthecivilappealsonFebruary 10, 12 and 13, 2026, beginning at 9:30a.m.oneachday

The applications for leave to appeal and for extensions of time to appeal are those filed between January1,2021andDecember31, 2025.

“Our records indicate that there are no pending applications filed prior to 2021. Applications filedin2026willbeassignedona continualbasissothattheycanbe

heard in the most timely manner possible. To ensure there is no longeralargebacklogofcases,the appealpanelswillalsobeassigned more recently filed appeals,” the Courtsaid.

The Court of Appeal emphasised that the exercise will be court-driven and guided by robust case management principles,notingthatnocasewill be returned to the court registry withoutdisposition.

It added that all attorneys and litigants are expected to be fully preparedtoassistthepanelssothat matterscanbeconcluded.Notices of hearing will be sent to the recordedaddressesoflitigantsand attorneys-at-law and will also be published in the newspapers, on the Court’s website under “HearingLists,”andonitsofficial Facebookpage.

The electorate’s sovereignty is supreme

There is a particular breed of concern that

flourishes best in parliamentarycorridors.Itis the discovery of conscience when there is nothing to discover It manifests in solemn statements, fauxoutrage,andritualizedhandwringing over what is, in fact, a procedural inevitability.

The current spectacle surrounding the election of theLeaderoftheOpposition is precisely that. It is not a crisis of governance, not a moral emergency, but what isseenaspussyfootingwhen it comes to exercise of the electorate’s will The

electorategave109,000plus votestoAZMO.Thatallows himtobeinpolepositionfor appointmentofLeaderofthe Opposition. Except that the simple process of electing him has been inexcusably delayedformonths. It is true thatAZMO has been indicted by a court in theUnitedStates.Buthehas not been convicted. Indictmentisaccusation,not adjudication; suspicion, not certainty Yet the naysayers, those who would meddle in t h e m a c h i n e r y o f parliamentary process, treat the mere existence of an indictment as sufficient reasontopause,tointerfere,

to frustrate the legal and democratic momentum that follows an election. And now we find this this obstructionism is being dressedupinthelanguageof conscience.

Those entrusted with managing the formal appointmentoftheLeaderof theOppositionarenotcalled upontorenderjudgmentson foreign indictments. Their chargeisnarrower,yetmore consequential They are charged with implementing the Constitution faithfully andwithoutprejudice.

The Constitution of Guyana sets out the precise conditions under which a

GCCI warns against arbitrary price hikes, delayed delivery by shipping companies

TheGeorgetownChamberofCommerce and Industry (GCCI) on Friday warned against what it termed as unconscionable practices by shipping companies. In a terse statement to the media, the body said that over the last year it has observed and received complaints of “unfair and unconscionable practices by shipping companiesoperatinginGuyana.”

“Ranging from the imposition of hiked fees and the unilateral extension of peak period pricing to the sidelining of local businesses’ imports for clearance to prioritiselargeforeigncompanies,theseacts have far-reaching consequences for businesses, consumers, and the pace of development,”thestatementsaid.

Further, the GCCI said that the “unjustified increases in cost as well as delayed delivery of goods lead to increased costtoconsumers,andnegativelyimpactthe

operationsoflocalbusinesses.”

“Of particular concern is the impact of arbitrary price hikes and delays on businesses that are deadline driven and tied to the predetermined costs such as those in theconstructionsector,”theChamberstated.

TheGCCIsaidthatitsmembersmetwith the Guyana Customs House Brokers and Clerks Association late last year and followingtheircomplaintssoughtameeting with the ShippingAssociation of Guyana to addressthechallengeshighlighted.

“Todate,attemptstorelievethesituation haveprovenfutile—however,theiniquitous conduct by companies within the shipping industry cannot continue unchecked. The GCCIiscallingontheShippingAssociation to meet with its members and rectify this situationwithurgencyastheimplicationsof theiractionshavetroublingrippleeffectson thebusinesslandscape.”

DEM BOYS SEH

Violence in schools nah new, but we gotta deal with it smart

Fights in school. Fights after school Students

fighting each other, students fighting teachers. Some people seh this is new,butdemboyssehnah, disbeendehsofordecades. Every time a group of schoolchildrendecidedem up to wickedness, trouble always follow. And yes, someofdemgetsuspended, some get transferred. But tell me dis how yuh transfer a problem? How yuhsuspendasymptomofa biggermalady?

Somepeopleseh,“Nah, w e n e e d h a r s h punishment!” Dem seh public flogging mek dem knowsayviolencenuhmek sense But mek we be real—dat only humiliate, it don’t fix nothing A flogging mek a child feel

shame, maybe mek dem rebel more Education gone? Respect gone?

Confidence gone? But problem?Stilldeh.

Others seh every child deserveeducation.Demseh yuhhavetoworkwiddem, understandwhydemactup. Counseling, dem seh, can help.Anditcan—insidede counseling room, a child can feel heard, can learn a different way But what happen when dem leave de roomandreturntodesame violent environment dat teach dem fight again and again? Counseling alone nahenough. Dem boys seh, de approach have to be studied Nah impulsive Nahjustwahpunishmentor wah pep talk. Teachers, parents, community, even

person may be disqualified fromtheNationalAssembly A member is disqualified if they are under sentence of death,servingimprisonment exceedingsixmonths,under a substituted sentence of comparable length, or serving a suspended sentence of imprisonment for more than six months. That is the extent of it. Nothingmore.Nothingless. Silencereignsintherules of the National Assembly whenitcomestothematterof charges or indictments

Standing Orders, the procedural lexicon of the Assembly, do not invent disqualifications out of moral discomfort Yet,hereweare:a paradeofconcern,achorusof hesitation,allpremisednoton lawbutonsentiment

If any official finds the process troubling to their conscience, resignation is available.Theymaybowout withdignity Whattheymay not do, under the cover of conscience, is hold up the machinery of democracy to negotiatetheircomfort.That wouldbeneitherhonourable nor lawful. Let us recall precedent. In 2018, a sitting Member of the National Assembly was charged and placed before the courts. That member did not vacate the seat. The Constitution

was obeyed; the Assembly functioned; governance continued. The fact that a swathe of criminal charges did not disqualify a sitting member is a glaring, inconvenient reminder that therulesdonotchangewith the beneficiary of those rules. Yet now, it is convenient to pretend that

AZMO’s indictment, overseas and unproven, is somehowamoralstumbling block.Itisnot.Itisapretext.

Attheheartofthischarade liesanunsettlingdisrespectfor the electorate One hundred and nine thousand Guyanese voted for AZMO Their choice is not advisory; it is sovereign. To insinuate that procedural actors should second-guess that decision because some external indictment exists is to arrogate to oneself the authority of the people. It is the audacity of bureaucratic paternalism, masquerading as morality.The electorate’s sovereignty is supreme. No foreign indictment, no personal discomfort, no invented rule may displace it. If anyone’s conscience is genuinely troubled by the prospect of conducting an ordinary duty under the Constitution, the remedy is resignation, not delay To stall is to substitute private s

obligation Democracy is notaseminarinpropriety;it is a system of rules, p

, and the occasional discomfort that attends obedience.AZMOis eligible He may sit He may lead the Opposition To pretendotherwiseistoengage inthecharadeofprinciple

In a parliamentary democracy, the law is not malleabletosentiment,noris process negotiable according to discomfort It is fixed, precise, and inconveniently real Todelaytheappointment of the Leader of the Opposition under the cover of conscience is not moral vigilance. It is the art of excusing delay with the syntaxofmoralindignation. And so, if anyone finds their conscience incapable of executing the duties required bylaw,letthemresign Ifnot, lettheConstitutionbeapplied aswritten,theAssemblymove forward, and the people’s choicebehonoured

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

APNUlikelytoabstainfromOpposition...

Frompage8 developments could still occur before Monday, noting the unpredictability of politics.

“So, several things can happen between todayandMonday…Wearenotshyingaway but there are possibilities of things can happen that is very much beyond us too because we don’t know necessarily what is happening in the People’s Progressive Party andwhattheyaredoing,”Mahipaulsaid.

the children themselves have to work together.Yuh have to look at why v

pressure, family stress, social environment Yuh have to mek schools a safe space, mek teachers trained, mek discipline fair and consistent

children see consequences withoutshame. De thing is, violence in schools ain’t just a school problem Nah, it’s a society problem Ifwedon’thandle it right now, it grow, it spread, it turn to bigger issues later So dem boys seh, nah rush, nah lash out study de problem, tacklederoots,andmeksure desolutionteachdem,build dem,andprotectdem Only thenyuhstopdecycle. Talkhalf.Leffhalf

Nandlall has also said on multiple occasions that Mohamed being sanctioned by the United States and facing extradition proceedingswouldbeunprecedented,deeply damagingandanindictmentonGuyana.

Despite indicating there may be no need forAPNUtovoteonMonday,Campbellsaid hehopestherewillbeoppositionunitygoing forward. He added that on matters requiring governmentconsultationwiththeopposition leader, including certain appointments and

committees,heexpectstheoppositionleader willconsultwiththewideropposition.

HereferencedrecentremarksbySpeaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir andAttorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, S.C. During a live broadcastonTuesdayevening,Nadirsaidhe hasadutytoprotecttheintegrityofthehouse and suggested that Mohamed’s possible election would tarnish parliament, labelling himan“internationalfugitive.”

H@RD TRUTHS

Censusresults-ajumbeeinanudistcolony

Guyanese had clamored loudly for the long-delayed census results to be published. They got something calledthepreliminaryreport of the Guyana National Population and Housing Census2022. Twothoughts surfaced. If this is the preliminary report, and it’s soshaky,itmaybebetterfor the final is left to slumber Then,thereisthatmaxim:be careful what is asked for; because Guyanese asked (guilty here), and look what theygot.

If this is the best that the Bureau of Statistics (BoS) can deliver, after the three years plus of overtime, it would have been better if it had recruited some of those creative statistical masters that spread PPP Govt

propaganda. I am sure they wouldhaveputabettergloss on the narrative section of the BoS product; perhaps tweaked some of the n u m b e r s m o r e advantageously The BoS reports that there were 12,654 Venezuelans in Guyana as of 2022. Either the statistical people were driventomadnessbythepile ofnumbers,ortheythinkthat Guyanesearemad.

One need not be

acquainted with the alphabet,oranynumberpast zero,toknowthattotalabout Venezuelans here is either a joke or a game, or both.

Scattered sections of Georgetown alone may hold

more than 12,654

Venezuelans, given unconfirmed estimates of howmanyoftheseneighbors

arearound. Evenifastretch, and somewhat less than Georgetown actually has, 12,654 Venezuelans present is as far from the true number, as Guyana is from Antarctica. I think that this is one issue on which the likes of the PPP Govt’s Dr Ashni Singh would be in agreement with me. There really is no space for objection. In fairness to the BoS, it reported that there was difficulty in counting undocumented migrants, of which Venezuelans would have been the majority, and for obvious reasons. Fear and shrinking from interactionwithofficials.

S o , h o w m a n y Venezuelansarehere? What is the number other than 12,654, one that is closer to their total presence in

Boy loses eye to cancer ...motherpleadsfor helptosavetheother

LastJuly,FaithCadogan travelled to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to determine the cause of a bloodshot right eyeofhernine-year-oldson. Though unsure of what brought on the effect, Cadogan never anticipated the update that her son, Kaden Cadogan, was d e v e l o p i n g Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer also called softtissuesarcoma.

This is a cancer that is prevalentmostlyinchildren, but also affects adults. It develops in one’s skeletal muscles.Withhisdiagnosis, doctors informed the child’s mother that an urgent surgery must be performed, which would require a substantial amount of money Thesinglemotherof four, who is currently unemployed, is seeking financialassistancefromthe public.

Having noticed the bloodshot in his eye, Faith andheryoungestchildmade several visits to the medical facility, where she was told the situation was serious. Doctors told her that only a laser procedure was needed to remove what appeared to be a fleshy buildup in his righteye.

This was not successful, and the child would eventuallylosehisrighteye.

Primary School, the staff is aware of his situation. He was forced to skip critical class examinations and has missed out on assignments.

Cadogan told this publication that Kaden is currently not attending school, but she remains in communication with his teachers.

Rhabdomyosarcoma presentsmultiplesymptoms, including lump/swelling, in somecasesapainfullumpin various muscle areas; vision complications, headaches, blood in urine, difficulty

Guyana? Is it four or six or eight times (or more) than the 12,654-number presented to Guyanese? Twiceasmuchdoesn’tcutit, is too tough to swallow I could settle for somewhere between 65-75% of the true figureassatisfactory

Butnothingofthesortis insight. Itakethisfurther:if thereportaboutVenezuelans in Guyana is so skimpy and stretches belief, then how can other numbers in the 2022 preliminary report be reliedupon,givecomfort?

Thereisappreciationthat thecensusclosedoffin2022, and that this is 2025/26. Plus,conditionsinGuyana’s northwestern neighbor intensified more sharply since then, with more pressures applied on that country A flood of people fleeing hardship and harboring great fears about theirsafetycouldhavefound a place here, legally or illegally Whathasbeenthe impact of the government number and whatever the realnumberisontwocrucial

areasinGuyana? The first is housing; the secondiswages. Commonsensetells rental are at a premium in Georgetown due to demand overwhelming supply It alsotellsthatscarcespaceat the lower end of the price range is now fiercely competed for by the native born and new neighbors. WhatGuyanesecouldbarely managetoscrapetomeetthe demands of landlords may now not be enough to give themaroofovertheirheads. Due recognition is given to tents on ‘sea-dams’ and makeshift squatting areas occupied by desperate immigrants. In short, a rough situation got more unbearable.

Regarding wages, it is known that migrants the world over do not have the luxury of picking and choosing jobs, and naming their price. They take what theyget,ortheygetout. The economics of the street is that raw and that brutal; that final,too. WithVenezuelans

The Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Ten, Dwight John, has been formallycalleduponbycouncillorsfromthe We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and Forward Movement Guyana (FGM) to immediately convene the statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to complete the election of the regional chairmanandvicechairman.

willing to work longer and harder for less, Guyanese lacking skills find themselves fighting a losing battle. Amigrantbattlingfor survival and a place will graspatminimumwage,and absorb exploitation, just to stay afloat. How they do so only they know, in an environment where prices arealwaysrising,andcanbe socrushing.

I think that 12,654 VenezuelansinGuyanaasof 2022 is way undercounted. It is a spirit operating right beforetheeyes,yetelusiveto hold.

But one with serious implications, without even addressing schools, healthcare, law and order, andnationalsecurity (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

“Hedoesbecomplaining of pain.... he will say ‘mommy, I feel so different, myheadsoftontheoneside’ where his (affected) eye is,” the mother told Kaieteur News.

The boy and his mother reside at Lot 4674 Rasville Roxanne Burnham Garden in Georgetown. The fund is being sought for surgery to preventatotallossofvision and the spread of cancer to otherpartsofhisbody

“They just said get up some money,” she relatedto this publication when asked if she was given a figure by thedoctors. A pupil of St Pius

Speaking to this publication on Thursday, Cadogan, shared that her child would occasionally complainofdiscomfort.

urinating, abdominal discomforts, vomiting and constipation.

Cadogan related that her son became familiar with many of those symptoms over the last couple of months. In a bid to prevent thespreadofthedebilitating disease,andtosavenotonly hislefteye,buthislife,Faith isseekingtangiblehelp.

“I am asking for a little help and a little donation. The little things and whatever you can do matters, because I am in a bad situation with my son’s health and condition....and you can just keep him and keep us in prayers,” she appealed.

Persons interested in assistingfinanciallycanyou his mother on 619-3467, or TandekaFraseron663-8396 forMMGtransactions.

In a resolution issued Thursday, addressed also to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand, the 10 councilors, representingan absolutemajorityof the18member council, requested written confirmationofreceiptandurgedtheREOto convenetheelectionwithoutfurtherdelay

At the September 1, 2025, Regional Elections, WIN, led by businessman AzruddinMohamed,securedthemostvotes in Region 10 a region traditionally dominated by the People’s National CongressReform(PNC/R).

The 18 councilors sworn in October 10, 2025, included nine for WIN, five for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), three for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C),andoneforFGM.

The initial RDC election ended in a 9-9 tiebetweenWINandAPNUnominees.The REO and clerk of council subsequently suspended the process, referring the matter toMinisterManickchand,wholaterclarified she has no role in selecting the chair and hopingtheprocessiscompleted.

The 10 councilors stated, “the failure to

reconvenethecouncilfollowingthetiedfirst ballot has resulted in the continued absence ofdulyelectedleadershipandhasmaterially impaired the lawful functioning of the RegionalDemocraticCouncil.Thissituation directlyaffectstheabilityoftheelectedbody to carry out its statutory responsibilities, including the establishment of committees, oversightoftheregionaladministration,and representation of the interests of the people ofRegion10.”

For their part, APNU’s Region 10 councilors on Friday issued a statement expressing readiness to participate once the election is convened They said, “We respectfully state that we are fully prepared andwillingtoparticipateinanelectiononce itisconvened,andwehopethatthisisdone at the earliest opportunity We remain committed to the democratic process and to operatingwithintheframeworkofthelawto ensurethismatterisbroughttoatimelyand orderlyconclusion.”

Further, APNU Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul at the party press conference on Friday when asked why his party was not a signatory to the resolution, saidhedidnotknowifAPNUwasinvitedor ifthediscussionsweresolelybetweenWIN andFGM.

However,headded,“Thepartyhasmade several attempts to talk to WIN on parliamentaryissuesandtheRegion10issue was on the agenda.” Mahipaul further emphasisedthatAPNU’sdoorremainsopen fordiscussionswithbothparties.

Prison Officers to take up teaching roles within service - GPS

...OVER 400 TRAINED ACROSS 117 PROGRAMMES IN 2025

TheGuyanaPrison Service (GPS) on Friday said officers will be taking up teaching roles within its training department to teach inmates skills needed to reintroduce them into society

Thirty officers attached totheserviceenrolledinthe “trainers to trainers” programme, the first of its kind in the region, at CPCE. Here they will complete LevelOneandTwocourses, subsequently earning an associate degree in education. Once completed, they will then join the training department of the service,teachingtheinmates severalskills,thusmarkinga huge step towards in-house education delivery for the service,”theGPSsaid.

Civilians historically facilitated educational programmes within the prison system, however the current approach is focused on having prison officers equipped with the skills to delivercontenteffectively.

In addition, another 30

officers completed the University of Guyana’s course in communication and

operations for correctional facilities Another 285 officers participated in the Coursera Digital Learning Platform, where they were expo

leadership, management,

y programmes.

Acting Deputy Director of Prisons and Head of the Staff Training Department, Kevin Pilgrim, underscored that the training department met and exceeded its 2025 target, thereby completing

the Five-Year Strategic Training Plan. He said the achievement demonstrates the department’s ability to

objectives.

He added that the training has strengthened institutional capacity,

ensuring that officers and civilians alike are better equippedtomeetoperational andorganisationaldemands.

“

underscore the GPS’s commitmenttoenhancingits personnel’s competencies a

operational standards within the prison system,” Pilgrim noted.

Looking ahead, he is optimistic that the department will continue to build on its achievements, withtheimplementationofa balanced training matrix which will ensure officers remain equipped with the knowledgeandskillsneeded to meet operational demands.

“ A d d i t i o n a l programmes, guided by the Public Service Ministry AnnualTrainingActivity, as well as opportunities through Coursera, the Gold

Scholarship, and other institutions, will further expandaccesstospecialized learning and global best practices,”GPSsaid.

The deputy director also saidthatthroughallofthese initiatives, the training departmentisreaffirmingits commitment to excellence, continuous development, and alignment with the Guyana Prison Service’s legal framework and establishedprocedures.

To ensure that officers and civilians alike are prepared to meet the evolving challenges of the future with competence, integrity, and resilience, there will be a sustained focus on training alongside professionalgrowth.

“Director of Prisons, NicklonElliot,indicatedthat all prison officers will have the opportunity to upskill at the University of Guyana andatanyotherinstitutionin their field. He said this approach will strengthen decision-making skills,” the serviceadded.

a m m e s a n d implementing innovative initiatives to enhance professional development andoperations.

Training was done through the training department of the service and there was also the implementation of innovative initiatives, which enhanced professional development as well as operations.

“Notable initiatives include a partnership with the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), the University of Guyana (UG), the Cours

a Digital Learning Platform, the GOAL (Guyana Online Academy of Learning) scholarship programme, and, for the first time, training for several ranks on the use of non-lethal weapons and body cameras at facilities across Guyana,” GPSsaid.

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS), through its training department, achievedamilestonein2025 by training over 400 prison officers through 117 diverse p r o g

‘Toothless Integrity Commission’ should investigate corruption allegations against Minister Rodrigues - APNU

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) believes the Integrity Commission has proven to be yet another ‘toothless’ body that has failed to carry out its mandate by refusing toaddressrelevantquestions from the media, relating to the allegations of corruption leveled against Minister of Tourism,SusanRodrigues.

During a media conference on Friday, the party’s lead Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Terrence Campbell also pointed to the need for the IntegrityCommissionActto be amended to allow public access to summary of assets declaredbypersonsinpublic life On Tuesday, the Integrity Commission told Kaieteur News that it could not respond to any of its questions on whether the body was satisfied that the assetsownedbytheminister matched her income or if it was conducting an investigation into the accumulation of wealth by the minister during her tenureinoffice.

“Thecommissionwishes toadvisethatthemandateof the integrity commission is circumscribed by the Integrity Commission Act, CAP 26:01 which dictates a strict and continuing obligation of confidentiality in respect of the contents of alldeclarationsreceivedand any assessment undertaken

by the commission, ” KaieteurNewswastold.

Campbell however believes that the integrity commission is just another institutionaddedtothelistof “toothless boards and commissions” such as the Natural Resource Fund

...SAYS LAW SHOULD BE AMENDED TO PUBLISH SUMMARY OF

Minister Rodrigues, the MP argued that the commission should have proactively issued a statement explaining that it has taken note of the allegations and because it takes its job seriously, will conduct a thoroughinvestigation.

MP, Terrence Campbell

Board, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and the GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF).

He believes that a key issue that affects the independent functioning of these agencies and groups is t

strategicappointments.

“We have a problem and theproblemtoaddressit,the PPP captures each one of theseconstitutionalagencies with their appointments to the executive in each one of these agencies and their appointments to the board,” heexplained.

To this end, the MP said Guyana’s Integrity Commission Act should be amended to resemble the Jamaican law, which requiresasummaryofassets declared by the prime minister and opposition leadertobepublishedbythe integrity commission Campbell pointed out that when such a summary is shared with the public, scrutiny moves beyond the eyesofjustthecommission.

“I believe corruption to be much higher in Guyana than it is in Jamaica, where senior public officials, a s u m m a r y o f t h e i r declarationsmustbeputinto the public domain and that theywouldnotleaveittothe integrity commission to the police- toothless as well when it comes to government ministers- but members of the press can then follow up and investigate and even civil society can follow up and i n v e s t i g a t e t h o s e declarations,” Campbell reasoned.

Shifting gears into Guyana’s situation with

Campbell made it clear that the commission should not refuse to comment on suchanimportantmatterbut should reassure the public that it is performing its constitutionalduty

Further, he mocked the excuse of confidentiality for refusing to address the scandal involving the minister In fact, Campbell accused the commission of previously leaking assets declaredbyhim,tothepublic “Ioncehearddisclosures of assets that I hold and I know that the only way that thosedisclosurescouldhave been made it would have beenmadefromtheintegrity commission filing that I had done,” Campbell told the

media. The IntegrityAct at Section 15(1) highlights the requirement for persons in public life to declare all assets to the commission. It states, “A person in public lifeisrequiredtodisclosein his declaration, under section 13, such details in respectoftheincome,assets andliabilitiesofhimselfand those of his spouse and his children, as by the exercise ofreasonablecareshouldbe knowntohim.”

It was leader of the We

Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed who dropped several bombshell disclosures on prime properties owned by theformerhousingminister She later accepted ownershipofaU.Sproperty and an overseas company, two parcels of prime state lands in Guyana and other properties, financed through mortgages. Rodrigues made it clear that all her assets were declared to the commission.

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LEGAL NOTICE

2025/667-FD-PET-DEM IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION

FAMILY DIVISION

Petition No. FD-667

BETWEEN: (CABRAL) HAIMWATTIE nee JAGERNAUTH

Petitioner/Applicant -and(CABRAL) ISAAC

Respondent TO: ISAAC CABRAL Nafari, Wakapou, Pomeroon, Guyana.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 24th day of June, 2025 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by HAIMWATTIE CABRAL nee JAGERNAUTH, the Petitioner/Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown,

LEGAL NOTICE

Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 11th day of December, 2025, the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur Newspaper, a newspaper of general circulation in Guyana.

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 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 and Application, 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 e-litigation Platform (online) https:// ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice. Your access code is PPmdZo.

TAKE NOTICE that the Directions Hearing is refixed for Directions Hearing on Friday the 20th day of March, 2026 at 9:15 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Fidela Corbin Lincoln via zoom or in person at court8 Zoom 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 the Divorce.

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 8:00 am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Thursdays

LEGAL NOTICE

and 8:00 am to 2:30 pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 12th day of January, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE

2025/1188-FD-PET-DEM

THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION BETWEEN: Petition No. FD-1188 (HINCKSON) LEAMA ABADE nee PERREIRA Petitioner/Applicant -and(HINCKSON) GODFREY Respondent TO: GODFREY HINCKSON UNKNOWN

TAKE NOTICE that on the 30th day of October, 2025 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by LEAMA ABADE HINCKSON nee PERREIRA, the Petitioner/Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 22nd day of December, 2025, the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of Petition on you by publication of Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of daily a newspaper printed, published and circulated in Guyana and on the world wide web (online). 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 Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a cer-

tified 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 Acknowledgment of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition Via the e-litigation Platform (online)https:// ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy within 35 (thirty-five) days

Filing Attorney:

MS. TAWANA CHARLES GUYANALEGALAID CLINIC

“Maraj Building” 185 Charlotte & King Street Georgetown, Guyana Tel: 225-9238 / 225-9246 Email: legalaid@networkgy.com 2021-HC-DEM-CIV-FD1372

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION

FAMILY DIVISION Between: Application No. FD-1372 (WILSON) OLDEN FITZGERALD Petitioner/Respondent (WILSON) ALLISON nee ASHBY

Respondent/Applicant

TO: OLDEN FITZGERALD 269 Kingsland Terrace, Chris Church, Barbados,

TAKE NOTICE that on the 18th day of March, 2025 an Application Relating to Child was filed against you by ALLISON WILSON nee ASHBY, the Respondent/

Venezuela interim president moves to overhaul oil law ...ditches

(AL-JAZEERA)

Venezuela’s parliament has advanced a proposal to loosen the state’s control over its oil industry and boost the private sector’s role in the first major overhaul of the industry in years.

The proposal to reform Venezuela’s Hydrocarbons Law was thrust upon the country after the abduction of former President Nicolas MadurobytheUnitedStates on January 3 and had generatedsignificantinterest across businesses and politicalparties.

In the wake of those events,theWhiteHouseand US Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced a $500bn energy agreement between the two countries, under which Washington seeks to exert significant influence

over Venezuela’s oil industry

Approved in its first reading on Thursday, the reform breaks with several principles of the oil nationalisation carried out by former President Hugo Chavez in 2006, which reserved exclusive crude marketing rights for stateowned oil company PDVSA.

The new text allows direct commercialisation by private companies, permits

theopeningofbankaccounts in any cu

ncy and jurisdiction, and, while reaffirming PDVSA’s majority stake in joint ventures, allows minority partnerstoexercisetechnical a n d o p

r a t i o n a l management. The bill also proposes repealing the law that reserves ancillary services related to primary oil activities for the state, allowing private companies tosubcontractoilextraction, provided they assume the associatedcostsandrisks. It further introduces flexibility in royalty payments, lowering them from30percenttoaslittleas 15percentofextractedcrude

as an incentive to attract investment,particularlynew drilling in undeveloped areas.

Another key change seeks to incorporate legal safeguards through independen

d

sputeresolution mechanisms such asmediationandarbitration. Legal certainty was among the main demands raised by executives from multinational oil companies during a meeting with US President Donald Trump on January 9, in reference to multibillion-dollar claims filed by ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips against the Venezuelan state following thenationalisationprocessin 2007.

‘Lawofambiguity’

For economist Jose Guerra, former director of research at Venezuela’s Central Bank, the proposal remains heavy on rhetoric. Hearguesitlacksclarityand does not explicitly establish that private companies can holdmajorityownership.

“This law is a law of ambiguity,designedtoavoid openly breaking with Chavez’soillegacy,”Guerra said. “It is not emphatic aboutprivateparticipation.”

He noted that, in practice,thegovernmenthas already ceded ground to private capital through production participation contracts (CPP), under which companies could

Chávez-era

effectively hold more than 50percent.

The CPP framework emerged in 2024 when Rodríguez was serving as energy and oil minister Its operation has been marked by opacity, as it is shielded by Article 37 of the AntiBlockade Law, enacted to circ

imposedonPDVSAin2019.

T h a t p r o v i s i o n establishes a regime of confidentiality and document classification, allowing the government to bypass the existing Hydrocarbons Law, which limits private or foreign capital to joint ventures in which PDVSA must hold a majority stake. On January 15, Rodríguez told the National Assembly that the introductionofCPPsinApril of 2024 led to a rebound in oilproduction,from900,000 barrelsperdayto1.2million bpd, and that investments under this model reached nearly$900min2025.

But the introduction of the proposed changes were marredbycontroversyasthe draft was not made public until just a couple of hours before lawmakers convened foritsfirstdebate.

The opposition declined to vote, arguing that in a country with the world’s largest oil reserves, energy

model

legislation should be treated as a “social pact”, the result of a broad and thorough consultation among all stakeholders.

‘Chevronmodel’ Luis Oliveros, dean of the Faculty of Economic SciencesattheMetropolitan University at Caracas, describeditasapositivesign that the law formalises what is known as the “Chevron model”.

“It opens room for foreigncompaniestoassume technical, operational and financialmanagementofthe joint ventures they operate, with greater flexibility,” he said.However,headdedthat eliminating PDVSA’s mandatory majority stake would have been more attractive to foreign investors.

Oswaldo Felizzola, coordinator of Venezuela’s International Centre for Energy and Environment (CIEA), toldAl Jazeera that the reform contains enough elements to invite new capital to invest in the industry, but ultimately falls short “What has been proposed is necessary, but notsufficient.Thelawneeds to be updated for the 21st century,” Felizzola said “That said, it is no longer as statist as to paralyse the industry.”

US completes withdrawal from World Health Organization

(AP) — The U.S. has finalized its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, one year after President Donald Trump announced America was ending its 78-year-old commitment, federal officialssaidThursday Butit’shardlyaclean break.

TheU.S.owesabout$280milliontothe global health agency, according to WHO. And Trump administration officials acknowledge that they haven’t finished workingoutsomeissues,suchaslostaccess to data from other countries that could give America an early warning of a new pandemic.

The withdrawal will hurt the global response to new outbreaks and will hobble the ability of U S scientists and pharmaceutical companies to develop vaccines and medicines against new threats, said Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expertatGeorgetownUniversity

“In my opinion, it’s the most ruinous presidentialdecisioninmylifetime,”hesaid.

The WHO is the United Nations’ specializedhealthagencyandismandatedto

coordinate the response to global health threats,suchasoutbreaksofmpox,Ebolaand polio.Italsoprovidestechnicalassistanceto poorer countries; helps distribute scarce vaccines, supplies and treatments; and sets guidelinesforhundredsofhealthconditions, includingmentalhealthandcancer

Nearly every country in the world is a member Trump cited COVID-19 in pulling USfromWHOU.S.officialshelpedleadthe WHO’screation,andAmericahaslongbeen among the organization’s biggest donors, providinghundredsofmillionsofdollarsand hundreds of staffers with specialized public healthexpertise

Onaverage,theU.S.pays$111milliona year in member dues to the WHO and roughly $570 million more in annual voluntary contributions, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In an executive order issued right after taking office, Trump said the U.S. was withdrawing from WHO due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID19 pandemic and other global health crises. He also cited the agency’s “failure to adopt

urgentlyneededreforms”andits“inabilityto demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO memberstates.”

WHO, like other public health organizations, made costly mistakes during thepandemic,includingatonepointadvising people against wearing masks It also asserted that COVID-19 wasn’t airborne, a stanceitdidn’tofficiallyreverseuntil2024.

Another Trump administration complaint:NoneofWHO’schiefexecutives there have been nine since the organization was created in 1948 — have been Americans. Administration officials viewthatasunfairgivenhowmuchtheWHO reliesonU.S.financialcontributionsandon U S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention personnel. Public health experts sayUSexitwillhobbleresponsestothreats Experts say the U.S. exit could cripple numerousglobalhealthinitiatives,including the effort to eradicate polio, maternal and child health programs, and research to identifynewviralthreats.

Dr Ronald Nahass, president of the

Infectious Diseases Society of America, calledtheU.S.withdrawal“shortsightedand misguided”and“scientificallyreckless.”

TheU.S.hasceasedofficialparticipation in WHO-sponsored committees, leadership bodies, governance structures and technical workinggroups.Thatwouldseemtoinclude theWHOgroupthatassesseswhatflustrains are circulating and makes critical decisions aboutupdatingflushots.

It also signals the U.S. is no longer participating in global flu informationsharingthatguidesvaccinedecisions. Such disease intelligence has helped Americansbe“atthefrontoftheline”when new outbreaks occur and new vaccines and medicines are quickly needed to counteract themandsavelives,Gostinsaid.

Trump administration officials say they alreadyhavepublichealthrelationshipswith many countries and are working to ensure direct sharing of that kind of information, rather than having WHO serve as a middleman. But U.S. officials did not give specificsabouthowmanysucharrangements areinplace.

Australia top GroupAafter bowling SL out for 58; Bangladesh ease past USA

(Cricinfo) - A fivewicket haul from Will Byrom helped Australia top Group A of the Under-19 men’s World Cup after they skittled Sri Lanka for 58. Byrom and Charles Lachmund ripped through Sri Lanka in the first powerplay,reducingthemto 31for6attheten-overmark. In the third over,

Lachmund had yorked out Viran Chamuditha right in front of the stumps, while Dimantha Mahavithana edged one to slip. From there, the procession never stopped.The two tall pacers extracted movement and bounce off a pitch that had plenty in it for those who bowled it quick. Most Sri Lanka batters were either

caught in the slip cordon or stuck in front of the crease, unable to counter the movement,andoftenlateon theirfeet.

Hayden Schiller and Kasey Barton slipped into the attack once the powerplay was done, and immediately took over the same lines and lengths. The highlight of Barton’s own

spell was his wicket of Sethmika Seneviratne. He dropped it on a full length andfizzeditbackintotheoff s t u m p , t r i m m i n g

Seneviratne’s bails and breaching through Sri Lanka’s last recognised batter

Sri Lanka’s bowling defence began with Rasith Nimsara extracting similar movement off the pitch However, both his bowling, and Kugathas Mathulan’s from the other end, were plaguedbyinconsistentlines that often drifted down leg.

Saturday January 24, 2026

ARIES

You'll find that things are slipping nicely into place for you today, Aries. Your persuasivemannerandgentle nudges are just enough to get peoplewhereyouwantthem.

TAURUS

When faced with ten entrees onthemenu,itmightbehard for you to choose just one. Feelfreetoordertwoormore, Ta u r u s D o n ' t l e t indecisiveness slow you down.Atthesametime.

GEMINIS

Your dreams won't come true unless you believe in and act onthem,Gemini.Nooneelse is going to do it for you. Unless you have a fairy godmother, you need to take mattersintoyourownhands.

CANCER

If people hassle you or give you a hard time about your appearance today, pay them nomind,Cancer Youhavethe righttoliveyourlifeanyway youwantto.

LEO

Reachforthepotofgoldatthe end of the rainbow, Leo. It's closerthanyouthink.Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach, and there are huge forces at work helping you achieve your goals.

VIRGO

Today is your day to dream and dream big, Virgo. Think aboutwhatitisthatyouwant most out of life. Aim your arrow to the stars and pull back your bow as far as possible. There's no limit to howfaryoucango.

Hossain Emon, and an 82ball 64 from captain Azizul Hakim leading the way againstUSA.

Batting first, USA lost opener Amrinder Gill and No. 3 Arjun Mahesh by the end of the third over But a moreappliedapproachfrom Sahil Garg and Utkarsh Srivastava took them out of thepowerplaytotherelative safetyof33for2.

LIBRA

Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra. There's an incredible opportunity opening up for you in which you can make great strides in a creative realm.Followthemusic.

SCORPIO

Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Scorpio, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring moremagicintoyourlife.

SAGITTARIUS

Today is an excellent day for you,oneinwhichyou'llfinda great deal of strength in your emotions, Sagittarius Trust that your instincts are serving youwell.

CAPRICORN

Things might get a bit confusing for you today, Capricorn. Don't feel like you needtomakesenseofitall.In fact, this task may be impossible. Just be yourself. Let your creative nature shine through.

AQUARIUS

Mix your reality with a bit of fantasytoday,Aquarius.Allow your feet to come off the ground for a little while. Give yourselfarest.Takesometime to meditate and clear your mindofyourdailyworries.

PISCES

Let yourself go into high creative mode and drift into a whole other world, Pisces. Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through any sort of artistic endeavor Dreamasbigasyour mindallows.

Sri Lanka ended up conceding 11 extras, which included nine wides. After Will Malajczuk fell early, Nitesh Samuel was a little circumspect But Steven Hogan ensured to finish the runchasewithlittlefuss,just astimebeforeraindriftedin towardstheground.

Bangladesh cruised to a seven-wicket victory to close out their group stage, with a three-for from Iqbal

The scoring rate was slow throughout their innings, with Bangladesh’s Al Fahad, Shariar Ahmed and Rizan Hossan all taking twowickets,andkeepingthe scoring rate around a touch belowfour

When Adnit Jhamb walked out at No. 7 in the 30th over, he kicked into a highergear Hehitjustthree boundaries and a six during his knock of 68, but rotated the strike much better than any other USAbatter on the day. Alongside the lower order, Jhamb dragged their totaluptoarespectable199.

Bangladesh, however, remained in cruise control during the chase. Opener Z a w a d A b r a r w a s particularly brutal, hitting five fours and three sixes as he raced away to a 42-ball 47. He fell to a caught-andbowled effort off Garg, but by that point, Bangladesh were78for1,andmorethan a third of the way to their target.

Another big partnership followed after his dismissal: Hakim hit the sole halfcentury of the match, stitching together an 88-run partnership with Kalam Siddiki. By the time he was the third batter to be dismissed, the result was a foregoneconclusion.

Rizan Hossan hit two sixes in back-to-back overs in the company of Siddiki. The second one closed out the match, giving Bangladeshtheirfirstwinof thetournament,andpushing USA out of contention for theSuperSixes.

Spurs open talks to sign Liverpool’s Robertson...

Frompage27 against Burnley on 17 January Before that game, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said Robertson had been“important”totheclub and praised him for the way he has handled losing his starting position to summer signingMilosKerkez.

Hungary international Kerkez would be the only senior left-back for Slot to call on if Robertson is sold, butitisunderstoodthereisa strong chance Liverpool would look to recall Kostas Tsimikasfromhisloanspell at Roma Tottenham completed the signing of Brazilianleft-backSouzaon Thursday and are already well stocked in that area of the field. Destiny Udogie has been the preferred choice of manager Thomas Frankthisseason,withDjed Spencealsoofferingcover Ben Davies was another option, but the 32-year-old Wa

sustained a broken ankle on Sunday and has been ruled

forthe

ofthe

Blind Cricket Association... India’sSerumInstituteCEOPoonawalla tobidforIPLchampionsRCB

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of vaccine maker Serum Institute of India, said on Thursday he will bid for the Indian Premier League

cricket team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

“Over the next few months, will be putting in a strong and competitive bid” forthe2025men’stournament champions, Poonawalla said on social media platform X, callingit“oneofthebestteams intheIPL.”

Hedidnotdisclosedetails of the bid or specify whether he was bidding in a personal capacity or on behalf of the company

RCB is owned by United Spirits, an Indian unit of the one of the world’s largest spiritsmakers,Diageo

In November, United Spirits said it will begin a strategic review of its investment in RCB as it focuses on its core alcohol business Diageowasseeking avaluationofabout$2billion for the team last year, according to media reports

RCBliftedtheIndianPremier LeaguetitleinJuneforthefirst time in the money-spinning annual men’s T20 cricket tournament which was foundedin2008

Bloomberg News reported soon after that the

Frompage25 noting that the equipment will be shared among the Association’s satellite groups and play a critical

e continuity and development of blind cricket across the country. He acknowledged that the Association has long struggled with access to

engagement with Ninvalle and the NSC placed that challengefirmlyatthecentre ofdiscussions.

owners were “weighing possibilitiesincludingasale of part or all of the club and may seek a valuation of as muchas$2billion”.

A day after the final triumph in Ahmedabad, disaster struck RCB’s homecoming trophy parade when 11 fans were crushed to death and more than 50 others injured in a stampede outside the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru (Khaleejtimes)

“Theissueofequipment has always been a major hurdle for us, so to have it addressed so quickly is very encouraging.

This support will go a long way in helping us maintain our programmes and continue developing blind cricket in Guyana,” Singhsaid. Singh, who is also a Guyana and West Indies Blind Cricket player, expressed satisfaction with the swift response from the NSC and indicated that the Associationlooksforwardto

working closely with the Commission and the Government of Guyana movingforward.

Meanwhile, Ninvalle reiterated that the NSC’s ongoingmeetingswithsports associationsaredesignednot only to strengthen relationships,butalsotogain aclearerunderstandingofthe shortcomings faced by each bodyandtoidentifypractical ways the Commission can helpbridgethosegaps

“The basis of our e n g a g e m e n t w i t h associations is to listen, understand their challenges, and find ways in which the NSCcanandwillhelptofill t h o s e g a p s O n c e commitments are made, it is important that we follow through,”Ninvallestated.

Ninvallepointedout,that the NSC has consistently maintained that inclusion remains a cornerstone of its national sports development agenda, with blind cricket standing as a powerful example of how sport can unite, uplift and inspire, regardless of physical limitations.

BCB accuses ICC of double standards over T20 World Cup venue issue

(Cricinfo) - BCB

president Aminul Islam has effectively accused the ICC of double standards, in pointing to the governing body’s accommodation of India’s request to play their 2025 Champions Trophy matches in the UAE instead of Pakistan, while refusing to move Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming T20WorldCupfromIndiato Sri Lanka. Speaking to the media in Dhaka after the Bangladesh government doubled down on its stance followingameetingbetween the national sports adviser, the BCB and national cricketers,AminulsaidIndia weregiventhe“privilege”of playing all their Champions Trophymatchesatonevenue - Dubai Bangladesh’s position is that they do not wanttotraveltoIndiadueto security concerns. Aminul said the ICC referred the BCB to past instances of teams like Australia, West Indies, New Zealand and England forfeiting their gamesbyrefusingtoplayat venues during the 1996 and 2003 ODI World Cups

Aminul, however, brought up the example of the 2025 ChampionsTrophy

“The ICC tried to tell us about incidents in 1996 and 2003butwepointedouttheir recent steps in a similar matter,” Aminul said “When a country refused to travel to another country for the Champions Trophy last February, the ICC organised aneutralvenueforthem.The team played all their Champions Trophy matches in that neutral venue. They played in one ground, stayinginonehotel.Itwasa privilege.”

Aminul said he will continue to communicate with the ICC on the issue of Bangladesh’s venues and participationinthe2026T20 World Cup, but he is steadfast about not playing in India. He said he told the ICC that it could also adopt the hybrid model of letting Bangladesh play in Sri Lanka.

“We are calling Sri Lanka co-hosts but they are not co-hosts. Sri Lanka is part of the hybrid model where one country is going

to play,” Aminul said. “We indicated to the ICC that since our government is reluctant (to let us play in India), we want to take that option.Still,theydeniedour r e q u e s t We w i l l communicate with the ICC today We are ready to play theWorldCupinSriLanka. We don’t want to play in India.” Last year, the ICC Board, via a vote, devised a hybrid model approach for India and Pakistan matches in global tournaments in the 2024-27 cycle, starting with the2025ChampionsTrophy. It was also applied to the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup, which was hosted by India while Pakistan played their matches in Sri Lanka. The 2026 T20 World Cup wasalwaysscheduledtobea co-hostedevent-wellbefore the idea of a hybrid model tookroot-butitwasdecided that any game India and Pakistanaredrawntoplay-a group game or a knockoutwilltakeplaceinSriLanka

“We are proud of Bangladesh cricket, but we are doubtful about world cricket,” Aminul said

“When cricket’s popularity isindecline,ICCisdenying a cricket-loving country of 200 million people. Cricket is going to the Olympics in 2028.Indiaisbiddingforthe O l y m p i c s a n d Commonwealth Games, but itwillbetheirfailureifsuch a country [Bangladesh] is not going to the World Cup. We are not giving up on playingtheWorldCup” Whenaskediftheywere going to miss the ICC’s deadline of one day to

change their stance on playing in India, Aminul said: “Aglobal organisation cannotgiveadeadlineof24 hours We will keep fighting.”

In a statement following the board meeting on Wednesday,theICChadsaid there was no credible securitythreattoBangladesh inIndiaandthatagreeingtoa changeinvenuewouldseta precedent. “The ICC Board notedthatitwasnotfeasible to make changes so close to

the tournament and that altering the schedule under the circumstances, in the absence of any credible security threat, could set a precedent that would jeopardise the sanctity of future ICC events and undermineitsneutralityasa globalgoverningbody.”

The ICC’s position was that it would replace Bangladesh with another team at the 2026 T20 World CupiftheBCBdidnotagree totraveltoIndia.

The National Blind Cricket Association has warmly welcomed the N a t i o n a l S p o r t s

Commission’s (NSC) provision of much-needed cricket gear, describing the move as a timely and significantstepinadvancing i n c l u s i v e s p o r t s developmentinGuyana.

Thepresentationfollows discussions held during last week’smeetingbetweenthe NSC and several national sporting bodies, where

representatives of the Blind CricketAssociationoutlined some of the key challenges affectingtheirprogramme. Chief among them was the limited access to appropriate equipment required for athletes to train and compete effectively at both the local and regional levels.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, responded to the concerns by assuring the

Association of the Commission’s support and

committing to assist in addressingtheissue.

That commitment was fulfilled recently when Ninvalle met with officials oftheNationalBlindCricket Association, Ganesh Singh and Leroy Phillips, and handed over a quantity of cricket gear to support the organisation’s ongoing p r o g r a m m e s a n d competitiveactivities.

Singh described the presentationas“timely,”

(Continuedonpage24)

February-March schedule announced for 2025/26

Concacaf W Qualifiers …Lady Jaguars spring

Concacaf recently has confirmed the venues and kickoff times for the continuationoftheConcacaf W Qualifiers in the February-March window, withGuyana’sLadyJaguars scheduled to play once in bothmonths.

Guyana will host Dominica on February 27 at theNationalTrackandField Centre in Edinburgh, West CoastDemerara,at20:00hrs then they travel to Antigua where they take on Antigua

andBarbudaattheSirVivian Richards Stadium in St John’s at 17:00 hrs. The other match to be contested in theApril window will be against the skillful Reggae Girls.

These matches will be the second of the three F I F A W o m e n ’ s I

h Windows during which the tournament will be played, from November 2025 through April 2026 The event is the preliminary stageofthe2026Concacaf

WChampionship

Thecompetitionfeatures 29 Member Associations –excluding the region’s two highest-ranked nations (the United States and Canada). At the conclusion of the Concacaf W Qualifiers, the sixgroupvictorswilljointhe UnitedStatesandCanadain this year’s eight-team ConcacafWChampionship. The Concacaf W

Championship will serve as theConfederation’squalifier for both the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 and

into action on February 27

Shabika Gajnabi top scored for Guyana. (Getty Images)

Guyanaexitedthisyear’s tournament with another tough defeat, this time by 7 runs,astheTrinidadianswill enter the upcoming Super50 with momentum despite not reachingthisyear’sfinal.

AfterkeepingTrinidadto a modest 104-7 after 20 overs ended, Guyana shot themselvesintheleg,asthey fumbled an easy chase, only to end up being bowled out for 97 with just 2 balls remainingintheinnings.

Trinidad veteran Britney Cooper smacked 46 with 6 fours,whileDjenabaJoseph (15) and skipper Karishama

2026 CWI Women’s Blaze T20 Championships Final Round T&TspinnerswreckGuyanato win3rdplaceplayoffby7runs

(2-17), Lee-Ann Kirby (210)andShaliniSamaroo(216).

JamaicabeatWindwards by 10 wickets to win 5thplace playoffs In a low-

Ramharack (13) were the othersignificantscorers. Guyanese spinner Ashmini Munisar wrapped up a disappointing tournament on a high note, claiming 4-15 with help from left-spinner Danellie Manns(2-14).

The Guyanese would then blow the chase, despite arun-a-ball32fromShabika Gajnabi (2x4), Realeanna Grimmond (20), Latoya Williams (13) and Sheneta Grimmond(12).Ramharack led another top bowling exhibition, claiming 3-13 alongsideAnisaMohammed

Spurs open talks to sign Liverpool’s Robertson

Andy Robertson has won 90 caps for Scotland (Getty Images)

( B B C S p o r t )Tottenhamhavebeguntalks withLiverpoolinaneffortto sign le

ck Andy Robertson.

Robertson, 31, is out of contract at Anfield in the summer and said last week thathewasundecidedonhis future The Scotland i ternational has started just four times in the Premier League this season and wants regular involvement beforetheWorldCup.

BBC Sport understands Spurs have made an approach but no outcome has been reached at this stage.

Liverpool signed Robertson from Hull City for £8m in 2017 during JurgenKlopp’sreignandhe has made 363 appearances fortheReds.

Robertson’s most recent appearance came from the benchinthe1-1draw (Continuedonpage23)

scoring affair, Jamaica stormed to a 10-wicket win after disposing of the Windwards in a mere 3.4 overs.Windwardswerekept to 62-9 with captain Zaida

James (24) the top-scorer, afterVanessaWatts(3-5)and Stafanie Taylor (2-13) led thebowlingforJamaica.

The veteran pair of openers in Rashada

Williams, who punched 21* off 17 (3x4), and Chedean Nation’s12-ball23withasix and four fours, sealed a breezy, consolation win for theJamaican.