Kaieteur News

Iran’s Supreme leader killed

...as U.S., Israel declare war on country ...several others dead in coordinated bombing

WASHINGTON/JERU

SALEM/DUBAI/DOHA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The United States and Israel launchedthemostambitious attack on Iran in decades on Saturday,andU.S.President DonaldTrumpsaidSupreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneihadbeenkilledin theoperation.

A senior Israeli official

told Reuters earlier that the Iranian leader's body had beenfoundafterastrikeand Trump said the U.S. worked closely with Israel to target the man who led Iran since 1989. Iranian news agencies Tasnim and Mehr, however, reported that the supreme leader was "steadfast and firm in commanding the field."

Iran called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that hostU.S.bases.

Trump, who made the biggest foreign-policy gamble of his presidency after campaigning for reelection as a "peace

president," said the strikes were aimed at ending a decades-long threat from Iranandensuringitcouldnot developanuclearweapon.

Intelligenceandtracking systems kept track of Khamenei's whereabouts, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, adding that "there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have

Iran's Supreme LeaderAyatollah Ali Khamenei

been killed along with him, coulddo."

Trumpreiteratedcallsfor Iranians to topple the government but warned:

"The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE

THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED,THEWORLD!"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier said Khamenei's compound hadbeendestroyed.

Three sources familiar with the matter said Iranian Defence Minister Amir N a s i r z a d e h a n d Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were killed in the Israeli attacks Israel's military said it had confirmed that five other senior military commanders were among the dead, includingAliShamkhani,an adviser to Iran's supreme leader Iranian media had said Khamenei's son-in-law and daughter-in-law were alsokilled.

'WEARETERRIFIED'

In cities across Iran, explosions caused widespreadpanic.

"We are scared, we are terrified. My children are shaking,wehavenowhereto go, we will die here," mother-of-two Minou, 32, saidweepingasshespoketo Reuters by phone from the northerncityofTabriz.

After confronting hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks in response, the Pentagon said therewerenoU.S.deathsor injuries.

TheU.S.militarynamed the campaign Operation EpicFury Iran warned that the StraitofHormuz,thenarrow passage through which around a fifth of global oil consumption passes, had been closed Traders expected a sharp jump in oil prices Airlines cancelled flightsintheMiddleEast.

Tehran promised a stronger response to come,

with a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards

commander, Ebrahim Jabbari, saying it had so far used only "scrap missiles" and would soon unveil previouslyunseenweapons.

The U N Security Council was due to meet in New York on Saturday Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

Israel's military said some 200 fighter jets had completed the largest flying missioninitshistory,hitting 500 targets throughout Iran, including strategic defence systems already damaged in strikeslastyear

Agirls'primaryschoolin thesouthern Iraniantown of Minab was hit, killing 85 people, according to the local prosecutor cited by state media. Reuters could not independently confirm the reports. Israel's military didnotimmediatelyrespond toarequestforcomment.

TRUMPSAYS'BOMBS WILLBEDROPPING EVERYWHERE' In a video message on social media, Trump cited Washington's decades-old disputewithIranandIranian attacks,datingtotheseizure of the U S embassy in Tehran during the 1979 Islamicrevolution.

Trump said the aim was "eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime". He urged Iranians to stay sheltered because "bombs will be dropping everywhere," but added: "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chanceforgenerations."

But he faced pushback from opposition Democrats, and a few of his fellow Republicans in the U S government, who said a prolonged campaign against Iranwouldbeillegalwithout congressional approval and that lawmakers should vote withindays.

Iran's clerical leaders were already in a difficult (Continuedonpage49)

APNU reiterates concerns over transparency issues in Budget 2026

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is accusing the ruling Peoples Progressive Party (PPP/C) of what it considers to be “ g o v e r n a n c e b y

concealment” making specificreferencetosections ofthe2026NationalBudget.

APNU's Member of Parliament (MP) Sherod Duncan on Friday gave a detailedbreakdown of some of the instances glaring limitations were revealed during the budget debates and examination of the estimates.

Duncan told reporters at the party's weekly press conference that it has become unmistakably clear that“duringthe2026Budget Estimates review in the National Assembly that c

Party/Civicisnotepisodic.It issystemic.Itishistoric.Itis present. If left unchecked, it

irregularities, unexplained

d deliberate opacity in the management of billions of dollarsinpublicfunds.

“ T h i s i s n o t administrative oversight This is governance by concealment,” he said while pointingtothegovernment's M

M

process exposed a troubling

hted that the programme in the current fiscal year received $900M in budgetary allocations but

noted that no reports were laid in the National Assembly for 2023, 2024 and 2025.He said when the governmentwasquestioned, the explanation was that the absenceofthereportswasan “unfortunateerror”.TheMP isarguingthatinanysystem that has accountable management of public finances, three years in succession would constitute a“governancecrisis”.

Duncansaidthat,“Under this administration, it is d

performance monitoring are not optional in a G$900 million programme The absenceofdocumentationin the face of persistent allegations of corruption onlyheightenssuspicion.”

T h e A P N U representative also turned hisattentiontoaguardhutat Mahaicony which has been alreadycompletedbutfunds were allocated for in the 2026 budget.This he said is either an act of gross misconduct or the deliberates padding of the estimates.Hesubmittedthat

Member of Parliament (MP) for the party Sherod Duncan

completed infrastructure m a k i n g r e p e a t e d appearances this way as a new budget item, speaks to systematic breakdowns whenitcomestothetracking of projects, as well as the verificationofexpenditure.

The Ministry of

(Continuedonpage51)

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur News

Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Ali’s wasted moment, leadership failure

Theartofpoliticalsellingwhendonewellislikeafine wine. Thereisbouquet,texture,andtheblendingofyears and temperatures. The key is selling hard to a point, and being watchful about going overboard. Unfortunately, PresidentAli was his usual self when a high-ranking team from ExxonMobil visited Guyana. It was either that he didn’t know better, or his advisers guided him incorrectly, on managing himself in a smartly calibrated manner, and making Guyanese proud. It is a shame to say, but the president didn’t leave with too much choice. He was his usualoverenthusiasticself,andhandedGuyanaonaplatter to his ExxonMobil visitors, with his pitch about trust and partnership.

IftheExxonMobilcontingent,ledbyChairmanandChief Executive,DarrenWoods,cameherebracingforafight,itwas overbeforeitbegan Itwasoverwhenthepresidentthrewinthe towel,andstudiouslyavoidedanyreferencetoExxonMobil’s Guyana contract, which should be a textbook on skinning unenlightened amateurs The ExxonMobil oil contract, long regarded as a humiliating outrage by many citizens, didn’t featureforasecondinPresidentAli’shighlights Heclosedhis eyes,shutdownhismind,andwhippedupasmoothomeletthat wasconspicuousforitspoliticalfroth. Thepresident’sown rulingPeople’sProgressiveParty/Civicwas,justafewshort yearsago,amongtheleadingandsharpestdenouncersofthe same reprehensiveExxonMobiloil contract. It may make Guyana’s leader uncomfortable before his distinguished cohort of veteran oil masters, but it was he himself, who uttered those unforgettable words now written in the Guyanaoilstory:‘Guyanagotthewrongendofthestick.’

Inourview,PresidentAlihadagoldenopportunitybefore him,whichheletslipoutofhishands Sincethepresidenthas notdevelopedarecordforstickingallthetimetotheconfinesof protocol, we are wrestling with what made him waste the occasion,andnotpresstheExxonMobilcontingenttodobetter forGuyana Itisknownthatthereisapalpablereekoffear,orat leastanxiousness,whenPPPCleaderscomeface-to-facewith seniorExxonMobilofficials Theremayneverbeagroupof heavyweightsaslargeandpowerfulfromExxonMobil,asthe onethattoucheddowninGuyanaforaweek CEOWoodswas there,andsoweremembersoftheboard,overwhichheisholds thepivotalroleofchairman Themomentwasthere,withthe most powerful decisionmakers from ExxonMobil also in attendance Sadly, the Guyanese man for the moment was lackingwhatittakestorisetotheoccasion Therebutnotthere, ashadowforalltheweightthathecarried.

This is part of the continuing tragic irony of Guyana, the vibranthypocrisythatcommandsandcontrolssomuchinthe politicsofGuyana TheIrfaanAli-ledPPPCGovernmentrarely lets an opportunity go by without bashing the APNU-AFC governmentthatsignedtheExxonMobilcontract Weareinfull agreement with all such postures and actions of the two Ali governments Wegoourownway,however,wheninfluential members of the same Ali administrations cannot bring themselvestosayawordaboutthatcontractwhenpeoplefrom ExxonMobilarearoundthetableofdiscussion TheGuyana signers (the former APNU-AFC government) of the ExxonMobilcontracthaveearnedeverylineofcursingthatany Guyanesewhoiscapablecanlashthemwith Whatbafflesis whythesamepassionateposturesandheatedwordsarenever partofthePPPCGovernment’svocabularywhenpeoplefrom ExxonMobilareinthesameroom, and must be engaged in suchhardconversations.

Ifthecontractwasrepugnantatthetimeofitssigning,it is repugnant all the time. The APNU-AFC Coalition Governmentwasononesideofthesigningtablethattied-up Guyana’soiltoExxonMobilfordecades. ExxonMobilwas ontheothersideofadealthatwasterribleinitsconception, andworseinitsexecution. ExxonMobilmustbepushedto makethatcontractrightforGuyana. PresidentAli’sfailure to bring it up and grapple with Chairman Woods for constructivechangeswasafailureofleadership,thefurther sinkingofGuyana.

Guyana’s Biometric Leap: Balancing Convenience, Privacy, and Global Data Pressures

DEAREDITOR,

Guyanaissteppingintoa new phase of its digital transformation, and the stakes couldn’t be higher The rollout of biometric national IDs promises faster s

bureaucracy — but it also raises serious questions about who really controls o

r data

ld increasingly shaped by global tech politics. As the United States, under the Trump administration, pushes back against foreign restrictionsonitstechnology firms, Guyana’s choices today could define how much of our digital future truly remainsours.

There’s no denying the convenience of biometrics.

With fingerprints and facial recognition, citizens can access banking, welfare payments, and even cross borders more efficiently Already, more than 4,700 Guyanese have enrolled, gaining faster airport e-gate

Imagine a teacher marking attendancewithaquickscan instead of lengthy registers that’s the kind of efficiency digital systems can bring It feels like progress,andinmanyways, itis.

But progress without protection is a gamble Guyana’s long-promised Data Protection and Digital ID laws, first drafted in 2023, still haven’t been

enforced. That means data collection is happening in a legal vacuum — without

consequences for misuse And this is where the concerns begin. The same systemsthatmakelifeeasier canalsomakecitizenseasier to track. If those biometric databases are ever linked withsurveillancecamerasas alludedtobyVPJagdeowith hisboldstatement,thatover 4000 cameras will be employed in this endeavour Or should this database be shared carelessly; we risk turning convenience into constant monitoring. What makes it worse is that biometricdatacan’tbereset you can change a password, but you can’t

changeyourface. A

governments are talking about “data sovereignty” — the principle that a nation’s data should stay within its borders and under its own laws Europe’s GDPR is built on that idea: keep personal data local, limit foreignaccess,andholdtech companies legally accountable It’s not a perfect model local storage and compliance can be expensive and may slow innovation — but it gives citizensconfidencethattheir privacyisn’tatthemercyof bigcorporationsabroad.

Guyana’s current approach is looser, leaning toward open data flows and cheaperpartnershipswith (Continuedonpage06)

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

The slow but painful death of Stabroek Newspaper’s pen!

DEAREDITOR,

From the Rubaiyat, Omar Khayyam scribes, “The Moving Finger writes; and,havingwrit,Moveson: nor all thy Piety nor Wit, Shall lure it back to cancel halfaLine,NorallthyTears washoutaWordofit.

T h e S t a b r o e k Newspaper is in transit of biddingfarewellasaforceto reckon with after being a party of Guyana’s Fourth Estate since November 1986.Thepapertransitioned from a weekly to a daily production and has been a significant transience of news, views, interviews and previews.

The days are getting shorter as the beginning of the end approaches The final curtain will be drawn onMarch14thbutnotbefore the Fat Lady bellows a parting shot. Will this opera includeasopranothatwillbe coloratura, lyrical or dramatic to bring down the house with a C sharp vocal range?

Stabroek News’ birth entered an era that saw the back of Burnham and the front of Hoyte when the voice of the opposition in anyformorshapewasbeing stifled, suppressed and shunned The faithful Catholic Standard was reduced to less than a legal pagewhilethefearedMirror was surviving on a few pages Burnham had restricted print importation so as to smother freedom of speech and the press. The famous Caribbean Contact was forging its existence fearlesslyinthestreet.

The Guyana Chronicle had full liberty to dominate the publishing world as the PNC mouthpiece filled with the propaganda of a dictator

who shamelessly continued to rig election after election in order to retain power through the back door Of course,allthelawenforcing agencies were controlled by the PNC government and (armedforces)hadnochoice but to bow to the dictates of theday

In today’s democracy, sometimes fragile, firm or fabricated, the information linebetweenthegovernment and the governed is the media (print, television, digital formats, radio, social media), through a forum to enlighten, educate and entertain, done via visual, virtual, digital or hard-copy print.

TheStabroeknewspaper (not globally isolated), remains challenged in this highly sophisticated age which is technologically changing with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI).

The modern default to online application and the digital platform are quickly becoming mandatory perquisites for the efficient and effective dissemination of information to satisfy a computerized generation turning to social media avenuesforfingertipdata.

Production cost for newspapers remains a nagging problem and a financial nightmare as Facebook, You Tube, WhatsApp, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Pinterest,XandRedditoften aggressively compete for user attention, cultural relevance but more so, for advertising revenue Stabroek newspaper is allegedly experiencing a revenue crisis, outstanding debtors ledger, mounting expenses and a reduction in sales, not necessarily

accrued and accumulated duetoalackofreadershipor marketinglimitation.

In a social society that drinks, dances, discusses, drugsanddrivesitselfintoa dazed if not drunken stage way beyond midnight and into the wee hours of the morning, the topic of Stabroek newspaper’s relevance is often less debatable and gains less tractionasatopicofinterest toworryabout.

But ardent readers, reporters, writers, subscribers and newspaper lovers with an open mind and not a close door approach to any printed material ascribing to national, regional and international information, will certainly view the departure of the Stabroek newspaperasanunfortunate void and a necessary vacuumtobefilled,perhaps, replaced.

Regardless of its opinion, Stabroek newspaper did provide a space to vent, protest, endorse, appraise, applaud, congratulate, criticize, condemn, condone or concur,nomatterwhichside ofthefenceyou’reboxedin andevenifyou’resittingon topofthefence.Itisamatter of concern for the literary world which values its context and content while serving a purpose not necessarily aligned to everyone’slikesordislikes.

Stabroek News is conservatively reserved as an enthusiastically pro

government appraiser with accolades for positivity but renowned as a generous reflector for negativity A number of contributors are either restricted, controlled or curtailed. It’s interesting to know that Reporters Without Borders (RSF), attested to the United States beingranked57thoutof180 countries and territories in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index with a score of 65.487. RSF listed eight areas where the US Government has restrained their mobility from places where they had previously enjoyedfreemovement.

There were, are and will be continuous and vigorous post mortems on the significant role of the Stabroek Newspaper, its value, purpose, rationale, analysis and its life itself on the journey of its development, deployment anddestiny Willthemakers andframersbeconclusiveor inconclusive? Will the slow but painful death of the pen be mourned, marveled or multiplied?TheStabroek (Continuedonpage48)

Something is not right at the Childcare & ProtectionAgency

DEAREDITOR,

The tragedies of the 14 and15-year-oldmothersare causingmeanguish.Iwould reallyliketoknowwhatwas the response of Childcare & Protection Agency in these cases.Theageofconsentfor sexual activity is sixteen years, so any fifteen-yearoldor14-year-olddelivering a baby the medical officers are bound by the Child ProtectionLawstoreportthe matter to the Agency, who must intervene for the protection of the children and babies and bring the perpetratorstojustice.

Protection involves the children being taken into safe places with the babies for care while the cases are being investigated, and if adult perpetrators are involved, they must be chargedforstatutoryrape.In care, both mother and baby would be cared for by the state and continuation of school would have been a must.

There is something not right at the Childcare & Protection Agency in terms

of leadership and execution of roles. There are reports thatindividualsareplacedin high positions with not an ounce of training and understandingoftheirroles, responsibilities and Child Protection laws. This is displeasing to many of the staff, who seem to be just going through the motions. Thisissadanditseemstobe a common trend in the Department of Ministry of Human Services. Serious interventionisneededatthis stage to save Childcare & Protection Agency and the Probation&SocialServices andalltheotherprofessional departments,whoarecrying out for informed and effectiveleadership.

MinisteristheExecutive Political Head of the Ministry, Permanent S e c r e

h e administrative head, but not theprofessionalheadsofthe Departments.Thesemustbe certifiedaswellasqualified specialists in the professional areas to fill the toppositions,sincetheyare (Continuedonpage09)

Reiterating support for lobbying Washington

DEAREDITOR,

I reply to Hemdutt Kumar’s retort (Feb 24) of my missive endorsing lobbying of USA for geos e c u r i t y K u m a r characterizes the lobbying fee(thathesaysisinexcess of US$1 M) paid by the g o v e r n m e n t a s a “subscription (fee) for our sovereignty (survival), a luxury tax to Americans”.

And he describes my endorsement of lobbying Washington as “a colonial mindset”, tying it to “antiquated nostalgia of the cold war era”. He says the geopolitical landscape of 2026 bears no resemblance to the cold war era (that endedwiththedissolutionof USSR following the collapseofcommunism)and that there is no need to pay lobbyists to protest Guyana

becauseAmericawilldefend Guyanaforfreetoaccessthe oil. He is naïve! Clearly, Kumar does not understand lobbying. USAis protecting its interests, not Guyana’s interests To protect Guyana’sinterests,thereisa “transactionalfee”.

In a real world, a global system of equal sovereign nations, Kumar’s theory is applicable.Butinapractical world, such idealism does notexist.Intheoryunderthe UN system, all nations are equal, but in reality, hardly any two nations are equal. Russia, USA, China, India,

Certainly, not Guyana and USA. Interests come first! Trump also said “America First”! Kumar should read

Morgenthau, and other realist theorists, mandatory reading for students of

international relations Recent cases of what happened in Venezuela and

Kumar describes my kindofthinkingonlobbying as “a surrender of our sovereignty” and that “Guyana must be respected foreconomicoutput,notfor paying lobbyists” The lesson: the left was not willing to pay American lobbyistsorhitchourwagon to Washington to secure democracy in Guyana between1964and1992;asa result, a democratically elected government was ousted and we suffered 26 years of dictatorship. And Kumar is now saying we don’t need lobbyists to protectourdemocracyorour interests.

the use of tariffs should

international political realism.Also,lookatwhatis

Nicaragua,andCubamaybe

next. The cold war between USAandUSSRmaybeover But there is a new cold war between USA and China (because of the latter’s aggressivepresenceinLatin America and elsewhere) Guyana must deepen ties withWashington or face the consequences.Asaresultof ourclosestiesto (Continuedonpage48)

Guyana’s Biometric Leap: Balancing...

Frompage04

U S and global tech providers.Thatallowsfaster rollout,butitalsomeansour citizens’most personal data could reside on foreign servers, governed by laws that don’t protect us. It’s a trade-off — lower costs and quick implementation today versuslong-termcontroland securitytomorrow

A d d i n g t o t h e complexity, a recent February18cablefromU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructs American diplomats to challenge data sovereignty movements worldwide.Thereasoningis that such restrictions hurt innovation and free data flows, especially forAI and cloud services. But let’s be real—whatitreallyprotects

is the U.S. tech industry’s global reach. For smaller nations like Guyana, that pressure could narrow our options, nudging us to favor open data policies even when they weaken our own protections.

So, what’s the balance? Data sovereignty offers privacy and national oversight but can slow technology adoption. Open data fosters innovation and lower costs, but at the price of security and autonomy Guyana stands at that crossroads now — either take the harder path of securingourcitizens’datato future-proof the system, or settle for fast progress that might come with hidden risks.

The truth is, technology

should serve the people, not expose them Citizens should demand stronger laws,regularaudits,andreal choices — including the ability to know how their data is being used or to opt out entirely Convenience should not come at the cost ofcontrol.

Attheheartofthisdebate isn’t resistance to technology; it’s respect for ownership.

True digital progress means empowering Guyanese citizens, not just digitizing them. And in this age of global data hunger, sovereignty isn’t antiprogress it’s the insistencethatprogressmust remainours.

Regards HemduttKumar

Bahamas seeking seat on UN Security Council

CMC - The Bahamas has signaleditsintentiontoseekaseat on the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent memberfortheperiod2032-33.

“In turbulent times, the world looks to the United Nations for principled leadership, clarity, fairness, and consistency,” AttorneyGeneralRyanPindersaid in a pre-recorded statement to the 61st session of the United Nations HumanRightsCouncil(UNHRC), citing also the need for greater representation of small island developingstates(SIDS).

“It is in this spirit that The Bahamas has decided, for the first time, to seek election as a non-

permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2032–2033, under the theme 'Resilience, Relationships, Representation,” Pinder said, adding “our candidature reflects the conviction that SIDS voices must be heard, and that human rights,climatechange,andsecurity areinextricable”.

TheAttorney General said that the recognition and protection of human rights is imperative, particularly in times of “unsettled geopolitical waters, marked by conflict and declining trust,” as he calledforaglobalrecommitmentto arules-basedorder,whichhelpsto protectsmallnations”.

Pinder said that international law is the great equaliser “the assurance that every vessel, large andsmall,cansetsailwithitsrights andsovereigntyrespected,”adding that this ties directly to the climate crisis, which disproportionately impacts The Bahamas and other smallislanddevelopingstates.

“Climate change is already transforming where and how our people live, threatening livelihoods, food security, and the very land beneath our feet Its human rights consequences demand urgent, collective action,” Pinder said, noting that while The Bahamas welcomes the council's workinthearea,moremustbedone

to“scaleupambition,finance,and solidarity

“Those who contributed least must not bear the heaviest burdens,” he said, calling for fairness in global economic governance and countries' right to development.

Pinder raised also concerns over “unilateral and coercive” blacklisting practices that disproportionately affect small islandstates.

“We, therefore, reaffirm the importance of advancing a United NationsFrameworkConventionon internationaltaxcooperationthatis transparent and grounded in equal participation,” he said, reiterating

his country's commitment to maintaining the Caribbean as a zoneofpeace—somethingthathas become contentious with the US' actions in Venezuela and now Cuba.

In his pre-recorded statement, Pinderalsocitedongoingturmoilin Haiti,whichhesaidis“ofprofound concern.

“We welcome the forthcoming operationalisation of the Gang Suppression Force and will continue to support and facilitate effortsinthisregard.

“We encourage sustained engagementbythecouncilandthe high commissioner, with emphasis (Continuedonpage46)

Burnham stood firm

In the autumn of 1983, the America founditselfstaringat a crater in the sands of Beirut. Two hundred and forty-one marines lay dead beneath the rubble of a barracks blown open by a truck bomb The images

flickered across the television screens like a bad dream The pageant of invincibility had been interrupted; the eagle’s feathersweresinged.

President Ronald Reagan suddenly found himself presiding over a countrysunkinhumiliation.

Empires, like stage magicians, depend upon distraction.

Within days, the gaze of shifted from the Levant to the Caribbean, from the wreckage of Beirut to the beachesofasmallislandfew Americans could find on a map.

Grenada — population

modest, ambitions revolutionary—becamethe theater in which American prestige might be repainted.

Operation Urgent Fury was launchedwiththesolemnity of a moral crusade. The stated justification was an invitation from the island’s Governor-General The subtext was simpler: America would not be seen tobleedwithoutreply

The tragedy, if one may use the word without irony, was that the Grenada Revolution was already collapsing under the weight ofitsowncontradictions.

A power struggle between Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and his deputy, Bernard Coard, had curdledintofratricide.

Bishop was executed; the revolution devoured itself.

History, impatient as always, was already closing the chapter. The American invasion merely slammed the book shut. In the Caribbean itself, the invasion did not pass withoutapplause.

Dame Eugenia Charles of Dominica, quickly christened the “Iron Lady”

of the Antilles, lent her public blessing to the enterprise. So too did Tom Adams of Barbados, for which endorsement he was rewarded in certain leftist quarters with the sobriquet “UncleTom.”

Thespectacleofregional leaders endorsing an American landing force supplied Washington with the fig leaf of regional consent.

Yetdissentalsofoundits voice. Forbes Burnham of GuyanaandEricWilliamsof Trinidad and Tobago came out stoutly against the invasion, Burnham more vigorously than Williams. Burnham, never shy of a

de, denounced the action as a violation of sovereignty It may not have been a fashionable position in 1983,butitwasaprincipled one. Principle, however, rarely travels without invoice.

Guyana found itself e

Caribbean Basin Initiative,

Something is not right at the Childcare...

Frompage05

expected to give informed professional guidance and answers to the Executive Head and Permanent Secretaryinthedeliveryof H

e ministry

There is a great need now to save the two

Ministry: Probation &

Childcare & Protection Agency, these are key agencies for service and protection of children,

seniors

Yourssincerely AnnGreene RetiredChiefProbation &WelfareOfficer& FormerDirectorof Childcare&Protection Agency

DEM BOYS SEH

Discipline gone below the knees

Long time, dem boys went to a school where uniform wasn’t fashion. It was doctrine The holy trinity of trousers was Tetrex, Terylene, and Gaberdine. Anything else washeresy

One brave soul turn up in drill pants — DRILL, mindyou—andbeforefirst bell ring good, he get drill straight back home De headmaster ain’t even blink.“Youngman,thisisa school, not a construction site.” Back then, cloth had pedigree. You could swish through the corridor and hearquality Ifbreezeblow, your pants ripple like nationalflag.Today?Islike the hardware store sponsor theuniformpolicy

Nowdemboysshowing up in trousers so stiff it

could stand up by itself for morningassembly Someof them pants look like if you drop it on the ground it go bounce twice and ask for overtime pay One lil fella benddowntotiehelaceand the whole classroom hear krrrrrkkk like plywood protesting.And leh we talk about style Dem boys wearing pencil-bottom pants so tight, if they put phone in the pocket, Siri doesstarttocomplainabout poor circulation One sneeze and the seam negotiating surrender terms. Is like the tailor measure them with a ruler andpureoptimism. As for the girls rememberwhenskirthadto be two inches below the knee?Youcouldcarryruler and check. Now some of

Washington’s trade preference program for the region.

The message was clear: stand up against America andpaytheprice.

But Burnham was made of sterner stuff. He did not bend. He stood his ground, absorbing the chill wind fromthenorth.

The same Eugenia Charles who had supported the invasion would later become sharply critical of Guyana’s democratic deficiencies.

After the widely condemned 1985 elections, she publicly described them as flawed and argued within CARICOM that Guyana’s membership should not be tolerated.

She even urged that the CARICOM Secretariat be movedfromGeorgetown.

It was in this climate of regional pressure that President Desmond Hoyte sought damage control.At a summit in Mustique in January 1986, concessions w e r e f l o a t e d commitmentstoafreerpress and, eventually, freer elections. In time, Guyana wouldpermittheemergence of an independent newspaper, Stabroek News. The permission to establish Stabroek news must be viewed in the context of Hoyte’s concessions at Mustique.

You may ask: Why exhume this history?

Because the ghosts of 1983 haveresumedtheirpatrol.

Today the United States tightensitssanctionsregime against Cuba, restricting the island’s access to oil and financiallifelines.

The policy, framed as p r e s s u r e a g a i n s t authoritarianism, functions in practice as a tourniquet around the neck of a fragile economy

Energyshortagesgrinds the already stuttering economytoahalt.

M e a n w h i l e Washington extends selective invitations — toGuyana’sPresidentIrfaan Ali and to Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar — forasecuritysummit.Oneis entitled to ask why these two, and not the sitting chairmanofCARICOM. Is it not a case of divide and fragment?Themethodisnot new President Ali has hedged on the question of supplying oil to Cuba, observing that oil is not “humanitarian aid,” even while conceding that without energy food will spoil.

Thedistinctionisclever, but hunger is unimpressed bysemantics.

CARICOM now risks reducing itself to a chorus line of cautious s t a t e m e n t s a b o u t “humanitarian assistance,” as though the island’s

dilemma were a natural disaster rather than the productofpolicy

Cuba,longsuspiciousof aid with strings attached, does not require charity so much as solidarity — a collective demand that sanctions cease to function assiege.

The question before Guyana is therefore not merely diplomatic but moral.

Will it attend summits while Cuba gasps for fuel? Orwillitinsistthatregional unityisbindingobligation?

In 1983 Guyana chose defiance and endured the consequences.

The present hour demands similar clarity Principles are costly commodities. But without them, sovereignty becomes little more than a flag fluttering above someone else’swind.

In1983,Burnhamstood firm.WillAlidothesamein 2026? I think we all know theanswer

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

them skirts hovering so high, you wonder if the clothgetshrinkinthewash or if inflation affecting fabric too. Soon we might need traffic wardens in the corridor directing hemlines: “Miss, please pull over that skirt exceedthespeedlimit.”

Nobodysayingwemust go back to the days when Gaberdine could cut you if you slide too fast on a bench But somewhere between holy Terylene and tactical tarp material, we losebalance.Demboysseh uniform supposed to make everybodyequal—nottest thetensilestrengthoffabric or the patience of teachers. At this rate, the only thing still below the knee is discipline. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

H@RD TRUTHS

Who's really safe?

Who's really safe? The q u e s t i o n formed an Al-Jazeera headline:who'sreallysafein IndiaandIsrael?

What has happened in Gaza, continues to happen onalesserscale,withlower visibility,lesserpublicity Is any Palestinian safe there in what passes for a home, probably some shattered hovel still standing shakily insomecorner?

Is any resident of Kashmirreallysafe,wherea particular section of India's religious demographic has comeunderconstantfire?

Is any subcontinent Indianreallysafe,ifheorshe were to speak, or write, or take dissonant positions, on the extremes of Hindutva and Narendra? In both countries, the appalling r e c o r d i s o f t h e overwhelming power of the State marshaled and unleashed against those described as dissidents,

undesirables, among other inspiringlabels. InGuyana, their equivalents are christened 'naysayers' and other terms of endearment by talking heads of the allpowerful, all controlling State.

Having said all of the above, and as brutal as the conditions are for the oppressed in India (a democracy) and Israel (a theocratic-democratic entity run by a militant mystic), today'spublicofferingisless aboutthose two oncehighly admired countries. It is more of, it is all about, Guyana.

Who's realty safe in Guyana? The Guyana of today, of the PPP, of what is heralded as a democracy, a countrywheretheruleoflaw isatapremium? IsayNone!

Noone! AndNone! Sure,thereisfreedomto speakone'smindinGuyana. Butbetterbewiseenoughto speak only of what pleases Drs. Ali and Jagdeo. Go

anywhere near to the opposite, and be ready to watch on autopsy on self. ThereistheConstitutionand the law, all who are in favor say

I say for whom? I identify those courageous Guyanese to whom the inviolable protections of the Constitution and the law do not extend, do not apply, do notcover.

Isn'tthatafact? Arethey reallysafeinGuyana?

It is a question I place gentlybeforePres.Ali,Vice Pres.Jagdeo,PrimeMinister Phillips, Attorney General Nandlall, and Top Cop Hicken, as well as the head of the CID and Cyberspace Unit.

Here's a first fact: a female journalist in Guyana is reviled online by a PPP entity, and when reported to theGuyanaPoliceForce,she is runaround at the beginning, then treated as thoughshe's thelawbreaker Her crime was straight

reportage, what her professiondemands.

Aside -it would have been inspiring to read, or hear, from luminous PPP Govt female ministers expressing their outrage, discomfort, that their own Cabinet colleague(s) could be behind such a revolting descent into lawlessness.

Where is the law and safety (and peace of mind) for that female Guyanese then, Mr. Pres, Dr. VP, Mr. Commissioner?

Second fact for the fine men named above, the champions of this democracy

What are my crimes, Drs. Ali, Jagdeo, Nandlall andcompany? Whatcrimes necessitate surveillance, the government engaging in bearing false witness, and broadly violating my rights, my freedoms, and my safety?

How about Policy Forum Guyana? Stabroek News? And many others.

Perhaps, PM Phillips, or Commissioner Hicken, given their upbringing, their probable beliefs, may be moved by the spirit to break their silence, share small truths? Ifthemenoflaware too constrained by life's twisted passage and the weightofbaggageoverhead to speak; then the men of God should still have some ofthedeityleftinthem.

Mr. Nandlall, not an ordinary Nandlall, but the Nandlall, Guyana's attorney general, may discover that there's some defense that he can muster, cluster, offer What sayest thou, Mr. Nandlall, effusive and exuberant man of law, and warrior for codes of honour, of which most of his comradeseitherareignorant of,ornotcareadamnabout?

Who is really safe in Guyana?

ExcellencyAliinoneof his rushing torrents of rhetoric guaranteed the

safety of Exxon and its investment. Now that's a presidentforthetimes! But what of the safety of the Guyanese people, Mr President?

The safety of their patrimony?

A guarantee for their prosperity delayed and diluted, all but discarded?

Who'sreallysafeinGuyana, otherthanforthePPP'sown, theirinterests,theirrights? I thinkitshouldbeforall,and through all seasons, especially those found too i n c o n v e n i e n t , discomforting. Messrs.Ali, Jagdeo, Phillips, Nandlall, Hicken, Guyanese are waiting for answers. The worldiswatching.

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

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!

In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Dr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

SUNDAY–

FEBRUARY22,2026

GPLsaysithas enoughpower

While Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. boasts of “reliable, firm” capacity, citizens sit in darkness. At therecentenergyconference at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, CEO Kesh Nandlall

proudly announced generation up 63 percent since2020andcustomersup 21percent.Peakdemandhas doubled to 236MW Installed capacity stands above 300MW On paper, it soundsimpressive.

ButGuyanesedonotlive onpaper Ifthereis260MW of reliable power on the DBIS, why do routine blackouts plague homes and businesses? Why does one hiccupatastationplungethe entirecountryintodarkness? “Maintenance”cannotbethe permanentexcuse.

Growth figures mean nothing if the grid collapses weekly Before promising 600 percent expansion by 2030,GPLmustfirstdeliver whatitclaimstoday:steady, dependable electricity Words do not power homes.

Electricitydoes.

MONDAY–FEBRUARY23,2026

AnotherRepublic Today Guyana marks another Republic Day, a reminderofthenation'sbold step in 1970 to claim full sovereignty and chart its owndestiny

A s t h e G o l d e n Arrowhead rises, citizens reflect on a journey defined by resilience, diversity, and quietdetermination. Fromthesugarestatesto the hinterland communities, the spirit of unity continues toshapenationalprogress.

Today, buoyed by transformative oil wealth and renewed global attention,Guyanastandsata pivotalcrossroads. Prosperity must be matched with prudence, transparency, and inclusion sothatdevelopmenttouches every village and every child. Republic Day is not merelyceremony;itisacall to shared responsibility Safeguarding democracy, protecting the environment, and investing in education willdefinethenextchapter In honouring the past,

Guyanese can confidently build a fairer, stronger republic for generations to come.Unitedinpurposeand pride.

TUESDAY–

FEBRUARY24,2026

Thepolicefloat

The float presented by the Guyana Police Force at yesterday's Mashramani parade has ignited a controversy on social media thatcannotbebrushedaside astrivialfestivalchatter

In a nation proudly defined by its African and Indian majority, the depiction of an almost entirely white cohort of policemen and women was, at best, tone-deaf and, at worst, deeply offensive. In fact, most of the men and womenintheGuyanaPolice ForceareofAfricandescent. Mashramani is meant to celebrate our republic and ourpeople,allofourpeople. Symbolism matters Representation matters When a state institution showcases imagery so disconnected from the country's demographic reality, it sends an unfortunate message about

visibility and value The outragevoicedbycitizensis therefore understandable

TheForceowesthepublican explanationastohowsucha glaring misstep escaped scrutiny National celebrations must unite, not alienate. Cultural sensitivity isnotoptional;itisessential in a society as diverse and historically conscious as ours.

FRIDAY–FEBRUARY 27,2026

Trustedbywhom?

As President Irfaan Ali rolls out the red carpet for

executives of ExxonMobil, hailing the oil giant as Guyana's “trusted partner,” many citizens are left wondering: trusted by whom, and on what terms? Trust, like oil, must be earnedandaudited.

The lopsided Production Sharing Agreement remains a

y favouring Exxon while Guyana receives a modest royalty and limited oversight.

Previous audits have

flagged questionable cost recovery claims, yet clarity and renegotiation remain elusive.Nowreportssuggest Exxon disclosed increased reserves to shareholders before informing the Guyanesepublic. That imbalance deepens unease. Investment security isvital.Butsotooisnational equity Partnership should not mean silence in the face of opacity If Guyana is to prosper,trustmustflowboth ways with transparency, accountability and a fairer dealatitscore.

BeforetheApplauseFades: What Guyana Must Learn from Trinidad and Tobago's Oil & Gas Trajectory

ByAnthonyPaul,Senior EnergyandStrategy Advisorandformer DirectorofGeologyand Geophysicsatthe TrinidadandTobago MinistryofEnergy

Every rising petroleum statebelievesitisdifferentuntil it begins to repeat the sameinstitutionalmistakes.

Trinidad and Tobago once stood where Guyana standsnow:confident,cash-

rich, strategically positioned, and widely praised for transforming offshore discoveries into

industrial growth Petrochemical complexes expanded, LNG exports flourished, and the country became a regional energy anchor Yet over time, beneath the headline successes, regulatory strain, licensing inconsistencies, institutional underresourcing and opaque contractual practices began

to accumulate The consequences were not immediate They were incremental And that is preciselywhytheymatter

Guyanatodayisbuilding notonlypipelinesandpower plants, but the institutional architecture that will govern them for decades Its decision to publish petroleum licences has already set it apart as a transparency leader But as gas-to-energy infrastructure advances, and as midstream a n d d o w n s t r e a m complexities deepen, the question is no longer whether Guyana will succeed in monetising its hydrocarbons. The question is whether it will embed the safeguards that prevent gradualinstitutionaldrift.

History offers no guarantees. But it does offer warnings.

Guyana has, in recent years, distinguished itself in one important and commendable way: it has made petroleum licences public. The Production Sharing Agreement for the Stabroek Block involving ExxonMobilanditspartners is publicly available Environmental permits for major projects have been placedinthepublicdomain.

The new petroleum legislation is accessible for scrutiny

Thisisnotasmallthing.

In a sector historically clouded in confidentiality across many jurisdictions, Guyana has signaled that petroleum governance must bevisibletoitscitizens.That

approach has strengthened public trust, enabled informed debate, and given civilsocietyandtechnocrats the ability to assess the stewardship of national resources.

Now, as the country

a d v a n c e s i t s g a s infrastructure ambitionsparticularly the gas-toenergy project and associated pipeline - that same commitment to transparencyisbeingtested.

And as Guyana thinks aboutthefuture,itmustlook not only at global models, butverycarefullyatregional neighbour, Trinidad and Tobago.

Becausethelessonsofits riseareimportant.

But the lessons of its declineareindispensable.

The most important lessons from Trinidad and Tobago's energy journey are found in the subtle governance gaps that followedit.

P r o d u c t i o n v s

Transportation - And the QuestionofCost

Under the Petroleum Activities Act 2023, once a commercial discovery is declared, a production licence is required before petroleum can be produced. Thatiswellunderstood.

Less widely discussed, but equally significant, is that the Act contemplates separate authorisation for transportationinfrastructure, including pipelines, where those facilities are not already incorporated into an approveddevelopmentplan.

This distinction matters

because midstream infrastructure often carries long-term financial commitments.

A report by Reuters referenced a US$55 million per year payment structure for the pipeline component ofthegas-to-energyprojecttotalling approximately US$1.1 billion over twenty years. At the same time, ministerial statements have suggested that Guyana will not pay until gas begins to flow

Those are materially different interpretations of fiscalexposure.

If there is a take-or-pay structure, that allocates risk one way Above and beyond paying for the pipeline via costrecovery,Guyanamight have been paying for its availability since its c o m p l e t i o n

If payments are strictly tied to gas delivery, risk is allocated differently and Guyanacouldnotbepaying.

The simplest solution is disclosure.

Publishing the relevant transportation licence, development approvals and associated agreements - just as production licences have been published - would allowthepublic,Parliament, technocrats and investors to see the exact payment triggers and contractual mechanics.

Transparency quiets

controversy Opacity sustainsit.

But transparency is not onlyaboutthispipeline.

It is about institutional design, and about avoiding mistakesothershavemade.

The Trinidad & Tobago Experience: Rise and Warning

Trinidad and Tobago

once stood as the Caribbean's energy success story

It leveraged gas discoveries into LNG exports, ammonia and methanol industries, and

decades of industrialisation.

Itdemonstratedhowasmall state could monetise hydrocarbonsstrategically

Yet over time, warning signsemerged.

Declining production is one factor, but institutional driftisanother

If Guyana is to avoid similar outcomes, it must build safeguards now - not later Five lessons deserve carefulattention.

1. The Regulator Must Be Strong - And Remain

Strong

One recurring concern raised in discussions about Trinidad and Tobago's later years has been the weakening or underresourcing of regulatory institutions.

Complex hydrocarbon economies require up-todate industry technology, systems and procedures, regulatory instruments, specialised skills and experienceacrossarangeof (Continuedonpage50)

Former Home Affairs minister Robeson Benn begins testimony in elections fraud trial

Former Minister of Home Affairs and current Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, has started testifying in the ongoing 2020 General and Regional Elections fraud trial at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

Benn began his testimony on Thursday and is scheduled to continue on March27.

The defendants in the matter include former G u y

Commission (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; former District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers; former Minister of Health Volda Lawrence; APNU+AFC Chief Scrutineer Carol Smith Joseph;andformerGECOM employees Sheffern February, Michelle Miller, and Denise BabbCummings. They are accused of

conspiringbetweenMarch2 and August 2, 2020, at the Ashmins Building in Georgetown to manipulate election results, allegedly defrauding electors across Guyana.

Benn's account of the 2020tabulationprocess

Former Minister of HomeAffairs, Robeson Benn

During his testimony, Benn detailed widespread disruptions that occurred during the March 2020 elections,includingdisputes overthetabulationprocess,a controversial declaration of results, and incidents involving the GECOM Chair

In2020,Bennservedasa GECOM Commissioner appointed by the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). He explained that part of his responsibility during the elections was authenticatingStatementsof Poll(SOPs)beforetheywere submitted to the Chief ElectionsOfficer.Onecopy, he said, would go to then CEO Keith Lowenfield, whileotherswereforwarded to the Region Four Returning Officer for tabulationaspartofwhathe

described as the “parallel process.”

According to Benn, concerns arose on March 3 when “incorrect figures” were allegedly entered into the tabulation system. He told the court that PPP/C representatives objected to the discrepancies, while APNU representatives raised no objections at that stage.

Benn also addressed the interruptionofthetabulation process after Clairmont (Continuedonpage44)

Five arrested for stealing $8,640 worth of cheese

Fivemenhavebeenarrestedforallegedly stealing $8,640 worth of cheese from a supermarket along the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Public Road, East Coast Demerara on Friday.Those in custody are a 48-year-old construction worker of Campbellville, Georgetown; a 35-year-old construction workerofStevedoreHousingScheme,South Ruimveldt, Georgetown; a 28-year-old man of Section 'C', Sophia; a 35-year-old gold minerofPrincessStreet,Lodge,Georgetown and a 19-year-old Stevedore of South

Ruimveldt,Georgetown.Accordingtopolice, two men entered the supermarket and one allegedly removed eight packs of cheese, concealing them The act was reportedly captured on the establishment's CCTV system.The perpetrators and other occupants ofacarattemptedtofleethescene.However, rankswhoresponded,interceptedthevehicle along the Triumph Public Road, East Coast Demerara.All five occupants were detained and taken to the Beterverwagting Police Station.Acutlassfoundinthevehicle.

Fish vendor shot, robbed in front West Ruimveldt home

Two bandits shot a 36-year-old West Ruimveldt fish vendor who was standing in front of his home before relieving him of an undisclosedamountofjewelleryandcash.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement said that the incident occurred at about10:00hatRiverView,WestRuimveldt, Georgetown.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was standing in front of his yard when an unidentified duo approached him,

onereportedlyarmedwithahandgun.

“The armed suspect reportedly discharged several rounds in the victim's direction, causing him to receive injuries to hisupperrightthighandrighthip.Theother suspect then relieved him of an undisclosed quantity of jewellery and cash before both suspectsfledthesceneonfoot,”policesaid. The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, andhisconditionislistedasstable.

Govt.’s plan to purchase Berbice Bridge before 2027

- APNU raises concerns about fiscal prudence

TheAPartnership for National Unity (APNU) on Friday said that the government's plan to acquire theBerbiceBridgeoneyearbefore it is supposed to be transferred to thestateatnocostraiseslegitimate concernsaboutfiscalprudence.

APNU'sMemberofParliament (MP),SaikuAndrewstoldreporters on Friday at the party's press conference that the government through the Ministry of Public Works allocated no money to subsidisetheBerbiceRiverBridge despitethebridgebeingmadetollfreeinAugust2025.

Simultaneously, he said, that the government announced its intention to purchase the bridge fromprivateoperatorseventhough ownership is scheduled to transfer tothestatein2027.

“The rationale for accelerating purchase by one year remains unconvincing The optics of directing public funds to private stakeholders ahead of an already agreed transfer raise legitimate concerns about beneficiaries and fiscalprudence,”Andrewssaid.

Andrews expressed that the government's intention of the buyingthebridgemakes“nosense at this point”. However, if the government goes ahead then consideration about maintenance

and all other costs should be taken intoaccount.

“Now, if that maintenance schedule is not honoured, then we havetofactorinwhatitwouldcost to honour that maintenance schedule, because it makes no sense,wepurchaseabridgein2026 which is supposed to come to us freein2027andwe'resaddledwith all the maintenance cost that the bridge company is contractually obligatedtohonour So,wehaveto consider all of those and come up with a discounted buyout price in 2026, that could be a prudent approach So, if that is the approach,thenyes,wecanreceive valueformoney,”heexplained.

Andrewssharedthatrecentlyin parliament, Minister of Public

The current Berbice Bridge.

Works, Juan Edghill when questioned about a ballpark figure the government will pay for the bridge indicated that it would be less than the existing government subsidies.

“Thatisnotasufficientanswer fortheGuyanesepeoplewhohave spent almost 20 years being saddled with the high cost of crossing that bridge. To come to

thispointwhenthey'resupposedto getthisbridgeforfree,atzerocost, and you're going to say to them, you'regoingtopurchaseitoneyear in advance, but it will be cheaper than if you were to subsidise the toll,thatisnotasufficientanswer,” Andrewsposited.

Last month, Minister Edghill toll the National Assembly that government is finalising negotiationsforthefullacquisition of the Berbice River Bridge in RegionSix.

“…the Berbice Bridge and I don'twanttousethisopportunityto make an announcement, I want to inform the house that the Government of Guyana is on its way to finalising all the I's and crossing the T's for the ownership of the Berbice River Bridge and baseduponthefiguresIhavebeen looking at, what it will be costing the treasury for the acquisition of thebridgewouldbelessthanifwe have to pay toll between now and next year, based upon the figures I'm looking at,” Edghill told the NationalAssembly

Back in October 2022, when President Irfaan Ali announced plans for a new Berbice River Bridge he said, “we are in the process of discussing with the Berbice Bridge Corporation the

possible acquisition of that bridge by the government ” If the acquisition is not finalised by the time the new Demerara River Bridge is operational, the Berbice River Bridge crossing will also becometoll-freesimultaneously

Moreover, the current Berbice River Bridge, which was constructed between 2006 and 2008 at a cost of $8 billion, receivedfinancialbackingthrough loansandequitycontributionsfrom variousentities,includingthestaterun National Insurance Scheme (NIS)andprivateinvestors.

Thebulkofthemoneyinvested in the Berbice Bridge came from NIS Sharing ownership percentages in the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI): National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) holds 10 per cent, NIS owns 20.2 per cent, and other stakeholders include Hand-in-Hand Fire Insurance (10 per cent), New GPC (20 per cent), Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. (20 per cent), and Secure International Finance Co. Limited (20percent).

It was reported that as part of the concession agreement, the BerbiceBridgeCompanyInc.isset to hand-over the structure to the GovernmentofGuyanain2027.

...twomenkilledduringfightoverwoman BloodbathatBareRoot!

What began as a visit to see a child ended in bloodshed on Saturday morning at Bare Root, East Coast Demerara, when two men allegedly stabbed each other to death during a violent confrontation that has left families shattered andacommunityinshock.

Dead are 22-year-old Joshua Joseph, called 'Raccoon' of Melanie Damishana, and Jonathon Hassan, known as 'Nico' a father of one from Coldingen, East Coast Demerara.

The deadly encounter reportedly unfolded around 08:30 hrs at the home of the mother of Hassan's oneyear-oldchild.

Relatives told Kaieteur news that Hassan had gone to the residence to see his child when he was confronted at the doorway by Joseph, who was reportedly inside the house

at the time Hassan's distraught sister, Jessica Hassansaid,“Shetellmeshe had somebody inside the house.Themansaidhedon't appreciate Nico coming there. I don't know what happen after that, but they startboreupeachother.”

Family members said Hassan routinely visited the

hometoseehischildandhad never anticipated such a violentoutcome.

“Seeing him lying there… I can't believeit. He doesnormallygotheretosee he child. I never expect something like this,” his sistercried.

After the stabbing, Hassan reportedly mounted his motorcycle and attemptedtoleavethescene, bleeding from what witnesses described as a severewoundtotheleftside ofhischest.

His journey ended just a short distance away at a nearbyshop.

A witness recounted the

terrifyingmoment.

“I was standing here talking with the shop owner when I see the man ride up and stop.When I look, I see

The witness said Hassan appeared disoriented but managed to utter that someonehadstabbedhimat hischild'smother'shome.“I keep asking he what happen to he and keep tossing, tossing and he said somebody bore he by he childmother,”hesaid.

blood all over he skin,” the mansaid.“Hetrytocomeoff the bike but he couldn't. We help he off and he sit down onthebench.”

The shop owner quickly got his car to rush him to hospital but before they could leave, Hassan began tremblingviolently

“By the time the car come out, he start shake up and then he just stop breathing,” the witness said solemnly

Blood reportedly poured from his chest as bystanders watchedhelplessly

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force arrived shortly after and removed the body fromthescene.

Meanwhile, Joseph reportedly collapsed at the residence shortly after the confrontation. His cousin, Akeem Adams, said he sustained serious injuries, including a major wound to the neck.Joseph was rushed to the Enmore Regional Hospital but later succumbedtohisinjuries.As news spread, residents poured into the streets, stunned by the double fatality The once-quiet community was overcome withwailsanddisbelief.

Joseph's relatives stood in visible shock, struggling to process the tragedy Hassan's family members wereinconsolable.

“Mynephewgone!Who gon'comeseemenow?”one grieving relative cried repeatedly, her voice echoingdownthestreet.

Investigations are ongoing.

Govt. partners with SBM Offshore to upgrade Cummings Park multi-purpose facility

The Cummings Park multi-purpose facility which is being upgraded.

CH&PA'sChiefExecutiveOfficer,Dr.MartinPertab(right)alongside CountryManagerofSBMOffshore,Mr.MartinCheongatthe multi-purposecommunityfacilityatCummingsPark,Sophia.

The government, through a collaborative public-private partnership involving the Ministry of Housing–Central Housing and PlanningAuthority (CH&PA), the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport,andSBMOffshoreGuyana, will be spending US$400,000 (more than GY$80 million) to

community facility at Cummings Park,Sophia.

TheCH&PA'sChiefExecutive Officer (CEO), Dr Martin Pertab onFridayconductedajointvisitto the project site with Country Manager of SBM Offshore, Mr MartinCheong. Dr Pertab said the upgrades will represent a significant transformation of the facility He explained that the investment will greatly enhance the functionality and usability of the space while

recreation,youthengagement,and socialdevelopmentforresidentsof Sophia.

The CEO indicated that CH&PA will play a key role in improving both the aesthetics and overall layout of the facility, with discussions ongoing among partners to determine how additional contributions can further advance the ground's development.

“The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to improve community facilities across Guyana and represents a broader push to strengthen collaboration between government and private stakeholders,” CHPA said in a statement.

The Waterfalls Waterfalls Poonam Singh’s

‘Guyana’s

Lullaby’ echoes melodies of

a

rich culture untapped

GUYANESE MAKEUP ARTIST

Born andraisedinthe townshipofBartica,the beautifulSashaSingh isdelegatenumbertwointhe BarticaRegattapageant.

Sashastrivestorepresenther communitywithgraceandpositivity The formerstudentofThreeMilesSecondary Schoolbelievesbeautyisnotonlyabout appearance,butaboutconfidence,kindness, andthestrengthtoinspireothers.Sheisa staunchsupporterofBarticaRegatta pageant.Shesaid,thepageantisa celebrationofculture,unity,andtalent.

“Iamproudtobeapartofthis incredibleexperience.Iencourage youngpeopletomakewise choices,believeinthemselves, andconfidentlysay nowhennecessary.”

Sasha Singh

Reinvigoration with Purpose: Rubio, CARICOM, and the Work of Diplomacy of

BySirRonaldSanders

When Marco Rubio arrivedinSt.Kittstoaddress theHeadsofGovernmentof the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, he did so only hours after attending President Trump’s State of the Union address in Washington The speech ended late. Before dawn, he was on his way to the Caribbean.Thatmatters.

Secretaries of State do not lightly compress regional diplomacy into an already demanding schedule. His decision to attend signaled respect for CARICOM’s collective invitation and recognition that the Caribbean is not marginal in Washington’s hemispheric priorities It alsodemonstratedcontinued commitment to direct engagement.

In his public remarks, Secretary Rubio spoke plainly about transnational crime, illegal migration, energy opportunity, and the stabilization of Venezuela underinterimauthoritiesled by DelcyRodríguez.

He referenced the reopening of the U S Embassy in Caracas and made clear that democratic electionsremaintheultimate measure of legitimacy His point was straightforward: a stronger, safer Caribbean strengthens the United States. There would have been no quarrel with any of that.Onsecurity,thereisalso no disagreement The criminal organizations that exploit Caribbean waters and transit routes threaten both U.S. and CARICOM societies. Drug trafficking, arms flows, and gang

networks undermine governance from Haiti to Miami. Closer intelligence cooperation and maritime coordination are shared necessities.

On migration, Secretary Rubio emphasized that the UnitedStatesisconductinga global review of its migration and visa policies, expected to conclude by the endofJune.ForCARICOM countries, access to U.S. visas is not a peripheral matter It affects business travel, family connections, tourism flows, education, and longstanding people-topeople ties.Any restrictions arethereforefeltquicklyand widely across Caribbean societies.

Caribbean governments have consistently accepted their own nationals who are

deported from the United States. The difficulty arises when small states are encouraged to accept nonnationals without defined l i m i t s o r s h a r e d responsibility For large countries, numbers may be manageable For Small Islandandcoastalstateswith limited fiscal space and investigative reach, even modest numbers can carry disproportionate social and financialimpact.

It is understood that someCARICOMstateshave already enter

d

uch arrangements.Whatremains essential, however, is that any framework across the region be based on clarity, reciprocity, defined limits, and respect for sovereign decision-making. Caribbean governments will follow the outcome of the U.S. review closely and will engage constructively once its parametersareknown.

Energy and regional stability formed the second m

S

y’s

Developments in Venezuela were presented as a shift fromimmediatestabilization to recovery Caribbean governments will judge that progress by results If Venezuela moves toward durable legitimacy and reduces regional instability, the entire basin benefits.If uncertainty returns, its effects will again be widely felt. Cuba, though absent from the Secretary’s formal plenaryremarks,waspartof privatediscussions.

Subsequent reporting confirms that U.S. officials close to the Secretary met privately in St. Kitts with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson and close aide to former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. That meeting confirms that discussions between Washington and Havanaareactive.

Reports suggest that the United States is exploring a phasedeasingofsanctionsin exchange for incremental economic and governance changes Secretary Rubio has indicated publicly that theUnitedStatesisprepared tolistenifCubanauthorities are willing to undertake significant economic reforms that expand private enterpriseandopenspacefor broaderfreedoms.

This moment differs fromearlierperiodsofstrain. Cubafacessevereeconomic c

gy shortages, and humanitarian

pressure. Regional energy dynamics are also shifting. In such circumstances, steady engagement may yield more than isolation

discussions are underway

arrangements that could allow Venezuelan oil to

controlledchannels,easing

sensitive and incomplete B

recognitionthatcollapsein C

y consequences for the wider Caribbean, particularly in migration and regional

M governments have long advocated dialogue rather than rupture in dealing with Cuba. Public statements by regional leaders emphasized de-escalation, reform, and stability The indication that Washington is pursuing quiet engagement was therefore noted with interest and, in many quarters, with cautious welcome The broader significance of the meeting is clear The Caribbean is

’s

e neighbourhood Tradeflowsin both directions Migration bindsfamilies Securitythreats move across maritime space withoutregardtoborders.

The United States seeks secure borders, stable neighbours, and resilient economic ties CARICOM states seek growth, climate resilience, and protection against transnational crime Theseaimsintersect

If reinvigoration means deeper security cooperation, structured and lawful migration arrangements, investment that integrates Caribbean economies into resilient supply chains, and pragmatic engagement to

n Venezuela and Cuba, then the meeting in Basseterre mayproveconsequential.

If it becomes a series of expectations unsupported by proportional safeguards, friction will return Small states guard sovereignty carefully because sovereignty is their shield That instinct is notobstruction.Itisprudence.

The Secretary’s overnight journey from Washington to Basseterre signalled seriousness. The discussions that followed were constructive. They did not erase every difference. But they kept dialogue open

at a moment when steady engagementisessential.

In this hemisphere, instability travels quickly Sustained diplomacy must move faster, in Washington andacrossCARICOMalike.

(The author is the

Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United StatesandtheOAS,Deanof the OAS Ambassadors accredited to the OAS, and ChancelloroftheUniversity ofGuyana.

Responses and previous

SUNDAY

ExxonMobileyeingnew discoveryatGoatfish-1well

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is currently conducting exploration drilling operations at theGoatfish-1wellsite,targetinga new discovery in the prolific StabroekBlock.

Already,ExxonMobilhasmade 46 discoveries across the 26,000 square kilometers-block. In 2025, thecompanydidnotannounceany new discoveries for the year, despiteitsongoingexplorationand appraisalactivities.

TheGoatfish-1well,according to the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) is situated approximately 110 nautical miles or203.8kilometersoffthecoastof Guyana. It covers an area of 0.29 squarenauticalmilesoronesquare kilometer

This newspaper understands thattheNobleSamCroftdrillship will be used for the exploration activity,whichisslatedtoconclude onMarch31,2026.

In the meantime, MARAD has advisedallmarinerstostayclearof the vessel and avoid with extreme cautionwheninthevicinity

To date, ExxonMobil has discoveredover11.6Bbarrelsofoil in the Stabroek Block The companymadeitsfirstcommercial discovery in 2015 and has since unlocked major finds, positioning Guyanaasoneoftheworld'stopoil producers.

Notably,Exxonhasnotoffered any update to the media on its explorationcampaignforthisyear In a brief engagement, a spokesperson for ExxonMobil confirmed that the company is pursuing the new well. She said, “Goatfish-1 was spud on the Sam Croft in the South-East part of the Stabroekblock.”

The company is required to supply the Ministry of Natural Resourceswithitsplanfortheyear, accompanied by a budget, in keeping with the contractual terms of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement(PSA).

GuyanahasbeenpayingExxon millions of US-dollars to explore the basin for hydrocarbons, a cost which experts argue should not be borne by the state. Up to 2024, Guyana received an exploration billofaboutUS$2.3BfromExxon. Be that as it may, the two partners havebeenatoddsregardingtheoil reservesinStabroek.

In April 2022, Exxon said the reserves in the Stabroek Block totaled 11 billion barrels After mounting public pressure, two yearsandeightdiscoveriesafterthe last resource update, government said this grew to 11.6B. Notably, although Exxon supplies government with data, the company said its estimate of the resources was lower than 11B barrels.

President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge explained, “The government released a number of 11 6B oil equivalent barrels, ExxonMobil's estimate is lower than that number our number remainsalittleunder11billionoil equivalentbarrels.”

Meanwhile, in explaining the variation between Exxon's figures

compared to the reserves announced by government, Routledge noted that the State conducts independent studies, althoughitissuppliedwithdataby thecompany

$468M Bartica Water TreatmentPlantcommissioned -Pres.Aliwantsallconsumed watertobelocally producedin12months

President Irfaan Ali on Saturday commissioned the $468 million water treatment plant at Five Miles, Bartica, Region Seven while mandating that all locally consumedwatermustbeproduced locallyin12months.

The treatment plant, which is funded by the Government of Guyana'sPublicSectorInvestment Programme (GOG-PSIP), to support the development of housing schemes is set to serve 6000residentsfromFourtoSeven Miles, and is designed to treat surface water abstracted from a streamatFiveMiles.

The plant was constructed by Toshiba Water Solutions America Inc.throughtheGuyanaWaterInc.

(GWI).

In delivering the feature address, President Ali stated that water is an economic commodity andthattherearemanystudiesthat point to the global recession of waterindecadestocome.

The Head-of-State said the country now has to work with the integrated water resource management system principles to developanoptimizationplanofthe totalwaterasset,andhowthatasset canbedeployedtooptimizevalue.

“You can't be such a resource rich country in fresh water and be importingbottledwater,”President Ali declared while noting that the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation must work with the private sector to ensure that the water consumed locally is produced here and at a reduced cost.

“This ministry must therefore setasideonatargetofensuringthat all our water consumed locally is produced locally in the next 12 months Whether we have to collaborate and we must collaborate with the private sector to ensure that they build up their capacity and capability Every entity don't need to have a bottle blower We can have one entity to produce all of the plastic bottle at standardsizeacrossthecountry,so that we have economies of scale. So, we have to look at all the verticals and to see how we can have economies of scale at every levelsothatwecanbringdownthe

costofwater,”heexplained.

PresidentAli said that officials at the GWI have assured him that theycaneconomicallybottlewater, sellingitfor$100orless.

“What we have to do is work with the private sector to see how we can actualize this, so that a countrythatisknownasthelandof manywaterscanhavethecheapest water available to its people, and thatiswhatwehavetodo,”hesaid.

The President also stated that lookingaheadto2030,theirplanis not only focused on delivery of water,butontheeconomicvalueof water Notingthatwaterisessential to every sector in the country, he called on the ministry to work towardsimplementingastrategyas tohowtheyaregoingtomodernize thesystem.

Meanwhile, President Ali commended those who worked on completing the water treatment plantnotingthatcleanwaterisnota luxury,itislife.

“When clean water flows 24 hours a day, hope comes with it. When a community no longer worries about the safety of its supply, when a community no longer worries about the safety of its supply, it can focus on growth, educationandopportunity Wateris the first building block of development, because without water, nothing else works,” he stated.

GWI'sChiefExecutiveOfficer, Shaik Baksh who stated that the Five Miles Bartica Water

TreatmentPlantistheresultofover two years of dedicated technical research and investment to overcomegeologicalchallenges. He disclosed that the facility utilises automated surface water treatmenttechnology,ensuring24hour service and international standards for residents in Four Miles, Five Miles, and Seven Miles.

Theplantistheseventhlargest treatment plant commissioned undertheCoastalWaterTreatment Infrastructure Programme, and stands as a reflection of the government'sbroadercommitment to expanding treated water coverage,henoted.

Kaieteur News understands that the first phase of the Coastal Water Treatment Infrastructure Programme (CWTIP) has completed seven new large water treatment plants, fifteen small water treatment plants, upgraded twelve existing plants, and installed 200 KM of transmission mains to improve water quality, continuity of service, and level of serviceinRegions2,3,4,5,6and 7.ThesecondphaseoftheCWTIP hasstarted,withtheconstructionof 7 new water treatment plants in Regions2,3,4,5,6,and7.

These include new water treatmentplantsatMaria'sDelight in Region 2, Wakenaam and Leguan Water Treatment Plants in Region 3; Hope Water Treatment Plant in Region 4; Bath Water Treatment Plant in Region 5; Adventure Water Treatment Plant in Region 6, and the Five Miles Bartica Water Treatment Plant in Region7.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public UtilitiesandAviationDeodatIndar said that the Bartica Water Treatment Plant project is the first ofitskindintheareaandservesasa blueprint for a national strategy to modernise Guyana's utility infrastructure.

MONDAY

Multi-billionHeroesHighway crumblingtwoyearsafter commissioning

Sections of the Heroes Highway along the East Bank of Demerara are crumbling, owing to theuseofsubstandardmaterialsby the private contractor, Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed has said.

The businessman turned politiciansharedavideoofhisvisit toatleasttwo differentsectionsof the four-lane thoroughfare which appearedtohavebeenexcavatedto undergorepairs.

In remarks, Mohamed told his followers, “I'm on the Heroes Highway,theconcussionhighway, and as you can see, look what is going on here presently. This highwaywasrecentlybuilt-tensof billionsofdollarsandthisshouldn't have happened in such a short periodoftimeandIwantyoutobe

(Continuedonpage21)

Frompage20 thejudge.Let'slookatthematerials usedtobuildthishighway.”

HepointedtothesizeofBritish Reinforced Concrete (BRC) used to construct the structure, which measuredjustaboutaquarterofhis indexfingerinwidth.

The grid-like mesh is used to increase strength and durability, improving the overall structural integrityofconcrete.

Giventhesubstandardmaterial, the opposition leader argued that billionsintaxpayers'dollarswillbe flushed, as remaining portions of theHighwayislikelytofollowsuit shortly

“This entire highway will crumbleandfallapartoncethishas beenusedthroughoutthehighway You don't use this type of BRC whenbuildingthesehighways,”he said.

The leader of the opposition accused the administration of turning a blind eye to the state and quality of infrastructure projects being built across the country, as the same materials continue to be used to fatten the pockets of contractors.

Mohamed moved to another portion of the highway, just about 300metersfromasectionthatwas cordoned off to facilitate repairs. This time, workers were present at the location while an unbothered Mohamed continued to highlight the condition of the road He insisted, “It will crumble and fall apart using things like this, look at the size. Once this is right through the concussion highway, this will continue happening so more money will be spent More of taxpayers'dollars.”

Back in December 2023, President IrfaanAli commissioned the $13.3 billion or US$65 million four-laneroad.

Thehighwayservesasacrucial link, connecting villages along the East Bank from Diamond to Georgetown It was named in honour of the five fallen soldiers whodiedinahelicoptercrash,only daysbefore.

Guyanese and those in the political opposition have long blasted the government for its disproportionate investment in infrastructurewhilemajorityofthe population continues to live in poverty

In this year's $1 558 trillion budget, the Ministry of Public Works have been allocated the largest chunk of resources, with a total of $227.2 billion for its work programme.

Wasteofmoney

In an invited comment, an independent source with engineering background told Kaieteur News that the failures being observed along the highway will continue throughout the structure.

Accordingtothesource,“There was no geotechnical studies

conductedbeforehand-meaningall they did was dig, sand-filled and poured concrete…the problem is nottheconcretebutmorethanpoor subsurfacepreparation.”

The source said using billions more to “try” to correct the road throughresurfacingwillsimplynot work but is purely a “waste of money”.Hewarned,“Wenowhave to pay billions to correct it and unlesswedigandstartagain,itwill beliketheEastBankroad-always needingrepairs.”

Efforts to contact Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal wereunsuccessful.Theprojectwas beingmanagedbythatinstitution.

In 2021, the contract was awarded to 12 contractors, GuyAmerica Construction Inc, V DalipEnterprise,(JV)ColinTalbot ContractingServicesandEronLall Civil Engineering Works, S Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc., H. Nauth and Sons, JS Guyana Inc., (JV) VALs Construction and AJM Enterprise, China Railway First Group Company Ltd , Aronco Services Inc , Ivor Allen, (JV) Puran Brothers Disposal Inc. and Khemraj Nauth Contracting Services.

The contractors had 18 months tofinishtheprojectwhichincluded the construction of some 30 reinforced concrete bridges, two roundabouts, and a total of 9 4 kilometres of reinforced concrete road.

Resurfacing

Earlier this month, Kaieteur News reported that the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) received 19 proposals fromlocalandoverseascontractors for the execution of asphaltic overlay works on the Heroes Highway

The announcement of resurfacing the road came shortly after criticisms from United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Following a visit to Guyana in March2025,Rubiomadereference

to the bumpy nature of one of the roadshewasdrivenon,notingthat “wealmosthadconcussions.”

Guyana,T&Tenergytalks sparkpushtoreopenrefinery -Triniministerpositionscountry askeyenergypartner

TheGovernmentofGuyanahas been engaging with the government of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) to explore possible partnership for the restart of the twin-island'soilrefinerywhichwas closedin2018.

T&T's Energy Minister, Dr Roodal Moonilal attended Guyana's Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown last week He was part of a panel discussion alongside Guyana's Minister of Natural Resources, Vikram Bharrat and Suriname's Minister of Oil, Gas, and Environment,PatrickBrunings.

In his discussion, Moonilal outlined Trinidad's role for many decades in the region's energy landscape He acknowledged missed opportunities in emerging energy destinations like Guyana,

Surinameandothersbytheformer Trinidadian administration and expressed regret that T&T with decades of experience in the hydrocarbon sector, has not conducted more business with Guyana, which discovered oil in 2015 and began production four yearslater

However, the minister outlined that the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration has now mandated that Trinidad deepen collaboration with its regional partners particularly,GuyanaandSuriname.

“The time has come that we institutesometypeofforumwhere ministers of energy and their respective teams can meet more regularly to collaborate, to work together on investment policies, strategies,sowedonotduplicate,” MinisterMoonilalsaid.

Dr Moonilal further outlined advantages of T&T as partner, noting the country's existing gas infrastructure, which he noted could help Guyana and Suriname. He said, “This will enable rapid monetisation of gas resources without the substantial investment

requiredtobuildnewplants.”

Additionally, he noted that Guyanacouldplayakeypartinthe restart of the Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery “We are indeed encouraged to work with the Government of Guyana and other delegatesandotherentitiespresent at this energy conference to advance the reopening of the refinery in Pointe-a-Pierre, TrinidadandTobago,”hestated. Iftheoperationsrestart,hesaid the facility will require petroleum fromregionalpartners.

Notably, the oil refinery can processabout150,000barrelsofoil daily

Meanwhile, Minister Bharrat, speaking on the restart of the oil refinery, noted, “So that is an area that we've already been engaging on with Trinidad and Tobago. To lookatthepossibilityofhavingthat refineryrestarted,tohaveinvestors play a part in that as well too, who areworkingwithusinGuyanathat theytoocanworkinTrinidadatthe same time.And we've held several meetings together, yesterday, and (Continuedonpage22)

Frompage21

wehaveafewmoresetuptoday.” Guyana's oil production from the Stabroek Block which is operated by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is currently over 900,000 barrels per day from four developments — Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two, Payara and Yellowtail The other projects: Uaru, Whiptail and Hammerhead have also received government approvalbutarenotyetproducing. Bytheendofthedecade,EMGLis expected to have eight project onstream.

TUESDAY

Dr.RupertRoopnaraine passeson …hailedasscholarwho daredtostandupright FormerEducationMinisterand Co-LeaderoftheWorkingPeople's Alliance (WPA), Dr Rupert Roopnaraine passed away early Monday morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital. He was83.

Roopnaraine was born in 1943 inKitty,Georgetown,Guyana. He wasaformerministerofeducation intheDavidGrangerAPNU+AFC government. Roopnaraine won a scholarship to Queen's College in 1954 where he excelled in cricket, captaining the team and represented Demerara in the Intercounty Cricket Finals. In 1962 he wasawardedaGuyanascholarship to attend the University of Cambridge where he studied Modern Languages and was awarded a Cambridge 'Blue' for representing the University in English county cricket. In 1970 he was awarded a scholarship to Cornell University, New York, whereheobtainedanMAandPhD in Comparative Literature. From 1966-1996, he has worked as a university lecturer in the UK, Canada, the USA and at the UniversityofGuyana.

HejoinedtheWPAin1977and quickly became one of the leaders of the party along with Walter Rodney, Clive Thomas and Eusi Kwayana He was an activist politician and at the height of the years of PNC repression was arrested on charges of burning down the PNC headquarters, according to a Peepal Tree Press article. He also narrowly escaped death when he was attacked by PNC party thugs, only reaching safety with the help of sugarcane workers who led him through the canefieldstoescape.Accordingto Peepal Tree Press, after the assassination of Walter Rodney, Roopnaraine became leader of the WPA. Roopnaraine was described as unquestionably one of the leading Caribbean intellectuals of his generation, though political activism had restricted his output. “Nevertheless,heisanoutstanding art critic (champion of the work of Stanley Greaves), literary critic

(author of a pioneering essay on Martin Carter), film-maker (The TerrorandtheTime)andpoet.Heis the author ofTheWeb of October: Rereading Martin Carter (1986) andasuiteoflovepoems,Suitefor Supriya (1993), and The Primacy of the Eye: The Art of Stanley Greaves,”thearticlenoted.

Arevolutionary

InastatementtheWPAsaiditis joining the rest of Guyana, the Caribbean, and progressives of the widerworldinmourningthelossof Roopnaraine. Describing him as a towering figure in Guyana's postcolonialstruggleforbread,justice, and freedom, WPA said Dr Roopnaraine has carved out a special place in our country's politics “WPA remembers Bro Rupert as a revolutionary, an educator,andanartistwhobrought togetherthedifferentstrandsofhis work in a life of struggle for the betterment of his country, society, and region. He was unflinching in his belief that a better world is always possible. Blending Marxist thought with a Caribbean outlook, his was a passionate voice of resistance, commitment, and reason at a time of disquiet and discord.”

According to the WPA, Dr Roopnaraine embodied the principle of multiracialism in a Guyana that has been haunted by racial division “He transcended race.Hewasascomfortableamong AfricanGuyaneseashewasamong Indian and Amerindian Guyanese. Forhim,Guyanaisatitsbestwhen allitsethnicgroupswork,struggle, andtriumphtogether.”

The party added: “We also remember Bro Rupert as the ultimate peacemaker He always sought to reach across the partisan divide always guided by the interestofthecollectivepeopleand the country at large. In this regard, he worked tirelessly for a united frontwiththePPPduringthe1970s and 1980s. He was instrumental in the formation of the multi-party Patriotic Coalition for Democracy, which was instrumental in heralding the return to electoral normalcyin1992.” “Significantly, BroRupertdedicatedmuchenergy to the improvement of relations

between the PNC and WPA that came in the form of theAPNE. He feltstronglyaboutthenecessityand utilityofthatcoalition.Alongwith Dr Clive Thomas and Mr Robert Corbin, he invested in that organisationasadownpaymenton a national solution He was the quintessential crusader for shared governance, power sharing, and a nationalgovernment.”

“BroRubertlovedtheWPA.He quit his job at the University of Guyanatobecomeafull-timeparty activist He was central to the building of the party in the early years.Hewasanableorganiser He would later represent the party in parliament and in the cabinet with the same conviction WPA expresses condolences to his familyandthanksthemformaking him available to the party and the country.We pledge to continue his work to better the condition of the people, the country, and the wider humanity,” the WPA statement ended.

Intellectualgrace

Forhispart,PresidentDr Irfaan Alisaidhejoinsinbowinghishead in respect at the passing of Dr Roopnaraine and extends heartfelt condolences to his beloved family, hisfriends,andhiscomradesinthe Working People's Alliance, which heco-ledwithuncommoncourage andintellectualgrace.“Guyanahas lost a public figure of conscience. While we sat on different sides of the political aisle, I have always regarded Dr Roopnaraine as belongingtothatrarefellowshipof menwhowedthoughttoactionand principle to sacrifice, especially duringthetestingyearsoftheantidictatorship struggle.When the air itself seemed heavy with fear, he stoodupright.Hefacedpersecution not with bitterness, but with resolve.Alongsidehiscomradeand friend, the late Walter Rodney, he helped to kindle a flame of resistance,”PresidentAlisaid.

The Guyanese leader also said of Roopnaraine that he was a man of letters, a scholar whose mind moved with elegance across literature “As a distinguished lecturerofComparativeLiterature, heunderstoodthatideasareamong the most powerful instruments of liberation. In Parliament and later asMinisterofEducation,hecarried his quiet scholarship into public service.Hebelievedthateducation was the architecture of freedom—the patient building of minds capable of thought, dissent, andimagination.”

“What set him apart, perhaps most enduringly, was his gentleness of spirit. In a political environment, often scarred by rancour and division, he chose civility In debate, he was firm yet never cruel; in disagreement, principledyetneverdismissive.He treated opponents not as enemies, but as fellow citizens. Across the political divide, he earned respect

not by force of rhetoric, but by depth of character His was a life that proved intellect need not be aloof, that politics need not be venomous, and that conviction need not harden the heart. May he restineternalpeace.”

Civilityandcourage

Leader of Forward Guyana Movement,MemberofParliament, AmanzaWalton-DesirsaidthatDr Roopnaraine belonged to a generation that believed ideas could shape a nation. “He carried his scholarship into politics and broughttopubliclifearareblendof intellect, civility and courage. In a country often divided, he consistentlyspoketothepossibility ofunityandsharedpurpose.Today, Guyanapausestohonourasonwho gave deeply of himself to its democratic journey Rest well, Dr Roopnaraine.Guyanathanksyou,” Walton-Desirsaid.

MasterofEnglishLanguage

Former WPA member, now Opposition Chief Whip and frontbencher of the We Invest in Nationhood party, Tabitha SaraHalley said “on this 56th

Anniversary of our Republic, our nation mourns the passing of a distinguished son of the soil ” Describing Dr Roopnaraine as a MasteroftheEnglishlanguage,an e s t e e m e d p r o f e s s o r , parliamentarian,andco-founderof the Working People's Alliance (WPA), Sarabo-Halley said Dr Roopnaraine devoted his life to scholarship,publicservice,andthe struggle for justice and democracy inGuyana.

“His legacy and his profound contribution to the building of our Republic in ways too numerous to recount will endure. It lives on in our institutions, in the political consciousnessofourpeople,andin thecontinuedpursuitofamorejust, equitable, and inclusive society Mayhisworkcontinuetoinspireus as we strive to build a Republic worthyofhissacrificeandvision.”

Committedservant

ThePeople'sNationalCongress Reform (PNCR) in extending condolences, said the passing of Roopnarainemarksthelossofason of the soil, a patriot, intellectual, and committed servant of the people whose contribution to Guyana's political development and struggle for justice will not be forgotten. “Throughout his life, he stood firmly for principles of fairness, human dignity, and nationalunity Hisvoiceandvision helpedtoshapecriticalmomentsin our country's history, and his dedication to the upliftment of all Guyanese earned him respect acrosspoliticallines.

While we mourn his passing, we also reaffirm that our Coalition remains steadfast in its commitment to confronting injustice and inequality wherever theyexist.Inhonouringhislegacy, we pledge to continue the struggle

for a just, equitable, and united Guyana, a cause to which he devoted much of his life,” the PNCR said. “To his family, loved ones,andthemembersoftheWPA, we offer our sincere sympathy and solidarity during this time of grief. May you find comfort in the knowledge that his life made a meaningful difference in our nation'sjourney Guyanahaslostatruesonofthe soil. May his soul rest in eternal peace ” The party statement concluded.

Teenboykilledin LimaSandscollision

Police are probing a deadly crash on Sunday, February 22, 2026,around8:00PMontheLima Sands Access Road, Essequibo Coast The collision involved motor car PAD 3341, driven by a 44-year-old man from Cotton Field, and an unregistered motorcycle ridden by 17-year-old Sudesh Ram John of Lima Sands, whodiedatthescene,alongwitha 21-year-old pillion passenger who was seriously injured Initial reportsindicatebothvehicleswere traveling in opposite directions when they collided, throwing the motorcycleridersontotheroad.

Police said in a statement that initialenquiriesrevealedthatmotor car PAD 3341 was proceeding south along the said access road, while the unregistered motorcycle wasproceedingnorthwhenthetwo vehiclescollided.Asaresultofthe collision, the motorcyclist and pillion rider were thrown onto the road surface, where they sustained injuriesabouttheirbodies. They were assisted by publicspirited citizens and transported to theLimaRegionalHospital,where the motorcyclist was pronounced deadonarrivalbyadoctoronduty The pillion rider was seen and examined and remains hospitalised.

A breathalyser test conducted on the driver of the motor car returnedreadingsof67,75,and73 micrograms respectively which is above the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

The driver of the motor car is presently in police custody assistingwithinvestigations. The body is at the Suddie HospitalMortuaryawaitingapostmortemexamination.

Investigationsareongoing.

WEDNESDAY

Exxon'stopbrass onone-weekvisit

…Pres.Alihailscompany as'trustedpartner' …amidsilenceonreported oilreserveboost

President Irfaan Ali has hailed ExxonMobil as the country's trustedenergypartner,assuringthat Guyanaoffersastableenvironment where investment is “safe, sound andprotected.” His comments come on the (Continuedonpage32)

Towards a better life with your psychologist

Digitaloverloadandaddictionequalsbrainfog

Children aged 8,12, 16, etc., are just as forgetful, cognitively impaired, and struggling with mental clarity as adults in their 60s, 70s and 80s. What is also alarming is that adults in these age groups are more cognitively functional than children and young adults. Why? The digital space of the21stcentury

We are now more

knowledgeable, more

educated, and more informed, yet this does not pan out.All these come at a cost to the human brain and our ability to live a highquality life.The single most destructive cause for digital or information overload brain fog is endless social

m e d i a s c r o l l i n g , doomscrolling, constant

switching between tabs/apps, high-frequency

screen usage, and multitasking.

B r a i n f o g f r o m informationoverloadisastate

o f c o g n i t i v e dysfunction characterized by confusion, forgetfulness, and a lack of focus or mental clarity caused by constant

digital stimulation, multitasking, and relentless data, often termed “Brain Rot” It happens when the brain’s prefrontal cortex is

overworked or when overstimulationanddopamine dysregulation cause mental fatigue, reducing the capacity toprocess,store,oractonnew information This can lead to underlying issues like stress, poorsleep,andillness,which significantly affect daily life andproductivity

SymptomsandImpact

Mental Fatigue: Feeling exhausted and struggling to concentrate on tasks daily, even after minimal mental effort. Like your thoughts are endlessly buffering Inability to focus, anxiety, and, if severe, “brain rot” characterizedbyadeclinein mental sharpness from consuming low-value, highvolume,digitalcontent.

Memory Issues: Difficulty remembering, forgetfulness,orlosingtrain of thought in the middle of executing a function or several functions and forgetting names, appointments, or when walking into a room. The sheer volume of data overwhelms the brain’s ability to process and retain information, leading to poor short-term memory On the other hand, Memory

Erosion: Relying on search engines for every fact leads to “cognitive offloading,” where the brain remembers where to find information rather than the information itself,potentiallyweakening long-term memory formation.

Cognitive Slowdown:

Slower processing speed of

messages, grasping instructions, and trouble finding words in midconversation or completing sentences and taking longer than usual to process information or make decisions Attention and Cognitive Impairment are at an all-time high. Constant m u l t i t a s k i n g a n d notifications fragment attention,makingdeepfocus difficult and lowering cognitiveperformance.

ReducedMentalClarity: A general “spaced-out” feeling or confusion Struggling to focus on one taskorfollowconversations. Excessive screen time leads to “brain rot,” characterized by mental exhaustion, reduced clarity, and difficultyconcentrating.

Executive Dysfunction: Difficulty with planning, o r g a n i z i n g , a n d multitasking Excessive onlineengagementactivates the habenula, a region that diminishes motivation to pursue productive activities, contributing to feelings of being “stuck”. Paralysis of information, where making simple choices feels overwhelming

Physiological Changes: Thebrainmayenterastateof “high-speed” processing, leading to increased restlessness, reduced cognitive flexibility, and a “hijacked” state where the limbic system overrides the prefrontalcortex.

Emotional and Mental Health: Overexposure to digital content increased anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviours, often involving the brain’s reward systemviadopamine-driven loops.

Elevated Cortisol: “Doomscrolling” (consuming negative news) triggers the amygdala,keepingthebrainin a “threat-alert” mode and raising levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can impair sleep and immune function

S

responsible for cognitive control, impulse regulation and reward processing

Reduced cortical thickness, also happens, excessive screen time is associated with thinner cortical regions involved in language, literacy, and emotional regulation.

ImpairedConnectivityis yet another impact; functional imaging shows weakened connections between brain regions that controlwordrecognitionand cognitivecontrol,whichcan h i n d e r r

s modern-day phenomenon will only get worse with time Children under 12 should have no screen time except TV, with a limit of about 45 minutes per day

Adolescents with poor selfesteem, lack of selfconfidence and mental health struggles should not be on social media or spend more than one hour Adults use social media scrolling anddoomscrollingascoping mechanisms.Bynow,itisan addiction that is destroying the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functioning, like planning andorganization.

Taking Back Your Power!!

Parenting: Parents need to desist from giving their childaphoneortabletwhen they are emotionally dysregulated;instead,parent your child to regulate their emotions Giving them digital means to calm their challenges is providing the drugforaddiction,creatinga m o n s t e r b e f o r e adulthood—parents leading by example. If you show discipline and control over your digital device, your child will learn and do likewise.

DigitalDetox:Regularly taking breaks from devices toallowthebraintorecover. Start by going one day without digital space and i

rease from

e Replacingitwithasubstitute is a must: physical appearance, more time with family and friends, and outdooractivities.Wespend, onaverage,2to3hoursdaily in the digital space. That gym time. Homework time with children, dinner together, etc. Engaging in offline hobbies and social interactions to balance mentalstimulation.Takinga break from devices significantly lowers stress

andsharpensfocus.

Mindful Consumption: Curating digital content to focus on high-quality, relevant information rather than passive “junk food” content Your content consumption is dependent on the struggles and your avoidance in your life. It is better to address what you are avoiding through digital space.

Limiting Screen Time No-Screen Zones: Setting boundaries, especially before bedtime, to prevent sleep disruption and mental fatigue 1 hour before bedtime, phone use ends.At 8 in the morning, phone use begins. Phone use during breakfast, lunch, dinner and inbedisoff-limits.

Take Breaks: Use the “20-20-20” rule (every 20

something20feetaway for 20 seconds) to prevent cognitive fatigue Implement “Firebreaks”, schedule 5–10-minute breaks between tasks to let your mind process informationandreset.

By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc. Clinical

and Developmental Psychologist - Psychoanalyst Unwrapping Gift -Clinic

Prioritise Sleep & Diet: Physical health, directly, affects mental clarity

SupplementforBrainFog

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA/DHA): Crucial for maintainingcellmembranes a n d r e d u c i n g inflammation.Vitamin B12 & B-Complex: Essential for nerve function and energy production Magnesium (Threonate/Glycinate): Supp

performance and reduces

Mushroom: Known for its neuroprotective properties and for improving mental clarity

L-Theanine: Amino acid that helps improve

Monohydrate: Known to boost short-term memory and cognitive performance.

Probiotics: Support the gutbrain connection, which can influencecognitivefunction.

Vitamin D: Supports overall brain health and immune function.

ByKarenAbrams, MBA,AA, DoctoralCandidate

Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…

While the world rewrites itself with AI, Will Guyana learn to swim before the water reaches our necks?

LinkShow38tomaketelevisiondebutinMarch

The longest running theatre production in the

history of Guyana, the annual satirical “LINK SHOW”,willbemakingitstelevisiondebutfrom March7-15TH,2026.

TheLinkShowwasfirststagedattheNationalCultural Centrein1981andhasstaged37annualproductionstodate. Over the years, the production was staged in Charity, Corriverton, Linden and other parts of Guyana before it travelledtoCanada,NewYork,NewJerseyandWashington.

The show has attracted mammoth audiences at the National Cultural Centre surpassing any other show Link Show25wasstagedfor15nightsattheCentrethentravelled foranother10showsintheoutlyingregionsofGuyana.

Link Show Director Gem Madhoo-Nascimento told this publicationthattheshowisresponsibleformanyofourolder thespians,growingandnewtalentsseenontelevision,heard onradioandcurrentlyonstage.

Launched by The Theatre Company with Directors Ron Robinson (recently departed), Gem Madhoo and Ian McDonaldatthehelm,theshowwillnowtaketheformofone hourperdayTVproduction.

On March 7TH, 8TH , 14TH and 15th , the show will be airedonTVG28,NCN11,HGPTV65,MTV ENET1andIgnite channel6/ENET 6 at varying times starting from 500pm to 1000pm Madhoo-Nascimentourgedfansandpatronsofthe linkshowtobeonthelookoutforthetelevisionseries.

The TV series will be produced by GEM Theatre Productions, Madhoo-Nascimento is the Director and the main cast includes some of Guyana’s well known act in of Micahel Ignatius, Mark Luke-Edwards, Sean Budnah, Rovindra Persaud, Brandon Singh, Simone Dowding, Le Tisha DaSilva, Tchaiko Rodney, Latiefa Agard, Marisa Morgan-Bonie,AmritaKoshall,StephenAsifMohamedand AliyahDavid.

According to the Director, Link Show 38 promises to continuetoprovidepatronswiththesameentertainmentand laughterbutnowinthecomfortofyourhome.

Poonam Singh’s ‘Guyana’s Lullaby’ echoes melodies of a rich culture untapped

Some songs are written in studios, others are carefully planned over months, but some are simply born from the magic of timing and destiny

ForGuyana’scelebratedsinger, Poonam Singh, “Guyana’s Lullaby” was exactly that. The songbirdiscurrentlyonaradiotour promotinghernewestsingle,which premiered on YouTube earlier this week,andhashitthelocalairwaves withabang.

In an interview with Melicia Pertab-Alli, host of the musical series on Kaietuer Radio ‘Melo-

vibes,’Singhtoldherfanbase thatthenewsingleisinspired by Madonna’s ‘La Isla Bonita.’ Poonam’s version, however, speaks to Guyana, infused with sounds of the tassa drums and steel pans as wellasscenesshowcasingthe nation’s ruggedly beautiful indigenousterrain.

She said that the idea came to her while on a drive throughGeorgetown.

“One evening, while casually driving through Georgetown, the familiar melody of La Isla Bonita by

Madonna played on the radio.”

Like many of us, Poonam said she sang along She said, “But something unexpected happened. The lyrics began to change effortlessly and naturally, incorporatingGuyanainit.”

“Itwasn’tcalculatedandwasn’t strategic,itwaslove.Whenshegot home,shedecidedalmostjokingly to post aTikTok of herself singing the rewritten version over the instrumental. Just for fun, within hours, the video exploded with comments pouring in from Guyaneseathomeandabroad.”

“Please do a full studio version”, “We need this on Spotify”,“Iwanttoplaythisinmy caronmywaytowork”

At first, she said she brushed it off. Poonam is known for writing and composing her own original melodies, but reworking an existing rhythm wasn’t her usual creativelane.

But when a second, longer version also went viral, and the demand only grew louder, she realised something powerful. This

song didn’t belong to her alone anymore;itbelongedtoherpeople.

And that was the moment “Guyana’s Lullaby” became real instead of a tribute to a distant island; her words became a tribute to Guyana, its beauty, its warmth, itsmagic.

Determined to give her supporters what they asked for, Poonam stepped into the studio with producer Darrell Pugsley of DPRecords.Shedidn’tjustsingthe track; she wrote it, performed it, edited it, and directed the entire visionherself.

Butshedidn’tstopatthemusic; shereallywantedthevisualstofeel like home, so she decided to take her viewers on a breathtaking journeyacrossGuyanatoRegion8 (Kato Village), the Amazon Rainforest, the Rupununi Savannah, the Georgetown Seawall,andStabroekMarket.

Every scene was intentionally chosen by Poonam to remind Guyanese of what makes our country extraordinary From lush green landscapes to iconic city

landmarks, the video isn’t just beautiful, it’s patriotic, emotional, anddeeplypersonal.

PATRIOTICTHEMES

Long before “Guyana’s Lullaby” captured hearts, Poonam Singh had already cemented her place as one of Guyana’s most respected musical voices. One of her most defining moments came with the release of her patriotic tribute “GUYANA’” launched in celebration of Guyana’s 50th IndependenceAnniversary

The song became more than a commemorative track, it was embraced as a heartfelt tribute to our nation’s resilience, diversity, and beauty For many Guyanese at homeandinthediaspora,itbecame a soundtrack of pride during a historic milestone in the country’s journey

Her musical achievements continued to reflect both local and international impact; her single “Happy Place” reached #1 on the iTunes Chart in Guyana, showcasingherstrongconnection

Continued on page 30

Nurse scotchtaped pensioner’s fingers to foil multi-million dollar land scam

ByRehannaRamsay

Theallegedplottostripa 71-year-old pensioner of hundreds of millions of dollars in rice lands was dramatically disrupted, not byalawyerorpoliceofficer, but by the vigilance of a nurse who quietly placed scotch tape over the woman’s thumbs to prevent her fingerprint from being used on questionable documents That simple, decisive act may have stopped what the elderly woman claims was a carefully orchestrated attempttoswindleheroutof herinheritance.

Chandrawattie Mahabir, called “Daata,” of Lot 174 New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), is accusing one of her own relatives of attempting to defraud her of herhomeandvastricelands.

TheformerStabroekMarket vendor said she has since reportedthemattertopolice and is now seeking legal advice.

Mahabir told this publication that the issue came to her attention last December when a mutual friend enquired whether she had sold her family’s rice fields.

Sherevealed,“Iwasata wakehousewhensomebody

came up to me and asked because they said they saw surveyors on the land. I told the person no, but I was scared, so I started finding out. That is when I hear my relative selling the land to someman…”

The pensioner who currently resides at a property she inherited from her father told Kaieteur News her parents and siblings died, leaving her as thesoledirectbeneficiaryof the family’s inheritance, which includes six acres of ricelandslocatedjustoffthe new Four Lane Crane to Schoonard Highway, on the WestBankofDemerara.

She explained, “I live at my father’s house in Vreeden-Hoop. My father had six acresofriceland,buthehad a stroke and rented it.When he died in 1981, my mother took over, and when she died, my brother take over, andwhenhedied,mysisterin- law took over, but my mother made a will because the rice land is in her name, Someria and my father’s name, Mahabir The will states that the property is to be divided equally among mybrotherSarjoo,mysister, Mahadaiandme,buttheyall died and left me with the will.”

The woman continued “…After they died, I asked

myrelative(nameprovided) to help me with it because I havetodothedistributionof thefamilyestate.So, Ilater gave her ( the relative) a PowerofAttorney[POA]to do the transaction for me. She took me to a lawyer at Henry and Durban Streets. He said that the will can’t work because everybody is deadinthewill.Hetellmehe would put everything in my name and I have to do the distributionoftheland.Isaid no problem, ‘I won’t rob anybody’ and I signed for that. I didn’t sign for sale. My mistake is I didn’t read what I signed for, because I trust my relative with what shetoldme.”

Mahabir, who is not too literate, said that she was under the impression that everythingwasfineuntilshe learnt that her relative had initiated the process to sell the lands and had used her signature to obtain an irrevocablePOAinthename ofherreputedhusband,who isaconvicteddrugdealeron 21stofJuly,2025.

She stated “I never signed to that… Me aint know this man, I never see him before now I gave her the power and she tell me to sign to get the land in my name so I could distribute it…Idon’towehe,soIdon’t know how he get this

document saying that I owe him and gave him irrevocable power to basically do whatever he wants with my family property”

According to the document seen by this newspaper, the POA in the name of the man empowers him to “sell, purchase, take on lease, hire, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, demise, let or otherwise dispose of and mortgage, pledge or otherwise deal with all movable and immovable property of whatever description belongingtoMahabir.”

In addition, the documentstates,hecanalso receive transports, leases, surrenders, transfers and assignments thereof, to receive, accept, cancel, annulandtransfermortgages of every description and appear before any judge, registrar, notary public or officer,” in the execution of hisduties.

The document further gives the man numerous other rights to act on Mahabir’s behalf including to apply for the granting of ProbateoftheWillorletters of Administration of the Estate of any deceased person(s) and to exercise all or any of the trusts, powers, duties and discretion by

law…”

“This is basically saying I sign over everything, and thereisnothingthatIcando about it, which is not true. I never did that. I am in my right mind,” the woman added.

Thedocumentstatesthat thepowerisirrevocableand validforthreeyears,evenin theeventofdeath,disability or insolvency Mahabir said ‘the falsified POA’was later usedtodraftanagreementof sale, which states she sold her family’s estate to the man, which she said she neveragreedto.

That document, seen by this newspaper, shows that onAugust 5, 2025, Mahabir agreed to sell the man her Vreed-en-Hoophometopay offadebtsheowes.

This agreement of sale

statesthattheelderlywoman is indebted to the purchaser, $25millionforaprivateloan secured against her Lot ‘F’ South Public Road, New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West BankDemerara.

It states that Mahabir agreed to sell and transfer ownership of the subject property to the man for the total sum of $75 million to facilitate the repayment of the private loan against the subject property and to pay thebalanceof$50millionto myrelative,onthevestingof thepropertytotheman.

Further, the document outlinesthatMahabiragreed sell the rice lands located Block letter ‘N” Vreed-enHoop, in the Klein Pouderoyen Best local governmentdistrict

Continuedonpage48

PoonamSingh’s‘Guyana’sLullaby’...

Frompage28 withherhomeaudience.

“ForeverAlone” broke international ground by reaching theTop25ontheiTunesChartinNorway,provingherartistry resonates far beyond the Caribbean. Her collaborations like “Touch Meh” (featuring Natural Black) highlighted her versatility and ability to blend genres seamlessly Poonam’s consistentcatalogueoforiginalmusic,whichincludes“Life IsYourGift”,“Unspoken”,and“HoldOn”,reflectsherdepth asasongwriterandstoryteller

Beyond chart positions, her greatest success may lie in somethinglessmeasurable,herabilitytounitepeoplethrough music. Whether it’s a patriotic anthem or a soulful ballad, Poonamhascontinuouslyusedhervoicetouplift,inspire,and representGuyanawithpride.

MORETHANMUSIC

What makes Poonam’s story powerful isn’t just the viral success. It’s her mindset. She speaks openly about the tears, thehardwork,andtheconsistencyrequiredtochaseadream. Hermessageisclear:“Ifyouhaveadream,chaseitevenifit feels impossible, even if it takes years, be a lion or lioness. Standstrongevenwhenyoustandalone.Inaworldfilledwith doubt and noise, choose focus. In a world quick to criticise, choosecreativity.”

Whileshekeepsherupcomingprojectslow-key,Poonam believesstronglyinprotectingherenergy Sheconfirmsnew musicisontheway,andif“Guyana’sLullaby”hasshownus anything, it’s that when passion meets purpose, magic happens.

Shebelieves“Guyana’sLullaby”ismorethanasong;itis areminderthatsometimesthegreatestcreationscomewhen youleastexpectthemduringasimpledrivehome,withyour heartleadingtheway

Frompage32 each other whenever we come under threat from forceslikeVenezuela.”

M e a n w h i l e , A l i welcomed the support of TrinidadandTobagoandthe words of Prime Minister Kamala who reinforced her support for Guyana in the face of Venezuela's aggression. He asserted too thatGuyanawillnotsitbyif any of its state or territorial integrityisthreatened.

'Wehavearesponsibility to support each that the responsibilityofthecharter.” 15-year-oldmomsuffers puncturedlungsafter stabbed25timesbychildfather

A 15-year-old girl is battling for her life in the IntensiveCareUnit(ICU)of the New Amsterdam Hospital after she was allegedly stabbed 25 times Tuesdayeveninginavicious attackbyherchild'sfather

The injured mother has been identified as Tiana Chapman of Pepper Street, EdinburgVillage, East Bank Berbice.

The teen's lungs have been punctured and doctors have told relatives that “she iscriticalbutstable.”

Relatives told Kaieteur News that when they visited the hospital Wednesday afternoon, Chapman was

arelativeopined.

Reports are that on Tuesday night at about 20:00h, Chapman was attacked by Christopher Ali with whom she has had a tumultuous relationship, while at a friend's home on PepperStreet.

“She got some bad stabs… it's a lot. I heard it's like25stabwoundsshegot,” a relative said Wednesday morning.

Family members disclosed that Ali had recently returned to Berbice after being away for several months. He was reportedly upset that Chapman had ended their relationship

During her pregnancy, relatives said, the teen enduredphysicalabuseathis hands before ultimately cutting ties on the advice of familymembers.

Reports are that while at her friend's house Ali attempted to lure Chapman

outside by repeatedly sending her younger brother tocallher

“She said she wasn't going anywhere. He ended up going in himself,” the relativerecounted. Chapman was stabbed multiple times about her body, including to her face andback.

Aftertheattack,policein NewAmsterdampursuedthe

hooked up to an oxygen machine since she is unable tobreatheindependently

Despite being pleased withthetreatmenttheteenis

receiving at the New Amsterdam Hospital, her relativesarehopefulthatshe would be transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital

to receive advanced treatment.

“We don't understand why they don't take her to Georgetown Hospital since theconditionisthatcritical,”

aircraft incident that occurred on Thursday at Matthews Ridge, Region One.

AccordingtotheGCAA, the ASL aircraft landed on the prepared surface of the runway but overran onto an unpreparedsection,resulting inapuncturedtyreontheleft landinggear

In a preliminary report, the Authority said the ASL pilot operated outside the provisions of a Notice to Airmen(NOTAM)issuedon October 23, 2025 The not

, iss

d

y the Government of Guyana through the GCAA, had advised pilots to exercise heightened caution during approach, landing and takeoff at the Matthews Ridge runway, which is currently undergoingupgrades.Aspart o

procedures, all air operators are required to ensure their pilots acknowledge and sign all NOTAMs during pre-

confirm awareness and compliance.

TheAuthorityhadearlier

incidents at Matthews Ridge on Thursday morning. The firstoccurredat07:55hrsand involved a Cessna 208 Caravan, registration 8RKAB, operated by Jags Av

suspect, but he managed to evade capture. He remains on the run, as investigationscontinue.

FRIDAY

Pilotgroundedafter runwayoverrun …asGCCAprobes aircraftincidentsat MatthewsRidgeairstrip

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has suspended the licence privileges of anAir Services Limited(ASL)pilotpending a full investigation into an

occurred at 08:15hrs and involvedanASLCessna208 Caravan, registration 8RGCB.

Preliminary findings

Aviation aircraft sustained a puncture to its left landing geartyrewhilemanoeuvring intheparkingarea.

Noinjurieswerereported in either incident and there wasnosignificantdamageto theaircraft.

The GCAA s

d it (Continuedonpage34)

Frompage33 remains committed to conducting a thorough investigation into both incidents to ensure the higheststandardsofaviation safetyareupheld.

Teenmomdied fromheartfailure, anaemia–PMEreveals

A p o s t - m o r t e m examination carried out on the body of 14-year-old

Aleena Preetam who

found unresponsive in her bedroom after her baby was heardcryingforaprolonged period. Concerned relatives went to check on the infant and found Preetam motionlessonherbed.

Regional Commander, Superintendent Khemraj Shivbaran has confirmed that an investigation has been launched and that authorities are awaiting the results of a post-mortem

PayneandLoganSomeraas the President and Vice Presidentrespectively.

According to the filing WIN has made an advanced payment of US$250,000 for activities which include the d i s s e m i n a t i o n o f information materials on behalfofWINtolegislators, in English, in the form of memoranda and other documents.

Thedocumentalsostates

recently gave birth, determinedthathercauseof death was heart failure and anaemia.

Preetam was found dead at her home in Good Hope, Essequibo, Region Two, on Monday Police said the examination was conducted on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Suddie Public Hospital Mortuary The procedurewasperformedby Government Pathologist Dr NehaulSingh.Followingthe examination,theteen'sbody was handed over to her familyforburial.

Preliminary enquiries revealed that the teen, who resided with her parents and her one-month-old child, was last seen alive on

Sunday evening On Monday morning family members attempted to wake

h e r b u t f o u n d h e r unresponsive She was escortedtotheSuddiePublic Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Preetam's body was examined and no marks of violencewereobserved.

P o l i c e s a i d , “Investigations are ongoing and will address all relevant offences under the law

a r i s i n g f r o m t h e circumstances of this matter.”

Kaieteur News had reported that the teen was

examination to determine thecauseofdeath.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, Preetam's sister-inlaw, Ameena Ramzan, said she had checked on the teen thenightbeforeherdeath.“I just asked her how she and thebabyweredoing,andshe said they were alright I askedifshewassure,andshe saidyes,”Ramzanrecalled.

SATURDAY

WINhireslobbyingfirm toengageU.S.Govt. officials,privatesector

The We Invest in Nationhood(WIN)partyhas hired American lobbying firmLGSLLCtoengagethe United States (U S ) government, and its private sector This is according to

that currently in addition to what is stated in Exhibit B

the company is not “engagingnowinactivityor renderingservicesonitsown behalfwhichbenefitsanyor allofitsforeignprincipals.”

“The Registrant will advise the Foreign Principal in developing and cultivating its relationships within the United States government and private sector,” the document furtherstated.

WIN is led by U S sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed who wasrecentlyelectedtoserve as Guyana's Opposition Leader Mohamed and his father, Nazar 'Shell' Mohamed were sanctioned

filings made with the U.S. Department of Justice on February24,2026. The Wyoming-based company is listed in the ForeignAgents Registration document as one th

ng services It lists Stephen

export practices and related moneylaunderingactivities.

The Mohameds are currentlybeforethecourtsas the U.S. made requests for theirextradition.

H a n a M o h a m e d , Azruddin's sister on Friday

bytheU.S.Treasury'sOffice of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2024 for allegedly participating in a multi-year scheme to evade millions of dollars in taxes and royalties owed to the Government of Guyana through fraudulent gold

evening told Kaieteur News that the party has retained a lobbyistfirm.

“We confirm that we haveretainedalobbyistfirm through We Invest in Nationhood (WIN). WIN has support groups in multiple countries around the world.All activities will be conducted lawfully and transparently, and all requiredfilingswillbemade in accordance with applicable regulations,” she (Continuedonpage35)

Frompage34 said She assured that the process will be transparent.

“Nothing will be done in secrecy like the lobbyist

firms retained by the Government of Guyana, w h e r e d e t a i l s a n d communications are hidden fromGuyaneseandshielded from public scrutiny I am personally overseeing this aspect of our operations,” shesaid.

Meanwhile, Kaieteur News reported on February 27 that the defence in the Mohameds' extradition case requested disclosure of communications between the Government of Guyana and U.S.-based lobby firms. That request was denied, with Magistrate Latchman ruling that full disclosure obligationshadalreadybeen satisfied.

However, the defence indicated that it is currently engaging entities in the UnitedStatestoobtainthose c o m m u n i c a t i o n s independentlyandrequested time to secure the documents.

“Weareintheprocessof engaging entities in the U.S. to assist us in purchasing documents,” an attorney representing the Mohameds said.

Corentyneman withbraintumordies -familythankfulfor supportreceived MarkEmmanuel,the28-

year-old Williamsburg, Corentyne man who developed a life-threatening braintumordiedonTuesday, his wife Jennifer Manooram told Kaieteur News on Thursday Emmanuel, a father of three, died while in the IntensiveCareUnit(ICU)of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) The 28-year-old woman explained that his passingwasnotdueinfullto thetumor Shedisclosedthat it was only recently when Emmanuel was taken to GPHCthattheyfoundouthe sufferedfromdiabetes.

“On the 3rd of February, Mark was laying on the bed with no kind of movements, hewasnottakingnofoodor liquids…I took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital, only to hear doctors says he have excess high blood sugar, (after) which he was admitted…we did not know he was a diabetic,” she told this publication.

Hewas“comingaround” and his family had high hopes of him being able to return home. However, his heartratedippedgravely,but resuscitativeeffortskepthim alive.

T h e f a m i l y w a s successful in acquiring the necessary funds for his operation, which, outside of travel expenses, stood at $1.5M.

Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed

Kaieteur News had reported on February 3, 2026, that the 28-year-old man was seeking public assistance to facilitate a specialist surgical operation inIndia,amoreidealandless costlyalternativetohavingit doneinTrinidad.

Hewasdueforoperation inthefirstweekofFebruary, b u t o t h e r h e a l t h complications forced a postponement.

His situation had its starting point when he reportedly sustained an accidentalblowtotheleftof h i s h e a d f r o m a sledgehammerbackin2018.

His family began to observe physical anomalies back in 2024, and he was officially diagnosed after experiencing frequent seizures and fainting.As his health started to decline, Emmanuel had become severely weakened and had difficultywalking.

His head would at times beswollen.

Further, the left side of his body was greatly enfeebled, rendering him incapable of performing manybasicpersonaltaskson hisown.

“As Mark's wife, Also Mark'smomandMark'sdad, we would like to thank the publicforthefinancialhelp, also the prayers and blood that was donated to Mark we thank everyone so much. Mark has left his family heartbroken,” Manooramsaid.

Emmanuel was a former employee of the Guyana

Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). He was laid off duetohisimpairment.

When the universe was young, the sky was filled with planets,stars,andstardust,and manyrocks.

Oneoftheserockswasabit morespecialthantherest. She was unlike any that came beforeher

She was a kind and happy rock, who always floated near abigblueplanet.

Sometimes when the light hithersurface,shewouldglow abrilliantgreen. Attimeslike those, she almost didn't look likearockatall.

Astheskymovedfromday to day, and week to week, the rocks would see planets far off in the distance.

Shewouldwonderwhatitwouldbelike to go to them. Week after week and month aftermonthshewouldwonder Untiloneday shedecidedtogofindout.

The rock had never gone anywhere beforeandwasn'tsurehowtogoaboutit.

Shestartedtorockbackandforth.

Thenshestartedtospin.

Soonenough,shewasflyingthroughthe sky

Assheleft,cloudsswirledonthebigblue planet.Foritwassadtoseehergo,andwhen planetscrythereisarainstorm.

Atfirsttherockwasnotgoodatmoving. Shewouldspintoofartotherightortoofarto the left. Slowly she learned how to travel whichever direction she liked, and she enjoyedexploringspace.

She saw a planet filled with water, with notaspeckofland.

Then found a planet all dried up, with beachesmadeofsand.

She swore she met a planet who looked suspiciouslylikeher

And then she saw a planet that was,

well…shewasn'tsure.

ToiletPaperRoll FlowersCraft

By Kimberly McLeod

One planet she discovered had grown forestsmadeofgreen.

Another one was very shy, not fond of beingseen.

Sheflewrightbyaplanet,thatwasfrozen icycold.

Andthenshesawaplanetthatwasmade ofjewelsandgold!

Shehadstartedtonoticethateachplanet seemedbrighterthanthelast.

They were all so different and all so pretty

Itbecamehardforhertodecidewhereto go next. If each planet she visited was more beautiful than the one before it, then how could she decide which way to go next, and howcouldshedecidewheretostay

So,shecontinuedtraveling,afraidtomiss asingleplanet.

Eventually she came upon the big blue planet that she had once circled, but she foundthatitwasnotthesame.Itwasshining inawaythatithadnevershonebefore.Itwas bluer than it had ever been, and certainly morebeautiful.

Thismadeherstopforamoment.

Herearethematerials you'llneedtomakethese

ToiletPaperRollFlowers

ToiletPaperRolls

GreenCraftPaint

FoamPaintBrush

ColoredCardstock

GlueStick

GreenGlitter

PomPoms

Template

StepstoMakethe ToiletPaperRoll Flowers

1.Paintthetoiletpaper rolls using green paint. Allowtherollstodry.

2. Cut out your leaves, approximately4”longusing green construction paper. Andcutoutasmallercenter using lighter green paper Put some glue on the small leaves and sprinkle with a glitter Glue these smaller leavesontothelargerones.

3. Glue the leaves to the frontofthetoiletpaperrolls.

4 Using different colored paper, cut out

different flower shapes like tulips and daisies. You can freehanddrawyourflowers, or you can use our printable templates.

5. Glue little poms onto thedaisyshapedflowers.

6. Cut a half inch slit on each side of the toilet paper rolltoslidetheflowerinto.

Now place your flowers on display and make your own flower garden with them! These would look lovely on a windowsill duringspringtime.

The things that make me

by Uncle Roy

happy

“I do not know where I should go next” shesaidoutloud.“Eachdirectionis filled with wonderful planets And I cannot stop knowing that thenextplanetwillbeevenmore beautiful if I continue. Even my big blue planet has grown more beautiful every day in my absence.”

Thebigblueplanetoverheard this. “Can you not see why I am brighter?"itasked.

I feel so nice when I eat Ice cream, cookies and fruit cake, Chocolate, candy and other sweets, As well as burgers, pizza and milk-shake

I also get very happy When I celebrate my birthday Go to the park, seawall and creek, And enjoy Christmas and other holidays.

But the thing that makes me feel the best, And makes me proud indeed, Is when I try to help someone, Or give them something they need.

I start by doing more work at home, Then try to make my family feel good; Next I am kinder to all my friends, And help my neighbours in any way I could.

"YouarethebrightestplanetI haveeverseen,"shesaid,"butIdo not know why you glow brighter today than you did when I left you."

“You have brightened me,” it said.

“But I am just a rock,” she replied.

“Youarenolongerjustarock likethedayyouleftme,”saidthe bigblueplanet.“Youhavegrown bold and bright. Now you are a shooting star, and you are the reason that I shine. And while you are worrying about which directiontogo,alloftheplanetsin space are hoping that you will cometheirwaytobrightenthem.”

Andso,theshootingstar,who was no longer just a rock, finally understood It did not matter whereshewent;thelightwasher own.

So, the rock sat there for a moment,bythebrightblueplanet andwondered.

"Should I keep traveling, or should I fly around the big blue planet and grow brighter with it eachday.”

She thought until she knew exactlywhattodo.

Euler Square 5x

Fill in the empty cells with letters and numbers. Each row and column must contain each letter exactly once and each number exactly once No letter-number combination may appear more than once Each puzzle has a unique solution.

Peopleoftenfeelthat,becausethereisnothingreally excitinghappeningtothematanyonetime,theycannot enjoylife. Thefactisthatrealenjoymentoflifedoesnot comefromthrillsorextraordinaryevents.

Onecanderivethegreatestpleasuresfromthesimple things around at any time – a walk in one's neighbourhood, observing the beauty of nature in the trees,thebirdsandanimals,eventhepeoplegoingabout theireverydaytasks.

Ofcourse,weallknowthejoywefeelwhenwejoin with family members and friends in various activities whichcanbemostupliftingtoourspirit. Thelistcanbe endlessifyoutaxyourownmindtocomeupwiththings todo.

One of the ways in which you can increase your happinessistobecontentwithwhatyouhave. Eachof usatanygiventimemusthavewhatisneededtomakeus happyifweonlyappreciateit,anddonotlustoverwhat otherpeoplepossess.

Strive to be Happy

Yourownhealthandtalents,theloveofyourfamily, howyouarebeingsuccessfulatwhatyouaredoing,no matterhowsmallthismayappear,allthesecanmakeyoufeel contented. Happiness is a choice, and you can be happy in anycircumstancesifyouhaveacontentedmind.

Thismustthusprovetoyouthatyourhappinessismostly under your own control, although this can be enhanced by otherfactors,suchashavingagoodjobandcareer,whichwill takecareofyourfinancialneeds,andmoreovermakeyoufeel worthy through the contribution yo u make to the

organisation for which you work, as well as to society as a whole.

Contributing voluntarily to some community effort can also provide this result. This means that you should not always directly pursue happiness, but it will be just as successfultoengageinhabitsassociatedwiththisfeeling.

Oneveryimportantfactor,andmaybethemosteffective, thatwillgobeyondallothersinyourachievementofahappy lifeisspirituality Whenweearnestlyindulgeinprayertothe Almighty in giving thanks and asking for the things we need, we can be assured that happinesswilleventuallycomeabout.

When we appreciate that our happiness is ours for the taking, and not dependent on other people or things, we will keep working to make it a reality.

This can be augmented by meditation, which has been found to help in the ability to focus on what we need in our lives, and so produce results that can lead to well-being in ourspirit,aswellasourmindandbody

BRIDGES

Draw bridges between islands (circles) to connect every island into a single interconnected group The number in each circle states how many bridges must be connected to that island.

Bridges can only be drawn horizontally or vertically and cannot cross each other There can be a maximum of two bridges between any pair of islands.

Choose to be Happy

by Roy Paul (Uncle Roy)

To every man born on this earth

Of whatever strain or level he be, He must bear his share of pain and strife, And struggle to grow and achieve prosperity

So let not the hardships you suffer Take away from the joys that are y In whatever condition you find yourself Happiness is but yours to choose

We need only to look around; To see so much to make us glad, They are the things we need to do To glean all the happiness that could be had.

We first must take time to socialise, With our loving family and friends, Giving priority to our mate and kin, And working together to secure our ends.

Celebrating our wins, enjoying our wor Giving service to those with less, Exercise, diet and bodily care

Together will keep us blessed.

Then above all we must strive To serve and thank the Lord, Have hope and faith in His good grace And live according to His word.

Solutions

to last week’s

MindYourBusiness PovertyandthePsychologyofScarcity

…HowEconomicHardshipShapesDecision-MakingandStress

ByDr.EonAndreGeorge, PhD,EdD

When poverty is discussed, the focus is

usually on money: income, employment, and the rising cost of living. Psychology, however, asks different

questions What does financial strain do to the mind? How does constant economicpressureshapethe

way people make decisions, handle stress, and view the future? These questions move the conversation beyonddollarsandcentsand into the human experience behindthem.

Economichardshipisnot onlyafinancialcondition;it is also a mental and emotional one. It influences howpeoplethink,plan,react to stress, and imagine what tomorrow might look like. When resources are limited, the brain must constantly calculate and re-calculate priorities. What gets paid now? What can wait until next month? Which need is urgent, and which one must bepostponedagain?

Becauseofthis,themind isalwaysjugglingtrade-offs. Although this process is rarely visible from the outside, it is mentally draining. Financial pressure, therefore, does not only stretch a budget; it stretches attention, patience, and emotionalenergyaswell.

Psychologists explain this using scarcity theory Researchshowsthatongoing financial strain narrows mental bandwidth and pulls attention toward immediate needs (Mullainathan & Shafir, 2013). This is sometimes called a scarcity mindset. It does not mean a person lacks goals or discipline. Rather, it reflects abrainthatistryingtosecure the present before it can safelyplanthefuture.

Seen this way, certain behaviors begin to make moresense.Alatepayment,a postponed plan, or a shortterm decision may not always reflect poor judgment. Sometimes they reflect a person navigating pressure with limited mental space Context does not excuse behavior, but it does explainit.

WhentheMindEnters SurvivalMode

As financial strain continues,thebrainnaturally prioritizes what feels urgent. Long-term goals still matter, but immediate concerns speaklouder.Forexample,a parent choosing between repairing a vehicle needed forworkandpayingachild’s exam fees is not choosing carelessly Both options carryweight,andbothaffect thefuture.

Making decisions like this repeatedly can exhaust

mental resources. This is whereanotherpsychological idea becomes helpful: cognitive load Cognitive load refers to how much information and stress the brain is managing at one time.Whentheloadisheavy, focus,memory,anddecisionmakingsuffer Apersonwho seems distracted or indecisive may simply be carryingtoomuchmentally Relatedtothisisdecision fatigue (Baumeister et al., 1998) After many highstakes choices, mental energy declines Just as muscles tire, so does the mind.Undersuchconditions, evensmalldecisionscanfeel overwhelming.

TheEmotionalSideof FinancialPressure

Financial stress rarely staysconfinedtofinances.It spills into emotions and relationships.Ongoingstrain is linked to anxiety, irritability, and sleep problems (APA, 2022).

Someoneunderpressuremay react sharply or withdraw, not from attitude, but from a nervoussystemunderstrain.

Children often sense this atmosphereevenwhenadults trytoshieldthem.

A student who hears regular worries about groceries or utilities may carry quiet concern into the classroom Some young peoplerespondbybecoming helpers at home Others become anxious about stability

These are human responses to uncertainty, not characterflaws.

StrengthinShared Support

Yet hardship does not erasestrength.Oneenduring featureofmanycommunities ismutualsupport.Aneighbor shares produce from a garden.Arelativehelpswith booksoruniforms.Someone sends a small contribution when they can. These acts may seem ordinary, but psychologically they are

powerful.

Research shows that social support reduces the mental toll of stress (Cohen & Wills, 1985). Long before psychology named it, communities practiced it Shared burden often becomessharedresilience.

SupportingMinds

AlongsideLivelihoods

The deeper concern ariseswhenscarcitybecomes long-term. Prolonged strain cankeepthebodyinastress response that affects memory, focus, and physical health.Thisiswhypovertyis also a psychological and public-healthissue.

Encouragement alone is rarelyenough.Tellingpeople to “push harder” overlooks the mental load they already carry

Moremeaningfulsupport includes financial literacy, mentorshipforyouth,access to counseling, and teaching coping skills in schools and communities.

When the psychological side of hardship is recognized, conversations shift. Behavior is viewed in context rather than isolation. Poverty is not only about income; it is also about mental space, emotional strain,andthedailypressure ofuncertainty

AClosingReflection

Scarcitydoesnotdefinea person’s worth or intelligence. It describes a condition that places extra demand on the mind Recognizing this invites more understanding and less judgment.

Sometimes what looks like poor decision-making is actuallysomeonedoingtheir bestunderpressure.Looking beneath behavior often reveals effort, not indifference.

Andwhenunderstanding grows, empathy often follows.

That empathy can strengthen families, schools, andcommunities.

GUYANESE MAKEUP ARTISTLisaCozier SHINES AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

By Shania Williams

From the quiet shores of Wakenaam, Essequibo Coast, to the dazzling runways of New York, Guyanese makeup artist Lisa Calistro Cozier is proudly representing her homeland on one of fashion’s biggest stages, New York Fashion Week.

Born on the small island of Wakenaam, Cozier has spent the past 17 years perfecting her craft, building a reputation not only as a

talented makeup artist but as a passionate entrepreneur of eight years. Today, she finds herself workingbehindthescenesatoneof the most prestigious events in the global fashion industry a moment she describes as “euphoric.”

Speaking with The Waterfalls, Coziersharesherexperienceatthe globalstages.“Itwasamazingand wellorganized.IwasecstaticandI mustsayproud, everytimeIcopan international job opportunity I’m alwaysthrilledand elatedbutthis

gig made me so, so EUPHORIC,” shesaid.

Cozier’s journey into makeup artistrywasn’tcarefullyplanned.In fact,shedescribesitasanaccident that blossomed into a hobby and thenquicklyevolvedintoacareer

“Makeuptomeismorethanart.

It’s a connection, a bond and trust built between client and artist, trusting the process and the person holding the brushes andcolours,”sheexplained.

“It’s therapy for me. Every clientholdsastory.”

At a time when social media was not as dominant as it is today, Cozierbuilthernamethroughword ofmouthandstrategicnetworking. She credits much of her early success to being around the right peopleattherighttime.

Her first major breakthrough came when she worked on the GTT Jingle and S o n g

Sharinghertalentglobally

Competition, d o i n g makeup for judges and contestants including Feliz Robertson, Gordon Mosley, Sean Bhola, Joel Ghansham and Charmaine Blackman. After that appearance, she said, her name quickly circulated across the local medialandscape.

Cozier’s work at New York Fashion Week came through multiple opportunities One companyreachedouttoherviaher professional makeup page, Bella FashionDesigns,whichfeatured Continued on page 49

Charlestown's newest centenarian marks birthday with mini bash

thbirthday

Saturday surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, other close relatives, friends and wellwishers,.

Ms Walrond known to many as 'Granny Bridgette,' or 'Ms Bridgette,' marked the occasion withathanksgivingserviceanda minibash.

Ms Bridgette who has been a resident of Charlestown for most ofherliferecalledthatasagirlshe attended the Trinity Methodist Church.As an adult, she said she raised eight children and spent mostofherlifeasasingleparent.

Fornearly30years,shewasa vendor at the Stabroek and

alrond who is known to many as Granny Bridgette' or 'Ms Bridgette.’

Albouystown markets The centenarian is a grandmother and great grandmother to many—too numeroustomention.Anddespite

her age, Granny Bridgette enjoys some good creole food and has minor health issues and a mind thatis'sharpasatack.'

Her daughter, Lavern Jack told this publication that her motherrememberedthenamesof all the persons she wanted to invitetoherparty

She said her mother was looking forward to the century milestone. For her birthday, Jack said her mother requested a lilac dressandapairofcreamshoes.

“She always said that she wouldlivetoseea100.Whenwe saidwewerehaving partyforher she said she wanted to wear lilac andcream. Soweensureshegot whatshewanted,”Jackexplained.

“We weren't really planning anything special but everything sortoffellintoplace,peopleinthe community contributed and everybody step up to do something. So, we said we will haveaparty,”Jackadded

She described her mother as hardworking and selfless. She

saidsheensuredthatherchildren went to school and never went hungry “She was always working and taught us 'to be contentedandneverliketoomuch company.' She would always tell us “'keep your business to yourself,'”thedaughterrelated.

Those gathered to celebrate Granny Bridgette on Saturday offer prayers, gifts and well wishes. During a pre-birthday visit on Thursday Minister of HumanServicesVindhyaPersaud surprised the centenarian with a beautiful bouquet of roses, which instantly lit up her face. She happilyshared,sheloves“plenty” roses. When asked what advice she would give young people today, her response was simple butpowerful:staytoyourself,live peacefully, and never hurt others, words shaped by a lifetime of experienceandwisdom.

Cuba says a second boat on the mission from the U.S. failed

A Cuban official said theyfound13bulletholeson theborderguardboatand21 others on the suspect's vessel, “meaning that there wascombat.”

Associated Press — Top officials with Cuba's Ministry of the Interior unveiled for the first time late Friday the items they said were aboard a Floridaflagged speedboat that openedfireagainsttroopsin waters off the island's north coast this week, with soldiers responding and killingfoursuspects.

Officialsalsorevealedto The Associated Press that authorities were able to establish that the 10 Cuban suspects left the U.S. in two boats,butonefailed,sothey transferredallthesuppliesto the remaining one and left theotheradrift.

Thegovernmentsaidthe detained suspects revealed those details and stressed that they immediately contacted the U.S. Coast Guard.

Among the items Cuban officials said were aboard the boat: a dozen highpoweredweapons,including onewithascope;abigcooler filledwithmorethan12,800 pieces of ammunition; 11 pistols; heavy-duty boots, helmets with cameras; and camouflagebackpacks.

“We were clearly able to assess that we were facing a

Weapons that Cuban authorities say were recovered from a speedboat in Cuban waters following a confrontation that left four people dead are displayed during a media presentation in Havana on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 (APPhoto/ Ramon Espinosa)

terrorist action from a boat coming from the United States,”1stCol.IveyDaniel Carballo of the Cuban Border Guard Troops told theAP

According to Carballo, the 30-foot border patrol boat detected an intruder on Wednesday morning and approached to within about

600feettoinvestigate,butit was met with high-caliber gunfire.

He said that three of the attackers were immediately killed and that a fourth was woundedandlaterdied.

Caraballo said the speedboatwaslocatedabout one mile northeast of Cayo Falcones off the island's

north coast The border guard commander was injured,headded. Victor Eduardo Álvarez Valle, one of the heads of Criminal Investigation for StateSecurityattheMinistry of the Interior, told the AP that authorities were surprised by the resistance theyencountered.

“We didn't expect it, especially with that many people and weapons,” he said.

“Themilitaryequipment found on board has been identified by the assailants, including where and how they acquired it, and the training they received. They also revealed who financed

it,”Álvarezadded. He noted that officials detected 13 bullet holes on theborderguardboatand21 others on the suspect's vessel, “meaning that there wascombat.”

The Cuban government hadreportedWednesdaythat a person had been captured onland,butÁlvarezsaidthat sofar,thereisnoinformation that the suspects had any support network on the island.

Cuba's chief prosecutor of the directorate at the Attorney General's Office, Edward Robert Campbell, told the AP that the six arrested,allofCubanorigin, couldfaceterrorismcharges, which carries a possible sentence of 30 years in prison, life imprisonment or even the death penalty, although the latter has been onmoratoriumformorethan adecade.

The Associated Press was given access to Cuban military officials and shown the items displayed at the headquarters of the former CubanInstituteofRadioand Television ahead of a programthatshowedthemto thepublicforthefirsttime.

U.S. Secretary of State MarcoRubiohassaiditwas not a U S government operation and that the American government was gathering its own information.

Guyana, Dominican Republic deepen ties at

182nd Independence Anniversary reception

DPI - Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips has reaffirmed Guyana's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the Dominican Republic, as the two nations continue to expand cooperation in key sectors.

Speaking at a reception ceremonytomarkthe182nd Independence Anniversary of the Dominican Republic, held at the AC Marriott Hotel, Ogle, on Friday, the Prime Minister underscored the significance of the occasion and extended congratulations on behalf of the Government and people ofGuyana.

He noted that the Dominican Republic's journey to independence on February 27, 1844, reflects

the resilience and determinationofitsnational

heroes,includingJuanPablo Duarte, Francisco del RosarioSánchezandMatías Ramón Mella, whose sacrificeslaidthefoundation for a strong and progressive nation.

He said, the Dominican Republicstandsasoneofthe largest economies in the Caribbean, with sustained economic performance and institutionalstabilityserving as a testament to strong leadership and long-term vision.

Prime Minister Phillips highlighted the importance of deeper collaboration between Guyana and the Dominican Republic, particularly in agriculture, energy,tourism,airservices, andoilandgas.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips

Ambassador Extraordinary and

Against the backdrop of globaluncertainty,including climate change, food insecurity, and energy challenges, the prime minister stressed the need for stronger regional cooperation among small developing states to build resilience and drive sustainabledevelopment.

economic expansion, major infrastructure development, and strong tourism growth, n o w w e l c o m i n g approximately 12 million visitorsannually.

Ambassador Pereyra also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency,accountability, and the rule of law under President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, while emphasising the country's commitment to deepening cooperation with Guyana through private sector investment and strategic partnerships.

He also pointed to growing opportunities in technical and vocational training, investment, and

These sectors, he noted, are critical to advancing Guyana's national development agenda, which focuses on economic expansion,inclusivegrowth, and improved quality of life forcitizens.

trade,especiallythroughthe Guyana-Dominican Republic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as bothcountriesworktobuild on 55 years of diplomatic relations, which was celebratedinOctober2025.

Health Ministry receives 3D Printer to enhance prosthetic services

The Ministry of Health onSaturdaydisclosedthatit has a state-of-the-art 3D printer that was donated by PrecisionValveAutomation (PVA) through its partnership with Northwell Health The printer will serve to enhance its prostheticservices.

The equipment was received by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony along with the Director of RehabilitationServices,Dr Ariane Mangar on Friday The equipment will be handed over to the Ptolemy ReidRehabilitationCentre.

According to the ministry, the donation marksamajoradvancement in prosthetic services in Guyana, particularly in the production of prosthetic sockets, widely regarded as themostcriticalcomponent ofaprosthesis.

The socket is the interfacewheretheresidual limb meets the mechanical hardware. When poorly fitted, it can cause pain, tissue damage, discomfort, a n d e v e n l e a d t o abandonment of the prosthetic device, the ministrystated.

Withtheintroductionof 3D printing technology, the ministry explained that instead of using traditional

Minister of Health, Dr. FrankAnthony (right) alongside Director of Rehabilitation Services, Dr Ariane Mangar and a representative from Precision Valve Automation with the new 3D Printer

plaster-castingmethods,the residuallimbcannowbe3D scanned to create a digital model with sub millimetre accuracy

The state-of-the-art equipmentallowsforhyperpersonalised sockets that replicatetheexactgeometry ofthelimb,ensuringamore preciseandcomfortablefit.

“This innovation will notonlyshortenproduction time but also improve overall patient outcomes and quality of life for persons living with limb loss, ” the ministry commented.

“As we look to the future, I am confident that through cooperation, innovation and shared resolve, our countries can successfully navigate today's uncertainties to secure lasting prosperity for our citizens,” the prime ministerstated.

Meanwhile,Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Dominican Republic, His Excellency Ernesto Torres Pereyra, reflected on his c

y of resilience, detailing its long and difficult path to independence, subsequent political instability, and eventual transition to sustained economic growth anddemocraticgovernance.

He noted that despite historical challenges, includingwars,dictatorship, and natural disasters, the Dominican Republic has

“Our bond with Guyana is being built on consistent expressions of goodwill and solidarity, and we will continuetoworktirelesslyto keepexpandingthescopeof the cooperation,” the Ambassadoraffirmed.

Also in attendance were Minister of Foreign Affairs a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l Cooperation Hugh Todd, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Tourism, Industry and CommerceSusanRodrigues and Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud; and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Israel closes crossings into Gaza Strip ...blocks

for humanitarian aid workers

Feb 28 (Reuters)Crossings into the Gaza Strip,vitalforthedeliveryof humanitarian aid and the movement of patients in need of medical evacuation, were closed on Saturday as Israeli and U S forces attacked Iran, the Israeli governmentagencyCOGAT said.

Samples of prosthetic sockets produced by the printer.

The closures included the Rafah crossing, located at the Palestinian territory's southern border with Egypt, which was only reopened at thebeginningofFebruaryto allow a trickle of Palestinians to cross for the first time in months, includingpatientsinneedof urgentmedicalcare.

Virtually all of Gaza's populationofover2million wasdisplacedduringIsrael's devastating offensive on Gaza, and the strip remains

dependent on humanitarian aid. In mid-February, the United Nations said it continues to face impediments in attempts to deliver lifesaving aid to Gaza.

Human Rights Watch stated in a February report thatIsraelirestrictionsonaid had continued to cause shortages of medicines, reconstruction equipment, food, and water inside the strip COGAT said in its statement on the closures of the Gaza crossings that enough food had been delivered to Gaza since the beginningoftheceasefireto provide four times the need of the population, without providing evidence. It said "the existing stock is expected to suffice for an extendedperiod.”

2nd US Gold Certification for Moliy, Shenseea and Skillibeng via Remix

‘Shake It to the Max'

Dancehall Mag-Ghanaian singer Moliy and producer Silent Addy's “Shake It to the Max (Fly)” remix with Jamaican artists ShenseeaandSkillibengwascertifiedGoldin theU.S.onFebruary23.

According to the Recording Industry AssociationofAmerica(RIAA),thesongwas certified Gold after surpassing 500,000 units insalesandstreaming-equivalentunitsinthe country.ThisisthesecondRIAAGoldhonor for the three vocalists.Moliy previously hit the mark with the now-Platinum Sad Girlz Luv Money alongside Amaarae. Skillibeng earned his via the Tyla and Gunna collaboration Jump, while Shenseea reached the milestone through her contribution to

Kanye West's Pure Souls. For Silent Addy, whoproducedthesongalongsideDiscoNeil asBashmentSound,thecertificationisafirst.

The track's commercial momentum shifted into high gear following the remix's releaseonFebruary21,2025,whichtriggered aviralTikTokdancechallenge.

It eventually peaked at No. 44 on the BillboardHot100andsecuredtheNo.1spot on the U.S.Afrobeats Songs chart, a careerfirst leader on that tally for all four artists.

While Skillibeng and Shenseea had reached the chart twice before, the entry marked the debutforbothMoliyandSilentAddy

Speaking to Billboard, Silent Addy (Continuedonpage44)

Former Home Affairs minister Robeson...

Frompage13 Mingo reported feeling unwell He testified that Mingo was escorted to an ambulance but maintained that“nothingwaswrongwith him.” Mingo later returned that same evening and resumedhisduties.

However, Benn said further disputes emerged as thenumbersbeingcalledout and entered into the system allegedly did not match the SOPs held by opposition representatives.

The situation escalated, leading to chaos within the GECOMCommandCentre.

ByMarch5,tensionshad intensified, culminating in international observers walking out, effectively crumpling the tabulation process.

Benn described how Mingo attempted to declare resultsforRegionFouramid the disorder, standing on the staircase of the command centre as police later intervened and escorted him away

The declaration, he said, was made in an atmosphere ofshoutingandconfusion. Healsotestifiedaboutan incident involving the GECOMChair,statingthata commissioner aligned with APNU+AFC allegedly blockedherfromleavingher

room by standing in the doorway, leading to a brief struggle before she was able toexit.Benntoldthecourthe took photographs during the disturbances, which were presented as part of his testimony

Voir dire proceedings continue

On Friday, the court proceededwithavoirdireto determine the admissibility of certain evidence Witnesses listed include Police Lance Corporal SherwinBenjamin;Inspector Nigel Stephens; Assistant Superintendent of Police Komal Pitama; Detective Senior Superintendent Mitchell Caesar, Deputy CrimeChiefandHeadofthe Major Crimes Unit; Detective Superintendent Rodwell Sarabo; and Detective Inspector Shane James.

Although Benn had been expected to continue his testimony on Friday, he was unabletodoso.

The matter has been adjourned to March 27 and 3 0 , 2 0 2 6 , f o r t h e continuationofthevoirdire proceedings Additional trial dates have been set for April 27 and 30; May 18–22; and June 15–19, with further hearings scheduledforJune22–26.

2nd US Gold Certification

Frompage43 maintained that the record's “core”isdancehall.

“It's dancehall, but with some new vibes and new energy behind it, ” he explained. “At the end of the day,thecoreofitisdancehall. I just feel like dancehall doesn't have the [proper] classifications[onthecharts], so they put it in the Afro [category]becauseAfrobeats is popular right now and [Moliy's] an African artist Afrobeatsisamazing,butthis isadancehallrecord.Itwould be good if we had that classification Maybe that's somethingwecanmakesome noiseabout.Idon'treallylike theterm“moderndancehall,” that would be more like [Teejay's] “Drift” or [Byron Messia's] “Talibans,” more trapdancehall.”

Meanwhile, Disco Neil attributed the song's internationalpulltoasimple, infectious melody and a vibe inspired by the European shattamovement.

“I wanted to keep the melody simple and infectious, and I feel like I definitely achieved that. The song is fun, and I feel like

dancehall has been missing a lot of fun records That is what'scarryingit.That'swhy you can watch kids and grown people dancing to this,”hesaid.

“It'sjustcrazytobeapart of something that's groundbreaking in that sense and shaking up the place, no pun intended We're letting people know that this style canworkonamajorscaleand remindingthemthatitalways hasgottentothatmajorscale; it just needs to happen more consistently This is a little momenttoopenpeople'seyes as to what's possible,” Neil added.

Amusicvideodirectedby Fernando Hevia, filmed acrosslocationsinGhanaand Jamaica,wasreleasedinmidMarch 2025 to support the remix. It currently has over 243 million views on YouTube.

Outside the U.S. market, thesongpeakedatNo.12on theUKSingleschartandhas been certified Gold in that country for moving 400,000 units.

In Greece, the track is currently gold with over one millionstreamsrecorded.

Olivia Dean Olivia Dean

sweeps 2026 Brit awards with 4 prizes

Billboard - Olivia Dean wasthebigwinneratthe2026 BRIT Awards in Manchester onSaturday(Feb.28),picking up four trophies. She triumphed in the album of the year,artistoftheyearandpop actcategoriesasasoloist,and shared song of the year with her collaborator Sam Fender for their song “Rein Me In.” She was nominated twice in the latter category with “Rein Me In” and solo track “Man I Need” both in contention RAYE retains the record for the most awards won by an artist in a single night, taking homesixin2024.

The BRITs took place outsideofLondonforthefirst time in its history, opting for theCo-opLiveinManchester The show saw live performances from Dean, HarryStyles,WolfAlice,Alex Warren,HUNTR/Xandmore.

Comedian Jack Whitehall hosted the ceremony for a sixthtime.

As predicted, Dean made the biggest impression with her first ever BRIT wins. Her sophomore LP The Art of Loving took the coveted albumoftheyearprize,seeing off competition from Dave, Lilly Allen, Sam Fender and Wolf Alice. She also took home the artist of the year prize continuing a trend seen for the past four ceremonies, where the winners between both categories have been shared following Adele (2022), Harry Styles (2023), RAYE (2024) and Charli xcx (2025).

Fender continued his hot streak by also triumphing in the alternative/rock act category, a field he has now woninconsecutiveyears,and forthethirdtimeinfiveyears.

LolaYoungemergedwithbest breakthrough artist to win her

first-ever BRITs trophy, and Wolf Alice secured the group oftheyearprizeforthesecond timeintheircareer.

Rosalía became the first Spanish-languageartisttowin the international artist of the year category, seeing off competition from Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Lady Gagaandmore.Davebecame the first two-time winner of hiphop/grime/rapact.

Rosé and Bruno Mars' “APT ” won in the international song category, with the former becoming the first K-pop artist to win at the BRIT Awards. HUNTR/X's “Golden,” the breakout hit song from KPop Demon Hunters, was performed duringapre-recordedsegment oftheceremony

Theawardswerevotedon by BRITs Voting Academy, made up of industry figures, artists, critics and more. The song of the year and international song of the year categories were voted for by fansviaWhatsApp.

A number of honorary awards were presented at the c

songwriter of the year, PinkPantheress earning produceroftheyearandMark Rons

outstanding contribution to m

Osbourne was honored with a posthumous lifetime achievement award and a tribute performance led by RobbieWilliams.

AnInMemoriamsegment paidtributetoanumberoflate musical icons, with local hero Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, the former Stone Roses bassist who died in November 2025, recognisedbyTheCharlatans' frontmanTimBurgess.

Domestic violence murders too alarming – WIN

…calls on govt. to implement stronger systems to protect vulnerable

The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Party on Friday bemoaned the country's spate of domestic violence noting that the numbers are alarming and warrant stronger preventative measures aimed at protecting thevulnerable.

WIN's Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Andre Lewisduringhisparty'spress conference said that statistics provided by the Crime Chief indicate that domestic violence murder doubled in 2025withanincreaseof13in 2024to26in2025.

“In just two months of 2026 several more domestic related killings have already beenreported.Thisshowsthat violenceisnotdecreasingbut there is shift towards more violence in the home,” he said.

Dr Lewis said while the country's laws address the matter there seems to be a challenge relative to its implementation.

“And we understand the cultural context of why it is difficultforimplementingthe laws. In many cases there are signs,therearepriorthreatsor repeatedabuseyetthereisno clear explanation of what we havebeendoingafterwehave all this data on domestic violence, what we intend to use it for or what system we plantoputinplacetocounter someofwhatweareseeingin society,”herelated.

The WIN MP noted too that there are several unreportedcasesduetofearof furtherabuse.

“…and for many people they stay in those situations because they are afraid, because they are financially dependent, because they are intimidated,”headded.

Dr Lewis suggested that the government needs to employsystemsthatmonitors reports. “We can't just issue an order, (and) take a report butwehavetomakesurethat we are taking notes of when the protection orders are not

WIN's

Member of Parliament

(MP), Dr Andre Lewis

followed so that we have that informationinplace,”hesaid.

He also suggested that, “Weneedtomakesurethatwe are putting better system to protect the vulnerable in the situation There should alwaysbeaquarterlypublicly reporting on domestic violence data. Not revealing the names and all of that but let us understand what is happening in regard to reinforcementandwhatisnot working so that we can go backtothedrawingboardand revisit and make changes as wegoon.”

TheWINMPsaidthatthe new domestic violence and sexual offences unit must be properly resourced across the country and monitoring must be heightened to ensure there are fewer breaches of protectionorders.

“Butweindeedneedtodo is move from a system from where we react, to a system where we are more proactive in acknowledging that these are the issues that exist and this is how we should move forward with them in a sense of accountability but also consider that it is a sense of urgency because the numbers are quite alarming as I say,” Dr Lewissaid.

Bahamas seeking seat on...

Frompage8 oninstitutionalstrengthening,civilianprotection,andHaitianledsolutions.”

Hesaidhiscountryremainscommittedtoworkingwithall partners to ensure the UNHRC “stands as a lighthouse for the world – pointing us always toward the ports of justice, peace, andhope”.

“Thewatersbeforetheinternationalcommunityarerough, but small island states know that panic is not a strategy, and poweralonedoesnotguaranteesafepassage.

“What carries us forward is discipline, cooperation, and adherencetotheinstrumentsthatguideus,”Pinderadded.

GNBS IN FOCUS

NATIONALSTANDARDAVAILABLETOGUIDE THESALEOFUSEDMOTORVEHICLES

The sale of used motor vehicles is c o m m o n i n Guyana, with imports from several countries and local resale.To ensure clarity and protection for buyers and dealers as well, the Guyana

National Bureau of Standards (GNBS)in 2021 developed a National Standard. The GYS 583 — Requirements for Sale of Used Motor Vehicles was developed, drawing on the C A R I C O M M o d e l Consumer Protection Bill and the CARICOM Model Consumer Standard (Used

M o t o r Ve h i c l e s ) Regulations. The National Standard defines a used motorvehicleasonethathas been, at any time prior to being offered or displayed for sale, registered in Guyana or another country Thisdefinitionalsoincludes a motor vehicle used for demonstration purposes in connection with the sale of anothermotorvehicle. The Standard does not apply to a moped, trailer, mobility device, tractor or farm machinery, or to any vehicle of any class or description declared by the

relevant authority to be a motorvehicle.

W

protection at its core, the Standardappliestoanyused motor vehicle offered or displayed for sale by a supplier Itrequiresthateach vehiclebeaccompaniedbya Consumer Information Notice providing clear and essential details to help buyers make informed decisions.

Acc

rding to the document, the notice must i n c l u d e s u p p l i e r information, the cash price and hire purchase price,

details of any security interest, the make and model, engine capacity, vehicle identification or chassis number, warranty information, fuel type and vehiclehistory Additionally, the notice should indicate any outstanding local road usercharges,suchastickets, as well as the status of the road service licence, certificate of fitness, insurance and any hire purchaseagreementofsale.

GYS 583 also outlines post-sale obligations to ensure transparency and a

requirements include a signed agreement of sale between the consumer and thesupplier;anindicationof whether the vehicle has a current certificate of fitness; andawarrantyinaccordance with the Consumer Affairs Act and GYS 169 Specifications for the Content of Warranties for Goods.

Further, the supplier must indicate whether the motor vehicle has a current vehicle license, registration number and registration certificate, as well as the

number or distinguishing mark on the registration plate, among other required details.Byestablishingclear requirements for disclosure and post-sale obligations, GYS 583 promotes transparency, builds trust within the marketplace, fosters fair competition amongsuppliersandhelpsto reducedisputes.

Toacquireacopyofthis or any other National Standard,contacttheGNBS on219-0064or219-0065,or via WhatsApp at 692-4627. An email can also be sent to info@gnbsgy.org.

WANTED

Job opening: Truck Driver, AC Technicians, Excavator and Skid Steer Operators. To apply send application via WhatsApp: 689-1111/ 608-2114.

Head cook/chef wanted.Send Application via Whatsapp to 637-1465 or Call same number.

Snackette assistant wanted.Send application via Whatsapp to 637-1465 or call same number.

Wanted drivers and porters to work in warehouse,experience is an asset.Attractive salary: Tel:673-7373.

1 male project supervisor (Road Construction Field),ages 35-50 years,must have managerial experience atleast 5 to 8 years.Email CV to rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com

Roller Operator,excavator operator,call between 9am and 5pm on 613-0855.

One kitchen assistant.Must know various duties in the kitchen. Contact: 660-4904/ 223-5031 between the hours of 10am-3pm.

Wanted one Maid. For more information please Call: 680-1282.

Famous Flavours:Wanted 1 cleaner,1 kitchen assistant 709-8131/676-5534.

Reiterating support for lobbying Washington...

From page 06

Washington, a policy I have advocated since the commence of my tertiary education in 1977, President Irfaan has been invited to the private meeting of the President

VACANCY

One clerk for TSI Eccles office English 1, Maths 2 call 615-9132 or email application to techserigy@gmail.com

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 23-50, Car/ Van licence Call 615-9132.

Maid for East Bank area call 615-9132.

Tiler to lay small numbers of tiles call -615-9132

General Domestic (4 day work) & experiened handyman, apply at Keyfood Trading Mc Doom next to the post office.

Desk Clerk,Room Attendant,Laundry Attendant ages 20-55. 225-0198/ Kvchotel@gmail.com(all letters lowercase).

LAND FOR SALE

Silver Hill 20 acres, LaGrange & Bagotville W.B.D (public road to river) and Carmicheal st. G/ town.Contact Ray's Realty 627-9685.

FOR SALE

of USA for March 7; T&T’s PM Kamla has also been invited to that meeting to discuss economic and security interests. All other CARICOM nations have been blanked because of their criticism of USA and President Trump. Irfaan and Kamla are on the right political track.

Kumar says tying our survival to America is an insult to the intelligence of modern Guyanese citizenship. The left made the same argument during the 1960s thru 1992 when

I (and colleagues combatting the Guyana dictatorship) proposed lobbying Washington doe assistance.

As a result, we suffered authoritarian rule 1968-92; politicians failed to heed warning that came from realists like me. Kumar wants us to repeat the same blunder of 1960s1992.

Washington has determined our fate since 1953 whether we like it or not. The illustrations are many: 1953 toppling of PPP government,

the racial violence and civil war of 1961-64, the fiddled constitution and toppling of PPP in December 1964, restoration of democracy in 1992, the outcomes of elections of 2015 and 2020, and more. If we don’t learn those lessons, we will keep repeating them. Washington is critical to our survival and for the existence of democracy in Guyana.

Several powerful nations, like France, India, Brazil,

The slow but painful death of Stabroek...

From page 05

Newspaper surfaced, survived and sustained a credible life in an incredible country while serving as a watchdog over agencies, molding opinions, accommodating society and providing an alternate introspect as it explores, examines and evaluates a meaning deeper than just headlines.

George Bernard Shaw did believe that the role of the free

press was, “criticism, criticism and more criticism.”

Nelson Mandela stated that the media is a “mirror through which we can see ourselves as others perceive us, warts, blemishes and all”.

Martin Luther King Jr. regarded the freedom of the press as a “fundamental constitutional right, often linking it with the right to protest, and utilized it to expose, edu-

cate and force accountability.”

As a voice for the voiceless, Mahatma Gandhi reflected, “The sole aim of journalism should be service.”

Does the Stabroek Newspaper qualify or subscribe to these noble aspirations?

You be the judge, jury and executioner.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall.

China, etc. are paying America lobbyists for varied reasons. We must be prepared to pay for consolidation of democracy and our survival against territorial threats.

Jagdeo and Irfaan are right in hiring lobbyists. I support lobbying for our national interests and survival, not partisan domestic politics. And the costs should be negotiable that meets our interests.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

From page 30 containing an area of 87.573 acres to the man for the sum of $75 million.

As part of the sale, the man must first deposit $25 million to Mahabir, and the balance of the purchase price of $50 million shall be paid upon the passing of the transport for the property.

However, the elderly woman is contesting the transaction,” I never agreed to any of this, and I would never agree to it,” she said, adding that just recently a lawyer clerk acting on behalf of the man came to her home with a cheque for $25 million for the lands.

Wanted skill carpenters,mason & labourers to work in Linden.Long term work.Skilled workers $15,000 per day. Labourers $ 10,000 per day . Call: 6157526/602-9469. T RUCK TIRES 295 / 75R22.5 $40K EACH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL / WHATSAPP:+592-6883201.

On Call Nail Technician Needed .Experienced,Knowledge in nail hygiene.Apply Now Call: 592 223-5273/2235274.

Sales Rep needed, ages 1830 years. Knowledge of vehicle model will be an asset. Contact: 619-1237.

Wanted cashier,counter clerk,driver,office assistant.NIS clerk,handyman,Farm assistant.Call: 617-4662/ 627-9945.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

Fiat 110-90,290 Massey,Lavarda 132 , John Deere 7300 , Fiatagri L413.

SERVICES

Visa Application:U.S.A, Canada & UK:Graphics design, advertisements, wedding arch rentals.Tel:6267040.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Seaforth st. Campbellville , Surbryanville , Charlestown , Norton street & La Penitence public road. Contact Ray's realty 627-9685.

“But I told them no. I so sick, I end up in the hospital last month with pneumonia and so my relative come with the same man that she try sell the land to, till there to get me to sign some papers. I refuse and like the nurse overheard them talking about me signing, and the next morning, I woke with clear scotch tape on my thumb fingers. I asked her why my finger was scotch taped; she said she overheard what was happening and she wanted to make sure nobody come during the night and take my thumbprint…” she explained.

Mahabir is now contemplating legal action for the alleged fraudulent acts.

‘My nephew is talking to a lawyer because we want to make sure that the sale does not go through and everyone gets what is rightfully their share.”

GuyanesemakeupartistLisaCozier...

Frompage39 several designers. She was tasked with executing makeup looks for multiple designers, an intense but rewarding assignment.“ItwasalotbutitwasfunandI was invited to watch the show after Seeing my work once again on the international stageneverceasestoamazeme,”shesaid. Hersecondengagementcameafterbeing recommended by the New York Makeup Academy,whichselectedhertobepartofits glam team, an opportunity she describes as anotherphenomenalexperience.

Thoughbackstagespacesweretight,she praised the organization of the production. Sheexplainedthatcalltimeswereextremely early, with Cozier leaving home as early 5:00hrs,butaftertwodecadesintheindustry, shesayssheisaccustomedtothedemandsof high-profile productions. “Oh man it was well organized not that spacious but organized.After20yearsintheindustryyou getusedtoit,”shesaidwithlaughter

The looks she created were primarily runway glam. However, her talents span from subtle yet glamorous full-face applicationstailoredtocomplementdesigner collectionsandthemodelsfeatures.

While she did not work directly on celebrities, many of the models she worked withareseasonedrunwayprofessionalswho have collaborated with major designers for years. The backstage environment buzzed with major media houses and influencers, including Getty Images, Vogue, FOX and ABC. “Most of the models I worked on are actual runway models who’s been in the industry for years and worked with major designers,” she said. Despite the glitz and excitement, Cozier admits that at the end of

the show, exhaustion kicked in. “I just wantedtogethome,”shelaughed.

For Cozier, every international assignment is bigger than personal achievement,itisaboutrepresentation.

“It means that our beautiful Guyana is goingplacesandrepresentingwell,”shesaid proudly

Sheisnostrangertointernationalstages. Cozier serves as the professional makeup artist for the Miss, Mrs. and Teen India Guyanapageants,representingGuyanaboth locallyandinternationallyeachyear

Being at Fashion Week, however, reaffirmed something more special and meaningful for this makeup artist She explainedthatbeingapartoftheinternational stagesshowshowmuchsheiscapableofaswell asthestrengthofhertalent,whichboostedher confidence “It boosted my confidence, expanded my professional network and exposedmetonewtrendsandtechniques,it was a game changer, it showed me that my skills are so bigger than Guyana and it resonate globally, “she said. With over 20 years in the beauty industry, Cozier attributes her success to passion, consistency and patience “Patienceiskeyalways,clapforothers andevenifsomethingdoesn’thappenforyou,it doesn’tmeanitwon’t,itjustmeansthatitwasn’t yourtime,”shereflected

What’snext?

Cozier says she is already booked for several additional shows this year and plans tocontinuebuildingherbrandwhilerunning herbusinesses.“I’mgoingtocontinue being me, doing what I love while running my businesses and whatever the future holds in the most positive and aspirational way,” Coziersadproudly

Iran's Supreme leader killed...

Frompage2 position after mass anti-government demonstrations in January, which led to a crackdown in which thousands of people werekilledintheworstdomesticunrestsince theeraofthe1979revolution.Protestershad again taken to the streets in recent days in remembrance of those killed the previous month. Israeli military operations over the past two years had already killed some of Iran’s senior military officials and severely weakened several of Tehran’s once-feared proxyforcesacrosstheMiddleEast.

After Israel pounded Iran in a 12-day air warinJune,joinedbytheUnitedStates,the U.S.andIsraelhadwarnedtheywouldstrike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear andballisticmissileprogrammes.

EyalZamir,theIsraeliarmedforceschief ofstaff,saidthatoverthepastmonths,hehad been involved in preparing joint battleplans against Iran in coordination with senior leadersintheU.S.military

MISSILESFIREDAT ARABGULFSTATES

Oilmarketshavebeencloselywatchingthe standoff Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy, predicted prices could shoot up by $10 to $20 per barrel when marketsopenonMonday,ifthereisnosignof de-escalation Iran,thethird-largestproducerin the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, pumps about 4% of global oil

supplies,andafarlargershareisshippedpastits coastthroughthestraitleadingoutoftheGulf. In Israel, sirens and mobile-phone warnings sentIsraelisrushingtoairraidsheltersasIran launched a series of missile barrages that were mostly intercepted, though some missiles hit. Emergency teams in Tel Aviv treatedatleast20peoplehurtbyamissilethat hitaresidentialbuilding,Israel’sambulance servicesaid.

Photosfromthesceneshowedonesideof the multi-storey building blown out and its roofcavedin.

LoudboomssoundedinAbuDhabi,capital oftheUnitedArabEmirates,anoilproducerand closeUS ally,andseveralblastswereheardin the business capital Dubai, where one of the city’s plush hotel districts was also hit Nada AlGarhy,30,saidsheandherhusbandhadbeen attheWaldorfAstoriahotelonDubai’sluxury Palm development for Iftar, the evening meal during the fasting month of Ramadan, when theyheardaloudexplosion

BahrainsaidtheservicecentreoftheU.S. FifthFleet-baseforAmericannavalforcesin the region - had been subjected to a missile attack. Video footage showed a thick grey plume of smoke rising from near the island state’scoastline.

Qatar said it had downed all missiles targetingthecountryandthatithadarightto respond. Kuwait confirmed a missile attack onaU.S.militarybasethere.

What Guyana Must Learn from Trinidad and Tobago’s Oil & Gas Trajectory...

Frompage12 disciplines, and retention strategies to grow and maintain the required capability

As petrochemical chains deepen and vertically integrated gas structures evolve, regulatory oversight becomesmorecomplex-not less.

Guyana has created a new petroleum governance framework That is a significantstep.

But a legitimate policy questionmustbeasked:

Has Guyana fully resourced and empowered its regulator to handle what iscomingnext?

Gas-to-energy is not the end. It is the beginning of midstream and downstream complexity. Institutional capacity must expand in advanceofthatcomplexity.

Otherwise, oversight

lags behind industry evolution.

And once regulatory gaps appear, they are difficulttoclose.

2.Consistency, Transparencyand Accountabilityin Licensing

Over time in Trinidad and Tobago, observers have pointed to concerns about inconsistency in licensing and contracting decisions.

Shifting fiscal terms

Negotiated arrangements lacking clear precedent

Adjustments not always grounded in publicly articulatedpolicy

Inanyhydrocarbonstate, licensing decisions form the backbone of resource governance.

Inconsistent, opaque or even absent licensing does not merely create political controversy Itcreates:

·Investoruncertainty

·Publicmistrust

·Unevenfiscaloutcomes

Guyana’s publication of upstreamlicenceshashelped createpredictability

But as midstream and downstream licensing expands - pipelines, storage facilities, gas processing plants, petrochemicals - that consistencymustcontinue.

Publishing licences

precedent. It allows future policymakers to see the trajectoryofdecisions.

Without transparency, policybecomesepisodic.

3 L

Petrochemical and GasBasedOperations

Trinidad and Tobago’s industrialbuild-outincluded m

methanol plants. Over time, questions emerged about whether certain statutory licensing provisions were fully operationalised in d o w n

petrochemicalactivities.

When statutes require l i c e n s i n g b u t implementation is partial or informal, regulatory gaps arise.

Guyana’s Petroleum Activities Act contemplates licensing for transportation, storage and processing where not integrated into upstreamapprovals.

As Guyana moves toward industrialisation -

fertilisers, petrochemicals, NGL extraction, gas processing-licensingclarity mustbemaintained.

Every major petroleumlinked operation should have:

·Clearstatutoryauthority

Defined licensing conditions

·Publishedapprovals Transparent fiscal arrangements

If licensing is informal, opaque or politically discretionary, distortions accumulate.

And distortions compoundovertime.

4.ThePetroleum Register:Transparency inPractice

Modern petroleum legislation often requires a PetroleumRegister-apublic record of licences, transfers, assignments, amendments andencumbrances.

Such registers are not administrative trivia. They a r e t r a n s p a r e n c y instruments.

If assignments occur without clear public record, beneficial ownership and interest transfers become opaque.

If amendments are not publicly recorded, fiscal terms can shift without publicawareness.

A functioning, regularly updated Petroleum Register is not bureaucratic paperwork. It is a public ledger of national resource stewardship - one of the simplest and most powerful tools of transparency available under petroleum legislation.

Guyana has the opportunity to ensure that this tool is not merely a statutory clause, but a living instrumentofaccountability

5. Transfer Pricing: TheSilentDrain

Perhaps the most sobering lesson concerns transferpricing.

I n v e r t i c a l l y i n t e g r a t e d g a s economies, gas is often sold between related corporate entities - from upstream producers to mid and downstream trading, power or petrochemicalaffiliates

Where transfer prices are not rigorously

b e n c h m a r k e d a n d audited, enormous value can shift across corporate structures

G o v e r n m e n t sponsored studies and public discourse in Trinidad and Tobago over the past two decades has

referenced potential value leakage through t r a n s f e r p r i c i n g mechanisms in the order of tens of billions of US

dollars since the start of thecentury

Whether precise figures aredebatedislessimportant thanthestructurallesson:

Where gas is sold between related parties, and where petrochemical operations are vertically integratedandvalue-shifting across multinational global portfolios is not adequately monitored, transfer pricing becomesacentralfiscalrisk.

Without clear licence provisions, strong audit capacity, independent verification and arm’slength pricing benchmarks, valuecanmigratequietlyout ofthefiscalnet.

AsGuyanacontemplates deeper gas monetisation, potentially including petrochemicals or LNG in the future, transfer pricing oversight must be built into contracts, regulations and institutional capacity from thestart.

LearningfromRise— andfromDecline

It is natural to study Trinidad and Tobago’s early success Its rise offers inspiration:

It monetised gas efficiently

It built industrial clusters.

·It developed technical capacity

Those are lessons worth studying.

But it is equally important to study what happenswhen:

Regulatory capacity stagnates

Licensing becomes inconsistent

·Transparency tools are underutilised

Pricing oversight weakens

Resource states do not declineovernight.

T h e y e r o d e incrementally

Guyana is at a formative stage The advantage of being late to development is the ability to learn from others.

The frameworks built now will determine whether its petroleum era produces sustained prosperity or futurestructuralstrain.

BuildingSafeguardsinto Guyana’sFramework

Transparencyinpipeline licensing is not an isolated issue. It is part of a broader institutionalculture.

Publishing upstream licenceswasastrongstart.

Publishing midstream and downstream licences, includingthoserelatedtothe gas-to-energy pipeline, would signal continuity in thatculture.

At the same time, Guyanashould:

Fully resource and

insulateitsregulator

Ensure licensing decisions are consistent and publiclydocumented.

Operationalise and maintain a transparent PetroleumRegister

·Build transfer pricing auditcapacityearly

Embed industrial licensing within clear statutoryframeworks.

The lessons of Trinidad and Tobago’s rise should inspireambition.

Thelessonsofitsdecline shouldinstilcaution.

Guyana has the rare advantage of hindsight. It can design its legal, regulatory, contracting and institutional frameworks with regional experience already available as evidence.

Transparency is not a threattodevelopment.

It is the architecture of durabledevelopment.

If Guyana continues and deepens its commitment to publishing licences and strengthening institutions, it will not merely extract hydrocarbons.

Itwillgovernthemwell.

AMaturingPetroleum StateMustThinkLongTerm

Guyana is no longer simply an offshore oil producer It is becoming an integrated petroleum economy

That transformation bringsopportunity-butalso structuralrisk.

The question is not whether Guyana will develop gas-based industries.

Itiswhetheritwilldoso with institutional strength equal to the scale of the ambition.

Transparency,regulatory capacity and disciplined licensingarenotobstaclesto development.

They are the foundation ofsustainabledevelopment.

As Guyana continues its admirable practice of publishing petroleum licences, it should extend that openness to midstream a n d d o w n s t r e a m authorisations, including thoserelatedtothegas-toenergypipeline.

And as we celebrate its rapid rise, we must also quietly study the trajectory of its closest hydrocarbon neighbour

The lessons of Trinidad and Tobago’s success are worthemulating.

Thelessonsofitsdecline areworthpreventing.

If Guyana builds those lessons into its framework today, it will not merely becomeanoilproducer

It will become a petroleumstatethatendures.

APNUreiteratesconcerns...

Frompage3

Agriculture, which has over the years had its fair share of transparencyissues,“admitted that although G$650 million has been allocated to the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority, only G$1 7 million is earmarked to service G$7.9 million owed in rates and taxes to the Union/Naastigheid NDC

This represents fiscal strangulation of local governmentorgansbycentral authority Whenthecentralgovernment

democratic bodies, it undermines decentralised governance” Duncan pointed

tootothe$500Mallocationto the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for the construction of a new two-storey hostel. He noted that no detailed plans of what the building should look like only a sketch that was used to determine the cost of the building.

Hewarnedthatthisposesa risk of cost overruns, stalled execution and future supplemental requests, as infrastructure without finalised technical documentation reflects disregard for procurement discipline.

APNU vows to continue highlighting discrepancies in thehopethattaxpayerscanget valuefortheirdollar

CanWestIndiesmakeup...

Frompage56 strictly defensive bowling unit. They’ll need everything to gotheirwaytogetthebetter ofIndia.

Inthespotlight:Abhishek Sharma and Roston ChaseHe might have taken just 26 balls to get there against Zimbabwe, but it was Abhishek Sharma’s secondslowestfiftyinT20Is

That’s because he had scoredjust15runsinthefirst four matches, which made him take his time against offspin, scoring just 13 off 17 balls against that style of

bowling.ThatmakesRoston Chase an important player even though he went for 46 againstSouthAfrica.

Heistheonlyspinnerin the West Indies squad who takes his stock ball away fromleft-handbatters;India havefiveofthemintheirtop eight.

Rinku Singh lost his fatherafterthematchagainst Zimbabwe,whichhemissed withIndiabringinginSanju Samsontobreakupthelefthandbattersinthetoporder He is expected to join the squadonSaturdaynightbut isn’texpectedtoplay

Georgetown crowned champs following...

Sunday March 01, 2026

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)

Enjoy a spirited day in which you indulge in everything yourheartdesires,Aries.Your imaginationcouldtakeyouto a whole new realm in which you play the starring role. Livethesefantasies.

TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)

Youmaybefeelingespecially concerned with others today, Taurus. Your thoughts are with the less fortunate Perhaps you should consider teaming up with a local church or other community organization.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Todayisanactivedayforyou in which you would do well working with groups of others, Gemini Your imagination is especially active and you might find yourself playing out scenes fromyourdreams.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Todayisadaytorollwiththe punches, Cancer Don't take anything too seriously, and refrain from making any majordecisions.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Thiscouldverywellbeoneof thosedaysinwhichyouforget to put on your shoes before heading out the door, Leo. Make sure your head is screwed on tight before you climboutofbedthismorning.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

The information coming at youtodaymaybecloudedand delusional,Virgo.Takeitwith agrainofsalt.Someonecould trytopullthewooloveryour eyes. Check the bus schedule twice before hopping on board.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Your fantasy world will be especially active today, Libra, andyoushouldfeelfreetotake off into dreamland. Let your imagination run the show todayandyou'llbedelightfully surprised.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Things might not feel like they'refittingintoplacetoday, Scorpio, so don't try to press the issue. You may sense a strong desire to escape into fantasyland and never come back.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Your physical vitality is extra strong today, Sagittarius, althoughyourthoughtsmaybe a little clouded Someone could strongly object to an actionofyours,butrealizethat their motivation may be a bit skewed.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

There could be a bit of confusioninyourworldtoday, Capricorn. Trying to make senseofwhat'sgoingonmight notbetheeasiesttask.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)You're asked to spring into action today, Aquarius, so don't resist it. Be aware of the fact that things may not be as they seem. There could be a strange façade over the situation that you should be awareofbeforeyouact.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20)

It might be hard to get to the root of a matter today, Pisces. Instead of getting stressed about it, take a long nap sometime this afternoon Water your plants and read a book.

Frompage58 wasthelonewicket-takerfor Upper Demerara Following the presentation ceremony, Ramcopped theMostRuns awardwith192runsaswellas the MVP award for his 8 wickets, ending a fantastic tournament

Meanwhile, East Coast skipper Gainda finished with 13 wickets to bag the leadingwicket-takeraward.

CanWestIndiesmakeupforbowlinggulf invirtualquarter-finalagainstIndia?

(ESPN Cricinfo) - This fixture was, of course, known in advance, but the stakes are somewhat surprising. Neither was it expectedthatIndiacouldbe knocked out of their own party if they lose to West Indies nor was it expected that West Indies could go to the semi-finals if they win thismatch.

The expected result still isforIndiatoovercomethat oneblipagainstSouthAfrica and make it to the semifinals. Then again, jeopardy

and unpredictability are at theheartofthisformat.

The path to get here has been similar for both teams: a thumping loss to South Africaandaresoundingwin over Zimbabwe. Even their scores against Zimbabwe werenearlyidentical.

WestIndiesareoneteam India haven’t faced in their dominant run starting with the 2024 T20 World Cup. They are, in fact, the last teamtohavebeatenIndiain a series way back inAugust 2023 Both sides have

improved since then. India are a well-oiled domination machine, West Indies have puttogetherscarysix-hitters who have happened to hit form. They have hit more sixes than any side at any T20 World Cup, and India are three behind them with 63sofar It is with the ball that India hold an advantage. India’s bowlers are matchwinners.Theyhavepaceand mystery It gives them room forerror WestIndiesarea (Continuedonpage55)

Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd added a record eighth-wicket partnership in the previous match. (Associated Press)

GCB responds to ongoing financial fiasco

Th e G u y a n a Cricket Board ( G C B ) administration recently addressed/clarified statements contained in an ongoingonlinefiasco.

Authored by Travis

Chase and captioned, “ R E C E I P T T R A I L SUGGESTS CRICKET BOARD FUNDS USED IN D I S P U T E D INVESTMENT.”

The article alleges that a financial receipt before the court indicates that funds linked to a civil dispute involving businessman Mr Dorwain Bess were sourced from an account associated

with the Guyana Cricket Board.

It further references payments purportedly advanced to a company connected to Mr Bess during a period when Mr AnandSanasieheldasenior administrative position withintheorganization.

However, the article omits critical context and facts.

Specifically, the referenced Scotiabank transfer of United States Two Hundred and Fifty

T h o u s a n d D o l l a r s (US$250,000) is dated February5,2016. Thetransferispurported

to have been signed by A. Kalladeen.

The funds were reportedlytransferredfroma private company, Cricket G u y a n a I n c , t o PETROTRIN (Trinidad Oil Company), with principals including Mr Anand Sanasie, Mr A. Kalladeen,

andothers.

The current Guyana Cricket Board Executives were elected on March 30, 2021, under the provisions of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act, an Act ofParliamentwhichgoverns theadministrationofcricket inGuyana.

Under this legislation, the Board is mandated to ensure strict financial governance, including the preparation and submission of Audited Financial Statements(AFS).

In keeping with these statutory obligat

Audite

F

nancial Statements have been

prepared and submitted to the National Sports Commission through the Ministry of Culture, Youth andSport.

The same financial compliance documentation has also been submitted in the process of the Board’s admission as an affiliate of the Guyana Olympic Association.

The Guyana Cricket Board further states, unequivocally, that Mr Anand Sanasie, Mr A Kalladeen, and all other previous purported office holders have no connection, affiliation, or relationship whatsoever with the current

Executives of the Guyana CricketBoard.

The present Executives categorically state that the matters referenced in the articlerelatetoaperiodprior tothecurrentadministration and do not reflect the governance, f

ancial controls, or operational practices instituted since March2021.

The Guyana Cricket Boardremainscommittedto t r a n s p a r e n c y , accountability, and adherence to all statutory and fiduciary requirements in the administration of cricketinGuyana.

2026

U19Inter-Association50-Overfinals Georgetown crowned champs following roughshod tourney performance - Ram, Gainda bag

Georgetown romped to the 2026 Demerara Cricket

Board (DCB) Inter-

Association Under-19, 50over title after disposing of WestDemeraraby7wickets thispastweekend.

Taking first strike, West Demerara were restricted to a relatively small score of 150 by the end of the overs,

after Danvir Seegobin bagged 4-15 while seamers EmmanuelLewis(3-19)and Shane Prince (2-56) had exceptionalspells.

W D C A c a p t a i n , Parmeshwar Ram, led the scoringeffortswitha31-ball 35withsixfours.

Chasing a target of 150, Georgetown got to their

Individual Awards

target with 7 over left in the 28th over after Lewis marchedtoanevenunbeaten 50,punching7fours.

O p e n e r , K h u s h

Seegobin,spanked47with6 fours and three sixes, missing out on a halfc e n

y b u t m o r e importantly shared a 62-run stand alongside his partner

Kishawn Silas who chipped inwitharock-solid31off69 ballswithjustapairoffours.

West Demerara’s

TashantArgyle, who scored 30-odd earlier, grabbed 1-8, alongwithAmritPersaud(115)andNavendraSankar(141).

Meanwhile, at LBI East Coast handed Uppe

Association a 9-wicket defeat, after keeping the latterto102allout.

Nathan Bishop (33) and Tyric Henry (25) shared a

middle-order half-century stand but nothing else came fromtheyoungteam.

Bowling for East Coast wasledbytheircaptain,leftarm spinner, Arun Gainda, who bagged 4-20, finding help from left-arm pacer, Vijai Kalpu (2-14), and

Parmeshwar Ram copped the MVPaward for his brilliance with bat and ball

spinner, Kaylon Callendar (2-23).

East Coast opener, YannickNewton,hammered an unbeaten51 (7x4s, 2x6s) with support from Munesh Outar(23).

SeamerRagubeer(1-40) (Continuedonpage55)

Upper Corentyne ITC and NATI advance to semis

- Petra-Modec Tertiary Football continues today

Upper Corentyne

I n d u s t r i a l Training Centre

and New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) have become the first two teams to secure semifinal berths in the inaugural Modec Tertiary Education Football Tournament, following commanding quarterfinal victories on

Friday and Saturday in Berbice.

After an exciting opening round, both sides underlined their title credentials with polished performances On Friday, Upper Corentyne brushed aside Port Mourant Technical Institute 3-0, beforeNATIfollowedupon Saturdaywithanimpressive

3-1 win over Government Technical Institute (GTI) to book their place in the final four

Upper Corentyne set the tone early in Game 16, producing a disciplined and clinicaldisplay

JoshuaMarshallopened the scoring in the 28th minute,calmlyconvertingto give his side the advantage. The lead was doubled shortlyaftertherestartwhen Matthew Doris struck in the 47thminute,andhereturned in the 79th to complete his b r a c e a n d s e a l a comprehensive3-0triumph.

While Port Mourant showed ambition, they were repeatedly frustrated by Upper Corentyne’s organised backline, which m

l throughout to preserve a cleansheet

Saturday’s clash at the Scott’s ground delivered anothe

high-s

akes encounterasGTIfacedNATI in a decisive quarterfinal showdown NATI wasted

themselves Amare Caesar brokethedeadlockinthe23rd minute, and Dane Singh extended the lead just five minutes later to put GTI on thebackfoot

Leading 2-0 at the interval, NATI tightened their grip on the contest when Caesar grabbed his second in the 48th minute to make it 3-0 GTI managedalateconsolation through Kevin David, but NATI remained composed, controlling the midfield exchanges and protecting theiradvantagetocloseout a3-1victory

Attention now turns to today’sfixtures,whichwill determine the remaining

University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus in what p r o m i s e s t o b e a compelling encounter. Turkeyen enter with the stronger goal difference, but a confident Essequibo side, led by Deangelo Davidson, will be eager to stake their claim UG’s

R

expectedtospearheadtheir attacking efforts as both teams chase a place in the semifinals.

Later,LindenTechnical

M

Institute for the final semifinal spot Linden’s attractivestyleofplaymay give them the edge, but Mahaicony have shown resilience, including two dominant displays over the Guyana School of Agriculture in the opening round With a semifinal

berth at stake, neither side canaffordamisstep

Two teams have already secured their places, and by sunset today, the semifinal lineup willbecomplete

The semifinals are scheduled for later this week,withthegrandfinale set for Sunday, March 8 T

(Guyana)andsupportedby MACORP, Dem

ra Mutual Group, Powerade Energy, MVP Sports, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports It is being organised by the Petra Organisation ports The tournament is also put together by the Petra Organisation

Hamilton Green Cup kick off today

arrived—the time is now The much-anticipated Hamilton Green nine-a-side

tournament kicks off today at the Plaisance Ground on theEastCoastofDemerara. The first 16 teams will take the field this evening

from 6:00 pm, battling for a share of $800,000 in prize money The champions will pocket $500,000 along with medals and a trophy The second and third-place finishers will receive $200,000 and $100,000 respectively, in addition to medals and trophies. Ricks andSariEnterprisewillalso

donate hampers to the eventual winners of the tournament as part of the spoils. The pulsating action beginstonight,March1,and continues on Wednesday, March 4, 11 and 13, before culminating on March 21. Allmatcheswillbeplayedat thePlaisanceGround.

Georgetown crowned champs following roughshod tourney performance

Adominant GCAbeat off the competition to secure this year’s title

- Ram, Gainda bag Individual Awards Awards

Upper Corentyne dangermen Joshua Marshall and Matthew Doris seal semifinal berth in 3-0 affair against PMTI

Upper

Amare Caesar double propels NATI into Modec’s semifinal, Dane Singh also netted a 28-minute strike in a 3-1 affair